Unusual Machines: A Speculation With Tailwinds to Lift Its Price

Written by Thomas Hughes

Unusual Machines (NYSEAMERICAN: UMAC) has an unusual story with its once-China-based manufacturing returning to the U.S. The critical takeaway is that this leading provider of advanced drone technology, components, and accessories is now an NDAA-compliant manufacturer that can sell to U.S. government agencies and the military. That is an important factor considering the global drone industry’s reliance on China and plans for government spending in 2026.

The government is increasing its budget in crucial areas, including defense and modernization, which supports this company’s outlook.

The U.S. drone market outlook remains strong. The market, valued at around $11 billion in 2025, is projected to grow at a steady double-digit CAGR into the next decade. This will lead to nearly a 200% increase in market size, fueled by growth across various end markets, including both commercial and government sectors.

The commercial market will be dominated by media, agriculture, inspection, and delivery, a focus of Unusual Machines.

The outlook for Unusual Machines is more robust. With its products supported by government spending, new approvals, an expanding product line, and accelerating use-case growth, the forecast is for hyper-growth, which is likely to be low.

Currently, analysts tracked by MarketBeat predict revenue will grow by at least 100% in 2026 and maintain a nearly triple-digit growth rate for the upcoming years. Profitability is also projected and is expected to be achieved by the end of this decade.

Institutional and Analysts Support UMAC Stock: Short-Selling Is a Hurdle

The institutional and analyst trends are not robust, with the first group owning less than 5% of the stock as of early August, and the other includes only two ratings, but they are bullish. The institutions have been buying on balance since the IPO, and the analysts rate the stock unanimously as a Buy.

They see this market advancing by at least 100% from the early August support levels and may also be cautious in their forecasts.

The hurdle is the short-sellers. The short-sellers focus on UMAC’s fundamentals and capital needs, capping gains in 2025. The latest data shows short-interest increasing steadily from Q1 to Q3, reaching a record high of 15% in early August.

Among the reasons is the company’s decision to sell more shares. Unusual Machines sold another five million shares in July, raising nearly $50 million in capital and further diluting shareholder value. Share sales before the July announcement decreased the count by 162% at the end of the first fiscal quarter.

Although there is a risk of further dilution, the balance sheet remains solid. The company’s share sales should leave it with over $50 million in cash at the end of the current quarter, enough for several years at the Q1 cash burn rate, and it has no significant debt.

The total liability is roughly 0.2X the Q1 quarter-ending cash, leaving the business in a flexible financial position.

Unusual Machines Stock Is Set to Pop

Unusual Machines’ stock price action suggests it is set to pop when the FQ2 earnings report is released. The market shows the influence of short-sellers, but also demonstrates strong support at the $5 level and increasing support over time.

The action in early August is mixed, but it supports an uptrending market and only needs a catalyst to spark another wave of buying.

The forecast for Q2 is for another significant year-over-year gain, but for business to slow compared to Q1, which is unlikely given the demand trends. The likely scenario is that Unusual Machines will reveal better-than-forecasted results and provide a favorable outlook, sparking another upswing in the share price when it does.

READ THIS STORY ONLINE

Your Pre-IPO Access Approved ✅ (Ad)

This means you can receive new details about this brand new Pre-IPO space stock opportunity…

… and how to buy Pre-IPO shares for less than $4.

My estimates suggest shares could jump 457% after the IPO.

They’re now completing a FINAL Pre-IPO financing.

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO TURN $5K INTO $27,855. GO HERE NOW FOR DETAILS (IT’S FREE).

Zebra Technologies: Riding the Automation Wave to Profits

Written by Thomas Hughes

Zebra Technologies’ (NASDAQ: ZBRA) stock price advanced following the Q2 earnings release to confirm a market reversal and increase the odds it will set a fresh high soon. The company is well-positioned to benefit from automation and AI, and the results reflect it. The company’s remote and data-capture products assist front-line workers, improving efficiency and accuracy to drive revenue and profits for their users.

The expansion of 5G networks and the rise of AI-powered computing align with its success, enabling improved functions and aiding the increase in demand.

Zebra Technologies’ Beat and Raise Quarter Affirms Analysts’ Confidence

The analysts’ activity in June and July was bullish, including numerous price target increases and several upgrades that foreshadowed the Q2 strength. The company’s results affirmed the confidence, which included $1.29 billion in revenue and $3.61 in adjusted EPS, both above the analyst forecasts.

The revenue is worth a 6.2% gain compared to last year and 6.3% organically, with growth present in both operating segments. The EVM or Enterprise Visibility and Mobility segment grew by 6.5%, while AIT or Asset Intelligence Tracking grew by a slightly cooler 5.8%.

The margin news is better. Tariffs impacted the company’s gross margin, but far less than anticipated, and improved adjusted operating leverage compounded the effect on the bottom line. The adjusted EBITDA margin improved by 10 basis points, a slim improvement to be sure, but sufficient to leave the adjusted EPS at $3.61 or more than 25 cents better than analysts’ consensus had forecast and up 13.5% compared to last year.

The critical details include the cash flow and free cash flow, which are sufficient to maintain balance sheet health while the company reinvests in growth, and the guidance.

Zebra Technologies’ guidance is central to the stock price advance. The company improved its outlook for the year, raising the forecasts for revenue and earnings to above the consensus reported by MarketBeat.

That alone is sufficient to keep the analysts happy, and the guidance may be cautious. Not only is there a recent acquisition to aid with cost-efficiency, revenue growth, and cross-selling opportunities, but others are in the works.

The company announced its intention to buy Elo Touch Solutions. Elo provides touch screens, software, and services globally and is a natural fit for Zebra’s portfolio.

Zebra Technologies Builds Value for Investors

Zebra Technologies is primarily self-funding its acquisitions and can continue doing so. At the end of Q2, the balance sheet highlights include a slight reduction in cash and an increase in debt offset by steady assets, reduced total liability, low leverage, and a nearly 1% increase in equity.

The Elo Touch solution deal is worth $1.3 billion and will be paid with cash on hand and the revolving credit facility, a debt that will be quickly repaid. Other pertinent details include the company’s ability to repurchase shares while investing in growth.

The buybacks aren’t robust, but they reduce the count incrementally each quarter to provide additional leverage for shareholders.

The technical action in ZBRA stock is promising. The market exhibited some volatility over the preceding 18 months but appears to have a solid bottom and is in rebound mode in early August.

The Q2 results and guidance update sent the market up by more than 5%, extending the rebound with a high-conviction move that set a multi-month high.

Assuming the market follows through on the signal, Zebra’s stock price should advance to the $400 level by year’s end and potentially move higher in early 2026. The consensus in early August assumes the stock was fairly valued ahead of the release, but the trends are leading to the high-end range and a move above $400.

READ THIS STORY ONLINE

Market Panic: Trump Just Dropped a Bomb on Your Stocks (Ad)

tock Market Panic: Trump Just Dropped a Bomb on Your Stocks

The market is in freefall—and Trump’s new tariffs just lit the fuse.

Millions of investors are blindsided as stocks plunge… but this is only Phase 1.

If you’re still holding the wrong assets, you could lose 30% or more in the coming weeks.

DON’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT DROP TO WIPE YOU OUT. GET THE FREE GUIDE BEFORE MARKETS OPEN TOMORROW

Vertical Aerospace’s New Deal and Earnings De-Risk Production

Written by Jeffrey Neal Johnson

In the first week of August 2025, Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) announced a long-term strategic partnership with Aciturri Aerostructures, a major global supplier with deep roots in the traditional aerospace sector. This news, delivered alongside a stable first-half 2025 financial report, signals a pivotal shift in the company’s evolution.

In the competitive race to launch electric air taxis, demonstrating that an aircraft can fly is only the first significant hurdle. The next, arguably more complex challenge, is proving it can be manufactured reliably, affordably, and at scale.

Vertical Aerospace is now offering a viable answer to that critical question for investors assessing the long-term potential of the eVTOL sector.

Solving the Manufacturing Puzzle With a Proven Partner

The supply chain is as critical as the design for any company developing a new aircraft.Vertical’s agreement with Aciturri is a cornerstone of its manufacturing strategy, designed to mitigate risk and conserve capital.

The partnership covers the production of the entire airframe structure. This includes the complex, high-lift wing, the fuselage where passengers will sit, and the pylons that hold the advanced electric propulsion units.

By consolidating this massive portion of the supply chain with a single, highly experienced partner, Vertical streamlines its future production process. It reduces the immense execution risk of building a manufacturing operation from the ground up.

The choice of partner is a key indicator of the company’s mature approach. Aciturri is a Tier 1 supplier, a term used in aerospace for primary, direct contractors to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

They are not a startup; Aciturri is a major global supplier with decades of experience building critical components for the biggest names in aviation, including Airbus (OTCMKTS: EADSY), Boeing (NYSE: BA), and Embraer (NYSE: ERJ).

This deep industry credibility ensures the VX4’s airframe will be built to the world’s most stringent aerospace standards.

Furthermore, Aciturri’s experience isn’t limited to legacy aircraft; they have also supplied airframes for other eVTOL programs, demonstrating they can bridge the gap between traditional certification requirements and novel electric aviation technology.

For investors, this move aligns perfectly with Vertical’s stated asset-light business model. Rather than spending hundreds of millions of dollars on its factories and tooling, Vertical is leveraging a world-class partner’s expertise and existing infrastructure.

This allows the company to focus its own capital and resources on its core strengths: aircraft design, proprietary battery and software integration, and navigating the complex certification process. It is a prudent capital allocation strategy that directly addresses investor concerns about the high cost of bringing a new aircraft to market.

Funding Stability Meets Flight Acceleration

A strong manufacturing plan requires an equally strong financial foundation and focus. Vertical Aerospace’s first-half 2025 report, released on August 5, demonstrates that the company is maintaining its financial discipline while advancing its crucial technical goals. This two-pronged execution is a key sign of competent management.

The company reported a strong cash position of approximately $137 million. This figure, bolstered by the successful $69 million capital raise in July, provides a financial runway extending towards the middle of 2026.

This runway is a critical metric for a technology company’s pre-revenue, giving investors confidence that the business is funded through its next series of important milestones. More telling for investors watching the company’s spending habits, management maintained its full-year 2025 guidance for net operating cash outflow at approximately $110 million to $125 million.

Holding this guidance steady, especially after signing a major new industrial partnership, signals that there have been no unexpected cost overruns and that the company’s budget is under control.

This financial discipline was achieved while the core flight program continues to accelerate. The company confirmed its piloted wingborne flight test program has moved forward significantly, with multiple flights now completed by two different test pilots in open European airspace.

This shows that the momentum from the historic airport-to-airport flight in July is being actively maintained. Looking ahead, Vertical remains on track to complete the year’s final and most technically challenging test phase, the full transition from vertical, helicopter-like lift to efficient, wing-borne forward flight, in the second half of 2025.

This parallel progress in finance and flight testing is a key indicator of a well-run organization capable of managing multiple complex workstreams simultaneously.

Building a Complete Ecosystem

The Aciturri partnership is the latest pillar in a rapidly maturing business strategy. It does not exist in a vacuum but complements the company’s recent operational milestones and developing commercial plans.

The pieces of a larger, well-thought-out puzzle are falling into place for investors. The flight test program proves the aircraft is capable, a commercial partnership with helicopter operator Bristow establishes a “Ready-to-Fly” model for future customers, and the Aciturri deal now provides a credible path to large-scale manufacturing.

Strategic additions to its leadership further strengthen this progress. The recent appointment of Lord Andrew Parker, the former head of Britain’s MI5, to the board adds significant credibility and high-level access for Vertical’s strategy of pursuing high-value defense and government contracts.

This avenue, centered on the developing long-range hybrid-electric variant, represents a significant potential revenue stream beyond urban air mobility.

For those following Vertical Aerospace, the investment narrative has evolved. The focus is shifting from the early-stage “Can it fly?” question to the more mature, business-oriented question of “How will it be built and sold?”

By methodically signing Tier 1 partners, maintaining financial discipline, and executing on its flight test plans, the company is building a more tangible and robust case for its long-term value.

READ THIS STORY ONLINE

The Coin That Could Define Trump’s Crypto Presidency (Ad)

When Trump returned to office, one of his first moves was to tap PayPal’s former COO, David Sacks, as a top advisor on crypto and AI. That alone signaled a shift. But insiders close to D.C. aren’t just talking crypto policy—they’re quietly buying something most retail investors have missed.

While the crowd chases Bitcoin to $150,000, Weiss Ratings expert Juan Villaverde believes a different coin—already backed by giants like Google, Visa, and PayPal—could soon become crypto’s “Third Giant.”

DISCOVER THE COIN THAT COULD DEFINE TRUMP’S CRYPTO PRESIDENCY.