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Paris-based AI startup Mistral AI is gradually building an alternative to OpenAI and Anthropic as its latest announcement shows. The company is launching a new flagship large language model called Mistral Large. When it comes to reasoning capabilities, it is designed to rival other top-tier models, such as GPT-4 and Claude 2.In addition to Mistral Large, the startup is also launching its own alternative to ChatGPT with a new service called Le Chat. This chat assistant is currently available in beta.If you’re not familiar with Mistral AI, the company is better known for its capitalization table, as it raised an obscene amount of money in very little time to develop foundational AI models. The company was officially incorporated in May 2023. Just a few weeks after that, Mistral AI raised a $113 million seed round. In December, the company closed a $415 million funding round, with Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) leading the round.Founded by alums from Google’s DeepMind and Meta, Mistral AI originally positioned itself as an AI company with an open source focus. While Mistral AI’s first model was released under an open source license with access to model weights, that’s not the case for its larger models.Mistral AI’s business model looks more and more like OpenAI’s business model as the company offers Mistral Large through a paid API with usage-based pricing. It currently costs $8 per million of input tokens and $24 per million of output tokens to query Mistral Large. In artificial language jargon, tokens represent small chunks of words — for example, the word “TechCrunch” would be split in two tokens, "Tech" and "Crunch," when processed by an AI model.By default, Mistral AI supports context windows of 32k tokens (generally more than 20,000 words in English). Mistral Large supports English, French, Spanish, German and Italian.As a comparison, GPT-4 Turbo, which has a 128k-token context window, currently costs $10 per million of input tokens and $30 per million of output tokens. So Mistral Large is currently 20% cheaper than GPT-4 Turbo. Things are changing at a rapid pace and AI companies update their pricing regularly.Story continuesBut how does Mistral Large stack up against GPT-4 and Claude 2? As always, it’s very hard to tell. Mistral AI claims that it ranks second after GPT-4 based on several benchmarks. But there could be some benchmark cherry-picking and disparities in real-life usage. We’ll have to dig more to see how it performs in our tests.Image Credits: Mistral AIAn alternative to ChatGPTMistral AI is also launching a chat assistant today called Le Chat. Anyone can sign up and try it out on chat.mistral.ai. The company says that it is a beta release for now and that there could be “quirks.”Access to the service is free (for now) and users can choose between three different models — Mistral Small, Mistral Large and a prototype model that has been designed to be brief and concise called Mistral Next. It's also worth noting that Le Chat can't access the web when you use it.The company also plans to launch a paid version of Le Chat for enterprise clients. In addition to central billing, enterprise clients will be able to define moderation mechanisms.A partnership with MicrosoftFinally, Mistral AI is also using today’s news drop to announce a partnership with Microsoft. In addition to Mistral’s own API platform, Microsoft is going to provide Mistral models to its Azure customers.It’s another model in Azure’s model catalog, which doesn’t seem that big of a deal. And yet, it also means that Mistral AI and Microsoft are now holding talks for collaboration opportunities and potentially more. The first benefit of that partnership is that Mistral AI will likely attract more customers with this new distribution channel.As for Microsoft, the company is the main investor of OpenAI’s capped profit subsidiary. But it has also welcomed other AI models on its cloud computing platform. For instance, Microsoft and Meta partner to offer Llama large language models on Azure.This open partnership strategy is a nice way to keep its Azure customers in its product ecosystem. It might also help when it comes to anticompetitive scrutiny.Correction: A previous version of this article compared Mistral Large's pricing with an older version of OpenAI's GPT API. Mistral Large is 20% cheaper than the most recent version of GPT called GPT-4 Turbo.This article originally appeared on TechCrunch at https://techcrunch.com/2024/02/26/mistral-ai-releases-new-model-to-rival-gpt-4-and-its-own-chat-assistant/

TechCrunch

Mistral AI releases new model to rival GPT-4 and its own chat assistant

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mistral-ai-releases-model-rival-151024805.html

d3d99edc-37c5-38fe-b2ce-dc57201c4a47

MSFT

Cue bubble warnings on Wall and Broad.The market’s relentless rally has pushed the S&P 500 up nearly 25% from its October lows, fueled by gains in only a handful of stocks.Leading the charge is AI favorite Nvidia (NVDA). The chipmaker has gained more than 80% since the start of the year, helping drive the S&P 500 (^GSPC) and Nasdaq (^IXIC) to record levels.The concentrated outperformance has prompted some on Wall Street to warn the rally has gone too far and declare stocks are in bubble territory.Market concentration has surged to a multi-decade high. The 10 largest US stocks now account for 33% of the S&P 500 market cap and 25% of S&P 500 earnings, according to Goldman Sachs data.But concerns over narrow market participation and frothiness may be misguided. In the last week, several top Wall Street strategists made it clear on Yahoo Finance’s "Morning Brief" that there’s reason to believe the market will keep going up."This might be the best sell-side trick out there right now. … I don't think that's justified," Citi US equity strategy director Drew Pettit said of the bubble fear on Yahoo Finance Live. "It’s actually a lot healthier than people are giving it credit for."Strong quarterly results from Big Tech have bolstered the bull case. Nvidia posted another blowout quarter thanks to surging AI demand, while Meta (META), Microsoft (MSFT), and Amazon (AMZN) topped expectations.Higher profit margins and proven returns are two reasons Wedbush analyst Dan Ives describes the current market environment as a "1995 moment" rather than comparing it to the start of the dot-com bubble."This is nowhere near the 1999/2000 period in our view as the sky high valuations, lack of monetization/ infrastructure, weak balance sheets, froth business models, and macro backdrop was in a totally different world back then compared to what we see today," Ives wrote in a note to clients.Story continuesCiti's head of US semiconductor research Chris Danely echoed Ives’s bullish view on tech, telling Yahoo Finance he "doesn’t see any end in sight.""We've got a long way to go until we're going to start ringing the alarm bells or even hear a tinkling of bells," Danely told Yahoo Finance Live.Beyond tech and beneath the surface, underlying trends are positive. Market breadth — an indication of bullish sentiment — has slowly started to improve. The S&P 500 equal weight index (^SPXEW) and small caps outperformed the S&P 500 over the past month."The broadening out we’re seeing is happening in a stealthy way," Charles Schwab’s Liz Ann Sonders told Yahoo Finance, adding that churn under the surface is "not a bad thing."And, it’s important to note, history says elevated concentration isn’t necessarily indicative of a market top. Goldman Sachs analyzed market concentrations spanning the past 100 years and found the S&P 500 rallied more often than not following past concentration peaks."One consistent pattern around periods of elevated concentration is large swings in Momentum," Goldman Sachs equity analyst Ben Snider wrote in a note to clients. "While the performance of the high Momentum leaders was inconsistent, the previous laggards appreciated in absolute terms in every episode. This supports our view that a "catch up" by laggards is more likely to interrupt the ongoing Momentum rally than a 'catch down' by the recent market leaders."Correction: A previous version of this article misspelled the name of Citi strategy director Drew Pettit. We regret the error.Seana Smith is an anchor at Yahoo Finance. Follow Smith on Twitter @SeanaNSmith. Tips on deals, mergers, activist situations, or anything else? Email [email protected] here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices.Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance

Yahoo Finance

Stock bubble fears are overblown despite 'Magnificent 7' rally: Wall Street analysts

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/stock-bubble-fears-are-overblown-despite-magnificent-7-rally-wall-street-analysts-080954768.html

1857a06f-33af-4efb-bd7b-5ad1d525f2ec

MSFT

As the Magnificent Seven mega-cap stocks experience heightened volatility, Schwab Asset Management CEO and Chief Investment Officer Omar Aguilar joins Yahoo Finance Live to provide insight into how investors should navigate their portfolios during this period.Aguilar highlights a notable shift in the mega-cap tech sector, transitioning from being "a momentum trade to a fundamental trade" due to fading AI hype. He emphasizes that for these companies to deliver on future expectations, they will require significant capital expenditure and research and development investments. As expectations for these stocks remain elevated, "investors are questioning" whether the current levels of gains can be sustained over the long term.With the highly anticipated Consumer Price Index (CPI) data set for release Tuesday, Aguilar advises investors to "expect more volatility." However, he suggests that investors should view this volatility as an opportunity to rebalance their portfolios and strategically position themselves for evolving market conditions.For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.Editor's note: This article was written by Angel SmithVideo TranscriptJULIE HYMAN: Meta isn't the only megacap seeing some losses. For more on the recent struggles from the Magnificent Seven, and where investors should look to turn to outside of big tech. We want to welcome in Omar Aguilar, Schwab Asset Management CEO, and CIO.Omar, thank you so much for being here. So as we see, what looks like a faltering perhaps of the Mag Seven, as well as a broadening of rallies elsewhere in the market, where do you think investors should be looking? Is it either, or is it both, how do you think about it?OMAR AGUILAR: Well, that's a great question and very timely I think as you were discussing this earlier. The momentum trade has started worldwide when everybody was talking about AI over a year ago. I think that momentum trade started to just be as just a function of excitement, just a function of-- investors getting really excited about the potential.Story continuesI think as we go in through this year, this has actually shifted from just being just a momentum trade to be a fundamental trade. And if you actually think so earnings, despite the valuation numbers for these Magnificent Seven, has been significantly better than the rest of the market. So they have outperformed over EPS year-over-year growth of 60%. Whereas the rest of the market has actually been on a decline of EPS growth.So when you actually put that together with the fact that they also have had very consistent free cash flow yields, you know, that actually provides a lot of the support. Now, that's the past. The future, basically, expectations required a lot of the discussion that you just had, which is a significant amount of ramp up of CapEx and R&D in order for them to support what the market expects they will deliver in the future.- Omar, is it that the next shoe to drop here? That once these companies report in coming weeks, there's no possible way they can meet up to the expectations that have been priced into their stocks. So that's what investors are doing today selling these positions.OMAR AGUILAR: Well, I think the investors are looking at the relative valuations. They're basically looking at it. It looks a little bit higher now compared to any other big runs in markets.They're still not at the level of what we saw in the late '90s or even in the energy boom that we had afterwards. So still in that context, you know, it's really more about the function of the expectations.Over the next five years is that they will deliver 30% top line growth and 17% on EPS growth, which is very hard to sustain. So investors are questioning whether or not that's actually sustainable. And there are a couple of those seven that are in the process of ramping up that R&D, and that CapEx. That obviously may have a better future going forward.JULIE HYMAN: Omar, I want to ask about CPI tomorrow, right? Because it has seemed in recent weeks that the focus has shifted a little bit away from the Fed, and to earnings, and to the AI theme. Does CPI tomorrow shift the focus back, or does it just depend on what the number shows?OMAR AGUILAR: I think, in general, we should expect more volatility. I think once we got past the earnings season, you know, I think the question becomes the CPI reading is really just going to ask, or give us a little more information of what the reaction function by the Fed might be. And it's really just about the timing where they may actually come up with the first rate cut.And I think investors will continue to look at opportunities to take that volatility, whether it's valuation-driven, or whether it's related to macro to be able to rebalance their portfolio and strategically positioned for the next six months on an environment that will have lower interest rates on the short part of the curve.- If one is worried about the AI trade fizzling out, Omar, what is the best sector they should be looking at right now and make your case?OMAR AGUILAR: Yeah, I think what we have encouraged our clients to do is to-- if you think about the economic cycle as we are today, even with the CPI numbers tomorrow, we have all signed that this is the last phase of the cycle. What that means is that soft landing scenario that the Fed has talked to us is basically now being a reality.And what that means is that the cyclical trade going into the next phase is probably areas that will basically provide good opportunities. And that includes materials, that includes energy, that includes areas that are a little bit more prone to lower interest rates, or at least a shape of the yield curve that is more normal like financials.So I think we're encouraged clients to start looking at that. And we have seen already small caps are incredibly attractive, and the rest of the market outside of just the large mega caps will probably do well.

Yahoo Finance Video

AI trade is now strictly 'fundamental': Strategist

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/ai-trade-now-strictly-fundamental-211449801.html

4d5c8ec3-78ef-3fd7-9b08-8d90ee864eb3

MSI

CHICAGO, February 21, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MSI) today announced that its board of directors has approved a regular quarterly dividend of 98 cents per share. The next quarterly dividend will be payable in cash on April 15, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2024.About Motorola SolutionsMotorola Solutions is solving for safer. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our solutions enable the collaboration between public safety agencies and enterprises that’s critical for a proactive approach to safety and security. Learn more about how we’re solving for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses – safer everywhere – at www.motorolasolutions.com.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240221849864/en/ContactsMedia Contact Alexandra ReynoldsMotorola [email protected] +1 312 965 3968Investor Contact Tim YocumMotorola [email protected] +1 847 576 6899

Business Wire

Motorola Solutions Declares Quarterly Dividend

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/motorola-solutions-declares-quarterly-dividend-193000244.html

85608fa6-97b5-3d5b-8756-54d315c25f2b

MSI

CHICAGO, February 21, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) today announced that Nicole Anasenes has been appointed to its board of directors, effective Feb. 21, 2024. Anasenes brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in software and services, market development, acquisitions and business transformation."I am pleased to have Nicole join our board, a seasoned leader with deep financial and operational expertise," said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO, Motorola Solutions. "Her business and industry experience will be instrumental as we continue our purposeful transformation centered on safety and security.""I’m honored to join the Motorola Solutions board at such a significant time in the company’s history," said Anasenes. "I look forward to working alongside the leadership team and building on the company’s strong momentum as they continue their vital work helping to make communities, schools and businesses safer."Anasenes currently serves as chief financial officer and senior vice president, Finance for ANSYS, Inc.* ("Ansys"), a developer and provider of engineering simulation software and services. Anasenes has also previously served as chief financial officer and chief operating officer for Squarespace, chief financial officer for Infor and held various leadership positions at IBM. She served on the boards of directors of Ansys from July 2018 until Dec. 2020 and VMware, Inc. from April 2022 to Nov. 2023.Anasenes earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Business from New York University, as well as an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.*Anasenes will resign as chief financial officer and senior vice president of Ansys on Feb. 22, 2024, and will remain an employee of Ansys until June 7, 2024.About Motorola SolutionsMotorola Solutions is solving for safer. We build and connect technologies to help protect people, property and places. Our solutions enable the collaboration between public safety agencies and enterprises that’s critical for a proactive approach to safety and security. Learn more about how we’re solving for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals, safer businesses – safer everywhere – at www.motorolasolutions.com.Story continuesView source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240221641159/en/ContactsAlexandra ReynoldsMotorola Solutions(312) 965 [email protected]

Business Wire

Motorola Solutions Appoints Nicole Anasenes to Board of Directors

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/motorola-solutions-appoints-nicole-anasenes-211000303.html

03de39b0-b33e-30e1-88ae-2642a9de8a28

MSI

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors.While you may have an investing style you rely on, finding great stocks is made easier with the Zacks Style Scores. These are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and/or momentum characteristics.Why This 1 Growth Stock Should Be On Your WatchlistDifferent than value or momentum investors, growth-oriented investors are concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, they'll want to focus on the Growth Style Score, which analyzes characteristics like projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.Motorola (MSI)Based in Chicago, IL Motorola Solutions, Inc. is a leading communications equipment manufacturer and has strong market positions in bar code scanning, wireless infrastructure gear, and government communications. The company was formed following the split-off from its parent company Motorola, Inc. on Jan 4, 2011. Motorola Solutions generally provides services and solutions to the government segments and public safety programs together with large enterprises and wireless infrastructure service providers. It develops and services both analog and digital two-way radio, voice and data communications products and systems for private networks, wireless broadband systems and end-to-end enterprise mobility solutions to a wide range of enterprise markets.MSI is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, with a Growth Style Score of A and VGM Score of B. Earnings are expected to grow 6.4% year-over-year for the current fiscal year, with sales growth of 6.1%.Three analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.07 to $12.72 per share. MSI boasts an average earnings surprise of 6.6%.Story continuesMotorola is also cash rich. The company has generated cash flow growth of 7.9%, and is expected to report cash flow expansion of 7.8% in 2024.MSI should be on investors' short lists because of its impressive growth fundamentals, a good Zacks Rank, and strong Growth and VGM Style Scores.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportMotorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Here's Why Motorola (MSI) is a Strong Growth Stock

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-why-motorola-msi-strong-144509784.html

494e2a31-2daf-341b-9891-0e05c32dc8ee

MSI

Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 4 days. The ex-dividend date is usually set to be one business day before the record date which is the cut-off date on which you must be present on the company's books as a shareholder in order to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is of consequence because whenever a stock is bought or sold, the trade takes at least two business day to settle. Accordingly, Motorola Solutions investors that purchase the stock on or after the 14th of March will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 15th of April.The company's upcoming dividend is US$0.98 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of US$3.92 per share to shareholders. Last year's total dividend payments show that Motorola Solutions has a trailing yield of 1.2% on the current share price of US$335.41. Dividends are an important source of income to many shareholders, but the health of the business is crucial to maintaining those dividends. So we need to investigate whether Motorola Solutions can afford its dividend, and if the dividend could grow. Check out our latest analysis for Motorola Solutions Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned in profit, then the dividend could be unsustainable. Motorola Solutions paid out a comfortable 35% of its profit last year. Yet cash flows are even more important than profits for assessing a dividend, so we need to see if the company generated enough cash to pay its distribution. Thankfully its dividend payments took up just 33% of the free cash flow it generated, which is a comfortable payout ratio.It's positive to see that Motorola Solutions's dividend is covered by both profits and cash flow, since this is generally a sign that the dividend is sustainable, and a lower payout ratio usually suggests a greater margin of safety before the dividend gets cut.Story continuesClick here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.historic-dividendHave Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?Stocks in companies that generate sustainable earnings growth often make the best dividend prospects, as it is easier to lift the dividend when earnings are rising. If business enters a downturn and the dividend is cut, the company could see its value fall precipitously. For this reason, we're glad to see Motorola Solutions's earnings per share have risen 12% per annum over the last five years. The company has managed to grow earnings at a rapid rate, while reinvesting most of the profits within the business. This will make it easier to fund future growth efforts and we think this is an attractive combination - plus the dividend can always be increased later.Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. Since the start of our data, 10 years ago, Motorola Solutions has lifted its dividend by approximately 14% a year on average. It's great to see earnings per share growing rapidly over several years, and dividends per share growing right along with it.Final TakeawayFrom a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid Motorola Solutions? Motorola Solutions has been growing earnings at a rapid rate, and has a conservatively low payout ratio, implying that it is reinvesting heavily in its business; a sterling combination. Motorola Solutions looks solid on this analysis overall, and we'd definitely consider investigating it more closely.With that in mind, a critical part of thorough stock research is being aware of any risks that stock currently faces. For example - Motorola Solutions has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.Generally, we wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see. Here's a curated list of interesting stocks that are strong dividend payers.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI) Passed Our Checks, And It's About To Pay A US$0.98 Dividend

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/motorola-solutions-inc-nyse-msi-120753579.html

2b457b49-7e98-3882-a6dd-745ae0e6970e

MTB

Strengths: Robust regional presence and a diversified portfolio of financial services.Weaknesses: Exposure to regional economic downturns and increasing regulatory pressures.Opportunities: Expansion of digital banking services and leveraging human capital.Threats: Intensifying competition from fintech and potential economic instability.On February 21, 2024, M&T Bank Corp (NYSE:MTB), a leading regional bank in the United States, filed its annual 10-K report, revealing a comprehensive overview of its financial health and strategic positioning. As a stalwart in the banking sector, M&T Bank Corp has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, catering to a diverse clientele across its extensive branch network. The bank's financial tables from the filing indicate a solid balance sheet, with a reclassification of owner-occupied commercial real estate loans to better reflect their risk profile, and a strategic realignment into three reportable segments: Commercial Bank, Retail Bank, and Institutional Services and Wealth Management. This SWOT analysis delves into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as disclosed in the SEC filing, providing investors with a nuanced understanding of M&T Bank Corp's strategic direction and market potential.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Sign with MTB.Decoding M&T Bank Corp (MTB): A Strategic SWOT InsightStrengthsRegional Market Dominance: M&T Bank Corp's strength lies in its robust presence in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, where it has cultivated a loyal customer base and a reputation for reliable service. The bank's strategic focus on these areas has allowed it to develop deep market insights and tailor its offerings to local needs, resulting in a strong competitive advantage. With a history of serving manufacturing and trading businesses, M&T has established itself as a trusted partner for commercial real estate and related lending.Diversified Financial Services: The bank's diversified portfolio, which includes commercial and retail banking services, mortgage banking, trust, asset management, and other financial services, provides it with multiple revenue streams. This diversification helps mitigate risks associated with market volatility and economic downturns. M&T's ability to offer a comprehensive suite of services enhances its appeal to a broad customer base and supports its financial stability.Story continuesWeaknessesRegional Economic Sensitivity: While M&T Bank Corp's concentrated focus on the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions has been a source of strength, it also presents a weakness. The bank's performance is closely tied to the economic health of these areas, making it vulnerable to regional downturns. Any adverse economic conditions in these regions could lead to increased loan defaults, reduced demand for banking products, and overall financial strain on the institution.Regulatory Challenges: The bank faces increasing regulatory scrutiny, particularly concerning climate-related financial risks and sustainability practices. The recent guidance from federal and state regulators requires M&T to enhance its risk management and reporting, which could result in increased compliance costs and operational complexities. Staying abreast of these evolving requirements is crucial for maintaining regulatory compliance and avoiding potential penalties.OpportunitiesDigital Banking Expansion: The rise of financial technology offers M&T Bank Corp an opportunity to expand its digital banking services. By investing in technology and innovation, the bank can enhance its online and mobile platforms, attract tech-savvy customers, and improve operational efficiency. This digital shift can also help M&T compete more effectively with fintech companies that are encroaching on traditional banking territory.Human Capital Utilization: M&T's focus on human capital resources, including its talent strategy and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, positions it to leverage a highly skilled and diverse workforce. The bank's commitment to employee engagement and development can lead to increased productivity, innovation, and customer satisfaction, driving long-term growth and competitive advantage.ThreatsCompetitive Pressures: M&T Bank Corp faces intense competition from a variety of financial institutions and non-traditional competitors, including credit unions, personal loan companies, and fintech firms. These competitors often have lower cost structures and can offer innovative products and services that challenge M&T's market share. The bank must continuously innovate and improve its offerings to remain competitive in this dynamic environment.Economic and Market Risks: The bank's operations are susceptible to market risks, including interest rate fluctuations and economic volatility. Weakness in the economy can lead to decreased demand for loans, lower net interest income, and increased credit losses. Additionally, the discontinuation of benchmark rates and the transition to alternative indices could adversely impact M&T's business and operations.In conclusion, M&T Bank Corp (NYSE:MTB) exhibits a strong regional presence and a diversified service portfolio, which are key strengths in its operational strategy. However, the bank must navigate the challenges of regional economic sensitivity and an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. Opportunities for growth lie in the expansion of digital banking services and the strategic utilization of its human capital. Nevertheless, M&T must remain vigilant against the threats posed by fierce competition and potential economic instability. By leveraging its strengths and addressing its weaknesses, while capitalizing on opportunities and mitigating threats, M&T Bank Corp can continue to thrive in the competitive banking sector.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Decoding M&T Bank Corp (MTB): A Strategic SWOT Insight

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/decoding-m-t-bank-corp-050257741.html

753adba7-5503-3ce2-9a4a-0387ea8e7793

MTB

M&T Bank Corporation MTB benefits from robust top-line growth, strategic acquisitions, and rising loan and deposit balances. However, mounting expenses are expected to continue hurting M&T Bank’s bottom-line growth.The company’s revenues witnessed a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2% over the last five years (2018-2023). Also, MTB operates as a solid and sustainable regional bank franchise, with a footprint spanning six Mid-Atlantic States and Washington, D.C., which is a positive. A decent lending scenario and high interest rates will likely support net interest income growth in the upcoming quarters despite rising funding costs.It has been focused on acquiring the industry's best deposit franchise. Deposits recorded a five-year (2018-2023) CAGR of 12.6%. The company has also recorded solid loan growth in the past few years, witnessing a five-year CAGR of 8.6% (ended 2023). Its deposits are well-diversified in terms of clients and offerings.M&T Bank is well-positioned to grow via acquisitions. In April 2022, it bought People's United for $8.3 billion, marking one of the major acquisitions by MTB. The acquisition expanded M&T Bank’s geographical footprint, given People's United’s large network of branches. Further, product and balance-sheet diversification, stemming from such buyouts, will likely support the company’s financials.Though expenses decreased in 2020, the same witnessed a CAGR of 10.3% over the last five years (2018-2023). The rise was mainly attributable to the acquisition of People’s United. This expense base is likely to remain elevated in the near term, as management expects expenses (including intangible amortization) of $5.25-5.3 billion for 2024. This is likely to impede bottom-line growth in the upcoming period. Our estimate for total non-interest expenses suggests seeing a three-year CAGR of 1.2% by 2026.Deteriorating credit quality is a major headwind for M&T Bank. While the company recorded a recapture of provision for credit losses in 2021, it built substantial reserves over the past few years. We expect provision for credit losses to rise 1.1% in the current year. Further, non-performing assets also disappointed with a five-year CAGR (ended 2023) of 17.8%. Given the fears of an economic slowdown, a worsening credit quality can be concerning for the company.Story continuesMTB currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Shares of the company have declined 11.6% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 7.9%. Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment Research Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked bank stocks are Avidbank Holdings, Inc. AVBH and Zions Bancorporation ZION.Avidbank Holdings’ 2024 earnings estimates have moved 14.2% north in the past 30 days. The company’s shares have gained 15% over the past three months. At present, AVBH sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Zions’ 2024 earnings estimates have been revised 8.8% upward in the past 30 days. The stock has gained 18% over the past three months. Currently, ZION carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportM&T Bank Corporation (MTB) : Free Stock Analysis ReportZions Bancorporation, N.A. (ZION) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAvidbank Holdings Inc. (AVBH) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Organic Growth Supports M&T Bank (MTB) Despite Rising Costs

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/organic-growth-supports-m-t-165500093.html

d21a47e2-7434-31f5-aa2e-178a279ef566

MTB

A number of regional banks may have to boost loan loss reserves, if commercial property values drop some more.Continue reading

Barrons.com

4 Banks to Watch if Commercial Real Estate Weakens

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/736ee51f-f670-3d86-987c-0cd945732c0c/4-banks-to-watch-if.html

736ee51f-f670-3d86-987c-0cd945732c0c

MTB

Key InsightsInstitutions' substantial holdings in M&T Bank implies that they have significant influence over the company's share priceThe top 11 shareholders own 51% of the company Insiders have sold recently Every investor in M&T Bank Corporation (NYSE:MTB) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 86% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait.In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of M&T Bank. See our latest analysis for M&T Bank ownership-breakdownWhat Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About M&T Bank?Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index.We can see that M&T Bank does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see M&T Bank's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.earnings-and-revenue-growthSince institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. M&T Bank is not owned by hedge funds. The Vanguard Group, Inc. is currently the company's largest shareholder with 12% of shares outstanding. Wellington Management Group LLP is the second largest shareholder owning 8.0% of common stock, and BlackRock, Inc. holds about 7.9% of the company stock.Story continuesA closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 11 shareholders have a combined ownership of 51% implying that no single shareholder has a majority.While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.Insider Ownership Of M&T BankThe definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of M&T Bank Corporation in their own names. As it is a large company, we'd only expect insiders to own a small percentage of it. But it's worth noting that they own US$125m worth of shares. Arguably recent buying and selling is just as important to consider. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling. General Public OwnershipThe general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 14% stake in M&T Bank. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.Next Steps:While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important.I like to dive deeper into how a company has performed in the past. You can access this interactive graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow, for free.But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future.NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

M&T Bank Corporation (NYSE:MTB) is a favorite amongst institutional investors who own 86%

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/m-t-bank-corporation-nyse-111156141.html

99bfd261-ee83-3f18-ab4f-097a3f7fd993

MTCH

In a press release written with help from ChatGPT, Match Group announced an enterprise agreement with the AI chatbot's maker, OpenAI. The new agreement includes over 1,000 enterprise licenses for the dating app giant and home to Tinder, Match, OkCupid, Hinge and others. The AI tech will be used to help Match Group employees with work-related tasks, the company says, and come as part of Match's $20 million-plus bet on AI in 2024.While press releases, by their nature, tend to be the enthusiastic sharing of company news, the ChatGPT-penned release is a bit over the top, saying things like how ChatGPT promises to "be the wingman...employees didn't know they needed," how the CTO "couldn't contain his enthusiasm" when offering the canned quote, and included a line about AI safety that reads, "our love story with AI comes with a promise of responsibility -- think of it as a prenup with the technology." Groan! It even offered a quote from ChatGPT itself: "I’m thrilled that Match Group matched with me. Together, we're not just breaking the ice; we're melting it, and reshaping the way work gets done." Bleh! Who knew we'd miss the human-driven editorial work that went into penning these company missives, previously?As for the news itself, Match Group says it will begin using the AI tech, and specifically ChatGPT-4, to aid with coding, design, analysis, build templates, and other daily tasks, including, as you can tell, communications. To keep its corporate data protected, only trained and licensed Match Group employees will have access to OpenAI's tools, it noted.Before being able to use these tools, Match Group employees will also have to undergo mandatory training that focuses on responsible use, the technology's capabilities, as well as its limitations. The use will be guided by the company's existing privacy practices and AI principles, too. The comapny declined to share the cost of the agreement or how it will impact the tech giant's bottom line, but Match believes that the AI tools will make teams more productive.Story continuesMatch execs recently spoke of the company's plans for AI during the company's fourth-quarter earnings, noting that, this year, the app maker will use AI technology to both evolve its existing products and build new ones. The company's Shareholder letter explained how AI could help to improve various aspects of the dating app journey. For instance, it could help with profile creation, where Match is testing features like an AI-powered photo picker, and generative AI for help making bios. The company said that AI will also improve its matching abilities and post-match guidance, in areas like conversation starters, nudges, and offering date ideas."We expect [AI] to touch every aspect of our apps by improving profile quality, discoverability and matching. And even more importantly, creating an even safer environment for our users to connect in," CEO Bernard Kim told investors on the earnings call in late January."I believe that AI is existential to the future of Match Group and our business. AI will help us create improved user experiences and will truly make our products better," Kim said at the time.The company also suggested that it would use AI to build standalone AI-powered apps that it will begin testing in 2024.A centralized innovation team will be working to integrate AI across Match's portfolio of apps and incubating new ideas, with some of that work being handled by the team at Match acquisition Hyperconnect. (The company acquired Seoul-based Hyperconnect in 2021 for $1.73 billion, its biggest acquisition ever. However, the investment has yet to pay off in the form of a new breakthrough app as large or as popular as Tinder.)Asked if Match would be leveraging OpenAI tech in its broader AI initiatives across its portfolio, a rep for Match declined to answer.However, the company had said it was investing $20 million to $30 million in AI innovation in 2024. Sarah Perez can be reached at [email protected] and Signal 415.234.3994.This article originally appeared on TechCrunch at https://techcrunch.com/2024/02/21/match-group-inks-deal-with-openai-says-press-release-written-by-chatgpt/

TechCrunch

Match Group inks deal with OpenAI, says press release written by ChatGPT

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/match-group-inks-deal-openai-160857041.html

3d75a8d4-1192-3c0c-bf7b-5c7c1d88c5cb

MTCH

Good morning, Broadsheet readers! Amanda Bardwell will become the first woman CEO of Woolworth's in September, Citigroup rewards CEO Jane Fraser with a pay bump, and Tinder's new CEO takes over the business during a tough time for dating apps. Have a tremendous Thursday. - On the apps. Dating can be a marathon, but the woman leading the world's biggest dating app is racing out of the gate: "We need speed and we need urgency right now," says Tinder's new CEO Faye Iosotaluno.Tinder parent Match Group last month named Iosotaluno as the app's chief executive after leaving the role vacant for a year and a half. Tinder—responsible for more than half of Match Group's $3.4 billion in annual revenue—had cycled through several leaders, most recently Renate Nyborg, who was its first female CEO; she left in mid-2022.Iosotaluno, now Tinder's second female CEO, is inheriting the business as it faces some pressing challenges. Tinder's paid users dropped 5% year-over-year in 2023, a trend that's hit the online dating industry as a whole as consumer spending tightens and users grow weary of dating apps. Tinder, now 11 years old, is also working to stay relevant. Its "swipe" feature was innovative when it hit the scene for millennials, but today's daters (particularly Gen Zers) want something different.What's more, a lawsuit seeking class action status (and filed on Valentine's Day) accuses Match brands Tinder, Hinge, and the League of turning users into "addicts" who pay for the false promise of endless matches. The suit claims Match violated consumer protection, false advertising and defective design laws. (Match says the suit is "ridiculous and has zero merit.") The parent company's stock has fallen 17% in the past year.Match Group chose an insider to steer Tinder through the tumult. Iosotaluno joined Match in 2017 as Tinder's SVP of new business initiatives. Then, she pivoted to the broader portfolio—which includes OkCupid and Hinge—as Match's chief strategy officer. Most recently, she was Tinder's COO.Story continuesTinder CEO Faye IosotalunoIn an interview at Match's New York offices earlier this month (before the lawsuit was filed), Iosotaluno acknowledged she has a lot to do. Driving paying users is one of Tinder's top priorities for 2024. (Last year's to-do list included AI integration and an overhaul to Tinder's marketing to appeal to Gen Z.) "We want to drive high-quality payers, and we want to drive revenue," she says. "We don't want to maximize payers for the sake of maximizing payers." To that end, Tinder has introduced some new options like a $500-a-month "ultra premium" subscription tier."We want to make sure we're putting the right product in front of the right people at the right time," Iosotaluno says. On the paid front, that could mean monetizing different features in different places; in Japan, an anonymous browsing mode is one of the most popular features but is not monetized, the CEO says. Or it could mean a different version of Tinder for a 19-year-old who's excited to swipe compared to a newly-single 28-year-old woman who's cautiously getting back on the apps after a breakup, the CEO says."We probably have dropped the ball" on women's experiences on the app, Iosotaluno admits. "I envision a product that really thinks about, what are your best interests at heart?"Emma [email protected]@_emmahinchliffeThe Broadsheet is Fortune's newsletter for and about the world's most powerful women. Today's edition was curated by Joseph Abrams. Subscribe here. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

Fortune

Tinder’s new CEO: ‘We probably have dropped the ball’ on women’s experiences on the dating app

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tinder-ceo-probably-dropped-ball-142208529.html

92c7758e-c033-3b6d-a6e4-13273aa8438a

MTCH

(Adds new Tinder comments)By Foo Yun CheeBRUSSELS, March 7 (Reuters) - Match Group-owned dating app Tinder on Thursday agreed to inform users better about discounted prices for its premium services following scrutiny from national consumer watchdogs in the European Union over its pricing practices.The authorities' concerns centred on the way Tinder discloses information about its personalised discounts.The world's most popular dating app uses automated means to identify users who showed little or no interest in their standard price premium services in order to offer them personalised discounts.The watchdogs said Tinder applied these personalised prices without informing users, in breach of the bloc's consumer laws.Following a nearly two-year-long discussion with the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC), the Swedish Consumer Agency and the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, Tinder will now provide more clarity to users, the European Commission said.It said Tinder agreed to inform users that discounts the company propose for premium services are personalised by automated means and also why they are being offered personalised discounts."Personalisation techniques nullify the possibility to compare prices, effectively disempowering consumers in their purchasing decisions," EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said in a statement."This is why EU consumer law now requires that traders disclose whether their price is personalised through automated means," he said.Tinder said it takes a number of factors into account for personalised discounts."Personalized discount offers are applied to customers evenly across the board and offered based on a variety of factors, including for example to customers that have indeed already purchased or otherwise indicated an interest in premium offerings," a Tinder spokesperson said.The consumer bodies will monitor Tinder's compliance, with fines possible for non-compliance. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and David Evans)

Reuters

UPDATE 2-Tinder to provide EU users with more clarity on prices to end probe

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-tinder-eu-users-more-164950501.html

72fc574c-e4aa-30b9-a683-3be96811f997

MTCH

In investing, it can be hard to discern between legitimate moneymakers and fads. In an age where the intersection of smartphones and social media is becoming increasingly crowded, some may wonder what investment opportunities, if any, exist.While mobile apps are used daily by consumers across all demographics, one area may be quietly emerging as a lucrative investment opportunity. Below is a breakdown of the market for mobile apps and an assessment of the areas worth paying attention to and those you may want to avoid.How popular are mobile apps?The smartphone industry is dominated by two players: Alphabet and Apple. The former owns Android, which boasts nearly 70% of the mobile operating system market share. The remaining 30% is held by Apple, the maker of the iPhone.One of the biggest reasons smartphones have ballooned in popularity is mobile apps, which cover a variety of categories including gaming, streaming, education, dating, and more. According to Statista, there were 257 billion mobile app downloads in 2023. What's more, consumer spending on these apps is projected to eclipse $600 billion by 2025.Clearly, mobile apps have huge monetization potential. But which areas are seeing the most consumer engagement, and which companies represent the most compelling investment opportunities among mobile apps?Image source: Getty ImagesConsumers may be breaking up with some appsFor years, one of the hottest areas among mobile app users was online dating. Dating apps, like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble (NASDAQ: BMBL), offer a convenient way for people to find romance through their matchmaking algorithms.In online dating, the 800-pound gorilla is Match Group (NASDAQ: MTCH) -- which owns Tinder, Hinge, The League, and Plenty of Fish, among other regional platforms. Given the number of properties in the company's portfolio, it's not surprising to learn that Match has a whopping 15.2 million users.The real blemish is when you consider that Match's user base is in decline. The company's 15.2 million users is 5% lower than it was at the end of 2022. To make matters worse, daily user engagement seems to be strained, as well.Story continuesMatch Group isn't the only company experiencing turbulence. Rival platform Bumble is going through its own challenges. As part of its fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 earnings report, the company announced it's going to implement layoffs.While Bumble's top line is growing at a healthy rate and the company is generating positive free cash flow, it's lagging in one key area. Bumble's average revenue per user (ARPU) was flat in 2023 -- possibly indicating that users are generally less willing to pay for dating apps.There can be all sorts of speculation as to why dating apps may be falling out of popularity. Whether it's the price tag combined with lingering inflation or mixed engagement from tech-savvy Gen Z users, dating apps may not be the best source of growth for investors.This foreign-language platform is rising in popularityOne of the more popular areas in mobile apps is foreign-language learning. A platform called Duolingo (NASDAQ: DUOL) is increasingly becoming a major force in mobile learning. In January, the company had more than 16.2 million downloads worldwide -- more than the nine other leading platforms combined.According to the company's filings, Duolingo boasts 26.9 million daily active users and 88.4 million monthly active users. In 2023, the company increased its paid subscriber base by 57% year over year to 6.6 million.The company has demonstrated that its platform is engaging. Now, the challenge is keeping paid users sticky while acquiring new subscribers, as well.Multiple media outlets have reported that some people are leaving the dating app world and finding a connection on none other than Duolingo. Admittedly, this is likely a small cohort of people. However, there's at least a possibility that Duolingo could see an organic influx of new users who may be looking to hone their foreign-language skills while possibly connecting to like-minded people.Nevertheless, when it comes to investing in mobile apps, the themes explored above support the notion that dating apps may not be the most lucrative investment choice right now. Alternatively, education platforms seem to be growing in popularity, and Duolingo's growing user base and staggering download volume are crushing the competition.With a rapidly expanding addressable market for language learning combined with the company's modest paid subscriber base (relative to its total users), investors may want to keep their eyes on Duolingo. The company's growth trajectory could just be getting started.Should you invest $1,000 in Duolingo right now?Before you buy stock in Duolingo, consider this:The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Duolingo wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of March 8, 2024Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Adam Spatacco has positions in Alphabet, Apple, and Match Group. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, Duolingo, and Match Group. The Motley Fool recommends Bumble. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Everyone Uses Mobile Apps, but Are App Stocks Worthwhile Investments Right Now? was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

Everyone Uses Mobile Apps, but Are App Stocks Worthwhile Investments Right Now?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/everyone-uses-mobile-apps-app-212100285.html

84a29cd2-b329-35af-93f8-f783e63ca937

MTD

Elisha Finney, a director at Mettler-Toledo International Inc (NYSE:MTD), sold 251 shares of the company on February 12, 2024, according to a recent SEC filing. Mettler-Toledo International Inc is a global supplier of precision instruments and services. The company provides weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial, and food retailing applications, as well as analytical instruments for use in life science, reaction engineering, and real-time analytic systems. The firm also offers end-of-line inspection systems used in production and packaging for food, pharmaceutical, and other industries.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 8 Warning Signs with AMZN.Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 251 shares and has not made any purchases of the company's stock.The insider transaction history at Mettler-Toledo International Inc indicates a trend of more insider selling than buying over the past year, with 1 insider buy and 10 insider sells recorded.On the date of the insider's recent transaction, shares of Mettler-Toledo International Inc were trading at $1,177.35, giving the company a market capitalization of $25.178 billion.The stock's price-earnings ratio stands at 32.66, which is above the industry median of 25.58 but below the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.With the current share price of $1,177.35 and a GuruFocus Value of $1,451.99, Mettler-Toledo International Inc has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 0.81, indicating that the stock is considered Modestly Undervalued according to its GF Value.The GF Value is calculated based on historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor related to the company's past performance, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.Director Elisha Finney Sells Shares of Mettler-Toledo International IncDirector Elisha Finney Sells Shares of Mettler-Toledo International IncThis article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Director Elisha Finney Sells Shares of Mettler-Toledo International Inc

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/director-elisha-finney-sells-shares-160101421.html

422e6c06-b41a-3c03-8516-358d08fde5d0

MTD

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – February 21, 2024 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Mettler-Toledo International MTD and Bruker BRKR.Industry: Scientific InstrumentsLink: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2228453/2-instruments-stocks-to-buy-from-a-prospering-industryThe Zacks Instruments - Scientific industry is benefiting from increasing healthcare spending, driven by an aging demography, and continued innovation in the pharma and life sciences end-markets. Higher demand for generic drugs and biosimilars is driving growth for scientific tool and apparatus providers. Industry participants like Mettler-Toledo International and Bruker are gaining from the growing testing needs of newer biological drugs.Increased scrutiny of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food and water is driving the need for instruments. Moreover, the increasing demand for automated solutions that help in ensuring compliance is noteworthy. However, the industry continues to suffer from challenging macroeconomic conditions, low PMI readings in Europe, the continuing war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East.Industry DescriptionThe Zacks Instruments - Scientific industry comprises companies offering scientific instruments, analytical tools, diagnostic solutions, precision instruments & services, and test & sensor solutions. The primary end markets served by the industry participants are life science research in academia, medical schools and government, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, microbiology and diagnostics, nanotechnology, and materials science research.A few companies also serve the food and nutritional safety, biochemical, and industrial spaces. Most industry participants are under stringent regulatory scrutiny worldwide. They have to adhere to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency norms, as well as rules set by other global regulatory bodies, for serving highly regulated end-markets like life sciences and pharma.Story continues3 Trends Shaping the Instruments-Scientific Industry's FutureStrong End-Market Demand: The industry is benefiting from strong end-market demand, particularly from the life science, pharmaceutical and academic markets. Increasing demand for generic drugs and biosimilars is driving growth for scientific tool and apparatus providers. Pharma companies are focused on rapidly growing areas like proteomics and phenomics, biopharma and applied, microbiology and diagnostics, and neuroscience and cell microscopy. This creates significant demand for the instruments provided by industry participants.Aging Demography Driving Spending: Socioeconomic factors like aging demography and increasing environmental regulations are fueling the demand for scientific measurement solutions. Robust worldwide healthcare spending is another major growth driver.Emerging Market Prospects Solid: The industry is gaining from increasing exposure to developing economies like China and India. Prospects in China are huge as regulators attempt to raise the country’s biopharma industry to global standards. Efforts to improve the country’s drug development process and production quality are noteworthy. Robust investments in segments like lithium-ion batteries and biopharma are driving prospects. The growing demand for automation is a long-term driver in China. These factors result in a strong demand for instruments.Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bullish ProspectsThe Zacks Instruments - Scientific industry is housed within the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #8, which places it in the top 3% of more than 250 Zacks industries.The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bullish near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one.The industry’s position in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, analysts are optimistic about this group’s earnings growth potential. Since Nov 30, 2023, the industry’s earnings estimates have moved up 3%.Given the bullish near-term outlook, there are a few stocks in the industry worth watching. Before we present those stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let’s take a look at the industry’s recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.Industry Lags Sector and S&P 500The Zacks Instruments – Scientific industry has underperformed the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500 composite over the past year.The industry has declined 10% over this period compared with the S&P 500’s increase of 25.9% and the broader sector’s jump of 48.9%.Industry's Current ValuationOn the basis of the forward 12-month P/E, which is a commonly used multiple for valuing scientific instrument stocks, we see that the industry is currently trading at 28.76X compared with the S&P 500’s 20.71X and the Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s 21.29X.Over the last five years, the industry has traded as high as 32.33X and as low as 22.03X, with a median of 27.53X.2 Scientific Instruments Providers to BuyMettler-Toledo: This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company is benefiting from solid momentum across its food retail segment. Strengthening presence in the Europe and Americas regions remains positive. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Portfolio strength, cost-cutting efforts, robust sales and marketing strategies, benefits from investments in Spinnaker sales, and field resources are contributing well. Additionally, solid demand across pharmaceutical and life science markets is a positive.Shares of this Polaris Parkway, Columbus-based company have declined 2.1% in the year-to-date period. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MTD’s current-year earnings has increased 0.9% to $39.79 per share in the past 30 days.Bruker: This Billerica, MA-based company is riding on its innovative portfolio. The company continues on its trajectory of delivering excellent organic growth while ramping up investments in the dual strategy of Project Accelerate 2.0 initiatives and operational excellence.The addition of BCA (formerly known as PhenomeX) complements the Bruker cellular and sub-cellular analysis tools and brings opportunities for commercial synergies.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Bruker’s current-year earnings has increased by a couple of cents to $2.74 per share over the past 30 days. Shares of this Zacks Rank #2 company have gained 11.4% year to date.Why Haven’t You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.0 average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +44.9%, +48.4% and +55.2% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch/ Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. [email protected]://www.zacks.comPast performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportMettler-Toledo International, Inc. (MTD) : Free Stock Analysis ReportBruker Corporation (BRKR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights Mettler-Toledo and Bruker

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zacks-industry-outlook-highlights-mettler-095500554.html

4a0368e4-9f71-343d-a065-7fe9eb03497b

MTD

Shawn Vadala, the CFO of Mettler-Toledo International Inc (NYSE:MTD), sold 300 shares of the company on February 23, 2024, according to a recent SEC Filing. The transaction was executed at a price of $1,210.83 per share, resulting in a total sale amount of $363,249.Mettler-Toledo International Inc is a global supplier of precision instruments and services. The company provides weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial, and food retailing applications. Additionally, Mettler-Toledo offers various analytical instruments, process analytics instruments, and end-of-line inspection systems. It operates directly in approximately 40 countries and through distributors in over 100 countries.Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 1,180 shares and has not made any purchases. The recent sale further contributes to the insider transaction history at Mettler-Toledo International Inc, which has seen 1 insider buy and 7 insider sells over the past year.Mettler-Toledo CFO Shawn Vadala Sells 300 SharesOn the valuation front, Mettler-Toledo International Inc's shares were trading at $1,210.83 on the day of the insider's sale, giving the stock a market cap of $26.093 billion. The price-earnings ratio stands at 33.85, above both the industry median of 27.04 and the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.The stock's price relative to the GuruFocus Value (GF Value) indicates that Mettler-Toledo International Inc is modestly undervalued. With a share price of $1,210.83 and a GF Value of $1,456.17, the price-to-GF-Value ratio is 0.83.Mettler-Toledo CFO Shawn Vadala Sells 300 SharesThe GF Value is calculated considering historical trading multiples such as price-earnings ratio, price-sales ratio, price-book ratio, and price-to-free cash flow, along with a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the company's past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Mettler-Toledo CFO Shawn Vadala Sells 300 Shares

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mettler-toledo-cfo-shawn-vadala-180110957.html

591e3d19-7fd8-383d-a703-44892b2d8c94

MU

Shares of Micron Technology (MU) rose Monday afternoon following the company's announcement that it will increase production of its HBM3E (High Bandwidth Memory 3E) chips. These chips will be used in Nvidia's (NVDA) semiconductors designed for artificial intelligence capabilities.Micron expects to begin shipments of these high-performance memory chips in the second quarter of 2024. Yahoo Finance's Julie Hyman and Josh Lipton break down the details of this trending ticker.For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.Editor's note: This article was written by Angel SmithVideo TranscriptJULIE HYMAN: But let's talk about another big tech stock, Micron, because those shares are higher today. The chip maker announcing it's begun volume production of its high bandwidth memory 3E solution. What is that? Well, it's going to be part of NVIDIA's core GPU. And Micron says these are going to begin shipping in the second quarter of this year. Now micron is a memory chip maker, which traditionally is seen as more of a commodity product.And I think there were some questions among investors about what role the memory chip makers were going to play. So this is a concrete example of what micron is going to be doing here. SK Hynix which is its major competitor in this area has been something that investors have been watching too. So obviously, investors like the news that Micron's participating here.JOSH LIPTON: I feel like every show when you talk about NVIDIA, so this is the way we're doing it today. Micron saying, by the way, more is going to be revealed about its product pipeline at NVIDIA's GTC developer conference next month, which has become the big AI show, frankly. And remember, on their last earnings call in December, they did talk about how GenAI would drive what they called a multiyear growth phase for the company. Would lead to a record revenue for the memory industry market in 2025.So they have been sounding confident and investors have been feeling confident. You look at stock, it's up nearly 60% here now in the past 12 months.JULIE HYMAN: Yes, indeed.

Yahoo Finance Video

Micron stock jumps on chip production for Nvidia GPUs

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/micron-stock-jumps-chip-production-222754361.html

dcad3095-2312-3834-b832-001cb3c4b29e

MU

Micron Technology, Inc.Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S24 Ultra, S24+ and S24 incorporate Micron’s high-performance, power-efficient LPDDR5X and UFS 4.0BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mobile World Congress – Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU) announced today that Samsung has incorporated Micron’s low-power double data rate 5X (LPDDR5X) memory and Universal Flash Storage (UFS) 4.0 mobile flash storage into select devices in the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, which introduces powerful artificial intelligence (AI) to mobile users around the world. The Galaxy S24 series is underpinned by Samsung’s suite of generative AI tools, Galaxy AI, which helps amplify experiences from enabling barrier-free communication to maximizing creative freedom.As these data- and energy-intensive features push the limits of smartphones’ hardware capabilities, Micron’s LPDDR5X memory and UFS 4.0 storage provide critical high-performance capabilities and power efficiency to deliver these AI experiences at the edge. Select Samsung Galaxy S24 devices across the S24 Ultra, S24+ and S24 models are shipping with LPDDR5X and UFS 4.0 — the most recent innovations in Micron’s robust mobile portfolio. Micron’s LPDDR5X is the industry’s only mobile-optimized memory offering the advanced capabilities of the 1β (1-beta) process node, while Micron’s UFS 4.0 offers leadership performance and power to store growing amounts of data in today’s AI-driven smartphones.“Micron’s advanced portfolio of memory and storage solutions were selected to power the innovative Galaxy AI capabilities Samsung is pioneering in the new Galaxy S24 series,” said Mark Montierth, corporate vice president and general manager of Micron’s Mobile Business Unit. “By delivering the critical performance and energy efficiency needed at the edge, Micron’s LPDDR5X and UFS 4.0 solutions are unlocking an unprecedented level of AI-enabled capabilities for Galaxy users.”Samsung’s Galaxy AI streamlines communication with intelligent features offering two-way, real-time voice and text translations, even during live phone conversations. The Galaxy S24 series also was the first to introduce Circle to Search with Google, a feature that allows users to see fast, thorough search results by using intuitive gestures like circling or highlighting images or text on their screens — no jumping between apps required. The series also boasts Galaxy’s ProVisual Engine, a suite of creativity and image capturing tools that use AI to help users get the most from their content at every step in the creative journey.Story continues“Galaxy AI is leading the way into a new era that will forever change how mobile devices empower users. It’s breaking barriers to communication, amplifying creativity and meaningfully enhancing how we use our phones every single day,” said Inkang Song, vice president and head of technology strategy team at Samsung. “Collaborating with a like-minded innovator like Micron has helped us deliver the benefits of AI without compromising on speed and power — ultimately bringing never-seen-before intelligent experiences to people around the world.”This announcement complements Micron’s release today of an enhanced version of its UFS 4.0 solution at Mobile World Congress with breakthrough proprietary firmware features in the world’s most compact package for managed NAND. Together, these launches extend Micron’s mobile leadership and accelerate artificial intelligence experiences at the edge for smartphone users.ResourcesSolution page: Ultra-fast UFSSolution page: LPDDR5XAbout Micron Technology, Inc.We are an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions transforming how the world uses information to enrich life for all. With a relentless focus on our customers, technology leadership, and manufacturing and operational excellence, Micron delivers a rich portfolio of high-performance DRAM, NAND and NOR memory and storage products through our Micron® and Crucial® brands. Every day, the innovations that our people create fuel the data economy, enabling advances in artificial intelligence and 5G applications that unleash opportunities — from the data center to the intelligent edge and across the client and mobile user experience. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), visit micron.com.© 2024 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Information, products, and/or specifications are subject to change without notice. Micron, the Micron logo, and all other Micron trademarks are the property of Micron Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.CONTACT: Micron Media Relations Contact Steffi Lau Micron Technology, Inc. +1 (408) 834-1618 [email protected]

GlobeNewswire

Micron Collaborates with Samsung on Galaxy S24 Series to Unlock the Era of Mobile AI Experiences

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/micron-collaborates-samsung-galaxy-s24-080000496.html

3599c3dd-3481-3cd1-8c64-6aaf3664f861

MU

Micron (MU) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.Over the past month, shares of this chipmaker have returned +14.1%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.7% change. During this period, the Zacks Semiconductor Memory industry, which Micron falls in, has gained 15%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.Earnings Estimate RevisionsRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.Micron is expected to post a loss of $0.28 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +85.3%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.The consensus earnings estimate of -$0.43 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +90.3%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.Story continuesFor the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $7.13 indicates a change of +1,758% from what Micron is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +2.2%.With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for Micron.The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:12 Month EPSProjected Revenue GrowthWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.For Micron, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $5.32 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +44.1%. For the current and next fiscal years, $22.49 billion and $32.81 billion estimates indicate +44.7% and +45.9% changes, respectively.Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryMicron reported revenues of $4.73 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +15.7%. EPS of -$0.95 for the same period compares with -$0.04 a year ago.Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.66 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.47%. The EPS surprise was +4.04%.Over the last four quarters, Micron surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an An is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.Micron is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Micron. However, its Zacks Rank #2 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportMicron Technology, Inc. (MU) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Investors Heavily Search Micron Technology, Inc. (MU): Here is What You Need to Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/investors-heavily-search-micron-technology-130015687.html

77fedf5c-fa36-3e87-94a6-8df2071fda53

MU

Micron Technology, Inc.BOISE, Idaho, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions, today announced the appointment of Robert (Bob) Swan to its board of directors. A recognized leader with a distinguished career in the semiconductor, technology and industrial sectors, Swan currently serves as an operating partner at Andreessen Horowitz, where he advises growth-stage portfolio companies.Swan’s extensive background includes his tenure as CFO and later CEO of Intel Corporation, where he oversaw 110,000 employees and $78B in annual sales. Prior to joining Intel, as CFO of eBay, Swan played a significant role in driving the company’s global expansion strategy. Swan also held notable roles as CFO at Electronic Data Systems Corp., TRW Inc., and Webvan Group, Inc., where he additionally served as COO and CEO.“Bob’s track record in driving growth and operational excellence at some of the world’s leading technology companies will be invaluable to Micron as we continue to scale our business and solidify our position at the forefront of the memory and storage industry,” said Micron President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra. “We are thrilled to welcome Bob to our board and look forward to his contributions to our strategic direction and long-term success.”In addition to his new position at Micron, Swan is on the boards of several organizations, including the board of directors for Nike, Inc., Flexport and the board of commissioners of GoTo Group. He previously served on the board of directors for eBay, Applied Materials, Intel and Skype.“Bob’s proven ability to navigate complex market dynamics and foster innovation will be pivotal for Micron as we advance our strategic objectives and uphold our commitment to delivering state-of-the-art memory and storage solutions,” said Robert E. Switz, chairman of the board at Micron. “We are eager to collaborate with Bob and benefit from his vision, financial acumen and leadership experience.”Story continuesSwan began his career at General Electric, where he spent 15 years in numerous senior finance roles, including divisional CFO for GE Transportation Systems, GE Healthcare Europe, and GE Lighting. Swan received his B.S. from the University at Buffalo and his M.B.A. from the State University of New York at Binghamton. He received his honorary doctorate from Binghamton in 2022.About Micron Technology, Inc.We are an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions transforming how the world uses information to enrich life for all. With a relentless focus on our customers, technology leadership, and manufacturing and operational excellence, Micron delivers a rich portfolio of high-performance DRAM, NAND and NOR memory and storage products through our Micron® and Crucial® brands. Every day, the innovations that our people create fuel the data economy, enabling advances in artificial intelligence and 5G applications that unleash opportunities — from the data center to the intelligent edge and across the client and mobile user experience. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), visit micron.com.© 2024 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Information, products, and/or specifications are subject to change without notice. Micron, the Micron logo, and all other Micron trademarks are the property of Micron Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.Micron Media Relations ContactErica Rodriguez PompenMicron Technology, Inc.+1 (408) [email protected] Investor Relations ContactSatya KumarMicron Technology, Inc.+1 (408) [email protected]

GlobeNewswire

Micron Appoints Robert Swan to its Board of Directors

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/micron-appoints-robert-swan-board-200100215.html

febbc8ff-a24d-35b0-869a-a6bd4c0dab3e

NCLH

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. NCLH is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2023 results on Feb 27, before the opening bell. In the last reported quarter, the company recorded an earnings surprise of 10.1%.The Trend in Estimate RevisionFor the quarter to be reported, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for loss per share has remained unchanged at 13 cents in the past seven days. In the prior-year quarter, NCLH reported a loss per share of $1.04.Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Price and EPS Surprise Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Price and EPS SurpriseNorwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. price-eps-surprise | Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Quote For revenues, the consensus mark is pegged at $1.99 billion. The metric suggests an increase of 31.1% from the year-ago quarter’s figure.Let's take a look at how things have shaped up in the quarter.Factors at PlayNorwegian Cruise’s fourth-quarter revenues are expected to have increased year over year, propelled by strong booking trends, fleet expansion efforts and robust passenger ticket revenues. For the quarter under review, our model predicts passenger ticket and onboard and other revenues to increase on a year-over-year basis by 47% and 1.2% to $1.49 billion and $513.5 million, respectively.Improved occupancy rates and strong pricing growth, driven by increased luxury and upper premium capacity operating with NCLH's new Regent in Oceania ships, are likely to have aided the company’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter. For the fourth quarter of 2023, Norwegian Cruise anticipates occupancy to be nearly 98% and Capacity Days to be about 5.9 million.However, high costs are likely to have hurt the bottom line in the quarter to be reported. It expects adjusted loss per share to be nearly 15 cents. Per our model, total cruise operating costs in the fourth quarter are expected to rise 9.1% year over year to $1.33 billion.Emphasis on margin enhancement initiatives, such as itinerary optimization, supply-chain initiatives and rationalization of product delivery, is expected to have partially offset the adverse effects of these headwinds. Management anticipates adjusted EBITDA to be about $360 million. The company anticipates fourth-quarter net yields to rise 7.25-8.25% (on a reported basis) and 7.75-8.75% (on a constant-currency basis) from 2019 levels.Story continuesWhat the Zacks Model UnveilsOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Norwegian Cruise this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But that's not the case here.Earnings ESP: Norwegian Cruise has an Earnings ESP of -12.5%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Zacks Rank: The company has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Recent Consumer Discretionary ReleasesHyatt Hotels Corporation H delivered fourth-quarter 2023 results, wherein earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate but declined on a year-over-year basis. The company's revenues surpassed the consensus mark and increased year over year.Hyatt’s quarterly results reflected year-over-year growth in comparable system-wide revenue per available room (RevPAR), driven by an increase in occupancy and average daily rate (ADR). This uptrend is mainly driven by strong global travel demand, especially among leisure and business guests, and group customers. However, increased costs and expenses and foreign currency risks partially offset the aforementioned tailwinds and hurt the bottom line.Planet Fitness, Inc. PLNT reported fourth-quarter 2023 results, with earnings and revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Also, both metrics increased on a year-over-year basis.However, the company has cited concerns about continued macroeconomic uncertainty and a slowing down of sales (owing to a transition towards more strength equipment over cardio). The company anticipates 2024 sales distribution to resemble that of 2023, showing a return to a standard quarterly rhythm.Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. LYV reported mixed fourth-quarter 2023 results, with earnings missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate and revenues beating the same. Revenues surpassed the consensus estimate for the seventh straight quarter.The company has been benefiting from the pent-up demand for live events and robust ticket sales. It continues to benefit from the robust performance of Ticketmaster and an increase in fan spending. In 2023, 145 million fans attended more than 50,000 events.Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportHyatt Hotels Corporation (H) : Free Stock Analysis ReportLive Nation Entertainment, Inc. (LYV) : Free Stock Analysis ReportNorwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) : Free Stock Analysis ReportPlanet Fitness, Inc. (PLNT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Norwegian Cruise (NCLH) to Post Q4 Earnings: What's in Store?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/norwegian-cruise-nclh-post-q4-163800929.html

0935bcfc-196f-30a2-89b6-780d9730fa1d

NCLH

PORT LOUIS, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Mauritius will allow a ship belonging to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to dock after no trace of cholera was found in samples taken from passengers on board, a senior health official said on Monday.Authorities on the island nation off the coast of east Africa prevented the Norwegian Dawn from docking over the weekend over what they said were "health risks," without elaborating.Samples were taken from around 15 passengers who were experiencing a mild stomach illness.Bhooshun Ori, director general of health services at the health ministry, told reporters that the samples had been analysed at a local laboratory and did not contain cholera.The ship has more than 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members on board.Mauritius' tourism authorities and port authority are working on a plan for passengers to disembark and new cruise passengers to board. Those disembarking will be screened by sanitary officers and provided with medical help if necessary.Tourism is a key driver of Mauritius' economy. (Reporting by Villen Anganan Editing by Alexander Winning and Mark Potter)

Reuters

Mauritius allows Norwegian Dawn cruise ship to dock after no trace of cholera found

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mauritius-allows-norwegian-dawn-cruise-165422496.html

e8de01b4-be87-36f3-9706-1973c3ac3ab6

NCLH

Cruise stocks were rising on Friday, and a price target boost from Stifel analysts—who argue Carnival is due for a guidance raise— could be one reason why. Carnival stock was up 4.6% to $16.38 in trading Friday, while peers Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings were rising 2.2% and 2.1%, respectively. After meeting with company executives, analysts led by Steven Wieczynski increased their price target on Carnival to $26 from $25, raised estimates for earnings and revenue, and maintained a Buy rating in a Thursday report.Continue reading

Barrons.com

Carnival Stock Pops. Stifel Expects Guidance Raise Ahead.

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/9eb9a280-4d98-3fd3-b62d-f73f905fefe0/carnival-stock-pops-stifel.html

9eb9a280-4d98-3fd3-b62d-f73f905fefe0

NCLH

Mark Kempa, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NYSE:NCLH), has sold 19,965 shares of the company on March 8, 2024, according to a recent SEC filing. The transaction was executed at an average price of $20.01 per share, resulting in a total value of $399,699.65.Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd is a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. With a combined fleet of 28 ships with approximately 59,150 berths, these brands offer itineraries to more than 490 destinations worldwide. The company is also currently developing new ships that will further expand its fleet in the coming years.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Signs with NCLH.Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 24,665 shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd and has not made any purchases of the stock. The recent sale by the insider is part of a series of transactions that have taken place over the last year, with 5 insider sells and 0 insider buys reported.On the date of the insider's recent sale, shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd were trading at $20.01, giving the company a market capitalization of $8.428 billion.The stock's price-earnings ratio stands at 70.71, which is above the industry median of 20.615 and also exceeds the company's historical median price-earnings ratio. This indicates that the stock is trading at a higher multiple compared to its peers and its own historical valuation.According to the GuruFocus Value, with a share price of $20.01 and a GF Value of $67.71, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 0.3. This suggests that the stock is currently categorized as a Possible Value Trap, and investors should think twice before making an investment based on its GF Value.The GF Value is a proprietary intrinsic value estimate from GuruFocus, which is calculated by considering historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the company's past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts.Story continuesEVP & CFO Mark Kempa Sells 19,965 Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH)The insider trend for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd indicates a pattern of selling among insiders, which could be a point of consideration for current and potential investors.EVP & CFO Mark Kempa Sells 19,965 Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH)Investors and analysts often monitor insider selling as it can provide insights into an insider's perspective on the value of the company's stock. However, insider transactions are not always indicative of future stock performance and may be influenced by various factors, including personal financial needs or portfolio diversification strategies.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

EVP & CFO Mark Kempa Sells 19,965 Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/evp-cfo-mark-kempa-sells-230148717.html

3801e1cd-7dd3-3e4e-a502-8f98ad72cf6d

NDAQ

(Bloomberg) -- Neo4j Inc., the maker of a graph database and data science tools, is looking to go public on Nasdaq Inc.’s stock exchange in New York as soon as the window for initial public offerings opens up again, according to the company’s biggest owner.Most Read from BloombergJapan Loses Its Spot as World's Third-Largest Economy as It Slips Into RecessionIsrael Quits Ceasefire Talks Over ‘Delusional’ Hamas DemandsPutin Steps Into US Race to Back ‘Old-Style’ Biden Over TrumpTrump Eyes NATO Makeover, Hurried Peace in Ukraine If ElectedThe Brutal Reality of Plunging Office Values Is HereNeo4j, which counts more than 75% of Fortune 100 companies as its clients, is “ready for an IPO,” and has an “ongoing process,” according to Ola Rollen, the founder of investment company Greenbridge Holdings Sarl. It has yet to select banks for the listing, Rollen said.“The management is in talks with most banks I would say, to get a feeling for the market,” Rollen said in an interview.Greenbridge holds a 21% stake in the San Mateo, California-based company which is looking to benefit from growing investor interest in the field of generative artificial intelligence. A funding round in 2021 brought Neo4j’s valuation to $2 billion. The market overall has seen values drop since then.“The valuation is approaching $2 1/2 billion, $3 billion now, based on its performance in relation to listed peers — but that’s just my assessment,” said Rollen.Companies have raised about $7 billion via IPOs on US exchanges this year, more than double the amount at this point in 2023, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The nascent recovery has been boosted by successful listings of companies including Amer Sports, BBB Foods and CG Oncology in recent weeks, at a time when conditions in the equity capital markets remain fragile.On Thursday Neo4j said it was appointing Rollen to its board. Rollen is also chairman of Swedish measurement technology company Hexagon AB.Story continuesNeo4j has roughly 900 employees and sees MongoDB Inc. and Snowflake Inc. as its closest listed peers. Databricks Inc, TigerGraph Inc and Amazon.com Inc are also among its competitors.Greenbridge’s portfolio includes stakes in two other IPO candidates, Rollen said. Brazil-based software company Nstech FS Ltda is eyeing a Nasdaq listing in 2025, and so is Divergent Technologies Inc, which makes 3D-printed structures for cars and aviation. Greenbridge is also about to finalize a fourth investment in the coming days, Rollen said.Greenbridge itself is “working at full speed” to list at Nasdaq’s First North Growth Market in Stockholm, potentially already this year, Rollen said.--With assistance from Fareed Sahloul.Most Read from Bloomberg BusinessweekWhat’s Really Behind Tesla’s Slowdown‘Playing God’: This Labor Activist’s Relentless Emails Force Companies to ChangeThe US Will Face Blowback in the Middle East, No Matter WhatIt’s Not Love Generating Those Dating Reality Shows. It’s MoneyAdobe’s Very Cautious Gambit to Inject AI Into Everything©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Bloomberg

Neo4j Is Planning IPO on Nasdaq, Largest Owner Greenbridge Says

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/neo4j-planning-ipo-nasdaq-largest-080000664.html

a423aec4-45fa-33dd-aa91-86fa6b0eec05

NDAQ

Comprehensive SWOT analysis based on Nasdaq Inc's latest SEC 10-K filing.Exploration of Nasdaq Inc's competitive advantages, market challenges, and strategic growth opportunities.Detailed examination of potential risks and external factors impacting Nasdaq Inc's business landscape.Forward-looking perspective on Nasdaq Inc's plans to leverage its strengths and mitigate its weaknesses.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Sign with NDAQ.On February 21, 2024, Nasdaq Inc (NASDAQ:NDAQ) released its annual 10-K filing, providing a wealth of information for investors and analysts alike. As a global technology company, Nasdaq Inc is renowned for its market services, data distribution, and innovative financial technology solutions. The company's financial performance reflects its robust business model, with a diverse revenue stream from its Capital Access Platforms, Financial Technology, and Market Services segments. The recent acquisition of Adenza, with its AxiomSL and Calypso solutions, underscores Nasdaq Inc's commitment to expanding its technology offerings and enhancing its market infrastructure capabilities. This SWOT analysis delves into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as revealed by the 10-K filing, offering a nuanced perspective on Nasdaq Inc's strategic position in the financial services industry.Decoding Nasdaq Inc (NDAQ): A Strategic SWOT InsightStrengthsTechnological Leadership and Innovation: Nasdaq Inc's technological prowess is a cornerstone of its competitive advantage. The company's commitment to innovation is evident in its ability to manage rapid technological advances, including the effective use of artificial intelligence and robust cybersecurity measures. Nasdaq Inc's technology not only powers its own exchanges but also supports other marketplaces globally, showcasing its role as a leader in exchange technology. The acquisition of Adenza further bolsters its technology stack, enhancing its offerings in risk management, regulatory reporting, and capital markets software.Story continuesGlobal Brand and Market Position: Nasdaq Inc's brand is synonymous with innovation and market leadership. With a history dating back to 1971, the company has established itself as a trusted name in the financial industry. Its global presence, including the operation of multiple listing platforms and the distribution of market data worldwide, positions Nasdaq Inc as a central hub for capital markets. The Nasdaq Stock Market, in particular, is a prestigious listing venue, attracting a diverse array of industries and maintaining rigorous listing and corporate governance standards.WeaknessesDependence on Technological Infrastructure: Nasdaq Inc's reliance on advanced technology also presents a vulnerability. Any significant systems failures, errors in operational processes, or cybersecurity breaches could undermine the company's reputation and operational efficiency. The performance and reliability of both its own technology and that of third parties are critical, and any lapses could have far-reaching consequences for Nasdaq Inc and its stakeholders.Regulatory and Litigation Risks: As a key player in the financial markets, Nasdaq Inc is subject to intense regulatory scrutiny and the potential for litigation. The company acknowledges the risks associated with regulatory investigations and actions, including the ongoing CFTC investigation. Adverse changes in the litigation or regulatory environment could impact Nasdaq Inc's operations and financial performance, necessitating a proactive and vigilant approach to compliance.OpportunitiesExpansion of Non-Trading Businesses: Nasdaq Inc has significant growth potential in its non-trading businesses, including anti-financial crime and compliance solutions, marketplace technology, and investment workflow solutions. The integration of Adenza's solutions presents an opportunity to solidify Nasdaq Inc's position in these areas, addressing the foundational shifts in the global financial system and meeting evolving client needs.Leveraging Emerging Technologies: The company is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging technologies such as cloud computing, blockchain, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Nasdaq Inc's strategic focus on modernizing markets and enhancing market resiliency and scalability through these technologies can unlock new opportunities for market participants and integrate new asset classes across global markets.ThreatsMarket Volatility and Economic Conditions: Nasdaq Inc operates in an environment susceptible to economic, political, and market fluctuations. Factors such as inflation, interest rate changes, foreign currency risks, and geopolitical instability can affect trading volumes, fees, market share, and the overall financial landscape. The company must navigate these uncertainties while maintaining its competitive edge and financial stability.Intensifying Competition: The financial services industry is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for market share. Nasdaq Inc faces competition from other exchanges, data providers, and financial technology firms. To maintain its leadership position, the company must continue to innovate, offer superior technology solutions, and adapt to the changing needs of its clients.In conclusion, Nasdaq Inc (NASDAQ:NDAQ) stands as a formidable entity in the financial services sector, backed by its technological expertise, global brand recognition, and strategic growth initiatives. While the company faces challenges related to its technological dependence and regulatory landscape, it also has significant opportunities to expand its non-trading businesses and leverage emerging technologies. The threats posed by market volatility and competition are ever-present, but Nasdaq Inc's forward-looking strategies and commitment to innovation position it to navigate these risks effectively. As the company continues to evolve, it remains a pivotal force in shaping the future of the global financial system.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Decoding Nasdaq Inc (NDAQ): A Strategic SWOT Insight

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/decoding-nasdaq-inc-ndaq-strategic-050937233.html

442c9167-c3ce-3df1-82fe-868644a540d3

NDAQ

Nasdaq Inc. NDAQ has been in investors’ good books owing to impressive organic growth, ramping up of on-trading revenue base and strategic buyouts to capitalize on growing market opportunities.Zacks Rank & Price PerformanceNasdaq currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). In the past year, the stock has gained 15.5% compared with the industry’s growth of 42.2%.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchOptimistic Growth ProjectionsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Nasdaq’s 2025 earnings per share is pegged at $3.08, indicating a year-over-year increase of 12.5%. The consensus estimate for revenues is $4.92 billion, implying an increase of 6.6%.Earnings Surprise HistoryNasdaq has a decent earnings surprise history. It beat estimates in each of the last four quarters, with the average being 6.05%.Northbound Estimate RevisionThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for NDAQ’s 2024 and 2025 earnings has moved 0.7% and 0.3% north, respectively, in the past seven days. This should instill investors' confidence in the stock.Return on EquityThe company’s return on equity was 19.2% in the trailing 12 months, which is better than the industry average of 13%.Business TailwindsNasdaq remains focused on generating more revenues from high-growth Market Technology and Investment Intelligence segments. It is also redirecting R&D spending toward higher-growth products. The company is expanding its Anti-Financial Crime clientele as well as making innovations.Nasdaq has an impressive inorganic growth story. The Adenza Group buyout will boost its Marketplace Technology and Anti-Financial Crime solutions. The transaction also strengthens its offerings across a wider spectrum of regulatory technology, compliance and risk management solutions.NDAQ has been investing in proprietary data and migrating markets and SaaS solutions to capitalize on the immense opportunity offered by the cryptocurrency markets.Nasdaq noted that the anti-fin crime space has a total addressable market of $12.5 billion and is expected to witness a CAGR of 17% through 2024. Thus, the strategic acquisition of Verafin in February 2021 was targeted to consolidate the insurer's established reg tech leadership to create a global SaaS leader. NDAQ aims 40-50% SaaS revenues, as a percentage of total revenues by 2025.The company estimates strong growth from its index and analytics businesses, followed by moderate growth in its exchange data products across U.S. and Nordic equities.Due to a change in corporate structure, NDAQ estimates to incur $115 million to $145 million in pretax charges, of which about 40% will be non-cash charges. Nonetheless, this will help unlock revenue synergies. The company estimates benefits in the form of combined annual run rate operating efficiencies and revenue synergies of at least $30 million by 2025.Story continuesStocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks from the finance sector are Coinbase Global, Inc. COIN, Cboe Global Markets, Inc. CBOE and Enact Holdings, Inc. ACT. While Coinbase Global sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Cboe Global and Enact Holdings carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Coinbase Global’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, the average beat being 377.57%. In the past year, COIN has rallied 333.7%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for COIN’s 2024 earnings per share is pegged at $1.01, indicating a year-over-year increase of 172.97%.Cboe Global’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, the average beat being 4.14%. In the past year, CBOE has gained 52.7%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CBOE’s 2024 and 2025 earnings indicates 6.4% and 6.2% year-over-year growth, respectively.Enact Holdings delivered a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 24.59%. In a year, ACT’s shares have gained 22.1%. In the past year, ACT has jumped 32.9%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ACT’s 2024 and 2025 earnings has moved up 0.7% and 1.5%, respectively, in the past seven days.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ) : Free Stock Analysis ReportCboe Global Markets, Inc. (CBOE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportEnact Holdings, Inc. (ACT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportCoinbase Global, Inc. (COIN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Here's Why You Should Hold Nasdaq (NDAQ) Stock Right Now

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-why-hold-nasdaq-ndaq-122700783.html

f5e53abd-71d7-3f41-9cc1-6d564dc516d2

NDAQ

Nasdaq, Inc.Nasdaq Short Interest DaysNasdaq Short Interest DaysNEW YORK, March 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the end of the settlement date of February 29, 2024, short interest in 3,142 Nasdaq Global MarketSM securities totaled 10,786,577,263 shares compared with 10,714,388,932 shares in 3,153 Global Market issues reported for the prior settlement date of February 15, 2024. The end of February short interest represent 2.69 days average daily Nasdaq Global Market share volume for the reporting period, compared with 2.83 days for the prior reporting period.Short interest in 1,714 securities on The Nasdaq Capital MarketSM totaled 1,993,242,910 shares at the end of the settlement date of February 29, 2024 compared with 2,023,208,827 shares in 1,727 securities for the previous reporting period. This represents a 1.30 day average daily volume; the previous reporting period’s figure was 1.32.In summary, short interest in all 4,856 Nasdaq® securities totaled 12,779,820,173 shares at the February 29, 2024 settlement date, compared with 4,880 issues and 12,737,597,759 shares at the end of the previous reporting period. This is 2.31 days average daily volume, compared with an average of 2.39 days for the previous reporting period.Nasdaq Short Interest DaysThe open short interest positions reported for each Nasdaq security reflect the total number of shares sold short by all broker/dealers regardless of their exchange affiliations. A short sale is generally understood to mean the sale of a security that the seller does not own or any sale that is consummated by the delivery of a security borrowed by or for the account of the seller.For more information on Nasdaq Short interest positions, including publication dates, visithttp://www.nasdaq.com/quotes/short-interest.aspx or http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/asp/short_interest.asp.About Nasdaq: Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions, and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.Story continuesMedia Contact: Camille [email protected] photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5c2af920-e37d-462b-ab6a-7d9248b4252fNDAQO

GlobeNewswire

Nasdaq Announces End of Month Open Short Interest Positions in Nasdaq Stocks as of Settlement Date February 29, 2024

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nasdaq-announces-end-month-open-210000774.html

212649cf-dd80-3aca-b62b-06478454c5a5

NDSN

It's been a good week for Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ:NDSN) shareholders, because the company has just released its latest first-quarter results, and the shares gained 3.7% to US$274. It was a credible result overall, with revenues of US$633m and statutory earnings per share of US$1.90 both in line with analyst estimates, showing that Nordson is executing in line with expectations. The analysts typically update their forecasts at each earnings report, and we can judge from their estimates whether their view of the company has changed or if there are any new concerns to be aware of. So we collected the latest post-earnings statutory consensus estimates to see what could be in store for next year. Check out our latest analysis for Nordson earnings-and-revenue-growthFollowing the latest results, Nordson's ten analysts are now forecasting revenues of US$2.78b in 2024. This would be a credible 4.9% improvement in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are predicted to expand 10% to US$9.52. Yet prior to the latest earnings, the analysts had been anticipated revenues of US$2.80b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$9.38 in 2024. The consensus analysts don't seem to have seen anything in these results that would have changed their view on the business, given there's been no major change to their estimates.The analysts reconfirmed their price target of US$281, showing that the business is executing well and in line with expectations. It could also be instructive to look at the range of analyst estimates, to evaluate how different the outlier opinions are from the mean. There are some variant perceptions on Nordson, with the most bullish analyst valuing it at US$328 and the most bearish at US$240 per share. Analysts definitely have varying views on the business, but the spread of estimates is not wide enough in our view to suggest that extreme outcomes could await Nordson shareholders.Looking at the bigger picture now, one of the ways we can make sense of these forecasts is to see how they measure up against both past performance and industry growth estimates. The analysts are definitely expecting Nordson's growth to accelerate, with the forecast 6.5% annualised growth to the end of 2024 ranking favourably alongside historical growth of 4.9% per annum over the past five years. By contrast, our data suggests that other companies (with analyst coverage) in a similar industry are forecast to grow their revenue at 3.2% per year. Factoring in the forecast acceleration in revenue, it's pretty clear that Nordson is expected to grow much faster than its industry.Story continuesThe Bottom LineThe most important thing to take away is that there's been no major change in sentiment, with the analysts reconfirming that the business is performing in line with their previous earnings per share estimates. Happily, there were no major changes to revenue forecasts, with the business still expected to grow faster than the wider industry. There was no real change to the consensus price target, suggesting that the intrinsic value of the business has not undergone any major changes with the latest estimates.Following on from that line of thought, we think that the long-term prospects of the business are much more relevant than next year's earnings. We have estimates - from multiple Nordson analysts - going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here.You should always think about risks though. Case in point, we've spotted 2 warning signs for Nordson you should be aware of.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

The Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ:NDSN) First-Quarter Results Are Out And Analysts Have Published New Forecasts

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nordson-corporation-nasdaq-ndsn-first-124836836.html

0e407d2c-a998-3597-ac67-ab33bf72716c

NDSN

Illinois Tool Works Inc. ITW has been benefiting from stable demand environment and improving supply chains. Strong market share and penetration gains in the rapidly growing electric vehicle markets are boosting revenues in the Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer segment. The company’s Food Equipment segment is being aided by growth in the institutional, retail and service end markets. Driven by strength across its businesses, the company expects organic revenues to increase 1-3% and total revenues to rise 2-4% from the year-ago reported figure.The company’s focus on cost management and enterprise initiatives are supporting its margin performance. For instance, its cost of sales declined 1.2% year over year in 2023. Also, in the year, the operating margin of 25.1% increased 130 basis points due to the contribution of enterprise initiatives. Management expects the operating margin in the range of 25.5–26.5% for 2024 compared with 25.1% in 2023. Enterprise initiatives are expected to contribute 100 basis points to the operating margin in 2024.ITW remains committed on rewarding its shareholders through dividend payouts and share buybacks. In 2023, the company paid dividends worth $1.6 billion and repurchased shares worth $1.5 billion. Also, in August 2023, it hiked its dividend by 7%. Simultaneously, the company’s board approved a new $5 billion buyback program. In 2024, Illinois Tool expects to repurchase $1.5 billion worth of shares.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchIn the past three months, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has gained 7.6% compared with the industry’s 17.8% growth.However, the company has been experiencing softness in the semiconductor, equipment and consumables end markets, of late. Also, weakness in the consumables business has been affecting its Specialty Products segment. Softness in the housing market has been weighing on the Construction Products segment, revenues from which declined 5.4% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2023.Also, weak liquidity position remains concerning for Illinois Tool. Exiting the fourth quarter, its cash and cash equivalents were $1.1 billion, lower than the short-term debt of $1.8 billion.Story continuesKey PicksWe have highlighted three better-ranked stocks from the same space, namely Nordson Corporation NDSN, Parker-Hannifin Corporation PH and Ingersoll-Rand plc IR, each currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).  You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Nordson delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 5.2%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for NDSN’s 2024 earnings has increased 1.1%.Parker-Hannifin delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 14.4%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for PH’s 2024 earnings has increased 2.6%.Ingersoll-Rand delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 15.9%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for IR’s 2024 earnings has increased 3.6%.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportIllinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) : Free Stock Analysis ReportParker-Hannifin Corporation (PH) : Free Stock Analysis ReportIngersoll Rand Inc. (IR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportNordson Corporation (NDSN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Illinois Tool (ITW) Gains From Business Strength, Risks Remain

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/illinois-tool-itw-gains-business-120300394.html

56e261e3-bf22-32b9-8b54-b9c0cb92c863

NDSN

See the semiconductor manufacturing equipment from Nordson Electronics Solutions for plasma treatment and fluid dispensing demonstrated at SEMICON China 2024. The MARCH FlexTRAK®-CD delivers high-throughput plasma processing of strip-type components for semiconductor manufacturing applications, such as leadframe or laminate strips presented in magazines. The ASYMTEK Spectrum® and ASYMTEK Vantage® fluid dispensing systems are designed for semiconductor packaging and assembly to meet the requirements for dispensing underfill, gap fill, sealing lines for fan-out/fan-in, strips, and module assembly during electronics manufacturing. (Photo: Nordson)Connect with our experts and see plasma and dispensing equipment for microelectronics manufacturing in booth 3645CARLSBAD, Calif., March 06, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nordson Electronics Solutions, a global leader in reliable electronics manufacturing technologies, will demonstrate their latest equipment for semiconductor manufacturing at SEMICON China 2024, booth 3645.Plasma removes impurities and activates surfaces to enhance flow and adhesion for improved semiconductor package reliability. Fluid dispensing provides adhesion, structural integrity, thermal and electrical conductivity, and more in microelectronics manufacturing applications. Equipment in the booth includes:The MARCH FlexTRAK®-CD plasma system delivers high-throughput plasma processing of strip-type components for semiconductor manufacturing applications, such as leadframe or laminate strips presented in magazines. Flexible chamber configurations support contamination removal, etching, and surface activation before die attach, wire bond, molding and encapsulation, and underfill applications.The ASYMTEK Vantage® fluid dispensing system is used for applications in wafer-level packaging and panel-level packaging during semiconductor manufacturing. The Vantage system dispenses precise, fine lines to meet requirements for underfill, gap fill, sealing lines for fan-out/fan-in, strips, and module assembly. When configured with dual IntelliJet® valves, using Nordson’s patented jetting technology, Vantage can dispense into gaps less than 200 microns, and up to 90,000 dots per hour.Experts will be ready to answer questions, discuss industry trends, and help navigate the challenges of electronics manufacturing to enhance efficiency, precision, and reliability across your projects. SEMICON China will be held at the New International Expo Centre, Shanghai, China, March 20 – 23, 2024. Our booth #3645 is shared with the Nordson Test and Inspection division.About Nordson Electronics SolutionsNordson Electronics Solutions makes reliable electronics a reality. Through our ASYMTEK, MARCH, and SELECT brands, we supply the world's semiconductor, electronics, and precision assembly manufacturers with the innovative fluid dispensing, plasma treatment, and selective soldering solutions their products need to protect sensitive electronics and deliver a lifespan of reliability. Day after day, year after year, across the globe, for 40 years, we've provided engineering and applications excellence to help our customers succeed.Story continuesAbout Nordson CorporationNordson Corporation (NASDAQ: NDSN) is an innovative precision technology company that leverages a scalable growth framework through an entrepreneurial, division-led organization to deliver top tier growth with leading margins and returns. The Company’s direct sales model and applications expertise serves global customers through a wide variety of critical applications. Its diverse end-market exposure includes consumer non-durable, medical, electronics and industrial end markets. Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, the Company has operations and support offices in over 35 countries. Visit Nordson on the web at www.nordson.com.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305040124/en/ContactsFor information:IN CHINA:Izzie LiuNordson Electronics Solutions – China# 137 Guoshoujing RoadZhangjiang Hi-Tech ParkPudong, Shanghai China 201203Tel: +86.21.3866.9166Email: [email protected] OFFICE:Roberta Foster-SmithNordson Electronics Solutions2747 Loker Ave WestCarlsbad, CA, USA 92010Tel: +1.760.431.1919Email: [email protected]

Business Wire

Nordson Electronics Solutions to Demonstrate Plasma Treatment and Automated Fluid Dispensing Systems for Electronics Manufacturing at SEMICON China 2024

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nordson-electronics-solutions-demonstrate-plasma-060300451.html

2245abaf-64de-3c40-9a5e-26c1c52dd17f

NDSN

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors alike.Many investors also have a go-to methodology that helps guide their buy and sell decisions. One way to find winning stocks based on your preferred way of investing is to use the Zacks Style Scores, which are indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing types: value, growth, and momentum.Is This 1 Momentum Stock a Screaming Buy Right Now?Momentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.Nordson (NDSN)Nordson Corporation is currently headquartered in Westlake, OH. The company is one of the leading manufacturers as well as distributors of products and systems designed to dispense, apply and control adhesives, coatings, polymers, sealants, biomaterials, and other fluids.NDSN sits at a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), holds a Momentum Style Score of A, and has a VGM Score of B. The stock is down 0.7% and up 3.7% over the past one-week and four-week period, respectively, and Nordson has gained 20.3% in the last one-year period as well. Additionally, an average of 223,840.70 shares were traded over the last 20 trading sessions.Momentum investors don't just pay attention to price changes; positive earnings play a crucial role, too. Two analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.25 to $10.22 per share. NDSN boasts an average earnings surprise of 5.2%.Investors should take the time to consider NDSN for their portfolios due to its solid Zacks Ranks, notable earnings metrics, and impressive Momentum and VGM Style Scores.Story continuesWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNordson Corporation (NDSN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Why Nordson (NDSN) is a Top Momentum Stock for the Long-Term

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-nordson-ndsn-top-momentum-145011629.html

d13f83fb-534e-3825-99db-bf4d9403f22c

NEE

Unlocking the Potential of NextEra Energy Inc's Dividend GrowthNextEra Energy Inc (NYSE:NEE) recently announced a dividend of $0.52 per share, payable on 2024-03-15, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-02-26. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into NextEra Energy Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.Understanding NextEra Energy IncWarning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with NEE.High Yield Dividend Stocks in Gurus' PortfolioThis Powerful Chart Made Peter Lynch 29% A Year For 13 YearsHow to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?NextEra Energy Inc's regulated utility, Florida Power & Light, is the largest rate-regulated utility in Florida. The utility distributes power to nearly 6 million customer accounts in Florida and owns 32 gigawatts of generation. FP&L contributes roughly 70% of NextEra Energy Inc's consolidated operating earnings. NextEra Energy Resources, the renewable energy segment, generates and sells power throughout the United States and Canada with more than 25 GW of generation capacity, including natural gas, nuclear, wind, and solar.NextEra Energy Inc's Dividend AnalysisNextEra Energy Inc's Dividend Track RecordNextEra Energy Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1986. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis.NextEra Energy Inc has increased its dividend each year since 1995. The stock is thus listed as a dividend aristocrat, an honor that is given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 29 years. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.Dividend Yield and Growth InsightsAs of today, NextEra Energy Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.29% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.63%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months.Story continuesOver the past three years, NextEra Energy Inc's annual dividend growth rate was 10.10%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 10.90% per year. And over the past decade, NextEra Energy Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at an impressive 11.40%.Based on NextEra Energy Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of NextEra Energy Inc stock as of today is approximately 5.52%.NextEra Energy Inc's Dividend AnalysisEvaluating Dividend SustainabilityTo assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-12-31, NextEra Energy Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.56.NextEra Energy Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks NextEra Energy Inc's profitability 8 out of 10 as of 2023-12-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.NextEra Energy Inc's Growth ProspectsTo ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. NextEra Energy Inc's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and NextEra Energy Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. NextEra Energy Inc's revenue has increased by approximately 14.80% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 72.84% of global competitors.The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, NextEra Energy Inc's earnings increased by approximately 40.20% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 87.53% of global competitors.Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of 11.40%, which outperforms approximately 69.21% of global competitors.Investing in Renewable DividendsThe analysis of NextEra Energy Inc's dividend payments, growth rate, payout ratio, and growth metrics paints a promising picture for value investors. The consistent increase in dividends positions NextEra Energy Inc as a potentially lucrative investment for those seeking steady income streams. The company's strong profitability and growth prospects further bolster confidence in the sustainability of its dividends. Investors looking to capitalize on high-dividend yield opportunities may consider NextEra Energy Inc as a key component of their investment portfolios. With renewable energy on the rise, NextEra Energy Inc's strategic focus in this sector could also offer long-term growth potential, making it an attractive proposition for forward-looking investors.GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

NextEra Energy Inc's Dividend Analysis

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nextera-energy-incs-dividend-analysis-100221786.html

678e1d14-eeee-31ca-87b4-67fe699a3362

NEE

In this article, we discuss 12 best green stocks to invest in 2024. If you want to skip our detailed discussion on the clean energy industry, head directly to 5 Best Green Stocks To Invest In 2024.In 2023, the solar energy market saw positive growth, while the wind energy sector faced significant challenges. Wind energy projects struggled with rising costs for materials, labor, and capital, as well as delays in interconnection, permits, and transmission. However, there was some relief in the supply chain as new clean energy and climate laws came into effect. Federal investments in clean energy and increasing demand for decarbonization from both public and private sectors are driving forces for renewables. These factors are expected to help renewables overcome obstacles in 2024 to meet climate targets, as per Deloitte. 2024 is expected to see varying speeds of growth across renewable technologies, industries, and markets. The Energy Information Administration predicts a 17% growth in renewable deployment, reaching 42 gigawatts in 2024, which would account for nearly a quarter of electricity generation.According to S&P Global Commodity Insights, investments in clean energy technology are projected to reach nearly $800 billion in 2024, a 10% to 20% increase from 2023. Solar energy is expected to receive the largest share of this investment, accounting for around 55% of the total. Onshore wind will see significant investment as well, although at a slower growth rate. The fastest-growing sectors are anticipated to be battery energy storage and electrolysis. Despite increasing costs for offshore wind and hydrogen energy, decreasing raw material prices are likely to lead to a continued decline in the average cost of clean energy technologies in 2024. Solar and battery costs have already dropped significantly since 2022 and are expected to fall below 2020 levels in 2024. While solar and battery manufacturers have enjoyed healthy margins, they are expected to face lower margins in the coming years. Downstream players, such as distributors and installers, may face challenges due to high inventories and declining prices. The oversupply and decreasing raw material prices in solar modules and batteries led to a price war in the second half of 2023, with further market consolidation expected in 2024. The global wind turbine supply market is historically divided between Chinese manufacturers serving the domestic market and Western firms catering to the rest of the world. Story continuesOn a more positive note, one of the key commitments from COP28 is to triple global renewables capacity by 2030 to 11 terawatts. This initiative aims to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels in global energy production. The pledge is part of a broader effort to decarbonize the energy sector, which is responsible for about three-quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions. Sultan al-Jaber, the United Arab Emirates' COP28 summit President, said:"This can and will help transition the world away from unabated coal."Led by the European Union, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates, the pledge also includes plans to expand nuclear power, reduce methane emissions, and limit private finance for coal power. The goal of tripling renewable energy capacity is to eliminate CO2-emitting fossil fuels from the world's energy system by 2050 at the latest.In this article, we discuss the best green stocks to invest in 2024, including General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE), and PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG).Our Methodology Green stocks refer to renewable energy, energy storage, battery, and electric vehicle stocks, which were selected based on overall hedge fund sentiment toward each stock. We have assessed the hedge fund sentiment from Insider Monkey’s database of 933 elite hedge funds tracked as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2023. The list is arranged in ascending order of the number of hedge fund holders in each firm. Hedge funds’ top 10 consensus stock picks outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). 12 Best Green Stocks To Invest In 2024A photovoltaic field at dawn, its solar panels shimmering in the light of a new day.Best Green Stocks To Invest In 202412. Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) creates, produces, and sells specialty chemicals all over the world. The company’s operations are divided into three segments – Energy Storage, Specialties, and Ketjen. The Energy Storage unit provides lithium compounds, services for handling reactive lithium products, and recycles lithium-containing by-products. The Specialties segment offers bromine-based chemicals, lithium specialties, cesium products for the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, and zirconium, barium, and titanium products for pyrotechnics like airbag initiators. The Ketjen segment focuses on clean fuel technologies. Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) is one of the best clean energy stocks.On February 22, Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) declared a $0.40 per share quarterly dividend, in-line with previous. The dividend is to be paid on April 1 to shareholders on record as of March 15.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 27 hedge funds were bullish on Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB), down from 37 funds in the preceding quarter. Philippe Laffont’s Coatue Management held a significant position in the company, with 591,603 shares worth $85.47 million.In addition to General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE), and PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) is one of the best clean energy stocks. The London Company Large Cap Strategy stated the following regarding Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:“Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) – ALB underperformed as weak lithium prices drove downward revisions to earnings expectations, and sentiment became more negative regarding demand for electric vehicles. Commodity prices are inherently uncertain, but we continue to view ALB-as a winner in this growing industry and favorably positioned on the cost curve. Our long- term view of ALB is not affected by short-term supply- demand dynamics for the commodity.”11. Fluence Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNC)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 28Fluence Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNC) provides energy storage solutions, services, and AI-powered software for renewable energy and storage projects worldwide. Their products include integrated hardware, software, and digital intelligence. Fluence Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNC) serves the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It is one of the best clean energy stocks. On February 7, Fluence Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNC) announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. The company reported a GAAP EPS of -$0.14 and a revenue of $364 million.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 28 hedge funds were bullish on Fluence Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNC), up from 17 funds in the prior quarter. Ken Griffin’s Citadel Investment Group is the largest shareholder of the company, with 2.28 million shares valued at $54.45 million.Here is what ClearBridge Investments Value Equity Strategy has to say about Fluence Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FLNC) in its Q4 2021 investor letter:“During the quarter we participated in the initial public offering of Fluence Energy, one of the market leaders in the rapidly growing electricity storage market. Energy storage is set to become one of the key areas of investment for energy transition given the intermittency of renewables. Current estimates project spending on energy storage will grow from roughly $5 billion per year currently to $50 billion annually over the coming decades. As this spending ramps up, we expect Fluence’s revenues to grow well above 20% over the next several years and allow the business to scale profitably. Based on the IPO price, Fluence was valued at roughly 2x forward revenues and less than market multiples on cash flow and earnings by mid-decade in our base case scenario. With over 20% market share the stock is well-positioned to follow growth higher, especially if Fluence can enhance its business model with services revenues and a software offering to handle the growing complexity of an increasingly digital grid.10. Array Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARRY)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 32Array Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARRY) is one of the best clean energy stocks. It produces and markets ground-mounted tracking systems for solar energy projects globally, including in the United States, Spain, Brazil, and Australia. The company has two segments – Array Legacy Operations and STI Operations. It was established in 1989 and is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.On November 7, Array Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARRY) announced a Q3 non-GAAP EPS of $0.21, outperforming market consensus by $0.08. Its revenue came in at $350.4 million, missing estimates by $26.53 million.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 32 hedge funds were bullish on Array Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARRY), compared to 40 funds in the prior quarter. Herbert Frazier’s Hill City Capital held the largest position in the company, with 8.84 million shares worth approximately $148.52 million.Here is what ClearBridge Investments has to say about Array Technologies, Inc. in its Q2 2021 investor letter:“Commodity price increases have led to margin pressure across industries, and in some cases have altered our thesis for holding a company. This was the case this quarter with top detractor Array Technologies, an equipment manufacturer that makes trackers and associated software for ground-mounted solar projects, which we sold and may revisit again in the future. Margins also came under pressure for pasture-raised eggs company Vital Farms, due to an increase in commodity prices that it was unable to pass through to end customers. This aspect of the business model is being re-evaluated by management; we saw better opportunities elsewhere and sold our position.”9. Nextracker Inc. (NASDAQ:NXT)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 33Ranking 8th on our list of the best clean energy stocks is Nextracker Inc. (NASDAQ:NXT), an energy solutions firm, which delivers solar tracker and software solutions for utility-scale and distributed solar projects globally. On January 31, Nextracker Inc. (NASDAQ:NXT) announced financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024. The company reported a non-GAAP EPS of $0.96 and a revenue of $710.43 million, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $0.47 and $92.94 million, respectively.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 33 hedge funds were bullish on Nextracker Inc. (NASDAQ:NXT), up from 26 funds in the preceding quarter. 8. Sunrun Inc. (NASDAQ:RUN)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 35Sunrun Inc. (NASDAQ:RUN) is one of the best clean energy stocks, and is involved in the design, development, installation, sale, and maintenance of residential solar energy systems across the United States. The company also provides battery storage options alongside solar systems and offers services to commercial developers, including multi-family and new homes.On February 23, Sunrun Inc. (NASDAQ:RUN) revealed the pricing details of $475 million in total principal amount for their 4.00% convertible senior notes due in 2030, which were offered in a private placement.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 35 hedge funds were bullish on Sunrun Inc. (NASDAQ:RUN), an increase from 26 funds in the last quarter. William B. Gray’s Orbis Investment Management is the largest position holder in the company, with 14.2 million shares valued at $279 million.Here is what Horizon Kinetics has to say about Sunrun Inc. (NASDAQ:RUN) in its Q2 2021 investor letter:“What this table did not cover is valuation. What’s expensive, what’s cheap? A good business that is too expensive is not a good investment. The most expensive business in the table is Sunrun. Sunrun is the nation’s largest residential rooftop solar panel system seller/installer. Sunrun’s valuation might also shed Thumbnail valuation.To start at the top of the income statement, Sunrun shares trade at 10.3x revenues. The most profitable company in the S&P 500, Microsoft, trades at 13x revenues. Sunrun operates at a loss. Obviously, not only is tremendous growth anticipated, but tremendous profitability, too.Let’s simply accept that investors have correctly anticipated Sunrun’s future success and make that the starting point for a valuation exercise.If, 10 years from now, Sunrun is ultimately valued at 25x net income, and if today’s $9.5 billion valuation is appropriate, that would require $380 million of net income ($9,500 million ÷ 25).Let’s say Sunrun will have the same net profit margin as the average S&P 500 company, which is 10%. That means it would need $3,800 million of sales to generate that level of earnings ($380 mill ÷ 10%).Since sales are now $920 million, they would have to rise by 4.1x in the next 10 years. That would require annual sales growth of 15.2%.You see how neatly that all works: investors accept the company’s 10-year, 15% annual sales growth projections, and if a 10% net profit margin and a P/E of 25x earnings are reasonable, then the company will have a $9.5 billion market cap at that time. Except that is the current price. That means a 10-year return of zero.In order to get a 10% annualized return from the stock, Sunrun would need to be priced at a P/E of 65x its earnings 10 years from now, if at a 10% net margin. Or it would have to have some combination of lower P/E and higher growth and/or higher profit margin.In the meantime, this is Sunrun’s recent pattern of revenue growth and profitability (the company did recently increase its estimate of installed-capacity growth in 2021 from 20-25% to a new estimate of 25% to 30%).For the time being, Sunrun loses an extraordinary amount of money, an amount that has been getting larger. Perhaps there are economies of scale that will manifest in the future, so that it will attain profitability. Perhaps from the roughly one-half of Sunrun’s revenues that are from long-term customer service agreements that run up to 25 years. For now, though, the company would seem to require a lot of external financing, and that is one of the greatest business risks.”7. Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CEG)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 41Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CEG) produces and sells electricity across the United States. Their operations are divided into five segments – Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New York, ERCOT, and Other Power Regions. The company possesses over 32,000 megawatts of generating capacity via nuclear, wind, solar, natural gas, and hydroelectric assets.On November 6, Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CEG) reported a Q3 GAAP EPS of $2.26, beating estimates by $1.23, and a revenue of $6.11 billion, missing market consensus by $1.01 billion.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 41 hedge funds were bullish on Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CEG), in contrast to the prior quarter when 45 funds had invested in the stock. William B. Gray’s Orbis Investment Management is the largest shareholder of the company, with 6.15 million shares valued at $718.88 million.Like General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE), and PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CEG) is one of the best clean energy stocks to invest in 2024. It ranks 6th on our list. Sound Shore Management made the following comment about Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CEG) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:“On the plus side of the ledger, we had strong contributions from independent power producers Vistra and Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CEG). Both stocks surged with higher US electricity prices as strong summer demand exposed reliability issues in many regions of the nation’s electric grid. Meanwhile, Midwest focused Constellation is the biggest producer of carbon-free electricity in the US with nuclear power plants representing the majority of its capacity. We added the name in January 2023 when the stock was trading at a below normal 15 times earnings. Our research identified an upside to earnings power from maturing hedges and regulatory changes, including the Inflation Reduction Act’s nuclear credit. A recent spinout from Exelon Corp, we viewed the strength of Constellation’s clean, reliable baseload power model as an appealing and high potential offering for residential and commercial customers. The company’s recent contract to supply Microsoft at premium power prices is evidence of the opportunity. Constellation is yet another example of an industry undergoing tremendous change that can offer attractive investment opportunities for investors with patience and a research process to uncover specific companies that are well positioned.”6. Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 43Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH) creates home energy solutions for the solar industry worldwide. The company’s products include semiconductor-based microinverters that convert energy at the solar module level. These microinverters are integrated with proprietary networking and software technologies, enabling energy monitoring and control. Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH) is one of the best clean energy stocks.On February 7, Enphase announced that it anticipates an increase in demand for its products in the second quarter, particularly in Europe. The company projects improved revenue numbers in June 2024, attributing the positive outlook to seasonally better sell-through numbers, especially in the European market where demand is on the rise.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 43 hedge funds were bullish on Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH), compared to 40 funds in the last quarter. D E Shaw held a significant position in the company, with 1.06 million shares worth $140.37 million.ClearBridge Sustainability Leaders Strategy made the following comment about Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:“Against this backdrop the Strategy underperformed, with the majority of detractors renewable- or utility-related companies suffering largely from cyclical interest rate pressures that have pushed up financing costs for the companies and weighed on income-producing sectors such as utilities. Most acutely, higher interest rates have dampened near-term U.S. residential solar demand, hurting Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENPH) in particular. As a result, we sold Enphase, and invested proceeds into SolarEdge Technologies, which has greater exposure to European and utility-scale end markets, which are under comparatively less pressure.” Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Green Stocks To Invest In 2024.  Suggested articles:Jim Cramer Says Do Not Buy These 11 Stocks13 Best Major Stocks to Buy Right Now11 Best Revenue Growth Stocks to Invest In Disclosure: None. 12 Best Green Stocks To Invest In 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

12 Best Green Stocks To Invest In 2024

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/12-best-green-stocks-invest-141041741.html

8a525d63-9e51-34a1-81a5-cdc42c4607f1

NEE

The U.S. stock market is currently at all-time highs, which has been a joy for investors. But nothing lasts forever, and sell-offs are a normal part of long-term investing. Instead of panicking, treat sell-offs like an opportunity to buy great companies at lower prices.Buying dividend stocks at lower prices means starting with higher yields and generating more passive income with your money. Here are four fabulous dividend energy stocks as prime buys that can put lots of cash in your pocket.When prices fall, buy these four energy stocks. You'll have North America's energy infrastructure covered.1. NextEra EnergyFossil fuels aren't going away anytime soon, but renewable energy has steadily contributed more to America's electric grid. NextEra Energy (NYSE: NEE) is one of the world's largest green energy producers and the largest electric utility business in the United States. Growth in renewable energy has fostered big investment returns. Since going public, NextEra has beaten the S&P 500.The company is also an excellent dividend growth stock. The payout has increased for 30 years, and investors get a solid 3.7% starting yield.The best part? Its dividend growth. Management has raised the dividend by an average of 11% annually over the past five years and is guiding for 10% increases through at least this year. That makes NextEra a dividend growth stock you want to snap up whenever the price dips.2. ExxonMobilEnergy giant ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) explores for, refines, and sells energy products worldwide. The company's premier assets in the Permian Basin and Guyana will serve as ExxonMobil's foundation for fossil fuel production. Additionally, ExxonMobil has invested in other areas, including carbon capture and lithium mining, to diversify itself.Financially, ExxonMobil is rock-solid with just $6 billion in net (total minus cash) long-term debt. The company has paid and raised its dividend for 42 consecutive years, enduring the industry's down cycles, recessions, and a pandemic. Investors can confidently grab the stock and enjoy its starting 3.5% yield. Management is repurchasing $40 billion of shares over the next two years, a sign of confidence in the business.Story continues3. EnbridgeOil and gas must move from where they are extracted to refineries and exports. This doesn't happen by itself. Midstream companies like Enbridge (NYSE: ENB) own vast networks of pipelines and storage to make this possible.Enbridge is one of North America's largest energy companies. Its network of pipelines spans thousands of miles from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. It also operates renewable energy projects and a natural gas utility business.Enbridge acts like a toll booth, making money on fees when oil and gas flow through its lines. That makes the business less volatile, and the utility business also helps create dependable revenue streams.Enbridge has raised its dividend for 28 consecutive years, a testament to its business model. Additionally, investors get a high starting yield of 7.4%. The payout ratio is manageable at 81%, so investors can feel reasonably confident in it despite its abnormally high yield.4. Kinder MorganA peer of Enbridge's, Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI) is a pipeline company that transports natural gas, oil, and other materials through a network that spans over 80,000 miles and covers most of the United States. Natural gas is Kinder Morgan's primary business. It moves an estimated 40% of America's natural gas production flowing through its system at some point, which makes it a crucial component of U.S. energy. The company has paid and raised its dividend for the past seven years.Today, the dividend payout ratio is healthy at 61% of Kinder Morgan's cash flow. Additionally, management believes that U.S. demand for natural gas will grow by 19% by 2030, and liquified natural gas and Mexican exports, where Kinder Morgan's lines run, will nearly double from current levels. That creates a backdrop for potential growth over the coming years, making Kinder Morgan a dividend stock worth scooping up at its hefty starting yield of 6.3%.Should you invest $1,000 in NextEra Energy right now?Before you buy stock in NextEra Energy, consider this:The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and NextEra Energy wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of March 8, 2024Justin Pope has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Enbridge, Kinder Morgan, and NextEra Energy. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.4 Supercharged Dividend Stocks to Buy if There's a Stock Market Sell-Off was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

4 Supercharged Dividend Stocks to Buy if There's a Stock Market Sell-Off

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/4-supercharged-dividend-stocks-buy-131600987.html

7550ecfb-1049-3e90-bc76-e3ef1b56b44c

NEE

In the latest market close, NextEra Energy (NEE) reached $57.87, with a +0.1% movement compared to the previous day. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily loss of 0.11%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.12%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 0.41%.The parent company of Florida Power & Light Co.'s shares have seen an increase of 2.17% over the last month, not keeping up with the Utilities sector's gain of 4.88% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.7%.Market participants will be closely following the financial results of NextEra Energy in its upcoming release. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $0.77, marking an 8.33% fall compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $6.33 billion, showing a 5.75% drop compared to the year-ago quarter.In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $3.44 per share and a revenue of $28.26 billion, indicating changes of +8.52% and +0.54%, respectively, from the former year.It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for NextEra Energy. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the company's business and profitability.Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been no change in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. NextEra Energy currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).Story continuesIn the context of valuation, NextEra Energy is at present trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 16.82. This signifies a premium in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 14.88 for its industry.It's also important to note that NEE currently trades at a PEG ratio of 2.06. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Utility - Electric Power industry had an average PEG ratio of 2.64.The Utility - Electric Power industry is part of the Utilities sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 170, which puts it in the bottom 33% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

NextEra Energy (NEE) Advances While Market Declines: Some Information for Investors

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nextera-energy-nee-advances-while-215016550.html

933523c1-24ae-3bad-bdaa-acc8c782f46c

NEM

Newmont (NYSE:NEM) Full Year 2023 ResultsKey Financial ResultsRevenue: US$11.8b (flat on FY 2022).Net loss: US$2.50b (loss widened by 445% from FY 2022).US$2.97 loss per share (further deteriorated from US$0.58 loss in FY 2022).NEM Production and ReservesGoldProduction: 5,545 troy koz (5,956 troy koz in FY 2022)Number of mines: 18 (14 in FY 2022)earnings-and-revenue-growthAll figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) periodNewmont Revenues Beat Expectations, EPS Falls ShortRevenue exceeded analyst estimates by 3.1%. Earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst estimates.Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 10% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 4.0% growth forecast for the Metals and Mining industry in the US.Performance of the American Metals and Mining industry.The company's shares are down 6.4% from a week ago.Risk AnalysisDon't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Newmont (1 shouldn't be ignored) you should be aware of.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

Newmont Full Year 2023 Earnings: Revenues Beat Expectations, EPS Lags

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/newmont-full-2023-earnings-revenues-131659698.html

f859ef7c-4661-3f37-8fb1-c3175417daee

NEM

In this article, we discuss 11 best copper stocks to invest in. If you want to skip our discussion on the copper industry, head over to 5 Best Copper Stocks To Invest In According To Analysts. Due to the explosive growth in the electrical and electronics, construction, industrial machinery manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors, the copper market is expected to grow from $166.25 billion in 2023 to $179.84 billion in 2024, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%. Similarly, the copper market is projected to reach $240.52 billion in 2028, indicating a CAGR of 7.5% throughout the forecast period of 2024-28. Global copper producers experienced strong demand from China in the first half of the year due to decarbonization efforts, countering a weak property market. However, the future outlook depends on Beijing's stimulus measures. The copper market may shift into a modest, multiyear surplus until 2025, driven by increased mined supply. Similarly, South America's challenging regulatory and political environments may support the market in the midterm. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, near-term copper prices could dip below $8,000 a ton, with marginal cost support around $7,400. Miners anticipate a significant output increase in the second half of this year, with 2024 showing a potential 4-4.5% growth in mined supply. However, Bloomberg suggests that the benefits of greenfield and brownfield projects may start to diminish from 2027. Regulatory approvals could become more protracted, potentially causing a slowdown in mined copper supply growth by the middle of the decade, leading to market deficits by the end of the decade unless development speeds up.According to a January 2024 CNBC report, copper prices are projected to surge by over 75% in the next two years due to disruptions in mining supply and increased demand for the metal, particularly driven by the global push for renewable energy. The rise in demand, fueled by the green energy transition, coupled with an expected decline in the US dollar in the latter half of 2024, is expected to contribute to the upward trend in copper prices. Market expectations of potential rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve this year, leading to a weaker dollar, are seen as a factor making US dollar-priced copper more appealing to foreign buyers.Story continuesOver 60 countries endorsed a plan at the recent COP28 climate change conference to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030. Citibank sees this development as highly positive for copper. In a December report, the bank predicted that the increased targets for renewable energy would lead to an additional demand for 4.2 million tons of copper by 2030. This surge in demand could potentially drive copper prices to $15,000 per ton in 2025, surpassing the previous record peak of $10,730 per ton reached in March 2023. Citi analysts project a positive scenario for copper prices, contingent on a very soft economic landing in the US and Europe, an earlier rebound in global growth, and substantial easing measures in China. The analysts also emphasize the importance of ongoing investments in the energy transition sector for this future.Some of the best copper stocks to buy include Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM), Teck Resources Limited (NYSE:TECK), and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX). Our Methodology We shortlisted the top copper stocks by considering their upside potential, relying on analyst price targets as of February 24. We have assessed the hedge fund sentiment from Insider Monkey’s database of 933 elite hedge funds tracked as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2023. The list is arranged in ascending order of the number of hedge fund holders in each firm. Hedge funds’ top 10 consensus stock picks outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). 11 Best Copper Stocks To Invest In According To AnalystsAn aerial view of a copper mine, showing the intricate workings of heavy machinery.Best Copper Stocks To Invest In According To Analysts11. Metals Acquisition Limited (NYSE:MTAL)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/AAverage Upside Potential: 15.80%Metals Acquisition Limited (NYSE:MTAL) is based in Saint Helier, Jersey, with a primary focus on operating and acquiring metals and mining businesses. One of its active operations includes the CSA copper mine located in Cobar, Australia. On October 17, 2023, Metals Acquisition Limited (NYSE:MTAL) announced that it is set to raise approximately $20 million through a private placement financing by selling 1.83 million ordinary shares at a price of $11 per share. The funds generated will be directed towards expediting exploration drilling and mine development at the CSA copper mine. Like Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM), Teck Resources Limited (NYSE:TECK), and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX), Metals Acquisition Limited (NYSE:MTAL) is one of the best copper stocks to buy.  10. Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE:TGB)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 7Average Upside Potential: 23.33%Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE:TGB), a Canadian mining company established in 1966 and headquartered in Vancouver, is engaged in the acquisition, development, and operation of mineral properties. The company explores for various minerals including copper, molybdenum, gold, niobium, and silver. Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE:TGB) is one of the best copper stocks. On January 16, Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE:TGB) entered into a $50 million royalty sale agreement with Taurus Mining Royalty Fund, involving 1.95% of the gross revenue from copper sales at its Florence copper project in Arizona. The anticipated proceeds, scheduled for receipt in February, will be used to expedite construction activities at the Florence site, which has so far concentrated on site preparations, earthworks, and civil work for the commercial wellfield.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 7 hedge funds were long Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE:TGB), compared to 5 funds in the prior quarter. Ric Dillon’s Diamond Hill Capital is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 4.60 million shares worth $6.4 million. Diamond Hill Capital made the following comment about Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE:TGB) in its Q4 2022 investor letter:“We have held Canada-based copper miner Taseko Mines Limited (NYSE:TGB) for its attractive positioning as one of the only small copper miners operating in the US. The combination of low inventories relative to historical levels and still-low copper prices allows Taseko to capitalize on rising copper prices —as they did in Q4. The public comment period for Taseko’s second active mine in Florence, Arizona, also ended successfully in October, and the business capped off the year by announcing an attractive development partnership for Florence, bringing clarity for investors.”9. Ero Copper Corp. (NYSE:ERO)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 10Average Upside Potential: 9.59%Ero Copper Corp. (NYSE:ERO) ranks 9th on our list of the best copper stocks. Ero Copper Corp. (NYSE:ERO), based in Vancouver, Canada, is involved in exploring, developing, and producing mining projects in Brazil. The company primarily focuses on the production and sale of copper concentrate, along with gold and silver by-products. On November 6, 2023, Ero Copper Corp. (NYSE:ERO) disclosed a deal where underwriters committed to purchasing 8.51 million common shares at $12.35 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of $105 million. Additionally, the underwriters have an option to acquire up to 15% more of the offering. Ero Copper Corp. (NYSE:ERO) intends to utilize the funds to advance growth initiatives at its Tucuma project and Caraíba operations, support regional exploration programs, and cover general corporate and working capital needs. The company anticipates that the Tucuma project in Brazil will contribute 326,000 metric tons of recovered copper over an initial mine life of 12 years, while its Caraíba operations produced 46,371 metric tons of copper concentrate in 2022.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 10 hedge funds were bullish on Ero Copper Corp. (NYSE:ERO), compared to 7 funds in the last quarter. Thomas E. Claugus’ GMT Capital is the largest stakeholder of the company, with 7.75 million shares worth over $123 million. 8. Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSE:IE)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 15Average Upside Potential: 95.57%Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSE:IE) is a Canadian company based in Vancouver. The company specializes in the exploration and development of metals and minerals, with a focus on copper and gold. It offers the Typhoon data acquisition system, a geophysical system known for providing primary signals in its exploration activities. Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSE:IE) is one of the best copper stocks to buy. On October 17, 2023, J.P. Morgan assigned an Overweight rating and a price target of $24 to Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSE:IE). JPM stated that Ivanhoe Electric's valuable Santa Cruz asset, combined with its exclusive exploration technologies, offers a potential pathway to copper production by the end of this decade.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 15 hedge funds were bullish on Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSE:IE), compared to 12 funds in the prior quarter. 7. Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE:HBM)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26Average Upside Potential: 27.14%Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE:HBM), a diversified mining company based in Toronto, Canada, focuses on exploring, developing, operating, and optimizing properties in North and South America. The company produces copper concentrates containing copper, gold, and silver, as well as zinc concentrates, zinc metal, gold and silver doré, and molybdenum concentrates. It is one of the best copper stocks to invest in. On February 23, Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE:HBM) reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $0.20 and a revenue of $602.2 million, outperforming Wall Street estimates by $0.08 and $57.63 million, respectively. In the fourth quarter of 2023, there was robust consolidated copper production of 45,450 tonnes and record-setting consolidated gold production reaching 112,776 ounces. This performance was driven by sustained elevated grades at the Pampacancha deposit in Peru, the Lalor mine in Manitoba, and the added contributions from the recently acquired Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia.According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 26 hedge funds were long Hudbay Minerals Inc. (NYSE:HBM), compared to 29 funds in the earlier quarter. GMT Capital is the biggest stakeholder of the company, with 42 million shares worth $232.6 million. 6. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34Average Upside Potential: 20.49%Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) is engaged in the exploration, mining, and processing of mineral resources. It operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals segments. On February 21, Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) declared a $2.58 per share final dividend, bringing the total annual dividend to $4.35 per share. The dividend is payable on April 18, to shareholders on record as of March 8. According to Insider Monkey’s fourth quarter database, 34 hedge funds were bullish on Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO), compared to 27 funds in the prior quarter. Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management is the leading stakeholder of the company, with 16 million shares worth $1.19 billion. In addition to Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM), Teck Resources Limited (NYSE:TECK), and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX), Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) is one of the best copper stocks, ranking 6th on our list. HL International Equity Strategy made the following comment about Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) in its first quarter 2023 investor letter:“In terms of geographical performance, the eurozone emerged as the top-performing region, and our stocks did better still, fueled by the strong performance of Infineon, L’Oréal, and Schneider Electric. EMs, which lagged the index, were boosted by the improving outlook for semiconductor companies TSMC and Samsung. Mexico’s FEMSA also contributed strongly to relative returns. Europe ex EMU was the weakest region primarily due to the underperformance of SE Banken and UK miner Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO). The latter was affected by concerns over softer iron ore pricing in the current year, another reflection of manufacturing weakness in steelmaking giant China.” Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Copper Stocks To Invest In According To Analysts.  Suggested articles:Top 10 Uranium Producing Companies In The World12 Best Rising Penny Stocks To Buy13 Best Buy-the-Dip Stocks To Buy Right Now Disclosure: None. 11 Best Copper Stocks To Invest In According To Analysts is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

11 Best Copper Stocks To Invest In According To Analysts

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/11-best-copper-stocks-invest-185533606.html

75fefa34-ee2a-32b3-935b-39ac859a6906

NEM

Newmont Corporation (NEM) ended the recent trading session at $33.34, demonstrating a -0.42% swing from the preceding day's closing price. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily loss of 1.02%. At the same time, the Dow lost 1.04%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 1.65%.Shares of the gold and copper miner witnessed a gain of 0.36% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Basic Materials sector with its gain of 2.69% and the S&P 500's gain of 3.64%.The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Newmont Corporation in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is expected to report EPS of $0.47, up 17.5% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $2.75 billion, up 2.56% from the prior-year quarter.NEM's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $2.02 per share and revenue of $14.2 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +25.47% and +20.25%, respectively.Furthermore, it would be beneficial for investors to monitor any recent shifts in analyst projections for Newmont Corporation. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the company's business and profitability.Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 12.09% decrease. Newmont Corporation is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Story continuesDigging into valuation, Newmont Corporation currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 16.56. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 16.88, which means Newmont Corporation is trading at a discount to the group.It is also worth noting that NEM currently has a PEG ratio of 2.67. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. Mining - Miscellaneous stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 2.67 based on yesterday's closing prices.The Mining - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 148, placing it within the bottom 42% of over 250 industries.The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNewmont Corporation (NEM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Newmont Corporation (NEM) Stock Moves -0.42%: What You Should Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/newmont-corporation-nem-stock-moves-225018331.html

893a21b5-130a-30a9-af6b-68c0c05dfc74

NEM

In this article, we will look at 30 countries that have the largest gold reserves. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to 10 Countries that Have the Largest Gold Reserves.Gold Hits Record HighGold hit a record high after the precious metal scaled to $2,100 per ounce on March 5. The “safe-haven” asset further escalated to $2,141.59 per ounce, surpassing the previous record of $2,135 in December 2023. The rally sky-rocketed following rising bets for the US Fed expected to cut interest rates in June 2024 and on safe-haven demand due to escalation in the Middle East conflict. With increasing speculations of rate cuts, Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that the interest rates will start to come down this year, but he is not ready yet to predict the exact timing. On March 6, during congressionally mandated appearances on Capitol Hill, Powell said policymakers remain attentive to the risks that inflation poses and do not want to ease up too quickly. He further added:“In considering any adjustments to the target range for the policy rate, we will carefully assess the incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The Committee does not expect that it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent.”Gold has recorded a surge in its price for being a safe-haven asset. The precious metal is primarily used as the most reliable investment in securing assets during political and financial uncertainty. The price of gold has increased by over $300 per ounce since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. Some analysts believe that the gold price could surge past the $2,300 mark. On March 5, The Guardian reported that a senior analyst at ActivTrades, Ricardo Evangelista, said that the increasing concerns regarding the global economic outlook, geopolitical tensions, and changing expectations towards interest rate cuts have sparked the demand for gold, leading to an increase in its price. The chief investment officer at Charles Stanley, Patrick Farrell, pointed out that gold prices would probably soon peak. Here is what Farrell said: Story continues“It has been a grim year for many commodities. A confluence of weakening economic growth, particularly from China, plus an adjustment after some post-pandemic exuberance, has seen the prices for energy, industrial metals, and ‘energy transition’ commodities such as copper and nickel drop.”Unlike fiat currencies, gold retains its value against all the odds in the market including inflation and other market tensions. Gold’s nature against inflationary pressures makes it the best hedge against inflation, especially in countries that have the largest gold reserves. The World Gold Council’s gold demand trends from the third quarter of 2023 showed the central bank’s historic pace of buying the precious metal. The gold demand was 8% ahead of its five-year average at 1,147 tonnes in Q3 2023, excluding OTC. The total demand for gold was up by 6% year-over-year at 1,267 tonnes including OTC and stock flows. The net central bank buying was reported around 337 tonnes, which was the third strongest quarter in the World Gold Council's data series. However, the net central bank buying failed to reach the staggering 459 tonnes figure from Q3 2022. Still, the demand for gold buying from central banks year-to-date is 14% ahead of the same period in 2022, at a record 800 tonnes. In addition, the Q3 2023 investment demand was 157 tonnes, almost 56% higher year-over-year. Major Players in the Gold Mining SectorNewmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM), Endeavour Mining PLC (TSE:EDV), and Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD) are some of the largest gold mining companies in the world.Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) is one of the leading gold mining firms based out of the US. The company operates the Nevada Gold Mines, the world's biggest gold mining project, in collaboration with Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD). On February 22, Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM) announced its earnings for the fourth quarter of 2023. The company posted earnings per share of $0.50, beating the consensus estimates by $0.06. The revenue was reported at $3.96 billion, surpassing estimates by $613.30 million. Here are some of the comments from Newmont Corporation’s (NYSE:NEM) Q4 2023 earnings call:“Newmont finished the year with a solid fourth quarter, putting us in line with the revised stand-alone outlook that we issued following the resolution of the strike at Peñasquito. In summary, we produced 5.5 million ounces of gold at all-in sustaining costs of $1,444 an ounce. In addition to gold, we produced nearly 900,000 gold equivalent ounces from copper, silver, lead, and zinc over the course of the year. This performance enabled us to deliver $4.2 billion in adjusted EBITDA returned the $1.4 million to shareholders and end the year with liquidity above $6 billion.”Endeavour Mining PLC (TSE:EDV) is a London-based multinational gold mining firm. On February 27, the company announced that it has initiated wet commissioning activities at the Sabodala-Massawa Expansion project in Senegal. The construction at the Sabodala-Massawa Expansion project is 91% complete and Endeavour Mining PLC (TSE:EDV) expects the first gold pour in May 2024. Endeavour Mining PLC (TSE:EDV) projects production of up to 400 koz at Sabodala-Massawa in 2024. The company expects this project to become a true top-tier asset. Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD) is aiming to be the most valuable gold mining company in the world. Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD) expects an average annual production of approximately 6.5 million ounces of gold equivalent through 2032. On February 14, the company announced its earnings for the fourth quarter of 2023. Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD) posted earnings per share of $0.27, surpassing consensus estimates by $0.06. The company reported revenue of $3.06 billion, an increase of 10.27% year-over-year. Here are some of the comments of Barrick Gold Corporation’s (NYSE:GOLD) CEO, Mark Bristow, during the Q4 2023 earnings call:“I want to start this presentation with some reflection back to the time of the merger where we committed to a clear strategy for building the new Barrick into the world's most valued mining company. And move on now to today, 5 years on, it's clear that we've come a long way in realizing that objective. As I'll show you through my presentation, our focus on Tier 1 assets has delivered a peerless gold portfolio with meaningful potential for further growth, matched only by the significant ramp-up of our copper business over the next 4 years. Maintaining Barrick's unique record for replenishing our asset base, we have placed more than -- we have replaced more than 140% of our gold reserves since 2019 and more importantly at the same grade, which is critical.”Now, let’s take a look at the countries that have the largest gold reserves.Gold Hits Record High: 30 Countries That Have the Largest Gold ReservesGold Hits Record High: 30 Countries That Have the Largest Gold ReservesOur MethodologyWe gathered the top 30 countries with the largest gold reserves in the world from the World Gold Council database. The countries are ranked in ascending order of their gold reserves in tonnes. The data is updated as of the fourth quarter of 2023. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using different consensus approaches, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.Gold Hits Record High: 30 Countries That Have the Largest Gold Reserves30. BrazilGold Reserves (in tonnes): 129.65Brazil has 129.65 tonnes of gold reserves and 2.44% gold holdings. Brazil ranks 30th among the countries that have the largest gold reserves. 29. IraqGold Reserves (in tonnes): 138.44Iraq has 138.44 tonnes of gold reserves and 7.49% gold holdings. 28. LibyaGold Reserves (in tonnes): 146.65Libya is one of the countries with the largest gold reserves in the world. Libya has total gold reserves of 146.65 tonnes and 10.43% gold holdings. 27. VenezuelaGold Reserves (in tonnes): 161.22Venezuela has the largest reserves of black gold. The country also has some of the largest gold reserves, recorded at around 161.22 tonnes. Venezuela has a total of 82.96% gold holdings. 26. PhilippinesGold Reserves (in tonnes): 164.77The Philippines has 164.77 tonnes of gold reserves and 10.09% gold holdings. The Philippines is one of the countries with the largest gold reserves in the world.25. AlgeriaGold Reserves (in tonnes): 173.56Algeria has total gold reserves of 173.56 tonnes and 14.26% of gold holdings. Algeria ranks 25th among the countries that have the largest gold reserves. 24. BelgiumGold Reserves (in tonnes): 227.40Belgium is one of the leading European countries that has the largest gold reserves. Belgium has total gold reserves of 227.40 tonnes and 37.06% of gold holdings.23. SingaporeGold Reserves (in tonnes): 230.02Singapore has a minimal gold holding of 4.27% while the gold reserves are reported at around 230.02 tonnes. 22. ThailandGold Reserves (in tonnes): 244.16Thailand is another Asian country with large gold reserves, reported at around 244.16 tonnes in Q4 2023. Thailand ranks 22nd among the countries that have the largest gold reserves. 21. AustriaGold Reserves (in tonnes): 279.99Austria has total gold reserves of 279.99 tonnes, as of Q4 2023. With 59.67% of gold holdings, Austria is one of the countries that have the largest gold reserves.20. SpainGold Reserves (in tonnes): 281.58Spain is one of the richest European countries with some of the largest gold reserves in the region. Spain has total gold reserves of 281.58 tonnes and 18.23% gold holdings.19. LebanonGold Reserves (in tonnes): 286.83Lebanon’s economy is suffering from political instability and war in the region. However, Lebanon has total gold reserves of 286.83 tonnes and ranks among the countries that have the largest gold reserves. 18. KazakhstanGold Reserves (in tonnes): 294.24Kazakhstan has total gold reserves of 294.24 tonnes and 54.44% of gold holdings. 17. United KingdomGold Reserves (in tonnes): 310.29The United Kingdom is one of the largest economies in the world and has 310.29 tonnes of total gold reserves. With 11.64% of gold holdings, the United Kingdom ranks 17th among the countries that have the largest gold reserves.16. Saudi ArabiaGold Reserves (in tonnes): 323.07Saudi Arabia is famous for its oil economy and has some of the largest black gold reverses in the world. However, Saudi Arabia has total gold reserves of 323.07 tonnes and 4.24% of gold holdings.15. PolandGold Reserves (in tonnes): 358.69Poland is ranked 15th among the countries that have the largest gold reserves. Poland has total gold reserves of 358.69 tonnes and 12.36% of gold holdings. 14. UzbekistanGold Reserves (in tonnes): 371.37Uzbekistan has total gold reserves of 371.37 tonnes. Uzbekistan has a whopping 71.42% of gold holdings. 13. PortugalGold Reserves (in tonnes): 382.63Portugal has a staggering 72.15% gold holdings and has total gold reserves of 382.63 tonnes. 12. TaiwanGold Reserves (in tonnes): 423.63Taiwan is one of the richest countries in the world. Taiwan has 423.63 tonnes of gold reserves and 4.32% of gold holdings. 11. TürkiyeGold Reserves (in tonnes): 540.19Türkiye has 540.19 tonnes of gold reserves and has 100% of gold holdings. Türkiye is one of the countries with the largest gold reserves. Click here to see 10 Countries that Have the Largest Gold Reserves.Suggested Articles:30 Countries with the Highest GDP in 202320 Countries with Highest Income Tax Rates in Europe20 Countries with Most Clean Energy ProductionDisclosure: None. Gold Hits Record High: 30 Countries that Have the Largest Gold Reserves is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

Gold Hits Record High: 30 Countries That Have the Largest Gold Reserves

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gold-hits-record-high-30-222205059.html

866e3f63-8fc8-3f77-a494-8361b2a21eca

NFLX

Netflix wants its customers to stop paying for its streaming subscription through Apple’s App Store.Members billed through Apple may soon be prompted to change their payment plan, a new addition to Netflix’s help site reads.According to a spokesperson for Netflix, if a new payment isn’t added by the monthly subscription renewal date, the member will not be able to use their Netflix account until a new payment method is added.The policy change will affect members using Netflix’s basic plan in countries including the United States and Canada, according to the spokesperson.The update by Netflix comes as Apple has faced years of pushback from apps in its iOS App Store for taking a 30% cut of all in-app purchases. Apple has said it takes a lower 15% cut in some situations.Netflix stopped accepting Apple payments for new and rejoining customers in 2018, but Netflix’s policy change means existing customers who had been grandfathered into paying through Apple will now have to make the switch.Previously, Apple had prohibited many iOS apps from skirting the 30% charge by accepting payments outside of Apple’s proprietary payment system. But in 2021, Apple relaxed its restrictions for Netflix and other streaming companies like Spotify, allowing those apps to insert a link out to external websites to let people set up or manage their accounts outside of Apple’s App Store.Apple’s in-app purchase fees have been the subject of ire from app developers for years. Last month, in a blow to Apple, the US Supreme Court declined to review a lower court’s order requiring Apple to allow all developers to add buttons or links that direct customers to purchase in-app content through other payment channels.The decision was connected to a 2020 lawsuit against Apple by Epic Games, the maker of the popular video game Fortnite, which accused Apple of antitrust violations for its in-app fee collection practices.- CNN’s Brian Fung contributed to reporting.For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com

CNN Business

You may lose access to your Netflix account if you’re paying through Apple

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/may-lose-access-netflix-account-010146472.html

60125fb1-2453-3184-a3b3-7e1114057fc5

NFLX

RiverPark Advisors, an investment advisory firm and sponsor of the RiverPark family of mutual funds, released its “RiverPark Large Growth Fund” fourth quarter 2023 investor letter. A copy of the same can be downloaded here. The Russell 1000 Growth Index (RLG) returned 14.16% and the S&P 500 index returned 11.69% during the fourth quarter of 2023, indicating a strong performance by the stock markets. RPX yielded a respectable 19.74% return as well. The S&P and RLG had annual returns of 26.29% and 42.68%, respectively. RPX gave back 51.57%. In addition, please check the fund’s top five holdings to know its best picks in 2023.RiverPark Large Growth Fund featured stocks like Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) in the fourth quarter 2023 investor letter. Headquartered in Los Gatos, California, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is a streaming platform. On February 26, 2024, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) stock closed at $587.65 per share. One-month return of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) was 4.41%, and its shares gained 82.43% of their value over the last 52 weeks. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) has a market capitalization of $254.311 billion.RiverPark Large Growth Fund stated the following regarding Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:"Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX): NFLX was a top contributor in the quarter following strong third quarter earnings and fourth quarter guidance driven by better-than-expected subscriber adds (+8.8 million versus estimates of +6.1 million). The company’s subscriber growth continued to accelerate following the company’s crack down on password sharing, and the rollout of the advertising supported subscriber offering known as the Ad Tier. ARPU came in below expectations, but management announced price increases in the US, UK and France effective immediately. NFLX guided full year 2023 operating margins to the “high end” of the prior guidance, guided 2024 operating margins to a range of 22-23%, ahead of investor expectations of 22%, and raised 2023 free cash flow guidance from $5 billion to $6.5 billion.The recent re-acceleration of subscriber growth, plus price increases on premium memberships and a stabilization of content investments, should position the company for low double digit annual revenue growth over the next few years while driving improved operating margin to more than 25% (revenue grew 8% for 3Q23 and operating margin was 22.4%, up from 13% in 2019). We also believe that the stabilization of content spend should allow the company to continue to scale its FCF."Story continuesPixabay/Public DomainNetflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. At the end of the fourth quarter, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) was held by 89 hedge fund portfolios, down from 102 in the previous quarter, according to our database.We discussed Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) in another article and shared the list of best major stocks to buy. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q4 2023 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors.Suggested Articles:14 Best S&P 500 Dividend Stocks To Invest In 202420 Most Creative Email Newsletter Ideas for Corporations12 $10 Stocks That Will TripleDisclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

Should You Hold Netflix (NFLX)?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hold-netflix-nflx-084956877.html

a9ad525e-c4ed-3bfd-9fa0-78c4ac6f85c0

NFLX

Shares of Netflix (NFLX) edge higher in Monday's pre-market trading after Oppenheimer analysts reiterated their Outperform rating on the streaming giant, raising its price target from $615 to $725 per share. The firm cites long-term subscriber and average revenue per member (ARM) trends as the reason for its bullish perspective.Yahoo Finance Reporter Madison Mills breaks down the latest development for Netflix and what it could mean for the company moving forward.For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.Editor's note: This article was written by Nicholas JacobinoVideo Transcript- Time for today's Stock to Watch, and that is Netflix' "Oppenheimer" feeling bullish on the stock, reiterating their outperform rating, boosting their price target. Madison Mills keeping a close eye on this from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Madison.MADISON MILLS: Well, Shauna, it looks like according to this recent note that we have here, there's going to be an implied 20% gain for Netflix' stock this year. And that's due to a price target raised to $725. So that implies a 20% gain. This is a stock that's already had a huge rally this year up 24% year to date.If you look at the past five days, you are seeing some redness, but that might be an indication of the broader market themes. A lot of analysts saying that this is a stock that's going to be able to withstand any macro and stock market headwinds to come just because of the fundamentals here.So let me run through what you need to be looking at. If you're looking at this name, it's two themes here-- subscriber growth and annual revenue per member. That's going to be things like moving around some ad tier memberships to be able to increase market share, get as many users as possible, paying as much as possible.And we know that Netflix has done a great job cracking down on password sharing. If they're able to continue to do that and get more customers paying for no ads in general, that's going to be a boon for the stock moving forward.- All right, Madison, thanks so much for breaking down Netflix here this morning. Look, I, like many others out there, they might have been confused with "Oppenheimer," the movie, but it was clarified very briefly here for me. Thanks so much. Appreciate it, Maddie.

Yahoo Finance Video

Oppenheimer raises Netflix price target to $725 per share

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/oppenheimer-raises-netflix-price-target-140025970.html

df25651b-5ba2-380b-9adb-a71f2fae2d82

NFLX

The Oscars witnessed a triumphant performance from films like Universal Pictures' Oppenheimer, which took home seven wins. While traditional studios raked in the awards, streamers were nearly shut out of the Oscars: Netflix (NFLX) earned 32 nominations, but walked out with a single statue. Chris Fenton, producer and author of "Feeding The Dragon," and Andrew Stachler, CEO of Max Stax Media, to join Yahoo Finance Live and discuss the Oscar's fallout.Fenton notes that Oppenheimer's seven wins "rewarded this premium experience" of watching a movie in theaters despite the availability of streaming services. Fenton points out that franchises such as "Dune," "Mad Max," and "Joker" have the potential to achieve similar levels of success at next year's Oscars for their "premium, out-of-home experience."With massive advertising dollars spent to promote talent, Stachler explains why such spending is necessary. He notes that as talent wins awards, "it impacts their careers" and brings attention to the studios that create the movies. However, Stachler acknowledges that the way Oscar wins used "to drive theatrical box office campaigns" no longer has the same effect nowadays.For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.Editor's note: This article was written by Angel SmithVideo Transcript[AUDIO LOGO]- "Oppenheimer" and the studio behind the smash hit, Universal, were the big winners at last night's Academy Awards, taking home seven Oscars, including the highly coveted Best Picture award. But while traditional studios raked in the statues, streamers were nearly shut out of the Oscars this year. That's despite racking up 32 nominations. Netflix walking away with the only award of the night for the streaming giants.Joining me now are Chris Fenton, movie producer and author of "Feeding the Dragon," and Andrew Stachler, Max Stax Media CEO. Thank you both for joining me this morning. So Chris, I first--Story continuesCHRIS FENTON: Thanks for having us.- --want to start with you here. Of course. You're very welcome. Chris, I want to start with you in terms of was this a surprise here to have some of these traditional studios essentially sweeping the awards here and leaving the streamers out in the cold?CHRIS FENTON: Well, I thought it was a fantastic weekend for me because, quite frankly, I got to go see "Dune 2" in an IMAX theater, and then I watched the Oscars last night. And it really rewarded this premium experience, this out-of-home ability to go out to theaters and see this incredible IMAX movie that was shot in 65-millimeter film.So you created this "Oppenheimer" film that obviously won a lot of awards. But then on top of it, it also showcased the fact that successful box office and a premium out-of-home experience, to get away from that in-home entertainment, really provides the opportunity to get these massive awards.So if I'm looking at "Oppenheimer" this year, I might put my bet on "Dune 2" this upcoming year. I might put my bet on the "Mad Max" franchise, and even "The Joker" later in October. These are going to be amazingly successful films that are in the social zeitgeist and provide this really premium out-of-home experience.- And Andrew, as we do tend to see viewers now sort of picking and choosing which sort of things they want to see at the movie, something like a "Dune 2" or an "Oppenheimer," these huge ones that really benefit from this sort of thing, leading up to, though, to the Oscar nominations or the campaigning there, what sort of investments do these companies and studios have to make here? And how do they tend to pay off in the long run when they do win an Oscar?ANDREW STACHLER: Yeah, I mean, you have to invest, you have to campaign. And the talent is a big part of that. I mean, they're out there shaking hands, kissing babies everywhere, being on a real charm offensive. And if they're not in partnership with you, it's really hard to run these campaigns.But then obviously, there's a lot of advertising that's involved in them, too, and those go hand in hand. In terms of payoff, at the end of the day, these are talent relations campaigns. You want talent to bring their projects to your studio first. And talent does want to win these things, and it does impact their careers.So that is really first and foremost. They used to drive theatrical box office much more. And the theatrical rollout campaigns were designed to be in sync with nominations and wins. They're still a little bit of that. "Poor Things" is still in some theaters. They'll get a little bit of a bump. But the campaigns are less designed that way these days. Theatrical is less a huge bottom line than it was as well.

Yahoo Finance Video

How box office hits dominated the Oscars

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/box-office-hits-dominated-oscars-173756637.html

fd8242b9-18c9-314a-963a-1448710bd5eb

NI

NiSource (NYSE:NI) Full Year 2023 ResultsKey Financial ResultsRevenue: US$5.51b (down 5.9% from FY 2022).Net income: US$714.3m (down 4.6% from FY 2022).Profit margin: 13% (in line with FY 2022).EPS: US$1.72 (down from US$1.84 in FY 2022).earnings-and-revenue-growthAll figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) periodNiSource Revenues and Earnings Miss ExpectationsRevenue missed analyst estimates by 5.1%. Earnings per share (EPS) also missed analyst estimates by 7.5%.Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 6.8% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 3.4% growth forecast for the Integrated Utilities industry in the US.Performance of the American Integrated Utilities industry.The company's share price is broadly unchanged from a week ago.Risk AnalysisIt is worth noting though that we have found 3 warning signs for NiSource (1 is significant!) that you need to take into consideration.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

NiSource Full Year 2023 Earnings: Misses Expectations

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nisource-full-2023-earnings-misses-105157534.html

e894873b-58e3-3bda-b68b-a76b365b8360

NI

Though the majority of U.S. stock indices ended in green on Feb 23, they lost the momentum that led to the high achieved on Feb 22, backed by Nvidia’s better-than-expected quarterly results. Most likely, the indices slipped on account of the market consensus that the Federal Reserve will not cut interest rates until at least June.In such a situation, an investor might not feel confident enough about investing in the stock market. However, a prudent investor knows that this is the right time to buy stocks that are safe bets. To this end, we recommend stocks like Costco Wholesale COST, NiSource NI, Expro Group Holdings XPRO, Hawkins HWKN and Kirby KEX, which bear low leverage. Choosing them can shield investors from incurring huge losses in times of crisis.Now, before selecting low-leverage stocks, let’s explore what leverage is and how choosing a low-leverage stock helps investors.In finance, leverage is a term used to denote the practice of borrowing capital by companies to run their operations smoothly and expand the same. Such borrowings are done through debt financing. But there remains an option for equity finance. This is probably due to the cheap and easy availability of debt over equity financing.However, debt financing has its share of drawbacks. Particularly, it is desirable only as long as it successfully generates a higher rate of return compared to the interest rate. So, to avoid considerable losses in your portfolio, one should always avoid companies that resort to exorbitant debt financing.The crux of safe investment lies in choosing a company that is not burdened with debt, as a debt-free stock is almost impossible to find.The equity market can be volatile at times, and, as an investor, if you don’t want to lose big time, we suggest you invest in stocks, which bear low leverage and are hence less risky.To identify such stocks, historically, several leverage ratios have been developed to measure the amount of debt a company bears and the debt-to-equity ratio is one of the most common ratios.Story continuesAnalyzing Debt/EquityDebt-to-Equity Ratio = Total Liabilities/Shareholders’ EquityThis metric is a liquidity ratio that indicates the amount of financial risk a company bears. A lower debt-to-equity ratio reflects improved solvency for a company.With the third-quarter earnings cycle progressing towards its last lap, investors must be eyeing stocks that have exhibited solid earnings growth in the recent past. But if a stock bears a high debt-to-equity ratio in times of economic downturn, its so-called booming earnings picture might turn into a nightmare.The Winning StrategyConsidering the aforementioned factors, it is prudent to choose stocks with a low debt-to-equity ratio to ensure steady returns.Yet, an investment strategy based solely on the debt-to-equity ratio might not fetch the desired outcome. To choose stocks that have the potential to give you steady returns, we have expanded our screening criteria to include some other factors.Here are the other parameters:Debt/Equity less than X-Industry Median: Stocks that are less leveraged than their industry peers.Current Price greater than or equal to 10: The stocks must be trading at a minimum of $10 or above.Average 20-day Volume greater than or equal to 50000: A substantial trading volume ensures that the stock is easily tradable.Percentage Change in EPS F(0)/F(-1) greater than X-Industry Median: Earnings growth adds to optimism, leading to a stock’s price appreciation.VGM Score of A or B: Our research shows that stocks with a VGM Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), offer the best upside potential.Estimated One-Year EPS Growth F(1)/F(0) greater than 5: This shows earnings growth expectation.Zacks Rank #1 or 2: Irrespective of market conditions, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 have a proven history of success.Excluding stocks that have a negative or a zero debt-to-equity ratio, here we present our five picks out of the 11 stocks that made it through the screen.Costco Wholesale: It is one of the largest warehouse club operators in the United States, selling high volumes of foods and general merchandise (including household products and appliances) at discounted prices through membership warehouses. On Feb 7, 2024, the company revealed its January sales results. Costco reported net sales of $22.08 billion for the retail month of January, reflecting an increase of 4.5% from $21.13 billion last year.COST boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 9%. It holds a Zacks Rank #2 currently. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2024 sales suggests a 4.7% improvement year over year.NiSource: The company, together with its subsidiaries, provides natural gas, electricity and other products and services in the United States. On Feb 21, 2024, NiSource reported fourth-quarter 2023 operating earnings per share (EPS) of 53 cents, which increased 6% from the year-ago quarter’s recorded figure of 50 cents.NI currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 7.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 sales suggests a 9.4% improvement year over year.Expro Group: It is an oil and gas service company. On Feb 21, 2024, the company reported its fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 results. Its total revenues amounted to $406.8 million, up 10% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.XPRO currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. The company has a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 51.32%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for XPRO’s 2024 sales indicates an improvement of 11% from the 2023 reported figure. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Hawkins: The company distributes, blends and manufactures bulk and specialty chemicals and other health and nutrition products for its customers in a wide variety of industries. On Jan 31, 2024, Hawkins released its third-quarter fiscal 2024 results. Its sales amounted to $208.5 million, down 4.9% year over year.HWKN currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company has a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 30.56%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HWKN’s fiscal 2024 earnings indicates an improvement of 26.2% from the 2023 reported figure.Kirby: It is the largest domestic tank barge operator in the United States. On Feb 1, 2024, the company announced its fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 results. Its total revenues were worth $799.2 million, up 9.5% year over year.KEX currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 12%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KEX’s 2024 sales suggests a 4.5% improvement from the 2023 reported figure.You can get the rest of the stocks on this list by signing up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and backtest them first before taking the investment plunge.The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks’ portfolios and strategies are available at: https://www.zacks.com/performance.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNiSource, Inc (NI) : Free Stock Analysis ReportCostco Wholesale Corporation (COST) : Free Stock Analysis ReportKirby Corporation (KEX) : Free Stock Analysis ReportHawkins, Inc. (HWKN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportExpro Group Holdings N.V. (XPRO) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

5 Low Leverage Stocks to Buy as Rate Cut Expectations Fade

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/5-low-leverage-stocks-buy-124600378.html

45b88fd2-3f72-3bf8-b8f5-36e31c671be0

NI

Alliant Energy Corporation’s LNT long-term investments in natural gas projects and stable returns from regulated assets will further drive its bottom line. The company’s focus on electricity generated from clean assets will help serve its expanding customer base.However, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s dependence on third-party assets for transmission acts as a headwind.TailwindsAlliant Energy plans to invest substantially over the next four years to strengthen the electric and gas distribution network as well as add natural gas and renewable assets to its generation portfolio. It expects investments of $9.1 billion during 2024-2027.As the company is not experiencing any disruption in the supply chain, it is currently targeting long-term annual earnings growth in the range of 5-7%. Its geographic location and favorable regulatory developments bode well for the development of wind projects and long-term earnings growth.Alliant Energy’s earnings prospects look attractive due to ongoing additions to electric and natural gas customer volumes. In addition, a diverse customer mix provides stability to sales as the company does not depend on a single group for revenues.With a focus on expanding its solar energy portfolio, Alliant Energy plans to bring 400 megawatts (MW) of solar energy online in Iowa in 2024. By the end of the year, nearly 1,500 MW of additional energy used by its customers will be from clean, zero-fuel-cost energy resources.HeadwindsThe company’s utility operations — IPL and WPL — use the interstate electric transmission system that they do not own or control. Rates charged to these subsidiaries are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. If transmission costs go up and LNT is unable to recover those costs from its customers, operational expenses are bound to rise.A fall in the performance of the third-party electric transmission system will limit Alliant Energy’s ability to transmit electricity within its service territories and adversely impact its operations.Story continuesStocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks from the same industry are DTE Energy DTE, NiSource Inc. NI and IDACORP IDA, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.DTE Energy’s long-term (three to five year) earnings growth rate is 6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DTE’s  2024 earnings per share (EPS) indicates an increase of 16.9% year over year.NiSource’s long-term earnings growth rate is 7.15%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NI’s 2024 EPS indicates an increase of 7.5% year over year.IDA’s long-term earnings growth rate is 4.38%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for IDA’s 2024 EPS implies a 5.6% year-over-year improvement.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNiSource, Inc (NI) : Free Stock Analysis ReportDTE Energy Company (DTE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportIDACORP, Inc. (IDA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAlliant Energy Corporation (LNT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Alliant Energy (LNT) Rides on Renewable Expansion, Investments

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/alliant-energy-lnt-rides-renewable-125600105.html

c8c8daf7-436f-3917-b0ac-14c1d49e4db8

NI

PPL Corporation’s PPL ongoing investments in infrastructure construction projects and fewer outages will help serve customers efficiently. Focusing on cleaner power generation and growth in domestic operations will increase the company’s overall performance.However, this Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company has to face risks related to dependence on its subsidiaries and rising competition in the transmission business.TailwindsPPL has a capital investment plan of $3.1 billion in 2024 and a total of $14.3 billion for the period of 2024-2027. The company’s capital investment plan primarily focuses on infrastructure construction projects for generation, transmission and distribution. Customers have been experiencing fewer outages, courtesy of ongoing investments to strengthen PPL’s infrastructure.The company will invest in strengthening grid, electricity and gas distribution and electricity transmission and expand renewable generation capacity. It will also focus on new technology to serve customers more efficiently.The company is also working to reduce its operating and maintenance (O&M) costs. It has already lowered costs by $75 million in 2023 from 2021 baseline and expects $120-$130 million in savings in O&M costs in 2024, $150 million in 2025 and save $175 million in 2026. The company is focused on reducing total operating expenses in the coming years, due to decrease in fuel cost and energy purchases. These initiatives will boost the company’s margins and support earnings growth.HeadwindsPPL conducts all operations through its subsidiaries. The company’s consolidated assets are also held by its subsidiaries. Its ability to repay debt, guarantee obligations and pay dividends is largely dependent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries.The company’s Pennsylvania-regulated segment faces competition for transmission projects. To develop transmission projects and structure their costs, it must abide by certain rules of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.Story continuesStocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks from the same industry are Avangrid AGR, NiSource Inc. NI and DTE Energy DTE, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Avangrid’s long-term (three-to-five-year) earnings growth rate is 24.37%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AGR’s 2024 EPS indicates an increase of 7.66% from the previous year’s reported number.NiSource’s long-term earnings growth rate is 7.15%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NI’s 2024 EPS implies an improvement of 6.88% from that recorded in 2023.DTE Energy’s long-term earnings growth rate is 6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DTE’s 2024 EPS indicates an increase of 16.93% from the previous year’s reported number.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportPPL Corporation (PPL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportNiSource, Inc (NI) : Free Stock Analysis ReportDTE Energy Company (DTE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAvangrid, Inc. (AGR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

PPL Corporation (PPL) Rides on Investments, Cost Management

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ppl-corporation-ppl-rides-investments-124500964.html

7026951f-3e46-3ab1-8a02-e7911e0d3690

NKE

Feb 26 (Reuters) - Fans will be able to buy the Australia women's goalkeeper kit worn by Mackenzie Arnold at last year's Women's World Cup, Football Australia (FA) said on Monday.Arnold was Player of the Match in Australia's quarter-final win over France, making a string of saves late in the game and stopping three penalties in a shootout victory.The purple jersey she wore during the tournament was not on sale during the Women's World Cup, which led to criticism of manufacturer Nike from fans.After the tournament, Nike said it will make its women's teams goalkeeper kits available for fans to buy, with England goalkeeper Mary Earps's replica jersey being released in October.In a statement on Monday, FA said the goalkeeper's jersey will go on sale from Tuesday."The support we as goalkeepers have felt from our fans over the last year has been absolutely incredible," Australia goalkeeper Arnold said."It means so much to me that we'll head into another huge year for our team, and our sport, knowing that our families, friends and fans will be backing us all the way, and wearing our jerseys with pride."The Matildas next face Uzbekistan on Wednesday in the second leg of a qualifier for this year's Paris Olympics. Australia, who won the first leg 3-0, are looking to qualify for their third straight Games.(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Michael Perry)

Reuters

Soccer-Nike to release Australia women's goalkeeper jersey after backlash

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/soccer-nike-release-australia-womens-060155602.html

4004f699-f882-34e3-a2b0-4ebef35f00da

NKE

In this article, we discuss 13 best consumer cyclical dividend stocks to invest in. You can skip our detailed analysis of the consumer cyclical sector and its performance over the years, and go directly to read 5 Best Consumer Cyclical Dividend Stocks To Invest In. Consumer cyclical companies produce goods and services that are considered non-essential or discretionary, meaning consumers are more likely to purchase them when they have extra income or feel confident about their financial situation. Consumer cyclical stocks include companies in sectors such as retail, automotive, travel and leisure, entertainment, and luxury goods.Over the past year, we've seen clear evidence that consumers have remained strong despite challenges like high inflation, increasing interest rates, and greater recession concerns. This resilience notably buoyed the performance of stocks within the consumer discretionary sector, which includes businesses offering non-essential products and services such as apparel, automobiles, and accommodations. The S&P 500 Consumer Discretionary Index ended 2023 with a total return of 42.41%, reporting one of its best years on record. In addition to the support from a strong consumer base, the stocks in this sector also gained from broader market trends that propelled the overall stock market higher in 2023. These trends included relief as the Federal Reserve signaled the potential end of its rate-hiking cycle as the year progressed. Furthermore, sector-level performance was boosted by specific issues affecting some of the largest companies within it. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA), the two largest companies in the sector by a significant margin, have both seen remarkable gains in the past year, driven by the surge in mega-cap, tech-related stocks. Additionally, both companies are considered potential investment opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence.After experiencing robust performance in 2023, analysts are also showing a preference for the sector in the current year. Rob Haworth, senior investment strategy director at U.S. Bank Wealth Management, stated that consumers' willingness to sustain moderate spending growth has been crucial for the economy. He suggested that this could be attributed, at least in part, to the robust labor market and notable wage increases. Based on a Fidelity report, the performance of sectors is expected to be influenced by broader economic factors in 2024. If inflation remains low and the Federal Reserve stops raising interest rates, it could be advantageous for the sector, as consumers may be more inclined to buy expensive items like cars or homes. An even more positive scenario would be if the economy avoids a recession and job markets stay robust, which would particularly benefit this sector.Story continuesThe report highlighted that following the sector's strong performance in 2023, stock valuations are not as low as they were previously. However, there are still segments of the market where the firm has identified robust long-term growth prospects, and where stocks are trading at attractive prices. One ongoing area of opportunity includes certain retailers. These companies possess defensive characteristics within their business models, offering some protection in case of a deteriorating economic outlook.Another factor contributing to the positive outlook for the sector is that certain companies within it opt to distribute dividends when they maintain a steady cash flow and have a track record of sharing profits with shareholders. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD), and NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) are some of the best consumer cyclical dividend stocks among others that are discussed below.Best Consumer Cyclical Dividend StocksImage by Steve Buissinne from PixabayOur Methodology:For this list, we scanned Insider Monkey’s database of Q4 2023 and selected consumer cyclical dividend stocks from the entertainment, technology, retail, housing, materials, and automotive industries. These companies are strong dividend payers and have decent yields. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of hedge funds having stakes in them. Hedge funds’ top 10 consensus stock picks outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here).13. Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE:FL)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE:FL) is a retail company primarily focused on athletic footwear and apparel. It operates thousands of retail stores globally, selling a wide range of athletic shoes, clothing, and accessories from various brands. The company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.92%, as of February 21. It is among the best dividend stocks from the consumer cyclical sector.At the end of Q4 2023, 24 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey reported having stakes in Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE:FL), up from 23 in the previous quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is roughly $764 million. Among these hedge funds, Vesa Equity Investment was the company's leading stakeholder in Q4.12. Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:LEG)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:LEG) is a diversified manufacturer that produces a wide range of engineered components and products for various industries. The company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.46 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.99%, as of February 21. In 2023, it stretched its dividend growth streak to 52 years, which makes LEG one of the best dividend stocks on our list.The number of hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey owning stakes in Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:LEG) grew to 24 in Q4 2023, from 19 in the preceding quarter. These stakes have a collective value of over $123.6 million.11. Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) is a global specialty chemicals company that develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of products used in various industries. It is one of the best dividend stocks from the consumer cyclical sector as the company has been growing its dividends for the past 29 years. Currently, the company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share. The stock has a dividend yield of 1.39%, as of February 21.As of the close of Q4 2023, 27 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey reported having stakes in Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB), down from 37 in the previous quarter. The total value of these stakes is more than $311 million.10. Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 30Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO) is an American retail chain that specializes in products for agriculture, livestock, pet care, and home improvement. On February 6, the company declared a 6.8% hike in its quarterly dividend to $1.10 per share. This marked the company's 15th consecutive year of dividend growth, which makes TSCO one of the best dividend stocks from the consumer cyclical sector. The stock's dividend yield on February 21 came in at 1.84%.As per Insider Monkey's database of Q4 2023, 30 hedge funds in Insider Monkey's database reported having stakes in Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO), up from 28 in the preceding quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is over $545.2 million.9. Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 36Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC) is next on our list of the best dividend stocks from the consumer cyclical sector. The company is a leading distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts, office products, and electrical materials. On February 15, the company declared a 5% hike in its quarterly dividend to $1.00 per share. This marked the company's 67th consecutive year of dividend growth. The stock's dividend yield on February 21 came in at 2.77%.At the end of December 2023, 36 hedge funds in Insider Monkey's database reported having stakes in Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC), up from 34 in the previous quarter. The collective value of these stakes is over $535 million. With over 1 million shares, D E Shaw was the company's leading stakeholder in Q4.The London Company mentioned Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) in its Q4 2023 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say:“Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) – ALB underperformed as weak lithium prices drove downward revisions to earnings expectations, and sentiment became more negative regarding demand for electric vehicles. Commodity prices are inherently uncertain, but we continue to view ALB-as a winner in this growing industry and favorably positioned on the cost curve. Our long- term view of ALB is not affected by short-term supply- demand dynamics for the commodity.”8. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 40Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is one of the world's largest automotive manufacturers, renowned for producing automobiles, trucks, SUVs, and electric vehicles. The company currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share. In addition to this, it also announced a supplemental dividend of $0.18 per share on February 6, which makes F one of the best dividend stocks on our list. As of February 21, the stock has a dividend yield of 4.90%.As of the end of the December quarter of 2023, 40 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey reported owning stakes in Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), compared with 43 in the previous quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is nearly $2 billion.7. Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 40Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) is an American company that operates steel mills and manufacturing facilities across the country. The company also offers value-added services such as steel fabrication and downstream processing. On February 20, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.54 per share, which was in line with its previous dividend. Overall, the company has raised its dividends for 51 years in a row, which makes NUE one of the best dividend stocks from the consumer cyclical sector. The stock offers a dividend yield of 1.17%, as of February 21.Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) ended the fourth quarter of 2023 with 40 hedge fund positions, up from 33 in the previous quarter, according to Insider Monkey's database. The stakes owned by these hedge funds have a consolidated value of more than $522.2 million.6. Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 58Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) operates a chain of discount retail stores offering a wide range of products including apparel, accessories, beauty products, electronics, home goods, toys, groceries, and more. Currently, the company pays a quarterly dividend of $1.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.94%, as of February 21. With a dividend growth streak of 52 years under its belt, TGT is one of the best dividend stocks on our list.Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) was a part of 58 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q4 2023, which remained unchanged from the previous quarter, according to Insider Monkey's database. The consolidated value of stakes owned by these funds is over $1.5 billion. Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Consumer Cyclical Dividend Stocks To Invest In.  Suggested articles:13 High Growth Penny Stocks That Are Profitable19 Best Gambling Stocks to Buy Now11 Best Big Name Stocks to Buy Right NowDisclosure. None. 13 Best Consumer Cyclical Dividend Stocks To Invest In is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

13 Best Consumer Cyclical Dividend Stocks To Invest In

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/13-best-consumer-cyclical-dividend-141700253.html

68660f31-ede4-3657-b1d5-9309d7f0efc7

NKE

Fool.com contributor Parkev Tatevosian highlights several reasons this growth stock is an excellent buy for investors.*Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of March 9, 2024. The video was published on March 11, 2024.Should you invest $1,000 in Nike right now?Before you buy stock in Nike, consider this:The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Nike wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of March 11, 2024Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nike. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2025 $47.50 calls on Nike. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.1 Spectacular Growth Stock Down 44% You'll Regret Not Buying on the Dip was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

1 Spectacular Growth Stock Down 44% You'll Regret Not Buying on the Dip

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-spectacular-growth-stock-down-212933568.html

f88cc76d-c9f7-3d61-8d44-0b5281823ab1

NKE

Nike (NKE) closed at $101.08 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.94% move from the prior day. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.11%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.12%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.41%.The athletic apparel maker's stock has dropped by 5.11% in the past month, falling short of the Consumer Discretionary sector's gain of 0.38% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.7%.Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Nike in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on March 21, 2024. The company is expected to report EPS of $0.70, down 11.39% from the prior-year quarter. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $12.29 billion, indicating a 0.82% decline compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $3.57 per share and a revenue of $51.75 billion, demonstrating changes of +10.53% and +1.04%, respectively, from the preceding year.It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Nike. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the company's business and profitability.Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-team stock moves. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.12% higher. Right now, Nike possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).Story continuesValuation is also important, so investors should note that Nike has a Forward P/E ratio of 27.75 right now. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 14.77, so one might conclude that Nike is trading at a premium comparatively.Meanwhile, NKE's PEG ratio is currently 1.84. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. The Shoes and Retail Apparel was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.84 at yesterday's closing price.The Shoes and Retail Apparel industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 222, this industry ranks in the bottom 12% of all industries, numbering over 250.The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNIKE, Inc. (NKE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Nike (NKE) Gains As Market Dips: What You Should Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nike-nke-gains-market-dips-215018811.html

537338e3-4e63-3259-b72f-9772a62f9c3a

NOC

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors.Achieving those goals is made easier with the Zacks Style Scores, a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on popular investing methodologies, namely value, growth, and momentum. The Style Scores can help you narrow down which stocks are better for your portfolio and which ones can beat the market over the long-term.Why Investors Should Pay Attention to This Value StockValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.Northrop Grumman (NOC)Originally formed in 1939 as Northrop Aircraft Incorporated and reincorporated in Delaware in 1985 as Northrop Corporation was a principal developer of flying wing technology. In 1994, the company acquired Grumman Corporation (Grumman), after which the company was renamed Northrop Grumman Corporation. Currently, this global security company supplies a broad array of products and services to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) including electronic systems, information technology, aircraft, space technology and systems integration services. Northrop Grumman has realigned its business units effective January 2020.Northrop Grumman's Aeronautics Systems unit focuses on the development, integration, production and support of manned aircraft and autonomous systems. In 2022, revenues came in at $10,531 million, contributing 28.9% to the company’s total revenues.NOC boasts a Value Style Score of B and VGM Score of A, and holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating. Shares of Northrop Grumman are trading at a forward earnings multiple of 18.5X, as well as a PEG Ratio of 1.8, a Price/Cash Flow ratio of 14.1X, and a Price/Sales ratio of 1.8X.Story continuesA company's earnings performance is important for value investors as well. For fiscal 2024, eight analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for NOC, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.58 to $24.68 per share. NOC also holds an average earnings surprise of 5.6%.Investors should take the time to consider NOC for their portfolios due to its solid Zacks Ranks, notable earnings and valuation metrics, and impressive Value and VGM Style Scores.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNorthrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Why Northrop Grumman (NOC) is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-northrop-grumman-noc-top-144012343.html

e9fd3cbb-25fc-3964-b5bb-18cf7e4925a4

NOC

After reaching an important support level, Northrop Grumman (NOC) could be a good stock pick from a technical perspective. NOC surpassed resistance at the 50-day moving average, suggesting a short-term bullish trend.The 50-day simple moving average, which is one of three major moving averages, is widely used by traders and analysts to establish support and resistance levels for a range of securities. Because it's the first sign of an up or down trend, the 50-day is considered to be more important.NOC could be on the verge of another rally after moving 5.3% higher over the last four weeks. Plus, the company is currently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock.Looking at NOC's earnings estimate revisions, investors will be even more convinced of the bullish uptrend. There have been 8 higher compared to none lower for the current fiscal year, and the consensus estimate has moved up as well.Investors should think about putting NOC on their watchlist given the ultra-important technical indicator and positive move in earnings estimate revisions.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNorthrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Northrop Grumman (NOC) Crossed Above the 50-Day Moving Average: What That Means for Investors

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/northrop-grumman-noc-crossed-above-143002794.html

cf9db872-c68e-3f79-9dbd-ae5db7f1f1eb

NOC

Leidos Holdings, Inc. LDOS recently clinched a contract from Kessel Run, a division within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. The contract is valued at $158 million, on exercising all options.Per the terms of the agreement, Leidos will develop and expand the Air Force's Command and Control Incident Management Emergency Response Application (C2IMERA) to include all Air Force installations, associated forward operating locations, and contingency locations for command and control and emergency management requirements.Importance of C2IMERADeveloped by Leidos, C2IMERA is an automated Command and Control (C2) and emergency management system providing enhanced situational awareness through “a single pane of glass” to wing commanders, staff and their subordinates, whether in garrison or deployed. It is a government-owned software application system that provides an integrated composite picture of wing and unit resources for reporting, planning, force employment, emergency management, C2 monitoring and execution.C2IMERA is an application focused on reporting, planning, force generation, emergency management, and command and control monitoring and execution. Its primary purpose is to conduct C2, allowing commanders and their staff to issue directives, plan and coordinate operations, conduct and track personnel recalls, accountability and status, and rapidly communicate to C2 personnel through a near real-time live-fed common picture.As nations across the globe have been rapidly strengthening their defense arsenal in recent times, thanks to widespread unrest witnessed in different parts of the world, the need for improved situational awareness for warfighters has increased manifold. This must have been the primary catalyst that boosted the demand for state-of-the-art C2 monitoring system like LDOS’ C2IMERA.Leidos currently supports approximately 25,000 C2IMERA users across 90 locations worldwide, which surely reflects the solid demand that this application enjoys in the global C2 market.Story continuesGrowth ProspectsThe need for more technologically advanced C2 monitoring systems has increased over the past few years, owing to notable improvements in communication technologies. Lately, geopolitical events like the Russian invasion in Ukraine and the ongoing unrest in the Middle East between Palestine’s Hamas group and Israeli militants have prompted the need for high-speed, low-latency communication systems.To this end, the Mordor Intelligence firm expects the global command and control systems market to witness a CAGR of 2.3% during 2024-2029. This should bode well for Leidos, with the company’s ever-changing technologies and innovations covering a wide spectrum of markets with primary areas of concentration, including command and control systems.Notably, Leidos develops primary strategic C2 planning systems, including Aimpoint Construction System (APCS), processing the creation of aimpoints for strategic weapon applications and the Attack Structure Manager system. Within the Command, Control, Communications, Computers Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) operation, the company provides innovative technologies, unique methodologies, and world-class software and services for customers in the broader intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance community.Opportunities for PeersLDOS apart, other defense majors that enjoy a solid footprint in the command and control systems market and are thus expected to gain from this market’s expansion have been discussed below.Northrop Grumman NOC: The company is a critical partner in delivering advanced C4ISR capabilities, systems integration and open architectures across multiple domains. For 60 years, Northrop Grumman has been a leader in the design, development and delivery of end-to-end communications & advanced networking capabilities for U.S. and allied military forces operating across multiple battlespace domains.The stock boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 10.1%. The consensus estimate for NOC’s 2024 sales is pegged at $41.09 billion, indicating an improvement of 4.6% from the previous year’s reported sales.Lockheed Martin LMT: The company’s Rotary and Mission Systems unit designs, manufactures, services and supports command, control, communications, computers, cyber, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C6ISR) programs. LMT’s C6ISR programs include the Command, Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) program for the U.S. Government, undersea combat system programs largely serving the U.S. Navy, and Australia's Joint Air Battle Management System (AIR 6500).The stock boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 4.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LMT’s 2024 sales is pegged at $69.22 billion, implying an improvement of 2.4% from the previous year’s reported level.L3Harris Technologies LHX: The company offers a complete maritime domain awareness C2 system. Its Vigilis is an efficient C2 system that monitors the movement of vessels around identified risk areas and regions to improve security and safety. It protects against and alerts to collisions, hostile vessels, smuggling, piracy, illegal immigration, obstruction of sea lanes, and pollution. The system is deployed in multiple international locations, including some of the world’s most critical water bodies.The stock boasts a long-term earnings growth rate of 8.4%. The consensus estimate for LHX’s 2024 sales is pegged at $21.22 billion, indicating an improvement of 9.3% from the previous year’s reported figure.Price MovementShares of Leidos have rallied 39.6% in the past year against the industry’s 7.6% decline.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchZacks RankLeidos currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportLockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportNorthrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) : Free Stock Analysis ReportLeidos Holdings, Inc. (LDOS) : Free Stock Analysis ReportL3Harris Technologies Inc (LHX) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Leidos (LDOS) Wins $158M Contract for Command-and-Control Systems

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/leidos-ldos-wins-158m-contract-123200089.html

38364f35-a214-3ab2-b732-c236a4e9fbd8

NOC

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors.Achieving those goals is made easier with the Zacks Style Scores, a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on popular investing methodologies, namely value, growth, and momentum. The Style Scores can help you narrow down which stocks are better for your portfolio and which ones can beat the market over the long-term.Why Investors Should Pay Attention to This Value StockDifferent than growth or momentum investors, value-focused investors are all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under what their true value is before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.Northrop Grumman (NOC)Originally formed in 1939 as Northrop Aircraft Incorporated and reincorporated in Delaware in 1985 as Northrop Corporation was a principal developer of flying wing technology. In 1994, the company acquired Grumman Corporation (Grumman), after which the company was renamed Northrop Grumman Corporation. Currently, this global security company supplies a broad array of products and services to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) including electronic systems, information technology, aircraft, space technology and systems integration services. Northrop Grumman has realigned its business units effective January 2020.Northrop Grumman's Aeronautics Systems unit focuses on the development, integration, production and support of manned aircraft and autonomous systems. In 2022, revenues came in at $10,531 million, contributing 28.9% to the company’s total revenues.NOC is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, with a Value Style Score of B and VGM Score of A. Shares are currently trading at a forward P/E of 18.6X for the current fiscal year compared to the Aerospace - Defense industry's P/E of 17.9X. Additionally, NOC has a PEG Ratio of 1.9 and a Price/Cash Flow ratio of 14.1X. Value investors should also note NOC's Price/Sales ratio of 1.8X.Story continuesValue investors don't just pay attention to a company's valuation ratios; positive earnings play a crucial role, too. Seven analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.55 to $24.65 per share. NOC has an average earnings surprise of 5.6%.NOC should be on investors' short lists because of its impressive earnings and valuation fundamentals, a good Zacks Rank, and strong Value and VGM Style Scores.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNorthrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Here's Why Northrop Grumman (NOC) is a Strong Value Stock

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-why-northrop-grumman-noc-134012288.html

417b52bb-eb20-3935-9bb3-33a0ea9a0c55

NOW

Acquisition to enable end-to-end network lifecycle management for telecommunications companies on a single, AI-first platformBARCELONA, Spain, February 26, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mobile World Congress -- ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), the leading digital workflow company making the world work better for everyone, today announced it has signed an agreement to acquire NetACE™ network management and automation technology from Atrinet to accelerate business transformation for telecommunications companies (telcos). Once re-platformed into the ServiceNow platform, Atrinet’s NetACE technology will enable comprehensive, end-to-end network lifecycle management for telcos on a single, AI-first digital workflow platform.Telcos often lack the tools and technology needed to drive efficiency in managing their network, and frequently rely on manual processes. The addition of Atrinet’s NetACE network discovery and activation capabilities to the Now platform will address these challenges by delivering stronger connectivity for telcos' workflows and greater alignment across their vast networks—from initial sales to activating and assuring a service. These new capabilities accelerate ServiceNow’s roadmap for telcos supporting ServiceNow’s Telecom Network Inventory and Order Management for Telecom products, with a significant step toward providing closed loop automation for telecommunications networks."The power of ServiceNow is its ability to connect the entire telecommunications stack on a single platform," said Rohit Batra, general manager, telecom, media, and technology industries at ServiceNow. "By adding Atrinet’s discovery and activation capabilities into our Telecom industry products, we're helping service providers manage the entire network lifecycle—driving productivity up and costs down."This acquisition reflects ServiceNow’s dedication to developing comprehensive, purpose-built industry solutions to help customers boost productivity, drive efficiencies, and accelerate business transformation. Through this acquisition, ServiceNow is enabling telcos to manage essential network processes including discovery, activation, field service, incident management, and initiating workflows, all from a single platform. Atrinet NetACE cloud-native product suite provides a low-code approach to automating all discovery, provisioning, and network management processes for telcos under an open network, unified management system.Story continuesIn conjunction with the sale of NetACE to ServiceNow, Atrinet has become a certified ServiceNow Consulting and Implementation Partner. This partnership aims to deepen ServiceNow’s relationship with Atrinet and expand their offerings to provide implementation services to ServiceNow customers.Atrinet is fully committed to honoring its existing contracts, ensuring the delivery of exceptional services."Atrinet’s mission to provide innovative operations and network automation solutions to the telco industry complements ServiceNow’s intelligent platform and commitment to driving business transformation for customers," said Efi Levi, CEO and founder of Atrinet. "We look forward to a deep partnership with ServiceNow to help global telcos drive operational efficiencies, exceptional customer service and business growth."Atrinet was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Hod-Hasharon, Israel. The acquisition of Atrinet’s NetACE™ network management and automation technology is the latest example of ServiceNow’s ongoing commitment to drive innovation in the telco industry. ServiceNow today announced it is partnering with NVIDIA to launch generative AI solutions for telcos, including Now Assist for Telecommunications Service Management (TSM), which will help telcos boost agent productivity, speed time to resolution, and enhance customer experiences. Segra, one of the largest independent fiber infrastructure bandwidth companies in the U.S., also announced it selected ServiceNow to launch its new SegraOne for Case and Incident Management. This solution will use ServiceNow Telecom Service Management to simplify everyday work and transform customer service and employee experiences by helping them resolve issues faster with AI-driven resolutions, increase transparency, and optimize omnichannel self-service.ServiceNow expects to close the acquisition of Atrinet NetACE in Q2 2024. Financial terms of the deal will not be disclosed.Use of forward-looking statementsThis press release contains "forward-looking statements" about the expectations, beliefs, plans, intentions, and strategies relating to ServiceNow’s proposed acquisition of NetACE™ network management and automation technology from Atrinet. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding future product capabilities and offerings and expected benefits to ServiceNow. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. If any such risks or uncertainties materialize or if any of the assumptions prove incorrect, our results could differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements we make. We undertake no obligation, and do not intend, to update the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements include, without limitation, inability or delays in assimilating or integrating Atrinet’s technology into our platform; inability of ServiceNow or Atrinet to retain employees after the transaction closes; unanticipated obligations or liabilities related to Atrinet’s legacy business; potential adverse tax consequences; and disruption to our business and diversion of management attention and other resources. Further information on factors that could affect our financial and other results is included in the filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.About ServiceNowServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) makes the world work better for everyone. Our cloud‑based platform and solutions help digitize and unify organizations so that they can find smarter, faster, better ways to make work flow. So employees and customers can be more connected, more innovative, and more agile. And we can all create the future we imagine. The world works with ServiceNowTM. For more information, visit: www.servicenow.com.©2024 ServiceNow, Inc. All rights reserved. ServiceNow, the ServiceNow logo, Now, and other ServiceNow marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ServiceNow, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other company names, product names, and logos may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240225891388/en/ContactsMedia Relations Brandon [email protected] RelationsDarren [email protected]

Business Wire

ServiceNow to Acquire Atrinet NetACE Network Technology to Accelerate Business Transformation for Telcos

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/servicenow-acquire-atrinet-netace-network-040400961.html

dee95e8b-ceb3-379e-b60a-a8e31102ed85

NOW

ServiceNow has rebounded from the 10-week moving average and is in buy range. The enterprise software provider has a strong outlook.Continue reading

Investor's Business Daily

This Cloud Leader Drifts Into Buy Range With Strong AI Outlook

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/55a6998b-ac2c-3b53-b241-287a1e1bf5dd/this-cloud-leader-drifts-into.html

55a6998b-ac2c-3b53-b241-287a1e1bf5dd

NOW

Artificial intelligence (AI) spending across hardware, software, and services totaled about $200 billion last year, according to Grand View Research. But that figure is expected to soar 820% to exceed $1.8 trillion by 2030. In other words, the AI market is forecast to compound at 37% annually through the end of the decade.Many companies will benefit from that rising tide, but Cloudflare (NYSE: NET) and ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) stand out because they have strong footholds in relevant markets. Additionally, both stocks trade at reasonable valuations compared to Wall Street's growth expectations.Here's what investors should know.1. CloudflareCloudflare operates a connectivity and security cloud. Its platform accelerates and protects software and infrastructure across private data centers and public cloud environments. The company also offers a developer platform that lets businesses tap its network to build and deploy websites and applications, and it's particularly focused on supporting inference for artificial intelligence applications.Cloudflare has material advantages in speed and scale. Specifically, the company operates the fastest cloud network and developer platform on the market. It also handles about 20% of web traffic, which provides deep insight into performance problems and security threats across the internet. Cloudflare uses that data to continuously route traffic and stop threats more effectively.Those qualities have helped the company achieve a strong position in several cloud services markets. For instance, International Data Corp. recently recognized its leadership in zero-trust network access, citing threat detection powered by machine learning models trained with prodigious amounts of internet traffic as a key strength. Additionally, Forrester Research recently recognized Cloudflare as a leader in edge development platforms, citing a better product and stronger growth strategy compared to peers.Story continuesCloudflare reported excellent financial results in the fourth quarter. Customers increased 17% to 189,791, and the average customer spent 15% more. In turn, revenue rose 32% to $362 million, and non-GAAP (adjusted) net income soared 148% to $53 million. Additionally, management said close rates and average deal size improved markedly compared to the previous quarter, signaling an uptick in sales force productivity.Going forward, Cloudflare is well positioned to benefit from AI, given its leadership among edge development platforms. Additionally, its network serves as a unified control plane across private data centers and public clouds, but vendors like Amazon and Microsoft do not offer the same support. Finally, Cloudflare has been outfitting its network with Nvidia GPUs optimized for AI inference.Last year, CEO Matthew Prince said, "By our estimates, Cloudflare is the most commonly used cloud provider across leading AI start-ups." He also mentioned that the company was "uniquely positioned to become a leader in AI inferencing."With that in mind, Wall Street expects Cloudflare to grow revenue at 25% annually over the next five years, but that estimate leaves room for upside if the company becomes a major player in AI inference. In that context, its current valuation of 24.7 times sales is tolerable. The stock may be volatile in the near term, but patient investors with a five-year time horizon should consider buying a small position today.2. ServiceNowServiceNow helps businesses unify and digitize workflows across disparate systems. Specifically, its platform integrates with third-party applications from vendors like Microsoft and Atlassian to address four primary use cases: technology workflows like IT service, customer workflows like customer service, employee workflows like human resources, and creator workflows like application development and task automation.ServiceNow is best known for its dominance in IT service and IT operations management. But industry analysts have also recognized its leadership in other software verticals, including artificial intelligence (AI) for IT operations, digital process automation, and low-code application development platforms.The company reported solid fourth-quarter financial results. Revenue increased 26% to $2.4 billion, and non-GAAP net income jumped 36% to $3.11 per diluted share. In addition, the remaining performance obligation (contracted revenue that has not been recognized) climbed 29%, hinting at a possible acceleration in sales growth in the coming quarters. That momentum is due in part to the demand for generative AI.ServiceNow was quick to capitalize on generative AI following the launch of ChatGPT. In fact, it was one of the first major software platforms to bring generative AI capabilities to its customers when it launched Now Assist last September. Now Assist brings the ability to create content, summarize information, and automate interactions to IT service, field service, customer service, and human resources teams.However, innovation at ServiceNow extends beyond AI. The company launched finance and supply chain workflows last year that simplify and automate the sourcing and purchasing of goods and services. Those tools are particularly timely because modernizing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems has become an IT focus area.In short, ServiceNow has a strong presence in several IT software verticals. The company is growing quickly, and it's still bringing new products to market at a steady pace. Yet, ServiceNow has tapped a small portion of its $220 billion addressable market. That lays the foundation for strong sales growth for the foreseeable future.Indeed, Wall Street expects the company to grow sales at 20% annually over the next five years. That consensus estimate makes its current valuation of 16.9 times sales seem reasonable. Investors with a five-year time horizon should feel comfortable buying a small position in this growth stock today.Should you invest $1,000 in Cloudflare right now?Before you buy stock in Cloudflare, consider this:The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Cloudflare wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of March 8, 2024John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Trevor Jennewine has positions in Amazon and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Atlassian, Cloudflare, Microsoft, Nvidia, and ServiceNow. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market Could Soar 820% by 2030: 2 AI Growth Stocks to Buy Now and Hold Long-Term was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market Could Soar 820% by 2030: 2 AI Growth Stocks to Buy Now and Hold Long-Term

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/artificial-intelligence-ai-market-could-094500916.html

53edd422-7aa1-3c68-aa77-660d91760492

NOW

A recent survey from Morgan Stanley identified artificial intelligence (AI) as the IT product category likely to see the largest spending increase in 2024. Despite that enthusiasm, businesses have only started to reap the benefits of what could be the most transformative technology in years.Indeed, billionaire hedge fund manager Dan Loeb recently compared AI to the Industrial Revolution, and he wrote the following in a note to clients:We have watched AI evolve and believe the technology has matured to the point that it is driving a transformational technology platform shift similar to those seen roughly once per decade: the personal computer in the 1980s, internet in the 1990s, mobile in the 2000s, and cloud in the 2010s.That puts investors in front of a colossal opportunity, and the most prudent way to benefit is to own a basket of AI stocks. Here's why ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) belongs in such a basket.ServiceNow is a leader in several IT software marketsServiceNow specializes in digital workflow management. Its platform addresses four primary use cases: technology workflows like IT service, employee workflows like human resources, customer workflows like customer service, and creator workflows like application development and workflow automation. Its platform integrates products from vendors like Microsoft and Salesforce to help businesses unify and digitize workflows across disparate systems.ServiceNow is the market leader in IT service management, IT operations management, and artificial intelligence (AI) for IT operations software, according to consultancy Gartner. The company is also a leader in low-code application development, digital process automation, and risk management platforms, according to Forrester Research. Those accolades tell investors that the company is doing something right, and they tell prospective customers that ServiceNow is worth consideration.With that in mind, ServiceNow reported solid financial results in Q4. Revenue increased 26% to $2.4 billion, marking the fourth straight quarter of sequential acceleration, and non-GAAP net income jumped 36% to $3.11 per diluted share. The company also notched a renewal rate of 99% in Q4, up from 98% last year, indicating high customer satisfaction.Story continuesThe chart below shows quarterly revenue growth over the last two years.ServiceNow's quarterly revenue growth in the last two years.ServiceNow was quick to capitalize on generative AIServiceNow has been building AI into its platform for years, including virtual agent technology, predictive insights, intelligent search, and routine task automation. However, the company was quick to capitalize on the demand for generative AI. In fact, ServiceNow was one of the first software vendors to make generative AI available to its customers when it introduced Now Assist last September. That rapid product development has already been a tailwind, as evidenced by accelerating revenue growth and strong customer retention.Now Assist is a digital copilot that automates interactions and summarizes information for IT service, field service, customer service, and human resources teams. It can also turn natural language into computer code to help software developers build products more quickly. Now Assist drove the highest number of customer requests for a pre-release product in company history, according to CEO Bill McDermott.Additionally, ServiceNow recently expanded its partnership with Nvidia to introduce generative AI solutions purpose-built for telecommunications companies, an industry where automation is in high demand. Management says the new tools will help businesses provide better customer care and realize cost savings through greater productivity.Suffice it to say ServiceNow is leaning into AI, and the company sees itself as well positioned to benefit as businesses ramp up investment in that area. McDermott offered the following insight on the most recent earnings call:We are, in fact, in a new era of business transformation powered by AI. This is unlocking massive opportunities in the enterprise software industry. And ServiceNow is extremely well positioned not only to lead this movement, but to define it.ServiceNow shares trade at a reasonable valuationServiceNow has hardly tapped its $220 billion addressable market, and it sits at the intersection of two major trends: workflow digitization and artificial intelligence. The company has a strong presence in several software markets, and its tremendous capacity for innovation is creating new monetization opportunities. ServiceNow has nearly doubled the number of major products on its platform since 2020.That leaves the company well-positioned for future growth. Indeed, ServiceNow placed No. 19 on the Fortune Future 50 list in 2023, an annual ranking of the world's largest companies based on their long-term growth prospects. And Wall Street analysts expect 20% annual sales growth over the next five years.With that in mind, its current valuation of 17.8 times sales appears reasonable, despite being a slight premium to the three-year average of 16.9 times sales. Investors should feel comfortable buying a small position in this stock today, especially as part of a basket of AI stocks.Should you invest $1,000 in ServiceNow right now?Before you buy stock in ServiceNow, consider this:The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and ServiceNow wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of March 8, 2024Trevor Jennewine has positions in Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft, Nvidia, Salesforce, and ServiceNow. The Motley Fool recommends Gartner and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.A Once-in-a-Decade Investment Opportunity: 1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy Now and Hold Long-Term was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

A Once-in-a-Decade Investment Opportunity: 1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock to Buy Now and Hold Long-Term

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/once-decade-investment-opportunity-1-104500928.html

1055b697-650c-3267-a201-2e9645e2f32d

NOW

Meanwhile, XP, Block and Dexcom are above buy points or early entries. The relative strength lines of most of these stocks are trending higher or improving, though XP is a partial exception. ServiceNow fell 2.1% to 757.68 ast week, but rebounded back above the 50-day line.Continue reading

Investor's Business Daily

ServiceNow Setting Up As Three Stocks Flash Buy Signals

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/a035b0e4-1a8b-3d29-9955-cdb801a0733d/servicenow-setting-up-as.html

a035b0e4-1a8b-3d29-9955-cdb801a0733d

NRG

The market expects NRG Energy (NRG) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended December 2023. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on February 28. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.Zacks Consensus EstimateThis power company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.94 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -42.7%.Revenues are expected to be $7.76 billion, down 1.2% from the year-ago quarter.Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 20.27% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.Story continuesThus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for NRG?For NRG, the Most Accurate Estimate is the same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that there are no recent analyst views which differ from what have been considered to derive the consensus estimate. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0%.On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #4.So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that NRG will beat the consensus EPS estimate.Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.For the last reported quarter, it was expected that NRG would post earnings of $1.53 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.62, delivering a surprise of +5.88%.Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.NRG doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAmong the stocks in the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, American Electric Power (AEP) is soon expected to post earnings of $1.27 per share for the quarter ended December 2023. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +21%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $5.22 billion, up 6.9% from the year-ago quarter.The consensus EPS estimate for AEP has been revised 2.3% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.59%.When combined with a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that AEP will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Earnings Preview: NRG Energy (NRG) Q4 Earnings Expected to Decline

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/earnings-preview-nrg-energy-nrg-150027525.html

4f0506fa-5864-37a0-94d2-82d8128678ce

NRG

NRG Energy, Inc. NRG is scheduled to release fourth-quarter 2023 results on Feb 28, before market open. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 5.88% in the last reported quarter.Let’s discuss the factors that are likely to get reflected in the upcoming quarterly results.Factors to ConsiderDuring the fourth quarter, earnings are expected to have benefited from Vivant Smart Home integration and contribution from combined growth initiatives.NRG Energy’s debt reduction initiatives have lowered capital financing expenses and are likely to have boosted its bottom line. NRG is also expected to have gained from the ongoing share repurchases that might have reduced its outstanding shares and improved earnings. The company completed the sale of its Interest in South Texas Project during the fourth quarter, which provided additional funds to repay debts and buyback shares.ExpectationsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at 94 cents per share, indicating a decline of 42.7% from the year-ago levels.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter revenues is pinned at $7.76 billion, implying a decrease of 1.2% from the prior-year actuals.What Our Quantitative Model PredictsOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for NRG Energy this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That is not the case here, as you will see below. NRG Energy, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise NRG Energy, Inc. Price and EPS SurpriseNRG Energy, Inc. price-eps-surprise | NRG Energy, Inc. QuoteEarnings ESP: NRG Energy’s Earnings ESP is 0.00%.You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Zacks Rank: Currently, NRG Energy carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).Stocks to ConsiderInvestors may consider the following players from the same sector that have the right combination of elements to come up with an earnings beat this reporting cycle.American Electric Power Company, Inc.’s AEP is likely to report an earnings beat when it announces fourth-quarter results on Feb 27. It has an Earnings ESP of +2.36% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.AEP’s long-term (three-to-five year) earnings growth rate is 5.11%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2023 earnings is pegged at $1.27 per share, remaining unchanged in past 60 days.Sempra Energy SRE is expected to come up with an earnings beat when it reports fourth-quarter results on Feb 27. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.29% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.SRE’s long-term earnings growth rate is 4.95%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2023 earnings is pegged at $1.13 per share, increasing 1.8% in the past 60 days.Consolidated Water CWCO is likely to come up with an earnings beat when it reports fourth-quarter results. It has an Earnings ESP of +2.00% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.CWCO’s long-term earnings growth rate is 8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter 2023 earnings is pegged at 45 cents per share, increasing 2.3% in the past 60 days.Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.Story continuesWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) : Free Stock Analysis ReportSempra Energy (SRE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAmerican Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) : Free Stock Analysis ReportConsolidated Water Co. Ltd. (CWCO) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

NRG Energy (NRG) to Report Q4 Earnings: What's in Store?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nrg-energy-nrg-report-q4-174700835.html

3c2c1cf3-ee8e-385e-9c1d-582fadf6000c

NRG

NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript February 28, 2024NRG Energy, Inc. isn’t one of the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds at the end of the third quarter (see the details here).Operator: Good day and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the NRG Energy, Inc. Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After the speakers’ presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. [Operator Instructions] Please be advised that today’s conference is being recorded. I would now like to hand the conference over to your speaker today, Kevin Cole, Head of Treasury and Investor Relations. Please go ahead.Kevin Cole: Thank you. Good morning. And welcome to NRG Energy’s fourth quarter and full year 2023 earnings call. This morning’s call will be 45 minutes in length and is being broadcast live over the phone and via webcast, which can be located in the Investors section of our website at www.nrg.com under Presentations and Webcast. Please note that today’s discussion may contain forward-looking statements which are based upon assumptions and we believe to be reasonable as of this date. Actual results may differ materially. We urge everyone to review the Safe Harbor in today’s presentation, as well as the risk factors in our SEC filings. We undertake no obligation to update these statements as a result of future events, except as required by law.In addition, we will refer to both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures. For information regarding our non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, please refer to today’s presentation. And with that, I will now turn the call over to Larry Coben, NRG’s Chair and Interim President and CEO.Larry Coben: Thank you, Kevin. Good morning, everyone. And thank you for your interest in NRG. I'm Larry Coben, and I am the Chairman, Interim President and CEO. I'm joined this morning by Bruce Chung, our Chief Financial Officer and we also have members of the management team on the call and available for question. While I have been CEO for three months, I have been Chairman for seven and on the Board for 20 years. I have never been more excited about NRG as a company than I am today. Let's begin with the NRG value proposition on Slide four. We are the trusted partner to almost eight million residential customers earned every day through unique and differentiated offerings that simplify and improve our customers lives. We have 5.9 million energy and 2 million smart home customers and manage the second largest C&I Energy and Natural Gas retail portfolio in the country.Story continuesWe have taken the necessary steps to position NRG to win the energy transition. At the convergence of energy and technology in the home and grid, with the evolution of smart devices and generative AI data centers. We generate significant excess cash well beyond our current business needs, resulting in financial flexibility to return significant capital to our shareholders while maintaining a strong balance sheet. Our business and financial outlook has never been stronger. And I've never been more excited about the future of the company than I am today. Turning to Slide five. First, in 2023 we delivered record free cash flow before growth and near record adjusted EBITDA. We exceeded our Investor Day outlook and our previously increased 2023 guidance ranges.This is the direct result of the strategic initiatives and actions we've taken in recent years to strengthen and stabilize our business. Our outlook continues to get better and better, and today we are reaffirming our 2024 financial guidance ranges. Next, we made significant progress advancing our long term energy transition and electrification strategy. We have line of sight to achieving our current $550 million by 2025. And we are now turning our attention to the next phase of our growth. Lastly, we continue to execute our disciplined capital allocation strategy, which involves both a strong balance sheet and returning significant capital to you, our shareholders. Turning to Slide six. We delivered $844 million of adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter, 82% higher than the prior year.This brings our full year results to $3.282 billion of adjusted EBITDA, 76% higher than last year, primarily driven by improved operational performance of our Integrated Energy platform and the addition of our Smart Home Business. Our 2023 adjusted EBITDA was $152 million above our original guidance midpoint, and at the high end of our adjusted guidance, while free cash flow before growth came in above the high end of our increased guidance range at $1.92 billion, or $185 million above our original guidance midpoint. This resulted in $9.25 of free cash flow before growth per share in 2023, well ahead of the $8.50 per target provided at our June Investor Day. Bruce will provide more details certainly, but again, this performance is the direct result of our strategic initiatives and actions taken to strengthen and grow our business.And I know that these took place even with share purchases occurring at higher levels than projected about Investor Day. Turning to our 2023 scorecard, we delivered across our strategic priorities. As you know, safety is our top priority, and I'm pleased to share that we achieve top decile safety performance through a year with many distractions. I'd like to thank all of our employees for their focus, and dedication and hard work to making this happen, as well as the making our financial results happen. Next, we made progress in our continuous improvement goals for cost excellence. We completed the $300 million Direct Energy Synergy program announced earlier in the year, and we quickly turned our attention to identify and execute our previously announced next phase of cost initiatives $250 million by the end of 2025.Turning to growth, our success in achieving the $9.25 of free cash flow before growth per share versus our $8.50 target was primarily driven by faster execution of our growth plan. We are incredibly pleased with the results of our Smart Home acquisition and believe our current growth plan is just the beginning. We are only starting to scratch the surface. Lastly, on capital allocation, we executed over $1.5 billion in debt paid down and returned another $1.5 billion to shareholders. Turning to Slide seven, let's take a look at our 2024, outlook. Today, we are reaffirming our 2024 financial guidance ranges, and our Investor Day 15% to 20% growth strategic roadmap. We are well positioned across each of our businesses to deliver on our commitments.In consumer energy we expect the momentum gained in 2023, to continue into 2024, with volume margins and earnings growing across residential and small commercial as well as commercial and industrial customer segments. They success will be driven by our diverse and efficient marketing and sales engines, our leading care and retention capabilities, and our best-in-class innovative digital experience. We are also seizing numerous opportunities as they arise or as we create them. An exciting example is Lubbock, Texas, a market of just over 100,000 customers that opened in early January, with 65% of customers having already made their electricity provider choice. So far we are exceeding expectations for our success and winning customers and look forward to bring our innovative offerings and experiences to that market.We also continue to see momentum with Community Choice programs, as a way for customers to experience the benefits of electricity competition in markets that don't have favorable political and regulatory sentiment that would allow customers to have the ability to freely choose their electricity providers. Next, our diversified supply strategy manages our retail exposure in multiple scenarios to include events, like the extreme summer of 2023 and Winter Storm Heather this past January, well, at the same time handling the mild weather that we have seen most of this winter. Our targeted investments for reliability and flexibility across our fleet led to material improvements in the performance of our generation when we needed it, and we expect to realize continued improvements.We continue to evaluate various ways to enhance our supply strategy. We have three brownfield sites ready to go in Texas with dispatch flexibility, and we are considering additional storage options for the portfolio, primarily through longer term structured transactions, rather than outright ownership. And finally, the smart home business delivered a strong year driving impressive top and bottom line growth, recurring revenue and margin per customer increased through selling more products and services while simultaneously reducing net service costs per customer, we will continue to drive toward the horizontal expansion of our eight million customers wallet. Our customer retention is the best in the industry with an average customer life in the Smart Home Business of nine years, driven by unmatched customer engagement and world class, product performance and reliability.We continue to focus on integrating Smart Home and Energy in achieving the initiatives we have previously communicated to you. Turning to Slide 8, for a closer look at growth and cost initiatives. In 2023, we advanced our energy transition electrification, and continuous improvement strategy and delivered $138 million of incremental earnings, which was more times than twice our original $65 million target. We exceeded our goals for both growth and cost savings resulting in more than $100 million of growth in our core businesses and sales channel optimization and more than $35 million in cost savings. This outperformance was primarily the result of realizing synergies faster than originally anticipated. And today, we are reaffirming the full plan target of $550 million of growth and cost initiatives by the end of 2025.Close up image of an engineer inspecting the control panel of a modern power plant.Outside of this $550 million program, we have also identified additional attractive initiatives that are in early development, leveraging the significant value creation opportunity from the convergence of energy and technology in the home in the grid. First, is for example, Virtual Power Plants are VPP, where we are uniquely positioned given our customers scale and reach, our data science, proficiency and decades of commercial market -- commercial and market experience. Importantly, VPP will increase in value as the grid tightens, and our Integrated Energy Business will allow us to monetize this value without requiring regulatory change. Second on data centers and AI. Today, we are one of the largest competitive providers of power to the hyperscalers and other data center managers.And we have been in direct conversations with several of these customers about using more load. We see this as a significant opportunity for NRG and for competitive markets more broadly. Finally, we continue to evaluate strategic dispatchable new build, with 1.5 gigawatts of brownfield projects in Texas ready to go. As you may know in November, Texas voters approved the Texas Energy Fund, which provides support for new dispatchable generation. We expect the rules for that to be adopted earlier this year with applications beginning mid-year. We anticipate providing an update on these projects over the coming months. With that I'd like to turn it over to our Chief Financial Officer, Bruce Chung, for a financial review.Bruce Chung: Thank you, Larry. Moving to Slide 10. For 2023, NRG produced adjusted EBITDA of $3.282 billion, exceeding our original guidance and at the high end of our upward revised guidance range. And free cash flow before growth of $1.925 billion, exceeding the high end of our upward revised guidance range. Our 2023 free cash flow before growth and adjusted EBITDA represent the highest and second highest respectively in NRG’s history. This strong financial performance is a direct result of excellent execution across our businesses, and made possible by the continued focus and effort from each of our employees in a year full of potential distractions. Our 2023 adjusted EBITDA improved by $1.4 billion as compared to 2022, driven by strong performance in our Texas region, the addition of the Vivint Smart Home Business and execution of our growth and cost efficiency plans.Taking a closer look at the drivers within our segments, and beginning with Texas. Our full year adjusted EBITDA increased by $806 million over 2022. This was driven by higher revenue rates coupled with lower supply costs. Our diversified supply strategy worked as designed throughout a volatile year, lowering our supply costs during the mild start to the year and providing stable pricing through the summer's extreme heat. As we discussed throughout 2023, the margin expansion we saw across both our residential and C&I energy businesses, was produced through a combination of careful revenue rate management, and providing our customers with differentiated products that address their needs for affordability, comfort and peace of mind. We believe this margin expansion will be durable over the foreseeable future, and this view is reflected in our 2024 guidance.In addition to improved margins, our Residential Energy business delivered strong customer retention of nearly 80%, while maintaining average customer tenure of six years. This is a testament to the strength of our brands, and customer experience. Our East/West services segments were lower by $142 million versus the prior year. This was due to $60 million from asset retirements in sales, with the remainder of the variance from the combination of lower average realized pricing at the Cottonwood facility, as well as a challenging housing market and more conservative consumer discretionary spending impacting our HVAC and Goal Zero services businesses. Finally, the addition of Smart Home contributed $753 million in adjusted EBITDA, finishing above the high end of our upward revised guidance for this segment.Throughout 2023, Smart Home delivered across all of its key metrics. Most notably, Smart Home achieved 6%, ending subscriber growth in an otherwise challenging macro environment. In addition to improving monthly recurring service margins at 9%, through increasing average monthly revenue per subscriber coupled with a continued focus on cost efficiency. Turning to free cash flow before growth. NRG achieved $1.925 billion in 2023, setting a new record for the company. This represents an improvement of $1.4 billion over the prior year, primarily driven by our stronger EBITDA performance, along with improved working capital initiatives across our businesses. At our Investor Day in June, we communicated the 2023 target of $8.50 of free cash flow before growth per share.Our strong performance in 2023 resulted in $9.25 of free cash flow before growth per share, even after repurchasing shares, at a 25% premium to what we had originally assumed in our Investor Day plan. Our platform is designed to generate significant cash flow, and based on that $9.25 per share, and our current share price that represents an implied free cash flow yield of 18%. Given this dislocation repurchasing our shares remains one of the best investments we can make. And as such, we remain firmly committed to staying the course with our capital allocation framework. Throughout 2023, we have demonstrated the strength and resiliency of our strategy, and coupled with the compelling long term macro tailwinds for the increasing electrification of the economy, and convergence of energy with smart technologies, we are confident in the outlook for our share price.Turning to the next slide, I'd like to provide some additional context for 2023 financial results. On the left side of the page, we highlight the resiliency of our core energy business. Our Texas fleet performed well through the second hottest summer in Texas history, and most recently continued to perform through the volatility experienced during January's Winter Storm Heather. Over the last few years, we have strategically invested capital in improving the reliability of our facilities and anticipation of volatility across both summer and winter conditions. And we are seeing the impact of those investments through material improvement in our -- in the money availability factor. This is a performance measure illustrating the availability of our generation assets during periods when we need them the most.As you can see in the bar chart, we realized a 14% and 13% improvement in summer and winter respectively in this metric. Furthermore, we saw a nearly 20% improvement in this metric on comparing the fleet performance during a Winter Storm Heather versus Winter Storm Elliott. This level of improvement was and will be critical to ensuring we're able to serve our retail load cost effectively. Moving to the right side of the page, our Smart Home Business surpassing original expectations, primarily driven by expanded monthly recurring service margins. Notably, the margin expansion was a function of both higher average revenues per subscriber coupled with lower cost to serve. We're also seeing higher take rates on Smart Home products and services at the point of sale, which is a testament to the effectiveness of our Smart Home sales channels, and Smart Home customers recognizing the benefit of increasing the intelligence of their homes through additional seamlessly integrated devices.Turning to Slide 12, for an updated view of our 2024 capital allocation. As you can see from the slide, not much has changed since our third quarter earnings call, where we provided our initial view on 2024 capital allocation. We are still planning on $500 million of debt paid down in 2024, and expect to return nearly $1.2 billion to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and common dividends. Coupled with the 2023 share repurchase program, we will have executed nearly 75% of the current $2.7 billion authorization by the end of 2024. We expect the 2023 accelerated share repurchase program to conclude by the end of Q1 this year, at which point we will begin executing our 2024 repurchase plan on a more regular and programmatic basis throughout the year.As I mentioned earlier, at an implied yield of 18%, we see our shares as an excellent investment for shareholder capital. And as such, remain committed to the 80-20 principle we rolled out during an Investor Day. In terms of incremental changes since our last earnings call and moving from left to right, 2024 excess cash increased $74 million because of the over performance in 2023. Other investments increased $33 million, primarily from a calendar year shift in integration costs and capital deployed to small book acquisitions in our Residential Retail business. Finally, we have $41 million of unallocated capital available for allocation in 2024, which we will evaluate the use of as we move along the year. Before I hand it back to Larry, I'd like to point out that we included some new slides in the appendix of today's presentation, which provide more disclosure around our energy business.We believe this disclosure will enable investors to model our energy business with a level of granularity they did not have before. These slides will be updated with each earnings call we have going forward. We hope you find them helpful, and our Investor Relations team is more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the new disclosures. With that, I will turn it back to you, Larry.Larry Coben: Thank you, Bruce. On Slide 14, I want to provide a few closing thoughts about 2024, our priorities and our expectations. We are laser focused on delivering on our financial and operational commitments and adhering to our capital allocation principles. We will continue to integrate Smart Home with our energy businesses and deliver on our growth and cost initiatives. All while advancing our energy transition and electrification strategy. I have never been more excited about the future of energy. We are seeing signs of step change improvement in fundamentals across our platform, including the convergence of energy and technology in the home and grid through smart devices and generative AI. We believe this will put a spotlight on the scarcity of the critical products and services we sell and the durability of our platform.Said bluntly, I believe this step change will signify a change in the depressed valuations for NRG in our sector that have resulted in 20% plus cash flow yields. This will be good for NRG and the sector and its very exciting times. I look forward to updating you on our progress along the way. With that thank you for your time and your interest in NRG. We're now ready to open the line for questions.See also 15 Developed Countries with Citizenship Tests and 21 Countries that Have the Highest Rates of Cancer Deaths.To continue reading the Q&A session, please click here.

Insider Monkey

NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nrg-energy-inc-nyse-nrg-150941590.html

29248b8b-776a-3a69-9305-bc6146c54455

NRG

NRG Energy Inc (NYSE:NRG) stock is starting the month of March on the right foot, up 0.9% at $55.76, after a price-target hike from Citigroup to $62 from $52, and earlier hit a record high of $56.13. The equity boasts a 70.4% year-over-year lead, with a nearly 8% gain amassed just in 2024, and a floor near the $50 level ready to contain any eventual pullbacks.NRG IntradayIt's not likely NRG will face headwinds anytime soon, however. According to Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White, the security is the best S&P 500 Index (SPX) name to own in February, and one of just six electricity names on the list. NRG Energy stock finished the month higher in nine of the past 10 years, averaging a 5.9% return.Best of MarchDespite its upbeat price action, the 15.18 million shares sold short still make up 6.8% of the stock's available float. In other words, a short squeeze could still boost the security.Traders hoping to bank on this seasonality trend should consider doing so with options, which are reasonably priced at this time. The stock's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 28% sits higher than 24% of readings from the last 12 months -- a relatively low reading.  

Schaeffer's Investment Research

Best Stock to Own in March Already Drew a Bull Note

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/best-stock-own-march-already-154744790.html

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NSC

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw received a 37% increase in compensation last year, even after the company’s railroad was involved in a financially and ecologically disastrous derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.Shaw received $13.4 million in total compensation in 2023, up from $9.8 million in 2022. His base salary rose $200,000 to $1.1 million, and his stock and option awards rose $2.2 million to $10 million.Last year was Shaw’s first full year as CEO after starting on May 1, 2022, so part of the increase in compensation can be attributed to having worked more months on the job last year than the year earlier. But he was president of the company in the first four months of 2022, and his promotion to that role in late 2021 had already resulted in his compensation more than doubling in 2022 compared to 2021.The accident on February 3, 2023, did not result in any fatalities, but did cause a massive fire fueled by toxic chemicals and the evacuation of much of the small Ohio town. And it cost the railroad $1.1 billion, according to its most recent estimate.The company’s overall net income fell 44% last year to $1.8 billion. Shares of Norfolk Southern (NSC) fell 22% in the two months following the accident, but the stock has since recovered most of its value, and its current share price is slightly above its pre-derailment level.Shaw’s changes in railroad procedures have won the support of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the union that represents the company’s engineers. But the problems at Norfolk Southern have sparked a proxy battle, as an investor group led by Ohio-based Ancora Holdings is seeking to elect an alternative slate of candidates to the company’s board of directors, with the goal of replacing Shaw.“It’s alarming that the board rewarded Mr. Shaw with a massive raise and total compensation of $13.4 million during the same year he presided over industry-worst operating results, sustained underperformance and a tone-deaf response to the derailment in East Palestine,” the group told CNN in a statement. “This failure of corporate governance … reinforces the need for sweeping changes to Norfolk Southern’s well paid board.”Story continuesThe shareholder group said it wants to replace Shaw with Jim Barber Jr., a former chief operating officer at UPS.In a statement on its site, Norfolk Southern said in the coming weeks it “will also provide details regarding how Ancora’s nominees and plan may not only hinder the successful execution of a strategy that is yielding results, but also threaten Norfolk Southern’s progress on safety, its continued commitment to the community of East Palestine, and its improved relationships with regulators and other stakeholders.”The proxy filing from Norfolk Southern said its board has “unanimous support for the company’s strategy that balances safe and reliable service, continuous productivity improvement and smart growth under the leadership of CEO Alan Shaw.”Norfolk Southern also announced the names two of its 13 board member nominees — Richard H. Anderson, a former CEO of Amtrak and Delta Air Lines, and Mary Kathryn “Heidi” Heitkamp, the former US senator of North Dakota — to fill the seats of two retiring board members and two who are not running for re-election.The opposition investor group said the company’s new slate of board members won’t stop it from pushing its slate of eight candidates.“Mr. Shaw and his boardroom allies have no credible plan and no viable record to run on,” said the group.For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com

CNN Business

Norfolk Southern CEO received 37% raise following derailment

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/norfolk-southern-ceo-received-37-230651648.html

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Norfolk Southern is planning a board refresh as it seeks to fend off a shareholder-activist group waging a proxy battle against the railroad operator. The company on Monday revealed a slate of 13 board nominees, including two new candidates— Richard Anderson, the former chief executive of Amtrak and Delta Air Lines and Mary Kathryn “ Heidi” Heitkamp, a former U.S. senator. The Wall Street Journal reported this month that an investor group led by Ancora Holdings built a roughly $1 billion stake in Norfolk Southern and planned to wage a campaign to shake up the company’s board and replace CEO Alan Shaw.Continue reading

The Wall Street Journal

Norfolk Southern Seeks to Thwart Activist With New Board Picks

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/cdf7c2b6-26b6-3f1b-8e5a-9468ca7d5907/norfolk-southern-seeks-to.html

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NSC

Incomplete information led to the unnecessary burning of chemicals in rail cars after a Norfolk Southern train derailed in 2023, according to the head of the NTSB. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)There was no need to burn dangerous chemicals in rail cars in order to prevent an explosion after a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 2023, the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board told a U.S. Senate committee Wednesday.Under questioning by Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, Jennifer Homendy testified before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee that temperatures in the cars had stabilized well before the burn was conducted and were too low to cause, in Vance’s words, “a runaway chemical reaction” and “an uncontrolled explosion.”“It seems based on the data that we have that there was not a ton of reason to do the [controlled] burn, and that of course is what spread toxic chemicals all over this community and the surrounding region,” Vance said.No one was injured in the derailment or as a result of the burn, but about 2,000 residents were temporarily evacuated, and questions about long-term health consequences linger.“The factual information in our docket shows that Oxy Vinyls [the company shipping the chemicals] was on scene and providing information to Norfolk Southern and their contractors on the fourth, fifth and sixth [of February],” Homendy said. “They informed them that … there was no justification to do a vent and burn.”But when officials were deciding whether to conduct the burn, she said, Gov. Mike DeWine and the incident commander were not given full information, including statements by experts for Oxy Vinyls that it wasn’t necessary.“The incident commander didn’t even know [the Oxy Vinyls experts] existed,” she said. “Neither did the governor. So they were provided incomplete information to make a decision.”Norfolk Southern defended the burn in a statement released after the hearing.“The successful controlled release prevented a potentially catastrophic uncontrolled explosion that could have caused significant damage for the community,” the railroad stated.Story continuesThe NTSB plans to release a final report June 25 in East Palestine on the cause of the derailment.Homendy’s testimony comes amid a battle over leadership at Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC).NS has defended itself against criticisms by activist investor Ancora Holdings that CEO Alan Shaw makes too much money and that another derailment last week, this one in Pennsylvania, adds urgency to the need for new leadership.Ancora has proposed eight independent directors, who would make former UPS executive Jim Barber Jr. CEO of NS and former CSX executive Jamie Boychuk COO. Norfolk Southern wants shareholders to approve its own slate of 13 candidates.NS said it has taken significant steps to enhance safety, including hiring an independent safety consultant, boosting employee training and joining the Federal Railroad Administration’s Confidential Close Call System.The railroad got a boost recently when investment bank UBS moved NS’ rating from Neutral to Buy, pushing up the railroad’s stock price.The post Burning of chemicals after Ohio derailment was unnecessary, NTSB head says appeared first on FreightWaves.

FreightWaves

Burning of chemicals after Ohio derailment was unnecessary, NTSB head says

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/burning-chemicals-ohio-derailment-unnecessary-194555591.html

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Norfolk Southern alone will be responsible for paying for the cleanup after last year's fiery train derailment in eastern Ohio, a federal judge ruled.The decision issued Wednesday threw out the railroad's claim that the companies that made chemicals that spilled and owned tank cars that ruptured should share the cost of the cleanup.An assortment of chemicals spilled and caught fire after the train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 2023. Three days later, officials blew open five tank cars filled with vinyl chloride because they feared those cars might explode. Residents still worry about potential health consequences from those chemicals.The Atlanta-based railroad has said the ongoing cleanup from the derailment has already cost it more than $1.1 billion. That total continues to grow, though EPA officials have said they expect the cleanup to be finished at some point later this year.U.S. District Judge John Adams said that ruling that other companies should share the cost might only delay the resolution of the lawsuit that the Environmental Protection Agency and state of Ohio filed against Norfolk Southern. He also said the railroad didn't show that the derailment was caused by anything the other companies could control.“The court notes that such arguments amongst potential co-defendants does not best serve the incredibly pressing nature of this case and does not change the bottom line of this litigation; that the contamination and damage caused by the derailment must be remediated," Adams wrote.Norfolk Southern declined to comment on Adams' ruling.The railroad had argued that companies like Oxy Vinyls that made the vinyl chloride and rail car owner GATX should share the responsibility for the damage.The National Transportation Safety Board has said the crash was likely caused by an overheating bearing on a car carrying plastic pellets that caused the train to careen off the tracks. The railroad's sensors spotted the bearing starting to heat up in the miles before the derailment, but it didn't reach a critical temperature and trigger an alarm until just before the derailment. That left the crew scant time to stop the train.Story continuesGATX said the ruling confirms what it had argued in court that the railroad is responsible.“We have said from the start that these claims were baseless. Norfolk Southern is responsible for the safe transportation of all cars and commodities on its rail lines and its repeated attempts to deflect liability and avoid responsibility for damages should be rejected,” GATX said in a statement.Oxy Vinyls declined to comment on the ruling Thursday.The chemical and rail car companies remain defendants in a class-action lawsuit filed by East Palestine residents, so they still may eventually be held partly responsible for the derailment.

Associated Press Finance

Norfolk Southern alone should pay for cleanup of Ohio train derailment, judge says

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/norfolk-southern-alone-pay-cleanup-000910885.html

e87b087d-4ef7-3732-ae94-1291344a66e0

NTAP

On the last day of 2023, PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio) executed a notable transaction involving shares of NetApp Inc (NASDAQ:NTAP). The firm reduced its position in the data management and storage solutions provider by 530,990 shares, which resulted in a 3.48% decrease in their holdings. This trade impacted PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio)'s portfolio by a mere 0.04%, with the shares being traded at a price of $88.16 each. Following this transaction, the firm's total share count in NetApp stood at 14,709,824, making up 1.1% of its portfolio and representing a 7.14% ownership stake in the company.Insight into PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio)Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Sign with NTAP.Founded in 1983, PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio) Company has established itself as a respected independent investment management firm based in Pasadena, CA. The firm manages equity portfolios primarily for institutions and mutual funds in the United States. PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio) is known for its long-term investment horizon and a focus on value, guided by individual decision-making, a commitment to fundamental research, and a multi-counselor investment model. The firm's investment philosophy is to identify undervalued stocks that have the potential to outperform the market over a three to five-year period, often starting with companies and industries that are currently out of favor.PRIMECAP Management Adjusts Stake in NetApp IncNetApp Inc at a GlanceNetApp Inc, with its segments in Hybrid Cloud and Public Cloud, is a leader in enterprise data management and storage solutions. The company has been successful in integrating traditional data centers with cloud capabilities, generating the majority of its revenue from the Hybrid Cloud segment. As of the latest data, NetApp boasts a market capitalization of $18.05 billion and a PE ratio of 27.20, indicating profitability. However, the stock is currently considered modestly overvalued with a GF Value of $78.34 and a price to GF Value ratio of 1.12. NetApp's stock performance indicators, such as a GF Score of 84/100, suggest good outperformance potential.Story continuesPRIMECAP Management Adjusts Stake in NetApp IncImpact of PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio)'s TradeThe recent reduction in NetApp shares by PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio) has slightly altered the firm's investment landscape. Despite the trade, NetApp remains a significant holding, accounting for 1.1% of PRIMECAP's portfolio. The trade price of $88.16 reflects a slight decrease in stock value, with the current stock price at $87.6, down by 0.64% since the transaction. This move by PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio) could be a strategic adjustment rather than a shift in conviction, as the firm still maintains a substantial position in NetApp.NetApp's Market Performance and Financial HealthNetApp's stock has experienced a year-to-date percentage change of 1.61%, with an impressive 6743.75% increase since its IPO. The company's financial health is solid, with a Financial Strength rank of 6/10 and a Profitability Rank of 8/10. The Piotroski F-Score of 6 indicates a relatively stable financial situation, while the Altman Z-Score of 2.44 suggests that the company is not in any immediate financial distress.NetApp in the Hardware IndustryWithin the hardware industry, NetApp stands out for its innovative cloud-integrated storage solutions. PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio)'s top sectors include Technology and Healthcare, with NetApp aligning with the firm's technology sector interests. The company's growth and profitability have positioned it well within its industry, reflecting PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio)'s investment strategy of focusing on value and long-term growth potential.Other Notable Investors in NetAppAriel Investment, LLC is currently the largest guru shareholder in NetApp, while other notable investors include Jefferies Group (Trades, Portfolio) and Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio). The presence of these prominent investors underscores the attractiveness of NetApp as an investment opportunity and validates the company's strong market position and potential for growth.In conclusion, PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio)'s recent transaction in NetApp shares represents a minor adjustment in its portfolio. The firm's long-term investment philosophy and the company's solid financial metrics suggest that PRIMECAP Management (Trades, Portfolio) continues to see value in NetApp Inc. Investors will be watching closely to see how this position evolves in the context of the firm's overall investment strategy.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

PRIMECAP Management Adjusts Stake in NetApp Inc

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/primecap-management-adjusts-stake-netapp-180942599.html

228924d2-64d5-32de-94a0-dbc1527653d2

NTAP

In its upcoming report, NetApp (NTAP) is predicted by Wall Street analysts to post quarterly earnings of $1.69 per share, reflecting an increase of 23.4% compared to the same period last year. Revenues are forecasted to be $1.59 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 4.4%.The current level reflects no revision in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter over the past 30 days. This demonstrates how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reappraised their initial projections over this period.Prior to a company's earnings release, it is of utmost importance to factor in any revisions made to the earnings projections. These revisions serve as a critical gauge for predicting potential investor behaviors with respect to the stock. Empirical studies consistently reveal a strong link between trends in earnings estimate revisions and the short-term price performance of a stock.While investors usually depend on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to assess the business performance for the quarter, delving into analysts' forecasts for certain key metrics often provides a more comprehensive understanding.In light of this perspective, let's dive into the average estimates of certain NetApp metrics that are commonly tracked and forecasted by Wall Street analysts.Analysts' assessment points toward 'Revenue- Product' reaching $724.83 million. The estimate suggests a change of +6.3% year over year.The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Net Service revenue' of $867.68 million. The estimate points to a change of +2.8% from the year-ago quarter.Analysts expect 'Net Revenue- Public Cloud' to come in at $152.51 million. The estimate points to a change of +1.7% from the year-ago quarter.Analysts forecast 'Revenue- Support' to reach $630.25 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +2.3%.It is projected by analysts that the 'Net Revenue- Hybrid Cloud' will reach $1.44 billion. The estimate points to a change of +4.9% from the year-ago quarter.Story continuesAccording to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Product Revenues- Software' should come in at $415.48 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +6.5%.The consensus estimate for 'Product Revenues- Hardware' stands at $307.30 million. The estimate indicates a change of +5.2% from the prior-year quarter.Analysts predict that the 'Gross margin - Product - Non GAAP' will reach 59.4%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 46.5% in the same quarter last year.The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Services gross margin - Non-GAAP' will likely reach 81.2%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 83.3%.Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Geographic Mix- Asia-Pacific' should arrive at 15.6%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 14%.The average prediction of analysts places 'Geographic Mix- EMEA' at 33.5%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 32%.The consensus among analysts is that 'Billings' will reach $1.76 billion. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $1.57 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.View all Key Company Metrics for NetApp here>>>Shares of NetApp have demonstrated returns of -0.8% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +4.7% change. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), NTAP is expected to mirror the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNetApp, Inc. (NTAP) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

NetApp (NTAP) Q3 Earnings Preview: What You Should Know Beyond the Headline Estimates

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/netapp-ntap-q3-earnings-preview-141558583.html

c5d140af-a29b-3bf1-bcfe-e2e96c69cdc1

NTAP

NetApp (NTAP) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.Since a changing earnings picture is a powerful factor influencing near-term stock price movements, the Zacks rating system is very useful for individual investors. They may find it difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, as these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.Therefore, the Zacks rating upgrade for NetApp basically reflects positivity about its earnings outlook that could translate into buying pressure and an increase in its stock price.Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.For NetApp, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.Story continuesHarnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsEmpirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>.Earnings Estimate Revisions for NetAppFor the fiscal year ending April 2024, this data storage company is expected to earn $6.40 per share, which is a change of 14.5% from the year-ago reported number.Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for NetApp. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 5.9%.Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of 'buy' and 'sell' ratings for its entire universe of more than 4000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a 'Strong Buy' rating and the next 15% get a 'Buy' rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>The upgrade of NetApp to a Zacks Rank #1 positions it in the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNetApp, Inc. (NTAP) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

All You Need to Know About NetApp (NTAP) Rating Upgrade to Strong Buy

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/know-netapp-ntap-rating-upgrade-170009825.html

e930d60a-3ad8-33d7-8b13-f4f81b271ef1

NTAP

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – March 11, 2024 – Stocks in this week’s article are Cardinal Health Inc. CAH, Toll Brothers TOL, Iron Mountain IRM, NetApp NTAP and Ralph Lauren Corp. RL.5 Dividend Stocks with High Growth ProspectsDividend investing remains a popular choice, irrespective of market conditions. This strategy focuses on companies that not only pay dividends but also consistently increase them over time. This approach offers a unique blend of income and growth potential, appealing to a broad range of investors. Additionally, it provides a sense of security in times of market uncertainty or downturns, as dividend-paying stocks can reduce the volatility of a portfolio and tend to outperform in a choppy market.Stocks with a strong history of year-over-year dividend growth form a healthy portfolio with a greater scope of capital appreciation, as opposed to simple dividend-paying stocks or those that have high yields. We have selected five dividend growth stocks — Cardinal Health Inc., Toll Brothers, Iron Mountain, NetApp and Ralph Lauren Corp. — that could be solid choices for your portfolio.Dividend Growth: A Winning StrategyStocks that have a strong history of dividend growth belong to mature companies, which are less susceptible to large swings in the market and, thus, act as a hedge against economic or political uncertainty, as well as stock market volatility. At the same time, these offer downside protection with their consistent increases in payouts.Additionally, these stocks have superior fundamentals that make dividend growth a quality and promising investment for the long term. These include a sustainable business model, a long track of profitability, rising cash flows, good liquidity, a strong balance sheet and some value characteristics. Further, a history of strong dividend growth indicates that a dividend increase is likely in the future.Although these stocks do not necessarily have the highest yields, they have outperformed for a longer period than the broader stock market or any other dividend-paying stock.Story continuesHere are five of the 11 stocks that fit the bill:Ohio-based Cardinal Health is a nationwide drug distributor and provider of services to pharmacies, healthcare providers and manufacturers. The company saw a positive earnings estimate revision of 16 cents over the past 30 days for the fiscal year (ending June 2024), with an expected earnings growth rate of 25.7%.Cardinal Health presently has a Zacks Rank #1 and a Growth Score of B. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Pennsylvania-based Toll Brothers builds single-family detached and attached home communities, master-planned luxury residential resort-style golf communities, and urban low, mid, and high-rise communities, principally on the land it develops and improves. TOL saw a solid earnings estimate revision of $1.34 over the past 30 days for the fiscal year (ending October 2024) and has an expected earnings growth rate of 9.8%Toll Brothers has a Zacks Rank #1 and a Growth Score of A.Massachusetts-based Iron Mountain provides records and information management services and data center space and solutions in 59 countries. It saw a positive earnings estimate revision of 15 cents over the past 30 days for this year with an estimated earnings growth of 6.3%.Iron Mountain has a Zacks Rank #2 and a Growth Score of B.California-based NetApp provides enterprise storage as well as data management software and hardware products and services. It assists enterprises in managing multiple cloud environments, adopting next-generation technologies like artificial intelligence, Kubernetes, and contemporary databases, and navigating the complexity brought about by the quick development of data and cloud usage.NetApp saw a positive earnings estimate revision of 3 cents for the fiscal year (ending April 2024) over the past 30 days, with an estimated earnings growth rate of 10.7%. NetApp currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 and has a Growth Score of A.New York-based Ralph Lauren is a major designer, marketer and distributor of premium lifestyle products in North America, Europe, Asia and internationally. It offers products in apparel, footwear, accessories, home furnishings and other licensed product categories. The company saw a solid earnings estimate revision of 60 cents over the past month for the fiscal year (ending March 2025) and has an expected earnings growth rate of 9.5%.Ralph Lauren has a Zacks Rank #1 and a Growth Score of A.You can get the remaining stocks on this list by signing up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and test them first before taking the investment plunge.The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.For the rest of this Screen of the Week article please visit Zacks.com at: https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2237807/5-dividend-stocks-with-high-growth-prospectsDisclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.About Screen of the WeekZacks.com created the first and best screening system on the web earning the distinction as the "#1 site for screening stocks" by Money Magazine.  But powerful screening tools is just the start. That is why Zacks created the Screen of the Week to highlight profitable stock picking strategies that investors can actively use.Strong Stocks that Should Be in the NewsMany are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has more than doubled the market from 1988 through 2016. Its average gain has been a stellar +25% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>.Follow us on Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/zacksresearchJoin us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearchZacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.Contact: Jim GiaquintoCompany: Zacks.comPhone: 312-265-9268Email: [email protected]: https://www.zacks.com/Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportIron Mountain Incorporated (IRM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportNetApp, Inc. (NTAP) : Free Stock Analysis ReportCardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) : Free Stock Analysis ReportRalph Lauren Corporation (RL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportToll Brothers Inc. (TOL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Zacks.com featured highlights include Cardinal Health, Toll Brothers, Iron Mountain, NetApp and Ralph Lauren

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zacks-com-featured-highlights-cardinal-133300472.html

fdcb27bc-cb21-303e-b623-a4467bb400ac

NTRS

Appointment Confirms Northern Trust as Sole Asset Servicing Provider for US$8.7 billion Investment Management PlatformDUBLIN & LONDON, February 22, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) announces today that it is providing Sanlam Asset Management (Ireland) Limited (SAMI) with fund administration, transfer agency, custody, depositary and FX services.SAMI is an international investment management platform managing funds domiciled in Ireland valued at US$8.7 billion (as of 1 February 2024). Established in 1997 in Dublin, Ireland, it is part of the Sanlam financial service group headquartered in Bellville, Western Cape, South Africa.It offers in-house and third party-managed funds for international investors along with multi-manager fund hosting capabilities for asset managers. Investors in its funds include institutional and retail clients from South Africa, the United Kingdom (UK) and other jurisdictions.These funds are managed in conjunction with Sanlam’s London-based boutique asset management business, Sanlam Investments UK, its South African-based asset management business, Sanlam Investments and independent third-party managers. They comprise a range of high-conviction strategies encompassing equities, fixed income, and alternative asset classes.Northern Trust is now serving as the single provider of asset servicing solutions for these funds. The appointment builds upon an existing relationship between Sanlam Investments UK and Northern Trust as a client of its Integrated Trading Solutions outsourced trading desk.Richard Aslett, chief executive officer, SAMI said: "Northern Trust’s focus on high-quality investor servicing and investment in digital technology aligns strongly with our objectives to deliver excellent service experiences for our client base of sophisticated institutional and retail investors. We are pleased to extend a relationship that supports our focus on both the long-term growth of our clients’ investments, and the strategic ambitions we have for our business."Story continuesClive Bellows, head of Global Fund Services, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Northern Trust also commented: "We are delighted to be working with SAMI to deliver this comprehensive set of asset servicing solutions. Northern Trust’s global scale and investment in technology allow us to deliver the service levels, efficiency and information that our investment manager clients require – regardless of the locations where they or their investors are based, or the fund types in which they invest."Northern Trust’s Global Fund Services business provides services including fund administration, global custody, investment operations outsourcing and data solutions to global investment managers – supporting a range of complex investment strategies across the full spectrum of asset classes.Note: Source for SAMI funds under management figure: SAMI.About Northern Trust Capital MarketsNorthern Trust Capital Markets is comprised of a number of Northern Trust entities that provide trading and execution services on behalf of institutional clients, including foreign exchange, institutional brokerage, securities finance and transition management services. Foreign exchange, securities finance and transition management services are provided by The Northern Trust Company (TNTC) globally, and Northern Trust Global Services SE (NTGS SE) in the European Economic Area (EEA). Institutional Brokerage services including ITS are provided by Northern Trust Global Services SE (NTGS SE) in the European Economic Area (EEA), Northern Trust Securities LLP (NTS LLP) in the rest of EMEA, Northern Trust Securities Australia Pty Ltd (NTSA) in APAC and Northern Trust Securities, Inc. (NTSI) in the United States, member FINRA, SIPC and a subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation.About Northern TrustNorthern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking to corporations, institutions, affluent families and individuals. Founded in Chicago in 1889, Northern Trust has a global presence with offices in 24 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., and across 22 locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of December 31, 2023, Northern Trust had assets under custody/administration of US$15.4 trillion, and assets under management of US$1.4 trillion. For more than 130 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader for exceptional service, financial expertise, integrity and innovation. Visit us on northerntrust.com. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @NorthernTrust or Northern Trust Corporation on LinkedIn.Northern Trust Corporation, Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 U.S.A., incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Global legal and regulatory information can be found at https://www.northerntrust.com/terms-and-conditions.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222554618/en/ContactsMedia ContactsEurope, Middle East, Africa & Asia-Pacific:Camilla Greene+44 (0) 20 7982 [email protected] Ansell+ 44 (0) 20 7982 [email protected] & Canada:John O’Connell+1 312 444 2388John_O’[email protected]://www.northerntrust.com

Business Wire

Northern Trust Appointed by Sanlam Asset Management (Ireland) Limited

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/northern-trust-appointed-sanlam-asset-103000325.html

d53b78c5-83e4-341a-af5e-d2c9828a8bec

NTRS

Northern Trust has appointed Olivier Noël as Country Head of Luxembourg and leader of its Luxembourg-based asset servicing business, effective immediately. (Photo: Business Wire) LUXEMBOURG, February 22, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Northern Trust today announces it has appointed Olivier Noël as Country Head of Luxembourg and leader of its Luxembourg-based asset servicing business, effective immediately.Noël also assumes the position of Chief Executive Officer of Northern Trust’s European Union (EU) bank, Northern Trust Global Services SE (NTGS SE) following approval by its Board. He will become a member of the NTGS SE Board, subject to regulatory approval.Noël joined Northern Trust in 2005 as its head of Luxembourg transfer agency. In his 18-year career since, he has worked in senior roles including as chief operating officer (COO) of Northern Trust’s Luxembourg Global Fund Services (GFS) business from 2019, and as COO for NTGS SE since 2020. He has been a member of the NTGS SE authorised management team since 2020.Noël will report to Clive Bellows, currently Head of GFS, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and who has been recently named, pending regulatory approval, to succeed Teresa Parker as President of Northern Trust’s EMEA business."Northern Trust first established a Luxembourg presence in 2004 to help clients take advantage of European fund opportunities," said Bellows. "Today it is home to our EU bank and continues to be central to our Continental European strategy for growth and helping clients manage the increasing complexity of investing and doing business. We are excited to appoint Olivier to continue building our franchise through his leadership."From Luxembourg Northern Trust offers a range of fund administration, depositary and global custody services for leading fund managers, corporations, multinationals and pension institutions.Milestones since 2004 include becoming the first major custodian to obtain a license to establish a UCITS-compliant management company in Luxembourg, being first to service a cross-border, tax-transparent Fonds Commun de Placement for a multinational client’s global pension plan in 2005, and the acquisition in 2017 of UBS Asset Management’s fund administration business in Luxembourg (and Switzerland). In 2019 Luxembourg became the new headquarters for NTGS SE.Story continuesAbout Northern TrustNorthern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking to corporations, institutions, affluent families and individuals. Founded in Chicago in 1889, Northern Trust has a global presence with offices in 24 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., and across 22 locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of December 31, 2023, Northern Trust had assets under custody/administration of US$15.4 trillion, and assets under management of US$1.4 trillion. For more than 130 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader for exceptional service, financial expertise, integrity and innovation. Visit us on northerntrust.com. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @NorthernTrust or Northern Trust Corporation on LinkedIn.Northern Trust Corporation, Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 U.S.A., incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Global legal and regulatory information can be found at https://www.northerntrust.com/terms-and-conditions.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222617042/en/ContactsMedia Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia-Pacific: Camilla Greene+44 (0) 20 7982 [email protected] Ansell+ 44 (0) 20 7982 [email protected] & Canada:John O’Connell+1 312 444 2388John_O’[email protected]://www.northerntrust.com

Business Wire

Northern Trust Announces Olivier Noël as Country Head of Luxembourg

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/northern-trust-announces-olivier-no-121200168.html

77310775-ac40-324f-928b-82c30adde4b7

NTRS

(Bloomberg) -- Shares of some of the biggest US banks went on an unusual ride in recent days after a rare S&P Global blunder.Most Read from BloombergChemical Linked to Cancer Found in Acne Creams Including Proactiv, ClearasilHuawei Chip Breakthrough Used Tech From Two US Gear SuppliersHow Trump’s Ex-Treasury Chief Landed 2024's Highest-Profile US Bank DealStocks Climb on Bets Fed, ECB Closer to Rate Cuts: Markets WrapBiden Orders Military to Build Port to Ease Gaza’s Hunger CrisisMorgan Stanley, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. and Northern Trust Corp. saw big price and volume swings after the financial data and index provider released mistaken preliminary information about constituents of an index on Friday.The banks — along with a slew of other financial firms — were included in the list of constituents in an index tracking high dividend-yielding stocks, according to people familiar with the matter. The Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index comprises firms with a “record of consistently paying dividends,” S&P says.But the firms weren’t supposed to be there. A processing mistake meant that S&P had included the ten financial firms in error. The slip up was flagged to S&P which sent out an updated notice on Tuesday removing those companies.“S&P Dow Jones indices identified and corrected an error in the preliminary reconstitution data for the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index and sent updated pro-forma data to customers on March 5,” a spokesperson for S&P said. The index itself was not impacted, according to the spokesperson.A representative for Morgan Stanley declined to comment. A representative for Northern Trust didn’t have an immediate comment and representatives for PNC didn’t respond to requests for comment.Morgan Stanley and PNC saw their stocks swing on both Monday and Wednesday while trading volumes for both soared to more than double their daily average over the last five years on both those days. By mid-day trading on Thursday, Northern Trust was the top KBW Bank Index gainer. Morgan Stanley was up slightly.Story continuesThe banks’ inclusion in the index would likely prompt some funds that use it as a benchmark to add those shares, so the buying on Monday may have been traders trying to get ahead of that move. Similarly, that could have prompted selling days later as the error became known.Indexes are subject to regular rebalancing exercises to make sure their members remain representative of market trends and meet certain criteria. Inclusion in equity indexes tracking market themes like income investing can boost a company’s profile and add trading liquidity.With this particular Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 index, S&P rejigs its constituents annually in March. The preliminary results of that reconstitution process are circulated around market participants for about two weeks. During that time, they can provide feedback and prepare for the changes to go into effect — which this year is March 18.The index returned 2.04% this year through Feb. 29, according to its website. It comprises 100 companies with industrial firms accounting for the largest portion, followed by health care and financial companies.--With assistance from Bre Bradham, Matt Turner, Felice Maranz, Sridhar Natarajan, Isabelle Lee and Emily Graffeo.Most Read from Bloomberg BusinessweekHow Apple Sank About $1 Billion a Year Into a Car It Never BuiltThe Battle to Unseat the Aeron, the World’s Most Coveted Office ChairHow Microsoft’s Bing Helps Maintain Beijing’s Great FirewallAirbus Is Soaring at Boeing’s ExpenseElon Musk Is Right About OpenAI But for the Wrong Reasons©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Bloomberg

S&P Index Flub Prompted Mystery Swings in Morgan Stanley, PNC

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/p-index-flub-prompted-mystery-213337699.html

26851422-4f1a-3f84-aaa1-007529899d64

NTRS

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2024 / Connect To Work AZ in partnership with Northern Trust - ‘Identifying Hiring Needs and Developing Career Pathways'Watch our video to learn more about the history of Northern Trust in Tempe and greater Arizona, and about our partnership with the teams at Greater Phoenix Chamber and Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation and how they align to our workforce needs and strategic goals."Our Tempe office location started in 2015 when 60 people transferred out of our global headquarters in Chicago to seed the site and since then we have grown to over 700 employees." Kent Thomas, Senior Vice-President, and Managing Site Director at Northern Trust Tempe.For more on how Northern Trust can help you grow your career, go to: https://www.northerntrust.com/united-states/about-us/careersView additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Northern Trust on 3blmedia.com.Contact Info:Spokesperson: Northern TrustWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/northern-trustEmail: [email protected]: Northern TrustView the original press release on accesswire.com

ACCESSWIRE

Northern Trust - 'Identifying Hiring Needs and Developing Career Pathways'

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/northern-trust-identifying-hiring-needs-160000792.html

eaa4fd7f-4d58-3da0-bee6-3bbb26e911b1

NUE

Nucor (NUE) closed the most recent trading day at $189.99, moving +1.79% from the previous trading session. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.04%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.16%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.28%.The steel company's stock has climbed by 6.84% in the past month, exceeding the Basic Materials sector's gain of 1.21% and the S&P 500's gain of 5.01%.Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Nucor in its upcoming release. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $3.84, reflecting a 13.71% decrease from the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $8.26 billion, down 5.16% from the prior-year quarter.NUE's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $12.97 per share and revenue of $32.58 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of -27.94% and -6.13%, respectively.Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for Nucor. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the company's business health and profitability.Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 3.33% higher. Nucor is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.Story continuesIn the context of valuation, Nucor is at present trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 14.39. This denotes a premium relative to the industry's average Forward P/E of 10.88.The Steel - Producers industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 166, placing it within the bottom 35% of over 250 industries.The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNucor Corporation (NUE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Nucor (NUE) Beats Stock Market Upswing: What Investors Need to Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nucor-nue-beats-stock-market-225007388.html

021bd261-34f6-347b-8363-57cca721af08

NUE

In this article, we discuss 13 best consumer cyclical dividend stocks to invest in. You can skip our detailed analysis of the consumer cyclical sector and its performance over the years, and go directly to read 5 Best Consumer Cyclical Dividend Stocks To Invest In. Consumer cyclical companies produce goods and services that are considered non-essential or discretionary, meaning consumers are more likely to purchase them when they have extra income or feel confident about their financial situation. Consumer cyclical stocks include companies in sectors such as retail, automotive, travel and leisure, entertainment, and luxury goods.Over the past year, we've seen clear evidence that consumers have remained strong despite challenges like high inflation, increasing interest rates, and greater recession concerns. This resilience notably buoyed the performance of stocks within the consumer discretionary sector, which includes businesses offering non-essential products and services such as apparel, automobiles, and accommodations. The S&P 500 Consumer Discretionary Index ended 2023 with a total return of 42.41%, reporting one of its best years on record. In addition to the support from a strong consumer base, the stocks in this sector also gained from broader market trends that propelled the overall stock market higher in 2023. These trends included relief as the Federal Reserve signaled the potential end of its rate-hiking cycle as the year progressed. Furthermore, sector-level performance was boosted by specific issues affecting some of the largest companies within it. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA), the two largest companies in the sector by a significant margin, have both seen remarkable gains in the past year, driven by the surge in mega-cap, tech-related stocks. Additionally, both companies are considered potential investment opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence.After experiencing robust performance in 2023, analysts are also showing a preference for the sector in the current year. Rob Haworth, senior investment strategy director at U.S. Bank Wealth Management, stated that consumers' willingness to sustain moderate spending growth has been crucial for the economy. He suggested that this could be attributed, at least in part, to the robust labor market and notable wage increases. Based on a Fidelity report, the performance of sectors is expected to be influenced by broader economic factors in 2024. If inflation remains low and the Federal Reserve stops raising interest rates, it could be advantageous for the sector, as consumers may be more inclined to buy expensive items like cars or homes. An even more positive scenario would be if the economy avoids a recession and job markets stay robust, which would particularly benefit this sector.Story continuesThe report highlighted that following the sector's strong performance in 2023, stock valuations are not as low as they were previously. However, there are still segments of the market where the firm has identified robust long-term growth prospects, and where stocks are trading at attractive prices. One ongoing area of opportunity includes certain retailers. These companies possess defensive characteristics within their business models, offering some protection in case of a deteriorating economic outlook.Another factor contributing to the positive outlook for the sector is that certain companies within it opt to distribute dividends when they maintain a steady cash flow and have a track record of sharing profits with shareholders. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE:HD), and NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) are some of the best consumer cyclical dividend stocks among others that are discussed below.Best Consumer Cyclical Dividend StocksImage by Steve Buissinne from PixabayOur Methodology:For this list, we scanned Insider Monkey’s database of Q4 2023 and selected consumer cyclical dividend stocks from the entertainment, technology, retail, housing, materials, and automotive industries. These companies are strong dividend payers and have decent yields. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of hedge funds having stakes in them. Hedge funds’ top 10 consensus stock picks outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here).13. Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE:FL)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE:FL) is a retail company primarily focused on athletic footwear and apparel. It operates thousands of retail stores globally, selling a wide range of athletic shoes, clothing, and accessories from various brands. The company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.92%, as of February 21. It is among the best dividend stocks from the consumer cyclical sector.At the end of Q4 2023, 24 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey reported having stakes in Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE:FL), up from 23 in the previous quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is roughly $764 million. Among these hedge funds, Vesa Equity Investment was the company's leading stakeholder in Q4.12. Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:LEG)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:LEG) is a diversified manufacturer that produces a wide range of engineered components and products for various industries. The company currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.46 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.99%, as of February 21. In 2023, it stretched its dividend growth streak to 52 years, which makes LEG one of the best dividend stocks on our list.The number of hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey owning stakes in Leggett & Platt, Incorporated (NYSE:LEG) grew to 24 in Q4 2023, from 19 in the preceding quarter. These stakes have a collective value of over $123.6 million.11. Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) is a global specialty chemicals company that develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of products used in various industries. It is one of the best dividend stocks from the consumer cyclical sector as the company has been growing its dividends for the past 29 years. Currently, the company pays a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share. The stock has a dividend yield of 1.39%, as of February 21.As of the close of Q4 2023, 27 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey reported having stakes in Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB), down from 37 in the previous quarter. The total value of these stakes is more than $311 million.10. Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 30Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO) is an American retail chain that specializes in products for agriculture, livestock, pet care, and home improvement. On February 6, the company declared a 6.8% hike in its quarterly dividend to $1.10 per share. This marked the company's 15th consecutive year of dividend growth, which makes TSCO one of the best dividend stocks from the consumer cyclical sector. The stock's dividend yield on February 21 came in at 1.84%.As per Insider Monkey's database of Q4 2023, 30 hedge funds in Insider Monkey's database reported having stakes in Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO), up from 28 in the preceding quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is over $545.2 million.9. Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 36Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC) is next on our list of the best dividend stocks from the consumer cyclical sector. The company is a leading distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts, office products, and electrical materials. On February 15, the company declared a 5% hike in its quarterly dividend to $1.00 per share. This marked the company's 67th consecutive year of dividend growth. The stock's dividend yield on February 21 came in at 2.77%.At the end of December 2023, 36 hedge funds in Insider Monkey's database reported having stakes in Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC), up from 34 in the previous quarter. The collective value of these stakes is over $535 million. With over 1 million shares, D E Shaw was the company's leading stakeholder in Q4.The London Company mentioned Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) in its Q4 2023 investor letter. Here is what the firm has to say:“Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) – ALB underperformed as weak lithium prices drove downward revisions to earnings expectations, and sentiment became more negative regarding demand for electric vehicles. Commodity prices are inherently uncertain, but we continue to view ALB-as a winner in this growing industry and favorably positioned on the cost curve. Our long- term view of ALB is not affected by short-term supply- demand dynamics for the commodity.”8. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 40Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is one of the world's largest automotive manufacturers, renowned for producing automobiles, trucks, SUVs, and electric vehicles. The company currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share. In addition to this, it also announced a supplemental dividend of $0.18 per share on February 6, which makes F one of the best dividend stocks on our list. As of February 21, the stock has a dividend yield of 4.90%.As of the end of the December quarter of 2023, 40 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey reported owning stakes in Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), compared with 43 in the previous quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is nearly $2 billion.7. Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 40Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) is an American company that operates steel mills and manufacturing facilities across the country. The company also offers value-added services such as steel fabrication and downstream processing. On February 20, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.54 per share, which was in line with its previous dividend. Overall, the company has raised its dividends for 51 years in a row, which makes NUE one of the best dividend stocks from the consumer cyclical sector. The stock offers a dividend yield of 1.17%, as of February 21.Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) ended the fourth quarter of 2023 with 40 hedge fund positions, up from 33 in the previous quarter, according to Insider Monkey's database. The stakes owned by these hedge funds have a consolidated value of more than $522.2 million.6. Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 58Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) operates a chain of discount retail stores offering a wide range of products including apparel, accessories, beauty products, electronics, home goods, toys, groceries, and more. Currently, the company pays a quarterly dividend of $1.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.94%, as of February 21. With a dividend growth streak of 52 years under its belt, TGT is one of the best dividend stocks on our list.Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) was a part of 58 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q4 2023, which remained unchanged from the previous quarter, according to Insider Monkey's database. The consolidated value of stakes owned by these funds is over $1.5 billion. Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Consumer Cyclical Dividend Stocks To Invest In.  Suggested articles:13 High Growth Penny Stocks That Are Profitable19 Best Gambling Stocks to Buy Now11 Best Big Name Stocks to Buy Right NowDisclosure. None. 13 Best Consumer Cyclical Dividend Stocks To Invest In is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

13 Best Consumer Cyclical Dividend Stocks To Invest In

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/13-best-consumer-cyclical-dividend-141700253.html

68660f31-ede4-3657-b1d5-9309d7f0efc7

NUE

Nucor (NUE) ended the recent trading session at $184.65, demonstrating a -0.08% swing from the preceding day's closing price. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.51% for the day. At the same time, the Dow added 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.58%.The steel company's shares have seen an increase of 1.9% over the last month, not keeping up with the Basic Materials sector's gain of 4.25% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.94%.Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Nucor in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $3.84, reflecting a 13.71% decrease from the same quarter last year. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $8.26 billion, indicating a 5.16% downward movement from the same quarter last year.For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $13.47 per share and a revenue of $32.58 billion, representing changes of -25.17% and -6.13%, respectively, from the prior year.Furthermore, it would be beneficial for investors to monitor any recent shifts in analyst projections for Nucor. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the company's business and profitability.Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 2.79% higher within the past month. Nucor is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.Story continuesIn terms of valuation, Nucor is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 13.72. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 10.67, so one might conclude that Nucor is trading at a premium comparatively.The Steel - Producers industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 171, positioning it in the bottom 33% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNucor Corporation (NUE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Nucor (NUE) Stock Falls Amid Market Uptick: What Investors Need to Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nucor-nue-stock-falls-amid-225014738.html

2e53e54d-118e-3f10-a1f5-77b32e547416

NUE

Nucor (NUE) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.Over the past month, shares of this steel company have returned -0.4%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.7% change. During this period, the Zacks Steel - Producers industry, which Nucor falls in, has lost 0.7%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.Revisions to Earnings EstimatesHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.Nucor is expected to post earnings of $3.84 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -13.7%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +12.6%.For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $13.47 points to a change of -25.2% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +4.1%.Story continuesFor the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $12.38 indicates a change of -8.1% from what Nucor is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +8.9%.Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Nucor is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:12 Month EPSProjected Revenue GrowthWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.In the case of Nucor, the consensus sales estimate of $8.26 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of -5.2%. The $32.58 billion and $31.48 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of -6.1% and -3.4%, respectively.Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryNucor reported revenues of $7.7 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -11.7%. EPS of $3.16 for the same period compares with $4.89 a year ago.Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.56 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.86%. The EPS surprise was +11.66%.The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates three times over this period.ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.Nucor is graded B on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Nucor. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNucor Corporation (NUE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Here is What to Know Beyond Why Nucor Corporation (NUE) is a Trending Stock

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/know-beyond-why-nucor-corporation-130009044.html

9664b6c1-972f-32d4-9642-0a121466a1b3

NVDA

Investor sentiment is skyrocketing under Nvidia's (NVDA) dominance over the tech sector as the company continues to outperform most expectations on Wall Street. However, experts are issuing words of caution over the optimism contributing to a tech bubble forming that could very well pop.Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi joins the Live show to give his thoughts on what investors need to know about the latest bullish calls on Nvidia, the overall tech sector, and how investors should reassess their portfolios during all this hype.For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.Editor's note: This article was written by Nicholas JacobinoVideo TranscriptBRAD SMITH: Today's top story, the AI-fueled rally is taking a bit of a breather here. Stock futures searching for direction a bit this morning as investors await the release of the Fed's, preferred inflation gauge, PCE that's coming Thursday. But before then we've got Yahoo Finance's executive editor Brian Sozzi here with us. Hey, Brian.BRIAN SOZZI: Hey. Brad. I was just looking at the Yahoo Finance app real quick. Nvidia shares up 1 and 1/2% premarket. I have five-year chart. You toggle to it, I mean, it just gone through the roof. But I wrote about recently the potential that this all could essentially be a bubble. You could find that piece on the Yahoo Finance home page. It really took off over the weekend in terms of just social media activity. So please keep the comments coming. I'm learning a lot from this.But I point to three things in this story that would suggest we are in fact or investors are in fact living in an AI bubble or a hype cycle. Everything is rallying. Look what NVIDIA reported last week. You saw shares of AMD tick higher. You saw Intel tick higher. You saw Meta tick higher.I would argue in a normal environment, you do not see shares of AMD and Intel tick higher after a blowout quarter for NVIDIA because NVIDIA's numbers are telling you maybe they're taking market share from AMD and Intel. Totally bonkers. And then on Meta, just because they're using Nvidia chips the market is suggesting they might have blowout earnings later this year. That just doesn't make a lot of sense to me at least right now.Story continuesNumber two, I've seen a lot of folks on the street really focus on valuations on these AI stocks, and they're justifying even higher valuations for these stocks that wouldn't even be normal. Look at-- you go to Yahoo Finance, you take on the statistics page, NVIDIA shares trading about 30 times forward earnings. That is well above the broader market multiple about 23 times. And yeah, I get it. NVIDIA should be trading at a higher multiple, and the market it is growing faster but still that is some near record high valuations for NVIDIA. And they are not alone. And a lot of folks on the street are justifying this as normal, and I would argue it's not.And then lastly, I think you're seeing a lot of folks think that they are absolutely unstoppable investors. They are investing geniuses. And newsflash of these folks, you're really not. What you're essentially seeing is a lot of stocks rising tide lifting all boats in many markets notably, the Magnificent Seven. It makes you feel good. It makes you feel like you really know what you're doing. And I would argue now is the time to go back and just reassess what you are in fact doing.Remember that fundamentals do drive stock prices. And I point to a really good study or a piece of research out of the Schwab team suggesting that investor confidence is at the highest level they have ever seen in doing their survey. Most investors are absolutely bullish on tech stocks, shocker. But again, there's a lot of optimism here on the AI train, and I saw it right through my social media feeds all weekend there.SEANA SMITH: Certainly, this is playing on a social media. It's been playing out in the market now for quite some time. And Sozzi, similar to your point, Torsten Slok was out with the chart here this morning talking about the current AI bubble right now. He was actually making a comparison here saying that it's bigger than the 1990s tech bubble.But Sozzi, I'm curious from what you've heard from viewers, what you're reading here from some of the readers that have commented on your piece, how would you compare this sentiment today to what we've seen in the past given your experience and your coverage of some of the other blips, to call it, to say the least in the market?BRIAN SOZZI: You're calling me old, right? Good because I call myself old in this story.SEANA SMITH: I'm not calling you old. You just have experience, right, like--BRAD SMITH: Seasoned.SEANA SMITH: --you put it.BRIAN SOZZI: I'm seasoned. All right, I appreciate that. But it is. I think investors are caught in a classic, classic bubble. And how can you tell that? All that activity that these folks that are replying to me on social media, I don't get the sense-- and via email, I should say-- I don't get the sense they're ready to exit NVIDIA or exit these Mag Seven stocks.If anything, they have been more emboldened by the AI hype cycle, and they can't see the other side of the trade. And my point in this piece was that at some point it does end badly. Maybe it's not today. Maybe it's not tomorrow. But I think in this environment you have to go back and calculate valuations on the Magnificent Seven and really drill down is it truly justified by the cash flows and profits that will be coming over the next two to three years. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't. But again, I think you have to go through that exercise.BRAD SMITH: Well, you already had Jefferies come out last week and say that Nvidia is essentially the de facto ecosystem standard for AI. And they pointed back to exactly what we're talking about, the historical context of this all too saying typically a single general purpose ecosystem captures 80% of the value of each computing era. You look back to PCs. You look back to Apple and smartphones there too.And so now this is how Nvidia is trying to cement their own positioning within this influential AI moment that we're in.BRIAN SOZZI: One last reminder, stocks don't go up every single day, and, at some point, there will be a correction.SEANA SMITH: Yeah, there will be a correction. But like you've said in the past, they do go up most times.BRIAN SOZZI: I'm not making stock calls here. I just I want people to be reminded what goes on out there.

Yahoo Finance Video

What to know about the Nvidia-led tech bubble

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/know-nvidia-led-tech-bubble-143940837.html

99024050-36c4-3a5c-8732-8f264f9ecb37

NVDA

Shares of Micron Technology (MU) rose Monday afternoon following the company's announcement that it will increase production of its HBM3E (High Bandwidth Memory 3E) chips. These chips will be used in Nvidia's (NVDA) semiconductors designed for artificial intelligence capabilities.Micron expects to begin shipments of these high-performance memory chips in the second quarter of 2024. Yahoo Finance's Julie Hyman and Josh Lipton break down the details of this trending ticker.For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.Editor's note: This article was written by Angel SmithVideo TranscriptJULIE HYMAN: But let's talk about another big tech stock, Micron, because those shares are higher today. The chip maker announcing it's begun volume production of its high bandwidth memory 3E solution. What is that? Well, it's going to be part of NVIDIA's core GPU. And Micron says these are going to begin shipping in the second quarter of this year. Now micron is a memory chip maker, which traditionally is seen as more of a commodity product.And I think there were some questions among investors about what role the memory chip makers were going to play. So this is a concrete example of what micron is going to be doing here. SK Hynix which is its major competitor in this area has been something that investors have been watching too. So obviously, investors like the news that Micron's participating here.JOSH LIPTON: I feel like every show when you talk about NVIDIA, so this is the way we're doing it today. Micron saying, by the way, more is going to be revealed about its product pipeline at NVIDIA's GTC developer conference next month, which has become the big AI show, frankly. And remember, on their last earnings call in December, they did talk about how GenAI would drive what they called a multiyear growth phase for the company. Would lead to a record revenue for the memory industry market in 2025.So they have been sounding confident and investors have been feeling confident. You look at stock, it's up nearly 60% here now in the past 12 months.JULIE HYMAN: Yes, indeed.

Yahoo Finance Video

Micron stock jumps on chip production for Nvidia GPUs

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/micron-stock-jumps-chip-production-222754361.html

dcad3095-2312-3834-b832-001cb3c4b29e

NVDA

Stocks finished last week lower after a sell-off in tech that saw the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) lead the losses, falling more than 1%.Still, the equal-weighted S&P 500 logged a weekly gain for the 7th straight week as investors continue to look outside the "Magnificent Seven" tech leaders to power the next leg of the market rally.In the week ahead, investors will face the final major test before the Federal Reserve's March 20 meeting with the February Consumer Prince Index (CPI) report out Tuesday, which offers an updated look at inflation. Retail sales and consumer sentiment reports will feature on the economic calendar in the back half of the week.A lighter earnings schedule is on deck with Dollar Tree (DLTR), Dollar General (DG), Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS), Adobe (ADBE), and Ulta Beauty (ULTA) highlighting the list of quarterly reports.Price checkFederal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has said repeatedly the central bank wants more "confidence" in inflation's path downward before cutting interest rates.Tuesday's CPI reading follows a hotter-than-expected January report that showed inflation's decline could be "bumpy," and prompted investors to price in fewer interest rate cuts this year.For February, Wall Street expects headline inflation to log an annual gain of 3.1%, unchanged from the headline number in January, according to estimates from Bloomberg. Prices are set to rise 0.4% on a month-over-month basis, an increase from the 0.3% rise seen in January.People shop at a Target store in Manhattan on March 5, 2024, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt via Getty Images)On a "core" basis, which strips out food and energy, prices are expected to have increased 3.7% year over year, a slowdown from the 3.9% increase seen in January. Monthly core price increases are expected to clock in at 0.3%, lower than the 0.4% increase seen in January."January's CPI data came in hotter than expected and renewed concerns about how quickly inflation could be brought to a heel," Wells Fargo's team of economists led by Jay Bryson wrote in a research note on Friday.Story continues"Despite the strong start to the year, we ultimately believe the disinflation trend remains in place. We expect the February data to show that while inflation remains frustratingly high, the underlying trend is not strengthening."Retail rebound? In January, retail sales posted their steepest decline since March 2023. But economists don't expect that trend continued in February.Economists expect Thursday morning's report will show retail sales grew 0.8% month over month in February, a rebound from the 0.8% decline seen in the first month of the year.Excluding autos and gas, economists project sales increased 0.2% month over month compared to a 0.5% decline in January, according to data from Bloomberg."Retail sales will bounce back in February following the weather-related weakness in January and the stronger tax refund season," wrote economists at Oxford Economics in a note on Friday, "which would leave consumption growth on track for an above-2% annualized gain in Q1, a strong pace."A shift in the market The market action following Friday's jobs report showed a distinct shift in trading action.After weeks of an AI-fueled stock market rally, Nvidia (NVDA) fell nearly 5%. Other popular tech trades that caught a bid in the AI euphoria also slumped, including roughly 4% drops from Arm Holdings (ARM) and Dell (DELL), among others.The move follows a divergence in the Magnificent Seven trade that has emerged — notably, lagging performance from Apple and Tesla. This, strategists have argued, could continue to open a lane for a broadening of the market rally. This trend was seen throughout the week, with the equal-weight S&P 500 hitting its first record high in more than two years. Both that index and the small-cap Russell 2000 Index (^RUT) outperformed the broader market during Friday's sell-off."We think the Mag Seven is going to become the Lag Seven," Piper Sandler chief market technician Craig Johnson told Yahoo Finance Live."At this point in time, we're going to start to see a broadening out of this market."Fewer companies mention recessionJohnson's call for a broadening out of the market rally has been a common one across Wall Street to start 2024. The case for other stocks to rally is rooted in increasing earnings estimates for stocks outside the tech leaders and the overall health of the US economy.That story largely remains intact. JPMorgan chief US economist Michael Feroli noted after the February jobs report that continued strength in the labor market pushed the firm's outlook for second quarter gross domestic product (GDP) to 1.5% annualized from 0.5%.Strategists believe these increased economic forecasts will be reflected in company earnings beyond just tech stocks. And companies are telling a similar story.During earnings calls spanning from Dec. 15 to March 7, 47 S&P 500 companies cited the term "recession," according to research from FactSet. It was the lowest number of companies mentioning the phrase in two years and was below both the five- and 10-year averages of mentions.Weekly calendarMondayEconomic data: New York Fed one-year inflation expectations, February (3% previously)Earnings: Asana (ASAN), Casey's (CASY), Oracle (ORCL), Vail Resorts (MTN)TuesdayEconomic data: NFIB Small Business Optimism, February (89.9 previously) Consumer Price Index, month-over-month, February (+0.4% expected, +0.3% previously); Core CPI, month-over-month, February (+0.3% expected, +0.4% previously); CPI, year-over-year, February (+3.1% expected, +3.1% previously); Core CPI, year-over-year, February (+3.7% expected, +3.9% previously); Real average hourly earnings, year-over-year, February (+1.4% previously)Earnings: Allbirds (BIRD), Clover (CLOV), Kohl's (KSS), Manchester United (MANU), On Holdings (ONON)WednesdayEconomic data: MBA Mortgage Applications, week ending March 8 (+9.7%)Earnings: Dollar Tree (DLTR), Lennar (LEN), Vera Bradley (VRA), Williams-Sonoma (WSM)ThursdayEconomic data: Initial jobless claims, week ending March 9 (217,000 previously); Retail sales, month-over-month, February (+0.8% expected, -0.8% previously); Retail sales ex auto and gas, February (+0.2% expected, -0.5% previously); Producer Price Index, month-over-month, February (+0.3% expected, +0.3% previously); PPI, year-over-year, February (+0.9% previously)Earnings: Adobe (ORCL), Blink (BLNK), Build-A-Bear (BBW), Dollar General (DG), Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS), Ulta Beauty (ULTA)FridayEconomic data: University of Michigan consumer sentiment, March preliminary (77.0 expected, 76.9 previously); Import prices, month-over-month, February (+0.2% expected, +0.8% previously); Export prices, month-over-month, February (+0.1% expected, +0.8 previously); Industrial production, month-over-month, February (+0.0% expected, -0.1% previously)Earnings: No notable earnings set for release.Josh Schafer is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X @_joshschafer.Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocksRead the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance

Yahoo Finance

Inflation, retail sales, and the market rally broadens: What to know this week

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/inflation-retail-sales-and-the-market-rally-broadens-what-to-know-this-week-115519066.html

3a0ec19e-61cb-4883-b2da-38c1bd63ad94

NVDA

As the Magnificent Seven mega-cap stocks experience heightened volatility, Schwab Asset Management CEO and Chief Investment Officer Omar Aguilar joins Yahoo Finance Live to provide insight into how investors should navigate their portfolios during this period.Aguilar highlights a notable shift in the mega-cap tech sector, transitioning from being "a momentum trade to a fundamental trade" due to fading AI hype. He emphasizes that for these companies to deliver on future expectations, they will require significant capital expenditure and research and development investments. As expectations for these stocks remain elevated, "investors are questioning" whether the current levels of gains can be sustained over the long term.With the highly anticipated Consumer Price Index (CPI) data set for release Tuesday, Aguilar advises investors to "expect more volatility." However, he suggests that investors should view this volatility as an opportunity to rebalance their portfolios and strategically position themselves for evolving market conditions.For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.Editor's note: This article was written by Angel SmithVideo TranscriptJULIE HYMAN: Meta isn't the only megacap seeing some losses. For more on the recent struggles from the Magnificent Seven, and where investors should look to turn to outside of big tech. We want to welcome in Omar Aguilar, Schwab Asset Management CEO, and CIO.Omar, thank you so much for being here. So as we see, what looks like a faltering perhaps of the Mag Seven, as well as a broadening of rallies elsewhere in the market, where do you think investors should be looking? Is it either, or is it both, how do you think about it?OMAR AGUILAR: Well, that's a great question and very timely I think as you were discussing this earlier. The momentum trade has started worldwide when everybody was talking about AI over a year ago. I think that momentum trade started to just be as just a function of excitement, just a function of-- investors getting really excited about the potential.Story continuesI think as we go in through this year, this has actually shifted from just being just a momentum trade to be a fundamental trade. And if you actually think so earnings, despite the valuation numbers for these Magnificent Seven, has been significantly better than the rest of the market. So they have outperformed over EPS year-over-year growth of 60%. Whereas the rest of the market has actually been on a decline of EPS growth.So when you actually put that together with the fact that they also have had very consistent free cash flow yields, you know, that actually provides a lot of the support. Now, that's the past. The future, basically, expectations required a lot of the discussion that you just had, which is a significant amount of ramp up of CapEx and R&D in order for them to support what the market expects they will deliver in the future.- Omar, is it that the next shoe to drop here? That once these companies report in coming weeks, there's no possible way they can meet up to the expectations that have been priced into their stocks. So that's what investors are doing today selling these positions.OMAR AGUILAR: Well, I think the investors are looking at the relative valuations. They're basically looking at it. It looks a little bit higher now compared to any other big runs in markets.They're still not at the level of what we saw in the late '90s or even in the energy boom that we had afterwards. So still in that context, you know, it's really more about the function of the expectations.Over the next five years is that they will deliver 30% top line growth and 17% on EPS growth, which is very hard to sustain. So investors are questioning whether or not that's actually sustainable. And there are a couple of those seven that are in the process of ramping up that R&D, and that CapEx. That obviously may have a better future going forward.JULIE HYMAN: Omar, I want to ask about CPI tomorrow, right? Because it has seemed in recent weeks that the focus has shifted a little bit away from the Fed, and to earnings, and to the AI theme. Does CPI tomorrow shift the focus back, or does it just depend on what the number shows?OMAR AGUILAR: I think, in general, we should expect more volatility. I think once we got past the earnings season, you know, I think the question becomes the CPI reading is really just going to ask, or give us a little more information of what the reaction function by the Fed might be. And it's really just about the timing where they may actually come up with the first rate cut.And I think investors will continue to look at opportunities to take that volatility, whether it's valuation-driven, or whether it's related to macro to be able to rebalance their portfolio and strategically positioned for the next six months on an environment that will have lower interest rates on the short part of the curve.- If one is worried about the AI trade fizzling out, Omar, what is the best sector they should be looking at right now and make your case?OMAR AGUILAR: Yeah, I think what we have encouraged our clients to do is to-- if you think about the economic cycle as we are today, even with the CPI numbers tomorrow, we have all signed that this is the last phase of the cycle. What that means is that soft landing scenario that the Fed has talked to us is basically now being a reality.And what that means is that the cyclical trade going into the next phase is probably areas that will basically provide good opportunities. And that includes materials, that includes energy, that includes areas that are a little bit more prone to lower interest rates, or at least a shape of the yield curve that is more normal like financials.So I think we're encouraged clients to start looking at that. And we have seen already small caps are incredibly attractive, and the rest of the market outside of just the large mega caps will probably do well.

Yahoo Finance Video

AI trade is now strictly 'fundamental': Strategist

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/ai-trade-now-strictly-fundamental-211449801.html

4d5c8ec3-78ef-3fd7-9b08-8d90ee864eb3

NVR

Growth investors focus on stocks that are seeing above-average financial growth, as this feature helps these securities garner the market's attention and deliver solid returns. However, it isn't easy to find a great growth stock.In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.However, the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects, makes it pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks.Our proprietary system currently recommends NVR (NVR) as one such stock. This company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.While there are numerous reasons why the stock of this homebuilder is a great growth pick right now, we have highlighted three of the most important factors below:Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.While the historical EPS growth rate for NVR is 25.3%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 1.8% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 1.6%.Impressive Asset Utilization RatioAsset utilization ratio -- also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio -- is often overlooked by investors, but it is an important indicator in growth investing. This metric exhibits how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.Story continuesRight now, NVR has an S/TA ratio of 1.47, which means that the company gets $1.47 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.94, it can be said that the company is more efficient.In addition to efficiency in generating sales, sales growth plays an important role. And NVR is well positioned from a sales growth perspective too. The company's sales are expected to grow 6.4% this year versus the industry average of 4.1%.Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for NVR. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 13.5% over the past month.Bottom LineNVR has not only earned a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #1 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.This combination positions NVR well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNVR, Inc. (NVR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Here is Why Growth Investors Should Buy NVR (NVR) Now

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-growth-investors-buy-nvr-174506409.html

93ddf9bf-6a82-33f7-a926-cfae4e440649

NVR

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors alike.Many investors also have a go-to methodology that helps guide their buy and sell decisions. One way to find winning stocks based on your preferred way of investing is to use the Zacks Style Scores, which are indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing types: value, growth, and momentum.Is This 1 Momentum Stock a Screaming Buy Right Now?For momentum investors, upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook take precedent, so they'll want to zero in on the Momentum Style Score. This Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.NVR (NVR)Incorporated on Mar 4, 1993, NVR, Inc. is engaged in the construction and sale of single-family detached homes, townhomes and condominium buildings, all of which are primarily constructed on a pre-sold basis. To serve homebuilding customers, the company operates a mortgage banking and title services business. The company operates in two business segments:  Homebuilding and Mortgage Banking. The homebuilding (accounting for 98.4% of 2023 total revenues) division builds and sells homes under three brand names - Ryan Homes, NVHomes and Heartland Homes. The company currently operates in 36 metropolitan areas across 15 states and Washington, D.C. The two trade names - NVHomes and Heartland Homes are mainly for move-up and upscale buyers.NVR sits at a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), holds a Momentum Style Score of A, and has a VGM Score of B. The stock is down 1.4% and up 7.9% over the past one-week and four-week period, respectively, and NVR has gained 46.3% in the last one-year period as well. Additionally, an average of 18,198.45 shares were traded over the last 20 trading sessions.Momentum investors don't just pay attention to price changes; positive earnings play a crucial role, too. Five analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $69.09 to $484.48 per share. NVR boasts an average earnings surprise of 8.1%.Story continuesInvestors should take the time to consider NVR for their portfolios due to its solid Zacks Ranks, notable earnings metrics, and impressive Momentum and VGM Style Scores.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNVR, Inc. (NVR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Why NVR (NVR) is a Top Momentum Stock for the Long-Term

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-nvr-nvr-top-momentum-145012652.html

505cd0b2-baff-341c-a31d-e4078208a7e2

NVR

Buyback stocks refer to companies aggressively repurchasing their own shares when they are undervalued. This strategy efficiently allocates capital to buy out external shareholders at discounted prices. Remaining investors win big through accelerated earnings per share growth.As investing legend Charlie Munger wisely advised, “Pay attention to the cannibals.” He was referring to cash-rich firms with share prices trading below intrinsic value. By concentrating ownership amongst fewer outstanding shares, buyback stocks directly boost shareholder returns.Below are three inflation-resilient buyback stocks poised to supercharge EPS as runaway market leaders in their industries. Specifically, these are high-quality, low-CAPEX companies with strong underlying businesses that can thrive amid economic uncertainty. Critically, these stocks boast substantial cash reserves to fund massive repurchases while remaining undervalued. For example, if a company earns $10 per share and buys back 50% of outstanding shares, EPS doubles to $20 per share. Consequently, the stock price should follow suit. As Mohnish Pabrai explains regarding the “magic of buybacks,” after repurchasing 80%+ of shares, EPS and share price growth accelerate exponentially.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsAutoZone (AZO)An AutoZone (AZO) storefront in Saint Augustine, Florida.Source: Robert Gregory Griffeth / Shutterstock.comAutoZone (NYSE:AZO) is one of Wall Street’s favorite buyback stocks that could see explosive upside in 2024. This automotive parts retailer has consistently repurchased its shares over the past decade. It has resulted in a 50% reduction in shares outstanding since 2010.The company announced in December 2023 an additional $2 billion stock repurchase program. This brings the total authorized repurchases to $37.7 billion since 1998. The company has stated it can fund these buybacks while maintaining investment-grade credit ratings. AutoZone bought back $900 million of its shares in 2022 alone.Story continuesFinancially, AutoZone is in a strong position to continue these repurchases with a profitable business even in inflationary times. The company achieved record sales and earnings per share in fiscal 2022. With steady top-line growth expected and shares outstanding declining 7-9% annually, earnings per share could grow at an accelerated pace. AutoZone’s consistent history of buying back sizable amounts of shares makes it a favorite Wall Street buyback stock pick for big upside in 2024 and beyond. The company’s financial strength and inflation-resistant model provide further reason to be optimistic.NVR (NVR)The logo for NVR is seen on the top of an office building.Source: DCStockPhotography / Shutterstock.comNVR (NYSE:NVR) is a prominent homebuilder and mortgage banking company that has consistently repurchased its shares, making it one of the more interesting buyback stocks. As recently as November 2023, NVR announced a new $750 million share repurchase authorization, continuing its long-standing capital return program that originated in 1994.NVR’s share repurchases demonstrate management’s focus on maximizing shareholder value alongside disciplined capital allocation. As of September 2023, NVR’s outstanding shares declined to 3.2 million, confirming significant buyback.NVR builds and sells homes under brands including Ryan Homes, NVHomes, and Heartland Homes across 35 metro areas in 15 states. Considering that over 535,000 homeowners have trusted NVR, the company has a stable underlying business, making it inflation-proof.Financially, as of December 2023, NVR held a strong cash position. It’s nearing $3.13 billion alongside $13.37 billion in retained earnings on its balance sheet. Furthermore, for 2023, NVR generated $1.59 billion in net income. Additionally, it generated $9.31 billion in homebuilding revenues. Factoring in consistent share repurchases, solid financials, and steady housing demand, NVR is one of the more compelling buyback stocks.Ameriprise Financial (AMP)Stock market or forex trading graph and candlestick chart suitable for financial investment concept. Economy trends background for business idea and all art work design. Abstract finance background.Source: ShutterstockAmeriprise Financial (NYSE:AMP) is a leading asset and wealth manager, helping individuals grow and protect their financial assets. The company has proven itself to be one of the most reliable buyback stocks. For example, the Board recently approved an additional $3.5 billion in share repurchases through September 2025. Clearly, this continues Ameriprise’s track record of returning capital to shareholders, reducing its share count by 25% since 2018.In addition to its credentials as a steady buyback stocks executor, Ameriprise generates strong operating results that provide inflation resilience. For example, revenue grew 8% in Q4 2023 on the back of solid asset flows and higher net investment income. Furthermore, earnings expanded 10% for the quarter and 14% for the full year, even in a turbulent market. Excellent profitability was maintained as well, with a 48.5% return on equity.Ameriprise is one of the top buyback stocks, considering its commitment to substantial buybacks and financial outcomes demonstrating economic durability. The reliability of its capital return program and inflation-fighting operating performance cement its status as a leader in the financial services industry.On the date of publication, Andrea van Schalkwyk did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.Andrea van Schalkwyk is a value investor who adheres to the principles of the renowned Warren Buffett and his mentor Benjamin Graham. He holds a Master of Engineering (MEng) from the University of Padua and an Executive MBA from the CUOA Business School.More From InvestorPlaceChatGPT IPO Could Shock the World, Make This Move Before the AnnouncementMusk’s “Project Omega” May Be Set to Mint New Millionaires. Here’s How to Get In.It doesn’t matter if you have $500 or $5 million. Do this now.The post Wall Street’s 3 Favorite Buyback Stocks for Explosive 2024 Upside appeared first on InvestorPlace.

InvestorPlace

Wall Street’s 3 Favorite Buyback Stocks for Explosive 2024 Upside

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wall-street-3-favorite-buyback-201835026.html

6346af21-ce8c-3c05-955f-fe4668ffbc78

NVR

Investors seek growth stocks to capitalize on above-average growth in financials that help these securities grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.That's because, these stocks usually carry above-average risk and volatility. In fact, betting on a stock for which the growth story is actually over or nearing its end could lead to significant loss.However, the task of finding cutting-edge growth stocks is made easy with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.NVR (NVR) is on the list of such stocks currently recommended by our proprietary system. In addition to a favorable Growth Score, it carries a top Zacks Rank.Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this homebuilder a great growth pick right now.Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. And for growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is definitely preferable, and often an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.While the historical EPS growth rate for NVR is 25.3%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 4.6% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 2.7%.Impressive Asset Utilization RatioAsset utilization ratio -- also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio -- is often overlooked by investors, but it is an important indicator in growth investing. This metric exhibits how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.Story continuesRight now, NVR has an S/TA ratio of 1.47, which means that the company gets $1.47 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.94, it can be said that the company is more efficient.In addition to efficiency in generating sales, sales growth plays an important role. And NVR is well positioned from a sales growth perspective too. The company's sales are expected to grow 7.7% this year versus the industry average of 4.1%.Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsBeyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for NVR. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 2.7% over the past month.Bottom LineNVR has not only earned a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #1 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.This combination indicates that NVR is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportNVR, Inc. (NVR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

3 Reasons Growth Investors Will Love NVR (NVR)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-reasons-growth-investors-love-174504402.html

4556cef1-30b9-3672-a414-4c7e2c2d21ca

NWS

In January, U.S. median rents dropped (-0.3%) for sixth straight monthSANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rents fell in January for the sixth month in a row, with year-over-year prices down -0.3%, according to the monthly Realtor.com® Rental Report released today. That's providing some relief for renters, though prices remain higher than pre-pandemic levels amid strong demand and a limited supply of new units in many markets.In January, the median asking rent for 0-2 bedroom units in the 50 largest metros declined to $1,712, down $5 from the previous January and $46 below its August 2022 high. Following this trend, a recent Realtor.com® Avail Landlord & Renter Survey found that the percentage of landlords planning to raise rents in the next 12 months declined in recent quarters. Still, prices are 18.3% higher than they were four years ago. Median rents were mixed across unit sizes. Regionally, some big Western metro markets began to rebound while supply of new multifamily housing units outstripped demand in the South, pushing down prices."Rental prices are declining, especially in places where new units are entering the market, but there's still plenty of demand driven by the large population of renters, including potential first-time homebuyers who remain on the sidelines for now," said Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com®. "Looking forward, Realtor.com® anticipates the rental market to decline only slightly in 2024, as an increase in the supply of new units is balanced out by continued enthusiasm for renting as a more affordable alternative to purchasing."January 2024 Rental Metrics by Unit Size – NationalUnit SizeMedian RentRent YoYRent Change - 4 yearsOverall$1,712-0.3 %18.3 %Studio$1,434-1.0 %11.9 %1-bed$1,5910.1 %17.9 %2-bed$1,892-0.6 %20.4 %Studios saw largest rent declinesThe median asking rent for studios fell by -1.0% to $1,434, which is down -3.8% from its October 2022 peak but still 11.9% higher than four years ago. Asking rents for two-bedroom units declined by -0.6% to $1,892. Those larger units still saw the highest growth in rent prices over the past four years, with an increase of $321 (20.4%). Meanwhile, asking rents for one-bedroom units rebounded after declining since July 2023, increasing by 0.1% year over year to $1,591 in January. Demand for one-bedroom units may be fueled by the perception that they're a sweet spot in the market: more spacious than a studio and more affordable than a two-bedroom unit.Story continuesBig Western Metros started to see reboundIn January 2024, the median rent in the West fell by -0.3% from a year ago, led by declines in areas including Phoenix (-4.0%), Riverside, Calif. (-2.6%) and Las Vegas (-1.8%). But rents rebounded in some big metros, with Los Angeles (0.2%) and Seattle (1.3%) showing year-over-year increases following eight straight months of decline. With home prices still high and mortgage rates expected to remain elevated in the short term, many first-time buyers are choosing instead to rent. Rents are rising faster in big Northeastern metros such as New York (2.3%) and Boston (2.7%), where labor markets are strong and there's slow growth in new housing stock, putting upward pressure on rents.Rents grow in Midwest markets, drop in the SouthAsking rents in the Midwest rose by 0.2% in January, bolstered by markets such as Chicago (4.2%), Indianapolis (3.5%) and Kansas City, Mo. (3.1%). These markets are enjoying low unemployment, which stokes rental demand, and they remain affordable in comparison with other parts of the country. Chicago's median rent of $1,852 is almost $1,000 less than big-city counterparts New York ($2,844) and Los Angeles ($2,829). Meanwhile, the median asking rent fell by 1.2% in the South, led by year-over-year declines in Memphis, Tenn. (-5.5%), Atlanta (-3.8%), Austin, Texas (-3.6%). St. Louis, Mo. (-3.6%) and Miami (-3.4%). Unemployment in the South is also low, but the supply of new multifamily housing is growing, pushing down rental prices.Rental Data – 50 Largest Metropolitan Areas – January 2024MetroMedian Rent (0-2 Bedrooms)YOY (0-2 Bedrooms)Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$1,619-3.8 %Austin-Round Rock, TX$1,547-3.6 %Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$1,790-0.6 %Birmingham-Hoover, AL$1,245-0.8 %Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$2,9812.7 %Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NYNANACharlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC$1,542-0.1 %Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI$1,8524.2 %Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN$1,3181.4 %Cleveland-Elyria, OH$1,217-2.0 %Columbus, OH$1,178-2.5 %Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$1,505-1.0 %Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$1,9220.3 %Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI$1,308-0.3 %Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CTNANAHouston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX$1,3942.8 %Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN$1,2883.5 %Jacksonville, FL$1,534-2.2 %Kansas City, MO-KS$1,3183.1 %Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV$1,489-1.8 %Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$2,8290.2 %Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN$1,2342.7 %Memphis, TN-MS-AR$1,247-5.5 %Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL$2,373-3.4 %Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI$1,574-0.9 %Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$1,491-0.4 %Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN$1,613-2.3 %New Orleans-Metairie, LANANANew York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$2,8442.3 %Oklahoma City, OK$9882.2 %Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL$1,682-1.9 %Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$1,780-2.0 %Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ$1,550-4.0 %Pittsburgh, PA$1,4211.1 %Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$1,656-0.7 %Providence-Warwick, RI-MANANARaleigh, NC$1,529-1.5 %Richmond, VA$1,492-0.1 %Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$2,174-2.6 %Rochester, NYNANASacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA$1,8440.9 %San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX$1,2751.0 %San Diego-Carlsbad, CA$2,8111.1 %San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA$2,837-0.6 %San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$3,2172.9 %Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$2,0121.3 %St. Louis, MO-IL$1,295-3.6 %Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL$1,740-1.1 %Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC$1,508-0.4 %Washington-Arlington-Alexandria,DC-VA-MD-WV$2,1941.9 %MethodologyRental data as of January 2024 for studio, 1-bedroom, or 2-bedroom units advertised as for-rent on Realtor.com®. Rental units include apartments as well as private rentals (condos, townhomes, single-family homes). We use rental sources that reliably report data each month within the top 50 largest metropolitan areas. Realtor.com® began publishing regular monthly rental trends reports in October 2020 with data history stretching back to March 2019.With the release of its January 2024 rent report, Realtor.com® incorporated a new and improved methodology for capturing and reporting more comprehensive rental listing trends and metrics. The new methodology is expected to yield a cleaner, more representative and more consistent measurement of rental listings and trends at both the national and local level. The methodology has been adjusted to better represent the true cost of primary housing for renters. Most areas across the country will see minor changes with a smaller handful of areas seeing larger updates. As a result of these changes, the rental data released since January 2024 will not be directly comparable with previous releases and Realtor.com® economics blog posts. However, future data releases, including historical data, will consistently apply the new methodology.About Realtor.com®Realtor.com® is an open real estate marketplace built for everyone. Realtor.com® pioneered the world of digital real estate more than 25 years ago. Today, through its website and mobile apps, Realtor.com® is a trusted guide for consumers, empowering more people to find their way home by breaking down barriers, helping them make the right connections, and creating confidence through expert insights and guidance. For professionals, Realtor.com® is a trusted partner for business growth, offering consumer connections and branding solutions that help them succeed in today's on-demand world. Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. For more information, visit Realtor.com®.Media contact: Sara Wiskerchen, [email protected] CisionView original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/realtorcom-january-rental-report-mild-relief-for-renters-continues-as-rental-prices-decline-to-start-new-year-302068447.htmlSOURCE Realtor.com

PR Newswire

Realtor.com® January Rental Report: Mild Relief for Renters Continues As Rental Prices Decline to Start New Year

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/realtor-com-january-rental-report-110000878.html

c34937ac-419f-3e86-b5b9-6d87399b9a67

NWS

This article takes a look at the 17 safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on establishing a retirement living overseas, you may go to 5 Safest Places to Retire Abroad for Less Than $3,000 a Month.The Demands and Requirements of a Retirement AbroadUpwards of $10,000. That’s not the cost of a year at college or a year’s worth of rent. According to BuzzFeed Inc. (NASDAQ:BZFD) owned Huffpost, it’s the estimated cost of moving abroad. The BuzzFeed Inc. (NASDAQ:BZFD) backed publication details this figure to include the cost of overseas shipping, securing visas, setting up your documents and finances - such as your driver’s license and money wires from the US - housing, insurance, air travel, and a whole host of other things. With a $10,000 - or larger - investment on the line, you might think that the number of Americans moving abroad is in the smaller pools. However, these one-time costs don’t seem to have deterred US citizens, presumably as they pale in contrast to the benefits of some of the best countries to relocate to. The Association of American Residents Overseas estimates that a minimum of 5.4 million Americans live beyond the States as of 2023. A good portion of them are retirees. While a vacation abroad may seem magical, permanently moving to another country can certainly be daunting. So then why do so many American citizens - the Wall Street Journal, a division of News Corp (NASDAQ:NWS), reported that as many as 450,000 retirees received their social security benefits in foreign countries - retire abroad? With this News Corp (NASDAQ:NWS) number already presumed to have grown, the reasons are multi fold. Generally speaking, retirees are keen on peaceful, safe living. In many cases, they’re also one for living life on a budget, often finding cheap things to do in retirement. While patriots may point out the many wonderful things that the US has to offer, making an argument over how safe it is easily falls short. In a safe countries survey conducted by U.S. News and World Report, the US missed the top 10 - and 20 and 30 - mark, coming in at number 46 out of a total of 87 countries. Instead, it was mainly the European continent that triumphed. Similarly, the US received a disappointing 131st position on the recent Global Peace Index, reported the Miami Herald. Story continuesThings are not much better on the financial side either. For retirees spending their days living on Social Security check to Social Security check, their monthly budget comes out to a mere $1,909 based on the Social Security Administration’s Social Security payout for 2024. With average rental numbers at $1,568 for one-bedroom apartments in the US according to Zillow Inc (NASDAQ:Z), this doesn’t leave much behind for utilities, groceries, healthcare, travel, and the like. Of course, Zillow Inc. (NASDAQ:Z) also lists cheaper rental options - such as average one-bedroom rent being $850 for Iowa City and $725 for West Virginia - these cheaper options often come with problems of their own and are not accessible to everyone. As such, the thought process behind the retiree's decision to spend their Golden Years abroad suddenly becomes clear. To assist senior citizens in the move abroad, we have compiled the following list of the safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month. 17 Safest Places to Retire Abroad for Less Than $3,000 a MonthMalgorzata Drewniak/Shutterstock.comMethodologyTo compile this list of the 17 safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month, we consulted several sources including our lists of 15 Cheapest and Safest Countries to Retire In and 25 Best Cities Where You Can Retire On $3,000 A Month, and Nomad Capitalist, Live and Invest Overseas, U.S. News and World Report, and Global Citizen Solutions. Once a list of countries was shortlisted using these sources, we then ranked them across multiple factors, namely, the Institute for Economics and Peace’s Global Peace Index, the Environmental Performance Index, their average cost of living, and their average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment. For the cost of living and rent, multiple sources were consulted, including expat opinions on forums such as Reddit and Quora. Whereas for the Global Peace Index, countries with a rank of below 80 were removed. As the safety of a country is determined both by how peaceful it is and by how healthy its environment is, we have included the Environmental Performance Index to provide a holistic picture. For this index, a score of 100 depicts a perfect score. Each country was then awarded a cumulative score, with the highest-scoring country being awarded the number one rank. For countries that gained an equal score, their Global Peace Index ranking was used as a tie-breaker. Since we based research on a country basis due to many indices only being available at the country level, we then selected a specific city or town for each of our finalized 17 countries. The selection process for each city included consulting several sources, such as articles, public forums, and ranking lists, with the criteria of ‘safe’ and ‘affordable’ being used. The resulting list is presented in ascending order, with the highest-ranked place being presented last.  It is important to remember that personal preference plays a big part. The best course of action is to visit the place you plan to move to, converse with locals, take advice from a financial consultant, and only then make your final decision. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Here are the 17 safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month:17. San Isidro de El General, Costa RicaInsider Monkey Score: 45Global Peace Index: 37Environmental Performance Index: 55.3Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,967Starting off our list of safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month is one of the safest and most affordable places to retire in, San Isidro de El General in Costa Rica. A geographical haven, the city is perfect for nature-loving retirees. San Isidro boasts the nearby Los Cusingos Neotropical Bird Sanctuary at just a twenty-minute drive from the city. Set in the mountains, the city is also just an hour away from the beach, providing retirees with a range of peaceful activities to spend their days. 16. Tirana, AlbaniaInsider Monkey Score: 46Global Peace Index: 40Environmental Performance Index: 50.3Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,014Albania’s capital city, Tirana is most noticeable for its stunning architecture. Dating back to the Soviet and Ottoman eras, the architecture is colorful and captivating. With a pleasant climate and the center of culture and entertainment in the country, Tirana is a great pick for first-time visitors looking to retire in Albania.15. Potenza, ItalyInsider Monkey Score: 48Global Peace Index: 34Environmental Performance Index: 97.8Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $2,024A commune set in the Basilicata region, Potenza stands 819m above sea level, making it one of the highest provincial capitals in the country. Surrounded by the countryside, Potenza offers majestic views of the forest and mountainous landscape. With the cost of living well below $3,000 and a near-perfect Environmental Index, retirees can lead a comfortable and fulfilling life in this charming Italian city. 14. Grand Baie, MauritiusInsider Monkey Score: 50Global Peace Index: 23Environmental Performance Index: 63.6Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,824A village set in Northern Mauritius, Grand Baie is a natural treasure. White, sandy beaches and a natural harbor are just some of the wonders available to retirees. On the land, senior citizens can immerse themselves in Grand Baie’s many craft and fashion shops. 13. Taipei, TaiwanInsider Monkey Score: 51Global Peace Index: 33Environmental Performance Index: 67.2Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,638The capital of Taiwan, Taipei is among one of the safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month. Retirees can visit the National Palace Museum, the Taipei Zoo, or the Bangka Lungshan Temple. Of course, Taiwanese food is also an attractive point of the city, with beef noodle soup, dumplings, and hot pot being some of the dishes that expats can indulge in. 12. Da Lat, VietnamInsider Monkey Score: 54Global Peace Index: 41Environmental Performance Index: 50.9Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $712With a cost of living as low as $712, Da Lat in Vietnam is one of the cheapest places to retire in Asia. hailed as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’, Da Lat is a hidden gem, perfect for US retirees who want a change of scenery from the busy city life. Located with a golf course and lake and accompanied by a host of nature offerings such as waterfalls, hills, and forests, Da Lat also attracts tourists.11. Berlin, GermanyInsider Monkey Score: 57Global Peace Index: 15Environmental Performance Index: 98.6Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $2,244Number eleven on our list of safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month is another European pick with Berlin in Germany. With a high Global Peace ranking and a high Environmental Index score, Berlin is a great pick for the safety and environmentally-concerned retiree. Senior citizens can also fill up on authentic German food in the capital, such as Currywurst and Schnitzel. 10. Barcelona, SpainInsider Monkey Score: 58Global Peace Index: 32Environmental Performance Index: 94.8Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,557Sunny Barcelona is next on our list. The cosmopolitan capital of the Catalonia region, Barcelona is most revered for its stunning architecture. Home to the La Sagrada Familia, the Casa Batllo, and the Cathedral of Barcelona, retirees can experience breathtaking sights like never before. Football enthusiasts can also visit the Spotify Camp Nou, the stadium of La Liga club Barcelona. 9. Burgas, BulgariaInsider Monkey Score: 59Global Peace Index: 30Environmental Performance Index: 58Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,095A coastal city set on the Black Sea, Burgas is set in one of the cheapest and safest countries to retire in, Bulgaria. The city houses the Church of Saint Cyril and Methodius which is popular for its stained glass art. Other excursion activities include the Ethnographic Museum and the open-air Summer Theatre. 8. Poznan, PolandInsider Monkey Score: 59Global Peace Index: 29Environmental Performance Index: 65.7Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,452One of Poland’s oldest cities, Poznan is set on Western Poland’s Warta River. The Historical Museum of Poznan contains city exhibits whereas the Old Market Square is a popular spot to visit restaurants and bars. English is also widely spoken in Poland, so expats will easily be able to get by. 7. Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaInsider Monkey Score: 59Global Peace Index: 19Environmental Performance Index: 48.2Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $847With a Global Peace score of 19, Malaysia ranks in the top 20, and it also earns a spot in the best places to retire for $1,000 a month. Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur is an ideal pick for US retirees seeking a foreign retirement. The city offers a modern touch with authentic food and cultural sights. Retirees can visit the Sri Mahamariamman Hindu temple or the Jamek Mosque, and indulge in Nasi Lemak for dinner. 6. The Hague, NetherlandsInsider Monkey Score: 62Global Peace Index: 16Environmental Performance Index: 100Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $2,100Set on the North Sea, The Hague boasts an impressive perfect Environmental Index score, making it an ideal city for the health-conscious retiree. Home to the UN’s International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, The Hague is known for its rich history. US retirees looking to live in the Netherlands will find it to be a more affordable alternative to the expensive Amsterdam. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Safest Places to Retire Abroad for Less Than $3,000 a Month.Suggested Articles:15 Best Retirement Cities for Dog Lovers15 Most Affordable California Cities for Retirees20 Best Cities to Retire on $10,000 a Month Anywhere in the WorldDisclosure: none. 17 Safest Places to Retire Abroad for Less Than $3,000 a Month is originally published on Insider Monkey. 

Insider Monkey

17 Safest Places to Retire Abroad for Less Than $3,000 a Month

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/17-safest-places-retire-abroad-113912940.html

6131b1bd-2e6a-386f-82fc-a691ed3b0301

NWS

(Reuters) -Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and the owner of the Daily Mail have held talks about a potential joint takeover of the Telegraph alongside the UAE-backed investment fund RedBird IMI, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.A joint bid by the three would result in a smaller stake for Redbird IMI, according to the report.The Abu Dhabi-backed buyout of the paper, which voices opinions within the governing Conservative Party, has provoked fears of foreign influence in news reporting which opponents say could threaten Britain's democracy.Under one scenario that has been discussed, RedBird IMI would take a stake as low as 25% in the Telegraph in an attempt to satisfy concerns about foreign state interference, Bloomberg News reported.News UK, RedBird IMI and the Telegraph declined to comment, while the Daily Mail did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.(Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh and Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)

Reuters

Murdoch's News Corp eyes joint Telegraph bid with rivals, Bloomberg News reports

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/murdochs-news-corp-eyes-joint-204644216.html

e5469049-84da-3670-94d8-f6bbb0a4f252

NWS

(Bloomberg) -- Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. and the owner of the Daily Mail have held talks about a potential joint takeover of the Telegraph — one of the UK’s most famous newspapers — alongside the UAE-backed investment fund RedBird IMI, people familiar with the matter said.Most Read from BloombergOne of the Most Infamous Trades on Wall Street Is Roaring BackStock Rally Stalls in Countdown to Inflation Data: Markets WrapTech CEOs Are Addicted to Taking Needless RisksChina Has Never Canceled This Many Shipments of US WheatA joint bid by the three would result in a smaller stake for RedBird IMI, which may ease concerns by British politicians over foreign state control of a legacy media outlet, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private talks. Representatives from the Daily Mail and General Trust — owner of the Daily Mail newspaper controlled by Jonathan Harmsworth — and News Corp.’s News UK unit have held back-channel conversations on how to form such a joint structure, they said.The fate of the Telegraph’s ownership has been up in the air for months. RedBird IMI — a joint venture between a New York investment firm and a UAE-backed media investment vehicle — had agreed last year to provide loans of about £600 million ($750 million) to gain control of the Telegraph from the Barclay family. (The paper was seized from the family after they fell behind on debt payments.) But some UK lawmakers have raised concerns about foreign control of the outlet, UK probes have stalled the deal and meanwhile rival bidders have continued to circle.DMGT and News UK declined to comment, as did RedBird IMI, other than to say it isn’t involved in the discussions.RedBird IMI, fronted by former CNN chief Jeff Zucker, has been approached by a number of parties interested in teaming up, but it’s still focused on buying the paper outright, one of the people familiar with the talks said. A fourth rival bidder, hedge fund manager Paul Marshall — the co-founder of Marshall Wace — may be excluded from the joint proposal, the people said. Marshall declined to comment.Story continuesThe conversations began when RedBird IMI’s takeover of the Telegraph and Spectator publications came under fire by lawmakers in the UK’s governing Conservative Party, people familiar with the situation said. Sheikh Mansour, the deputy prime minister of the UAE, owns the majority of Redbird IMI, sparking concerns from ministers in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s cabinet about foreign state ownership, Bloomberg previously reported.Sunak is due to decide in the coming days whether the government will propose an amendment to legislation in parliament that would make it harder for foreign states to take commercial interests in the British media industry. On Monday, the UK Competition and Markets Authority and and UK communications regulator Ofcom were due to submit the results of their own probes into the deal to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer.While a joint bid could ease concerns about the UAE’s involvement, it may raise new issues for media plurality and competition if Harmsworth and Murdoch took on more interest in UK news titles.Under one scenario that has been discussed, RedBird IMI would take a stake as low as 25% in the Telegraph in an attempt to satisfy concerns about foreign state interference, the people familiar with the talks said, while cautioning that discussions are preliminary and it isn’t clear whether parties would reach a deal on a joint structure. DMGT and News UK have previously proposed a joint venture to combine their printing operations.Meanwhile, opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer is concerned about foreign state ownership of British news outlets but is not at this stage actively opposing the RedBird IMI bid, a person familiar with his thinking said, contradicting a statement that Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire made this weekend about the Labour party’s plans to oppose the takeover.(Adds comment from RedBird in fourth paragraph.)Most Read from Bloomberg BusinessweekAcademics Question ESG Studies That Helped Fuel Investing BoomLuxury Postnatal Retreats Draw Affluent Parents Around the USHow Apple Sank About $1 Billion a Year Into a Car It Never BuiltThe Battle to Unseat the Aeron, the World’s Most Coveted Office ChairHow Microsoft’s Bing Helps Maintain Beijing’s Great Firewall©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Bloomberg

Murdoch’s News Corp. Eyes Joint Telegraph Bid With Rivals

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/murdoch-news-corp-eyes-joint-194858905.html

3550b74e-9b62-3cb8-bc3c-c3b78dd199c6

NWSA

In January, U.S. median rents dropped (-0.3%) for sixth straight monthSANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rents fell in January for the sixth month in a row, with year-over-year prices down -0.3%, according to the monthly Realtor.com® Rental Report released today. That's providing some relief for renters, though prices remain higher than pre-pandemic levels amid strong demand and a limited supply of new units in many markets.In January, the median asking rent for 0-2 bedroom units in the 50 largest metros declined to $1,712, down $5 from the previous January and $46 below its August 2022 high. Following this trend, a recent Realtor.com® Avail Landlord & Renter Survey found that the percentage of landlords planning to raise rents in the next 12 months declined in recent quarters. Still, prices are 18.3% higher than they were four years ago. Median rents were mixed across unit sizes. Regionally, some big Western metro markets began to rebound while supply of new multifamily housing units outstripped demand in the South, pushing down prices."Rental prices are declining, especially in places where new units are entering the market, but there's still plenty of demand driven by the large population of renters, including potential first-time homebuyers who remain on the sidelines for now," said Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com®. "Looking forward, Realtor.com® anticipates the rental market to decline only slightly in 2024, as an increase in the supply of new units is balanced out by continued enthusiasm for renting as a more affordable alternative to purchasing."January 2024 Rental Metrics by Unit Size – NationalUnit SizeMedian RentRent YoYRent Change - 4 yearsOverall$1,712-0.3 %18.3 %Studio$1,434-1.0 %11.9 %1-bed$1,5910.1 %17.9 %2-bed$1,892-0.6 %20.4 %Studios saw largest rent declinesThe median asking rent for studios fell by -1.0% to $1,434, which is down -3.8% from its October 2022 peak but still 11.9% higher than four years ago. Asking rents for two-bedroom units declined by -0.6% to $1,892. Those larger units still saw the highest growth in rent prices over the past four years, with an increase of $321 (20.4%). Meanwhile, asking rents for one-bedroom units rebounded after declining since July 2023, increasing by 0.1% year over year to $1,591 in January. Demand for one-bedroom units may be fueled by the perception that they're a sweet spot in the market: more spacious than a studio and more affordable than a two-bedroom unit.Story continuesBig Western Metros started to see reboundIn January 2024, the median rent in the West fell by -0.3% from a year ago, led by declines in areas including Phoenix (-4.0%), Riverside, Calif. (-2.6%) and Las Vegas (-1.8%). But rents rebounded in some big metros, with Los Angeles (0.2%) and Seattle (1.3%) showing year-over-year increases following eight straight months of decline. With home prices still high and mortgage rates expected to remain elevated in the short term, many first-time buyers are choosing instead to rent. Rents are rising faster in big Northeastern metros such as New York (2.3%) and Boston (2.7%), where labor markets are strong and there's slow growth in new housing stock, putting upward pressure on rents.Rents grow in Midwest markets, drop in the SouthAsking rents in the Midwest rose by 0.2% in January, bolstered by markets such as Chicago (4.2%), Indianapolis (3.5%) and Kansas City, Mo. (3.1%). These markets are enjoying low unemployment, which stokes rental demand, and they remain affordable in comparison with other parts of the country. Chicago's median rent of $1,852 is almost $1,000 less than big-city counterparts New York ($2,844) and Los Angeles ($2,829). Meanwhile, the median asking rent fell by 1.2% in the South, led by year-over-year declines in Memphis, Tenn. (-5.5%), Atlanta (-3.8%), Austin, Texas (-3.6%). St. Louis, Mo. (-3.6%) and Miami (-3.4%). Unemployment in the South is also low, but the supply of new multifamily housing is growing, pushing down rental prices.Rental Data – 50 Largest Metropolitan Areas – January 2024MetroMedian Rent (0-2 Bedrooms)YOY (0-2 Bedrooms)Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$1,619-3.8 %Austin-Round Rock, TX$1,547-3.6 %Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$1,790-0.6 %Birmingham-Hoover, AL$1,245-0.8 %Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$2,9812.7 %Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NYNANACharlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC$1,542-0.1 %Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI$1,8524.2 %Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN$1,3181.4 %Cleveland-Elyria, OH$1,217-2.0 %Columbus, OH$1,178-2.5 %Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$1,505-1.0 %Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$1,9220.3 %Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI$1,308-0.3 %Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CTNANAHouston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX$1,3942.8 %Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN$1,2883.5 %Jacksonville, FL$1,534-2.2 %Kansas City, MO-KS$1,3183.1 %Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV$1,489-1.8 %Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$2,8290.2 %Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN$1,2342.7 %Memphis, TN-MS-AR$1,247-5.5 %Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL$2,373-3.4 %Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI$1,574-0.9 %Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$1,491-0.4 %Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN$1,613-2.3 %New Orleans-Metairie, LANANANew York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$2,8442.3 %Oklahoma City, OK$9882.2 %Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL$1,682-1.9 %Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$1,780-2.0 %Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ$1,550-4.0 %Pittsburgh, PA$1,4211.1 %Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$1,656-0.7 %Providence-Warwick, RI-MANANARaleigh, NC$1,529-1.5 %Richmond, VA$1,492-0.1 %Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$2,174-2.6 %Rochester, NYNANASacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA$1,8440.9 %San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX$1,2751.0 %San Diego-Carlsbad, CA$2,8111.1 %San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA$2,837-0.6 %San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$3,2172.9 %Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$2,0121.3 %St. Louis, MO-IL$1,295-3.6 %Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL$1,740-1.1 %Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC$1,508-0.4 %Washington-Arlington-Alexandria,DC-VA-MD-WV$2,1941.9 %MethodologyRental data as of January 2024 for studio, 1-bedroom, or 2-bedroom units advertised as for-rent on Realtor.com®. Rental units include apartments as well as private rentals (condos, townhomes, single-family homes). We use rental sources that reliably report data each month within the top 50 largest metropolitan areas. Realtor.com® began publishing regular monthly rental trends reports in October 2020 with data history stretching back to March 2019.With the release of its January 2024 rent report, Realtor.com® incorporated a new and improved methodology for capturing and reporting more comprehensive rental listing trends and metrics. The new methodology is expected to yield a cleaner, more representative and more consistent measurement of rental listings and trends at both the national and local level. The methodology has been adjusted to better represent the true cost of primary housing for renters. Most areas across the country will see minor changes with a smaller handful of areas seeing larger updates. As a result of these changes, the rental data released since January 2024 will not be directly comparable with previous releases and Realtor.com® economics blog posts. However, future data releases, including historical data, will consistently apply the new methodology.About Realtor.com®Realtor.com® is an open real estate marketplace built for everyone. Realtor.com® pioneered the world of digital real estate more than 25 years ago. Today, through its website and mobile apps, Realtor.com® is a trusted guide for consumers, empowering more people to find their way home by breaking down barriers, helping them make the right connections, and creating confidence through expert insights and guidance. For professionals, Realtor.com® is a trusted partner for business growth, offering consumer connections and branding solutions that help them succeed in today's on-demand world. Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. For more information, visit Realtor.com®.Media contact: Sara Wiskerchen, [email protected] CisionView original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/realtorcom-january-rental-report-mild-relief-for-renters-continues-as-rental-prices-decline-to-start-new-year-302068447.htmlSOURCE Realtor.com

PR Newswire

Realtor.com® January Rental Report: Mild Relief for Renters Continues As Rental Prices Decline to Start New Year

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/realtor-com-january-rental-report-110000878.html

c34937ac-419f-3e86-b5b9-6d87399b9a67

NWSA

This article takes a look at the 17 safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on establishing a retirement living overseas, you may go to 5 Safest Places to Retire Abroad for Less Than $3,000 a Month.The Demands and Requirements of a Retirement AbroadUpwards of $10,000. That’s not the cost of a year at college or a year’s worth of rent. According to BuzzFeed Inc. (NASDAQ:BZFD) owned Huffpost, it’s the estimated cost of moving abroad. The BuzzFeed Inc. (NASDAQ:BZFD) backed publication details this figure to include the cost of overseas shipping, securing visas, setting up your documents and finances - such as your driver’s license and money wires from the US - housing, insurance, air travel, and a whole host of other things. With a $10,000 - or larger - investment on the line, you might think that the number of Americans moving abroad is in the smaller pools. However, these one-time costs don’t seem to have deterred US citizens, presumably as they pale in contrast to the benefits of some of the best countries to relocate to. The Association of American Residents Overseas estimates that a minimum of 5.4 million Americans live beyond the States as of 2023. A good portion of them are retirees. While a vacation abroad may seem magical, permanently moving to another country can certainly be daunting. So then why do so many American citizens - the Wall Street Journal, a division of News Corp (NASDAQ:NWS), reported that as many as 450,000 retirees received their social security benefits in foreign countries - retire abroad? With this News Corp (NASDAQ:NWS) number already presumed to have grown, the reasons are multi fold. Generally speaking, retirees are keen on peaceful, safe living. In many cases, they’re also one for living life on a budget, often finding cheap things to do in retirement. While patriots may point out the many wonderful things that the US has to offer, making an argument over how safe it is easily falls short. In a safe countries survey conducted by U.S. News and World Report, the US missed the top 10 - and 20 and 30 - mark, coming in at number 46 out of a total of 87 countries. Instead, it was mainly the European continent that triumphed. Similarly, the US received a disappointing 131st position on the recent Global Peace Index, reported the Miami Herald. Story continuesThings are not much better on the financial side either. For retirees spending their days living on Social Security check to Social Security check, their monthly budget comes out to a mere $1,909 based on the Social Security Administration’s Social Security payout for 2024. With average rental numbers at $1,568 for one-bedroom apartments in the US according to Zillow Inc (NASDAQ:Z), this doesn’t leave much behind for utilities, groceries, healthcare, travel, and the like. Of course, Zillow Inc. (NASDAQ:Z) also lists cheaper rental options - such as average one-bedroom rent being $850 for Iowa City and $725 for West Virginia - these cheaper options often come with problems of their own and are not accessible to everyone. As such, the thought process behind the retiree's decision to spend their Golden Years abroad suddenly becomes clear. To assist senior citizens in the move abroad, we have compiled the following list of the safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month. 17 Safest Places to Retire Abroad for Less Than $3,000 a MonthMalgorzata Drewniak/Shutterstock.comMethodologyTo compile this list of the 17 safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month, we consulted several sources including our lists of 15 Cheapest and Safest Countries to Retire In and 25 Best Cities Where You Can Retire On $3,000 A Month, and Nomad Capitalist, Live and Invest Overseas, U.S. News and World Report, and Global Citizen Solutions. Once a list of countries was shortlisted using these sources, we then ranked them across multiple factors, namely, the Institute for Economics and Peace’s Global Peace Index, the Environmental Performance Index, their average cost of living, and their average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment. For the cost of living and rent, multiple sources were consulted, including expat opinions on forums such as Reddit and Quora. Whereas for the Global Peace Index, countries with a rank of below 80 were removed. As the safety of a country is determined both by how peaceful it is and by how healthy its environment is, we have included the Environmental Performance Index to provide a holistic picture. For this index, a score of 100 depicts a perfect score. Each country was then awarded a cumulative score, with the highest-scoring country being awarded the number one rank. For countries that gained an equal score, their Global Peace Index ranking was used as a tie-breaker. Since we based research on a country basis due to many indices only being available at the country level, we then selected a specific city or town for each of our finalized 17 countries. The selection process for each city included consulting several sources, such as articles, public forums, and ranking lists, with the criteria of ‘safe’ and ‘affordable’ being used. The resulting list is presented in ascending order, with the highest-ranked place being presented last.  It is important to remember that personal preference plays a big part. The best course of action is to visit the place you plan to move to, converse with locals, take advice from a financial consultant, and only then make your final decision. By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders. Here are the 17 safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month:17. San Isidro de El General, Costa RicaInsider Monkey Score: 45Global Peace Index: 37Environmental Performance Index: 55.3Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,967Starting off our list of safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month is one of the safest and most affordable places to retire in, San Isidro de El General in Costa Rica. A geographical haven, the city is perfect for nature-loving retirees. San Isidro boasts the nearby Los Cusingos Neotropical Bird Sanctuary at just a twenty-minute drive from the city. Set in the mountains, the city is also just an hour away from the beach, providing retirees with a range of peaceful activities to spend their days. 16. Tirana, AlbaniaInsider Monkey Score: 46Global Peace Index: 40Environmental Performance Index: 50.3Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,014Albania’s capital city, Tirana is most noticeable for its stunning architecture. Dating back to the Soviet and Ottoman eras, the architecture is colorful and captivating. With a pleasant climate and the center of culture and entertainment in the country, Tirana is a great pick for first-time visitors looking to retire in Albania.15. Potenza, ItalyInsider Monkey Score: 48Global Peace Index: 34Environmental Performance Index: 97.8Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $2,024A commune set in the Basilicata region, Potenza stands 819m above sea level, making it one of the highest provincial capitals in the country. Surrounded by the countryside, Potenza offers majestic views of the forest and mountainous landscape. With the cost of living well below $3,000 and a near-perfect Environmental Index, retirees can lead a comfortable and fulfilling life in this charming Italian city. 14. Grand Baie, MauritiusInsider Monkey Score: 50Global Peace Index: 23Environmental Performance Index: 63.6Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,824A village set in Northern Mauritius, Grand Baie is a natural treasure. White, sandy beaches and a natural harbor are just some of the wonders available to retirees. On the land, senior citizens can immerse themselves in Grand Baie’s many craft and fashion shops. 13. Taipei, TaiwanInsider Monkey Score: 51Global Peace Index: 33Environmental Performance Index: 67.2Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,638The capital of Taiwan, Taipei is among one of the safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month. Retirees can visit the National Palace Museum, the Taipei Zoo, or the Bangka Lungshan Temple. Of course, Taiwanese food is also an attractive point of the city, with beef noodle soup, dumplings, and hot pot being some of the dishes that expats can indulge in. 12. Da Lat, VietnamInsider Monkey Score: 54Global Peace Index: 41Environmental Performance Index: 50.9Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $712With a cost of living as low as $712, Da Lat in Vietnam is one of the cheapest places to retire in Asia. hailed as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’, Da Lat is a hidden gem, perfect for US retirees who want a change of scenery from the busy city life. Located with a golf course and lake and accompanied by a host of nature offerings such as waterfalls, hills, and forests, Da Lat also attracts tourists.11. Berlin, GermanyInsider Monkey Score: 57Global Peace Index: 15Environmental Performance Index: 98.6Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $2,244Number eleven on our list of safest places to retire abroad for less than $3,000 a month is another European pick with Berlin in Germany. With a high Global Peace ranking and a high Environmental Index score, Berlin is a great pick for the safety and environmentally-concerned retiree. Senior citizens can also fill up on authentic German food in the capital, such as Currywurst and Schnitzel. 10. Barcelona, SpainInsider Monkey Score: 58Global Peace Index: 32Environmental Performance Index: 94.8Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,557Sunny Barcelona is next on our list. The cosmopolitan capital of the Catalonia region, Barcelona is most revered for its stunning architecture. Home to the La Sagrada Familia, the Casa Batllo, and the Cathedral of Barcelona, retirees can experience breathtaking sights like never before. Football enthusiasts can also visit the Spotify Camp Nou, the stadium of La Liga club Barcelona. 9. Burgas, BulgariaInsider Monkey Score: 59Global Peace Index: 30Environmental Performance Index: 58Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,095A coastal city set on the Black Sea, Burgas is set in one of the cheapest and safest countries to retire in, Bulgaria. The city houses the Church of Saint Cyril and Methodius which is popular for its stained glass art. Other excursion activities include the Ethnographic Museum and the open-air Summer Theatre. 8. Poznan, PolandInsider Monkey Score: 59Global Peace Index: 29Environmental Performance Index: 65.7Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $1,452One of Poland’s oldest cities, Poznan is set on Western Poland’s Warta River. The Historical Museum of Poznan contains city exhibits whereas the Old Market Square is a popular spot to visit restaurants and bars. English is also widely spoken in Poland, so expats will easily be able to get by. 7. Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaInsider Monkey Score: 59Global Peace Index: 19Environmental Performance Index: 48.2Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $847With a Global Peace score of 19, Malaysia ranks in the top 20, and it also earns a spot in the best places to retire for $1,000 a month. Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur is an ideal pick for US retirees seeking a foreign retirement. The city offers a modern touch with authentic food and cultural sights. Retirees can visit the Sri Mahamariamman Hindu temple or the Jamek Mosque, and indulge in Nasi Lemak for dinner. 6. The Hague, NetherlandsInsider Monkey Score: 62Global Peace Index: 16Environmental Performance Index: 100Average Monthly Cost of Living with Rent: $2,100Set on the North Sea, The Hague boasts an impressive perfect Environmental Index score, making it an ideal city for the health-conscious retiree. Home to the UN’s International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, The Hague is known for its rich history. US retirees looking to live in the Netherlands will find it to be a more affordable alternative to the expensive Amsterdam. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Safest Places to Retire Abroad for Less Than $3,000 a Month.Suggested Articles:15 Best Retirement Cities for Dog Lovers15 Most Affordable California Cities for Retirees20 Best Cities to Retire on $10,000 a Month Anywhere in the WorldDisclosure: none. 17 Safest Places to Retire Abroad for Less Than $3,000 a Month is originally published on Insider Monkey. 

Insider Monkey

17 Safest Places to Retire Abroad for Less Than $3,000 a Month

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/17-safest-places-retire-abroad-113912940.html

6131b1bd-2e6a-386f-82fc-a691ed3b0301

NWSA

(Reuters) -Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and the owner of the Daily Mail have held talks about a potential joint takeover of the Telegraph alongside the UAE-backed investment fund RedBird IMI, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.A joint bid by the three would result in a smaller stake for Redbird IMI, according to the report.The Abu Dhabi-backed buyout of the paper, which voices opinions within the governing Conservative Party, has provoked fears of foreign influence in news reporting which opponents say could threaten Britain's democracy.Under one scenario that has been discussed, RedBird IMI would take a stake as low as 25% in the Telegraph in an attempt to satisfy concerns about foreign state interference, Bloomberg News reported.News UK, RedBird IMI and the Telegraph declined to comment, while the Daily Mail did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.(Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh and Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)

Reuters

Murdoch's News Corp eyes joint Telegraph bid with rivals, Bloomberg News reports

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/murdochs-news-corp-eyes-joint-204644216.html

e5469049-84da-3670-94d8-f6bbb0a4f252

NWSA

(Bloomberg) -- Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. and the owner of the Daily Mail have held talks about a potential joint takeover of the Telegraph — one of the UK’s most famous newspapers — alongside the UAE-backed investment fund RedBird IMI, people familiar with the matter said.Most Read from BloombergOne of the Most Infamous Trades on Wall Street Is Roaring BackStock Rally Stalls in Countdown to Inflation Data: Markets WrapTech CEOs Are Addicted to Taking Needless RisksChina Has Never Canceled This Many Shipments of US WheatA joint bid by the three would result in a smaller stake for RedBird IMI, which may ease concerns by British politicians over foreign state control of a legacy media outlet, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private talks. Representatives from the Daily Mail and General Trust — owner of the Daily Mail newspaper controlled by Jonathan Harmsworth — and News Corp.’s News UK unit have held back-channel conversations on how to form such a joint structure, they said.The fate of the Telegraph’s ownership has been up in the air for months. RedBird IMI — a joint venture between a New York investment firm and a UAE-backed media investment vehicle — had agreed last year to provide loans of about £600 million ($750 million) to gain control of the Telegraph from the Barclay family. (The paper was seized from the family after they fell behind on debt payments.) But some UK lawmakers have raised concerns about foreign control of the outlet, UK probes have stalled the deal and meanwhile rival bidders have continued to circle.DMGT and News UK declined to comment, as did RedBird IMI, other than to say it isn’t involved in the discussions.RedBird IMI, fronted by former CNN chief Jeff Zucker, has been approached by a number of parties interested in teaming up, but it’s still focused on buying the paper outright, one of the people familiar with the talks said. A fourth rival bidder, hedge fund manager Paul Marshall — the co-founder of Marshall Wace — may be excluded from the joint proposal, the people said. Marshall declined to comment.Story continuesThe conversations began when RedBird IMI’s takeover of the Telegraph and Spectator publications came under fire by lawmakers in the UK’s governing Conservative Party, people familiar with the situation said. Sheikh Mansour, the deputy prime minister of the UAE, owns the majority of Redbird IMI, sparking concerns from ministers in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s cabinet about foreign state ownership, Bloomberg previously reported.Sunak is due to decide in the coming days whether the government will propose an amendment to legislation in parliament that would make it harder for foreign states to take commercial interests in the British media industry. On Monday, the UK Competition and Markets Authority and and UK communications regulator Ofcom were due to submit the results of their own probes into the deal to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer.While a joint bid could ease concerns about the UAE’s involvement, it may raise new issues for media plurality and competition if Harmsworth and Murdoch took on more interest in UK news titles.Under one scenario that has been discussed, RedBird IMI would take a stake as low as 25% in the Telegraph in an attempt to satisfy concerns about foreign state interference, the people familiar with the talks said, while cautioning that discussions are preliminary and it isn’t clear whether parties would reach a deal on a joint structure. DMGT and News UK have previously proposed a joint venture to combine their printing operations.Meanwhile, opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer is concerned about foreign state ownership of British news outlets but is not at this stage actively opposing the RedBird IMI bid, a person familiar with his thinking said, contradicting a statement that Shadow Culture Secretary Thangam Debbonaire made this weekend about the Labour party’s plans to oppose the takeover.(Adds comment from RedBird in fourth paragraph.)Most Read from Bloomberg BusinessweekAcademics Question ESG Studies That Helped Fuel Investing BoomLuxury Postnatal Retreats Draw Affluent Parents Around the USHow Apple Sank About $1 Billion a Year Into a Car It Never BuiltThe Battle to Unseat the Aeron, the World’s Most Coveted Office ChairHow Microsoft’s Bing Helps Maintain Beijing’s Great Firewall©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Bloomberg

Murdoch’s News Corp. Eyes Joint Telegraph Bid With Rivals

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/murdoch-news-corp-eyes-joint-194858905.html

3550b74e-9b62-3cb8-bc3c-c3b78dd199c6

NXPI

In this article, we will take a look at the 25 most valuable tech companies outside the US. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the global tech industry, you can go directly to 5 Most Valuable Tech Companies Outside The US.The Global Tech MarketThe United States is one of the world’s biggest tech markets in the world. Silicon Valley in California is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations. The US is a world leader in tech across a variety of sectors. According to estimates by SelectUSA and the International Trade Administration (ITA), approximately one-third of the $5 trillion global information technology (IT) market is situated within the United States. The US is also one of the most advanced countries in computer technology.However, there are also significant tech companies based outside the US. These giant technology corporations drive innovation and economic growth on a global level. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM), ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML), and SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) are some of the biggest tech companies outside the US that are pushing boundaries and shaping the future of the global tech industry.According to a report by MGI Research, global tech spending was $8.51 trillion in 2022. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.75% over a period of 5 years, pushing global tech spending to reach $11.47 trillion by 2026. The surge in demand for various technology solutions and applications, such as EdTech, FinTech, and MedTech, is a key factor driving growth in the global tech market. Businesses and organizations across various sectors are also increasingly investing in IT services, software products, and digital solutions.The importance of technology and innovation as a leading source of competitive advantage, coupled with significant investment in emerging technologies, is shaping the growth trajectory of the global tech market. As technology becomes increasingly integral to business operations, tech companies around the world are expected to experience enhanced growth opportunities.Story continuesA Quick Look at Some of the Biggest Tech Companies Outside the USSome of the most notable tech companies outside the US that are poised to reap the benefits of increased investments in technology are Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM), SAP SE (NYSE:SAP), and ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML).ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) is a Dutch multinational corporation that provides chipmakers with hardware, software, and related services. Specializing in the development and manufacturing of photolithography machines that are used to produce computer chips, the company is a leading supplier for the global semiconductor industry. ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) also ranks among the best tech stocks for the next 5 years. On January 24, ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) reported strong earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2023. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $5.66, surpassing EPS estimates by $0.46. The company’s revenue for the quarter grew by 12.24% year-over-year and amounted to $7.88 billion, ahead of market consensus by $372.82 million.Semiconductors are an essential component of modern electronic devices, enabling technological advancements in various sectors such as computing, communications, healthcare, transportation, clean energy, and many other applications. On February 6, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) announced that the company along with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, DENSO Corporation (TYO:6902), and Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) has announced additional investment in Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, Inc. (JASM), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited‘s (NYSE:TSM) majority-owned manufacturing subsidiary in Japan, to build a second semiconductor fabrication plant. The second fab is scheduled to begin operation by the end of 2027. The overall investment, exceeding $20 billion, with support from the Japanese government, aims to meet rising customer demand and improve overall cost structure and supply chain efficiency.Tech companies are also investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) due to the technology’s potential to revolutionize industries, create new opportunities, and drive sustainable growth. SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) is a German multinational software company and one of the world’s largest providers of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. On January 30, SAP SE (NYSE:SAP) announced a collaboration with the Sky Computing Lab at the University of California, Berkeley, to support the university's advanced research on interconnected cloud technology in the context of AI. This partnership will help accelerate SAP SE’s (NYSE:SAP) AI strategy aiming to develop hundreds of applications. The insights from UC Berkeley's research will contribute to shaping and enhancing the company's AI capabilities.Now that we have discussed briefly what’s going on in the global tech market, let’s take a look at the 25 most valuable tech companies outside the US.25 Most Valuable Tech Companies Outside The USAn entrepreneur presenting the latest technology innovation in electrical components.MethodologyIn this article, we have listed the 25 most valuable tech companies outside the US. To find the biggest tech companies in the world, we sifted through various sources including industry reports and consulted stock screeners from Yahoo Finance and Finviz. For this piece, we excluded all the American technology companies. We then used Yahoo Finance to find each company’s market capitalization as of February 9, 2024. For foreign companies and their market caps, we converted them to US dollars according to their respective exchange rates. Finally, we narrowed down our selection to rank the top 25 most valuable tech companies outside the US based on their market capitalization, which are listed below in ascending order.By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.25 Most Valuable Tech Companies Outside The US25. Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT)Market Capitalization: $47.46 BillionSpotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) is a Swedish entertainment technology company. It is one of the world’s most popular audio streaming and media service providers. The company ranks among the top 25 most valuable tech companies outside the US. Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) has a market capitalization of $47.46 billion as of February 9, 2024.24. MediaTek Inc. (TPE:2454)Market Capitalization: $47.51 BillionMediaTek Inc. (TPE:2454) is a Taiwanese fabless semiconductor company that ranks among the top tech companies outside the US. It is one of the world’s largest fabless semiconductor companies and a major provider of chips for wireless communications, electronic devices, and consumer multimedia products, among other things. As of February 9, 2024, MediaTek Inc. (TPE:2454) has a market capitalization of $47.51 billion.23. Adyen N.V. (AMS:ADYEN)Market Capitalization: $49.3 BillionAdyen N.V. (AMS:ADYEN) is a Dutch payment technology company. As a financial technology platform, it provides businesses around the world with end-to-end payment capabilities, data enhancements, and related financial products and services. Adyen N.V. (AMS:ADYEN) has a market capitalization of $49.3 billion as of February 9, 2024.22. Meituan (HKG:3690)Market Capitalization: $53.36 BillionMeituan (HKG:3690) is a Chinese tech-driven retail company. It provides a platform that uses technology to connect consumers and merchants. The company’s retail services also include entertainment, dining, delivery, travel, and other services. As of February 9, 2024, Meituan (HKG:3690) has a market capitalization of $53.36 billion.21. Atlassian Corporation (NASDAQ:TEAM)Market Capitalization: $55.02 BillionAtlassian Corporation (NASDAQ:TEAM) is an Australian-American software company that is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. It designs and develops various software products for software developers and project managers, among other groups. As one of the most valuable tech companies outside the US, Atlassian Corporation (NASDAQ:TEAM) has a market capitalization of $55.02 billion as of February 9, 2024.20. Constellation Software Inc. (TSE:CSU)Market Capitalization: $58.75 BillionConstellation Software Inc. (TSE:CSU) is a Canadian software company. It is an international provider of market-leading software and services to a number of public and private sector markets. With a market capitalization of $58.75 billion as of February 9, 2024, Constellation Software Inc. (TSE:CSU) ranks among the top 20 on our list of the most valuable tech companies outside the US.19. NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:NXPI)Market Capitalization: $60.2 BillionNXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:NXPI) is a Dutch semiconductor designer and manufacturer. The company provides technology solutions for the automotive, industrial, mobile, and communication infrastructure markets. As one of the top tech companies in the world, NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ:NXPI) has a market capitalization of $60.2 billion as of February 9, 2024.18. Dassault Systèmes SE (EPA:DSY)Market Capitalization: $63.72 BillionDassault Systèmes SE (EPA:DSY) is a French multinational software corporation. It specializes in the development of software for 3D product design, simulation, manufacturing, and other 3D-related products and services. Dassault Systèmes SE (EPA:DSY) has a market capitalization of $63.72 billion as of February 9, 2024.17. Nintendo Co. Ltd. (TYO:7974)Market Capitalization: $67.89 BillionNintendo Co. Ltd. (TYO:7974) is a Japanese multinational video game company. It is also engaged in the development, manufacture, and sale of video game consoles and home entertainment products. As one of the top most valuable tech companies outside the US, Nintendo Co. Ltd. (TYO:7974) has a market capitalization of $67.89 billion as of February 9, 2024.16. NetEase Inc. (NASDAQ:NTES)Market Capitalization: $68.76 BillionNetEase Inc. (NASDAQ:NTES) is a Chinese internet technology company. Centered around content, it is a major provider of online computer and mobile games, advertising services, and e-commerce platforms. NetEase Inc. (NASDAQ:NTES) has a market capitalization of $68.76 billion as of February 9, 2024.15. SK hynix Inc. (KRX:000660)Market Capitalization: $73.79 BillionSK hynix Inc. (KRX:000660) is a South Korean manufacturer of memory chips that ranks among the top 15 on our list of the most valuable tech companies outside the US. It is one of the world’s biggest semiconductor companies and one of the largest memory chipmakers. As of February 9, 2024, SK hynix Inc. (KRX:000660) has a market capitalization of $73.79 billion.14. MercadoLibre Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI)Market Capitalization: $88.08 BillionHeadquartered in Uruguay and incorporated in the US, MercadoLibre Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) is an Argentine company that is primarily focused on e-commerce, financial services, and related services. It is one of the biggest e-commerce and fintech companies in Latin America. MercadoLibre Inc. (NASDAQ:MELI) has a market capitalization of $88.08 billion as of February 9, 2024.13. Tokyo Electron Limited (TYO:8035)Market Capitalization: $92.28 BillionTokyo Electron Limited (TYO:8035) is a Japanese electronics and semiconductor company. As one of the top tech companies in the world, it develops and manufactures semiconductor production equipment and industrial electronics products. Tokyo Electron Limited (TYO:8035) has a market capitalization of $92.28 billion as of February 9, 2024.12. Keyence Corporation (TYO:6861)Market Capitalization: $107.89 BillionKeyence Corporation (TYO:6861) is a Japan-based direct sales organization that supplies industrial automation and inspection equipment. It develops and manufactures sensors, measuring systems, laser markers, microscopes, and machine vision systems. Keyence Corporation (TYO:6861) has a market capitalization of $107.89 billion as of February 9, 2024. It ranks 12th on our list of the most valuable tech companies outside the US.11. Shopify Inc. (NYSE:SHOP)Market Capitalization: $112.89 BillionShopify Inc. (NYSE:SHOP) is a Canadian multinational e-commerce company. It is a complete commerce platform that lets anyone start, manage, and scale an online store and business. As of February 9, 2024, Shopify Inc. (NYSE:SHOP) has a market capitalization of $112.89 billion.10. Schneider Electric S.E. (EPA:SU)Market Capitalization: $118.05 BillionSchneider Electric S.E. (EPA:SU) is a French multinational company that specializes in digital automation and energy management. It ranks among the top 10 on our list of the most valuable tech companies outside the US. Schneider Electric S.E. (EPA:SU) has a market capitalization of $118.05 as of February 9, 2024.9. Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARMH)Market Capitalization: $118.44 BillionArm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARMH) is a British semiconductor and software design company. As one of the top tech companies in the world, it offers microprocessors, systems intellectual property (IPs), graphics processing units, physical IP and associated systems IPs, software, tools, and other related services. As of February 9, 2024, Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARMH) has a market capitalization of $118.44 billion.8. Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SNE)Market Capitalization: $119.01 BillionSony Group Corporation (NYSE:SNE) is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation. The group is made up of entities such as Sony Corporation, Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Sony Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Sony Music Group, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Financial Group, and others. Sony Group Corporation (NYSE:SNE) is best known for its electronic products. As one of the most valuable companies outside the US, it has a market capitalization of $119.01 billion as of February 9, 2024.7. Pinduoduo Inc. (NASDAQ:PDD)Market Capitalization: $169.36 BillionPinduoduo Inc. (NASDAQ:PDD) is a Chinese online retailer with a focus on the agriculture sector. It is an online technology platform and marketplace that connects millions of agricultural producers with consumers. As of February 9, 2024, Pinduoduo Inc. (NASDAQ:PDD) has a market capitalization of $169.36 billion.6. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA)Market Capitalization: $180.05 BillionAlibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is a Chinese multinational technology company. It specializes in e-commerce, retail, and technology infrastructure. As one of the top tech companies in the world, it ranks 6th on our list of the most valuable tech companies outside the US. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) has a market capitalization of $180.05 billion as of February 9, 2024.Click to continue reading and see 5 Most Valuable Tech Companies Outside The US.Suggested Articles:30 Most Valuable Drug Companies in 202425 Most Valuable Oil Companies in the World30 Largest Companies in the World by RevenueDisclosure: None. 25 Most Valuable Tech Companies Outside The US is published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

25 Most Valuable Tech Companies Outside The US

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/25-most-valuable-tech-companies-204736790.html

6ccbc4d3-eca7-33f7-88e7-5cb6f96975e2