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ETSY

Etsy (ETSY) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.Shares of this online crafts marketplace have returned +6.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +4.7% change. The Zacks Internet - Services industry, to which Etsy belongs, has lost 1.2% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.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.We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.Etsy is expected to post earnings of $0.51 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -3.8%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -6.3%.The consensus earnings estimate of $2.68 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +10.7%. This estimate has changed -0.5% over the last 30 days.For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $3.06 indicates a change of +14.3% from what Etsy is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -0.3%.Story continuesHaving 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, Etsy is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:12 Month EPSRevenue Growth ForecastEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.In the case of Etsy, the consensus sales estimate of $647.91 million for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +1.1%. The $2.86 billion and $3.08 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +3.9% and +7.7%, respectively.Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryEtsy reported revenues of $842.32 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +4.4%. EPS of $0.78 for the same period compares with $0.77 a year ago.Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $827.4 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.8%. The EPS surprise was 0%.Over the last four quarters, Etsy surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time 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.Etsy is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.Bottom LineThe 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 Etsy. 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 reportEtsy, Inc. (ETSY) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Etsy, Inc. (ETSY) Is a Trending Stock: Facts to Know Before Betting on It

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/etsy-inc-etsy-trending-stock-140010956.html

e6337650-4633-3a39-ae68-05ee6b148969

ETSY

Investing in growth stocks requires a lot of patience and a tolerance for pain. A growth stock could go up much faster than the market, but it could also fall a lot harder.Such is the case of Etsy (NASDAQ: ETSY). The once high-flying stock, fueled by a deluge of early pandemic purchases, is currently suffering a massive hangover in its earnings three years later. Shares currently trade around 77% below their all-time high reached in 2021.To be sure, Etsy's most recent earnings report was disappointing. Gross merchandise sales (GMS) fell 0.7% year over year, ending the full year down 1.2%. Guidance wasn't very inspiring, either, with management expecting another year-over-year decline in GMS.But right now could be a great time to buy Etsy stock. Here's why.A durable competitive advantageEtsy's position as the leading marketplace for non-commoditized and customizable products is untouchable. And that competitive advantage shows up in its finances. Despite the declining merchandise sales in the back half of the year, Etsy still managed to grow revenue. Revenue climbed 4.3% in the fourth quarter and 7.1% for the full year.How can a marketplace grow revenue despite producing fewer sales for merchants? Simple: It's taking a bigger bite of the apple. Etsy's seller fees increased from 5% to 6.5% in 2022. It's also pushing more sellers to use its advertising platform. As a result, the take rate has climbed from 17.8% before the fee increase to 21% in its most recent quarter.One might think increasing the take rate would motivate sellers to find another marketplace to sell their goods on, but that hasn't been the case. While it initially saw some pushback, active sellers have increased from 7,654 before the price hike to 9,035 by the end of 2023. That speaks to the fact that Etsy is the place where consumers shop for customizable and other non-commoditized products.The competition is winning right now, but the tide will turnEtsy's fourth-quarter earnings presentation included a couple of slides comparing its performance relative to the overall e-commerce industry, as well as in select categories.Story continuesThe recent pattern is clear. Against the backdrop of the overall e-commerce market, Etsy has been losing share over the last two years after several years of well-above-average growth. But if you zoom in on categories like apparel, toys and games, and party supplies, Etsy is doing much better than pure-play e-commerce companies in those areas.CEO Josh Silverman provided more context during Etsy's earnings call. He said Amazon, Walmart, Temu, and SHEIN are the only e-commerce companies gaining share right now. And the reason they're currently winning is because they're able to offer better prices than anyone else either through economies of scale or simply outspending everyone. (Temu also dropped about $50 million on Super Bowl ads and promotions.)Currently, there's a preference for the cheapest version of a product. There's a lot of economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures are still very strong. But Silverman believes the tide will turn eventually, if not soon. And when you look at how Etsy holds up against direct competitors in its biggest categories, it's encouraging to know that when people return to more specialty retailers, Etsy stands to benefit more than others.The stock price is dirt cheapAfter several quarters of disappointing gross merchandise sales growth, investors have severely punished Etsy stock. And while it might not have deserved the sky-high valuation it was trading for in late 2021, the stock looks downright cheap today.Shares currently trade at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 19.4. That's lower than the S&P 500 despite the fact that analysts are expecting average earnings growth of 22.6% over the next five years. That also means Etsy's PEG ratio is less than 1, which is a sign the stock is undervalued.Etsy is also cheap on a price-to-sales measurement. It trades for less than 3 times forward sales estimates. As revenue reaccelerates from a turnaround in GMS and higher take rates, that multiple should prove to be far below fair value.To be sure, an investment in Etsy will require patience. But management has done well to hang on to its pandemic-fueled gains and improve its standing in hand-crafted and non-commoditized products. As long as that position stays intact, investors should feel comfortable holding the stock, even if its price is volatile.Should you invest $1,000 in Etsy right now?Before you buy stock in Etsy, 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 Etsy 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. Adam Levy has positions in Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Etsy, and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.1 Incredible Growth Stock Down 77% You'll Regret Not Buying on the Dip was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

1 Incredible Growth Stock Down 77% You'll Regret Not Buying on the Dip

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-incredible-growth-stock-down-141500222.html

f5357e53-f894-3b48-8c9a-c3f79fa3182c

ETSY

Etsy (ETSY) 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 online crafts marketplace have returned -7.4%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.7% change. During this period, the Zacks Internet - Services industry, which Etsy falls in, has lost 6.7%. 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.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.Etsy is expected to post earnings of $0.49 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -7.6%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -10.1%.The consensus earnings estimate of $2.61 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +7.9%. This estimate has changed -3.5% over the last 30 days.Story continuesFor the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $3.06 indicates a change of +17.3% from what Etsy is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -1.3%.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 #3 (Hold) for Etsy.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 Etsy, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $648.02 million indicates a year-over-year change of +1.1%. For the current and next fiscal years, $2.86 billion and $3.08 billion estimates indicate +4% and +7.8% changes, respectively.Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryEtsy reported revenues of $842.32 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +4.4%. EPS of $0.78 for the same period compares with $0.77 a year ago.Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $827.4 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +1.8%. The EPS surprise was 0%.Over the last four quarters, Etsy surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time 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.Etsy is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with 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 Etsy. 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 reportEtsy, Inc. (ETSY) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Etsy, Inc. (ETSY) is Attracting Investor Attention: Here is What You Should Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/etsy-inc-etsy-attracting-investor-130011568.html

09c8d473-bd46-37bb-99d6-f375c4ee0454

EVRG

KANSAS CITY, Mo., February 08, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVRG) announced today it will release its 2023 fourth quarter earnings Thursday, February 29, 2024, before market open. The company plans to host its quarterly conference call and audio webcast to discuss the results Thursday, February 29, 2024.Event:Evergy Q4 2023 Conference Call and Webcast  Date:February 29, 2024  Time:9:00 a.m. Eastern (8:00 a.m. Central)  Location:1) To view the webcast and presentation slides, please go to investors.evergy.com 2) To access via phone, analysts will need to register using this link where they will be provided a phone number and access codeIn conjunction with the earnings release and conference call, the company plans to post on its website supplemental financial information related to fourth quarter 2023 performance. The materials will be available under Supplemental Materials in the Investors section of the company website at investors.evergy.com.A replay of the conference call will be available on the Evergy website at investors.evergy.com.About Evergy, Inc.Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVRG), serves 1.7 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. Evergy’s mission is to empower a better future. Our focus remains on producing, transmitting and delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for the benefit of our stakeholders. Today, about half of Evergy’s power comes from carbon-free sources, creating more reliable energy with less impact to the environment. We value innovation and adaptability to give our customers better ways to manage their energy use, to create a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace for our employees, and to add value for our investors. Headquartered in Kansas City, our employees are active members of the communities we serve.For more information about Evergy, Inc., visit us at www.evergy.com.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240208919054/en/Story continuesContactsMedia Contact: Gina PenzigDirector, Corporate CommunicationsPhone: [email protected] Media line: 888-613-0003Investor Contact: Pete FlynnDirector, Investor RelationsPhone: [email protected]

Business Wire

Evergy Schedules Conference Call to Discuss 4th Quarter Results

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/evergy-schedules-conference-call-discuss-160000063.html

cecd3569-e3cd-3e2e-9deb-e02af593f34b

EVRG

While some investors are already well versed in financial metrics (hat tip), this article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE) and why it is important. To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, we'll use ROE to better understand Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ:EVRG).Return on equity or ROE is an important factor to be considered by a shareholder because it tells them how effectively their capital is being reinvested. In other words, it is a profitability ratio which measures the rate of return on the capital provided by the company's shareholders. View our latest analysis for Evergy How To Calculate Return On Equity?The formula for ROE is:Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) ÷ Shareholders' EquitySo, based on the above formula, the ROE for Evergy is:7.1% = US$693m ÷ US$9.8b (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2023).The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. Another way to think of that is that for every $1 worth of equity, the company was able to earn $0.07 in profit.Does Evergy Have A Good ROE?One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. As shown in the graphic below, Evergy has a lower ROE than the average (9.0%) in the Electric Utilities industry classification.roeThat's not what we like to see. That being said, a low ROE is not always a bad thing, especially if the company has low leverage as this still leaves room for improvement if the company were to take on more debt. When a company has low ROE but high debt levels, we would be cautious as the risk involved is too high. Our risks dashboard should have the 2 risks we have identified for Evergy.How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity?Companies usually need to invest money to grow their profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the use of debt will improve the returns, but will not change the equity. Thus the use of debt can improve ROE, albeit along with extra risk in the case of stormy weather, metaphorically speaking.Story continuesCombining Evergy's Debt And Its 7.1% Return On EquityEvergy clearly uses a high amount of debt to boost returns, as it has a debt to equity ratio of 1.31. The combination of a rather low ROE and significant use of debt is not particularly appealing. Investors should think carefully about how a company might perform if it was unable to borrow so easily, because credit markets do change over time.ConclusionReturn on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. Companies that can achieve high returns on equity without too much debt are generally of good quality. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt.Having said that, while ROE is a useful indicator of business quality, you'll have to look at a whole range of factors to determine the right price to buy a stock. The rate at which profits are likely to grow, relative to the expectations of profit growth reflected in the current price, must be considered, too. So you might want to check this FREE visualization of analyst forecasts for the company.If you would prefer check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.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.

Should You Be Concerned About Evergy, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:EVRG) ROE?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/concerned-evergy-inc-nasdaq-evrg-140759762.html

871f8d97-3254-3505-9317-59abbeb774fb

EVRG

Evergy (NASDAQ:EVRG) Full Year 2023 ResultsKey Financial ResultsRevenue: US$5.51b (down 6.0% from FY 2022).Net income: US$731.3m (down 2.8% from FY 2022).Profit margin: 13% (in line with FY 2022).EPS: US$3.18 (down from US$3.27 in FY 2022).earnings-and-revenue-growthAll figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) periodEvergy Revenues and Earnings Miss ExpectationsRevenue missed analyst estimates by 4.1%. Earnings per share (EPS) also missed analyst estimates by 14%.Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 4.1% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 3.8% growth forecast for the Electric Utilities industry in the US.Performance of the American Electric Utilities industry.The company's shares are down 2.9% from a week ago.Risk AnalysisYou should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Evergy (including 1 which makes us a bit uncomfortable).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.

Evergy Full Year 2023 Earnings: Misses Expectations

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/evergy-full-2023-earnings-misses-132504205.html

a278a6c4-72bb-31a1-a55c-04d89ab8ffa1

EVRG

Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ:EVRG) just released its latest annual report and things are not looking great. It wasn't a great result overall - while revenue fell marginally short of analyst estimates at US$5.5b, statutory earnings missed forecasts by 14%, coming in at just US$3.17 per share. Earnings are an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance, look at what the analysts are forecasting for next year, and see if there's been a change in sentiment towards the company. We've gathered the most recent statutory forecasts to see whether the analysts have changed their earnings models, following these results. See our latest analysis for Evergy earnings-and-revenue-growthAfter the latest results, the five analysts covering Evergy are now predicting revenues of US$5.89b in 2024. If met, this would reflect a credible 7.0% improvement in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are predicted to surge 21% to US$3.84. In the lead-up to this report, the analysts had been modelling revenues of US$5.89b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$3.83 in 2024. So it's pretty clear that, although the analysts have updated their estimates, there's been no major change in expectations for the business following the latest results.There were no changes to revenue or earnings estimates or the price target of US$55.90, suggesting that the company has met expectations in its recent result. There's another way to think about price targets though, and that's to look at the range of price targets put forward by analysts, because a wide range of estimates could suggest a diverse view on possible outcomes for the business. Currently, the most bullish analyst values Evergy at US$65.00 per share, while the most bearish prices it at US$51.00. Still, with such a tight range of estimates, it suggeststhe analysts have a pretty good idea of what they think the company is worth.These estimates are interesting, but it can be useful to paint some more broad strokes when seeing how forecasts compare, both to the Evergy's past performance and to peers in the same industry. It's clear from the latest estimates that Evergy's rate of growth is expected to accelerate meaningfully, with the forecast 7.0% annualised revenue growth to the end of 2024 noticeably faster than its historical growth of 3.9% p.a. over the past five years. Compare this with other companies in the same industry, which are forecast to grow their revenue 3.8% annually. Factoring in the forecast acceleration in revenue, it's pretty clear that Evergy is expected to grow much faster than its industry.Story continuesThe Bottom LineThe most obvious conclusion is that there's been no major change in the business' prospects in recent times, with the analysts holding their earnings forecasts steady, in line with previous estimates. Fortunately, they also reconfirmed their revenue numbers, suggesting that it's tracking in line with expectations. Additionally, our data suggests that revenue is 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.With that in mind, we wouldn't be too quick to come to a conclusion on Evergy. Long-term earnings power is much more important than next year's profits. We have estimates - from multiple Evergy analysts - going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here.Even so, be aware that Evergy is showing 2 warning signs in our investment analysis , and 1 of those makes us a bit uncomfortable...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.

Evergy, Inc. Just Missed EPS By 14%: Here's What Analysts Think Will Happen Next

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/evergy-inc-just-missed-eps-132700567.html

c52ce53b-a358-37c0-b3df-57e620c1de25

EVRG

KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 08, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Evergy, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVRG) announced today that Mark Ruelle will not stand for reelection at Evergy’s annual meeting on May 7, 2024 as he retires from Evergy’s board of directors and his role as chairman at the end of his term. David Campbell, Evergy’s president and chief executive officer, has been nominated by the board of directors to assume the role of chairman of the board following Evergy’s annual meeting.Ruelle has served as non-executive chairman of the board since 2018, when predecessor companies Westar Energy, Inc. and Great Plains Energy merged to form Evergy. Prior to the merger, he served as a member of the board of directors, president and chief executive officer of Westar Energy since August 2011."Mark has provided outstanding leadership as chairman of our board for the past six years since the merger that created Evergy," Campbell said. "His vision and experience had a significant positive impact on the company’s success, and he has served as a highly valued partner and mentor. We thank Mark for his more than 30 years of exceptional service and leadership at both Westar and Evergy and congratulate him as he begins his next chapter."Campbell has served as Evergy’s president and CEO since January 2021 and will add the role of chairman of the board of directors to his responsibilities following the company’s annual meeting.Ruelle, who led the search committee that recruited Campbell to Evergy, noted, "Evergy, our employees, customers, communities and shareholders are in great hands with David at the helm. It’s appropriate that he lead the company moving forward in the combined roles of chairman, president and chief executive officer.""It’s been an honor to serve Evergy and its predecessor companies for more than three decades," Ruelle continued. "Seeking out and making a living in this industry, with this company, was my good fortune. Nothing in a career is so gratifying as to work alongside highly skilled craftsmen and women and dedicated business professionals to provide a service that none of us can imagine living without."Story continuesAdditionally, Thomas D. Hyde, Evergy’s current lead independent director, will not stand for reelection this year as he also retires from the board in May following 12 years of service. B. Anthony Isaac, longstanding board member from Wichita, has been selected by the board of directors to step into the role of lead independent director."Tom’s vast career experience informed the judgment and wisdom that he contributed to all of our board deliberations," Campbell said. "We thank Tom for the leadership and counsel he provided to our board and management and welcome Tony to his new role as lead independent director."These changes will be reflected in the board of directors slate that will be submitted for approval at the company’s annual meeting in May 2024 and take effect following the annual meeting if approved by the shareholders.About EvergyEvergy, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVRG), serves 1.7 million customers in Kansas and Missouri. Evergy’s mission is to empower a better future. Our focus remains on producing, transmitting and delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for the benefit of our stakeholders. Today, about half of Evergy’s power comes from carbon-free sources, creating more reliable energy with less impact to the environment. We value innovation and adaptability to give our customers better ways to manage their energy use, to create a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace for our employees, and to add value for our investors. Headquartered in Kansas City, our employees are active members of the communities we serve.For more information about Evergy, visit us at www.evergy.com.Forward Looking StatementsStatements made in this document that are not based on historical facts are forward-looking, may involve risks and uncertainties, and are intended to be as of the date when made. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Evergy's strategic plan, including, without limitation, those related to earnings per share, dividend, operating and maintenance expense and capital investment goals; the outcome of legislative efforts and regulatory and legal proceedings; future energy demand; future power prices; plans with respect to existing and potential future generation resources; the availability and cost of generation resources and energy storage; target emissions reductions; and other matters relating to expected financial performance or affecting future operations. Forward-looking statements are often accompanied by forward-looking words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "estimates," "forecasts," "should," "could," "may," "seeks," "intends," "proposed," "projects," "planned," "target," "outlook," "remain confident," "goal," "will" or other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information.In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Evergy Companies are providing a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to: economic and weather conditions and any impact on sales, prices and costs; changes in business strategy or operations; the impact of federal, state and local political, legislative, judicial and regulatory actions or developments, including deregulation, re-regulation, securitization and restructuring of the electric utility industry; decisions of regulators regarding, among other things, customer rates and the prudency of operational decisions such as capital expenditures and asset retirements; changes in applicable laws, regulations, rules, principles or practices, or the interpretations thereof, governing tax, accounting and environmental matters, including air and water quality and waste management and disposal; the impact of climate change, including increased frequency and severity of significant weather events and the extent to which counterparties are willing to do business with, finance the operations of or purchase energy from the Evergy Companies due to the fact that the Evergy Companies operate coal-fired generation; prices and availability of electricity and natural gas in wholesale markets; market perception of the energy industry and the Evergy Companies; the impact of future pandemic health events on, among other things, sales, results of operations, financial position, liquidity and cash flows, and also on operational issues, such as supply chain issues and the availability and ability of the Evergy Companies' employees and suppliers to perform the functions that are necessary to operate the Evergy Companies; changes in the energy trading markets in which the Evergy Companies participate, including retroactive repricing of transactions by regional transmission organizations (RTO) and independent system operators; financial market conditions and performance, disruptions in the banking industry, including volatility in interest rates and credit spreads and in availability and cost of capital and the effects on derivatives and hedges, nuclear decommissioning trust and pension plan assets and costs; impairments of long-lived assets or goodwill; credit ratings; inflation rates; effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures and the ability of counterparties to satisfy their contractual commitments; impact of physical and cybersecurity breaches, criminal activity, terrorist attacks, acts of war and other disruptions to the Evergy Companies' facilities or information technology infrastructure or the facilities and infrastructure of third-party service providers on which the Evergy Companies rely; impact of geopolitical conflicts on the global energy market; ability to carry out marketing and sales plans; cost, availability, quality and timely provision of equipment, supplies, labor and fuel; impacts of tariffs; ability to achieve generation goals and the occurrence and duration of planned and unplanned generation outages; delays and cost increases of generation, transmission, distribution or other projects; the Evergy Companies' ability to manage their transmission and distribution development plans and transmission joint ventures; the inherent risks associated with the ownership and operation of a nuclear facility, including environmental, health, safety, regulatory and financial risks; workforce risks, including those related to the Evergy Companies' ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, maintain satisfactory relationships with their labor unions and manage costs of, or changes in, wages, retirement, health care and other benefits; disruption, costs and uncertainties caused by or related to the actions of individuals or entities, such as activist shareholders or special interest groups, that seek to influence Evergy's strategic plan, financial results or operations; the impact of changing expectations and demands of the Evergy Companies' customers, regulators, investors and stakeholders, including heightened emphasis on environmental, social and governance concerns; the possibility that strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, and long-term financial plans, may not create the value that they are expected to achieve in a timely manner or at all; difficulties in maintaining relationships with customers, employees, regulators or suppliers; and other risks and uncertainties.This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors. You should also carefully consider the information contained in the Evergy Companies' other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed from time to time in current, quarterly and annual reports filed by the Evergy Companies with the SEC. New factors emerge from time to time, and it's not possible for the Evergy Companies to predict all such factors, nor can the Evergy Companies assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in any forward-looking statement. Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. The Evergy Companies undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240308954979/en/ContactsInvestor Contact: Pete FlynnDirector, Investor RelationsPhone: [email protected] Media Contact: Gina PenzigDirector, Corporate CommunicationsPhone: [email protected] Media line: 888-613-0003­

Business Wire

Evergy Chairman Mark Ruelle to Retire; Evergy President and CEO David Campbell to Serve as Chairman of the Board

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/evergy-chairman-mark-ruelle-retire-210500984.html

58fe18c0-89cb-35d2-9aa1-e1a158f9175c

EW

IRVINE, Calif., February 23, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW) today announced it will participate in the TD Cowen Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.Bernard Zovighian, chief executive officer, and Scott Ullem, chief financial officer, are scheduled to present at 10:30 a.m. ET. A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Edwards Lifesciences investor relations website at http://ir.edwards.com/, with an archived version accessible later the same day.About Edwards LifesciencesEdwards Lifesciences is the global leader of patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring. We are driven by a passion for patients, dedicated to improving and enhancing lives through partnerships with clinicians and stakeholders across the global healthcare landscape. For more information, visit Edwards.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences, and the stylized E logo are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223947834/en/ContactsMedia Contact: Amy Hytowitz, 949-250-5070Investor Contact: Mark Wilterding, 949-250-6826

Business Wire

Edwards Lifesciences to Present at the 44th Annual TD Cowen Healthcare Conference

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/edwards-lifesciences-present-44th-annual-120500174.html

b273791f-2db0-3b64-8035-cf0291ac89ab

EW

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation EW is gaining from its commitment to advance its leadership position in surgical structural heart therapies. The SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA platform also continues its strong uptake in the United States.Elevated expenses and foreign exchange headwinds are a concern for EW’s business.In the past year, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock has gained 13.4% compared with 11.2% rise of the industry and 30.8% growth of the S&P 500 composite.The renowned global medical device company has a market capitalization of $52.75 billion. Edward Lifesciences’ earnings surpassed estimates in two of the trailing four quarters and broke even in two, delivering an average surprise of 0.80%.Let’s delve deeper.UpsidesSurgical Structural Heart, a Promising Business: The business pioneered the innovative RESILIA tissue, which is backed by more than 40 years of the company’s tissue technology leadership. The RESILIA portfolio has been widely adopted because of the excellent durability of its proven tissue technology. The company is firmly optimistic about the future of this technology as it continues to expand the body of RESILIA evidence. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the business benefitted from the strong global adoption of Edwards' premium RESILIA technology and overall procedural volumes. By the end of 2024, Edwards expects to treat half a million patients with the RESILIA-based heart valve.TAVR Holds Potential:  In the past few quarters, TAVR sales have been driven by the strong performance of the Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra valve in the United States, Europe and the Rest of the World, the Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA valve in the United States and the Edwards SAPIEN 3 in Japan. The business closed the fourth quarter of 2023 with strong 12% year-over-year growth, driven by a broad portfolio of innovative therapies.Strong Solvency and Capital Structure: Edwards Lifesciences has a solid balance sheet position. As of the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, cash and cash equivalents (including short-term investments) totaled $1.64 billion, with no near-term debt payable. Long-term debt of $596.8 million remained almost in line with the reported figure at the end of 2022.Story continuesZacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchDuring the fourth quarter of 2023, the company repurchased 6.0 million shares through an accelerated repurchase agreement and a pre-established 10b5-1 plan. As of Dec 31, 2023, it has approximately $1 billion remaining under the current share repurchase authorization.DownsidesForeign Exchange Headwinds: Foreign exchange is a major headwind for Edwards Lifesciences due to a considerable percentage of its revenues coming from outside the United States (in 2023, 42% of the company’s net sales were derived from international regions). We remain worried about the significant challenges Edward Lifesciences had to face owing to the unfavorable impact of foreign currency that has been affecting the company’s gross margin in the past few quarters.Competitive Landscape: The medical technology industry is highly competitive, with the presence of several competent players. In TAVR, the company’s primary competitors include Medtronic, Abbott Laboratories and Boston Scientific Corporation. Within TMTT, apart from Abbott, there are a considerable number of large and small companies with development efforts in these fields.Estimate TrendThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Edwards Lifesciences’ 2024 earnings per share (EPS) has moved down from $2.81 to $2.76 in the past 90 days.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2024 revenues is pegged at $6.52 billion. This suggests an 8.5% rise from the year-ago reported number.Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Stryker Corporation SYK, Cencora, Inc. COR and Cardinal Health CAH.Stryker, carrying a Zacks Rank #2, reported a fourth-quarter 2023 adjusted EPS of $3.46, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.8%. Revenues of $5.8 billion outpaced the consensus estimate by 3.8%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Stryker has an estimated earnings growth rate of 11.5% for 2025 compared with the S&P 500’s 9.9%. The company’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average being 5.1%.Cencora, carrying a Zacks Rank #2, reported a first-quarter fiscal 2024 adjusted EPS of $3.28, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 14.7%. Revenues of $72.3 billion outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.1%.COR has an earnings yield of 5.75% compared with the industry’s 1.85%. The company’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average being 6.7%.Cardinal Health, carrying a Zacks Rank #1, reported second-quarter fiscal 2024 adjusted earnings of $1.82, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 16.7%. Revenues of $57.45 billion improved 11.6% on a year-over-year basis and also topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.1%.CAH has a long-term estimated earnings growth rate of 15.3% compared with the industry’s 11.8% growth. The company’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 15.6%.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 reportStryker Corporation (SYK) : Free Stock Analysis ReportCardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) : Free Stock Analysis ReportEdwards Lifesciences Corporation (EW) : Free Stock Analysis ReportCencora, Inc. (COR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Here's Why You Should Buy Edward Lifesciences (EW) Stock Now

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-why-buy-edward-lifesciences-165400930.html

7a5b7e47-30e8-3dec-84e7-e4dda947b86e

EW

How much a stock's price changes over time is a significant driver for most investors. Not only can price performance impact your portfolio, but it can help you compare investment results across sectors and industries as well.Another thing that can drive investing is the fear of missing out, or FOMO. This particularly applies to tech giants and popular consumer-facing stocks.What if you'd invested in Edwards Lifesciences (EW) ten years ago? It may not have been easy to hold on to EW for all that time, but if you did, how much would your investment be worth today?Edwards Lifesciences' Business In-DepthWith that in mind, let's take a look at Edwards Lifesciences' main business drivers.Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, headquartered in Irvine, CA, deals in products and technologies aimed at treating advanced cardiovascular diseases, especially structural heart disease in critically ill patients. The company is the world’s leading manufacturer of tissue heart valves and repair products used to replace or repair a patient's diseased or defective heart valve.Edwards is also a leading player in hemodynamic monitoring systems used to measure a patient's cardiovascular function in the hospital setting. Its products and technologies are grouped into four main areas:Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): Comprised 64.6% of total revenues in 2023, 10.3% growth from 2022. The segment includes the SAPIEN family of valves used to treat heart valve diseases using catheter-based approaches for patients who have severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and certain patients with congenital heart disease.Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Therapies (TMTT) (3.3%, up 70.2%): This consists of the PASCAL PRECISION and the Cardioband transcatheter valve repair systems for mitral and tricuspid valve repair, which are commercially available in Europe. Presently, the system is commercially available in the United States and Japan for degenerative mitral regurgitation patients.Story continuesSurgical Structural Heart (16.6%; up 11.9%): This primarily comprises tissue heart valves and heart valve repair products for the surgical repair or replacement of a patient's heart valve. The portfolio also includes a diverse line of products used during minimally invasive surgical procedures and cannulae, embolic protection devices and other products used during cardiopulmonary bypass. The new MITRIS RESILIA valve is now commercially available in the United States and Japan. Critical Care (15.5%, up 8.5%): This includes pulmonary artery catheters, disposable pressure transducers and advanced monitoring systems, balloon catheter-based products, surgical clips and inserts. The HemoSphere monitoring platform displays valuable physiological information. Edwards’ latest algorithm, Acumen Assisted Fluid Management software, provides patient-specific fluid suggestions to help keep patientsin an optimal range during surgery.Bottom LineAnyone can invest, but building a successful investment portfolio takes a combination of a few things: research, patience, and a little bit of risk. So, if you had invested in Edwards Lifesciences a decade ago, you're probably feeling pretty good about your investment today.According to our calculations, a $1000 investment made in March 2014 would be worth $7,670.66, or a 667.07% gain, as of March 11, 2024. Investors should keep in mind that this return excludes dividends but includes price appreciation.In comparison, the S&P 500 gained 172.82% and the price of gold went up 55.27% over the same time frame.Analysts are anticipating more upside for EW.Edwards Lifesciences exited 2023 with substantial growth across each of its four product groups. The company is committed to advancing its leadership in surgical structural heart therapies. The strategic spin-off of Critical Care aims to boost the company’s R&D and innovations and enable a sharpened focus on structural heart disease. Within TMTT, the ongoing global expansion of the PASCAL Precision platform and the European launch of the EVOQUE system are hailed as significant milestones. The SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA platform also continues its strong uptake in the United States. In addition to a strong and flexible balance sheet, the company frequently rewards its stakeholders via share repurchases. Meanwhile, Edwards’ soaring operational expenses are hurting the performance of its key metrics. Adverse currency impacts are concerning.Over the past four weeks, shares have rallied 8.39%, and there have been 8 higher earnings estimate revisions in the past two months for fiscal 2024 compared to none lower. The consensus estimate has moved up as well.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 reportEdwards Lifesciences Corporation (EW) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Here's How Much a $1000 Investment in Edwards Lifesciences Made 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-much-1000-investment-edwards-123005944.html

83cdf691-4e57-3cb7-b41f-f1a8a3804c79

EW

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE: EW) announced today at Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT) 2024 the compelling results from two large, real-world studies based on TVT Registry data that demonstrated continued excellent outcomes for patients treated with the Edwards SAPIEN valve platform.A study of Edwards’ latest TAVR technology, the SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA valve, found lower rates of paravalvular leak (PVL) at 30 days, lower echo-derived gradients and larger effective orifice areas across all valve sizes when compared to the SAPIEN 3 and SAPIEN 3 Ultra valves. These data were presented yesterday during a podium presentation and simultaneously published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC): Cardiovascular Interventions. In a second study presented during the late-breaking clinical trials session, small Edwards SAPIEN TAVR valves demonstrated equally excellent outcomes at 3 years as compared to larger SAPIEN TAVR valve sizes."These real-world data further add to the robust body of evidence on the performance of Edwards SAPIEN TAVR and highlight the meaningful advancements of the SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA valve, which provides patients with severe aortic stenosis the leading option for true lifetime management of their heart valve disease," said Larry Wood, Edwards’ corporate vice president and group president, transcatheter aortic valve replacement and surgical structural heart.Real-World Results of the SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA ValveIn a study of real-world evidence of patients from the TVT Registry, researchers compared the outcomes of more than 10,000 patients across more than 800 sites in the United States treated with the SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA valve to those receiving SAPIEN 3 Ultra and SAPIEN 3 valves using procedural and hemodynamic data and clinical outcomes for propensity-matched cohorts.The study found that all Edwards TAVR platforms demonstrated excellent PVL results. Notably, there was a statistically significant reduction in PVL for the 29 mm SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA valve as compared to the 29 mm SAPIEN 3, with 88.3% of patients exhibiting no PVL and only 10.7% of patients exhibiting mild PVL. The SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA valve was also associated with significantly lower echocardiography-derived mean gradients and larger effective orifice areas across all four valve sizes with low rates of all-cause mortality, cardiac death, all stroke, life-threatening bleeding, major vascular complications, and permanent pacemaker implantation in-hospital or at 30 days.Story continuesLate-Breaking Clinical Results Comparing Small Edwards TAVR Valves to Larger ValvesAn analysis of 8,100 propensity matched patients across more than 800 sites in the United States found that patients treated with a 20mm Edwards SAPIEN valve demonstrated excellent all-cause mortality and stroke outcomes at 3-years, equivalent to those receiving 23, 26 and 29mm SAPIEN valve sizes. Among mortality indicators, researchers concluded that while PVL and new permanent pacemaker implantation were both associated with increased mortality, the relationship between post-procedural echo-derived mean gradients and clinical outcomes is nonlinear and more complex."This examination of these real-world data gives us important insights into the actual performance of small Edwards valves and reaffirms the excellent outcomes for patients receiving SAPIEN TAVR, regardless of valve size," said Amr Abbas, MD, Professor of Medicine at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Director of Structural Heart at Corewell Health East, William Beaumont University Hospital and principal investigator in the small SAPIEN valve study.About Edwards LifesciencesEdwards Lifesciences is the global leader of patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring. We are driven by a passion for patients, dedicated to improving and enhancing lives through partnerships with clinicians and stakeholders across the global healthcare landscape. For more information, visit Edwards.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements made by Mr. Wood and statements regarding expected product benefits, patient outcomes, post-treatment reduction of invasive procedures, objectives and expectations and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management of the company and are believed to be reasonable, though they are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statement. Investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements.Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements based on a number of factors as detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings, along with important safety information about our products, may be found at Edwards.com.Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences, the stylized E logo, Edwards SAPIEN, Edwards SAPIEN 3, Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra, RESILIA, SAPIEN, SAPIEN 3, and SAPIEN 3 Ultra are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311956441/en/ContactsMedia Contact: Howard Wright, 949-250-2790Investor Contact: Mark Wilterding, 949-250-6826

Business Wire

Large, Real-world Studies Demonstrate Continued Excellent Outcomes for Patients Receiving Edwards SAPIEN TAVR

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/large-real-world-studies-demonstrate-180000533.html

3e676598-9c38-310d-9006-532ba1f913e6

EXC

The board of Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ:EXC) has announced that it will be paying its dividend of $0.38 on the 15th of March, an increased payment from last year's comparable dividend. Based on this payment, the dividend yield for the company will be 4.2%, which is fairly typical for the industry. See our latest analysis for Exelon Exelon's Dividend Is Well Covered By EarningsWe like to see a healthy dividend yield, but that is only helpful to us if the payment can continue. Based on the last payment, Exelon's earnings were much higher than the dividend, but it wasn't converting those earnings into cash flow. No cash flows could definitely make returning cash to shareholders difficult, or at least mean the balance sheet will come under pressure.Over the next year, EPS is forecast to expand by 20.6%. Assuming the dividend continues along recent trends, we think the payout ratio could be 52% by next year, which is in a pretty sustainable range.historic-dividendDividend VolatilityThe company's dividend history has been marked by instability, with at least one cut in the last 10 years. Since 2014, the annual payment back then was $1.24, compared to the most recent full-year payment of $1.52. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 2.1% a year over that time. We're glad to see the dividend has risen, but with a limited rate of growth and fluctuations in the payments the total shareholder return may be limited.Dividend Growth May Be Hard To AchieveWith a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to evaluate if earnings per share is growing, which could point to a growing dividend in the future. Earnings per share has been crawling upwards at 2.4% per year. Growth of 2.4% per annum is not particularly high, which might explain why the company is paying out a higher proportion of earnings. This could mean the dividend doesn't have the growth potential we look for going into the future.Story continuesOur Thoughts On Exelon's DividendOverall, this is probably not a great income stock, even though the dividend is being raised at the moment. While the low payout ratio is a redeeming feature, this is offset by the minimal cash to cover the payments. We would probably look elsewhere for an income investment.Investors generally tend to favour companies with a consistent, stable dividend policy as opposed to those operating an irregular one. However, there are other things to consider for investors when analysing stock performance. For example, we've identified 2 warning signs for Exelon (1 is a bit concerning!) that you should be aware of before investing. Looking for more high-yielding dividend ideas? Try our collection of 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.

Exelon (NASDAQ:EXC) Has Announced That It Will Be Increasing Its Dividend To $0.38

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/exelon-nasdaq-exc-announced-increasing-123419934.html

4594e30d-7d15-3692-9261-333136185eb6

EXC

(Bloomberg) -- Purging fossil fuels from the US grid is expensive, and pushback over rising customer utility bills risks slowing the transition toward renewable power, according to the head of one the largest US power companies.Most Read from BloombergBYD’s New $233,450 EV Supercar to Rival Ferrari, LamborghiniStock Rally Stalls at Start of Data-Packed Week: Markets WrapFreddie Mercury’s London Residence Lists at £30 MillionJacob Rothschild, Financier and Philanthropist, Dies at 87Poland’s Famously Frank Top Diplomat Lands a Blow With Rebuff of Russia“To clean the grid is going to cost money,” Exelon Corp. Chief Executive Officer Calvin Butler said in an interview Friday at Bloomberg’s headquarters in New York. “You’re going to have to build, strengthen and make the system more resilient because of climate change.”Exelon ran into that conflict head-on in December when Illinois regulators rejected the company’s ambitious grid plans, saying the utility wasn’t doing enough to keep customer bills low. The unexpected setback sent the shares plunging 16% over a three-day period.The tension between clean energy and cost is emerging across the US, with regulators and consumer advocates pushing back against rising power bills. Butler stressed that the energy transition doesn’t happen without infrastructure, as new transmission lines are needed to carry power from solar and wind farms to the cities and neighboring states.A decarbonized grid is expensive and has to be funded by customers and institutional investors, said Shahriar Pourreza, an analyst for Guggenheim Securities.“Investors are not going to deploy capital where the rates are below average,” he said, noting that US utilities on average earn a rate of return on their capital spending of about 9.8%, but the rate is lower in Illinois. “This is of course going to slow the energy transition.”When regulators rejected Exelon’s plan, they accomplished the opposite of what the Illinois clean energy law of 2021 requires the company to do, Butler said. He said the path forward needs a shared vision and balanced approach.Story continues“When you don’t have alignment of policy and practice, you end up where we are,” said Butler. “And that’s why we have to go back to the drawing board and do it again. And that’s the frustration.”There’s a disconnect between how some politicians talk about the energy transition making electricity cheaper and the expensive reality, said Paul Patterson, a utility analyst for Glenrock Associates LLC. “Politicians and policymakers are happy to order the meal, but it seems that it’s the utility that is going to be sending the bill,” Patterson said. He added that the regulatory challenges Exelon faces in Illinois could be a harbinger of things to come for the utility industry.Exelon serves more than 10 million customers with six different utilities in areas including Illinois, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Since spinning off its nuclear plants and other generation in 2021, the company no longer owns any power plants and instead buys energy from independent generators on behalf of its customers.As a result of the December rejection, Exelon reduced about $1.4 billion in capital in Illinois and laid off about 900 direct contractors with roughly another 2,000 indirect jobs impacted, Butler said in a Bloomberg Radio interview Friday. “Illinois is a difficult jurisdiction for us right now,” he added.Asked whether the US had a chance to meet President Joe Biden’s target of a carbon-free electric grid by 2035, Butler said at the current rate, no.“We’re trying to move to a 21st century grid with 19th century rules,” he said. “You cannot build a grid of the future playing the same old playbook.”(Updates with analyst quote in ninth paragraph.)Most Read from Bloomberg BusinessweekElon Musk’s Vegas Tunnel Project Has Been Racking Up Safety ViolationsThe High Cost of Eating Out in AmericaTranscript: Did Musk Buy Twitter to Keep His Movements Secret?Why Elon Musk Bought Twitter in the First PlaceCan the Masters of Hipster Cringe Conquer Hollywood With Wall Street Cash?©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Bloomberg

Exelon CEO Warns Cleaning the Grid Needs Higher Power Bills

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/green-goals-clash-higher-power-133000255.html

f58b81c8-e4f0-3ba3-a44a-2421877adf15

EXC

Research organization Chartwell recognizes three ComEd programs to prevent, manage customer outagesCHICAGO, March 05, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following the honor of being named the nation’s most reliable utility in 2023, ComEd today announced that it has been recognized by Chartwell, a utility-focused research organization, with three awards for its outstanding outage management in 2023. The awards include: Gold in Emergency Management for ComEd’s Operation Power Play event, Gold in Outage Operations for ComEd’s Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program, and Bronze in Outage Operations for ComEd’s new Area Restoration Management Team program. The Chartwell Outage Best Practices Awards recognize excellence among electric and gas utilities in the areas of Outage Operations and Outage Communications."ComEd is committed to supporting our customers by building and maintaining one of the country’s most reliable and resilient power grids, especially in the face of climate change that is bringing more extreme weather to the region – including 11 tornadoes just last week," said David R. Perez, ComEd COO. "One of the best ways we can support our customers is by taking proactive steps before an outage occurs to ensure that our teams are prepared under any circumstances. Through groundbreaking programs, ComEd employees are continually finding new and innovative ways to support the most reliable grid in the nation.""We are very excited to present ComEd with three of this year’s Chartwell Outage Awards. Their work reflects a comprehensive approach to supporting the power grid and customers, from proactive planning to innovative outage response tactics," said Russ Henderson, Chartwell’s Director of Research. "These programs are strong examples of how technology, planning and collaboration can strengthen recovery efforts across the grid. We hope other utilities can take something useful from ComEd’s experience, and we are excited to see what new outage-related solutions emerge in the industry this year."Story continuesComEd earned the Gold Emergency Management Award for Operation Power Play, a statewide event that brought together public and private agencies to prepare for, and work together to respond to, simulated disasters. The event included exercises designed to test scenarios and prepare for catastrophic events. One key aspect of the event was a series of tabletop simulations that brought together key response agencies including ComEd, the Chicago Police Department, the Chicago Fire Department, and the Chicago Office of Emergency management and Communications. These scenarios demonstrated how these agencies can work together to respond in the event of an active threat or physical damage to the grid.Another Gold Outage Operations Award was earned by ComEd for its UAS Program, which utilizes a drone fleet with real-time data sharing and enhanced operational capabilities to serve the utility space. ComEd’s drone fleet includes more than 50 pilots and 75 aircraft to support field operations throughout northern Illinois. The fleet provides increased damage assessment capabilities, enhanced equipment surveillance throughout the territory, and supports a number of proactive strategies including pre-emptive substation snow clearing.ComEd also received the Bronze Outage Operations Award for is Area Restoration Management teams, a new approach to managing restoration efforts in hard-hit regions. These dedicated response teams focus their attention during storm restoration on the northern Illinois communities that experienced the worst outages to ensure that these customers are brought back online as quickly as possible.ComEd began smart grid and process updates in 2011. Since then, more than 21 million power outages have been avoided and overall reliability has improved by more than 70 percent. Last year, ComEd was named the most reliable utility in the United States.The Outage Best Practice Awards were announced on February 28, 2024, and winners will be presented with the awards this June in Orlando, Florida. These awards build on ComEd’s exceptional performance in the utility space. Earlier this year, ComEd received two awards for exceptional response efforts in 2023 from EEI and also received the 2023 Reliability One® Outstanding System Reliability Award, presented to ComEd by PA Consulting in November of 2023. This award recognized the investment ComEd has made to harden its system and bring greater reliability to customers during severe weather and other events.ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 250 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers—the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For more information, visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.Based in Atlanta, Chartwell, Inc. is a specialized information provider for the utility industry. We provide strategic research and facilitate issue-targeted forums for collaboration among industry peers. Our wide range of services ensures that our members have access to the best, most timely information available to make their business decisions. For more information, visit www.chartwellinc.com.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240305336157/en/ContactsComEdMedia Relations312-394-3500

Business Wire

ComEd Earns National Recognition for Outstanding Outage Management in 2023

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/comed-earns-national-recognition-outstanding-191800424.html

2e09742e-97e8-3e02-8a20-ec0fa1dd8099

EXC

Key InsightsUsing the Dividend Discount Model, Exelon fair value estimate is US$42.76Exelon's US$36.96 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate Analyst price target for EXC is US$38.41 which is 10% below our fair value estimateIn this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ:EXC) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for Exelon The ModelWe have to calculate the value of Exelon slightly differently to other stocks because it is a electric utilities company. Instead of using free cash flows, which are hard to estimate and often not reported by analysts in this industry, dividends per share (DPS) payments are used. This often underestimates the value of a stock, but it can still be good as a comparison to competitors. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a company's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In this case we used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.3%). The expected dividend per share is then discounted to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.0%. Compared to the current share price of US$37.0, the company appears about fair value at a 14% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.Story continuesValue Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)= US$1.7 / (6.0% – 2.3%)= US$42.8dcfImportant AssumptionsWe would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Exelon as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.SWOT Analysis for ExelonStrengthEarnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.WeaknessInterest payments on debt are not well covered.Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Electric Utilities market.OpportunityAnnual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.ThreatDebt is not well covered by operating cash flow.Paying a dividend but company has no free cash flows.Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.Looking Ahead:Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Exelon, there are three fundamental aspects you should assess:Risks: As an example, we've found 2 warning signs for Exelon (1 is concerning!) that you need to consider before investing here.Future Earnings: How does EXC's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart.Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.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.

Estimating The Intrinsic Value Of Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ:EXC)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/estimating-intrinsic-value-exelon-corporation-140008990.html

1accc4de-99fd-365b-bb3a-7632482ab5b3

EXPD

Revenue: Decreased by 34% year-over-year to $2.3 billion in Q4 2023.Net Earnings: Fell by 28% to $159 million compared to the same quarter in 2022.Operating Income: Dropped by 40% to $199 million in the reported quarter.Earnings Per Share (EPS): Diluted EPS decreased by 21% to $1.09.Cash Flow: Generated $1.1 billion in cash flow from operations in 2023.Shareholder Returns: Returned $1.6 billion to shareholders in share repurchases and dividends.Staff Reductions: Reduced headcount as part of cost control measures.On February 20, 2024, Expeditors International of Washington Inc (NYSE:EXPD) released its 8-K filing, revealing a significant decrease in its fourth-quarter earnings for 2023. The logistics giant, known for its non-asset-based third-party logistics services, including international freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and various other value-added logistics services, has reported a challenging quarter with a notable decline in revenue, net earnings, and operating income.Expeditors International of Washington Inc Reports Decline in Q4 Earnings Amid Market UncertaintyFinancial Performance and Market ChallengesEXPD's President and CEO, Jeffrey S. Musser, cited 'uncertainty' as the defining characteristic of both the fourth quarter and the entire year of 2023. The company faced market volatility due to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and on the Red Sea, as well as the introduction of new capacity in the marketplace. These factors, combined with cautious shipper demand and fluctuating rates, have led to a decrease in airfreight tonnage volume by 3% and ocean container volume by 10%.Despite these challenges, the company has been proactive in managing expenses, including implementing headcount reductions. Compensation, which is the second-largest expenditure after freight costs, has been a primary focus for cost control. However, the company acknowledges the importance of balancing expense management with growth initiatives.Financial Achievements and Strategic FocusBradley S. Powell, Senior Vice President and CFO, emphasized the company's efforts to align costs with revenue, noting a 20% reduction in compensation compared to the same quarter last year. He also highlighted the generation of $1.1 billion in cash flow from operations in 2023 and the return of $1.6 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends.Story continuesDespite the cost-cutting measures, EXPD is preparing for an eventual uptick in tonnage and volumes, aiming to be ready for less volatile rate environments. The company's strategic focus remains on improving efficiency and preparing for future growth opportunities.Financial SummaryEXPD's financial performance for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, reflects the impact of the challenging market conditions:Financial MetricsQ4 2023Q4 2022% ChangeRevenues$2.3 billion$3.4 billion(34%)Operating Income$199 million$329 million(40%)Net Earnings$159 million$219 million(28%)Diluted EPS$1.09$1.38(21%)Analysis of Company PerformanceThe earnings report from EXPD paints a picture of a company navigating a complex and uncertain global logistics landscape. The significant declines in key financial metrics underscore the impact of external market forces and internal cost management efforts. The company's ability to generate strong cash flow and return capital to shareholders, however, suggests a robust underlying financial health and a commitment to shareholder value.As EXPD continues to adjust its operations in response to global trade cycles, investors and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the company balances cost control with growth strategies in the face of ongoing market volatility.For a detailed view of EXPD's financial performance and strategic outlook, investors and interested parties can access the full earnings release and additional financial information through the company's 8-K filing.Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Expeditors International of Washington Inc for further details.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Expeditors International of Washington Inc Reports Decline in Q4 Earnings Amid Market Uncertainty

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/expeditors-international-washington-inc-reports-205202307.html

5c727138-1aac-37e2-98d0-fd5912165eaa

EXPD

Expeditors International of Washington Inc (NYSE:EXPD) showcases robust international logistics capabilities with a strong emphasis on compliance and customer service.EXPD's non-asset-based model and sophisticated IT systems provide a competitive edge in the global freight forwarding industry.Despite intense competition, EXPD's organic growth strategy and focus on employee development contribute to its resilience and adaptability.Global trade uncertainties and the competitive landscape present ongoing challenges that EXPD must navigate to sustain growth.On February 23, 2024, Expeditors International of Washington Inc (NYSE:EXPD) filed its annual 10-K report, providing a comprehensive overview of its financial performance and strategic positioning in the global logistics industry. As a non-asset-based third-party logistics provider, EXPD specializes in international freight forwarding, offering a suite of services that includes customs brokerage, warehousing, and distribution. The company's financial tables reveal a solid performance, with a market capitalization of approximately $17.7 billion as of June 30, 2023, and a workforce of around 18,000 employees globally. This SWOT analysis delves into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as outlined in the 10-K filing, offering investors a nuanced understanding of EXPD's competitive landscape and future prospects.Decoding Expeditors International of Washington Inc (EXPD): A Strategic SWOT InsightStrengthsGlobal Network and Market Presence: EXPD operates a vast network of 176 district offices across key geographic regions, including the Americas, North Asia, South Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Africa, and India. This extensive footprint allows the company to serve a diverse customer base and maintain a strong market presence. The strategic distribution of offices ensures that EXPD can offer localized expertise while benefiting from a global reach, a factor that is particularly advantageous in the logistics industry where understanding regional market dynamics is crucial.Story continuesNon-Asset-Based Model and IT Systems: As a non-asset-based logistics provider, EXPD is not burdened by the capital expenses and inflexibility associated with owning transportation assets. This model allows for greater agility in responding to market changes and customer needs. Furthermore, EXPD's investment in sophisticated IT systems and technology platforms provides a competitive advantage by enhancing operational efficiency, data analytics, and customer service capabilities. These systems support the company's ability to offer integrated logistics solutions and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.Employee Development and Incentive-Based Compensation: EXPD places a strong emphasis on employee development and retention, recognizing that a knowledgeable and motivated workforce is critical to its success. The company's incentive-based compensation model aligns employee interests with company performance, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence. This approach has contributed to EXPD's ability to attract and retain talent, which is a significant strength in the service-oriented logistics industry.WeaknessesDependence on External Service Providers: While EXPD's non-asset-based model offers flexibility, it also creates a dependence on external service providers, such as airlines, ocean carriers, and ground transportation companies. This reliance can expose the company to risks associated with these providers' financial stability, operational capabilities, and regulatory compliance. Any significant disruption or deterioration in these relationships could adversely impact EXPD's ability to deliver services to its customers.Intense Industry Competition: The logistics industry is highly competitive, with numerous players ranging from niche firms to large multinational corporations. EXPD faces competition on multiple fronts, including pricing, service quality, and technological innovation. The company must continuously adapt and innovate to maintain its competitive position, which can be challenging given the rapid pace of change in the industry.Exposure to Global Trade Uncertainties: As a company deeply entrenched in international commerce, EXPD is susceptible to fluctuations in global trade dynamics. Factors such as tariff rates, trade barriers, currency exchange rates, and geopolitical tensions can significantly affect the volume of international trade and, consequently, EXPD's business. Navigating these uncertainties requires strategic foresight and adaptability, which can strain resources and impact profitability.OpportunitiesExpansion into Emerging Markets: EXPD's established presence in key regions positions the company well to capitalize on growth opportunities in emerging markets. By leveraging its global network and expertise, EXPD can expand its customer base and increase market share in areas experiencing rapid economic development and increased demand for logistics services.Technological Advancements: The continued investment in technology and digital solutions presents significant opportunities for EXPD to enhance its service offerings and improve customer experience. Innovations such as advanced tracking systems, data analytics, and automation can lead to increased efficiency, cost savings, and the development of new revenue streams.Supply Chain Resiliency and Diversification: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent supply chain disruptions have highlighted the importance of supply chain resiliency. EXPD can leverage its expertise to assist customers in building more agile and diversified supply chains, positioning itself as a strategic partner in navigating complex global logistics challenges.ThreatsRegulatory Changes and Compliance: The logistics industry is subject to a wide range of regulations that can vary significantly by country and region. Changes in customs, trade, and security regulations can impose additional compliance requirements on EXPD, potentially increasing costs and impacting service delivery. Maintaining compliance in a dynamic regulatory environment is a constant challenge that requires ongoing attention and resources.Technological Disruption: The emergence of new technology-based competitors, often backed by substantial capital funding, poses a threat to traditional logistics providers like EXPD. These competitors may introduce innovative business models or disruptive technologies that could alter industry dynamics and customer expectations, potentially eroding EXPD's market share.<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 Expeditors International of Washington Inc (EXPD): A Strategic SWOT Insight

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/decoding-expeditors-international-washington-inc-050144659.html

9c407855-78a0-30d3-835f-8439f44200f7

EXPD

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – March 1, 2024 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Expeditors International of Washington EXPD, Matson MATX and Despegar.com, Corp. DESP.Industry: Transportation ServicesLink: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2233690/3-transportation-services-stocks-to-watch-amid-industry-challengesThe U.S. equity markets continue to be governed by extreme volatility. The hotter-than-expected inflation reading in January shows that we are not out of the woods as far as inflation in the United States is concerned. The unfavorable inflation report casts doubt on the possibility of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates even in May, let alone in March. Reduced freight demand and supply-chain woes, too, act as deterrents. All these factors are denting the prospects of stocks in the Zacks Transportation-Services industry.Despite these challenges, we think the space still has fuel left in the tank, especially for the operators that target growth opportunities and operating efficiency initiatives. We advise investors to focus on Expeditors International of Washington, Matson and Despegar.com, Corp..About the IndustryThe companies belonging to the Zacks Transportation-Services industry offer transporters logistics, leasing and maintenance services. Some industry players focus on the business of global logistics management, including international freight forwarding. Third-party logistics entities provide innovative supply-chain solutions. They also focus on services like product sourcing, warehousing and freight shipping.These companies have expertise in trucking, air and ocean transportation. Some players in this industry deliver domestic and international express delivery services. The well-being of the companies in this industrial cohort is directly proportional to the health of the economy. An uptick in manufactured and retail goods, favorable pricing and an improvement in global economic conditions bode well for industry participants.Story continues3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Transportation-Services IndustrySupply-Chain Disruptions & Weak Freight Rates: Although economic activities picked up from the pandemic gloom, supply-chain disruptions continue to dent stocks in the industry. Below-par freight rates are also hurting the industry's prospects. Highlighting the weak freight demand, the Cass Freight Shipments Index declined 3.5% month on month in January. This measure has deteriorated month on month in nine of the last 13 months reported, which confirms the overall declining trend.Strong Financial Returns for Shareholders: With economic activities gaining pace from the pandemic lows, more and more companies are allocating their increasing cash pile by way of dividends and buybacks to pacify long-suffering shareholders. This underlines their financial strength and confidence in the business. Among the Transportation - Services industry players, Matson announced a 3.2% increase in the quarterly dividend in June 2023.Focus on Cost Cuts to Drive the Bottom Line: Despite signs of cooling inflation, we are by no means out of the woods, with inflation still well above the Fed's 2% target. With rate cuts not a possibility, at least in the near term, market turbulence is unlikely to go away any time soon.We note that the industry has been experiencing significant levels of inflation, including higher prices for labor, freight and fuel. The industry players are focusing on cost-cutting measures and making efforts to improve productivity and efficiency to mitigate high expenses and weaker-than-expected demand scenarios.Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Dull ProspectsThe Zacks Transportation - Services industry is a 24-stock group within the broader Zacks Transportation sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #201, which places it in the bottom 20% of 250 plus Zacks industries.The group's Zacks Industry Rank, the average of the Zacks Rank of all member stocks, indicates dismal 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 2 to 1.The industry's position in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a negative earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are gradually losing confidence in this group's earnings growth potential. The industry's earnings estimate for 2024 has decreased 16.3% on a year-over-year basis.Before we present a few stocks from the industry that you may want to buy/retain, let's take a look at the industry's recent stock market performance and the valuation picture.Industry Lags the Sector and the S&P 500The Zacks Transportation-Services industry has underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite and the broader Transportation sector in a year.The industry has declined 13.2% over this period compared with the S&P 500's appreciation of 28.3% and the broader sector's uptick of 6.3%.Industry's Current ValuationBased on the trailing 12-month price-to-sales, a commonly used multiple for valuing Transportation-services stocks, the industry is currently trading at 2.35X compared with the S&P 500's 4.22X. However, the value is higher than the sector's trailing 12-month P/S of 2.01X.Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 3.53X, as low as 1.51X and at the median of 2.53X.3 Transport Services Stocks to WatchDespegar.com currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and is the leading travel technology company in Latin America. Driven by upbeat operational efficiencies, the company believes that it will be able to maintain above-market revenue growth in the foreseeable future.DESP has outshined the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in two of the past four quarters (missing the mark in the other two). The stock has risen 8% over the past six months.You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks hereExpeditors currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). This Seattle, WA-based freight forwarder's efforts to reward its shareholders are commendable. EXPD's liquidity position is encouraging too.Expeditors has outshined the Zacks Consensus Estimate in only one of the past four quarters (missing the mark in the other three). The stock has rallied 1% over the past six months.Matson: This Honolulu, Hawaii-based provider of ocean transportation and logistics services currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. We are impressed by the cost-management actions taken by the company to drive its bottom line. Efforts to reward its shareholders are commendable as well.Over the past 60 days, MATX has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 earnings move 4.7% north. The stock has advanced 20.5% over the past six months.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 reportExpeditors International of Washington, Inc. (EXPD) : Free Stock Analysis ReportMatson, Inc. (MATX) : Free Stock Analysis ReportDespegar.com Corp. (DESP) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights Expeditors International of Washington, Matson and Despegar.com

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zacks-industry-outlook-highlights-expeditors-143900769.html

7ddfd7d9-573a-3437-b9b5-5e66c9a11690

EXPD

If you own S&P 500 stocks not working in a raging bull like this year, you should be suspicious. And now the analysts are warning you.Continue reading

Investor's Business Daily

Dump These 5 Losing Stocks Now Before It's Too Late, Analysts Warn

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/f23429d2-dd1c-31d4-9820-2657f31d020e/dump-these-5-losing-stocks.html

f23429d2-dd1c-31d4-9820-2657f31d020e

EXPE

Travel booking companies are foretelling a moderation in consumer demand to come in 2024. Pantheon Macroeconomics Founder and Chief Economist Ian Shepherdson joins Yahoo Finance as part of the Travel Guide 2024: Industry Insights special, commenting on wage growth and consumers' savings coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic."There's a lot less savings hanging around that was built up during the pandemic. And if you look at the distribution of where that money is still sat, it's almost entirely in the hands of the top 20%. Most households now don't have any of the pandemic savings still remain, so they can't spend it again — they spent it once, they can't do it again," Shepherdson says. "So, I think that suggests maybe a dichotomy where if you're at the top end of the business — the travel and leisure sectors, and maybe even in terms of goods as well — your customers still have money. But most households, by definition, are not in the top 20%, and they're going to find things much more difficult."Catch more of Yahoo Finance's Travel Guide 2024: Industry Insights special coverage this week, or watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live here.Editor's note: This article was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.Video TranscriptSEANA SMITH: Can that strong consumer that reignited the revenge travel surge in 2023 still keep the economy afloat? Now, recent quarterly results from Expedia, Airbnb, Booking.com just to name a few pointing to a moderation in consumer spending. Now, this comes as Americans pull back on their discretionary spending. So what does that tell us about the consumer, and more broadly speaking, about the economy?Joining us now as part of Yahoo Finance's travel guide 2024 industry insights is Ian Shepherdson. He's Pantheon macroeconomics founder and chief economist. It's good to have you here. So let's talk about just what you're seeing, the trends that you're noticing from the consumer because we spent months and months and months talking about the fact that nothing is prompting Americans, consumers to really pull back on spending, yet we're starting to see that shift just a bit.Story continuesIAN SHEPHERDSON: Yeah. I like the word moderation. I think that's a pretty fair description of what's likely to happen over the course of this year. You know, there's a couple of things to think about. First of all, there's just a bit less cash flow around for the consumer than there was last year. We've got slightly slower payroll growth, slower wage growth. We've got a much smaller annual uplift of Social Security payments this year, which gave 70 million people last year an 8.7% pay increase in January. This year, it's 3.2%.And then on the balance sheet side of the consumer story, there's a lot less savings hanging around that was built up during the pandemic. And if you look at the distribution of where that money is still sat, it's almost entirely in the hands of the top 20%. Most households now don't have any of the pandemic savings still remaining. So they can't spend it again. They spent it once. They can't do it again.So I think that suggests maybe a dichotomy where if you're at the top end of the business, the travel, the leisure sectors, and maybe even in terms of goods as well, your customers still have money. But most households by definition are not in the top 20%. And they're going to find things much more difficult. They're going to be relying on cash flow rather than savings. And they've got a lot less cash flow than they did. So I can see that bifurcation. And in the mass market, yeah, I think the moderation will become quite visible over the next few months.BRAD SMITH: And so how does that flow through to some of the companies that we were just laying out here? Where perhaps in that discretionary spend here on the experience economy and in that travel experience are you seeing consumers at least think about perhaps trading down?IAN SHEPHERDSON: Yes, trading down. But at the very high end, I think things are going to be fine. The stock market has boomed over the last few months, and a lot of the people in the top 20%, especially the 1%, are still holding onto huge gains both in cash and other less liquid assets that they've accumulated over the last few years. It's more the kind of middle and lower end of the market that's, I think, going to be struggling for occupancy or for people's willingness to spend on extras.All the trading up that we saw in that sort of post pandemic surge of the revenge spending in restaurants and leisure activities and concerts and movies and all that sort of stuff, at the margin, I would expect that the extra dollar that we were seeing over the last couple of years just not to be there to quite such a same extent. I don't overdo this. I'm not looking for the consumer to roll over at all.But real income growth after tax last year grew by more than 4%, which is almost double the long-run average. There was a lot of money around. This year, it'll be more like two, which is a little bit below the long-run average. So not terrible. But I think if anyone's in the consumer facing world just extrapolating what they saw in '23 and hoping to get a repeat performance in '24, that's going to be a struggle.SEANA SMITH: Seeing as we have consumers pushing back on higher spending, consumers trading down in some instances, what do you think that tells us then about that last mile fight here to ease inflation? Or, in fact, are we going to see maybe inflation continue to ease in that last mile won't be as tough as maybe some forecasters had initially anticipated?IAN SHEPHERDSON: Yeah. I mean, there's been a lot of hysteria over one, not great inflation print for January. But if you look at the performance over the second half of last year, the core PCE deflator, which is the number the Fed really cares about, that was 2% annualized in the third quarter and 2% annualized in the fourth quarter. I mean, that's the target rate.So we've made an enormous amount of progress. And I'm not really worried that it's going to be difficult to keep it down at that rate in the foreseeable future. Yeah, you get bad months. You might even get a bad quarter. But the big picture is, I think, one of much less pressure across supply chains.We're not seeing expanding margins like we saw in '22/'23. And in some sectors, margins have come down quite a lot. That's why used car prices are falling so fast because dealers' margins have dropped very sharply. And I think we'll see that spreading across more sectors as consumers, again, make that marginal decision with the extra dollar to keep it rather than to spend it.So that should keep a bit of a lid on some of the inflation pressure as well. And across a big array of services, it's really all about the labor market. And the fact is that wage growth, which was at the peak 6% is now heading rapidly down to less than 4%. So all of these things are moving in the right direction. Some of it's still in the pipeline rather than in the CPI and the PCE inflation data, but it'll get there. It's just a matter of time.BRAD SMITH: With regard to that, leisure and hospitality was, of course, the hardest hit over the course of the pandemic and then had some of the biggest comeback that it needed to make as well in the labor and employment situation. Where are we starting to see that normalize?IAN SHEPHERDSON: Oh, I mean I think you can see pretty clearly that total frenzy of rehiring that we saw beginning in the summer of '21 and stretching really right the way through '22, that's pretty much over now. And what's interesting is that you can see that in the way that employees are behaving because what we saw in '21 and '22 was a huge increase in the number of people voluntarily quitting their jobs just so they could walk across the street to a different hotel or a different restaurant and pick up a pay raise. Great. Why wouldn't you do that?And we saw that behavior on a scale that we've never seen before in '21 and '22. And now it's back to normal. So the quits rate, which is the official measure of this behavior is now exactly where it was in 2018/19. And we know that the number of job openings is declining pretty steadily. And we know that wage growth is slowing as well. So we've got a fairly uniform picture here of a labor market that's beginning to look recognizably normal looking back at the pre-pandemic period.And in that pre-pandemic period, we did not have an inflation problem. In fact, most of the 10 years running up to the pandemic, we were fretting, Fed was fretting that inflation was too low. I'm not suggesting we're immediately going to go back to inflation that's too low, but I do think we're heading back to the conditions where getting to the target and staying there is an entirely sensible forecast at this point.SEANA SMITH: Ian Shepherdson, really interesting insight. Thanks so much for taking the time to join us here this morning. Pantheon macroeconomics founder and chief economist, thanks so much, Ian.

Yahoo Finance Video

Travel economy: Post-pandemic demand expected to moderate

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/travel-economy-post-pandemic-demand-165950697.html

b83c8c57-1792-3466-b7ab-48251cecdad2

EXPE

Expedia Group on Monday said that it will cut about 1,500 jobs, or roughly 8% of its workforce, as part of its latest restructuring effort.The travel technology company, which aggregates travel fares and allows users to book flights and lodging from its platforms, had about 17,100 employees in over 50 countries at the end of last year. Expedia Group operates Expedia.com and also serves as the parent company of brands including Vrbo, Hotels.com, Orbitz, Hotwire and Travelocity, among others.Expedia Group said in a regulatory filing that it expects the restructuring will result in about $80 million to $100 million in total pre-tax charges and cash expenditures, most of which will go to employee severance and compensation benefit costs.EXPEDIA SHARES SINK AFTER 2024 REVENUE WARNING ON SOFTENING AIR FARESExpedia is planning to cut about 1,500 jobs this year, which is roughly 8% of its workforce."Given the recent completion of many significant technical milestones in Expedia Group's transformation, the business continues to evaluate the appropriate allocation of resources to ensure the most important work continues to be prioritized," an Expedia Group spokesperson told FOX Business in a statement."As a result, this year we will be reviewing our operations which we expect will result in approximately 1,500 roles being impacted across the globe," the statement continued. "While this review will result in the elimination of some roles, it also allows the company to invest in core strategic areas for growth."READ ON THE FOX BUSINESS APPEXPEDIA ROLLS OUT CHATGPT-POWERED TRAVEL PLANNING FEATURE IN APPExpedia Group CEO Peter Kern on Monday said the company will restructure its workforce this year."Consultation with local employee representatives, where applicable, will occur before making any final decisions," the company's statement concluded.Expedia Group's stock was down nearly 1% during Monday's trading session — though it rose by about 0.67% in after-hours trading.Reuters contributed to this report.Original article source: Expedia to cut 8% of workforce in restructuring effort

Fox Business

Expedia to cut 8% of workforce in restructuring effort

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/expedia-cut-8-workforce-restructuring-011221925.html

79563ef2-271e-3c09-b767-f15d62ade5ae

EXPE

Expedia (EXPE) ended the recent trading session at $135.78, demonstrating a +1.76% swing from the preceding day's closing price. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.65%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.18%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 1.16%.Prior to today's trading, shares of the online travel company had lost 16.33% over the past month. This has lagged the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 3.99% and the S&P 500's gain of 3.4% in that time.The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Expedia in its forthcoming earnings report. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of -$0.36, marking an 80% fall compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $2.8 billion, up 5.19% from the year-ago period.In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $12.25 per share and a revenue of $14.06 billion, indicating changes of +26.42% and +9.49%, respectively, from the former year.Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Expedia should also be noted by investors. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 2.14% lower. Right now, Expedia possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).Story continuesIn the context of valuation, Expedia is at present trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 10.9. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 19.14, which means Expedia is trading at a discount to the group.It's also important to note that EXPE currently trades at a PEG ratio of 0.32. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. As of the close of trade yesterday, the Internet - Commerce industry held an average PEG ratio of 0.54.The Internet - Commerce industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 143, which puts it in the bottom 44% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming 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 reportExpedia Group, Inc. (EXPE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Why the Market Dipped But Expedia (EXPE) Gained Today

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-market-dipped-expedia-expe-231509700.html

492b1d04-053d-3792-ae72-2861607671e8

EXPE

In this article, we will be covering the 20 largest travel companies in the world. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of the travel and tourism industry, you can go directly to 5 Largest Travel Companies In The World.The travel and tourism sector plays a vital role in global economies. It creates jobs, fosters cultural exchange, and supports local businesses. It promotes understanding between nations while also contributing significantly to GDP growth. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), travel and tourism accounted for 7.6% of global GDP in 2022 while also creating 22 million new jobs around the world.An Analysis of the Global Travel and Tourism IndustryThe travel and tourism sector plays a crucial role in addressing societal and economic challenges. The industry is now thriving after being severely impacted during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, which led to travel restrictions, cancellations, and a sharp decline in tourism activities. According to a report by Market Research Future, the global travel and tourism market reached a value of $648.03 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% from 2023 to 2032 and reach a value of more than $1.01 trillion by the end of the forecasted period. The North American region leads the global travel and tourism market, while Europe follows as the second-largest market. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the fastest growth in the industry during the forecasted period.The travel and tourism market is undergoing a digital transformation with online booking platforms, travel agencies, mobile apps, and online travel-related services driving growth by enhancing connectivity and providing convenient and personalized traveler experiences. The trend of cultural and experiential tourism, with travelers seeking authentic, immersive experiences, unique destinations, and local experiences, is also a key factor driving market growth. Moreover, the rise in disposable incomes, especially in emerging markets, is leading to increased tourism. More people have the means to explore domestic and international destinations. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), domestic visitor spending saw an increase of 20.4% in 2022. On the other hand, international visitor spending went up by 81.9% in 2022.Story continuesWhat are Some of the Biggest Companies in the Travel and Tourism Industry Up To?Prominent companies in the travel and tourism industry are actively pursuing various strategies to expand their global presence and increase their profitability. Some of the most notable names are Marriott International Inc. (NYSE:MAR), Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT), and Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG).Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) is one of the world’s largest providers of online travel and related services. It provides online travel services in more than 220 countries through its brands which include Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, KAYAK, and OpenTable. Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) is also one of the best travel stocks to buy. On February 22, Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) reported strong earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2023. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $32, surpassing EPS estimates by $1.95. The company’s revenue for the quarter grew by 18.15% year-over-year and amounted to $4.78 billion, ahead of market consensus by $73.37 million. Here are some comments from Booking Holdings Inc.’s (NASDAQ:BKNG) Q4 2023 earnings call:“As we look to the year ahead, we see strong growth on the books for travel that’s scheduled to take place in 2024, which gives early indications of potentially another record summer travel season. As we’ve noted previously, a high percentage of these bookings are capable and what is on the books today for the summer period represents a small percentage of the total bookings that we expect to ultimately receive. David will provide further details on fourth quarter results and on our thoughts about the first quarter and full year 2024. Looking back at the full year of 2023, I am proud of our efforts to drive more benefits to our travelers and supply partners while also delivering record-setting industry-leading financial results. We reached a significant milestone last year with our customers’ booking an all-time high of over 1 billion room nights on our platform, which was an increase of 17% versus 2022.”As the demand for travel and tourism continues to grow, companies operating in this space are launching new products, engaging in mergers and acquisitions, increasing investments, and forming contracts and collaborations. Marriott International Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is an American multinational hospitality company. It operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts in more than 130 countries around the world. On March 7, Marriott International Inc. (NYSE:MAR) announced that it has entered into an agreement with Victoria Park Hotels Ltd. to launch The Park Lane Hong Kong, Autograph Collection. This new addition is set to become part of Autograph Collection Hotels by early 2025. Autograph Collection Hotels’ portfolio includes more than 300 independent properties in some of the most desirable locations around the world. Situated within a 28-story mixed-use complex featuring retail spaces on the lower floors, the new hotel is projected to have 820 guest rooms, an executive lounge, 3 unique dining venues, extensive event spaces spanning over 1,700 square meters, and various recreational facilities. Some of the guest rooms will boast stunning views of Victoria Harbour, while others will overlook the city or Victoria Park in Hong Kong.On February 7, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) announced an exclusive strategic partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) that will introduce guests of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT) to a wide range of hotels in some of the most popular destinations around the world. This collaboration will significantly enhance Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s (NYSE:HLT) luxury offerings as unique SLH properties become part of the esteemed Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, and LXR Hotels & Resorts brands.Now that we have discussed what’s going on in the global travel and tourism industry, let’s take a look at the 20 largest travel companies in the world.20 Largest Travel Companies In The WorldA line of travellers queuing for a commercial flight, emphasizing the airport management operations.MethodologyIn this article, we have listed the 20 largest travel companies in the world. To find the top travel companies in the world, we sifted through various sources including industry reports, our own rankings in addition to rankings available on various websites, and consulted stock screeners from Yahoo Finance and Finviz. For companies that are publicly traded, we decided to rank them according to their market capitalization as of March 9. We used fiscal year revenues to rank the companies that are not publicly traded. For foreign companies, we converted the market caps and revenues to US dollars according to their respective exchange rates, as of March 9. Finally, we narrowed down our selection to rank the 20 largest travel companies in the world based on their market capitalization and revenues, which are listed below in ascending order.20 Largest Travel Companies In The World20. Host Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:HST)Market Capitalization: $14.9 BillionHost Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:HST) is a major American lodging real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in hotels. It owns a diverse portfolio of luxury and upper-upscale hotels. Host Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE:HST) has a market capitalization of $14.9 billion as of March 9, 2024.19. Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H)Market Capitalization: $16.12 BillionHyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) is an American multinational hospitality company. As one of the world’s top hospitality companies, it manages and franchises luxury and business hotels, resorts, and vacation properties in more than 70 countries across 6 continents. As of March 9, 2024, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) has a market capitalization of $16.12 billion.18. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG)Market Capitalization: $17.4 BillionInterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) is a British multinational hospitality company. With more than 6,000 hotels in over 100 countries, it is one of the world’s leading hotel companies. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) has a market capitalization of $17.4 billion as of March 9, 2024. It ranks 18th on our list of the 20 biggest travel companies in the world.17. Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE)Market Capitalization: $18.5 BillionExpedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE) is an American travel technology company. As one of the top travel agencies in the world, it owns and operates various brands including Expedia, Hotels.com, CarRentals.com, Vrbo, Travelocity, Trivago, Orbitz, Ebookers, CheapTickets, and Expedia Cruises. As of March 9, 2024, Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE) has a market capitalization of $18.5 billion.16. Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV)Market Capitalization: $20.44 BillionSouthwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) is an American airline company. It offers low-cost air travel service with frequent flights of mostly short routes. As one of the biggest travel companies in the world, Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) has a market capitalization of $20.44 billion as of March 9, 2024.15. Qatar Airways GroupRevenue: $21 BillionQatar Airways Group is the flag carrier of Qatar. Owned by the Government of Qatar, it is one of the world’s top airlines and it currently flies to over 170 international destinations. Qatar Airways Group generated an annual revenue of $21 billion in the year 2022-2023. It ranks among the top 15 on our list of the 20 largest travel companies in the world.14. Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)Market Capitalization: $21.38 BillionCarnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) is a British-American cruise operator. As one of the world's largest leisure travel companies, it owns some of the most well-known cruise line brands in North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Australia. Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) has a market capitalization of $21.38 billion as of March 9, 2024.13. Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited (SEHK:0027)Market Capitalization: $21.83 BillionGalaxy Entertainment Group Limited (SEHK:0027) is one of Asia’s top developers and operators of integrated entertainment and resort facilities. It owns and operates a broad portfolio of integrated resort, retail, dining, hotel, and gaming facilities in Macau. As one of the top travel companies in the world, Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited (SEHK:0027) has a market capitalization of $21.83 billion as of March 9, 2024.12. Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL)Market Capitalization: $27.17 BillionDelta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL) is one of America’s major airlines. It is also one of the world’s largest airlines by number of passengers carried. As one of the top travel companies in the world, Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:DAL) has a market capitalization of $27.17 billion as of March 9, 2024.11. Amadeus IT Group S.A. (BME:AMS)Market Capitalization: $27.31 BillionAmadeus IT Group S.A. (BME:AMS) is a Spanish multinational technology company that develops technology and software for airlines, travel agencies, hotels, payment providers, and other travel-related businesses to enhance their operations and customer experiences. With a presence in more than 190 countries, the company provides software solutions for the global travel and tourism industry. As of March 9, 2024, Amadeus IT Group S.A. (BME:AMS) has a market capitalization of $27.31 billion.10. Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM)Market Capitalization: $28.27 BillionTrip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) is a multinational travel service company that ranks among the top 10 on our list of the largest travel companies in the world. It owns and operates several travel agencies and travel fare aggregators including Ctrip, Qunar, Trip.com and Skyscanner. As of March 9, 2024, Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) has a market capitalization of $28.27 billion.9. Ryanair Holdings plc (NASDAQ:RYAAY)Market Capitalization: $32.3 BillionRyanair Holdings plc (NASDAQ:RYAAY) is an Irish airline company. As one of Europe's largest airline groups, it is the parent company of Ryanair, Ryanair UK, Buzz, Lauda, and Malta Air. With a market capitalization of $32.3 billion as of March 9, 2024, Ryanair Holdings plc (NASDAQ:RYAAY) ranks 9th on our list of the 20 largest travel companies in the world.8. Emirates GroupRevenue: $32.6 BillionEmirates Group is Dubai’s state-owned international aviation holding company. It owns Dubai National Air Travel Agency (dnata), an airport and ground services company, and Emirates Airline, one of the largest airlines in the Middle East. Emirates Group generated an annual revenue of $32.6 billion in the year 2022-2023.7. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL)Market Capitalization: $32.71 BillionRoyal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL) is a global cruise holding company that owns and operates cruise brands including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. As one of the world’s largest cruise line operators, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL) has a global fleet of 65 ships traveling to around 1,000 destinations around the world. The company has a market capitalization of $32.71 billion as of March 9, 2024.6. Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS)Market Capitalization: $38.81 BillionLas Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) is an American casino and resort company that owns and operates integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore. As a driver of valuable leisure and business tourism, it is one of the world’s largest hotel and casino companies. With a market capitalization of $38.81 billion as of March 9, 2024, Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) ranks 6th on our list of the 20 largest travel companies in the world.Click to continue reading and see 5 Largest Travel Companies In The World.Suggested Articles:40 Most Polluted Cities in the World in 202420 Countries with the Strongest Paramilitary Forces in the World15 Sunniest Cities in EuropeDisclosure: None. 20 Largest Travel Companies In The World is published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

20 Largest Travel Companies In The World

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/20-largest-travel-companies-world-180018353.html

f7019cdb-8fb0-3878-92c1-5d248c647fc3

EXR

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. PK is scheduled to release fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 earnings results on Feb 27 after market close. While the quarterly results are likely to display marginal year-over-year growth in revenues, funds from operations (FFO) per share are expected to showcase a decent increase.In the previous quarter, the Tysons, VA-based lodging real estate investment trust (REIT) delivered a surprise of 15.91% in terms of adjusted FFO (AFFO) per share. The quarterly results reflected better-than-anticipated revenues.Over the trailing four quarters, Park Hotels’ AFFO per share surpassed estimates on three occasions and met in the remaining period, the average beat being 12.30%. The graph below depicts this surprise history:Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. Price and EPS SurprisePark Hotels & Resorts Inc. Price and EPS SurprisePark Hotels & Resorts Inc. price-eps-surprise | Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. QuotePreliminary Results & ProjectionsIn its January released preliminary fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 results, Park Hotels showcased impressive performance and optimistic projections for the upcoming year.This lodging REIT, with a diverse portfolio of market-leading hotels and resorts, reported an adjusted FFO per share of 53 cents for the fourth quarter, which is ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 51 cents. Preliminary adjusted FFO per share also showcased an increase of 17.8% year over year. Results were backed by a preliminary revenue figure of $657 million.For the full year 2023, preliminary adjusted FFO per share came in at $2.05, up 33.1% year over year. It also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.04.Preliminary comparable revenue per available room (RevPAR) for the fourth quarter of 2023 reached $178.25, reflecting a 4.1% increase year over year. The full-year 2023 results showed an even more robust performance, with remarkable 8.7% year-over-year growth in comparable RevPAR, reaching $178.62.The urban portfolio experienced nearly 8% growth in comparable RevPAR, driven by the acceleration of business travel in key cities like Boston, Chicago and New York. Meanwhile, leisure demand remained strong at Hawaii hotels, contributing to a more than 8% increase in preliminary RevPAR for the resorts.Comparable occupancy for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by 1.5 percentage points to 71%, while the comparable Average Daily Rate rose by 1.9% to $250.93. These factors contributed to 4.9% growth in total comparable RevPAR, reaching $287.21.Operating income experienced a notable 230.2% increase, resulting in a 42.1% operating income margin. The comparable Hotel Adjusted EBITDA margin stood at 27.6%, showing a marginal decrease of 70 basis points. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $163 million, representing a 2.5% increase.The company’s activities during the to-be-reported quarter were adequate to garner analysts’ confidence. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth-quarter 2023 adjusted FFO per share has moved up a cent to 51 cents over the past month. Moreover, the figure implies a 13.3% increase year over year. This is based on fourth-quarter revenue growth of 0.02% year over year to $665.16 million.For the full year 2023, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for adjusted FFO per share has moved a cent north over the past month to $2.04. The figure indicates a 32.47% increase year over year on 7.94% year-over-year growth in revenues to $2.70 billion.Story continuesHere Is What Our Quantitative Model Predicts:Our proven model predicts a surprise in terms of adjusted FFO per share for Park Hotels this season. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an FFO beat, which is the case here.Park Hotels currently has a Zacks Rank of 3 and an Earnings ESP of +1.31%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Another Stock That Warrants a LookOur model shows that Extra Space Storage Inc. EXR also has the right combination of elements to report a surprise this quarter.Extra Space Storage, scheduled to report quarterly numbers on Feb 27, has an Earnings ESP of +0.70% and carries a Zacks Rank of 3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.Performance of Another REITHost Hotels & Resorts, Inc. HST reported fourth-quarter AFFO per share of 44 cents, which was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Moreover, the figure remained unchanged from the prior-year quarter. Results reflected higher revenues, driven by year-over-year occupancy growth. Host Hotels & Resorts issued a better-than-anticipated 2024 outlook for AFFO per share.Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represents funds from operations (FFO) — a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs.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 reportHost Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST) : Free Stock Analysis ReportExtra Space Storage Inc (EXR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportPark Hotels & Resorts Inc. (PK) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

What's in Store for Park Hotels & Resorts (PK) in Q4 Earnings?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/whats-store-park-hotels-resorts-154600723.html

96e53c6d-76f6-3e29-a48d-ad1fbd25f20c

EXR

Diversified Healthcare (DHC) came out with quarterly funds from operations (FFO) of $0.03 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.05 per share. This compares to FFO of $0.03 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an FFO surprise of -40%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this residential care real estate investment trust would post FFO of $0.07 per share when it actually produced FFO of $0.03, delivering a surprise of -57.14%.Over the last four quarters, the company has not been able to surpass consensus FFO estimates.Diversified Healthcare , which belongs to the Zacks REIT and Equity Trust - Other industry, posted revenues of $361.54 million for the quarter ended December 2023, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.21%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $336.89 million. The company has not been able to beat consensus revenue estimates over the last four quarters.The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future FFO expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.Diversified Healthcare shares have lost about 20.9% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 6.7%.What's Next for Diversified Healthcare?While Diversified Healthcare has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's FFO outlook. Not only does this include current consensus FFO expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of estimate revisions.Story continuesAhead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Diversified Healthcare: unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus FFO estimate is $0.02 on $374.13 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $0.18 on $1.51 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, REIT and Equity Trust - Other is currently in the top 40% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.Another stock from the same industry, Extra Space Storage (EXR), has yet to report results for the quarter ended December 2023. The results are expected to be released on February 27.This self-storage facility real estate investment trust is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.03 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -2.9%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 7.2% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.Extra Space Storage's revenues are expected to be $773.59 million, up 52.7% from the year-ago quarter.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 reportDiversified Healthcare Trust (DHC) : Free Stock Analysis ReportExtra Space Storage Inc (EXR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Diversified Healthcare (DHC) Q4 FFO and Revenues Lag Estimates

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/diversified-healthcare-dhc-q4-ffo-235003570.html

3cdc4bde-6012-365b-9932-2a8dec189761

EXR

Exploring real estate investment trusts (REITs) like CubeSmart, Public Storage, and Extra Space Storage offers a clear view into how these entities are adapting to meet the evolving expectations of today’s market, especially the Gen Z demographic. This segment of consumers is distinct in its prioritization of technology and sustainability, two factors these REITs are focusing on in their operational strategies.Don't Miss:Investing in real estate just got a whole lot simpler. This Dara Khosrowshahi-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, and you only need $100.Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, but few investors have the capital or resources needed to invest in this asset class. A platform backed by industry giant Marcus & Millichap is changing that, allowing individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000. Public StoragePublic Storage (NYSE:PSA), with a dividend of 4%, stands as a leader in the self-storage sector, differentiating itself through scale, brand recognition, and a widespread network of locations. Their business strategy includes continuous expansion through acquisitions and the development of new properties, particularly in high-demand areas that appeal to a broad demographic, including Gen Z. They adapt to the eco-conscious and tech-savvy nature of younger consumers by implementing sustainable practices, such as solar-powered units and energy-efficient lighting, and providing a digital-first customer experience. This approach not only strengthens their market position but also aligns with the environmental values and digital preferences of Gen Z, potentially increasing their loyalty and patronage.Extra Space StorageExtra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR), offering a dividend of 4%, has an operational strategy centered on maximizing customer convenience and leveraging technology to enhance the self-storage experience. The company focuses on smart facility upgrades, such as climate-controlled units and state-of-the-art security features, which are significant selling points for Gen Z consumers who value both innovation and the safety of their possessions. Extra Space Storage's marketing strategies are tailored to resonate with a younger demographic through social media engagement, mobile app functionality, and online customer service, reflecting Gen Z's preference for online interactions. Their strategic locations in urban and suburban areas ensure they serve customers who may be living in smaller spaces but need additional storage for their belongings.Story continuesCubeSmart CubeSmart (NYSE:CUBE), offering a dividend of 5%, has strategically positioned itself in the self-storage industry by prioritizing innovation and customer experience—key factors that resonate with Gen Z's preferences. The company's business model is built around providing convenient, flexible, and technologically advanced storage solutions. They leverage a robust online platform that offers easy rental processes, virtual tours, and online account management, aligning with Gen Z's expectations for seamless digital experiences. CubeSmart's investment in security technology and well-maintained, clean facilities addresses the safety and quality concerns that are important to younger consumers. By focusing on urban and densely populated suburban areas, CubeSmart taps into the growing segment of young adults who might lack adequate storage space in smaller living quarters.Read Next:Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, but few investors have the capital or resources needed to invest in this asset class. A platform backed by industry giant Marcus & Millichap is changing that, allowing individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000. Collecting passive income from real estate just got a whole lot simpler. A new real estate fund backed by Dara Khosrowshahi gives you instant access to a diversified portfolio of rental properties, and you only need $100 to get started.Image credit: Shutterstock"ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now!Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga?APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis ReportTESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article You Won't Believe How Gen Z is Transforming These REITs! originally appeared on Benzinga.com© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Benzinga

You Won't Believe How Gen Z is Transforming These REITs!

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wont-believe-gen-z-transforming-163511201.html

bd5aa9dc-2104-3b32-a886-aa7737bf0d69

EXR

In this article, we will be taking a look at the 14 best real estate and realty stocks to buy according to analysts. To skip our detailed analysis of the real estate sector, you can go directly to see the 5 Best Real Estate and Realty Stocks To Buy According to Analysts.Housing Versus Retail: Where to Invest in Real Estate?The real estate sector has been battling with elevated mortgage rates this year, resulting in the US housing market suffering from a lack of demand among the population. However, some may expect the struggles of the real estate sector to abate as the year progresses, especially as many financial professionals begin to analyze the state of US real estate markets. Several spaces within the real estate sector are under-invested in, leaving the arena free and open for investors looking to make a real estate play.On February 29, Carly Trip, the Head of Investments at Nuveen Real Estate, joined CNBC's "Closing Bell Overtime" to discuss the state of the US real estate markets. Here's what she had to say:"On the residential market, it's kind of like no new news, however what's interesting is that the consumer is really starting to explain their tolerance for mortgage rates. In December we saw really strong numbers, mortgage rates had come in about 50 basis points, bouncing around six and a half. As they have suddenly come up since then and hover above 7%, consumers do not like that. And so we're seeing the results of that in pending home sales. So we expect that that is not gonna improve, inventory will remain low until rates come around 6%, in which case your cost to own versus cost to rent margin really starts to shrink."Despite the above observations, Tripp noted that other areas in the real estate markets are doing better. Here's what she said:"Retail's doing amazingly well. So retail has been the underdog of the last decade. And what we're seeing in our centres is increased activity, a lot of demand, increased sales. The consumer is obviously very resilient and strong. That is accomodating to retail spending, 80% of retail sales do involve a physical store which is a positive for our centres. And not only that, there's no new supply added to retail. Over the last five years, about a 130 million square feet of retail has been converted to other uses, so it's really been under-invested in. So the outlook for retail is very, very strong."Story continuesIndustrial Real Estate Performs WellSimilarly, for the industrial real estate side, Tripp had positive insights to share. Here are some of the comments she made:"Industrial's been incredible. It has performed exactly as real estate should perform. Income has outpaced inflation, right, real estate is expected to be an inflation hedge, that's why it's such a great diversifier to a portfolio. And so we continue to see incredibly strong demand for industrial. Supply has slowed, that was the concern pre-pandemic. However, due to lack of construction spending, lack of financing just generally speaking, bottlenecks in the construction system, we expect that demand is just gonna continue to flow. E-commerce spending is not going anywhere.Considering these highlights, while the residential side of real estate seems to be still struggling in 2024, that does not mean all real estate should be avoided this year. Several other areas within the sector remain ripe for investment. As such, we have compiled a list of some of the best real estate stocks to invest in, including names such as KE Holdings Inc (NYSE:BEKE), Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE:CCI), and Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O). These include some of the best real estate stocks with dividends and some of the best real estate stocks to buy for the long term.14 Best Real Estate and Realty Stocks To Buy according to AnalystsAerial view of a large urban cityscape showcasing a major real estate development.Our Methodology We have selected the stocks for our list of the best real estate and realty stocks to buy using estimated upside potential statistics for each stock from TipRanks. The stocks are ranked based on their upside potential, from the lowest to the highest figure. 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). That’s why we pay very close attention to this often-ignored indicator.Best Real Estate and Realty Stocks To Buy According to Analysts14. Extra Space Storage, Inc. (NYSE:EXR)Average Analyst Price Target: $149.78Upside Potential: 4.48%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 26Extra Space Storage, Inc. (NYSE:EXR) is a self-storage real estate investment trust (REIT) company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company owns and operates 3,651 self-storage stores in 42 states and Washington, D.C.As of this January, Goldman Sachs analyst Caitlin Burrows maintains a Buy rating and a $187 price target on Extra Space Storage, Inc. (NYSE:EXR).There were 26 hedge funds long Extra Space Storage, Inc. (NYSE:EXR) in the fourth quarter, with a total stake value of $330.8 million.Diamond Hill Capital mentioned Extra Space Storage, Inc. (NYSE:EXR) in its third-quarter 2023 investor letter:“Following a dip in share price after Q2 earnings and rising interest rates, we had an opportunity to make an initial investment in Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE:EXR). Despite facing near-term challenges like normalizing street rents and occupancy rates after two years of robust demand, as well as the recent merger with Life Storage, we believe EXR is well positioned for long-term growth of its intrinsic value. It boasts an impressive franchise and perhaps the industry’s best operating platform. The Life Storage acquisition broadens its real estate portfolio and presents more opportunities for growth. While the company faces some near-term headwinds, the recent sell-off created an opportunity for us to acquire shares in this high-quality franchise at a very reasonable price.”Like KE Holdings Inc (NYSE:BEKE), Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE:CCI), and Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O), Extra Space Storage, Inc. (NYSE:EXR) is among the best real estate and realty stocks to buy now.13. Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE:CCI)Average Analyst Price Target: $118.54Upside Potential: 6.74%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 45This January, Ari Klein at BMO Capital placed a Market Perform rating and a $110 price target on Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE:CCI).Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE:CCI) is a telecom tower REIT based in Houston, Texas. The company owns, operates, and leases over 40,000 cell towers and about 90,000 route miles of fiber supporting small cells and fiber solutions across US markets and is among the best real estate stocks to buy.We saw 45 hedge funds long Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE:CCI) in the fourth quarter, with a total stake value of $1.6 billion.Fisher Asset Management was the largest shareholder in Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE:CCI) at the end of the fourth quarter, holding 4.6 million shares in the company.12. Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE:WY)Average Analyst Price Target: $37.50Upside Potential: 7.42%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 30A total of 30 hedge funds were long Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE:WY) in the fourth quarter, with a total stake value of $255.9 million.Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE:WY) is a timber REIT based in Seatlle, Washington. The company is among the world's largest private owners of timberlands, owning and operating about 11 million acres of timberlands in the US.On January 29, RBC Capital reiterated an Outperform rating and a $39 price target on Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE:WY).11. Invitation Homes Inc. (NYSE:INVH)Average Analyst Price Target: $37.14Upside Potential: 7.53%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 25D1 Capital Partners was the most prominent shareholder in Invitation Homes Inc. (NYSE:INVH) at the end of the fourth quarter, holding 7.5 million shares in the company.Invitation Homes Inc. (NYSE:INVH) is a single-family residential REIT based in Dallas, Texas. The company leases single-family homes to meet changing lifestyle demands and provide access to high-quality, updated homes in close proximity to good schools and workplaces.RBC Capital reiterated an Outperform rating and a $36 price target on February 15 on Invitation Homes Inc. (NYSE:INVH).Our hedge fund data for the fourth quarter shows 25 hedge funds long Invitation Homes Inc. (NYSE:INVH), with a total stake value of $497.8 million.Here's what Baron Funds said about Invitation Homes Inc. (NYSE:INVH) in its third-quarter 2023 investor letter:“Following strong second quarter results, we modestly increased our investments in single-family rental REITs Invitation Homes, Inc. (NYSE:INVH). Demand conditions for rental homes are attractive due to the sharp decline in home affordability; the propensity to rent in order to avoid mortgage down payments, avoid higher monthly mortgage costs, and maintain flexibility; and the stronger demand for home rentals in suburbs rather than apartment rentals in cities. Rising construction costs are limiting the supply of single-family rental homes in the U.S. housing market. This limited inventory combined with strong demand is leading to robust rent growth.Invitation Homes have an opportunity to partially offset the impact of inflation given that their in-place annual leases are significantly below market rents. Valuations are compelling at mid-5% capitalization rates, and we believe the shares are currently valued at a discount to our assessment of net asset value. We remain mindful that expense headwinds and slower top-line growth could weigh on growth later in 2023 and 2024. We will continue to closely monitor business developments and will adjust our exposures accordingly.”10. Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD)Average Analyst Price Target: $144.94 Upside Potential: 7.68%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 46Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD) is an industrial REIT based in San Francisco, California. The company is a global leader in logistics real estate with a focus on high-barrier, high-growth markets.In total, 46 hedge funds were long Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD) in the fourth quarter, with a total stake value of $678.3 million.As of February 16, RBC Capital maintains an Outperform rating and a $145 price target on Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD).9. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB)Average Analyst Price Target: $194.70Upside Potential: 9.3%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB) had 29 hedge funds long its stock in the fourth quarter, with a total stake value of $234.7 million.Morgan Stanley upgraded AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB) from Equal Weight to Overweight on February 26, alongside placing a $191.5 piece target on the stock.AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB) is a multi-family residential REIT based in Arlington, Virginia. The company owns or holds a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia.At the end of the fourth quarter, AEW Capital Management was the largest shareholder in AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB), holding 769,788 shares in the company.Baron Funds mentioned AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB) in its third-quarter 2023 investor letter:“In the third quarter, we maintained our exposure to apartment REIT AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB). We believe public valuations remain discounted relative to the private market. Tenant demand remains healthy and rent growth has modestly improved since the first quarter of 2023. Rental apartments continue to benefit from the current homeownership affordability challenges. Multi-family REITs provide partial inflation protection to offset rising costs due to leases that can be reset at higher rents, in some cases, annually. We continue to closely monitor new supply deliveries and job losses in key geographic markets.”8. Mid America Apartment Communities Inc (NYSE:MAA)Average Analyst Price Target: $140.89Upside Potential: 10.39%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 23Mid America Apartment Communities Inc (NYSE:MAA) is another multi-family residential REIT on our list of the best real estate stocks. It is based in Germantown, Tennessee, and delivers full-cycle and superior investment performance for shareholders through the ownership, management, acquisition, and development of quality apartment communities.Goldman Sachs reinstated a Buy rating and a $149 price target on Mid America Apartment Communities Inc (NYSE:MAA) on February 22.Mid America Apartment Communities Inc (NYSE:MAA) was found in the 13F holdings of 23 hedge funds in the fourth quarter, with a total stake value of $524.3 million.This is what Diamond Hill Capital said about Mid America Apartment Communities Inc (NYSE:MAA) in its third-quarter 2023 investor letter:“Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (NYSE:MAA) is a multifamily-focused REIT which owns, operates, acquires and selectively develops apartment communities, primarily in the Southeast and Southwest US. We have owned MAA in the past and chose to reinitiate a position as concerns about slowing internal growth and headwinds from new supply have pushed the share price down. MAA is a strong franchise with a respected management team, an excellent balance sheet and a well-located portfolio in the Sun Belt. We anticipate the supply concerns will prove a near-term headwind, while its competitive advantages should make it an attractive long-term investment.”7. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE)Average Analyst Price Target: $142Upside Potential: 14.27%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) was spotted in the portfolios of 31 hedge funds in the fourth quarter, with a total stake value of $214.2 million.On January 31, Wedbush reiterated an Outperform rating and a $140 price target on Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE).Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) is an office REIT based in Pasadena, California. It owns, operates, and develops collaborate life science, agtech, and advanced technology mega campuses.Baron Funds said the following about Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE) in its third-quarter 2023 investor letter:“Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (ARE) is the life science industry leader and sole publicly traded life science pure-play REIT. At its current discounted valuation, we believe concerns about competitive supply and distress for some of the company’s biotechnology and health care tenants are overblown and sufficiently discounted in the company’s valuation. We believe the management team has assembled a desirable real estate portfolio, enjoys a leading market share position in its geographic markets, and has solid expectations for long-term demand-driven growth.”6. American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT)Average Analyst Price Target: $231.93Upside Potential: 14.95%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 56American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT) is another telecom tower REIT on our list of the best real estate stocks to buy. It is based in Boston, Massachusetts, and is an independent owner, operator, and developer of multitenant communications real estate.An Overweight rating and a $230 price target were maintained on American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT) on February 28 by JPMorgan analysts.We saw 56 hedge funds long American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT) in the fourth quarter, with a total stake value of $3.2 billion.Baron Funds mentioned American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT) in its fourth-quarter 2023 investor letter:“Early in 2023, we sold the majority of our position in American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT), a global operator of over 200,000 wireless towers, and even further reduced our modest position in the third quarter of 2023. We had concluded in late 2022 and early 2023 that growth expectations were too high given forthcoming headwinds from significantly higher financing costs (20%-plus exposure to floating rate debt), upcoming debt maturities, continued payment shortfalls from a key tenant in India, foreign exchange headwinds, and a reduction in mobile carrier capital expenditures.Following a sharp decline in American Tower’s shares in the first nine months of 2023, we began rebuilding our position because we believed that the company’s shares had become more attractively valued, growth headwinds were better understood, and the potential monetization event of its India business would ultimately be value accretive to its business. Further, we believe that 2023 will mark the trough in earnings growth for American Tower and growth should reaccelerate in the next few years.”Like KE Holdings Inc (NYSE:BEKE), Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE:CCI), and Realty Income Corporation (NYSE:O), American Tower Corporation (NYSE:AMT) is among the best real estate stocks to buy now. Click to continue reading and see 5 Best Real Estate and Realty Stocks To Buy According to Analysts. Suggested articles:25 Fastest Growing Real Estate Markets in the US13 Most Profitable Real Estate Stocks Now12 Best Real Estate and Realty Stocks to BuyDisclosure: None. 14 Best Real Estate and Realty Stocks To Buy According to Analysts is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

14 Best Real Estate and Realty Stocks To Buy According to Analysts

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/14-best-real-estate-realty-131053697.html

2e1df458-4301-3a94-ba21-81f229d13e6f

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Ford (F) has halted shipments of its 2024 F-150 Lightning EV pickup and only just started shipping its brand new 2024 F-150 gas-powered truck after a multi-week delay, due to quality checks. A delay affecting Ford’s high-profit F-150 sales and more possible EV troubles could potentially impact Ford’s first quarter performance.Automotive News first reported that a 2024 F-150 Lightning “stop-ship” order went into effect Feb. 9 due to an undisclosed quality issue and that “hundreds, if not thousands” of gas-powered 2024 F-150 trucks have been piling up in Ford holding lots since production began in December, before deliveries began late last week.“We started shipping the first newly designed F-150 pickups to dealers this week. MY24 Lightnings started shipping last month,” a Ford spokesperson told Yahoo Finance. “We expect to ramp up shipments in the coming weeks as we complete thorough launch quality checks to ensure these new F-150s meet our high standards and delight customers.”The Ford F-150 Lightning is displayed during the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Nov. 24, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) (Josh Lefkowitz via Getty Images)When asked to confirm whether MY24 Lightnings were still under a “stop-ship” order, a Ford spokesperson only said, “We will ramp shipments once quality checks are completed,” and did not address whether the “stop-ship” had been lifted. Ford did confirm that F-150 trim levels, such as the Lariat, Limited, and Platinum, are delayed.With regard to quality issues holding up F-150 gas and hybrid-powered deliveries, the same Ford spokesperson said Ford had “started shipping F-150 XL and STX units to customers, and will continue to ramp up shipments to include the other series as they pass our quality checks.”Ford updated the F-150 product line for the 2024 model year with exterior styling enhancements and an updated interior, among other things. Ford is also prioritizing pushing out more hybrid F-150s, which were popular among its buyers, and has been continually updating the Lightning EV to improve its feature set and cost profile.The F-150 pickup is the bestselling vehicle in America, with Ford selling over 700,000 trucks in the US, up nearly 15% from a year ago. F-150 Lightning sales topped 24K units last year, up 54% from 2022.Story continuesWhile first shipments of F-150 gasoline and Lighting EV pickups are still in line with Ford’s "early 2024" sales timeline, Automotive News reported some F-150s have been sitting in holding lots since late December, with one commercial customer telling the publication that the delivery date for nearly 100 trucks has been delayed by eight weeks and that they have received “essentially no communication from Ford.”Ford CEO Jim Farley has said time and time again that Ford needs to get past quality issues. Ford once again had the most recalls of any manufacturer in the US last year. While the automaker says it is working on fixing those operational issues, CFO John Lawler said during the company's Q4 earnings call that warranty costs will still be equivalent to last year, although there are some “green shoots” seen in quality improvements.For Ford, a strong rollout of its F-150 line and cost reductions in the warranty and recall area are crucial for the automaker to meet its 2024 guidance. Earlier this month Ford projected 2024 adjusted EBIT of $10 billion to $12 billion — below Ford's pre-UAW strike 2023 profit outlook of $11 billion to $12 billion, but higher than estimates of $9.24 billion.Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.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

Ford delays shipping certain 2024 F-150 gas-powered and Lightning EV pickups

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-delays-shipping-certain-2024-f-150-gas-powered-and-lightning-ev-pickups-172944853.html

71ee4a7a-d920-4ac2-9758-5caa9ec719da

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Ford (F) is delaying shipments of certain 2024 F-150 Lightning EV pickup and delayed shipping its 2024 F-150 gas-powered truck due to quality check issues.Yahoo Finance Reporter Pras Subramanian joins the Live show to break down the latest developments for Ford 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- In other auto news, Ford is having to delay certain of its shipments.PRAS SUBRAMANIAN: Yeah, so basically with the F-150, the very popular 2024 F-150 models here. So the Lightning right now, there was reports of a stop sale because of a quality issue. Ford got back to us, said that they are ramping up those deliveries. But they're still holding back. They didn't say-- they didn't deny the stop sale, right? So something's going on there with the quality issue.The gas-powered powered truck also delayed. Automotive news talked about hundreds, if not, thousands of vehicles that are stuck in lots in Detroit for who knows what reason. They say a quality control issue as well. Now Ford says they're delivering some of the lower trim XL and STX trim models out to customers now. But the higher trim levels haven't gone out.Again, automotive news were talking about how a customer, a commercial customer had almost 100 trucks on order. Those have been delayed. And they have not heard back on when they are going to see them. So this is a problem for Ford in terms of this is their cash cow, F-150, the gas-powered truck. It's a big deal for them as we talk about Q1 being impacted here with the new model.

Yahoo Finance Video

Ford delays shipping of certain gas-powered F-150 & Lightning EVs

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/ford-delays-shipping-certain-gas-224806323.html

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If former President Donald Trump wins another term in November's election, Biden's electric vehicle policies could be tossed into the trash.Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee after Nikki Haley suspended her campaign last week, once again repeated his claims that EVs are not ready for prime time, and structural issues still exist for widespread adoption.“I’m all for electric cars but you have to have all of the alternatives also,” Trump said in an interview with CNBC on Monday morning. “First of all they don’t go far, they cost too much, and they’re all going to be made in China.”Trump has said in the past that EVs are a “hoax” and that an EV transformation will destroy the US auto industry and kill jobs. He has promised to reverse Biden's EV policies if he returns to office and he’s now one step closer to doing so.Trump added some choice words for the people behind the “Biden all-electric mandate” in the CNBC interview, but he also voiced concerns over the infrastructure issues that exist in the US for an all-electric transformation.“You can’t just go to electric," Trump said, adding that the grid isn't up to the challenges of production and distribution.What this means for the auto sector — and EVsTrump is incorrect about criticism of the grid’s electrical output, but his critique of the distribution of energy (i.e., charging) is a continued concern for drivers and automakers.It’s why the automakers are doing all they can to improve the infrastructure issue by joining forces with Tesla in one instance and starting their own joint venture to expand charging in another.Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks to guests during a campaign stop at Drake Enterprises, an automotive parts manufacturer, on Sept. 27, 2023, in Clinton Township, Mich. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) (Scott Olson via Getty Images)But the distribution issues Trump cites would be largely problems caused by a Trump presidency in and of itself.The biggest threat to the transformation is the cutting off of the federal spigot of funds for this key infrastructure — namely the Inflation Reduction Act’s federal EV tax credit and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $7.5 billion earmarked to build an EV charger network. If Trump is successful in rolling back one or both of these landmark initiatives, an electric transformation in the US would be difficult to achieve.Story continuesAutomakers are also seeing the writing on the wall coming from their own consumers, who echo some of the concerns Trump has with EVs.The combination of high rates and serious price premiums over comparable gas-powered cars and hybrids has led to stalling sales. And now Ford, GM, and even Tesla are warning about the slumping demand continuing into 2024.Trump’s desire to see more “alternatives” is already happening because of this, with Ford pivoting deeper into its hybrids — the Maverick pickup and F-150 hybrids chief among them — and reports that GM is looking to add hybrids to its product portfolio ASAP. (It currently only has one: the Corvette E-Ray.)Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares told Yahoo Finance at a roundtable meeting last month that the automaker was already game-planning for either a Trump or a Biden election win, with “multi-energy platforms” that can accommodate both fully electric or a more traditional gas-powered option with the same model. The upcoming Dodge Charger muscle car is an example of that strategy with two powertrains.Kevin Plank of Under Armour, Elon Musk of SpaceX, and Wendell P. Weeks of Corning listen to President Donald Trump during a meeting with business leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Jan. 23, 2017, in Washington, D.C. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images) (The Washington Post via Getty Images)As for Tesla, going the hybrid route is not a possibility. But CEO Elon Musk still has a friend in the former president, at least for now.“I’ve been friendly with him over the years, I’ve helped [him] when I was president; I’ve liked him,” Trump said when asked about Musk and a meeting he had with the Tesla CEO at Mar-a-Lago this past weekend. “We obviously have opposing views on a minor subject I’ll call electric cars.”Whether Trump carves out some kind of special treatment for his friend Musk or maintains the EV tax credit for fully electric vehicles like those made in the US by Tesla is anyone’s guess, but that scenario looks less and less likely as November approaches.Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.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

'You can't just go to electric': Trump sounds off on EV transition as automakers warn on demand

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/you-cant-just-go-to-electric-trump-sounds-off-on-ev-transition-as-automakers-warn-on-demand-161918940.html

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By David ShepardsonWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ford Motor will pay $365 million to resolve U.S. allegations it violated a federal tariff law by misclassifying and understating the value of hundreds of thousands of its Transit Connect vehicles.The Justice Department said the settlement resolves allegations that Ford devised a scheme to avoid higher duties by misclassifying cargo vans imported from Turkey from April 2009 to March 2013.The government said the settlement is one of the largest customs penalty settlements in recent history."Ford strongly disagrees with many of the characterizations in the DOJ’s statement and admits no liability in this matter," a Ford spokesperson said. "But in the interest of moving on from this complex, decade-old dispute, we have agreed to settle the matter once and for all."Customs and Border Protection ruled in 2013 that Transit Connects imported as passenger wagons and later converted into cargo vans were subject to the 25% duty applicable to cargo vehicles, rather than the 2.5% passenger vehicle duty.The Justice Department said Ford imported the vehicles "with sham rear seats and other temporary features to make the vans appear to be passenger vehicles. These temporary rear seats were never intended to be, and never were, used to carry passengers."Ford included these seats and features to avoid paying the 25% duty rate, the government said.After Customs clearance, the Transit Connect vehicles were immediately stripped of rear seats and returned to its original identity as a two-seat cargo van."The government will not permit companies to evade duties by adding sham features to their products and then misclassifying them," said Brian Boynton, head of the DOJ Civil Division.Ford said in 2021 it could face up to $1.3 billion in penalties in a long-running dispute over import duties paid on Ford Transit Connect vehicles after the Supreme Court declined to hear its appeal in 2020 that it paid increased duties for some prior imports.Story continuesThe 25% tariff stems from a 1960s trade war involving frozen chicken, and the larger tariff on cargo vehicles is known as the "chicken tax."Ford shares were down 0.5%.(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Aurora Ellis; Editing by Chris Reese and Aurora Ellis)

Reuters

Ford to pay $365 million in US import tariff evasion case

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-pay-365-million-us-195312288.html

37448912-cda6-38f1-b242-1dadaebef21f

FANG

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – February 26, 2024 – Zacks Equity Research shares The Progressive Corp, PGR as the Bull of the Day and Archer Daniels Midland ADM as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Exxon Mobil Corp. XOM, Matador Resources Co. MTDR and Diamondback Energy, Inc. FANG.Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:Bull of the Day:The Progressive Corp, a current Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), is a massive American insurance company. Analysts have taken their expectations higher across the board.In addition to favorable earnings estimate revisions, the company resides within the Zacks Insurance – Property & Casualty industry, currently ranked in the top 20% of all Zacks industries. Let's take a deeper look at the company.ProgressiveRight off the bat, it's worth noting that Progressive shares have been monster performers in general over the last decade, delivering a remarkable 25% annualized return vs. the S&P 500's 13.1%. Shares got a solid boost following its latest set of quarterly results.Concerning the above-mentioned quarter, PGR exceeded the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate by 24% and posted a 3% revenue beat, reflecting growth rates of 97% and 23%, respectively. Drilling a bit deeper, Progressive saw total Policies in Force grow 9% from the year-ago period, reflecting continued business momentum.The company's top line performance has been strong, with revenues enjoying a recent acceleration.In addition, shares aren't overly stretched regarding valuation given the company's growth, with the current 21.6X forward earnings multiple (F1) comparing favorably to the Zacks industry average of 29.0X. PGR is forecasted to enjoy 45% earnings growth on 15% higher sales in its current year (FY24), with FY25 expectations alluding to an additional 17% bump in earnings paired with a 12% revenue boost.The stock carries a Style Score of 'A' for Growth and a Style Score of 'D' for Value.Story continuesIncome-focused investors could also be attracted to PGR shares, currently yielding a respectable 0.4% annually paired with a sustainable payout ratio sitting at 6% of its earnings.Bottom LineInvestors can implement a stellar strategy to find expected winners by taking advantage of the Zacks Rank – one of the most powerful market tools that provides a massive edge.The top 5% of all stocks receive the highly coveted Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). These stocks should outperform the market more than any other rank.The Progressive Corp. would be an excellent stock for investors to consider, as displayed by its Zack Rank #1 (Strong Buy).Bear of the Day:Archer Daniels Midland is one of the leading producers of food and beverage ingredients as well as goods made from various agricultural products. Analysts have lowered their earnings expectations over the last several months, pushing the stock into a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).In addition, the company resides in the Zacks Agriculture – Operations industry, which is currently ranked in the bottom 4% of all Zacks industries (242/250). Let's take a closer look at how the agriculture giant currently stacks up.Archer Daniels MidlandADM shares have had a rough showing over the last year, losing more than 30% in value and widely underperforming relative to the general market. News of the company suspending its CFO over accounting practices near the end of January caused shares to nosedive, as we can see highlighted below.It was the biggest one-day drop for the stock (-24%) since all the way back in 1929.Shares have seen modest buying pressure since, up a slight 2.5%. Nonetheless, the unfavorable coverage has certainly weighed heavily on investors' sentiment and will remain a hurdle for the company to clear.Bottom LineNegative earnings estimate revisions from analysts and a recent suspension of its CFO paint a challenging picture for the company's shares in the near term.Archer Daniels Midland is a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), indicating that analysts have taken a bearish stance on the company's earnings outlook.For those seeking strong stocks, a great idea would be to focus on stocks carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) – these stocks sport a notably stronger earnings outlook paired with the potential to deliver explosive gains in the near term.Additional content:Keep an Eye on 3 Permian Plays as Energy Stays StrongThe pricing environment of crude oil continues to be favorable, encouraging more exploration and production activities. Upstream players may keep increasing their operations in prolific shale resources, consequently raising the count of drilling rigs. With the uptick in drilling activities, production is expected to increase, benefiting businesses involved in exploration and production.Oil Price Still HighWest Texas Intermediate crude price is trading at more than $75 per barrel, which is favorable for exploration and production activities. In its short-term energy outlook, the U.S. Energy Information Administration ("EIA") projected the average spot price of West Texas Intermediate crude at $77.68 per barrel this year, still a handsome price for upstream operations.Permian Oil Production to RiseIn March, total oil production from shale resources in the United States will likely increase by 20,000 barrels per day to 9,716 thousand barrels per day (MBbl/D), per EIA. The shale resources comprise Anadarko, Appalachia, Bakken, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Niobrara and Permian.Of all the resources, Permian will witness the highest increase in daily oil production next month, according to the EIA's drilling productivity report. In the Permian, the EIA projects oil production to rise by 14,000 barrels per day to 6,085 MBbls/D next month.Permian Explorers in the SpotlightIt is crystal clear that a favorable crude pricing scenario is backing higher production volumes. Improving Permian production amid healthy oil prices raised the incentive to keep an eye on companies like Exxon Mobil Corp., Matador Resources Co. and Diamondback Energy, Inc., operating in the most prolific basin. All the stocks carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.3 Stocks to GainExxonMobil has solid upstream businesses. In the Permian Basin, ExxonMobil has a solid pipeline of profitable projects. To strengthen its presence in the Permian further, ExxonMobil entered into a staggering $59.5 billion all-stock deal to buy Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD). This is because Pioneer Natural is one of the foremost oil producers operating in the Permian Basin. With the deal closure expected in the first half of 2024, Permian production of the integrated energy major will increase significantly.Diamondback Energy, a leading pure-play Permian operator, has reported ongoing enhancements in the average productivity per well in the Midland Basin. The exploration and production company is likely to continue witnessing increased production volumes. FANG also has an investment-grade balance sheet.Matador Resources has a strong presence in the oil-rich core acres of the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin. In the sub-basin of the broader Permian, the company has a vast inventory of drilling areas that will back the exploration and production company's production volumes.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 >>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339https://www.zacks.comZacks.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 reportExxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportArcher Daniels Midland Company (ADM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportThe Progressive Corporation (PGR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportDiamondback Energy, Inc. (FANG) : Free Stock Analysis ReportMatador Resources Company (MTDR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

The Progressive and Archer Daniels Midland have been highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/progressive-archer-daniels-midland-highlighted-135100405.html

9c8b5d01-3eb7-39c4-a66c-28a3da3d6f7a

FANG

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – February 26, 2024 – Zacks Value Trader is a podcast hosted weekly by Zacks Stock Strategist Tracey Ryniec. Every week, Tracey will be joined by guests to discuss the hottest investing topics in stocks, bonds and ETFs and how it impacts your life. To listen to the podcast, click here: https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2231055/buffett-sticks-with-energy-stocks-should-you)Buffett Sticks with Energy Stocks: Should You?Welcome to Episode #359 of the Value Investor Podcast.(0:45) - Should You Follow Warren Buffett's Investment Strategy?(10:00) - What Has Berkshire Hathaway Been Buying and Selling?(30:00) - Episode Roundup: OXY, CVX, APA, TTE, FANG [email protected] week, Tracey Ryniec, the editor of Zacks Value Investor portfolio, shares some of her top value investing tips and stock picks.The 13-F filings for the fourth quarter of 2023 were out this month. Those filings tell us what the big hedge fund and money managers are buying, and selling, in their portfolios. For years, the Value Investor podcast has looked at the 13-F filings for Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway equity portfolio.As of the end of the third quarter of 2023, Berkshire Hathaway was sitting on a record amount of cash totaling $157.2 billion. Was Buffett going to deploy any of it into buying more stocks?Apparently, the answer is "yes." Although he didn't spend much of the cash hoard doing it.Berkshire Dives into Energy1. Occidental Petroleum OXYBerkshire bought shares of Occidental Petroleum throughout 2023. It continued to buy more Occidental Petroleum in 2024. We only know about the 2024 Occidental purchases because they fall outside of the 13-F reporting requirements.Occidental Petroleum is now Berkshire's seventh largest holding in the equity portfolio, but it still remains a small percentage overall, at just 4.06%.Occidental pays a dividend, currently yielding 1.5%. Berkshire receives $218.3 million in dividend income from this position.Story continuesShould investors be following Buffett into Occidental Petroleum in 2024?2. Chevron Corp. CVXBerkshire Hathaway has owned shares of Chevron since the fourth quarter of 2020. It has bought, and sold, several times through those 3 years. However, Berkshire had not added to its position since the first quarter of 2022, until last quarter when it bought 15.8 million shares.Why buy more now?Chevron is cheap. It has a PEG ratio of just 0.8. Earnings estimates have been cut, however, as oil and natural gas prices have fallen. Earnings are expected to fall 0.8% in 2024.Chevron pays a dividend, currently yielding about 4%.Should you be buying Chevron now that Buffett has bought more?3 Cheap Energy Stocks for 2024Most of the energy stocks are cheap. They fell out of favor in 2023. For value investors, that means it's a buying opportunity.Here are some additional energy companies that are trading with low valuations in 2024.1. Diamondback Energy FANGDiamondback Energy is a big Permian Basin producer of oil and natural gas. It recently announced it would buy Endeavor Energy Partners for $26 billion. Shares of Diamondback Energy have jumped 31.7% in the last year and are now at new 5-year highs. It's one of the few energy stocks to be breaking out.Diamondback Energy is still cheap, with a forward P/E of 9.8. It pays a base dividend yielding 1.9% but did say it was lowering its payout to shareholders to 50% of free cash flow from 75% in 2023 due to the costs of the acquisition.Should Diamondback Energy be on your short list?2. APA Corp. APAAPA is an international oil and natural gas producer with drilling in Egypt, the United States, the North Sea and Suriname. It's in a 50/50 partnership with TotalEnergies in Suriname. Shares of APA have sunk 17% over the last year and are trading near 52-week lows.APA is dirt cheap with a forward P/E of just 6.1. It also pays a dividend, yielding 3.1%.Should APA be on your short list?3. TotalEnergies SE TTETotalEnergies is a French energy company with global oil production. It has partnered with APA in Suriname. Shares of TotalEnergies are up just 2.2% over the last year.TotalEnergies remains a cheap stock with a forward P/E of just 6.9. It also pays a dividend, which is currently yielding 5%.Should investors seek out a European energy giant like TotalEnergies in 2024?What Else Do You Need to Know About Buffett and Energy Stocks?Tune into this week's podcast to find out.[In full disclosure, Tracey owns shares of CVX and APA in her personal portfolio.]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 >>Tracey Ryniec is the Value Stock Strategist for Zacks.com. She is also the Editor of the Insider Trader and Value Investor services. You can follow her on twitter at @TraceyRyniec and she also hosts the Zacks Market Edge Podcast on iTunes.About Zacks Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros.  In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time!  Click here for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros.Follow us on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/zacksresearchJoin 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.com/performancePast 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 reportChevron Corporation (CVX) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAPA Corporation (APA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportOccidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) : Free Stock Analysis ReportDiamondback Energy, Inc. (FANG) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTotalEnergies SE Sponsored ADR (TTE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Zacks Value Trader Highlights: Occidental Petroleum, Chevron, Diamondback Energy, APA and TotalEnergies

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zacks-value-trader-highlights-occidental-140100891.html

a3d68d2a-9171-3aa9-a6b1-626afea9cc79

FANG

The initial pandemic period, when there were no vaccines, saw an environment of heightened uncertainties. The price of crude oil plunged to a negative $36.98 per barrel on Apr 20, 2020. However, with the rapid developments of vaccines, which led to the gradual opening of the economies, the pricing scenario of West Texas Intermediate crude improved drastically over time to reach $123.64 per barrel on Mar 8, 2022. Oil price data are per the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and currently, the WTI oil price is approaching $80 per barrel.Thus, it’s pretty apparent that the business model of most energy players, by nature, is exposed to extreme volatility in commodity prices. Energy companies with robust balance sheets will be better positioned to navigate these uncertainties.Hence, it would be wise for investors to keep an eye on promising stocks like Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM, ConocoPhillips COP and Diamondback Energy, Inc. FANG. All the stocks carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and have significantly lower debt exposure than the composite stocks belonging to the respective industries.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.ExxonMobil has a strong balance sheet, hence it can withstand adverse business environments. The integrated energy player has a total debt-to-capitalization of 16.4%. Thus, compared to the 24% debt-to-capitalization of composite stocks belonging to the Zacks Oil & Gas Integrated International industry, ExxonMobil is better off.In fact, the energy giant has been consistently witnessing a lower debt-to-capitalization ratio than the industry over the past three years.ConocoPhillips has achieved a promising production outlook by leveraging its extensive drilling inventory and diversified upstream assets. Compared to composite stocks belonging to the industry, the leading upstream energy company has considerably lower exposure to debt capital. This reflects that the company is better positioned to rely on its strong balance sheet to withstand any adverse business scenario.Story continuesDiamondback Energy, a leading pure-play Permian operator, has reported ongoing enhancements in the average productivity per well in the Midland Basin. The exploration and production company is likely to continue witnessing increased production volumes. FANG also has an investment-grade balance sheet and a lower debt-to-capitalization ratio than the composite stocks belonging to the industry over the past years.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 reportExxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportConocoPhillips (COP) : Free Stock Analysis ReportDiamondback Energy, Inc. (FANG) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Watch These 3 Energy Stocks With Fortress Balance Sheet

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/watch-3-energy-stocks-fortress-130000206.html

c566a1a4-7ee7-36a0-ad65-a9e6f079ad7e

FANG

In this piece, we will take a look at the 13 oil stocks with the biggest upside. If you want to skip our overview of the oil sector and some recent news, then you can skip ahead to the 5 Oil Stocks with Biggest Upside. When we talk about investing in major sectors of the stock market, such as oil stocks, the number of equities that are available for trading on major indexes runs into the hundreds. This means that selecting the right stocks to invest in becomes a tedious process that requires an investor to patiently work through copious amounts of financial data to see whether a share price is justified by a firm's underlying models.Naturally, this is why the finance industry exists, with the sell side sector hiring teams to analyze stocks and write recommendations. Some such firms include banks such as JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS), and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS). These banks issue hundreds of stock notes each year, and often formulate lists of top firms in sectors such as oil to narrow down potential star stock performers.Oil stocks in particular have been at the center of news coverage for the past couple of years, and despite significant demand up and downswings in the sector, their long term returns still resemble those that are characteristic of stable sectors. For instance, when we look at the five year performance of the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index, the index is up by 16%, a growth that discounts the effects of dividends in providing investors a larger bang for their buck.In fact for the oil industry, even though 2023 was a boon in terms of revenue and high profits due to elevated gas prices stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it saw a sector that was still reeling from the effects of post pandemic global shutdowns and travel restrictions. These had ensured that the demand for oil was cut down significantly, and as the implications became clear, the same S&P oil index that is up by 16% over the past five years dropped by more than 30% over the course of a single summer month.Story continuesJust before this turmoil hit, i.e. in June 2022, Goldman Sachs had started to share its favored oil stocks which the bank's analyst Neil Mehta outlined had the potential for the greatest share price upside. The list was accompanied by a note that identified companies slated to benefit from a boom in global commodity demand and prices right when the global energy industry was undergoing a significant re shift on the supply side and fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) boomed as an alternative to cheap Russian gas.Mehta explained that the list of companies his teams had identified carried the potential of generating strong cash flows and potentially experiencing significant upside revisions down the road. He added that in case of long term crude oil prices hovering around $90, the top oil stocks could provide attractive valuations and end up being important components of a beta barbell investing strategy that allows an investor to focus on high and low risk stocks to strike an adequate balance between hedging a portfolio and seeking return.Since then, Goldman Sachs has mostly stuck with its oil price forecast, which is important since the high cash flow companies that the analyst identified are said to be capable of using stable prices to generate high cash flow. Cash flow is the actual money that is available to a firm for its operations and investor returns, and the bank's latest oil price forecast sits at $87 after a $2 raise in February 2024.With the outlook of oil still rosy despite a slow Chinese recovery, we decided to look at the top oil stocks with the biggest upside. Some notable picks are Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), Hess Corporation (NYSE:HES), and Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD).13 Oil Stocks with Biggest UpsideAn oil derrick in the North Sea, revealing the scope of the company's drilling operations.Our MethodologyTo make our list of the oil stocks with the highest upside, we ranked Goldman Sachs's top oil stock picks in 2022 and 2024 by the number of hedge funds that had bought the shares in 2023's December quarter. Out of these, the stocks with the highest number of hedge fund shareholders were chosen as the oil stocks with the highest upside. For the oil stocks from 2022, the share price performance from March 2022 is shared.For these oil stocks with the largest upside, we used we used hedge fund sentiment. 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). That’s why we pay very close attention to this often-ignored indicator.13 Oil Stocks with Biggest Upside13. Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE:MGY)Number of Q4 2023 Hedge Fund Shareholders: 25 Share Price Performance Since March 2022: -4.22%Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE:MGY) is a small American oil exploration firm headquartered in Houston, Texas. While the shares are down by 4.22% since March 2022, after the July dip, they have appreciated by 10%. The average analyst share price target is $24.77.During December 2023, 25 out of the 933 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey had bought the firm's shares. Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE:MGY)'s largest stakeholder among these is Amy Minella's Cardinal Capital due to its $42.9 million investment.Along with Hess Corporation (NYSE:HES), Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), and Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD), Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE:MGY)   is an oil stock with significant upside.12. Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS)Number of Q4 2023 Hedge Fund Shareholders: 62 Share Price Performance Since March 2022: -5.77% Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) is an American oil and gas company with exploration projects in the U.S. and other countries. Its shares have been on a roller coaster trajectory since March 2022, and while the stock has soared by as much as 45% during this period, over the long term it is still down by roughly 6%.As of Q4 2023 end, 62 out of the 933 hedge funds part of Insider Monkey's database had bought and owned a stake in Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS). Len Kipp and Xavier Majic's Maple Rock Capital was the firm's biggest investor since it owned $60 million worth of shares.11. Ovintiv Inc. (NYSE:OVV)Number of Q4 2023 Hedge Fund Shareholders: 35 Share Price Performance Since March 2022: -0.27%Ovintiv Inc. (NYSE:OVV) produces oil in several American states and Canadian provinces. While the stock was quick to recover most of its 2022 losses in the next couple of months, a sell off that took place in July 2023 after it announced a $250 million asset sale is yet to reverse itself.Insider Monkey scoured through 933 hedge fund holdings for last year's fourth quarter and found that 35 had invested in Ovintiv Inc. (NYSE:OVV). Michael Rockefeller and Karl Kroeker's Woodline Partners was the biggest investor since it held a $136 million stake.10. Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE:AR)Number of Q4 2023 Hedge Fund Shareholders: 39 Share Price Performance Since March 2022: -0.55%Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE:AR) is a Colorado based oil company with operations in the Appalachian basin and the Upper Devonian Shale. Looking at its financials to see how cash flows have done over the past couple of years, the operating cash flow dropped significantly in 2023 over 2022, on the back of a lower net income.By December 2023 end, 39 out of the 933 hedge funds surveyed by Insider Monkey were the firm's shareholders. Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE:AR)'s largest stakeholder is Phill Gross and Robert Atchinson's Adage Capital Management as it owns $107 million worth of shares.9. EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT)Number of Q4 2023 Hedge Fund Shareholders: 40 Share Price Performance Since March 2022: 6.55%EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT) is a pure play natural gas company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A greater interest in U.S. oil production following the Russian invasion has helped the stock over the past twelve months as the shares are up by 9.85%.Insider Monkey dug through 933 hedge fund portfolios for 2023's December quarter to find 40 EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT) investors.  Eric W. Mandelblatt's Soroban Capital Partners owned the biggest stake which was worth $214 million.8. Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:CTRA)Number of Q4 2023 Hedge Fund Shareholders: 42 Share Price Performance Since March 2022: 2.78%Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:CTRA) is another natural gas company. The fact that its shares are also up since March marks a crucial divergence on our list of the oil stocks with the biggest upside. This comes in the form of natural gas, as gas companies have managed to sustain investor interest due to the need to develop Russian alternatives. Year to date the stock is flat on the back of weaker natural gas prices.During last year's final quarter, 42 out of the 933 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey had bought the firm's shares. Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:CTRA)'s largest hedge fund investor is Steve Cohen's Point72 Asset Management since it owns 5.5 million shares that are worth $141 million.7. Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FANG)Number of Q4 2023 Hedge Fund Shareholders: 42 Share Price Performance Since March 2022: 36.75%Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FANG) is one of the highest performing stocks on our list of the top stocks with the highest upside. A somewhat diversified firm, it is involved in producing oil and gas and transporting it as well. Not only are the shares up by 36.75% since March 2022, but this doesn't capture the full return as Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FANG) also pays a $2 dividend for a 4.5% yield.Insider Monkey's fourth quarter of 2023 survey covered 933 hedge funds and found 42 Diamondback Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:FANG) shareholders. Ric Dillon's Diamond Hill Capital was the biggest shareholder through its $248 million stake.6. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP)Number of Q4 2023 Hedge Fund Shareholders: 59 Share Price Performance Since March 2022: 4.22%ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) is a Texas based diversified oil firm with a presence in several countries. It's also one of the top rated stocks on our list, having secured an average share rating of Strong Buy and an average share price target of $136 that promises a hefty upside.59 out of the 933 hedge funds part of Insider Monkey's Q4 2023 database had bought and owned the firm's shares. ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP)'s largest hedge fund investor is Boykin Curry's Eagle Capital Management due to its $1.5 billion investment.Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX), Hess Corporation (NYSE:HES), ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP), and Pioneer Natural Resources Company (NYSE:PXD) are some top Goldman Sachs oil stocks with high potential upside.Click to continue reading and see 5 Oil Stocks with Biggest Upside.Suggested Articles:15 Best Stocks to Buy According to Billionaire D.E. Shaw20 Countries With Worst Vision ProblemsWarren Buffett and Hedge Funds Love These 11 StocksDisclosure. None. 13 Oil Stocks with Biggest Upside was initially published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

13 Oil Stocks with Biggest Upside

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/13-oil-stocks-biggest-upside-144301349.html

29ec2465-ed4e-35f0-8a47-533953e3894b

FAST

Key InsightsUsing the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Fastenal fair value estimate is US$54.55Current share price of US$72.18 suggests Fastenal is potentially 32% overvalued Analyst price target for FAST is US$63.56, which is 17% above our fair value estimateToday we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Fastenal Company (NASDAQ:FAST) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. Check out our latest analysis for Fastenal Crunching The NumbersWe're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate2024202520262027202820292030203120322033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$995.4mUS$1.09bUS$1.20bUS$1.40bUS$1.55bUS$1.66bUS$1.75bUS$1.83bUS$1.91bUS$1.97bGrowth Rate Estimate SourceAnalyst x8Analyst x8Analyst x5Analyst x2Analyst x2Est @ 7.15%Est @ 5.69%Est @ 4.67%Est @ 3.96%Est @ 3.46% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 7.1% US$929US$949US$974US$1.1kUS$1.1kUS$1.1kUS$1.1kUS$1.1kUS$1.0kUS$990("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$10bStory continuesAfter calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.3%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.1%.Terminal Value (TV)= FCF2033 × (1 + g) ÷ (r – g) = US$2.0b× (1 + 2.3%) ÷ (7.1%– 2.3%) = US$42bPresent Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$42b÷ ( 1 + 7.1%)10= US$21bThe total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$31b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of US$72.2, the company appears reasonably expensive at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.dcfThe AssumptionsThe calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Fastenal as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.1%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.051. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.SWOT Analysis for FastenalStrengthEarnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.Debt is not viewed as a risk.Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.WeaknessEarnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average.Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Trade Distributors market.Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.OpportunityAnnual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.ThreatAnnual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.Moving On:Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Can we work out why the company is trading at a premium to intrinsic value? For Fastenal, we've compiled three additional factors you should further examine:Financial Health: Does FAST have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk.Future Earnings: How does FAST's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart.Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.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.

Is Fastenal Company (NASDAQ:FAST) Expensive For A Reason? A Look At Its Intrinsic Value

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fastenal-company-nasdaq-fast-expensive-140014569.html

41a1fe3e-9695-3797-a34c-1d59c176f4b3

FAST

For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – February 26, 2024 – Today, Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights GMS GMS, Fastenal Company FAST and Builders FirstSource BLDR.Market Rally Faces Key Test: 3 Stock IdeasStocks staged a dramatic reversal on Thursday, placing the bulls back in charge as chip leader Nvidia's fourth-quarter earnings results sparked a renewed sense of optimism. Both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day at all-time closing highs, bolstering the case that this latest rally may still have legs. Heading into Friday's session, the S&P 500 was up 1.63% on the week, while the Dow added 1.14%.But it's the Nasdaq that's taking center stage, as the tech-heavy index came within inches of its all-time high yesterday. It remains the last of the three major U.S. indexes that has yet to surpass the significant level. Market participants will be eager to see if the Nasdaq can ultimately eclipse the threshold during Friday's session. The index was tracking higher in early trading on Friday.Economic Data Sends Mixed SignalsEarlier in the week we received minutes from the Fed's January meeting, which showed that officials remain cautious on cutting interest rates too soon."Most participants noted the risks of moving too quickly to ease the stance of policy," the minutes stated. Only a few officials noted the downside risks of holding policy in a restrictive manner for too long.Given a resilient labor market and healthy U.S. consumer, interest rates have remained stubbornly high. It seems the Fed is in no hurry to lower rates, with markets now pricing in just a 2.5% chance of a cut in March.The rate environment has certainly complicated the picture for the housing market. Sales of previously owned homes rose in January, as slightly lower rates boosted purchases. Existing sales rose 3.1% for the month to 4 million units on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis.Story continuesStill, mortgage rates have ticked back up in recent days. The average rate for a 30-year fixed loan climbed back near 7% this week, the highest average level in nearly two months.While housing activity has provided us with a mixed showing thus far in 2024, market participants are still expecting activity to pick up when rates drop. But robust economic data will likely continue to prolong that process, limiting affordability for many households.Building Products Stocks Soar Outside of tech, building material and product companies are one group that has been leading the charge this year. The Zacks Building Products – Retail industry group currently ranks in the top 22% out of more than 250 Zacks Ranked Industries. Because this group is ranked in the top half of all industries, we expect it to outperform the market over the next 3 to 6 months.Historical research studies suggest that approximately half of a stock's price appreciation is due to its industry grouping. In fact, the top 50% of Zacks Ranked Industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. By focusing on leading stocks within the top 50% of Zacks Ranked Industries, we can dramatically improve our stock-picking success.This group has also been steadily outperforming the market over the past three months.Several stocks within this leading industry have been outperforming year-to-date. GMS, a distributor of wallboard and suspended ceiling systems, has witnessed its stock rise nearly 8% this year after soaring more than 65% last year. The company has delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 3.15%. A Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), GMS trades at just 10.76 times forward earnings.Fastenal Company engages in the wholesale distribution of industrial and construction supplies internationally. The company provides fasteners, bolts, nuts, screws, studs, and washers used in manufactured products and construction projects.FAST has surpassed earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, posting an average surprise of 2.58% over that timeframe. A Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), Fastenal has rewarded investors over the past year with a better than 40% return.Builders FirstSource manufactures and supplies building materials and construction services to professional homebuilders, sub-contractors, remodelers, and consumers in the United States. The company also provides specialty products such as siding, exterior trim, roofing, cabinets, and insulation.Just yesterday, BLDR delivered fourth-quarter earnings of $3.55/share, a 31.5% surprise over consensus estimates. The building materials company has posted a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 40.6%.A Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), BLDR stock is ranked favorably by our Zacks Style Scores, with a top 'A' rating in our Value and Growth categories. Builders FirstSource stock has been on a tear this year, climbing nearly 15%.How to Approach This RallyThis market is showing signs of strong momentum. Leadership from the more aggressive pockets of the market (consumer discretionary, information technology, communication services) is another positive sign that points to a higher probability of more bullish outcomes moving forward.Other pockets of the market outside of tech, such as building products stocks and homebuilders, are also showing strength.Still, we want to always approach the market from a risk-first perspective. Many stocks are extended in the short-term, so it makes sense to be cautious here with any new additions. Scaling into long positions to mitigate timing risk is a sound strategy in this environment.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 >>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/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 reportFastenal Company (FAST) : Free Stock Analysis ReportBuilders FirstSource, Inc. (BLDR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportGMS Inc. (GMS) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights: GMS, Fastenal Company and Builders FirstSource

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/zacks-investment-ideas-feature-highlights-140800785.html

698fab53-954e-3fbf-b65b-dc82914be182

FAST

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.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.Fastenal (FAST)Based in Winona, MN, Fastenal Company is a national wholesale distributor of industrial and construction supplies. The company distributes its products through more than 3,200 company-owned stores, primarily located in North America.FAST sits at a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), holds a Momentum Style Score of B, and has a VGM Score of B. The stock is up 1% and up 7% over the past one-week and four-week period, respectively, and Fastenal has gained 40.4% in the last one-year period as well. Additionally, an average of 3,228,024.25 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 $0.03 to $2.15 per share. FAST boasts an average earnings surprise of 2.6%.Investors should take the time to consider FAST 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 reportStory continuesFastenal Company (FAST) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Are You a Momentum Investor? This 1 Stock Could Be the Perfect Pick

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/momentum-investor-1-stock-could-145011975.html

1efc18c9-5fd2-3675-bad3-56e7c004c2cf

FAST

Most readers would already be aware that Fastenal's (NASDAQ:FAST) stock increased significantly by 22% over the past three months. Given that stock prices are usually aligned with a company's financial performance in the long-term, we decided to study its financial indicators more closely to see if they had a hand to play in the recent price move. Particularly, we will be paying attention to Fastenal's ROE today.Return on equity or ROE is a key measure used to assess how efficiently a company's management is utilizing the company's capital. In short, ROE shows the profit each dollar generates with respect to its shareholder investments. See our latest analysis for Fastenal How Is ROE Calculated?ROE can be calculated by using the formula:Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) ÷ Shareholders' EquitySo, based on the above formula, the ROE for Fastenal is:34% = US$1.2b ÷ US$3.3b (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. So, this means that for every $1 of its shareholder's investments, the company generates a profit of $0.34.Why Is ROE Important For Earnings Growth?Thus far, we have learned that ROE measures how efficiently a company is generating its profits. Based on how much of its profits the company chooses to reinvest or "retain", we are then able to evaluate a company's future ability to generate profits. Assuming everything else remains unchanged, the higher the ROE and profit retention, the higher the growth rate of a company compared to companies that don't necessarily bear these characteristics.Fastenal's Earnings Growth And 34% ROEFirstly, we acknowledge that Fastenal has a significantly high ROE. Second, a comparison with the average ROE reported by the industry of 19% also doesn't go unnoticed by us. This likely paved the way for the modest 9.5% net income growth seen by Fastenal over the past five years.Story continuesWe then compared Fastenal's net income growth with the industry and found that the company's growth figure is lower than the average industry growth rate of 24% in the same 5-year period, which is a bit concerning.past-earnings-growthThe basis for attaching value to a company is, to a great extent, tied to its earnings growth. What investors need to determine next is if the expected earnings growth, or the lack of it, is already built into the share price. By doing so, they will have an idea if the stock is headed into clear blue waters or if swampy waters await. If you're wondering about Fastenal's's valuation, check out this gauge of its price-to-earnings ratio, as compared to its industry.Is Fastenal Making Efficient Use Of Its Profits?While Fastenal has a three-year median payout ratio of 67% (which means it retains 33% of profits), the company has still seen a fair bit of earnings growth in the past, meaning that its high payout ratio hasn't hampered its ability to grow.Besides, Fastenal has been paying dividends for at least ten years or more. This shows that the company is committed to sharing profits with its shareholders. Upon studying the latest analysts' consensus data, we found that the company is expected to keep paying out approximately 70% of its profits over the next three years. As a result, Fastenal's ROE is not expected to change by much either, which we inferred from the analyst estimate of 37% for future ROE.ConclusionOverall, we feel that Fastenal certainly does have some positive factors to consider. The company has grown its earnings moderately as previously discussed. Still, the high ROE could have been even more beneficial to investors had the company been reinvesting more of its profits. As highlighted earlier, the current reinvestment rate appears to be quite low. That being so, a study of the latest analyst forecasts show that the company is expected to see a slowdown in its future earnings growth. Are these analysts expectations based on the broad expectations for the industry, or on the company's fundamentals? Click here to be taken to our analyst's forecasts page for the company.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.

Fastenal Company's (NASDAQ:FAST) Stock Has Seen Strong Momentum: Does That Call For Deeper Study Of Its Financial Prospects?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fastenal-companys-nasdaq-fast-stock-110021479.html

c3711554-c3aa-3a33-a877-af0cf9151f60

FCX

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Freeport-McMoRan (FCX). Shares have lost about 2% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Freeport-McMoRan due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.Freeport's Earnings and Revenues Surpass Estimates in Q4Freeport recorded net income (attributable to common stock) of $388 million or 27 cents per share in fourth-quarter 2023, down around 44.3% from $697 million or 48 cents in the year-ago quarter.Barring one-time items, adjusted earnings per share came in at 27 cents, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 21 cents.Revenues rose nearly 2.6% year over year to around $5.9 billion. The figure also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.82 billion. The company witnessed higher copper sales in the reported quarter.Operational HighlightsCopper production rose nearly 2.3% year over year to 1,095 million pounds in the reported quarter. The figure fell short of our estimate of 1,108 million pounds.Consolidated sales increased around 7.1% year over year to 1,116 million pounds of copper. The figure was higher than our estimate of 1,085 million pounds. The upside can be attributed to higher mining rates.The company sold 549,000 ounces of gold, up around 16.3% year over year. The figure was lower than our estimate of 580,000 ounces. Freeport also sold 22 million pounds of molybdenum, up around 15.8% year over year during the quarter. The figure was higher than our estimate of 20 million pounds.Consolidated average unit net cash costs per pound of copper were $1.52, flat year over year. The figure was lower than our estimate of $1.58.The average realized price for copper was $3.81 per pound, up around 1% year over year. The figure was higher than our estimate of $3.6 per pound. The average realized price per ounce for gold rose around 13.7% year over year to $2,034. The figure was above our estimate of $1,900.Story continuesFinancial PositionCash and cash equivalents (including restricted) at the end of the quarter were $5.97 billion, down around 27.8% year over year. The company’s long-term debt was $8.66 billion, down around 9.7% year over year.Cash flows provided by operations were $5.28 billion for the year ended Dec 31, 2023.GuidanceFreeport expects consolidated sales for the year 2024 to be approximately 4.1 billion pounds of copper, 2 million ounces of gold and 85 million pounds of molybdenum. This includes an estimated 1 billion pounds of copper, 575,000 ounces of gold, and 20 million pounds of molybdenum in the first quarter of 2024.The unit net cash costs for copper are expected to average $1.60 per pound for 2024, encompassing $1.55 per pound in the first quarter of the same year. These predictions are based on the achievement of current sales volume and cost estimates, assuming average prices of $2,000 per ounce of gold and $19.00 per pound of molybdenum for the entire year.The company is also forecasting operating cash flows of approximately $5.8 billion for 2024. Meanwhile, capital expenditures for the full year are projected to be around $4.6 billion.How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?It turns out, fresh estimates have trended downward during the past month.The consensus estimate has shifted -6.84% due to these changes.VGM ScoresAt this time, Freeport-McMoRan has a subpar Growth Score of D, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with an F. However, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Freeport-McMoRan has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.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 reportFreeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) Down 2% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Rebound?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/freeport-mcmoran-fcx-down-2-163024886.html

1fa88724-8702-3a6c-8000-fbccdfe9197a

FCX

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

FCX

A combination of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill in the U.S. and the global need to maintain and upgrade infrastructure in developed countries while investing in new projects to support growth in emerging countries means there will be ongoing spending on infrastructure. That's great news for companies with exposure to it, and I think investors should look closely at Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB), Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) and Atkore (NYSE: ATKR) to play this theme. Here's why.Trimble is revolutionizing how infrastructure is builtTrimble provides positioning and workflow technology that helps construction and geospatial companies with their daily operations. Its origins lie in precise positioning hardware. But its future lies in increasingly augmenting that hardware with software and services -- including advanced analytics -- to enable customers to make more-informed decisions and produce better outcomes.With Trimble, for example, infrastructure projects can be precisely managed with a significant reduction in waste and the kind of cost overruns the industry is famous for. It's a key player in digitally transforming how infrastructure is built and maintained.This transformation isn't just about solutions for its customers; the shift to software and services as a more significant part of its revenue mix also improves Trimble's profit margin and underlying cash-flow potential. As such, the company's mid-teens growth in its annualized recurring revenue (ARR) will drop into cash-flow generation. The company's free cash flow (FCF) generation is set to rapidly expand in the coming years, making the stock attractive.Based on Wall Street analyst estimates, Trimble will trade at slightly less than 20 times the estimated FCF in 2025, a highly attractive multiple for a company growing ARR and FCF at a mid-teens rate.Image source: Getty Images.Freeport-McMoRan and the electrification of everythingThis copper miner is more of a global player in infrastructure than a U.S.-focused company. That said, the electrification of everything is a global trend, and more electrification means more demand for copper.Story continuesInfrastructure spending is a significant part of that trend. If you want electric vehicles, you must have charging networks. If you want renewable energy, you must connect it to the grid. You must have electrical networks if you want to invest in transportation, communication, or data infrastructure, and if you want smart infrastructure, you must have electricity.It's a powerful trend likely to drive demand for copper over the long term. Freeport-McMoRan is in a good position to meet that demand thanks to its pipeline of potential expansion projects, its value-enhancing leaching technology (recovering copper from existing stockpiles), and its low-cost production in Indonesia.In short, the miner has the resources and the financial flexibility to invest in increasing supply, and to benefit from increased prices for copper. That's why it's the best mining stock to buy in 2024.Atkore's best days lie aheadI don't know what Atkore's revenue will be in a few years, and I strongly suspect its management might tell you the same thing. That's not a negative reflection on the company; it's more of a recognition that its prices and revenue are guided by movements in its key raw materials like steel, copper, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).So when those raw materials surged in 2021 and 2022, so did Atkore's revenue and earnings. It's a leading manufacturer of products used in electrical power systems in its electrical segment. It also manufactures metal frames and pipes -- among other things -- in its safety and infrastructure segment.ATKR Revenue (TTM) ChartWhat we do know is that, despite a drop in selling prices that reduced earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) by $130 million in the first quarter of 2024, Atkore's sales volumes improved EBITDA by $52 million. There was an improvement in costs by $38 million.AtkoreFirst Quarter 2023First Quarter 2024ChangePriceVolumeCost ChangesEBITDA$264 million$214 million$50 million($130 million)$52 million$38 millionData source: Atkore presentations. The change figure does not tally due to other items.The improvement in sales volumes and costs wasn't enough to fully offset the decline in pricing caused by the dramatic fall in raw materials prices that Atkore passed on to its customers.Still, the crucial point is that rising infrastructure spending positively affects sales volumes. If raw materials prices stabilize, that will drop down into increased sales and earnings in the future. As such, Atkore's earnings could significantly improve in the coming years, and so the stock looks like a good value trading on 10 times its estimated 2024 earnings.Should you invest $1,000 in Trimble right now?Before you buy stock in Trimble, 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 Trimble 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, 2024Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Trimble. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.3 Infrastructure Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist in March was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

3 Infrastructure Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist in March

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-infrastructure-stocks-buy-hand-100500816.html

1b47e9fd-7629-3ad2-8d71-ab475f108471

FCX

The latest trading session saw Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) ending at $40.42, denoting a +1.43% adjustment from its last day's close. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.11%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.12%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.41%.Prior to today's trading, shares of the mining company had gained 6.66% over the past month. This has outpaced the Basic Materials sector's gain of 4.98% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.7% in that time.The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Freeport-McMoRan in its upcoming release. On that day, Freeport-McMoRan is projected to report earnings of $0.36 per share, which would represent a year-over-year decline of 30.77%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $5.64 billion, up 4.75% from the prior-year quarter.In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $1.52 per share and a revenue of $23.19 billion, indicating changes of -1.3% and +1.48%, respectively, from the former year.Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Freeport-McMoRan. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. 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 take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational 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 4.47% increase. Right now, Freeport-McMoRan possesses a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).Story continuesIn terms of valuation, Freeport-McMoRan is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 26.16. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 14.81.The Mining - Non Ferrous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 210, finds itself in the bottom 17% echelons 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.You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.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 reportFreeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Why the Market Dipped But Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) Gained Today

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-market-dipped-freeport-mcmoran-220020215.html

74b5f60f-0977-3e64-927a-f03374afc5d5

FDS

On February 2, 2024, Rachel Stern, the EVP, Chief Legal Officer of FactSet Research Systems Inc (NYSE:FDS), sold 9,247 shares of the company. The transaction was filed with the SEC and can be found in detail through the provided document.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Sign with FDS.FactSet Research Systems Inc is a global provider of integrated financial information, analytical applications, and industry-leading service for the investment and corporate communities. The company delivers insight and information to financial professionals through its analytics, services, contents, and technologies, which support the investment process.According to the data, over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 21,801 shares and has not made any purchases. The recent sale by the insider is part of a trend observed over the last year, where there have been no insider buys and 23 insider sells for FactSet Research Systems Inc.On the date of the sale, shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc were trading at $480.19, resulting in a market capitalization of $18.182 billion. The price-earnings ratio of the stock stood at 38.62, which is above both the industry median of 18.84 and the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.The stock's price-to-GF-Value ratio was 1.01, indicating that FactSet Research Systems Inc was Fairly Valued in relation to its GF Value of $475.31. The GF Value is a proprietary intrinsic value estimate from GuruFocus, which is calculated based on historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts.FactSet Research Systems Inc EVP, Chief Legal Officer Rachel Stern Sells 9,247 SharesThe insider transaction history suggests a pattern of sales that could be of interest to investors monitoring insider behaviors. However, it is important to consider the broader context of the market and the company's valuation when interpreting these transactions.FactSet Research Systems Inc EVP, Chief Legal Officer Rachel Stern Sells 9,247 SharesInvestors and analysts often look at insider transactions as one of many indicators to gauge the potential future performance of a company's stock. While insider sales can suggest a variety of things, they do not always necessarily indicate a lack of confidence in the company by the insiders.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

FactSet Research Systems Inc EVP, Chief Legal Officer Rachel Stern Sells 9,247 Shares

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/factset-research-systems-inc-evp-220220071.html

310f0b54-c2a3-320e-b916-f7b4a64f8d73

FDS

FactSet Research Systems Inc.NORWALK, Conn., Feb. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FactSet (NYSE: FDS | NASDAQ: FDS), a global financial digital platform and enterprise solutions provider, announced today that it will release its financial and operating results for the second quarter fiscal 2024, ending February 29, 2024, on Thursday, March 21, 2024. FactSet will also host a conference call to discuss these results at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, March 21, 2024.The following information is provided for investors who would like to participate in the conference call:First Quarter Fiscal 2024 Conference Call DetailsDate:Thursday, March 21, 2024Time:11:00 a.m. Eastern TimeParticipant Registration:FactSet Q2 2024 Earnings Call RegistrationPlease register for the conference call using the above link before the call start time. The conference call platform will register your name and organization and provide dial-in numbers and a unique access pin. The conference call will have a live Q&A session.The earnings presentation slides will be available on our investor relations website at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on March 21, 2024, 30 minutes before the earnings call begins.A replay will be available on the Company’s investor relations website after 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 21, 2024 through March 21, 2025.   The earnings call transcript will be available via FactSet CallStreet.About FactSetFactSet (NYSE:FDS | NASDAQ:FDS) helps the financial community to see more, think bigger, and work better. Our digital platform and enterprise solutions deliver financial data, analytics, and open technology to nearly 8,000 global clients, including over 207,000 individual users. Clients across the buy-side and sell-side, as well as wealth managers, private equity firms, and corporations, achieve more every day with our comprehensive and connected content, flexible next-generation workflow solutions, and client-centric specialized support. As a member of the S&P 500, we are committed to sustainable growth and have been recognized amongst the Best Places to Work in 2023 by Glassdoor as a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award winner. Learn more at www.factset.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.Story continuesFactSet Investor Relations Contact:                         Ali van Nes                                         +1.203.810.2273                                [email protected] ContactMegan [email protected]

GlobeNewswire

FactSet Schedules Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Call

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/factset-schedules-second-quarter-2024-120000919.html

49b308b8-2713-3268-abbf-ef789b258a49

FDS

Frederick Snow, the CEO of FactSet Research Systems Inc (NYSE:FDS), a global provider of integrated financial information, analytical applications, and industry-leading service for the investment and corporate communities, sold 3,000 shares of the company on March 1, 2024. The transaction was reported in an SEC Filing.Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 24,000 shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc and has not made any purchases of the stock. This latest sale continues a trend of insider selling at the company, with a total of 24 insider sells and no insider buys reported over the same timeframe.FactSet Research Systems Inc CEO Frederick Snow Sells 3,000 SharesOn the date of the sale, shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc were trading at $461.55, valuing the company at a market cap of $17.57 billion. The price-earnings ratio of the company stood at 37.32, which is above both the industry median of 18.22 and the historical median price-earnings ratio for the company.FactSet Research Systems Inc CEO Frederick Snow Sells 3,000 SharesThe stock's price-to-GF-Value ratio was 0.97, indicating that FactSet Research Systems Inc was Fairly Valued according to the GF Value. The GF Value is calculated considering historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.The sale by the insider may be of interest to investors tracking insider behavior as an indicator of company performance and valuation. However, it is important to consider a wide range of factors when evaluating the potential implications of insider transactions.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Sign with FDS.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

FactSet Research Systems Inc CEO Frederick Snow Sells 3,000 Shares

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/factset-research-systems-inc-ceo-220100540.html

bb3a0e52-06d5-313b-9442-f550e59ed3d6

FDX

FedEx (FDX) closed the latest trading day at $241.12, indicating a -0.96% change from the previous session's end. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.38%. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 0.16%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.13%.Coming into today, shares of the package delivery company had lost 3.22% in the past month. In that same time, the Transportation sector gained 3.94%, while the S&P 500 gained 4.74%.Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of FedEx in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to be unveiled on March 21, 2024. On that day, FedEx is projected to report earnings of $3.56 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 4.4%. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $22.04 billion, indicating a 0.58% decrease compared to the same quarter of the previous year.For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $17.72 per share and a revenue of $88.16 billion, representing changes of +18.45% and -2.16%, respectively, from the prior year.Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for FedEx. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. 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, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.24% lower. FedEx currently has a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).Story continuesInvestors should also note FedEx's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 13.74. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 15.82 of its industry.We can additionally observe that FDX currently boasts a PEG ratio of 1.15. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. The average PEG ratio for the Transportation - Air Freight and Cargo industry stood at 1.79 at the close of the market yesterday.The Transportation - Air Freight and Cargo industry is part of the Transportation sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 217, finds itself in the bottom 14% echelons of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding 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 reportFedEx Corporation (FDX) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

FedEx (FDX) Sees a More Significant Dip Than Broader Market: Some Facts to Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fedex-fdx-sees-more-significant-225009466.html

1100f2ae-2080-3f1c-bdd3-f0467c6e613d

FDX

There’s an argument to be made for global funds: They enable fund managers to choose stocks from anywhere, and investors can widely diversify their portfolios.We recently caught up with one such fund manager: Brent Fredberg of Brandes Global Equity  (BGEAX) . The fund has $46 million of assets, and Brandes Investment Partners has $24 billion in total.Brent Fredberg, director of global large-cap investments for Brandes Investment PartnersTheStreet/Brandes Investment PartnersBrandes Global Equity Fund’s performanceBrandes Global Equity Fund generated annualized total returns of 12% for the 12 months through Jan. 31, 11% for the past three years, 9% for the past five years, and 6% for the past 10 years, according to Morningstar.Related: Veteran fund manager picks 3 top value stocks for 2024Those numbers beat the Morningstar Global Value index for all but the 10-year period.The fund is of the large-cap-value variety. In recent years, value stocks have underperformed growth stocks, making value an attractive play, Fredberg says. And low valuations overseas compared with U.S. stocks make foreign stocks appealing.Here are his comments about those issues and more, including several stock picks.TheStreet.com: What's your investment philosophy?Fredberg: We’re fundamental value investors with a contrarian bias. We don’t define value as simply low multiples. We take growth, quality, and moats into account when establishing a company’s intrinsic value.More Wall Street Analysts:Analyst who correctly warned Tesla stock could fall unveils new targetFund manager of $2 billion portfolio unveils 9 favorite stocksAnalysts unveil new stock price target for Nvidia ahead of earningsWe are able to assemble a portfolio of well-positioned businesses that are significantly cheaper than the market overall.Oftentimes, discounts arise because a company is suffering from something, and we take a view as to whether the issue is short-term and fixable or whether it is something that is longer-term and secular.The market is very focused on what it can see in the near term. But when you invest in companies over a multiyear period, what appears to be influential today may no longer be in the headlines three to five years from now.Story continuesTheStreet.com: What’s the attraction of global large-cap value stocks?Fredberg: Value stocks are extremely cheap relative to growth stocks. Global value stocks are cheaper relative to growth stocks than they’ve been in several decades other than the Nifty Fifty period of the late 1960s and early ‘70s and the tech bubble of the late ‘90s.Historically, when value stocks have become this cheap relative to growth stocks and relative to the market, it’s resulted in strong outperformance for value stocks over the subsequent five or more years.Also, while we’re finding individual opportunities in the U.S., overseas markets are significantly cheaper relative to the U.S. than normal.A common pushback is that international markets are less weighted in technology stocks, which is true. But they’re significantly cheaper than normal, even adjusting for that. And international earnings are more depressed.Global value stocks also provide diversification to the very concentrated U.S. market and its Magnificent Seven [Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla].TheStreet.com: Are there particular industries or themes in the markets that you like?Fredberg: In 2022, we bought technology companies when tech was out of favor. At that point, we also trimmed some of our health-care holdings, as they were outperforming.More recently, we’ve been doing a little of the opposite. We think tech is quite fully valued as a sector. However, the sector is bifurcated. We’re still able to find ways to participate in the artificial intelligence theme through lower-profile companies that are quite cheaper.We also like health care. We see it as a defensive sector that is still offering quite a few attractively valued names. It’s not just pharmaceutical companies but also healthcare services and medical equipment companies.TheStreet.com: Are there any geographies you particularly like?Fredberg: Emerging markets look more attractive. China went from much-loved five years ago to much-avoided today. We think the sentiment was too extreme in both cases.China is influencing many other emerging markets today, suppressing valuations. But it’s very important to be selective.We like South Korea. They’ve seen how successful Japan has been with its focus on improving the profitability of laggard companies, optimizing balance sheets, and focusing more on shareholder returns.South Korea is looking to emulate some of that and eliminate the so-called Korean Discount that has existed for years. We’ll see how serious they are, but we own a number of companies there that could benefit.In Europe, there are a number of well-positioned multinational companies that just happen to be domiciled in Europe but generate their revenue across the world. And they trade at significant discounts to their U.S.-headquartered peers.TheStreet.com: Can you speak about three of your favorite stocks?Fredberg:1. Sanofi  (SNY) , the big French drug company that does business around the world. It has one of the lowest patent risks among major drug companies, with no big expiration until 2030.It is led by the immunology drug Dupixent. Sanofi is also very strong in vaccines, which are cash-flow generators. In addition, it has a multiple-sclerosis drug in trials that could add to growth.And it plans to spin off or sell its consumer business later this year. That includes Allegra and Aspercreme.2. FedEx  (FDX) . As you know, it’s one of the two leading-package delivery companies, along with UPS  (UPS) . The oligopoly nature of the industry should allow for pricing power.FedEx has been operating inefficiently relative to UPS, with operating margins significantly below those of UPS. In 2022, FedEx appointed a new CEO, who has been cutting costs, focusing on free cash flow, and emphasizing a better-not-bigger approach to improve margins.FedEx is going to integrate its ground and express business, which could materially improve efficiency and profitability.3. Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) , the world’s largest semiconductor foundry. It makes all of Nvidia’s leading-edge AI chips, as well most of the chips that drive the cloud.The company saw revenue drop 5% last year, the first decline in over a decade. More than half its business comes from smartphones and personal computers, which experienced a lull last year.However, both of those markets look to be improving. And over the next couple of years AI will move onto smartphones and PCs, increasing the need for semiconductor content.Related: Veteran fund manager picks favorite stocks for 2024

TheStreet

Veteran fund manager reveals 3 favorite global stocks

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/veteran-fund-manager-reveals-3-023300960.html

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FDX

Sriram Krishnasamy Named Chief Digital and Information OfficerMEMPHIS, Tenn., March 11, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) announced today that Robert B. Carter, EVP, FedEx Information Services & CIO, FedEx Corporation and co-president & co-CEO of FedEx Services, will retire after an exemplary career at FedEx for 31 years. He will step down from his current roles effective June 30, 2024, and will remain with the company as a senior advisor until December 31, 2024, to help ensure a successful transition.Under his leadership, Carter spearheaded cutting-edge technology that differentiated FedEx in the industry such as real-time tracking and transactions. With the dawn of the internet, he recognized the power behind these transactions and played an instrumental role in launching tools to provide customers visibility into that data. Throughout his career, Carter has been awarded many industry accolades. He is a 25-time recipient of the CIO 100 Award, was named three times as the Information Week Chief of the Year, and was included on both the Fast Company Most Creative List and Most Creative People List."Rob has had a distinguished career at FedEx, most recently leading FedEx in modernizing our IT infrastructure for our network that ships 15M packages per day around the globe," said Raj Subramaniam, president & CEO, FedEx. "I am immensely grateful to Rob for his numerous contributions in establishing FedEx as an innovative, data-driven, and people-focused company and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement."Effective July 1, Sriram Krishnasamy, currently the EVP and chief transformation officer for FedEx Corporation and the president & CEO of FedEx Dataworks, will serve as chief digital and information officer. In this role, Krishnasamy will lead the FedEx IT and FedEx Dataworks teams to unleash the power of FedEx intelligence to further serve FedEx global operations and customers. Given the critical role of technology, systems, and data insights in supporting key DRIVE efforts, he will also retain his role as EVP and chief transformation officer.Story continuesSince joining FedEx in 1997, Krishnasamy has worked at multiple FedEx operating companies and held leadership positions around the globe. His 20+ years of experience at FedEx has contributed to his deep knowledge of the network and an unrelenting curiosity about the role of supply chains in connecting the world."Under the leadership of Sriram, FedEx launched Dataworks, which focuses on harnessing the power of our data, while leading our DRIVE effort, the most significant transformation in our company’s history," said Subramaniam. "His leadership will be critical as we continue to leverage our extensive operational expertise to become a data-driven, digital-first company that provides transportation and digital solutions for everyone, from everywhere."About FedEx Corp.FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenue of $88 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively and innovating digitally as one FedEx. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 500,000 employees to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit fedex.com/about. For more information on the FedEx-HBCU Student Ambassador Program, please visit fedexcares.com.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311468773/en/ContactsMedia Contact: Caitlin Adams Maier 901-434-8100

Business Wire

FedEx EVP/CIO Robert B. Carter to Step Down June 30, 2024

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fedex-evp-cio-robert-b-201500363.html

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FDX

In this article, we will be taking a look at the 13 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics. You can also take a detailed look at the 5 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics.The logistics industry plays a critical role in facilitating global trade and commerce, encompassing the planning, implementation, and control of the movement and storage of goods and services. A comprehensive market analysis of the logistics industry worldwide involves examining key trends, drivers, challenges, and opportunities shaping the sector's landscape.Logistics Industry - Market AnalysisAccording to Precedence Research, the global logistics market size stood at $7.98 trillion in 2022 and it is expected to be reach a value of $18.23 trillion by 2030 with a CAGR of 10.7% from 2023 to 2030. North America logistics market was valued at $1.9 trillion in 2022. Their report highlights that not only is Asia-Pacific the largest logistics market ($3.4 trillion in 2022), but its also the fastest-growing one (CAGR 11.9% over the forecast period).The rise of e-commerce has revolutionized the logistics landscape, leading to a surge in demand for last-mile delivery services. In 2020 alone, global e-commerce sales amounted to approximately $4.28 trillion, representing a 27.6% increase compared to the previous year. Companies like Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) have played a pivotal role in driving this growth, with its Prime program offering fast and reliable delivery to millions of customers worldwide. To meet the rising demand for last-mile delivery, logistics companies are investing in innovative solutions such as electric delivery vans, drones, and autonomous vehicles.Moreover, technological innovations are transforming the logistics industry, enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience. Deutsche Post AG (XETRA:DHL.DE) leverages IoT sensors to monitor temperature-sensitive shipments in real-time, ensuring the integrity of pharmaceutical and perishable goods during transit. Similarly, FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) uses AI-powered route optimization algorithms to minimize delivery times and fuel consumption. The global logistics automation market is expected to reach $95.9 billion by 2027, driven by increased adoption of automation solutions across warehouses, distribution centers, and transportation fleets.Story continuesPlus, environmental sustainability has become a top priority for the logistics industry, with companies implementing green initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and minimize environmental impact. For example, FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) has adopted a "Reduce, Replace, Revolutionize" strategy to mitigate its environmental impact. This approach focuses on reducing emissions through fuel-efficient aircraft and vehicles, replacing traditional fuel with alternative fuels like biofuels and electricity, and revolutionizing the logistics industry through innovation and technology adoption. FedEx aims to achieve carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040.Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, prompting companies to reassess their supply chain strategies and invest in resilience measures. According to a survey by the Institute for Supply Management, 75% of companies experienced supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic. To enhance supply chain resilience, companies are adopting technologies such as blockchain and AI to improve visibility and mitigate risks. For example, Deutsche Post AG (XETRA:DHL.DE) uses AI-based fraud detection algorithms to identify and prevent fraudulent activities, such as identity theft, credit card fraud, and cargo theft, within the logistics supply chain. By analyzing transactional data, behavioral patterns, and anomalies, AI algorithms can detect suspicious activities and alert security personnel to take appropriate action promptly. This proactive approach helps mitigate the risk of financial losses, reputational damage, and security breaches in logistics operations.The logistics industry operates within a complex regulatory environment influenced by trade agreements, customs regulations, and geopolitical factors. For example, the implementation of the European Union's Union Customs Code aims to modernize and streamline customs procedures, facilitating trade flows within the EU. Additionally, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) introduced new rules for trade between the three countries, impacting logistics operations and supply chain strategies.Emerging markets present lucrative opportunities for logistics companies seeking to expand their global footprint. According to the World Economic Forum, Africa's logistics market is projected to reach $19.9 billion by 2023, driven by rapid urbanization and infrastructure development. Companies like Deutsche Post AG (XETRA:DHL.DE) and FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) are investing in expanding their presence in these markets to capitalize on growing consumer demand. Moreover, the rise of digital platforms and on-demand logistics services presents new avenues for innovation and market disruption, offering opportunities for startups and established players alike to transform the industry landscape.13 Most Advanced Countries in LogisticsMethodologyTo shortlist the 13 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics, we consulted credible sources like Conception Etude Realization Logistique and World Bank to learn about the Logistics Performance Index of different countries and to explore the 13 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics. We used Conception Etude Realization Logistique’s latest list (from 2023) to determine rankings of all the countries on the basis of their Logistics Performance Index. The list of 13 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics has been ranked in ascending order - from countries with lowest LPI score to the highest.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. 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 – check details here.13 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics13. FranceLogistics Performance Index: 3.9France shows a strong logistical infrastructure supported by its central location in Europe, extensive transportation networks, and diverse economy. Its strategic position as a gateway to Europe, combined with its well-developed road, rail, and waterway networks, facilitates the smooth movement of goods domestically and internationally. Major ports like Marseille and Le Havre serve as key maritime hubs, while airports such as Charles de Gaulle International Airport handle significant air cargo traffic. France's efficient customs procedures and commitment to digitalization streamline cross-border trade, contributing to its role as a major player in global logistics. Moreover, France's focus on innovation, sustainability, and investment in green logistics initiatives ensures continuous improvement and competitiveness in the logistics sector. 12. United Arab EmiratesLogistics Performance Index: 4.0The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerges as a prominent logistics hub in the Middle East, leveraging its strategic location, modern infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. Situated among the major trade routes between Asia, Europe, and Africa, the UAE serves as a pivotal link in global supply chains. The country's world-class logistics infrastructure, including ports like Jebel Ali Port, one of the busiest in the world, and Dubai International Airport, a major air cargo hub, facilitates seamless trade and connectivity with international markets. Additionally, the UAE's efficient customs procedures, supported by digitalization and automation, streamline cross-border trade and enhance supply chain efficiency. The country's commitment to innovation and technology adoption in logistics, exemplified by initiatives such as Dubai's Smart City vision and investments in blockchain and artificial intelligence, ensures continuous improvement and competitiveness in the sector. Furthermore, the UAE's business-friendly regulatory environment, tax incentives, and free trade zones attract international businesses and foster a thriving logistics industry.11. SwedenLogistics Performance Index: 4.0Sweden demonstrates excellence in logistics efficiency and innovation, supported by its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability. Situated in Northern Europe, Sweden serves as a vital logistics gateway to the region, connecting Scandinavia with the rest of Europe and beyond. Its well-developed transportation networks, including modern ports like Gothenburg and efficient rail and road systems, enable seamless connectivity and efficient movement of goods domestically and internationally. Sweden's efficient customs procedures and commitment to digitalization contribute to streamlined cross-border trade, enhancing supply chain efficiency. Moreover, Sweden's focus on sustainability in logistics, evidenced by initiatives such as the promotion of eco-friendly transport modes and green logistics practices, aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. At large, Sweden's strategic positioning, advanced infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability and innovation position it as a key logistics hub in Northern Europe, facilitating efficient and reliable trade flows across the region and beyond.10. Hong KongLogistics Performance Index: 4.0Hong Kong emerges as a key player in global logistics, owing to its strategic location, efficient infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. Situated at the heart of Asia, Hong Kong serves as a vital gateway for trade between East and West. The city's world-class facilities, including the Port of Hong Kong and Hong Kong International Airport, facilitate the seamless movement of goods across the globe. Hong Kong's streamlined customs procedures and advanced logistics technologies ensure swift and efficient clearance processes, contributing to its reputation for reliability and speed in logistics operations. Additionally, Hong Kong's strong financial and legal frameworks, coupled with its status as a major financial center, attract international businesses and facilitate smooth transactions within the logistics sector. Overall, Hong Kong's commitment to excellence, innovation, and connectivity reinforces its position as a leading logistics hub in the Asia-Pacific region.9. CanadaLogistics Performance Index: 4.0Canada showcases a robust logistics ecosystem supported by its vast geography, modern infrastructure, and strong trade relationships. As one of the world's largest countries, Canada's extensive network of roads, railways, and ports facilitates the movement of goods domestically and internationally. Ports such as Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax serve as critical gateways for maritime trade, while major airports like Toronto Pearson International Airport facilitate air cargo operations. Canada's efficient customs procedures, bolstered by initiatives such as the Canada Border Services Agency's (CBSA) electronic clearance system, streamline cross-border trade with the United States and other trading partners. Furthermore, Canada's commitment to sustainability and innovation in logistics, including investments in green transportation technologies and supply chain optimisation, enhances the country's competitiveness on the global stage. 8. BelgiumLogistics Performance Index: 4.0Belgium stands out as a logistical hub in Europe, leveraging its central location, advanced infrastructure, and efficient customs procedures. Situated at the crossroads of major European trade routes, Belgium serves as a crucial link connecting Northern and Southern Europe. Ports such as Antwerp and Zeebrugge are among the busiest in Europe, facilitating maritime trade with global partners. Belgium's extensive rail and road networks further enhance connectivity, enabling seamless transportation of goods within Europe and beyond. Moreover, Belgium's business-friendly environment, supported by transparent regulations and strong governance, attracts international businesses and fosters a thriving logistics sector. Overall, Belgium's strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and focus on innovation position it as a key logistics hub in Europe, facilitating the smooth flow of goods across the continent and beyond.7. AustriaLogistics Performance Index: 4.0Austria demonstrates excellence in logistics efficiency, underpinned by its strategic location, modern infrastructure, and strong commitment to sustainability. Situated at the crossroads of major European trade routes, Austria serves as a vital link connecting Eastern and Western Europe. The country's efficient transport networks, including well-developed road and rail systems, facilitate the seamless movement of goods within Europe and beyond. Additionally, Austria's central location and efficient customs procedures contribute to its role as a key logistics gateway for international trade. Austria's dedication to sustainability in logistics is evident through initiatives such as the expansion of eco-friendly transport modes and the adoption of green logistics practices, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Furthermore, Austria's strategic positioning, advanced infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability reinforce its status as a leading logistics hub in Europe, facilitating efficient and sustainable trade flows across the continent.6. SwitzerlandLogistics Performance Index: 4.1Switzerland demonstrates excellence in logistics efficiency and innovation, supported by its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and strong business environment. Despite being landlocked, Switzerland's central location in Europe positions it as a crucial logistics hub, facilitating trade between major European markets. The country's efficient transport networks, including well-developed roads, railways, and access to major European ports, enable seamless connectivity and efficient movement of goods. Switzerland's efficient customs procedures, supported by digitalization and automation, further streamline cross-border trade and enhance supply chain efficiency. Additionally, Switzerland's commitment to innovation and technology adoption in logistics, including investments in areas such as blockchain and digitalization, ensures continuous improvement and competitiveness. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics.Suggested Articles:11 Best Logistics Stocks to BuyBiggest Logistics and Shipping Companies in the WorldTop Logistics Companies in the USDisclosure: none. 13 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

13 Most Advanced Countries in Logistics

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/13-most-advanced-countries-logistics-202407158.html

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HOLMDEL, N.J., Feb. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jim Fakult, President of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L), has been named the recipient of Morris Habitat for Humanity's Community Partner Award for 2024. The award was presented at the organization's Hearts & Hammers Gala on Feb. 22 in Mountain Lakes.JCP&L Logo (PRNewsfoto/FirstEnergy Corp.)The award highlights Fakult's role in JCP&L's commitment to diverse, equitable and inclusive communities where everyone feels safe, valued and respected, as well as his support of the Morris Habitat for Humanity's mission to complete 30 home builds and 100 home repairs this year. Since 2019, the FirstEnergy Foundation has donated more than $23,000 to Morris Habitat for Humanity.Additionally, Fakult has been named to ROI-NJ's Influencers Power List for 2024, earning the 17th spot on the list's Super 60. The editors recognized Fakult's leadership in crafting JCP&L's EnergizeNJ initiative, the largest infrastructure upgrade proposal in company history, and the company's winning bid for the New Jersey Clean Energy Corridor projects to connect offshore wind-generated clean energy to the grid. Fakult has appeared on the ROI-NJ Influencers Power List every year since its launch in 2018, including last year's inaugural energy industry specialty list.Jim Fakult, President of JCP&L: "I am deeply appreciative of both the Morris Habitat for Humanity and ROI-NJ for these honors. But while it is my name that appears, both of these awards recognize the incredible work that is on display every day by our entire JCP&L team. They not only work in these towns but live and become engrained in the very fabric of their communities. It's this attitude that makes New Jersey such a great place to live, work and raise a family."In addition to his leadership role at JCP&L, Fakult serves as the Immediate Past Chair of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and sits on the board of the Alliance for Action and Choose New Jersey. He is also a member of the Morris County Chamber Business Cabinet, former chair of the board of trustees at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn and was selected as a member of Governor Phil Murphy's Restart and Recovery Advisory Council, a group of New Jersey business and municipal leaders that helped organize and plan the restart of the state's economy following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.Story continuesJCP&L serves customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JCP_L, on Facebook at facebook.com/JCPandL or online at jcp-l.com.FirstEnergy Corp. is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and on X @FirstEnergyCorp. CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jcpl-president-jim-fakult-receives-awards-from-morris-habitat-for-humanity-and-roi-nj-302069222.htmlSOURCE FirstEnergy

PR Newswire

JCP&L President Jim Fakult Receives Awards from Morris Habitat for Humanity and ROI-NJ

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jcp-l-president-jim-fakult-140000130.html

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FE

Upgrades will benefit more than 26,000 customers in FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company's West Penn Rate DistrictGREENSBURG, Pa., Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), doing business as West Penn Rate District (West Penn), is installing automated reclosing devices and electronic controllers in distribution substations serving more than 26,000 customers in parts of Clarion, Washington and Westmoreland counties. The work is designed to help prevent lengthy service interruptions, particularly during severe weather.West Penn Power Logo (PRNewsfoto/FirstEnergy Corp.)Scott Wyman, President of FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania Operations: "Substation upgrades play a major role in preventing power outages because they supply the electricity that flows across our local electric system and powers homes and businesses throughout West Penn's service area. This important work is part of FE PA's Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan II, a $147 million initiative that will accelerate investments in our system over five years to help ensure continued reliable electric service for our customers." Substation electricians are upgrading electrical equipment in three substations in Westmoreland County, one substation in Clarion County and one substation in Washington County. Thousands of homes and businesses will benefit from the installation of new, smart automated reclosing devices and electronic controllers that will help limit the frequency, duration and extent of service interruptions. Some of the new equipment is already in service, and the remainder of equipment is expected to be installed and operational by mid-year.Automated recloser devices:Work like a circuit breaker in a home that shuts off power when trouble occurs, with the added benefit of automatically reenergizing a substation or power line within seconds for certain types of outages to keep power safely flowing to customers.Are safer and more efficient because they often allow utility personnel to automatically restore service to customers instead of sending a crew to investigate.Isolate the outage to that area and limit the total number of affected customers if the device senses a more serious issue, like a fallen tree on electrical equipment.Quickly pinpoint the location of the fault and help utility personnel better understand the cause of the outage to help speed restoration.Story continuesElectronic controllers allow distribution system operators to monitor and remotely control substation reclosers that do not have the capability to operate automatically.Watch a video that explains how smart grid technology works, including reclosers.Communities that will benefit from the upgraded equipment include:Clarion County: Clarion, Strattanville, WilliamsburgWashington County: California, CentervilleWestmoreland County: Adamsburg, Alverton, Bridgeport, Darlington, Herminie, Laughlintown, Ligonier Township, Mt. Pleasant, Sewickley TownshipWest Penn encompasses approximately 737,000 customers in 24 counties within central and southwestern Pennsylvania. Follow West Penn on X, formerly known as Twitter, @W_Penn_Power and on Facebook at facebook.com/WestPennPower.FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy on X, formerly known as Twitter, @FirstEnergyCorp.Editor's Note: Photos of the newly installed automated substation equipment are available for download on Flikr.CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/work-underway-to-upgrade-electric-system-in-western-pennsylvania-302071589.htmlSOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

PR Newswire

Work Underway to Upgrade Electric System in Western Pennsylvania

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/underway-upgrade-electric-system-western-203000706.html

f1825912-d4a7-3d83-a38b-01697c1191b0

FE

Sempra Energy SRE reported fourth-quarter 2023 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.13, which came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, the bottom line declined 3.4% from $1.17 in the prior-year quarter.Including one-time items, the company generated GAAP earnings of $1.16 per share compared with 69 cents in the fourth quarter of 2022.For 2023, SRE reported adjusted EPS of $4.61, flat year over year. The full-year bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.59 by 0.4%.Total RevenuesSempra’s total revenues of $3.49 billion improved 1% from $3.46 billion in the year-ago quarter. This was due to lower revenue contributions from the Natural gas and Electric business units. The top line, however, missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.03 billion by 13.4%.For 2023, SRE reported total revenues of $16.72 billion, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $17.26 billion by 3.1%. However, the top line improved 15.8% from $14.44 billion reported in 2022.Sempra Energy Price, Consensus and EPS SurpriseSempra Energy Price, Consensus and EPS SurpriseSempra Energy price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Sempra Energy QuoteSegmental UpdateSempra California: Quarterly earnings amounted to $500 million compared with the year-ago quarter’s level of $494 million.Sempra Texas Utility: Earnings in this segment improved from $132 million in the year-ago quarter to $146 million.Sempra Infrastructure: The segment recorded earnings of $131 million against a loss of $82 million in the year-ago quarter.Parent and Other: The segment reported a fourth-quarter loss of $40 million, which was narrower than the prior-year period’s loss of $106 million.Financial UpdateAs of Dec 31, 2023, Sempra’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $236 million compared with $370 million as of Dec 31, 2022.Long-term debt and finance leases amounted to $27.76 billion as of Dec 31, 2023, compared with $24.55 billion as of Dec 31, 2022.Cash flow from operating activities increased from $1.14 billion in 2022 to $6.22 billion in 2023.Story continuesGuidanceSempra narrowed its 2024 earnings in the range of $4.60-$4.90 per share from $4.55 to $4.90. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SRE’s 2024 earnings is pegged at $4.84 per share, higher than the midpoint of the company’s projected range.SRE issued its 2025 earnings in the range of $4.90 to $5.25 per share.Sempra reiterated its long-term EPS growth rate of 6-8%.Zacks RankSempra currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Recent Utility ReleasesONE Gas, Inc. OGS reported fourth-quarter 2023 operating EPS of $1.27 per share, which was on par with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line increased 3.2% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $1.23.ONE Gas recorded revenues of $605.9 million, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $815.6 million by 25.7%. The top line also decreased 25.9% from $818.2 million reported in the prior-year period.FirstEnergy FE reported fourth-quarter 2023 operating earnings of 62 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 60 cents by 3.3%. The bottom line increased 24% from the year-ago quarter’s figure of 50 cents.Operating revenues of $3.15 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.29 billion by 4.2%. The top line also declined 0.9% from $3.18 billion recorded in the year-ago quarter.PG&E Corporation’s PCG adjusted EPS of 47 cents in the fourth quarter of 2023 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 45 cents by 4.4%. The bottom line improved 80.8% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.For the fourth quarter, PCG reported total revenues of $7,041 million compared with $5,370 million in the year-ago quarter. Operating revenues also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6,431.6 million by 9.5%.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 reportSempra Energy (SRE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportFirstEnergy Corporation (FE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportPacific Gas & Electric Co. (PCG) : Free Stock Analysis ReportONE Gas, Inc. (OGS) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Sempra (SRE) Q4 Earnings Meet Estimates, Revenues Rise Y/Y

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sempra-sre-q4-earnings-meet-145500904.html

7dbfbac8-d4d9-302f-9511-154c81a1bef0

FE

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors alike.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.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.FirstEnergy (FE)Headquartered in Akron, OH, FirstEnergy Corporation was founded in 1996. The company is a diversified energy company. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, FirstEnergy engages in the transmission, distribution and generation of electricity.FE 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 0.8% and up 0.3% over the past one-week and four-week period, respectively, and FirstEnergy has lost 6.8% in the last one-year period as well. Additionally, an average of 3,613,527.50 shares were traded over the last 20 trading sessions.A company's earnings performance is important for momentum investors as well. For fiscal 2024, two analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for FE, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.02 to $2.67 per share. FE also boasts an average earnings surprise of 1.9%.Investors should take the time to consider FE 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 reportFirstEnergy Corporation (FE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

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

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-firstenergy-fe-top-momentum-145011147.html

2dd56ac3-b210-38ab-822d-9d4098e56f5f

FFIV

Today we're going to take a look at the well-established F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV). The company's stock saw a decent share price growth of 18% on the NASDAQGS over the last few months. The company is inching closer to its yearly highs following the recent share price climb. With many analysts covering the large-cap stock, we may expect any price-sensitive announcements have already been factored into the stock’s share price. However, could the stock still be trading at a relatively cheap price? Let’s take a look at F5’s outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if the opportunity still exists. View our latest analysis for F5 What Is F5 Worth?Great news for investors – F5 is still trading at a fairly cheap price according to our price multiple model, where we compare the company's price-to-earnings ratio to the industry average. In this instance, we’ve used the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio given that there is not enough information to reliably forecast the stock’s cash flows. we find that F5’s ratio of 23.42x is below its peer average of 30.33x, which indicates the stock is trading at a lower price compared to the Communications industry. However, given that F5’s share is fairly volatile (i.e. its price movements are magnified relative to the rest of the market) this could mean the price can sink lower, giving us another chance to buy in the future. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for share price volatility.Can we expect growth from F5?earnings-and-revenue-growthFuture outlook is an important aspect when you’re looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Although value investors would argue that it’s the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. F5's earnings over the next few years are expected to increase by 50%, indicating a highly optimistic future ahead. This should lead to more robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value.Story continuesWhat This Means For YouAre you a shareholder? Since FFIV is currently below the industry PE ratio, it may be a great time to accumulate more of your holdings in the stock. With an optimistic outlook on the horizon, it seems like this growth has not yet been fully factored into the share price. However, there are also other factors such as capital structure to consider, which could explain the current price multiple.Are you a potential investor? If you’ve been keeping an eye on FFIV for a while, now might be the time to enter the stock. Its prosperous future profit outlook isn’t fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means it’s not too late to buy FFIV. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to make a well-informed assessment.Since timing is quite important when it comes to individual stock picking, it's worth taking a look at what those latest analysts forecasts are. So feel free to check out our free graph representing analyst forecasts.If you are no longer interested in F5, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.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.

Is It Time To Consider Buying F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV)?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/time-consider-buying-f5-inc-162222227.html

2b58b52d-1405-31ec-8fdb-0c9bd45ec738

FFIV

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 WatchlistFor growth investors, a company's financial strength, overall health, and future outlook take precedence, so they'll want to zero in on the Growth Style Score. This Score examines things like projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will generate sustainable growth over time.F5 Networks (FFIV)Seattle, WA-based F5 Networks Inc, founded in 1996, provides products and services to manage Internet traffic worldwide. Its application, delivery and networking products improve performance, availability and security of applications running on networks that use the Internet Protocol (IP).FFIV is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock, with a Growth Style Score of A and VGM Score of B. Earnings are expected to grow 7.8% year-over-year for the current fiscal year, with sales growth of 1.2%.Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.25 to $12.61 per share. FFIV boasts an average earnings surprise of 9.7%.Looking at cash flow, F5 Networks is expected to report cash flow growth of 15.8% this year; FFIV has generated cash flow growth of 2.4% over the past three to five years.FFIV 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 reportF5, Inc. (FFIV) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Here's Why F5 Networks (FFIV) is a Strong Growth Stock

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-why-f5-networks-ffiv-144511297.html

84e83a8b-9157-3111-bf91-38e7200def65

FFIV

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Paypal (PYPL). Shares have added about 4.2% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Paypal due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.PayPal Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Up Y/YPayPal Holdings reported non-GAAP earnings of $1.48 per share for fourth-quarter 2023, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.8%. The figure improved 19% on a year-over-year basis.Net revenues of $8.03 billion exhibited year-over-year growth of 9% on an FX-neutral basis as well as on a reported basis. The figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.88 billion.Growing transaction and other value-added services’ revenues drove top-line growth year over year in the reported quarter. Also, accelerating U.S. and international revenues contributed well.Top Line in DetailBy Type: Transaction revenues amounted to $7.3 billion (91% of net revenues), up 9% from the year-ago quarter’s level. Other value-added services generated revenues of $743 million (accounting for 9% of net revenues), up 9% year over year.By Geography: Revenues from the United States totaled $4.64 billion (58% of net revenues), up 8% on a year-over-year basis. International revenues were $3.4 billion (42% of net revenues), up 10% from the prior-year quarter’s level.Key Metrics to ConsiderPayPal witnessed a year-over-year decline of 2% in total active accounts, which came in at 426 million in the quarter under review. The figure came below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 433 million.The total number of payment transactions was 6.8 billion, up 13% on a year-over-year basis. The figure beat the consensus mark of 6.7 billion.PYPL’s payment transactions per active account were 58.7 million, which improved 14% from the year-ago quarter’s level. The figure surpassed the consensus mark of 56 million.Total payment volume amounted to $409.83 billion for the reported quarter, indicating year-over-year growth of 15% on a spot-rate basis and 13% on a currency-neutral basis. The reported figure topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $403.53 billion.Story continuesOperating DetailsPayPal’s operating expenses were $6.3 billion in the fourth quarter, up 2.6% from the prior-year quarter’s figure. As a percentage of net revenues, the figure contracted 470 basis points (bps) on a year-over-year basis.The non-GAAP operating margin was 23.3%, expanding 39 bps from the year-ago quarter’s level.Balance Sheet & Cash FlowAs of Dec 31, 2023, cash equivalents and investments were $14.1 billion, down from $15.4 billion as of Sep 30, 2023.PayPal had a long-term debt balance of $9.7 billion as of Dec 31, 2023 compared with $10.6 billion as of Sep 30, 2023.PYPL generated $2.6 billion in cash from operations during the reported quarter compared with $1.3 billion in the previous quarter. Free cash flow was $2.5 billion in the fourth quarter, up from $1.1 billion reported in the prior quarter.The company returned $0.6 billion to its shareholders by repurchasing 10 million shares.GuidanceFor first-quarter 2024, PayPal expects revenues to grow 6.5% on a spot rate basis and 7% on a currency-neutral basis from the year-ago quarter.Non-GAAP earnings are expected to be up by mid-single digits on a year-over-year basis.For 2024, PayPal anticipates non-GAAP earnings to be in line with the reported figure in 2023.How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in estimates revision.The consensus estimate has shifted -9.13% due to these changes.VGM ScoresAt this time, Paypal has a subpar Growth Score of D, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with an F. However, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for this investment strategy.Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Paypal has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.Performance of an Industry PlayerPaypal belongs to the Zacks Internet - Software industry. Another stock from the same industry, F5 Networks (FFIV), has gained 4.2% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended December 2023.F5 reported revenues of $692.6 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -1.1%. EPS of $3.43 for the same period compares with $2.47 a year ago.F5 is expected to post earnings of $2.87 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +13.4%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.5%.The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for F5. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of B.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 reportPayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportF5, Inc. (FFIV) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Paypal (PYPL) Up 4.2% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/paypal-pypl-4-2-since-163051675.html

89a50f22-2fb3-3737-908b-8dfd7382f575

FFIV

On March 7, 2024, Alan Higginson, a director of F5 Inc (NASDAQ:FFIV), sold 1,000 shares of the company. The transaction was reported in a SEC Filing. F5 Inc is a technology company that specializes in application services and application delivery networking (ADN). The company's products and services are designed to ensure the security, performance, and availability of network applications.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with FFIV.Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 2,000 shares of F5 Inc and has not made any purchases of the stock. This latest sale continues a trend observed over the past year, where there have been no insider buys but a total of 32 insider sells for the company.On the date of the insider's recent sale, shares of F5 Inc were trading at $190.43, giving the company a market capitalization of $11.345 billion. The price-earnings ratio of the company stood at 25.09, which is lower than the industry median of 27.61 and also below the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.The stock's price-to-GF-Value ratio was 1.08, with a GF Value of $176.87, indicating that F5 Inc was Fairly Valued according to GuruFocus's valuation metrics. The GF Value is a proprietary intrinsic value estimate from GuruFocus, which takes into account historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts.Director Alan Higginson Sells 1,000 Shares of F5 Inc (FFIV)The insider trend image above reflects the recent selling activity by insiders at F5 Inc, which may be of interest to investors monitoring insider behaviors as an indicator of company performance or future stock movement.Director Alan Higginson Sells 1,000 Shares of F5 Inc (FFIV)The GF Value image provides a visual representation of the stock's current valuation in relation to its intrinsic value, as estimated by GuruFocus.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

Director Alan Higginson Sells 1,000 Shares of F5 Inc (FFIV)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/director-alan-higginson-sells-1-220037512.html

f3088d2b-de3e-333a-86de-682364ecff80

FI

Comprehensive SWOT analysis reveals Fiserv Inc's robust financial performance and strategic positioning.Strengths highlight Fiserv Inc's innovative technology solutions and strong client relationships.Opportunities and threats underscore the dynamic nature of the financial services technology industry.On February 22, 2024, Fiserv Inc, a leading global provider of payments and financial services technology solutions, filed its annual 10-K report with the SEC. This SWOT analysis delves into the details of the filing to provide investors with a clear picture of the company's financial health and strategic positioning. Fiserv Inc's financial tables reflect a solid performance, with the company maintaining a strong balance sheet and demonstrating consistent revenue growth. The company's market capitalization as of June 30, 2023, stood at an impressive $76.75 billion, indicating robust investor confidence and a significant presence in the market. With over 42,000 employees worldwide and a commitment to innovation, Fiserv Inc is well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities within the financial services technology sector.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Signs with FI.Decoding Fiserv Inc (FI): A Strategic SWOT InsightStrengthsMarket Leadership and Diverse Portfolio: Fiserv Inc's position as a market leader is cemented by its comprehensive suite of financial technology solutions, which cater to a wide array of clients including merchants, banks, and credit unions. The company's diverse portfolio, which includes account processing, digital banking solutions, and the Clover POS platform, ensures a steady revenue stream and a competitive edge in the market. The integration of First Data has further expanded Fiserv Inc's capabilities, particularly in payment processing for merchants, contributing to the company's robust financial performance.Strong Client Relationships and Recurring Revenue Model: Fiserv Inc's success is underpinned by its long-term, trusted client relationships, which are built on a foundation of recurring services and transactions. The company's focus on delivering integrated and innovative solutions has led to high client retention rates and a predictable revenue model. This strength is reflected in the company's financials, with a consistent track record of revenue growth and profitability.Story continuesWeaknessesDependence on Technological Advancements: While Fiserv Inc's commitment to innovation is a strength, it also presents a challenge as the company must continuously invest in technology to keep pace with rapid changes in the industry. The need to stay ahead in areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning requires significant resources, and any failure to do so could impact the company's market position and client retention.Contract Renewal Risks: Fiserv Inc's business model relies heavily on the renewal of client contracts. As contracts come up for renewal, there is a risk that clients may negotiate for lower prices or choose competitors' offerings. This could potentially lead to reduced revenue and margins, impacting the company's financial stability and growth prospects.OpportunitiesExpansion into International Markets: Approximately 10% of Fiserv Inc's revenue is generated internationally, presenting a significant opportunity for growth. By leveraging its existing technology solutions and expertise, Fiserv Inc can expand its global footprint and tap into emerging markets where demand for financial technology is growing.Strategic Acquisitions and Alliances: Fiserv Inc's strategic framework includes acquiring businesses that align with market needs or change industry dynamics. The company's strong financial position enables it to pursue strategic acquisitions and alliances, which can drive innovation, scale, and operational efficiency, ultimately leading to enhanced market share and profitability.ThreatsIntense Competition and Market Consolidation: The financial services technology industry is highly competitive, with new entrants and well-funded competitors constantly emerging. Market consolidation through mergers, joint ventures, and alliances could create stronger competitors and put pressure on Fiserv Inc's market share and pricing power.Regulatory Changes and Compliance: The financial technology sector is subject to stringent regulations, which are evolving rapidly. Changes in laws or increased regulatory scrutiny, particularly in areas such as data privacy and the use of artificial intelligence, could lead to increased compliance costs and operational challenges for Fiserv Inc.In conclusion, Fiserv Inc's SWOT analysis reveals a company with strong financial fundamentals, a diverse portfolio of technology solutions, and a solid market position. The company's strengths in innovation and client relationships are balanced by the need to continuously invest in technology and navigate the risks associated with contract renewals. Opportunities for international expansion and strategic acquisitions present pathways for growth, while competitive pressures and regulatory changes pose potential threats. Overall, Fiserv Inc's strategic focus on client value, innovation, and operational effectiveness positions it well to leverage its strengths and opportunities while addressing its weaknesses and threats in the dynamic financial services technology landscape.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 Fiserv Inc (FI): A Strategic SWOT Insight

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/decoding-fiserv-inc-fi-strategic-050140011.html

b082ded1-018b-3df9-83d1-e5302a56311d

FI

Monday, February 26, 2024The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), Salesforce, Inc. (CRM) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX). These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>Shares of JPMorgan Chase have outperformed the Zacks Banks - Major Regional industry over the past year (+33.1% vs. +11.9%). High interest rates, buyouts, opening new branches and decent loan demand will aid net interest income (NII), though rising funding costs will weigh on it.Despite some green shoots in the investment banking (IB) business, IB fees are less likely to improve anytime soon. This, along with the volatile nature of the capital markets business and high mortgage rates, will likely hamper fee income growth.(You can read the full research report on JPMorgan Chase here >>>)Shares of Salesforce have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Software industry over the past year (+79.5% vs. +59.8%). The company is benefiting from a robust demand environment as customers are undergoing a major digital transformation. Salesforce’s sustained focus on aligning products with customer needs is driving the top line.Continued deal wins in the international market are another growth driver. The buyout of Slack has positioned the company as a leader in enterprise team collaboration and improved its competitive standing versus Microsoft Teams. Salesforce’s strategy of continuously expanding generative AI offerings will help the company tap the growing opportunities in the space.However, stiff competition and unfavorable currency fluctuations are concerns. Also, the challenging macroeconomic environment could hurt its growth prospects.(You can read the full research report on Salesforce here >>>)Shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry over the past year (+49.7% vs. -6.1%). The company’s cystic franchise sales continue to grow, driven by its triple therapy, Trikafta/Kaftrio. New reimbursement agreements in ex-U.S. markets and label expansions to younger age groups are driving Trikafta/Kaftrio sales higher.Vertex saw rapid success in its non-CF pipeline candidates’ development in 2023. Its one-shot gene therapy, Casgevy, was approved for two blood disorders in multiple regions, which diversified its commercial opportunity.Vertex is on track to submit regulatory applications for VX-548 in acute pain and for vanzacaftor triple in CF by mid-2024. Vertex faces minimal competition in its core CF franchise.(You can read the full research report on Vertex Pharmaceuticals here >>>)Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW), Fiserv, Inc. (FI) and The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB).Mark VickerySenior EditorNote: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>Story continuesToday's Must ReadBuyouts, Rates & Loans Aid JPMorgan (JPM), Fee Income AilsSalesforce (CRM) Rides on Portfolio Strength and BuyoutsVertex (VRTX) Enjoys a Strong Non-Cystic Fibrosis PipelineFeatured ReportsPalo Alto (PANW) Rides on Shift to Subscription ServicesPer the Zacks analyst, Palo Alto Networks' focus on selling more subscription-based services is helping the company generate stable revenues and higher margins.Fiserv (FI) Gains From Skytef Buyout, Amid High CompetitionPer the Zacks analyst, the Skytef acquisition strengthens Fiserv's distribution network and point-of-sale. High competition from other players is an overhang.Transco Pipeline System Aids Williams (WMB) Amid Debt WoesWhile Williams' expansion projects for its core Transco system of pipelines should buoy its revenues and cash flows, the Zacks analyst is worried over the high long-term debt load of $23.4 billion.Expansion Efforts to Aid Carvana (CVNA), High Debt AilsThe Zacks analyst is optimistic about Carvana's efforts to increase its penetration in existing markets, enter new markets and gain more customers. However, elevated leverage remains a concern.Tapestry (TPR) Hurt by Low Kate Spade Sales, High SG&A CostsPer the Zacks analyst, Tapestry's soft Kate Spade sales are a concern, which is likely to persist in the near term. Apart from this, the company remains troubled by high adjusted SG&A expenses.Solid Top-Line, Strong Cash Flow Aid American Financial (AFG)Per the Zacks analyst, strong revenues driven by higher net investment income, net earned premiums have led to significant growth. Moreover, its healthy balance sheet should drive long-term growth.Crocs' (CROX) Margins Benefit From Lower Freight ExpensesPer the Zacks analyst, lower inbound freight costs have been aiding Crocs' margins for a while now. Also, favorable ocean freight rates and lower promotional activity are acting as tailwinds.New UpgradesFavorable Budget, Solid Contract Wins Aid Leidos (LDOS)Per the Zacks analyst, increasing budgetary revisions by the U.S. administration should boost Leidos' growth. Steady contract wins also bolster this stock's revenue prospectsBuild-To-Order Model & Expansion Efforts Aid Toll Brothers (TOL)Per the Zacks analyst, Toll Brothers is benefiting from its Build-To-Order model and expansion efforts. Also, the emphasis on affordable luxury communities bode well.Lantheus (LNTH) Rides on its Strength in RadiopharmaceuticalsThe Zacks analyst is upbeat about Lantheus' market leadership in radiopharmaceuticals and focus on pipeline development.New DowngradesThird-Party Dependency, Seasonality Ail Clearway Energy (CWEN)Per the Zacks analyst Clearway Energy's dependence on third-party assets can adversely impact its ability to serve customers. Its operating results are negatively impacted due to weather variability.Keysight (KEYS) Plagued by Soft Demand in Multiple End MarketsPer the Zacks analyst, demand softness in consumer and industrial electronics markets will likely hinder Keysight's top line. Macroeconomic challenges remain a headwind.CoStar Group (CSGP) Suffers from Higher Borrowing CostsPer the Zacks analyst, CoStar Group suffers from challenging macroeconomic conditions including higher borrowing costs, tight lending standards, and deteriorating real estate fundamentals.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 reportJPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportWilliams Companies, Inc. (The) (WMB) : Free Stock Analysis ReportSalesforce Inc. (CRM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) : Free Stock Analysis ReportPalo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) : Free Stock Analysis ReportFiserv, Inc. (FI) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Top Stock Reports for JPMorgan Chase, Salesforce & Vertex Pharmaceuticals

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-stock-reports-jpmorgan-chase-190600400.html

e05d9d55-ec03-3fea-bff6-d505e80458be

FI

MILWAUKEE, March 07, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI), a leading global provider of payments and financial services technology solutions, announced its participation in the following investor conferences:Bob Hau, Chief Financial Officer, will present at the following conference:Wolfe FinTech Forum8:40 a.m. ET on March 14Julie Chariell, Head of Investor Relations, will host group meetings at the following conference:Bank of America Electronic Payments Symposium (Virtual)Afternoon of March 19A live webcast and archived replay of the Wolfe FinTech Forum presentation will be available on the investor relations section of the Fiserv website at investors.fiserv.com.About FiservFiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI), a Fortune 500 company, aspires to move money and information in a way that moves the world. As a global leader in payments and financial technology, the company helps clients achieve best-in-class results through a commitment to innovation and excellence in areas including account processing and digital banking solutions; card issuer processing and network services; payments; e-commerce; merchant acquiring and processing; and the Clover® cloud-based point-of-sale and business management platform. Fiserv is a member of the S&P 500® Index and has been recognized as one of Fortune® World’s Most Admired Companies™ for 9 of the last 10 years. Visit fiserv.com and follow on social media for more information and the latest company news.FISV-GView source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240307601429/en/ContactsMedia Relations: Ann S. CaveExternal CommunicationsFiserv, [email protected] Relations: Julie Chariell Investor RelationsFiserv, [email protected]

Business Wire

Fiserv to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fiserv-present-upcoming-investor-conferences-130100023.html

a52be514-f982-3bf6-a7a0-ae2225dcd73f

FI

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Fiserv (FI). Shares have added about 5.6% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Fiserv due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.Fiserv Beat Q4 Earnings EstimatesFiserv reported mixed fourth-quarter 2023 results, wherein earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate while revenues missed the mark.Adjusted earnings per share (excluding 40 cents from non-recurring items) of $2.19 exceeded the consensus mark by 1.9% and increased 14.7% year over year. Adjusted revenues of $4.64 billion missed the consensus estimate by 1.1% but increased slightly on a year-over-year basis.Organic revenue growth was 12% in the quarter, driven by 24% and 4% growth in the Acceptance and Payments segments, respectively.Other Quarterly DetailsProcessing and services’ revenues of $4.03 billion increased 8.3% year over year and beat our estimate by 1.3%. Revenues in the Product segment were $892 million, down 1.9% from the year-ago figure and missed our estimate by 1.5%.Revenues from Merchant Acceptance were $2.11 billion, up 13.4% from the year-ago figure, beating our estimate by 7.1%. The Fintech segment reported revenues of $800 million, indicating a 2.8% decline from the year-ago figure and missed our estimated $827.2 million. The Payments segment reported revenues of $1.72 billion, reflecting growth of 3%. The figure compares with our estimated $1.81 billion.The operating margin from the Merchant acceptance segment was 38.8%, up from the year-ago figure of 34.8%. Adjusted operating margin from the Payments segment was 51% compared with the year-ago figure of 48.5%. Operating margin from the Fintech segment was 37.9%, down from the year-ago 41.3%.Story continuesBalance Sheet and Cash FlowFiserv exited the fourth quarter of 2023 with cash and cash equivalents of $1.20 billion. Long-term debt was $22.36 billion. FISV generated $1.6 billion in net cash from operating activities while free cash flow was $1.3 billion. Capital expenditures were $354 million. The company repurchased 8.6 million shares for $1 billion in the quarter.2024 GuidanceAdjusted earnings per share are anticipated to be in the range of $8.55-$8.7. The company anticipates the earnings per share growth to be in the band of 14-16%. FI expects total revenues to grow 6.5-8.5% while organic revenues are expected to grow 15-17% year over year.How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?It turns out, estimates review have trended downward during the past month.VGM ScoresCurrently, Fiserv has an average Growth Score of C, however its Momentum Score is doing a bit better with a B. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for this investment strategy.Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Fiserv has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.Performance of an Industry PlayerFiserv belongs to the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry. Another stock from the same industry, MasterCard (MA), has gained 2.1% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended December 2023.MasterCard reported revenues of $6.55 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +12.6%. EPS of $3.18 for the same period compares with $2.65 a year ago.MasterCard is expected to post earnings of $3.23 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +15.4%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged.MasterCard has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) based on the overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions. Additionally, the stock has a VGM Score of C.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 reportFiserv, Inc. (FI) : Free Stock Analysis ReportMastercard Incorporated (MA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Why Is Fiserv (FI) Up 5.6% Since Last Earnings Report?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-fiserv-fi-5-6-163101158.html

e88de405-6dcb-3617-8bca-183ba47e698f

FICO

Mortgage Leader to Integrate FICO’s Most Predictive Score to Help More Veterans Buy HomesBOZEMAN, Mont., February 26, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FICO, a leading analytics software firm, has announced that mortgage leader Cardinal Financial (Cardinal) is the latest in the movement to adopt FICO® Score 10 T for non-conforming mortgage loans. The lender is also the first to plan to issue a United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Mortgage- Backed Security (MBS) using FICO’s newest and most predictive scoring model.As part of this, Cardinal will integrate FICO® Score 10 T into its proprietary loan origination software, Octane®, to provide an enhanced valuation of the company’s portfolio. With the adoption of FICO Score 10 T, Cardinal can benefit from a more predictive and precise scoring model, to help enable the lender to increase its VA loan production and help more veterans buy a home."At Cardinal Financial, we're dedicated to redefining the home financing experience, placing a premium on simplicity and transparency. Our partnership with FICO to integrate the FICO Score 10 T into our operations underscores this commitment, particularly expanding our assistance to Veterans," said Joshua Mitzner, Executive Vice President of Capital Markets at Cardinal Financial. "With the integration of the latest FICO Score 10 T, we're poised to broaden our support, empowering a greater number of veterans and their families to realize their dream of homeownership."FICO® Score 10 T provides even greater precision in making lending decisions. FICO Score 10 T can help lenders better manage credit risk and default rates while extending competitive credit offers to consumers. FICO Score 10 T can enable an increase in mortgage originations of up to five percent (without taking on additional credit risk) and reduce default risk and losses by up to 17 percent. FICO® Score 10 T can also help lenders project cash flow more accurately.Story continues"With the adoption of FICO® Score 10 T, Cardinal Financial is proactively enhancing its operations to better serve its customers by using the most predictive FICO Score model in the market today," said Julie May, vice president and general manager of Scores at FICO. "FICO is thrilled to help enable Cardinal to continue to put its customers’ needs at the center of every financing decision."FICO is committed to assisting mortgage industry participants looking to transition to its most current model, FICO® Score 10 T. The FICO Score Migration Resource Center provides a detailed guide to support organizations through their score transition with key planning steps and activities, in addition to implementation best practices.About FICOFICO (NYSE: FICO) powers decisions that help people and businesses around the world prosper. Founded in 1956, the company is a pioneer in the use of predictive analytics and data science to improve operational decisions. FICO holds more than 200 US and foreign patents on technologies that increase profitability, customer satisfaction and growth for businesses in financial services, insurance, telecommunications, health care, retail and many other industries. Using FICO solutions, businesses in more than 100 countries do everything from protecting 2.6 billion payment cards from fraud, to improving financial inclusion, to increasing supply chain resiliency. The FICO® Score, used by 90% of top US lenders, is the standard measure of consumer credit risk in the US and has been made available in over 40 other countries, improving risk management, credit access and transparency. Learn more at www.fico.com.Learn more at https://www.fico.com.Join the conversation at https://twitter.com/fico & https://www.fico.com/en/blogs/.For FICO news and media resources, visit www.fico.com/news.FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.About Cardinal FinancialCardinal Financial is a dynamic, forward-thinking mortgage organization committed to designing an exceptional experience and tailored home financing solutions for borrowers. Licensed to sell directly through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae, the firm operates in all 50 states, offering a wide range of lending options to help more people achieve homeownership. Cardinal Financial's innovative approach is powered by Octane®, their custom-built loan origination platform, designed to streamline the lending process from start to finish. Visit CardinalFinancial.com for more information.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240226018264/en/ContactsJulie [email protected]

Business Wire

Cardinal Financial Works with FICO to Offer First VA Mortgage-Backed Security Decisioned on FICO® Score 10 T

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cardinal-financial-works-fico-offer-130000237.html

e2888f60-0d46-3250-b9da-7b96fdf27381

FICO

The Computer and Technology group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Is Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) one of those stocks right now? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Computer and Technology sector should help us answer this question.Cadence Design Systems is a member of the Computer and Technology sector. This group includes 621 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #11. The Zacks Sector Rank gauges the strength of our 16 individual sector groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups.The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. Cadence Design Systems is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CDNS' full-year earnings has moved 5.4% higher. This shows that analyst sentiment has improved and the company's earnings outlook is stronger.Based on the latest available data, CDNS has gained about 11.4% so far this year. Meanwhile, the Computer and Technology sector has returned an average of 9.4% on a year-to-date basis. This shows that Cadence Design Systems is outperforming its peers so far this year.Another Computer and Technology stock, which has outperformed the sector so far this year, is Fair Isaac (FICO). The stock has returned 10.2% year-to-date.The consensus estimate for Fair Isaac's current year EPS has increased 2.1% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).Looking more specifically, Cadence Design Systems belongs to the Computer - Software industry, a group that includes 36 individual stocks and currently sits at #80 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has gained an average of 8.3% so far this year, meaning that CDNS is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns.Story continuesOn the other hand, Fair Isaac belongs to the Computers - IT Services industry. This 39-stock industry is currently ranked #80. The industry has moved +7.8% year to date.Going forward, investors interested in Computer and Technology stocks should continue to pay close attention to Cadence Design Systems and Fair Isaac as they could maintain their solid 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 reportCadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS) : Free Stock Analysis ReportFair Isaac Corporation (FICO) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Are Computer and Technology Stocks Lagging Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) This Year?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/computer-technology-stocks-lagging-cadence-144010820.html

264a498e-d82f-306c-babb-da42947e040e

FICO

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Check Point Software (CHKP). Shares have lost about 4% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Check Point due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.Check Point Q4 Earnings and Revenues Top EstimatesCheck Point Software Technologies Ltd. ended 2023 on a strong note by reporting overwhelming fourth-quarter results, wherein revenues and earnings both surpassed the respective Zacks Consensus Estimates and marked a significant year-over-year improvement.The IT security solutions provider reported non-GAAP earnings of $2.57 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.46. The bottom line increased 5% from the year-ago quarter’s earnings of $2.45 per share and came ahead of its previously provided guidance range of $2.35-$2.55. The year-over-year growth was primarily attributable to increased revenues and improved margins, partially offset by higher income taxes.Check Point’s quarterly revenues increased 4% year over year to $664 million and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $660.3 million. The upside was driven by double-digit growth in Security subscription revenues. The company’s top line also came higher than the midpoint of the previous guidance range of $636-$686 million (midpoint $661 million).Quarterly DetailsSecurity subscription revenues were $265.8 million, increasing 15% year over year, driven by the adoption of the Infinity platform and the strong demand for the Harmony product family. Products and licenses revenues decreased 8.7% year over year to $158.3 million. Products that are currently in the process of transitioning to cloud solutions have been included in the subscription line. Total revenues from product and security subscriptions were $424.1 million, up 4.9% year over year.Software updates and maintenance revenues increased to $239.4 million from $234.1 million reported in the year-ago quarter.As of Sep 30, 2023, deferred revenues were $1.91 billion, up 2% year over year.Non-GAAP gross profit increased 6% year over year to $591 million, while the margin improved 100 basis points (bps) to 89%. Non-GAAP operating income for the fourth quarter of 2023 totaled $309 million, up from $289 million in the year-ago quarter. The non-GAAP operating margin expanded 200 bps to 47%.Story continuesFull-Year 2023 HighlightsCheck Point’s 2023 revenues increased 4% year over year to $2.42 billion and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.41 billion. The top line was also almost in line with the midpoint of the previous guidance range of $2.34-$2.51 billion (midpoint $2.425 billion).The IT security solutions provider reported non-GAAP earnings of $8.42 per share for 2023, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.32. The bottom line increased 14% from the 2022 earnings of $7.40 per share and came ahead of its previously provided guidance range of $7.70-$8.30.Balance Sheet & Other DetailsCheck Point exited the fourth quarter with cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and short-term deposits of $2.96 billion compared with the previous quarter’s $2.98 billion.The company generated cash worth $236 million from operational activities during the fourth quarter and $1.04 billion in 2023. It repurchased 2.2 million shares for about $313 million during the reported quarter. In 2023, the company bought back 9.9 million shares for $1.29 billion.How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in estimates review.VGM ScoresAt this time, Check Point has a poor Growth Score of F, however its Momentum Score is doing a bit better with a D. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of F. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Check Point has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.Performance of an Industry PlayerCheck Point is part of the Zacks Computers - IT Services industry. Over the past month, Fair Isaac (FICO), a stock from the same industry, has gained 0.6%. The company reported its results for the quarter ended December 2023 more than a month ago.Fair Isaac reported revenues of $382.06 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +10.8%. EPS of $4.81 for the same period compares with $4.26 a year ago.For the current quarter, Fair Isaac is expected to post earnings of $5.80 per share, indicating a change of +21.3% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.Fair Isaac has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) based on the overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions. Additionally, the stock has a VGM Score of D.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 reportCheck Point Software Technologies Ltd. (CHKP) : Free Stock Analysis ReportFair Isaac Corporation (FICO) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Check Point (CHKP) Down 4% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Rebound?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/check-point-chkp-down-4-163057071.html

fbd1ed89-875d-3489-9af7-d6375023902f

FICO

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for CDW (CDW). Shares have added about 1.8% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is CDW due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.CDW's Q4 Earnings In line With EstimatesCDW reported fourth-quarter 2023 non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of $2.57, which matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Also, the bottom line rose 2.8% year over year.The company’s revenues decreased 7.7% year over year to $5.018 billion. Net sales decreased 8.1% at constant currency. The downtick was caused due to weakness across all business segments. Also, quarterly revenues failed to beat the consensus mark of $5.359 billion.Quarterly DetailsNet sales of CDW’s Corporate segment amounted to $2.286 billion, declining 8% on a year-over-year basis.The Small Business segment’s net sales of $370 million declined 12.7% year over year.The Public segment’s net sales amounted to $1.776 billion, down 4.1% from the year-ago quarter. Revenues from Education customers declined 11.7%.Revenues from Healthcare decreased 4.7%, while revenues from Government increased 4.5%.Net sales in Other (Canadian and U.K. operations) declined 13.6% to $587 million.CDW’s gross profit of $1.554 billion decreased 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. The gross margin expanded 130 basis points (bps) to 23% due to the favorable contribution of netted-down revenues, primarily software as a service.The non-GAAP operating income decreased 0.8% year over year to $518.7 million. Additionally, the non-GAAP operating margin advanced 70 bps to 10.3%.Selling and administrative expenses decreased 2.1% year over year to $719 million, primarily due to reduced discretionary expenses.Story continuesBalance Sheet and Cash FlowAs of Dec 31, 2023, CDW had $588.7 million of cash and cash equivalents compared with $440.7 million as of Sep 30, 2023.The company has a long-term debt of $5.03 billion, lower than $5.66 billion as of Sep 30, 2023.For the year ended Dec 31, 2023, CDW generated $1,598.7 million of cash flow from operating activities compared with $1,335 million in the year-ago period.How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?It turns out, estimates review have trended downward during the past month.The consensus estimate has shifted -5.14% due to these changes.VGM ScoresCurrently, CDW has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a D. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, CDW has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.Performance of an Industry PlayerCDW belongs to the Zacks Computers - IT Services industry. Another stock from the same industry, Fair Isaac (FICO), has gained 1% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended December 2023.Fair Isaac reported revenues of $382.06 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +10.8%. EPS of $4.81 for the same period compares with $4.26 a year ago.For the current quarter, Fair Isaac is expected to post earnings of $5.80 per share, indicating a change of +21.3% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for Fair Isaac. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of D.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 reportCDW Corporation (CDW) : Free Stock Analysis ReportFair Isaac Corporation (FICO) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Why Is CDW (CDW) Up 1.8% Since Last Earnings Report?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-cdw-cdw-1-8-163051343.html

c54f8625-21c7-3988-a1d0-ff44fba3343a

FIS

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. FIS reported fourth-quarter 2023 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 94 cents, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.1%. The bottom line declined 4% year over year.Revenues dipped 1% year over year to $2.51 billion. The top line fell short of the consensus mark of $2.52 billion.The quarterly results were hit by softer revenue contribution from the Banking Solutions segment and a significant rise in interest expenses. Its shares declined 2% in the pre-market trading session due to the weak quarterly results. Nevertheless, higher recurring revenues aided the performance of the Capital Market Solutions business.Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS SurpriseFidelity National Information Services, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. QuoteQ4 PerformanceThe cost of revenues was $1.5 billion in the quarter under review, which slipped 2.2% year over year. Selling, general and administrative expenses of Fidelity National tumbled 3.8% year over year to $539 million but were higher than our estimate of $504.4 million. Net interest expenses escalated 41.1% year over year to $158 million but was lower than our estimate of $166.4 million.Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) inched up 1% year over year to $1.1 billion and beat our estimate of $1 billion. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 42.1% improved 70 basis points (bps) year over year in the fourth quarter.Segmental UpdateRevenues from the Banking Solutions unit remained flat year over year at $1.69 billion, lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.72 billion and our estimate of $1.73 billion. Improved adjusted recurring revenues, partly offset by decline in adjusted non-recurring revenues, shaped the segment’s quarterly performance. Adjusted EBITDA was $747 million in the quarter under review, which surpassed the consensus mark of $731 million and our estimate of $740.8 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin of 44.2% improved 270 bps year over year, attributable to cost efficiencies.Story continuesThe Capital Market Solutions segment recorded revenues of $755 million, which grew 2% year over year in the fourth quarter and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $749 million and our estimate of $743.5 million. Adjusted EBITDA of $402 million outpaced the consensus mark of $399 million and our estimate of $401.4 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin deteriorated 250 bps year over year to 53.2% due to reduced contribution from higher margin non-recurring revenues.The Corporate and Other segment’s revenues amounted to $63 million, which plunged 32% year over year in the quarter under review. The reported figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $52 million and our estimate of $48 million. The business suffered due to divestitures of non-strategic businesses. Adjusted EBITDA loss was $92 million in the quarter under review, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $62 million.Financial Update (As of Dec 31, 2023)Fidelity National exited the fourth quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $440 million, which decreased 3.5% from the 2022-end level. Total assets of $55.1 billion fell 12.9% from the figure at 2022 end.Long-term debt, excluding current portion, amounted to $13 billion, down 8.7% from the figure as of Dec 31, 2022. The current portion of long-term debt totaled $1.3 billion while short-term borrowings totaled $4.8 billion.Total equity of $19.1 billion dropped 29.9% from the 2022-end figure.FIS generated net cash from operations of $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter, which climbed 33.9% year over year. Free cash flows soared 63.9% year over year to $1.1 billion.Share Repurchase & Dividend UpdateFidelity National rewarded $815 million to its shareholders to the tune of share buybacks worth $510 million and dividends of $305 million in the fourth quarter.Capital Deployment TargetsManagement aims to return a minimum of roughly $4 billion to its shareholders through share buybacks by the end of 2024, which includes $510 million repurchases conducted in the fourth quarter of 2023. FIS reiterates its aim to achieve a dividend payout ratio of 35% of adjusted net earnings, excluding equity method investment earnings (loss).Business UpdateThe agreement to divest a majority stake in the Worldpay Merchant Solutions business to private equity funds managed by GTCR was completed on Jan 31, 2024, as per the targeted timeline.From the first quarter of 2024, the 45% ownership that Fidelity National holds in the Worldpay Merchant Solutions business will be reported in the income statement under "Equity method investment earnings (loss)".Update on Enterprise Transformation ProgramFIS has achieved annualized run-rate Future Forward cash savings of more than $550 million as of Dec 31, 2023. The company reiterates its aim to achieve cash savings of $1 billion by 2024 end, out of which more than 75% belong to run-rate cash savings. It is also likely to benefit the company by bringing about a year-over-year increase of $280 million in adjusted EBITDA in 2024.1Q24 ViewManagement forecasts revenues between $2.430 billion and $2.455 billion. Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be $955-$970 million. Adjusted EPS is estimated between 94 cents and 97 cents. Adjusted EBITDA margin is projected to be 39.3-39.5%.Revenues from the Banking Solutions unit are anticipated to witness year-over-year increase of 1-2%, while it is estimated to grow in the range of 6-7% for the Capital Market Solutions business.2024 Guidance UnveiledRevenues are expected to lie within $10.10-$10.15 billion, the mid-point of which indicates an improvement of 3.1% from the 2023 figure of $9.8 billion.The Banking Solutions and Capital Market Solutions units are estimated to record year-over-year increases of 3-3.5% and 6.5-7%, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA is projected between $4.10 billion and $4.14 billion in 2024, the midpoint of which suggests 3.7% growth from the 2023 figure of $4 billion.  Adjusted EBITDA margin is anticipated within 40.6-40.8%.Adjusted EPS is forecasted to lie between $4.66 and $4.76, the mid-point of which implies a 39.8% surge from the 2023 figure of $3.37. Net interest expenses are likely to stay within $345-$350 million for 2024.Zacks RankFidelity National currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).  You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Other Business Services Sector ReleasesOf the Business Services sector players that have already released fourth-quarter 2023 results so far, the bottom-line results of Mastercard Incorporated MA, Global Payments Inc. GPN and The Western Union Company WU beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate.Mastercard reported fourth-quarter 2023 adjusted earnings of $3.18 per share, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.3%. The bottom line climbed 20% year over year. Net revenues of the leading technology company in the global payments industry amounted to $6.5 billion, which improved 13% year over year in the quarter under review. The top line beat the consensus mark by 1.4%. Gross dollar volume rose 10% on a local-currency basis to $2.4 trillion in the fourth quarter.Cross-border volumes of MA advanced 18% on a local currency basis. Value-added services and solutions net revenues of $2.7 billion improved 19% year over year.  MA’s clients issued 3.3 billion Mastercard and Maestro-branded cards as of Dec 31, 2023. Its operating income advanced 6% year over year to $3.4 billion. Operating margin of 51.5% improved 320 bps year over year in the quarter under review.Global Payments reported fourth-quarter 2023 adjusted EPS of $2.65, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.63. The bottom line rose 10% year over year. Adjusted net revenues improved 8% year over year to $2.19 billion.  The top line surpassed the consensus mark of $2.18 billion. Adjusted operating income of $978.5 million advanced 8.9% year over year in the quarter under review. The adjusted operating margin improved 30 bps year over year to 44.8%. The Merchant Solutions segment recorded adjusted revenues of $1.7 billion in the fourth quarter, which rose 18.5% year over year. The unit’s adjusted operating income advanced 17% year over year to $797.3 million. Meanwhile, GPN’s Issuer Solutions segment reported adjusted revenues of $530.6 million, which grew 5.8% year over year.Western Union reported fourth-quarter 2023 adjusted EPS of 37 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.8%. The bottom line rose 15.6% year over year. Total revenues declined 3.7% year over year on a reported basis or grew 3% on a constant-currency basis to $1.05 billion. The top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.8%.Adjusted operating margin of 16.1% improved 30 bps year over year. The CMT or Consumer Money Transfer segment reported revenues of $975.5 million, which declined 1% year over year on a reported and constant-currency basis in the quarter under review. Operating income improved 7% year over year to $148.9 million. The operating income margin of 15.3% rose from 14.1% a year ago. Transactions within the CMT segment increased 5.2% year over year. Branded Digital revenues increased 4% on a reported and constant-currency basis.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 reportMastercard Incorporated (MA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportFidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS) : Free Stock Analysis ReportThe Western Union Company (WU) : Free Stock Analysis ReportGlobal Payments Inc. (GPN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

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Fidelity National (FIS) Q4 Earnings Miss on High Interest Costs

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fidelity-national-fis-q4-earnings-174100587.html

05db00e6-e568-3194-bc2b-6098292aea55

FIS

ParticipantsGeorgios Mihalos; SVP & Head of IR; Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.James Kehoe; CFO; Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.Stephanie L. Ferris; CEO, President & Director; Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.Ashwin Vassant Shirvaikar; MD & Lead Analyst; Citigroup Inc., Research DivisionDan Dolev; MD & Senior Equity Research Analyst; Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Research DivisionDarrin David Peller; MD & Senior Analyst; Wolfe Research, LLCDavid John Koning; Associate Director of Research & Senior Research Analyst; Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research DivisionJason Alan Kupferberg; MD in US Equity Research & Senior Analyst; BofA Securities, Research DivisionRamsey Clark El-Assal; Research Analyst; Barclays Bank PLC, Research DivisionTien-Tsin Huang; Senior Analyst; JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research DivisionVasundhara Govil; Research Analyst; Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods, Inc., Research DivisionPresentationOperatorGood day, and welcome to the FIS Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Call. (Operator Instructions) Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded.I would now like to hand the conference over to your speaker, Mr. George Mihalos, Head of Investor Relations. Please go ahead, sir.Georgios MihalosThank you. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us today for the FIS Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call. This call is being webcasted. Today's news release, corresponding presentation and webcast are all available on our website at fisglobal.com.On the call with me this morning are Stephanie Ferris, our CEO and President; and James Kehoe, our CFO. Stephanie will lead the call with a strategic and operational update, followed by James, who will review our financial results. Turning to Slide 3. Today's remarks will contain forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties as described in the press release and other filings with the SEC. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Please refer to the safe harbor language. Also, throughout this conference call, we will be presenting non-GAAP information, including adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per share and free cash flow. These are important financial performance measures for the company but are not financial measures as defined by GAAP. Reconciliation of our non-GAAP information to the GAAP financial information is presented in our earnings release.And with that, I'll turn the call over to Stephanie.Story continuesStephanie L. FerrisThank you, George, and thank you, everyone, for joining us. 2023 was a year of significant positive momentum at FIS. When I stepped in as CEO, we were facing an uncertain economy, a banking crisis, inflation and a market where new capital was scarce. And while FIS was a statured company with over 50 years of market success, it had lost its focus in recent years. Simply put, the company was not meeting expectations. It was missing financial commitments and growth opportunities. It was slow in the delivery of products, too complex for clients to navigate and selling in areas that didn't contribute to the bottom line. Fast forward a year later, and we are now a much different company with renewed focus, vision and measurable results. We took a decisive action and moved with urgency to put the company on a sustainable path for long-term success, unlocking value for shareholders and recommitting to our clients who are at the center of everything we do. In a short period of time, we successfully executed a number of significant operational commitments while consistently delivering financial outcomes ahead of expectations. Earlier this month, we announced the successful completion of the majority sale of the Worldpay business to GTCR, a key milestone for our future. This landmark transaction creates 2 market-leading companies with greater strategic flexibility and operational focus to capitalize on their respective growth and margin opportunities in rapidly evolving markets. FIS holds a meaningful 45% stake in Worldpay and the 2 companies will continue to work together closely in the future. The strategic go-to-market partnership we established with Worldpay through our commercial agreements preserves the key value propositions for clients of both companies, and it is a powerful continuation of what we started when our 2 organizations first came together. Worldpay will remain an important distribution channel for FIS while continuing to benefit from access to FIS's array of bank tech services, such as our embedded finance solutions. We are excited to partner with Charles Drucker, the Worldpay management team and GTCR, and we are confident the business is on the right trajectory to reinvigorate revenue and earnings growth. The separation reinforces FIS's position as a global enterprise software leader, servicing the technology needs of the most complex global financial institutions, multinational corporates and governments. With a sharp focus on our marquee set of clients, we are well positioned to capitalize on favorable industry trends and quickly push into faster-growing verticals and segments of the market. This builds on our first-mover technology advantages, allowing us to accelerate revenue growth as our 2024 outlook demonstrates. The Worldpay transaction also allows us to recapitalize our balance sheet, providing ample flexibility to reinvest in the business, while at the same time, accelerating capital returns to shareholders and lowering our leverage ratio. I'm pleased to announce that we are once again raising our share repurchase target. We are now committing to buying back at least $3.5 billion of stock in 2024, up from our previous $3 billion target. Including repurchases completed in the fourth quarter of 2023, this brings our total share repurchase commitment up to at least $4 billion. This increased buyback reflects our confidence in the business, a strong capital position and our view on the intrinsic value of FIS's shares. Lastly, we continue to execute against our Future Forward strategy, exceeding our targets for 2023 and increasing our commitment for operational excellence in 2024. The program is changing the way FIS operates with a focus on driving greater efficiency, effectiveness and growth for our clients and for FIS. Our successful efforts are underpinned by distinct and tangible proof points. For example, over the second half of 2023, we were able to return the company to year-over-year margin expansion, and we expect to drive further profitability improvements in 2024. We refocused our sales force to prioritize higher value, higher-margin technology sales, and we intensified our efforts to improve the customer experience, including accelerating implementations of our next-generation technology solutions. While there is still plenty of work to be done, I couldn't be prouder of the FIS team and what we've accomplished together in just a year's time. Now let's turn to a discussion of our financial results. Turning to Slide 6. The significant actions we undertook in 2023 are already driving improved financial outcomes. We delivered full year 2023 financial results ahead of our outlook, including 4 consecutive quarters of outperformance on a total company basis. Adjusted revenue growth of 2% was driven by strong total company recurring revenue growth of 4%, including 5% recurring growth across our Banking and Capital Markets segments. Profitability improvements were primarily driven by our Future Forward program. This resulted in adjusted EBITDA margin expanding over the second half of 2023, despite headwinds in high margin nonrecurring revenue such as license and termination fees. We meaningfully improved adjusted free cash flow conversion in 2023 to a normalized 95% as compared to 72% in 2022.Capital expenditures declined to approximately 8% of total company revenue in 2023, down from 9% in 2022 as a result of continued execution against Future Forward initiatives. Lastly, we returned over $1.7 billion in capital to our shareholders through the combination of both dividends and share repurchases with over $800 million in the fourth quarter. Turning to Slide 7. The trajectory of our recurring revenue growth trends exiting the year and continued expense management gives us confidence that both revenue growth and profitability are inflecting in 2024. We expect a sustainable acceleration in adjusted revenue growth from 3% in 2023 to more than 4% in 2024. This acceleration is principally driven by a meaningful improvement in Banking's revenue growth from 2% in 2023 to at least 3% in 2024. We expect the momentum we've been experiencing in our Capital Markets segment over the past few years to continue with healthy growth in excess of 6%. The segment will continue to benefit from market share gains and expansion into newer verticals. During the third quarter of 2023, fueled by the success of our Future Forward strategy, we returned the company to year-over-year adjusted EBITDA margin expansion for the first time in nearly 2 years. Building on the success of Future Forward and the underlying fundamentals of the business, we are confident that the company is positioned for sustainable margin expansion in 2024 and beyond. The revenue acceleration and operational improvements just discussed, coupled with balanced capital deployment, will allow us to deliver 5% to 7% normalized EPS growth, which includes a high single-digit negative dissynergy impact. As a result of this improved financial outlook, we are committed to returning over $4 billion of capital to our shareholders across buybacks and dividends in 2024. Looking forward, current favorable market trends as well as the operational efficiencies we continue to drive, leave us confident that we are positioned for further earnings acceleration beyond 2024. Turning to Slide 8. We are seeing increased client demand and a growing sales pipeline as our products and services continue to resonate, especially with large financial institutions. Based on the current level of activity we are seeing across our pipeline, we expect an acceleration in new sales in 2024 as compared to 2023, aiding revenue growth beyond 2024. During the fourth quarter, we signed multiple marquee wins across our businesses. Beginning with enterprise core platforms, we're seeing increased demand from the regional community bank market for our bundled offerings of core digital payments through strong new sales and implementation. Additionally, we signed several new and expanded core engagements with regional community and international financial institutions, including a key competitive takeaway, Bank of California, with approximately $40 billion in assets. Also, demand for FIS's digital banking solutions remains strong. Our Digital One platform was selected by some of the most demanding banks and financial institutions, including a global asset manager with greater than $1 trillion in assets under management. Likewise, we've seen continued robust sales for our Digital One Studio with leading national regional and super regional banks, including Hancock Whitney, First Citizens Bank and Bank of Montreal. These banks have all deployed solutions from our digital suite, which offers deeper personalization capabilities in support of their deposit growth, product cross-sell and customer experience improvement objectives. To underscore our progress in digital banking, our sales pipeline continues to expand with demand from large financial institutions increasing in the double digits. Our payments and network businesses continue to gain traction, and we are expanding our sales focus in these areas given the long growth runway they represent. The NICE debit network had another strong quarter of new sales. We signed multiple new engagements with premier financial institutions, retailers and global media companies. Additionally, FedNow continues to gain traction. We now have over 215 clients either in contract or in our pipeline and we're now certified to both send and receive payments. Moving on to Capital Markets. Beginning with securities trading and processing, our market-leading clear derivative solution was selected by a global financial technology provider and a leading alternative asset manager. Additionally, our treasury solutions had another strong quarter of new sales. We signed new engagements with a leading financial technology company, several municipal governments, a multinational health care provider and an online consumer apparel provider. Our Lending Solutions also had a number of impressive new or expanded wins in the quarter. This included a leading U.S. automaker, several European automakers, as well as several global financial institutions who were seeking a partner who could service and support their global client base. I'm encouraged by the trends we experienced over the second half of 2023 and confident we are poised for a meaningful sales acceleration in 2024. 2023 was a year of significant positive momentum at FIS. I'm incredibly proud of the team for their commitment to our future forward strategy and the heightened focus on improving client centricity, accelerating product innovation and simplifying our go-to-market approach. Our performance in 2023 and our strengthened position entering 2024 give me confidence that we are on the right path to further improve operational and financial outcomes going forward. With that in mind, FIS plans to host an Investor Day in New York City on Tuesday, May 7. We hope you can join us for a discussion on our go-forward corporate strategy post the Worldpay separation, our playbook for sustainable success in our Banking and Capital Markets segments and, of course, our multiyear financial targets and capital allocation framework. With that, let me turn it over to James for a discussion of our fourth quarter financial results and 2024 outlook. James?James KehoeThank you, Stephanie, and good morning. I'll begin on Slide 11 with some comments on our 2023 performance and the key drivers of earnings power for the upcoming year. As Stephanie noted, we are pleased with our results, having consistently exceeded the high-end of the outlook. The original EBITDA guidance was $5.9 billion to $6.1 billion and the actual results came in well above the high end of the range. The outperformance was driven by strong recurring revenue growth from both Banking and Capital Markets, profitability improvements fueled by our Future Forward program and better-than-expected performance from Worldpay, which is now reflected in discontinued operations. On January 31, we completed the majority sale of the Worldpay business. The transaction positions both companies for future success, allowing them to focus on their respective end markets and to pursue appropriate capital allocation strategies. The transaction has also allowed FIS to transform its capital structure, paying down debt to ensure an investment-grade rating while accelerating return of capital to shareholders and allowing for appropriate levels of investment in the business. FIS is now well positioned to deliver accelerating revenue growth with a return to sustainable margin expansion.Revenue growth will accelerate from 3% in 2023 to 4% to 4.5% in 2024 or 3.8% to 4.3%, excluding acquisitions and dissynergies. Adjusted EBITDA margin is projected to expand by 20 to 40 basis points. Adjusted EPS is projected to grow 38% to 41% year-over-year on a continuing operations basis, including a significant contribution from the deployment of Worldpay proceeds and the first-time inclusion of the Worldpay equity method investment contribution. On a normalized basis, we expect adjusted EPS to grow 5% to 7%, including a high single-digit negative impact from dissynergies. Strong core business performance and our Future Forward program have more than offset the negative impact from dissynergies. Turning now to Slide 12 for a few considerations on our financial reporting going forward. Beginning in the first quarter of 2024, FIS's 45% financial interest in Worldpay will now be reported separately on the equity method investment line of the income statement. Our 2024 adjusted EPS outlook of $4.66 to $4.76 includes a $0.69 to $0.71 contribution from Worldpay. Please note that the $0.69 to $0.71 is for 11 months only.Had the transaction closed at the end of last year, our 2024 adjusted EPS for continuing operations would have been $0.06 higher, resulting in a pro forma adjusted EPS of $4.72 to $4.82 on a full year basis. Consistent with our prior messaging, our go-forward adjusted EPS outlook will include the Worldpay EMI contribution and we will also be providing condensed quarterly financial results for Worldpay on a 100% basis, including revenue and EBITDA on both a GAAP and adjusted basis. Lastly, going forward, FIS will be presenting revenue growth on an adjusted basis. This reflects year-over-year constant currency revenue growth for our Banking Solutions and Capital Markets operating segments. With that, let's turn to our fourth quarter results on Slide 13. Overall, we are pleased with our performance in the fourth quarter and this is the fourth consecutive quarter of meeting or exceeding the high end of our outlook. Including Worldpay, total company revenue increased 1% to $3.7 billion, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 43.2% and adjusted EPS of $1.67. Total company adjusted EBITDA margin was flat year-over-year, held back by a margin decline in discontinued operations. On a continuing operations basis, revenue was flat at $2.5 billion, and this was in line with our expectations. Strong recurring revenue growth across both Banking and Capital Markets was offset by expected declines in nonrecurring revenue and professional services. Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by a strong 70 basis points year-over-year, led by meaningful margin expansion in Banking Solutions. Adjusted EPS for continuing operations was $0.94 in the quarter, a decline of 4% compared to the prior year, reflecting higher interest expense with a negative impact of $0.07. For discontinued operations, revenue increased 2% to $1.2 billion, modestly ahead of our expectations. Adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 160 basis points reflecting a less favorable revenue mix and the timing of certain expenses. Moving now to cash flow and balance sheet metrics where we continue to drive improvements. We generated strong free cash flow of $1.1 billion in the fourth quarter, resulting in a normalized free cash flow conversion of 100% with a full year conversion rate of 95%. This compares very favorably to our 2023 full year target of greater than 80% free cash flow conversion. We ended the year with total debt of $19.1 billion with a leverage ratio of 3x. As previously communicated, we repurchased $510 million of shares during the fourth quarter of '23, resulting in over $800 million of capital returned to shareholders in the quarter and $1.7 billion for the year as a whole. Turning now to our segment results on Slide 14. For the quarter, adjusted revenue growth was flat year-over-year, in line with our expectations. As expected, backlog remained stable, up $23.5 billion. Continued strong recurring revenue growth of 7% was offset by anticipated nonrecurring headwinds. Banking revenue was flat in the quarter while adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 270 basis points, primarily driven by Future Forward cost initiatives. Banking recurring revenue grew a healthy 7%, including stronger-than-expected consumer spend in our payments business and the benefit from our prior year grow-over. Note that our calculation of Banking recurring revenue growth reflects 2 changes. First, in keeping with historical practice, we have transitioned certain nonstrategic businesses, which we expect to sell or wind down from Banking Solutions to the Corporate and Other segment. Second, with the expiration of federal funds related to pandemic relief programs, we have moved this revenue from recurring revenue to nonrecurring revenue with no change to total revenue. We have provided a detailed reconciliation table for these adjustments in the appendix. As you will see, these adjustments have a de minimis impact on full year recurring revenue growth. Banking recurring revenue growth of 4% in 2023 is unchanged, while the changes increase our 2022 recurring revenue growth by a mere 40 basis points. The recurring revenue growth of 7% was offset by expected declines in other nonrecurring revenue and professional services of 22% and 31%, respectively. The decline in other nonrecurring revenue includes an 11% headwind from the decline in pandemic relief revenues, while the decline in professional services reflects a difficult comparison. Turning now to Capital Markets. Capital Markets adjusted revenue increased 1%, led by continued strong recurring revenue growth of 7%. As expected, nonrecurring revenue declined by 10%, primarily driven by a difficult year-over-year comparison related to license fees, which we have consistently messaged throughout the year. The decline in higher-margin nonrecurring license revenue was the primary driver of the 250 basis point margin contraction. Looking forward, we will be facing lower headwinds from both professional services and other nonrecurring revenue, and we expect to see closer alignment between adjusted revenue growth and recurring revenue growth. Turning now to our full year results by segment on Slide 15. Adjusted revenue growth increased 3%, led by strong recurring revenue growth of 5%. Banking revenue was up 2% as recurring revenue growth of 4% offset declines in nonrecurring revenue and lower professional services. Adjusted EBITDA margin was flat, but margins were strong in the second half of the year as Future Forward savings accelerated. Capital Markets revenue increased 5%, led by very strong recurring revenue growth of 9%. Adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 60 basis points to 50.3%, primarily due to lower margins over the second half of the year, reflecting a lower contribution from higher margin license fees. Turning now to Slide 16 for an update on Future Forward. I am pleased to report that we have exceeded our 2023 target for Future Forward OpEx savings, and we see further upside in 2024. We delivered in-period EBITDA savings of $155 million, well above our original goal of $100 million. And we are raising our 2024 incremental savings target from $215 million to $280 million. We are reiterating our total cash savings target of $1 billion for the Future Forward program. We are reaffirming our capital reduction target, increasing our OpEx savings goal and adopting a slightly more conservative view regarding the reduction in acquisition, integration and other expenses. Turning now to our capital allocation priorities on Slide 17. Our capital allocation priorities remain unchanged from the prior quarter. We intend to use our strong financial position and balance sheet flexibility to prioritize a balanced set of capital allocation priorities. These priorities include maintaining an investment-grade rating while investing to accelerate growth and consistently returning ample capital to shareholders. For 2024, we are assuming a year-end leverage ratio of approximately 2.8x, which allows us ample flexibility to invest in the business while increasing our share repurchase target for the year. We remain committed to paying an above-market dividend. And going forward, we will grow the dividend in line with adjusted net earnings.Reflecting our confidence in the business and our strong free cash flow generation, we are once again raising our share repurchase commitment. We now expect to repurchase at least $3.5 billion of stock in 2024, up from our prior target of at least $3 billion. And through the first 2 months of this year, we have already repurchased approximately $490 million of the $3.5 billion target. Lastly, we will selectively invest in complementary tuck-in M&A where we can leverage our scale and distribution to drive faster growth across strategic verticals. This balanced capital allocation framework provides a robust value proposition for long-term shareholder value creation. In total, we expect to return greater than $4 billion to shareholders in 2024, up from $1.7 billion in 2023. Now let's move on to our 2024 outlook on Slide 18. Building on the operational and financial improvements of 2023, our '24 outlook confidently forecast accelerating revenue growth and expanding margins. We are projecting reported revenue of $10.1 billion to $10.15 billion and this includes an adverse currency impact of around $20 million. Adjusted revenue growth will accelerate from 3% in '23 to 4% to 4.5% in 2024. Our projections include 70 basis points from closed tuck-in acquisitions, but this is mostly offset by a negative impact of 50 basis points from dissynergies. Net of these impacts, adjusted revenue growth would be approximately 3.8% to 4.3%. We expect the Banking segment to grow between 3% to 3.5% or 3.3% to 3.8% net of acquisitions and dissynergies, up from 2% in 2023. And we anticipate Capital Markets revenue growth of 6.5% to 7% or 5.1% to 5.6%, net of acquisitions as compared to 5% in 2023. We are forecasting year-over-year margin expansion of 20 to 40 basis points reflecting continued favorable impact from the Future Forward program and the inherent leverage in our business model. Included in this outlook is a $280 million year-over-year benefit from the Future Forward program, and this will more than offset dissynergies from the Worldpay transaction of $250 million. We have provided our assumptions regarding the key below-the-line items with some additional details in the appendix. We are projecting D&A of $1.075 billion and we anticipate a tax rate of 17.2% to 17.5%. Interest expense is projected at around $350 million and we expect shares outstanding of 556 million shares, a reduction of 6% compared to 2023. Including an 11-month EMI contribution of $0.69 to $0.71, we expect to deliver adjusted EPS of between $4.66 and $4.76. This translates to a growth rate of 38% to 41% on a continuing operations basis. On a normalized basis, we expect adjusted EPS to grow 5% to 7%, including a high single-digit negative impact from dissynergies. Lastly, on a pro forma basis, including 12 months of Worldpay EMI contribution, we anticipate adjusted EPS of $4.72 to $4.82. We are confident in our balanced outlook for 2024 and believe we are well positioned to accelerate long-term earnings growth. Let's move now to Slide 19, where we provide a reconciliation for our 2023 results on a normalized basis. Last quarter, we provided an estimated normalized adjusted EPS range of $4.40 to $4.55. I am happy to report that both continuing ops EPS and normalized EPS came in within the guidance ranges we provided. Continuing operations EPS was $3.37 and was at the higher end of the range that we provided on the third quarter call. On a 12-month basis, normalized EPS was $4.50 and again, this was toward the higher end of the range. Adjusted for an 11-month EMI contribution, 2023 normalized EPS is $4.44. Moving now to Slide 20 for an overview of our first quarter outlook. We are projecting revenue growth of 2.5% to 3.5%, with Banking Solutions at 1% to 2% and Capital Markets at 6% to 7%. We expect Banking revenue growth to accelerate over the course of the year, reflecting easier year-over-year revenue comparisons and the favorable impact from stronger new sales over the second half of 2023. We are anticipating adjusted EBITDA of $955 million to $970 million, which translates to year-over-year margin expansion of 180 to 200 basis points, reflecting Future Forward savings. Including an expected 2-month EMI contribution of $0.09 to $0.10, we expect adjusted EPS of $0.94 to $0.97. Continuing operations EPS is projected to increase 31% to 35% and we estimate high single-digit growth on a normalized basis. In summary, we are expecting a good start to the year with revenue growth accelerating compared to the fourth quarter and improved alignment between adjusted revenue and recurring revenue growth. Margins will expand and this is consistent with the performance delivered in the second half of last year. Let me now wrap up on Slide 21. In closing, we are encouraged by our 2023 results and believe we are on the right path as we reposition the enterprise for long-term success. The completion of the Worldpay transaction positions both companies for future success and meaningfully improves our capital structure. We are confident FIS will deliver accelerated business growth in 2024 with adjusted revenue growth of at least 4% and a return to consistent margin expansion. And given our confidence in how the business is performing, our improved financial flexibility and the attractive valuation of our stock, we have once again raised our total share repurchase target to at least $3.5 billion in 2024 and greater than $4 billion in total.With that, operator, could you please open the line for questions?Question and Answer SessionOperator(Operator Instructions) And our first question will come from the line of Tien-Tsin Huang with JPMorgan.Tien-Tsin HuangJust hoping to maybe have you comment a little further on the Banking side, just a formula for just the revenue acceleration there in the Banking segment. I know there's backlog conversion, new sales, you talked about a little bit, retention. Any call outs there as we sketch the outlook?Stephanie L. FerrisYes. Thanks, Tien-Tsin. Yes, we're very excited to be guiding to an accelerated total company revenue growth in 2024 as well as in Banking specifically. As we talked about last year, we came in from a recurring revenue standpoint pretty strong, but we're facing some nonrecurring headwinds as we disclosed all year.As we come into 2024, feeling really good about lapping those headwinds. So thinking about recurring and total Banking Solutions revenue growth coming more in line together as well as the strength that we're seeing in the back half of 2023 and into 2024 from a sales standpoint, and as we think about those sales coming in and delivering on revenue in the back half of '24 and into '25. So both scenarios are helping us in terms of giving us confidence for Banking Solutions and the total company revenue growth to accelerate in 2024, which is why we feel good about what we've guided.Tien-Tsin HuangIt's good. Just my quick follow-up then. Stephanie, anything to consider with respect to M&A in the bank sector? I know we've been, sector-wise, getting a lot of questions on the Cap One-Discover piece. Opportunities? Risks?Stephanie L. FerrisYes. No. Well, first of all, I'd say in terms of Capital One-Discover, I think it's another representation of why it's really important and how people strategically value having many different assets across the FinTech ecosystem, which, as you know, at FIS is critical for us in terms of thinking about issuing, payments network, et cetera. And then with the strategic relationship we struck with Worldpay going forward, we'll still have access to the acquiring piece. So I think it's a demonstration in terms of seeing why the value of having all those assets together is important.With respect to Cap One and Discover, we have very strategic relationships with both. So we see it for us in terms of a net positive. Broadly across the ecosystem, TBD in terms of consolidation. We continue to see folks that would love to consolidate. We'll see what happens with the regulatory environment. But as you know, we tend to be beneficiaries of that consolidation because we tend to serve the larger financial institutions. But I'm waiting and seeing just like everybody else.OperatorOne moment for our next question. And that will come from the line of Ramsey El-Assal with Barclays.Ramsey Clark El-AssalI was wondering if you could help us think through the sort of macro assumptions in your guidance. And maybe any thoughts about the general sort of bank IT spending environment, particularly as it relates to the backlog.Stephanie L. FerrisSure. Maybe I'll start, and if James thinks I miss anything, he'll add on. But I would say broadly, in terms of macro assumptions, we would say, as we come in on the payment side of our business within the Banking business, we kept consumer spend pretty consistent in 2024 over 2023. In terms of overall Banking spend, I think we see 2 different things happening.I certainly think we see banks who have the opportunity to trend down on discretionary spend. They've been doing that quite frankly. It's not a new trend. Where we see the demand continuing and you heard me talk about it in my prepared remarks is spend around digital to continue to enhance their ability to deliver products and services and then really focused around making sure that they can gather deposits. So utilizing our money movement capabilities and our payment capabilities to help them become the primary depositor for a lot of their lenders. So I would say there's interest in spending around digital, around money movement capabilities.And then as the regulatory environment continues to heat up, always a focus around our RegTech products. So I would say overall, IT spend in the Banking sector is pretty consistent. We just continue to see it move into those categories and spending less around anything that they would consider discretionary.Ramsey Clark El-AssalOkay. And I wanted also to ask about the nonrecurring and professional services revenues in Banking. And I know there were some moving pieces there and some tough comps on the professional services side, I believe, you called out. How should we think about the sort of timing and magnitude of the reacceleration of those parts of the business on a normalized basis? Is that the type of thing where, over time, it should grow around where the rest of the segment is growing? Or how should we kind of think about that?James KehoeYes. I'll just give you maybe a way to think about it. We're not providing explicit guidance for recurring revenue. What we did say in the prepared comments, in 2024, we would expect recurring revenue to at least be equal to the adjusted revenue and probably slightly better. So if the total company has gone up X, the recurring revenue is slightly positive compared to that. So that implies that still next year, there's a slight headwind coming from the total of professional services and other nonrecurring, but it's dramatically reduced compared to 2023.So the key message for you is there's -- if you take the year as an average, and that's the only caution I would give you, on the average of the year, recurring will be better than nonrecurring, but the quarters could vary. So all over that, sometimes it's a little bit choppy in a particular quarter. But overall, we're very confident in the realignment between recurring and total revenue growth.OperatorOne moment for our next question. That will come from the line of David Koning with Baird.David John KoningGuys, nice job. And I guess my first question, a little bit like Ramsey, on recurring. So in the first half of '23, I think you grew 3% recurring, second half about 7%, if I get that right. And now you're calling for it to come back down maybe a little better than the 3-ish percent. What was happening in the second half that was so strong in recurring? And then why does it decelerate in '24?James KehoeYes. I think if you look out, Capital Markets is generally in line. We expect almost every quarter to be in line with the full year guidance. And the recurring is just -- it's basically in line with the adjusted revenue target we provided. And then if you look through the Banking, I think the -- you should look at the 7% that was in fourth quarter, and that's probably well above the trend rate, which is closer to the 3% to 4%. And you'll recall that during the course of all of 2023, Banking was in or around 3%, 3.5%. The 7% in Q4 did include an exceptionally strong payments business, where it was probably 3 points ahead of the average that we're planning for the first quarter. So that gives you 1 delta, call it, I don't know, 130 basis points.And then we're lapping an item in the prior year period, which artificially depressed the prior period, call it another, I don't know, 130 basis points. So you take the 2 of those out, and we kind of get to a couple of other adjustments. We're getting to kind of like a real like a 4% if we were trying to equalize it into next year. And as I said in the prepared comments, Banking recurring will outperform the adjusted targets.So it was a choppy kind of 7% in the fourth quarter, not fully representative. What I will say, though, the 7% does show that the business has substantial -- Banking business has substantial power to get the numbers into the territory where they need to be. We're very comfortable as we look forward to the goals on the full year.David John KoningGreat. And just maybe a quick follow-up on -- merger integration costs came down this year, which was nice to see, I think, $156 million in Q4. What do you expect that to be in 2024? And how soon are those integration costs just going to be closer to 0?James KehoeYes. I think it's a little early to call. We've got a bunch of stuff in there. It's not -- the biggest single item is not integration costs. It's actually the Future Forward program. So remember, we've taken out a lot of costs in the base year of '23 and more coming out in '24. Worldpay has inflated the base year, and that will reduce next year. But we will still have Worldpay separation costs in '24. They will disappear in '25.What we're looking at right now is what is the long-term TAI. And you've seen that we've had a fairly big dissynergy impact. As we look forward into '25 and '26, we're thinking through what kind of programs need to be implemented to gain -- regain the efficiency that was lost post Worldpay. I think the explicit cash flow number impact of TAI next year in '24 is around [$450 million].Stephanie L. FerrisI might also add. So -- yes, we did a lot this year, as you know, it's showing up in the free cash flow conversion. The separation of Worldpay is pretty significant. So there's pretty significant costs that we expect in '24 and '25 to keep that elevated. Everything else, though, we keep pulling down to deliver a higher free cash flow conversion. But it's not nothing to get Worldpay separated. And as we've discussed before, we expect that to take up to 24 months. So we'll spend some pretty significant dollars to get those guys out.OperatorOne moment for our next question. And that will come from the line of Darrin Peller with Wolfe Research.Darrin David PellerCongrats on the closing of the Worldpay.Stephanie L. FerrisThank you.Darrin David PellerSo i wanted to just start off with -- I wanted to start off with first, just the margin side for a minute. Look, it looks like you raised your Future Forward savings a bit and transaction dissynergies also were raised. And yet, I think your margin, you said is expecting 20 to 40 bps on a continuing operations basis. Maybe just talk a little bit about the underlying margin assumptions and the underlying trajectory of operating leverage that you see in this business going forward, if you don't mind, but really both segments in the company overall.Stephanie L. FerrisYes. I think we were -- I'll start and then maybe James can add in. I think we -- as you guys know, we've been really, really focused on driving and outperforming our Future Forward program. We're extraordinarily pleased with how that's been going. And we -- and really, we're pushing it in to be the culture of the company versus a program that ends. So really pushed on that hard, and we're able to deliver an increased expectation for that, both in '23 and '24, which, as we said, is going to offset any dissynergy.I think as we think about go-forward margins, we would expect that there should be natural margin expansion in the business, especially as we shift the sales from less technology-enabled sales into the higher technology-enabled sales. And so as we do that specifically in the Banking Solutions business, you would expect to see Banking Solutions margins naturally expand with that mix expansion.I think we've talked about Capital Markets in terms of being pretty consistent. We really want to drive organic growth there and I think squeezing any more margin out of them will ultimately, over time, hurt their overall organic growth. So I would expect that to be more flattish as we think about out in the -- out past '24. But I think we'd really probably punt on this question, Darrin, until Investor Day to give you a more clean view of how we think about margins going past 2024.James KehoeYes. But we did say, Darrin, in the prepared comments that we -- this is the return to consistent margin expansion over time. So you can imply that some of the businesses will deliver with -- together with Future Forward, will give consistent improvement. And obviously, we'll spend a fair amount of time at Investor Day, bringing you through the growth algorithm, top line growth and margin expansion. You've seen as well that Banking is really -- we're really executing strongly against Future Forward, and the margins are very, very strong. And as Stephanie said, probably Capital Markets, but I want to emphasize both businesses, if you read through the comments, both businesses are growing margins in 2024.Darrin David PellerAnd this is just a bit of a -- that's helpful guys. This is just a bit of a follow-up to Tien-Tsin's question. But maybe if you could provide any more KPIs really that's providing for the strength, what's supporting the strength of Capital Markets? And then even Banking, what can give us more confidence that this recurring revenue growth rate now is going to be sustainable? What are the driving forces of it? A little more detail would be great. And I'll turn it back to the queue.James KehoeIt's actually coming from the total addressable market. And I think this is probably the #1 topic for Investor Day, which is we will present the breakup -- the makeup of each of the businesses and what's the relative growth in the TAM. And Capital Markets, for example, is right now, the TAM is in or about the ex-acquisition number at about 5%. So it's got -- you've got a favorable tailwind coming from, you're in very, very attractive verticals in the market. And they're actually, at the same time, expanding into new verticals. So we'll bring you on the journey on Capital Markets because we know people have a bunch of questions on it, but it's supported by TAM and -- total addressable market and expansion into new TAM and we have very, very good line of sight to support the guidance number we've provided for '24.OperatorOne moment for our next question. And that will come from the line of Jason Kupferberg with Bank of America.Jason Alan KupferbergI wanted to ask about free cash flow conversion and CapEx assumptions for 2024. And then if you can just make broader comments around the 2024 guidance. Obviously, after the outperformance in '23, are there any elements of conservatism in that overall '24 outlook either from a top or a bottom line standpoint?James KehoeI'll cover the free cash flow conversion. We had a tremendous year this year, but sometimes you're a victim of your own success. We drove massive benefits from Future Forward. And mostly with -- when you capture benefits on free cash flow, they're onetime in nature. So the question is, what can we achieve in Future Forward next year? We would probably say that if you take out all the noise, the continuing ops cash flow was in the high 80s to low 90s percent on -- in 2023. And we would forecast somewhere in the region of 85% to 90% free cash flow conversion.So we're taking it up compared to the ingoing position in 2023 of 80%. Now we're looking at 85% to 90%. And depending on how we can manage our net working capital going forward, the long-term outlook could even be a little bit better than that. So we're just -- bear in mind, we just spun off part of the company. We're working through how much cash do we need in the business. We're working through working capital programs. So 85% and 90% for 2024 and it's probably closer to the 90% if you look into '25 and '26. And the second part of your question was?Stephanie L. FerrisCapEx and Guidance. Yes. I think on the CapEx side -- yes. On the CapEx side, I think we feel really good. We brought it down, as you know, from a high at one point of 10%. Last year, I think we brought it down to 9%. We're expecting it to come down 1 point. Probably sits in the 7% to 8% range as we think about continuing to invest in the business.With respect to guidance, I think what we would say, Jason, is we're thrilled with our ability to hit and become just much more consistent in terms of what we guide and meeting expectations. We thought it was really important, and we're thrilled to be able to talk about an acceleration of revenue from 2023 to 2024. And we're guiding consistently with how we have historically and continue to be transparent and credible.OperatorOne moment for our next question. And that will come from the line of Dan Dolev with Mizuho.Dan DolevGreat to see the guiding for acceleration in '24. Nice job. A quick question, like -- a question on backlog, like it was negative, flat, positive, negative. How do we connect it with the organic growth guide? Is there like a good sort of mapping that we can do to make sense out of it?Stephanie L. FerrisYes. Great question. So look, I think in terms of backlog, it came in about $23 billion in fourth quarter, accelerating out of September or the third quarter of $22.2 billion. So I felt really good about that. Flat with December of 2022, so $23 billion to $23 billion.I think as we come into Investor Day, we're going to look to give you better KPIs than this backlog number. As you know, it's a fairly complicated accounting number. I think what we would say is it's consistent, it's large and it's durable and supportive of the adjusted growth rate revenues we've been giving you. But we would look to give you something a little bit more aligned and helping you understand how it compares specifically to the guide. We've been stuck with this backlog number, as you know, from historical pieces. And there's just a lot that goes into it as it's a technical accounting number.But I would say broadly, again, thinking about it, came in around the $23 billion number accelerating off of September, the third quarter. And so feeling very good about it as it goes into 2024. But we'd love to give you something different and a little bit more meaningful as we come in at Investor Day.Dan DolevThat's super helpful. And maybe, Stephanie, quick follow-up for you. On FedNow, you mentioned that we're kind of maybe 6 months in, like have you seen any changes or beginning of changes and meaningful behavior changes in how FedNow is implemented?Stephanie L. FerrisYes. I think -- as I said, we're seeing a large amount of pipeline. There's a large demand from FIs and banks across the universe for it. I think the challenge for it is how it becomes adopted downmarket in the underlying customers of those banks. But the banks are definitely focused on enabling it and having it in their quiver in terms of things that they can offer in terms of money movement. TBD in terms of the underlying business moves and whether it becomes adopted faster than other ways to move money in the ecosystem. I think that remains to be played out.OperatorOne moment for our next question. And that will come from the line of Vasu Govil with KBW.Vasundhara GovilI guess as my first one, Stephanie, you talked a little bit about the new sales momentum. Maybe you could talk a little bit more about where you're seeing traction between the 2 segments and then within the segments, whether it's more core wins, more cross-sells. Just some more color there would be super helpful.Stephanie L. FerrisYes. No, happy to. So I think in the new sales momentum, we're -- as you know, we shifted specifically the team so that they would sell more of our technology-enabled solutions. So where I'm seeing momentum is really in the digital space and in the money movement space. So as you think about what banks are focused on doing, in order for them to deliver their products and solutions, the digital capabilities they have, whether it's mobile, online, teller, et cetera, all need to be in sync and refreshed and there's a lot of demand there.So seeing a lot of demand for our Digital One Studio, our Digital One business capabilities as banks are really looking to gather deposits. So the digital capabilities are in high demand. And then as banks think about really want be the primary deposit account for those loans they've gathered over the last 10 years, they want -- they need to make sure that they have the right money movement capabilities to deliver to be that primary bank. And so we are seeing a lot of demand in digital and payments.I would say in Capital Markets, and spent a little bit of time talking about this in the prepared remarks, I think we're seeing demand really across all 3 of our subsegments. Thinking about securities and processing, we've talked about our clear derivative solution. It continues to be a market-leading solution even outside the traditional broker dealers. So that's been in high demand.Our commercial lending technology solutions really are getting adopted even outside the traditional financial institutions. So if you're a sophisticated financial services corporate, so we talked a lot about auto dealers and other large sophisticated financial services, they need a lot of capabilities. They are seeing high demand there. And then treasury. Our treasury solution is best-of-breed, and we see folks adopting that across the corporate landscape.And then the other place that we're seeing a ton of demand is in overall ESG. We have a fantastic ESG product. Every company that's an SEC registrant company needs to have some sort of ESG reporting capability to see a lot of demand there.Vasundhara GovilThat's super helpful. And then just a quick follow-up for James. I think normalized EPS, if you exclude dissynergies, is roughly low teens. Is that a good way to think about the future trend line, all else equal? And if you could also give us something on just the timing of how we should model these dissynergies to flow through the year.James KehoeWell, I think we said it's 5% to 7%, but it's absorbing a significant dissynergy impact. The reason why -- so I wouldn't necessarily add the 2 together to project forward because we've really ramped up Future Forward this year to help offset the dissynergies. And I think the level of -- obviously, next year, there's no year-on-year dissynergy, but the level of contribution from Future Forward will go down from current levels.Let's just wait until the Investor Day. We want to bring you through a detailed walk on the earnings power of each business, the revenue growth, total addressable markets, the margin potential and we'll come up with the algorithms together in a short couple of months.OperatorAnd we do have time for one final question, and that will come from the line of Ashwin Shirvaikar with Citi.Ashwin Vassant ShirvaikarStephanie, James, good to hear from you. Stephanie, it was good to see you on stage with Charles Drucker...Stephanie L. FerrisThanks, Ashwin.Ashwin Vassant ShirvaikarYes, sales conference. I guess speaking of sales conference, right, you've mentioned in your comments, the direction of the sales force towards higher-yielding products and such. Is it primarily redirection? Or are you adding to the sales force? Could you give us some flavor of what's going on with sales count, sales quarters and so on?Stephanie L. FerrisYes. No, so it's really all of the above. So we took a look at how we were compensating the sales force at the beginning of last year and all dollars at that point were considered equal. And so what we did was change the incentive comp sales so that the higher-margin products will be compensated higher and specifically with respect to recurring revenue. That took hold in the beginning of last year, and we're seeing the transition of those sales from the lower margin to the higher margin. In fact, I think over time, from '22 to '23, we saw an 80 basis point increase in the mix of low margin to high margin. So we're definitely seeing it.I think the other thing that we did at the beginning of last year was really look at productivity across our sales teams and did a pretty significant look at how we wanted -- what the sales productivity metrics we were expecting. Again, in the back -- from the beginning, the first half of '23 to the back half of '23, saw some pretty significant increases in productivity.In terms of overall number of salespeople, I think that in general, we would say they're the same number, but I think we are seeing better output because of productivity and then as well as a result of higher margins. So that's what giving us some confidence as we think about the back half of '24 and '25 as those sales start to come in and get delivered into the P&L.Ashwin Vassant ShirvaikarGot it. Got it. And then, James, just more granularity on cadence by segment. You provided obviously, on the Cap Market side, but on both Banking and how we should model out the equity line with regard to just sort of quarter-over-quarter as we think of the 4 quarters, that would be helpful from a modeling perspective.James KehoeYes. As I said, the revenue on Capital Markets will be pretty consistent each of the quarters. And Banking is on an upward trend as the sales pick up in the second half based on second half '23 performance. As you look at the NCI contribution, bear in mind that the first quarter was the lowest quarter, and it's only got 2 months in there. And we actually called out that 1 month in the first quarter is equivalent to $0.06. So you could kind of work out the first quarter.I think in terms of the build go forward, I think the only guidance I could give you is maybe to treat the other quarters pretty equally. I'm not really now prepared. We don't want to give guidance beyond the first quarter.OperatorThank you all for participating. This concludes today's program. You may now disconnect.

Thomson Reuters StreetEvents

Q4 2023 Fidelity National Information Services Inc Earnings Call

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/q4-2023-fidelity-national-information-035743520.html

90be4397-7549-37bd-8290-8641b25fc87a

FIS

When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about Fidelity National Information Services (FIS).Fidelity National currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.89, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 28 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.89 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.Of the 28 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 15 are Strong Buy and one is Buy. Strong Buy and Buy respectively account for 53.6% and 3.6% of all recommendations.Check price target & stock forecast for Fidelity National here>>>The ABR suggests buying Fidelity National, but making an investment decision solely on the basis of this information might not be a good idea. According to several studies, brokerage recommendations have little to no success guiding investors to choose stocks with the most potential for price appreciation.Do you wonder why? As a result of the vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover, their analysts tend to rate it with a strong positive bias. According to our research, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation.This means that the interests of these institutions are not always aligned with those of retail investors, giving little insight into the direction of a stock's future price movement. It would therefore be best to use this information to validate your own analysis or a tool that has proven to be highly effective at predicting stock price movements.Story continuesZacks Rank, our proprietary stock rating tool with an impressive externally audited track record, categorizes stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), and is an effective indicator of a stock's price performance in the near future. Therefore, using the ABR to validate the Zacks Rank could be an efficient way of making a profitable investment decision.ABR Should Not Be Confused With Zacks RankIn spite of the fact that Zacks Rank and ABR both appear on a scale from 1 to 5, they are two completely different measures.Broker recommendations are the sole basis for calculating the ABR, which is typically displayed in decimals (such as 1.28). The Zacks Rank, on the other hand, is a quantitative model designed to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.Analysts employed by brokerage firms have been and continue to be overly optimistic with their recommendations. Since the ratings issued by these analysts are more favorable than their research would support because of the vested interest of their employers, they mislead investors far more often than they guide.On the other hand, earnings estimate revisions are at the core of the Zacks Rank. And empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.There is also a key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank when it comes to freshness. When you look at the ABR, it may not be up-to-date. Nonetheless, since brokerage analysts constantly revise their earnings estimates to reflect changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in predicting future stock prices.Should You Invest in FIS?Looking at the earnings estimate revisions for Fidelity National, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 9.2% over the past month to $4.65.Analysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to soar in the near term.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 Fidelity National. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>Therefore, the Buy-equivalent ABR for Fidelity National may serve as a useful guide for 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 reportFidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Brokers Suggest Investing in Fidelity National (FIS): Read This Before Placing a Bet

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/brokers-suggest-investing-fidelity-national-143009111.html

b7172ebc-016d-3763-bfcf-771556971afe

FIS

Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) closed the most recent trading day at $69.15, moving -0.97% from the previous trading session. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 1.03%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.34%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 1.51%.Coming into today, shares of the banking and payment technologies company had gained 13.23% in the past month. In that same time, the Business Services sector gained 6.35%, while the S&P 500 gained 3.21%.The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Fidelity National Information Services in its upcoming release. On that day, Fidelity National Information Services is projected to report earnings of $0.96 per share, which would represent a year-over-year decline of 25.58%. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $2.45 billion, indicating a 30.23% downward movement from the same quarter last year.In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $4.65 per share and a revenue of $10.13 billion, indicating changes of +37.98% and -17.31%, respectively, from the former year.Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Fidelity National Information Services should also be noted by investors. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook.Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. 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, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 9.2% upward. Right now, Fidelity National Information Services possesses a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).Story continuesIn terms of valuation, Fidelity National Information Services is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 15.03. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 13.5, so one might conclude that Fidelity National Information Services is trading at a premium comparatively.It's also important to note that FIS currently trades at a PEG ratio of 0.88. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. The average PEG ratio for the Financial Transaction Services industry stood at 1.15 at the close of the market yesterday.The Financial Transaction Services industry is part of the Business Services sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 51, this industry ranks in the top 21% of all industries, numbering over 250.The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming 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 reportFidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) Stock Sinks As Market Gains: Here's Why

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fidelity-national-information-services-fis-231516735.html

c0780bdb-81ab-37dd-8f87-b02008bdf6d5

FITB

 CINCINNATI, February 20, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fifth Third Bank today announced the opening of its Tampa, FL-based Fifth Third Wealth Advisors office."Our adviser teams have the opportunity to take advantage of our flexible investment management platform while also providing access to additional services such as trust powers, credit and planning through Fifth Third Bank," said Eric Housman, president Fifth Third Wealth Advisors. "We believe we offer the look, feel and nimbleness of an independent boutique backed by a top-performing regional bank."Targeting advisors across the country with books of business that exceed $1 billion, Fifth Third Wealth Advisors currently has advisor teams based in South Florida/Naples, Central Illinois/Springfield, Metro Atlanta, New York/Westchester County and Pennsylvania/Pittsburgh offices. While teams are based in these locations, advisors serve clients across the country regardless of geographic location.Housman says that complete back-office support and dedicated onboarding resources provide advisors with a seamless transition. "We give our teams more time to focus on clients and deepening client relationships," he added. Learn more about Fifth Third Wealth Advisors at FTWA.com or follow on LinkedIn.About Fifth ThirdFifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.Story continuesFifth Third Bank, National Association, is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB." Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com.Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Additional information about Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.govView source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240220871094/en/ContactsAdrienne Gutbier (Media Relations)[email protected] | 513-534-8038Matt Curoe (Investor Relations)[email protected] | 513-534-2345

Business Wire

Fifth Third Opens Tampa, FL-based Fifth Third Wealth Advisors Office

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fifth-third-opens-tampa-fl-130000389.html

00c55f57-7dd8-32b3-8078-bbc57eb60819

FITB

CINCINNATI, February 22, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fifth Third Bancorp (Nasdaq: FITB) will participate in the 2024 RBC Capital Markets Financial Institutions Conference on March 6, 2024, at approximately 8:00 AM ET. Tim Spence, chairman, chief executive officer and president, and Bryan Preston, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will represent the Company.Audio webcast and any presentation slides may be viewed live and for approximately 14 days after the conference through the Investor Relations section of www.53.com. Additionally, any slides used in the presentation will be made available in a printer-friendly format on the Company’s website.About Fifth Third BancorpFifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people, and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere's World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB." Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com.Category: ConferencesView source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222782407/en/ContactsMatt Curoe (Investor Relations)[email protected] | 513-534-2345Jennifer Hendricks Sullivan (Media Relations)[email protected] | 614-744-7693

Business Wire

Fifth Third Bancorp to Participate in the RBC Capital Markets Financial Institutions Conference

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fifth-third-bancorp-participate-rbc-211000291.html

e016de6c-5387-3d2d-8ed5-1c217cf8716e

FITB

If FITB stock stays above 35 at expiry, the put expires worthless leaving the trader with a healthy 29% per annum return on capital at risk.Continue reading

Investor's Business Daily

This Simple Option Trade Can Return 29% At Annualized Rate

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/a3158753-62a2-3c47-b8e0-1ca78fa9ea7f/this-simple-option-trade-can.html

a3158753-62a2-3c47-b8e0-1ca78fa9ea7f

FITB

Dow Jones leader Merck, Square stock and Fifth Third Bancorp are in or near buy zones in Monday's stock market action.Continue reading

Investor's Business Daily

Dow Jones Leader Merck, Square Stock Are In Or Near Buy Zones In Today's Stock Market

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/1a350924-754b-3d77-a1ea-9bfdd9baec99/dow-jones-leader-merck-.html

1a350924-754b-3d77-a1ea-9bfdd9baec99

FLT

ATLANTA, February 16, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: FLT), a leading global business payments company, today announced that the Company will participate in the following investor conferences:On, Wednesday February 21, 2024, the Company will host a fireside chat at the Bank of America Financial Services Conference. The discussion will begin at 12:10 PM ET.On, Wednesday February 28, 2024, the Company will host a fireside chat at the Citi 13th Annual FinTech Conference. The discussion will begin at 10:15 AM ET.On Monday, March 4, 2024, the Company will present at the Raymond James 45th Annual Institutional Investor Conference. The discussion will begin at 3:25 PM ET.Investors and interested parties can access these presentations by visiting the Company’s investor relations website at http://investor.fleetcor.com/.About FLEETCOR®FLEETCOR Technologies (NYSE: FLT) is a leading global business payments company that simplifies the way businesses manage and pay their expenses. The FLEETCOR portfolio of brands help companies automate, secure, digitize and control payments on behalf of, their employees and suppliers. FLEETCOR serves businesses, partners and merchants in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit www.FLEETCOR.com.View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240216748065/en/ContactsInvestor RelationsJim Eglseder, [email protected]

Business Wire

FLEETCOR to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fleetcor-participate-upcoming-investor-conferences-135900394.html

1e835e03-1900-31ad-bc34-e80569bfbb23

FLT

Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors alike.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 Investors Should Pay Attention to This Value StockFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.FleetCor Technologies (FLT)Peachtree Corners, GA based FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc. is a global commercial payments solution provider. Through its portfolio of brands, FLEETCOR helps companies automate, secure, digitize and control payments to, or on behalf of, their employees and suppliers. FLEETCOR serves businesses, partners and merchants in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.FLT sits at a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), holds a Value Style Score of B, and has a VGM Score of A. Compared to the Financial Transaction Services industry's P/E of 13.3X, shares of FleetCor Technologies are trading at a forward P/E of 14.1X. FLT also has a PEG Ratio of 1, a Price/Cash Flow ratio of 13X, and a Price/Sales ratio of 5.2X.Many value investors pay close attention to a company's earnings as well. For FLT, six analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.08 to $19.35 per share for 2024. Per share FLT boasts an average earnings surprise of 0.6%.FLT 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 reportStory continuesFleetCor Technologies, Inc. (FLT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Why This 1 Value Stock Could Be a Great Addition to Your Portfolio

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-1-value-stock-could-144012887.html

153dd9ac-8a38-319c-9dde-7eb32d101c82

FLT

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.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.Why Investors Should Pay Attention to This Value StockFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.FleetCor Technologies (FLT)Peachtree Corners, GA based FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc. is a global commercial payments solution provider. Through its portfolio of brands, FLEETCOR helps companies automate, secure, digitize and control payments to, or on behalf of, their employees and suppliers. FLEETCOR serves businesses, partners and merchants in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.FLT is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, with a Value Style Score of B and VGM Score of B. Shares are currently trading at a forward P/E of 15.1X for the current fiscal year compared to the Financial Transaction Services industry's P/E of 13.5X. Additionally, FLT has a PEG Ratio of 1 and a Price/Cash Flow ratio of 14X. Value investors should also note FLT's Price/Sales ratio of 5.6X.Many value investors pay close attention to a company's earnings as well. For FLT, seven analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.13 to $19.40 per share for 2024. Per share FLT boasts an average earnings surprise of 0.6%.With strong valuation and earnings metrics, a good Zacks Rank, and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, investors should strongly think about adding FLT to their portfolios.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 reportFleetCor Technologies, Inc. (FLT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Are You a Value Investor? This 1 Stock Could Be the Perfect Pick

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/value-investor-1-stock-could-144008354.html

70cd2346-2358-31b6-b125-9064d91ba73b

FLT

Fleetcor Technologies Inc (NYSE:FLT), a global business payments company that provides fuel cards, corporate payments solutions, and tolls and lodging management services, has reported an insider sell according to the latest SEC filings. Chief Accounting Officer Alissa Vickery sold 2,794 shares of the company on March 7, 2024. The transaction was disclosed in an SEC Filing.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Sign with FLT.Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 2,794 shares and has not made any purchases of the company's stock. This latest transaction continues the trend of insider selling activity at Fleetcor Technologies Inc, with a total of 1 insider sell and 0 insider buys over the past year.On the day of the sell, shares of Fleetcor Technologies Inc were trading at $290.31, resulting in a market capitalization of $21.127 billion. The company's price-earnings ratio stands at 22.28, which is below the industry median of 27.61 and also lower than the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.According to the GuruFocus Value chart, Fleetcor Technologies Inc has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 0.96, indicating that the stock is Fairly Valued. The GF Value of $301.53 suggests that the stock is trading close to its intrinsic value, as estimated by GuruFocus.The GF Value is determined by considering historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.Insider Sell: Fleetcor Technologies Inc (FLT) Chief Accounting Officer Alissa Vickery Sold SharesThe insider trend image above reflects the recent insider selling activity at Fleetcor Technologies Inc.Insider Sell: Fleetcor Technologies Inc (FLT) Chief Accounting Officer Alissa Vickery Sold SharesThe GF Value image above provides a visual representation of Fleetcor Technologies Inc's current valuation in relation to its intrinsic value as calculated by GuruFocus.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 can be subject to various personal financial needs and strategies, and thus may not always be indicative of company performance or future stock movement.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

Insider Sell: Fleetcor Technologies Inc (FLT) Chief Accounting Officer Alissa Vickery Sold Shares

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/insider-sell-fleetcor-technologies-inc-045428696.html

ee5b103b-a10e-328e-b605-5240065a1e72

FMC

FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript February 6, 2024FMC Corporation 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 morning, everyone and welcome to the Fourth Quarter 2023 Earnings Call for FMC Corporation. This event is being recorded and all participants are in a listen-only mode. [Operator Instructions] I would now like to turn the conference over to Mr. Zack Zaki, Director of Investor Relations for FMC Corporation. Please go ahead.Zack Zaki: Thank you, Bruno and good morning, everyone. Welcome to FMC Corporation's fourth quarter earnings call. Joining me today are Mark Douglas, President and Chief Executive Officer; and Andrew Sandifer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mark will review our fourth quarter performance as well as provide an outlook for first quarter and full year 2024. Andrew will then provide an overview of select financial results. Following the prepared remarks, we will take questions. Our earnings release and today's slide presentation are available on our website and the prepared remarks from today's discussion will be made available after the call. Let me remind you that today's presentation and discussion will include forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning specific factors, including but not limited to, those factors identified in our earnings release and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.Information presented represents our best judgment based on today's understanding. Actual results may vary based upon these risks and uncertainties. Today's discussion and the supporting materials will include references to adjusted EPS, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted cash from operations, free cash flow and organic revenue growth, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. Please note that as used in today's discussion, earnings and adjusted earnings and EBITDA means adjusted EBITDA. A reconciliation and definition of these terms as well as other non-GAAP financial terms to which we may refer during today's conference call are provided on our website. With that, I will now turn the call over to Mark.Story continuesMark Douglas: Thank you, Zach and good morning, everyone. Details on our fourth quarter and full year 2023 results can be found on Slides 3 through 6. Market conditions and buyer behavior were pretty much as we had expected in the fourth quarter. with North America, EMEA and Asia performing to our plan. The one exception was Latin America. In addition to the ongoing channel correction, our results were negatively impacted by drought conditions in Brazil. This was somewhat offset by stronger sales of our more differentiated products which are showing continued resilience despite market conditions. Branded diamide sales in the quarter were up 5% and with sales essentially flat or higher in all regions. While products launched in the last 5 years outperformed the overall portfolio and comprised 14% of our total revenue.The channel inventory correction is running its course at varying rates through the regions and we're expecting this to continue through the first half of 2024. However, the underlying fundamentals of our business in this industry remains solid. Based on input from third-party data and our own commercial teams, crop protection products continue to be applied at steady rates. Looking at fourth quarter sales on a regional level, North America revenue was down 37% versus prior year from lower volume as expected after a record Q4 in 2022. In Latin America, sales were down 38%, 41% excluding FX, due to lower volumes and low double-digit pricing decline. Branded diamides were essentially flat to the prior year, aided by the successful launch of Premier Star in Brazil.In addition, we had solid growth in Mexico supported by higher sales of new products. Fourth quarter sales in Asia were flat to prior year period as both in fungicides and biologicals effectively offset inventory destocking, particularly in India, where channel inventory remains elevated. Branded diamides [ph] sales in the region were in line with the prior year period. Revenue in EMEA was down 24% or 22% lower excluding FX, due to lower volume, mostly in herbicides. Price was a low to mid-single-digit benefit as the region continued to effectively implement price initiatives. Branded diamide sales experienced strong growth of more than 20%, driven by the launches of Verimark in Spain and Presto Core [ph] in Turkey. Shifting to EBITDA; fourth quarter results were 41% lower than the prior year period due primarily to lower sales.Costs were a strong tailwind with contributions from lower input costs and diligent spending controlled in SG&A and R&D. Our full year 2023 results are listed on Slide 6. EBITDA margin of nearly 22% was lower by approximately 240 basis points but remains at industry-leading levels. This was accomplished through effective spend management and by holding or raising price in many geographies, especially in EMEA which benefited from a price increase of low double digits for the year. We had substantial cost favorability for the year that was more than offset by the decline in sales volume. Operating cost actions we took in the second half of 2023 in response to lower demand, delivered spend reductions well in excess of our $60 million to $70 million target.Diamide sales for the full year were $1.8 billion, a decline of about 15%. However, sales of our branded diamides outperformed and were only down 7%. Across our portfolio, the new and more innovative products showed much greater resilience even in a weak demand environment. NPI sales were down only 2% and made up a little over 13% of our total revenue. a new annual record, up from 10% in 2022. New products that drove this performance include a number of products in Brazil, such as Premier Star insecticide for [indiscernible] and stone herbicides for sugarcane and soy and on fungicide [ph] for soy, based on our new active ingredient, fluindapyr. We also benefited themselves of Coragen Max insecticide for canola [indiscernible] insecticide for fruits and vegetables and overwatch herbicides for cereals.Before we move the discussion to 2024, I would like to highlight some of the actions we have taken to enhance visibility into channel inventory. In Europe, we have put surveys in place in 9 of our most important countries and covering hundreds of distributors and growers to gain insight into their inventory and especially of our products. In Asia, the larger countries, including India, are utilizing proprietary digital platforms to track inventory movement in real time across the channel as it passes from distributor to retailer and then to grower. In Mexico, we're in the final stages of integrating our systems with those of our retailers which will also give us real-time visibility of inventory sellout. We are also piloting the same system and approach in Brazil.In Argentina, we have increased the frequency of data updates to our inventory tracking system. And finally, in the U.S., we are expanding our forecasting process beyond distributors to now include retailers. This expanded data set will then be incorporated into our demand forecasting processes. Moving to 2024 expectations; our full year guidance and commentary being provided on Slide 7 through 10. Having closed 2023 and established a starting point for 2024, we now expect revenue of $4.5 billion to $4.7 billion, an increase of 2.5% at the midpoint. We are anticipating the full year global market to be flat to down low single digits as a softer first half is expected to be followed by the resumption of historical low single-digit percent growth in the second half.The exception to this forecast is India, where we expect the market to be down for the full year, primarily due to channel inventory that the entire industry is carrying as a result of multiple seasons of unfavorable monsoons. Revenue growth for FMC in 2024 centers on volume growth led by NPI which after posting sales of $590 million in 2023, we expect to grow by approximately $200 million in 2024. Almost half of the NPI growth is expected to come from products launched in 2024. Major products driving higher NPI sales include Coragen Evo insecticide in Argentina and the U.S. Premier Star insecticide in Brazil, Overwatch herbicide in Australia as well as on suva [ph] fungicide in Brazil and Argentina. We expect moderate pricing pressure in the year with the largest impact in the first half.FX is also expected to be a minor headwind for the year. EBITDA is expected to be between $900 million and $1.05 billion, flat to 2023 at the midpoint. Growth of new products and benefits from our restructuring are expected to be offset by higher cost of inventory carried forward from the prior year, lower fixed cost absorption and modest pricing pressure. The updated sales range is $150 million lower at the midpoint than our preliminary outlook presented in November. This range now reflects our actual 2023 results. The EBITDA range midpoint is $100 million lower than the preliminary outlook, mainly due to reduced revenue expectation for 2024 and minor additional headwinds to gross margin. Adjusted earnings per share is expected to be between $3.23 and $4.41 per share, an increase of 1% at the midpoint from low interest expense and D&A.At our November Investor Day, we acknowledge that, although FMC had responded aggressively to market challenges in the second half of 2023. Broader actions were needed to better align our business operations with the current realities in the marketplace. We are moving quickly on a global restructuring plan that will fundamentally transform our operating model, including how we're organized, where we operate and the way we work. This is a multipronged approach that focuses on shorter-term expenses and longer-term structural costs as we restructure the operating model. These structural changes will position for success as we move beyond 2024 and towards our 2026 goals. Slide 9 provides some additional detail on the actions we're taking. The global restructuring program is currently underway and will largely be completed in Brazil by the end of Q1.We have also made strong progress through a voluntary separation program in the U.S. with preparations for additional workforce reductions company-wide. Combined, approximately 8% of our workforce will be impacted as we begin to consolidate roles and adjust team structures. Reducing indirect spend is another place where we've accelerated our actions on many critical areas, including nonessential spend and implementing a new strategic sourcing strategy. We already announced plans to sell our noncrop Global Specialty Solutions business. We will be preparing for this over the last 2 months and we are now ready to begin marketing. And lastly, we are examining the company's global and regional footprint. Our location strategy is a critical pillar in FMC's overall transformation and we've made good progress in our analysis so far.This includes examining office locations, manufacturing sites and research centers. Although this is a longer-term work stream, there will be milestones that we will announce throughout this year. As a reminder, we expect this restructuring plan to result in $50 million to $75 million of cost savings in 2024. It's important to note that these savings are net of inflationary and other cost headwinds that we're forecasting for the year. We expect $150 million of run rate savings by the end of 2025. We plan to complete this restructuring and deliver lower costs while continuing to prioritize investments in critical growth areas such as our plant health business, further engagement with growers and R&D, including new product innovation. Slide 10 lists some of the factors that would lead to varying EBITDA outcomes in our guidance range.A laboratory technician carefully mixing chemicals in a laboratory.The pace of recovery in the market is still the largest determinant factor. Our base assumption is that by midyear, every region will have had one full growing season to manage inventory to desired levels, aided by steady application rates by growers. Recovery may vary by region but we expect to see overall market growth in the second half of the year. Slide 11 provides our outlook for the first quarter. Expected revenue of $925 million to $1.075 billion is lower than the prior year by 26% at the midpoint which is consistent with the revenue declines of the last 3 quarters. Volume is expected to be the primary driver of lower sales with pricing pressure in Latin America and Asia, a smaller secondary headwind. EBITDA guidance for the quarter is between $135 million and $165 million with the decline versus prior year primarily driven by lower sales as well as higher cost inventory carried forward from 2023.Taking into account the first quarter guidance that is lower than the prior year period, Slide 12 provides a bridge for how we plan to achieve our full year guidance over the remaining quarters. The largest component of EBITDA growth over the second to fourth quarter period is higher sales volume of new products. Not only do these products have a strong track record of delivering sales in difficult market conditions but they also contribute higher margins which will positively impact mix. We expect NPI sales to grow by over $200 million in 2024 with the majority of the growth occurring after Q1. Market recovery in the second half will also contribute to EBITDA growth. as well benefits from our restructuring program which we'll build through the year as initiatives are implemented.As you can see, we have built a plan primarily based upon elements we control and are not reliant on an outsized market recovery. to achieve our guidance. With that, I'll now turn the call over to Andrew.Andrew Sandifer: Thanks, Mark. I'll start this morning with a review of some key income statement items. FX was a 1% tailwind to revenue growth in the fourth quarter with the strengthening of the Brazilian real, Mexican peso and euro, only partially offset by weakening of the Turkish Lira. For full year 2023, FX was a 1% headwind overall, with the most significant headwinds coming from Asian and European currencies, offset in part by a strong Brazilian Real and Mexican Peso. Looking ahead to 2024, we see continued minor FX headwinds on the horizon. For the first quarter of 2024, these have been stemmed primarily from the Turkish l ira and Pakistani rupee, offset in part by a strengthening Euro. Interest expense for the fourth quarter was $56.7 million, up $11.9 million versus the prior year period, driven by both higher interest rates and higher debt balances.Interest expense for full year 2023 was $237.2 million, up $85.4 million versus the prior year. Substantially higher U.S. interest rates were by far the largest driver of higher interest expense for the year. with higher balance as a secondary factor. Looking ahead to 2024, we expect full year interest expense to be in the range of $225 million to $235 million, down slightly to the prior year, driven by both expected interest rate reductions and lower borrowings as we reduce leverage through the year. Our effective tax rate on adjusted earnings for full year 2023 came in slightly better than anticipated at 14.5%. The driven by a somewhat more favorable mix of earnings across principal operating companies than expected. The fourth quarter effective tax rate of 13.3% reflects the true-up to the full year rate relative to the 15% rate accrued through the third quarter.As you may have noted from our earnings release schedules, there were two extraordinary events that impacted our GAAP provision for income taxes in the fourth quarter. First, our Swiss subsidiaries were granted new OECD Pillar 2 compliant tax incentives. As a result, we recorded deferred tax benefit assets of approximately $830 million net of valuation allowances to reflect the estimated future reductions in tax associated with these incentives. These incentives will allow FMC to maintain our advantaged tax structure for at least 10 additional years despite the implementation of Pillar 2. Second, changes in Brazilian tax law allowed us to release a long-standing valuation allowance position in Brazil, generating a tax benefit of approximately $220 million.Along with other items, this resulted in a GAAP income tax benefit of roughly $1.2 billion. For 2024, we estimate that our tax rate should be in the range of 14% to 17% and up 1 percentage point versus the prior year at the midpoint. The increase in midpoint and broader guidance range reflect uncertainty associated with changes in tax loss related to the implementation of Pillar 2 and transitionary impacts related to the new Swiss tax incentives. Moving next to the balance sheet and leverage. Gross debt at year-end was approximately $4 billion, down $158 million from the prior quarter. Gross debt to trailing 12-month EBITDA was 4.0x at year-end, while net debt to EBITDA was 3.7x. On a full year average basis, gross debt-to-EBITDA was 3.6x, while net debt to EBITDA was 3.2x.Relative to our covenant which measures leverage with a number of adjustments to both the numerator and denominator, leverage was 4.17x as compared to a covenant of 6.5x. As a reminder, our covered leverage limit was raised temporarily to 6.5x through June 30. It will step down to 6.2x at September 30 and again to 5.0x at December 31. We expect to have ample headroom under these limits as we progress through the year with improving leverage as we shift to positive year-on-year EBITDA comparisons midyear and as we reduce debt through free cash flow generation and through proceeds from the anticipated divestiture of our Global Specialty Solutions business. We expect covenant leverage to be below 3.5x by year-end. We remain committed to returning our leverage to levels consistent with our targeted BBB/BAA2 long-term credit ratings or better.As I discussed at our November Investor Day, our midterm leverage target is now approximately 2x net on a rolling 4-quarter average basis. While we will still be meaningfully above this level at the end of 2024, we are confident that with EBITDA growth and disciplined cash management that we will reach our targeted leverage in 2025. Moving on to free cash flow on Slide 13. Free cash flow was negative $524 million for 2023. Adjusted cash from operations was down $960 million compared to the prior year, driven by significantly lower payables and EBITDA, offset in part by lower cash used by receivables and inventory. Cash interest and taxes were also headwinds to cash from operations. Capital additions and other investing activities of $144 million were up $25 million compared with the prior year.with continued spending on capacity expansion to support new active ingredient introduction. Legacy and transformation spending was essentially flat for the third year in a row after excluding onetime proceeds from the divestiture of an inactive site in 2022. Compared to our November guidance midpoint, free cash flow improved by more than $225 million, with this improvement nearly entirely due to better-than-anticipated net receivables performance. Looking ahead now to free cash flow generation and deployment for 2024 on Slide 14. We are forecasting free cash flow of $400 million to $600 million in 2024. And a swing of more than $1 billion from 2023 performance at the midpoint of this range. Underlying this forecast is our expectation of adjusted cash from operations of $670 million to $850 million, up over $1 billion at the midpoint, with the increase driven by a significant cash release from rebuilding accounts payable and reducing inventory, partially offset by higher accounts receivables due to revenue growth and with modest improvement on other items such as cash interest.Capital additions of $95 million to $105 million are down roughly $45 million at the midpoint as we tightly manage capital investment in light of our current leverage. That said, we continue to fund needed capacity expansion to support new active ingredients over the next several years. Legacy and transformation cash spending is expected to be between $155 million and $165 million, with underlying legacy spending generally in line with prior years and with spending of approximately $75 million for our restructuring program. With this guidance, we anticipate free cash flow conversion of 104% at the midpoint for 2024. In terms of cash deployment, we expect to pay $290 million in dividends at the current rate in 2024. The remainder of free cash flow as well as any proceeds from divestments or disposals will be used to pay down debt.And with that, I'll hand the call back to Mark.Mark Douglas: Thanks, Andrew. Our first quarter guidance reflects the trend of volume declines and related impacts to EBITDA that we've seen over the last 3 quarters. The destocking trend is expected to level off and start inflecting after the first quarter. Looking more broadly at 2024, we have a plan that is based largely on elements that we control. First, NPI sales are expected to drive revenue growth this year after already showing resilience in the prior years. We have demonstrated a history of growing this high-margin segment of our portfolio over the past several years. We are not counting solely on market growth in 2024. And second, the restructuring program we initiated last year is well underway and this is another area in which FMC has demonstrated strong execution in the past.We're also taking actions to increase visibility into inventories in the channel as well as grower levels through a combination of system implementations and strengthening our relationship with the grower. This is going to be a transition year for the crop chemicals market and we are taking the actions necessary to position ourselves to achieve our medium and longer-term goals. Despite the updated guidance for 2024, our outlook for 2026 has not changed. While it may take well into 2024 to start to rebound from the global channel inventory reset, the drivers for our industry and business remains strong. and many of the challenges we are facing this year, such as working through high-cost inventory are temporary. With the anticipated return to more normal market conditions in '25 and '26 along with our portfolio and deep pipeline of innovative products, we see strong growth ahead.With that, we can now open the line for questions.See also 20 Best Permanent Residency Countries in the World and 15 States Where People Are Fleeing.To continue reading the Q&A session, please click here.

Insider Monkey

FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) Q4 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fmc-corporation-nyse-fmc-q4-134359362.html

a6590438-99ba-3433-9b98-d244a46c7945

FMC

In this piece, we will take a look at the 15 biggest agriculture stocks in 2024. If you want to skip our overview of the agriculture industry and what can be classified as an agriculture stock, then you can take a look at the 5 Biggest Agriculture Stocks in 2024. Despite having been replaced by industrialization, services, and now information technology, agriculture is nevertheless indispensable when it comes to maintaining and growing modern day societies. At the same time, since it's the one industry that has accompanied modern day civilization since its start, agriculture has also evolved with the ages. Now, companies that we can characterize as agriculture stocks no longer need to be involved either directly in the process of farming, in the process of storing food, or even in providing products such as pesticides and fertilizers to make a farmer's life easier.Instead, agriculture stocks such as the industrial behemoth Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) are manufacturing firms that make complex equipment capable of carrying out the tasks of hundreds of workers at a lower cost. Machines such as the ones made by Deere have transformed the way human beings have been able to grow, matching the impact by pureplay agriculture stocks such as Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (NASDAQ:PACB) and Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA).In fact, technologies that agriculture stocks such as Pacific Biosciences rely on would be classified as nothing short of science fiction at the very least or even magic by farmers of previous centuries. PacBio sells systems that enable scientists and researchers to sequence the code of biological organisms. So, while farmers of 1900 would have to contend with seeing their crops die in the face of disease, today's farmers can rely on crops that have been genetically engineered to be resistant to the same attackers. Similarly, ranchers or cattle farmers can rely on livestock capable of meeting modern day production needs of both milk and meat.Story continuesAll these factors combined mean that agriculture stocks are quite lucrative. While they might not be as glitzy as high end artificial intelligence firms such as Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), agriculture stocks provide investors with the comfort of knowing that the demand for their products will continue as long as humans rely on biological food for sustenance. This makes the stocks attractive during periods of economic downturn, like their counterparts in the consumer defensive stock sector.At the same time, agriculture stocks are nevertheless vulnerable to the same market weaknesses as other stocks. Like broader commodity prices, agriculture stocks also rely on global supply chain stability to act as the backbone of their valuation. For instance, companies like Corteva that sell seeds might have a large portion of their customers located in an international country. If the shipping lines to that country are threatened, or if domestic conditions make spending money difficult for locals, then Corteva might see its investors become worried - causing the share price to drop.Broadly speaking, we can break down agriculture stocks into several categories depending on the supply chain. At the backend of the chain, or upstream as analysts would like to call it, are seed, fertilizer, and medicine companies such as Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR), Corteva, and the well known Bayer Aktiengesellschaft (OTC:BAYRY). Then, after the farmers have grown the crops, firms such as Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM) pop in and buy their products to act as a middle party between the farmer and the market. Agriculture stocks such as Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW) procure products such as potatoes and sell them in the form of finished products such as fries further down the supply chain. From here on, agriculture stocks see the end of the road as retailers like Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) deliver the product in the consumer's hands.With these details in mind, let's take a look at the biggest agriculture stocks as we head into 2024. Some of the biggest agriculture stocks are Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM), Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA), and Deere & Company (NYSE:DE).15 Biggest Agriculture Stocks in 2024A close-up shot of a cannabis leaf on a cannabis cultivation farm.Our MethodologyTo make our list of the biggest agriculture stocks, we ranked the U.S. listed top 21 holdings of the iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF by their latest market capitalization and picked out the biggest stocks.For this list of the biggest agriculture stocks, we used hedge fund sentiment. 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). That’s why we pay very close attention to this often-ignored indicator.15 Biggest Agriculture Stocks in 202415. Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (OTC:SDPNF)Latest Market Capitalization: $6.32 billion Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (OTC:SDPNF) is one of the biggest agricultural companies in the world. It is a dominant player in the global palm oil industry and the firm's market capitalization in the U.S. dollar is reflective of this since it has been converted from the Malaysian Ringgit. Along with Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA), Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM), and Deere & Company (NYSE:DE), it is one of the biggest agriculture stocks in the world.14. Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:DAR)Latest Market Capitalization: $6.65 billionDarling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:DAR) is an American company that provides food products to the broader industry as well as raw materials to fertilizer companies. Despite the fact that the firm has missed analyst EPS estimates in three of its four latest quarters, the shares are rated Strong Buy on average and have an average share price target of $68.06.As of Q3 2023 end, 35 out of the 910 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey had bought a stake in Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE:DAR). Ian Simm's Impax Asset Management was the firm's biggest hedge fund shareholder due to its $297 million investment.13. Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE:INGR)Latest Market Capitalization: $7.19 billionIngredion Incorporated (NYSE:INGR) is a diversified corn company that processes the crop into several end forms and products. The firm is currently busy divesting its businesses to focus on core areas, and to this effect, it sold a South Korean division in February 2024.During September 2023, 29 out of the 910 hedge funds covered by Insider Monkey's research had invested in the firm. Ingredion Incorporated (NYSE:INGR)'s largest investor in our database is Donald Yacktman's Yacktman Asset Management through its $218 million investment.12. FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC)Latest Market Capitalization: $7.51 billionFMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) sells fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, and other associated products. Its investors were in for some bad news in January 2024 when Bank of America downgraded the stock to Underperform from Neutral, and cut the share price target to $57 from $60.By the end of last year's third quarter, 30 out of the 91 hedge funds surveyed by Insider Monkey were FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC)'s shareholders. Israel Englander's Millennium Management owned the biggest stake which was worth $108 million.11. AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO)Latest Market Capitalization: $9 billionAGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO) is an industrial company best known for its tractors. The firm made a big announcement in January 2024 when it significantly upgraded its dealership network and added new features such as retail outlets that cater to the demand of the area served as opposed to a standardized operating model.Insider Monkey dug through 910 hedge fund portfolios for 2023's third quarter to find that 26 had invested in the firm. AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO)'s largest hedge fund investor is Cliff Asness's AQR Capital Management due to its $121 million stake.Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM), Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA), and Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) are met by AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO) in our list of the world's biggest agriculture stocks.10. The Toro Company (NYSE:TTC)Latest Market Capitalization: $9.52 billion The Toro Company (NYSE:TTC) makes and sells irrigation equipment. Its fourth quarter and full year 2023 results provided a mixed picture, since while high inflation affected its residential sales, the business segment grew even as borrowing costs were high.As of Q3 2023 end, 17 out of the 910 hedge funds part of Insider Monkey's database had bought The Toro Company (NYSE:TTC)'s shares. Robert Joseph Caruso's Select Equity Group was the biggest investor as it held $474 million worth of shares.9. The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS)Latest Market Capitalization: $9.85 billion The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) is headquartered in Florida, and it is one of the biggest fertilizer companies in the U.S. It has been struggling on the financial front as of late by having missed analyst EPS estimates in all four of its latest quarters. However, the shares are rated Buy on average and the average analyst share price target is $39.13.For their September quarter of 2023 shareholdings, 35 out of the 910 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey's research were the firm's shareholders. The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS)'s largest hedge fund stakeholder is Cliff Asness's AQR Capital Management through its $115 million investment.8. Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG)Latest Market Capitalization: $13 billion Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG) is a diversified agriculture and food company that engages in commodity trading, processing, and other operations. It has beaten analyst EPS estimates in all four of its latest quarters, and with institutional investors holding more than 90% of the shares, the stock offers a semblance of stability.By the end of last year's third quarter, 31 out of the 910 hedge funds covered by Insider Monkey's survey had held a stake in Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG).7. CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF)Latest Market Capitalization: $14.57 billion CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) sells ammonia and urea for fertilizer and other use cases. February 2024 is shaping up to be an important month for the firm as not only has it seen a new CEO brought on board, but CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) is also heading to its financial results for the fourth quarter.During September 2023, 38 out of the 910 hedge funds surveyed by Insider Monkey had bought the firm's shares. Ken Griffin's Citadel Investment Group was the biggest CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) investor as it owned 1.6 million shares that are worth $141 million.6. Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW)Latest Market Capitalization: $15.12 billion Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW) is a food company that sells potatoes, dairy, and other food products. It's one of the strongest rated stocks on our list, as analysts have rated the shares as Strong Buy on average and set an average share price target of $129.25.46 out of the 910 hedge funds polled by Insider Monkey for their Q3 2023 shareholdings had bought and owned Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW)'s shares. Ken Griffin's Citadel Investment Group was the largest shareholder through its $350 million investment.Its market capitalization ensures that Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW) joins Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM), Corteva, Inc. (NYSE:CTVA), and Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) as one of the biggest agriculture stocks in the world. Click here to continue reading and check out 5 Biggest Agriculture Stocks in 2024.  Suggested articles:14 Most Profitable Food StocksTop 20 Largest Seafood Companies in the World10 Best Australian Stocks To BuyDisclosure: None. 15 Biggest Agriculture Stocks in 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

15 Biggest Agriculture Stocks in 2024

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/15-biggest-agriculture-stocks-2024-203701833.html

6aa015e6-f34f-318e-85bd-701b181113a4

FMC

In this article, we will take a look at the 15 worst performing stocks in S&P 500. To skip our analysis of the recent trends and market activity, you can go directly to see the 5 Worst Performing Stocks in S&P 500.The S&P 500 Index was up nearly 6.9% year-to-date, as of February 26, and continues its rally that started in late October. The rally was supported by investor optimism about potential interest rate cuts in 2024 as the Federal Reserve’s battle to control inflation seems to be bearing fruit. Recently, Goldman Sachs lifted its S&P 500 index year-end target to 5200 which represents further 4% growth for the Index based on current levels. Goldman Sachs has raised its forecast from 4700 which was announced in its 2024 Outlook report in December.Goldman Sachs is forecasting an 8% profit increase for the companies in the S&P 500 index, led by strong mega-cap profit margins and improved macroeconomic outlook in the country. David Kostin, lead strategist at Goldman Sachs, expects the earnings strength of mega-cap stocks, especially those in the Magnificent 7, boosting aggregate S&P 500 profits in 2024. Kostin believes that strong global GDP and a “slightly weaker” dollar will lead to positive EPS.Wall Street added several consecutive weeks of market recovery since the last few days of October. The “Magnificent Seven”, which includes Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla, have played a significant role in this bull run. These stocks benefitted heavily from the significant breakthroughs in generative artificial intelligence. For instance, GPU-maker NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is up more than 430% since the beginning of 2023 and nearly 63% year-to-date, fueled by exponential growth in its revenue.Our list of 15 worst performing stocks in S&P 500 includes companies from sectors that have been severely impacted by the recent adversity in the stock markets. The list includes companies from nine different sectors with a notable absence – the technology sector. In addition to suffering from macroeconomic and industry-wide market adversity, the stocks on our list of 15 worst performing stocks in S&P 500 have suffered from individual negative catalysts as well. For instance, Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE:ADM), the second worst performing stock in S&P 500 year-to-date, is reeling from an accounting scandal as it put its CFO on an administrative leave in late January which saw its stock plummet 24% in a single day.Story continuesTo recap, the Federal Reserve rapidly increased the interest rates beginning from near zero before March 2022 to the current 5.25%-5.50% range, the highest benchmark rate in the country in 22 years. This led to the failure of several banks in the United States, including the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank with $209 billion assets, and Signature Bank with $110 billion assets, in March, and First Republic Bank with $229 billion assets in May 2023.https://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/5-best-performing-stocks-in-the-last-12-months-1184205/Image by Gerd Altmann from PixabayMethodologyTo create our list of 15 worst performing stocks in S&P 500, we first ranked the S&P 500 stocks based on their year-to-date performance. The stocks in this article have been ranked based on their year-to-date performance, with the worst performing stock ranked the highest. We have also provided hedge fund sentiment data for these stocks for reference.Data from around 900 elite hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey in the third quarter of 2023 was used to identify the number of hedge funds that hold stakes 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). That’s why we pay very close attention to this often-ignored indicator.15. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA)YTD Performance as of February 23: -16.78%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31Deerfield, Illinois-based Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA) is an integrated healthcare, pharmacy, and retail leader with more than 12,500 locations across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. Its portfolio of consumer brands includes Walgreens, Boots, Duane Reade, the No7 Beauty Company, and Benavides in Mexico.On February 7, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA) announced that it has sold shares of Cencora, Inc. (NYSE:COR) for proceeds of $942 million. The transaction reduces the company’s ownership of Cencora, Inc. (NYSE:COR) common stock from 15% to nearly 13%. The company intends to use the proceeds for debt paydown and general corporate purposes.Earlier on January 4, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:WBA) announced a 48% reduction in its quarterly dividend payment to $0.25 per share. The company, and its predecessor company, Walgreen Co., have paid a dividend in 365 straight quarters (91 years).14. The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES)YTD Performance as of February 23: -16.88%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 35Arlington, Virginia-based The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES) is a leading global energy company providing green and smart energy solutions. It owned and/or operated a generation portfolio of nearly 33.2 GW as of November 2023.On January 18, The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES) announced the completion of 3.5 GW of renewables projects in 2023, nearly doubling the capacity constructed compared to 2022. The projects completed in 2023 included 1.6 GW solar, 1.3 GW wind and 0.6 GW energy storage projects.On February 26, the Board of Directors of The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES) declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.1725 per share which translates to an annualized dividend yield of 4.31%, based on the latest share price.13. FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC)YTD Performance as of February 23: -16.92%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) is a global agricultural sciences company providing products and solutions across biologicals, crop nutrition, digital and precision agriculture. It employs nearly 6,600 personnel at more than 100 sites worldwide.On February 5, FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) released its financial results for Q4 2023. It generated a revenue of $1.15 billion and a net income of $1.1 billion which translates to a normalized EPS of $1.07.FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) currently pays a regular quarterly dividend of $0.58 per share which represents a dividend yield of 4.50% based on the latest share price, the third highest on our list of 15 worst performing stocks in S&P 500.12. First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR)YTD Performance as of February 23: -17.06%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 47Tempe, Arizona-based First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) is a leading American solar technology company and global provider of eco-efficient solar modules. Its thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules provide a competitive, high-performance, lower-carbon alternative to conventional crystalline silicon PV panels.On January 11, First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) inaugurated its new facility in Tamil Nadu, India, the country’s first fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing plant. The facility has an annual nameplate capacity of 3.3 GW and marks the company’s sixth operational factory.On February 14, RBC Capital analyst Chris Dendrinos initiated coverage of First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) shares with a price target of $195 and an ‘Outperform’ rating for its shares.11. Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL)YTD Performance as of February 23: -17.85%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 41Miami, Florida-based Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) is a global cruise company and one of the largest vacation companies in the world. Its portfolio comprises of nine leading cruise brands including Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard, AIDA Cruises, and Costa Cruises, among others.On December 21, Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) released the financial results for the quarter ended November 30, 2023. Its revenues increased by 41% y-o-y to $5.4 billion, while it generated a net loss of $48 million compared to a net loss of $1.6 billion. The normalized EPS for the quarter was recorded at -$0.07, beating the consensus by $0.06.As of Q4 2023, Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) shares were held by 41 of the 933 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey, with the total hedge fund holdings valued at $1.5 billion. Two Sigma Advisors was the largest hedge fund shareholder with ownership of 16.1 million shares valued at $299 million.Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ:NCLH) are the only two travel services stocks on our list of 15 worst performing stocks in the S&P 500.10. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ:NCLH)YTD Performance as of February 23: -19.31%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31Miami, Florida-based Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ:NCLH) is a leading global cruise company that operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. Its fleet comprises of 32 ships with more than 65,500 berths providing access to nearly 700 destinations globally.On January 31, Susquehanna analyst Christopher Stathoulopoulos raised the price target for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ:NCLH) shares from $14 to $20 and maintained a ‘Neutral’ rating for the shares. The target price represents a potential upside of 23.69% based on the latest share price.As of Q4 2023, 31 of the 933 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey were long Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ:NCLH), holding shares worth $397 million. Its largest hedge fund shareholder was John W. Rogers’ Ariel Investments with ownership of 6.3 million shares valued at $126 million.9. Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM)YTD Performance as of February 23: -20.73%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 86Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) is a leading U.S. health insurer and healthcare services company. Operating through two segments, Insurance and CenterWell, the company had nearly 17 million members in its medical benefit plans, as well as nearly 5 million members in its specialty products.On January 25, Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) released its financial results for Q4 2023. Its revenue went up by 32% y-o-y to $336 million while it posted a net loss of $540 million. Its normalized EPS of -$0.11 missed consensus estimates by $1.03.As of Q4 2023, 86 hedge funds held Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) shares, the highest on our list of 15 worst performing stocks in S&P 500. Ken Griffin’s Citadel Investment Group was the lead hedge fund shareholder with ownership of 1.5 million shares valued at $688 million.8. Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA)YTD Performance as of February 23: -22.74%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 82Based in Austin, Texas, Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA), designs, develops, manufactures, sell and leases fully electric vehicles and energy generation and storage solutions. Its current portfolio of products includes Model 3 and Model S sedans, Model Y, Model X SUVs, and Cybertruck, while upcoming products include Tesla Roadster and Tesla Semi – a light commercial vehicle.On January 24, Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) released its financial results for Q4 2023. Its revenue increased by 3% y-o-y to $24.3 billion, while net income surged by 115% y-o-y to $3.7 billion. Its normalized EPS of $0.71 missed consensus estimates by $0.03.Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) ranks highest on our list of 15 worst performing stocks in S&P 500 based on the value of shares held by hedge funds. As of Q4 2023, 82 hedge funds owned its shares worth $6.3 billion. In its Q4 2023 investor letter, Tsai Capital Corporation, an investment management firm, made the following comments about Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA):“Tesla has significant and underappreciated competitive advantages across multiple verticals including electric vehicles, software and energy storage. Misunderstood by much of Wall Street – and consequently a favorite of short sellers – Tesla continues to grow rapidly and increase its lead over the competition while delighting consumers in the process. [. . .] While we expect competition for EVs to intensify and for Tesla to lose market share over time, we also believe the company will increase production and deliveries from approximately 1.8 million vehicles today to approximately 15 million vehicles in 2030 and further its lead in autonomous driving capability. In fact, we expect Tesla will eventually license its autonomous driving software, creating high-margin (70-80%), recurring licensing revenue. Tesla is also one of only two companies that dominate the energy storage market, which has the potential to grow to several hundred billion in revenue as power plants around the world increase their focus on renewable energy.”7. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)YTD Performance as of February 23: -22.95%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69Founded in 1916, The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is one of the world's largest aerospace companies and a leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services.On January 31, The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) released its financial results for Q4 2023. Its revenue increased by 10% y-o-y to $22 billion while net loss shrunk by 95% y-o-y to $30 million. Its normalized EPS of -$0.47 surpassed consensus estimates by $0.32.Following the earnings release, RBC Capital lowered the price target for The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) shares to $260 from $285 and maintained an ‘Outperform’ rating for its shares.6. Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR)YTD Performance as of February 23: -22.96%Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69Stamford, Connecticut-based Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) is a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 32 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum brand. It offers a full range of residential and business services including Spectrum Internet®, TV, Mobile and Voice.On February 2, Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) released its financial results for Q4 2023. Its revenue increased by 0.3% y-o-y to $13.7 billion while it generated a net income of $1.1 billion. Its normalized EPS of $7.07 missed consensus estimates by $1.77.As of Q4 2023, Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) shares were owned by 69 of the 933 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey, for a total value of $5.3 billion. Harris Associates was the largest shareholder with ownership of 5.2 million shares valued at $2.0 billion. Click to continue reading and see 5 Worst Performing Stocks in S&P 500. Suggested Articles:20 Most Influential Email Newsletters in 202414 Best S&P 500 Dividend Stocks To Invest In 202412 $10 Stocks That Will TripleDisclosure: None. 15 Worst Performing Stocks in S&P 500 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

15 Worst Performing Stocks in S&P 500

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/15-worst-performing-stocks-p-081312824.html

da0dc870-7910-3828-b6a1-3e3f1194622e

FMC

FMC Corporation FMC is benefiting from its efforts to expand product portfolio, boost market position and its cost actions amid headwinds including soft demand conditions.The company’s shares are down 48.6% in a year compared with a 10.7% decline of its industry.Let’s find out why this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock is worth retaining at the moment.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchNew Products, Cost Actions Aid FMCFMC remains focused on strengthening its product portfolio. It is investing in technologies as well as new product launches to enhance value to the farmers. New products launched in Europe, North America and Asia are gaining significant traction. Product introductions are expected to support the company’s results this year. FMC generated $590 million in sales in 2023 from new products launched in the past five years. Sales of products launched in the last five years accounted for 14% of total revenues in the fourth quarter. It expects revenues from new products to grow by roughly $200 million in 2024.The acquisition of BioPhero ApS, a Denmark-based pheromone research and production company, also adds biologically produced state-of-the-art pheromone insect control technology to the company’s product portfolio and R&D pipeline, highlighting FMC's role as a leader in delivering innovative and sustainable crop protection solutions.The company is also expected to benefit from reduced input costs, lower interest expenses, favorable product mix and its cost-control actions. FMC benefited from lower input costs and diligent control in SG&A and R&D spending in the fourth quarter. It also expects its restructuring actions, which include indirect spending cuts and workforce reductions, to result in $50-$75 million of cost savings in 2024. These actions are likely to contribute to its EBITDA growth.Demand Weakness AilsThe company faces headwinds from inventory de-stocking. The demand weakness due to the aggressive de-stocking by growers in the distribution channel is hurting its volumes as witnessed in the fourth quarter. The de-stocking is due to lower prices of fertilizers and certain non-selective herbicides as well as higher interest rates, which have increased the carrying cost of inventory. Continued inventory management is expected to weigh on the company’s volumes in the first quarter of 2024.FMC sees continued de-stocking through the first half of 2024. It forecasts first-quarter revenues to be between $925 million and $1.075 billion, reflecting a 26% decrease at the midpoint compared to the first quarter of 2023, driven by lower volumes due to de-stocking across all regions.Moreover, the company faces headwinds from higher cost inventory and lower fixed cost absorption in 2024. FMC expects adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter in the band of $135-$165 million, suggesting a 59% decline at the midpoint versus the prior-year period’s levels. The downside is expected to be caused by lower sales and gross margin impacts from high-cost inventory carried over from the previous year.Story continuesFMC Corporation Price and Consensus FMC Corporation Price and ConsensusFMC Corporation price-consensus-chart | FMC Corporation QuoteStocks to ConsiderBetter-ranked stocks worth a look in the basic materials space include, Alpha Metallurgical Resources Inc. AMR, Carpenter Technology Corporation CRS and Hawkins, Inc. HWKN.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Alpha Metallurgical Resources’ current-year earnings has been revised upward by 8.8% in the past 60 days. AMR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of roughly 24.8%, on average. Its shares are up around 124% in a year. AMR currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).  You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.The consensus estimate for Carpenter Technology’s current fiscal year earnings is pegged at $4.00, indicating a year-over-year surge of 250.9%. CRS beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters while matching it once, with the average earnings surprise being 12.2%. The company’s shares have gained around 45% in the past year. CRS currently carries a Zacks Rank #1.  The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hawkins’ current fiscal year earnings is pegged at $3.61 per share, indicating a year-over-year rise of 26.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HWKN’s current-year earnings has been revised 4.3% upward in the past 30 days. HWKN, a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock, beat the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters, with the average earnings surprise being 30.6%. The company’s shares have rallied roughly 75% in the past year.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 reportAlpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. (AMR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportCarpenter Technology Corporation (CRS) : Free Stock Analysis ReportFMC Corporation (FMC) : Free Stock Analysis ReportHawkins, Inc. (HWKN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Here's Why You Should Retain FMC Stock in Your Portfolio

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-why-retain-fmc-stock-121900170.html

cc0fd408-ba8c-3384-a43d-1ba2228e0ced

FOX

In this article, we will take a detailed look at the 10 Best Stocks to Buy Before US Election Season 2024. For a quick overview of such stocks, read our article 5 Best Stocks to Buy Before US Election Season 2024.As if anticipation of rate cuts, the Fed's battle against inflation and keeping up with AI-fueled rally in stocks wasn’t enough for investors, the upcoming election-related anxieties are starting to make the financial markets jittery. There are a number of credible reports out there that discuss the behavior of financial markets during US election years. For example, a Morgan Stanley report analyzed some data to see how the S&P 500 performs during election years. This analysis shows that during presidential election years from 1928 through 2016, the stock market has seen more positive performance than negative. The report also said the election of a Republican president resulted in average gains of 15.3% for the S&P 500, compared to a 7.6% gain when a Democrat president comes in the White House.A 2020 report by T. Rowe Price analyzed historical data on the connection between US elections and the stock market and found some interesting patterns. For example, the report said if the stock market performance is strong ahead of elections in the US, data shows that chances of the incumbent party staying in power increase. On the other hand, when the stock market is soft heading into elections, incumbent party often loses. But does that mean President Joe Biden could notch a second term if the Fed begins to cut rates in the summer and stocks keep gaining ahead of the election? That would be wrong conclusion to deduce from this pattern as the T. Rowe report shed light on a plethora of factors that affect the relationship between the stock market performance and election results. The report also said historical data shows if the incumbent party loses an election, a recession year follows:Story continues"Conventional wisdom argues that stock markets tend to perform poorly ahead of elections. Since 70% of the years when the incumbent party lost were followed by a recession year, it makes sense that equity markets performed poorly in the wake of the elections when the incumbent party lost."If you were to ask an average American today about the hottest issues that would be the point of focus in the US election this year, chances are that their answer would be inflation. But we are still months away from the election and a lot could change. Morgan Stanley analyst Michael D. Zezas recently said in a report that in 2008 expectations were that the elections would move around the US foreign policy. But the financial crisis changed everything. Similarly, presidential candidates in the US election 2020 focused their energies on healthcare and pandemic.Best Stocks to Buy Before US Election Season 2024Photo by History in HD on UnsplashMethodology For this article we went through multiple research reports and analyses of experts who took a look at what stocks and sectors usually benefit during election years. We picked 10 stocks which analysts are specifically recommending investors in 2024 because of election-related catalysts. Some top names include JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM) and  Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE).10. Sempra (NYSE:SRE)Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 33Goldman Sachs in its November 2023 report highlighting election 2024 stocks named Sempra (NYSE:SRE), the California-based utility company which has a dividend yield of about 3.38%. Goldman Sachs analyst Carly Davenport said the following about Sempra (NYSE:SRE):“This quarter increased our conviction that Sempra (NYSE:SRE)’s Texas utility Oncor is a material strength for the company. The reduction of regulatory lag, potential increase in capex, and a clear runway for organic load growth in the region all highlight why we have viewed Oncor as an underappreciated asset for Sempra (NYSE:SRE). We believe SRE has several key catalysts ahead, including the aforementioned capex raise, the conclusion of the California GRC (general rate case), and the announcement of FID for the Cameron expansion and Port Arthur Phase 2 in 2024. Sempra (NYSE:SRE) continues to trade at a 0.7x discount to our coverage group on our 2025 numbers, which we view as unwarranted given these strengths."ClearBridge Large Cap Value Strategy made the following comment about Sempra (NYSE:SRE) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:“Our two utilities Sempra (NYSE:SRE) and Edison International were also negatively impacted by rising rates, although both outperformed the utility benchmark. We maintain a large active overweight to Sempra and added opportunistically to Edison to reflect its strong fundamentals.”9. Fox Corp Class B (NASDAQ:FOX)Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 38Fox Corp Class B (NASDAQ:FOX) will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the huge political ad spending in the US ahead of the 2024 elections. A latest Reuters report cited data from Insider Intelligence which said political ads spending in 2024 will be 30% more than 2020. The data said a whopping 71.9% of this total spending will be funneled to TV.Earlier this month Fox Corp Class B (NASDAQ:FOX) posted fiscal second quarter results. Adjusted EPS in the period came in at $0.34, beating estimates by $0.22. Revenue in the period fell 8.2% year over year to $4.23 billion, beating estimates by $20 million.Fox Corp Class B (NASDAQ:FOX) management talked about its expectations regarding political ads revenue and other important updates during the earnings call earlier this month:"We have an impact from preemptions with election and unfortunately with war coverage. So the preemptions are affecting and ratings are continuing to improve. So we’re happy with where we are at Fox News as all those trends are improving steadily. Local stations is probably the most mixed. But you have a bad comparison, particularly in the current pacings with Super Bowl comps this time last year. It’s probably about $50 million in Super Bowl revenue, just in the station group this time last year.So the comparisons are quite tough as we go forward, but we remain confident that we’ll see a record political cycle. This is slightly ameliorated, I think in the current quarter with the lack of a competitive primary competition, but we’re already seeing business in the first half of next year start to flow in from a political perspective. And it’s — obviously, it’s sort of natural because our stations, we have large number of stations in key political markets like Georgia and Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Wisconsin. So we’re very confident in a very strong political cycle once that really starts to flow. And then finally with Tubi. Tubi’s TBT is continued to grow, I think at 62%, 63%. And obviously with the TBT growth, the revenue is following, the revenue growth is slightly less or somewhat less than it was last year."Read the entire earnings call transcript here.8. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 48Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the huge infrastructure spending plans initiated by the Biden administration. Goldman Sachs believes if the Republicans come into power, infrastructure stocks like Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) will continue to grow as the new government will begin constructions on borders to stop illegal immigrants.Earlier this month, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) posted fourth quarter results. Adjusted profit jumped 35% from a year earlier to $5.23 a share, surpassing estimates of a $4.75 per share profit.In addition to Caterpillar, hedge funds are also buying JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM) and  Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE).Diamond Hill Large Cap Strategy made the following comment about Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:“Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT), the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, also performed well this quarter. Caterpillar has managed to leverage increased capital investment from various end markets, contributing to better than expected fiscal results for Q2. The company is poised to be one of the largest beneficiaries of several government funding initiatives, including the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) bill, CHIPS Act and infrastructure bill. These measures are expected to support construction spending for several years, providing a robust backdrop for Caterpillar’s continued growth.”7. MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL INC Common Stock (NASDAQ:MDLZ)Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 51In November 2023 Goldman Sachs published a report discussing the US election and its possible impact on the stock market. Goldman Sachs mentioned a couple of stocks it believes were poised to gain strength during the election years. MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL INC Common Stock (NASDAQ:MDLZ) was one of these stocks. Goldman Sachs said consumer defensive is one of the sectors that perform well during election years.Goldman Sachs analyst Jason English praised MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL INC Common Stock's (NASDAQ:MDLZ) spending in commercial and business expansion in other countries. The analyst set an $82 price target on the stock with a Buy rating.6. Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:LMT)Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 58Defense stocks will remain in the spotlight amid growing security concerns and a volatile geopolitical situation. The conflict in the Middle East and raging war in Ukraine will keep forcing the US to up its defense spending no matter the outcome of the Presidential Election in 2024.A latest report by Reuters recently said that Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:LMT) plans to boost output of weapons systems to meet greater demand amid growing worries about security. The report said Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:LMT) plans to double its production of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).In addition to Lockheed, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM) and  Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) can also gain this year according to analysts.RiverPark Advisors made the following comment about Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:“Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT): LMT is the world’s largest aerospace and defense contractor. With about 70% of its $66 billion in revenue from the U.S. government, the company is well positioned to benefit from U.S. defense budget growth, historically 5%-6% per year, as well as increased global military spending. With a $158 billion backlog and almost 30% of its revenue coming from building F-35 aircraft with deliveries forecast to reach 180 per year (up from 141 in 2022) in the coming years, we believe the company could grow at a higher rate than overall defense budget growth and Street expectations over the next several years. Further, strategic acquisitions, debt repayment, a 2.9% dividend yield, and continued share buybacks from more than $6 billion per year of free cash flow should lead to even greater shareholder returns. We re-initiated a small position in August.” Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best Stocks to Buy Before US Election Season 2024. Suggested Articles:11 Best Battery Stocks To Buy Before They Take Off12 Best Breakout Stocks To Buy Right Now14 Best Robotics Stocks To Buy NowDisclosure: None. 10 Best Stocks to Buy Before US Election Season 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

10 Best Stocks to Buy Before US Election Season 2024

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/10-best-stocks-buy-us-193229916.html

9d2c3400-3c48-3736-8930-781fc50265d7

FOX

A Matthew McConaughey-narrated show about Texas wildlife is set to join the streaming service Fox Nation this spring.Continue reading

The Wall Street Journal

Fox News’s Streaming Playbook: Hollywood Stars and Conservative Documentaries

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/af0ed7d8-e30d-3ae4-8fb4-cf9cab3e6098/fox-news%E2%80%99s-streaming.html

af0ed7d8-e30d-3ae4-8fb4-cf9cab3e6098

FOX

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Fox (FOXA). Shares have lost about 0.4% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Fox due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.Fox Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Ad Revenues DeclineFox Corporation reported second-quarter fiscal 2024 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 34 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 240%. The figure decreased 29.2% year over year.Revenues declined 8.1% year over year to $4.23 billion. The figure beat the consensus mark by 1.28%.Affiliate fees (42.2% of revenues) rose 4.4% to $1.78 billion, driven by 10% growth in the Television segment.Advertising revenues (47.3% of revenues) declined 20% year over year to $2 billion, primarily due to the absence of the FIFA Men's World Cup at FOX Sports and lower political advertising revenues at the FOX Television Stations because of the absence of the 2022 mid-term elections. The decline was due to the impact of elevated supply in the direct response marketplace, lower ratings and higher preemptions associated with breaking news coverage at FOX News Media.Other revenues (10.5% of revenues) jumped 14.1% year over year to $445 million.Top-Line DetailsCable Network Programming (39.2 % of revenues) revenues increased 1.6% year over year to $1.65 billion. Advertising revenues plunged 22.8%, whereas revenues from Affiliate fees rose 0.5% year over year. Other revenues surged 80% on a year-over-year basis, primarily due to higher sports sublicensing revenues at the national sports networks.Television (60% of revenues) revenues declined 13.4% from the year-ago quarter’s figure to $2.54 billion. Advertising revenues declined 19.4% year over year. Affiliate fees increased 10.2% year over year, led by higher rates at both the company's owned and operated stations, and third-party FOX affiliates. Other revenues decreased 32.7% year over year, primarily due to lower content revenues at the entertainment production companies as a result of industry guild labor disputes.Story continuesOperating DetailsIn second-quarter fiscal 2024, operating expenses decreased 3.8% year over year to $3.39 billion. As a percentage of revenues, operating expenses increased 350 basis points (bps) to 80.1%. The decrease in expenses includes lower entertainment and sports programming rights amortization and production costs, led by fewer hours of original scripted programming and the absence of the Men's World Cup, partially offset by the renewed NFL contract.Selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased 10% year over year to $495 million. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A expenses declined 30 bps to 11.7%.Total adjusted EBITDA decreased 34.1% year over year to $350 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 330 bps to 8.3%, primarily due to lower expenses.Cable Network Programming EBITDA increased 59.8% year over year to $564 million. Television reported a negative adjusted EBITDA of $138 million.Balance SheetAs of Dec 31, 2023, Fox had $4.12 billion in cash and cash equivalents compared with $4.82 billion as of Sep 30, 2023.Long-term debt, as of Dec 31, 2023, was $7.19 billion, lower than $7.44 billion as of Sep 30, 2023.How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in estimates review.VGM ScoresCurrently, Fox has a poor Growth Score of F, however its Momentum Score is doing a lot better with a B. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for this investment strategy.Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Fox has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.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 reportFox Corporation (FOXA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Why Is Fox (FOXA) Down 0.4% Since Last Earnings Report?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-fox-foxa-down-0-163054096.html

74fd4f5d-b4ad-3291-ad9c-a6854a305047

FOX

US theaters have suffered with the advent of the pandemic and strike-related supply-chain delays. While the box office has struggled to reclaim its pre-pandemic prominence, Cinemark CEO Sean Gamble has reassured investors that studios will focus on theatrical releases once again.Box Office Guru Founder and Editor Gitesh Pandya joins Yahoo Finance to give insight into entertainment companies' renewed focus on theatrical releases. He highlights that with the "right content, people are coming out," citing Dune's $82.5 million opening weekend.Pandya signals that the Oscars are an important "PR bonanza" for the film industry, though most Academy Award entrants will have already been released in theaters.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[AUDIO LOGO]JOSH LIPTON: Award season is in full swing with the Oscars happening on Sunday. The box office is still recovering from the pandemic and multiple writer strikes. But Cinemark CEO telling investors this week that studios are focusing on theatrical releases again.For more on all of this, we're talking to Gitesh Pandya, box office guru, founder and CEO. Gitesh, it's always good to see you.GITESH PANDYA: Great to be here.JOSH LIPTON: We were talking off camera, Gitesh. I was interested in when you looked at just overall box office. And I was asking, we're still down pretty meaningfully from pre-pandemic?GITESH PANDYA: Yeah, we're, down from pre-pandemic times. There's a lot of times in February and March have some big films before 2020, when the box office would do pretty well in the first quarter. And then even the last couple of years during post-pandemic times, you had a couple of big films coming out.So put it this way. Two years ago, right around now, you had a brand new Batman film opening. And it opened right after Omicron was happening.Story continuesAnd people still came out to over $130 million opening weekend. Now, this last weekend, we had Dune Part 2, $82.5 million. Nothing to sneeze at. More than double what the first dune made.And so with the right content, people are coming out. One of the problems is that because of the strikes, a lot of the supply line has been delayed. And so we don't have as many films out there and ready to go. Right now in the first half of the year first quarter of the year that we normally do.So there's a lack of volume in the marketplace right now that will get corrected by the time we reach the second quarter into the summer when you have a lot more films coming out. Normally, you have a big film every week or two. And we haven't had much of that this year. It's been a very poor first quarter. But now, with dune coming out and more sequels, it's starting to get better.JULIE HYMAN: So we've got the Oscars this weekend. And given that backdrop of the waning box office, the increase of streaming, obviously, also a factor of that. What role does the Oscars now play? What role does the prestige picture now play in the age of streaming?GITESH PANDYA: Well, certainly, it's a PR bonanza because you get so much attention. The world's media is on the Oscars at least for that one night. Most of these films, the bigger films have already played out. And they've made most of their money anyway.Oppenheimer, for example, has grossed about $960 million since last July when it first came out. So it's mostly done with its worldwide box office run. Except for Japan. That's a country where they didn't know whether they'd be able to release it there or not.It's a very sensitive topic over there. But it's opening Japan at the end of this month. So it might be a big Oscar winner when it finally opens.But still, it's going to do just under $1 billion worldwide. There's not much upside except on the streaming side on video on demand and things like that. You will see some more people who maybe missed Oppenheimer, the first time.I've seen it on the big screen. I've seen it on the small screen at home. I can see it a third-time.JOSH LIPTON: Julie hasn't seen it.JULIE HYMAN: I still haven't seen it.JOSH LIPTON: What are you waiting for? Come on.GITESH PANDYA: I don't know what she's waiting for. It's incredible film. But it's going to be the big winner, I believe. I'm predicting it will win Best Picture and also Best Director this weekend.JOSH LIPTON: Gitesh, we were talking about this. A big issue would seem to me, but correct me, there's just too much good content you can get at home. You're there.I'm on my couch. You got a drink, your dog, you got the flat screen. It's really-- isn't it just that much harder to get people off the couch?GITESH PANDYA: Well, that's why the movies have to be engaging. They have to be kick ass movies that you leave the couch for, that you go to the movie theater for. Streaming and the box office can coexist.It's like the restaurant business. You can eat food at home. You can go out to a restaurant. Both can succeed. But they have to be good.So with the movies, people have a different threshold now. And so if a movie looks interesting, I do want to see it. I'll wait to see it at home. That's what the studios have to fight against.And so when they're making a film, and when they're marketing a film, they have to have something that is completely engaging, exciting, that you must see right away on the big screen right now and not wait six weeks, eight weeks later to watch at home. That is the big challenge. And the studios that can solve that are going to be the big winners.Because, again, in this pandemic time, you have so many reasons for people not to go out to the movies. But you look at Spider-Man, Top Gun, Barbie, some of the movies in the last couple of years. These are among the 10 highest grossing movies of all-time during this post pandemic era.So people will go out with different challenges. It's just got to be the right thing at the right time.JULIE HYMAN: And are we getting that? That's the other big question, right? There's been a lot of complaints about. And Bob Iger was asked about this recently, right? The equalization of content.And that the quality isn't there. Is that going to change? Is that going to get better?GITESH PANDYA: That's one of the big mistakes over the last couple of years. Quality versus quantity. Too much quantity. Mediocrity doesn't sell anymore.You can't make a 15 mediocre TV shows. It's better to make three really fantastic well-made shows. On the movie side, the ones that are really well-reviewed, well-liked by the audiences, as well, winning awards, that's what's going to sell.And so I think if some of the studios focus on really the quality of the product and making it really well and then putting it out into the marketplace, you'll see almost unlimited box office potential worldwide.

Yahoo Finance Video

What role do the Oscars play in the age of streaming?

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/role-oscars-play-age-streaming-130004459.html

704f93e4-e983-3779-a086-f545569cd8e6

FOXA

In this article, we will take a detailed look at the 10 Best Stocks to Buy Before US Election Season 2024. For a quick overview of such stocks, read our article 5 Best Stocks to Buy Before US Election Season 2024.As if anticipation of rate cuts, the Fed's battle against inflation and keeping up with AI-fueled rally in stocks wasn’t enough for investors, the upcoming election-related anxieties are starting to make the financial markets jittery. There are a number of credible reports out there that discuss the behavior of financial markets during US election years. For example, a Morgan Stanley report analyzed some data to see how the S&P 500 performs during election years. This analysis shows that during presidential election years from 1928 through 2016, the stock market has seen more positive performance than negative. The report also said the election of a Republican president resulted in average gains of 15.3% for the S&P 500, compared to a 7.6% gain when a Democrat president comes in the White House.A 2020 report by T. Rowe Price analyzed historical data on the connection between US elections and the stock market and found some interesting patterns. For example, the report said if the stock market performance is strong ahead of elections in the US, data shows that chances of the incumbent party staying in power increase. On the other hand, when the stock market is soft heading into elections, incumbent party often loses. But does that mean President Joe Biden could notch a second term if the Fed begins to cut rates in the summer and stocks keep gaining ahead of the election? That would be wrong conclusion to deduce from this pattern as the T. Rowe report shed light on a plethora of factors that affect the relationship between the stock market performance and election results. The report also said historical data shows if the incumbent party loses an election, a recession year follows:Story continues"Conventional wisdom argues that stock markets tend to perform poorly ahead of elections. Since 70% of the years when the incumbent party lost were followed by a recession year, it makes sense that equity markets performed poorly in the wake of the elections when the incumbent party lost."If you were to ask an average American today about the hottest issues that would be the point of focus in the US election this year, chances are that their answer would be inflation. But we are still months away from the election and a lot could change. Morgan Stanley analyst Michael D. Zezas recently said in a report that in 2008 expectations were that the elections would move around the US foreign policy. But the financial crisis changed everything. Similarly, presidential candidates in the US election 2020 focused their energies on healthcare and pandemic.Best Stocks to Buy Before US Election Season 2024Photo by History in HD on UnsplashMethodology For this article we went through multiple research reports and analyses of experts who took a look at what stocks and sectors usually benefit during election years. We picked 10 stocks which analysts are specifically recommending investors in 2024 because of election-related catalysts. Some top names include JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM) and  Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE).10. Sempra (NYSE:SRE)Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 33Goldman Sachs in its November 2023 report highlighting election 2024 stocks named Sempra (NYSE:SRE), the California-based utility company which has a dividend yield of about 3.38%. Goldman Sachs analyst Carly Davenport said the following about Sempra (NYSE:SRE):“This quarter increased our conviction that Sempra (NYSE:SRE)’s Texas utility Oncor is a material strength for the company. The reduction of regulatory lag, potential increase in capex, and a clear runway for organic load growth in the region all highlight why we have viewed Oncor as an underappreciated asset for Sempra (NYSE:SRE). We believe SRE has several key catalysts ahead, including the aforementioned capex raise, the conclusion of the California GRC (general rate case), and the announcement of FID for the Cameron expansion and Port Arthur Phase 2 in 2024. Sempra (NYSE:SRE) continues to trade at a 0.7x discount to our coverage group on our 2025 numbers, which we view as unwarranted given these strengths."ClearBridge Large Cap Value Strategy made the following comment about Sempra (NYSE:SRE) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:“Our two utilities Sempra (NYSE:SRE) and Edison International were also negatively impacted by rising rates, although both outperformed the utility benchmark. We maintain a large active overweight to Sempra and added opportunistically to Edison to reflect its strong fundamentals.”9. Fox Corp Class B (NASDAQ:FOX)Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 38Fox Corp Class B (NASDAQ:FOX) will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the huge political ad spending in the US ahead of the 2024 elections. A latest Reuters report cited data from Insider Intelligence which said political ads spending in 2024 will be 30% more than 2020. The data said a whopping 71.9% of this total spending will be funneled to TV.Earlier this month Fox Corp Class B (NASDAQ:FOX) posted fiscal second quarter results. Adjusted EPS in the period came in at $0.34, beating estimates by $0.22. Revenue in the period fell 8.2% year over year to $4.23 billion, beating estimates by $20 million.Fox Corp Class B (NASDAQ:FOX) management talked about its expectations regarding political ads revenue and other important updates during the earnings call earlier this month:"We have an impact from preemptions with election and unfortunately with war coverage. So the preemptions are affecting and ratings are continuing to improve. So we’re happy with where we are at Fox News as all those trends are improving steadily. Local stations is probably the most mixed. But you have a bad comparison, particularly in the current pacings with Super Bowl comps this time last year. It’s probably about $50 million in Super Bowl revenue, just in the station group this time last year.So the comparisons are quite tough as we go forward, but we remain confident that we’ll see a record political cycle. This is slightly ameliorated, I think in the current quarter with the lack of a competitive primary competition, but we’re already seeing business in the first half of next year start to flow in from a political perspective. And it’s — obviously, it’s sort of natural because our stations, we have large number of stations in key political markets like Georgia and Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Wisconsin. So we’re very confident in a very strong political cycle once that really starts to flow. And then finally with Tubi. Tubi’s TBT is continued to grow, I think at 62%, 63%. And obviously with the TBT growth, the revenue is following, the revenue growth is slightly less or somewhat less than it was last year."Read the entire earnings call transcript here.8. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 48Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) was one of the biggest beneficiaries of the huge infrastructure spending plans initiated by the Biden administration. Goldman Sachs believes if the Republicans come into power, infrastructure stocks like Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) will continue to grow as the new government will begin constructions on borders to stop illegal immigrants.Earlier this month, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) posted fourth quarter results. Adjusted profit jumped 35% from a year earlier to $5.23 a share, surpassing estimates of a $4.75 per share profit.In addition to Caterpillar, hedge funds are also buying JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM) and  Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE).Diamond Hill Large Cap Strategy made the following comment about Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:“Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT), the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, also performed well this quarter. Caterpillar has managed to leverage increased capital investment from various end markets, contributing to better than expected fiscal results for Q2. The company is poised to be one of the largest beneficiaries of several government funding initiatives, including the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) bill, CHIPS Act and infrastructure bill. These measures are expected to support construction spending for several years, providing a robust backdrop for Caterpillar’s continued growth.”7. MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL INC Common Stock (NASDAQ:MDLZ)Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 51In November 2023 Goldman Sachs published a report discussing the US election and its possible impact on the stock market. Goldman Sachs mentioned a couple of stocks it believes were poised to gain strength during the election years. MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL INC Common Stock (NASDAQ:MDLZ) was one of these stocks. Goldman Sachs said consumer defensive is one of the sectors that perform well during election years.Goldman Sachs analyst Jason English praised MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL INC Common Stock's (NASDAQ:MDLZ) spending in commercial and business expansion in other countries. The analyst set an $82 price target on the stock with a Buy rating.6. Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:LMT)Number of Hedge Fund Investors: 58Defense stocks will remain in the spotlight amid growing security concerns and a volatile geopolitical situation. The conflict in the Middle East and raging war in Ukraine will keep forcing the US to up its defense spending no matter the outcome of the Presidential Election in 2024.A latest report by Reuters recently said that Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:LMT) plans to boost output of weapons systems to meet greater demand amid growing worries about security. The report said Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:LMT) plans to double its production of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).In addition to Lockheed, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM) and  Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) can also gain this year according to analysts.RiverPark Advisors made the following comment about Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:“Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT): LMT is the world’s largest aerospace and defense contractor. With about 70% of its $66 billion in revenue from the U.S. government, the company is well positioned to benefit from U.S. defense budget growth, historically 5%-6% per year, as well as increased global military spending. With a $158 billion backlog and almost 30% of its revenue coming from building F-35 aircraft with deliveries forecast to reach 180 per year (up from 141 in 2022) in the coming years, we believe the company could grow at a higher rate than overall defense budget growth and Street expectations over the next several years. Further, strategic acquisitions, debt repayment, a 2.9% dividend yield, and continued share buybacks from more than $6 billion per year of free cash flow should lead to even greater shareholder returns. We re-initiated a small position in August.” Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best Stocks to Buy Before US Election Season 2024. Suggested Articles:11 Best Battery Stocks To Buy Before They Take Off12 Best Breakout Stocks To Buy Right Now14 Best Robotics Stocks To Buy NowDisclosure: None. 10 Best Stocks to Buy Before US Election Season 2024 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

10 Best Stocks to Buy Before US Election Season 2024

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/10-best-stocks-buy-us-193229916.html

9d2c3400-3c48-3736-8930-781fc50265d7

FOXA

A Matthew McConaughey-narrated show about Texas wildlife is set to join the streaming service Fox Nation this spring.Continue reading

The Wall Street Journal

Fox News’s Streaming Playbook: Hollywood Stars and Conservative Documentaries

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/af0ed7d8-e30d-3ae4-8fb4-cf9cab3e6098/fox-news%E2%80%99s-streaming.html

af0ed7d8-e30d-3ae4-8fb4-cf9cab3e6098

FOXA

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Fox (FOXA). Shares have lost about 0.4% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Fox due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.Fox Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Ad Revenues DeclineFox Corporation reported second-quarter fiscal 2024 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 34 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 240%. The figure decreased 29.2% year over year.Revenues declined 8.1% year over year to $4.23 billion. The figure beat the consensus mark by 1.28%.Affiliate fees (42.2% of revenues) rose 4.4% to $1.78 billion, driven by 10% growth in the Television segment.Advertising revenues (47.3% of revenues) declined 20% year over year to $2 billion, primarily due to the absence of the FIFA Men's World Cup at FOX Sports and lower political advertising revenues at the FOX Television Stations because of the absence of the 2022 mid-term elections. The decline was due to the impact of elevated supply in the direct response marketplace, lower ratings and higher preemptions associated with breaking news coverage at FOX News Media.Other revenues (10.5% of revenues) jumped 14.1% year over year to $445 million.Top-Line DetailsCable Network Programming (39.2 % of revenues) revenues increased 1.6% year over year to $1.65 billion. Advertising revenues plunged 22.8%, whereas revenues from Affiliate fees rose 0.5% year over year. Other revenues surged 80% on a year-over-year basis, primarily due to higher sports sublicensing revenues at the national sports networks.Television (60% of revenues) revenues declined 13.4% from the year-ago quarter’s figure to $2.54 billion. Advertising revenues declined 19.4% year over year. Affiliate fees increased 10.2% year over year, led by higher rates at both the company's owned and operated stations, and third-party FOX affiliates. Other revenues decreased 32.7% year over year, primarily due to lower content revenues at the entertainment production companies as a result of industry guild labor disputes.Story continuesOperating DetailsIn second-quarter fiscal 2024, operating expenses decreased 3.8% year over year to $3.39 billion. As a percentage of revenues, operating expenses increased 350 basis points (bps) to 80.1%. The decrease in expenses includes lower entertainment and sports programming rights amortization and production costs, led by fewer hours of original scripted programming and the absence of the Men's World Cup, partially offset by the renewed NFL contract.Selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased 10% year over year to $495 million. As a percentage of revenues, SG&A expenses declined 30 bps to 11.7%.Total adjusted EBITDA decreased 34.1% year over year to $350 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 330 bps to 8.3%, primarily due to lower expenses.Cable Network Programming EBITDA increased 59.8% year over year to $564 million. Television reported a negative adjusted EBITDA of $138 million.Balance SheetAs of Dec 31, 2023, Fox had $4.12 billion in cash and cash equivalents compared with $4.82 billion as of Sep 30, 2023.Long-term debt, as of Dec 31, 2023, was $7.19 billion, lower than $7.44 billion as of Sep 30, 2023.How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in estimates review.VGM ScoresCurrently, Fox has a poor Growth Score of F, however its Momentum Score is doing a lot better with a B. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for this investment strategy.Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Fox has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.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 reportFox Corporation (FOXA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Why Is Fox (FOXA) Down 0.4% Since Last Earnings Report?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-fox-foxa-down-0-163054096.html

74fd4f5d-b4ad-3291-ad9c-a6854a305047

FOXA

US theaters have suffered with the advent of the pandemic and strike-related supply-chain delays. While the box office has struggled to reclaim its pre-pandemic prominence, Cinemark CEO Sean Gamble has reassured investors that studios will focus on theatrical releases once again.Box Office Guru Founder and Editor Gitesh Pandya joins Yahoo Finance to give insight into entertainment companies' renewed focus on theatrical releases. He highlights that with the "right content, people are coming out," citing Dune's $82.5 million opening weekend.Pandya signals that the Oscars are an important "PR bonanza" for the film industry, though most Academy Award entrants will have already been released in theaters.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[AUDIO LOGO]JOSH LIPTON: Award season is in full swing with the Oscars happening on Sunday. The box office is still recovering from the pandemic and multiple writer strikes. But Cinemark CEO telling investors this week that studios are focusing on theatrical releases again.For more on all of this, we're talking to Gitesh Pandya, box office guru, founder and CEO. Gitesh, it's always good to see you.GITESH PANDYA: Great to be here.JOSH LIPTON: We were talking off camera, Gitesh. I was interested in when you looked at just overall box office. And I was asking, we're still down pretty meaningfully from pre-pandemic?GITESH PANDYA: Yeah, we're, down from pre-pandemic times. There's a lot of times in February and March have some big films before 2020, when the box office would do pretty well in the first quarter. And then even the last couple of years during post-pandemic times, you had a couple of big films coming out.So put it this way. Two years ago, right around now, you had a brand new Batman film opening. And it opened right after Omicron was happening.Story continuesAnd people still came out to over $130 million opening weekend. Now, this last weekend, we had Dune Part 2, $82.5 million. Nothing to sneeze at. More than double what the first dune made.And so with the right content, people are coming out. One of the problems is that because of the strikes, a lot of the supply line has been delayed. And so we don't have as many films out there and ready to go. Right now in the first half of the year first quarter of the year that we normally do.So there's a lack of volume in the marketplace right now that will get corrected by the time we reach the second quarter into the summer when you have a lot more films coming out. Normally, you have a big film every week or two. And we haven't had much of that this year. It's been a very poor first quarter. But now, with dune coming out and more sequels, it's starting to get better.JULIE HYMAN: So we've got the Oscars this weekend. And given that backdrop of the waning box office, the increase of streaming, obviously, also a factor of that. What role does the Oscars now play? What role does the prestige picture now play in the age of streaming?GITESH PANDYA: Well, certainly, it's a PR bonanza because you get so much attention. The world's media is on the Oscars at least for that one night. Most of these films, the bigger films have already played out. And they've made most of their money anyway.Oppenheimer, for example, has grossed about $960 million since last July when it first came out. So it's mostly done with its worldwide box office run. Except for Japan. That's a country where they didn't know whether they'd be able to release it there or not.It's a very sensitive topic over there. But it's opening Japan at the end of this month. So it might be a big Oscar winner when it finally opens.But still, it's going to do just under $1 billion worldwide. There's not much upside except on the streaming side on video on demand and things like that. You will see some more people who maybe missed Oppenheimer, the first time.I've seen it on the big screen. I've seen it on the small screen at home. I can see it a third-time.JOSH LIPTON: Julie hasn't seen it.JULIE HYMAN: I still haven't seen it.JOSH LIPTON: What are you waiting for? Come on.GITESH PANDYA: I don't know what she's waiting for. It's incredible film. But it's going to be the big winner, I believe. I'm predicting it will win Best Picture and also Best Director this weekend.JOSH LIPTON: Gitesh, we were talking about this. A big issue would seem to me, but correct me, there's just too much good content you can get at home. You're there.I'm on my couch. You got a drink, your dog, you got the flat screen. It's really-- isn't it just that much harder to get people off the couch?GITESH PANDYA: Well, that's why the movies have to be engaging. They have to be kick ass movies that you leave the couch for, that you go to the movie theater for. Streaming and the box office can coexist.It's like the restaurant business. You can eat food at home. You can go out to a restaurant. Both can succeed. But they have to be good.So with the movies, people have a different threshold now. And so if a movie looks interesting, I do want to see it. I'll wait to see it at home. That's what the studios have to fight against.And so when they're making a film, and when they're marketing a film, they have to have something that is completely engaging, exciting, that you must see right away on the big screen right now and not wait six weeks, eight weeks later to watch at home. That is the big challenge. And the studios that can solve that are going to be the big winners.Because, again, in this pandemic time, you have so many reasons for people not to go out to the movies. But you look at Spider-Man, Top Gun, Barbie, some of the movies in the last couple of years. These are among the 10 highest grossing movies of all-time during this post pandemic era.So people will go out with different challenges. It's just got to be the right thing at the right time.JULIE HYMAN: And are we getting that? That's the other big question, right? There's been a lot of complaints about. And Bob Iger was asked about this recently, right? The equalization of content.And that the quality isn't there. Is that going to change? Is that going to get better?GITESH PANDYA: That's one of the big mistakes over the last couple of years. Quality versus quantity. Too much quantity. Mediocrity doesn't sell anymore.You can't make a 15 mediocre TV shows. It's better to make three really fantastic well-made shows. On the movie side, the ones that are really well-reviewed, well-liked by the audiences, as well, winning awards, that's what's going to sell.And so I think if some of the studios focus on really the quality of the product and making it really well and then putting it out into the marketplace, you'll see almost unlimited box office potential worldwide.

Yahoo Finance Video

What role do the Oscars play in the age of streaming?

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/role-oscars-play-age-streaming-130004459.html

704f93e4-e983-3779-a086-f545569cd8e6

FRT

Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE:FRT), offering a dividend of 4%, and Kite Realty Group Trust (NYSE:KRG), with a dividend of 5%, present unique investment opportunities in the real estate sector, focusing on retail and mixed-use properties. This focus is particularly relevant in today’s market, which is capitalizing on the resurgence of brick-and-mortar retail and the integration of community-centric mixed-use developments. As consumer habits evolve towards a blend of in-person and online shopping experiences, FRT and KRG are strategically positioned to benefit from these shifts, offering investors consistent, growth-oriented returns.Don't Miss:Investing in real estate just got a whole lot simpler. This Dara Khosrowshahi-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, and you only need $100.Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, but few investors have the capital or resources needed to invest in this asset class. A platform backed by industry giant Marcus & Millichap is changing that, allowing individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000. A notable aspect of investing in FRT and KRG is their connection to premier retail brands and businesses, which, similar to Prologis, Inc.’s (NYSE:PLD) relationship with Amazon.com, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AMZN), provides indirect exposure to the retail sector’s growth. FRT, known for its high-quality shopping centers in major metropolitan markets, and KRG, with its portfolio of neighborhood and community shopping centers, house tenants ranging from essential services to luxury retailers. This tenant diversity makes investments in FRT and KRG an indirect way to tap into the retail sector’s recovery and growth, adding an intriguing dimension to their investment appeal.Investors often encounter a trade-off between growth and income, where high-growth investments seldom yield regular income and high-dividend stocks may lack significant growth opportunities. However, FRT and KRG defy this norm. By focusing on strategically located retail and mixed-use properties that cater to evolving consumer preferences, they are well-placed in a sector showing signs of robust growth. Additionally, as REITs, FRT and KRG are required to distribute the majority of their taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends, offering a desirable income stream.Story continuesFRT and KRG manage a diverse portfolio of properties situated in key urban and suburban locations. This broad geographical footprint is crucial in mitigating risks associated with regional economic fluctuations. Their properties, which serve as essential community hubs and shopping destinations, ensure a strong and varied tenant base. The growing demand for mixed-use spaces that combine retail, residential, and office components underscores the long-term demand for FRT’s and KRG’s properties.Read Next:Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, but few investors have the capital or resources needed to invest in this asset class. A platform backed by industry giant Marcus & Millichap is changing that, allowing individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000. Collecting passive income from real estate just got a whole lot simpler. A new real estate fund backed by Dara Khosrowshahi gives you instant access to a diversified portfolio of rental properties, and you only need $100 to get started.Image credit: Shutterstock"ACTIVE INVESTORS' SECRET WEAPON" Supercharge Your Stock Market Game with the #1 "news & everything else" trading tool: Benzinga Pro - Click here to start Your 14-Day Trial Now!Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga?APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis ReportTESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article The New Retail Revolution: Capturing Growth in the Post-Digital Marketplace originally appeared on Benzinga.com© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Benzinga

The New Retail Revolution: Capturing Growth in the Post-Digital Marketplace

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/retail-revolution-capturing-growth-post-160426681.html

2cff263c-3a07-328c-b250-58b6ec30840b

FRT

The big selling point for buying shares of Annaly Capital (NYSE: NLY) is the mortgage real estate investment trust's (mREIT) outsized 13.9% dividend yield. Don't buy into that; history suggests that rate isn't sustainable.Investors interested in good yields on REITs will be better off with Federal Realty (NYSE: FRT), Realty Income (NYSE: O), or Essex Property Trust (NYSE: ESS), all of which have increased their dividends annually for decades. Here's why these three unstoppable stocks are better buys.Annaly Capital: One chart to dissuade them allPardon the punny Lord of the Rings reference above, but it really does describe the situation. You only need one chart to see why most investors will be better off avoiding Annaly Capital and its giant dividend yield. The chart below shows that despite the yield being fairly lofty on an ongoing basis (the orange line), the dividend and stock price (purple and blue) have both been heading lower since around 2010. That's a terrible chart for any investor trying to find a reliable dividend-paying stock.NLY ChartNow add in the complexity of the mortgage REIT business, which can be impacted by interest rates, housing market dynamics, mortgage payment trends, and refinancing activity, among other things. There are just too many checks in the negative column for most average investors here. But there are plenty of other REITs you can buy with incredible dividend track records.1. Federal Realty is a Dividend KingAlthough Federal Realty's dividend yield is a fairly modest 4.3%, it stands head and shoulders above all other public REITs because it is the only Dividend King in the group. It has achieved this dividend success by focusing on a small, high-quality portfolio of strip malls and mixed-use assets. The story is location, location, location, as it operates in areas with average wealth and population size metrics that are higher than any of its strip mall peers. If dividend consistency is important to you, Federal Realty needs to be on your watch list if not in your portfolio.Story continues2. Realty Income calls itself "The Monthly Dividend Company"Realty Income pays dividends monthly and has increased its dividend annually for nearly three decades. The dividend yield is currently around 5.8%. The core of the REIT's portfolio is single-tenant net lease retail properties, though it also has some modest exposure to industrial assets and "other" (the other grouping includes vineyards and casinos). Net leases require the tenant to pay for most property-level operating costs. Although a property with just one tenant is high risk, across a large enough portfolio, the risk is fairly low -- Realty Income owns over 15,000 properties and is one of the largest net lease REITs you can buy. The REIT is so focused on returning dividends to investors that it trademarked the nickname "The Monthly Dividend Company." It's a sleep-well-at-night REIT.3. Essex has some risks but also a strong track recordEssex owns apartment buildings on the West Coast. That's a concentration risk, geographically speaking, as it ties the landlord's fortunes to technology-dependent regions. And yet, the dividend has been increased annually for nearly 30 years. Clearly, the bet on the West Coast has worked out well so far. The core of the business suggests that won't change, given that Essex is highly focused on owning modern, amenity-rich apartments. These tend to be in high demand regardless of what's going on in any given sector. Not every year is a good one, and 2024 is expected to see just flat financial performance, thanks to higher interest rates, among other things. But the 3.9% dividend yield here is actually near the highest levels of the past decade, suggesting the stock is historically cheap right now.Big yields don't always lead to big returnsAs you can see with Annaly over the past decade or so, a huge yield can lead dividend investors down a bad investment path. You'd be better off focusing on REITs that have proven they can perform well in good markets and bad, with that evidence coming from a steadily growing dividend. When you look for REITs like that, you'll find Federal Realty, Realty Income, and Essex Property Trust all stand tall.Should you invest $1,000 in Federal Realty Investment Trust right now?Before you buy stock in Federal Realty Investment Trust, 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 Federal Realty Investment Trust 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 February 20, 2024Reuben Brewer has positions in Federal Realty Investment Trust and Realty Income. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Realty Income. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Forget Annaly Capital; These Unstoppable Stocks Are Better Buys was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

Forget Annaly Capital; These Unstoppable Stocks Are Better Buys

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/forget-annaly-capital-unstoppable-stocks-121200796.html

9856ece4-29fc-374d-99c7-b5f9821af663

FRT

NORTH BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT) announced today that the Company will present at the Citi's 2024 Global Property CEO Conference on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 2:10 PM ET to 2:45 PM ET.Federal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail based properties located primarily in major coastal markets from Washington, D.C. to Boston as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles. (PRNewsfoto/Federal Realty Investment Trust) Event: Federal Realty Investment Trust Presentation at Citi's 2024 Global Property CEO Conference When: 2:10 PM ET, Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Live Webcast: Citi's 2024 Global Property CEO Conference or under the Investors tab at www.federalrealty.comA replay of the webcast will be available on Federal Realty's website at www.federalrealty.com through March 5, 2025.About Federal RealtyFederal Realty is a recognized leader in the ownership, operation and redevelopment of high-quality retail-based properties located primarily in major coastal markets from Washington, D.C. to Boston as well as San Francisco and Los Angeles. Founded in 1962, Federal Realty's mission is to deliver long-term, sustainable growth through investing in communities where retail demand exceeds supply. Its expertise includes creating urban, mixed-use neighborhoods like Santana Row in San Jose, California, Pike & Rose in North Bethesda, Maryland and Assembly Row in Somerville, Massachusetts. These unique and vibrant environments that combine shopping, dining, living and working provide a destination experience valued by their respective communities. Federal Realty's 102 properties include approximately 3,300 tenants, in 26 million commercial square feet, and approximately 3,100 residential units.Federal Realty has increased its quarterly dividends to its shareholders for 56 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty is an S&P 500 index member and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT. For additional information about Federal Realty and its properties, visit www.federalrealty.com.Inquiries:Leah Andress BradyVice President, Investor [email protected] continuesCisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/federal-realty-investment-trust-to-present-at-citis-2024-global-property-ceo-conference-302073288.htmlSOURCE Federal Realty Investment Trust

PR Newswire

Federal Realty Investment Trust to Present at Citi's 2024 Global Property CEO Conference

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/federal-realty-investment-trust-present-213000451.html

53a53710-9d9b-34ee-9819-d3c0654aeb51

FRT

Assessing the Sustainability and Growth of FRT's DividendsFederal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE:FRT) recently announced a dividend of $1.09 per share, payable on 2024-04-15, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-03-12. 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 Federal Realty Investment Trust's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.What Does Federal Realty Investment Trust Do?Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with FRT.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?Federal Realty Investment Trust is a shopping center-focused retail real estate investment trust that owns high-quality properties in eight of the largest metropolitan markets. Its portfolio includes an interest in 102 properties, which comprises 25.8 million square feet of retail space and over 3,100 multifamily units. Federal Realty's retail portfolio includes grocery-anchored centers, superregional centers, power centers, and mixed-use urban centers. Federal Realty has focused on owning assets in highly desirable areas with significant growth, and as a result, the average population density and average median household income are higher for its portfolio than for any other retail REIT.Federal Realty Investment Trust's Dividend AnalysisA Glimpse at Federal Realty Investment Trust's Dividend HistoryFederal Realty Investment Trust has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 1968. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Federal Realty Investment Trust has increased its dividend each year since 1968. The stock is thus listed as a dividend king, an honor that is given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 56 years. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.Story continuesBreaking Down Federal Realty Investment Trust's Dividend Yield and GrowthAs of today, Federal Realty Investment Trust currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 4.25% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 4.27%. This suggests an expectation of increased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, Federal Realty Investment Trust's annual dividend growth rate was 0.90%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 1.40% per year. And over the past decade, Federal Realty Investment Trust's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 3.30%.Based on Federal Realty Investment Trust's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Federal Realty Investment Trust stock as of today is approximately 4.56%.Federal Realty Investment Trust's Dividend AnalysisThe Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and ProfitabilityTo 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, Federal Realty Investment Trust's dividend payout ratio is 1.61, which may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable.Federal Realty Investment Trust's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Federal Realty Investment Trust'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.Growth Metrics: The Future OutlookTo ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Federal Realty Investment Trust'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 Federal Realty Investment Trust's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Federal Realty Investment Trust's revenue has increased by approximately 8.00% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 72.09% 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, Federal Realty Investment Trust's earnings increased by approximately 26.60% per year on average, a rate that outperforms approximately 78.37% of global competitors.Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of -1.00%, which outperforms approximately 39.26% of global competitors, indicates a potential area for improvement.Engaging ConclusionIn conclusion, Federal Realty Investment Trust's consistent dividend track record, coupled with a strong profitability rank and solid growth metrics, presents a compelling case for value investors. However, the elevated payout ratio warrants a closer look to ensure dividend sustainability. With its strategic focus on high-growth metropolitan markets, Federal Realty Investment Trust may continue to be an attractive option for those seeking income through dividends. Will FRT's commitment to shareholder returns and its growth strategy continue to reward investors in the long term? For those interested in exploring further, 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

Federal Realty Investment Trust's Dividend Analysis

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/federal-realty-investment-trusts-dividend-110628198.html

76c629c9-9a79-33c3-97e1-738e984d830e

FSLR

Solar technology company First Solar Inc. estimates its projected 14 gigawatts (GW) of operational nameplate capacity in the U.S. by 2026 will have significant direct, indirect and induced economic effects.The company’s conclusion comes from the results of a study First Solar commissioned by the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to analyze the economic impact of the solar manufacturer’s vertically-integrated value chain, the company said in a Feb. 26 press release.First Solar expects to add $4.99 billion in value and $10.18 billion in output to the U.S. economy in 2026. In 2023, at over 6 GW of annual nameplate capacity, the company added $2.75 billion in value and $5.32 billion in output to the economy, according to the study.The company also expects to directly employ 4,100 people and support an estimated 30,060 direct, indirect and induced jobs across the U.S. by 2026. In 2023, the company supported an estimated 16,245 jobs.First Solar is also expanding in Alabama and Louisiana with over $2 billion in investments in manufacturing facilities, expected to come online in 2024 and 2026, respectively. In 2023, its construction activity added over $900 million in economic value, according to the study.First Solar’s fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing facilities produce thin film photovoltaic solar panels—converting a glass sheet into a functional solar panel in four hours, according to the press release.

Hart Energy

First Solar’s 14 GW of Operational Capacity to Support 30,000 Jobs by 2026

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-solar-14-gw-operational-134600146.html

c1f45c5e-c873-3fc8-af5b-2d282e10e867

FSLR

First Solar, Inc. FSLR is slated to report fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 results on Feb 27, after the closing bell.In the last reported quarter, the company delivered an earnings surprise of 19.62%. First Solar has a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 28.97%.Factors to NoteThanks to solid contracts won by First Solar in the prior quarters, increased contract revenues must have bolstered its fourth-quarter sales. Ramp up in production of its Series 7 modules, backed by solid demand, and the consequent strong volumes sale of these modules are also likely to have added an impetus to the company’s top line in the fourth quarter of 2023.First Solar, Inc. Price and EPS SurpriseFirst Solar, Inc. Price and EPS SurpriseFirst Solar, Inc. price-eps-surprise | First Solar, Inc. QuoteHowever, lower non-module revenues associated with project earn-outs from FSLR’s former systems business might have had some adverse impact on its overall top-line performance.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FSLR’s fourth-quarter revenues is pegged at $1.31 billion, indicating growth of 30.8% from the year-ago reported figure.The strong top-line performance is likely to have aided the bottom line in the fourth quarter. An increase in module average selling price, lower sales freight costs and higher volumes of modules produced and sold in the United States must have contributed to its gross margins. This, along with lower ramp-utilization cost, might have bolstered FSLR’s overall fourth-quarter earnings.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for First Solar’s fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at $3.19 per share, implying a massive improvement from the prior-year reported loss of 7 cents per share.What the Zacks Model UnveilsOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for FSLR this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat, which is not the case here.Earnings ESP: The company’s Earnings ESP is -0.82%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Zacks Rank: First Solar currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Story continuesStocks to ConsiderHere are three companies from the same sector that you may want to consider, as these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this reporting cycle.Delek US Holdings DK currently has an Earnings ESP of +6.40% and a Zacks Rank #3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter sales is pegged at $3.81 billion.The consensus estimate for DK’s fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at a loss of $1.28 per share. The stock has a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 34.16%.FuelCell Energy FCEL currently has an Earnings ESP of +31.03% and a Zacks Rank #3. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter fiscal 2024 sales is pegged at $21.8 million.The consensus mark for the company’s fiscal first-quarter earnings is pegged at a loss of 7 cents per share. FCEL has a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 13.39%.Constellation Energy Corp. CEG currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.48% and a Zacks Rank #2. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Constellation Energy’s fourth-quarter 2023 sales is pegged at $7.76 billion, implying an improvement of 5.9% from the prior-year reported figure.CEG delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 37.04%. The consensus estimate for fourth-quarter earnings is pegged at $1.70 per share, implying a massive improvement from the year-ago quarter’s level of 10 cents.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 reportConstellation Energy Corporation (CEG) : Free Stock Analysis ReportFirst Solar, Inc. (FSLR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportDelek US Holdings, Inc. (DK) : Free Stock Analysis ReportFuelCell Energy, Inc. (FCEL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

What's in the Cards for First Solar (FSLR) in Q4 Earnings?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/whats-cards-first-solar-fslr-142200381.html

bdd30cc4-3bb4-330e-a7b7-3987f4b5ae0a

FSLR

First Solar (FSLR) closed at $162.16 in the latest trading session, marking a +0.5% move from the prior day. This move outpaced the S&P 500's 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%.Prior to today's trading, shares of the largest U.S. solar company had gained 6.5% over the past month. This has outpaced the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 3.56% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.7% in that time.Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of First Solar in its upcoming earnings disclosure. In that report, analysts expect First Solar to post earnings of $2.18 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 445%. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $823.54 million, indicating a 50.2% upward movement from the same quarter last year.For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $13.49 per share and a revenue of $4.5 billion, signifying shifts of +74.29% and +35.52%, respectively, from the last year.It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for First Solar. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the company's business health and profitability.Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 2.32% higher. First Solar is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Story continuesInvestors should also note First Solar's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 11.96. This valuation marks a premium compared to its industry's average Forward P/E of 11.83.It is also worth noting that FSLR currently has a PEG ratio of 0.28. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. As the market closed yesterday, the Solar industry was having an average PEG ratio of 0.72.The Solar industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 152, placing it within the bottom 40% 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.You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.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 reportFirst Solar, Inc. (FSLR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

First Solar (FSLR) Gains As Market Dips: What You Should Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-solar-fslr-gains-market-220019784.html

d8ee975d-21e7-33dd-a80a-e85146865873

FSLR

Georges Antoun, Chief Commercial Officer of First Solar Inc (NASDAQ:FSLR), has sold 3,240 shares of the company on March 8, 2024, according to a recent SEC filing. The transaction was executed at an average price of $162.19 per share, resulting in a total value of $525,505.60.First Solar Inc is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar systems which use its advanced module and system technology. The company's integrated power plant solutions deliver an economically attractive alternative to fossil-fuel electricity generation today. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life module recycling, First Solars renewable energy systems protect and enhance the environment.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Signs with FSLR.Over the past year, Georges Antoun has sold a total of 20,386 shares of First Solar Inc and has not made any purchases of the stock. The insider transaction history for First Solar Inc shows a pattern of 20 insider sells and no insider buys over the past year.On the day of the insider's recent sale, First Solar Inc shares were trading at $162.19, giving the company a market capitalization of $17.33 billion. The price-earnings ratio of the company stood at 20.95, which is lower than the industry median of 29.225 but higher than the companys historical median price-earnings ratio.The stock's price-to-GF-Value ratio was 1.02, indicating that First Solar Inc was Fairly Valued based on its GF Value of $158.33. The GF Value is an intrinsic value estimate that considers historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts.Insider Sell: Chief Commercial Officer Georges Antoun Sells Shares of First Solar Inc (FSLR)The insider trend image above reflects the recent selling activity by insiders at First Solar Inc, which aligns with the overall trend of insider sells over the past year.Insider Sell: Chief Commercial Officer Georges Antoun Sells Shares of First Solar Inc (FSLR)The GF Value image provides a visual representation of the stock's current valuation in relation to its intrinsic value, supporting the assessment that First Solar Inc is Fairly Valued at the current market price.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

Insider Sell: Chief Commercial Officer Georges Antoun Sells Shares of First Solar Inc (FSLR)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/insider-sell-chief-commercial-officer-230204425.html

6083bc9c-e3b8-35e0-9a2a-51cf3cf5e954

FTNT

It's common for many investors, especially those who are inexperienced, to buy shares in companies with a good story even if these companies are loss-making. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.' Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, so investors in these companies may be taking on more risk than they should.Despite being in the age of tech-stock blue-sky investing, many investors still adopt a more traditional strategy; buying shares in profitable companies like Fortinet (NASDAQ:FTNT). While this doesn't necessarily speak to whether it's undervalued, the profitability of the business is enough to warrant some appreciation - especially if its growing. See our latest analysis for Fortinet Fortinet's Earnings Per Share Are GrowingIf you believe that markets are even vaguely efficient, then over the long term you'd expect a company's share price to follow its earnings per share (EPS) outcomes. That makes EPS growth an attractive quality for any company. Shareholders will be happy to know that Fortinet's EPS has grown 36% each year, compound, over three years. If growth like this continues on into the future, then shareholders will have plenty to smile about.Careful consideration of revenue growth and earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins can help inform a view on the sustainability of the recent profit growth. Fortinet maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 20% to US$5.3b. That's a real positive.In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings and revenue, over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.earnings-and-revenue-historyThe trick, as an investor, is to find companies that are going to perform well in the future, not just in the past. While crystal balls don't exist, you can check our visualization of consensus analyst forecasts for Fortinet's future EPS 100% free.Story continuesAre Fortinet Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?Insider interest in a company always sparks a bit of intrigue and many investors are on the lookout for companies where insiders are putting their money where their mouth is. Because often, the purchase of stock is a sign that the buyer views it as undervalued. Of course, we can never be sure what insiders are thinking, we can only judge their actions.The good news for Fortinet shareholders is that no insiders reported selling shares in the last year. So it's definitely nice that Lead Independent Director William Neukom bought US$29k worth of shares at an average price of around US$67.40. Decent buying like this could be a sign for shareholders here; management sees the company as undervalued.On top of the insider buying, it's good to see that Fortinet insiders have a valuable investment in the business. We note that their impressive stake in the company is worth US$8.2b. Coming in at 16% of the business, that holding gives insiders a lot of influence, and plenty of reason to generate value for shareholders. Looking very optimistic for investors.Should You Add Fortinet To Your Watchlist?If you believe that share price follows earnings per share you should definitely be delving further into Fortinet's strong EPS growth. Better still, insiders own a large chunk of the company and one has even been buying more shares. These things considered, this is one stock worth watching. Before you take the next step you should know about the 2 warning signs for Fortinet (1 is potentially serious!) that we have uncovered.Keen growth investors love to see insider buying. Thankfully, Fortinet isn't the only one. You can see a a curated list of companies which have exhibited consistent growth accompanied by recent insider buying.Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.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.

With EPS Growth And More, Fortinet (NASDAQ:FTNT) Makes An Interesting Case

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/eps-growth-more-fortinet-nasdaq-120024365.html

383fdf04-92a0-3503-98a9-1695c1baff55