6 days ago
On September 14, Evercore ISI raised its price target for Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) from $100 to $110 while maintaining its Outperform rating. The research firm rolled its valuation framework forward to 2028 and applied a multiple of 25 times its 2028 EPS estimate.
The new price target represents more than 40% upside from the share price of $76.41 as of September 16. However, the stock has declined about 16% year-to-date and remains well below its 52-week high of $124.86.
Evercore ISI conducted its 58th quarterly US survey and 12th semi-annual ****** an survey on Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), which showed multi-year high penetration of 63% in the US and a record-high 22% penetration in ****** an.
Japan also showed strong subscriber engagement as 58% of subscribers said they were slightly or not at all likely to cancel. Subscriber satisfaction in ****** an also reached 67%.
The company's new ads plan also showed encouraging signs in ****** an. About 66% of new ads plan subscribers were either former Netflix users or people who were new to Netflix.
#high
The new price target represents more than 40% upside from the share price of $76.41 as of September 16. However, the stock has declined about 16% year-to-date and remains well below its 52-week high of $124.86.
Evercore ISI conducted its 58th quarterly US survey and 12th semi-annual ****** an survey on Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), which showed multi-year high penetration of 63% in the US and a record-high 22% penetration in ****** an.
Japan also showed strong subscriber engagement as 58% of subscribers said they were slightly or not at all likely to cancel. Subscriber satisfaction in ****** an also reached 67%.
The company's new ads plan also showed encouraging signs in ****** an. About 66% of new ads plan subscribers were either former Netflix users or people who were new to Netflix.
#high
6 days ago
On August 6, Aflac (NYSE:AFL) reported second-quarter numbers that point in opposite directions. Net earnings climbed to $825 million, helped along by investment losses that shrank to $153 million from $421 million a year ago. Adjusted earnings, though, fell 7.7% to $883 million. Both numbers are real, but they answer different questions. Which measure you trust changes the story, so here is what sits underneath.
Start with the yen, because it is muddying the picture. The average rate was 159.45 to the dollar, 9.3% weaker than a year earlier, and that cost adjusted earnings $0.05 a share. Take the currency out of the first half and adjusted earnings per share rose 4.1% to $3.57. ******* an is also running more profitably. Its pretax adjusted margin widened to 34.3% from 32.0% as claims took a smaller bite out of premiums, and yen-based pretax adjusted earnings rose 3.4%. So part of the decline in ******* an's dollar-reported profit is currency, not operations.
The US business is still growing at the top line. Net earned premiums rose 2.3% to $1.5 billion, and sales climbed 2.6% to $349 million, led by group voluntary benefits along with dental and vision plans. In ******* an, the refreshed Tsumitasu life policy and the new Anshin Palette medical product grew strongly in the quarter, and first-half sales rose 7.0% to ¥37.3 billion. Then there is the cash. Aflac returned $1.3 billion to shareholders in the quarter, $983 million of it through buybacks, and declared a $0.61 third-quarter dividend, payable September 1 to holders of record on August 19, 2026. Management notes 43 straight years of dividend increases through 2025 and says the board is on a path to extend that in 2026.
The catch is that ******* an's profit gains came from lower claims, not a bigger business. Net earned premiums in yen fell 3.7%, mainly because of a new external reinsurance deal and older limited-pay policies reaching paid-up status. Premium persistency, the share of policies customers keep, slipped to 92.7% from 93.7%. ******* an's pretax adjusted earnings still fell 2.1% once currency is stripped out, and new sales dipped 5.6% in the quarter against a tough comparison for the Miraito cancer product, which launched in March 2025.
The US segment has its own soft spot. Pretax adjusted earnings fell 4.6% to $370 million, and the margin narrowed to 20.9% from 22.5% as claims and benefits took a bigger share of premiums. Corporate and Other swung to a $10 million pretax adjusted loss from a $20 million gain a year earlier, with interest expense up 21.6% to $62 million. And adjusted book value per share, excluding foreign currency remeasurement, slid to $41.22 at June 30 from $42.97 a year earlier.
#earnings #fell
Start with the yen, because it is muddying the picture. The average rate was 159.45 to the dollar, 9.3% weaker than a year earlier, and that cost adjusted earnings $0.05 a share. Take the currency out of the first half and adjusted earnings per share rose 4.1% to $3.57. ******* an is also running more profitably. Its pretax adjusted margin widened to 34.3% from 32.0% as claims took a smaller bite out of premiums, and yen-based pretax adjusted earnings rose 3.4%. So part of the decline in ******* an's dollar-reported profit is currency, not operations.
The US business is still growing at the top line. Net earned premiums rose 2.3% to $1.5 billion, and sales climbed 2.6% to $349 million, led by group voluntary benefits along with dental and vision plans. In ******* an, the refreshed Tsumitasu life policy and the new Anshin Palette medical product grew strongly in the quarter, and first-half sales rose 7.0% to ¥37.3 billion. Then there is the cash. Aflac returned $1.3 billion to shareholders in the quarter, $983 million of it through buybacks, and declared a $0.61 third-quarter dividend, payable September 1 to holders of record on August 19, 2026. Management notes 43 straight years of dividend increases through 2025 and says the board is on a path to extend that in 2026.
The catch is that ******* an's profit gains came from lower claims, not a bigger business. Net earned premiums in yen fell 3.7%, mainly because of a new external reinsurance deal and older limited-pay policies reaching paid-up status. Premium persistency, the share of policies customers keep, slipped to 92.7% from 93.7%. ******* an's pretax adjusted earnings still fell 2.1% once currency is stripped out, and new sales dipped 5.6% in the quarter against a tough comparison for the Miraito cancer product, which launched in March 2025.
The US segment has its own soft spot. Pretax adjusted earnings fell 4.6% to $370 million, and the margin narrowed to 20.9% from 22.5% as claims and benefits took a bigger share of premiums. Corporate and Other swung to a $10 million pretax adjusted loss from a $20 million gain a year earlier, with interest expense up 21.6% to $62 million. And adjusted book value per share, excluding foreign currency remeasurement, slid to $41.22 at June 30 from $42.97 a year earlier.
#earnings #fell
6 days ago
On September 9, 2026, Casey's General Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:CASY) reported fiscal first-quarter revenue of $5.68 billion, up 24.3% year over year, and earnings per share of $7.37, beating the $6.78 ******* yst consensus. Yet shares fell roughly 10-15% after same-store sales grew just 3.2%, below the 3.8% Wall Street had expected.
CEO Darren Rebelez described a "volatile" fuel environment during the quarter. Same-store fuel gallons sold declined 0.3% as elevated prices pushed customers toward fewer gallons per visit, more frequent trips, and cheaper fuel grades.
Fuel profitability more than offset softer gallon volumes. Fuel gross profit jumped 19.6% to $446.9 million as the fuel margin expanded to 47.8 cents per gallon from 41.0 cents a year earlier. It shows Casey's General Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:CASY)'s pricing discipline can protect profitability even when customers buy fewer gallons. Prepared food added another source of margin strength, with same-store sales rising 4.8% and margins expanding to 59.3% from 58.0%.
Strong earnings growth gives Casey's a solid start to fiscal 2027. EBITDA grew 17.1% to $485.1 million, while net income rose 27.1% to $273.7 million. It shows that Casey's can grow earnings despite softer same-store sales. The firm also delivered $5.68 billion of revenue, up 24% year over year and above the $5.56 billion ******* yst estimate. It gives investors evidence that the overall business remains capable of producing strong growth.
Casey's is expanding its store base and integrating Fikes. The business said the Fikes integration remains ahead of schedule and maintained its plan to open at least 120 stores in fiscal 2027 through construction and acquisitions. Ongoing unit growth can expand Casey's geographic reach, increase purchasing scale, and support long-term revenue growth even if mature-store sales remain uneven.
#fuel #revenue
CEO Darren Rebelez described a "volatile" fuel environment during the quarter. Same-store fuel gallons sold declined 0.3% as elevated prices pushed customers toward fewer gallons per visit, more frequent trips, and cheaper fuel grades.
Fuel profitability more than offset softer gallon volumes. Fuel gross profit jumped 19.6% to $446.9 million as the fuel margin expanded to 47.8 cents per gallon from 41.0 cents a year earlier. It shows Casey's General Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:CASY)'s pricing discipline can protect profitability even when customers buy fewer gallons. Prepared food added another source of margin strength, with same-store sales rising 4.8% and margins expanding to 59.3% from 58.0%.
Strong earnings growth gives Casey's a solid start to fiscal 2027. EBITDA grew 17.1% to $485.1 million, while net income rose 27.1% to $273.7 million. It shows that Casey's can grow earnings despite softer same-store sales. The firm also delivered $5.68 billion of revenue, up 24% year over year and above the $5.56 billion ******* yst estimate. It gives investors evidence that the overall business remains capable of producing strong growth.
Casey's is expanding its store base and integrating Fikes. The business said the Fikes integration remains ahead of schedule and maintained its plan to open at least 120 stores in fiscal 2027 through construction and acquisitions. Ongoing unit growth can expand Casey's geographic reach, increase purchasing scale, and support long-term revenue growth even if mature-store sales remain uneven.
#fuel #revenue
6 days ago
On September 9, 2026, Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) reported its first quarterly results as a public company, with total revenue up 10% year over year to $208 million and same-store sales accelerating to 2.3% growth from 1.7% in the prior quarter. It was primarily driven by transaction growth even as the restaurant industry faced weak traffic trends. Net income fell to $37 million from $59 million a year earlier. It showed non-routine expenses, advertising fund timing, and higher interest costs following the company's July initial public offering, partially offset by a $14 million gain on the sale of corporate-owned stores.
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) is gaining customers while its brand remains a major competitive advantage. The firm added 83 stores in the second quarter. It grew its customer base and increased systemwide sales 10% to $1.21 billion. Jersey Mike's also earned the No. 1 ranking among U.S. quick-service restaurant brands in the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index, surpassing Chick-fil-A after 11 consecutive years at the top. It gives the newly public company a strong foundation for continued customer and franchisee growth.
The business has substantial whitespace for long-term unit growth. Jersey Mike's ended the quarter with 3,378 locations and maintains a domestic development pipeline of more than 1,600 stores, with more than 90% of that pipeline coming from existing franchisees. Management estimates that the U.S. market could eventually support roughly 7,500 locations and sees potential to reach approximately 15,000 stores globally. It gives the business a long runway for franchise-led revenue and royalty growth.
Digital engagement and transaction growth give Jersey Mike's more avenues to increase sales. Digital sales represented 43% of systemwide sales in the second quarter, up from 41% a year earlier. Same-store sales increased 2.3% mainly because customers placed more transactions. Jersey Mike's also had more than 12.5 million active MyMike's loyalty members in 2025. It provides the company with a large customer database that it can use to increase frequency and personalize marketing as it expands.
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) still faces a significant profitability challenge despite its revenue growth. Second-quarter revenue jumped 10% to $208 million. However, net income fell 37% to $37 million from $59 million a year earlier. Management attributed part of the decline to advertising-fund timing and higher interest expense. It shows that revenue growth has not yet translated into comparable bottom-line growth for shareholders.
#million #customer
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) is gaining customers while its brand remains a major competitive advantage. The firm added 83 stores in the second quarter. It grew its customer base and increased systemwide sales 10% to $1.21 billion. Jersey Mike's also earned the No. 1 ranking among U.S. quick-service restaurant brands in the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index, surpassing Chick-fil-A after 11 consecutive years at the top. It gives the newly public company a strong foundation for continued customer and franchisee growth.
The business has substantial whitespace for long-term unit growth. Jersey Mike's ended the quarter with 3,378 locations and maintains a domestic development pipeline of more than 1,600 stores, with more than 90% of that pipeline coming from existing franchisees. Management estimates that the U.S. market could eventually support roughly 7,500 locations and sees potential to reach approximately 15,000 stores globally. It gives the business a long runway for franchise-led revenue and royalty growth.
Digital engagement and transaction growth give Jersey Mike's more avenues to increase sales. Digital sales represented 43% of systemwide sales in the second quarter, up from 41% a year earlier. Same-store sales increased 2.3% mainly because customers placed more transactions. Jersey Mike's also had more than 12.5 million active MyMike's loyalty members in 2025. It provides the company with a large customer database that it can use to increase frequency and personalize marketing as it expands.
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) still faces a significant profitability challenge despite its revenue growth. Second-quarter revenue jumped 10% to $208 million. However, net income fell 37% to $37 million from $59 million a year earlier. Management attributed part of the decline to advertising-fund timing and higher interest expense. It shows that revenue growth has not yet translated into comparable bottom-line growth for shareholders.
#million #customer
6 days ago
On September 3, 2026, lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 results for the period ended August 2, 2026. Net revenue fell 4% to $2.4 billion, missing the $2.46 billion ****** ysts expected, and comparable sales dropped 10% on a constant dollar basis. Management cut full-year revenue guidance to a decline of 5% to 7%, down from a prior forecast of flat to down 1%, and lowered full-year earnings per share guidance to $9.48 to $9.73 from its prior forecast of $10.95 to $11.15, compared with $13.26 earned in fiscal 2025. Shares fell about 18% in extended trading. Incoming CEO Heidi O'Neill was set to start the following week.
Photo by Ian Deng Quddu on Unsplash
Citi's cut to $117 from $130 came with a Neutral rating and the observation that the stock's risk-reward is "slightly more favorable" after the selloff, even though the firm called fiscal 2027 visibility "very unclear." The operational bright spots are real.
lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) increased its chase volume, the supply chain capability that lets it reorder fast-moving styles quickly, by about 20% this year, and away-from-body styles including the Groove Wide-Leg, Align Foldover Jogger, Breezily, and an updated Dance Studio Pant are trending well as shoppers shift from tight-fitting leggings. The brand's community pull held up too.
The SeaWheeze Half Marathon and Festival returned in August for the first time since 2019, drawing nearly 10,000 runners from 24 countries and roughly 14,000 festival attendees, while more than 85,000 people from 120 countries joined the companion Strava challenge, strong enough that Lululemon already committed to bringing the event back next summer. Rest of World revenue, spanning EMEA and APAC, grew 5% on a reported basis, and the company ended the quarter with $1.4 billion in cash and no outstanding borrowings.
#revenue #billion #NASDAQ
Photo by Ian Deng Quddu on Unsplash
Citi's cut to $117 from $130 came with a Neutral rating and the observation that the stock's risk-reward is "slightly more favorable" after the selloff, even though the firm called fiscal 2027 visibility "very unclear." The operational bright spots are real.
lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ:LULU) increased its chase volume, the supply chain capability that lets it reorder fast-moving styles quickly, by about 20% this year, and away-from-body styles including the Groove Wide-Leg, Align Foldover Jogger, Breezily, and an updated Dance Studio Pant are trending well as shoppers shift from tight-fitting leggings. The brand's community pull held up too.
The SeaWheeze Half Marathon and Festival returned in August for the first time since 2019, drawing nearly 10,000 runners from 24 countries and roughly 14,000 festival attendees, while more than 85,000 people from 120 countries joined the companion Strava challenge, strong enough that Lululemon already committed to bringing the event back next summer. Rest of World revenue, spanning EMEA and APAC, grew 5% on a reported basis, and the company ended the quarter with $1.4 billion in cash and no outstanding borrowings.
#revenue #billion #NASDAQ
7 days ago
California Resources Corporation (NYSE:CRC) announced on September 17 that it had agreed to sell its Uinta Basin **** ets, located mostly in Utah and Colorado, to an undisclosed buyer for $90 million in cash. The company had come to own the Uinta **** ets, which span about 100,000 net acres, after it acquired Berry Corp last year. However, CRC considered them non-core to its operations. The net proceeds from the sale will be used for shareholder returns and other corporate purposes.
Francisco Leon, President and CEO of California Resources Corporation, commented:
"Today's transaction strengthens our business. The monetization of our Uinta Basin **** ets sharpens our focus on California and captures additional value from the Berry merger. This transaction enhances our capital allocation flexibility, allowing us to invest in higher-return opportunities within the Golden State and supports our shareholder return strategy. The sale also helps offset the purchase price of our recent midstream transaction."
The transaction is expected to close by year-end, subject to the receipt of certain third-party consents and other customary conditions.
The sale will allow CRC to redeploy the $90 million toward **** ets that are central to its operating strategy while avoiding additional capital commitments to Uinta. The company already stated in its Q2 earnings call that Uinta has higher capital intensity, higher break-evens, lower crude quality, higher transportation and operating costs, and steeper declines. Therefore, the sale removes a portfolio distraction at a time when CRC is concentrating investment in California infrastructure and production.
#uinta #assets #transaction #capital
Francisco Leon, President and CEO of California Resources Corporation, commented:
"Today's transaction strengthens our business. The monetization of our Uinta Basin **** ets sharpens our focus on California and captures additional value from the Berry merger. This transaction enhances our capital allocation flexibility, allowing us to invest in higher-return opportunities within the Golden State and supports our shareholder return strategy. The sale also helps offset the purchase price of our recent midstream transaction."
The transaction is expected to close by year-end, subject to the receipt of certain third-party consents and other customary conditions.
The sale will allow CRC to redeploy the $90 million toward **** ets that are central to its operating strategy while avoiding additional capital commitments to Uinta. The company already stated in its Q2 earnings call that Uinta has higher capital intensity, higher break-evens, lower crude quality, higher transportation and operating costs, and steeper declines. Therefore, the sale removes a portfolio distraction at a time when CRC is concentrating investment in California infrastructure and production.
#uinta #assets #transaction #capital
7 days ago
Transocean Ltd. (NYSE:RIG) received a boost on September 15 when the company announced that it had secured an approximately $80 million contract for its Deepwater Conqueror ultra-deepwater drillship in Equatorial Guinea. The estimated 170-day campaign with an undisclosed operator is expected to begin next year, directly following the rig's current contract in the US Gulf.
Built in 2016, the DSME 12000-design Deepwater Conqueror can operate in water depths of up to 12,000 feet and drill to a maximum depth of 40,000 feet.
The $80 million award provides Transocean with additional contract revenue and improves visibility into the company's future revenue base. If the award includes attractive day rates and limited mobilization costs, it could contribute positively to operating margins and cash flows. The company's backlog stood at approximately $6.7 billion as of August 5, 2026.
The contract could also improve the utilization of its high-value drilling rig. Since ultra-deepwater rigs require substantial investment, securing work for an idle or underutilized rig could help spread fixed operating costs over a larger revenue base. Deepwater Conqueror will move directly from its US Gulf contract to Equatorial Guinea, avoiding a gap between the two programs.
The latest award also provides Transocean with an alternative destination for its rigs. The company had already signaled in its Q2 earnings call that the growing demand for new deepwater contracts in Africa would also help offset a decline in awards in the US Gulf.
#deepwater #contract #gulf #equatorial
Built in 2016, the DSME 12000-design Deepwater Conqueror can operate in water depths of up to 12,000 feet and drill to a maximum depth of 40,000 feet.
The $80 million award provides Transocean with additional contract revenue and improves visibility into the company's future revenue base. If the award includes attractive day rates and limited mobilization costs, it could contribute positively to operating margins and cash flows. The company's backlog stood at approximately $6.7 billion as of August 5, 2026.
The contract could also improve the utilization of its high-value drilling rig. Since ultra-deepwater rigs require substantial investment, securing work for an idle or underutilized rig could help spread fixed operating costs over a larger revenue base. Deepwater Conqueror will move directly from its US Gulf contract to Equatorial Guinea, avoiding a gap between the two programs.
The latest award also provides Transocean with an alternative destination for its rigs. The company had already signaled in its Q2 earnings call that the growing demand for new deepwater contracts in Africa would also help offset a decline in awards in the US Gulf.
#deepwater #contract #gulf #equatorial
7 days ago
Definium Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:DFTX) has now delivered a third consecutive positive Phase 3 readout for its LSD-based medication, the second in generalized anxiety disorder. The result puts the company on a viable route toward a potential FDA approval of an LSD-based treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, and considering how closely psychedelic stocks have historically traded on each other's data, the reading carries far more weight than Definium's own ticker.
On September 14, Definium Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:DFTX) announced that its drug DT120, an orally disintegrating tablet formulation of LSD, was successful in Panorama, the company's second late-stage anxiety trial. Over 12 weeks, patients who received a 100-microgram dose experienced a 9.8-point decline on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, a typical clinical measure, compared to a 4.7-point drop with placebo.
The resulting 5.1-point placebo-adjusted improvement is similar to what the company's first pivotal anxiety trial, Voyage, showed back in August: an 11.6-point improvement versus 6.2 for placebo, a 5.4-point separation that Jefferies called one of the strongest placebo-adjusted efficacy results ever seen in generalized anxiety disorder, and that Stifel simply described as "a clean win."
Psychedelic equities have a history of trading as a group rather than as individual names, and this tendency applies both ways. In February 2026, when Compass Pathways, the sector's other clinical leader developing a psilocybin-based drug for treatment-resistant depression, reported positive late-stage data, shares of Definium Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:DFTX), Atai Beckley, GH Research, and Helus Pharma all rose, some by double digits.
That correlation is significant here because Definium's win is an independent validation of the broader therapeutic argument on which Compass and others are betting: a single dose of a classic psychedelic, administered in a controlled clinical setting, can produce lasting improvements in serious mental health conditions via pathways different from existing SSRIs and other standard-of-care drugs.
#definium #placebo
On September 14, Definium Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:DFTX) announced that its drug DT120, an orally disintegrating tablet formulation of LSD, was successful in Panorama, the company's second late-stage anxiety trial. Over 12 weeks, patients who received a 100-microgram dose experienced a 9.8-point decline on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, a typical clinical measure, compared to a 4.7-point drop with placebo.
The resulting 5.1-point placebo-adjusted improvement is similar to what the company's first pivotal anxiety trial, Voyage, showed back in August: an 11.6-point improvement versus 6.2 for placebo, a 5.4-point separation that Jefferies called one of the strongest placebo-adjusted efficacy results ever seen in generalized anxiety disorder, and that Stifel simply described as "a clean win."
Psychedelic equities have a history of trading as a group rather than as individual names, and this tendency applies both ways. In February 2026, when Compass Pathways, the sector's other clinical leader developing a psilocybin-based drug for treatment-resistant depression, reported positive late-stage data, shares of Definium Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:DFTX), Atai Beckley, GH Research, and Helus Pharma all rose, some by double digits.
That correlation is significant here because Definium's win is an independent validation of the broader therapeutic argument on which Compass and others are betting: a single dose of a classic psychedelic, administered in a controlled clinical setting, can produce lasting improvements in serious mental health conditions via pathways different from existing SSRIs and other standard-of-care drugs.
#definium #placebo
7 days ago
Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB) has declined by around 17% since hitting its record high in May, likely as a result of rising bond yields, lack of visibility on the company's 5% growth guidance through the end of the decade, and the recently closed equity offering intended to fund the midstream operator's strategic acquisitions.
However, BMO Capital sees this pullback as an opportunity and on September 15, the firm upgraded ENB from 'Market Perform' to 'Outperform', while also slightly raising its price target from C$79 to C$79.50. The target boost implies an upside of 18% from the current levels.
The **** yst believes that Enbridge's scale, limited commodity exposure, and diversified **** ets are underappreciated. BMO also cited the company's improving visibility on growth, robust backlog, opportunistic acquisitions, and improved balance sheet as reasons behind the upgrade.
Enbridge's aggressive expansion strategy adds significantly to its bull case. The company announced on September 9 that it would acquire Tallgrass Energy's crude oil business for $2.55 billion in cash, expanding its US liquids pipeline network by buying a majority stake in the Pony Express Pipeline and other **** ets. The midstream operator expects the acquisition to be accretive to distributable cash flow per share in the first full year of ownership.
Similarly, Enbridge announced last month that it had agreed to acquire Salt Creek Midstream's crude oil gathering business for $600 million in cash, further bolstering its presence in the prolific Permian Basin. The acquired **** ets have an average remaining contract life of about 10 years, providing stable long-term cash flows.
#visibility #target
However, BMO Capital sees this pullback as an opportunity and on September 15, the firm upgraded ENB from 'Market Perform' to 'Outperform', while also slightly raising its price target from C$79 to C$79.50. The target boost implies an upside of 18% from the current levels.
The **** yst believes that Enbridge's scale, limited commodity exposure, and diversified **** ets are underappreciated. BMO also cited the company's improving visibility on growth, robust backlog, opportunistic acquisitions, and improved balance sheet as reasons behind the upgrade.
Enbridge's aggressive expansion strategy adds significantly to its bull case. The company announced on September 9 that it would acquire Tallgrass Energy's crude oil business for $2.55 billion in cash, expanding its US liquids pipeline network by buying a majority stake in the Pony Express Pipeline and other **** ets. The midstream operator expects the acquisition to be accretive to distributable cash flow per share in the first full year of ownership.
Similarly, Enbridge announced last month that it had agreed to acquire Salt Creek Midstream's crude oil gathering business for $600 million in cash, further bolstering its presence in the prolific Permian Basin. The acquired **** ets have an average remaining contract life of about 10 years, providing stable long-term cash flows.
#visibility #target
7 days ago
A 2022 Nasdaq crash turned $10,000 into just $2,100 with TQQQ but preserved $3,900 with QLD's lower 2x leverage.
Recovering from TQQQ's 79% loss requires a 376% gain just to break even, making the extra leverage a costly bet.
QLD's 5-year annualized return of 17% beat TQQQ's 15% as volatility drag quietly eroded the extra leverage's advantage.
Just released. Our ****** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut.
Leveraged ETFs have become an increasingly popular way to participate in the recent AI-driven technology boom. One such fund favored by investors and traders alike is the ProShares UltraPro QQQ (NASDAQ:TQQQ), an ETF that targets three times the Nasdaq's daily return. For investors who are uncomfortable with the 3x target, the ProShares Ultra QQQ (NYSEARCA:QLD) offers similar exposure but targets 2x the Nasdaq-100's daily move. When the Nasdaq is advancing higher, TQQQ seems like the obvious choice, but during a serious selloff, the reduced leverage of QLD can dramatically change the amount of capital left standing when the decline is over.
#leverage
Recovering from TQQQ's 79% loss requires a 376% gain just to break even, making the extra leverage a costly bet.
QLD's 5-year annualized return of 17% beat TQQQ's 15% as volatility drag quietly eroded the extra leverage's advantage.
Just released. Our ****** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut.
Leveraged ETFs have become an increasingly popular way to participate in the recent AI-driven technology boom. One such fund favored by investors and traders alike is the ProShares UltraPro QQQ (NASDAQ:TQQQ), an ETF that targets three times the Nasdaq's daily return. For investors who are uncomfortable with the 3x target, the ProShares Ultra QQQ (NYSEARCA:QLD) offers similar exposure but targets 2x the Nasdaq-100's daily move. When the Nasdaq is advancing higher, TQQQ seems like the obvious choice, but during a serious selloff, the reduced leverage of QLD can dramatically change the amount of capital left standing when the decline is over.
#leverage
7 days ago
Pricing alone does not decide where people buy their clothes.
With a number of retail chains competing for the off-price, on-trend fashion crown, it's easy for one brand to fall out of favor. Consumers seem to have an enduring love for Marshalls and TJ Maxx, while the popularity of Ross Dress for Less has grown steadily in recent years.
These brands drive sales by foot traffic, and that's a battle the aforementioned chains have been winning.
"Off-price apparel remained on solid footing in Q2 2026, with Ross leading the segment. Visits to Ross Dress for Less rose 16.4% year over year (YoY), while dd's DISCOUNTS grew 8.4%. TJX's TJ Maxx and Marshalls, meanwhile, saw visits hover around last year's levels — significantly outperforming traditional apparel, which declined 3.5% YoY," according to data from Placer.ai.
In the battle for customers looking for deals on trendy, fashionable clothes, Cato has been struggling, and now plans to close about 15% of its retail stores.
#less #retail
With a number of retail chains competing for the off-price, on-trend fashion crown, it's easy for one brand to fall out of favor. Consumers seem to have an enduring love for Marshalls and TJ Maxx, while the popularity of Ross Dress for Less has grown steadily in recent years.
These brands drive sales by foot traffic, and that's a battle the aforementioned chains have been winning.
"Off-price apparel remained on solid footing in Q2 2026, with Ross leading the segment. Visits to Ross Dress for Less rose 16.4% year over year (YoY), while dd's DISCOUNTS grew 8.4%. TJX's TJ Maxx and Marshalls, meanwhile, saw visits hover around last year's levels — significantly outperforming traditional apparel, which declined 3.5% YoY," according to data from Placer.ai.
In the battle for customers looking for deals on trendy, fashionable clothes, Cato has been struggling, and now plans to close about 15% of its retail stores.
#less #retail
7 days ago
GDEV Inc. (NASDAQ:GDEV) saw a year-on-year drop in bookings from both its in-app purchases and advertising, during the second quarter fiscal 2026. Consequently, the quarterly revenue figure of $94 million was down 22% compared to Q2 FY25. On the flip side, SG&A expenses and costs related to platform commissions were lower relative to the corresponding period last year. Along with other factors, the lower cost base helped GDEV report $20 million in net profit, up from $17 million in the second quarter of 2025.
Copyright: artush / 123RF Stock Photo
Breaking down the expenses, selling and marketing costs came down by 38% compared to the same quarter last year, clocking in at $33 million. It reflects on management's continued focus on deploying an efficient approach for its user acquisition initiatives. The approach is based on a more targeted performance marketing across certain channels that lead to durable high-value users, instead of broader campaigns for near-term benefits.
The reported quarter marked a turnaround related to the equity accounted ******* ociates. These contributed a $2 million profit share, which was a reversal from a $2 million loss share in Q2 FY25. Most notably, cash flows from operating activities turned from negative $10 million in Q2 FY25 to positive $10 million in the reported period.
Several operating metrics weakened during the reported quarter. Monthly paying users dropped by 23% year-over-year, along with a 15% decline for the entire first half. This was the major underlying reason for a sluggish performance in bookings, which stood at $73 million and $156 million for the second quarter and first half of the year, respectively. These fell short in comparison to $92 million and $173 million recorded in the corresponding periods last year. GDEV also said the decline in first-half platform commissions was driven by lower revenues recognized from PC platforms, while PC's share of bookings fell to 36% from 39%.
#million #lower
Copyright: artush / 123RF Stock Photo
Breaking down the expenses, selling and marketing costs came down by 38% compared to the same quarter last year, clocking in at $33 million. It reflects on management's continued focus on deploying an efficient approach for its user acquisition initiatives. The approach is based on a more targeted performance marketing across certain channels that lead to durable high-value users, instead of broader campaigns for near-term benefits.
The reported quarter marked a turnaround related to the equity accounted ******* ociates. These contributed a $2 million profit share, which was a reversal from a $2 million loss share in Q2 FY25. Most notably, cash flows from operating activities turned from negative $10 million in Q2 FY25 to positive $10 million in the reported period.
Several operating metrics weakened during the reported quarter. Monthly paying users dropped by 23% year-over-year, along with a 15% decline for the entire first half. This was the major underlying reason for a sluggish performance in bookings, which stood at $73 million and $156 million for the second quarter and first half of the year, respectively. These fell short in comparison to $92 million and $173 million recorded in the corresponding periods last year. GDEV also said the decline in first-half platform commissions was driven by lower revenues recognized from PC platforms, while PC's share of bookings fell to 36% from 39%.
#million #lower
7 days ago
Six-Month Run: NVDA stock has climbed 20.6% since mid-March, a 45.4% annualized pace, even as the S&P 500 wobbled under the Fed's rate hike and a 10-year Treasury yield near 5%.
Model Verdict: TIKR's model puts fair value at $643, implying 193% total return by early 2031.
Coverage Split: Nvidia stock carries 48 buy ratings, 10 outperforms, 2 holds, 2 no opinions and 1 sell, with a mean target of $328, 50% above the current price.
Supply Squeeze: Nvidia guided to roughly 70% revenue growth for fiscal 2028 on demand it calls supply-constrained, with cloud industry backlog above $2 trillion.
Nvidia (NVDA) stock has climbed 20.6% since mid-March, a 45.4% annualized pace, while the Federal Reserve's first rate hike in more than three years pushed the 10-year Treasury yield toward 5% and dragged the S&P 500 into back-to-back weekly declines. Most of the market treated the hike as a reason to sell. Nvidia stock kept climbing anyway.
#march #model #supply #since
Model Verdict: TIKR's model puts fair value at $643, implying 193% total return by early 2031.
Coverage Split: Nvidia stock carries 48 buy ratings, 10 outperforms, 2 holds, 2 no opinions and 1 sell, with a mean target of $328, 50% above the current price.
Supply Squeeze: Nvidia guided to roughly 70% revenue growth for fiscal 2028 on demand it calls supply-constrained, with cloud industry backlog above $2 trillion.
Nvidia (NVDA) stock has climbed 20.6% since mid-March, a 45.4% annualized pace, while the Federal Reserve's first rate hike in more than three years pushed the 10-year Treasury yield toward 5% and dragged the S&P 500 into back-to-back weekly declines. Most of the market treated the hike as a reason to sell. Nvidia stock kept climbing anyway.
#march #model #supply #since
7 days ago
In June, ****** eX (NASDAQ: SPCX) successfully completed its blockbuster IPO, raising more than $85 billion. In the days that followed, ****** eX's market cap soared from an initial IPO valuation of $1.77 trillion to nearly $2.8 trillion. Shares corrected hard after the surge, however, and ****** eX's valuation now hovers just below $2 trillion -- a 36% decline versus the company's all-time high.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) ****** ysts remain unfazed regarding the ****** e stock's long-term growth potential. On Sept. 15, the bank reiterated its "buy" rating on shares, affirming its $300 price target. That price target implies more than 100% in near-term upside over the next 12 months.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Why does Morgan Stanley remain so bullish? The answer might surprise you.
Morgan Stanley appears all-in on the ****** e economy. The bank, in many ways, predicted ****** eX's meteoric rise years before much of the public caught on.
#trillion #valuation
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) ****** ysts remain unfazed regarding the ****** e stock's long-term growth potential. On Sept. 15, the bank reiterated its "buy" rating on shares, affirming its $300 price target. That price target implies more than 100% in near-term upside over the next 12 months.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Why does Morgan Stanley remain so bullish? The answer might surprise you.
Morgan Stanley appears all-in on the ****** e economy. The bank, in many ways, predicted ****** eX's meteoric rise years before much of the public caught on.
#trillion #valuation
7 days ago
The dollar index (DXY00) fell from a 7-week high on Friday and finished down by -0.03%. The dollar gave its advance on Friday on weaker-than-expected US economic news that showed Aug manufacturing production and Aug leading indicators unexpectedly declined. Also, Friday's -1% fall in WTI crude oil eased inflation expectations and could persuade the Fed to loosen monetary policy, a bearish factor for the dollar.
The dollar initially moved higher on Friday on weakness in the yen, which fell to a 2-week low today. Higher T-note yields on Friday also supported the dollar. The dollar also has carryover support from Wednesday when the FOMC raised interest rates by 25 bp and signaled another rate hike by the end of the year. The dollar fell from its best level after US
Dollar Gains on Yen Weakness and Higher T-note Yields
Wall Street's Favorite Safe Haven Could Be In Trouble. How Investors Should Play Gold Here.
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#Friday #yields
The dollar initially moved higher on Friday on weakness in the yen, which fell to a 2-week low today. Higher T-note yields on Friday also supported the dollar. The dollar also has carryover support from Wednesday when the FOMC raised interest rates by 25 bp and signaled another rate hike by the end of the year. The dollar fell from its best level after US
Dollar Gains on Yen Weakness and Higher T-note Yields
Wall Street's Favorite Safe Haven Could Be In Trouble. How Investors Should Play Gold Here.
Stop Missing Market Moves: Get the FREE Barchart Brief – your midday dose of stock movers, trending sectors, and actionable trade ideas, delivered right to your inbox. Sign Up Now!
#Friday #yields
7 days ago
Pricing alone does not decide where people buy their clothes.
With a number of retail chains competing for the off-price, on-trend fashion crown, it's easy for one brand to fall out of favor. Consumers seem to have an enduring love for Marshalls and TJ Maxx, while the popularity of Ross Dress for Less has grown steadily in recent years.
These brands drive sales by foot traffic, and that's a battle the aforementioned chains have been winning.
"Off-price apparel remained on solid footing in Q2 2026, with Ross leading the segment. Visits to Ross Dress for Less rose 16.4% year over year (YoY), while dd's DISCOUNTS grew 8.4%. TJX's TJ Maxx and Marshalls, meanwhile, saw visits hover around last year's levels — significantly outperforming traditional apparel, which declined 3.5% YoY," according to data from Placer.ai.
In the battle for customers looking for deals on trendy, fashionable clothes, Cato has been struggling, and now plans to close about 15% of its retail stores.
#price
With a number of retail chains competing for the off-price, on-trend fashion crown, it's easy for one brand to fall out of favor. Consumers seem to have an enduring love for Marshalls and TJ Maxx, while the popularity of Ross Dress for Less has grown steadily in recent years.
These brands drive sales by foot traffic, and that's a battle the aforementioned chains have been winning.
"Off-price apparel remained on solid footing in Q2 2026, with Ross leading the segment. Visits to Ross Dress for Less rose 16.4% year over year (YoY), while dd's DISCOUNTS grew 8.4%. TJX's TJ Maxx and Marshalls, meanwhile, saw visits hover around last year's levels — significantly outperforming traditional apparel, which declined 3.5% YoY," according to data from Placer.ai.
In the battle for customers looking for deals on trendy, fashionable clothes, Cato has been struggling, and now plans to close about 15% of its retail stores.
#price
7 days ago
Xenon Pharmaceuticals (XENE) shares crashed on Friday after the biopharmaceutical firm said it has paused new patient enrollment in its clinical trials evaluating azetukalner. As investors responded to the setback involving XENE's lead drug candidate for major depressive disorder, its relative strength index (RSI) slipped into the early teens, indicating extremely oversold conditions.
Following today's decline, Xenon Pharmaceuticals stock is trading nearly 40% below its year-to-date high.
Bank of America Just Declared a 'Generational Entry Point' in U.S. Bonds. Why Investors Should Be Backing Up the Truck on Treasuries Here.
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JPMorgan Gives Up Forecasting Iran War Endgame as Trump Tells Reporters 'Anything Could Happen With Me'
#xene #following #America
Following today's decline, Xenon Pharmaceuticals stock is trading nearly 40% below its year-to-date high.
Bank of America Just Declared a 'Generational Entry Point' in U.S. Bonds. Why Investors Should Be Backing Up the Truck on Treasuries Here.
Mark Cuban Says He Was Dizzy for Months, So He Built a VR Fix That Does at Home 'Much Of What A 180k Machine' Does
JPMorgan Gives Up Forecasting Iran War Endgame as Trump Tells Reporters 'Anything Could Happen With Me'
#xene #following #America
7 days ago
Volkswagen cut its 2026 operating-margin forecast to no more than 1 per cent, down from a previous range of 4 to 5.5 per cent.
Approximately €10 billion in special charges includes a €6 billion non-cash impairment connected with Porsche.
Volkswagen maintained its cash-flow outlook, but the downgrade highlights deeper pressure from China, restructuring costs and lower-margin electric vehicles.
Volkswagen AG (OTC:VWAGY) shares suffered their sharpest decline in months after the German automaker warned that Porsche's deteriorating outlook and additional restructuring costs would substantially reduce its 2026 profit.
Volkswagen's preferred shares fell as much as 7.5 per cent in Frankfurt on Friday before closing 5.6 per cent lower. Shares of Porsche AG declined 3.3 per cent, while Volkswagen's largest shareholder, Porsche Automobil Holding SE, lost 4.9 per cent.
#volkswagen #Margin #billion
Approximately €10 billion in special charges includes a €6 billion non-cash impairment connected with Porsche.
Volkswagen maintained its cash-flow outlook, but the downgrade highlights deeper pressure from China, restructuring costs and lower-margin electric vehicles.
Volkswagen AG (OTC:VWAGY) shares suffered their sharpest decline in months after the German automaker warned that Porsche's deteriorating outlook and additional restructuring costs would substantially reduce its 2026 profit.
Volkswagen's preferred shares fell as much as 7.5 per cent in Frankfurt on Friday before closing 5.6 per cent lower. Shares of Porsche AG declined 3.3 per cent, while Volkswagen's largest shareholder, Porsche Automobil Holding SE, lost 4.9 per cent.
#volkswagen #Margin #billion
7 days ago
MILAN — Italy's tanning industry has yet to emerge from a downturn that has dragged on for four years. During the Lineapelle trade show which ran Tuesday to Thursday, UNIC, Italy's tanners' ***** ociation reported a 6.4 percent decline in turnover and a 5.2 percent drop in production volumes in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
The situation, UNIC said, continues to reflect geopolitical uncertainty and persistent inflation, which is tightening consumer spending on fashion, furniture and automotive products.
More from WWD
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#percent #lineapelle #thursday #Trump
The situation, UNIC said, continues to reflect geopolitical uncertainty and persistent inflation, which is tightening consumer spending on fashion, furniture and automotive products.
More from WWD
Trump Threatens Tariffs as Canada Explores Deeper Trade Partnership With EU
Fashion Is Not a Contact Sport: H&M Holds the Line in London as PETA Protesters Crash Runway Show
#percent #lineapelle #thursday #Trump
7 days ago
Corning (GLW) stock took a sharp hit this week after the company opened the door to a potential $2 billion equity offering that could dilute existing shareholders. The stock dropped 13.7% on Sept. 14, marking its worst one-day decline in years. At the same time, Corning is expanding its capacity and signing major deals with some of the world's biggest tech companies, including Nvidia (NVDA) and Amazon (AMZN). Its latest Verizon (VZ) agreement alone covers over 80 million miles of optical fiber and connectivity products through 2032. Corning shares have since recovered, shifting attention away from dilution fear to whether the capital raise was a sensible decision, how much stock Corning actually sells, how quickly Optical Communications grows, and whether new capacity generates the returns management expects.
Let's find out more on what matters for investors now.
Bank of America Just Declared a 'Generational Entry Point' in U.S. Bonds. Why Investors Should Be Backing Up the Truck on Treasuries Here.
Mark Cuban Says He Was Dizzy for Months, So He Built a VR Fix That Does at Home 'Much Of What A 180k Machine' Does
JPMorgan Gives Up Forecasting Iran War Endgame as Trump Tells Reporters 'Anything Could Happen With Me'
#Stock #sept
Let's find out more on what matters for investors now.
Bank of America Just Declared a 'Generational Entry Point' in U.S. Bonds. Why Investors Should Be Backing Up the Truck on Treasuries Here.
Mark Cuban Says He Was Dizzy for Months, So He Built a VR Fix That Does at Home 'Much Of What A 180k Machine' Does
JPMorgan Gives Up Forecasting Iran War Endgame as Trump Tells Reporters 'Anything Could Happen With Me'
#Stock #sept
8 days ago
Choosing between a niche equipment provider and a diversified industry **** an requires balancing high growth potential against established stability. Here is how Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ:AEHR) and KLA (NASDAQ:KLAC) compare for investors.
Aehr Test Systems focuses on specific stress-testing solutions for power semiconductors and memory, while KLA provides broad process control tools used across the entire chip-making industry. While they both operate in the same sector, their scale and risk profiles differ significantly, making them attractive to different types of portfolios.
Aehr Test Systems designs and sells specialized equipment for the testing and stabilization of semiconductor products in various forms, including wafers and singulated dies. The company focuses on the high-growth silicon carbide market for electric vehicles and high-bandwidth memory for artificial intelligence infrastructure. In its 2026 fiscal year (FY), which ended May 29, its five largest customers accounted for nearly 70% of net sales, and customer concentration like this adds a layer of risk to the business.
In FY 2026, revenue reached $50.0 million, representing a decline of 15.2% compared to the previous year. This contraction followed a period of higher operating costs, resulting in a net loss of $7.1 million for the period. The net margin, which represents the percentage of revenue remaining as profit after all expenses, was -14.3% in the latest fiscal year.
As of its May 2026 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio is zero, indicating that the company has no debt relative to its shareholder equity. The current ratio, which measures a company's ability to cover short-term liabilities with short-term **** ets, is 10.3x. Free cash flow, defined as cash from operations minus capital expenditures, was a negative $5.4 million for the fiscal year ended in May.
#year #equipment
Aehr Test Systems focuses on specific stress-testing solutions for power semiconductors and memory, while KLA provides broad process control tools used across the entire chip-making industry. While they both operate in the same sector, their scale and risk profiles differ significantly, making them attractive to different types of portfolios.
Aehr Test Systems designs and sells specialized equipment for the testing and stabilization of semiconductor products in various forms, including wafers and singulated dies. The company focuses on the high-growth silicon carbide market for electric vehicles and high-bandwidth memory for artificial intelligence infrastructure. In its 2026 fiscal year (FY), which ended May 29, its five largest customers accounted for nearly 70% of net sales, and customer concentration like this adds a layer of risk to the business.
In FY 2026, revenue reached $50.0 million, representing a decline of 15.2% compared to the previous year. This contraction followed a period of higher operating costs, resulting in a net loss of $7.1 million for the period. The net margin, which represents the percentage of revenue remaining as profit after all expenses, was -14.3% in the latest fiscal year.
As of its May 2026 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio is zero, indicating that the company has no debt relative to its shareholder equity. The current ratio, which measures a company's ability to cover short-term liabilities with short-term **** ets, is 10.3x. Free cash flow, defined as cash from operations minus capital expenditures, was a negative $5.4 million for the fiscal year ended in May.
#year #equipment
8 days ago
On September 14, Evercore ISI raised its price target for Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) from $100 to $110 while maintaining its Outperform rating. The research firm rolled its valuation framework forward to 2028 and applied a multiple of 25 times its 2028 EPS estimate.
The new price target represents more than 40% upside from the share price of $76.41 as of September 16. However, the stock has declined about 16% year-to-date and remains well below its 52-week high of $124.86.
Evercore ISI conducted its 58th quarterly US survey and 12th semi-annual **** an survey on Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), which showed multi-year high penetration of 63% in the US and a record-high 22% penetration in **** an.
Japan also showed strong subscriber engagement as 58% of subscribers said they were slightly or not at all likely to cancel. Subscriber satisfaction in **** an also reached 67%.
The company's new ads plan also showed encouraging signs in **** an. About 66% of new ads plan subscribers were either former Netflix users or people who were new to Netflix.
#netflix #price #september #evercore
The new price target represents more than 40% upside from the share price of $76.41 as of September 16. However, the stock has declined about 16% year-to-date and remains well below its 52-week high of $124.86.
Evercore ISI conducted its 58th quarterly US survey and 12th semi-annual **** an survey on Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), which showed multi-year high penetration of 63% in the US and a record-high 22% penetration in **** an.
Japan also showed strong subscriber engagement as 58% of subscribers said they were slightly or not at all likely to cancel. Subscriber satisfaction in **** an also reached 67%.
The company's new ads plan also showed encouraging signs in **** an. About 66% of new ads plan subscribers were either former Netflix users or people who were new to Netflix.
#netflix #price #september #evercore
8 days ago
Anthropic's initial public offering (IPO), expected no earlier than mid-October, will be a test of just how hungry the financial markets still are for exposure to artificial intelligence (AI). The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is going to react depending on how that test goes. Its backers want a valuation of $2 trillion or more, which would top ******* e Exploration Technologies as the biggest IPO ever if it happens.
Don't expect S&P 500 funds to buy it immediately, though. The road for Anthropic entering the S&P 500 is going to be slow, and it could test some nerves along the way.
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ******* ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
By definition, index funds tracking the S&P 500 must buy whatever the S&P 500 adds to its list of stocks.
Anthropic probably won't get special treatment, given that on June 4, S&P Dow Jones Indices declined to loosen its rules for mega-cap listings. Those rules still require 12 months as a public company, at least 10% of shares being publicly held, and reported positive earnings under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
#snpindex
Don't expect S&P 500 funds to buy it immediately, though. The road for Anthropic entering the S&P 500 is going to be slow, and it could test some nerves along the way.
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ******* ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
By definition, index funds tracking the S&P 500 must buy whatever the S&P 500 adds to its list of stocks.
Anthropic probably won't get special treatment, given that on June 4, S&P Dow Jones Indices declined to loosen its rules for mega-cap listings. Those rules still require 12 months as a public company, at least 10% of shares being publicly held, and reported positive earnings under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
#snpindex
8 days ago
By Nolan D. McCaskill
WASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Democrats are seeking to reclaim Congress, but lingering divisions from a bruising run-up to the November election threaten to imperil the party's attempt to claw back power from President Donald Trump's Republicans.
With control of both chambers at stake, Democrats have sought to move past the bad blood of the primaries, but in several competitive states, influential party figures have withheld endorsements or so far declined to campaign with nominees for the November 3 US midterm elections.
In Maine, the governor has yet to endorse the Democratic US Senate candidate. In Texas, a congresswoman has declined to campaign alongside the state representative who defeated her in the Democratic Senate primary. In Michigan, establishment centrists are steering clear of the party's progressive Senate pick. In New York, victorious democratic socialists are criticizing congressional Democrats for joining Republicans in condemning socialism. In Florida, the party has yet to rally behind its Senate nominee.
"Whether you are a progressive or an establishment Democrat or a conservative Democrat, we all have a vested interest in getting every single person over the finish line in November," said US Representative Summer Lee, a progressive Pennsylvania Democrat up for reelection.
#november #democrat #representative #declined
WASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Democrats are seeking to reclaim Congress, but lingering divisions from a bruising run-up to the November election threaten to imperil the party's attempt to claw back power from President Donald Trump's Republicans.
With control of both chambers at stake, Democrats have sought to move past the bad blood of the primaries, but in several competitive states, influential party figures have withheld endorsements or so far declined to campaign with nominees for the November 3 US midterm elections.
In Maine, the governor has yet to endorse the Democratic US Senate candidate. In Texas, a congresswoman has declined to campaign alongside the state representative who defeated her in the Democratic Senate primary. In Michigan, establishment centrists are steering clear of the party's progressive Senate pick. In New York, victorious democratic socialists are criticizing congressional Democrats for joining Republicans in condemning socialism. In Florida, the party has yet to rally behind its Senate nominee.
"Whether you are a progressive or an establishment Democrat or a conservative Democrat, we all have a vested interest in getting every single person over the finish line in November," said US Representative Summer Lee, a progressive Pennsylvania Democrat up for reelection.
#november #democrat #representative #declined
8 days ago
On August 6, Aflac (NYSE:AFL) reported second-quarter numbers that point in opposite directions. Net earnings climbed to $825 million, helped along by investment losses that shrank to $153 million from $421 million a year ago. Adjusted earnings, though, fell 7.7% to $883 million. Both numbers are real, but they answer different questions. Which measure you trust changes the story, so here is what sits underneath.
Start with the yen, because it is muddying the picture. The average rate was 159.45 to the dollar, 9.3% weaker than a year earlier, and that cost adjusted earnings $0.05 a share. Take the currency out of the first half and adjusted earnings per share rose 4.1% to $3.57. **** an is also running more profitably. Its pretax adjusted margin widened to 34.3% from 32.0% as claims took a smaller bite out of premiums, and yen-based pretax adjusted earnings rose 3.4%. So part of the decline in **** an's dollar-reported profit is currency, not operations.
The US business is still growing at the top line. Net earned premiums rose 2.3% to $1.5 billion, and sales climbed 2.6% to $349 million, led by group voluntary benefits along with dental and vision plans. In **** an, the refreshed Tsumitasu life policy and the new Anshin Palette medical product grew strongly in the quarter, and first-half sales rose 7.0% to ¥37.3 billion. Then there is the cash. Aflac returned $1.3 billion to shareholders in the quarter, $983 million of it through buybacks, and declared a $0.61 third-quarter dividend, payable September 1 to holders of record on August 19, 2026. Management notes 43 straight years of dividend increases through 2025 and says the board is on a path to extend that in 2026.
The catch is that **** an's profit gains came from lower claims, not a bigger business. Net earned premiums in yen fell 3.7%, mainly because of a new external reinsurance deal and older limited-pay policies reaching paid-up status. Premium persistency, the share of policies customers keep, slipped to 92.7% from 93.7%. **** an's pretax adjusted earnings still fell 2.1% once currency is stripped out, and new sales dipped 5.6% in the quarter against a tough comparison for the Miraito cancer product, which launched in March 2025.
The US segment has its own soft spot. Pretax adjusted earnings fell 4.6% to $370 million, and the margin narrowed to 20.9% from 22.5% as claims and benefits took a bigger share of premiums. Corporate and Other swung to a $10 million pretax adjusted loss from a $20 million gain a year earlier, with interest expense up 21.6% to $62 million. And adjusted book value per share, excluding foreign currency remeasurement, slid to $41.22 at June 30 from $42.97 a year earlier.
#adjusted #pretax
Start with the yen, because it is muddying the picture. The average rate was 159.45 to the dollar, 9.3% weaker than a year earlier, and that cost adjusted earnings $0.05 a share. Take the currency out of the first half and adjusted earnings per share rose 4.1% to $3.57. **** an is also running more profitably. Its pretax adjusted margin widened to 34.3% from 32.0% as claims took a smaller bite out of premiums, and yen-based pretax adjusted earnings rose 3.4%. So part of the decline in **** an's dollar-reported profit is currency, not operations.
The US business is still growing at the top line. Net earned premiums rose 2.3% to $1.5 billion, and sales climbed 2.6% to $349 million, led by group voluntary benefits along with dental and vision plans. In **** an, the refreshed Tsumitasu life policy and the new Anshin Palette medical product grew strongly in the quarter, and first-half sales rose 7.0% to ¥37.3 billion. Then there is the cash. Aflac returned $1.3 billion to shareholders in the quarter, $983 million of it through buybacks, and declared a $0.61 third-quarter dividend, payable September 1 to holders of record on August 19, 2026. Management notes 43 straight years of dividend increases through 2025 and says the board is on a path to extend that in 2026.
The catch is that **** an's profit gains came from lower claims, not a bigger business. Net earned premiums in yen fell 3.7%, mainly because of a new external reinsurance deal and older limited-pay policies reaching paid-up status. Premium persistency, the share of policies customers keep, slipped to 92.7% from 93.7%. **** an's pretax adjusted earnings still fell 2.1% once currency is stripped out, and new sales dipped 5.6% in the quarter against a tough comparison for the Miraito cancer product, which launched in March 2025.
The US segment has its own soft spot. Pretax adjusted earnings fell 4.6% to $370 million, and the margin narrowed to 20.9% from 22.5% as claims and benefits took a bigger share of premiums. Corporate and Other swung to a $10 million pretax adjusted loss from a $20 million gain a year earlier, with interest expense up 21.6% to $62 million. And adjusted book value per share, excluding foreign currency remeasurement, slid to $41.22 at June 30 from $42.97 a year earlier.
#adjusted #pretax
8 days ago
GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) is trying to recover after an 8.5% decline, with Bernstein defending the stock as "wired to win" and highlighting that data centers account for only 38% of its electrification order book. This supports the argument that the company's utility exposure extends beyond AI power demand alone. That diversification is a real consideration, but it does not directly address the concern raised by GLJ Research. The firm's Sell rating is not based on doubts about AI-driven power demand. Instead, GLJ Research argues that GE Vernova is still a fundamentally cyclical gas-turbine manufacturer, while its current valuation reflects an **** umption that the ongoing boom can remain permanent.
GE Vernova shares stabilized after an 8.5% decline triggered by GLJ Research's new Sell rating and broader concerns that a slowdown in AI spending could weigh on the company's order book. Bernstein **** yst Sunaina Ocalan directly challenged the view that GE Vernova's outlook depends mainly on AI infrastructure spending:
While data center orders were $5 billion in H1 2026, or about 38% of electrification orders, the remaining 62% was utility-driven. Utility spend should continue to grow, supported by grid reliability and resilience investments. A slowdown in data center demand may alleviate generation bottlenecks but would do little to address existing grid constraints.
Bernstein continues to rate the stock a Buy with a $1,298 price target, while nearly 80% of **** ysts covering GE Vernova also have a Buy rating. In a separate development, the company announced a wind turbine supply agreement with Eurus Energy Holdings in **** an.
GLJ Research's Gordon Johnson argued that GE Vernova's turbines being sold out does not justify the stock trading at roughly 38.9x forward EV/EBITDA at the time the report was released. Johnson described the company as "a cyclical gas turbine manufacturer priced as a secular compounder," highlighting the premium valuation placed on a fundamentally cyclical business. His model estimates 2027 EBITDA at $7.42 billion, which is 22% below Wall Street consensus. The lower forecast is partly based on the timing of turbine orders, as equipment scheduled for 2027 delivery was ordered in 2024, before the company introduced its more recent price increase.
#bernstein #turbine #Stock #data
GE Vernova shares stabilized after an 8.5% decline triggered by GLJ Research's new Sell rating and broader concerns that a slowdown in AI spending could weigh on the company's order book. Bernstein **** yst Sunaina Ocalan directly challenged the view that GE Vernova's outlook depends mainly on AI infrastructure spending:
While data center orders were $5 billion in H1 2026, or about 38% of electrification orders, the remaining 62% was utility-driven. Utility spend should continue to grow, supported by grid reliability and resilience investments. A slowdown in data center demand may alleviate generation bottlenecks but would do little to address existing grid constraints.
Bernstein continues to rate the stock a Buy with a $1,298 price target, while nearly 80% of **** ysts covering GE Vernova also have a Buy rating. In a separate development, the company announced a wind turbine supply agreement with Eurus Energy Holdings in **** an.
GLJ Research's Gordon Johnson argued that GE Vernova's turbines being sold out does not justify the stock trading at roughly 38.9x forward EV/EBITDA at the time the report was released. Johnson described the company as "a cyclical gas turbine manufacturer priced as a secular compounder," highlighting the premium valuation placed on a fundamentally cyclical business. His model estimates 2027 EBITDA at $7.42 billion, which is 22% below Wall Street consensus. The lower forecast is partly based on the timing of turbine orders, as equipment scheduled for 2027 delivery was ordered in 2024, before the company introduced its more recent price increase.
#bernstein #turbine #Stock #data
8 days ago
Picture a snowy mountain slope in France or an elite tennis court during a grand slam. Whether it is an Arc'teryx jacket designed for the harshest alpine conditions or a Wilson racket in the hands of a professional, Amer Sports (NYSE:AS) equips the world's most demanding athletes. The company functions as a global powerhouse in athletic gear and apparel, operating a premium multi-brand platform that spans from high-end technical clothing to specialized sports equipment. With its current stock price at $27.26 as of Sept. 16, 2026, the company has seen the stock decline 26% over the past year, reflecting the market's digestion of its rapid post-IPO scaling.
Our proprietary Hidden Gems scoring system **** igns Amer Sports an overall Superscore of 75 out of 100, placing it in the Above Average category. This score ranks the company in the Top ~21% of every company we evaluate, ahead of roughly 79 out of every 100 firms we score. The Superscore serves as a data-driven starting point, and this article examines both the operational momentum fueling its recent success and the structural hurdles that keep the company below top-tier rankings, helping you weigh these signals against your own research.
Strong revenue momentum: The company achieved 27% year-over-year revenue growth in 2025, reaching $6.6 billion as it successfully scaled its brand-led platform across global markets.
Effective channel pivot: Direct-to-consumer revenue surged 43% in 2025, allowing the company to capture higher margins and deepen its direct relationship with premium consumers.
Expanding operational efficiency: Adjusted EBITDA margins widened to 18% in 2025, demonstrating that the company's shared infrastructure strategy is successfully converting scale into bottom-line profitability.
#company #sports #global #premium
Our proprietary Hidden Gems scoring system **** igns Amer Sports an overall Superscore of 75 out of 100, placing it in the Above Average category. This score ranks the company in the Top ~21% of every company we evaluate, ahead of roughly 79 out of every 100 firms we score. The Superscore serves as a data-driven starting point, and this article examines both the operational momentum fueling its recent success and the structural hurdles that keep the company below top-tier rankings, helping you weigh these signals against your own research.
Strong revenue momentum: The company achieved 27% year-over-year revenue growth in 2025, reaching $6.6 billion as it successfully scaled its brand-led platform across global markets.
Effective channel pivot: Direct-to-consumer revenue surged 43% in 2025, allowing the company to capture higher margins and deepen its direct relationship with premium consumers.
Expanding operational efficiency: Adjusted EBITDA margins widened to 18% in 2025, demonstrating that the company's shared infrastructure strategy is successfully converting scale into bottom-line profitability.
#company #sports #global #premium
8 days ago
On September 8, 2026, the Wall Street Journal reported United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI)'s fiscal fourth-quarter results, in which adjusted earnings per share of $0.69 beat ***** yst expectations even as revenue of $7.64 billion came in below consensus.
The grocery wholesaler guided for fiscal 2027 net sales of $31.2 billion to $31.8 billion, a return to growth after full-year fiscal 2026 sales declined 2% to $31.2 billion. The business said full-year adjusted EBITDA rose 27% to $701 million and free cash flow hit a record $323 million as it continued executing what CEO Sandy Douglas called its second year of a value-creation strategy.
United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI)'s turnaround is improving the financial metrics that matter most for a food distributor. Full-year adjusted EBITDA increased 27%. Net debt fell by $295 million and net leverage improved to 2.2 times. The stronger balance sheet gives UNFI more financial flexibility as it works to return to sales growth.
UNFI's natural-products business is providing an important growth engine. Fourth-quarter natural-products sales increased 6.6%, even as conventional-products sales declined 8.6%. The stronger performance in natural products backs up UNFI's strategy of expanding business with customers that can drive growth as the business restructures its operations.
Management also expects fiscal 2027 sales to reach $31.2 billion to $31.8 billion, up from $31.15 billion in fiscal 2026. Adjusted EPS should reach $3.00 to $3.50 versus $2.65 previously. Management anticipates about 10 basis points of margin expansion at the midpoint, which could help UNFI reach its fiscal 2028 margin target a year earlier than planned.
#billion
The grocery wholesaler guided for fiscal 2027 net sales of $31.2 billion to $31.8 billion, a return to growth after full-year fiscal 2026 sales declined 2% to $31.2 billion. The business said full-year adjusted EBITDA rose 27% to $701 million and free cash flow hit a record $323 million as it continued executing what CEO Sandy Douglas called its second year of a value-creation strategy.
United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI)'s turnaround is improving the financial metrics that matter most for a food distributor. Full-year adjusted EBITDA increased 27%. Net debt fell by $295 million and net leverage improved to 2.2 times. The stronger balance sheet gives UNFI more financial flexibility as it works to return to sales growth.
UNFI's natural-products business is providing an important growth engine. Fourth-quarter natural-products sales increased 6.6%, even as conventional-products sales declined 8.6%. The stronger performance in natural products backs up UNFI's strategy of expanding business with customers that can drive growth as the business restructures its operations.
Management also expects fiscal 2027 sales to reach $31.2 billion to $31.8 billion, up from $31.15 billion in fiscal 2026. Adjusted EPS should reach $3.00 to $3.50 versus $2.65 previously. Management anticipates about 10 basis points of margin expansion at the midpoint, which could help UNFI reach its fiscal 2028 margin target a year earlier than planned.
#billion
8 days ago
An anonymous trader known only by their wallet address 0x3bca had their $7.19 million short position on the S&P 500 fully liquidated on Hyperliquid as the broader market rebounded on Wednesday. The liquidation was tracked via onchain data on Hypurrscan.
A short position is a trade that profits when an ***** et's price falls. The trader was betting the S&P 500 would decline, and when it moved in the opposite direction, the position was forcibly closed at a loss.
Related: Kevin O'Leary has a warning on Washington's tax plans
Liquidation happens when a leveraged trade moves far enough against the trader that the exchange automatically closes it to prevent further losses. Hyperliquid is a decentralized exchange that lets users trade perpetual contracts, derivatives that track an ***** et's price without an expiration date, on crypto, equities and commodities.
The Hypurrscan data shows the wallet held a total portfolio value of roughly $7.85 million at the time, with exposure to S&P 500, XYZ100, BTC and gold contracts. The transaction history reveals a flurry of activity in the seconds surrounding the liquidation, including multiple "Close Long" orders on Robinhood stock (xyz:HOOD) at $109.48 and fresh "Open Long" positions on BTC at approximately $76,568.
#trader #position #hyperliquid #short
A short position is a trade that profits when an ***** et's price falls. The trader was betting the S&P 500 would decline, and when it moved in the opposite direction, the position was forcibly closed at a loss.
Related: Kevin O'Leary has a warning on Washington's tax plans
Liquidation happens when a leveraged trade moves far enough against the trader that the exchange automatically closes it to prevent further losses. Hyperliquid is a decentralized exchange that lets users trade perpetual contracts, derivatives that track an ***** et's price without an expiration date, on crypto, equities and commodities.
The Hypurrscan data shows the wallet held a total portfolio value of roughly $7.85 million at the time, with exposure to S&P 500, XYZ100, BTC and gold contracts. The transaction history reveals a flurry of activity in the seconds surrounding the liquidation, including multiple "Close Long" orders on Robinhood stock (xyz:HOOD) at $109.48 and fresh "Open Long" positions on BTC at approximately $76,568.
#trader #position #hyperliquid #short
8 days ago
On September 8, 2026, CNBC reported that Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) shares fell about 10% after the company said its experimental drug del-desiran failed to meet its primary goal in a late-stage trial for myotonic dystrophy type 1.
It marked the company's third clinical setback in a week following the earlier failure of cardiovascular drug pelacarsen and a separate pause of eight trials of cell therapy rap-cel after three patient deaths. The decline erased roughly 24 billion Swiss francs, or about $29.6 billion, in market value and put Novartis on pace for one of its worst trading days in company history.
Remibrutinib provides a major remaining pipeline catalyst since Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) reported successful late-stage results for remibrutinib in multiple sclerosis. It gives investors a credible growth driver after the failures of pelacarsen and del-desiran. The business expects more remibrutinib data later this year, making the drug an important test of whether its remaining pipeline can help long-term growth.
Novartis still expects 5% to 6% annual sales growth through 2030. Management reaffirmed its full-year financial guidance and maintained its target for 5% to 6% compound annual sales growth from 2025 through 2030. That guidance shows the company still expects its overall portfolio and remaining pipeline ******* ets to offset pressure from aging drugs.
The company retains a diversified commercial portfolio. The del-desiran failure removes a potentially important future revenue contributor, but Novartis still makes substantial revenue from its existing medicines. It also retains other pipeline ******* ets. That diversification gives the firm financial capacity to absorb individual clinical failures while it rebuilds investor confidence in its growth pipeline.
#company #remibrutinib
It marked the company's third clinical setback in a week following the earlier failure of cardiovascular drug pelacarsen and a separate pause of eight trials of cell therapy rap-cel after three patient deaths. The decline erased roughly 24 billion Swiss francs, or about $29.6 billion, in market value and put Novartis on pace for one of its worst trading days in company history.
Remibrutinib provides a major remaining pipeline catalyst since Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) reported successful late-stage results for remibrutinib in multiple sclerosis. It gives investors a credible growth driver after the failures of pelacarsen and del-desiran. The business expects more remibrutinib data later this year, making the drug an important test of whether its remaining pipeline can help long-term growth.
Novartis still expects 5% to 6% annual sales growth through 2030. Management reaffirmed its full-year financial guidance and maintained its target for 5% to 6% compound annual sales growth from 2025 through 2030. That guidance shows the company still expects its overall portfolio and remaining pipeline ******* ets to offset pressure from aging drugs.
The company retains a diversified commercial portfolio. The del-desiran failure removes a potentially important future revenue contributor, but Novartis still makes substantial revenue from its existing medicines. It also retains other pipeline ******* ets. That diversification gives the firm financial capacity to absorb individual clinical failures while it rebuilds investor confidence in its growth pipeline.
#company #remibrutinib
