Workflow
ZACKS
icon
Search documents
IONS' Rare Neurological Disease Drug Meets Late-Stage Study Goal
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 19:16
Core Insights - Ionis Pharmaceuticals announced positive topline results from a pivotal phase III study for its investigational RNA-targeted therapy zilganersen, aimed at treating Alexander disease (AxD) [1][4] Group 1: Study Results - The study met its primary endpoint, showing that patients receiving a 50 mg dose of zilganersen achieved a statistically significant 33.3% stabilization in gait speed compared to the control group, measured by the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) [2] - Treatment with zilganersen demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile, with consistent benefits observed across key secondary endpoints, indicating evidence of slowed disease progression [3][9] Group 2: Regulatory and Market Implications - Ionis plans to submit a regulatory filing with the FDA for zilganersen in Q1 2026, marking it as the first investigational medicine to show a positive disease-modifying impact in AxD [6][4] - If approved, zilganersen will join Ionis' portfolio as the third wholly-owned drug, alongside Tryngolza and Dawnzera, which were approved in the last 12 months [7] Group 3: Financial Performance and Strategy - Year-to-date, Ionis shares have increased nearly 76%, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 12% [8] - Ionis has established collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies, providing funds through license fees and milestone payments to support the development of its wholly-owned pipeline [10] - The company earns commercial revenues from royalties on Spinraza and Qalsody, with ongoing partnerships for other drug developments [11][12]
Palantir vs. UiPath: Which AI-First Software Stock is a Better Buy?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 19:01
Key Takeaways Palantir's AIP drove Q2 U.S. commercial revenues up 93% and contracts up 222% year over year.UiPath reported Q2 revenue growth of 14% to $362M, with ARR rising 11% to $1.72B.UiPath trades at 4.22X forward sales, far below Palantir's 82X, offering a more appealing entry point.Both Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) and UiPath Inc. (PATH) stand out as leading innovators in AI-driven software.Palantir has built its reputation on large-scale data analytics and decision intelligence platforms, deliv ...
OUT Stock Rises 16.2% in 3 Months: Will it Continue to Rise?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:56
Core Viewpoint - OUTFRONT Media (OUT) has experienced a 16.2% increase in share price over the past three months, contrasting with a 1.3% decline in the industry, driven by its diversified advertising portfolio and transition to digital displays [1][7]. Group 1: Company Performance - OUTFRONT Media operates a diversified portfolio of advertising sites across major U.S. markets, allowing clients to reach a national audience while tailoring campaigns to specific regions [3]. - The company is transitioning from traditional static billboard advertising to digital displays, which is expected to enhance new advertising relationships and boost digital revenue [4]. - Strategic acquisitions have been made, with approximately $8.5 million spent on new assets in the six months ending June 30, 2025, positioning the company for long-term growth [5]. Group 2: Industry Context - The outdoor advertising industry has high barriers to entry due to permitting restrictions, with OUTFRONT Media owning valuable permits that support advertising rates and limit competition [8]. - The company's revenues are less volatile due to its large-scale presence and diversified portfolio across various industries, including professional services, healthcare, and retail [3]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Analysts are optimistic about OUTFRONT Media, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its 2025 FFO per share increasing to $1.89 [2]. - The ongoing investments in digital billboard technology and portfolio expansion are anticipated to drive revenue and OIBDA growth in the future [4][7].
SouthState Stock Rises 11.6% in 3 Months: Is It Worth Betting On?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:41
Key Takeaways SouthState shares gained 11.6% in three months, beating industry and peers' performance. Fed rate cuts, NII growth, and acquisitions like Independent Bank boosted scale and margins.Strong liquidity supports dividend hikes and buybacks, though expenses and CRE risks weigh.SouthState Corporation’s (SSB)   shares have rallied 11.6% in the past three months, outperforming the industry’s growth of 6.8%. Further, the company has performed better than its peers, Origin Bancorp, Inc. (OBK) and Stock Y ...
Flanigan's Gains 37.7% in Six Months: How to Play the Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:41
Flanigan's Enterprises, Inc. (BDL) investors have been experiencing some short-term gains from the stock lately, despite its bumpy ride over recent months. Shares of the owners and operators of the "Flanigan's Seafood Bar and Grill" restaurants and "Big Daddy's" retail liquor stores, which is based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, have gained 37.7% in the past six months against the industry’s 8.1% decline. In the same time frame, the stock also outperformed the sector and the S&P 500’s 10.3% and 17.7% gains, respec ...
ZTO Express Down 18.7% Y/Y: Will the Plunge Continue Throughout 2025?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:36
Key Takeaways ZTO's earnings estimates for 2025 have been revised lower, signaling weak broker confidence.ZTO cut its 2025 parcel volume forecast to 38.8-40.1 billion from the prior 40.8-42.2 billion.ZTO shares have lost 18.7% over the past year, underperforming the broader trucking industry.Shares of ZTO Express (ZTO)  have had an unimpressive run in a year. Shares of this company have plunged 18.7% in the same period, underperforming the transportation-services industry’s14.5% decline.ZTO Stock's One-Year ...
Skin in the Game: The US Government & Nvidia Back Intel
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:31
Group 1: Company Overview - Intel designs and manufactures a wide range of computer hardware and software products, primarily known for its microprocessors and graphics cards [1] - Founded in 1968 and based in Santa Clara, California, Intel plays a significant role in personal computers and servers, as well as in cloud computing and artificial intelligence [1] Group 2: Government and Financial Support - Intel was awarded an $11.1 billion grant under the CHIPS and Science Act, aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. [2] - The Trump Administration secured a 9.9% equity stake in Intel for American taxpayers, indicating a vested interest in Intel's long-term success [3] Group 3: Strategic Investments - Nvidia announced a $5 billion investment in Intel, which is expected to enhance collaboration on AI and data centers, leading to a significant stock price increase of over 20% [4] - The investment from Nvidia, along with the U.S. government's stake, provides Intel with crucial support and confidence from key industry players [4] Group 4: Valuation Metrics - Intel's price-to-book ratio stands at 1.19x, making it relatively inexpensive compared to the S&P 500's average of approximately 4.6 [5] Group 5: Market Position and Growth - Intel is gaining traction in the AI infrastructure market, with partnerships like that with Super Micro Computer to deploy its technology for large-scale databases [10] - The acquisition of Mobileye positions Intel in the rapidly growing autonomous car technology market [10] Group 6: Future Outlook - Intel is on the verge of a significant turnaround, supported by government equity, Nvidia's investment, and its foundational role in AI, making it an attractive investment opportunity [11]
FIG's Expanding Portfolio Fuel Revenue Growth: A Sign of More Upside?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:31
Core Insights - Figma is experiencing significant revenue growth, achieving a record $250 million in Q2 2025, which represents a 41% year-over-year increase [1][10] - The company has expanded its product portfolio by launching four new products at its annual Config conference, which is driving user engagement and attracting new customers [2][10] - Figma's Dev Mode MCP server is enhancing developer workflows and is utilized by 30% of its monthly active users [3] Product and User Engagement - The launch of new products has led to increased usage among existing customers, with over 80% now using two or more products and two-thirds using three or more [4][10] - Figma had 11,906 paid customers with over $10,000 in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and 1,119 customers with over $100,000 in ARR as of June 30, 2025 [3] Competitive Landscape - Figma faces strong competition from Adobe and Autodesk, both of which are expanding their creative software offerings [5] - Adobe's growth is driven by strong demand for its Creative Cloud and new AI product releases [6] - Autodesk has introduced a freemium model with Flow Studio, making AI-driven tools more accessible [7] Stock Performance and Valuation - Figma's stock has decreased by 16.5% in the past month, contrasting with an 8.7% increase in the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector [8] - The company's shares are trading at a premium, with a forward Price/Sales ratio of 20.36X compared to the sector's 7.10X [12] - The consensus estimate for Figma's 2025 earnings is 30 cents per share, reflecting a 108.02% increase from 2024 [14]
Popular Stock Touches 52-Week High: Should You Consider Investing?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:31
Core Insights - Popular, Inc. (BPOP) shares reached a 52-week high of $128.89, closing at $126.98, with a 36.8% increase over the past six months, outperforming the industry growth of 11.2% [1][8] - The stock's recent performance is driven by optimism regarding the Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts, which are expected to boost loan demand and reduce funding costs for banks like BPOP [3][8] Financial Performance - Over the past four years, BPOP's net interest income (NII) grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%, with net interest margin (NIM) improving from 2.88% in 2021 to 3.24% in 2024 [4] - The company anticipates further growth in NII and NIM, supported by the repricing of its investment portfolio and expected continued rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [4] Growth Strategies - BPOP has focused on organic growth, achieving a revenue CAGR of 5.6% over the past four years, with net loans expanding at a CAGR of 6.8% and deposits at 3.4% [5] - The company launched a multi-year digital transformation initiative in 2022 to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency [6][9] Liquidity and Shareholder Returns - As of June 30, 2025, BPOP's liquidity stood at $6.8 billion, with total debt at $1.4 billion, indicating a strong liquidity profile [11] - The company raised its quarterly dividend by 7.1% to 75 cents per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.36%, which is competitive compared to peers [12][15] Valuation - BPOP is currently trading at a 12-month trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.27X, lower than the industry average of 10.86X, making it an attractive investment option [17][20] - Compared to peers, Pinnacle Financial has a P/E ratio of 11.21X, while Synovus Financial's P/E ratio is 9.02X, further highlighting BPOP's favorable valuation [20]
SL Green, PGIM Boost Strength With Refinancing of 11 Madison Avenue
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:26
Core Insights - SL Green Realty Corp. (SLG) and PGIM completed a $1.4 billion refinancing of 11 Madison Avenue, with a five-year fixed-rate mortgage at a coupon rate of 5.625%, effectively hedged to 5.592% for SL Green's portion [1][8] - The refinancing replaces the previous $1.4 billion debt, which included a $1.075 billion senior mortgage and two mezzanine loans totaling $325 million [1] Property Overview - 11 Madison Avenue is a 30-story office tower with 2.3 million square feet of space, located in a prime area with access to restaurants and upscale shopping, currently 93% occupied [2][8] - The building features prestigious tenants and is home to the renowned 3-Michelin-Star restaurant, Eleven Madison Park [2][8] Financing Details - The CMBS financing was led by Wells Fargo Bank, with participation from major financial institutions including J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and Bank of Montreal [3] Strategic Implications - The refinancing enhances SL Green's financial flexibility, improving its maturity profile and liquidity for daily operations [4] - The company is positioned for growth due to strong tenant demand for premium office spaces and easing supply pressures, leading to healthy leasing activity [4] Market Performance - Over the past six months, SL Green's shares have increased by 3.4%, contrasting with a 0.6% decline in the broader industry [5]