Core Viewpoint - The offshore RMB bond market has shown resilience despite global market volatility, driven by strong issuance growth and favorable conditions for private sector borrowers [1][5][6]. Group 1: Market Trends - The issuance of offshore RMB bonds is expected to reach a peak of 16,124 billion RMB in 2024, representing a 26% increase from 2023 [2]. - In Q1 2025, the issuance scale is projected to exceed 3,780 billion RMB, marking a 53.7% year-on-year growth compared to Q1 2023 [2]. - The market has seen a trend towards longer maturities, with notable issuances such as Baidu's 10 billion RMB bond and Hong Kong Airport Authority's 10 and 30-year bonds [3]. Group 2: Supply-Side Factors - The Chinese Ministry of Finance has diversified its supply, establishing benchmarks in the market, including the issuance of green sovereign bonds [2][3]. - The liquidity and investor base in the offshore RMB market have deepened, providing better market access and competitive pricing for private issuers [2][3]. - Structural innovations have emerged, such as the issuance of green bonds backed by multilateral institutions, indicating a growing trend in the market [3]. Group 3: Investor Sentiment and Market Dynamics - Despite recent market volatility, the secondary market for offshore RMB bonds remains relatively strong, with trading prices tightening by 15-20 basis points since early April [5][6]. - High-quality offshore RMB bonds are seen as scarce, enhancing their value in a moderately loose macroeconomic environment [6]. - Investor sentiment is cautious, with many adopting a wait-and-see approach before making further allocations [5][6]. Group 4: Future Outlook and Recommendations - The issuance volume of offshore RMB bonds is expected to remain stable in the short term, influenced by global volatility and market re-pricing [6]. - There is optimism for medium to long-term recovery in demand and supply, driven by potential shifts in investor allocations from US Treasuries to RMB assets [6]. - Recommendations for further development of the offshore RMB market include enhancing cross-currency swaps and derivative markets, and implementing proactive macroeconomic policies [7].

Core Viewpoint - Barclays is expected to report an increase in quarterly revenues and earnings for Q1 2025, driven by improved trading performance and net interest income, despite challenges in investment banking revenues and rising credit impairment charges [1][3][7]. Group 1: Earnings and Revenue Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Barclays' earnings is 61 cents per share, reflecting a 17.3% increase year-over-year, with sales expected to reach $10.07 billion, indicating a 14.2% growth [2]. - The company recorded a rise in credit impairment charges in the last quarter, which may impact overall profitability [1]. Group 2: Investment Banking Performance - Global M&A activity in Q1 2025 was less impressive than anticipated, with marginal increases in deal value and volume, primarily driven by the Asia Pacific region [3]. - Economic uncertainty, influenced by tariff policy ambiguity and rising inflation, has led companies to reconsider their M&A plans, resulting in only marginal growth in advisory fees for Barclays [3]. Group 3: Trading and Market Activity - Client activity and market volatility were strong in Q1, with high volatility across equity markets and other asset classes, which is expected to positively impact Barclays' trading performance [5][6]. - The company is anticipated to see robust performance in its trading business due to solid client activity amid market volatility [6]. Group 4: Net Interest Income and Expenses - Barclays' net interest income is expected to improve due to a mixed approach to interest rate adjustments by central banks, leading to stabilized funding costs and increased loan demand [7]. - Cost control measures have resulted in improved efficiency, with expenses expected to remain manageable due to ongoing business restructuring initiatives [8].

Group 1: Analyst Coverage and Price Forecasts - Barclays analyst Paul Kearney initiated coverage on Gildan Activewear Inc (GIL) with a price forecast of $51 [1] - Coverage was also initiated on Macy's Inc (M) and Columbia Sportswear Co (COLM) with an Equal Weight rating and price forecasts of $12 and $64, respectively [1] - Kearney initiated coverage on Carter's Inc (CRI) and Kohls Corp (KSS) with an Underweight rating and price forecasts of $25 and $4, respectively [1] Group 2: Market Conditions and Consumer Sentiment - The analyst acknowledges the strength of the U.S. consumer but remains cautious due to market turbulence and policy uncertainties affecting consumer and business sentiment [2] - Apparel is highlighted as a sector vulnerable to tariff policy shifts, with expectations of a decline in unit sales during the second half of 2025 and the first half of 2026 [2] Group 3: Retailer Strategies and Inventory Management - Despite normalized inventory management among department stores and retailers throughout 2024, supply chain risks and weakening consumer demand may lead to conservative buying strategies in the second half of 2025 [3] - Retailers are expected to prioritize key brands that drive traffic, manage costs effectively, and offer better value to shoppers [3] Group 4: Preferred Companies and Strategies - Preference is given to companies expanding their direct-to-consumer (DTC) businesses and strengthening brand positioning to support price increases, such as Ralph Lauren Corp (RL), Kontoor Brands Inc (KTB), and Levi Strauss & Co (LEVI) [4] - Companies with diversified geographic exposure to mitigate pricing challenges internationally include Ralph Lauren, Levi, and PVH Corp (PVH) [4] Group 5: Operational Advantages and Cash Flow - Companies demonstrating operational advantages in sourcing to handle tariff risks include Gildan and Kontoor Brands, which also offer strong free cash flow to equity, providing flexibility to return capital to shareholders [5]

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.Even though momentum is a popular stock char ...

Core Viewpoint - M&T Bank Corporation will present at the Barclays Americas Select Franchise Conference in London on May 7, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. BST [1] Company Overview - M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company based in Buffalo, New York, with its principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, offering banking products and services across the eastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. [3] - The company also provides trust-related services in select U.S. and international markets through its Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and M&T Bank [3]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of utilizing Zacks Premium for investors to enhance their stock market strategies and confidence in investing [1] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators designed to help investors select stocks with the highest potential to outperform the market within 30 days, rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [3][4][5][6][7] Value Score - The Value Style Score focuses on identifying stocks that are undervalued based on financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [4] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score assesses a company's financial health and future outlook by analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [5] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score evaluates stocks based on price trends and earnings outlook changes, helping investors identify optimal buying opportunities [6] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for investors who utilize multiple investment strategies [7] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that leverages earnings estimate revisions to assist investors in building successful portfolios [8] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [9] Stock Example: Barclays (BCS) - Barclays PLC, a major global banking and financial services company, has total assets of £1,518.2 billion ($1,897.8 billion) as of December 31, 2024 [13] - Barclays holds a 2 (Buy) rating on the Zacks Rank and has a VGM Score of B, with a Value Style Score of B due to a forward P/E ratio of 6.9 [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Barclays has increased by $0.10 to $2.10 per share, with two analysts revising their earnings estimates upwards in the last 60 days [14]

Core Insights - Barclays and Brookfield Asset Management have partnered to grow Barclays' payment acceptance business into a standalone entity [1] - The partnership aims to enhance service offerings, client experience, and financial performance of the payment acceptance business [2] Investment and Financial Structure - Barclays plans to invest approximately £400 million (about $530 million) in the payment business over the first three years, while Brookfield will provide expertise and earn performance-linked financial incentives [3] - Brookfield may acquire a 70% ownership interest in the business between the third and seventh year, with Barclays recovering its full investment [3] - Upon the sale of the business, Brookfield's financial incentive will convert into an additional 10% ownership, resulting in an 80% share for Brookfield and a 20% stake for Barclays [4] Strategic Context - Barclays is divesting non-core businesses, aligning with a broader trend among European rivals [5] - The partnership is part of Barclays' three-year plan to simplify and enhance its banking operations [6] - Brookfield has committed $5 billion to technology-enabled payments, indicating a strong focus on this sector [6] Market Positioning - The partnership is expected to create a market leader in the U.K.'s digital economy, providing innovative and integrated payment solutions [7]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry and Company Overview - The conference call primarily discusses the implications of recession probabilities across various asset classes, the economic impact of tariffs on China, and the current state of the US energy trade [5][18][24]. Core Insights and Arguments Recession Probabilities - US rates markets are pricing in a baseline of a shallow recession, with a 15-20% chance of a deep and prolonged recession [5][17]. - Credit markets imply a recession probability of approximately 20%, with BBB-rated bonds showing less risk than BB-rated bonds [5][17]. - In US equity markets, the current NTM P/E of 18.7x and an equity risk premium of 1.0% suggest a ~30% probability of recession [5][17]. Economic Impact of Tariffs on China - Without fiscal stimulus, China's GDP is expected to grow by only 2% this year, the lowest since the late 1970s [20][21]. - To achieve a 4% growth rate, an estimated CNY7.5 trillion in additional stimulus is needed, on top of the already announced CNY2.4 trillion [21][22]. - The total budget deficit could reach 16.6% of GDP in 2025 if further fiscal support is implemented [22]. State of US Energy Trade - The US is a leading exporter of LNG, LPG, and refined products, accounting for 22% of LNG and 37% of LPG export markets globally in 2024 [25]. - Energy trade could be used as a bargaining chip in future trade negotiations, especially with China, which accounted for ~46% of US ethane and ~1/3 of propane exports in 2024 [26][27]. - Retaliatory tariffs from China could significantly impact NGL pricing, particularly propane, due to market concentration [26][27]. Additional Important Insights - The current tariff regime has raised US average tariff rates on China to 114%, with total additional tariffs now at 104% [19]. - The US energy sector's role in trade negotiations is critical, as many countries are willing to increase LNG imports from the US to narrow their trade gaps [26]. - The volatility in equity markets has left little confidence in recession pricing, with significant fluctuations in NTM P/E and equity risk premiums observed [29][30]. Conclusion - The conference call highlights the interconnectedness of recession probabilities, tariff impacts, and energy trade dynamics, emphasizing the need for strategic fiscal responses and careful monitoring of market conditions to navigate potential economic challenges.

Group 1: Barclays and Brookfield Asset Management Negotiations - Barclays is in advanced talks to sell a stake in its payments business to Brookfield Asset Management, with a potential announcement this week, although no final agreement has been reached [1] - Barclays is exploring various options for investment in its merchant acquiring business, including strategic partnerships, as it sheds non-core businesses [1] - The discussions come amid a trend where Barclays and its European rivals are divesting non-core operations, including its German consumer finance division and a portfolio of Italian mortgages [1] Group 2: Brookfield Asset Management's Strategy and Investments - Brookfield Asset Management acquired Middle Eastern payments processor Network International Holdings in 2024 and appointed former Worldpay CEO Ron Kalifa as vice chair and head of financial infrastructure investments in 2023 [2][4] - In February 2024, Brookfield announced a commitment of $5 billion in investments within the technology-enabled payments space, which includes acquisitions of Network International and Magnati [5] - Brookfield's strategy focuses on identifying mature, high-quality companies that are integral to financial infrastructure, leveraging expertise in operational value creation [6]

Investors interested in Banks - Foreign stocks are likely familiar with Barclays (BCS) and Erste Group Bank AG (EBKDY) . But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets com ...