Core Insights - The article discusses how top executives from various companies have navigated crises and transformed their organizations, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and strategic decision-making in uncertain business environments [1][2]. Group 1: Executive Strategies - Ted Sarandos of Netflix made a pivotal decision to invest $100 million in original content, marking a significant shift in strategy when licensing from studios decreased [3][5]. - Danny Meyer, founder of Shake Shack, created a fund to support employees during the pandemic after laying off 95% of his staff, demonstrating a commitment to employee welfare [6][7]. - Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, prioritized safety and transparency following a crisis involving faulty ignition switches, fostering a culture of open communication [12][14]. - Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, focused on rebuilding trust by addressing the company's internal issues and promoting a culture of change [16][20]. - Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, responded to a major advertising boycott by hiring thousands of human reviewers and investing in technology to manage harmful content, establishing a balance between free expression and community guidelines [21]. - Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, took decisive action during a crisis by implementing a property damage guarantee, which evolved from $50,000 to $3 million, showcasing leadership in times of adversity [22][23]. - Barry Diller, chairman of IAC and Expedia, chose to proceed with a $1 billion acquisition of Expedia despite the 9/11 crisis, believing in the resilience of the travel industry [24][27]. - Marvin Ellison, CEO of Lowe's, focused on supply chain transformation and employee investment, which allowed the company to adapt quickly during the pandemic [28][30]. Group 2: Lessons Learned - Executives emphasized the need for a culture that encourages dissent and open dialogue to foster innovation and adaptability [5][6]. - The importance of making bold decisions during critical moments was highlighted, as many leaders faced existential threats that required immediate and decisive action [3][22]. - A common theme among these leaders is the recognition that crises can present opportunities for significant change and improvement within their organizations [19][20].

Market Overview - The U.S. equity markets started 2026 strongly, achieving two consecutive days of record highs driven by blue-chip tech firms and a rise in energy stocks [1] - Technology stocks benefited from renewed enthusiasm for AI and its growth potential, while the energy sector was optimistic about crude oil price stability following a U.S. attack on Venezuela [1] Investment Strategies - Investors are optimistic that rebuilding Venezuela's oil infrastructure will enhance the industry and improve supply chain dynamics without escalating geopolitical conflicts [2] - Momentum investing is highlighted as a successful strategy, particularly in times when value or growth investing may not yield desired profits [2][3] - The principle of momentum investing is to "buy high and sell higher," capitalizing on established trends that are likely to continue due to existing momentum [3] Momentum Stock Screening - A screening strategy has been developed to identify stocks with strong momentum, focusing on long-term price increases and short-term pullbacks [4] - The screening parameters include selecting the top 50 stocks based on a 52-week price change, then identifying the 10 worst performers over the last week to find potential entry points [5][6] - Stocks with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and a Momentum Style Score of B or better are prioritized, as they have a history of outperforming the market [7] Selected Stocks - General Motors (GM) has seen a 58.1% increase in the past year but experienced a 0.2% decline last week, with a Momentum Score of B [10] - NVIDIA (NVDA) has risen 33.6% over the past year but also dipped 0.2% last week, holding a Momentum Score of A [11] - Mercury General (MCY) has increased by 36% in the last year but fell 6.2% last week, with a Momentum Score of B [13]

Core Insights - General Motors Company (GM) delivered 703,001 vehicles in the U.S. in Q4 2025, marking a 7% year-over-year decline, which aligns with overall industry trends [1][7] - Electric vehicle (EV) sales fell 43% year-over-year to 25,219 units, following a record Q3 due to accelerated purchases ahead of the federal tax credit expiration [1][7] - Despite weaker Q4 results, GM led the U.S. auto market in 2025 with a 6% increase in full-year sales, supported by gains across several segments [2][7] Sales Performance - Sales across GM's core brands declined in Q4 2025: Buick (-10.5%), Cadillac (-16.7%), Chevrolet (-6.7%), and GMC (-3.7%) [2] - GM Envolve achieved its strongest fourth-quarter fleet sales performance since 2018 [2] - GM retained its position as the leading full-size pickup manufacturer for the sixth consecutive year, with the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra achieving their highest combined sales in two decades [3] Competitive Landscape - In Q4 2025, Tesla sold 418,227 vehicles, down 16% from Q4 2024, with full-year deliveries totaling approximately 1.64 million vehicles [4] - Ford sold 545,216 vehicles in Q4 2025, a 2.7% year-over-year increase, and reported a 6% rise in total sales for the year [5] Valuation and Estimates - GM's shares have outperformed the Zacks Automotive-Domestic industry over the past six months, gaining 57.5% compared to the industry's 48.7% [6] - GM appears undervalued with a forward price/sales ratio of 0.42, significantly lower than the industry's 3.4 [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GM's 2025 EPS has increased by 18 cents in the past 60 days, while the 2026 EPS estimate has risen by 14 cents in the past 30 days [11]

Core Viewpoint - Dassault Systèmes announced the total number of outstanding shares and voting rights as of December 31, 2025, highlighting its corporate governance and shareholder engagement practices [2]. Group 1: Outstanding Shares and Voting Rights - The total number of outstanding shares is reported as 1,341,806,268 [2]. - The total number of voting rights is calculated to be 2,013,578,477, which includes shares with suspended voting rights as per regulatory guidelines [2]. Group 2: Regulatory Compliance - The announcement complies with articles 223-16 and 221-3 of the General Regulation of the Autorité des marchés financiers, ensuring transparency in shareholder communications [2]. - Shareholders are encouraged to refer to Article 223-11 for details on declaring crossing of thresholds related to shareholdings and voting rights [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - Dassault Systèmes has been a pioneer in creating virtual worlds since 1981, aiming to enhance real-life experiences for consumers, patients, and citizens [3]. - The company serves 370,000 customers across various industries through its 3DEXPERIENCE platform, promoting sustainable innovations [3].

Core Insights - The fourth annual SDV (Software-Defined Vehicle) Innovator Awards were announced by MotorTrend, celebrating individuals redefining the automotive industry through software innovation [1][2] - The awards recognize pioneers, leaders, and experts in the automotive sector, highlighting their contributions to the evolution of software-defined vehicles [2][3] Group 1: Award Categories - The SDV Innovator Awards feature three categories: Pioneer, Leader, and Expert, with 20 winners selected by MotorTrend editors [2] - Pioneer Award winners have made significant advancements in SDV through research and development of new automotive software [3] - Leader Award winners are senior management individuals who drive the adoption of software solutions in the automotive industry [4] - Expert Award winners are recognized for their specialized knowledge in specific SDV disciplines, such as advanced driver assistance systems and over-the-air updates [5] Group 2: Notable Winners - Notable winners include Ashok Elluswamy from Tesla, Shaoqing Ren from NIO, and Laura Major from Motional, among others, showcasing a diverse range of expertise in the automotive software field [6]

Core Insights - Total new-vehicle sales in 2025 rose by 2.4% to 16.2 million vehicles, marking the highest level since 2019 and just above 1986 levels, indicating four decades of stagnation and partial recoveries [1] - The automotive market has seen significant fluctuations, with some manufacturers experiencing steep declines while others have managed to increase sales [1][4] Sales Performance by Automakers - **General Motors (GM)**: Q4 sales fell by 6.9% year-over-year to 703,001 units, but full-year sales rose by 5.5% to 2.85 million vehicles, still down 7.5% from the 2015 peak [14] - **Toyota**: Combined sales for Toyota and Lexus jumped by 8.0% in 2025 to 2.52 million vehicles, slightly surpassing the 2015 peak [16] - **Ford**: Sales rose by 6.0% to 2.20 million vehicles for the year, but this was still down 15% from the 2015 peak [19] - **Hyundai-Kia**: Combined sales increased by 7.4% to a record 1.63 million vehicles, up 26% from the 2015 high [21] - **Honda**: Full-year sales inched up by 0.5% to 1.43 million vehicles, but still down 13% from the 2017 peak [25] - **Stellantis**: Sales dropped by 3% to 1.26 million vehicles, a 44% decline from the 2015 peak [28] - **Nissan**: Sales were roughly flat at 926,153 vehicles, down 42% from the 2017 peak [31] Pricing Trends - The average retail transaction price peaked at $47,329 at the end of 2022 and was $47,104 at the end of 2025, reflecting a 1.5% increase year-over-year but a 0.5% decrease from three years ago [8] - Automakers have raised prices across the board, with a 36% increase in average retail transaction prices from 2020 to 2022, leading to consumer pushback [6][7] Market Dynamics - The automotive industry has been characterized by a shift towards upscale models, with manufacturers focusing on larger and more expensive vehicles to boost revenues amid stagnating unit sales [7] - The market has seen a significant impact from federal incentives and tariffs, with Q3 sales surging due to frontrunning these changes, followed by a Q4 decline of 4.2% year-over-year [4]

Core Insights - General Motors (GM) was the top-selling automaker in the U.S. for 2025, with deliveries increasing by 5.5% to 2.85 million units, outperforming Toyota, which sold 2.52 million vehicles [1][2] - GM's market share rose by 0.5 percentage points to approximately 17%, and the company maintained its leadership in full-size pickups, selling 940,000 units, a 7% increase [2] - GM was the second-largest electric vehicle (EV) seller in the U.S. in 2025, with EV sales rising 48% to 169,887 units [2] Sales Performance - Total sales in Q4 2025 fell by 7% year over year to 703,001 vehicles, with EV deliveries dropping 43% to 25,219 units [3] - Despite the decline in Q4, GM anticipates resilient demand across various price points, supporting growth into 2026 [3] Growth Drivers - GM is adjusting its strategy to scale EV plans amid slower consumer adoption, while also focusing on robust internal combustion engine (ICE) volumes and production base strengthening [6] - Upcoming product launches, including the next-gen Cadillac CT5 and redesigned XT5, highlight GM's commitment to meet U.S. market demand [6] Software and Services - GM's software and services business is emerging as a significant growth driver, with revenues from Super Cruise, OnStar, and other products reaching approximately $2 billion in 2025 [7] - Deferred revenues increased by over 90% year over year to $5 billion, with OnStar's subscriber base growing by 34% to over 11 million [7][8] International Performance - GM's restructuring efforts in China have led to a 10% year-over-year increase in vehicle sales, with market share expanding to 6.8% [9] Financial Position - GM ended Q3 2025 with strong automotive liquidity of $35.7 billion and repurchased over $3.5 billion of stock, reducing its share count by 15% year over year [10] - The stock is trading at a forward earnings multiple of 7.13X, significantly lower than peers like Toyota and Tesla, indicating potential undervaluation [11] Earnings Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GM's EPS in 2026 suggests a 13% increase from 2025 projected levels [13] - GM's strong balance sheet and ongoing buybacks contribute to a positive investment outlook, despite recent stock price increases [15]

Company Overview - Proactive is a financial news publisher that provides fast, accessible, informative, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2] - The company has a team of experienced news journalists who produce independent content across various financial markets [2] Market Focus - Proactive specializes in medium and small-cap markets while also covering blue-chip companies, commodities, and broader investment stories [3] - The content delivered by Proactive includes insights into sectors such as biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto, and emerging digital and EV technologies [3] Technology Adoption - Proactive is recognized for its forward-looking approach and enthusiastic adoption of technology to enhance workflows [4] - The company utilizes automation and software tools, including generative AI, while ensuring that all content is edited and authored by humans [5]

Core Insights - General Motors (GM) experienced a decline in fourth quarter sales but achieved strong overall full-year results, maintaining its position as the top-selling automaker in the US [1][2]. Sales Performance - Q4 sales decreased by 6.9% year-over-year to just over 703,000 vehicles, while full-year sales increased by 5.5% to 2.853 million vehicles [2]. - Full-size pickup sales rose for the sixth consecutive year, marking the best performance in 20 years, and full-size SUVs like the Tahoe, Suburban, and Yukon contributed to a fifth straight year of category wins [2]. Electric Vehicle (EV) Sales - EV sales in Q4 plummeted by 43% to just over 25,000 units, attributed to a "pull ahead" in Q3 sales before the expiration of the federal EV tax credit [3]. - Despite the decline in Q4, GM remains the No. 2 EV seller in the US, following Tesla [5]. Product Portfolio Highlights - Notable sales increases in Q4 included the Buick Enclave SUV (up 53.5%), Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup (up 11.6%), and GMC Traverse SUV (up 24.1%) [4]. - GM's incentives as a percentage of average transaction price (ATP) were reported at 4.3%, aligning with the industry average, while market share increased by 0.5% to approximately 17% [4]. Inventory and Financial Adjustments - Dealer inventory levels decreased by 18% to 486,000 units, which aligns with GM's strategic plans [4]. - GM announced a $1.6 billion charge related to a reassessment of its EV plans, including $1.2 billion in non-cash special charges and $400 million in cash for contract cancellations and EV-related investments [5].

Sales are expected to slow after three years of gains as consumers push back on rising prices. ...