Core Insights - The 2025 LexisNexis® U.S. Auto Insurance Trends Report provides critical data for insurers to make informed rating decisions and adapt to evolving risk segments in the auto insurance market [1][2] Market Trends - The auto insurance market is experiencing a softening phase, with profitability returning as insurers adapt to a consumer base increasingly willing to shop for better deals [3][5] - Direct written premiums grew by 13.6% to $359 billion in 2024, indicating improved profitability for insurers [6][7] - Rate increases have begun to ease, with a 10% year-over-year rise in 2024 compared to a 15% increase in 2023, reflecting changing market conditions [6][7] Driving Violations and Claims - All driving violations increased by 17% year-over-year, surpassing 2019 levels, with major speeding violations rising by 16% and minor speeding violations by 25% [6][7] - Bodily injury severity jumped by 9.2%, while property damage severity climbed by 2.5% year-over-year; however, collision severity declined by 2.5% [6][7] Consumer Behavior - Policy shopping reached an all-time high, with over 45% of policies in force being shopped at least once by the end of 2024 [6][11] - Older consumers (aged 66 and older) are leading the shopping trend, with a 35% year-over-year increase in shopping among long-tenured customers [6][11] - The rate of high-survivability shoppers reached 40% by the end of 2024, indicating a shift in consumer behavior towards more competitive shopping [6][11] Emerging Risks - The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is introducing new risks, with a 14% rise in claim frequency for drivers moving from internal combustion engine vehicles to EVs [6]

Core Insights - U.S. consumer auto insurance shopping remains elevated in Q1 2025, with shopping growth at 16% and new policy growth at 8.4%, indicating a slight cooling from Q4 2024 [1][9] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Macro factors such as tax refund season and tariff concerns are significantly influencing consumer auto insurance shopping behavior [2] - Direct channel shoppers contributed to growth across all age groups, with a 34% year-over-year increase, outpacing independent and exclusive agent channels [3] - The non-standard market segment experienced a 30% growth, driven by uninsured shoppers entering the market with tax refunds [3] Group 2: Regional Trends - Despite a shorter calendar in February 2025, many regions reported elevated shopping growth, with 10 states showing increases of 20% or more, including Hawaii (59%) and New Jersey (43%) [4] - New policy growth was bolstered by tax refunds and increased vehicle sales, with states like Nevada (39%) and New Jersey (31%) reporting new policy growth of 20% or higher [5] Group 3: Consumer Behavior - Average policy retention dropped to 78% by the end of Q1 2025, down from 83% in early 2022, indicating a faster churn rate [6] - Historically loyal segments, such as policyholders aged 66 and older, are now more active in shopping and switching behavior, highlighting the need for proactive retention strategies [7][8] Group 4: Future Outlook - The full impact of proposed tariffs may not be felt until later in 2025, but current tariffs are already shaping the market, prompting consumers to fast-track purchases [10] - Insurers may need to refine their acquisition and retention strategies as auto and home policy activities increasingly influence one another [10] - Carriers face significant retention challenges, with declining rates potentially straining business models, necessitating disciplined underwriting approaches [11]

Group 1: Momentum Investing Overview - Momentum investing involves following a stock's recent trend, with the strategy of buying high and selling higher, capitalizing on established price movements [1] - The Zacks Momentum Style Score helps define momentum characteristics, with RELX PLC currently holding a Momentum Style Score of B [2][3] Group 2: Performance Metrics of RELX PLC - RELX shares have increased by 2.75% over the past week, while the Zacks Internet - Content industry remained flat [5] - Over the past month, RELX's price change is 20.89%, significantly outperforming the industry's 4.32% [5] - In the last quarter, RELX shares rose by 8.86%, and over the past year, they increased by 29.78%, compared to the S&P 500's -6.46% and 11.69% respectively [6] Group 3: Trading Volume and Earnings Outlook - The average 20-day trading volume for RELX is 885,739 shares, indicating a bullish sign with rising stock prices [7] - In terms of earnings estimates, one estimate for the current fiscal year has increased from $1.68 to $1.70 over the past 60 days, with no downward revisions [9] - For the next fiscal year, one estimate has also moved upwards, reflecting positive trends in earnings outlook [9] Group 4: Conclusion on Investment Potential - Given the positive performance metrics and earnings outlook, RELX is rated as a 2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B, making it a strong candidate for near-term investment [11]

Group 1 - The article focuses on the Asia Value & Moat Stocks research service, which targets value investors looking for Asia-listed stocks with significant discrepancies between price and intrinsic value [1] - The service emphasizes deep value balance sheet bargains, such as net cash stocks and low price-to-book (P/B) stocks, as well as wide moat stocks that represent high-quality businesses [1] - The author provides a range of watch lists with monthly updates, specifically concentrating on investment opportunities in the Hong Kong market [1]

Group 1 - Orange (ORANY) has returned approximately 46% since the beginning of the calendar year, significantly outperforming the average loss of 19.4% in the Computer and Technology sector [4] - The Zacks Rank for Orange is currently 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook with a 3.4% increase in the consensus estimate for full-year earnings over the past quarter [3] - Orange belongs to the Wireless Non-US industry, which has 14 individual stocks and is currently ranked 57 in the Zacks Industry Rank, with an average gain of 12.6% this year [5] Group 2 - RELX PLC (RELX) is another stock in the Computer and Technology sector that has outperformed, with a year-to-date increase of 14.6% [4] - The consensus EPS estimate for RELX has increased by 6.8% over the past three months, and it also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5] - RELX is part of the Internet - Content industry, which consists of 12 stocks and is currently ranked 52, with an average increase of 9.9% this year [6]

Core Insights - LexisNexis Risk Solutions has appointed Valentina Isakina as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, reporting to CEO Mark Kelsey [1][2] - Isakina will oversee the strategic direction and corporate development initiatives, focusing on growth and innovation across global operations [2] - The leadership addition aims to strengthen LexisNexis Risk Solutions' competitive position and enhance its strategic vision in the data and analytics industry [5] Company Background - LexisNexis Risk Solutions utilizes data, analytics platforms, and technology solutions to help businesses and governmental entities reduce risk and improve decision-making [6] - The company is headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, and is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics [6] Leadership Profile - Valentina Isakina brings over 20 years of experience in strategy, transformation, and innovation, having held leadership roles in various organizations [3] - Her previous positions include senior advisor to the Office of Tony Blair, managing director at JobsOhio, and vice president of corporate strategy at Nationwide Insurance [3] - Isakina holds an MBA from Cornell and a Master's in Actuarial Science, along with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Georgia State University, and is a CFA charterholder [4]

Core Insights - Investors are evaluating Perion Network (PERI) and RELX PLC (RELX) for potential value opportunities in the Internet - Content sector [1] Valuation Metrics - PERI has a forward P/E ratio of 8.02, significantly lower than RELX's forward P/E of 30.01, indicating PERI may be undervalued [5] - PERI's PEG ratio stands at 0.36, while RELX's PEG ratio is 2.93, suggesting PERI has a better growth-to-price ratio [5] - PERI's P/B ratio is 0.54, compared to RELX's P/B of 20.95, further supporting the notion that PERI is undervalued [6] Earnings Outlook - Both PERI and RELX have a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating positive earnings estimate revisions and improving earnings outlooks [3][6] - PERI's Value grade is B, while RELX's Value grade is D, highlighting PERI as the superior value option based on current metrics [6]

Core Insights - LexisNexis Risk Solutions has appointed Glenn Prager as Executive Director of Government Risk Solutions to enhance program integrity and protect public funds [1][2] - Prager brings over two decades of experience in combating fraud, waste, and abuse, focusing on ensuring that benefits reach those in need [1][2] - The company aims to modernize fraud prevention efforts using advanced technology and innovative strategies under Prager's leadership [3] Company Overview - LexisNexis Risk Solutions utilizes data and advanced analytics to help businesses and government entities reduce risk and improve decision-making [4] - The company provides solutions across various industries, including insurance, financial services, healthcare, and government [4] - LexisNexis Risk Solutions is part of RELX, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers [4]

Core Viewpoint - RELX PLC has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, indicating a positive earnings outlook that may lead to increased stock price [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in a company's earnings picture, which significantly influences stock price movements [2][4]. - Rising earnings estimates for RELX suggest an improvement in the company's underlying business, likely resulting in higher stock prices as investors respond positively [5][8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a 'Strong Buy' rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions and potential for market-beating returns [9][10]. Recent Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, RELX is expected to earn $1.68 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 9.1% [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for RELX has increased by 0.6%, indicating a positive trend in earnings expectations [8].

Stock markets have been experiencing significant volatility of late. This is largely because of the ongoing tariff war, as President Trump’s tariffs have led to retaliation, raising concerns of a full-scale trade war. Also, economic data indicates a slowdown in the U.S. economy. Further, inflationary pressures are mounting, with consumer inflation expectations rising. These factors have complicated the Federal Reserve’s ability to lower interest rates. In such an uncertain environment, retail investors face ...