BELLINGHAM, Wash., March 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- eXp Realty®, “the most agent-centric™ real estate brokerage on the planet” and the core subsidiary of eXp World Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPI), today announced that Southern California real estate leader Lance Martin has joined the brokerage. After spending 24 years with Coldwell Banker, Martin has made the decision to move his business, The Martin Group / Cobalt Realty Group, to eXp Realty. The Southern California organization includes 140 agents across ...

Interoperable gateway solution connects multiple public safety networks and expands push-to-talk calling area by thousands of miles. ATLANTA, March 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Linc, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), has partnered with the Blount County, Alabama Communications District (BCCD) to integrate the county's existing VHF, P25 and other networks with the CriticalLincâ"¢ LTE network. Blount County was faced with the challenge of achieving dependable handheld radio coverage without ex ...

Core Viewpoint - Southern Company is on track to achieve Dividend Aristocrat status, having raised its dividend for 24 consecutive years, with a current yield of 3% and trading near $98, despite facing challenges related to a significant capital expenditure plan and rising interest costs [1][4]. Financial Performance - The company has a five-year capital plan amounting to $81 billion, which has resulted in negative free cash flow of $3.6 billion, but this is covered three times by operating cash flow [1][9]. - Southern Company generated $9.8 billion in operating cash flow in 2025, while capital expenditures reached $13.4 billion, leading to negative free cash flow [9]. Dividend Metrics - The annual dividend is $2.96 per share, with a dividend yield of 3% and an earnings payout ratio of approximately 75%, which is elevated but typical for regulated utilities [5][10]. - The most recent dividend increase was from $0.72 to $0.74 per quarter, effective Q2 2025, reflecting a modest increase strategy [5][12]. Growth Projections - Southern Company is targeting an earnings per share (EPS) growth of 8% to 9% through 2028, supported by 26 signed large load contracts representing 10 gigawatts of data center demand in its Southeast territories [2][13]. - Management has indicated a strategy to lower the dividend payout ratio into the low to mid-60s range over the forecast horizon, ensuring a safer payout ratio [12][13]. Debt and Interest Expenses - The total debt stands at $65.8 billion, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83x, which is considered moderate for the sector [11]. - Interest expenses increased to $3.3 billion in 2025 from $2.4 billion in 2023, influenced by the company's capital plan [11].

Vancouver, British Columbia and Melbourne, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 16, 2026) - Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd. (TSX: SXGC) (ASX: SX2) (OTCQX: SXGCF) (FSSE: MV3) ("SXGC", "SX2" or the "Company") announces results from four drill holes from the 100%-owned Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project in Victoria (Figures 1 to 6). Best results included 17.3 m @ 22.9 g/t AuEq (15.3 g/t Au, 3.2% Sb) from 251.1 m in drill hole SDDSC200.The true thickness of the mineralized intervals is interpreted to be ap ...

Core Insights - Generative AI is viewed as a transformative technology by Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy, indicating its potential to reinvent customer experiences [1] - Elon Musk predicts that humanoid robots could create a market worth $250 trillion by 2040, reshaping the global economy [2] - Major firms like PwC and McKinsey acknowledge that AI could unlock multi-trillion-dollar potential, supporting Musk's ambitious forecast [3] Industry Trends - The AI revolution is characterized by a powerful breakthrough that is redefining work, learning, and creativity, attracting significant interest from hedge funds and top investors [4] - A lesser-known company is identified as holding the key to the AI revolution, suggesting that it may be undervalued compared to larger tech firms [6] - Prominent figures in technology and investment, including Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, recognize AI as a major technological advancement with the potential for significant social impact [8] Investment Opportunities - There is a strong belief that investors will regret not owning shares in a specific under-owned company that is pivotal to the AI revolution [9] - A detailed report on this company and its technology is available, highlighting its growth potential and significance in the AI landscape [10]

Core Viewpoint - The Southern Company is positioned as a potential Dividend Aristocrat, supported by significant financing from the U.S. Department of Energy and a favorable demand outlook for electricity [1]. Group 1: Financing and Support - The U.S. Department of Energy has provided a $26.54 billion loan to Southern Company's subsidiaries, marking the largest loan ever issued by the department's loan office [3]. - This financing is expected to enhance power grid reliability and help customers in Georgia and Alabama save over $7 billion, partly due to a commitment to freeze electricity rates for three years [3]. - The loan will support over 16 gigawatts of new and upgraded power capacity, including projects in natural gas generation, nuclear facility upgrades, hydropower modernization, energy storage development, and transmission improvements [4]. Group 2: Market Outlook and Valuation - TD Cowen raised the price target for Southern Company shares to $112 from $108, maintaining a Buy rating, citing the loan guarantee as a financing win and political support for the company's growth strategy [2]. - The company argues that increased electricity demand can benefit customers, and minimum bill contracts help cover system costs, easing pressure on electricity rates [2]. - With affordability concerns currently less central, TD Cowen believes Southern Company may deserve a higher valuation premium [2]. Group 3: Company Overview - Southern Company operates several subsidiaries, including three traditional electric utilities, Southern Power Company, and Southern Company Gas, providing electricity to retail and wholesale customers across the Southeast [5].

Core Viewpoint - Southern Company is a significant energy provider in the U.S., focusing on electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, with a competitive landscape that includes Duke Energy and NextEra Energy [1] Investment Sentiment - Analyst Shelby Tucker from Cowen & Co. has set a price target of $112 for Southern Company, indicating a potential increase of 15.33% from the current stock price of $97.11, reflecting confidence in the company's future performance [2][6] - 111 Capital has invested approximately $3.4 million in Southern Company by acquiring 36,169 shares, representing about 0.6% of its portfolio, which indicates positive sentiment towards the company's growth potential [3][6] - Other investment firms, including Cloud Capital Management LLC, Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC, and Steigerwald Gordon and Koch Inc., have also made new investments in Southern Company, with amounts of $25,000, $29,000, and $34,000 respectively [4] Stock Performance - Southern Company's stock is currently priced at $96.41, with a slight decrease of 0.79 or -0.81%, and has ranged from $96.16 to $97.35 today [5] - Over the past year, the stock has reached a high of $100.84 and a low of $83.09, with a market capitalization of approximately $107.92 billion, maintaining its status as a major player in the energy sector [5]

Core Insights - The nuclear energy sector is experiencing renewed interest due to the completion of new plants and changing perceptions about nuclear power's role in addressing climate change [1] - Traditional nuclear power remains the primary source of nuclear energy in the U.S. for the next few years, with 94 operating reactors generating approximately 97.0 GW of capacity [1] - Investment opportunities in nuclear energy are expanding, with various avenues for exposure, including traditional utilities, independent power producers, and emerging technology companies [1][2] Group 1: Industry Overview - The completion of The Southern Company's Vogtle units 3 and 4 marks the first new traditional nuclear capacity built from scratch in nearly four decades [1] - U.S. nuclear reactors generated about 816 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2024, accounting for roughly 18-19% of total U.S. electricity generation and about 55% of carbon-free electricity [1] - The current U.S. commercial fleet consists entirely of light-water reactors (LWRs), specifically Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) and Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) [1] Group 2: Future Developments - New nuclear generation sources are expected to come from extending the lives of existing plants, recommissioning retired plants, and improving efficiency through technology [1] - Small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced non-light-water reactors are being explored as potential new sources of nuclear power, with hopes of being less capital-intensive and easier to permit [1] - Fusion energy, while promising, is projected to be commercially viable only beyond 2040, with some estimates extending to 2100 [1] Group 3: Investment Opportunities - Investment in nuclear energy is becoming more attractive, with real investment dollars being allocated to both private and public deals [1] - Exposure to nuclear energy can be gained through traditional electric and gas utilities, independent power producers, and companies focused on new technologies [1][2] - The S&P 500 shows less than 1% of revenues from direct nuclear power producers, but this rises to 20% for companies with critical dependencies, such as big tech and utilities [2]

Core Insights - Digital Realty (DLR) has expanded into Portugal by acquiring a data center in Lisbon, enhancing its presence in Southern Europe and addressing the growing demand for cloud, AI, and connectivity services [1][5] - The new Lisbon facility is expected to support up to 2.4 MW of IT load and is projected to be operational by early 2027, strategically located near major subsea cable systems [2][7] - This acquisition follows DLR's recent expansion into Bulgaria, where it acquired Telepoint, adding two data centers and enhancing its capabilities in Southeast Europe [3][5] Expansion Strategy - The entry into Portugal and Bulgaria is part of DLR's broader strategy to strengthen its footprint in key connectivity markets globally, positioning itself near major digital traffic routes [5] - DLR is also expanding its global innovation footprint by establishing innovation labs in Singapore and Japan, which support digital transformation and enhance its interconnected infrastructure [4][5] Performance Metrics - Over the past three months, DLR's shares have increased by 10.8%, outperforming the industry growth of 6.6%, and currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [6]

Upgrades - RBC Capital upgraded Builders FirstSource (BLDR) to Outperform from Sector Perform with an unchanged price target of $119, citing an attractive risk/reward due to the stock's valuation pullback [2] - Goldman Sachs upgraded AIG (AIG) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $90, up from $83, indicating a 16% total return potential and highlighting peer-high earnings growth and improving return on equity [3] - Evercore ISI upgraded Southern Company (SO) to Outperform from In Line with a price target of $111, up from $103, expressing a bullish outlook and belief that shares are poised for all-time highs [4] - Benchmark upgraded Penn Entertainment (PENN) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $21, noting that reaching break-even and meaningful free cash flow expansion can significantly improve the company's profile [4] - Scotiabank upgraded MongoDB (MDB) to Outperform from Sector Perform with a price target of $310, up from $275, suggesting that the current reset level presents an attractive buying opportunity [5] Downgrades - Arete downgraded Meta Platforms (META) to Neutral from Buy with a price target of $676, down from $732, due to concerns over lagging AI monetization and increasing investments leading to margin declines [6] - Rothschild & Co Redburn downgraded American Airlines (AAL) to Neutral from Buy with a price target of $12.50, citing accelerating domestic airline capacity growth and disruptive pressures from the Iran conflict [6] - Wedbush downgraded StubHub (STUB) to Neutral from Outperform with a price target of $10, down from $18, following a Q4 report that raised concerns about the value of StubHub's direct issuance business [6] - Craig-Hallum downgraded Grocery Outlet (GO) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $7.50, down from $21, after disappointing Q4 results and lower-than-expected 2026 guidance [6] - Goldman Sachs downgraded Allstate (ALL) to Neutral from Buy with a price target of $231, down from $238, expressing concerns about market positioning and exposure to autonomous vehicles [6]