Market Overview - The U.S. stock market is expected to remain volatile due to factors such as global trade policies, inflation trends, and Federal Reserve actions on interest rates, despite indexes like the S&P 500 hitting record highs [1] - Tariff uncertainties and shifting economic policies contribute to market unpredictability, with sector-specific pullbacks in consumer discretionary and communication services further exacerbating fluctuations [1] Investment Strategy - Creating a curated portfolio of low-beta stocks is recommended as a safeguard against market volatility, allowing investors to navigate fluctuations with greater resilience [2] - Stocks such as BJ's Wholesale Club (BJ), Virtu Financial Inc (VIRT), TXO Partners LP (TXO), and First Community Corporation (FCCO) are highlighted as potential investment opportunities [2] Stock Analysis BJ's Wholesale Club - BJ's Wholesale Club is a leading membership-based warehouse retailer, expanding its footprint and offering significant savings of up to 25% off grocery store prices [7] - The company provides a diversified product range, including fresh foods and household essentials, and leverages digital innovations like ExpressPay and same-day delivery to meet consumer preferences [7] Virtu Financial - Virtu Financial is advancing its Virtu Technology Solutions, which aids broker-dealers in utilizing advanced trading and financial data analysis tools, positioning the company for long-term growth [9] TXO Partners - TXO Partners operates in the oil-rich Permian Basin and is involved in exploration and production activities, benefiting from favorable commodity pricing [10] - The Mancos Shale project has significant potential, with nearly 3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and aims to increase reserves fivefold [10] First Community Corporation - First Community is a well-managed community bank with consistent earnings, solid loan and deposit growth, and disciplined capital management [11] - The bank maintains excellent asset quality and a diversified revenue stream, positioning it for sustainable long-term growth [11]

Core Viewpoint - Virtu Financial (VIRT) has experienced an 8.4% decline over the past week, but the formation of a hammer chart pattern suggests potential support and a possible trend reversal in the future [1][2]. Technical Analysis - A hammer chart pattern indicates a potential bottom and exhaustion of selling pressure, which may lead to a trend reversal [2][4]. - The hammer pattern is characterized by a small candle body with a long lower wick, indicating that despite a downtrend, buying interest has emerged [3][4]. - The occurrence of a hammer pattern at the bottom of a downtrend signals that bears may have lost control, suggesting a potential shift in market sentiment [4]. Fundamental Analysis - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for VIRT, with a 12.9% increase in the consensus EPS estimate over the last 30 days, indicating improved earnings expectations [6][7]. - The upward revisions in earnings estimates are considered a bullish indicator, often leading to price appreciation in the near term [6]. - VIRT holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks, which typically outperform the market [8].

Core Insights - Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT) has seen an increase in earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 following a strong fourth-quarter 2024 performance, driven by revenue growth in Market Making and Execution Services segments [1][4] - The company reported an adjusted EPS of $1.14 for Q4 2024, exceeding estimates by 32.6% and showing a year-over-year increase of over four-fold [2] - Adjusted net trading income rose 75% year-over-year to $457.7 million, surpassing estimates by 14.7% [2] - Analysts are becoming more optimistic about Virtu Financial's stock, revising earnings estimates upward [4] Financial Performance - For the full year 2024, adjusted net trading income increased by 41.2% in Market Making and 10.6% in Execution Services, indicating strong core business performance [2] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 surged to $283.5 million from $99 million in the prior year, with an improved EBITDA margin of 57.5%, up 2,400 basis points [2] - The company exited Q4 2024 with cash and cash equivalents of $872.5 million, up from $820.4 million at the end of 2023, significantly higher than short-term borrowings of $38.5 million [10] Growth Drivers - Potential regulatory shifts under the new administration may create a more favorable trading environment, benefiting Virtu Financial [6] - The Execution Services segment is gaining from the ITG acquisition, diversifying revenue streams and enhancing technological capabilities [7] - Ongoing investments in efficiency improvements are boosting profitability and margins, contributing to rising earnings estimates [9] Shareholder Commitment - In 2024, Virtu Financial repurchased 6.7 million shares worth $172.2 million, with a total of $1.3 billion in buybacks since November 2020 [11] - The company maintains a quarterly cash dividend of 24 cents per share, with a dividend yield of 2.61%, higher than the industry average [11] Market Performance and Valuation - VIRT stock has increased by 120.9% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 20.7% and the S&P 500's 23.5% [12] - The forward P/E ratio of 10.26X indicates that Virtu Financial appears undervalued compared to the industry average of 16.45X, suggesting significant upside potential [14] - The company holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a favorable outlook for investors seeking value and growth in the financial services sector [18]

Core Viewpoint - Virtu Financial (VIRT) shows a significant improvement in earnings outlook, making it an attractive investment option as analysts continue to raise earnings estimates for the company [1][3]. Estimate Revisions - The rising trend in earnings estimate revisions reflects growing analyst optimism regarding Virtu Financial's earnings prospects, which is expected to positively impact its stock price [2]. - The current-quarter earnings estimate of $0.88 per share indicates a +15.79% change from the previous year, with a 5.84% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the last 30 days [4]. - For the full year, the expected earnings of $3.24 per share represent a -8.73% change from the prior year, but there has been a positive trend with four upward revisions against one downward revision, resulting in a 6.82% increase in the consensus estimate [5]. Zacks Rank - Virtu Financial has achieved a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) due to favorable estimate revisions, which is a reliable indicator for investors to make informed decisions [6]. - Stocks with Zacks Rank 1 and 2 are shown to significantly outperform the S&P 500, indicating strong potential for Virtu Financial [6]. Stock Performance - The stock has gained 12% over the past four weeks, driven by solid estimate revisions, suggesting that its earnings growth prospects may lead to further price increases [7].

Group 1 - The broad market has been experiencing significant volatility, with investors focusing on earnings following the FOMC event [1] - Stocks with strong earnings trends are positioned for long-term growth, and the Zacks Rank is used to identify these stocks [2] - Virtu Financial is highlighted as a strong investment opportunity, operating in multiple regions and offering various financial services [3] Group 2 - Virtu Financial benefits from market volatility as a high-frequency trading firm, reflected in its strong Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [4] - Recent earnings estimates for Virtu Financial have been revised upward, with FY25 estimates increasing from $3.05 to $3.24 and next year's estimates rising from $2.98 to $3.29 [4] - The company reported a significant earnings beat in Q4 2024, with EPS of $1.14 compared to expectations of $0.86, marking the fourth consecutive quarterly earnings beat [5]

Core Viewpoint - BAD BEAT Investing, led by Quad 7 Capital, emphasizes a strategic approach to trading, focusing on both long and short positions while educating investors on market dynamics and trading proficiency [1][2] Group 1: Company Overview - Quad 7 Capital consists of a team of 7 analysts with diverse expertise in business, policy, economics, mathematics, game theory, and sciences [1] - The company has been operational for nearly 12 years and is recognized for its significant market calls, including a notable recommendation to sell everything and go short in February 2020 [1] - Since May 2020, the company has maintained an average position of 95% long and 5% short [1] Group 2: Investment Strategy - BAD BEAT Investing focuses on short- and medium-term investments, income generation, special situations, and momentum trades [1] - The company aims to provide in-depth, high-quality research with clear entry and exit targets to save investors time [1] Group 3: Educational Benefits - Investors can learn to understand market fluctuations, execute well-researched trade ideas weekly, and utilize various trading tools through BAD BEAT Investing [2] - The service includes access to 4 chat rooms and daily summaries of key analyst upgrades and downgrades [2] - Additionally, the company offers education on basic options trading [2]

Earnings Performance - Virtu Financial reported Q4 2024 adjusted EPS of $1.14, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 32.6% and showing a more than four-fold increase year over year [1] - Adjusted net trading income rose over 75% year over year to $457.7 million, beating the consensus estimate by 14.7% [2] - Adjusted EBITDA surged to $283.5 million from $99 million a year ago, exceeding the model estimate of $175.8 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 57.5%, up 2,400 basis points year over year [4] Revenue Breakdown - Revenues from commissions, net and technology services increased 22.8% year over year to $140.5 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of $127.4 million [3] - Interest and dividend income fell to $123.8 million from $154.7 million a year ago, missing the consensus estimate of $146 million [3] Segment Performance - Market Making segment's adjusted net trading income grew 107.7% year over year to $347.9 million, exceeding the estimate of $236.9 million, while revenues rose 67.5% to $706.5 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of $502.6 million [6] - Execution Services segment's adjusted net trading income increased 17.6% year over year to $109.8 million, beating the estimate of $101.5 million, with total revenues growing 28.3% to $136.7 million, surpassing the consensus estimate of $127.4 million [7] Financial Position - Cash and cash equivalents stood at $872.5 million at the end of Q4 2024, up from $820.4 million at the end of 2023 [8] - Total assets increased to $15.3 billion from $14.5 billion at the end of 2023, while total equity rose to $1.49 billion from $1.41 billion [8] - Long-term borrowings, net, increased marginally to $1.74 billion from $1.73 billion at the end of 2023, and short-term borrowings totaled $38.5 million [8] Share Repurchase and Dividend - Virtu Financial repurchased 1.7 million shares worth $57.1 million in Q4 2024, with $423.8 million remaining under its buyback authorization [9] - The company announced a cash dividend of 24 cents per share, payable on March 17, 2024, to shareholders of record as of Feb. 28 [10] Industry Comparison - Discover Financial reported Q4 2024 adjusted EPS of $5.11, beating the consensus estimate of $3.17, with revenues net of interest expenses rising 13.9% year over year to $4.8 billion [13] - American Express reported Q4 2024 EPS of $3.04, slightly beating the consensus estimate, with total revenues net of interest expense increasing 8.7% year over year to $17.2 billion [14] - Synchrony Financial reported Q4 2024 adjusted EPS of $1.91, slightly beating the consensus estimate of $1.90, with net interest income rising 2.7% year over year to $4.6 billion [15]

Presentation Title in Title Case Presentation subtitle in sentence case Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings Supplement © 201X Virtu Financial. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or retransmitted without permission. Compliance #XXXX-XXXX © 2024 Virtu Financial. All rights reserved. Presenter Name Event name xx Month 201x Performance Highlights 2 • Strong performance in customer and non- customer market making business • Best quarter for VES since 1Q 2022 • Operating costs and capital remain in line • Repurch ...

Virtu Financial (VIRT) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.14 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.86 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.27 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 32.56%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this high-speed trading company would post earnings of $0.78 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.82, delivering a surprise of 5.13%.Over the last four quar ...

NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Virtu Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIRT), a leading provider of financial services and products that leverages cutting edge technology to deliver innovative, transparent trading solutions to its clients and liquidity to the global markets, today reported results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024. Fourth Quarter and Full Year Selected Highlights Fourth Quarter 2024: Net income of $176.1 million; Normalized Adjusted Net Income1 of $182.2 millionBasic and di ...