Wabtec Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Lag, 2025 View Up
ZACKS· 2025-07-24 18:55
Core Insights - Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) reported Q2 2025 earnings per share (EPS) of $2.27, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.18, marking a 15.8% year-over-year increase driven by higher sales, operating margin expansion, and share repurchases [1][9] - Revenues for the quarter were $2.71 billion, falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.77 billion, but reflecting a 2.3% year-over-year growth due to increased sales in the Transit segment, offset by lower Equipment sales [2][9] Financial Performance - WAB raised its 2025 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $8.55 to $9.15 from the previous range of $8.35 to $8.95, supported by strong first-half performance, mergers and acquisitions, and prudent cost management [3] - The company also increased its 2025 revenue guidance to $10.925 billion to $11.225 billion from $10.725 billion to $11.025 billion, primarily due to the acquisition of Evident Inspection Technologies Division [4] Segment Performance - The Freight segment reported net sales of $1.91 billion, a slight decline of 0.1% year-over-year, impacted by lower locomotive deliveries due to a supplied part issue, although service sales increased by 6% [5][6] - The Transit segment saw net sales grow by 8.7% year-over-year to $787 million, with an adjusted operating margin increase to 15.2% from 12.7% in the same quarter of 2024 [6] Operational Details - Total operating expenses rose by $22 million year-over-year to $466 million, with the operating ratio increasing to 17.2% from 16.8% [7] - WAB ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1.49 billion, a significant increase from $698 million at the end of the previous quarter, while long-term debt rose to $4.78 billion from $3.50 billion [7] Shareholder Returns - During the quarter, WAB paid $44 million in dividends and repurchased shares worth $50 million [8]
How's MELI Using Argentina's Economic Recovery to Fuel its Growth?
ZACKS· 2025-07-24 18:55
Core Insights - MercadoLibre (MELI) is optimistic about Argentina's economic recovery, with analysts forecasting strong GDP growth in 2025 and 2026 as reforms take effect [1] - The company is strategically expanding its operations in Argentina, focusing on cross-border trade and enhancing its marketplace, particularly in the supermarket category [2] - MELI's financial arm, Mercado Pago, plans to apply for a banking license to establish the largest digital bank in Argentina and will start issuing credit cards in the second half of the year [3] Financial Performance - Argentina's revenues for MELI increased from $615 million (14.2% of total revenues) in Q1 2024 to $1.38 billion (23.3% of total revenues) in Q1 2025, more than doubling year-over-year [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2025 Argentina revenues is projected at $1.46 billion [4] Competitive Landscape - MercadoLibre faces competition from Amazon, which has introduced flat-rate and free shipping to Argentina, and DLocal, which plans to invest up to $100 million in the country [5][6] Stock Performance and Valuation - MELI shares have gained 40.8% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Internet-Commerce industry and the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector [7] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio of 3.87X, compared to the industry's 2.17X [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2025 earnings is $12.01 per share, indicating a 14.60% year-over-year growth [12]
Bull Signal Flashing For Struggling Footwear Name
Forbes· 2025-07-24 18:55
Core Viewpoint - On Holding (ONON) is experiencing volatility, currently trading at $49.94, down 3.2% in the afternoon, with an 8.5% year-to-date deficit, but historical patterns suggest potential for recovery [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - Since mid-June, ONON has faced resistance at $55, limiting breakout attempts and contributing to its year-to-date underperformance [1] - Historical data indicates that after similar market conditions, ONON has increased in value 75% of the time, averaging a 10.6% gain one month later [2] Group 2: Technical Indicators - ONON is currently within one standard deviation of the 80-day moving average, having spent 80% of the past two months above this average [2] - The stock's recent trading behavior suggests a potential upward movement if the historical trend continues [2] Group 3: Market Sentiment - Options traders exhibit extreme bearish sentiment, with a put/call open interest ratio of 1.66, placing it in the 99th percentile of the past year [4] - A reversal of this bearish sentiment could provide additional support for ONON's stock price [4]
5 P&C Insurance Stocks to Watch Amid Increased Digitalization
ZACKS· 2025-07-24 18:50
Industry Overview - The Zacks Property and Casualty Insurance (P&C) industry is expected to benefit from improved pricing, prudent underwriting, and exposure growth despite an increase in catastrophic events [1] - The industry includes companies providing commercial and personal property insurance, casualty insurance products, and services, with premiums being the primary revenue source [3] - The industry is currently facing a decline in pricing after several years of increases, with three interest rate cuts last year and potential further cuts this year [2] Trends and Projections - Global commercial insurance rates fell by 4% in Q2, but personal auto insurance is projected to remain strong, supported by better investment returns and reduced claims [4] - Deloitte estimates gross premiums to grow sixfold to $722 billion by 2030, with China and North America accounting for over two-thirds of the total [4] - Swiss Re predicts premium growth of 5% in 2025 and 4% in 2026 [4] Catastrophe Impact - The industry is vulnerable to catastrophe events, which can negatively impact underwriting profits; the 2025 hurricane season is expected to be above normal with 23 named storms [5] - Global insured losses from natural disasters in the first half of 2025 are estimated to be at least $100 billion [5] - The combined ratio is expected to improve from 2023 to 98.5% in 2025 but may deteriorate to 99% in 2026 [5] Mergers and Acquisitions - Consolidation in the P&C industry is anticipated to continue as companies seek to diversify operations and gain market share [6] Technology Adoption - The industry is increasingly adopting technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to enhance operations and reduce costs [8] - Insurtechs are emerging, focusing on the P&C insurance sector, with significant investments in technology expected to improve efficiency [8] Industry Performance - The Zacks Property and Casualty Insurance industry ranks 92, placing it in the top 38% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating positive near-term prospects [9] - The industry has underperformed compared to its sector and the S&P 500, with a year-to-date increase of 4.7% compared to 9.8% for the sector and 6.9% for the S&P 500 [11] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a trailing 12-month price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 1.53X, compared to the S&P 500's 8.5X and the sector's 4.27X [13] Company Highlights - Progressive Corporation is a major auto insurer with a Zacks Rank 2, expected to see 23.4% year-over-year earnings growth in 2025 [17][18] - Berkshire Hathaway, with a Zacks Rank 3, continues to benefit from its diverse operations and is expected to see a 5% increase in earnings for 2026 [21][23] - Chubb Limited, also a Zacks Rank 3, is focusing on middle-market businesses and cyber insurance, with an expected 18.9% growth in earnings for 2026 [25][26] - Travelers Companies, carrying a Zacks Rank 3, is well-positioned for growth with a projected 20.5% increase in earnings for 2026 [29][30] - Allstate, the third-largest P&C insurer, is expected to see earnings growth of 0.1% in 2025 and 22% in 2026, supported by rate increases and strategic acquisitions [32][33]
Mr. Cooper Q2 Earnings & Revenues Miss, Expenses Rise Y/Y
ZACKS· 2025-07-24 18:50
Core Viewpoint - Mr. Cooper Group Inc. reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share of $3.13, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6%, but showing a year-over-year increase of 24.2% [1][9] - The company faced challenges due to rising expenses, although improvements in the Servicing and Originations segments provided some support [1][7] Revenue and Expenses - Total revenues for the second quarter rose 4.3% year over year to $608 million, but missed the consensus mark by 13.6% [2][9] - Total expenses increased by 10% year over year to $330 million [2] - Interest income grew by 14.8% year over year to $217 million, while interest expenses also rose by 16% to $217 million [2] Segment Performance - The Servicing segment reported a pre-tax operating income of $332 million, up 15.3% year over year, despite total revenues falling 4.8% to $434 million [3] - The Servicing portfolio increased by 25.1% year over year, surpassing $1.51 trillion [3] - The Originations segment's pre-tax operating income surged 68.4% year over year to $64 million, with total revenues rising 47.7% to $158 million [4] - Funded volume in the Originations segment increased significantly from $3.7 billion to $9.4 billion year over year [4] Financial Position - As of June 30, 2025, total assets were $18.5 billion, slightly up from $18.4 billion at the end of the first quarter [5] - Cash and cash equivalents were $783 million, a slight decrease from $784 million in the previous quarter [5] - Total liabilities decreased to $13.4 billion from $13.6 billion, while total shareholders' equity rose from $4.9 billion to $5.1 billion [6] Overall Assessment - The company ended the second quarter with declining net income and rising expenses, but the strength in the Originations and Servicing segments, along with a solid balance sheet, suggests potential for improvement in future financials [7]
SSP Expands Its Sports Line-Up: Is the Growth Thesis Strengthening?
ZACKS· 2025-07-24 18:50
Core Insights - The E.W. Scripps Company (SSP) is enhancing its sports strategy through national and local partnerships, focusing on leagues like the WNBA and NWSL, and introducing new events to maintain a year-round premium sports content lineup [1][9] Group 1: Sports Partnerships and Strategy - SSP has strengthened ties with teams such as the Las Vegas Aces and Florida Panthers, renewing its multi-year agreement with the WNBA and adding the Tampa Bay Lightning to its sports portfolio [2] - New properties like the SI Women's Games and the Fort Myers Tip-Off Women's College Basketball Tournament are set for the fourth quarter, ensuring continuous sports programming [1][9] Group 2: Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, Scripps Networks reported revenues of $198 million, accounting for 37.8% of total company revenues, with a segment margin of 32%, the highest since Q4 2022, driven by a 42% year-over-year increase in Connected TV revenues [3] - The demand for live sports programming, particularly from the WNBA and NWSL, has significantly contributed to this performance [3] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - SSP faces competition from Gray Media, which extended its partnership with the New Orleans Saints and formed a new partnership with the Carolina Panthers to broadcast games in Spanish [4] - Tegna has also expanded its agreement with the Indiana Fever, increasing the broadcast reach to 4.6 million households across 11 additional Midwest markets [5] Group 4: Stock Performance and Valuation - SSP shares have increased by 48.9% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry's growth of 25.4% and the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector's return of 11.4% [6] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio of 0.13X, significantly lower than the industry's 4.48X, indicating a strong value position [10]
Southwest Airlines Q2 Earnings & Revenues Lag, Decrease Year Over Year
ZACKS· 2025-07-24 18:50
Core Viewpoint - Southwest Airlines Co. reported disappointing second-quarter 2025 results, with both earnings and revenues falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate [1] Financial Performance - Quarterly earnings were 43 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 51 cents and declining 25.9% year over year [2][9] - Revenues totaled $7.24 billion, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.29 billion and declining 1.5% year over year [2][9] - Passenger revenues, which accounted for 91.5% of total revenues, decreased 1.3% year over year to $6.62 billion [2] Operating Statistics - Airline traffic, measured in revenue passenger miles, fell 3.5% year over year to 36.88 billion [3] - Capacity, or available seat miles (ASMs), grew 1.6% year over year to 46.99 billion [3] - Load factor decreased by 4.1 percentage points to 78.5% [3][9] - Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) fell 2.8% year over year to 14.10 cents [3] - Revenue per available seat mile (RASM) decreased 3.1% year over year to 15.41 cents [4] Operating Expenses & Income - Operating income for the quarter was $225 million, down from $398 million in the same quarter last year [5][9] - Adjusted operating income was $245 million compared to $405 million in the prior year [5] - Total adjusted operating expenses increased 6.4% year over year [5] Fuel Costs - Fuel cost per gallon fell 15.9% year over year to $2.32 [6] Liquidity - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the second quarter were $3.47 billion, down from $8.13 billion at the end of the previous quarter [7] - Long-term debt remained flat at $4.08 billion [7] Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns - The company generated $401 million in cash from operating activities during the quarter [8] - Capital expenditures were $635 million, primarily for aircraft-related spending [8] - Southwest returned $1.6 billion to shareholders, including $103 million in dividends and $1.5 billion in share repurchases [8][10] Outlook - For third-quarter 2025, unit revenues are expected to range from down 2% to up 2% on flat capacity year over year [11] - Economic fuel costs per gallon are anticipated to be between $2.40 and $2.50 [12] - The company expects to achieve a $370 million cost reduction target this year [13] - Third-quarter CASM, excluding fuel and special items, is projected to increase by 3.5-5.5% year over year [13] - Capital spending for 2025 is expected to be in the range of $2.5 billion to $3.0 billion [14] - The company reaffirms its EBIT contribution targets of $1.8 billion for 2025 and $4.3 billion for 2026 [15]
Alphabet Q2 Quick Take: It's Firing On All Cylinders As Thematic Discount Fades
Seeking Alpha· 2025-07-24 18:41
Core Insights - The article does not provide specific company or industry insights, focusing instead on disclosures and disclaimers related to investment positions and performance [1][2] Group 1 - There are no stock, option, or similar derivative positions held by the analyst in any mentioned companies, nor plans to initiate such positions in the next 72 hours [1] - The article expresses personal opinions of the author and does not reflect the views of Seeking Alpha as a whole [2] - No compensation is received for the article other than from Seeking Alpha, indicating independence in analysis [1][2]
Garden Stage Limited Announces $4.2 Million Registered Direct Offering
Globenewswire· 2025-07-24 18:40
Core Viewpoint - Garden Stage Limited has entered into a definitive agreement for a registered direct offering of 38,406,345 ordinary shares at a price of $0.11 per share, expected to raise approximately $4.2 million in gross proceeds [1][2]. Group 1: Offering Details - The offering includes the option for pre-funded warrants at the same price, with an exercise price of $0.001 per share [1]. - The transaction is anticipated to close on or about July 25, 2025, pending customary closing conditions [2]. - The offering is conducted under a shelf registration statement previously filed and declared effective by the SEC [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - Garden Stage Limited is a Hong Kong-based financial services provider engaged in placing and underwriting services, securities dealing and brokerage, asset management, and investment advisory services [5]. - The company operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries, including I Win Securities Limited and I Win Asset Management Limited, both licensed for various regulated activities under Hong Kong's SFO [5].
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (AMP) Q2 2025 Earnings Conference Call Transcript
Seeking Alpha· 2025-07-24 18:39
Group 1 - The earnings call for Ameriprise Financial's Second Quarter 2025 is being conducted, with key participants including the Chairman & CEO and the CFO [3][4] - The call includes discussions on forward-looking statements and non-GAAP financial measures, which are intended to provide insights into the company's operations [4][5]