Core Insights - Baidu (BIDU) has demonstrated excellent financial health and is significantly expanding in AI and robotaxi sectors, maintaining a Strong Buy rating despite a ~40% increase in stock price since the last coverage [1] Company Analysis - Baidu's financial health is highlighted as a strong point, indicating robust performance metrics and stability [1] - The company is actively expanding its presence in artificial intelligence and robotaxi services, which are key growth areas in the tech industry [1] Industry Context - The analysis reflects a broader trend in the tech industry where companies are increasingly focusing on AI and autonomous vehicle technologies, positioning themselves for future growth [1]

FDLS received a 5-star Overall Morningstar Rating for the 3-year period out of 582 Small Blend funds as of 11/30/25. This rating lists FDLS's overall performance as "High" and overall risk as "Average" for the same time period. BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspire Investing is pleased to announce that the Inspire Fidelis Multi-Factor ETF (NYSE: FDLS) has been awarded a 5-star Overall Morningstar Ratingâ"¢ for the 3-year period ending 11/30/25. Morningstar's rating system evaluates funds based ...

Finnish food company Apetit has issued a profit warning for its fiscal 2025, citing “delays in harvest production". Excluding the impact of its acquisition of Foodhills, completed in November, the group is forecasting an operating result of €5.6-6.6m ($6.7-$7.8m) for 2025, compared with €9.3m in 2024. The company said it had previously guided that its operating result, without the acquisition effect, would “slightly decrease” from the prior year. In a statement on Friday (12 December), Apetit said "tim ...

Core Insights - PNC Financial Services Group has received all necessary regulatory approvals to acquire FirstBank Holding Company and its subsidiary, FirstBank, with the transaction expected to finalize by January 5, 2026 [1][2][3] Regulatory Approvals - The acquisition has been cleared by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Colorado Division of Banking [1] Transaction Details - The deal includes approximately 13.9 million shares of PNC common stock and $1.2 billion in cash, totaling a transaction value of $4.1 billion [3] - FirstBank, based in Lakewood, Colorado, has assets amounting to $26.8 billion as of June 30, 2025 [3] Integration Plans - Upon closing, PNC will integrate FirstBank into its national operations, enhancing services in treasury management, payments, and digital banking [2] - The full conversion of FirstBank's customer accounts is expected by mid-2026 [2] Strategic Expansion - This acquisition is anticipated to expand PNC's presence in the Rocky Mountain region and Southwest, particularly in Colorado and Arizona, where FirstBank operates 95 branches [4]

Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack said on Friday that she would prefer interest rates to be somewhat more restrictive to continue putting pressure on inflation, which remains too high. “Right now, we’ve got policy that’s right around neutral,” Hammack said. Also, Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid said he dissented against the latest FOMC’s decision to cut interest rates because inflation remains “too high” and policy should stay modestly restrictive to contain it. At the same time, Chicago Fed Pre ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights five non-tech large-cap stocks that are currently trading on the dip from their 52-week highs, presenting attractive investment opportunities for 2026 [2][4]. Group 1: Market Overview - On December 11, 2025, the Dow and S&P 500 indexes advanced by 1.3% and 0.2%, respectively, reaching new all-time high closings, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell by 0.3% [2]. - The recent Federal Reserve rate cut and high valuations in the technology sector have prompted a shift in market focus towards rate-sensitive cyclical sectors such as utilities, industrials, financials, energy, materials, and healthcare [3]. Group 2: Featured Stocks On Holding AG (ONON) - On Holding specializes in footwear and sports apparel, with an expected revenue growth rate of 20.6% and earnings growth rate of 79.3% for the next year [5]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for next year's earnings has improved by 22% over the last 30 days, and ONON is currently trading at a 22.7% discount from its 52-week high [5]. Lennar Corp. (LEN) - Lennar is involved in homebuilding and financial services, benefiting from a tech-enabled manufacturing platform aimed at improving efficiencies and reducing costs [6]. - The company has an expected revenue growth rate of 1.9% and earnings growth rate of 11.1% for the next year, with a 21.2% discount from its 52-week high [8]. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (JEF) - Jefferies has gained market share in investment banking without significantly expanding its balance sheet, which is expected to drive top-line growth [9]. - The expected revenue growth rate is 16.5% and earnings growth rate is 59.5% for the next year, with a 23.7% discount from its 52-week high [11]. Omnicom Group Inc. (OMC) - Omnicom's diverse portfolio across traditional and digital marketing segments enhances revenue stability [12]. - The expected revenue growth rate is 3.1% and earnings growth rate is 8.8% for the next year, currently trading at a 13.2% discount from its 52-week high [14]. Thomson Reuters Corp. (TRI) - Thomson Reuters provides value-added information and technology across various sectors, including law, tax, and financial services [15]. - The expected revenue growth rate is 7.6% and earnings growth rate is 12.4% for the next year, with a significant 39.6% discount from its 52-week high [16].

Core Viewpoint - Apple has experienced a significant stock rally of 41.5% over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector, which returned 28.4%. This growth is attributed to strong performance in its Services segment, robust iPhone sales, and a refreshed Mac portfolio, despite facing challenges from competition and market uncertainties [2][4][11]. Group 1: Stock Performance and Market Position - Apple shares are currently trading above both the 50-day and 200-day moving averages, indicating a bullish trend [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Apple's first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings has increased to $2.65 per share, reflecting a 10.42% growth year-over-year [9] - The revenue estimate for the same quarter is projected at $137.46 billion, indicating a 10.59% increase compared to the previous year [10] Group 2: Product Performance and Prospects - Continued sales from the iPhone 16 series and strong adoption of the iPhone 17 series are expected to drive Apple's prospects in 2026, with the iPhone 16 being the best-selling smartphone globally in Q3 2025 [4] - The Services segment, which includes various digital offerings, is benefiting from an expanding user base and a growing portfolio of games and content [5] - The launch of the M5 chip-powered 14-inch MacBook Pro is expected to enhance Apple's market share due to its superior performance compared to previous models [6] Group 3: Financial Health and Shareholder Returns - As of September 27, 2025, Apple reported cash and marketable securities of $132.42 billion against term debt of $90.68 billion, indicating strong liquidity [7] - Apple returned nearly $24 billion to shareholders in the reported quarter through dividends and share repurchases, enhancing its attractiveness to investors [8] Group 4: Competitive Landscape - Apple faces stiff competition in the AI space from companies like Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft, which have made significant advancements in AI technologies [11][12] - In the smartphone market, Apple competes with Chinese manufacturers, Samsung, and Alphabet's Pixel devices, while in the PC market, it faces challenges from HP, Dell, and Lenovo [13] Group 5: Valuation Concerns - Apple's stock is considered overvalued, with a forward price/sales ratio of 8.97X compared to the sector's 6.82X and Amazon's 3.12X, indicating potential concerns for investors [14] - The current Zacks Rank for Apple is 3 (Hold), suggesting that investors may want to wait for a more favorable entry point [15]

Core Insights - The article highlights recent research reports on major stocks including Visa Inc., The Charles Schwab Corp., and Amphenol Corp., as well as micro-cap stocks Autoscope Technologies Corp. and United-Guardian, Inc. [2][4] Visa Inc. - Visa's shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry over the past year, with a gain of +11.1% compared to the industry's decline of -8.7% [4] - Total revenue rose 11% year-over-year in FY25, with cross-border growth at 13% [5] - The company faces rising client incentives and expenses, which may impact margin growth, with adjusted costs expected to rise nearly 11% in FY26 [6] The Charles Schwab Corp. - Charles Schwab's shares gained +21.8% over the past year, while the Zacks Financial - Investment Bank industry gained +37% [7] - The company is expected to maintain elevated expenses due to ongoing marketing investments, with a projected CAGR of 7% in expenses by 2027 [7][9] - Strategic buyouts and branch expansion efforts are anticipated to drive client assets, with total client assets expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% by 2027 [8][9] Amphenol Corp. - Amphenol's shares increased by +88.5% over the past year, slightly underperforming the Zacks Electronics - Connectors industry, which gained +89.8% [10] - The company benefits from a diversified business model and strong demand for high-speed and power interconnect products, with fourth-quarter 2025 earnings expected to grow between 62% and 65% year-over-year [12] - However, macroeconomic uncertainty and competition pose significant challenges [12] Autoscope Technologies Corp. - Autoscope Technologies has underperformed the Zacks Technology Services industry, with a decline of -5.5% compared to the industry's gain of +20.6% [13] - The company is focusing on AI-driven detection and multi-sensor integration, which supports future upgrades and broader use cases [13][14] - A new long-duration contract in Georgia enhances revenue visibility and diversifies its income sources [14][15] United-Guardian, Inc. - United-Guardian's shares have underperformed the Zacks Medical - Products industry, with a decline of -34.4% compared to -0.5% for the industry [16] - The company faces challenges such as declining profitability and operational strain, but it has strengths in expanding its pharmaceutical portfolio and stable medical products [17] - The upcoming launch of Natrajel is expected to provide a differentiated growth avenue [17]

Core Viewpoint - CBRE Group has experienced a significant stock price increase of 22.3% year-to-date, outperforming the industry growth of 17.9%, indicating strong market performance and potential for continued growth [1][2]. Company Overview - CBRE Group is the largest commercial real estate services and investment firm based on 2024 revenues, leveraging extensive knowledge of both domestic and international real estate markets to maintain a competitive edge [3]. - The company has adopted a more balanced and resilient business model, shifting towards a diversified and contractual revenue base, which has allowed it to achieve a net revenue growth of 14% in Q3 2025, surpassing the 13% growth in transactional businesses [4]. Growth Strategies - CBRE Group is focusing on strategic infill acquisitions to expand its global reach and service offerings, including the acquisition of Pearce Services, LLC for approximately $1.2 billion in cash, and two other acquisitions totaling around $31 million in the first nine months of 2025 [5]. - The Building Operations & Experience (BOE) segment is positioned to benefit from the trend of real estate occupiers outsourcing operations, with a reported revenue growth of 12.6% year-over-year in Q3 2025, and an estimated total revenue increase of 14.5% for 2025 [6]. Financial Position - As of September 30, 2025, CBRE had total liquidity of $5.2 billion and a net leverage ratio of 1.23X, significantly below its primary debt covenant of 4.25X, indicating strong financial flexibility to capitalize on growth opportunities [8].

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the third time in 2025, leading to a rally in U.S. stocks, which is seen as a relief for investors amid high inflation concerns [2][4] - The Fed is optimistic about inflation slowing to 2.4% and economic growth accelerating to 2.3% by the end of 2026, which is favorable for the broader market [3][7] Consumer Discretionary Stocks - **Brightstar Lottery PLC**: Expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 17.9%, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate improvement of 29.5% over the last 60 days, currently holding a Zacks Rank 2 [8] - **Las Vegas Sands Corp.**: Anticipated earnings growth rate is 30%, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate increase of 10.5% over the last 60 days, currently rated as a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [9][10] - **Roku, Inc.**: Projected earnings growth rate exceeds 100%, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate improvement of 83.3% over the past 60 days, currently holding a Zacks Rank 2 [11] - **Kontoor Brands, Inc.**: Expected earnings growth rate is 12.5%, with a slight improvement of 0.7% in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the last 60 days, currently rated as a Zacks Rank 2 [12]