Core Insights - The article discusses the best dividend stocks to buy in March, emphasizing the importance of dividend income as a stable complement to capital appreciation during market uncertainty [1][4]. Dividend Trends - Nuveen highlights that while share buybacks have surpassed dividends in recent years, dividends have shown more consistency and are expected to grow strongly across the S&P 500 in 2026 due to solid earnings growth and improved cash flow [2][3]. - The firm anticipates that sectors such as information technology, financials, and industrials will experience the strongest dividend growth, while consumer staples, utilities, and consumer discretionary sectors are expected to see more modest growth [3]. Company-Specific Insights - eBay Inc. plans to cut approximately 800 jobs, representing about 6% of its workforce, to align staffing with strategic priorities, while also continuing to hire in critical areas [9]. - eBay's revenue rose 15% year-over-year to $3 billion in Q4, exceeding analyst expectations, despite the layoffs being the third round in three years [10][9]. - Viatris Inc. received a price target increase from UBS, which raised its recommendation to $20 from $18, citing strong Q4 performance and positive guidance for FY26 [12]. - Viatris reported total revenue of $14.3 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $4.2 billion for 2025, indicating a strong business position and a path toward sustainable long-term growth starting in 2026 [13]. - The company plans to generate about $650 million in gross cost savings over three years, with a portion reinvested into growth initiatives [15].

There are capital allocation mistakes that even the smartest management teams commit.The primary role of management in a company is simple: Provide shareholders with the best rate of return. This requires operational excellence, profitability, and most importantly, the prudent allocation of capital.Reaching the helm of a listed company is the pinnacle of professional ambition for many people, and therefore only the very smartest people in the world are selected to be leaders of listed companies.Yet despite ...

Charlotte Morris, partner at Pantheon and lead manager of Pantheon International PLC (LSE:PIN, FRA:PAA0) talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the company’s interim results for the six months to 30 November 2025, outlining NAV growth, share price performance, strategic refinements and outlook for private equity markets. During the period, PIN reported a 4.9% increase in net asset value (NAV), driven by modest underlying valuation gains, investment income and favourable currency movements, as the ...

Group 1 - The S&P 500 has gained at least 16% in all but one year since 2019, indicating a strong bull market on Wall Street [1] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average has surpassed 50,000 for the first time in its history, while the Nasdaq Composite has consistently delivered high returns [1] - Catalysts for this market growth include advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, potential interest rate cuts, and record share buyback activities from S&P 500 companies [2] Group 2 - A significant event has occurred in the S&P 500 that has not been seen in over 25 years, suggesting potential market volatility ahead [3] - Historical correlations indicate that heightened downside volatility often coincides with market crashes or significant downturns, as seen during the COVID-19 crash and other major events [4][6] - The average S&P 500 drawdown from its high was 34% when 115 or more companies experienced at least a 7% single-session drawdown over an eight-day trading period [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $126 million, compared to $121 million in the prior year, while EBITDA before share-based compensation was $132 million versus $136 million in the previous year [5] - The company reported a net loss of $42 million for Q4, which included a non-cash charge of $67 million for decommissioning drilling rigs and another $17 million for drill pipe [6] - The net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio at year-end was 1.2x, with a reduction in debt by CAD 101 million [3][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Canada, average drilling activity was 66 active rigs, an increase from the previous year, with daily operating margins of CAD 14,132, down from CAD 14,559 [6][8] - In the U.S., the average active rig count was 37, with daily operating margins of $8,754, slightly up from $8,700 in the previous quarter [8] - Internationally, the average active rig count was seven, down from eight, with day rates averaging $53,505, an 8% increase from the prior year [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Canadian market outlook is solid, supported by commodity prices and increased takeaway capacity, while the U.S. market is expected to remain flat with pockets of growth [21] - The company is actively pursuing opportunities in the Middle East, with plans to reactivate idle rigs and explore capital-efficient growth [22][23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to drive revenue growth and deepen customer relationships, focusing on performance and efficiency across diverse North American basins [16][17] - Precision is positioned to capture demand through its fleet and technology, with a focus on capital-light initiatives and modular rig designs [20] - The company plans to continue its long-term deleveraging journey while increasing free cash flow allocated to shareholders [13][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the Canadian market's resilience despite individual customer changes, noting strong demand for Super Series rigs [56] - The U.S. market is expected to see modest growth driven by performance differentiation, with ongoing discussions with customers in key basins [21][35] - The company is exploring international growth opportunities, particularly in Argentina, with a focus on performance and technology [23][47] Other Important Information - Capital expenditures for 2025 were CAD 263 million, with plans for CAD 245 million in 2026, focusing on sustaining and infrastructure [10][12] - The company expects to incur $2 million in one-time charges related to rig reactivations in Q1 [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Context around Kuwait and rig demobilization - The company has six rigs in Kuwait, with four active and two idle, looking for opportunities to reactivate them [27][28] Question: Potential upside in U.S. rig count - Discussions are ongoing with customers in multiple basins, indicating modest growth opportunities driven by performance and efficiency [34][35] Question: U.S. margin guidance for Q1 - The guidance for U.S. margins is $8,000-$9,000 per day, with mixed pricing trends across operating segments [41][42] Question: MOU in Argentina - The MOU aims to explore opportunities in Argentina with an established partner, focusing on performance and technology [46][47] Question: Impact of customer changes on Canadian demand - The company has not seen a broad change in demand despite individual customer adjustments, maintaining a strong operational presence [56] Question: Rig upgrades and capital allocation - The capital plan is demand-driven, with a portion of upgrade capital already committed, focusing on opportunities in Canada and the U.S. [66][68]

Total says it’s cutting the pace of share buybacks as profit fell, the latest European energy major to deliver unwelcome news for investors https://t.co/WeQiB121Z5 ...

BP is halting share buybacks and raising its target for cost cuts as pressure mounts on the UK energy giant https://t.co/5chub8rZn3 ...

UK oil giant BP should suspend its share buybacks to give incoming CEO Meg O'Neill some financial breathing room, writes @JavierBlas (via @opinion) https://t.co/FbhVExcMRl ...

Core Viewpoint - Warren Buffett prefers share buybacks over dividends under specific conditions, particularly when shares are undervalued relative to their book value [5][11]. Group 1: Historical Context - In 1967, Warren Buffett regretted agreeing to pay a dividend, which cost the company $101,733, a sum he believed could have been better reinvested [2]. - Following this, Buffett offered a 7.5% debenture to shareholders in exchange for their stock, which 32,000 investors accepted, effectively filtering out those seeking immediate income [4]. Group 2: Preference for Dividends - Despite his reluctance to issue dividends from Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett values dividends from companies in which Berkshire invests, referring to consistent dividend growth as "the secret sauce" for substantial returns [5]. Group 3: Tax Implications and Buybacks - Taxation laws favor long-term holding periods, with both dividends and capital gains taxed at a rate of 0% to 20% for long-term investors, making share buybacks more advantageous in the long run [6]. - Shareholders only incur tax upon selling for a capital gain, with rates capped at 20%, and potentially lower for certain income brackets [6]. Group 4: Buybacks as a Strategy - Buffett has stated that share buybacks are "probably the best use of cash" when shares are repurchased below the company's value, as seen in Apple's $100 billion buyback program in 2018 [8]. - Conversely, poorly executed buybacks can lead to significant losses for investors, as illustrated by Sears' $6 billion share repurchase in 2005, which resulted in a 99% decline in share value [9][10]. Group 5: Criteria for Buybacks - Buybacks are considered shareholder-friendly if shares are repurchased below book value, with Buffett's guideline being to buy back shares when trading below 1.2 times book value [11].

Core Insights - General Motors (GM) reported a better-than-expected fourth quarter for 2025, highlighting its commitment to returning significant value to shareholders through dividend increases and share repurchase authorizations [2][3]. Financial Performance - GM's fourth-quarter earnings exceeded Wall Street estimates, with a quarterly dividend increase to $0.18 per share, reflecting a dividend yield of approximately 0.8% [2]. - A new $6 billion share repurchase authorization was announced, adding to the $22 billion in share buybacks since 2023, which has reduced shares outstanding and increased the earnings power of remaining shares [5]. Strategic Positioning - GM's strong brands and technology-driven services have consistently generated strong cash flow, enabling the company to invest in its business, maintain a strong balance sheet, and return capital to shareholders [3]. - Despite the strong performance, GM reported a net income loss of $3.3 billion in the fourth quarter due to $7.2 billion in special charges related to realigning EV production capacity and responding to changing consumer demand and regulatory environments [6][7].