Core Viewpoint - Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. (GSBC) is currently on sale amid a stock market sell-off, with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and expected earnings growth of 7.6% in 2025 [1][13]. Company Overview - Great Southern Bancorp is the holding company for Great Southern Bank, founded in 1923 in Springfield, Missouri, and has expanded to 97 offices across 12 states [1]. - The company has a market capitalization of $619 million [3]. Financial Performance - In the first quarter of 2025, Great Southern Bancorp reported preliminary earnings of $1.47, exceeding the Zacks Consensus estimate of $1.26 by $0.21 [4]. - The company has beaten earnings estimates in 4 out of the last 5 quarters [5]. - Net interest income for the quarter increased by $4.5 million, or approximately 10.1%, to $49.3 million compared to $44.8 million a year ago, driven by higher interest income on loans and lower interest expenses on deposits [5]. - Total interest income for the first quarter of 2025 was $80.2 million, reflecting higher earning asset levels and loan yields [8]. Asset Quality - As of March 31, 2025, non-performing assets totaled $9.5 million, or 0.16% of total assets, a slight decrease from $9.6 million as of December 31, 2024 [6]. - Problematic loans, including non-performing assets and potential problem loans, amounted to $17 million as of March 31, 2025, an increase from $16.6 million at the end of 2024 [5]. Shareholder Focus - In the first quarter of 2025, the company repurchased 175,000 shares and announced a new stock repurchase program of up to one million additional shares [10]. - The company currently pays a dividend with a yield of 3% [12]. Analyst Outlook - Analysts have revised their estimates for 2025, increasing the Zacks Consensus Estimate from $5.25 to $5.66, indicating an earnings growth of 7.6% from $5.26 in 2024 [13][14]. Valuation Metrics - Great Southern Bancorp's shares have pulled back in 2025, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.4, considered cheap [15][18]. - The company has a price-to-book ratio of 1.04, which is close to the threshold of 1.0, indicating a potentially attractive valuation [19].

Company Overview - Unitil (UTL) is a utility company headquartered in Hampton, which has experienced a price change of 8.36% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.45 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 3.07%, which is higher than the Utility - Electric Power industry's yield of 3.05% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.69% [3] Dividend Performance - Unitil's annualized dividend of $1.80 has increased by 5.9% from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, Unitil has raised its dividend five times, achieving an average annual increase of 3.51% [4] - The current payout ratio for Unitil is 58%, indicating that the company pays out 58% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects earnings of $3.08 per share, reflecting a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 3.70% [5] Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors for various reasons, including improving stock investing profits and providing tax advantages [6] - It is noted that high-yielding stocks may face challenges during periods of rising interest rates, yet UTL is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile [7] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a neutral outlook [7]

Core Insights - The Travelers Companies (TRV) reported a first-quarter 2025 core income of $1.91 per share, significantly exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 69 cents, although the bottom line declined 29.3% year over year [1][2] Financial Performance - Total revenues increased by 6.1% year over year to $11.9 billion, driven by higher premiums and net investment income, but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.1 billion [3] - Net written premiums reached a record $10.5 billion, up 3% year over year, surpassing the estimate of $10.2 billion [3] - Net investment income rose by 9.9% year over year to $930 million, exceeding the estimate of $927 million, although below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $952 million [4] - Catastrophe losses amounted to $2.3 billion, significantly higher than the $175 million loss in the prior year [4] - Underwriting loss was reported at $305 million, compared to a gain of $577 million in the previous year [4] Underwriting Performance - Underlying underwriting income improved by over 30% year over year to $1.6 billion, supported by strong net earned premiums [5] - The consolidated underlying combined ratio improved by 290 basis points year over year to 84.8, while the overall combined ratio deteriorated by 860 basis points to 102.5 due to increased catastrophe losses [5] Segment Analysis - **Business Insurance**: Net written premiums increased by 2% year over year to approximately $5.7 billion, with a combined ratio of 96.2, down 290 basis points [6] - **Bond & Specialty Insurance**: Net written premiums rose by 6% year over year to $999 million, with a combined ratio improving by 200 basis points to 82.5 [7] - **Personal Insurance**: Net written premiums of $3.8 billion increased by 5% year over year, but the combined ratio deteriorated to 115.2 due to higher catastrophe losses [9][10] Financial Position - Total investments and cash stood at $96.4 billion, reflecting a 1.6% increase from the end of 2024 [11] - Debt remained flat at $8 billion, while operating cash flow decreased by 6.7% year over year to $1.4 billion [11] - Core return on equity contracted by 980 basis points to 5.6% [11] Capital Management - The company returned over $600 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, including the buyback of 1 million shares for $358 million [12] - A 5% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $1.10 per share was declared, marking 21 consecutive years of dividend increases [13]

Group 1 - The article discusses insights from Bloomberg Intelligence analysts who monitor 2,000 companies across various industries, including apparel, autos, finance, and food [1] - The information is part of the December 2024 Bloomberg Businessweek's annual "The Year Ahead" issue, which is reiterated in the January 2025 edition [1] Group 2 - The article promotes a live video series on Facebook called "Underdog Daily Dividend Show," hosted by Fredrik Arnold, which highlights potential portfolio candidates [2] - The show encourages audience interaction by inviting comments on favorite, least favorite, or curious stock tickers for future reports [2]

Core Viewpoint - The energy sector is currently the best-performing stock market sector, with a year-to-date increase of 7.9%, contrasting with a 5.1% decline in the S&P 500, driven by leading oil and gas companies that provide safety amid economic uncertainty and trade tensions [1] Group 1: Company Performance and Cash Flow - ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips are highlighted as strong dividend stocks due to their ability to generate significant free cash flow (FCF) even at current oil prices [2][3] - ExxonMobil aims to break even at $30 per barrel Brent by 2030 and projects $110 billion in surplus cash through 2030, even if Brent averages $55 per barrel [4] - Chevron expects to generate $5 billion in FCF at $70 Brent in 2025 and $6 billion in 2026, with 75% of its oil investments breaking even below $50 per barrel Brent [5] - ConocoPhillips is investing in long-term projects expected to yield $6 billion in incremental FCF, supported by its acquisition of Marathon Oil [6] Group 2: Capital Return Programs - All three companies are returning substantial amounts to shareholders, with ExxonMobil returning $36 billion in 2024, Chevron over $75 billion between 2022 and 2024, and ConocoPhillips planning to return $10 billion in 2025 [7][8][9] - Despite high yields, these companies spent more on buybacks than dividends in 2024, indicating strong FCF generation and providing a cushion against falling oil prices [10] Group 3: Financial Health and Valuation - ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips maintain strong balance sheets with debt-to-capital ratios near 10-year lows, allowing them to support operations and capital expenditures with FCF [12][13] - The companies exhibit reasonable valuations with low price-to-earnings and price-to-FCF ratios, suggesting they are good investment values [14] - Valuation metrics are based on trailing-12-month results, and while margins may decrease with lower oil prices in 2025, acquisitions and expansions could still drive earnings and FCF growth [15][16][17] Group 4: Investment Appeal - ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips are positioned to grow cash flows and return profits to shareholders, offering yields significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.3%, making them attractive for passive income investors [18] - Although energy is not typically viewed as a safe sector, these high-quality companies are considered safe stocks due to their strong balance sheets and manageable payouts [19]

AT&T (T 0.30%) shareholders have plenty to celebrate, with the stock up 24% thus far in 2025. The telecommunications giant has presented robust earnings, reinforcing an optimistic long-term outlook. The stock's impressive performance is an outlier next to the 3% decline in the S&P 500 index year to date. As such, AT&T has emerged as a reliable source of stability amid the broader stock market volatility that's causing concern about the strength of the U.S. economy. Can AT&T's record-setting rally continue, ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a GAAP pretax net income of $8.6 million, or $0.70 per diluted share for Q4 2024 [17] - The net income after tax was $5.9 million, which included a $1.1 million increase in Finance Receivables segment revenue and a $1.3 million increase in Pharmaceutical Development segment revenue [18] - The non-GAAP tangible finance book value per share increased by 8.3% year-over-year to $21.15 as of December 31, 2024 [19] - Overall operating expenses decreased to $6.6 million in Q4 2024 from $6.8 million in Q4 2023 [19][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Finance Receivables segment revenue increased by $1.1 million year-over-year, primarily due to a $2.3 million increase in interest and fees earned on newly funded loans and royalties [18] - The Enteris CDMO division, now rebranded as MOD3 Pharma, reported revenue of $3.6 million, tripling from $1.2 million in 2023 [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The effective yield of the portfolio for Q4 2024 was reported at 15.5% [13] - The company had $13.8 million of gross finance receivables on non-accrual, with a 15% CECL reserve, resulting in a net non-accrual total of $11.7 million [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to declare a dividend following the closing of the final royalty transaction, with an initial expectation of a one-time special dividend rather than a recurring one [30] - The MOD3 CDMO division is focused on achieving unsubsidized profitability by year-end 2025 [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in entering 2025 on solid footing, with a healthy loan portfolio and significant cash reserves [24] - The company anticipates continued growth in the MOD3 division and is in regular contact with its strategic partner [15] Other Important Information - The company has repurchased approximately 100,000 shares for $1.6 million since September 30, 2024, and continues to view share repurchase as an attractive use of capital [7][33] - The company expects to close a transaction to sell its remaining performing royalty portfolio for $34 million, which is expected to close in approximately two weeks [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Regarding the dividend, is it a one-time special dividend or an ongoing dividend? - Management anticipates initially a one-time special dividend, with the possibility of additional special dividends in the future, but does not foresee a recurring dividend at this time [30] Question: What is the status of the current buyback program? - Management confirmed that there is room for continued buybacks and expects to reauthorize the program for another year, viewing it as an attractive use of capital [33]

From tariffs to cuts in government spending, American markets are facing significant uncertainty, and some investors fear a recession could be on the horizon. While the future outlook remains uncertain, some investors are taking current dips in pricing as an opportunity to add sometimes volatile energy stocks to their portfolios.  The energy sector is highly volatile, but some winners are experiencing price dips that suggest a temporary overcorrection. These stocks now trade at P/E ratios below 20, making t ...

Core Insights - The article does not provide specific insights or analysis regarding any companies or industries, focusing instead on disclaimers and disclosures related to investment positions and opinions [1][2] Summary by Categories - **Company Analysis**: No specific company analysis or performance data is provided in the article [1][2] - **Industry Insights**: The article lacks any insights or trends related to specific industries [1][2] - **Market Trends**: There are no discussions on market trends or investment opportunities mentioned [1][2]

Core Insights - Warren Buffett has maintained his position in Apple, indicating a bullish outlook on the stock's future despite reducing his ownership size [1][2] - Apple generated $396 billion in revenue over the last 12 months, but faced stagnation and declining revenue in the years following the 2021 technology boom [3][4] Financial Performance - Revenue grew 4% year over year last quarter to $124.3 billion, with an operating margin reaching a record 32% [4] - Services revenue increased to over $26 billion last quarter from $23 billion the previous year, contributing to overall growth [4][5] - Dividend per share has risen 110% over the last 10 years, although the current dividend yield is only 0.42% [5] Product Strategy and Market Challenges - Apple is launching a lower-priced iPhone 16E at $600 to stimulate growth in its hardware division [6] - The company is experiencing revenue declines in key markets like China, losing market share to local brands [7] - Antitrust lawsuits pose a risk to Apple's profit pool, particularly concerning its search engine distribution deals and App Store fees [8][9] Investment Considerations - Despite being a strong business with a competitive advantage, Apple’s current price-to-earnings ratio of 37 is above the S&P 500 average, making it less attractive for new investments [10][11] - Existing shareholders may benefit from holding onto their shares to continue receiving dividends, especially if they purchased at lower prices [12]