Columbus, Ohio-based Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (HBAN) is a multi-state diversified regional bank holding company for the Huntington National Bank. Valued at $25.9 billion by market cap, Huntington provides commercial, consumer, and mortgage banking services, offering various financial products to corporations and individuals. The banking major is expected to announce its fourth-quarter results before the market opens on Friday, Jan. 16. Ahead of the event, analysts expect HBAN to report an adjus ...

Chewy, Inc. ( CHWY ) reported better-than-expected earnings for its third fiscal quarter about a week ago, and the retailer continues to have significant success in growing its subscription business. Chewy did especially well in termsAnalyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of CHWY either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). ...

Core Viewpoint - The market is expected to experience increased dispersion among MAG7 stocks in 2026, with a shift in focus from AI infrastructure providers to adopters of AI technology [1]. Market Performance - Over the past 6 months, only 17% of S&P constituents outperformed the index, but this figure rose to 61% in the last month, indicating improved market breadth [2]. - Small-cap stocks, represented by the Russell 2000, have shown the best improvement in breadth compared to both 50-day and 200-day moving averages [3]. Economic Indicators - Recent flash PMI data has been disappointing, suggesting potential challenges for the market narrative [4]. - The economy is showing signs of slowing, which is expected to continue into 2026, although earnings have not yet weakened significantly in line with macroeconomic data [5]. Earnings and Valuation - Since August, there has been a halt in aggressive multiple expansion, with earnings growth continuing to accelerate [6]. - The Russell 2000 index has seen a significant increase in unprofitable stocks, which are up 62% since April 8, compared to a 29% increase in profitable stocks [8]. Investment Strategy - It is recommended to avoid unprofitable lower-quality segments within small caps and to focus on higher-quality profitable segments [9].

Uh, all right, Ed. Top of your note today to our producers, we have several concerns about 2026, which is interesting because I didn't hear from a single person who was on this program yet today or for that matter anybody who was on halftime earlier who has several concerns about 2026. What gives.>> So, first of all, I want to emphasize that these are concerns that may or may not come to fruition, but we got to look ahead and see what might happen. Top of the list is what what could go on with the Fed. You ...

12 Dec 2025 16:00:00 ET │ 21 pages US Equity Strategy 2026 Outlook: A Persistent But Volatile Bull CITI'S TAKE We set a 2026 S&P 500 base case target of 7700, predicated on an aggressive $320 in index earnings. AI investment tailwinds persist but performance dispersion within both the enablers and adopters of the technology is an ongoing dynamic. Broadening beyond that cohort is a key narrative. This includes both across the S&P 500 as well as down into US Small/Mid Cap. As we enter the fourth year of this ...

Obviously the cut was not a surprise. They don't tend to buck market expectations, especially when they are particularly dominant in one direction or another. We did expect what could be defined as a hawkish cut where they certainly didn't lay out any promises for the glide path going forward.And that's what happened. And just before I came on, you were talking about increasing dissents on the Fed. I agree.I think that that is a good thing. I think it also helps to temper some of the concerns about independ ...

Core Insights - The U.S. stock indices showed positive performance on December 11, 2025, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching new closing records following a quarter-point interest rate cut by the U.S. central bank on December 10, leading investors to favor equities sensitive to rate cuts over tech stocks [1][2]. Investment Recommendations - Investors are advised to consider low-leverage stocks as safe-haven securities amid concerns over overvalued AI-centric tech stocks. Recommended companies include Casey's General Stores (CASY), Hamilton Insurance Group (HG), Northrip Bancorp (NRIM), REV Group (REVG), and Engie (ENGIY), which exhibit low leverage and stability during market volatility [2][10]. Understanding Leverage - Leverage involves borrowing capital for operational and business expansion, typically through debt financing. While debt can facilitate growth, excessive reliance on it poses risks, especially if returns do not exceed interest costs. Therefore, selecting companies with low debt is crucial for minimizing investment risks [4][5][6]. Debt-to-Equity Ratio Analysis - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric for assessing a company's financial risk, with lower ratios indicating better solvency. As the third-quarter 2025 earnings season concludes, investors should focus on stocks with solid earnings growth and low debt-to-equity ratios to ensure steady returns [7][9]. Stock Selection Criteria - A comprehensive screening process for selecting low-leverage stocks includes criteria such as: - Debt/Equity ratio lower than the industry median - Current price of at least $10 - Average 20-day trading volume of 50,000 or more - Positive earnings growth compared to the industry median - VGM Score of A or B, combined with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [11][12][13]. Company Performance Highlights - **Casey's General Stores (CASY)**: Reported a 3.3% increase in same-store sales and a 14% rise in earnings for Q2 fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 9.6% revenue increase and an 11.8% earnings improvement for fiscal 2026, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [14][15]. - **Hamilton Insurance Group (HG)**: Achieved a 16.5% increase in net premiums and improved operating earnings to $1.20 per share from $0.16 in Q3 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate forecasts a 20.9% revenue increase and an 8.5% earnings rise for 2025, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 [16][17]. - **Northrip Bancorp (NRIM)**: Completed a $60 million private placement to support growth initiatives. The Zacks Consensus Estimate anticipates a 29.6% revenue increase and a 51.5% earnings rise for 2025, with a Zacks Rank of 1 [18][19]. - **REV Group (REVG)**: Reported a 13% increase in net sales and a 62.7% rise in adjusted EPS for Q4 fiscal 2025. The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests a 7.3% revenue increase and a 30.4% earnings rise for fiscal 2026, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [20][21]. - **Engie (ENGIY)**: Announced the financial closure of its first offshore wind farm in Poland, with a total planned capacity of up to 390 MW. The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a 31.8% earnings improvement for 2025, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 [22][23].

Core Insights - Monster Beverage Corp. is experiencing record revenue in 2025 due to strong demand for energy drinks, making it one of the best-performing S&P 500 stocks over the last 30 years [1][10][12] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Monster Beverage reported earnings of $0.56, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.48, with net sales increasing 16.8% to a record $2.2 billion from $1.88 billion a year ago [3][10] - The Monster Energy Drinks segment saw net sales rise 17.7% to $2.03 billion from $1.72 billion in the prior year's quarter [4] - The Strategic Brands segment's net sales increased 15.9% to $130.5 million from $112.6 million a year ago [4] - The Other segment's net sales rose 14.4% to $6.8 million from $5.9 million a year ago, while the Alcohol Brands segment experienced a decline of 17% to $33 million from $39.8 million [5] Growth Drivers - The Monster Energy Ultra drinks significantly contributed to growth, with net sales outside the U.S. rising 23.3%, accounting for about 43% of total net sales, up from 40% in the previous year [6] - A new product launch, FLRT, aimed at female consumers, is scheduled for late Q1 2026 [7] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have raised earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026, with the Zacks Consensus for 2025 increasing to $1.98 from $1.91, indicating a growth of 22.2% compared to $1.62 in 2024 [8][10] - For 2026, nine estimates were raised in the last 60 days, reflecting positive sentiment [9] Market Performance - Year-to-date, Monster Beverage's stock is up 39.7%, outperforming the S&P 500 ETF, which is up 17.6% [15] - The company has a forward P/E ratio of 37, indicating it is considered expensive, but it is viewed as a growth story [15] Shareholder Actions - Monster Beverage has initiated a $500 million share repurchase program, although it does not pay dividends [15]

Core Viewpoint - The small-cap sector is showing significant momentum, with the S&P 500 up 17.1% and the Russell 2000 up 14.8%, indicating a potential for strong earnings growth in 2026 [1] Small Cap Performance - Small caps have experienced a profits recovery, with positive growth and upward revisions in earnings expectations [3][4] - Historical data suggests that after significant moves in the Russell 2000, there is a tendency for continued positive performance, with a 29% increase expected a year later [5] Investor Behavior - There is a notable increase in buying activity from various investor types, including retail and institutional investors, driven by the momentum in small caps [6] - The supportive Federal Reserve policy, including rate cuts, is beneficial for small-cap companies that are more leveraged [7] Market Conditions - The overall market sentiment has improved due to reduced uncertainty regarding tariffs and favorable earnings recovery [8][9] - M&A activity is increasing, particularly in the healthcare sector, which is positively impacting small-cap sentiment [9] Valuation Insights - While small caps are trading slightly above average valuation multiples, micro caps are trading 80% above average on sales multiples, indicating potential overvaluation in the micro-cap segment [11] - The expectation is for small caps to outperform larger caps, with earnings growth driving returns rather than price appreciation [16] Earnings Growth Expectations - Earnings growth for small caps is projected to be around 20%, compared to mid to low teens for large caps, suggesting better returns for small caps in the upcoming year [16]

Top U.S. oil producer Exxon Mobil on Tuesday raised its earnings growth outlook to $25 billion and cash flow growth to $35 billion from 2024 to 2030. ...