Financial Performance - Shell reported adjusted earnings of $3.26 billion for Q4 2025, missing analyst expectations of $3.53 billion and a company-provided forecast of $3.51 billion [2] - The company's profit for Q4 2024 was $3.66 billion, and for Q3 2025 it was $5.4 billion, indicating a decline in profitability [2] - For the full year 2025, Shell's adjusted earnings were $18.5 billion, down from $23.72 billion in 2024 [3] Dividend and Share Buyback - Shell announced a 4% increase in its dividend to $0.372 per share and initiated a $3.5 billion share buyback program, marking the 17th consecutive quarter of buybacks exceeding $3 billion [3] Debt and Gearing - At the end of 2025, Shell's net debt was $45.7 billion with a gearing ratio of 20.7%, an increase from $41.2 billion and 18.8% at the end of Q3 2025 [4] Market Environment - The results reflect a challenging market environment with lower oil prices impacting European energy majors, leading to difficult decisions regarding shareholder payouts [4] - Equinor, a competitor, announced significant cuts to share buybacks and investments in response to a 22% drop in Q4 profit, indicating broader industry challenges [5]

Baidu authorized a multi-year stock buyback program of as much as $5 billion and plans to issue its first dividend in 2026, establishing a major shareholder return plan https://t.co/QCQ4PLHoAw ...

Core Viewpoint - PVH Corp. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.0375 per share, payable on March 25, 2026, to stockholders of record on March 4, 2026 [1] Company Overview - PVH Corp. is one of the largest fashion companies globally, driven by its iconic brands, Calvin Klein and TOMMY HILFIGER [1] - The company has been connecting with and inspiring consumers for over 140 years and operates in more than 40 countries [1]

Core Viewpoint - Utah Medical Products, Inc. has announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.31 per share, reflecting a 1.6% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year [1] Dividend Announcement - The approved cash dividend of $0.31 per share will be payable on April 3, 2026 [1] - Stockholders of record will be those who hold shares at the close of business on March 17, 2026 [1] - The increase in dividend signifies the company's commitment to returning value to its shareholders [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported sequential revenue growth of 5% in Q4 2025, with adjusted EBITDA margins above 22% and free cash flow conversion of 76% [4][5][9] - Full year 2025 adjusted free cash flow totaled $466 million, representing a 43.7% conversion ratio, a significant improvement over 2024 [9][21] - The net leverage ratio improved to 0.42 times, down from 3.3 times at the beginning of 2021, reflecting a stronger balance sheet [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Completions and Artificial Lift segments were the largest contributors to top-line growth, with Completions becoming the largest product line due to technology advancements [6][7] - The company experienced a decline of over 50% in revenues from Mexico for the full year 2025, but signs of stabilization were noted [5][6] - The Middle East, North Africa, and Asia region delivered 4% sequential growth, driven by strong performance in Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, and Indonesia [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Latin America saw a 16% sequential growth, primarily driven by increased activity in Mexico and Brazil [5] - North America experienced modest growth, supported by higher Canadian activity, while US land activity declined [5] - The Europe, Sub-Sahara Africa, and Russia region declined by 2% sequentially, continuing to show softness [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to focus on cost control and productivity improvements in the first half of 2026, with expectations of increased customer spending in the second half [11][12] - The company is optimistic about a stronger outlook for 2027, anticipating year-on-year growth in activity levels [14][29] - Strategic initiatives include enhancing operational efficiency through digital platforms and artificial intelligence, as well as focusing on lower capital intensity businesses [27][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding payment streams in Mexico, with improved collection mechanisms in place [9][54] - The company is monitoring geopolitical conflicts and commodity price volatility, which may impact international activity levels in the first half of 2026 [12][13] - Management highlighted the potential reopening of the Venezuelan market, which could significantly benefit the company if stable governance and regulatory conditions are established [13][61] Other Important Information - The company returned $173 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in 2025, with a commitment to return approximately 50% of adjusted free cash flow over the cycle [20][21] - Capital expenditures for 2026 are expected to be between $190 million and $230 million, with a focus on IT-related spending for ERP systems [19][88] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for Saudi Arabia - Management is hopeful for a healthy recovery in Saudi Arabia in the second half of 2026 as rigs come online, emphasizing the importance of technology development [32][34] Question: Broader Middle East and North Africa Market - The region remains strong, with continued momentum in the UAE and Kuwait, although some variability is expected in other countries like Qatar [40][42] Question: Mexico's Business Trends - Management noted three consecutive quarters of sequential improvements in Mexico, with expectations for slight growth year-on-year in 2026 [50][52] Question: Venezuela Market Potential - Management clarified that no uptick from Venezuela is included in current guidance, but there is potential for significant revenue if conditions stabilize [60][61] Question: Offshore Activity Outlook - Management expressed excitement about improvements in offshore deepwater activity, particularly in completions and managed pressure drilling [67][69] Question: North America Activity Outlook - Management indicated that North America is expected to see mid- to high-single-digit declines in activity, but the focus will be on maintaining margins through innovation [72][76] Question: First Quarter Guidance - Management explained that the first quarter guidance reflects typical seasonality and some orders pulled into Q4, with expectations for a ramp-up in the second half of 2026 [80][82]

Core Insights - Newmont Corporation (NEM) is enhancing shareholder value through significant dividends and share repurchases, distributing over $5.7 billion in the past two years [1][7] Financial Performance - Newmont generated a record free cash flow of $1.6 billion in Q3, with net cash from operating activities increasing by 40% year-over-year to $2.3 billion [2][7] - The company reduced its debt by approximately $2 billion in Q3, achieving a near-zero net debt position by the end of the quarter [3][7] Capital Allocation - Newmont has doubled its share repurchase authorization to $6 billion, executing $3.3 billion of this buyback as of October 23, 2025 [2] - The company is following a disciplined capital allocation policy, using its cash generation to return capital to shareholders, fund growth projects, and pay down debt [3] Market Position - Newmont's shares have increased by 79.2% over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Mining – Gold industry, which rose by 64.8% [6] - The company is currently trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 15.23, which is a 15% premium to the industry average of 13.24 [9] Earnings Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NEM's earnings implies a year-over-year increase of 81.9% for 2025 and 21.1% for 2026, with EPS estimates trending higher over the past 60 days [10]

Core Viewpoint - Enact Holdings, Inc. has announced a new share repurchase program authorizing the purchase of up to $500 million of its common stock, reflecting confidence in its long-term performance and commitment to returning capital to shareholders [1][3]. Share Repurchase Program - The new share repurchase program is in addition to the existing $350 million program, with $30 million remaining as of January 30, 2026 [1]. - The program allows for various methods of repurchase, including open market purchases and privately negotiated transactions, and may utilize Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 trading plans [3]. - The timing and amount of repurchases will be opportunistic, influenced by factors such as share price, capital availability, and market conditions [4]. Dividend Declaration - The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per common share, payable on March 19, 2026, to shareholders of record on February 26, 2026 [2]. Company Overview - Enact Holdings, Inc. is a leading provider of private mortgage insurance in the U.S., operating through its subsidiary Enact Mortgage Insurance Corporation since 1981 [5]. - The company focuses on helping individuals achieve homeownership by partnering with lenders to provide service, underwriting expertise, and risk management [5].

ROCKY MOUNT, NC / ACCESS Newswire / February 3, 2026 / Ted E. Whitehurst, President and CEO of PB Financial Corporation (OTCQX:PBNC), the holding company for Providence Bank, announced today the Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.61 per share on common stock outstanding to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 18, 2026. ...

Core Viewpoint - Smurfit Westrock plc has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4523 per share, payable on March 18, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 17, 2026 [1][1][1] Dividend Details - The ex-dividend date is set for February 17, 2026, which is also the record date for shareholders [1][1] - The default payment currency for the dividend is U.S. Dollar for shareholders holding ordinary shares through a Depository Trust Company (DTC) participant [1][1] - Shareholders can elect to receive the dividend in Pounds Sterling or Euro by providing instructions to the Company's Depositary Interest provider by February 27, 2026 [1][1] Company Overview - Smurfit Westrock is a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions globally, employing approximately 100,000 people across 40 countries [1][1][1] Upcoming Financial Announcements - The company plans to release its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, along with a Medium-Term investor update on February 11, 2026 [1][1] - The earnings release and related materials will be available on the company's website [1][1]

Core Insights - Verizon's new CEO Daniel Schulman announced a strategic shift towards a customer-focused approach to address the loss of wireless customers, resulting in the highest quarterly net subscriber additions since 2019 [1][9]. Subscriber Growth - In the latest quarter, Verizon added 1 million net subscribers, including 616,000 postpaid phone subscribers and 372,000 broadband net additions, which comprised 319,000 fixed wireless subscribers and 67,000 Fios households [5]. - Consumer revenue increased by 3.2% year over year to $28.14 billion, while service revenue rose by 0.9% [6]. Financial Performance - Overall revenue grew by 2% year over year to $36.4 billion, with service revenue slightly up by 0.1% to $28.2 billion and wireless equipment revenue increasing by 9.1% to $8.2 billion [5]. - Adjusted EPS decreased by 0.9% to $1.09, and EBITDA fell by 0.6% to $11.9 billion [6]. Future Projections - Verizon anticipates adding between 750,000 to 1 million postpaid phone subscribers in 2026, with mobility and broadband service revenue expected to rise by 2% to 3% [7]. - Adjusted EPS is projected to increase by 4% to 5%, reaching between $4.90 and $4.95 [7]. Shareholder Returns - The company announced a $25 billion buyback plan to be executed over the next three years, supported by a projected 7% increase in free cash flow to $21.5 billion [8]. - Verizon's dividend is considered secure, well-covered by free cash flow, and the buyback is expected to support its stock price [10]. Competitive Positioning - Verizon aims to stop the trend of losing customers to competitors, with impressive net additions in Q4 and opportunities for cross-selling and bundling following the acquisition of Frontier Communications [9]. - The stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of 9.2 based on 2026 earnings estimates, compared to 11.3 for AT&T, with a forward yield of 6.5%, making it an attractive dividend stock [10].