Group 1: Market Overview - Wall Street sold technology stocks as investors take profits amid increasing market volatility, with the Nasdaq up over 90% in the past three years [1] - The bullish market backdrop remains intact, with strong earnings growth projected for 2026 and expectations of interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve [2] Group 2: Investment Strategy - Investors can utilize a Zacks screen to identify top Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks from over 200 highly-ranked companies [3] - Zacks Rank 1 stocks have historically outperformed the market, averaging an annual return of approximately 24.4% since 1988 [6] Group 3: Stock Screening Parameters - The screening parameters include a Zacks Rank of 1, positive current quarter estimate revisions, and top broker rating changes over the last four weeks [7][8] Group 4: Featured Stock - ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. (SFBS) - ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. is highlighted as a top-ranked finance stock, focusing on business and personal banking services across multiple states [9][10] - The company is projected to grow revenue by 20% in 2026 and 9% in the following year, boosting adjusted earnings by 22% and 10%, respectively [12] - SFBS shares have increased by 370% over the past decade, outperforming the Finance sector's 165%, and are on the verge of breaking out of a trading range [13] - Despite its strong performance, SFBS trades at a 25% discount to its sector and 20% below its own 10-year median, with a dividend yield of 1.8% [14]

Core Viewpoint - Landmark Bancorp, Inc. demonstrated solid profitability growth in Q4 2025, with net earnings increasing to $4.7 million from $3.3 million year-over-year, outperforming the S&P 500 index during the same period [2][3]. Financial Performance - Net interest income rose 19.3% year-over-year to $14.8 million, driven by higher loan yields and lower funding costs [3]. - Diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased to 77 cents in Q4 2025 from 54 cents in Q4 2024, although it was slightly below the 81 cents reported in the previous quarter [2]. - For the full year 2025, net earnings totaled $18.8 million, a 44.4% increase from $13 million in 2024, with diluted EPS rising to $3.07 from $2.15 [3]. Profitability Metrics - Return on average assets improved to 1.17% for both Q4 and 2025, compared to 0.83% in the corresponding periods of 2024 [4]. - Return on average equity increased to 11.88% for Q4 and 12.68% for 2025, up from 9.54% and 10.01% respectively a year earlier [4]. - The net interest margin expanded to 4.03% in Q4 from 3.51% in the year-ago quarter, reflecting higher earning asset yields and lower deposit costs [4]. Balance Sheet Overview - Period-end loans totaled $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2025, slightly lower than the prior quarter but up from $1.05 billion at the end of 2024 [5]. - Total deposits increased by 4.5% year-over-year to $1.4 billion, with growth concentrated in money market and checking accounts [5]. - Non-performing loans decreased to $10 million, or 0.90% of gross loans, down from $13.1 million, or 1.25%, at the end of 2024 [5]. Management Insights - Management characterized the quarter as a strong close to a year of sustained revenue growth and profitability gains, emphasizing pricing discipline on deposits as a key contributor to margin improvement [6]. - The company plans to continue investing in personnel and operational capabilities while maintaining expense control [11]. - Capital levels remain well above regulatory thresholds, with tangible common equity to assets exceeding 8% by the end of 2025 [6]. Earnings Drivers - The primary driver of earnings growth was higher net interest income, supported by rising loan yields and declining funding costs [7]. - Non-interest income declined sequentially due to a loss on the sale of lower-yielding investment securities, part of a strategy to reposition the securities portfolio for improved future returns [7]. Expense Management - Non-interest expenses increased year-over-year due to higher compensation, professional fees, and a valuation allowance on repossessed assets [8]. - Provision for credit losses was $500,000, down from $1.5 million in the year-ago quarter, indicating moderated credit costs [8]. Dividend Declaration - The board declared a quarterly cash dividend of 21 cents per share, payable in February 2026, continuing the company's long-standing record of regular dividend payments [10].

Key Takeaways ETN delivered Q4 EPS of $3.33, matching estimates, while revenues rose 13.1% year over year to $7.05B.Electrical Americas, Electrical Global and Aerospace posted double-digit sales growth.Revenues up year over year, primarily due to strong growth in organic sales.Eaton Corporation (ETN) reported fourth-quarter 2025 earnings of $3.33 per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter. The bottom line increased 17.7% year over year and surpassed the company’s guidance of $2.75- ...

Dallas, Texas-based Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN) designs, manufactures, and sells semiconductors to electronics designers and manufacturers. It is valued at a market cap of $195.9 billion. This semiconductor company has outperformed the broader market over the past 52 weeks. Shares of TXN have rallied 21.9% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has gained 15.5%. Moreover, on a YTD basis, the stock is up 29.7%, compared to SPX’s 1.9% uptick. More News from Barchart However ...

Company Overview - 3M Company (MMM) is a diversified technology firm based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with a market capitalization of $81.4 billion, offering products across industrial, safety, consumer, and electronics markets [1] Market Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, MMM has underperformed the broader market, with its shares gaining marginally while the S&P 500 Index increased by 14.3%. Year-to-date, MMM's stock is down 4.4%, contrasting with the S&P 500's 1.4% increase [1] - MMM has also lagged behind the State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI), which rose 19.5% over the past 52 weeks and 6.6% year-to-date [2] Earnings Report - On January 20, shares of MMM fell by 7% following its Q4 earnings release, despite reporting better-than-expected results. The company achieved revenue of $6.1 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.83, both exceeding analyst estimates. However, rising geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Europe negatively impacted investor sentiment [4] Future Earnings Expectations - For fiscal 2026, analysts project MMM's EPS to grow by 6.3% year-over-year to $8.57. The company has a strong earnings surprise history, having exceeded consensus estimates in the last four quarters [5] Analyst Ratings - Among 16 analysts covering MMM, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," consisting of eight "Strong Buy," seven "Hold," and one "Strong Sell" ratings [5] - RBC Capital analyst Deane Dray maintained an "Underperform" rating on MMM while raising its price target to $136. The mean price target of $179.33 indicates a 17.6% premium from current levels, while the highest price target of $200 suggests a potential upside of 31.2% [8]

Founded in 2011, Schaffhausen, Switzerland-based Aptiv PLC (APTV) engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of vehicle components for the automotive and commercial vehicle markets in North America and internationally. The company has a market cap of $16.4 billion and operates through Signal and Power Solutions, and Advanced Safety and User Experience segments. Shares of the company have rallied in the broader market over the past year but have lagged behind in 2026. APTV stock has surged 20.4% over th ...

CFO Ghislain Houle said reported diluted EPS grew 12% year-over-year in Q4, while adjusted EPS rose 14%. He attributed the adjusted results to two notable items: a CAD 34 million pre-tax charge related to a workforce reduction program discussed on the prior quarter’s call and CAD 15 million in advisory fees tied to industry consolidation matters.Robinson also emphasized efficiency gains, with the fourth-quarter operating ratio at 60.1%—the company’s best quarterly operating ratio of the year and an improvem ...

Core Insights - MetLife, Inc. (MET) is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter 2025 results on February 4, with earnings estimated at $2.36 per share and revenues at $25.6 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 13.5% and 29.6% respectively [1][5] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MetLife's total revenues for the current year is $80 billion, reflecting a 9.4% increase year-over-year, while the EPS estimate stands at $8.71, suggesting a 7.4% rise [2] - In the last four quarters, MetLife missed earnings estimates three times and exceeded them once [2] Earnings Prediction - The current model does not predict a definitive earnings beat for MetLife, as it holds an Earnings ESP of +0.47% and a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [3] Revenue Growth Drivers - The anticipated revenue growth in Q4 is attributed to rising premiums, adjusted group benefits revenues, and adjusted retirement and income solutions revenues, particularly benefiting from international markets in Asia, EMEA, and Latin America [4][5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for premiums in the upcoming quarter indicates a significant increase of 79.4% year-over-year [4] Segment Performance - Adjusted retirement and income solutions revenues are projected at $11.3 billion, nearly doubling from the previous year [6] - The Asia segment is expected to benefit from improved variable investment income and increased volumes, while EMEA and Latin America are projected to see growth from higher volumes [6] Challenges - Rising costs and expenses may partially offset profit growth in the upcoming quarter, with a projected decline of 4.1% in adjusted earnings from the Asia business year-over-year [7]

The launch of assigned seating and an extra legroom offering, requiring retrofit work across more than 800 aircraft$2.6 billion of share repurchases in 2025 (about 14% of shares outstanding), while maintaining an investment-grade ratingSix new airline partners, launch of Getaways by Southwest , and the addition of red-eye flyingJordan outlined a wide range of initiatives implemented during 2025, describing the pace and breadth of changes as unusual for the industry. The efforts spanned revenue, product, loy ...

Core Viewpoint - Ameriprise Financial has shown strong financial performance, leading to an upgrade in its stock rating by Piper Sandler from Underweight to Neutral, with the stock priced at $521.36 at the time of the upgrade [1][6]. Financial Performance - In the fourth quarter, Ameriprise reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $10.83, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10.29, marking a 16% increase from the previous year [2][6]. - The company experienced a 10% year-over-year rise in both adjusted operating revenues and expenses, indicating robust financial health despite rising costs [3]. Assets Management - Ameriprise achieved record levels in assets under management (AUM) and assets under administration (AUA), reaching $1.69 trillion, which is an 11% increase year-over-year [3][6]. Shareholder Actions - The company repurchased $897 million worth of shares during the quarter, reflecting confidence in its financial stability and future prospects [4]. Stock Performance - Currently, Ameriprise's stock price is $521.36, reflecting a 4.34% increase, with a market capitalization of approximately $48.44 billion [5]. - Over the past year, the stock has fluctuated between a high of $582.05 and a low of $396.14, showcasing its market volatility [5].