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Morgan Stanley analyst David Arcaro raised the firm’s price target on Spire (SR) to $99 from $91 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares after the company updated its financial plan with Q4 results. The re-basing of long-term EPS growth implies an 11% increase in earnings power versus the previous plan, the analyst tells investors. TipRanks Black Friday Sale Claim 60% off TipRanks Premium for the data-backed insights and research tools you need to invest with confidence. Subscribe to TipRanks' ...

Core Insights - Investors prioritize companies with consistent profitability, measured effectively by net profit margin, which reflects operational efficiency and management quality [1][2] Profitability Metrics - Net profit margin is calculated as Net profit divided by Sales multiplied by 100, indicating a company's ability to convert sales into profits [2] - A strong net profit margin suggests effective cost control and operational strength, essential for rewarding stakeholders and attracting investors [2] Industry Comparisons - Net profit margin varies across industries, complicating direct comparisons; it is crucial for traditional sectors but may be less relevant for technology firms [3] - Differences in accounting practices, particularly regarding non-cash expenses, further complicate comparisons [4] Investment Strategy - A healthy net profit margin and solid EPS growth are key elements sought in a business model, supplemented by additional criteria for maximizing returns [5] Screening Parameters - Criteria for screening include a net margin of at least 0%, positive percentage change in EPS, high broker ratings, and a favorable Zacks Rank [6] - Stocks with a VGM Score of A or B combined with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 are identified as having the best upside potential [7] Company Highlights - **SkyWest, Inc. (SKYW)**: Operates as a regional airline with a Zacks Rank of 1 and a VGM Score of A; 2025 earnings estimate revised upward by 3.8% to $10.33 per share [8] - **Interface, Inc. (TILE)**: Largest manufacturer of modular carpets, also holds a Zacks Rank of 1 and a VGM Score of A; 2025 earnings estimate revised to $1.85 per share from $1.70 [9] - **FreightCar America, Inc. (RAIL)**: Specializes in manufacturing railroad freight cars, currently has a Zacks Rank of 2 and a VGM Score of A; earnings estimate remained unchanged [10][11] - **Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP)**: Leading manufacturer of automotive replacement parts, holds a Zacks Rank of 2 and a VGM Score of A; 2025 earnings estimate revised upward by $0.04 to $3.80 per share [12][13]

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Core Insights - HubSpot reported revenue of $809.52 million for Q3 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 20.9% and exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.96% [1] - The company's EPS for the quarter was $2.66, up from $2.18 a year ago, surpassing the consensus estimate of $2.58 by 3.1% [1] Financial Performance Metrics - Total customers reached 278,880, slightly above the average estimate of 277,121 [4] - Average subscription revenue per customer was $11,578, exceeding the estimated $11,283.92 [4] - Subscription revenues amounted to $791.68 million, compared to the average estimate of $770.12 million, reflecting a 20.9% year-over-year increase [4] - Professional services and other revenues were reported at $17.84 million, above the average estimate of $16.14 million, with a year-over-year increase of 19.1% [4] - Non-GAAP gross margin for subscription was $686.22 million, surpassing the average estimate of $672.09 million [4] Stock Performance - HubSpot's shares have returned +4.8% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market [3]

Financial Performance - The company's Q3 2025 adjusted net income was $0.4 million, or $0.03 per share, a $0.01 increase per share compared to the same period in 2024[8] - Year-to-date adjusted net income reached $33.5 million, or $2.03 per share, a $1.4 million or $0.03 per share increase compared to the first nine months of 2024[8] - Adjusted gross margin increased by $4.7 million year-to-date for electric operations[25] - Adjusted gross margin for gas operations increased by $19.1 million year-to-date, driven by higher rates, customer growth, and colder weather[27] Acquisitions and Growth - Maine Natural Gas (MNG) acquisition closed on October 31, 2025, and Bangor Natural Gas (BNG) integration was completed[8, 10] - The combined price for BNG and MNG acquisitions was $157 million, with a combined rate base of $128 million and 15,100 customers[10] - Rate base is expected to grow by 10% including acquisitions[8] - Acquisitions are expected to accelerate long-term EPS and rate base growth, with an additional 17% in rate base and gas customers, and a 15% increase in gas margin[11] Capital Investments and Regulatory Updates - The company completed a utility-scale solar project in New Hampshire[13] - Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) replacement is on schedule, with a combined capital investment of approximately $40 million[14, 17] - A temporary electric rate increase of $7.8 million took effect in Q3 2025 in New Hampshire[8] - The company's five-year projected capital investment is approximately $1.1 billion[43]

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Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q3 2025, the adjusted EPS was $1.60 per share, which is $0.10 above the estimate and $0.17 higher than Q3 2024 [8][9] - Year-to-date adjusted EPS was $3.76 compared to $3.56 for the same period in 2024, indicating a positive trend in earnings [9] - Revenue growth was driven by state-regulated utilities, customer growth, and increased usage, with year-to-date weather-normal retail electricity sales up 1.8% compared to the first three quarters of 2024 [10][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The commercial sector saw a 3.5% growth in weather-normal retail electricity sales compared to Q3 2024, driven by increased sales to data centers, which were up 17% [10][11] - Residential sales also grew by 2.7% year-over-year, with the addition of approximately 12,000 new electric customers in the quarter [11] - Industrial customer segments, including primary metals, paper, and transportation, were up 4% or higher year-over-year [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Economic development activity in the Southeast remains strong, with 22 companies announcing expansions or new operations, generating nearly 5,000 potential new jobs and expected capital investments of approximately $2.8 billion [11] - The company has contracts in place with large load customers representing 7 gigawatts through 2029, expected to ramp to 8 gigawatts in the 2030s [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on balancing growth and affordability, with a rate plan extension at Georgia Power freezing base rates until at least 2029 [6] - A disciplined approach to forecasting and pricing is emphasized to ensure that growth does not come at the expense of existing customers [6] - The company plans to continue utilizing equity or equity equivalents to support its path towards a 17% FFO to debt ratio within its planning horizon [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's future, highlighting strong operational and financial results through the first three quarters of the year [20] - The company is well-positioned to address its long-term equity needs and has made significant progress in sourcing equity in a disciplined manner [14] - Management noted that the Southeast economy remains strong and well-positioned for growth, with robust customer growth and increasing usage in commercial and industrial segments [12] Other Important Information - Southern Company was named to Newsweek's World's Most Trustworthy Companies 2025 list, ranking as the highest energy company in the U.S. [20] - The company plans to provide a complete update on its long-term plan during the fourth quarter 2025 earnings call, including capital investment outlook and sales forecast [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Load growth outlook in Georgia - Management noted that customers understand the long-term commitments being made under the new tariff structure, which has helped bring serious counterparties to the forefront [26][27] Question: Georgia regulatory environment and potential impacts - Management expressed confidence in working constructively with whoever is elected to the Georgia Public Service Commission and highlighted ongoing processes for load forecasts [28] Question: Rebasement timeline and metrics - Management indicated that various factors, including economic performance and large load contracts, will influence the timeline for rebasement decisions [33] Question: Southern Power's asset value and pricing environment - Management confirmed that a large portion of assets are under long-term contracts, with opportunities to renegotiate as contracts expire [40] Question: Nuclear development and federal support - Management expressed excitement about federal actions supporting nuclear development but stated that no announcements regarding new nuclear plants are imminent [55][72] Question: Contracted vs. committed definitions - Management clarified that contracted refers to signed agreements, while committed involves advanced negotiations nearing contract signing [75]