Key Takeaways AB InBev posted resilient Q3 results as Latin America strength helped offset U.S. revenue and volume declines.AB InBev grew EBITDA and expanded margins as pricing discipline offset U.S. volume declines.Latin America saw growth, led by Colombia volumes, Brazil pricing, and Mexico's premium and no-alcohol brands.Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD) , alias AB InBev’s, third-quarter 2025 results underscore how Latin America continues to act as a stabilizing force, helping offset ongoing softness in t ...

MIAMI, Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Standard Premium Finance Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: SPFX) (“Standard Premium”), a leading specialty finance company, today shares its perspective on key trends shaping the insurance premium finance market in 2026 and defines performance objectives aligned with its long-term growth strategy. Standard Premium has expanded its operating footprint to 40 licensed states and more than doubled its available capital through a recently expanded $115 million credit facility, posit ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of understanding the different types of REITs and their unique characteristics rather than merely chasing high yields [2][24] - Singapore's REIT market consists of seven main property sectors, each with distinct risk-return profiles and average yields [3][5][6][8][9][10][11] REIT Sectors Overview - **Industrial REITs**: Average yield of 6.6%, driven by e-commerce growth and long-term leases with stable tenants [3][4] - **Diversified REITs**: Average yield of 6.5%, providing stability through geographic and sector diversification [5] - **Retail REITs**: Average yield of 6.0%, influenced by consumer spending and location quality, facing challenges from online shopping [6] - **Office REITs**: Average yield of 6.9%, affected by employment levels and hybrid work arrangements [8] - **Hospitality REITs**: Average yield of 6.7%, sensitive to tourism and economic cycles [9] - **Specialized REITs**: Average yield of 4.9%, benefiting from digital transformation and cloud computing growth [10] - **Healthcare REITs**: Average yield of 4.8%, supported by aging populations and stable long-term tenants [11] Quality Metrics for REITs - **Distribution Yield**: Sustainable yields between 4-8% are preferred, with a focus on distribution growth over time [12] - **Debt-to-Assets Ratio**: Aiming for below 40% for financial flexibility, with an average of 39.6% across Singapore REITs [13][14] - **Interest Coverage Ratio**: A minimum of 2.0x is necessary, with 3.0x or higher being preferable [15] - **Occupancy Rates**: Targeting above 90% for most property types, with consistency over multiple quarters [16] - **Weighted Average Lease Expiry (WALE)**: Longer WALE provides income predictability, balancing renewal risks [17] Geographic Diversification - Over 80% of Singapore REITs hold overseas assets, reducing concentration risk and providing exposure to various economic cycles [18] Red Flags to Avoid - Caution is advised for REITs with extremely high yields, declining occupancy trends, high debt levels, frequent asset sales, and inexperienced management [19][20] Portfolio Construction Strategy - A strategic approach is recommended, with core holdings in diversified REITs, targeted exposure to growth sectors, and geographic themes [21][23]

Core Insights - Celsius Holdings reported an adjusted EPS of $0.42, exceeding expectations of $0.28, and revenue of $725.1 million, slightly above the consensus of $724.0 million, indicating strong investor confidence in the company's growth strategy [2][7] - The integration of Alani Nu has significantly contributed to Celsius's transformation into a diversified beverage platform, with Alani Nu achieving $332.0 million in sales during the quarter [3][7] - The company experienced a gross margin expansion of 530 basis points to 51.3%, reflecting improved operational efficiency and product mix [5][7] Revenue Growth - Celsius achieved a remarkable revenue growth of 173% year over year, with the CELSIUS brand growing 44% organically, driven primarily by Alani Nu's sales [3] - International revenue increased by 24%, particularly in Nordic markets, indicating successful geographic diversification [4] Profitability Metrics - The gross margin improvement to 51.3% demonstrates operational leverage and a favorable product mix, while operating cash flow was reported at $75.7 million and free cash flow at $70.3 million [5][7] - Despite the positive cash flow metrics, GAAP net income showed a loss of $61.0 million, attributed to one-time distributor termination costs related to the PepsiCo transition [6][7] Market Positioning - Celsius trades at a forward P/E of 157.68, significantly higher than Monster Beverage's 42.16, reflecting market expectations for sustained growth despite the lack of proven profitability at scale [7]

Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDA reached R$27 billion[12] - Net income grew to R$11 billion, a 26% increase compared to 2Q25[12] - Free cash flow was R$10 billion, primarily due to higher working capital release[12] - Dividends declared for Gerdau S A were approximately R$555 million (R$028/share) and for Metalúrgica S A were approximately R$188 million (R$019/share)[12] - Share buyback program executed 88%, with approximately R$902 million invested, representing 29% of outstanding shares[12] Operational Highlights - Steel shipments reached 30 million tonnes, with YoY growth, including a 10% increase in North America[5] - North America achieved its highest-ever share in consolidated EBITDA at 65%, compared to 61% in 2Q25[8] - The Miguel Burnier Mining project is 90% complete and in the pre-operational phase, with start-up expected in 4Q25[10] Market Dynamics - Steel import penetration in Brazil remains high at 25% for the first nine months of the year[6] - CAPEX guidance for 2026 is R$47 billion, a 22% decrease compared to the 2025 estimate[12]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of geographical diversification in investment strategies, particularly in the context of high P/E ratios in the United States [1] - It highlights the significance of observing megatrends and technological advancements as a means to identify potential investment opportunities [1] - The focus is on the fundamentals of companies, including leadership quality and product pipelines, as essential factors for successful investing [1] Investment Strategy - The author is exploring overseas ETFs as a way to diversify investments and mitigate risks associated with domestic market fluctuations [1] - There is a strong interest in macrotrends, futurism, and emerging technologies, which are seen as critical areas for investment insights [1] - The article suggests that understanding the evolution of society and technology can lead to identifying which companies will capitalize on new opportunities [1] Professional Background - The author has extensive experience in evaluating startups and emerging industries, with a background in international development and non-profit work [1] - The focus has been on marketing and business strategy for medium-sized companies and startups, indicating a practical approach to investment analysis [1] - The author has also contributed as a technology and economic news journalist, which adds depth to the analysis of market trends and investment opportunities [1]

Core Concept - The article emphasizes the importance of diversification in investment portfolios to manage risk while aiming for solid long-term returns [1] Group 1: Sector Diversification - Investors should ensure their portfolios are diversified across various sectors rather than concentrating on a single industry, such as banking [2][3] - Suggested sectors for diversification include real estate investment trusts (REITs), technology, discretionary retail, telecommunications, and healthcare [4][5] - Adding recession-resilient sectors like education and healthcare can help hedge against economic downturns [6] Group 2: Geographic Diversification - Geographic diversification is crucial, focusing on the regions where a company's revenue is generated rather than just where it is listed [7][8] - Investing in companies with global operations, such as Kimberly-Clark, can reduce reliance on any single market [9] Group 3: Benefits of Diversification - A diversified portfolio protects against losses from individual companies, as demonstrated by a hypothetical portfolio with 30 positions [10] - Long-term investment strategies can lead to significant growth, outweighing losses from underperforming stocks [11] - Position sizing is important, allowing investors to allocate more capital to lower-risk stocks while capturing upside potential in emerging industries [12][13] Group 4: Risks of Over-Diversification - "Diworsification" occurs when investments are made in areas outside a company's core competence, potentially harming overall business performance [14][15] - Over-diversification can lead to mediocre returns, as managing a portfolio with over 100 stocks becomes impractical [17][18] Group 5: Smart Diversification Strategies - Effective diversification involves a balanced mix of stocks across different industries and regular portfolio reviews to assess company performance [19]

Core Viewpoint - Mission Produce Inc. (AVO) is expected to report declines in both sales and earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, with sales estimated at $282.1 million, reflecting a 5.2% decrease year-over-year, and earnings projected at 3 cents per share, indicating a 78.6% decline from the previous year [1][2]. Financial Performance - The company has shown a consistent earnings surprise trend, with a notable 900% surprise in the last reported quarter, raising questions about its ability to maintain this momentum [2]. - The Earnings ESP for AVO is 0.00%, and it holds a Zacks Rank of 3, suggesting that the model does not predict an earnings beat this season [3]. Market Trends and Growth Drivers - Mission Produce is expected to sustain growth momentum due to resilient global demand, strategic diversification, and operational agility, supported by increasing avocado consumption driven by health trends [4][8]. - The avocado industry is projected to see a 5% year-over-year increase in average pricing in the second quarter, despite supply challenges from Mexico, which are expected to be offset by increased production in California and Peru [6][8]. Segment Performance - The Blueberry segment is anticipated to perform strongly, with harvest volumes expected to rise by 35-40% due to expanded acreage and improved yields, while prices are expected to remain stable compared to the previous year [7][8]. Strategic Initiatives - Ongoing investments in vertical integration, digital innovation, and geographic diversification are expected to enhance operational efficiency and asset utilization, helping the company navigate supply volatility and tariff challenges [8][17]. - The company’s global sourcing strategy, including operations in Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and Guatemala, positions it well to absorb geopolitical shocks and maintain long-term growth potential [16][17]. Stock Performance and Valuation - AVO's stock has declined by 9.4% over the past three months, underperforming the industry and broader market indices [10][14]. - The current stock price of $11.18 reflects a 17.2% premium over its 52-week low but is 26.7% below its 52-week high, with a forward P/E multiple of 27.78X, indicating a premium valuation compared to industry averages [14][15]. Long-term Outlook - Despite near-term challenges such as inflation and tariff uncertainties, the long-term growth narrative for Mission Produce remains strong, supported by its diversified sourcing and expanding product portfolio [18][19]. - The company is focused on delivering disciplined, profitable growth through improved asset utilization and strategic execution, aligning with enduring consumer demand trends [19].