Investing can help you reach your short- and long-term goals, but sometimes it's hard to know where to start, what questions to ask, or what step to take next. Tune in to learn more about different investment options and management styles to help you decide how to keep your goals on track. 00:00 Introductions 00:53 What to know before you start investing 03:18 How to invest for financial goals 05:48 5 questions to consider before investing 07:15 Investment management options 09:06 Some investing terms to kn ...

Group 1 - Invesco is an independent investment management firm focused on enhancing the investment experience for individuals [1] - The firm emphasizes the importance of understanding investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing [1] - Invesco provides educational information but does not offer tax advice, highlighting the complexity and variability of federal and state tax laws [1] Group 2 - The opinions expressed by Invesco's authors are based on current market conditions and may change without notice [1] - Invesco's investment advisory services are provided by affiliated investment advisers, and they do not sell securities [1] - Invesco Unit Investment Trusts are distributed by Invesco Capital Markets, Inc., and other broker-dealers [1]

I am a market enthusiast and part-time trader. I started writing for Seeking Alpha in 2011, and it has been a tremendous opportunity and learning experience. I have been interested in the markets since elementary school, and hope to pursue a career in the investment management industry. I have been active in the markets for several years, and am primarily focused on long/short equities. I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree from Lehigh University, where I double majored in Finance and Accounting, with a minor ...

TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reported quarterly adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.46Total assets under management and fee-earning assets of $56.8 billionDeclared quarterly dividend per share to 12.5 cents AGF Management Limited (AGF or the Company) (TSX: AGF.B) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended August 31, 2025. AGF reported total assets under management and fee-earning assets1 of $56.8 billion compared to $53.5 billion as at May 31, 2025 and $49.7 billion ...

Core Insights - White Mountains Insurance Group reported Q2 2025 earnings per share (GAAP) of $47.75, missing the analyst estimate of $57.00 by 16.2% [1] - Total revenue (GAAP) reached $689.2 million, a significant increase of 74.4% compared to Q2 2024 [1][2] - Book value per share rose to $1,803.57, up 4.7% from $1,722.02 a year earlier [1][2] Financial Metrics - Diluted EPS (GAAP) for Q2 2025 was $47.75, compared to $(21.24) in Q2 2024 [2] - Revenue (GAAP) was $689.2 million, up from $395.4 million in Q2 2024, reflecting a 74.4% year-over-year increase [2] - Book Value per Share increased to $1,803.57 from $1,722.02, marking a 4.7% rise [2] - Ark/WM Outrigger Combined Ratio improved to 84.4% from 87.0%, a decrease of 2.6 percentage points [2] - Gross Written Premiums for Ark/WM Outrigger were $815.2 million, up 17.0% from $697.0 million in Q2 2024 [2] - MGA Adjusted EBITDA for Bamboo reached $25.6 million, a 122.6% increase from $11.5 million in Q2 2024 [2] Company Overview - White Mountains Insurance Group operates as a diversified insurance holding company, focusing on property & casualty insurance, reinsurance, and specialty distribution [3] - Key subsidiaries include Ark, WM Outrigger, Bamboo, HG Global, and Kudu, each serving distinct roles in the insurance and investment sectors [3] Strategic Focus - Current priorities include disciplined underwriting, risk management, maximizing investment returns, and expanding through strategic acquisitions [4] - Growth in core businesses like Ark and Bamboo is emphasized, alongside maintaining a strong capital base [4] Segment Performance - Ark experienced significant premium growth with gross written premiums rising 17% year-over-year to $815 million, and the combined ratio improved to 85% [5] - WM Outrigger faced volatility due to catastrophe losses, impacting pre-tax income [5] - Bamboo reported record commission and fee revenue of $59 million, with managed premiums of $191 million, despite facing claims from California wildfires [5] - Kudu's revenue dropped to $20 million due to lower investment gains, while HG Global saw improvements in gross written premium and pre-tax income [6] Investment Performance - The consolidated portfolio returned 2.7%, underperforming compared to the S&P 500's 10.9% return [7] - MediaAlpha contributed positively to investment income as its share price increased [7] - Ark reported net realized and unrealized investment gains of $51 million, up from $20 million in Q2 2024 [7] Future Outlook - No specific financial outlook or guidance was provided for the upcoming quarter or fiscal 2025 [8] - Management highlighted opportunities for growth, particularly at Bamboo and Ark, with approximately $300 million in undeployed capital available for future investments [8]

Core Insights - Unum Group reported Q2 2025 earnings per share (Non-GAAP) of $2.07, missing analyst expectations of $2.22 and down from $2.16 in Q2 2024 [1][2] - Revenue increased to $3.36 billion in Q2 2025, up 4.0% from $3.23 billion in Q2 2024, indicating solid premium growth despite weaker profitability [1][2] - Net income decreased to $335.6 million, down 13.8% from $389.5 million in the prior year, raising concerns about claims trends and customer retention [1][2] Financial Performance - Adjusted operating income for Unum US fell 11.0% to $318.2 million, despite a 3.9% increase in premium income [5] - The benefit ratio in group disability insurance rose to 62.2% from 59.1% year-over-year, attributed to lower claim recoveries and larger average claim sizes [5] - Persistency in group long-term disability declined to 90.6% from 93.1%, indicating increased customer turnover [5] Business Segments Overview - Unum US, which accounts for over 65% of total premium income, faced challenges with a decline in adjusted operating income and net investment income [5] - Group life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance saw a 21.2% drop in adjusted operating income, with a worsening benefit ratio of 69.7% [6] - Supplemental and voluntary lines showed resilience with a 6.9% increase in adjusted operating income, although sales of voluntary benefits shrank by 21.8% [6] International Operations - Unum International experienced a 2.1% decline in adjusted operating income, despite an 18.5% increase in premium income in constant currency [7] - The U.K. operation reported a benefit ratio increase to 75.0% from 69.5%, with sales falling by 13.5% [7] Investment Management and Capital Position - Net investment income rose 2.9% company-wide, with variations across segments; Unum US and Closed Block saw declines due to lower asset balances [10] - The company's risk-based capital ratio was approximately 485%, significantly above regulatory minimums, with $2.0 billion in liquidity [11] - Share repurchases reached $300 million, with expectations to meet the upper end of the $500 million to $1.0 billion annual repurchase guidance for 2025 [11] Future Outlook - Management revised full-year 2025 guidance for after-tax adjusted operating income per share to approximately $8.50, emphasizing ongoing share buybacks and capital returns [12] - Investors should monitor stabilization or improvement in benefit ratios and trends in customer retention and new sales volumes, as these factors could impact future earnings [13]

Group 1 - Prudential Financial is expected to report earnings on July 30, 2025, with revenues projected at approximately $13.4 billion, reflecting a 3% year-over-year decline, and earnings per share estimated at $3.23, indicating a slight decrease compared to the previous year [2] - The U.S. insurance operations are anticipated to remain a significant contributor to earnings, with improved underwriting and reduced expenses in Q1, although some areas are experiencing weaker investment and fee-related income [2] - The global investment management division is likely to perform well due to an increase in assets under management driven by equity market appreciation, net inflows, and enhanced investment performance [3] Group 2 - The current market capitalization of Prudential Financial is $37 billion, with total revenue for the past twelve months at $61 billion and net income at $2.3 billion [4] - Historical data shows that Prudential Financial has recorded 20 earnings data points over the past five years, with 9 positive and 11 negative one-day returns, resulting in a 45% occurrence of positive returns [7] - The median of the positive one-day returns is 2.5%, while the median of the negative returns is -2.2% [7] Group 3 - There is a strategy to understand the correlation between short-term and medium-term returns post-earnings, which can help in executing trades based on the strongest correlations observed [8] - The performance of peers can influence the post-earnings stock reaction, with historical data indicating that price adjustments may begin before earnings are disclosed [9] - The Trefis High Quality portfolio has outperformed the S&P 500, delivering returns exceeding 91% since its inception, providing an alternative for investors seeking less volatility [5][10]

Group 1 - The article discusses the importance of lessons found in children's stories, using examples like "The Little Engine that Could" and "The 3 Little Pigs" to illustrate valuable life lessons [1] - Mark D. Hines, the founder of Blue Harbinger Research, established the firm in 2015 to assist individuals in managing their investments [1] - Hines has extensive experience as a portfolio manager, having managed over $10 billion in pension and mutual funds [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide any specific investment recommendations or advice regarding the suitability of investments for particular investors [2][3] - It emphasizes that past performance is not indicative of future results, highlighting the inherent uncertainties in investment outcomes [3]

Core Viewpoint - GAMCO Investors, Inc. has reached an agreement to acquire the investment management services business of Keeley – Teton Advisors, LLC, which includes four mutual funds and approximately 500 separately managed accounts with assets under management of nearly $1.0 billion [1][2]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The transaction allows Keeley employees, including research, portfolio management, and client service professionals, to continue operating under the Keeley name and servicing existing clients [2]. - The acquisition is seen as a significant milestone for Keeley, enhancing its commitment to delivering long-term value for customers and stakeholders [3]. Group 2: Company Background - Gabelli is recognized for its research-driven value approach to equity investing, operating through subsidiaries that manage a diverse range of investment products, including 24 open-end funds and 14 closed-end funds [4]. - The firm serves a broad client base, including institutions, intermediaries, offshore investors, private wealth, and direct retail investors, and has successfully integrated new teams of registered investment advisors (RIAs) [4][5].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Operating earnings per diluted share were $0.79, up 52%, and $0.74, up 42%, excluding significant items [5][25] - Book value per diluted share, excluding AOCI, was $37.03, up 6% [7] - Operating return on equity excluding significant items was 11.9% on a trailing twelve-month basis [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer division saw annuity collected premiums up 12%, account values up 7%, and premium per policy up 19% [10] - Health NAP was up 9%, with Medicare Supplement NAP up 24% and Medicare Advantage policies up 42% [13][14] - Worksite insurance sales were up 11%, with critical illness insurance up 37% and life insurance up 17% [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - New money rates exceeded 6% for nine consecutive quarters, with a new money rate of 6.43% [6][28] - Total investment income was up 16% for the quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of growth [29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its business model for sustained profitable growth and drive ROE expansion [8][32] - Focus on reaching the underserved middle-income market through a combination of virtual connections and local agents [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged deteriorating visibility into macroeconomic drivers but expressed confidence in navigating volatility [7][34] - The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance for 2025, despite acknowledging increased risks due to market volatility [31][32] Other Important Information - The company returned $117 million to shareholders, maintaining strong capital and liquidity levels [6] - A new product, Optimize Clear, was introduced to enhance service offerings [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: On buybacks and macro environment - Management indicated a willingness to continue share buybacks, with $100 million deployed in the first quarter [37] Question: Fee revenue and GAAP accounting - Management explained the impact of ASC 606 on revenue recognition, noting potential future reversals [40][41] Question: Outlook for direct-to-consumer life sales - Management expressed optimism for a bounce back in sales, while acknowledging shifts in advertising strategies [58] Question: Medicare business and potential shifts - Management noted strong growth in Medicare Advantage policies and indicated a potential shift back to Medicare Supplement could be beneficial [72][74] Question: Geographic expansion in worksite - Management confirmed ongoing geographic expansion efforts and expected continued growth from new regions [82]