SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Guidewire (NYSE: GWRE), provider of the industry platform Property and Casualty (P&C) insurers rely upon, today announced that it has completed its share repurchase program previously authorized in September 2022 and that, effective immediately, its board of directors has approved a new share repurchase program with authorization to purchase up to $500.0 million of its outstanding shares of common stock. Repurchases under the new program may be made in th. ...

Core Viewpoint - Viomi Technology Co., Ltd has initiated a share repurchase program, reflecting confidence in its fundamentals and long-term growth prospects [1][3]. Group 1: Share Repurchase Program - The board of directors approved a share repurchase program allowing the company to buy back up to US$20 million worth of its American depositary shares (ADSs) until December 31, 2027 [1]. - As of December 31, 2025, the company has repurchased approximately 1.02 million ADSs for a total of US$2.5 million, leaving approximately US$17.5 million available for future buybacks [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - Viomi is a leading technology company in home water solutions, focusing on AI technology to enhance drinking water quality for households globally [3][4]. - The company operates a "Equipment + Consumables" business model, leveraging AI and intelligent hardware to improve filter replacement and water quality monitoring [4]. - Viomi's "Water Purifier Gigafactory" is designed for optimal efficiency and economies of scale, facilitating advancements in water purification technology [4].

Core Insights - Columbia Banking System is experiencing a strategic shift with a focus on capital accumulation, margin expansion, and significant share buybacks despite slowing headline profits [1][12] Company Overview - Columbia Banking System operates as a regional financial institution with a strong presence in the Pacific Northwest and California, offering a diversified banking model that includes both lending and non-interest income streams [6][9] - The company has recently completed a transformative acquisition, increasing total assets to approximately $67.5 billion and achieving a net interest margin of 3.84%, up from 3.56% a year earlier [10] Financial Performance - For the trailing twelve months (TTM), Columbia Banking System reported revenue of $2.07 billion and net income of $478.68 million, with a dividend yield of 5% [4] - The company’s GAAP EPS fell to $0.40 from $0.73 in the prior quarter due to merger and restructuring costs, but the operating EPS was reported at $0.85, indicating strong normalized earnings power [11] Investment Activity - HoldCo Asset Management increased its stake in Columbia Banking System by purchasing 1.24 million shares valued at $31.48 million, bringing its total holdings to 5.72 million shares worth $147.30 million as of September 30 [2][3] - Columbia Banking System now represents 15.55% of HoldCo's $947.56 million assets under management (AUM) [3] Strategic Initiatives - The management has authorized a $700 million share repurchase program through late 2026, reflecting confidence in the bank's ability to generate excess capital even after a major acquisition [12] - The bank's core deposit growth increased by approximately $14 billion quarter over quarter, reaching $55.8 billion, largely attributed to the recent acquisition [10]

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (ZTO) . Shares have added about 13% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.But investors have to be wondering, will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is ZTO Express Cayman due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers ...

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ:SCHL) reported an impressive EPS of $2.57, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate.The company's revenue reached $551.1 million for the quarter, driven by successful back-to-school season and global publishing efforts.Scholastic's price-to-sales and enterprise value to sales ratios indicate a reasonable market valuation.Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ:SCHL) is a prominent player in the publishing industry, known for its children's books and educational materials. The company opera ...

ATHENS, Greece, Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Icon Energy Corp. (“Icon” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ICON), an international shipping company providing worldwide seaborne transportation services for dry bulk cargoes via its fleet of oceangoing vessels, announced today that its Board of Directors has authorized a program under which the Company may, from time to time, repurchase up to an aggregate of $1.0 million of its outstanding common shares through December 31, 2026 (the “Program”). Repurchases of com ...

GOOSE CREEK, S.C., Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HireQuest, Inc. (NASDAQ: HQI) ("HireQuest" or the "Company"), a global franchisor of on-demand staffing and executive search services, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program (the "Repurchase Program") that authorizes the Company to repurchase up to $20 million of its outstanding shares of common stock. HireQuest intends to begin the Repurchase Program and enter into a corresponding 10b5-1 plan as soon as reasonabl ...

MARTINSVILLE, Va., Dec. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hooker Furnishings Corporation (NASDAQ-GS: HOFT) (“Hooker” or the “Company”), a global leader in home furnishings, today announced it has completed the sale of the Pulaski Furniture and Samuel Lawrence Furniture casegoods brands to Magnussen Home Furnishings, Inc. for approximately $6.1 million, subject to certain final customary post-closing adjustments. “Completing this transaction marks a significant milestone in our journey toward enhanced profitabili ...

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three stocks in the S&P 500 that have shown significant upward momentum after a period of underperformance, suggesting potential for continued growth in 2026 [1][2][12]. Group 1: Albemarle (ALB) - Albemarle's stock has increased by 39% over the past month, making it the best performer in the S&P 500 during this period [4]. - The company specializes in lithium extraction and refining, which is in high demand for electric vehicle batteries and large-scale power storage systems [4][7]. - Despite sluggish global EV sales, demand for Albemarle's lithium products is rising in other sectors such as battery storage and solar energy [7]. Group 2: Solventum (SOLV) - Solventum's stock has risen nearly 25% over the past month, positioning it as the second-best performer in the S&P 500 [8]. - The company, spun off from 3M in April 2024, produces a variety of medical products and has seen its stock surge following strong third-quarter earnings that exceeded forecasts [10]. - A $1 billion share repurchase program announced by Solventum has further boosted investor confidence in the company's growth potential [11]. Group 3: Merck (MRK) - Merck's stock has increased by nearly 22% over the past month, following a strong quarterly report that surpassed earnings and revenue expectations [12]. - The company's Keytruda cancer drug achieved quarterly sales exceeding $8 billion, marking a 10% increase from the previous year [12]. - Merck's management has successfully reduced costs, leading to an improved earnings outlook for 2025 [12].

Core Insights - Woodward, Inc. is a key player in the aerospace and industrial sectors, recognized for its innovative energy control and optimization solutions [1] - The company has received a price target of $305 from Truist Financial, indicating a potential increase of 5.63% from its current price [1][5] Financial Performance - In Q4 fiscal 2025, Woodward reported a 48% year-over-year increase in adjusted net earnings per share (EPS), reaching $2.09, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 14.2% [2][5] - Quarterly net sales rose by 16% year-over-year to $995 million, surpassing the consensus estimate by 6.4% [2] Annual Results - For the full fiscal year, Woodward's net sales reached $3.6 billion, marking a 7% increase from the previous year [3] - The adjusted EPS for the year rose by 13% to $6.89, supported by the acquisition of Safran's North American Electromechanical Actuation business [3] Strategic Initiatives - Woodward executed a divestiture and launched a $1.8 billion share repurchase program, positively impacting its outlook for 2026 [4] - The stock price increased by 10.93% to $289.72, reflecting investor confidence in the company's growth trajectory [4][5]