Bitcoin just crashed through a price milestone it's been holding on to for two months, and sellers are calling the shots now. That trusty milestone? Bitcoin's average price over the last 100 weeks. Since November, this so-called 100-week simple moving average has consistently acted as a safety net, a level at which buyers have continued to buy every dip for nine weeks straight. But today, prices have slipped below $85,000, convincingly moving below the 100-week average line, as seen in the chart below. T ...

Core Insights - Principal Financial Group, Inc. (PFG) shares have increased by 12.3% over the last six months, outperforming the Finance sector's growth of 8.3% and the industry growth of 3.4% [1] - The stock closed at $88.49, close to its 52-week high of $92.51, indicating strong investor confidence and potential for further price appreciation [2] - PFG is trading above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages, suggesting solid upward momentum [3] Financial Performance - Principal Financial anticipates long-term revenue and margin growth across all segments, supported by strengths in retirement, benefits, asset management, and claims [6] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects a 13.4% increase in earnings per share and a 7.6% increase in revenues for 2026 compared to 2025 [8] - The company has a market capitalization of $19.71 billion, with an average trading volume of 1.2 million shares over the last three months [2] Valuation Metrics - PFG shares are trading at a price-to-book value of 1.68X, which is lower than the industry average of 2.63X and the Finance sector's 4.36X, indicating a better entry point for investors [7] - The average price target from 12 analysts is $91.08 per share, suggesting a potential upside of 0.11% from the last closing price [9] Analyst Sentiment - Three out of six analysts have raised their estimates for PFG's 2026 earnings over the past 60 days, leading to a 0.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for that year [11] - The company has a Value Score of A, indicating it is among the most attractive value stocks [7] Growth Drivers - PFG's revenue growth is expected to improve due to higher premiums, fees, and improved net investment income across its segments [12] - The company benefits from its leadership in retirement and long-term savings, group benefits, and global asset management, contributing to solid operating earnings [13] - Strong institutional flows across various asset classes are likely to drive positive net cash flow [16] Capital Management - PFG has a strong capital position with $1.6 billion of excess and available capital, positioning it well for long-term financial targets [17] - The company returned approximately $400 million to shareholders in Q3 2025 and aims to deliver a capital return target of $1.4 billion to $1.7 billion in 2025 [19] - The board declared a fourth-quarter dividend with an 8% increase from the previous quarter, aligning with a targeted 40% dividend payout ratio [18] Conclusion - PFG's financial stability, favorable growth estimates, and strategic initiatives suggest a positive outlook for potential investors [20] - The combination of impressive dividend history, attractive valuations, and optimistic analyst sentiment makes it an opportune time for investment [21]

Core Insights - Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL) shares closed at $96.38, near its 52-week high of $97.60, indicating strong investor confidence and potential for further price appreciation [1] - The stock is trading above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages (SMA) of $92.31 and $91.33, respectively, suggesting solid upward momentum [1] Market Performance - Arch Capital has a market capitalization of $35.97 billion, with an average trading volume of 2.2 million shares over the last three months [2] - The shares have gained 8.9% over the last six months, outperforming the industry and Finance sector, which appreciated by 2.2% and 7.7%, respectively, but underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite's growth of 13.2% [3] Growth Drivers - ACGL's premium growth is supported by rate increases, new business, and expansion in existing accounts, with a 12.9% CAGR in net premiums written from 2018 to 2024 [6][14] - The company benefits from hardening property and casualty (P&C) market conditions, which support sustained growth through disciplined underwriting [6][15] Competitive Position - Arch Capital has outperformed peers such as American Financial Group, NMI Holdings, and W.R. Berkley, which gained 7%, 1%, and 0.7%, respectively, in the last six months [7] - The average target price for ACGL, based on 20 analysts, is $106.10 per share, suggesting an 11.5% upside from the last closing price [8] Financial Metrics - Arch Capital's trailing 12-month return on equity is 16.3%, significantly higher than the industry average of 8% [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Arch Capital's 2026 earnings per share and revenues indicates a year-over-year increase of 3% and 4.1%, respectively, from 2025 estimates [11] Earnings Performance - Arch Capital has surpassed earnings estimates in each of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 18.19% [12] Strategic Advantages - The company's well-rounded product portfolio and consistent premium growth highlight its organic growth drivers, with strong performance in specialty insurance and reinsurance [13][17] - Arch Capital's solid growth projections, higher target price, and favorable return on capital position it well for long-term benefits [18]

Core Insights - Voya Financial, Inc. (VOYA) shares closed at $77.34, close to its 52-week high, indicating strong investor confidence and potential for further price appreciation [2] - The stock is trading above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages, suggesting solid upward momentum [2] Market Performance - Voya Financial has a market capitalization of $7.45 billion, with an average trading volume of 0.7 million shares over the last three months [3] - The stock has gained 6.1% over the last six months, compared to the industry growth of 13.5% [8] - Voya Financial has outperformed peers such as Reinsurance Group of America, Sun Life Financial, and Primerica in the same period [10] Valuation Metrics - Voya Financial shares are trading at a price-to-book value of 1.07X, which is lower than the Zacks Life Insurance industry average of 2.04X, suggesting a better entry point for investors [4] - The average price target from 11 analysts is $85.00 per share, indicating a potential upside of 9.13% from the last closing price [12] Growth Drivers - Voya's growth is supported by strong performance in its Retirement, Investment Management, and Employee Benefits segments [7] - The Retirement segment is experiencing growth due to onboarded assets, favorable market conditions, and disciplined spending [15] - The Investment Management segment benefits from higher capital returns and fee revenues, bolstered by a strategic partnership with Allianz [16][17] - The Employee Benefits segment is expected to improve due to lower premium-driven expenses and higher alternative investment income [18] Financial Health - Voya generated over $0.2 billion of excess capital in Q3 2025, representing approximately 90% of after-tax adjusted operating earnings [19] - The company ended Q3 2025 with approximately $350 million of excess capital and a strong balance sheet [19] - Voya plans to return between $100 million and $150 million in dividends and share repurchases throughout 2026 [20] Strategic Outlook - Voya Financial is well-positioned for growth due to improved investment income, favorable market conditions, and strategic partnerships [22] - The company is expected to continue benefiting from its solid dividend history, growth projections, and attractive valuations [23]

Core Viewpoint - Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) is experiencing a bullish trend as it trades above its 50-day simple moving average, driven by its focus on the Permian Basin and contributions from inorganic assets [1][7]. Financial Performance - Occidental recently completed the sale of its chemical business for $9.7 billion, which will aid in reducing debts and strengthening the balance sheet [1][10]. - The company plans to utilize $6.5 billion from the sale proceeds to reduce its existing principal debt balance below the targeted $15 billion level [10]. - In the past month, shares of Occidental have gained 1.5%, while the industry has rallied 0.9% [5]. Production and Operations - Production from the Permian Basin is expected to be in the range of 795-815 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (Mboe/d), with total production projected between 1,440-1,480 Mboe/d in the fourth quarter of 2025 [11]. - Occidental is set to bring online 545-565 company-operated wells in the Permian region, which will further increase production volumes [11]. - International assets, including projects in Qatar, Oman, and the UAE, are expected to contribute 230-236 thousand barrels of oil equivalents per day to total production in the fourth quarter of 2025 [13]. Cost Management - The company aims for a cumulative cost reduction of $500 million by 2025 and has realized $2 billion in annualized cost savings across U.S. onshore operations since 2023 [14]. Market Position - Occidental's shares are currently trading at a premium, with a trailing 12-month Enterprise Value/Earnings before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortization (EV/EBITDA TTM) of 5.21X compared to the industry average of 4.46X [21]. - The company's return on equity (ROE) stands at 12.35%, which is lower than the industry average of 13.57% [24]. Summary - Occidental's focus on debt reduction, strong domestic and international operations, and synergies from recent acquisitions are expected to enhance overall performance, despite challenges from volatile commodity prices and declining earnings estimates [26].

Core Insights - Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) achieved a 52-week high of $37.46 on January 6, closing at $37.40, reflecting a 22% increase over the past year, outperforming its industry, sector, and the Zacks S&P 500 composite [1] - MFC's market capitalization stands at $62.88 billion, with an average trading volume of 1.9 million shares over the last three months [2] Stock Performance - MFC shares are trading above the 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages (SMA) of $34.69 and $31.89, indicating strong upward momentum [4] - The average price target for MFC, based on estimates from 12 analysts, is $38.34 per share, suggesting a potential upside of 4.5% from the last closing price [8] Growth Projections - Manulife Financial anticipates that Asia will contribute half of its core earnings by 2025, supported by solid operational results [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects an 8.6% increase in earnings per share and an 8.5% increase in revenues for 2026 compared to 2025 estimates [10] - Analyst sentiment is optimistic, with one of two analysts raising 2026 estimates in the past 30 days, resulting in a 2.5% increase in the consensus estimate for 2026 earnings [11] Financial Efficiency - MFC's return on equity over the trailing 12 months is 16.1%, surpassing the industry average of 15.4%, indicating effective utilization of shareholders' funds [12] - The company has maintained a free cash flow conversion rate of over 100% in recent quarters, reflecting strong earnings [16] Strategic Initiatives - MFC is expanding its Wealth and Asset Management business, focusing on long-term investments in Europe and the broader EMEA region [14] - The company aims for a medium-term dividend payout ratio of 35-45%, supported by a seven-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% in dividends [15] - MFC is targeting a leverage ratio of 25% while strengthening its balance sheet [16] Investment Appeal - MFC's consistent wealth distribution and favorable return on equity position it as an attractive option for yield-seeking investors [18] - The company holds a VGM Score of B, indicating strong value, growth, and momentum compared to peers [18] - With positive analyst sentiment and growth estimates, MFC is positioned as a potential investment opportunity [19]

Company Overview - CoreWeave is a company that provides a cluster of supercomputers for rent, allowing users to access their processing power, particularly in the AI sector [2] - The company has experienced significant volatility, with a notable increase of approximately 108% since it began trading, outperforming the XLK Technology ETF and the S&P 500 [3] Market Performance - Despite a recent decline of 55% from its all-time highs, CoreWeave has managed to hold onto a critical support level, indicating potential resilience [5][6] - The company is currently facing a high-risk designation from analysts, with a renewed buy rating and a price target set at 135, although this represents a cut from previous estimates [4] Technical Analysis - Key resistance levels to watch include recent highs at 9066 and a gap near 98, with the 20-day simple moving average crossed above, indicating potential upward momentum [7] - Volume profile studies reveal significant trading concentration areas at 74, 90, 98, and around 105, which could influence future price movements [8] Options Market Activity - The options market for CoreWeave has seen substantial activity, with around 640,000 options traded, of which 62% were calls, indicating bullish sentiment [10] - Notably, a significant trade involved a long put option, suggesting some bearish sentiment, with a break-even point at approximately 4810, indicating a potential downside of 42% [12]

Core Insights - Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE) is currently trading above its 50-day simple moving average, indicating a short-term bullish trend, with a share price of $160.07 as of December 18, 2025, down 15.4% from its 52-week high of $189.35 [1] Market Performance - ICE has a market capitalization of $91.62 billion, with an average trading volume of 3.8 million shares over the last three months [2] - Over the past year, ICE shares have gained 6.5%, while the industry has grown by 8.7%, outperforming OTC Markets Group Inc., which has lost 1.9% [4][8] Valuation Metrics - ICE shares are trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 21.42X, which is lower than the industry average of 24.1X, presenting a better entry point for investors [3] Growth Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ICE's 2025 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year increase of 13.6%, with revenues projected at $9.88 billion, reflecting a 6.4% improvement [9] - For 2026, earnings per share and revenues are expected to increase by 8.5% and 5.8%, respectively, compared to 2025 estimates [9] Analyst Price Targets - The average price target for ICE, based on short-term projections from 18 analysts, is $191.07 per share, suggesting a potential upside of 18.7% from the last closing price [10] Business Strengths - ICE's revenue is expected to improve due to strengths in global data services, index business, and pricing data, alongside expense synergies from strategic acquisitions [7][11] - The company has the largest mortgage network in the U.S., positioning it well to benefit from the digitization of the residential mortgage industry [12] Revenue Drivers - Continued adoption of digital solutions and revenues from the MSP mortgage servicing system and default management are anticipated to drive growth in Mortgage Technology revenues, with expectations of low-to-mid single-digit growth for 2025 [15] Financial Stability - ICE maintains a healthy balance sheet with minimal risk, providing stability and buoyancy for medium to long-term growth [16] Dividend History - The company has demonstrated an impressive dividend history, having more than doubled its dividends over the last six years [18]

Core Insights - Unum Group (UNM) shares are trading at a discount compared to the Zacks Accident and Health Insurance industry, with a forward price-to-book value of 1.2X, lower than the industry average of 1.75X, the Finance sector's 4.28X, and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite's 8.49X [1] - The company has a market capitalization of $13.13 billion and an average trading volume of 1.3 million shares over the last three months [1] Price Performance - Unum Group shares have increased by 4.8% over the past year, while the industry has grown by 6.3% [3] - The stock closed at $77.12, near its 52-week high of $84.48, indicating strong investor confidence and upward momentum as it trades above the 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages of $75.95 and $77.10, respectively [4] Growth Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Unum Group's 2025 revenues is $13.19 billion, reflecting a year-over-year improvement of 2.3% [5] - The company anticipates premium growth of 3-6% in 2025, with an operating return on equity (ROE) of 21-23% and earnings per share (EPS) of approximately $8.50 [8][13] Analyst Sentiment - The average price target from 15 analysts for UNM is $93.93 per share, suggesting a potential upside of 22.7% from the last closing price [10] - However, three of the seven analysts have lowered their estimates for 2025, and the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings has decreased by 0.7% over the past 30 days [12] Operational Strength - Unum Group is expected to benefit from strong sales trends, particularly in its Unum U.S. and Colonial Life segments, with a healthy pipeline for group sales and expectations of 5-10% growth for 2025 [14] - The Colonial Life segment has seen rising operating income due to improving premium income and favorable risk results, with management focusing on a mix of higher growth and stable margin businesses [15] Dividend and Capital Return - Unum Group has a strong history of enhancing shareholder value, with a 10% dividend increase effective in Q2 2025, marking the 17th dividend hike in the last 16 years, and a dividend yield of 2.12% [17] - The company plans to repurchase shares within a range of $500 million to $1 billion and return approximately $300 million to shareholders through dividends, aiming for a total capital return of about $1.3 billion in 2025 [18] Conclusion - Favorable sales trends, strong persistency, an improving rate environment, and effective capital deployment are expected to support Unum Group's long-term growth [19]

Core Viewpoint - Barrick Mining Corporation's shares have surged 101.1% over the past six months, driven by a significant increase in gold prices amid various economic and geopolitical uncertainties [1][7]. Performance Comparison - Barrick has outperformed the Zacks Mining – Gold industry's increase of 52.1% and the S&P 500's rise of 17.3% during the same period [2]. - Compared to its peers, Newmont Corporation, Kinross Gold Corporation, and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited have seen increases of 62.2%, 75.2%, and 36.9%, respectively [2]. Technical Analysis - Barrick's stock broke above its 50-day simple moving average (SMA) on May 30, 2025, and is currently trading above its 200-day SMA, indicating a long-term uptrend [5]. - The 50-day SMA has been above the 200-day SMA since a golden crossover on April 9, 2025, suggesting a bullish trend [5]. Growth Projects - Key growth projects such as Goldrush, Lumwana, and Reko Diq are expected to enhance long-term gold and copper output [7][10]. - The Goldrush mine aims for 400,000 ounces of annual production by 2028, while the Reko Diq project is projected to produce 460,000 tons of copper and 520,000 ounces of gold annually in its second phase [11][12]. Financial Position - Barrick has a strong liquidity position with approximately $5 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of the end of Q3 2025, and generated operating cash flows of around $2.4 billion, up 105% year over year [13]. - The company returned $1.2 billion to shareholders in 2024 through dividends and share repurchases, with a new $1 billion repurchase program authorized in February 2025 [14]. Dividend and Valuation - Barrick offers a dividend yield of 1.7% with a payout ratio of 32%, indicating sustainability [15]. - The stock is trading at a forward price/earnings ratio of 12.72X, which is a discount to the industry average of 13.16X [22]. Production Outlook - For 2025, Barrick expects attributable gold production to be between 3.15-3.5 million ounces, a decline from 3.91 million ounces in 2024 [20]. - The production outlook is tempered by higher costs and reduced output from certain mines, which may impact overall performance [20]. Earnings Estimates - Earnings estimates for Barrick have been revised upward, with a projected year-over-year increase of 75.4% for 2025 and 50% for 2026 [21]. Investment Considerations - Barrick's solid financial position, growth projects, and favorable valuation present a positive investment outlook, although rising costs and a soft production forecast warrant caution [23].