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Reinsurance Group Trades Below 50-Day SMA: How to Play the Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-09-16 18:05
Core Viewpoint - Reinsurance Group of America (RGA) is currently experiencing a short-term bearish trend as its shares are trading below the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) [1] Group 1: Price Performance - RGA shares have declined by 11.4% year-to-date, contrasting with the industry's gain of 1.3% [2] - The Finance sector and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite have increased by 13.9% and 12.8%, respectively, during the same period [2] Group 2: Valuation Metrics - RGA shares are trading at a price-to-book value of 1.03X, which is lower than the industry average of 1.93X, indicating they are affordable [4] - The company has a market capitalization of $12.5 billion and an average trading volume of 0.4 million shares over the last three months [4] Group 3: Revenue and Earnings Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RGA's 2025 revenues is $23.5 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 3% [6] - The current-year earnings estimate is $22.40 per share, while the 2026 earnings per share and revenues are projected to increase by 14.6% and 10.5%, respectively, from 2025 estimates [9][10] Group 4: Business Strategy and Growth Drivers - RGA's in-force portfolio and product expansion are expected to support long-term earnings diversification [8] - The company benefits from a balanced mix of organic initiatives and transactional opportunities, with a strong foundation in its individual mortality business [13] - Advancements in product design, underwriting, analytics, and innovation are anticipated to drive growth [14] Group 5: Investment Income and Financial Performance - RGA's net investment income has shown a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2% from 2016 to 2024, supported by a larger asset base and higher risk-free rates [15] - In the second quarter, income after expenses rose by 30.1% year-over-year to $1.4 billion, with an average yield increase of 66 basis points [15] Group 6: Debt and Financial Flexibility - RGA's long-term borrowings reached $5.73 billion as of June 30, 2025, marking a 13.7% increase from the end of 2024 [17] - The debt-to-capital ratio for the trailing 12 months stood at 47.22, significantly above the industry average of 16.79, indicating elevated leverage [17] Group 7: Shareholder Value and Dividends - RGA has increased its dividend five times over the past five years, resulting in a five-year annualized growth rate of 6.3% and a current payout ratio of 17% [18] Group 8: Analyst Sentiment - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings has decreased by 1.5% in the past 30 days, while the estimate for 2026 earnings has increased by 0.4% [10] - The average price target from 10 analysts suggests a potential upside of 22.3% from the last closing price, with a target of $235 per share [12]
Willis Towers Trades Above 50-Day SMA: How to Play the Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-09-01 18:21
Core Viewpoint - Willis Towers Watson (WTW) is experiencing a short-term bullish trend as its shares are trading above the 50-day simple moving average, indicating potential upward momentum in the stock price [1] Price Performance - WTW shares have increased by 4.4% year-to-date, contrasting with a 14.1% decline in the industry [2] - The Finance sector and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite have risen by 12.9% and 9.9%, respectively, during the same period [2] - WTW has a market capitalization of $31.8 billion, with an average trading volume of 0.6 million shares over the last three months [2] Valuation - WTW shares are currently trading at a price-to-forward 12-month earnings ratio of 17.84X, which is lower than the industry average of 20.63X, indicating a potential value opportunity [4] Earnings Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WTW's 2025 earnings per share is $16.81, with projected revenues of $9.6 billion [7] - Expected long-term earnings growth is pegged at 7.5%, with 2026 earnings per share estimated to rise by 5.4% from 2025 estimates [8] Analyst Sentiment - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings has increased by 1.5% in the past 30 days, while the estimate for 2026 has risen by 0.6% [9] Target Price - The average price target for WTW, based on short-term projections from 19 analysts, is $364.79 per share, suggesting an 11.6% upside from the last closing price [10] Strategic Focus - WTW emphasizes operational streamlining, investments in emerging opportunities, and strong client-centric services to support long-term growth [12] - The company aims for mid-single-digit organic revenue growth, supplemented by selective acquisitions and consistent margin improvement [13][14] Margin Expansion Efforts - WTW is focused on enhancing operating margins through efficiency improvements, offshoring, automation, and AI adoption, targeting approximately 100 basis points of annual margin expansion in its Retirement & Benefits segment over the next three years [15] Challenges - Rising expenses have pressured margins, necessitating prudent cost management [16] - WTW's profitability metrics are weaker compared to peers, with a return on equity of 21.6% and return on invested capital of 6.3%, both below industry averages [17] Shareholder Value - WTW has increased its dividend six times over the past five years, resulting in a 5.7% growth in payouts [18] - The company plans to repurchase approximately $1.5 billion worth of shares in 2025, subject to market conditions [18]
NextEra is Trading Above 50 & 200 Day SMA: Is it Time to Add the Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-08-21 15:51
Core Insights - NextEra Energy (NEE) is currently trading above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages, indicating a bullish trend and steady share price growth over the past twelve months following earnings beats in the last four quarters [1][7]. Financial Performance - NEE expects annual EPS growth of 6-8% through 2027, supported by clean energy investments [7]. - The company anticipates its 2025 earnings per share to be in the range of $3.45-$3.70, reflecting a year-over-year increase from $3.43 [17]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NEE's 2025 and 2026 earnings per share indicates growth of 7.29% and 7.88%, respectively [17]. Investment Strategy - NextEra Energy has a robust investment plan, including nearly $21.7 billion allocated for Transmission & Distribution projects from 2025 to 2029 to support customer growth [10]. - The company plans to invest $25 billion in clean energy assets from 2025 to 2029, aiming to add 36.5-46.5 gigawatts of new renewables to its generation portfolio [11]. Competitive Position - NEE has outperformed the Zacks Utility Electric Power industry, the Zacks Utilities sector, and the S&P 500 over the past three months [5]. - The company enjoys one of the lowest cost structures in the utility industry, which supports robust profit margins and enhances its competitive position [13]. - NextEra Energy's trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) is 12.31%, surpassing the industry average of 10.14% [14]. Dividend Policy - NEE plans to increase its dividend rate by 10% annually through at least 2026, with a current annual dividend of $2.27 per share and a yield of 3.0%, which is higher than the S&P 500's yield of 1.49% [20]. Valuation - NextEra Energy is currently valued at a premium compared to its industry, trading at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 19.72X, compared to the industry average of 14.99X [23].
Freeport-McMoRan Up 11% in 6 Months: Buy, Sell or Hold the Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-08-21 12:40
Core Viewpoint - Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) has shown strong performance with an 11.3% increase in shares over the past six months, outperforming both the Zacks Mining - Non Ferrous industry and the S&P 500, despite facing challenges such as higher expected unit costs and weaker sales volumes for copper and gold [1][6][26] Performance Summary - FCX's shares have gained 11.3% in the last six months, compared to a 1.3% rise in the industry and a 7.3% gain in the S&P 500 [1] - The company’s peers, Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO) and BHP Group Limited (BHP), have seen smaller gains of 0.8% and 4.9%, respectively [1] Financial Health - FCX generated operating cash flows of approximately $2.2 billion in Q2 2025 and has distributed $5.2 billion to shareholders since June 30, 2021 [12] - The company ended Q2 with $4.5 billion in cash and cash equivalents, $3 billion available under its revolving credit facility, and $1.5 billion under the PT-FI credit facility [12] - FCX's net debt stands at $1.5 billion, below its targeted range of $3-$4 billion, with a long-term debt-to-capitalization ratio of around 22.9% [13] Production and Expansion Plans - FCX is focused on expanding its copper output, with significant projects underway, including a concentrator expansion at Cerro Verde in Peru, expected to add 600 million pounds of copper annually [9] - The company is also evaluating a large-scale expansion at El Abra in Chile and conducting pre-feasibility studies in Arizona for further growth opportunities [10] Sales Volume and Pricing Trends - FCX's copper sales volumes increased by approximately 9% year-over-year in Q2 to 1,016 million pounds, with gold sales reflecting a 45% year-over-year growth [20] - However, the outlook for Q3 suggests a decline in copper sales volumes to 990 million pounds, indicating a 4% year-over-year decrease [21] Cost and Margin Outlook - FCX's average unit net cash cost per pound of copper decreased to $1.13 in Q2 from $1.73 a year earlier, but is expected to rise to $1.59 in Q3 due to higher costs and lower sales volumes [18][19] - The company anticipates that tariffs could increase the cost of goods purchased in the U.S. by approximately 5%, further impacting margins [19] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FCX's earnings in 2025 is $1.74, indicating a year-over-year growth of 17.6%, with expected growth of 33.8% in 2026 [22] Valuation - FCX is currently trading at a forward price/earnings ratio of 19.52X, which is a slight premium to the industry average of 19.13X [23] Investment Recommendation - Despite the positives of expansion activities and strong financial health, the recent decline in copper prices and weaker sales volume outlook suggest a cautious approach, recommending to hold the stock for current investors [26]
GL Outperforms Industry, Trades Above 50-Day SMA: What's Next?
ZACKS· 2025-08-19 16:01
Core Insights - Globe Life Inc. (GL) shares have increased by 39.8% over the past year, significantly outperforming the industry and broader market indices [1][7] - The company has a market capitalization of $11.01 billion and an average trading volume of 0.6 million shares over the last three months [1] - Globe Life's earnings have surpassed estimates in three of the last four quarters, with an average beat of 2.77% [2] Performance Metrics - The stock is currently trading above its 50-day simple moving average of $127.32, indicating strong upward momentum [3] - Globe Life's forward price-to-earnings ratio is 9.19X, lower than the industry average of 12.16X, suggesting the stock is trading at a discount [8] - The trailing 12-month return on equity for Globe Life is 21.2%, exceeding the industry average of 15% [13] Growth Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects a 15.7% year-over-year increase in earnings per share for 2025, with revenues expected to reach $6.04 billion, reflecting a 4.5% improvement [9] - Analysts have raised earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026, with a 5.3% and 1% increase in consensus estimates, respectively, over the past 30 days [10] Revenue Drivers - Globe Life's revenue growth is supported by premium increases in its Life and Health Insurance segments, as well as net investment income [15] - The American Income and Liberty National divisions are expected to drive future top-line growth, with net life and health sales projected to grow in the mid-teens [16][17] Financial Strength - The company maintains a strong liquidity position and has targeted a consolidated RBC ratio of 300% to 320% for 2025, indicating financial stability [18] - Globe Life has consistently increased its dividend over the past eight years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% [19] Investment Appeal - Globe Life's combination of higher sales, improved capital efficiency, and attractive valuations positions it as an appealing investment opportunity [20][22] - The stock has a favorable VGM Score of B, indicating strong value, growth, and momentum compared to peers [20]
Arch Capital Trades Above 50-Day SMA: How to Play the Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-08-18 18:26
Core Viewpoint - Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL) is experiencing a short-term bullish trend despite a significant decline from its 52-week high, with its share price currently at $90.72, down 22.1% from $116.47 [1] Group 1: Price Performance - Year-to-date, Arch Capital shares have decreased by 1.7%, underperforming the industry, sector, and Zacks S&P 500 Composite, which grew by 5.1%, 10.8%, and 9.6% respectively [2] - The company has a market capitalization of $33.9 billion, with an average trading volume of 2.2 million shares over the last three months [2] Group 2: Valuation Metrics - Arch Capital shares are trading at a premium compared to the Zacks Property and Casualty Insurance industry, with a forward price-to-book value of 1.53X, higher than the industry average of 1.45X [4] - The company has a Value Score of B, indicating a relatively strong valuation position [4] Group 3: Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, Arch Capital's net premiums written increased by 15% year-over-year to $4.3 billion, supported by acquisitions and new ventures [6][9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 revenues is projected at $18.8 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 13.6% [7] Group 4: Market Position and Strategy - Arch Capital is well-positioned in the Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance market, benefiting from a hard market environment characterized by rising premiums and increased demand for insurance coverage [10] - The company is enhancing its competitive position through strategic acquisitions and investments, including the addition of MidCorp and the launch of Arch Insurance Company (Europe) Limited [11] Group 5: Operational Challenges - The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict is impacting Arch Capital's operations, particularly in its marine and energy business lines due to sanctions [12] - Despite rising capital investments, the company's return on invested capital (ROIC) has declined to 5.2%, below the industry average of 5.9%, indicating inefficiencies in capital management [13] Group 6: Outlook - Arch Capital shows solid fundamentals with consistent premium growth and strategic market expansion, but elevated geopolitical risks and declining returns temper the near-term outlook [14]
CNA Financial Trades Above 50-Day SMA: How to Play the Stock?
ZACKS· 2025-08-13 18:10
Core Viewpoint - CNA Financial Corporation is experiencing a short-term bullish trend as its shares trade above key moving averages, despite a recent decline from its 52-week high [1][5]. Group 1: Price Performance - CNA Financial shares have decreased by 1% over the past year, underperforming compared to its industry and the broader market, which saw growth rates of 7.9%, 19%, and 18.1% respectively [2]. - The current market capitalization of CNA Financial is $12.9 billion, with an average trading volume of 0.5 million shares over the last three months [2]. Group 2: Valuation Metrics - CNA Financial shares are trading at a forward price-to-book value of 1.21X, which is lower than the industry average of 1.42X, indicating a discount compared to peers [4]. - The company has a Value Score of B, suggesting it is relatively affordable within the property and casualty insurance sector [4]. Group 3: Revenue and Earnings Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CNA's 2025 revenues is $13.4 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 5.4% [5]. - The current-year earnings estimate is $4.39 per share, with projections for 2026 indicating an increase of 8.4% in earnings per share and 3.5% in revenues compared to 2025 [6][7]. Group 4: Investment Income and Challenges - Net investment income for CNA rose by 7.1% to $662 million, driven by gains in fixed-income and equity investments [5][13]. - The company faces challenges from rising expenses and catastrophe risks, which could impact profitability [5][15]. Group 5: Growth and Underwriting Performance - CNA Financial has consistently reported growth in gross premiums written across all segments, supported by a strong product portfolio and improved retention [11]. - The combined ratio of its property and casualty business has shown substantial improvement, indicating stronger underwriting profitability [11]. Group 6: Market Outlook - The average price target for CNA shares is $49, suggesting a potential upside of 3.5% from the last closing price [8]. - The company has shown resilience in premium growth and investment results, but ongoing exposure to catastrophe losses and rising claims expenses remain concerns [16].
X @Investopedia
Investopedia· 2025-08-04 14:00
A moving average (MA) is a technical indicator that smooths price action by filtering out noise. SMAs average all prices equally; EMAs give more weight to recent prices. Learn more: https://t.co/GQlDXDb2n7 https://t.co/iywWV5KgUu ...
UNM Stock Trading at a Discount to Industry at 1.23X: Time to Hold?
ZACKS· 2025-06-13 14:56
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 1.23X, lower than the industry average of 1.82X, the Finance sector's 4.16X, and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite's 8.1X [1] - The company has a market capitalization of $13.93 billion and an average trading volume of 1.4 million shares over the last three months [1] Performance Comparison - Unum Group shares have surged 63.5% in the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 27.1%, the Finance sector's 20.4%, and the Zacks S&P 500 composite's 10.8% [3] Technical Analysis - Shares closed at $79.25, near a 52-week high of $84.48, indicating strong investor confidence and potential for further price appreciation [5] - The stock is trading above the 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages of $78.88 and $72.31, respectively, suggesting solid upward momentum [5] Growth Projections - For 2025, Unum U.S. expects sales growth of 5-10% and an adjusted operating return on equity (ROE) of 23-25% [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Unum Group's 2025 revenues is $13.24 billion, reflecting a year-over-year improvement of 2.7% [10] - Long-term earnings growth is expected at 7.2%, outperforming the industry average of 6% [11] Analyst Sentiment - The average price target for UNM is $92.43 per share, suggesting a potential upside of 17.5% from the last closing price [12] - Recent analyst sentiment has shown some bearish trends, with three of eight analysts lowering estimates for 2025 and two for 2026 [16] Revenue and Premium Growth - Premiums are expected to grow due to healthy in-force block growth and higher sales, with projected sales growth of 5-10% and premium growth of 4-7% in 2025 [17][19] - Unum Group's operational excellence in its two largest segments, Unum U.S. and Colonial Life, is expected to drive growth [18] Dividend History - Unum Group has consistently increased shareholder value through dividend hikes, with a 15% increase effective in Q3 2024, marking the 15th hike in the last 14 years [20] - The dividend yield stands at 2.12%, making it attractive for yield-seeking investors [20] Conclusion - Favorable sales trends, strong persistency, and a solid capital position are expected to benefit Unum Group in the long term, making it a wise investment choice [21]
First American Trades at a Discount: How to Play the Stock
ZACKS· 2025-05-16 14:45
Core Viewpoint - First American Financial Corporation (FAF) is currently trading at a discount compared to the Zacks Property and Casualty Insurance industry, with a forward price-to-book value of 1.23X, lower than the industry average of 1.49X and significantly below the Finance sector's 4.1X and the S&P 500 Composite's 7.82X [1] Company Performance - FAF has a market capitalization of $6.18 billion and an average trading volume of 0.8 million shares over the last three months [2] - The stock closed at $60.15, below its 52-week high of $70.92, and is trading below both the 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages of $62.16 and $63.51, indicating downward momentum [2] - Over the past year, FAF shares have gained 4.5%, underperforming the industry's growth of 18.7%, the Finance sector's return of 16.2%, and the S&P 500 composite's appreciation of 11% [5][6] Growth Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FAF's 2025 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year increase of 15.9%, with revenues projected at $7.01 billion, reflecting a 14.3% improvement [8] - For 2026, the consensus estimates suggest an increase of 21.8% in earnings per share and 12.4% in revenues compared to 2025 [8] Earnings Performance - FAF has surpassed earnings estimates in each of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 21.08% [9] Financial Efficiency - FAF's return on equity (ROE) stands at 10% for the trailing 12 months, outperforming the industry average of 7.7%, indicating effective utilization of shareholders' funds [10] Market Drivers - Increased demand for first-time home purchases among millennials, along with an improving economy and labor markets, is expected to drive home price appreciation, benefiting FAF [11] - The company anticipates modest improvements in both residential purchase and refinance businesses for 2025, supported by growing direct premiums, escrow fees, and title agent premiums [12] Strategic Focus - FAF is focused on enhancing its product offerings, core business, and expanding valuation and data businesses, alongside upgrading technology solutions to increase efficiency [13] - The company also returns wealth to shareholders through dividend hikes and share buybacks, with a dividend yield and payout ratio better than the industry average, making it attractive for yield-seeking investors [13] Investment Outlook - The favorable growth estimates and affordability of shares suggest that holding FAF stock is a wise decision at present [16]