MINNEAPOLIS, MN, Aug. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SharpLink Gaming, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBET) (“SharpLink” or the “Company”), one of the world’s largest corporate holders of Ether (“ETH”) and prominent industry advocate of Ethereum adoption, today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $1.5 billion of the Company’s common stock. “At SharpLink, we remain committed to a disciplined capital markets strategy,” said Joseph Chalom, Co-Chief Executive Officer of SharpLi ...

Airbnb ABNB shares are trading lower on Thursday after the company warned of a deceleration in growth during the latter half of this year.The online marketplace for vacation rentals released its second-quarter results on Wednesday. It reported $3.1 billion in revenue, up 13% year-over-year, and ahead of consensus estimates at $3.03 billion. It reported a profit of $1.03 per share, which again beat analyst estimates at 93 cents per share.Also Read: Airbnb Q2 Earnings: Revenue, EPS Beat Estimates; Stock Repur ...

Group 1 - Festi purchased a total of 195,000 own shares for 59,775,000 ISK during week 30 of 2025, with individual purchases ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 shares at prices between 303 and 312 ISK per share [1] - Prior to the recent buyback, Festi held 731,226 own shares, representing 0.23% of issued shares, and after the buyback, the total shares held increased to 926,226, or 0.30% of issued shares [2] - The buyback program, announced on June 27, 2025, aims to repurchase a total of 2,500,000 own shares, which is 0.80% of the issued shares, with a maximum purchase price cap of 800 million ISK [2] Group 2 - The execution of the buyback program complies with various regulations, including the Act on Public Limited Companies No 2/1995 and the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council No. 596/2014 on market abuse [1]

Core Viewpoint - Southwest Airlines stock experienced a significant decline of 11.9% after missing analyst expectations for both sales and earnings in Q2 [1][3] Financial Performance - Southwest Airlines reported adjusted earnings of $0.43 per share, missing the expected $0.51, with quarterly sales of $7.24 billion, slightly below the anticipated $7.29 billion [1][3] - Actual earnings per share, calculated under GAAP, were $0.39, representing a 33% decrease from the previous year, despite only a 1.5% decline in revenue [3] - The decline in profit margins was attributed to a 9% increase in salaries, wages, and benefits, along with an 11% rise in landing fees, while fuel costs had decreased significantly [3] Future Guidance - Management projects earnings of at least $600 million for the year, excluding interest and taxes, and considers the stock to be undervalued [4] - A $2 billion stock buyback program has been announced, aimed at retiring more shares following the recent sell-off [4] Valuation Metrics - The stock is currently priced at 39 times earnings, which may appear expensive, but analysts forecast a potential doubling of profits next year to $2.25 per share [4] - With a forward earnings multiple of 15, no net debt, and a dividend yield of 1.9%, there are indications that Southwest stock could be a potential buy [5]

Core Insights - Preferred Bank reported a GAAP net income of $32.8 million, or $2.52 per share, in Q2 2025, reflecting a sequential increase driven by approximately 7% annualized loan growth and an expanded net interest margin (NIM) of 3.85% [1] Capital Management - The company executed a $56 million share buyback at an average price of $80.81 per share, significantly below the current market price of $97.03, and has secured authorization for an additional $125 million buyback program, which has not yet commenced due to valuation sensitivity [2][3] - Management's disciplined approach to capital return indicates a willingness to deploy excess capital opportunistically while adhering to valuation thresholds that enhance per-share value creation [3] Funding and Deposit Stability - Despite competitive pressures, the cost of deposits remained stable at around 3.41%, with maturing certificates of deposit (CDs) totaling $1.4 billion being renewed at or just under 4% in Q3, supporting stable NIM performance and deposit retention [4] - The company has maintained flat deposit balances through active cost controls, balancing competitive rate offers with funding needs [5] Loan Growth and Asset Quality - The commercial and industrial (C&I) and commercial construction portfolios drove approximately 7% annualized loan growth, with a decline in nonaccrual, criticized, and past-due loans quarter over quarter, indicating improved asset quality [6][7] - Management asserts that loan loss reserves remain adequate, and further signs of increasing loan demand have appeared, although caution is maintained due to macroeconomic uncertainties [6] Future Outlook - Management provided guidance that noninterest expense will be in the range of $21.8 million to $22.6 million in Q3 and Q4, excluding expectations of further other real estate owned write-downs [8] - A new Silicon Valley branch is scheduled to open in the second half of 2025, expanding the bank's geographic reach, although no explicit quantitative forward guidance was provided for net interest income, loan growth, or NIM [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q2 2025, the company reported GAAP net income of $51.1 million and diluted EPS of $1.20, resulting in a 1.04% return on assets and a 6.68% return on average common equity [21] - Adjusted operating net income was $53.5 million or $1.25 diluted EPS, reflecting a 1.09% return on assets and a 6.99% return on average tangible common equity [21] - Tangible book value per share increased by $0.99 during the quarter, driven by solid earnings retention [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - C&I loans increased by 3.4% in Q2, while CRE and construction loan balances decreased by 1.7% [8][24] - The Wealth Management business grew AUA by 4% to $7.4 billion, with total Investment Management revenues increasing by 1.4% from the previous quarter [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-performing loans decreased from $89.5 million to $56.2 million, representing 39 basis points of total loans [24] - Core deposit growth remained strong, with period-end balances up $218 million or 1.39% for the quarter [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to reduce its CRE concentration below 300%, with current levels at 274% and expectations to reach 290% by year-end 2027 [9] - The acquisition of Enterprise Bank is expected to enhance shareholder value and provide synergies from a broader product set [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while economic uncertainty has improved, the impact of tariffs and federal government actions remains unclear, causing customers to pause significant expansion plans [7] - The company recognizes the need to improve profitability metrics and believes that prudent expense and capital management will unlock inherent earnings power [19] Other Important Information - The company announced a $150 million stock buyback plan to be opportunistic in buying back stock [5][22] - The core conversion of the entire bank is scheduled for May 2026, which is expected to improve technology infrastructure and support future growth [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Where were new loan originations during the quarter? - Management indicated good loan originations across most segments, with a competitive landscape remaining challenging [37][38] Question: Why has small business lending been successful? - The success is attributed to experienced bankers and a centralized underwriting unit that allows for quick loan request turnaround [40][41] Question: What is the outlook for net interest margin (NIM)? - Management expects NIM to gradually rise if the Fed cuts rates, with a projected margin in the mid-3.6% range for Q3 [47][48] Question: Is the worst behind for credit issues? - Management is cautious, stating that while progress has been made, it is not ready to declare that the worst is over [49][50] Question: Can you provide details on a large loan modification? - A large syndicated loan was restructured into a Note A and Note B structure, with no cash payments until mid-2026 [53][55] Question: What is the expected CET1 ratio? - The expected CET1 ratio is projected to be in the mid-12% range, around 12.5% [89]

Core Insights - KB Home is experiencing significant challenges due to higher mortgage rates and economic uncertainty, leading to a projected double-digit decline in earnings for the fiscal year [1] - The company reported a revenue drop to $1.53 billion in fiscal Q2 2025, down from $1.71 billion a year ago, with homes delivered falling 11% to 3,120 [2] - Adjusted gross profit margin decreased to 19.7% from 21.2% year-over-year, impacted by price reductions, higher land costs, and reduced operating leverage [3] Financial Performance - KB Home's fiscal Q2 2025 earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by $0.05, reporting $1.50 compared to the consensus of $1.45 [2] - The company is guiding a full-year gross profit margin of 19% to 19.4%, lower than previous years, with analysts cutting earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 to $6.55, a decline of 22.5% from $8.45 last year [6] - For fiscal 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has decreased to $6.86 from $7.64, indicating a modest earnings growth of 4% [7] Strategic Adjustments - In response to market conditions, KB Home is scaling back on land acquisitions, with investments in land and land development falling 23% to $513.9 million [4] - The company repurchased $200 million in stock at an average price of $54, reflecting a strategy to leverage its cheap stock price [4] - KB Home maintains a total liquidity of $1.19 billion, including $308.9 million in cash, and continues to pay a dividend with a yield of 1.80% [5] Market Sentiment - Shares of KB Home have retreated in 2025 due to tough housing market conditions, although they recently bounced off lows as mortgage rates fell [10][12] - The forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 8.5, indicating the stock is considered cheap, typically associated with a P/E ratio under 10 [12] - There is cautious optimism regarding a potential recovery in earnings, contingent on gross profit margins rising above 20% [13]

Core Viewpoint - Several companies are enhancing shareholder value through dividends, buybacks, and debt paydown, which can lower risk and potentially increase stock value [1][2]. Group 1: Thor Industries - Thor Industries announced a $400 million buyback program, representing approximately 8.1% of its market capitalization [2][3]. - The company has repurchased over 340,000 shares, spending over $29 million from June 6 to June 23, indicating a belief that its shares are undervalued [3]. - Thor Industries has a dividend yield of 2.2%, contributing to its overall yield generation strategy [3]. Group 2: Fair Isaac - Fair Isaac announced a $1 billion buyback program, which is about 2.2% of its market capitalization of approximately $45 billion [4][5]. - The company has increased its buyback spending to nearly $300 million per quarter over the last 12 months, suggesting a view that its shares are undervalued [5][6]. - As of July 3, Fair Isaac's stock was trading around 21% below its all-time high, with a consensus price target implying over 24% upside potential [6]. Group 3: Dana - Dana plans to reduce its debt significantly by using $2.4 billion from the sale of its off-highway business, targeting a $2 billion debt paydown, which equates to a 77% debt paydown yield [8][9]. - The company intends to allocate $1 billion for dividends and buybacks through 2027, representing over 38% of its market capitalization [9]. - Dana's current dividend yield is 2.2%, and it aims to utilize multiple pathways to generate shareholder value [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - Trump Media & Technology Group's stock experienced a significant decline in June, losing 15.2% despite a generally bullish market environment, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite gaining 5% and 6.6% respectively [1][3]. Group 1: Stock Performance - The company's stock fell 15.2% in June, contrasting with the broader market's gains [1]. - In July, the stock has shown some recovery, increasing approximately 6% so far [8]. Group 2: Cryptocurrency Strategy - Investor confidence in Trump Media's cryptocurrency strategy appeared to wane, contributing to the sell-off in June [3]. - The company launched a stablecoin, USD1, which has seen weak adoption since its March launch, although this may not have immediate implications for the company [4]. - Trump Media filed with the SEC to create a Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF, allocating 75% of its assets to Bitcoin and 25% to Ethereum [5]. Group 3: Company Developments - Despite the potential of the new ETFs to drive performance, they did not generate significant bullish momentum for the stock [6]. - The board of directors authorized $400 million in stock buybacks, indicating the company's belief that its shares are undervalued [6]. - The company launched its Truth+ streaming platform globally in July, expanding its reach despite low monetization levels [8]. - A new ETF, The Truth Social Crypto Blue Chip ETF, was filed, which will invest primarily in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, suggesting a shift in focus towards cryptocurrency investments [9].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights two notable exceptions in dividend raises during a typically quiet period for income investors, focusing on Target and Darden Restaurants as key examples of companies increasing their dividends despite broader market trends [2]. Group 1: Target - Target has raised its quarterly dividend by nearly 2% to $1.14 per share, extending its streak of annual increases to 54 years, qualifying it as a Dividend King [4]. - The company has faced challenges, including a 3% year-over-year decline in first-quarter net sales to just under $24 billion and a significant 36% drop in non-GAAP adjusted net earnings to $1.30 per share [6]. - To address these issues, Target has established an "enterprise acceleration office" aimed at improving operational efficiency and positioning the company for growth [7]. - Online comparable sales have shown resilience, growing nearly 5% in the first quarter, indicating potential for recovery [8]. - The stock is currently undervalued with a PEG ratio slightly over 1, suggesting it may be a strong recovery opportunity [9]. - The new dividend will be paid on September 1 to investors of record as of August 13, offering a yield of 4.7% at the current share price [10]. Group 2: Darden Restaurants - Darden has increased its quarterly dividend by 7% to $1.50 per share, marking a return to regular dividend raises since cutting payouts during the pandemic [11][12]. - The company has shown strong recovery, with total sales rising by 11% year-over-year, aided by the acquisition of Chuy's Tex Mex chain, while same-restaurant sales increased by nearly 5% [14]. - Darden's non-GAAP adjusted net income grew by 9% to over $400 million, exceeding analyst estimates [14]. - For fiscal 2026, Darden anticipates total sales growth of 7% to 8% and same-restaurant sales improvement of 2% to 3.5%, with net income projected between $10.50 and $10.70 per share [15]. - The company has authorized a new stock buyback initiative of up to $1 billion, indicating a commitment to returning capital to shareholders [13]. - The raised dividend will be distributed on August 1 to stockholders of record as of July 10, yielding almost 2.8% at the most recent closing price [16].