Group 1 - An activist investor has acquired a stake in LSEG, indicating potential influence on company strategies [1] - The investor is expected to advocate for increased stock buybacks, which could enhance shareholder value [1] - There is an anticipated push for actions aimed at improving profit margins within LSEG [1]

Core Viewpoint - J&J Snack Foods (JJSF) is expected to experience bottom-line growth in 2026 due to ongoing stock buybacks and efficiency improvements through its Project Apollo initiative [1] Group 1: Company Initiatives - The company is currently implementing an efficiency program called Project Apollo aimed at improving operational efficiency [1] - JJSF is also shutting down excess operations as part of its strategy to enhance profitability [1] Group 2: Financial Outlook - The anticipated bottom-line growth in 2026 is linked to the financial strategies being executed, including stock buybacks [1]

Market Analysis by covering: Chevron Corp, Exxon Mobil Corp, Crude Oil WTI Futures. Read 's Market Analysis on Investing.com ...

Core Viewpoint - Ford and General Motors are significant players in the full-size truck and SUV market, both returning substantial value to shareholders through different strategies [1][10]. Group 1: Ford's Approach - Ford offers a high-yield dividend of 4.4%, significantly higher than the S&P 500's average yield of over 1.1%, and trades at a modest price-to-earnings ratio of 11 [3]. - Over the past decade, Ford's total value returns, including dividends, have outperformed its modest share price returns [4]. - The Ford family has a special class of shares that aligns their interests with those of shareholders, emphasizing the importance of consistent and strong dividend payments [6]. - Ford aims to return 40% to 50% of its annual free cash flow to shareholders through dividends, with potential increases as electric vehicle losses are reversed [7]. Group 2: General Motors' Approach - General Motors focuses on stock buybacks instead of direct dividends to enhance per-share earnings, which has been substantial [10]. - GM recently announced a 20% increase in its quarterly dividend and a new $6 billion share repurchase authorization, indicating strong financial performance [11]. - Since the beginning of 2023, GM has committed to $22 billion in share buybacks, significantly reducing shares outstanding while increasing share price [12]. Group 3: Investment Implications - Both Ford and General Motors demonstrate a commitment to returning value to shareholders, whether through dividends or share repurchases, reflecting confidence in their growth and balance sheet strength [14].

Core Viewpoint - The recent sell-off in Mastercard and Visa stocks presents a significant buying opportunity for long-term investors despite concerns over consumer spending and proposed interest rate caps [1]. Financial Performance - Mastercard's revenue increased by 18%, while Visa's revenue rose by 15% [4]. - Mastercard's operating income grew by 25%, with operating margins reaching 55.8% and diluted EPS increasing by 24% [4]. - Visa's operating margin was 61.8%, with non-GAAP EPS rising by 15% [4]. Market Dynamics - Both companies reported high-single-digit to low-double-digit increases in payment volume and frequency, indicating resilience in their business models [5]. - The fee structure of Mastercard and Visa is based on transaction frequency and total sales, making them somewhat recession-resistant [5]. Shareholder Returns - In 2025, Mastercard returned $11.73 billion through stock buybacks and $2.76 billion in dividends, while Visa's latest quarter saw $3.73 billion in buybacks and $1.29 billion in dividends [8]. - Both companies yield less than 1% due to a preference for buybacks over dividends, but if funds were reallocated, Mastercard could yield about 3% and Visa about 3.1% [9]. Valuation and Investment Thesis - Both stocks are considered reasonably valued based on price-to-free cash flow and forward earnings expectations [10]. - Mastercard and Visa are viewed as foundational stocks for long-term portfolios due to their strong business models and global network effects [12]. Regulatory Environment - Concerns about capping credit card interest rates at 10% may persist, but it is believed that such a low cap would lead financial institutions to restrict credit access, ultimately harming consumers [13].

Shares of Deckers Outdoor (NYSE: DECK) jumped on Friday after the apparel maker announced strong quarterly financial results. As of 2:27 p.m. EST, Deckers' stock price was up more than 17%. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » Image source: Deckers Outdoor. Balanced growth The company, also known as Deckers Brands, saw its revenue grow by 7.1% year over year to $1.958 bil ...

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Core Insights - AT&T's shareholders are set to receive over $45 billion in dividends and stock buybacks in the coming years, reflecting strong financial performance and shareholder returns [1][5] - The company's stock price increased by more than 4% following the announcement of robust subscriber growth metrics [1] Subscriber Growth - In the fourth quarter, AT&T added 421,000 postpaid phone subscribers, 283,000 fiber subscribers, and 221,000 5G fixed wireless home internet customers, indicating strong demand for its services [2] - CEO John Stankey highlighted that investments in spectrum and fiber will enable AT&T to attract more customers across various categories and regions in the U.S. [2] Financial Performance - AT&T's revenue rose by 3.6% year over year to $33.5 billion, while adjusted free cash flow increased by 5% to $4.2 billion [4] - The company has a market capitalization of $163 billion, with a gross margin of 42.7% and a dividend yield of 4.83% [3][4] Future Cash Flow Projections - Management projects free cash flow to exceed $18 billion in 2026, $19 billion in 2027, and $21 billion in 2028, indicating a strong financial outlook [5] - The anticipated cash flow will be utilized for substantial shareholder returns through dividends and stock buybacks [5]

Core Insights - The article discusses the 15 best S&P 500 dividend stocks to consider for investment in 2026, emphasizing the stability that dividend stocks can provide during market downturns [1] Dividend and Buyback Strategy - Dan Lefkovitz from Morningstar Indexes suggests that combining dividend-paying stocks with companies that actively buy back shares can yield better returns compared to a high-dividend-only strategy [2] - An index that includes both dividends and buybacks has outperformed a high-dividend-only index over the past three years, although it still lags behind the overall US market [2] Cash Return to Shareholders - The article highlights the difference in how companies return cash to shareholders, noting that dividends are a long-term commitment while buybacks are more flexible and often increase when management perceives the stock as undervalued [3] - Large technology companies have been leading in buyback activities, while dividend payments are primarily concentrated in sectors like financials, utilities, energy, and consumer staples [3] International Dividend Yields - Income-focused investors are encouraged to look beyond the US, as domestic dividend yields have decreased to approximately 1.1%, while some European regions offer yields above 3% [4] - Caution is advised against chasing high yields, as unusually high payouts may indicate underlying business stress and potential future dividend cuts [4] Methodology for Stock Selection - The selection process for the 15 best dividend stocks involved screening S&P 500 companies with a market cap of at least $10 billion, focusing on those with stable dividends and yields around 2% as of January 21 [6] - The final list was based on popularity among hedge funds, utilizing data from Insider Monkey's Q3 2025 database [6][7] Company-Specific Insights - **Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ)**: - Holds a dividend yield of 7.06% as of January 21, with 60 hedge fund holders [8] - Bernstein has cut its price target for Verizon to $44, citing increased competition in the telecom industry [8] - Verizon's $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications was approved, with commitments to expand fiber internet and wireless coverage in California [9] - **Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN)**: - Has a dividend yield of 3.05% as of January 21, with 62 hedge fund holders [11] - Bernstein downgraded Amgen to Market Perform, indicating 2026 may be a waiting year for its product MariTide [11] - Amgen announced the acquisition of Dark Blue Therapeutics for up to $840 million, enhancing its oncology pipeline [12][13]

Greg Abel faces pressure to signal confidence with buybacks as Berkshire trades at a lower multiple. ...