Group 1 - S&P Global Ratings conducted its annual review of MAXIMA GRUPĖ on July 31, 2025, and the credit rating remained unchanged, indicating stable financial health despite competitive pressures [1] - The report noted that MAXIMA GRUPĖ experienced growing revenues, attributed to strong private label positioning, expansion of managed retail chains, and good diversification of store formats [1] - The financial leverage of MAXIMA GRUPĖ was reported at 2.4x, an increase from 2.2x in 2023, suggesting a slight rise in debt relative to equity [1] Group 2 - MAXIMA GRUPĖ's bond issuance also retained a BB+ rating, which has been consistent since it was first assigned in 2018 [2] - The company successfully issued €300 million in bonds in 2018, which were redeemed in 2023, and issued a second bond offering of €240 million in 2022 with a 5-year term [2] Group 3 - MAXIMA GRUPĖ, UAB operates several retail chains including "Maxima" in the Baltic countries, "Stokrotka" in Poland, "T Market" in Bulgaria, and the online food store "Barbora" in the Baltic countries [3] - MAXIMA GRUPĖ is part of the "Vilniaus prekyba" group, which controls investments in retail, pharmacy chains, and real estate development across the Baltic countries, Sweden, Poland, and Bulgaria [4]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the trend of stock splits on Wall Street, highlighting their role in the current bull market and the appeal they hold for investors, particularly in the context of companies that are performing well and seeking to attract everyday investors [1][2][3]. Stock Split Dynamics - Stock splits are cosmetic adjustments that do not affect a company's market capitalization or operational performance [3]. - There are two types of stock splits: forward splits, which lower share prices to make them more accessible, and reverse splits, which are typically used by struggling companies to avoid delisting [4][5]. Performance of Companies with Forward Splits - Companies that announce forward stock splits tend to outperform the market, with an average annual return of 25.4% in the year following the announcement, compared to the S&P 500's 11.9% [7]. - High-profile companies like Nvidia, Broadcom, and Walmart completed forward splits in 2024, indicating a trend among brand-name businesses to attract everyday investors [8]. Recent Stock Split Announcements - O'Reilly Automotive announced a 15-for-1 forward split, effective June 9, 2025, which reflects its strong performance in the auto parts sector as consumers keep their vehicles longer [9][10]. - Fastenal approved a 2-for-1 forward split, marking its ninth split since going public in 1987, with a stock price increase of nearly 124,000% since its debut [12][13]. Interactive Brokers Group's Historic Split - Interactive Brokers Group announced a 4-for-1 forward split, the first in its history, following a 343% increase in stock price over the past five years, aimed at making stock ownership more accessible [15][16]. - The company has seen significant growth in customer accounts, equity, and trading activity, benefiting from favorable market conditions [19][21]. Market Context and Valuation - Despite strong performance metrics, Interactive Brokers' stock is considered expensive with a forward P/E ratio of nearly 23, representing a 14% premium over its five-year average [20]. - The company has experienced a 65% increase in customer accounts and a 67% surge in customer equity, indicating robust growth in its trading platform [21].