Core Viewpoint - XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Trust plans to host a Quarterly Webinar on March 4, 2026, focusing on its investment strategies and performance [1] Group 1: Webinar Details - The webinar will be moderated by Kevin Davis, Managing Director at XA Investments, featuring Kimberly Flynn, President at XAI, and Lauren Law, Senior Portfolio Manager at Octagon Credit Investors [1] - Participants can join via web or telephone, with specific dial-in numbers provided for different locations [2] - A replay of the webinar will be available in the Knowledge Bank section of the XAI Investments website [2] Group 2: Trust Overview - The Trust's common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "XFLT" [3] - The investment objective of the Trust is to seek attractive total return with an emphasis on income generation across multiple stages of the credit cycle, primarily through investments in private credit markets [3] - Under normal market conditions, the Trust will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in floating rate credit instruments and other structured credit investments [3] Group 3: Company Background - XA Investments LLC, founded in 2016, serves as the investment adviser for multiple closed-end funds, including the XAI Octagon Floating Rate & Alternative Income Trust [4] - XAI provides investment advisory services, fund structuring, and consulting services focused on registered closed-end funds [4] - XMS Capital Partners, established in 2006, is a global financial services firm providing M&A, corporate advisory, and asset management services [5] Group 4: Sub-Adviser Information - Octagon Credit Investors, serving as the Trust's investment sub-adviser, manages a $33.2 billion portfolio focused on below-investment grade corporate credit [6] - The firm specializes in leveraged loans, high yield bonds, and structured credit investments, employing fundamental credit analysis and active portfolio management [6] - Octagon's investment philosophy emphasizes dynamic internal communication to manage portfolio risk and aims to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns [6]

Core Viewpoint - Sprott Inc. has declared a fourth quarter 2025 dividend of US$0.40 per common share, payable on March 17, 2026, to shareholders of record as of March 2, 2026 [1] Group 1: Dividend Details - The dividend will be paid in Canadian dollars to registered shareholders residing in Canada and beneficial holders whose intermediaries are participants in CDS, based on the spot price exchange rate on the payment date [2] - Registered shareholders outside Canada, including those in the United States, will receive their dividend in U.S. dollars, with an option for beneficial holders through CDS to elect for U.S. dollar payments [2] - The dividend is designated as an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes [3] Group 2: Company Overview - Sprott is a global asset manager specializing in precious metals and critical materials investments, distinguishing itself through in-depth knowledge and relationships [4] - The company offers various investment strategies, including Exchange Listed Products, Managed Equities, and Private Strategies, and has offices in Toronto, New York, Connecticut, and California [4] - Sprott's common shares are listed on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SII [4]

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #insurance--AM Best has commented that the Financial Strength Rating of A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "aaa†(Exceptional) of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) remain unchanged following TIAA's announcement that Nuveen, a TIAA Company, has entered into a cash acquisition of Schroders plc (Schroders). Schroders is a leading provider in active asset management, advisory and wealth management services with $1.1 trillion in as. ...

Core Insights - Federated Hermes, Inc. (FHI) shares reached an all-time high of $56.68, closing at $54.88, reflecting strong investor confidence due to growth in assets under management (AUM) and robust strategic positioning [1][8] Performance Overview - Over the last six months, FHI stock increased by 5.7%, while the industry declined by 12.9%, outperforming peers like Ares Management Corporation (ARES) and T. Rowe Price Group (TROW) [2] Growth Drivers - **Strategic Business Expansion**: FHI is accelerating growth through strategic acquisitions, including an 80% stake in FCP Fund Manager, L.P. to enhance its private markets capabilities [6] - **Acquisition History**: The company has made several acquisitions, such as C.W. Henderson & Associates, Inc. in 2022, to diversify revenue streams and strengthen its global footprint [7] - **AUM Growth**: FHI's AUM grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% over five years, reaching $902.6 billion by December 2025, driven by record money market assets and increased equity holdings [10] - **Money Market Strength**: Money market assets grew at a five-year CAGR of 10.2%, providing a broader range of fund options and favorable market conditions for money market strategies [11] Financial Stability - **Robust Balance Sheet**: As of December 31, 2025, FHI had long-term debt of $348.4 million and cash and investments totaling $724.3 million, indicating strong liquidity and manageable debt levels [12] - **Capital Distribution**: The company has a history of rewarding shareholders through share buybacks and dividends, with a recent 9.7% increase in its quarterly dividend to 34 cents per share [14] Challenges - **Rising Operating Expenses**: Operating expenses have a five-year CAGR of 4.5%, primarily due to intangible asset-related costs, which could increase further with new hires [15] - **Revenue Concentration Risk**: Investment advisory fees account for 65% of total revenues, making the company vulnerable to fluctuations in market conditions [18] Earnings and Valuation - **Earnings Estimates**: The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a 1.8% rise in 2026 earnings and a 10.9% rise in 2027 earnings, with upward revisions over the past month [19] - **Valuation Metrics**: FHI is trading at a trailing P/E ratio of 10.66X, lower than the industry average of 13.96X, indicating it may be undervalued compared to peers [21][23] Investment Consideration - The strong rally in FHI shares reflects confidence in its strategic growth initiatives and financial position, with ongoing expansion and a solid balance sheet enhancing shareholder value [25]

The introduction of private equity into 401(k) accounts is a controversial and much-debated initiative of the Trump administration. A new survey suggests, however, that most rank-and-file Americans seem to like the idea. Two-thirds of registered voters support policies that expand access to private investments in retirement plans, according to a survey from BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. Roughly the same share, 64%, think all retirement plans should allow the same investment options, the ...

Of course, not everyone has the time — or the back muscles — to dig for gold in a riverbed. But you don’t need a pan to get in on the action. Gold has long been prized as a store of value — and some of the biggest names in finance are urging investors to make room for it in their portfolios.“It’s emotional, some days you find $15,000, some days you don’t find anything,” Goza said.And payday is never a sure thing.Still, hunting for treasure is often grueling. As another prospector put it, gold “doesn’t jump ...

Core Insights - Invesco Ltd.'s shares have increased by 16.6% over the past three months, outperforming the industry and the S&P 500 Index [1][9] - The company's assets under management (AUM) have shown a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% from 2020 to 2025, driving fee-based revenues [4][9] - Strategic partnerships and restructuring efforts are aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and expanding market capabilities [5][11] Performance Overview - Invesco's share price has significantly outperformed its peers, with a 16.6% increase compared to BlackRock's 5.3% and AllianceBernstein's 5.9% [1][9] - The company has rebounded in total operating revenues in 2024 and 2025 after a challenging operating environment [6][9] Growth Drivers - The steady growth in AUM is a key factor for revenue generation, with strategic initiatives like partnerships with LGT Capital Partners and MassMutual's Barings to enhance private market capabilities [4][5] - The conversion of the Invesco QQQ Trust into an open-end ETF structure is expected to generate revenues from over $400 billion in AUM [5] Financial Estimates - Zacks Consensus Estimates for Invesco's sales indicate a growth trajectory, with current quarter estimates at $1.25 billion and next year at $5.58 billion, reflecting year-over-year growth of 12.35% [10] - Earnings estimates for 2026 and 2027 have been revised upward, with projections of $2.66 and $3.03 respectively, indicating growth rates of 31% and 13.6% [18][19] Strategic Initiatives - Invesco is executing a broad transformation strategy, including a partnership with CI Global Asset Management to enhance Canadian operations and divesting stakes in certain subsidiaries [11][12] - The company is focusing on a hybrid Alpha investment platform to drive long-term cost savings and operational scalability [11] Global Presence - Invesco has a diversified global footprint, with 31.2% of its client AUM sourced from markets outside the United States, bolstered by the acquisition of Europe-based Source [12] Capital Management - The company maintains solid liquidity, allowing for consistent capital returns to shareholders, including a 2.4% increase in quarterly dividends [13][14] - Invesco has $232.2 million remaining under its share buyback authorization and plans to repurchase $40 million worth of shares in Q1 2026 [14] Challenges - Invesco faces rising operating expenses, with a CAGR of 6.2% over the past five years, primarily due to increased distribution and advisory costs [15] - The company holds $12.4 billion in goodwill and intangible assets, which could pose risks to earnings stability due to potential impairment [16]

Core Insights - CoinShares International Limited (CNSRF) reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.34 and revenue of $35.5 million, both aligning with estimates [1][6] - The company has modified its earnings announcement format due to a waiver from Nasdaq Stockholm, linked to a confidential review by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding its Q3 2025 earnings report [2] Financial Metrics - CNSRF has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 4.02, indicating a relatively low valuation compared to its earnings [3][6] - The price-to-sales ratio stands at about 3.94, suggesting that investors are paying $3.94 for every dollar of sales [3] - The enterprise value to sales ratio is close to 3.93, reflecting the company's valuation in relation to its sales [3] - The enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is around 18.43, indicating how many times the operating cash flow can cover the enterprise value [4] - The earnings yield is approximately 24.86%, representing the percentage of each dollar invested that was earned by the company [4] - The debt-to-equity ratio is about 0.18, indicating a low level of debt compared to equity [4] - The current ratio is approximately 1.07, suggesting that the company has a slightly higher level of current assets compared to its current liabilities, indicating good short-term financial health [5][6]

Key Takeaways Many teachers who save for retirement don't know a lot about their pension plans, which makes it hard for them to tell whether they’re truly on track. State support for teacher pensions varies widely, which means two teachers in two different states can have very different levels of retirement security. High fees in 403(b) plans and low salaries make it difficult for teachers to build savings on top of their pensions, though lower-cost options are available. It's true that every teac ...

Ares Management Corporation (ARES) is a prominent global alternative investment manager headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The firm provides a broad range of investment solutions across credit, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure asset classes, serving institutional investors worldwide. Ares Management has a market cap of $42.7 billion. Shares of this company have underperformed the broader market over the past year. ARES has slumped almost 30% over this time frame, while the broader S ...