OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #insurance--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICRs) of "a+†(Excellent) of the core Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)-branded insurance subsidiaries of Elevance Health, Inc. (Elevance) (Indianapolis, IN) [NYSE: ELV], as well as most of its non-Blue-branded subsidiaries. In addition, AM Best has upgraded the FSR to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR to "a+†(Excellent). ...

Market Overview - The market is experiencing a rotation trade, with approximately 60% of S&P 500 stocks in the green, but the S&P 500 equal weight index is trading flat to negative, indicating a shift in market dynamics [2][4] - Volatility is relatively low, with the VIX at 14, suggesting a potential for an increase in volatility in the near future [4][10] - The yield on the 10-year benchmark is at 4.19%, reflecting a return to pre-FOMC meeting levels, indicating market caution regarding rate cuts [7][8] Federal Reserve Commentary - Fed speakers, including Austin Goolsby and Schmidt, express concerns about elevated inflation risks, leading to a cautious stance on rate cuts [5][8] - Upcoming Fed commentary and economic data will be crucial for market direction, with a focus on employment and housing data [11][12] Sector Performance - The technology sector is facing sell-offs, with companies like Broadcom and Oracle experiencing declines [4][9] - The healthcare sector is performing well, with stocks like UNH and Humana showing aggressive gains [14][15] Commodities Insights - Natural gas prices are down nearly 3%, influenced by warmer weather forecasts and an inventory buildup in the U.S. [16][18] - If natural gas remains around the $4 level for a few weeks, there is potential for a rebound to $5 or $6 due to expected winter weather disruptions [19][20] - In the metals market, platinum and palladium are seeing gains, driven by industrial demand and potential regulatory rollbacks on emissions [24][25]

Core Insights - Chubb Limited (CB) shares closed at $305.98, close to its 52-week high of $308.31, indicating strong investor confidence and potential for further price appreciation [1] - The stock is trading above its 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages, suggesting solid upward momentum [1] Market Performance - Chubb has a market capitalization of $121.99 billion, with an average trading volume of 1.8 million shares over the last three months [2] - The stock has gained 11.1% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 5.8% [3] Valuation Metrics - Chubb shares are trading at a forward price-to-book value of 1.55X, which is higher than the industry average of 1.48X, indicating an expensive valuation [4] Growth Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chubb's 2025 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year increase of 5.1%, with revenues projected at $59.77 billion, reflecting a 6.3% improvement [9] - For 2026, earnings per share and revenues are expected to increase by 8.9% and 6.5%, respectively, compared to 2025 estimates [9] Analyst Sentiment - One of the 11 analysts covering Chubb has raised estimates for 2025 and 2026 in the past 30 days, leading to a 0.6% increase in the 2025 earnings estimate and a 0.2% increase for 2026 [10] Target Price - The Zacks average price target for Chubb is $310.65 per share, indicating a potential upside of 4.7% from the last closing price [11] Earnings Performance - Chubb has consistently surpassed earnings estimates in the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 13.37% [15] Return on Capital - Chubb's return on equity over the trailing 12 months was 12.9%, exceeding the industry average of 8% [16] - The return on invested capital (ROIC) was 8.5%, also better than the industry average of 6.2% [17] Strategic Initiatives - Chubb is focusing on middle-market expansion and enhancing core packages and specialty products, supported by recent acquisitions and premium gains [7][19] - The company is pursuing strategic mergers and acquisitions to diversify its portfolio and expand its geographic footprint [19] Investment Income - Chubb expects adjusted net investment income to be $1.775 billion in Q4 and $1.81 billion in Q1 2026, benefiting from improved operating cash flow [20] Dividend Policy - Chubb has a current dividend yield of 1.2%, higher than the industry average of 0.2%, with a recent 6.6% increase marking the 32nd consecutive year of dividend increases [23]

When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about Hamilton Insurance (HG) .Hamilton Insurance currently has an average brokerage recommendation ( ...

Core Insights - Lemonade Inc is enhancing its collaboration with Tesla Inc to provide insurance for Tesla vehicle owners, potentially capitalizing on the gap left by Tesla's own insurance program, which is not available in all states [1][5]. Group 1: Lemonade's Strategy - Lemonade has introduced a feature allowing Tesla owners in Arizona, California, and Oregon to connect their vehicles directly through the Lemonade app, eliminating the need for telematics devices [2]. - The average monthly insurance cost for Tesla vehicles through Lemonade ranges from $32 to $41, depending on driving history and vehicle model [4]. - Lemonade aims to offer a better customer experience and smarter pricing for Tesla owners, positioning itself as a competitive alternative to Tesla's in-house insurance [2][3]. Group 2: Full Self-Driving (FSD) Insurance - Lemonade is exploring the possibility of insuring Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) miles, potentially offering this coverage at a low cost to encourage Tesla users to utilize FSD [5][6]. - Data suggests that FSD miles are significantly safer, with a nine times lower accident rate compared to the average in the U.S., which could support Lemonade's insurance model [6]. Group 3: Tesla's Insurance Landscape - Tesla's own insurance program is currently available in 12 states, with plans for expansion, including a potential launch in Florida [7][9]. - Tesla's insurance business has faced challenges, with a reported loss ratio of 92.5% in 2023, indicating that the company pays out significantly more in claims than it receives in premiums [11]. - Rising insurance premiums for Tesla owners have been attributed to increased vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles [12].

Looking into the current session, Prudential Financial Inc. (NYSE:PRU) shares are trading at $117.46, after a 0.35% spike. Moreover, over the past month, the stock increased by 9.61%, but in the past year, decreased by 2.61%. Shareholders might be interested in knowing whether the stock is undervalued, even if the company is performing up to par in the current session. Comparing Prudential Financial P/E Against Its PeersThe P/E ratio measures the current share price to the company's EPS. It is used by long- ...

QUEBEC CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--iA Financial Group is pleased to announce the winning organizations in its ninth annual philanthropic contest. La Maison de la Famille de Val-d'Or (Val-d'Or, Quebec), Fred Victor Centre (Toronto, Ontario), Free Play for Kids Inc. (Edmonton, Alberta) and Greener Village (Fredericton, New Brunswick) will each receive a $100,000 donation to support projects aimed at improving food security within their communities. "The proposals we receive each year show the extraord. ...

Core Insights - The portfolio consists of approximately four dozen stocks, with the top 10 holdings representing about 44% of the total value [1][15] Group 1: Top Stock Holdings - SoFi has experienced a remarkable growth of about 400% from its cost basis, becoming the largest position in the portfolio due to its stellar growth and profitability [4] - MercadoLibre is recognized as the "Amazon of Latin America," with significant potential for growth in e-commerce and fintech sectors in its key markets [5] - General Motors is viewed as undervalued and overlooked, now ranking as the second-largest electric vehicle manufacturer in the U.S., with potential benefits from lower interest rates [6] - Realty Income is highlighted as a top dividend stock with a 5.7% yield and a strong track record of income growth, owning over 15,000 properties [6] - Pinterest is enhancing its e-commerce capabilities and utilizing AI for user experience improvements, showing impressive user growth despite facing international advertising challenges [8] - Berkshire Hathaway is noted for its diverse portfolio of over 60 subsidiaries and a stock portfolio exceeding $300 billion, maintaining strong cash reserves [9] - Dream Finders Homes is positioned to benefit from pent-up demand for entry-level homes, focusing on affordable markets and effective capital allocation [10] - Kinsale Capital Group specializes in specialty insurance products with a strong profitability track record, presenting a buying opportunity after a recent pullback [11] - Walt Disney is recognized for its profitable theme parks and valuable intellectual property, with significant profit potential in its streaming strategy [12] - Howard Hughes Holdings focuses on real estate development, creating value through master-planned communities and commercial property ownership [13] Group 2: Portfolio Composition and Strategy - The portfolio is heavily concentrated, with the top 10 stocks making up 44% of the total account value, reflecting high conviction in these investments [15] - The investor plans to diversify and build smaller stock and ETF positions using new deposits in 2026 [15] - The portfolio also includes substantial ETF holdings, particularly in Vanguard index funds, which would rank among the largest holdings if included [14]

Core Insights - The U.S. stock indices showed positive performance on December 11, 2025, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching new closing records following a quarter-point interest rate cut by the U.S. central bank on December 10, leading investors to favor equities sensitive to rate cuts over tech stocks [1][2]. Investment Recommendations - Investors are advised to consider low-leverage stocks as safe-haven securities amid concerns over overvalued AI-centric tech stocks. Recommended companies include Casey's General Stores (CASY), Hamilton Insurance Group (HG), Northrip Bancorp (NRIM), REV Group (REVG), and Engie (ENGIY), which exhibit low leverage and stability during market volatility [2][10]. Understanding Leverage - Leverage involves borrowing capital for operational and business expansion, typically through debt financing. While debt can facilitate growth, excessive reliance on it poses risks, especially if returns do not exceed interest costs. Therefore, selecting companies with low debt is crucial for minimizing investment risks [4][5][6]. Debt-to-Equity Ratio Analysis - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric for assessing a company's financial risk, with lower ratios indicating better solvency. As the third-quarter 2025 earnings season concludes, investors should focus on stocks with solid earnings growth and low debt-to-equity ratios to ensure steady returns [7][9]. Stock Selection Criteria - A comprehensive screening process for selecting low-leverage stocks includes criteria such as: - Debt/Equity ratio lower than the industry median - Current price of at least $10 - Average 20-day trading volume of 50,000 or more - Positive earnings growth compared to the industry median - VGM Score of A or B, combined with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [11][12][13]. Company Performance Highlights - **Casey's General Stores (CASY)**: Reported a 3.3% increase in same-store sales and a 14% rise in earnings for Q2 fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 9.6% revenue increase and an 11.8% earnings improvement for fiscal 2026, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [14][15]. - **Hamilton Insurance Group (HG)**: Achieved a 16.5% increase in net premiums and improved operating earnings to $1.20 per share from $0.16 in Q3 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate forecasts a 20.9% revenue increase and an 8.5% earnings rise for 2025, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 [16][17]. - **Northrip Bancorp (NRIM)**: Completed a $60 million private placement to support growth initiatives. The Zacks Consensus Estimate anticipates a 29.6% revenue increase and a 51.5% earnings rise for 2025, with a Zacks Rank of 1 [18][19]. - **REV Group (REVG)**: Reported a 13% increase in net sales and a 62.7% rise in adjusted EPS for Q4 fiscal 2025. The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests a 7.3% revenue increase and a 30.4% earnings rise for fiscal 2026, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [20][21]. - **Engie (ENGIY)**: Announced the financial closure of its first offshore wind farm in Poland, with a total planned capacity of up to 390 MW. The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a 31.8% earnings improvement for 2025, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 [22][23].

Arch Insurance, a division of Bermuda-based re/insurer, Arch Capital Group, has appointed Ernesto Medina Gomez to the newly created role of Head of Executive Assurance for Europe at Arch Insurance (EU) dac (AIEU), effective immediately.In his new role, Medina Gomez will lead the expansion of Arch’s executive assurance portfolio across Continental Europe, focusing especially on Iberia.He is based in Madrid, and will work closely with Julien Martins, Head of Executive Assurance for France, in respect of Benel ...