Core Insights - The article emphasizes the focus on value investing in Asia, particularly in Hong Kong, targeting stocks with significant discrepancies between market price and intrinsic value, including deep value balance sheet bargains and wide moat stocks [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The research service aims to identify Asia-listed stocks that are undervalued, specifically looking for deep value balance sheet bargains such as net cash stocks and low price-to-book (P/B) ratio stocks [1] - The service also focuses on wide moat stocks, which are high-quality businesses with strong competitive advantages, providing potential for earnings growth at a discount [1] Group 2: Market Expertise - The analyst has over a decade of experience in the Asian equity market, both on the buy and sell sides, indicating a strong understanding of market dynamics and investment opportunities [1] - The investment group provides monthly updates and watch lists, showcasing a commitment to keeping investors informed about potential investment opportunities [1]

Core Viewpoint - ComEd has introduced new Transmission Security Agreements (TSAs) aimed at protecting customers and ensuring equitable cost distribution for new large load projects connecting to the grid [1] Group 1: Transmission Security Agreements (TSAs) - The TSAs are designed to safeguard existing customers from the financial burden of serving new large load projects [1] - These agreements ensure that new projects contribute their fair share of costs, even if they do not fully materialize [1]

Group 1 - Vistra Corp's stock increased by 5.6% to $171.97 following the announcement of its plan to acquire Cogentrix Energy for approximately $4.7 billion [1] - The stock is experiencing its best single-day percentage increase in about a month, having tested a support level at $160, which aligns with its 320-day moving average [2] - Over the past nine months, Vistra's equity has appreciated by 68%, although it remains below its record high of $219.82 reached on September 22 [2] Group 2 - There has been a preference for call options, with a 50-day call/put volume ratio of 1.60, which is higher than 85% of readings from the past year [3] - Today's options activity shows a total of 6,679 calls and 7,478 puts, which is double the typical volume for this time [4] - The most popular option is the January 16, 2026, 155-strike put, with new positions being opened at the weekly 1/23 185-strike put [4]

Group 1: Hilton Hotels (HLT) - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized Hilton Hotels for allegedly canceling reservations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at a Minneapolis hotel, claiming it was a coordinated campaign to refuse service to DHS law enforcement [3][4] - Following the incident, shares of Hilton (HLT) fell nearly 2.5% [4] - A spokesperson for Hilton stated that the hotel involved is independently owned and operated, and the actions taken were not reflective of Hilton's values, emphasizing that the company does not tolerate discrimination [5] Group 2: Hawaiian Electric Industries (HE) - Hawaiian Electric reached a $47.75 million settlement with shareholders who accused the company of misleading them about wildfire prevention and safety protocols prior to the 2023 Maui wildfires [6][7] - Shareholders alleged that Hawaiian Electric falsely claimed it was taking appropriate actions to mitigate wildfire risks associated with its utility poles; the company denied wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement [7] - The settlement is pending approval from a U.S. District Court in San Francisco [8] Group 3: Clarivate (CLVT) - Clarivate released its 2026 Drugs to Watch report, highlighting 11 therapies expected to provide significant clinical benefits and strong commercial potential [8] - The report focuses on therapies that may transform treatment for various diseases, including metabolic, cancer, immune, rare, and neurological conditions, with potential major impacts within five years [9]

Market Performance - The Nikkei rose 1.32% to close at 52,518.08, marking a 4% increase in the first two sessions of the year, influenced by Wall Street's strength [1][6] - The broader Topix also reached a record high, increasing by 1.75% to 3,538.44 [2][6] Investor Sentiment - Kazunori Tatebe, chief strategist at Daiwa Asset Management, noted that the fundamental setting for Japanese equities is strong, leading to increased investor appetite when positive cues are present [2][6] - The shift from deflation to inflation and corporate governance reform are key factors contributing to this positive sentiment [2][6] Sector Performance - Eneos Holdings, a refiner, surged 5.39%, leading the Topix's oil and coal products index, which rose 4.7% to become the top performer among the Tokyo Stock Exchange's 33 industry sub-indexes [5][6] - The bank share index climbed 3.35%, with Mizuho Financial Group increasing by 5%, while Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group each rose nearly 3% [5][6] Notable Declines - Chubu Electric Power experienced a significant decline of 9.59%, becoming the worst percentage loser on the Nikkei due to disclosed potential issues with earthquake standards at a nuclear plant [6]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the trend of investors shifting towards dividend-paying stocks as market valuations reach historically high levels, particularly in the tech sector, indicating a preference for income and stability in uncertain times [1][2][3]. Market Trends - Valuations in the S&P 500 are elevated across 18 of 20 measures tracked by Bank of America, prompting a rotation from tech stocks to more defensive sectors [1][3]. - Defensive sectors such as health care, utilities, and consumer goods are regaining favor as tech stocks revert to their traditional growth role [2][3]. Dividend Stocks Performance - Dividend-paying stocks are favored during periods of high market valuations due to their lower valuations and steady cash flows, which help cushion against volatility [3]. - An analysis by T. Rowe Price indicates that dividend growth stocks in the Russell 1000 Index delivered an annualized return of 11.3% from 1985 to 2019, outperforming both dividend payers (10.8%) and the index as a whole (10.5%) [4]. Specific Companies - **JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)**: - Ex-dividend date is January 6 with a dividend yield of 1.80%. Barclays raised its price target to $391 from $342, citing continued earnings growth into 2026 [10][11]. - The company launched a new advisory unit focusing on specialized insights in areas like AI and cybersecurity, aiming to expand its advisory services [12][13][14]. - **Edison International (NYSE:EIX)**: - Ex-dividend date is January 7 with a dividend yield of 5.79%. The company announced a quarterly dividend increase to $0.8775 per share, marking a 6% rise in annual dividends [15][17]. - The CEO emphasized the company's financial strength and commitment to long-term growth targets of 5% to 7% [17]. - **Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL)**: - Ex-dividend date is January 9 with a dividend yield of 0.27%. Melius Research upgraded the stock to Buy, citing a growing backlog in custom silicon and expected revenue doubling in 2027 [18][19]. - The company is positioned well due to increasing demand for AI-focused application-specific integrated circuits, with ASIC shipments projected to grow 45% in 2026 [20][21].

Group 1 - Exelon will hold its fourth quarter 2025 earnings conference call on February 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. CT / 10:00 a.m. ET [1] - The conference call will be led by Exelon President and CEO Calvin Butler and Executive Vice President and CFO Jeanne Jones [1] - A live listen-only webcast will be available for the upcoming earnings presentation, with an archived version for replay [2] Group 2 - Exelon is a Fortune 200 company and one of the largest utility companies in the U.S., serving over 10.7 million customers [3] - The company operates six fully regulated transmission and distribution utilities: Atlantic City Electric, BGE, ComEd, Delmarva Power, PECO, and Pepco [3] - Exelon's workforce consists of 20,000 employees dedicated to reliable energy delivery, workforce development, equity, economic development, and volunteerism [3]

Group 1 - The article does not provide any relevant content regarding the company or industry [1]

Core Viewpoint - Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. has appointed Peter Norgeot as Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately, to lead its utility operations and capital execution [1] Company Summary - Peter Norgeot joins Algonquin after retiring as COO from Entergy Corporation, bringing significant experience to the role [1] - The company will benefit from Norgeot's leadership in electric, gas, and water regulated utility operations [1]

This story was originally published on Utility Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Utility Dive newsletter. ISO New England aims to overhaul its capacity auction process by buying capacity a month ahead of time instead of three years in advance, according to a proposal filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Dec. 30. The proposal to switch to a “prompt” capacity auction framework in June 2028 would bring a range of benefits to New England, including making ...