Fitch Ratings affirms BBB- long-term issuer rating with a stable outlookDALLAS, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capital Southwest Corporation (“Capital Southwest,” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CSWC), an internally managed business development company focused on providing flexible financing solutions to support the acquisition and growth of middle market businesses, today announced that Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) has affirmed Capital Southwest’s investment grade long-term issuer rating of BBB- with a stable out ...

To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society. A ship is meant to be out at sea, but she's the safest in a harbor. Ethical conduct is the compass that guides us when we set sail into uncertain waters.Welcome everyone. My name is Captain Zar Irani. I've been out at sea for 14 years, done my time as they say, and have been involved in the maritime business for 20 34 years and counting.Today we're going to talk about the ethical compass of a marine business for that matter. These ...

Group 1 - The ADP private-sector payrolls for June reported a decline of -33K, marking the first negative reading since March 2023, significantly below the expected +100K and the revised +29K from the previous month [1][3] - Goods-producing jobs increased by +32K, while services jobs saw a decline of -66K, with notable losses in Professional/Business Services (-56K) and Education/Healthcare (-52K) [2] - Large companies (over 500 employees) added +30K jobs, whereas small businesses (fewer than 50 employees) lost -47K jobs, and medium-sized firms lost -15K jobs [3] Group 2 - The last negative ADP reading occurred in March 2023, during a different economic context with the Fed raising interest rates to over 5% and an inflation rate of 5.0% [4] - The current job losses are primarily in white-collar sectors, which may not be directly linked to the White House's deportation campaign of undocumented immigrants [5] - The upcoming expiration of reciprocal tariff initiatives could impact future payrolls, with a potential recovery dependent on new trade deals or a continuation of tariff pauses [6] Group 3 - The trailing four-month average private-sector job growth is only +51K, insufficient to cover new retirees, compared to an average of +162K per month over the previous eight months [7]

Core Concept - The price-to-book (P/B) ratio is a key metric for value investors to identify undervalued stocks with potential for exceptional returns, calculated as market price per share divided by book value per share [1][5] Understanding Book Value - Book value represents the total value remaining for shareholders if a company were to liquidate its assets after settling all liabilities, calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets [3][4] P/B Ratio Insights - A P/B ratio under 1.0 indicates a potentially undervalued stock, while a ratio above 1.0 suggests overvaluation [5][6] - Stocks with low P/B ratios can indicate strong growth prospects, but a low ratio may also reflect weak asset returns or overstated assets [7][8] Screening Parameters for Value Stocks - Stocks should have a P/B ratio lower than the industry median, a P/S ratio below the industry median, and a P/E ratio using F(1) estimates lower than the industry median [11][12] - A PEG ratio under 1 indicates undervaluation relative to growth prospects, and stocks must trade at a minimum price of $5 [13] - High trading volume and favorable Zacks Rank (1 or 2) are also important criteria for screening [14] Identified Low P/B Stocks - Centene Corporation (CNC) has a projected 3-5 year EPS growth rate of 11.5% and holds a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of A [16] - CVS Health (CVS) has a projected EPS growth rate of 11.4% and also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of A [16] - The ODP Corporation (ODP) has a projected EPS growth rate of 14% and holds a Zacks Rank of 1 with a Value Score of A [17] - StoneCo (STNE) has a projected EPS growth rate of 25.3% and holds a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of B [18] - Paysafe Limited (PSFE) has a projected EPS growth rate of 17.9% and holds a Zacks Rank of 1 with a Value Score of A [19]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of a hybrid investment strategy that combines classic dividend growth stocks with Business Development Companies, REITs, and Closed End Funds to enhance investment income while achieving total returns comparable to traditional index funds [1]. Investment Strategy - The investment approach focuses on high-quality dividend stocks and assets that provide long-term growth potential, which can significantly contribute to income generation [1]. - A balanced portfolio that includes both growth and income-generating assets can lead to efficient investment income while maintaining a total return aligned with the S&P [1].

Core Insights - Canada has become a popular destination for international students, particularly in business studies due to its broad employment opportunities, adaptability, and high starting salaries [1][3] - The Canadian business education system is globally recognized and has produced numerous business elites, supported by a stable and vibrant economy [1][3] Group 1: Educational Quality - Canadian business schools are internationally accredited, with many holding AACSB certification, which is awarded to only the top 5% of business schools globally [4] - Notable institutions like the Rotman School of Management, Sauder School of Business, and Ivey Business School are recognized for their high-quality education and globally acknowledged degrees [4] Group 2: Top Resources - Canadian business schools serve as a hub connecting academia and industry, with institutions like Rotman collaborating with major financial firms for internships [5] - The Sauder School of Business focuses on the integration of global business and technology, offering cutting-edge courses in blockchain and digital marketing [5] Group 3: Professional Choices - Canadian business schools offer a diverse range of programs, including accounting, finance, marketing, international business, and emerging fields like sustainable business and digital transformation [6] - Programs are designed to align with student interests and career goals, ensuring practical application of learned skills [6] Group 4: Practical Orientation - Canadian business education emphasizes practical experience, requiring students to complete internships, with some programs integrating internships into the credit system [8] - Activities such as case studies and entrepreneurial incubators enhance real-world learning, preparing students for competitive job markets [8] Group 5: Employment Prospects - Canada hosts over 70 Fortune 500 companies, providing ample job opportunities for business graduates [9] - The multicultural environment in Canada equips students with cross-cultural communication skills, beneficial for adapting to international workplaces [9] Group 6: Popular Majors - Finance is highlighted as a lucrative field, with average salaries for financial analysts ranging from CAD 75,000 to CAD 90,000, and experienced professionals earning over CAD 150,000 [11] - Accounting is known for its strong practical focus, with entry-level salaries around CAD 50,000 to CAD 65,000, and senior financial managers earning up to CAD 120,000 [12] - Marketing programs are evolving to include digital marketing and data analysis, with salaries for entry-level positions around CAD 45,000 to CAD 60,000, and brand managers earning between CAD 80,000 and CAD 120,000 [14] - International business graduates can expect salaries from CAD 50,000 to CAD 70,000, with overseas operations managers earning up to CAD 130,000 [15] Conclusion - Canadian business education combines rigorous academic traditions with practical business environments, offering a comprehensive growth path from education to employment [16] - Choosing Canadian business studies represents an investment in a dynamic and evolving business landscape, positioning graduates for success in their careers [16]

Core Insights - Archer-Daniels-Midland (NYSE: ADM) faced significant challenges in the first half of 2025, including thin soybean margins, policy confusion regarding renewable fuels, and the reintroduction of tariffs on key products [1] Financial Performance - The company experienced pressure on its profitability due to the aforementioned factors, particularly the impact of low soybean margins [1] Market Environment - The agribusiness sector is currently navigating a complex landscape influenced by regulatory changes and market dynamics, which are affecting companies like ADM [1]

Group 1 - The outperformance of Business Development Companies (BDCs) is likely over for the foreseeable future, indicating a shift in market dynamics [1] - Previously, the BDC market was characterized by high-yielding income streams, growing dividends, and increasing market sizes [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide any additional relevant information regarding companies or industries beyond the BDC market performance [2][3]

Company Overview - RCM Technologies, Inc. is a provider of solutions aimed at enhancing client performance through advanced engineering, specialty healthcare, and technology services [1][3] - The company operates in key market segments including Healthcare, Engineering, Aerospace & Defense, Process & Industrial, Life Sciences, and Data & Solutions [3] Recent Developments - RCM Technologies was added to the Russell 3000 and small-cap Russell 2000 Indexes effective June 30, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the company's history [1][2] - The addition to the Russell 2000 is seen as the beginning of a new phase for the company, aiming to contribute to global infrastructure development [2] Market Context - Russell Indexes are widely utilized by investment managers and institutional investors, with approximately $10.6 trillion in assets benchmarked against the Russell US Indexes as of June 2024 [2] - FTSE Russell, the global index provider, calculates thousands of indexes covering 98% of the investable market globally, with around $18.1 trillion benchmarked to its indexes [4]

Group 1: EPR Properties - EPR Properties is a REIT focused on experiential real estate, owning properties like movie theaters and casinos, providing stable cash flow for dividends [3] - The REIT pays $0.295 per share monthly, equating to an annual dividend of $3.54, yielding over 6% [4] - EPR retains about 30% of its cash flow for investments, planning to invest $200 million to $300 million in new properties this year, aiming for 3% to 4% annual cash flow growth [5] Group 2: Realty Income - Realty Income, known as The Monthly Dividend Stock, has raised its dividend 131 times since 1994, focusing on dependable monthly dividends [6] - The next monthly dividend payment is $0.269 per share, a 0.2% increase from the previous month, resulting in an annualized rate of $3.228 and a yield of approximately 5.5% [7] - Realty Income pays out about 75% of its cash flow in dividends, allowing for significant reinvestment in new income-generating properties [8] Group 3: Main Street Capital - Main Street Capital is a BDC providing capital to lower middle market companies, generating recurring income through its capital solutions model [10] - The company will pay $0.255 per share on July 15, with an annualized rate of $3.06, yielding over 5% [11] - Main Street Capital has increased its monthly dividend by 2% from the previous quarter and 4.1% year-over-year, also paying supplemental dividends to meet IRS distribution requirements [12] Group 4: Investment Opportunity - EPR Properties, Realty Income, and Main Street Capital are highlighted as ideal dividend stocks for generating monthly passive income, with potential for steady growth [13]