Equity Research Analyst with a broad career in the financial market, covered both Brazilian and global stocks. As a value investor, my analysis is primarily fundamental, focusing on identifying undervalued stocks with growth potential. Feel free to reach out for collaborations or to connect!Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it ...

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) ranks among the 10 best new stocks to buy in Ray Dalio’s portfolio. On January 7, BMO Capital downgraded Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) from Outperform to Market Perform and cut its price target to $255 from $270. The revision comes as BMO describes Union Pacific’s planned merger with Norfolk Southern as “one of the most consequential developments in the rail industry in decades.” The firm noted increased regulatory uncertainty around the merger, which has the p ...

Group 1 - The Class 1 railroad sector is currently experiencing a pause in stock market activity due to weakness in freight transportation and ongoing merger discussions involving Union Pacific [1] - The focus on sustained profitability is emphasized, highlighting the importance of strong margins, stable and expanding free cash flow, and high returns on invested capital as reliable drivers of returns [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide any specific financial data or performance metrics related to the companies mentioned [2][3] - There are no investment recommendations or advice given regarding the suitability of investments in the companies discussed [2][3]

Core Insights - JetBlue Airways Corporation (JBLU) is set to report its fourth-quarter 2025 results on January 27, 2026, before market open, with a consensus estimate indicating a significant increase in loss per share compared to the previous year [1][9] Financial Performance Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for JBLU's fourth-quarter loss per share has widened to 45 cents from 42 cents over the past 60 days, reflecting a more than doubling of the loss from the prior year's actual loss of 21 cents [1] - Fourth-quarter revenues are estimated at $2.22 billion, representing a year-over-year growth of 2.6% [1] Historical Performance - JBLU has a strong earnings surprise history, outperforming the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters with an average beat of 22.16% [2] Factors Influencing Q4 Performance - Proactive efforts to expand connectivity in response to increased demand are expected to positively impact JBLU's performance [3] - Passenger revenues are estimated at $2.02 billion, indicating a decrease of 3.8% from the fourth-quarter 2024 actuals, while other revenues are projected at $187.1 million [3] Cost Factors - Lower oil prices are anticipated to benefit the bottom line, as fuel expenses are a significant cost for airlines [4] - However, geopolitical uncertainty, tariff pressures, and persistent inflation may negatively affect JBLU's operations, leading to volatility in passenger traffic and limiting revenue growth [4] Earnings Prediction Model - The current model does not predict an earnings beat for JBLU, with an Earnings ESP of -4.11% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [5] Recent Financial Results - In the third quarter of 2025, JBLU reported a loss of 40 cents per share, which was narrower than the consensus estimate of a loss of 43 cents, aided by lower fuel costs [6] - Operating revenues for Q3 were $2.32 billion, slightly below the consensus estimate of $2.33 billion, and decreased by 1.8% year over year [7]

Core Viewpoint - The Surface Transportation Board (STB) rejected the UP-NS merger application as incomplete, emphasizing the need for full and transparent disclosure in such significant transactions [1][2]. Group 1: Merger Application Details - The STB found that UP and NS did not meet basic requirements by failing to provide necessary information in their initial filing, indicating that the application was missing critical components [1][2]. - A stronger record is essential for the STB to assess whether the proposed merger serves the public interest and enhances competition, as the applicants withheld information crucial for understanding potential competitive harms [2]. Group 2: Company Position and Future Participation - CN expressed appreciation for the STB's thorough review and looks forward to robust participation once UP and NS submit a complete application, encouraging customers to stay informed and participate in the process [2][3]. - The company has been a key player in the transportation sector, moving over 300 million tons of goods annually across a nearly 20,000-mile rail network, contributing to sustainable trade and community prosperity since 1919 [4].

Core Viewpoint - The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has rejected the merger application between Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) due to incompleteness, emphasizing the need for full and transparent disclosure in such significant transactions [1][2]. Group 1: Merger Application Details - The STB found that UP and NS did not meet the basic requirements for their merger application, lacking essential information in their initial filing [1]. - The decision highlights that a merger of this magnitude cannot be evaluated based on incomplete information and must adhere to heightened standards under new merger rules [1][2]. Group 2: Implications for Competition - A stronger and complete application will enable the STB to assess whether the proposed merger serves the public interest and enhances competition [2]. - The STB noted that the applicants had withheld critical information necessary for understanding potential competitive harms, which is vital for the Board's analysis [2]. Group 3: Company Background - CN operates a nearly 20,000-mile rail network, transporting over 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods across North America annually [4]. - The company has been contributing to sustainable trade and community prosperity since its establishment in 1919 [4].

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Surface Transportation Board has returned Union Pacific's proposed $85 billion merger with Norfolk Southern for revision due to insufficient information [1] Group 1: Merger Details - Union Pacific's proposed merger with Norfolk Southern is valued at $85 billion [1] - The merger is currently under review by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board [1] Group 2: Regulatory Actions - The Surface Transportation Board indicated that the merger proposal lacked required information [1] - The board's action necessitates a revision of the merger proposal by Union Pacific [1]

The Surface Transportation Board has ruled that the application is incomplete and is inviting the companies to revise and resubmit it. ...

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – You could say that Jim Vena’s latest salvo in the war of words over the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger was downright Shakespearean. Which is to say that the Union Pacific CEO thinks the other Class I railroads doth protest too much. “If your competitor was doing something stupid, what would you do?” Vena said during an entertaining but often digressive talk Thursday to open the second day of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers winter meeting. “I know what I would d ...

Core Insights - Alaska Air Group (ALK) is set to report its fourth-quarter 2025 results on January 22, 2026, after market close, with earnings per share (EPS) estimates revised down by 64.5% to 11 cents, indicating an 88.7% decline year-over-year [2][10] - The revenue estimate for the same quarter is projected at $3.64 billion, reflecting a 3.1% year-over-year growth [2][10] Financial Performance - ALK has a history of earnings surprises, outperforming the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the last four quarters, with an average beat of 27.03% [3] - The third-quarter 2025 earnings were reported at $1.05 per share, missing the consensus estimate of $1.11 per share and showing a year-over-year decline of 53.3% [8] Revenue Drivers - The anticipated performance for the upcoming quarter is expected to be supported by increased total revenues, primarily driven by high passenger revenues as domestic air travel demand stabilizes [4] - Passenger revenues are projected to increase by 14.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, bolstered by strong passenger volumes during the Thanksgiving holiday [5][10] - Cargo and other revenues are estimated at $146.6 million, indicating an 11.1% growth from the previous year [5] Challenges - Geopolitical uncertainties, tariff-related pressures, and persistent inflation are likely to have negatively impacted ALK's operations, causing volatility in passenger traffic and limiting revenue growth [6] Earnings Prediction Model - The current model does not predict an earnings beat for ALK, with an Earnings ESP of -6.04% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [7]