Market Overview - The current market environment is challenging, with elevated expectations regarding earnings, the economy, and the labor market, leading to skepticism about continued upside potential [3][4][5] - Recent headlines indicate tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly concerning tariffs on technology companies like Nvidia and Qualcomm, which may contribute to market pullbacks [2][3] Labor Market and Economic Outlook - There are signs of a weakening labor market, with alternative data suggesting a decline, despite widespread assumptions of resilience [5][11] - The potential for a paradigm shift in the economy is discussed, where AI could lead to fewer jobs but greater overall prosperity [6][7][8] Interest Rates and Monetary Policy - The expectation of two additional rate cuts is highlighted, which could improve cash flows for companies and support real estate and private equity valuations [10][19] - The Federal Reserve's actions are deemed necessary to cushion the labor market and mitigate hiring uncertainties [11][13] Sector Analysis - Opportunities are identified in sectors such as financials, healthcare, industrials, data centers, and power generation, with a focus on selective investment in industrials due to cyclical trends [14][16] - The discussion emphasizes the importance of localization and supply chain resilience in industrial activities, driven by current administration policies [16] Private vs. Public Markets - Private markets are viewed favorably due to cheaper valuations, faster earnings growth, and better profit margins, providing diversification against public market volatility [17][19][20] - The correlation of private credit and infrastructure to broader market indices is noted, suggesting stability in private investments compared to public market fluctuations [19][20]

Few topics stir as much public frustration as lawmakers trading the same stocks they help regulate. While Congress is required to disclose its financial transactions, the system isn’t exactly built for transparency. Lawmakers have up to 45 days to report their trades, leaving the public to piece together what happened well after the fact. As of early October, newly released disclosures reveal five key stocks that members of Congress bought in the third quarter—along with who made the trades and what those m ...

Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) is one of the S&P 500 stocks with a low PE ratio. On September 16, Cantor Fitzgerald assigned a Neutral rating to CNC along with a $38 price target. The firm noted that finalized rates usually match payor proposals but are less than the desired 30%+ increases for 2026, which resulted in a cautious market outlook. Centene, a major player in the Healthcare Providers & Services industry, has a strong financial profile, controlled debt, and a PE ratio of 8.03x. Cantor Fitzgeral ...

Satish, a graduate student from India studying in San Francisco, thought this fall would be about finishing his business degree and then lining up an H-1B visa, the work permit that’s become a mainstay for skilled immigrants in the US.Instead, he’s worried about his ability to build a career in the US as he tries to make sense of the Trump administration’s plan to raise the H-1B application fee to $100,000. “When someone moves here, they move with the motive of working hard and building something better,” s ...

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway made significant moves in Q2 2025, notably purchasing over 5 million shares in UnitedHealth Group, capitalizing on a 48% decline in the stock price during the quarter [1] - The firm also initiated positions in major homebuilders Lennar and D.R. Horton, as well as the largest steel producer Nucor, with these positions being kept confidential until now [2][3] Investment Moves - **New Positions**: Berkshire initiated positions in Lennar (approximately 7 million Class A shares worth $780 million), D.R. Horton (1.5 million shares worth $191 million), and Nucor (6.6 million shares worth $857 million) [3] - **Performance**: D.R. Horton reported strong earnings, contributing to a rally in homebuilding stocks, while Nucor benefited from steel tariffs, recovering from an 11% decline to a 25% increase by mid-August [4] Exits and Reductions - **Exit**: Berkshire fully exited its $1 billion stake in T-Mobile US, a move interpreted as profit-taking rather than a lack of confidence, with T-Mobile shares delivering a total return of approximately 114% since the initial investment [5][6] - **Reductions**: The firm reduced its stake in Apple by nearly 7%, marking the first reduction since Q3 2024, despite Apple shares experiencing a decline of over 7% in Q2 [8][9] - **Charter Communications**: Berkshire's shares in Charter dropped by over 46%, with the stock underperforming compared to the S&P 500 since the initial investment [9][10] Increased Holdings - **Pool Corporation**: Berkshire significantly increased its position in Pool from approximately 1.46 million to 3.46 million shares, a 137% increase, despite a 10% decline in the stock during Q2 [12][13] Cash Position - Berkshire Hathaway is holding a near-record cash position of $344 billion, indicating a cautious approach to investing in the current market [14]

Acquisition Financing - Cardinal Health plans to sell bonds in the US investment-grade primary market to fund its acquisition of Solaris Health [1]

Core Insights - U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by only 73,000 in July 2025, significantly below the expected 110,000, indicating a slowdown in the labor market [1] - Job growth in the healthcare sector was robust, adding 55,000 positions, primarily in ambulatory health care services and hospitals [2][4] - Most other major sectors showed little change in employment levels, suggesting a lack of broad-based job growth [3] Sector in Focus - The healthcare sector's job growth in July exceeded the average monthly gain of 42,000 over the previous year, highlighting its strength in the current labor market [4] - Ambulatory health care services contributed the most to job gains within healthcare, adding 34,000 positions, followed by hospitals with 16,000 [4] ETFs in Focus - Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) offers exposure to the healthcare sector, with significant allocations to pharmaceuticals and healthcare providers, and holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [5] - iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (IHF) focuses on healthcare providers and services, charging 40 bps in fees, and currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [6] - Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care Index, charges 9 bps in fees, and also holds a Zacks Rank 1 [7] Stocks in Focus - HCA Healthcare (HCA), the largest non-governmental operator of acute care hospitals in the U.S., has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 7.02% on average and holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [8] - Welltower (WELL), a REIT focused on senior housing and health systems, has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.22% on average and also holds a Zacks Rank 3 [9] - Omega Healthcare Investors (OHI), a self-administered REIT investing in long-term care facilities, has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 2.07% on average and holds a Zacks Rank 3 [10]

bluebay2014/iStock via Getty Images Listen below or on the go on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Microsoft and Meta earnings bring comfort (0:20). Intel left out in the cold (2:20). Post-earnings declines (3:35). Strange and somewhat surprising Fed dynamics (7:55). Earnings next week, AMD most interesting (13:10). Transcript Rena Sherbill: Brian Stewart, our director of news at Seeking Alpha, welcome back to Wall Street Roundup. Brian Stewart: Great to be here. Thank you. RS: Lot of earnings as promised. ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the second quarter, same store net revenue increased by 6.5% year over year, primarily driven by rate growth and recognition of revenue under Medicaid state directed payment programs in New Mexico and Tennessee [9][15][16] - Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter was $380 million compared to $387 million in the prior year, with a margin of 12.1% versus 12.3% in the prior year [16][17] - Cash flows from operations were reported at $87 million for the second quarter and $282 million year to date, with free cash flows for the second quarter being marginally positive [17][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Inpatient admissions increased by 0.3% year over year, while adjusted admissions declined by 0.7%, with same store surgeries down by 2.5% and emergency department visits down by 1.9% [9][15][16] - The company has over 200 providers scheduled to commence in the second half of 2025, indicating a focus on expanding service lines and capacity [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a decline in consumer confidence, which has affected demand for healthcare services, particularly elective surgical procedures [13][25] - The company is experiencing a softer demand for elective surgeries, particularly in the commercial book, which has led to a loss of operating leverage [13][14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its physical capacity and service lines, with ongoing recruitment of primary care and specialty physicians [10][11] - Recent service line and capacity expansions in key markets are expected to ramp up and gain market share, with new outpatient access points set to open [11] - The company completed the divestiture of Cedar Park Regional Medical Center for $436 million and is working on improving its leverage profile through successful debt refinancing [11][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence that past development and capital investment strategies have positioned the company well to capture patient demand once consumer confidence returns [9][10] - The company anticipates that the impacts from the recently signed budget reconciliation for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will phase in beginning in 2027, projecting a cumulative reduction in EBITDA of approximately $300 to $350 million over the next thirteen years [19][20] - Management is taking a conservative approach to the underlying business given the impact from macro factors observed in the second quarter [22] Other Important Information - The CEO announced plans to retire in September, with the President and CFO expected to take over leadership [5][8] - The company is actively pursuing legislative and administrative fixes to mitigate the impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act [20][21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Volume expectations and dynamics - Management noted a decline in consumer confidence affecting volumes, with a revised guidance for adjusted admissions for the year now expected to be 0% to 1% [25][26] Question: Updates on state directed payment programs - Management provided updates on pending DPP programs in Indiana and Florida, expecting material benefits from these programs once approved [30][31] Question: Run rate for EBITDA going forward - Management indicated that the real run rate for EBITDA is likely in the range of $360 million to $375 million, considering the current volume trends [36] Question: Impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act - Management explained the complexities of estimating the impact of the bill, emphasizing ongoing lobbying efforts to address potential funding cuts [19][20][92] Question: Medicare volume trends - Management reported no significant changes in the Medicare book of business, indicating that this segment is less impacted by consumer confidence issues [76] Question: Differences in volume trends compared to peers - Management suggested that geographic differences and types of markets may contribute to the volume discrepancies observed compared to peers [80][81]

Even if newly planned strikes are called off, the British Medical Association’s transformation has already been profound. It is no longer simply a doctors’ guild, but a political force https://t.co/oNrJed1r5l ...