Based in Cleveland, Ohio, KeyCorp (KEY) runs a diversified banking franchise with a national footprint. Valued at roughly $23.5 billion, the bank spans retail, commercial, and institutional finance, offering deposits, lending, wealth management, capital markets, advisory, payments, treasury, and trust services to clients of every size. That breadth has translated into tangible shareholder gains. Over the past 52 weeks, KEY stock delivered a 19.4% return, decisively outpacing the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 14 ...

Core Thesis - Ameriprise Financial, Inc. is positioned as a leading wealth management and financial services firm in the U.S., with a strong focus on comprehensive advisory and asset management solutions [2][3] Business Model - The company's business model integrates advisory, asset management, and insurance solutions, allowing clients to access a full suite of financial services [2] - 60% of Ameriprise's revenue is derived from its wealth management segment, which has historically driven earnings growth [3] - Growth is supported by rising assets under management (AUM), increased adoption of new products, and an expanding client base, rather than solely relying on advisor headcount growth [3] Financial Performance - Ameriprise has achieved a return on equity of 59.6% and a three-year EPS growth rate of 15% [4] - The current P/E ratio stands at 12.4, with EBITDA growth of 8% bolstered by share repurchases [4] Market Position and Strategy - The transition to a wrap-fee advisory model aligns advisor and client interests, which helps mitigate risks associated with industry trends toward passive investing [4] - The company leverages its integrated service offering and independent advisor model to capture underserved clients and adapt to industry shifts [5] Investment Outlook - Ameriprise is viewed as a well-run, high-quality compounder with resilient growth and modest current undervaluation, making it an attractive long-term investment [5]

Company Overview - Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (WTW) has a market cap of $31.2 billion and operates as a global advisory, broking, and solutions firm, helping organizations manage risk and improve employee benefits and investment outcomes [1] Earnings Expectations - WTW is expected to release its fiscal Q4 2025 earnings results soon, with analysts predicting an adjusted EPS of $7.93, a decrease of 2.5% from $8.13 in the same quarter last year [2] - For fiscal 2025, analysts forecast an adjusted EPS of $16.89, slightly down from $16.93 in fiscal 2024, but anticipate a 14% year-over-year growth to $19.26 in fiscal 2026 [3] Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, WTW shares have increased by 8.3%, which is lower than the S&P 500 Index's gain of 16.2% and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund's return of 15.5% [4] Recent Developments - On December 15, WTW shares rose by 1.2% following the announcement of a $1 billion senior unsecured notes offering, which includes $700 million of 4.55% notes due in 2031 and $300 million of 5.15% notes due in 2036. The funding is intended to support the Newfront acquisition and refinance near-term debt, enhancing WTW's financial flexibility [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus view among analysts on WTW stock is cautiously optimistic, with an overall "Moderate Buy" rating. Out of 24 analysts, 13 recommend "Strong Buy," one suggests "Moderate Buy," nine indicate "Hold," and one has a "Strong Sell." The average price target for WTW is $367.30, suggesting a potential upside of 9.8% from current levels [6]

Group 1 - Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) is recognized as one of the best financial pure plays under $100 according to hedge funds [1] - Analyst Jade Rahmani from Keefe Bruyette reaffirmed a Buy rating for Walker & Dunlop, lowering the price target from $92 to $82, indicating a potential upside of around 35% [1][2] - The consensus ratings project a bullish market view for Walker & Dunlop, with all three analysts covering the stock assigning Buy ratings and a median 1-year price target of $84, implying more than 38% upside from the current level [3] Group 2 - Walker & Dunlop operates within the commercial real estate space and is one of the largest firms in the industry, offering services such as financing, advisory, servicing, valuations, and investment management [4] - The commercial real estate market is expected to exhibit moderate yet healthy growth in the coming year, which is anticipated to benefit commercial real estate players, including mortgage financiers like Walker & Dunlop [2]

Financial Performance and Targets - AECOM exceeded previously increased earnings guidance mid-points[13] - AECOM delivered on long-term 17%+ margin guidance five-quarters early (Q3'25)[13] - AECOM has a record design backlog of $23 billion[14] - AECOM's FY'20-FY'25 adjusted EPS CAGR is 20%[13] - AECOM is targeting FY'26 – FY'29 Organic NSR Growth CAGR of +5 – 8%[38] - AECOM is targeting FY'26 – FY'29 Segment Adjusted Operating/Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 20%+ (Exit rate by FY'28)[38] - AECOM is targeting FY'26 – FY'29 Adjusted EPS and Free Cash Flow per Share Growth CAGR of 15%+[38] - AECOM's FY25 Net Service Revenue was $7572.8 million[79, 99] - AECOM's FY25 Adjusted EPS was $5.26[79] - AECOM's FY25 Total Backlog was $24.8 billion[79] Strategic Initiatives - AECOM expects to double its Advisory business within three years[13] - AECOM's win rate on largest pursuits in FY'25 was 80%+[14] - AECOM has built a team of 200+ AI PhDs and advanced degrees in machine learning, math, physics, computer and data sciences[13, 34]

Core Insights - Grant Thornton International is exploring strategic options for its Indian unit, including selling a minority stake or merging with its US or European operations [1][2] - The Indian unit is valued at over $2 billion, with intentions to maintain a significant share in the event of a merger [3] - The company aims to align with the Indian government's vision of developing competitive accounting and consulting firms against the Big Four [4] Group 1 - Grant Thornton Bharat is considering aligning with a global private equity-backed platform or raising private equity capital directly [2] - Preliminary discussions are ongoing with New Mountain Capital and Cinven regarding potential partnerships [2] - The Indian branch employs over 12,000 people and operates across 28 sectors, providing audit, advisory, tax, and regulatory services [4] Group 2 - Grant Thornton Bharat LLP is registered under the Indian Limited Liability Partnership Act and is headquartered in New Delhi [5] - Each member firm of Grant Thornton International operates independently, indicating a decentralized structure [5]

Company Overview - CBIZ, Inc. (CBZ) is an American company that offers a variety of professional services including accounting, tax, advisory, benefits, and insurance [1] Target Market - The company primarily serves middle-market businesses that require integrated and expert services [1]

Service Offering - Offers artwork/branding, marketing & growth strategy, content & short-form video services [2] - Provides project reviews/consulting, spaces hosting, livestream/IRL coverage [2] - Delivers advisory & DCM strategy including token launches, creator capital, and user acquisition [2] Business Objective - Seeks opportunities to cover costs for attending Breakpoint event [1] - Aims to secure work on Solana projects to earn resources [1] - Desires to meet and collaborate with individuals at Solana events [2] Marketing & Growth - Grew account from 0 to approximately 15 thousand followers organically [1] - Open to working with projects building something meaningful on Solana [1]

Core Insights - Oppenheimer (NYSE: OPY) reported a strong quarter, benefiting from a quick market recovery that supported its wealth management business, leading to record assets under management (AUM) [2] - The volatility in prior markets positively impacted sales and trading activities, contributing to the overall performance of the company [2] - The Value Lab, an investment group, focuses on long-only value ideas, aiming for a portfolio yield of approximately 4% and has seen success over the past five years by engaging in international markets [1] Group 1 - Oppenheimer's wealth management business achieved fresh records in AUM due to market recovery [2] - The sales and trading activities thrived as a result of previous market volatility [2] - The Value Lab offers members real-time updates, global market news, and feedback on stock ideas, enhancing investment strategies [2] Group 2 - The Valkyrie Trading Society consists of analysts sharing high-conviction, non-correlated investment ideas aimed at generating outsized returns in the current economic climate [3] - The society focuses on long-only investments, indicating a conservative approach to risk management [3]

Company Overview - Jefferies Financial Group Inc. is a leading global, full-service investment banking and capital markets firm that provides advisory, sales and trading, research, and wealth and asset management services [3][7] - The company operates more than 40 offices around the world, offering insights and expertise to investors, companies, and governments [3][7] Upcoming Events - Jefferies will host its annual Investor Day on October 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Manhattan, featuring management presentations and a Q&A session [1][8] - The event will be available for both in-person and virtual attendance, with registration required by October 14, 2025 [2][8] - Jefferies is set to release its third quarter financial results on September 29, 2025, after market close [7] Strategic Alliances - Jefferies and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, along with its subsidiaries, are significantly expanding their Global Strategic Alliance, which was initially established in 2021 [6]