Have you been searching for a stock that might be well-positioned to maintain its earnings-beat streak in its upcoming report? It is worth considering Hancock Whitney (HWC) , which belongs to the Zacks Banks - Southeast industry.This holding company of Whitney Bank and Hancock Bank has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 3.96%.For the last reported quarter, Hancock Whitney came out with earn ...

BankUnited, Inc. (NYSE:BKU) is included among the 13 Best January Dividend Stocks to Invest in. Wells Fargo Lifts BankUnited (BKU) Target Ahead of Expected 2026 Earnings Recovery On January 5, Wells Fargo raised its price target on BankUnited, Inc. (NYSE:BKU) to $50 from $42 and kept an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm said regional banks are positioned to narrow their valuation gap with the largest banks in 2026. Q2 is seen as the next likely earnings catalyst. In the meantime, Wells expects a ...

Core Viewpoint - Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) is positioned positively in the financial services sector, with a price target suggesting potential growth for investors [1][4]. Company Overview - Capital One offers a variety of financial products, including credit cards, auto loans, banking, and savings accounts, competing with major players like JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo [1]. - The company's market capitalization is approximately $152.88 billion, indicating a strong market presence [4]. Stock Performance - As of December 15, 2025, COF's stock price was $240.76, reflecting a positive outlook with a recent increase of 1.10% [2]. - The stock has fluctuated between $238.05 and $241 during the trading day, with a yearly high of $243.31 and a low of $143.22 [2]. Analyst Insights - Mihir Bhatia from Capital One set a price target of $268 for COF, indicating an 11.31% potential increase from its current price [1]. - Despite recent share sales by Representative Julie Johnson, the overall stock performance and analyst projections suggest a favorable outlook for COF [3][4].

Market Overview - U.S. stocks showed mixed performance as traders prepared for the Federal Reserve meeting, with major indexes consolidating near recent highs after a strong year-end run for value stocks [1] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by almost 0.4% to 47,560.29, while the S&P 500 fell 0.09% to 6,840.51, and the Nasdaq increased by 0.1% to 23,576.48 [1] GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) - GameStop's stock declined by 1.03% to close at $23.11, with intraday trading between a high of $24.00 and a low of $23.10, remaining within its 52-week range of $19.93 to $35.81 [2] - The company reported third-quarter revenue of $821 million, missing estimates and down 4.5% year-over-year, while adjusted earnings of 24 cents exceeded expectations [3] - Hardware and software sales decreased, but collectibles sales increased, and operating income improved to $41.3 million from a loss in the previous year [3] - GameStop ended the quarter with $8.8 billion in cash and securities, including $519.4 million in Bitcoin, and did not hold an earnings call [3] JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) - JPMorgan's shares fell by 4.67% to $300.51, with intraday trading between a high of $318.80 and a low of $300.02, remaining below its recent 52-week high of $322.25 [4] - Investors are analyzing how the upcoming rate decision could influence the bank's growth phase, particularly regarding net interest margins and fee-driven businesses [5] AeroVironment - AeroVironment's stock eased by 0.37% to finish at $281.42, with intraday trading between a high of $291.50 and a low of $278.50, significantly above its 52-week low of $102.25 [6] - The company reported second-quarter revenue of $472.5 million, surpassing estimates, but adjusted EPS was 44 cents, below the expected 78 cents [7] - AeroVironment lowered its fiscal 2026 EPS outlook while slightly raising revenue guidance, leading to a decline in shares during extended trading [7] GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) - GE Vernova's shares increased by 0.55% to close at $625.30, with intraday trading between $636.88 and $613.20, close to the upper end of its 52-week range of $252.25 to $677.29 [8] - The stock was positively influenced by a multi-year investor update, where the company doubled its dividend and set ambitious revenue targets through 2028 [9] - GE Vernova's 2025 revenue outlook is projected at $36–$37 billion, with 2026 guidance of $41–$42 billion, and an expected 2028 revenue of $52 billion, up from a previous forecast of $45 billion [10] - The company reported 18 GW of gas turbine contracts this quarter and anticipates its backlog to grow from $135 billion to $200 billion by 2028, while raising its cumulative free cash flow outlook to at least $22 billion [10] Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (NASDAQ:CBRL) - Cracker Barrel's stock rose by 1.43% to end at $27, with intraday trading between a high of $28.21 and a low of $26.82, trading just above its 52-week low of $25.62 [11] - The company reported first-quarter revenue of $797.19 million and an adjusted loss of 74 cents per share, both missing expectations, with sales down 5.7% from last year [12][13] - Cracker Barrel reduced its fiscal 2026 revenue outlook to $3.2–$3.3 billion and declared a 25-cent quarterly dividend, while the CEO indicated ongoing operational changes to stabilize traffic and margins [12][13]

Core Insights - Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) is planning to invest $1.9 billion through 2029 to accelerate its branch expansion strategy, significantly increasing its investment from previous announcements in 2018 [1][8] Expansion Strategy - The company is focusing on Texas as a new growth market, alongside its existing expansion efforts in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, aiming to open 150 branches in Texas by 2029 and achieve at least 8% market share in the state [2] - Fifth Third aims to establish a top-five market share in major Texas cities such as Dallas, Houston, and Austin, indicating a strategic shift in geographic focus [2] Recent Milestones - FITB recently opened its 200th financial center in Florida and its 100th in the Carolinas, enhancing its retail presence in high-growth markets [3] - The bank currently operates over 1,100 banking centers nationwide, with further expansion expected following the anticipated acquisition of Comerica in early 2026 [3] Future Projections - The bank expects that by 2030, more than half of its retail footprint will be concentrated in the Southeast, Texas, and Arizona, with plans to hire an additional 1,500 staff from 2026 to 2029 to support branch operations [4] - FITB forecasts that deposits could increase by $15 to $20 billion over the next seven years as new markets mature [4] Market Performance - Over the past six months, FITB shares have increased by 14.3%, compared to the industry's growth of 18.3% [5]

Core Insights - Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:DCOM) operates primarily in the New York metropolitan area, providing a range of personal and business banking services, and competes with regional banks such as Flushing Financial Corporation and Brookline Bancorp [1] - DCOM's Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is 2.15%, while its Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) is 15.71%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of 0.137, indicating inefficiency in capital use [2][5] - Comparative analysis shows that CVB Financial Corp. (CVBF) and City Holding Company (CHCO) have more favorable ROIC to WACC ratios, suggesting they are more efficient in generating returns than DCOM [4][5] Financial Efficiency Comparison - Flushing Financial Corporation (FFIC) has a negative ROIC of -12.80% and a WACC of 16.70%, leading to a ROIC to WACC ratio of -0.767, indicating greater inefficiency than DCOM [3] - Brookline Bancorp (BRKL) and OceanFirst Financial Corp. (OCFC) also show negative ROIC to WACC ratios of -0.082 and 0.012, respectively, further highlighting inefficiencies in these institutions [3] - In contrast, CVB Financial Corp. (CVBF) has a ROIC of 5.15% and a WACC of 9.05%, resulting in a ratio of 0.570, while CHCO has a ROIC of 18.41% and a WACC of 7.79%, achieving a ratio of 2.361, indicating superior efficiency [4]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus for 2026 in Asian markets will shift from AI-driven stocks to growth opportunities beyond AI, dividends, and previously overlooked stories in Asia [2][12][14] - Key themes include structural stories in energy self-sufficiency, new technology, financial deepening, and the growth of formal retail in ASEAN [12][14] Company-Specific Insights 1. Harbin Electric (1133 HK) - **Sector**: Electrical Equipment - **Market Cap**: USD 3.648 billion - **Current Price**: HKD 15.53; **Target Price**: HKD 22.00 - **PE Ratio**: 10.7; **PB Ratio**: 1.6; **ROE**: 16.2% - **Key Points**: - Benefiting from China's push for energy self-sufficiency, particularly in coal and nuclear power [16][18] - Expected earnings CAGR of 34% from 2024-2027 [19] - Potential inclusion in Stock Connect in 2026 [19] 2. Horizon Robotics (9660 HK) - **Sector**: Auto Components - **Market Cap**: USD 14.901 billion - **Current Price**: CNY 8.44; **Target Price**: CNY 11.00 - **Key Points**: - Positioned to benefit from the growth of autonomous driving technology [23][25] - Expected revenue CAGR of 64% from 2025-2027 [27] 3. Goldwind Science & Tech (002202 CH) - **Sector**: Electric Utilities - **Market Cap**: USD 8.753 billion - **Current Price**: CNY 15.35; **Target Price**: CNY 20.40 - **Key Points**: - Leading manufacturer of wind turbines with strong demand in emerging markets [30][32] - Expected net profit growth of 58% in 2025 [32] 4. Trip.com Group (TCOM US) - **Sector**: Internet Software & Services - **Market Cap**: USD 48.707 billion - **Current Price**: USD 74.52; **Target Price**: USD 90.00 - **Key Points**: - Dominates China's online travel market with over 50% GTV [39] - Expected revenue growth of 15% CAGR from 2025-2027 [39] 5. BOCHK Holdings (2388 HK) - **Sector**: Commercial Banks - **Market Cap**: USD 54.013 billion - **Current Price**: HKD 39.70; **Target Price**: HKD 45.20 - **Key Points**: - Benefits from increased cross-border opportunities and offers a 5.5% dividend yield [44][46] 6. PB Fintech (POLICYBZ IN) - **Sector**: Internet Software & Services - **Market Cap**: USD 8.999 billion - **Current Price**: INR 1,734.70; **Target Price**: INR 2,250.00 - **Key Points**: - Operates India's largest online insurance marketplace [49] - Expected revenue CAGR of 30% from 2025-2028 [51] 7. Phoenix Mills (PHNX IN) - **Sector**: Real Estate Management & Development - **Market Cap**: USD 6.904 billion - **Current Price**: INR 1,714.80; **Target Price**: INR 2,110.00 - **Key Points**: - Largest mall operator in India, evolving into a mixed-use developer [54][56] 8. E-Mart (139480 KS) - **Sector**: Multiline Retail - **Market Cap**: USD 1.482 billion - **Current Price**: KRW 79,000.00; **Target Price**: KRW 120,000.00 - **Key Points**: - Trading at 0.2x PB, highlighting deep value [59] - Transformation into a multiline retailer with various catalysts for growth [60] 9. E Ink Holdings (8069 TT) - **Sector**: Technology - **Market Cap**: Not specified - **Current Price**: TWD 169.00; **Target Price**: TWD 305.00 - **Key Points**: - Holds over 90% of the global e-paper market and expanding capacity [62] 10. ICTSI (ICT PM) - **Sector**: Transport & Logistics - **Market Cap**: Not specified - **Current Price**: PHP 558.50; **Target Price**: PHP 630.00 - **Key Points**: - Offers growth and yield at attractive valuations [62] 11. City Developments (CIT SP) - **Sector**: Real Estate Management & Development - **Market Cap**: Not specified - **Current Price**: SGD 7.43; **Target Price**: SGD 11.00 - **Key Points**: - Positioned to benefit from a turnaround in Singapore's property sector [62] 12. Sumber Alfaria Trijaya (AMRT IJ) - **Sector**: Retail - **Market Cap**: Not specified - **Current Price**: IDR 1,895.00; **Target Price**: IDR 2,900.00 - **Key Points**: - Expected to benefit from policies boosting consumption in Indonesia [62] Additional Insights - Asian dividends have doubled over the last 20 years, indicating potential for further increases in payout ratios [12] - The report emphasizes the importance of EPS growth for continued market gains, particularly in China [12][14]

Core Insights - Triumph Financial, Inc. will present at the Stephens Annual Investment Conference on November 18, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. CST [1] - The presentation will be available via live webcast on the company's website [1] Company Overview - Triumph is a financial and technology company that focuses on modernizing and simplifying freight transactions through payments, factoring, intelligence, and banking [2] - The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and its portfolio includes brands such as Triumph, TBK Bank, and LoadPay [2]

Core Points - MetroCity Bankshares, Inc. has received all necessary regulatory approvals and shareholder consent to merge with First IC Corporation, with the merger expected to finalize on December 1, 2025 [1][2]. Company Overview - MetroCity Bankshares, Inc. is headquartered in Doraville, Georgia, and operates Metro City Bank with 20 banking offices across seven states, holding $3.6 billion in assets as of September 30, 2025 [4]. - First IC Corporation, also based in Doraville, operates First IC Bank with ten banking locations and two loan production offices across several states, holding $1.2 billion in assets as of September 30, 2025 [5]. Advisory Information - Hillworth Bank Partners served as the financial advisor for MetroCity, providing a fairness opinion to its board, while Stephens Inc. acted as the financial advisor for First IC [3].

Core Viewpoint - Companies with a strong history of dividend payments and increases are attractive to income-focused investors, with Avista, Regions Financial, and Duke Energy recently announcing dividend hikes and offering yields up to 5% [1] Avista - Avista Corp. has increased its dividends for 22 consecutive years, with the latest hike on Feb. 12 raising the quarterly payout from $0.475 to $0.49 per share, resulting in an annual figure of $1.96 per share [3] - The company maintained the same dividend payout in its announcement on Aug. 6, with a current dividend yield of 5.03% [3] - Avista's annual revenue as of June 30 was $1.96 billion, and Q2 2025 revenues were reported at $411 million with an EPS of $0.17, both missing market expectations [4] Regions Financial - Regions Financial Corp. has raised its dividends for 12 consecutive years, with a recent increase on July 16 of 6% to $0.265 per share, equating to an annual figure of $1.06 per share [5] - The company maintained the same dividend payout in its announcement on Oct. 15, with a current dividend yield of 4.37% [5] - Regions Financial's annual revenue as of June 30 was $7.29 billion, and Q3 2025 revenues were reported at $1.94 billion with an EPS of $0.63, both exceeding market expectations [6] Duke Energy - Duke Energy Corp. has increased its dividends for 18 consecutive years, with the latest hike on July 15 raising the quarterly payout from $1.045 to $1.065 per share, resulting in an annual figure of $4.26 per share [8] - The company maintained the same dividend payout in its announcement on Oct. 14, with a current dividend yield of 3.34% [8]