Core Viewpoint - The article discusses seven low beta stocks with dividend yields up to 8%, which are considered more stable during market downturns, providing a cushion against volatility [2][3]. Group 1: Low-Beta Dividend Stocks - Getty Realty (GTY) offers a 6.6% yield with a 5-year beta of 0.86 and a 1-year beta of 0.12, indicating lower volatility compared to the market. The company has a stable cash-flowing tenant base, primarily from convenience stores and car washes [5][7]. - AES Corp. (AES) has a 5.5% yield and operates with a 1-year beta of 0.88 and a 5-year beta of 0.96. It combines traditional utility services with renewable energy sales, providing growth potential [9][10]. - Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) offers a 6.8% yield with a 5-year beta of 0.69 and a 1-year beta of 0.80. The company has a solid balance sheet but faces challenges in consistent growth despite a recent merger [11][12]. - Conagra Brands (CAG) has a yield of 7.4% but faces significant challenges, including supply chain issues and food inflation, with a 1-year beta of -0.05 and a 5-year beta of 0.08 [17][21]. - Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) boasts an 8.0% yield and has seen a 60% increase year-to-date, with a 1-year beta of 0.67 and a 5-year beta of 0.19. The company has benefited from rising egg prices but faces income variability [23][24]. Group 2: Market Performance and Trends - The article highlights that low beta stocks tend to attract buyers during market downturns, which can help stabilize their share prices [3]. - The performance of low beta stocks like Kraft Heinz (KHC) and General Mills (GIS) has been disappointing, with low betas reflecting counter-market movements rather than stability [14][15]. - The overall trend indicates that while some low beta stocks have maintained dividends, their growth has been limited, and challenges remain in the current market environment [16][22].

Financial Performance - Net interest income for the second quarter of 2025 was $43 million, a $19 million or 46% increase from the first quarter of 2025[59] - Noninterest income increased 150% from the prior quarter[124] - Adjusted EPS increased $016 compared to the prior quarter[124] - Adjusted ROTCE was 210% in 2Q25, +34% vs 1Q25[40] - Adjusted ROAA was 141% in 2Q25, +31 bps vs 1Q25[40] Balance Sheet - Loans totaled $40 billion[40] - Deposits totaled $43 billion[40] - Synergistic deposits accounted for 212% of total deposits[40] - Tangible book value per share was $1611, an increase of $084 from the prior quarter[40] Asset Quality and Capital Strength - ACL to Total Loans was 147%[40] - CET1 was 105%, well above bank regulatory requirements[40]

Financial Performance - Net income for Q2 2025 was $264 million, resulting in diluted earnings per share of $051[22] - The tax equivalent net interest margin was 418% for Q2 2025, compared to 420% in Q1 2025[22] - Excluding purchase accounting adjustments (PAA), the net interest margin was 395% in Q2 2025, down from 397% in Q1 2025[22] - The total capital ratio increased to 1598% as of June 30, 2025[22] - Tangible book value per share increased to $1994 at June 30, 2025, from $1969 at March 31, 2025[22] Balance Sheet - Total assets reached $1049 billion as of June 30, 2025[9] - Total loans amounted to $7287 billion as of June 30, 2025[9] - Total deposits were $8674 billion as of June 30, 2025[9] - Noninterest-bearing deposits constituted 3671% of total deposits as of June 30, 2025[9, 13] Loan Portfolio - Total loans reached $7287347 thousand in Q2 2025, slightly up from $7283133 thousand in Q1 2025[32] - Commercial Real Estate (CRE) loans, including multifamily, comprised $3840981 thousand of the total loan portfolio in Q2 2025[32]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total assets reached $10.3 billion as of the close of the second quarter, with total investment securities increasing by $209.2 million to $2 billion [6][7] - Loan growth decreased by $30 million to $7.2 billion, primarily due to increased prepayments [7] - Total deposits increased by $151.6 million to $8.3 billion, driven by growth in core deposits [7] - Net interest income was $90.5 million, up $4.6 million, primarily driven by higher average balances of securities [10] - Provision for credit losses decreased to $6.1 million from $18.4 million in the first quarter [10] - Return on assets (ROA) improved to 0.90% and return on equity (ROE) improved to 10.1% [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) increased to $35.9 million in Q2 2025 from $33.9 million in Q1 2025, with core PPNR rising by 17.7% [10] - Non-interest income was $19.8 million, while non-interest expense was $74.4 million, with a variance primarily driven by non-core expenses [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Customer deposits grew by $202.3 million, partially offset by a planned reduction of $51 million in broker deposits [7] - Assets under management increased by $132.4 million to $3.1 billion, driven by higher market valuations and net new assets [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on improving asset quality and has made significant improvements in capital metrics [11][12] - Plans to open new banking centers in Miami Beach and Downtown Tampa, with a focus on expanding in the Greater Tampa marketplace [22] - The company is transitioning its mortgage business to focus solely on in-footprint mortgage lending [21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in returning to double-digit loan growth, emphasizing the importance of asset quality [32] - The company expects annual deposit growth of 14% to 15% by year-end 2025 and anticipates loan production growth of approximately 5% annualized [18] - Management is prioritizing ROA and expects to reach 1% in the second half of 2025 [19] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 275,666 shares at a weighted average price of $80.14 per share during the second quarter [11] - The efficiency ratio is expected to be in the mid-sixty range, with a focus on prudent capital management [19][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Loan growth expectations moving forward - Management expects to return to double-digit growth, emphasizing the quality of organic deposit growth [32] Question: Asset quality and charge-offs - Management indicated that the charge-offs were already provisioned for, and they expect to manage realized losses effectively [36][38] Question: Loan loss reserve adequacy - Management confirmed that the loan loss reserve of approximately $120 million is appropriate for current conditions [42] Question: Net interest margin (NIM) outlook - Management expects NIM to normalize around 3.75% for the third quarter, with various factors influencing this projection [19][46] Question: M&A opportunities - While organic growth remains the top priority, management is open to M&A opportunities as their currency improves [90][92]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Quarterly net revenues reached $3.4 billion, reflecting a 5% increase year-over-year [8] - Pretax income decreased by 13% to $563 million, impacted by a $58 million legal reserve increase [8][9] - For the first nine months of fiscal 2025, record net revenues of $10.3 billion and record pretax income of $1.98 billion, up 105% compared to the same period last year [9][10] - Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $2.18, with an adjusted pretax margin of 17.1% [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Private Client Group generated pretax income of $411 million on net revenues of $2.49 billion, with a record $1.57 trillion in client assets under administration, up 11% year-over-year [10][18] - Capital Markets segment reported net revenues of $381 million but a pretax loss of $54 million, with a 15% year-over-year revenue growth driven by investment banking and brokerage revenues [18][19] - Asset Management segment achieved record pretax income of $125 million on net revenues of $291 million, with strong net inflows of approximately $2.1 billion into managed programs [19] - Bank segment net revenues were $458 million, with a pretax income of $123 million, and loans ended at a record $49.8 billion [14][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic net new assets totaled $11.7 billion, representing a 3.4% annualized growth rate [11] - Client domestic cash sweep and enhanced savings program balances decreased by 4% to $55.2 billion [21] - The average yield on JVDP balances with third-party banks decreased by four basis points to 2.96% [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to enhance its platforms and offerings to attract and retain financial advisors, focusing on education and technology investments [12][13] - The investment banking pipeline remains strong, with optimism about macroeconomic conditions despite uncertainties [13] - The company is committed to pursuing strategic acquisitions that align with its cultural and strategic fit criteria [15][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the recruiting pipeline and anticipated growth momentum in the coming quarters [11][31] - The investment banking environment is uncertain, but the company expects better performance in the next two quarters based on current activity levels [31][32] - The company maintains a strong balance sheet and plans to continue share repurchases and capital investments [15][30] Other Important Information - The company returned over $1 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases year-to-date [15] - The effective tax rate for the quarter was 22.6%, with an estimated annual rate of approximately 24% [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the recruiting pipeline and engagement across different channels? - Management noted a significant acceleration in recruiting activity, with a strong pipeline and increased engagement across all affiliation options [35][36] Question: What is the trajectory of balance sheet growth across key segments? - Management indicated strong year-over-year growth in securities-based lending and mortgages, with a robust deposit base supporting future growth [40][42] Question: What are the current dynamics affecting organic growth and net new assets? - Management acknowledged pressure on existing advisor bases but expressed optimism about the recruiting pipeline and the potential for future growth [45][50] Question: How does the competitive environment for recruiting look currently? - Management described the environment as competitive but noted a shift in tone among some private equity-backed firms, suggesting a potential easing in aggressive recruiting tactics [70][72] Question: What is the outlook for investment banking and the current pipeline? - Management expects the investment banking environment to improve in the next two quarters, citing a recovery from earlier market shocks [106]

Financial Performance - Profit after tax for the quarter was ₹ 182 billion, with an EPS of ₹ 23.7[2,4] - Net revenue increased by 31.2% YoY to ₹ 531.7 billion[6] - Net interest income grew by 5.4% YoY to ₹ 314.4 billion[6] - Non-interest income surged by 103.7% YoY to ₹ 217.3 billion[6] Balance Sheet - Average deposits increased by 16.4% YoY to ₹ 26,576 billion[2,4] - End of Period (EOP) deposits increased by 16.2% YoY to ₹ 3.85 trillion[2] - Average advances under management increased by 8.3% YoY to ₹ 27,423 billion[4] - EOP Gross Advances increased by 6.7% YoY to ₹ 1.66 trillion[2] Asset Quality - Gross NPA ratio remained stable at 1.40%, with ex-agri GNPA at 1.14%[2,4] Subsidiary Performance - HDB Financial Services reported a loan book of ₹ 1,093 billion, up by 14.3% YoY[50] - HDFC Life Insurance's Net Premium Income increased by 16% YoY to ₹ 145 billion[51] - HDFC AMC reported a net profit of ₹ 7.5 billion, a 24% increase YoY[52]

Core Viewpoint - Wall Street anticipates a year-over-year increase in earnings for Valley National (VLY) due to higher revenues, with actual results being crucial for stock price movement [1][2]. Earnings Expectations - The earnings report is expected on July 24, with a consensus EPS estimate of $0.22, reflecting a +69.2% year-over-year change, and revenues projected at $493.23 million, up 8.6% from the previous year [3]. Estimate Revisions - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised down by 0.65% over the last 30 days, indicating a reassessment by analysts [4]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP model suggests that the Most Accurate Estimate for Valley National is lower than the consensus estimate, resulting in an Earnings ESP of -2.33%, indicating bearish sentiment among analysts [12]. Historical Performance - Valley National has not beaten consensus EPS estimates in the last four quarters, with the most recent quarter showing a -5.26% surprise [13][14]. Investment Considerations - Despite the negative Earnings ESP, other factors may influence stock movement, and investors should consider these alongside earnings expectations [15][17].

Company Overview - Community Financial System, Inc (CBU) operates four scaled, complementary business lines: Employee Benefit Services, Insurance Services, Wealth Management Services, and Banking[5] - In Q1 2024, operating noninterest revenues accounted for 39% of total operating revenues[6] - The company's total operating revenue has grown at a 73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the 10-year period from 2013 to 2023[12] Financial Performance - The company's Q1 2024 fully-diluted GAAP EPS was $076, while non-GAAP operating EPS was $082[29] - The company's Q1 2024 net interest income was $1070 million, a decrease of 36% from Q1 2023[80] - The company's Q1 2024 operating noninterest revenues increased by 71% compared to Q1 2023[27] Banking Segment - As of March 31, 2024, the company had $134 billion in total deposits[50] - As of March 31, 2024, the company had $988 billion in total loans[56] - The company's loan portfolio is diversified, with 36% in 1-4 family residential real estate, 16% in indirect auto loans, 14% in non-owner occupied CRE, and other segments[54]

Financial Performance - TowneBank's total assets reached $17.1 billion as of Q2-FY24 [9], with total loans at $11.5 billion and total deposits at $14.3 billion [9] - The bank reported a Core Return on Average Assets (ROAA) of 1.01% and a Core Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (ROTCE) of 12.08% [9] - Net Interest Margin (NIM) on a fully tax-equivalent basis was 2.89%, while noninterest-bearing deposits accounted for 30.2% of total deposits [9] - For Q2-FY24, net income attributable to TowneBank was $42.9 million, a 2.7% increase year-over-year [47] - Earnings per share (diluted) for Q2-FY24 were $0.57, up 1.8% year-over-year [47] Business Segments - The bank's revenue mix is diversified, with net interest income accounting for 62% and noninterest income for 38% YTD Q2-FY24 [24] - Insurance segment contributes 39% to the total noninterest income YTD Q2-FY24 [26] - Towne Insurance is the largest bank-owned insurance company in the country [105], with insurance revenue of $29.6 million in Q2-24 [105] Balance Sheet and Asset Quality - Noninterest-bearing deposits accounted for 30.15% of total deposits in Q2-FY24 [47] - Nonperforming assets represent 0.04% of total assets [47] - The bank's loan-to-deposit ratio was 80.24% [47] Capital and Liquidity - The total risk-based capital ratio was 15.34% [47] - The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 9.37% [47] - Total liquidity sources were $6.471 billion [171], covering 105% of adjusted uninsured deposits [172]

Financial Performance Highlights - Net interest income for Q1 2025 was $412 million, a 75% increase compared to Q4 2024[51] - Net interest margin increased by 21 basis points to 341% in Q1 2025 from 320% in Q4 2024[51] - Adjusted earnings per share increased to $056 in Q1 2025, up $011 from Q4 2024[38] - Adjusted return on average assets was 110% in Q1 2025, a 25 basis points increase from Q4 2024[38] - Adjusted return on average tangible common equity was 1761% in Q1 2025, a 27% increase from Q4 2024[38] Balance Sheet Strength - Total loans increased by $93 million, or 23%, from December 31, 2024, reaching $41 billion[38, 60] - Total deposits increased by $107 million, or 24%, from December 31, 2024, reaching $45 billion[38, 67] - The loan-to-deposit ratio was 911% as of March 31, 2025[38, 67] Asset Quality and Capital Adequacy - The ratio of reserves to total loans was 152% as of March 31, 2025, an increase of 2 basis points from December 31, 2024[38, 96] - Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio was 101%, exceeding regulatory requirements[38] Segment Performance - Banking services noninterest income decreased 555% from Q4 2024, primarily due to a gain on the sale of fixed assets in the previous quarter[75] - Retirement and Benefit Services revenue decreased 23% compared to Q4 2024, driven by a decrease in asset-based and other fees[80] - Wealth advisory services revenue decreased 15% from Q4 2024[83]