ARCHBOLD, Ohio, Aug. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- F&M Bank (“F&M”), an Archbold, Ohio-based bank owned by Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMAO), is inviting the community to put on their detective hats for a high-stakes summer challenge, $5,000 for a lucky hunter and $5,000 for a local charity. The Great Briefcase Hunt kicked off Monday, August 18, 2025, and dares residents across the F&M footprint to follow a series of weekly clues leading to a hidden briefcase in a local park. “It’s time to j ...

Core Insights - DigiAsia Bios is shifting its business model from a "super app" to a "simple app" strategy to enhance core financial services and scale its embedded wallet offering for third-party platforms [1][4] - The new simple app will focus on frequently used financial transactions, improving transaction efficiency and integrating embedded finance solutions into partner applications [2][4] - The strategy includes leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance onboarding, KYC processes, and fraud detection, aimed at increasing security and accelerating growth for partners and end-users [3][4] Company Strategy - The shift to a simple app is intended to strengthen DigiAsia's position as Indonesia's leading embedded wallet provider, focusing on impactful user needs [4] - AI-driven enhancements in KYC and fraud detection are expected to boost traction among third-party partners and end-users [4] - The company aims to align its product roadmap with the evolving needs of Indonesia's digital economy, reinforcing its commitment as a trusted embedded finance partner [4][5]

Core Insights - Upstart and SoFi are both growing fintech companies, with Upstart focusing on AI-driven online lending and SoFi offering a wide range of financial services as a digital bank [1][9] - Upstart has seen significant stock price appreciation since its IPO, while SoFi's stock has remained relatively stable since its SPAC merger [2] Upstart Overview - Upstart's platform utilizes AI to analyze non-traditional data points for loan approvals, allowing it to serve younger and lower-income applicants [4] - Key metrics for Upstart show fluctuating growth: originated loans growth peaked at 338% in 2021 but fell to (59%) in 2023, with a projected recovery of 28% in 2024 [6] - The contribution margin improved from 46% in 2020 to 63% in 2023, indicating better profitability despite slower revenue growth [6][7] - Analysts expect Upstart's revenue and adjusted EBITDA to grow at a CAGR of 36% and 245% respectively from 2024 to 2027, with the stock trading at 22 times next year's adjusted EBITDA [8] SoFi Overview - SoFi operates as a digital-only bank, offering a variety of financial products and services, and has expanded its member base significantly from 2.5 million in 2021 to 10.1 million in 2024 [10][11] - Revenue growth for SoFi has slowed, with a peak of 74% in 2021 dropping to 26% in 2024, impacted by macroeconomic factors and competition [11][12] - Despite challenges, analysts project SoFi's revenue and adjusted EBITDA to grow at a CAGR of 25% and 37% respectively from 2024 to 2027, with the stock trading at 19 times next year's adjusted EBITDA [12][13] Comparative Analysis - Upstart is favored for its faster growth trajectory and fewer direct competitors compared to SoFi, which faces increasing competition from neobanks and dedicated lending platforms [14]

Financial Performance - Company revenues increased by 5.9% year on year in US dollars, with EBITDA growing by 13.2% year on year [7][31] - For the first half of the year, US dollar revenues grew by 7.3% year on year, and US dollar EBITDA grew by 13.4% year on year [7][31] - In local currency terms, revenues grew by 11.2% in Q2, outpacing inflation and nominal GDP growth [7][31] - EBITDA in local currency grew by 19.6%, reflecting a focus on profitable growth [8][32] Business Lines Performance - Direct digital revenues grew by 57% year on year in dollar terms, now contributing 16.5% of total group revenues [9][31] - Telecom and infrastructure segment revenues grew by 2% in US dollars and 7.4% in local currency terms on a like-for-like basis [16][32] - Digital services now account for 16.5% of total revenues, highlighting their growing relevance in the business model [32] Market Performance - Strong double-digit revenue growth was delivered across all markets except Bangladesh, where a gradual recovery in consumer sentiment is noted [24] - Revenues in Ukraine grew by 25.9%, with EBITDA increasing by 23.6% [25] - In Kazakhstan, revenues grew by 14.5% on a like-for-like basis, accounting for TNS Plus deconsolidation [24] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company is focused on an asset-light model, prioritizing large population underserved markets and expanding digital services [12][36] - A strategic infrastructure pooling partnership with ENGRO in Pakistan has been closed, unlocking significant value [10] - The company is executing a series of transactions aligned with its strategy, including the proposed Nasdaq listing for Kyivstar [11][36] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the business despite macroeconomic and geopolitical volatility [36] - The outlook for the full year has been revised, expecting revenue growth of 13% to 15% and EBITDA growth of 14% to 16% [37] - Inflation trends are being monitored closely, with a slight uptick noted across markets [38] Other Important Information - The company completed a $100 million share buyback program, repurchasing close to 3% of its shares [11] - Net debt, excluding leases, stood at $1.96 billion as of June, with a cash balance of $1.28 billion [19][34] - The company is focused on enhancing financial flexibility through bond issuances and repayments [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: How will the proceeds from the Engro sale be fed up to the holding company? - The proceeds will be upstreamed in equal installments through dividends, allowing for proper allocation for debt repayments or potential M&A opportunities [45][46] Question: What should be expected in the third quarter numbers around the SPAC impacts? - The SPAC impact will be calculated based on the closing price of the stock on the first trading day, with a noncash P&L impact expected between $150 million to $200 million [49][50] Question: What strategies are in place to drive 4G adoption? - The company is focusing on increasing coverage and quality of 4G services and entering the smartphone business to enhance digital service consumption [59][60] Question: How does the company plan to monetize its fintech assets? - The company is patient in developing the value of its fintech assets, with significant growth momentum observed, particularly in JazzCash [92][93] Question: When does the company expect to see ARPU close to $3? - The current multiplay ARPU is at $3.4, and as the proportion of multiplay customers increases, overall ARPU is expected to rise [98][100] Question: Will there be tailored smartphones for better penetration of digital apps? - The company has started actively deploying tailored smartphones in Kazakhstan, with promising early results [102]

CARMEL, Ind., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share on the company's common shares. The dividend will be payable September 24, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 10, 2025.About CNO Financial GroupCNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) secures the future of middle-income America. CNO provides life and health insurance, annuities, financial servic ...

Financial Performance - Grab's Q2 2025 revenue increased by 23% year-over-year (YoY) to $819 million, or 19% YoY in constant currency[32] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2025 was $109 million, a 69% increase YoY[32] - The company reported a profit of $20 million for the period, compared to a loss of $68 million in Q2 2024[32] - Trailing 12-month Adjusted Free Cash Flow was $229 million, an increase of $274 million YoY[17] Segment Performance - On-Demand Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) grew by 21% YoY to $5354 million, or 18% YoY in constant currency[32] - Deliveries GMV increased by 22% YoY to $3471 million, or 19% YoY in constant currency, with new product initiatives contributing a third of Deliveries GMV[38, 22] - Mobility GMV grew by 19% YoY to $1883 million, or 16% YoY in constant currency[41] - Loan portfolio in Financial Services grew by 78% YoY to $708 million[32, 44] Operational Highlights - Mobility Monthly Transacting Users (MTUs) increased by 16% YoY[19] - Loan disbursals grew 44% YoY, reaching $2900 million annualized in Q2 2025[24] - Annualized advertising revenue run-rate reached $236 million[27] Liquidity and Outlook - The company maintains ample net cash liquidity of $5700 million as of June 30, 2025[30, 33] - The outlook for 2025 revenue is projected to be between $3330 million and $3400 million, representing a 19%-22% YoY increase[48] - The outlook for 2025 Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $460 million and $480 million, representing a 47%-53% YoY increase[48]

Core Insights - Cognizant reported revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter ended June 2025, reflecting an 8.1% increase year-over-year and surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.19 billion by 1.01% [1] - Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter was $1.31, up from $1.17 in the same quarter last year, exceeding the consensus EPS estimate of $1.26 by 3.97% [1] Revenue Performance by Segment - Health Sciences revenue was $1.55 billion, slightly below the average estimate of $1.61 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of 6.2% [4] - Communications, Media and Technology revenue reached $841 million, exceeding the average estimate of $826.36 million, with a year-over-year growth of 3.1% [4] - Products and Resources generated $1.31 billion, surpassing the estimated $1.25 billion, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 16% [4] - Financial Services revenue was $1.55 billion, slightly above the average estimate of $1.52 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 6.9% [4] Stock Performance - Cognizant's shares have declined by 6.9% over the past month, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's increase of 3.4% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Technical Analysis - Regions Financial Corporation (RF) has reached a significant support level, indicating a potential investment opportunity from a technical perspective [1] - RF's 50-day simple moving average has recently broken above its 200-day moving average, forming a "golden cross," which is a bullish indicator suggesting a potential breakout [1] Golden Cross Characteristics - A golden cross consists of three key stages: a downtrend that bottoms out, the shorter moving average crossing above the longer moving average, and a subsequent upward price trend [2] - This pattern is contrasted with a death cross, which indicates potential bearish momentum [2] Performance and Earnings Expectations - Over the past four weeks, RF has gained 8.4%, and it currently holds a 2 (Buy) rating on the Zacks Rank, suggesting it may be poised for further gains [3] - There have been 12 upward revisions in earnings expectations for the current quarter, with no downward revisions, indicating strong bullish sentiment [3][4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RF has also increased, reinforcing the positive outlook for the stock [3]

Core Viewpoint - CNO Financial Group reported a decrease in net income for the second quarter of 2025, with net income at $91.8 million or $0.91 per diluted share, down from $116.3 million or $1.06 per diluted share in the same quarter of 2024, primarily due to non-economic accounting impacts from market volatility [1][6][29] Financial Performance - Net operating income for 2Q25 was $87.5 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, compared to $114.6 million, or $1.05 per diluted share in 2Q24, reflecting a 24% decrease [1][3][29] - Total revenues for 2Q25 were $1,151.5 million, up from $1,066.2 million in 2Q24, indicating a year-over-year increase [29] - The company returned $116.7 million to shareholders during the quarter [5] Key Metrics - Book value per share was $25.92, an increase from $24.75 at the end of 2024, while book value per diluted share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss, was $38.05, up from $37.35 [20] - Return on equity (ROE) for the trailing four quarters was 11.9%, down from 19.9% in the previous year [22] - Operating ROE for the same period was 11.8%, compared to 11.2% in the prior year [22] Business Growth - Total new annualized premiums (NAP) increased by 17%, with life NAP up 22% and health NAP up 11% [5] - Annuity collected premiums rose by 19%, and client assets in brokerage and advisory increased by 27% [5] Investment Portfolio - As of June 30, 2025, the fair value of CNO's available-for-sale fixed maturity portfolio was $23,047 million, with net unrealized losses of $2,339.8 million [17] - The consolidated statutory risk-based capital ratio of U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries was estimated at 378% [18] Shareholder Actions - During 2Q25, the company repurchased $100 million of common stock, with an average cost of $38.09 per share [19] - Dividends paid on common stock totaled $16.7 million during the quarter [19]

Core Viewpoint - SurgePays, Inc. is actively engaging with investors through a fireside chat hosted by Water Tower Research, focusing on its business model and market opportunities in the wireless and fintech sectors [1][2]. Company Overview - SurgePays, Inc. operates as a wireless, fintech, and point-of-sale technology company, targeting underserved communities with mobile connectivity and financial services [4]. - The company functions as both a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and a mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE), providing its own wireless brand and backend infrastructure to other providers [4]. Event Details - The fireside chat will take place on July 29, 2025, at 11:00 am Eastern Time, and is open to all investors [2]. - Topics to be discussed include SurgePays' addressable market, subscriber growth, profitability timeline, and outlook for 2025 and 2026 [7]. Leadership Background - John Roy, the host of the event, has extensive experience in technology stock analysis, having worked at UBS and Merrill Lynch, among others [3].