Accounting and advisory practice Nichols Cauley is set to merge with insurance brokerage Partners Risk Services and transaction advisory company JGH Consulting. The merger will establish a new platform bringing together accounting, insurance and transaction advisory offerings for privately held small and mid-sized businesses, self-made entrepreneurs and family-owned companies. Madison Dearborn Partners (MDP), a private equity investment firm headquartered in Chicago, is providing growth investment for t ...

ISELIN, N.J., Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Provident Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: PFS) announced that it expects to release financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 after market close. A copy of the earnings release will be immediately available on the Company’s website, www.Provident.Bank, by going to Investor Relations and clicking on Press Releases. Representatives of the Company will hold a conference call for investors on January 28, 2026 at 10:00 a ...

Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB) is included among the 10 Cash-Rich Stocks to Buy Now. Chubb (CB) Outlook Updated as Morgan Stanley Weighs Pricing and Valuation Trends Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash On December 16, Morgan Stanley analyst Bob Huang raised the firm’s price target on Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB) to $310 from $300 and kept an Equal Weight rating on the shares. He said the P&C insurance sector is dealing with familiar pressures, including softer pricing in property and heavier competition in personal a ...

Core Insights - Warren Buffett is entering his final week as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a company he has transformed from a struggling textile manufacturer into a conglomerate valued at over $1 trillion [2] - Buffett's net worth is estimated at $151 billion, primarily from his Class A shares in Berkshire Hathaway, ranking him 10 on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index [2] - Despite his success, Buffett has referred to Berkshire Hathaway as "the dumbest stock I ever bought," highlighting a significant mistake that cost him hundreds of billions [3][10] Company History and Transformation - Buffett acquired control of Berkshire Hathaway in 1965, initially viewing it as a cheap stock in a declining textile business [5][6] - The company had been closing mills and buying back its stock, which led Buffett to believe he could profit from a tender offer [6][9] - After a disappointing tender offer price, Buffett decided to buy control of the company and eventually shifted its focus away from textiles [9][10] Lessons Learned - Buffett acknowledges that investing in a poor business can be detrimental, stating that if he had invested in a good business instead of textiles, Berkshire Hathaway would be worth twice as much today, estimating a potential value of $200 billion [11][12] - He emphasizes the importance of recognizing when to exit a bad business, stating that it took him 20 years to abandon the textile operations [12][17] - The experience taught Buffett that it is better to invest in good businesses at fair prices rather than cheap businesses with poor economics [16][20] Business Philosophy - Buffett's management philosophy diverges from conventional business school teachings, as he prefers to retain underperforming businesses unless they are permanently losing money or facing major issues [22][23] - He believes that the difficulty of a business does not equate to its potential for success, advocating for a focus on simpler, more manageable investments [20][21] - Buffett credits his business partner, Charlie Munger, for influencing his investment approach and acknowledges that he could have avoided many mistakes by heeding Munger's advice [24]

Core Viewpoint - Hamilton Insurance Group, Ltd. is a significant entity in the insurance and reinsurance sector, currently trading at $28.45 with mixed analyst ratings reflecting varied perspectives on its future performance [1][2][3]. Analyst Ratings - BMO Capital maintains a "Market Perform" rating for Hamilton Insurance Group, suggesting investors hold the stock [1][6]. - Ten brokerage firms have given HG a "Moderate Buy" rating, with seven recommending a buy, two a hold, and one a strong buy, indicating a slight potential upside with an average one-year price target of $28.75 [2]. - Wall Street Zen downgraded HG from a "buy" to a "hold," while Morgan Stanley set a target price of $28.00; Barclays raised their target from $25.00 to $29.00, reflecting mixed analyst sentiment [3]. Stock Performance - The stock has shown slight fluctuations, trading between $28.05 and $28.52 today, with a yearly range from a low of $16.80 to a high of $28.70 [4]. - The company's market capitalization is approximately $2.88 billion, with a trading volume of 12,457 shares today [4]. Leadership Changes - The appointment of Dwayne Hunt as Senior Vice President, Head of Property Insurance at Hamilton Re is a notable leadership change, expected to enhance growth in the property insurance segment [5]. - Positive earnings estimate revisions alongside this leadership change may further influence HG's stock performance positively [6].

Core Viewpoint - The investment thesis for Boston Omaha Corporation has not materialized as expected, leading to a decision to sell the remaining shares after years of holding [3][15]. Company Overview - Boston Omaha Corporation was initially seen as a promising investment, drawing comparisons to Berkshire Hathaway due to its focus on three main businesses: billboards, broadband, and insurance [6][5]. - The company had notable successes, including a significant return on its minority investment in Dream Finders Homes and rapid growth in its billboard business [7]. Recent Performance - Recent business results have been disappointing, with billboard revenue growing only 2.5% year over year, and broadband assets failing to deliver expected cash flow [8]. - The asset management business is being wound down due to unsuccessful capital raising efforts [9]. Management Issues - There have been significant management concerns, including excessive bonuses awarded to co-CEOs and a lack of effective communication with investors [10][11]. - The abrupt departure of co-CEO Alex Rozek raised further red flags, as he received a substantial payout for his stake in the company [10]. Investor Sentiment - Despite some recent efforts to boost investor confidence, such as an upsized buyback program and insider share purchases, the overall sentiment remains negative due to the lack of tangible business improvements [12]. - The stock is perceived to be undervalued relative to its net asset value, but the market's skepticism towards management and the business model persists [13][14].

Core Viewpoint - Crédit Agricole S.A. has launched its medium-term strategic plan, ACT 2028, aiming to become a leading bank in Europe, focusing on transitions and new technologies while enhancing growth and transformation [2][4]. Financial Targets - The plan targets an average annual revenue growth of over 3.5% from 2024 to 2028, with a net income group share exceeding €8.5 billion by 2028 [6][50]. - The cost/income ratio is aimed to be below 55% by 2028, and a Return on Tangible Equity (ROTE) above 14% is also targeted [6][50]. Customer Growth - Crédit Agricole S.A. aims to reach 60 million customers by the end of 2028, with nearly 60% of revenues generated outside France [4][6]. - The group plans to capture over 8 million new customers in France and expand its customer base in Italy to 6.5 million by 2028 [11][4]. Strategic Objectives - The strategic plan emphasizes five key levers for growth: consolidating retail banking leadership in France, scaling development in Europe, strengthening presence in Asia, seizing opportunities in private markets, and asserting as a key driver of transitions [7][20]. - The group aims to develop a digital savings platform in Europe targeting over €40 billion in assets outside France by 2028 [13]. Transformation Initiatives - Transformation is central to the plan, focusing on operational efficiency, innovation, and risk management [23][31]. - The group plans to invest in AI and data to enhance customer capture and efficiency, aiming to reduce administrative task time by 20% and double the speed of market offers [24][27]. Cohesion and Team Engagement - The plan highlights the importance of team cohesion and engagement, with initiatives to empower employees and promote a culture of trust [33][36]. - By 2028, the group aims for 100% of target skills to be mapped and to have 50% women and 30% international profiles in strategic talent pools [34].

Core Insights - Assurant, Inc. (AIZ) has announced a significant increase in its common stock dividend, reflecting its strong financial position and commitment to shareholder returns [1][2] - The quarterly dividend has been raised to 88 cents per share from 80 cents, marking a 10% increase and the 21st consecutive year of dividend growth [2][10] - The new dividend yield based on the stock's closing price of $227.05 is 1.41%, making it appealing for yield-seeking investors [3][10] Financial Strength and Capital Management - Assurant's strategy includes returning excess cash to shareholders through both dividend increases and share repurchases, demonstrating solid capital position and cash generation capabilities [5][10] - As of September 30, 2025, liquidity stood at $613 million, significantly above the targeted minimum of $225 million, with $206.3 million spent on share repurchases in the first nine months of 2025 [6][10] - The company plans to return up to $300 million to shareholders through share repurchases in 2025, indicating strong cash flow generation [7][10] Performance Metrics - Assurant's return on equity was 18.6% over the trailing 12 months, outperforming the industry average of 15.3% [8] - Year-to-date, Assurant shares have gained 6.5%, surpassing the industry growth of 6% [9]

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway reported a third-quarter operating income of $13.49 billion, a 34% increase from $10.09 billion in the same quarter last year, highlighting strong performance despite previous challenges [2][10] - The company's market capitalization is over $1 trillion, with its privately owned businesses valued higher than its stock holdings, emphasizing the conglomerate's diverse revenue sources [4] - The operating income figure does not account for gains or losses from stock holdings, which amounted to $9.2 billion in total investment gains for the quarter [8][9] Financial Performance - The $13.49 billion operating income is the highest third-quarter figure ever for Berkshire, driven by manufacturing income and a recovery in insurance underwriting [14] - The year-over-year increase in operating income is partly due to a low comparison base from the previous year, where operating earnings fell by 7% [10] - The conglomerate's privately owned businesses generated $13.5 billion in operating income on revenues of just under $95 billion during the quarter [6] Business Structure and Strategy - Berkshire Hathaway operates as both a mutual fund and a conglomerate, allowing it to leverage its cash reserves of over $380 billion without being constrained by market conditions [16] - The company's insurance operations provide a "float" that can be invested, contributing to its overall profitability and cash flow [17] - Incoming CEO Greg Abel is expected to continue the strategic management of the company's diverse assets, having gained experience since joining the Berkshire family in 1999 [18]

Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway is facing concerns regarding its future performance following Warren Buffett's eventual exit, but the company's strong fundamentals and significant cash reserves present potential investment opportunities [2][3][10]. Business Performance - Berkshire Hathaway reported a 34% increase in operating profit from its wholly owned businesses, with insurance underwriting income rising to $2.37 billion [4]. - The company has a diversified business model that remains fundamentally strong despite challenges in its core operating units, such as railroads and insurance [3][10]. Leadership and Succession - Concerns about succession are highlighted by KBW's downgrade, but Buffett's successors, particularly Greg Abel, have been involved in shaping the company's operations for years [3][5]. - Abel has been overseeing non-insurance operations since 2018 and has gained trust within the company, suggesting that Berkshire's success will not vanish with Buffett's departure [5]. Financial Strength - Berkshire Hathaway currently holds a record cash pile of $381.6 billion, providing the company with unmatched flexibility for capital deployment during market downturns [6][7]. - This cash reserve positions Berkshire to make significant acquisitions or buy distressed assets at attractive valuations in the event of a market correction [7][8]. Market Performance - The stock has seen only a 5.86% gain in 2025, compared to a 16.56% return from the S&P 500, reflecting investor uncertainty regarding Buffett's exit [9]. - Despite the current slow performance, the long-term outlook for Berkshire remains positive due to its strong structure and disciplined capital allocation [9][10].