S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) is included among the 15 Dividend Stocks to Buy for Steady Income. BMO Capital Raises S&P Global (SPGI) Price Target on Strong Issuance Momentum Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay On March 17, BMO Capital analyst Jeffrey Silber raised the price recommendation on S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI) to $495 from $482. It reiterated an Outperform rating on the shares. He pointed to stronger issuance trends. February billed issuance rose 22% year over year, a sharp step up from Januar ...

Core Viewpoint - S&P Global reported mixed fourth-quarter 2025 results, with earnings missing estimates while revenues exceeded expectations, leading to a mixed outlook for the company's stock performance going forward [3][4][8]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for Q4 2025 were $4.30, slightly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but represented a year-over-year increase of 14.1% [3]. - Revenues for the quarter reached $3.92 billion, surpassing consensus estimates and showing a 9% year-over-year growth [3]. - Adjusted operating profit was $1.90 billion, reflecting a 12% increase year-over-year, with an operating profit margin of 47.3%, up 60 basis points from the previous year [5]. Segment Performance - Marketing Intelligence revenues were $1.26 billion, a 7% increase from the previous year [4]. - Ratings revenues grew 12% to $1.19 billion [4]. - Revenues from Energy Organic were $576 million, up 6% year-over-year [4]. - Mobility and Indices segments saw increases of 8% and 14%, reaching $444 million and $498 million, respectively [4]. Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - The company ended Q4 2025 with cash and cash equivalents of $1.75 billion, up from $1.67 billion in Q4 2024 [6]. - Long-term debt increased to $12.37 billion from $11.39 billion year-over-year [6]. - Cash generated from operating activities was $1.75 billion, with capital expenditures of $46 million and free cash flow of $1.6 billion [6]. Shareholder Returns - In 2025, S&P Global returned $6.2 billion to shareholders, which included $1.2 billion in dividends and $5.0 billion in share repurchases [7]. 2026 Outlook - For 2026, S&P Global expects adjusted EPS to be between $19.40 and $19.65, with revenue growth guidance raised to 6-8% [8]. - Capital expenditure guidance is set at $215-$225 million, and the expected full-year tax rate is between 22-23% [8]. Market Position and Comparisons - S&P Global's stock has seen a downward trend in estimates since the earnings release, leading to a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [9][12]. - In comparison, Nasdaq, a peer in the Securities and Exchanges industry, reported revenues of $1.39 billion for the last quarter, a year-over-year increase of 13.4%, and has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [13][14].

Q4 and Year-end 2025 Earnings Call March 5, 2026 1 Q4 FY 2025 Safe Harbor and Non-GAAP Financial Measures Definition Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other matters, the Company's future financial performance, business goals and objectives, and results of operations, its future revenues, operating income, cash flows, network and operating costs, Adjusted EBITDA, and capital investments; the closing of the pendi ...

Core Insights - Verizon Communications Inc. generated revenues of $138.2 billion in 2025, highlighting its strong market position and financial performance [2] Group 1: Company Overview - Verizon powers and empowers millions of customers by delivering mobility, reliable network connectivity, and security [2] - The company is headquartered in New York City and serves countries worldwide, including nearly all of the Fortune 500 [2] Group 2: Upcoming Events - Tony Skiadas, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Verizon, is scheduled to speak at the Barclays Communications and Content Symposium on February 24, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. ET [1]

Core Insights - S&P Global Inc. (SPGI) reported mixed fourth-quarter 2025 results, with earnings missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate while revenues exceeded expectations [1][9] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for SPGI was $4.30, missing the consensus mark by 0.5% but showing a year-over-year increase of 14.1% [1][9] - Revenues reached $3.92 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate by 0.5% and growing 9% year over year [1][9] - Adjusted operating profit was $1.90 billion, reflecting a 12% increase year over year, with an adjusted operating profit margin of 47.3%, up 60 basis points from the previous year [4] Segment Performance - Revenues from Marketing Intelligence were $1.26 billion, a 7% increase from the previous year [3] - Ratings revenues grew 12% to $1.19 billion [3] - Revenues from Energy Organic rose 6% to $576 million [3] - Mobility and Indices segments saw increases of 8% and 14%, reaching $444 million and $498 million, respectively [3] Balance Sheet & Cash Flow - At the end of Q4 2025, SPGI had cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $1.75 billion, up from $1.67 billion in Q4 2024 [5] - Long-term debt increased to $12.37 billion from $11.39 billion year over year [5] - The company generated $5.65 billion in cash from operating activities, with capital expenditures of $195 million and free cash flow of $1.62 billion [5] Shareholder Returns - In 2025, SPGI returned $6.2 billion to shareholders, which included $1.2 billion in dividends and $5.0 billion in share repurchases [6] 2026 Outlook - For 2026, SPGI expects adjusted EPS to be between $19.40 and $19.65, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $17.85 [7] - Revenue growth guidance has been raised to 6-8% [7] - Capital expenditure guidance is set at $215-$225 million [7] - The expected full-year tax rate is projected to be between 22-23% [7]

Core Insights - Uber Technologies (UBER) reported mixed fourth-quarter 2025 results, with earnings per share (EPS) of 71 cents missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 79 cents, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 77.8%. However, total revenues of $14.3 billion surpassed the estimate of $14.2 billion, marking a 20.1% increase year over year on a reported basis and 19% on a constant currency basis [1][10]. Revenue Breakdown - The majority of Uber's revenues (57.1%) came from the Mobility segment, which saw a revenue increase of 19% year over year on a reported basis, reaching $8.20 billion. The Delivery segment experienced a 30% year-over-year increase, totaling $4.89 billion. Conversely, Freight revenues were $1.27 billion, remaining nearly flat year over year [2][10]. Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter surged 35% year over year to $2.48 billion, falling within the guided range of $2.41 billion to $2.51 billion [3]. - Total gross bookings rose 22% year over year to $54.14 billion, exceeding the guided range of $52.25 billion to $53.75 billion [5]. Cash Flow and Debt - Operating cash flow was reported at $2.88 billion, with free cash flow at $2.80 billion. At the end of the quarter, cash and cash equivalents stood at $7.10 billion, down from $8.43 billion in the previous quarter. Long-term debt was slightly reduced to $10.5 billion from $10.6 billion [6][5]. Future Guidance - For the first quarter of 2026, Uber anticipates gross bookings between $52.00 billion and $53.50 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 17-21% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted EPS is expected to range from $0.65 to $0.72, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 37% at the midpoint, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at 76 cents per share [7].

Core Viewpoint - Grab Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ:GRAB) has received multiple ratings upgrades from various analysts, indicating a positive outlook for the company's stock performance in the near future [1][2][3]. Group 1: Ratings and Price Targets - HSBC upgraded Grab's rating to "Buy" from "Hold" with a price target of $6.20, citing improved valuation due to lowered expectations and a stock selloff [1]. - CGS-CIMB also assigned a "Buy" rating with a target price of $7.20, anticipating positive adjusted EBITDA across all business segments by fiscal year 2027, driven by growth in advertising and a break-even point for financial services [2]. - Barclays and UBS also issued "Buy" ratings for Grab, with target prices of $7 and an unspecified amount, respectively, further supporting the bullish sentiment around the stock [2]. Group 2: Business Operations and Market Position - Grab operates in the delivery, mobility, and digital financial services sectors across eight Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam [3]. - The company is positioned as Southeast Asia's equivalent to Uber, highlighting its significant market presence in the region [3]. Group 3: Growth Drivers and Risks - Analysts expect Grab to maintain its growth drivers, particularly through the launch of affordable services [1]. - CGS-CIMB noted potential risks such as credit losses and regional corporate costs that could impact Grab's performance [2].

Core Viewpoint - Analysts forecast AT&T (T) will report quarterly earnings of $0.47 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 13%, with revenues expected to reach $32.73 billion, an increase of 1.3% compared to the previous year [1]. Earnings Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has not changed in the past 30 days, indicating that analysts have not revised their initial projections [2]. - Changes in earnings estimates are crucial for predicting investor reactions, as empirical research shows a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock performance [3]. Revenue Projections - Analysts predict 'Revenues- Communications- Business Wireline' will reach $4.22 billion, a year-over-year decline of 7.1% [5]. - 'Revenues- Communications- Consumer Wireline' is expected to be $3.65 billion, showing a year-over-year increase of 5.4% [5]. - The consensus estimate for 'Revenues- Corporate and Other' is -$34.76 million, indicating a significant decline of 130.2% from the prior-year quarter [5]. - 'Revenues- Communications- Mobility' is projected to be $23.75 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 2.7% [6]. Key Metrics - 'Consumer Wireline - Broadband Connections - Fiber Broadband Connections' is expected to reach 10.41 million, up from 9.33 million in the same quarter last year [6]. - 'Consumer Wireline - Fiber Broadband Net Additions' is estimated at 284.24 thousand, down from 307.00 thousand year-over-year [7]. - 'Consumer Wireline - Broadband Connections - Non Fiber Broadband Connections' is projected at 4.24 million, compared to 4.66 million last year [7]. - 'Consumer Wireline - Broadband Net Additions' is expected to be 151.01 thousand, up from 123.00 thousand year-over-year [8]. - 'Mobility Subscribers - Postpaid phone' is forecasted at 74.24 million, an increase from 72.75 million year-over-year [8]. - 'Mobility Net Additions - Postpaid Phone' is expected to be 439.25 thousand, down from 482.00 thousand in the same quarter last year [9]. - 'Consumer Wireline - Broadband Connections - Broadband' is projected to reach 14.65 million, compared to 13.99 million last year [9]. - 'Mobility - Total Mobility Net Additions' is estimated at 1.02 million, down from 1.81 million in the same quarter last year [10]. Stock Performance - AT&T shares have declined by 4.4% over the past month, contrasting with a 0.6% increase in the Zacks S&P 500 composite, indicating expected underperformance in the near future [11].

Core Viewpoint - Verizon Communications Inc. is set to report its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on January 30, 2026, with a webcast presentation scheduled for 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Verizon is headquartered in New York City and serves customers worldwide, including nearly all of the Fortune 500 companies [2]. - The company generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024, highlighting its significant market presence and operational scale [2]. - Verizon focuses on delivering mobility, reliable network connectivity, and security to meet customer demands [2]. Group 2: Investor Relations - Access to fourth-quarter 2025 earnings materials, including press releases and financial tables, will be available on Verizon's Investor Relations website at 6:30 a.m. ET on the earnings report date [1]. - The company provides various resources for media and investors, including news releases and media contacts, through its online media center [3].

Core Insights - S&P Global Inc. (SPGI) reported strong third-quarter 2025 results, with earnings and revenues exceeding expectations [1][9] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) reached $4.73, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.5% and increasing 21.6% year over year [1][9] - Revenues totaled $3.9 billion, beating the consensus estimate by 1.4% and growing 8.8% year over year [1][9] Revenue Breakdown - Marketing Intelligence revenues were $1.2 billion, a 6% increase from the previous year, meeting estimates [3] - Ratings revenues grew 12% to $1.2 billion, exceeding projections of $1.1 billion [3] - Commodity Insights revenues reached $556 million, up 6% year over year, but slightly missed estimates [3] - Mobility and Indices segments saw revenues of $445 million and $462 million, respectively, with year-over-year increases of 8% and 11% [4] Profitability Metrics - Adjusted operating profit was $2 billion, reflecting a 16% year-over-year increase [4] - The adjusted operating profit margin improved to 52%, up 330 basis points from the previous year [4] Financial Position - At the end of Q3 2025, SPGI had cash and cash equivalents of $1.7 billion, down from $1.8 billion in the previous quarter [5] - Long-term debt remained stable at $11.4 billion [5] - The company generated $1.5 billion in cash from operating activities, with free cash flow of $1.4 billion [5] Future Guidance - SPGI raised its adjusted EPS guidance to $17.60-$17.85, above the previous range of $17.00-$17.25 and higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $17.29 [6] - Revenue growth guidance was increased to 7-8%, up from the previous 5-7% [6] - Capital expenditure guidance is set at $180-$190 million [6]