NEW YORK, Feb. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nasdaq will hold its 2026 Investor Day at the company’s Global Headquarters in Times Square, New York. Due to limited capacity, in-person attendance is by invitation only. When: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM ETWhere:Webcast registration link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/u69c26de The agenda, slide presentation and a live webcast will be available on the day of the event on Nasdaq’s IR website: http://ir.nasdaq.com. A replay will be avai ...

Core Insights - Publicis Groupe reported a strong Q4 2025 with organic growth of +5.9%, leading to a full-year organic growth of +5.6%, which is an acceleration compared to the previous five-year CAGR [5][9][22] - The company is confident in achieving a seventh consecutive year of outperformance in 2026, with guidance for organic growth between +4% to +5% [10][47] Financial Performance - Revenue for FY 2025 reached €17,399 million, an increase of +8.5% compared to 2024 [3][25] - Net revenue was €14,547 million, up +4.2% year-on-year [11][22] - Operating margin improved to 18.2%, up 20 basis points from 2024 [3][9] - Headline diluted EPS was €7.48, reflecting a +6.6% increase at constant currency [3][35] - Free cash flow reached €2,032 million, an increase of +10.6% [3][36] Regional Performance - North America saw organic growth of +5.4%, with the U.S. contributing +5.2% [23][24] - Europe achieved +4.2% organic growth, with the U.K. at +6.3% and Germany at +8.9% [20][24] - Asia Pacific recorded +5.8% organic growth, with China at +6.0% [24] - Middle East & Africa experienced +10.8% organic growth, while Latin America grew by +18.7% [24] Strategic Focus - The company emphasized its AI-powered growth model, which has been a strategic driver for growth and margin expansion [6][7] - Publicis aims to be the industry's Most Valuable Partner by delivering effective AI solutions and investing in talent [8][10] - The company has made significant acquisitions to enhance its capabilities, including Atomic 212°, BR Media Group, and Lotame [41][42][46] Outlook - Publicis expects to maintain an operating margin slightly above 18.2% and free cash flow around €2.1 billion in 2026 [49] - The company is focused on transformational growth through new addressable markets rather than legacy asset consolidation [10]

With a market cap of $40.9 billion, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH) is a global professional services company that provides consulting, technology, and outsourcing services across North America, Europe, and other international markets. It delivers AI-driven digital, engineering, and business solutions to clients across industries, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and communications. Shares of the Teaneck, New Jersey-based company have lagged behind the broader ma ...

SLB N.V. (SLB), formerly known as Schlumberger Limited, is a leading global oil-field services company that provides technology, drilling, evaluation, well-construction and production systems to upstream oil and gas companies worldwide. The firm is headquartered in Houston, Texas. SLB’s market cap stands at $75.7 billion. The stock has significantly outperformed the broader market over the past year. SLB has already surged 29.2% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis and around 20% over the past 52 weeks, outpaci ...

Key Takeaways LyondellBasell will release Q4 2025 results before the opening bell on Jan. 30.Lower operating rates, idled units and seasonality are expected to weigh on volumes and margins.LYB faces headwinds from higher feedstock costs and weak demand in the fourth quarter.LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (LYB) is set to release fourth-quarter 2025 results before the opening bell on Jan. 30.LyondellBasell beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in one of the trailing four quarters, missed it twice and ...

LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LPLA) ranks among the best financial stocks to buy according to billionaire Israel Englander. On December 11, UBS began coverage of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:LPLA) with a Neutral rating and a $406 price target. The firm noted LPL’s solid brand and prominence in the independent wealth sector as favorable characteristics, and that shares appear fairly valued after recovering from their October lows. UBS anticipates recruitment and organic growth to rebound to t ...

Group 1 - SLB N.V. (NYSE:SLB) is recognized as one of the 12 Best American Energy Stocks to Buy Now, with RBC Capital raising its price target from $43 to $51 while maintaining an Outperform rating [1] - RBC Capital noted that stocks under its coverage have increased by approximately 23% since November, which may challenge earnings and outlooks to meet current market expectations, yet stable earnings trends are anticipated across the group [2] - Evercore ISI upgraded SLB N.V. from In Line to Outperform, raising its price target from $38 to $54, citing a clearer outlook for the company following strategic changes [3] Group 2 - Evercore ISI highlighted SLB N.V.'s recent acquisition of ChampionX and reduced exposure to APS through the Palliser exit, which has lowered the overall risk profile of the enterprise [4] - SLB N.V. is a global oilfield services company headquartered in Houston, Texas, operating in over 100 countries and providing technology, information solutions, and integrated project management services to optimize reservoir performance [4]

Core Viewpoint - UnitedHealth Group's stock has experienced significant volatility, with a steep decline in 2025 followed by a partial recovery, raising questions about its investment potential amidst ongoing challenges in the healthcare sector [1][3][5]. Company Overview - UnitedHealth Group, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Minnesota, has a market value of approximately $309.5 billion and operates through two main segments: UnitedHealthcare and Optum [3]. - UnitedHealthcare provides health insurance coverage to millions, while Optum enhances growth through healthcare services, data analytics, technology, and pharmacy solutions [2]. Recent Performance - The company reported third-quarter 2025 revenue of $113.2 billion, reflecting a 12% year-over-year increase, with growth across both segments [10]. - UnitedHealthcare's revenue rose about 16% to $87.1 billion, driven by membership growth and pricing actions, while Optum's revenue increased approximately 8% to $69.2 billion [11]. Profitability Challenges - Adjusted EPS fell sharply to $2.92 from $7.15 a year earlier, although it exceeded market expectations, with earnings from operations declining nearly 50% to $4.3 billion due to elevated medical utilization and reimbursement pressures [12]. - The consolidated medical care ratio was reported at 89.9%, consistent with prior guidance, indicating ongoing cost pressures [13]. Future Outlook - Analysts predict a decline in EPS for Q4 2025 to $2.09, down 69.3% year-over-year, but expect an 8% annual profit increase in fiscal 2026 to $17.60 [14]. - Evercore ISI initiated coverage with an "Outperform" rating and a price target of $400, suggesting a potential upside of approximately 17.1% from current levels, citing UnitedHealth's scale and diversification as key strengths [15]. Analyst Sentiment - The consensus rating for UNH is "Moderate Buy," with 16 out of 26 analysts recommending a "Strong Buy" [18]. - The mean price target of $395.32 implies a potential rise of 15.7%, while the highest target of $444 indicates a possible upside of 29.9% from the last closing price [19].

Core Insights - Kforce Inc. has experienced declining earnings for three consecutive years due to a slowing job market, but there are signs that the worst may be over for the company, which specializes in technology, finance, and accounting staffing services [1] Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, Kforce reported earnings of $0.63, beating the Zacks Consensus by $0.06, marking the first earnings surprise after two consecutive misses [2] - Revenue for the quarter decreased by 5.9% year-over-year to $332.6 million and also saw a slight decline of 0.5% quarter-over-quarter [2] - The Technology and Finance and Accounting segments showed better-than-expected results, with the Finance and Accounting business growing 6.9% sequentially [3] Analyst Outlook - Analysts are optimistic about Kforce's prospects heading into 2026, with two earnings estimates revised higher for both 2025 and 2026 in the last 60 days [4] - The 2025 Zacks Consensus estimate is now $2.13, reflecting a decline of 20.5% from the previous year, while the 2026 estimate is projected at $2.28, indicating a potential earnings growth of 7% [4][5] Valuation Metrics - Kforce is currently trading at a forward P/E ratio of 14.7, which is considered attractive for value investors [6][9] - The company has a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 0.4, suggesting that investors are getting $1 of sales for just $0.40 [11] - Kforce is also shareholder-friendly, with a dividend yield of 5% and a stock repurchase plan expanded to $100 million [11] Market Position - The staffing industry has faced challenges in recent years, placing Kforce in the bottom 5% of all Zacks Rank industries [11] - Despite the downturn, Kforce is viewed as a potential turnaround story within the staffing sector [12]

Core Insights - Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is considered one of the most undervalued tech giants, with over half of analysts rating it as 'Buy' and a median target price of $300, indicating an upside potential of 11.12% [1] Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Kevin McVeigh from UBS raised the price target for ACN to $320 from $315 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating, citing the company's strong position in artificial intelligence and steady demand [2] - RBC Capital increased its price target for Accenture to $295 from $285 and reaffirmed an 'Outperform' rating, driven by optimism regarding the company's evolving AI partnership ecosystem [5] Financial Performance and Growth Drivers - Accenture's Advanced AI segment generated $1.1 billion in revenue in the first quarter, reflecting a 120% year-over-year increase, with bookings reaching $2.2 billion, up 76% from the previous year [3] - The company is expanding into data center professional services, a market expected to double in size by 2030, which is anticipated to enhance overall performance [4] Company Overview - Accenture plc is an Ireland-based provider of strategy, consulting, technology, and operations services, offering a range of services including security, intelligent platforms, software engineering, and automation [6]