Core Viewpoint - Family Office of America, Inc. has acquired the assets of Donald M. Benson CPA, PA, enhancing its strategy to build a technology-enabled platform for integrated tax, accounting, and family office services [1][2] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes substantially all assets of the Florida-based accounting firm, which serves individuals, families, and closely held businesses [1] - Donald Benson, CPA/CFP, will remain involved post-acquisition to ensure client transition and support FOFA's growth initiatives in family office services [3] Group 2: Strategic Goals - FOFA aims to consolidate high-quality CPA practices to expand access to comprehensive family office services beyond the ultra-high-net-worth market [2][4] - The acquisition follows FOFA's previous acquisition of Toone & Associates in Maryland, indicating a growing pipeline of targeted CPA firm acquisitions [4] Group 3: Company Vision and Market Position - The company is executing a disciplined roll-up strategy to integrate top-tier CPA firms into a broader family office platform, enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency [5] - FOFA's model addresses industry challenges such as CPA succession and increasing client complexity, leveraging technology and AI for improved service [5] Group 4: Future Outlook - The Director of Acquisitions at FOFA stated that the acquisition aligns with their long-term vision and that the acquisition pipeline remains active, indicating plans for continued expansion [6]

Core Insights - SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. is recognized as the sixth best strong buy tech stock to invest in [1] - Needham has lowered its price target for SS&C from $105 to $95 while maintaining a Buy rating, highlighting the company's strong performance in revenue and earnings [2] - The company reported record Q4 results with $1.655 billion in revenue, $1.69 EPS, and $651 million EBITDA, driven by outsourcing, Calastone integration, and artificial intelligence [3] Company Overview - SS&C Technologies is a U.S. financial and healthcare technology company that provides software and software-enabled services for investment management, fund administration, accounting, reporting, and healthcare operations [4] Growth Drivers - Major growth drivers for SS&C include robust cash flow, above 100% conversion rates, and a focus on share repurchases, alongside the integration of Calastone and advancements in artificial intelligence [3]

Core Viewpoint - State Street Corporation (STT) has demonstrated strong performance in the financial sector, significantly outperforming the broader market and its peers over the past year, driven by robust fee income and strategic investments in technology and private markets [2][6]. Company Overview - State Street Corporation, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, offers a variety of financial products and services to institutional investors globally, with a market capitalization of $36.8 billion [1]. Stock Performance - STT shares have increased by 33.5% over the past year, while the S&P 500 Index has risen by 14.4% during the same period [2]. - In 2026, STT stock is up 2%, outperforming the S&P 500's 1.4% increase year-to-date [2]. - Compared to the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF), which gained about 2.3% over the past year, STT's performance is notably stronger [3]. Financial Performance - For Q4, STT reported revenue of $3.7 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 7.5% [7]. - The adjusted EPS for the quarter was $2.42, a decrease of 1.6% from the previous year [7]. - Analysts project a 12.1% growth in STT's EPS for the current fiscal year, expecting it to reach $11.55 on a diluted basis [7]. Analyst Ratings - Among 19 analysts covering STT, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," which includes eight "Strong Buy" ratings, three "Moderate Buys," seven "Holds," and one "Moderate Sell" [8]. Growth Drivers - The company's growth is attributed to strong fee income from investment services and asset management, along with improvements in operating leverage [6]. - STT has launched new digital asset platforms and experienced double-digit growth in private markets servicing fees, although there was a decline in software and processing fees due to a transition to cloud-based solutions [6]. - CEO Ron O'Hanley highlighted that investments in AI, digital transformation, and private markets expansion are expected to drive medium-term growth, with productivity savings mitigating most cost increases [6].

Group 1 - SAX has acquired Scheidel, Sullivan & Lanni CPA (SSL) and Sierra Financial Advisors for an undisclosed sum, aiming to expand its offerings in tax, accounting, advisory, and wealth management services [1][4] - Sierra Financial Advisors has been integrated into SAX Wealth Advisors, enhancing SAX's wealth management capabilities [1] - The acquisition adds 73 partners and nearly 400 team members to SAX, expanding its national and international presence with offices along the US East Coast and in India, as well as a remote workforce across 27 US states [3] Group 2 - SSL is known for its partner-led service model and long-standing experience, while Sierra brings fiduciary wealth management capabilities and established client relationships [2] - Leaders from SSL and Sierra expressed that the transaction aligns with their culture and values, providing clients and team members with greater resources and expertise [3] - This acquisition marks the third transaction for SAX since receiving a minority investment from Cobepa, reflecting SAX's commitment to strategic growth [4]

Company Overview - Clearwater Analytics (NYSE:CWAN) provides software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions for investment data aggregation, reconciliation, accounting, and reporting, positioning itself as a key player in the financial technology sector [1] Recent Developments - On December 22, 2025, Piper Sandler downgraded NYSE:CWAN from Overweight to Neutral, with the stock price at $24.06; however, the stock surged by 8.13% to close at $24.06 following the announcement of an $8.4 billion take-private deal [2][5] - The trading volume on the day of the announcement reached 99 million shares, significantly higher than the average volume of 5.8 million, indicating heightened investor interest [3][5] Financial Performance - Clearwater Analytics has a market capitalization of approximately $6.93 billion and a gross margin of 68.43%, reflecting a strong ability to convert revenue into profit [3][5] - The stock price fluctuated between $24.05 and $24.15 during the trading session, with a yearly high of $32 and a low of $15.73, showcasing the stock's volatility [4]

Core Viewpoint - Clearwater Analytics is set to be acquired by a group of private equity firms in an $8.4 billion all-cash deal, which has attracted significant attention from event-driven traders focusing on merger-arbitrage spreads and deal risk [1][3]. Company Summary - Clearwater Analytics shares closed at $24.06, reflecting an increase of 8.13% on the day, following news of the acquisition [2]. - The company has a market capitalization of $6.4 billion and reported a gross margin of 68.43% [2]. - Clearwater Analytics went public in 2021 and has experienced a 5% decline in share price since its IPO [3]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition agreement involves a purchase price of $24.55 per share, which is slightly above the current trading price [6]. - The deal is subject to stockholder and regulatory approval, with the board of directors having already approved the merger agreement [6]. - The trading volume for Clearwater Analytics reached 91.1 million shares, significantly exceeding its three-month average of 5.8 million shares, indicating heightened investor interest [3]. Market Context - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indices saw increases of 0.64% and 0.52%, respectively, reflecting a positive market environment for software and technology stocks [4]. - Other industry peers, such as BlackLine, also experienced gains, suggesting a broader interest in software platforms amid private equity activity and M&A valuations [5]. Investor Considerations - An investor rights law firm, Halper Sadeh LLC, is investigating the fairness of the deal for shareholders, which may introduce delays in the acquisition process [7]. - Investors are closely monitoring the timeline for the buyout and the regulatory review process [7].

Core Insights - State Street Corporation (STT) is a financial services provider with a market cap of $35.6 billion, offering a variety of products including custody, accounting, and investment advisory services [1] - Analysts anticipate STT will report a profit of $2.82 per share for Q4 2025, reflecting an 8.5% increase from the previous year [2] - For the full fiscal year, EPS is expected to be $10.18, a 17.4% increase from $8.67 in fiscal 2024, with further growth projected to $11.42 in fiscal 2026 [3] Performance Metrics - STT stock has increased by 34.4% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 15.4% gains and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund's 14.5% returns [4] - The company's revenue for Q3 was reported at $3.6 billion, exceeding analyst expectations by 2.3%, with an EPS of $2.78 beating estimates by 5% [6] Growth Drivers - The growth in STT's stock performance is attributed to increased servicing and management fees, new product launches, and technology investments [5] - Key highlights include record assets under custody, strong client flows, and innovations in digital assets and ETFs, supported by partnerships and investments in AI [5] Analyst Sentiment - The consensus opinion on STT stock is moderately bullish, with a "Moderate Buy" rating from 19 analysts, including 10 recommending "Strong Buy" [7] - The average analyst price target for STT is $131.71, suggesting a potential upside of 3.4% from current levels [7]

Core Insights - Tensile Capital Management increased its investment in Clearwater Analytics by purchasing nearly 1.2 million shares, raising the position's value by approximately $15.7 million [2][3][7] - Clearwater Analytics' stock price is currently $21.71, down 27.5% over the past year, while the S&P 500 has increased by 13% in the same period [4] - Clearwater Analytics reported a market capitalization of $5.55 billion, with revenue of $640.4 million and net income of $392.5 million for the trailing twelve months [5] Investment Activity - Tensile Capital Management's total holding in Clearwater Analytics now stands at 2.5 million shares, valued at $45.5 million, representing 5.7% of the fund's $800.4 million in U.S. equity assets [3][7] - The fund's decision to increase its position indicates confidence in Clearwater's growth potential despite recent stock performance [11][12] Company Overview - Clearwater Analytics provides SaaS-based solutions for investment data aggregation, reconciliation, accounting, and reporting, serving a diverse client base including insurers, investment managers, and government entities [9][10] - The company has demonstrated strong operating momentum, with revenue up 77% year over year to $205.1 million and adjusted EBITDA up 84% to $70.7 million in the latest quarter [11][12] - Clearwater's annualized recurring revenue surged 77% to $807.5 million, with a gross revenue retention rate of 98%, indicating strong client loyalty and operational efficiency [12][13]

Group 1 - Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CWAN) is identified as a stock with exponential growth potential heading into 2026, with a "Buy" rating and a price target of $27.00 from Morgan Stanley analyst Michael Infante [1] - The company is expected to see an increase in organic net new Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) due to large deals and improved sales efficiency post-integration [1] - Clearwater Analytics continues to trade at an attractive valuation compared to competitors, benefiting from faster revenue growth and margin expansion [2] Group 2 - T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. has successfully implemented the CWAN platform for stable value operations, enhancing its capabilities [3] - Clearwater Analytics provides software-as-a-service solutions for automated investment data aggregation, reconciliation, accounting, and reporting, and has recently acquired Enfusion, Beacon, and Bistro assets to broaden its product offerings [3] - The integration of these new assets is a key focus for Clearwater, although it is expected to have a dilutive impact on the company's financial profile, which led to an 18% drop in share price [3]

Core Insights - Resources Connection, Inc. (RGP) operates in the professional services sector, specifically within the Zacks Staffing Firms industry, providing consulting services in finance, accounting, and human resources [1] Financial Performance - RGP reported an earnings per share (EPS) of -$0.07 for the quarter ending in August 2025, which was better than the estimated EPS of -$0.15, indicating a significant improvement from the previous quarter [2][6] - The company's revenue for the same quarter was approximately $120.23 million, slightly exceeding the estimated revenue of $119.97 million, although it represents a decrease from $136.93 million reported in the same period last year [3][6] - RGP has consistently exceeded consensus revenue estimates in each of the last four quarters, with the latest revenue exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.19% [3] Valuation Metrics - RGP has a negative price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of -0.85, while maintaining a price-to-sales ratio of 0.30, indicating that investors are paying 30 cents for every dollar of sales [4][6] - The enterprise value to sales ratio is 0.19, and the enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is 5.51, reflecting the company's valuation relative to its revenue and operating cash flow [4] Financial Health - The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, indicating a relatively low level of debt compared to equity, and a current ratio of 2.70, suggesting a strong ability to cover short-term liabilities with short-term assets [5][6] - RGP's financial metrics demonstrate resilience and potential for future growth despite challenges [5]