NEWTOWN, Pa., Dec. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating data privacy claims regarding an incident at Sax LLP. Sax learned of a data breach on or about August 7, 2024. If you would like to discuss this case with a lawyer, please click HERE. About Sax LLP SAX LLP is a national firm that provides accounting, tax, and advisory services. What happened? Around August 7, 2024, Sax detected unusual activity on its computer network. They began an investigation and found ...

Core Insights - Oakworth Capital Bank has been recognized as the 2 "Best Bank to Work For" in the U.S. for 2025 by American Banker, marking the ninth consecutive year of recognition in this program [1][2]. Company Culture and Engagement - The consistent recognition reflects the strength of Oakworth's culture and the engagement of its associates, who value collaboration towards common goals [2][3]. - Oakworth achieved a Net Promoter Score of 94 in 2024, significantly above industry averages, indicating high trust and satisfaction among clients and associates [3]. Leadership Perspectives - Scott Reed, chairman and CEO, emphasized that the recognition affirms the culture built by associates, highlighting the integration of purpose and professionalism [3][4]. - COO Sam Scalici noted that the culture is rooted in genuine care and shared respect, contributing to the bank's success [4]. Financial Overview - As of September 30, 2025, Oakworth Capital Bank reported total assets of $1.9 billion, gross loans of $1.5 billion, deposits of $1.7 billion, and wealth and trust assets under management of $2.6 billion [6].

Group 1 - The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) is gaining attention as more retail investors are returning to the stock market, indicating a potential increase in market participation [1][2] - Jim Cramer highlighted Charles Schwab as a relatively cheap stock within the S&P 500, expressing a favorable view of the retail brokerage firm [2] - The company offers a range of financial services including wealth management, brokerage, banking, and advisory services, which positions it well in the financial sector [2] Group 2 - There is a belief that certain AI stocks may present greater upside potential compared to Charles Schwab, suggesting a competitive landscape in investment opportunities [2]

Core Insights - BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, providing a wide range of financial services and products to institutional and retail clients globally [1] Earnings Expectations - BlackRock is set to release its quarterly earnings on October 14, 2025, with an expected earnings per share (EPS) of $11.53, slightly above analysts' forecast of $11.48, and a modest increase from $11.46 reported in the same period last year [2][6] - Projected revenue is approximately $6.28 billion, a significant rise from $5.2 billion a year ago, reflecting a year-over-year growth of around 20% [2][3][6] Financial Performance - The anticipated revenue growth is attributed to higher market levels and increased organic base fee revenue, along with benefits from technology services and subscriptions [3] - BlackRock's current market capitalization stands at $179 billion, with past year's revenues of $22 billion and net income of $6.4 billion, indicating strong financial health [3] Market Reactions - Despite positive projections, BlackRock's shares recently declined by 1.1%, closing at $1,166.23, amid reports of its Global Infrastructure Partners being in advanced talks to acquire Aligned Data Centers, potentially valuing the deal at $40 billion [4] - Goldman Sachs analyst Alexander Blostein maintains a Buy rating on BlackRock, reflecting confidence in the company's performance, supported by a P/E ratio of 28.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34 [5][6]

Core Insights - LRT Capital Management's "LRT Global Opportunities Strategy" reported a net return of -8.00% for September 2025, with a year-to-date return of -0.17%, amid a challenging market environment where select overvalued mega-cap stocks surged while the broader market declined [1] Company Overview - StoneX Group Inc. (NASDAQ:SNEX) is highlighted as a key holding, with a one-month return of 2.76% and a significant 78.40% increase in value over the past 52 weeks, closing at $99.00 per share on October 6, 2025, and a market capitalization of $5.165 billion [2] - StoneX operates as a diversified global financial services network, offering execution, clearing, payment, and advisory services across various asset classes, including commodities, foreign exchange, and securities [3] - The company has established a strong position in the competitive financial services industry by focusing on underserved client segments and providing specialized expertise in complex markets, making it a vital partner for its clients [3]

Investment Strategy Overview - LRT Global Opportunities strategy returned -8.00% in September and -0.17% year-to-date as of October 1, 2025 [4][5] - The strategy focuses on long positions in high-quality companies and short positions in broad market indexes, viewing September's performance as a temporary setback [6] - Current market valuations are at extreme levels, with a trailing P/E ratio over 30x, P/B ratio over 5.6x, and cyclical P/E over 40x, indicating potential future return challenges [7] Company Highlights StoneX Group Inc. (SNEX) - StoneX operates as a diversified financial services network, providing execution, clearing, payment, and advisory services across various asset classes [12][13] - The company focuses on underserved client segments, leveraging deep institutional knowledge and a robust global infrastructure [13][14] - StoneX's growth strategy combines organic expansion with strategic acquisitions, enhancing capabilities and geographic reach [14][15] Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. (SSD) - Simpson is a leader in engineered structural connectors, with products specified in building codes, creating high switching costs for customers [16][17] - The company benefits from a strong distribution network and technical support, reinforcing its market position [18][19] - Demand for Simpson's products is driven by housing construction and stricter building codes due to extreme weather events [19][20] Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (ABG) - Asbury operates a diverse portfolio of dealerships, focusing on high-margin parts and service operations for revenue stability [21][22] - The company has a proven track record in strategic acquisitions, enhancing its operational footprint and earnings power [23][24] - Asbury's digital retailing platform, Clicklane, integrates online and in-store experiences, providing a competitive advantage [24][25] Chemed Corp. (CHE) - Chemed operates VITAS Healthcare and Roto-Rooter, benefiting from strong demand in hospice care and plumbing services [26][27] - VITAS is positioned to capitalize on the aging U.S. population, while Roto-Rooter offers recession-resistant services [28][29] - The company has a disciplined capital allocation strategy, returning significant capital to shareholders [29] The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) - TD is a major player in North America's banking sector, with a focus on retail and commercial banking [30][31] - The bank's U.S. retail segment has been a primary growth engine, supported by strategic acquisitions [32] - TD's conservative risk culture and strong capital management contribute to its competitive advantage [34] RLI Corp. (RLI) - RLI is a specialty insurance company known for its underwriting discipline and focus on niche markets [35][36] - The company prioritizes profitability over growth, maintaining a strong alignment of interests through employee ownership [37][38] - RLI has a history of returning excess capital to shareholders, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder value [38] The Toro Company (TTC) - Toro is a leader in turf and landscape solutions, known for its quality and innovation [39][40] - The company has a strong distribution network and a disciplined growth strategy, including strategic acquisitions [41][42] - Toro consistently generates strong free cash flow, which is reinvested in product development and shareholder returns [42] Crown Castle International Corp. (CCI) - Crown Castle owns the largest portfolio of shared communications infrastructure in the U.S., primarily macro cell towers [43][44] - The company benefits from long-term lease agreements, providing predictable revenue streams [44][45] - Crown Castle is divesting non-core businesses to focus on its tower portfolio, enhancing shareholder value [46] Corporación América Airports S.A. (CAAP) - CAAP operates 53 airports across six countries, generating revenue from aeronautical and commercial activities [48][49] - The company invests in airport infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency and passenger experience [51] - CAAP is well-positioned to benefit from the recovery in global air travel [52] Colliers International Group Inc. (CIGI) - Colliers is a global leader in commercial real estate services, distinguished by its decentralized structure and entrepreneurial culture [53][54] - The company pursues a balanced growth strategy, focusing on high-margin business lines [56] - Colliers' ownership culture aligns interests with long-term shareholders, enhancing its competitive advantage [54] The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) - Travelers is a leading provider of property and casualty insurance, organized into three primary segments [57][58] - The company benefits from a vast distribution network and strong relationships with independent agents [58][62] - Travelers leverages its scale and data advantages to maintain profitability and manage risks effectively [62] Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras (PBR-A) - Petrobras is a major integrated energy producer, controlling significant pre-salt oil reserves [63][64] - The company focuses on maximizing value from its most profitable exploration and production activities [65][66] - Petrobras' performance is closely tied to its operational execution in the pre-salt basins [66] Fabrinet (FN) - Fabrinet specializes in advanced optical packaging and precision manufacturing, serving leading OEMs [67][68] - The company's engineering expertise and focus on complex manufacturing create high switching costs [68][69] - Fabrinet benefits from secular tailwinds in the optical communications market, driven by data traffic growth [69][70] UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) - UnitedHealth is a leading healthcare enterprise, combining health benefits with diversified health services [71][72] - The company's scale provides cost advantages and superior negotiating power in the healthcare market [73][74] - UnitedHealth's integrated model enhances efficiency and patient outcomes, positioning it for continued growth [74] Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) - Charter is a major connectivity provider in the U.S., focusing on high-speed broadband services [76][77] - The company is upgrading its network to meet increasing bandwidth demands and expanding into underserved areas [79] - Charter's convergence of services, including mobile offerings, enhances customer loyalty and reduces churn [78][79] Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (GPI) - Group 1 operates a diversified automotive retail business, focusing on luxury and import brands [80][81] - The company's disciplined acquisition strategy enhances performance and profitability [82] - Group 1's digital retailing platform improves customer experience and operational efficiency [82][83] Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM) - Exxon Mobil is a leading integrated energy and chemical manufacturer with a vertically integrated business model [85]

Core Viewpoint - The Charles Schwab Corporation is recognized as a strong investment opportunity following its robust second-quarter performance and plans for branch network expansion [1][2]. Financial Performance - For the quarter ending July 18, 2025, the company reported a net income of $2.1 billion, translating to earnings per share of $1.08 [2]. - Client assets grew by 14% year-over-year, reaching a record $10.76 trillion [2]. Branch Network Expansion - The company currently operates 400 branches and plans to open 16 new branches, along with expanding or relocating 25 existing locations [3]. - This expansion will increase the total number of new locations across the country to over 40 [3]. Competitive Advantage - The branch network is considered a competitive differentiator for Schwab, essential for building trusted client relationships and achieving financial goals [4]. - The company's market capitalization stands at $173.28 billion, making it an attractive option for investors seeking stable investments [4]. Company Background - Founded in 1971, Charles Schwab is a Texas-based multinational financial services company, known for pioneering discount brokerage and offering a range of services including brokerage, banking, wealth management, and advisory services [5].

Core Viewpoint - The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) is highlighted as a relatively cheap stock within the S&P 500, with positive commentary from Jim Cramer, who is a strong advocate for the firm [1]. Company Overview - Charles Schwab provides a range of services including wealth management, brokerage, banking, and advisory services, along with trading platforms, investment products, retirement solutions, and custody services [1]. Recent Performance - The company reported a 17% month-over-month increase in net new assets, which Cramer described as an "amazing gain" justifying the stock's 2.3% price movement [1]. Historical Context - Cramer previously advised caution regarding the stock, referencing skepticism about the company's balance sheet and the influence of short sellers on trading [1]. Comparative Analysis - While acknowledging the potential of SCHW as an investment, the article suggests that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and less downside risk [1].

Company Overview - Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) has a market capitalization of $30 billion and operates as a diversified financial services company, providing banking and financial solutions through three main segments: Commercial Banking, Consumer and Small Business Banking, and Wealth & Asset Management [1][2]. Stock Performance - Shares of Fifth Third Bancorp have decreased by 9.1% from their 52-week high of $49.07, but have returned 16.4% over the past three months, outperforming the Dow Jones Industrials Average, which gained 7.6% during the same period [3]. - Year-to-date, FITB stock is up 5.5%, lagging behind the Dow Jones Industrials Average's 7.6% return, and has risen 5.2% over the past 52 weeks, compared to the Dow's 9.9% increase [4]. Recent Financial Results - Following the Q2 2025 results, FITB shares fell over 1% due to concerns over weakening credit quality and rising provisions. The provision for credit losses increased by 78% year-over-year to $173 million, while non-performing loans rose by 37.8% to $886 million [5]. - Net income available to common shareholders decreased by 5.3% year-over-year to $591 million, impacted by higher expenses of $1.26 billion, which overshadowed revenue growth [5]. Competitive Analysis - In comparison, rival M&T Bank Corporation (MTB) has shown weaker performance year-to-date, gaining over 3%, but has outperformed FITB with a nearly 12% increase over the past 52 weeks [6]. - Despite the underperformance, analysts maintain a moderately optimistic outlook for FITB, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from 25 analysts and a mean price target of $48.57, representing an 8.7% premium to current levels [6].