Mohamad Faizal Bin Ramli S&P 500 earnings moved into high gear this week, with 28 companies across the financial, healthcare, industrial, and staples sectors providing a vital barometer for the U.S. economy. The results signaled broad-based strength, particularly in investment banking and AI-driven technology infrastructure, where early reporters set a high bar for the rest of the season. Earnings...
Mohamad Faizal Bin Ramli S&P 500 earnings moved into high gear this week, with 28 companies across the financial, healthcare, industrial, and staples sectors providing a vital barometer for the U.S. economy. The results signaled broad-based strength, particularly in investment banking and AI-driven technology infrastructure, where early reporters set a high bar for the rest of the season. Earnings Roundup: Bottom Line: Out of the 28 companies reporting, 24 exceeded EPS expectations, three met estimates, and only one fell short. Notably, 25 firms posted year-over-year earnings growth. Top Line: Performance remained robust on the revenue front, with 22 companies topping estimates while six missed. On a year-over-year basis, 26 of the 28 companies reported revenue expansion. Seeking Alpha (Seeking Alpha) Let’s take a look at some of the companies that reported earnings this week: JPMorgan Chase ( JPM ) stock fell 0.9% in premarket trading after lowering its 2026 net interest income (NII) guidance . Q1 earnings and revenue exceeded analyst expectations due to growth in various bank sectors and lower credit loss provisions. The bank now projects NII of ~$103B, while reaffirming adjusted expenses at ~$105B and a card service net charge-off rate of ~3.4%. Goldman Sachs ( GS ) stock fell 3.5% in premarket trading due to lower Q4 net interest income and higher credit loss provisions. However, Q1 GAAP EPS was $17.55, exceeding analyst estimates and rising from previous quarters, with total revenue at $17.2B, beating expectations.Wells Fargo ( WFC ) had mixed results , with a revenue miss impacting its stock, which fell by 4.92%. The bank reported an EPS of $1.60, surpassing the $1.58 estimate, but total revenue of $21.4 billion was below the forecast of $21.76 billion.Citigroup ( C ) stock rose 1.5% in premarket trading after the bank confirmed its 2026 net interest income guidance and reported strong Q1 earnings. The bank expects a 5%-6% rise in full-year 2026 NII, excluding...
The “drone-killing” success of Iran’s 358 loitering munition, especially against expensive US-made platforms, is attracting attention well beyond the battlefield in the Middle East. In China, state media has taken a look at the Iranian-designed counter-drone loitering interceptor’s reported role in bringing down multiple uncrewed aerial vehicles, or drones, like the MQ-9 “Reaper” in the US-Israel ...
The “drone-killing” success of Iran’s 358 loitering munition, especially against expensive US-made platforms, is attracting attention well beyond the battlefield in the Middle East. In China, state media has taken a look at the Iranian-designed counter-drone loitering interceptor’s reported role in bringing down multiple uncrewed aerial vehicles, or drones, like the MQ-9 “Reaper” in the US-Israel war on Iran. The 358 missile, also known as the SA-67, weighs about 50kg (110lbs). Powered by a...
Gatot Adriansyah | Istock | Getty Images As artificial intelligence restructures the workforce and reduces the number of entry-level opportunities, an alternative is emerging for recent college grads struggling to find jobs : going back to school. Nearly 78% of those who are considering graduate school said they plan to enroll in a program within 12 months, according to a new Jenzabar/Spark451 sur...
Gatot Adriansyah | Istock | Getty Images As artificial intelligence restructures the workforce and reduces the number of entry-level opportunities, an alternative is emerging for recent college grads struggling to find jobs : going back to school. Nearly 78% of those who are considering graduate school said they plan to enroll in a program within 12 months, according to a new Jenzabar/Spark451 survey , up from 69% who expressed similar plans a year earlier. Typically, enrollment in graduate school increases during economic recessions as workers take steps to "skill up" or move to another industry with better career prospects or pay. "We know that there is a trend to go back to school to re-skill during a recession," said Kristin Blagg, a principal research associate at the Urban Institute, a think tank. In times of economic uncertainty, "people shelter in higher education," she said. "It makes sense that it's counter-cyclical." But this current economic cycle is not like the others. Read more CNBC personal finance coverage Average tax refund is 11.2% higher, latest IRS filing data shows Bessent says to adjust paycheck withholdings, but mistakes may trigger a tax bill Why the stock market is hitting records despite Iran war 35% of Gen Z homebuyers are single women. Here's why they need an estate plan Community college enrollment rises as more grads pursue associate degrees How to file a tax extension for free by the April 15 deadline Over 643,000 student loan borrowers await repayment plans, forgiveness: court filing IRS audit red flags remain despite agency budget cuts Why BLTs just got more expensive — tariffs, war send tomato prices soaring Trump accounts sign up more than 5 million kids: Treasury Market volatility can 'weigh heavily' on Gen Z, advisor says — how to cope More buyers pick 7-year car loans 'to make the numbers fit': expert Tariff refunds unlikely to benefit consumers, CNBC CFO Council survey finds Average tax refund is 11% higher, latest IRS filing ...
Stocks are surging to new highs on the prospects of peace in the Middle East and what has so far been robust first quarter earnings results. But strategists say the key to further equity upside will be corporate outlooks. Investors will be even more focused on guidance than normal and, “if there’s a crack in the story,” there’s a major risk to the market, said Walter Todd , chief investment office...
Stocks are surging to new highs on the prospects of peace in the Middle East and what has so far been robust first quarter earnings results. But strategists say the key to further equity upside will be corporate outlooks. Investors will be even more focused on guidance than normal and, “if there’s a crack in the story,” there’s a major risk to the market, said Walter Todd , chief investment officer at Greenwood Capital Associates. Just one week into earnings season, outlooks are planting red flags. More analysts have been cutting their profit estimates than raising them. And the proportion of companies raising both earnings and sales outlooks has been declining simultaneously, according to 22V Research. The pattern has occurred “during periods of significant shifts in guidance,” including the financial crisis in 2008 and the pandemic period in 2021, according to 22V. Both periods were preceded by brutal bear markets. The slowing pace of growth in earnings and sales forecasts shows that companies are less ebullient about the future given uncertainty from weaker consumer demand, as well as input costs due to rising inflation expectations. Furthermore, firms are trimming guidance amid the Iran-war induced oil price shock, US tariff policies and the potential threats from artificial intelligence tools. Already, 40 companies in the S&P 500 Index have lowered their quarterly views, the highest level since the second quarter of 2025 at the onset of tariffs, data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence show. BI described guidance momentum as “weaker” now than it was in the final quarter of 2025. “If guidance disappoints, we could find ourselves back to where we were prior to this rally, down 5% to 10%,” said Todd. Investors are already punishing firms that have reduced forecasts. Abbott Laboratories fell to the lowest level since 2023 after cutting its profit guidance on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. slipped after lowering its net interest income outlook Tuesday. And Netflix In...
In this article CALY Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT The Washington Post | The Washington Post | Getty Images Robert Evans doesn't have to watch the news to find out about economic jolts that might cause the American consumer to pause. He just has to look at his cycling race registrations. "Every time something major is announced, like tariffs, or an attack on another country, our ...
In this article CALY Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT The Washington Post | The Washington Post | Getty Images Robert Evans doesn't have to watch the news to find out about economic jolts that might cause the American consumer to pause. He just has to look at his cycling race registrations. "Every time something major is announced, like tariffs, or an attack on another country, our event registration tracks like the stock market. People pull back for a minute and pause and take a wait-and-see attitude," said Evans, who is the CEO of Cycling Quests, which organizes high-end road races. He says that wait-and-see attitude is now in evidence. "Sometimes it rebounds quickly, other times it stays off by 20-30%. We notice this is more so with our events that have a lower entry price point and targeted more down market," Evans said, noting that events with higher price points seem to be a little more insulated. "But we are starting to see a downturn there as well," he said. The more an event is tied to travel and sports tourism, the more increases in airfares and travel costs reduce demand. And for every "fun stop", Evans says, there is a multiplier effect. Even for mid-sized sporting events in smaller cities like Boise, Idaho, or Provo, Utah, each out-of-town participant represents roughly $900-$1,000 in ancillary economic activity — meals, lodging, gas, and incidental spending — on top of registration fees. Evans says half of participants typically stay at least one night, with 60 percent traveling more than two hours to compete. "The stakes for host communities are significant. When consumers start skipping events or choosing closer-to-home alternatives, that spending evaporates while promoters' fixed costs remain — meaning the economic hit falls hardest on local restaurants, hotels, and retailers, not just the event organizer," Evans said. The same economic impact applies to truly local events. People who opt out of going to an escape room, for instance, ...
Weerawit/iStock via Getty Images After three years without a rating , we are back to comment on and analyze Ardagh Metal Packaging ( AMBP ). The company is a global leader in beverage cans and a best-in-class specialty mix. Its mother company, Ardagh Group, performed a recapitalization on 12 November 2025, which included the mandatory exchange of all outstanding senior unsecured bonds for partial ...
Weerawit/iStock via Getty Images After three years without a rating , we are back to comment on and analyze Ardagh Metal Packaging ( AMBP ). The company is a global leader in beverage cans and a best-in-class specialty mix. Its mother company, Ardagh Group, performed a recapitalization on 12 November 2025, which included the mandatory exchange of all outstanding senior unsecured bonds for partial equity in a newly restructured entity. This will likely prevent any further negative press for Ardagh Metal Packaging, which is a separate, ring-fenced entity. Why are we positive? Our decision to take a follow-up note was prompted by discussions at the Euronext STAR Conference , where Zignago Vetro’s IR highlighted persistently elevated energy costs across the sector. This was due to the escalation in the Middle East. While the bear case may frame this as another transition year, we believe the company continues to execute effectively, as evidenced by a further EBITDA beat in Q4 and initial Q1 guidance slightly ahead of Wall Street consensus. To add numbers, trends were positive in 4Q, but the company reported solid adjusted EBITDA of $166 million, above the Street average of $157 million, and adjusted EPS of $0.03, above the Street average of $0.02. Ardagh 2026 outlook Fig. 1 Ardagh Metal Packaging is exposed to changes in energy prices. However, we report that the company's annual report states that it has "an active hedging strategy to fix a significant proportion of our energy costs through contractual arrangements directly with our suppliers. Our policy is to purchase natural gas and electricity by entering into forward price-fixing arrangements with suppliers for the majority of our anticipated requirements for the year ahead and for further diminishing portions of our anticipated requirements for subsequent years." The company was heavily impacted by the supply shock caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. While there is no disclosure on energy hedge in Ardagh Metal Packa...
While the stock market fixates on a temporary surge from its competitors, the king of artificial intelligence is quietly building an insurmountable lead. Nvidia (NVDA) is being hailed by top analysts as the undisputed leader of the semiconductor world, even as AMD (AMD) and Intel (INTC) post larger percentage gains this month. Despite trailing the recent CPU hype, experts argue that Nvidia’s massi...
While the stock market fixates on a temporary surge from its competitors, the king of artificial intelligence is quietly building an insurmountable lead. Nvidia (NVDA) is being hailed by top analysts as the undisputed leader of the semiconductor world, even as AMD (AMD) and Intel (INTC) post larger percentage gains this month. Despite trailing the recent CPU hype, experts argue that Nvidia’s massive technological moats make it the only logical top pick for the upcoming earnings season. Nvidia Pu
Jonathan Kitchen/DigitalVision via Getty Images Introduction At first glance, VictoryShares Dividend Accelerator ETF ( VSDA ) looks like a solid high dividend growth play. To a large degree it is, thanks to its impressive annual dividend growth and solid annual performance. The problem is that when you factor in the TER at 0.35%, and assume a 10-year horizon, these fees will start to meaningfully ...
Jonathan Kitchen/DigitalVision via Getty Images Introduction At first glance, VictoryShares Dividend Accelerator ETF ( VSDA ) looks like a solid high dividend growth play. To a large degree it is, thanks to its impressive annual dividend growth and solid annual performance. The problem is that when you factor in the TER at 0.35%, and assume a 10-year horizon, these fees will start to meaningfully eat into your total return. Over a 10-year period, this translates into roughly a 3–4% cumulative drag on capital, requiring both sustained dividend growth and alpha to stay relevant as an ETF. Income-focused investors may as such be better off looking for cheaper alternatives like VIG ( VIG ) for broad market exposure or Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF ( VDC ) for similar defensive exposure. Admirable Dividend Growth Seeking Alpha VSDA’s dividend growth is nothing to sneeze at, and that’s one of the reasons you could argue it justifies a high(er) TER. The fund has enjoyed 7 years of consecutive dividend growth, with a 3-year CAGR of 18.5% and a 5-year CAGR of 17%. That growth especially looks favorable compared to VIG’s 4.5% and 8.2% respectively. VIG has been at it for longer though, with 12 years of consecutive dividend growth. VSDA’s monthly dividend payouts may be more interesting for some investors than others, depending on tax management. Seeking Alpha The main reason that VSDA manages to maintain such high dividend growth is due to its holdings. At around 31% Consumer Defensive, 18% Financials, and 13% Industrials, and only 3% in Tech, this is a defensive fund whose upside depends more on stability than double-digit earnings growth and therefore is structurally capped in a growth regime. In a defensive regime however, it can show some outperformance versus the broader market. Selection Methodology Explains The Performance Gap The main difference between VictoryShares Dividend Accelerator ETF and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF lies in their selection met...
The Democrats' National Popular Vote Push Is About Fear, Not Fairness Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact into law this week, adding her state's 13 electoral votes to a growing coalition that wants to effectively render the Electoral College a ceremonial relic. The move is strategically transparent, and it tells you almost everything you need to kno...
The Democrats' National Popular Vote Push Is About Fear, Not Fairness Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact into law this week, adding her state's 13 electoral votes to a growing coalition that wants to effectively render the Electoral College a ceremonial relic. The move is strategically transparent, and it tells you almost everything you need to know about the Democratic Party's relationship with electoral math right now. The compact now covers 18 states and the District of Columbia, totaling 222 electoral votes - 82% of the 270-vote threshold required to trigger the agreement. When that threshold is crossed, every member state would be obligated to award its electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote, regardless of how its own residents voted. Democrats lead every single state that has signed the compact. The stated rationale has always been simple: twice in the modern era, a Republican won the presidency despite losing the popular vote: George W. Bush in 2000 and Donald Trump in 2016. Democrats argued the system was undemocratic, a quirk of 18th-century compromise that distorted the popular will. Even though Bush and Trump both went on to win the national popular vote in their second terms, the compact's momentum has not waned. If anything, the push has accelerated - which reveals the real motivation behind it. Democrats are staring at a demographic and geographic clock, and they don't like what it's telling them. Fox News projects the party could lose up to 14 net Electoral College seats following the 2030 Census, as population shifts continue favoring red states. Florida is projected to gain 2 electoral votes, Texas 3, Idaho and Utah 1 each. California stands to lose 3, Illinois 2, New York and Rhode Island 1 apiece. 🚨 MASSIVE: Democrats are staring down a devastating Electoral College loss of possibly 14 NET SEATS in the coming 2030 Census This will SEVERELY constrain their ability to win the Hous...
Friday's market rally extended the best Nasdaq run in decades. But Iran said Saturday the Strait of Hormuz is "under strict control." Tesla earnings loom.
Friday's market rally extended the best Nasdaq run in decades. But Iran said Saturday the Strait of Hormuz is "under strict control." Tesla earnings loom.
A recent White House report on the impact of stablecoin yield on bank lending is misleading, the American Bankers Association says. Outlawing stablecoin yield would only boost bank lending by $2.1 billion, or 0.02%, in the base case, the White...
A recent White House report on the impact of stablecoin yield on bank lending is misleading, the American Bankers Association says. Outlawing stablecoin yield would only boost bank lending by $2.1 billion, or 0.02%, in the base case, the White...
bunhill/E+ via Getty Images The BDC sector ( BIZD ) has landed on the chopping block of many bears. Given the intensity at which bearish headlines get pumped across the financial media channels, we are most likely well aware of the "so-called" issues: Many hidden cockroaches such as Tricolor and First Brands. Huge exposure to SaaS, which is likely to struggle due to the advancing AI. Exodus of cap...
bunhill/E+ via Getty Images The BDC sector ( BIZD ) has landed on the chopping block of many bears. Given the intensity at which bearish headlines get pumped across the financial media channels, we are most likely well aware of the "so-called" issues: Many hidden cockroaches such as Tricolor and First Brands. Huge exposure to SaaS, which is likely to struggle due to the advancing AI. Exodus of capital from private BDCs and the corresponding liquidity caps. Opaque valuation methods. There are many more, but these are probably the main ones. Most of these risks started to emerge from mid-January this year: Ycharts On a YTD basis, the index is down by ~7%, which, considering the pre-existing discounts, has contributed to a sector median discount of 27%. The market-cap weighted index (RJ BDC Index) is down ~11%. In the meantime, almost all BDC managers have characterized this dynamic as a significant disconnect from the underlying reality or the underlying financial situation. This is at least how I interpret their comments in Q4 2025 earnings calls and in some select conferences. Personally, I also see the situation in a similar way - i.e., a huge buying opportunity. You can find more details in my recent piece here: BDCs: The Time To Buy This 14% Yielding Sector Is Now Now, given the combination of a) deep-value level discounts and b) strong conviction about the disconnect between value and share price, it would be only logical if we saw heavy insider buying activity. Notable insider buying activity would, in my view, put a cherry on top of a specific (discounted) BDC's investment case. Conversely, if there were no insider buying involved, especially in the case of significantly lower share price and deep discount, I would probably question the validity of BDCs' investment cases. I'm not saying that I would sell, but at least I would reexamine the position and perhaps trim the exposure a bit. Without further ado, let's take a look at 20 BDCs and their insider activity...
Harvepino/iStock via Getty Images I last reported on Critical Metals Corp ( CRML ) in late February. Since then, the ticker is up 40% . Several new developments are driving the stock. Last month, the company rolled up 60 degrees North Greenland ApS , a local construction company known for its operational capabilities and expertise in mining projects. This expedites its Tanbreez build-out with more...
Harvepino/iStock via Getty Images I last reported on Critical Metals Corp ( CRML ) in late February. Since then, the ticker is up 40% . Several new developments are driving the stock. Last month, the company rolled up 60 degrees North Greenland ApS , a local construction company known for its operational capabilities and expertise in mining projects. This expedites its Tanbreez build-out with more “boots on the ground.” The acquisition was clearly one facet of the company’s $ 30 million acceleration program announced in early March, which aimed to get the site to first ore production by Q4 2028. This local outfit is housed in Greenland and knows the logistical terrain. CRML’s scheduled drive to get its pilot facility built by May now looks more likely. Even more impressively, on April 17 th , a major legal impediment was resolved. Greenland officially approved the transfer to CRML of the remaining 50.5% interest in the Tanbreez mining site, bringing the company’s total ownership to 92.5%. This is a big deal. It now gives Critical Metal’s majority control of what is arguably the largest REE deposit in the world. The company had already done brisk dealmaking on three continents, and this was an underlying legal worry, particularly as --to put it mildly-- US-EU relations have become more volatile. As CRML’s Chairman Tony Sage described: "This is a game-changing moment for Critical Metals Corp. and for Western rare earth supply security, [which] removes the most significant structural overhang on the project and provides the clarity to advance Tanbreez to production with confidence." Drilling is well under way at Tanbreez, with the company’s 33-test hole results weight-averaging .44% TREO (with peak assays offering .94% TREO) . Impressive results like these and full ownership puts CRML in the cat bird’s seat. It still must execute, but things are getting clearer. A “complete unknown” to investors ten months ago, this Critical Metals now finds itself at the very fulcrum ...