Moussa81/iStock via Getty Images Lundin Gold ( LUGDF ) said it plans to spend $100M this year in an exploration campaign to extend the life of its Fruta del Norte mine in Ecuador, adding ~133K meters of drilling, Reuters reported Thursday. Lundin ( LUGDF ) wants to increase its existing reserves totaling 5.54M oz and identify new deposits through a three-year project launched in 2025, executives s...
Moussa81/iStock via Getty Images Lundin Gold ( LUGDF ) said it plans to spend $100M this year in an exploration campaign to extend the life of its Fruta del Norte mine in Ecuador, adding ~133K meters of drilling, Reuters reported Thursday. Lundin ( LUGDF ) wants to increase its existing reserves totaling 5.54M oz and identify new deposits through a three-year project launched in 2025, executives said. Fruta del Norte, Ecuador's first large-scale underground mine, began production in 2019 with an initial 12-year lifespan, and the mine produced nearly 500K oz of gold last year, while exports of gold concentrate and ore bars are expected to reach ~$1.8B. Fruta del Norte is "one of the most important gold mines in the world, and with current gold prices in the global context, it allows us to pursue growth opportunities in Ecuador and internationally," Lundin Gold ( LUGDF ) director of business sustainability Juan Jose Herrera said. The company has said it expects to produce 475K-525K oz of gold annually through 2028. More on Lundin Gold Lundin Gold: A High-Grade Growth Story The Market Hasn't Fully Priced In Gold And Silver Mining Stocks - Potential Winners Seeking Alpha's Quant Rating on Lundin Gold
Seventeen-year-old Choi Ga-on denies American great Chloe Kim snowboarding history as she brushes off an early fall to win Winter Olympic halfpipe gold.
Seventeen-year-old Choi Ga-on denies American great Chloe Kim snowboarding history as she brushes off an early fall to win Winter Olympic halfpipe gold.
Ukrainians are uniting in solidarity with Olympic skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych after he was disqualified for wearing a helmet with images of Ukrainian athletes killed during Russia's invasion. (Image credit: Alessandra Tarantino)
Ukrainians are uniting in solidarity with Olympic skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych after he was disqualified for wearing a helmet with images of Ukrainian athletes killed during Russia's invasion. (Image credit: Alessandra Tarantino)
The disclosure from the agency's acting director came after immigration officers shot two U.S. citizens, intensifying questions about ICE officers' tactics, training and use of force. (Image credit: Brendan Smialowski)
The disclosure from the agency's acting director came after immigration officers shot two U.S. citizens, intensifying questions about ICE officers' tactics, training and use of force. (Image credit: Brendan Smialowski)
Alistair Berg/DigitalVision via Getty Images Shares of food distributor United Natural Foods, Inc. ( UNFI ) have been somewhat volatile a quarter after rallying in early October 2025 due to a much stronger-than-anticipated FY26 outlook due to efficiency gains. That outlook was maintained in December 2025—when the company reported 1QFY26 financials in December—and followed by wholly achievable FY28...
Alistair Berg/DigitalVision via Getty Images Shares of food distributor United Natural Foods, Inc. ( UNFI ) have been somewhat volatile a quarter after rallying in early October 2025 due to a much stronger-than-anticipated FY26 outlook due to efficiency gains. That outlook was maintained in December 2025—when the company reported 1QFY26 financials in December—and followed by wholly achievable FY28 objectives revealed at its Investor Day. With net leverage projected to fall from 4.2 in 1QFY25 to sub 2.0 by YEFY27 while trading at approximately 14.4 times FY27E EPS with tepid Street support, the recent insider buying in UNFI merited a deeper dive. An analysis follows below. UNFI Stock Chart (Seeking Alpha) Company Overview: United Natural Foods, Inc. is a Providence, Rhode Island-based distributor of ~230,000 grocery and non-food products from nearly 10,000 suppliers to all 50 states and Canada. The company, known as UNFI, services its 30,000+ customer locations from 49 distribution centers and warehouses comprising ~28 million square feet. With roots dating back to 1976, UNFI was formed through the merger of regional distributors Mountain People’s Warehouse and Cornucopia Natural Foods, becoming the first nationwide natural food distributor in 1996. It went public that same year, raising net proceeds of $35.5 million at $6.75 per share, after giving effect to a 2-for-1 stock split in 2004. Its stock trades around $40 a share, translating to a market cap just over $2.4 billion. December 2025 Company Presentation The company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year (FY) ending the Saturday closest to July 31st. For the avoidance of doubt, the 52-week period ending August 2, 2025, is FY25. Operating Segments The company views the performance of its operations through three business segments: Natural; Conventional; and Retail. December 2025 Company Presentation Approximately half of UNFI’s top line comes from Natural, which consists of natural, organic, and specialty gro...
Rich Ruohonen has tried to get to the Olympics for almost 40 years. He finally got his chance, taking to the ice at the Milan Cortina Games representing the U.S. on Team Casper for curling. (Image credit: Odd Andersen)
Rich Ruohonen has tried to get to the Olympics for almost 40 years. He finally got his chance, taking to the ice at the Milan Cortina Games representing the U.S. on Team Casper for curling. (Image credit: Odd Andersen)
Earnings Call Insights: Ameren Corporation (AEE) Q4 2025 Management View Martin Lyons, President, CEO & Chairman of the Board, reported, "we delivered 2025 adjusted earnings of $5.03 per share, which represents 8.6% growth over adjusted 2024 results. And we affirmed our 2026 earnings per share guidance range of $5.25 to $5.45." He announced the signing of 2.2 gigawatts of large load electric servi...
Earnings Call Insights: Ameren Corporation (AEE) Q4 2025 Management View Martin Lyons, President, CEO & Chairman of the Board, reported, "we delivered 2025 adjusted earnings of $5.03 per share, which represents 8.6% growth over adjusted 2024 results. And we affirmed our 2026 earnings per share guidance range of $5.25 to $5.45." He announced the signing of 2.2 gigawatts of large load electric service agreements in Missouri, describing it as a meaningful step in supporting economic development and indicating these ESAs represent upside to sales and earnings forecasts. Lyons stated, "Today, we issued 6% to 8% earnings per share growth guidance for the period 2026 to 2030, and we continue to expect year-over-year results near the upper end of that range." Lyons detailed more than $4 billion invested in electric, natural gas, and transmission infrastructure in 2025, as well as a $3.6 billion capital investment and the creation of approximately 3,700 jobs from supported projects. The CEO highlighted, "Our system and teams performed exceptionally well" during severe weather events, with grid investments preventing "more than 56 million minutes of potential customer outages," which is double the previous year's performance. Leonard Singh, Executive VP, CFO & President of Ameren Services, stated, "Yesterday, we reported 2025 adjusted earnings of $5.03 per share compared to earnings of $4.63 per share in 2024." Singh noted the impact of $86 million in income tax expense reduction, resulting in a $0.32 per share benefit, and credited process improvements for achieving $20 million in recurring O&M savings over two years. Outlook Ameren affirmed its 2026 diluted earnings per share guidance range of $5.25 to $5.45, with Lyons emphasizing, "The midpoint of this range represents 8.1% earnings per share growth compared to our original 2025 earnings guidance midpoint." Company guidance for 2026-2030 remains at 6% to 8% compound annual EPS growth, and Lyons stated, "we expect consiste...
Earnings Call Insights: PHINIA Inc. (PHIN) Q4 2025 Management View President, CEO & Director Brady Ericson highlighted the company's diversified business model and resilience, noting "our diversification across regions, customers, end markets and products continues to serve us well with no single end market and region that defines PHINIA." He announced a recasting of segment reporting, with OES sa...
Earnings Call Insights: PHINIA Inc. (PHIN) Q4 2025 Management View President, CEO & Director Brady Ericson highlighted the company's diversified business model and resilience, noting "our diversification across regions, customers, end markets and products continues to serve us well with no single end market and region that defines PHINIA." He announced a recasting of segment reporting, with OES sales now distributed from the Fuel Systems segment rather than Aftermarket, and a new breakdown separating off-highway, industrial, and other sales. The calculation method for adjusted free cash flow conversion has also been updated. Ericson reported "total net sales in the quarter were $889 million, up 6.7% from the same period in the prior year" and noted segment growth in both aftermarket and Fuel Systems. He stated, "Fuel Systems segment delivered a strong quarter with sales of $560 million... Aftermarket segment had sales of $329 million." Adjusted earnings per diluted share was $1.18 for the quarter. He emphasized capital allocation, revealing "since the spin, we repurchased 9.8 million shares, which is roughly 21% of our original share count," and announced an 11% dividend increase plus a $150 million increase in the share repurchase program. Ericson described key business wins, including "securing our third aerospace and defense contract for a post-combustion fuel valve," truck contract extensions with global OEMs, and a new business win in India for port fuel injectors. He also cited the addition of 5,800 new SKUs in Aftermarket. Executive VP & CFO Chris Gropp stated, "our fourth quarter and full year results met our expectations even as we navigated a range of challenges from tariffs and macroeconomic instability to geopolitical tensions and a shifting policy landscape." Gropp noted full-year revenue of approximately $3.5 billion and highlighted supplier savings and cost controls, while mentioning "adjusted free cash flow came in above guide at $212 million." Outlo...
Earnings Call Insights: Restaurant Brands International (QSR) Q4 2025 Management View CEO Joshua Kobza highlighted continued solid results across the brand portfolio, emphasizing long-term investments and focus on fundamentals. Kobza stated, "Our brands delivered solid results, reinforcing the strength of our portfolio and the impact of our continued focus on delivering quality, service and conven...
Earnings Call Insights: Restaurant Brands International (QSR) Q4 2025 Management View CEO Joshua Kobza highlighted continued solid results across the brand portfolio, emphasizing long-term investments and focus on fundamentals. Kobza stated, "Our brands delivered solid results, reinforcing the strength of our portfolio and the impact of our continued focus on delivering quality, service and convenience to guests." In China, RBI temporarily took control of the Burger King business, rebuilt the leadership team, and established a joint venture with CPE, with plans to roughly double Burger King China's footprint to at least 2,500 units by 2030. At Popeyes, leadership was refocused, appointing Peter Perdue as President of Popeyes U.S. and Canada, with a mandate to raise operational consistency and improve performance. Burger King U.S. began refranchising efforts two years ahead of schedule and continued investments in operations, marketing, and restaurant modernization. Kobza noted, "These stores are delivering annualized average restaurant sales of nearly $3 million, a clear tangible illustration of what strong execution looks like in practice." Tim Hortons achieved its first net restaurant growth in Canada since 2021, and digital engagement reached new highs, with kiosks expanding to over 800 restaurants. CFO Sami Siddiqui stated, "2025 was a year of execution-driven performance, which translated into solid top line results 8% organic AOI growth and double-digit adjusted EPS growth, with performance improving as we went through the year." Executive Chairman J. Doyle commented, "2025 was a demanding year for restaurant operators...our performance demonstrated that the underlying fundamentals of our portfolio are not only resilient, but improving." Outlook Siddiqui said, "Most importantly, in 2026, we're committed to delivering a fourth consecutive year of on-algorithm 8% AOI growth." The company expects segment G&A, excluding restaurant holdings, of about $600 million t...
Earnings Call Insights: Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (EEFT) Q4 2025 Management View CEO Michael Brown opened the call by addressing the challenging operating environment, stating "Immigration policy uncertainty and economic stress, especially amongst lower income consumers weighed on growth across all 3 segments with the most pronounced impact on money transfer and epay." Despite these headwinds, Brown...
Earnings Call Insights: Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (EEFT) Q4 2025 Management View CEO Michael Brown opened the call by addressing the challenging operating environment, stating "Immigration policy uncertainty and economic stress, especially amongst lower income consumers weighed on growth across all 3 segments with the most pronounced impact on money transfer and epay." Despite these headwinds, Brown highlighted continued confidence in Euronet’s competitive position and growth initiatives, particularly in the money transfer segment and the stability of the EFT business. He emphasized "we remain excited about growth initiatives underway across all our segments that will drive business momentum through 2026," and noted the resilience of the EFT segment as a stabilizing force. Brown outlined strategic actions, including the acquisition of Kyodai in Money Transfer and Credia Bank’s Merchant Acquiring Business, and investments in digital strategy. He said, "We continue to invest in growth opportunities across all 3 segments, particularly in areas where we were accelerating our digital strategy." Notable partnerships included a Ren deal with a top 3 U.S. bank and portfolio additions such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Citi to Dandelion. Brown underscored the evolution of the EFT segment away from ATM ownership toward payment infrastructure and merchant acquiring, referencing the CoreCard acquisition as "a strong addition to our payments processing pillar." He reported early expansion into new markets and highlighted the integration of CoreCard with existing capabilities. CFO Rick Weller stated, "Adjusted EPS for the fourth quarter was $2.39, reflecting another quarter of double-digit year-over-year earnings growth, even as parts of the business faced pressure." He detailed revenue and margin performance across segments and addressed macroeconomic and immigration-related headwinds. Weller also described a $20 million charge related to investments in digital initiatives...
JTKPHOTOz/iStock via Getty Images Intro AIFU Inc. ( AIFU ), through its subsidiary, is a distributor of insurance products in China. AI is at the center of the company's operations, with the company not only offering a range of health and life insurance products but also offering underwriting services and claims adjusting services in its setup. Where AI is making its mark in the insurance industry...
JTKPHOTOz/iStock via Getty Images Intro AIFU Inc. ( AIFU ), through its subsidiary, is a distributor of insurance products in China. AI is at the center of the company's operations, with the company not only offering a range of health and life insurance products but also offering underwriting services and claims adjusting services in its setup. Where AI is making its mark in the insurance industry is matching customer needs to adjoining products at scale. Data is the real currency of the information age, where AIFU is looking to use its proprietary AI to earn more revenue from each and every customer over time. Nevertheless, the market has yet to buy into AIFU's vision of becoming a globally leading technological financial services platform, as we can clearly see from the technical chart below. In fact, the long-term chart makes for dismal reading, with the stock dropping from above $100 a share in early 2024 to approximately $2 a share at this juncture. The reported private placement last July of north of $31 million really seemed to put a dent into any possibility of a sustained rally last year. Therefore, the question becomes whether AIFU can finally turn the tables at its present valuation and market cap of approximately $200 million. AIFU Long-Term Technicals (Stockcharts.com) AIFU's Multi-Level Approach to Motivating Sales Agents Similar to direct sales companies in the US, where agents get compensated for building big teams (downlines), AIFU uses a similar approach, which incentivizes workers. The problem with these types of compensation plans is that they rarely last for the full term, especially if AIFU were to expand the business outside Mainland China. AIFU will state that the comprehensive training it imparts ties sales agents to the company over time. However, history informs us that attrition rates remain well above average in compensation models that involve multi-level teams. Suffice it to say, given the lower commissions, especially on shorter-term ...