Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has met European Union representatives to discuss opportunities for cooperation, with the chief executive saying both sides highlighted a shared belief in multilateralism amid increasing tensions and market turmoil. Ambassador Harvey Rouse, head of the EU Office in Hong Kong, called for both sides to work together, describing the 27-member bloc as a “very dependab...
Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has met European Union representatives to discuss opportunities for cooperation, with the chief executive saying both sides highlighted a shared belief in multilateralism amid increasing tensions and market turmoil. Ambassador Harvey Rouse, head of the EU Office in Hong Kong, called for both sides to work together, describing the 27-member bloc as a “very dependable partner in an increasingly volatile world”. Local officials attending the lunch meeting on...
Yta23/iStock via Getty Images Overview Market indices were off to a rough start in the first quarter of 2026. This caused many high quality funds to decline but it also introduced an opportunity to initiate some great entries for long-term positions. I believe that the Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund ( EOI ) is now attractively priced and is a great long-term fund for income investors. Whe...
Yta23/iStock via Getty Images Overview Market indices were off to a rough start in the first quarter of 2026. This caused many high quality funds to decline but it also introduced an opportunity to initiate some great entries for long-term positions. I believe that the Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund ( EOI ) is now attractively priced and is a great long-term fund for income investors. When I previously covered the fund, I issued a hold rating due to the solid portfolio strategy but high valuation at the time. Since my last coverage, the fund has released an updated annual report that prompted me to revisit the internal earnings performance, valuation, and outlook going forward. When I previously covered EOI, the fund traded at a small premium to NAV of 1.4%. Following the market uncertainty in the beginning of the year, EOI now trades at a slight discount to NAV of 3.68%. Referring to the red line on the graph below, EOI has now fallen to a more attractive entry point in relation to its historical price to NAV range. For instance, EOI has traded at an average discount to NAV of 0.44% over the last five year period. Therefore, this can serve as a great entry point for investors that want to initiate a buy-and-hold approach. CEF Data The fund now offers investors a starting dividend yield of 8%, while issuing those payouts on a monthly basis. After reviewing the latest annual report, it is clear that the fund is capable of producing sufficient earnings. Therefore, the dividend is sustainable and makes this a great income compounder. Furthermore, the distributions tend to be paid out in a tax-efficient manner, which creates some flexibility for how investors can utilize the fund. This tax-efficiency also makes EOI a great choice for retirees seeking a reliable source of income that can support lifestyle expenses. Fund Strategy According to the latest fund overview , EOI has total managed assets of $848M that are spread across a diverse range of equities. Altho...
For years, Wall Street banks eagerly helped private credit funds amplify their investing firepower with hundreds of billions of dollars in loans, helping them notch ever-higher returns. Now, those same banks are tightening their arrangements, adding to the pressure on managers already reeling from an exodus of investors. Some big banks are raising interest rates for the leverage they provide, and ...
For years, Wall Street banks eagerly helped private credit funds amplify their investing firepower with hundreds of billions of dollars in loans, helping them notch ever-higher returns. Now, those same banks are tightening their arrangements, adding to the pressure on managers already reeling from an exodus of investors. Some big banks are raising interest rates for the leverage they provide, and they’re also marking down specific loans posted as collateral. Behind the scenes, that’s prompting private credit fund managers to swap out holdings from the pools as banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co. , Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Barclays Plc exercise their right to write down individual assets, according to people involved in the talks. The strategies banks are employing to address risks in existing facilities aren’t new, but they’re becoming more prevalent given the turmoil roiling global markets, said the people, asking not to be identified discussing confidential negotiations. Some banks, for example, are scrutinizing loans made to software companies and other industries at risk of being disrupted by artificial intelligence in coming years. “Every bank does it differently and every bank charges differently,” JPMorgan Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon told investors on a conference call Tuesday. “We always had what we call marking rights to look at the underlying collateral. And that’s just a right that protects you.” The stakes are high enough that top bank executives are getting directly involved in adjusting the interest rates they charge for leverage and tightening collateral terms, some of the people said. Because banks don’t all have the same rights to challenge assets, some may end up better protected than rivals if private credit defaults begin to rise. The consequences are potentially far-reaching for the asset management firms, too, which have helped fuel $1.8 trillion of private loans to companies across the economy. Funds rely on leverage to keep cash ...
Taiyou Nomachi/DigitalVision via Getty Images North American paper and forest products companies are heading into first-quarter earnings season with diverging fundamentals, as stronger containerboard dynamics contrast with uneven demand across lumber, pulp and building materials, according to a new report from RBC Capital Markets. Analysts led by Matthew McKellar on April 16 said they continue to ...
Taiyou Nomachi/DigitalVision via Getty Images North American paper and forest products companies are heading into first-quarter earnings season with diverging fundamentals, as stronger containerboard dynamics contrast with uneven demand across lumber, pulp and building materials, according to a new report from RBC Capital Markets. Analysts led by Matthew McKellar on April 16 said they continue to favor large, North America-focused companies, particularly in containerboard, where supply reductions and improving operating rates are creating a more constructive pricing environment. Containerboard emerges as bright spot RBC highlighted containerboard producers as the most attractive segment, citing significant capacity rationalization over the past year. More than 8% of North American capacity was removed in 2025, helping push industry operating rates toward the mid-90% range. This tightening supply backdrop is enabling producers to prioritize pricing discipline over volume growth, particularly among major players such as International Paper ( IP ) and Smurfit WestRock ( SW ), which together control a substantial share of the market. While demand for corrugated boxes remains modest, analysts expect gradual improvement in 2026, with shipments projected to grow slightly year over year. Lumber prices rebound, but sustainability in question Lumber markets have staged a notable recovery from late-2025 lows, driven largely by supply constraints rather than demand strength. Southern Yellow Pine prices averaged $433 per thousand board feet in the first quarter, well above prior expectations, and recently climbed above $500, levels not seen since early 2023. However, RBC cautioned that the rally may not be sustainable. Producers remain hesitant to increase output after several difficult years, and underlying housing demand remains constrained by elevated mortgage rates and softer consumer sentiment. The firm expects lumber prices to ease from current levels, even as supply disci...
Sucro press release ( SUGR:CA ): Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.48. Revenue of $149.4M. Full-year revenue of $668.9 million on sugar deliveries of 838,607 metric tons; Q4 revenue of $149.4 million and 227,447 metric tons, respectively Full-year net income of $41.0 million; Q4 net income of $11.6 million Full-year adjusted gross profit1 of $49.5 million and adjusted gross profit margin1 percentage of 7.4%; Q4 o...
Sucro press release ( SUGR:CA ): Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.48. Revenue of $149.4M. Full-year revenue of $668.9 million on sugar deliveries of 838,607 metric tons; Q4 revenue of $149.4 million and 227,447 metric tons, respectively Full-year net income of $41.0 million; Q4 net income of $11.6 million Full-year adjusted gross profit1 of $49.5 million and adjusted gross profit margin1 percentage of 7.4%; Q4 of $9.1 million and 6.1%, respectively Full-year EBITDA1 of $64.9 million and adjusted EBITDA1 of $30.9 million; Q4 of $11.3 million and $3.4 million, respectively Full-year adjusted gross profit per metric ton delivered1,2 of $59.05; Q4 of $40.16 For our refineries, Full-year volumes of 205,710 metric tons; Q4 of 44,561 metric tons For our refineries, Full-year adjusted gross profit per metric ton delivered of $147.641; Q4 of $124.55 More on Sucro Financial information for Sucro
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) continues to be a compelling case study in accelerating growth at scale. Every time analysts suggest the story is priced in, the company prints another quarter that makes the previous one look modest. Here are three reasons I can’t stop buying the stock. Reason 1: The Growth Trajectory Keeps Accelerating, Not Decelerating ... Why I Can’t Stop Buying Nvidia Stock
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) continues to be a compelling case study in accelerating growth at scale. Every time analysts suggest the story is priced in, the company prints another quarter that makes the previous one look modest. Here are three reasons I can’t stop buying the stock. Reason 1: The Growth Trajectory Keeps Accelerating, Not Decelerating ... Why I Can’t Stop Buying Nvidia Stock
JHVEPhoto Marsh ( MRSH ) stock climbed 4.1% in Thursday morning trading after the reinsurance, risk management, and consulting firm turned in stronger-than-expected earnings and revenue as risk remained elevated in the macro environment. Q1 adjusted EPS of $3.29, topping the average analyst estimate of $2.95, rose from $3.06 in the year-ago quarter. Q1 revenue of $7.60B, vs. the $7.30B consensus, ...
JHVEPhoto Marsh ( MRSH ) stock climbed 4.1% in Thursday morning trading after the reinsurance, risk management, and consulting firm turned in stronger-than-expected earnings and revenue as risk remained elevated in the macro environment. Q1 adjusted EPS of $3.29, topping the average analyst estimate of $2.95, rose from $3.06 in the year-ago quarter. Q1 revenue of $7.60B, vs. the $7.30B consensus, increased from $7.06B in last year's Q1. Operating expenses of $5.84B grew from $5.06B in the year-ago period. Calling the Q1 results a “solid start” to the year, President and CEO John Doyle said, " For the quarter, we generated 8% overall revenue growth, 4% underlying revenue growth, 8% adjusted operating income growth, and 8% adjusted EPS growth." Risk and insurance services non-GAAP revenue of $4.88B rose 3% Y/Y. That includes Marsh Risk non-GAAP revenue of $3.58B, which increased 4% Y/Y. Total consulting non-GAAP revenue of $2.43B rose 5%, including Mercer non-GAAP revenue of $1.56B, up 5% Y/Y. More on Marsh & McLennan Marsh & McLennan Remains An Attractive Growth Play In The Insurance Sector Marsh: An Undervalued Stock For Long-Term Dividend Growth Investors Marsh & McLennan Companies: New Name, Same Great Company Marsh & McLennan Non-GAAP EPS of $3.29 beats by $0.07, revenue of $7.59B beats by $190M
Stellantis NV (NYSE:STLA, EPA:STLA) and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) have announced a five-year strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating Stellantis’ digital transformation through artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud technologies. The partnership expands on an existing...
Stellantis NV (NYSE:STLA, EPA:STLA) and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) have announced a five-year strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating Stellantis’ digital transformation through artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud technologies. The partnership expands on an existing...
Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran explains why he thinks it makes sense for interest rates to be lowered during a Bretton Woods event in Washington, D.C. (Source: Bloomberg)
Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran explains why he thinks it makes sense for interest rates to be lowered during a Bretton Woods event in Washington, D.C. (Source: Bloomberg)
Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock via Getty Images The following segment was excerpted from the Longleaf Partners Small-Cap Fund Q1 2026 Commentary . Notable Contributors & Detractors Boston Beer ( SAM ) – Alcoholic beverage company Boston Beer was a contributor for the quarter as industry data improved compared to last year. Sentiment around the industry appears to be leveling off after two years of head...
Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock via Getty Images The following segment was excerpted from the Longleaf Partners Small-Cap Fund Q1 2026 Commentary . Notable Contributors & Detractors Boston Beer ( SAM ) – Alcoholic beverage company Boston Beer was a contributor for the quarter as industry data improved compared to last year. Sentiment around the industry appears to be leveling off after two years of headwinds from changes in consumption habits. The company reported solid first quarter results that were highlighted by continued improvement in gross margins. Recent innovation Sun Cruiser is growing volumes rapidly as the brand expands nationwide to take advantage of the sizable runway remaining in the ready-to-drink tea space. The company also continues to make progress in fixing problems at Twisted Tea, their largest brand. Boston Beer remains both an active share repurchaser and attractive acquisition target as alcohol industry consolidation looks to be on the horizon. Shenandoah Telecommunications ( SHEN ) – Telecom company Shenandoah was a contributor for the quarter. The company reported a solid set of results that helped the market wake up to these off-the-radar assets that we started buying last year. While parts of this unique company are technically “legacy” telecom, Shenandoah made the wise call to focus on building out its fiber business years ago. This led to decreased short-term earnings power and a higher leverage ratio on reported EBITDA, but the company built a substantial amount of value with this capital allocation decision. Now a strong majority of its value comes from this great, growing business. Shenandoah also wisely securitized most of its fiber assets in the 4th quarter to improve the balance sheet. The company is now getting closer to FCF positive in 2027, and earnings growth should continue to be strong thereafter. Empire State Realty ( ESRT ) and Alexander’s ( ALX ) – We wrote about these two New York real estate companies together in a previous n...