For investors seeking sustained growth over decades, two exchange-traded funds stand out for their proven track records and strategic holdings in the world's leading companies.
Karat Packaging Inc. (NASDAQ: KRT) showcases a consistent 18% return on capital employed, outperforming its industry. Yet, as capital investment grows, analysts debate whether the sustainable packaging firm can accelerate value creation for shareholders seeking multi-bagger potential.
The Hartford Financial Services Group reported stellar full-year 2025 results, with core earnings reaching $3.8 billion and a return on equity of 19.4%. Strong performance across Business, Personal, and Employee Benefits insurance segments, coupled with strategic investments in AI and digital capabilities, positions the insurer for sustained market leadership.
Despite reporting strong quarterly earnings, Microsoft shares suffered one of their worst single-day drops in history as investors balked at soaring capital expenditures for AI infrastructure and signs of slowing growth in its Azure cloud division.
A dramatic rally in gold and silver prices came to an abrupt halt on Friday, with futures tumbling sharply amid a broader market sell-off and warnings of unsustainable volatility.
Air Products and Chemicals reported a 10% rise in adjusted EPS for its fiscal first quarter, driven by strategic pricing and productivity gains. While management affirmed full-year guidance, they highlighted persistent challenges in the helium market and a cautious approach to major clean energy investments.
Selective Insurance Group reported robust profitability and investment returns for 2025, driven by disciplined underwriting actions. While celebrating an 18% book value growth, management detailed significant reserve strengthening in commercial auto and outlined a confident outlook for 2026, the year of its centennial.
Despite a challenging mortgage landscape and specific credit headwinds, Hilltop Holdings Inc. (HTH) reported a 46% surge in annual net income for 2025, buoyed by a steepening yield curve and disciplined cost management across its banking, lending, and securities divisions.
CLEAR Secure, the biometric identity company known for its airport expedited lanes, is deepening its ties to core government systems. CEO Caryn Seidman Becker's appointment to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's board and a new contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services signal a strategic push into financial and public health infrastructure.
Minerals 260 (ASX:MI6) has significantly upgraded the resource estimate at its flagship Bullabulling gold project to 4.5 million ounces, sparking renewed investor interest. Despite recent share price volatility, the long-term outlook appears buoyed by upcoming study milestones and a substantial intrinsic value gap, raising questions about whether the market is undervaluing its potential.
Rockwell Automation expands its partnership with Lucid Motors, deploying its FactoryTalk MES software and training programs at Saudi Arabia's inaugural electric vehicle production hub. The move aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, positioning Rockwell as a key player in the region's high-tech manufacturing transformation.
A revised price target for Invesco Mortgage Capital (IVR) is prompting investors to reassess the mortgage REIT's trajectory amid evolving interest rate expectations and housing market dynamics.
Accent Group's strategic partnership with UK retail giant Frasers, including a planned rollout of Sports Direct stores in Australia, is drawing investor focus as it promises to reshape the footwear retailer's earnings profile. The move comes amid volatile share price performance, raising questions about the company's current valuation.
Shares in Canadian aerospace giant Bombardier plunged 9% following former U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose 50% tariffs and decertify its aircraft, escalating trade tensions and sparking alarm across the North American aviation industry.
Saks Global moves to close over 60 Off 5th locations as part of Chapter 11 proceedings, signaling a strategic retreat from the competitive off-price segment to focus on core luxury brands.
Charter Communications reported mixed Q4 2025 results, with continued broadband subscriber pressure offset by strong mobile growth and improved video trends. CEO Chris Winfrey outlined a strategy centered on 'guaranteed' connectivity, savings, and leveraging its converged network to win in a fiercely competitive market, while CFO Jessica Fischer signaled a shift towards a more conservative balance sheet.
Bank of America has increased its price target for industrial packaging firm Greif (GEF) by $1 to $75, while reiterating a Neutral rating. The adjustment follows the bank's broader reassessment of the packaging sector after recent quarterly earnings calls.
As equity markets show signs of fatigue after a prolonged bull run, defensive sectors like utilities are gaining attention. The Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU), with its low cost and stable dividend yield, presents a compelling option for investors seeking to buffer their portfolios against potential volatility.
Analysts at Truist reaffirm their Buy rating on DLocal (DLO), raising their price target to $17 ahead of the fintech firm's Q4 2025 earnings. While expecting solid results, they flag challenging year-over-year volume comparisons that may cap upside surprises.
Erasca Inc. (ERAS) sees its price target raised from $5 to $12 by Guggenheim, following promising clinical data for its lead oncology candidates and updated financial models. The move comes amid a series of positive analyst revisions for the clinical-stage biopharma firm.
