Maryland Sees Sharp Drop in Weekly Jobless Claims, Outpacing National Trend
New unemployment filings in Maryland fell significantly last week, offering a spot of positive news for the state's labor market as national claims also edged lower.
New unemployment filings in Maryland fell significantly last week, offering a spot of positive news for the state's labor market as national claims also edged lower.
American Express reported record full-year revenues of $72 billion for 2025, driven by robust card member spending and a strategic shift towards premium products. The company forecasts continued momentum for 2026, targeting 9-10% revenue growth and a significant dividend hike, while navigating a competitive landscape and macroeconomic uncertainties.
Financial Institutions Inc. (FISI) reported solid Q4 and full-year 2025 results, with net income reaching $73.4 million. The community bank, leveraging its deep roots in Upstate New York, is positioning for further growth in 2026, buoyed by major local investments like Micron's semiconductor project.
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.
Financial Institutions (FISI) reported solid Q4 and full-year 2025 results, beating guidance on key profitability metrics. Management highlighted disciplined loan growth, a strengthened capital position, and strategic shifts, while pointing to long-term opportunities from major industrial investments in its Upstate New York footprint.
Allegro MicroSystems (ALGM) has restructured its credit facilities, securing $285 million in new term loans maturing in 2030. The move provides the semiconductor firm with fresh capital for corporate initiatives as it navigates a capital-intensive sector while maintaining a premium market valuation.
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.
Samsung Electronics unveils new on-device privacy controls for Galaxy users and a special Olympic Edition of its foldable phone, aiming to strengthen its brand and ecosystem ahead of the 2026 Winter Games, as its stock continues a strong run.
Discount retailer Five Below is under investigation by law firm Johnson Fistel following declining sales, lowered guidance, and the sudden departure of its CEO. The legal scrutiny comes as the stock shows sharp volatility—up nearly 96% over the past year but down year-to-date—raising questions about its valuation and growth narrative.
Nutrien Ltd. (TSX:NTR) shares have climbed over 31% in the past year, prompting investors to question if the agricultural giant still presents a buying opportunity. A deep dive into valuation metrics suggests the stock may be fairly priced, but diverging narratives on future growth leave room for debate.
The global professional services firm reported 6% organic revenue growth for the second consecutive year, fueled by its Aon United strategy and strategic acquisitions like NFP. With $7 billion in available capital, Aon is poised to accelerate investments in high-growth areas, notably the burgeoning data center and alternative capital markets.
Quarterhill Inc. (TSE:QTRH) shareholders have endured a punishing five-year period, with the stock's value plummeting nearly 70%. Despite modest revenue growth, the market's verdict has been harsh, raising questions about the company's path to profitability and the perils of long-term bets in turbulent sectors.
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.
SharpLink Gaming (NASDAQ: SBET) is drawing bullish attention from major Wall Street firms, with multiple analysts reiterating Buy ratings. The company's substantial Ethereum holdings and management's crypto expertise are seen as key drivers, even as price targets adjust to market conditions.
Immunocore Holdings (NASDAQ: IMCR) has drawn renewed bullish sentiment from analysts at H.C. Wainwright and UBS, who highlight the stock's potential as key Phase 3 trial data for its cancer immunotherapies approaches later this decade.
Truist Securities has slightly lowered its price target on Tesla shares to $438, citing the significant capital expenditure required for the automaker's aggressive shift towards AI and robotics, despite a solid Q4 performance.
Truist Securities raises its price target on Meta Platforms to $900, maintaining a Buy rating. The upgrade follows stronger-than-expected Q4 results and a robust Q1 outlook, driven by AI enhancements boosting ad performance and user engagement.
In a landmark day for digital asset policy, U.S. regulators unveiled a coordinated initiative while a key Senate committee advanced market structure legislation, signaling a potential end to years of regulatory uncertainty.
XRP, the cryptocurrency designed for global payments, has seen its value tumble over 40% in the past year. While its long-term promise to reshape cross-border finance remains, investors now face a critical juncture: is this a chance to buy the dip, or a sign of deeper troubles ahead?