UBS analyst Peter Grom increased his price target for Kimberly-Clark (KMB) to $110, citing steady core performance despite lingering Kenvue-related uncertainties, after the consumer goods giant reported better-than-expected quarterly profit driven by cost discipline and resilient demand.
Private equity firm Exponent has halted the auction of UK accounting group Xeinadin after potential buyers refused to meet its £1bn valuation, signaling potential headwinds for deal-making in the professional services sector.
As major U.S. banks wrap up their fourth-quarter earnings, a clear divergence emerges. While PNC and Bank of America post strong results, Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase face headwinds. Truist Financial charts a middle course, meeting revenue expectations as the sector navigates a complex economic landscape.
Despite an 8.3% year-over-year revenue dip, First Merchants Corporation reported resilient fourth-quarter earnings, buoyed by disciplined deposit strategies and robust loan expansion. CEO Mark Hardwick pointed to strong commercial activity as a key driver, even as analysts probe the sustainability of growth and integration challenges ahead.
Crane Company's fourth-quarter earnings outperformed expectations, fueled by robust growth in its Aerospace & Advanced Technologies division. While management celebrated strong execution, analysts on the earnings call zeroed in on the costs and complexities of integrating recent high-profile acquisitions.
FirstSun Capital Bancorp's fourth-quarter results surpassed analyst forecasts, driven by robust net interest margins and loan growth. However, the post-earnings call revealed deeper questions from analysts about the sustainability of its performance and integration challenges.
NBT Bancorp met Q4 earnings expectations, driven by its Evans Bancorp merger and wealth management income. While the market reaction was muted, analysts pressed management on loan growth sustainability, deposit costs, and the competitive landscape in a challenging rate environment.
New Gold Inc. shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the planned acquisition by Coeur Mining, a move set to create a leading, diversified precious metals producer focused entirely in North America. The deal, valued through a share swap, is anticipated to close in mid-2026.
Chevron's fourth-quarter profit fell 12.5% year-over-year, pressured by lower oil prices, but the energy giant highlighted robust operational cash flow, record production levels following its Hess acquisition, and significant progress in its long-term strategic projects.
After a staggering 75% surge over the past year, Tapestry's stock is under the microscope. While a discounted cash flow model suggests the shares are roughly fairly valued, its sky-high P/E ratio tells a more cautionary tale, raising questions about whether the market's optimism has gotten ahead of itself.
In a landmark deal set to reshape global aluminum supply chains, Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) and mining giant Rio Tinto have jointly acquired a controlling interest in Brazil's Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA). This strategic move marks Chalco's largest overseas investment to date, significantly expanding its international footprint and influence.
As Smurfit Westrock navigates the complex post-merger landscape, its share price tells a conflicted story. While recent gains hint at optimism, a deeper look reveals a stock trading at a significant discount to some intrinsic value models, even as its P/E ratio suggests a premium. The market appears to be weighing integration execution risks against long-term synergy potential.
Greenlight Capital has spotlighted Core Natural Resources (CNR), the entity formed from the merger of Arch Resources and CONSOL Energy, as a key coal investment. The fund cites the company's valuation and combined asset base, even as the sector grapples with operational challenges. This endorsement brings renewed scrutiny to CNR's integration path and its strategy in a complex market.
In a major strategic shift, uranium-focused Energy Fuels announces a deal to acquire Australian Strategic Materials, aiming to create a vertically integrated rare earths producer outside China. The move comes as the company's stock, already on a meteoric rise, faces new questions about its growth trajectory and valuation.
Verizon outlined a sweeping operational overhaul on its Q4 2025 earnings call, spotlighting robust subscriber growth post-Frontier acquisition and a sharpened focus on customer retention. The telecom giant announced a massive $25 billion buyback program and committed to slashing costs by $5 billion, while addressing recent network reliability issues head-on.
Coeur Mining's acquisition of New Gold has received final court approval in British Columbia, marking a pivotal step toward creating a larger, diversified precious metals producer. The deal is poised to reshape the competitive landscape for mid-tier gold and silver miners in North America.
Hardman Johnston Global Advisors has sold its entire stake in Corteva Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) following management discussions about potentially splitting the company's Seeds and Crop Protection units. The move highlights growing investor unease over strategic direction, liability concerns, and the unclear path to value creation, casting a shadow over the agricultural giant's recent strong performance.
EMCOR Group (NYSE: EME) has revised its 2025 outlook upward, buoyed by a series of strategic acquisitions and robust organic performance. While the stock's impressive run continues, analysts are weighing the sustainability of its growth strategy against a premium valuation.
Shareholders of Blue Foundry Bancorp have voted decisively to approve the company's merger agreement with Fulton Financial Corporation, clearing a critical hurdle in the creation of a stronger regional banking entity.
CSW Industrials reports historic revenue following three strategic acquisitions, including its largest ever. However, integration costs and rising interest expenses pressure margins, leading the firm to miss earnings expectations as its stock faces recent headwinds.
