Asset management company, Strive Inc. (NASDAQ:ASST) has been surging since Friday, with the stock up 27.29% during the day and another 40% in overnight trade.
GOP senators consider eliminating filibuster to force through funding bill as frustration grows over government shutdown. Dems refuse to back down. Trump stays silent on issue. Senators trade accusations over who's responsible for crisis.
Since April’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, it's felt like a never-ending game of tariff whack-a-mole. This weekend hinted at something different — the sense that both sides have finally tired of the noise.
Zions Bancorporation’s third quarter results met market expectations with stronger-than-anticipated revenue growth and improved net interest margin, supported by a favorable shift in asset mix and ongoing deposit stability. Management pointed to momentum in core earnings, highlighting expansion in net interest margin for the seventh straight quarter and cost discipline that led to an improved efficiency ratio. However, the quarter included a notable credit event: a $50 million charge-off tied to two related commercial loans, which management emphasized as an isolated incident after internal and external portfolio reviews. CEO Harris Simmons acknowledged, “We have no further exposure related to these borrowers or guarantors,” underscoring confidence in the bank’s broader credit quality.
Wintrust Financial’s third quarter results were well received by the market, reflecting broad-based loan growth, disciplined deposit gathering, and a stable net interest margin. Management pointed to the company’s unique positioning in core Midwest markets and its ability to attract clients from larger banks, with CEO Timothy S. Crane noting, “We just landed a very nice relationship, a long-time customer at one of the predominant banks in Chicago.” Continued credit quality and measured expense control were also highlighted as key contributors to the quarter’s positive outcome.
Crown Holdings delivered a positive third quarter, with the market responding favorably to stronger-than-expected revenue growth and adjusted earnings per share performance. Management attributed the outperformance to a balanced portfolio, highlighting robust demand in European beverage cans and operational improvements in U.S. tinplate businesses. CEO Timothy Donahue emphasized that “European beverage posted a quarter with income 27% above the prior year on the back of 12% volume growth,” reflecting both underlying market expansion and successful product substitution. While Latin America volumes declined due to regional challenges, these were offset by strength in other segments.
W. R. Berkley’s third quarter results outpaced Wall Street’s revenue expectations, but the market response was negative, reflecting investor caution around evolving industry dynamics. Management attributed the company’s performance to disciplined rate-taking, selective underwriting, and growth in specialty lines, particularly in personal lines and accident and health. CEO Rob Berkley emphasized the company’s focus on rate adequacy and risk-adjusted returns over top-line growth, noting, “We are in business to make good risk-adjusted returns, not solely to issue insurance policies.” Management also highlighted operational efficiencies from technology investments and favorable contributions from new operating units gaining scale.
Cadence Bank’s third quarter results were shaped by the integration of recent acquisitions and changes in its deposit mix, leading to a negative market reaction. Management attributed quarterly performance to the completed acquisition and integration of Industry Bank Shares, noting the positive impact on both core deposit growth and loan balances. CEO Dan Rollins highlighted that the successful disposal of Industry’s securities portfolio and the retention of core customer deposits were key factors, while CFO Valerie Toalson pointed to improved net interest margin and stable credit results as additional contributors to the quarter. The bank also acknowledged a seasonal decline in mortgage banking revenue and noted that most of the increase in expenses was tied to merger-related compensation and integration costs.
ServisFirst Bancshares’ Q3 results fell short of Wall Street’s expectations, with the stock trading down modestly in response. Management attributed the underperformance to weaker-than-anticipated loan growth, which was driven by elevated loan paydowns and softer lending activity. CEO Thomas Broughton noted that while loan production was below projections, the company’s loan pipeline improved late in the quarter. The bank also faced a notable increase in nonperforming assets, largely tied to a single relationship in multifamily real estate, but emphasized efforts to secure additional collateral and actively manage credit risk. CFO David Sparacio explained that unique items, including a bond portfolio restructuring loss and a solar tax credit investment, impacted reported earnings.
RLI’s third quarter performance was positively received by the market, as the company delivered strong underwriting profitability and significant margin expansion despite modest revenue contraction. Management attributed the results to disciplined underwriting, a benign hurricane season, and favorable reserve development across all segments. CEO Craig Kliethermes emphasized, “Book value per share has grown 26% year to date inclusive of dividends on an 84 combined ratio and double-digit growth in net investment income, resulting in a 20% plus return on equity.” RLI’s casualty segment continued to grow even as the property segment faced increased competition and rate pressure.
Australia's competition regulator has sued Microsoft, alleging the tech giant misled 2.7 million users into paying higher Microsoft 365 fees after bundling its AI Copilot tool, marking a major legal challenge to the company's AI-driven pricing strategy.
Generating cash is essential for any business, but not all cash-rich companies are great investments.
Some produce plenty of cash but fail to allocate it effectively, leading to missed opportunities.
Mid-cap stocks have the best odds of scaling into $100 billion corporations thanks to their tested business models and large addressable markets.
But the many opportunities in front of them attract significant competition, spanning from industry behemoths with seemingly infinite resources to small, nimble players with chips on their shoulders.
The $10-50 price range often includes mid-sized businesses with proven track records and plenty of growth runway ahead.
They also usually carry less risk than penny stocks, though they’re not immune to volatility as many lack the scale advantages of their larger peers.
Consumer discretionary businesses are levered to the highs and lows of economic cycles. Lately, it seems like demand trends have worked in their favor as the industry has returned 31.9% over the past six months,
outpacing S&P 500 by 9 percentage points.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the Trump administration's handling of inflation and the affordability crisis, which he said was inherited from the previous administration led by President Joe Biden.
Sen. Bernie Sanders slammed President Donald Trump's $300 million White House ballroom project as "corporate payback," accusing major tech firms like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta of funding the lavish addition after receiving massive tax breaks under Trump's policies.
Kamala Harris revealed regret over not urging Joe Biden to reconsider his 2024 re-election bid due to concerns about campaign demands. She also hinted at a 2028 presidential run and criticized Trump as a tyrant.
Micron has been on fire lately. In the past six months alone, the company’s stock price has rocketed 179%, setting a new 52-week high of $219.50 per share. This was partly due to its solid quarterly results, and the run-up might have investors contemplating their next move.
Magnachip has been treading water for the past six months, recording a small loss of 2.5% while holding steady at $3.13. The stock also fell short of the S&P 500’s 22.9% gain during that period.
The past six months have been a windfall for Hanesbrands’s shareholders. The company’s stock price has jumped 41.4%, hitting $6.86 per share. This was partly thanks to its solid quarterly results, and the performance may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.
What a time it’s been for AppLovin. In the past six months alone, the company’s stock price has increased by a massive 118%, reaching $621.36 per share. This run-up might have investors contemplating their next move.
ZoomInfo trades at $11.12 per share and has stayed right on track with the overall market, gaining 27.7% over the last six months. At the same time, the S&P 500 has returned 22.9%.
Although Dynatrace (currently trading at $50.31 per share) has gained 8.3% over the last six months, it has trailed the S&P 500’s 22.9% return during that period. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.
Teradata has been treading water for the past six months, recording a small loss of 2.5% while holding steady at $21.03. The stock also fell short of the S&P 500’s 22.9% gain during that period.
Over the past six months, Rapid7’s stock price fell to $19.56. Shareholders have lost 19.3% of their capital, which is disappointing considering the S&P 500 has climbed by 22.9%. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.
What a fantastic six months it’s been for Five Below. Shares of the company have skyrocketed 107%, hitting $156.28. This was partly thanks to its solid quarterly results, and the performance may have investors wondering how to approach the situation.
