Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, August 19th: KT (KT) : This telecommunication services company which provides mobile telecommunications services, telephone services, fixed-line and VoIP telephone services, has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 3.9% over the last 60 days. This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company has a dividend yield of 4.2%, compared with the industry average of 2%. First Commo ...

Monty Rakusen/DigitalVision via Getty Images Summary Following my coverage of Pactiv Evergreen (NASDAQ:PTVE) in Mar'24, which I recommended a buy rating due to its strong execution in improving its cost structure and the attractive FCF yield, this post is to provide an update on my thoughts on the business and stock. I believe the current share price provides investors with another attractive entry point (>10% FY25 FCF yield). I agree that the near-term outlook is bad, but if we take a step back, the long-t ...

E t F F V II I ogichobanov lf you are worried about the possibility of sudden, overnight changes in the supply of crude oil from the Middle East, how can you hedge a portfolio against the outler chance oil inflation is about to take off in the conomy? Well, with rising odds Iran could soon ereate trouble in the Persian Gulf area of the world as retaliation for Isra attacks in the region, you need to look for oil/gas producing assets as far away from military conflict as you can. The farthest and safest poin ...

Robert Way JD.com (NASDAQ:JD) (OTCPK:JDCMF) is among so many Chinese stocks that have struggled for much of the past three and a half years, despite a sizable rally that occurred from this past January through mid-May. The rise stalled, however, and investors quickly sold tech and consumer-related China stocks right toward the tail-end of the Q1 reporting season. Today, we are in the later innings of Q2's earnings period. I see the potential for a rebound in shares of JD, while it remains an unknown as to w ...

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024 Or ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission File Number 001-11138 | --- | --- | --- | |-----------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|------- ...

Accelerated bookings growth, driven by key product initiatives, and FCF margin expansion in Q2 builds momentum for 2H Meaningful bookings growth acceleration with total bookings of $458.4 million, up 15% y/y, as a result of strong Wix Studio uptake, benefits from growing AI capabilities and commerce platform expansion as well as positive response to the price increase implemented earlier this year Bookings growth accelerated across both Self Creators and Partners Continue to expect bookings growth accelerat ...

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades. Even though momentum is a popular stock cha ...

Laser1987/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Investment Thesis Despite the recent broad-based market pullback, AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) has seen its stock trend higher over the past 12 months, with a positive price reaction following its mixed post-2Q earnings. Although its growth outlook remains muted, and it missed the 2Q revenue consensus, investors are more focused on the company's margins and FCF trajectory. AT&T has significantly improved its FCF profile in recent quarters due to a significant drop in vendor ...

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. First Commonwealth undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. 2Q 2024 Earnings Release Webcast Presentation | --- | --- | --- | |--------------------------------------------|-------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The net interest margin (NIM) expanded by 5 basis points to 3.57%, as loan yields increased faster than funding costs for the first time since Q4 2022 [3][21]. - Core earnings per share were $0.36, beating consensus estimates by $0.01 for Q2 2024 [122]. - Pre-tax pre-provision net revenue improved by $3.6 million over the last quarter [21][122]. - The tangible common equity ratio improved from 8.4% to 8.7%, and the CET1 ratio increased from 11.4% to 11.7% [19]. Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loans grew just under 1%, with growth centered on equipment finance and SBA [138]. - Non-interest income increased by $1.2 million to $25.2 million, driven by higher wealth management fees and interchange income [129]. - Charge-offs remained flat at $4.4 million quarter-over-quarter, but provision expense was elevated due to specific reserves for non-performing loans [130]. Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Deposit performance in the community PA market was exceptional, contributing to broad-based deposit gathering across most of the footprint [4]. - Non-interest bearing balances increased slightly, indicating a potential end to the outflow of pandemic surge deposits [128]. - The cost of deposits increased by 10 basis points, but the overall impact on total cost of funds was muted by the redemption of subordinated debt [22]. Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for mid-single-digit loan growth by Q4 2024 and into 2025, focusing on well-structured and well-priced loans [4]. - There is a preference for using capital generation to support organic growth, with a cautious approach to M&A opportunities [34]. - The company is focused on maintaining pricing discipline in consumer categories, with expectations that rate cuts could make these categories more attractive in the near future [9][45]. Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in loan origination capabilities and anticipated stability or slight improvement in NIM for the remainder of 2024, even with potential rate cuts [30]. - The management noted that the recent quarter appears to be the low point for both NIM and net interest income at least through 2025 [32]. - There is an expectation of continued strong performance in wealth management and a focus on maintaining competitive rates on time deposits [123]. Other Important Information - The company redeemed a $50 million tranche of subordinated debt, which is expected to contribute to NIM improvement and net interest income going forward [18][20]. - The company has been cautious with investment real estate, but is starting to see improved pipelines in C&I and commercial real estate [127]. - The company has repurchased just under 23,000 shares this quarter, with $17.1 million remaining in the current buyback program [25]. Q&A Session Summary Question: How does M&A fit into the picture given the current market conditions? - Management prefers to use capital generation for organic growth and has no appetite for special dividends, focusing on smooth and steady increases in regular dividends [34][36]. Question: What is the appetite for continued equipment finance build-out? - The company has seen lighter volume in equipment finance this year but remains profitable and cautious in risk appetite [39][44]. Question: How confident is the company in growing deposits? - Management expressed confidence in growing deposits, particularly in low-cost categories, while acknowledging the competitive landscape [49][50]. Question: What is the expected impact of the Centric portfolio on overall performance? - Approximately 51% of special mention and 55% of substandard credits are related to loans from the Centric acquisition, but management is optimistic about returning to historically strong credit metrics [80][131].