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AuthID (NASDAQ:AUID) Bolsa, Informe de interés en corto

AuthID

AuthID Inc is a company engaged in ensuring cyber-savvy enterprises Know Who's Behind the Device, for every customer or employee login and transaction. Through its easy-to-integrate, patented, biometric identity platform, authID quickly and accurately verifies a user's identity, eliminating any assumption of who is behind a device and preventing cybercriminals from taking over accounts. authID combines digital onboarding, biometric password less authentication and account recovery, with a fast, accurate, user-friendly experience-delivering identity verification.

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AuthID Inc

Stride (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRN#NYSE">LRN</a>) is gearing up to announce its quarterly earnings on Tuesday, 2025-04-29. Here's a quick overview of what investors should know before the release.
Analysts are estimating that Stride will report an earnings per share (EPS) of $2.07.
Anticipation surrounds Stride's announcement, with investors hoping to hear about both surpassing estimates and receiving positive guidance for the next quarter.
New investors should understand that while earnings performance is important, market reactions are often driven by guidance.
<h3>Performance in Previous Earnings</h3>
During the last quarter, the company reported an EPS missed by $0.00, leading to a 5.99% increase in the share price on the subsequent day.
Here's a look at Stride's past performance and the resulting price change:

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Quarter</th>
<th>Q2 2025</th>
<th>Q1 2025</th>
<th>Q4 2024</th>
<th>Q3 2024</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EPS Estimate</td>
<td>2.03</td>
<td>0.22</td>
<td>1.27</td>
<td>1.43</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EPS Actual</td>
<td>2.03</td>
<td>0.94</td>
<td>1.42</td>
<td>1.60</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Price Change %</td>
<td>6.0%</td>
<td>39.0%</td>
<td>9.0%</td>
<td>9.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863278_0.png" alt="eps graph" />
<h3>Performance of Stride Shares</h3>
Shares of Stride were trading at $140.99 as of April 25. Over the last 52-week period, shares are up 108.06%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders are likely bullish going into this earnings release. 
<h3>Analysts' Perspectives on Stride</h3>
Understanding market sentiments and expectations within the industry is crucial for investors. This analysis delves into the latest insights on Stride.
Analysts have provided Stride with 8 ratings, resulting in a consensus rating of Outperform. The average one-year price target stands at $142.25, suggesting a potential 0.89% upside.
<h3>Analyzing Analyst Ratings Among Peers</h3>
This comparison focuses on the analyst ratings and average 1-year price targets of and Stride, three major players in the industry, shedding light on their relative performance expectations and market positioning.
<h3>Peer Analysis Summary</h3>
The peer analysis summary presents essential metrics for and Stride, unveiling their respective standings within the industry and providing valuable insights into their market positions and comparative performance.

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>Consensus</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
<th>Gross Profit</th>
<th>Return on Equity</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Stride</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>16.31%</td>
<td>$239.86M</td>
<td>7.61%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Key Takeaway:
<ul>
<li>Stride's consensus rating is 'Outperform', indicating positive market sentiment.</li>
<li>Stride's revenue growth of 16.31% is higher than its peers, positioning it favorably.</li>
<li>Stride's gross profit of $239.86M is in line with industry standards.</li>
<li>Stride's return on equity of 7.61% is lower compared to its peers, suggesting room for improvement.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Discovering Stride: A Closer Look</h3>
Stride Inc is an American online educational company. It offers alternative programs to traditional on-campus schooling. It also operates state-funded virtual charter schools around the United States. The educational programs for K-12 students are usually monitored by parents and provide virtual classroom environments where teachers meet with students online, by phone, or in-person. The company's contractual agreements with various school districts to offer its curriculum programs provide a majority of the company's revenue. The company lines of business are Managed Public School Programs, Institutional, and Private Pay Schools and Other.
<h3>Stride's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Highlights: Above the industry average, the company's market capitalization signifies a significant scale, indicating strong confidence and market prominence.
Positive Revenue Trend: Examining Stride's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 16.31% as of 31 December, 2024, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Consumer Discretionary sector.
Net Margin: Stride's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional net margin, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable net margin of 16.42%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 7.61%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 4.77%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, Stride adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LRN/earnings">To track all earnings releases for Stride visit their earnings calendar on our site.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

What to Expect from Stride's Earnings

In the last three months, 4 analysts have published ratings on Crescent Capital BDC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCAP#NASDAQ">CCAP</a>), offering a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
In the assessment of 12-month price targets, analysts unveil insights for Crescent Capital BDC, presenting an average target of $17.88, a high estimate of $19.00, and a low estimate of $16.00. A 4.64% drop is evident in the current average compared to the previous average price target of $18.75. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863271_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Crescent Capital BDC is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
&#x7C; Analyst &#x7C; Analyst Firm &#x7C; Action Taken &#x7C; Rating &#x7C;Current Price Target&#x7C; Prior Price Target &#x7C; 
&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;-----------------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C; 
&#x7C;Finian O'Shea &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Equal-Weight &#x7C; $16.00&#x7C;$18.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Ryan Lynch &#x7C;Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods&#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $18.50&#x7C;$20.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Finian O'Shea &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Equal-Weight &#x7C; $18.00&#x7C;$19.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Finian O'Shea &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Equal-Weight &#x7C; $19.00&#x7C;$18.00 &#x7C;
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Crescent Capital BDC. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Delving into assessments, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings communicate expectations for the relative performance of Crescent Capital BDC compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts predict movements in price targets, offering estimates for Crescent Capital BDC's future value. Examining the current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of Crescent Capital BDC's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CCAP/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Crescent Capital BDC analyst ratings.</a>
If you are interested in following small-cap stock news and performance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/small-cap?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">you can start by tracking it here</a>.
<h2>All You Need to Know About Crescent Capital BDC</h2>
Crescent Capital BDC Inc is a business development company structured as an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. The company's primary investment objective is to maximize the total return to its stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation through debt and related equity investments. It will seek to achieve its investment objectives by investing in secured debt (including senior secured, unitranche, and second lien debt) and unsecured debt (including senior unsecured, mezzanine, and subordinated debt), as well as related equity securities of private U.S. middle-market companies.
<h3>Breaking Down Crescent Capital BDC's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Perspectives: The company's market capitalization falls below industry averages, signaling a relatively smaller size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as perceived growth potential or operational scale.
Revenue Challenges: Crescent Capital BDC's revenue growth over 3M faced difficulties. As of 31 December, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -62.51%. This indicates a decrease in top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Financials sector.
Net Margin: Crescent Capital BDC's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 80.66%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Crescent Capital BDC's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of 1.34%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): Crescent Capital BDC's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.61%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Crescent Capital BDC's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 1.18.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: What Are They?</h2>
Analysts are specialists within banking and financial systems that typically report for specific stocks or within defined sectors. These people research company financial statements, sit in conference calls and meetings, and speak with relevant insiders to determine what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts will rate each stock once a quarter. 
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Analyst Ratings

CCAP

What Analysts Are Saying About Crescent Capital BDC Stock

Insperity (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NSP#NYSE">NSP</a>) is set to give its latest quarterly earnings report on Tuesday, 2025-04-29. Here's what investors need to know before the announcement.
Analysts estimate that Insperity will report an earnings per share (EPS) of $2.02. 
The market awaits Insperity's announcement, with hopes high for news of surpassing estimates and providing upbeat guidance for the next quarter.
It's important for new investors to understand that guidance can be a significant driver of stock prices.
<h3>Historical Earnings Performance</h3>
In the previous earnings release, the company beat EPS by $0.03, leading to a 5.7% increase in the share price the following trading session.
Here's a look at Insperity's past performance and the resulting price change:

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Quarter</th>
<th>Q4 2024</th>
<th>Q3 2024</th>
<th>Q2 2024</th>
<th>Q1 2024</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EPS Estimate</td>
<td>0.02</td>
<td>0.33</td>
<td>0.72</td>
<td>2.12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EPS Actual</td>
<td>0.05</td>
<td>0.39</td>
<td>0.86</td>
<td>2.27</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Price Change %</td>
<td>6.0%</td>
<td>-5.0%</td>
<td>-2.0%</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863268_0.png" alt="eps graph" />
<h3>Performance of Insperity Shares</h3>
Shares of Insperity were trading at $79.0 as of April 25. Over the last 52-week period, shares are down 24.74%. Given that these returns are generally negative, long-term shareholders are likely upset going into this earnings release. 
<h3>Analysts' Perspectives on Insperity</h3>
For investors, grasping market sentiments and expectations in the industry is vital. This analysis explores the latest insights regarding Insperity.
Insperity has received a total of 1 ratings from analysts, with the consensus rating as Neutral. With an average one-year price target of $82.0, the consensus suggests a potential 3.8% upside.
<h3>Analyzing Analyst Ratings Among Peers</h3>
The following analysis focuses on the analyst ratings and average 1-year price targets of Alight, Korn Ferry and First Advantage, three prominent industry players, providing insights into their relative performance expectations and market positioning.
<ul>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Buy trajectory for Alight, with an average 1-year price target of $9.75, suggesting a potential 87.66% downside.</li>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Buy trajectory for Korn Ferry, with an average 1-year price target of $80.0, suggesting a potential 1.27% upside.</li>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Outperform trajectory for First Advantage, with an average 1-year price target of $19.0, suggesting a potential 75.95% downside.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Peers Comparative Analysis Summary</h3>
The peer analysis summary outlines pivotal metrics for Alight, Korn Ferry and First Advantage, demonstrating their respective standings within the industry and offering valuable insights into their market positions and comparative performance.

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>Consensus</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
<th>Gross Profit</th>
<th>Return on Equity</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Insperity</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>2.09%</td>
<td>$218M</td>
<td>-8.11%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alight</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>-0.29%</td>
<td>$271M</td>
<td>0.19%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Korn Ferry</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>-0.05%</td>
<td>$165.36M</td>
<td>3.23%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>First Advantage</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>51.62%</td>
<td>$138.63M</td>
<td>-9.01%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Key Takeaway:
Insperity ranks at the bottom for Revenue Growth and Gross Profit, with negative percentages. It also has the lowest Return on Equity among its peers. However, it is rated as Neutral, which is better than being rated as Outperform or Buy.
<h3>Unveiling the Story Behind Insperity</h3>
Insperity Inc is a company that provides a wide range of human resources and business solutions designed to help businesses improve their performance. Small and midsize enterprises are the company's primary target customers. Majority of the company's products are offered through the company's Workforce Optimization and Workforce Synchronization solutions, which comprise various human resource functions, such as payroll and employment administration, employee benefits and compensation, government compliance, performance management, training and development services, and human capital management. The company generates all of its revenue in the United States.
<h3>Unraveling the Financial Story of Insperity</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company exhibits a lower market capitalization profile, positioning itself below industry averages. This suggests a smaller scale relative to peers.
Revenue Growth: Insperity's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 31 December, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 2.09%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Industrials sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: Insperity's net margin falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of -0.56%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Insperity's ROE falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of -8.11%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Insperity's ROA is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of -0.4%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Debt Management: Insperity's debt-to-equity ratio stands notably higher than the industry average, reaching 4.48. This indicates a heavier reliance on borrowed funds, raising concerns about financial leverage.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NSP/earnings">To track all earnings releases for Insperity visit their earnings calendar on our site.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

A Look at Insperity's Upcoming Earnings Report

Across the recent three months, 6 analysts have shared their insights on First Merchants (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FRME#NASDAQ">FRME</a>), expressing a variety of opinions spanning from bullish to bearish.
The table below provides a snapshot of their recent ratings, showcasing how sentiments have evolved over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have recently evaluated First Merchants and provided 12-month price targets. The average target is $50.17, accompanied by a high estimate of $55.00 and a low estimate of $46.00. No alteration is observed as the current average remains at the previous average price target. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863264_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
The standing of First Merchants among financial experts becomes clear with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
&#x7C; Analyst &#x7C; Analyst Firm &#x7C; Action Taken &#x7C; Rating &#x7C;Current Price Target&#x7C; Prior Price Target &#x7C; 
&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;-----------------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C; 
&#x7C;Nathan Race &#x7C;Piper Sandler &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $49.00&#x7C;$55.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Damon Delmonte &#x7C;Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods&#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $49.00&#x7C;$52.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Daniel Tamayo &#x7C;Raymond James &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $46.00&#x7C;$50.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Damon Delmonte &#x7C;Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods&#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $52.00&#x7C;$50.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Daniel Tamayo &#x7C;Raymond James &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $50.00&#x7C;$42.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Nathan Race &#x7C;Piper Sandler &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $55.00&#x7C;$52.00 &#x7C;
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to First Merchants. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of First Merchants compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Delving into movements, analysts provide estimates for the future value of First Merchants's stock. This analysis reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Analyzing these analyst evaluations alongside relevant financial metrics can provide a comprehensive view of First Merchants's market position. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/FRME/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on First Merchants analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Delving into First Merchants's Background</h2>
First Merchants Corp, through its subsidiaries, provides its customers with financial services delivered locally by bankers. It offers personal banking, business banking, real estate mortgage lending, cash management services, brokerage, wealth management, and insurance. The company reports in only one segment which is community banking.
<h3>First Merchants's Economic Impact: An Analysis</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Falling below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a reduced size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Positive Revenue Trend: Examining First Merchants's financials over 3M reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 2.03% as of 31 March, 2025, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Net Margin: First Merchants's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 34.23%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): First Merchants's ROE is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of 2.39%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Return on Assets (ROA): First Merchants's ROA falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.3%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns from its assets.
Debt Management: With a high debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, First Merchants faces challenges in effectively managing its debt levels, indicating potential financial strain.
<h2>Understanding the Relevance of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

FRME

Deep Dive Into First Merchants Stock: Analyst Perspectives (6 Ratings)

Providing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish, 7 analysts have published ratings on Pool (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/POOL#NASDAQ">POOL</a>) in the last three months.
The following table summarizes their recent ratings, shedding light on the changing sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have recently evaluated Pool and provided 12-month price targets. The average target is $333.0, accompanied by a high estimate of $360.00 and a low estimate of $310.00. A 7.71% drop is evident in the current average compared to the previous average price target of $360.83. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863254_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Exploring Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Overview</h2>
The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of Pool by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
&#x7C; Analyst &#x7C; Analyst Firm &#x7C; Action Taken &#x7C; Rating &#x7C;Current Price Target&#x7C; Prior Price Target &#x7C; 
&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C; 
&#x7C;Scott Schneeberger &#x7C;Oppenheimer &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $322.00&#x7C;$370.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Trey Grooms &#x7C;Stephens &amp; Co. &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $350.00&#x7C;$400.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;David Manthey &#x7C;Baird &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Neutral &#x7C; $310.00&#x7C;$325.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;W. Andrew Carter &#x7C;Stifel &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Hold &#x7C; $330.00&#x7C;$340.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Sam Reid &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Equal-Weight &#x7C; $315.00&#x7C;$360.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Collin Verron &#x7C;Deutsche Bank &#x7C;Announces &#x7C;Hold &#x7C; $344.00&#x7C;- &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Sam Reid &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Equal-Weight &#x7C; $360.00&#x7C;$370.00 &#x7C;
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Pool. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Pool compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.</li>
</ul>
Considering these analyst evaluations in conjunction with other financial indicators can offer a comprehensive understanding of Pool's market position. Stay informed and make well-informed decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/POOL/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Pool analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>About Pool</h2>
Pool Corp distributes swimming pool supplies and related products. Its products include non-discretionary pool-maintenance products, like chemicals and replacement parts, as well as pool equipment, like packaged pools (kits to build swimming pools), cleaners, filters, heaters, pumps, and lights. Customers include pool builders and remodelers, independent retail stores, and pool repair and service companies.
<h3>Breaking Down Pool's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization surpasses industry averages, showcasing a dominant size relative to peers and suggesting a strong market position.
Revenue Growth: Pool's remarkable performance in 3M is evident. As of 31 March, 2025, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 8.51%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Consumer Discretionary sector.
Net Margin: Pool's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 5.0%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Pool's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 4.26%, the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): Pool's ROA surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 1.51% ROA, the company effectively utilizes its assets for optimal returns.
Debt Management: Pool's debt-to-equity ratio surpasses industry norms, standing at 1.09. This suggests the company carries a substantial amount of debt, posing potential financial challenges.
<h2>What Are Analyst Ratings?</h2>
Analysts are specialists within banking and financial systems that typically report for specific stocks or within defined sectors. These people research company financial statements, sit in conference calls and meetings, and speak with relevant insiders to determine what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts will rate each stock once a quarter. 
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
If you want to keep track of which analysts are outperforming others, you can view updated analyst ratings along withanalyst success scores in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

POOL

7 Analysts Have This To Say About Pool

High-rolling investors have positioned themselves bullish on Snap (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNAP#NYSE">SNAP</a>), and it's important for retail traders to take note. 
\This activity came to our attention today through Benzinga's tracking of publicly available options data. The identities of these investors are uncertain, but such a significant move in SNAP often signals that someone has privileged information.
Today, Benzinga's options scanner spotted 9 options trades for Snap. This is not a typical pattern.
The sentiment among these major traders is split, with 66% bullish and 33% bearish. Among all the options we identified, there was one put, amounting to $29,160, and 8 calls, totaling $469,700.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $5.0 to $11.0 for Snap during the past quarter. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Snap's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Snap's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $5.0 to $11.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Snap 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863249_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>SNAP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$4.9</td>
<td>$4.8</td>
<td>$4.9</td>
<td>$5.00</td>
<td>$98.0K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SNAP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/02/25</td>
<td>$1.69</td>
<td>$1.65</td>
<td>$1.65</td>
<td>$7.50</td>
<td>$82.5K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
<td>620</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SNAP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$4.95</td>
<td>$4.7</td>
<td>$4.95</td>
<td>$5.00</td>
<td>$74.2K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td>351</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SNAP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$1.66</td>
<td>$1.61</td>
<td>$1.66</td>
<td>$10.00</td>
<td>$66.4K</td>
<td>10.0K</td>
<td>422</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SNAP</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/02/25</td>
<td>$0.74</td>
<td>$0.73</td>
<td>$0.73</td>
<td>$9.00</td>
<td>$54.7K</td>
<td>9.3K</td>
<td>3.6K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Snap</h3>
Snap is a technology company best known for its marquis social media application Snapchat, a visual messaging application that has amassed hundreds of millions of users. The app was initially only used to communicate with family and friends through photographs and short videos (known as "Snaps"). Users can now enjoy augmented reality, or AR, lenses, content from famous creators and celebrities, updates about local events, and more. Although the app offers a paid subscription option with premium features, advertising sales produce most of the app's revenue. The firm also sells wearable devices called AR Spectacles, which can capture photos and videos overlayed with AR lenses, but these make up a small portion of Snap's overall sales.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Snap</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 27,791,618, the price of SNAP is up 3.34% at $8.82. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 1 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for Snap</h3>
Over the past month, 5 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $9.3.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
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&#x2A; An analyst from Wells Fargo has decided to maintain their Equal-Weight rating on Snap, which currently sits at a price target of $9. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Goldman Sachs has decided to maintain their Neutral rating on Snap, which currently sits at a price target of $9. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Morgan Stanley persists with their Equal-Weight rating on Snap, maintaining a target price of $8. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Piper Sandler continues to hold a Neutral rating for Snap, targeting a price of $10. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Canaccord Genuity has decided to maintain their Hold rating on Snap, which currently sits at a price target of $10. 
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Options

SNAP

Snap Unusual Options Activity

In the last three months, 14 analysts have published ratings on ARM Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ARM#NASDAQ">ARM</a>), offering a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
The table below provides a snapshot of their recent ratings, showcasing how sentiments have evolved over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">6</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $176.79, a high estimate of $225.00, and a low estimate of $125.00. This upward trend is apparent, with the current average reflecting a 4.34% increase from the previous average price target of $169.43.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863247_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Exploring Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Overview</h2>
An in-depth analysis of recent analyst actions unveils how financial experts perceive ARM Holdings. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
&#x7C; Analyst &#x7C; Analyst Firm &#x7C; Action Taken &#x7C; Rating &#x7C;Current Price Target&#x7C; Prior Price Target &#x7C; 
&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C; 
&#x7C;Joe Quatrochi &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $150.00&#x7C;$185.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Blayne Curtis &#x7C;Barclays &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $125.00&#x7C;$155.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Vivek Arya &#x7C;B of A Securities &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $144.00&#x7C;$180.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Lee Simpson &#x7C;Morgan Stanley &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $150.00&#x7C;$175.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Ananda Baruah &#x7C;Loop Capital &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $195.00&#x7C;$180.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Joe Quatrochi &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $185.00&#x7C;$162.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Andrew Gardiner &#x7C;Citigroup &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $200.00&#x7C;$170.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Srini Pajjuri &#x7C;Raymond James &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $175.00&#x7C;$160.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Mark Lipacis &#x7C;Evercore ISI Group &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $202.00&#x7C;$176.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Hans Mosesmann &#x7C;Rosenblatt &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $225.00&#x7C;$180.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Vijay Rakesh &#x7C;Mizuho &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $180.00&#x7C;$160.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Janardan Menon &#x7C;Jefferies &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $195.00&#x7C;$170.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Harlan Sur &#x7C;JP Morgan &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $175.00&#x7C;$160.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Toshiya Hari &#x7C;Goldman Sachs &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Buy &#x7C; $174.00&#x7C;$159.00 &#x7C;
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to ARM Holdings. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analyzing trends, analysts offer qualitative evaluations, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of ARM Holdings compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for ARM Holdings's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
For valuable insights into ARM Holdings's market performance, consider these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators. Stay well-informed and make prudent decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ARM/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on ARM Holdings analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>All You Need to Know About ARM Holdings</h2>
Arm Holdings is the intellectual property owner and developer of the ARM architecture, which is used in 99% of the world's smartphone CPU cores, and it also has high market share in other battery-powered devices like wearables, tablets, or sensors. Arm licenses its architecture for a fee, offering different types of licenses depending on the flexibility the customer needs. Customers like Apple or Qualcomm buy architectural licenses, which allow them to modify the architecture and add or delete instructions to tailor the chips to their specific needs. Other clients directly buy off-the-shelf designs from Arm. Both off-the-shelf and architectural customers pay a royalty fee per chip shipped.
<h3>ARM Holdings: Delving into Financials</h3>
Market Capitalization: With restricted market capitalization, the company is positioned below industry averages. This reflects a smaller scale relative to peers.
Revenue Growth: Over the 3M period, ARM Holdings showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 19.3% as of 31 December, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Information Technology sector.
Net Margin: ARM Holdings's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional net margin, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable net margin of 25.64%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): ARM Holdings's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of 4.05%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): ARM Holdings's ROA lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns from its assets. With an ROA of 3.04%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 0.04.
<h2>The Significance of Analyst Ratings Explained</h2>
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Expert Outlook: ARM Holdings Through The Eyes Of 14 Analysts

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Booking Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BKNG#NASDAQ">BKNG</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with BKNG, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 114 uncommon options trades for Booking Holdings.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 31% bullish and 36%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 47 are puts, for a total amount of $3,322,385, and 67 are calls, for a total amount of $4,814,585.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $2600.0 to $6100.0 for Booking Holdings over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Booking Holdings options trades today is 35.79 with a total volume of 531.00.
In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Booking Holdings's big money trades within a strike price range of $2600.0 to $6100.0 over the last 30 days.
<h3>Booking Holdings Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863244_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>BKNG</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$111.9</td>
<td>$92.2</td>
<td>$92.2</td>
<td>$4625.00</td>
<td>$396.4K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">43</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BKNG</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$214.8</td>
<td>$196.6</td>
<td>$205.5</td>
<td>$4900.00</td>
<td>$287.0K</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BKNG</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$517.5</td>
<td>$488.0</td>
<td>$506.5</td>
<td>$4395.00</td>
<td>$151.7K</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BKNG</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$146.4</td>
<td>$134.5</td>
<td>$144.5</td>
<td>$6000.00</td>
<td>$130.6K</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
<td align="right">9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BKNG</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/17/25</td>
<td>$304.2</td>
<td>$296.0</td>
<td>$304.2</td>
<td>$4620.00</td>
<td>$121.6K</td>
<td align="right">26</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Booking Holdings</h3>
Booking is the world's largest online travel agency by sales, offering booking and payment services for hotel and alternative accommodation rooms, airline tickets, rental cars, restaurant reservations, cruises, experiences, and other vacation packages. The company operates several branded travel booking sites, including Booking.com, Agoda, OpenTable, Rentalcars.com, Kayak, and Momondo. Transaction fees for online bookings account for the bulk of revenue and profits.
Following our analysis of the options activities associated with Booking Holdings, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Booking Holdings</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 117,950, the price of BKNG is down by -0.14%, reaching $4831.6.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 1 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Booking Holdings</h3>
A total of 5 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $4864.8.
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&#x2A; An analyst from Wells Fargo persists with their Equal-Weight rating on Booking Holdings, maintaining a target price of $4567. 
&#x2A; Showing optimism, an analyst from BTIG upgrades its rating to Buy with a revised price target of $5500. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from JP Morgan keeps a Overweight rating on Booking Holdings with a target price of $4850. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald continues to hold a Neutral rating for Booking Holdings, targeting a price of $4330. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Piper Sandler has decided to maintain their Neutral rating on Booking Holdings, which currently sits at a price target of $5077. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Booking Holdings options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

BKNG

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With BKNG

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Wolfspeed (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WOLF#NYSE">WOLF</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with WOLF, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 10 uncommon options trades for Wolfspeed.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 30% bullish and 60%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 3 are puts, for a total amount of $115,265, and 7 are calls, for a total amount of $295,260.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $3.0 and $30.0 for Wolfspeed, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock.
This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Wolfspeed's options for a given strike price.
Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Wolfspeed's whale activity within a strike price range from $3.0 to $30.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Wolfspeed Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863239_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>WOLF</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$1.35</td>
<td>$1.2</td>
<td>$1.25</td>
<td>$5.00</td>
<td>$62.1K</td>
<td>33</td>
<td>503</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WOLF</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$3.85</td>
<td>$3.7</td>
<td>$3.8</td>
<td>$7.00</td>
<td>$61.1K</td>
<td>2.9K</td>
<td>346</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WOLF</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$1.67</td>
<td>$1.55</td>
<td>$1.55</td>
<td>$5.00</td>
<td>$54.9K</td>
<td>4.7K</td>
<td>434</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WOLF</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$1.92</td>
<td>$1.92</td>
<td>$1.92</td>
<td>$3.00</td>
<td>$45.9K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
<td>472</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>WOLF</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$0.35</td>
<td>$0.3</td>
<td>$0.3</td>
<td>$10.00</td>
<td>$42.0K</td>
<td>6.7K</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Wolfspeed</h3>
Wolfspeed Inc is involved in the manufacturing of wide bandgap semiconductors. It is focused on silicon carbide and gallium nitride materials and devices for power and radio-frequency (RF) applications. The company serves applications such as transportation, power supplies, inverters, and wireless systems. Geographically, it derives a majority of its revenue from Europe and the rest from the United States, China, Hong Kong, Asia Pacific, and other regions.
<h3>Current Position of Wolfspeed</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 49,784,204, the price of WOLF is up by 24.83%, reaching $4.08.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 10 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Wolfspeed</h3>
1 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $8.0.
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&#x2A; An analyst from Goldman Sachs has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Wolfspeed, which currently sits at a price target of $8. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Wolfspeed, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

WOLF

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With WOLF

Analysts' ratings for MidCap Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MFIC#NASDAQ">MFIC</a>) over the last quarter vary from bullish to bearish, as provided by 5 analysts.
The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Insights from analysts' 12-month price targets are revealed, presenting an average target of $13.6, a high estimate of $15.00, and a low estimate of $11.50. A negative shift in sentiment is evident as analysts have decreased the average price target by 4.9%. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863239_0_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look</h2>
The perception of MidCap Financial by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
&#x7C; Analyst &#x7C; Analyst Firm &#x7C; Action Taken &#x7C; Rating &#x7C;Current Price Target&#x7C; Prior Price Target &#x7C; 
&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;-----------------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C; 
&#x7C;Finian O'Shea &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $13.00&#x7C;$14.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Melissa Wedel &#x7C;JP Morgan &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Neutral &#x7C; $11.50&#x7C;$13.50 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Paul Johnson &#x7C;Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods&#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Outperform &#x7C; $14.50&#x7C;$15.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Finian O'Shea &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $14.00&#x7C;$15.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Finian O'Shea &#x7C;Wells Fargo &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $15.00&#x7C;$14.00 &#x7C;
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to MidCap Financial. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Unveiling insights, analysts deliver qualitative insights into stock performance, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of MidCap Financial compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of MidCap Financial's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
For valuable insights into MidCap Financial's market performance, consider these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators. Stay well-informed and make prudent decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MFIC/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on MidCap Financial analyst ratings.</a>
If you are interested in following small-cap stock news and performance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/small-cap?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">you can start by tracking it here</a>.
<h2>Delving into MidCap Financial's Background</h2>
MidCap Financial Investment Corp is an externally managed, publicly traded, closed-end, diversified management investment company. Its investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, long-term capital appreciation. It predominantly invests in directly originated and privately negotiated first lien senior secured loans to privately held U.S. middle-market companies, and in other types of securities including, first lien unitranche, second lien senior secured, unsecured, subordinated, and mezzanine loans, and equities in both private and public middle market companies.
<h3>MidCap Financial's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Reflecting a smaller scale, the company's market capitalization is positioned below industry averages. This could be attributed to factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Negative Revenue Trend: Examining MidCap Financial's financials over 3M reveals challenges. As of 31 December, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -29.12% in revenue growth, reflecting a decrease in top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 90.38%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): MidCap Financial's ROE falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 1.71%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): MidCap Financial's ROA is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.75%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Debt Management: MidCap Financial's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 1.25.
<h2>Understanding the Relevance of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

MFIC

Demystifying MidCap Financial: Insights From 5 Analyst Reviews

In the current market session, Abbott Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABT#NYSE">ABT</a>) share price is at $129.36, after a 0.40% spike. Moreover, over the past month, the stock fell by 1.77%, but in the past year, increased by 22.07%. Shareholders might be interested in knowing whether the stock is overvalued, even if the company is performing up to par in the current session. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863234_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>How Does Abbott Laboratories P/E Compare to Other Companies?</h3>
The P/E ratio is used by long-term shareholders to assess the company's market performance against aggregate market data, historical earnings, and the industry at large. A lower P/E could indicate that shareholders do not expect the stock to perform better in the future or it could mean that the company is undervalued. 
Compared to the aggregate P/E ratio of the 59.36 in the Health Care Equipment &amp; Supplies industry, Abbott Laboratories Inc. has a lower P/E ratio of 16.87. Shareholders might be inclined to think that the stock might perform worse than it's industry peers. It's also possible that the stock is undervalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863234_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In conclusion, the price-to-earnings ratio is a useful metric for analyzing a company's market performance, but it has its limitations. While a lower P/E can indicate that a company is undervalued, it can also suggest that shareholders do not expect future growth. Additionally, the P/E ratio should not be used in isolation, as other factors such as industry trends and business cycles can also impact a company's stock price. Therefore, investors should use the P/E ratio in conjunction with other financial metrics and qualitative analysis to make informed investment decisions.

A Look Into Abbott Laboratories Inc's Price Over Earnings

Toyota Motor's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TM#NYSE">TM</a>) short percent of float has fallen 18.18% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 1.16 million shares sold short, which is 0.09% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.77 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Toyota Motor Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863231_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Toyota Motor has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Toyota Motor's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Toyota Motor's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 9.29%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Is the Market Bullish or Bearish on Toyota Motor?

Marriott International's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAR#NYSE">MAR</a>) short percent of float has risen 6.94% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 5.82 million shares sold short, which is 2.62% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.09 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Marriott International Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863226_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Marriott International has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Marriott International's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Marriott International's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 7.65%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Is the Market Bullish or Bearish on Marriott International?

Preferred Bank (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFBC#NASDAQ">PFBC</a>) underwent analysis by 4 analysts in the last quarter, revealing a spectrum of viewpoints from bullish to bearish.
Summarizing their recent assessments, the table below illustrates the evolving sentiments in the past 30 days and compares them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Insights from analysts' 12-month price targets are revealed, presenting an average target of $100.5, a high estimate of $111.00, and a low estimate of $90.00. This current average has increased by 2.03% from the previous average price target of $98.50. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863220_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Interpreting Analyst Ratings: A Closer Look</h2>
A clear picture of Preferred Bank's perception among financial experts is painted with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
&#x7C; Analyst &#x7C; Analyst Firm &#x7C; Action Taken &#x7C; Rating &#x7C;Current Price Target&#x7C; Prior Price Target &#x7C; 
&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;---------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C;--------------------&#x7C; 
&#x7C;Gary Tenner &#x7C;DA Davidson &#x7C;Lowers &#x7C;Neutral &#x7C; $90.00&#x7C;$95.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Matthew Clark &#x7C;Piper Sandler &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Overweight &#x7C; $111.00&#x7C;$101.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Andrew Terrell &#x7C;Stephens &amp; Co. &#x7C;Maintains &#x7C;Equal-Weight &#x7C; $100.00&#x7C;$100.00 &#x7C; 
&#x7C;Gary Tenner &#x7C;DA Davidson &#x7C;Raises &#x7C;Neutral &#x7C; $101.00&#x7C;$98.00 &#x7C;
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Preferred Bank. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering insights into predictions, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Preferred Bank compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into Preferred Bank's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/PFBC/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Preferred Bank analyst ratings.</a>
If you are interested in following small-cap stock news and performance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/small-cap?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">you can start by tracking it here</a>.
<h2>Unveiling the Story Behind Preferred Bank</h2>
Preferred Bank is a commercial bank located in California. Its products and services are divided into Personal Banking, Business Banking, and Commercial Banking which includes Checking accounts, Savings accounts, CDs, Loans and Credit, Electronic banking, and Treasury Management. It provides personalized deposit services, real estate finance, commercial loans, and trade finance credit facilities to small and mid-sized businesses and their owners, entrepreneurs, real estate developers and investors, professionals, and high-net-worth individuals. The bank generates a majority of its revenue from Southern and Northern California and Flushing.
<h3>Breaking Down Preferred Bank's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization: Positioned above industry average, the company's market capitalization underscores its superiority in size, indicative of a strong market presence.
Revenue Growth: Preferred Bank displayed positive results in 3M. As of 31 December, 2024, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 3.55%. This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 42.82%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): Preferred Bank's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 3.99%. This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Preferred Bank's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 0.44%, the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance.
Debt Management: Preferred Bank's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 0.22.
<h2>The Core of Analyst Ratings: What Every Investor Should Know</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

PFBC

Preferred Bank Stock: A Deep Dive Into Analyst Perspectives (4 Ratings)

Allstate's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALL#NYSE">ALL</a>) short percent of float has risen 13.42% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 3.92 million shares sold short, which is 1.69% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.68 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Allstate Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745863221_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Allstate has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Allstate's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Allstate's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.37%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

What's Driving the Market Sentiment Around Allstate?

Stifel analyst Stephen Gengaro slashed the price forecast for Schlumberger (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLB#NYSE">SLB</a>) from $58.00 to $54.00 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SLB/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">while reaffirming a Buy rating</a>.
On April 25, the company reported a 3% year-over-year decline in first-quarter 2025 revenue to $8.49 billion, missing estimates of $8.59 billion and adjusted EPS of 72 cents, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45011665/schlumberger-falls-short-on-q1-results-but-maintains-strong-payout-strategy-and-buyback-completion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">which fell short of</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45011665/schlumberger-falls-short-on-q1-results-but-maintains-strong-payout-strategy-and-buyback-completion" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> the consensus of 74 cents</a>.
The analyst writes that despite the current macroeconomic uncertainty, the company&#8217;s margin performance is likely aided by its Digital business, the strength of its Production Systems segment, and ongoing cost reduction initiatives.
SLB has reaffirmed its expectation for strong free cash flow (FCF) and its commitment to returning at least $4 billion to shareholders <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/guidance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in 2025, notes the analyst</a>.
The analyst slashed EBITDA estimates to $8.38 billion (from $8.94 billion) for 2025 and $9.08 billion (from $9.75 billion) for 2026.
Overall, Gengaro expects the company&#8217;s strong FCF margin (10%+ expected through 2025) and low leverage to provide financial flexibility.
Also, the ChampionX acquisition is projected to benefit customers (especially offshore) and increase SLB&#8217;s exposure to resilient production/recovery <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/04/38054329/championx-schlumberger-shares-move-in-opposite-directions-after-8b-deal-announcement" rel="noreferrer noopener">markets, adds the analyst</a>.
Investors can gain exposure to the stock via&nbsp;iShares U.S. Oil Equipment &amp; Services ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IEZ#NYSE">IEZ</a>) and&nbsp;VanEck Oil Services ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OIH#NYSE">OIH</a>).
Price Action: SLB shares are down 1.52% at $33.99 at the last check Monday.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/44957248" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas-Based Baker Hughes Warns Of $100-$200 Million EBITDA Risk From Tariffs In 2025</a></li>
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Photo: Shutterstock

Equities

Large Cap

Price Target

iShares Dow Jones US Oil Equipment & Services Index Fund

Schlumberger's Margin Resilience: Analyst Highlights Digital & Production Strength Despite Price Cut

ADMA Biologics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADMA#NASDAQ">ADMA</a>) shares are trading higher Monday following the Food and Drug Administration&#8216;s (FDA) approval of its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/45034986">yield enhancement process.</a>
What To Know: ADMA's yield enhancement process has demonstrated the ability to increase production yields by approximately 20% from the same starting plasma volume.
&#8220;This approval represents a pivotal milestone for ADMA, unlocking the opportunity for meaningful acceleration in our revenue and earnings trajectory beginning in late 2025 and accelerating further into 2026 and beyond,&#8221; said Adam Grossman, President and CEO of ADMA.
Grossman added that the company is focused on advancing its internal Research and Development platform to further optimize production capabilities and develop new pipeline programs, most notably SG-001, an early-stage antibody therapy targeting S. pneumoniae.
What Else: The company is expected to report first-quarter earnings on May 12th. Analysts&#8217; estimate earnings per share of 16 cents and revenue of $116.40 million.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/04/45046313/nuvve-expands-beyond-evs-with-bold-bitcoin-crypto-investment-arm">Nuvve Expands Beyond EVs With Bold Bitcoin, Crypto Investment Arm</a>
ADMA Price Action: At the time of publication, ADMA share are trading 9.79% higher at $24.00, according to data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro.</a>
Image: via Shutterstock

ADMA

What's Going On With ADMA Stock Monday?

HC Wainwright &amp; Co. analyst Robert Burns maintains Caribou Biosciences (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRBU#NASDAQ">CRBU</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $9 to $3.

CRBU

HC Wainwright & Co. Maintains Buy on Caribou Biosciences, Lowers Price Target to $3

UroGen Pharma Ltd.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/URGN#NASDAQ">URGN</a>) on Sunday highlighted a duration of response of nearly four years from a long-term follow-up study with Jelmyto&nbsp;(mitomycin) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care" rel="noreferrer noopener">for pyelocalyceal solution</a>.
The U.S. Food And Drug Administration approved Jelmyto in 2020 for low-grade upper tract urothelial cancer (LG-UTUC) in adults.
Among patients from the OLYMPUS trial who achieved a complete response after primary chemoablation with Jelmyto (n = 41), the median duration of response was 47.8 months, regardless of whether their cancer was new onset or recurrent (median <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/b45029814/olympus-long-term-follow-up-study-reports-nearly-four-year-duration-of-response-in-subset-of-patie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">follow-up,</a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/b45029814/olympus-long-term-follow-up-study-reports-nearly-four-year-duration-of-response-in-subset-of-patie" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> 28.1 months)</a>.
Of these patients, 21 had new-onset UTUC, and 20 had recurrent UTUC at baseline. There were no significant differences in durability between the groups, with eight patients in each group experiencing recurrence or death not due to treatment.
20 patients entered long-term follow-up.
To further explore Jelmyto&#8217;s potential in treating patients with LG-UTUC, investigators are now enrolling participants in the Jelmyto uTRACT Registry to gather longitudinal real-world usage data. As of April 2025, 22 sites have been activated and 251 patients have been enrolled.
On Sunday, UroGen Pharma also announced new data from the OPTIMA II Phase 2b study of UGN‑102 (mitomycin) for an intravesical solution.
The data demonstrated a clinically meaningful two-year duration of response (24.2 months).
UGN-102 is UroGen&#8217;s sustained-release formulation of mitomycin, being developed for recurrent low-grade, intermediate-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (LG-IR-NMIBC).
Among the 41 patients achieving a complete response (CR) at three months, 25 remained in CR at 12 months, and 17 of these patients entered long-term follow-up.
The median duration of response for the 41 patients who achieved CR was 24.2 months, with a median follow-up time of 33.6 months. Twenty patients (48.8%) experienced recurrence of low-grade disease.
One patient progressed to a high-grade disease, and one patient died due to a cardiac disorder. Five patients remained disease-free at the time of the four-year data analysis.
UroGen completed the submission of the UGN-102 rolling new drug application (NDA) to the FDA for UGN-102 in August 2024. The FDA accepted the NDA for UGN-102 with a Prescription Drug User Free Act (PDUFA) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/b45029409/new-long-term-follow-up-data-from-optima-ii-study-of-ugn-102-demonstrates-median-duration-of-respo" rel="noreferrer noopener">goal date of June 13, 2025</a>.
UroGen Pharma also shared an updated 18-month DOR of 80.6% from the Phase 3 ENVISION trial of UGN-102 (mitomycin) for the intravesical solution, an investigational treatment for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/b45028100/urogen-announces-updated-18-month-duration-of-response-dor-of-80-6-from-the-phase-3-envision-trial" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recurrent LG-IR-NMIBC</a>.
On Friday, UroGen Pharma shared safety data from the Phase 1 dose-escalation study for UGN-301 (zalifrelimab) intravesical solution for recurrent non-muscle <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/b45027276/urogen-pharma-announces-encouraging-results-from-a-phase-1-dose-escalation-study-evaluating-ugn-30" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive bladder cancer</a>.
The study included up to 30 patients per arm and aimed to assess safety and determine the recommended Phase 2 dose of UGN-301 as monotherapy and in combination with other agents.
In the monotherapy arm, dose escalation continued to the maximum feasible dose. No dose-limiting toxicities or treatment-emergent adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation were observed.
Among evaluable patients who received UGN-301, 46% of those with Ta/T1 disease and 33% with carcinoma in situ (CIS) ± Ta/T1 disease were recurrence-free or had achieved a complete response at week 12.
At the 15-month disease assessment, 60% of patients with Ta/T1 disease treated with 300 mg remained recurrence-free, including one with high-grade T1 disease.
In the 500 mg cohort, 25% of patients with CIS disease and 33% of patients with Ta/T1 disease remained disease-free at six months; both are still active participants in the study.
D.Boral Capital analyst Jason Kolbert writes, &#8220;These data position UGN-301 as a promising candidate for a population in urgent need of more localized, immunomodulatory therapies&#8230;&#8221;
Price Action: URGN stock is up 7.65% at $10.63&nbsp;at the last check Monday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/45041333/roper-lifts-2025-guidance-after-solid-q1-ceo-sees-growth-ahead-despite-economic-uncertainty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roper Lifts 2025 Guidance After Solid Q1, CEO Sees Growth Ahead Despite Economic Uncertainty</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Analyst Color

Biotech

Health Care

General

URGN

UroGen Pharma Touts Four-Year Response With Urothelial Cancer Drug Study, Highlights Potential For Bladder Cancer Candidates

Oppenheimer analyst Timothy Horan rated Charter Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHTR#NASDAQ">CHTR</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CHTR/analyst-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">as Perform on</a> Monday.
Charter is the nation&#8217;s second-largest cable provider. In terms of network quality and speeds, the company holds a major competitive advantage over wireline providers.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/45007666/charter-loses-internet-and-tv-subscribers-but-beats-rivals-with-strong-mobile-line-gains" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charter Loses Internet And TV Subscribers But Beats Rivals With Strong Mobile Line Gains</a>
Horan noted its ability to generate consistently high cash flow from its businesses, which gives it added flexibility to adapt to industry trends despite its large size.
Charter&#8217;s revenue grew 0.4% versus Horan&#8217;s flat estimate, a $70 million beat. EBITDA was up 5% on a 180bps expansion in EBITDA margins to 42%, an 80bps beat, but it would have been in line with normalizing for a one-time $75 million other expense benefit.
Subscriber losses have improved off a very difficult 2024 due to the expiration of ACP and hurricanes Milton and Helene, and now improved bundled offers.
Its video offering now has OTT packages worth $80 per month bundled in and attractive promotional wireless/broadband prices which began in the fourth-quarter of 2024.
The analyst noted this as a negative for the overall industry, but price increases on the base continue to grow, and they are upselling many additional services.
The company&#8217;s introductory promotional pricing for broadband is $40 per month, but Horan estimates its base is paying $80 per month and can move to a wireless carrier for permanent pricing of $50. Positively, using a crude metric of revenue per residential broadband subscriber, Charter is at $130 per month versus Comcast Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CMCSA#NASDAQ">CMCSA</a>) at $170. Both are at $70 for broadband, reported ARPU.
Charter lost 55K broadband subscribers versus -72K in the first quarter of 2024, and Horan noted a normalized ACP total loss of ~150K in fiscal 2024. Video declined 167K versus -392K in the first quarter of 2024.
ACP is now behind the company, and new promos are helping; however, the analyst continues to see challenging competition with lower-priced fixed and mobile hotspot wireless, fiber and OTT video.
Charter has resumed stock repurchases after the Liberty Broadband acquisition vote.
Leverage has declined to 4.1x and will head to 4.25x gradually.
Positively, Horan does not expect Charter to grow EBITDA by ~2% per year. With stock buybacks and lower capex, free cash flow per share can increase 4x by 2030 to ~$100.
Charter reiterated its fiscal 2025 capex of ~$12 billion, declining to $8 billion in 2028.
Cash taxes of $1.6-2.0 billion, implying a ~15% Y/Y increase, but $1 billion of this in the second quarter.
Horan tweaked subscriber and financial estimates on the early effectiveness of the new go-to-market. The analyst reiterated that Charter looks attractive on a long-term free cash flow per-share basis following the completion of its network evolution in two years and major stock buybacks at a ~27% 2030 free cash flow yield.
Horan projected second-quarter revenue of $13.73 billion and EPS of $9.07.
CHTR Price Action: Charter Communications stock is up 0.97% to $377.29 at the last check on Monday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/45023162/comcast-faces-analyst-concerns-over-broadband-losses-despite-solid-revenue-and-peacock-gains" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Comcast Faces Analyst Concerns Over Broadband Losses Despite Revenue And Peacock Gains</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

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