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MMTEC

MMTEC Inc provides Internet-based technology services and solutions to the Chinese language speaking hedge funds, mutual funds, registered investment advisors, proprietary trading groups, and brokerage firms engaging in securities market transactions and settlements globally. It offers complete suite trading solutions, including services such as fund establishment, issuance, custody, transaction, and settlement. The Company currently has two operating segments, Gujia, MM Future, MMBD Advisory and HC Securities, and MM Global. It generates maximum revenue from the Gujia segment. Gujia segment provides market data services and investor relations management services to customers in China.

MMTEC Inc

Match Group Inc

MTR CORP LTD U/ADR by MTR Corporation Ltd.

MTR Corp Ltd

Metacrine Inc Ordinary Shares

Stephens &amp; Co. analyst Jim Salera maintains Wingstop (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WING#NASDAQ">WING</a>) with a Overweight and maintains $400 price target.

News

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

WING

Stephens & Co. Maintains Overweight on Wingstop, Maintains $400 Price Target

BTTR

Better Choice Announced SRx Health Solutions' Approval Of Acquisition With 93% Shareholder Vote; Special Meeting Slated For March 21, 2025, Terms Not Disclosed

JP Morgan analyst Sebastiano Petti maintains Telephone and Data (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TDS#NYSE">TDS</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $53 to $56.

JP Morgan Maintains Overweight on Telephone and Data, Raises Price Target to $56

In the current market session, Warrior Met Coal Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HCC#NYSE">HCC</a>) price is at $49.58, after a 7.48% spike. However, over the past month, the stock fell by 3.51%, and in the past year, by 15.45%. Shareholders might be interested in knowing whether the stock is undervalued, even if the company is performing up to par in the current session. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740422716_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>Warrior Met Coal P/E Compared to Competitors</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 17.16 in the Metals &amp; Mining industry, Warrior Met Coal Inc. has a lower P/E ratio of 9.65. 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/2025/1740422716_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In summary, while the price-to-earnings ratio is a valuable tool for investors to evaluate a company's market performance, it should be used with caution. A low P/E ratio can be an indication of undervaluation, but it can also suggest weak growth prospects or financial instability. Moreover, the P/E ratio is just one of many metrics that investors should consider when making investment decisions, and it should be evaluated alongside other financial ratios, industry trends, and qualitative factors. By taking a comprehensive approach to analyzing a company's financial health, investors can make well-informed decisions that are more likely to lead to successful outcomes.

Intraday Update

Markets

A Look Into Warrior Met Coal Inc's Price Over Earnings

JP Morgan analyst Sebastiano Petti maintains United States Cellular (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USM#NYSE">USM</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $86 to $88.

JP Morgan Maintains Overweight on United States Cellular, Raises Price Target to $88

J.P. Morgan has upgraded Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMRX#NASDAQ">AMRX</a>), noting the company&#8217;s generics business is increasingly well-positioned with a solid Crexont launch and continued momentum across the portfolio.
In August 2024, the FDA approved Amneal&#8217;s IPX203 for Parkinson&#8217;s disease as Crexont (Carbidopa and Levodopa) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/08/b40235178/amneal-receives-u-s-fda-approval-for-ipx203-for-treatment-of-parkinsons-disease-to-be-launched-as-" rel="noreferrer noopener">extended-release capsules</a>. The generic drug was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/09/b40978015/amneal-launches-crexont-carbidopa-and-levodopa-extended-release-capsules-for-treatment-of-parkinso" rel="noreferrer noopener">launched in September</a>.
J.P. Morgan analyst Chris Schott reports that Crexont prescriptions are nearing 1,000 per week, with 964 recorded in the week of February 14.
The drug is capturing market share faster than expected, making up about 15% of Rytary&#8217;s volume.
Schott anticipates strong growth throughout the year as Amneal expands insurance coverage. As a result, J.P. Morgan is increasing its sales projections, forecasting Crexont revenue of $64 million in 2025, $125 million in 2026, and peak sales above $300 million, surpassing Rytary.
On February 28, Amneal is scheduled to release its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/01/b43301728/amneal-to-report-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2024-results-on-february-28-2025" rel="noreferrer noopener">fourth-quarter earnings</a>.
According to data from Benzinga Pro, the generics player is expected to report fourth-quarter sales of $707.05 million and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">adjusted EPS of 15 cents</a>.
J.P. Morgan has upgraded Amneal from Neutral to Overweight with a price forecast of $12, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMRX/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">up from $9</a>.
The analyst notes that Amneal has moved its generics business from simple oral tablets to more complex products, which should support long-term growth.
This shift, successful <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/b43810207/amneal-launches-mesalamine-and-receives-u-s-fda-approval-for-lenalidomide" rel="noreferrer noopener">new product launches</a>, and a steadier pricing environment for generics helped the company&#8217;s generics segment grow by double digits in 2024. Growth is expected to continue in 2025, with an 8% increase driven by new generics and rising biosimilar adoption.
With strong growth from generics, brand-name drugs, and AvKARE (which has grown over 20% in the past two years), JP Morgan writes, &#8220;We believe AMRX is positioned to generate growth well ahead of peers.&#8221;
Price Action: AMRX stock is up 8.75% at $8.515 at last check Monday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43907948/nokia-partners-with-globe-telecom-to-tackle-fraud-in-banking-with-secure-apis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nokia Partners with Globe Telecom To Tackle Fraud In Banking With Secure APIs</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock.

Analyst Color

Equities

Guidance

Upgrades

Health Care

Movers

Trading Ideas

General

AMRX

Generic Drug Maker Amneal Pharmaceuticals Is Positioned To Growth Well Ahead Of Peers, Analyst Upgrades Stock

Intel Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) launched new <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/intel" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intel Xeon 6 processors</a> with Performance cores across data center workloads and up to 2 times higher performance in AI processing to meet the demands of next-generation workloads like AI and high-performing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1728/intel-unveils-leadership-ai-and-networking-solutions-with" rel="noreferrer noopener">and efficient computing</a>.
New Xeon 6 processors for network and edge applications with built-in Intel vRAN Boost deliver up to 2.4 times the radio access network (RAN) workload capacity.
The&nbsp;Intel&nbsp;Xeon&nbsp;6700/6500 series processor with P-cores&nbsp;is the ideal CPU for modern data centers, delivering an average of 1.4x better performance than the previous generation&nbsp;across a wide range of enterprise workloads, Xeon 6 is also the foundational central processing unit (CPU) for AI systems.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/02/43788975/amd-closing-competitive-gpu-gap-with-nvidia-gains-market-share-from-intel-in-client-and-server-markets-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">AMD Closing Competitive GPU Gap With Nvidia, Gains Market Share From Intel In Client And Server Markets: Analyst</a>
The&nbsp;Intel Xeon 6 for network and edge&nbsp;is a system-on-chip (SoC) designed for high performance and power efficiency. It leverages Intel's built-in accelerators for virtualized radio access networks (vRAN), media, AI, and network security, delivering up to 2.4x the RAN capacity7&nbsp;and a 70% improvement in performance-per-watt compared to previous generations.
As AI adoption continues to accelerate, organizations will likely spend up to $153 billion on generative AI (GenAI) by 2027, with total spending for machine learning and analytics reaching $361 billion, according to IDC.
Intel stock plunged over 43% in the last 12 months, with reports indicating Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) and Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/02/43792756/taiwan-semiconductors-intel-foundry-acquisition-could-be-negative-for-asml-kla-synopsys-and-cadence-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">considering acquiring the</a> struggling chipmaker.
Oppenheimer&nbsp;and Stifel&nbsp;noted that Intel continues to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/25/01/43405796/intel-attempts-turnaround-analysts-remain-on-the-sidelines" rel="noreferrer noopener">lose market share</a> to&nbsp;Advanced Micro Devices, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) in its Client Computing Group and Data Center segments, prompting them to remain on the sidelines regarding a possible turnaround for the chipmaker.
Price Action: INTC stock is down 0.54% at $24.74 at last check Monday.
Next Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43917474/microsoft-cancels-major-data-center-leases-raises-questions-on-ai-expansion-strategy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft Cancels Some Data Center Leases, Raises Questions on AI Expansion Strategy</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock

Tech

AVGO

INTC

Intel Unveils Xeon 6 Chips, Doubling AI Performance and Powering Next-Gen Data Centers

Shares of Constellation Energy Corporation (CEG) are trading lower Monday. This comes after Friday's sell off of more than 8%. There is a good chance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CEG/news">the move lower continues.</a>
As you can see on the chart, the stock found support around the $280 level and rallied. Stocks rallying after they reach support is a common occurrence in the stock market. But now, this support appears to have broken. This is why Constellation Energy is our Stock of the Day.
Support is a price level where there is a large amount of buy interest.
If a stock is trending lower, it is because there are more shares for sale than there are to be bought. This forces traders and investors who wish to sell to offer their shares out at a discount, forcing the stock into a downtrend.
When a stock reaches a support level, the dynamic changes. As many, if not more, shares must be bought than sold. This is why selloffs pause or end when they reach support.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43910982/apple-commits-500-billion-in-us-investment-for-ai-push-boost-us-manufacturing-tech">Apple Commits $500 Billion In US Investment For AI Push, Boost US Manufacturing Tech</a>
Sometimes, stocks rally after reaching a support level like Constellation did when it last dropped to $280. This occurs due to anxious buyers.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="549" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24132956/ces-1024x549.png" alt="" class="wp-image-796096" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24132956/ces-1024x549.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24132956/ces-300x161.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24132956/ces-768x411.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/24132956/ces.png 1512w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
Some of these buyers become concerned that others will be willing to pay higher prices than they are. They know that this is who the sellers will go to.
They don't want to miss out, so they increase the prices they are willing to pay. Other concerned buyers see this and do the same thing. This can result in a snowball effect or bidding war that pushes the price higher.
But sometimes, support breaks, and the shares trade below it. This bearish dynamic shows that the buyers who created the support have left the market.
Sellers may once again be forced to lower the price if they want their orders executed, which means Constellation may trend lower.
The reason why there was support at $280 is because it had previously been a resistance level.
Levels that were resistance can turn into support. This is also a common occurrence in the market. It happens because there are people who sold at the resistance who came to regret doing so when the resistance broke and the price moved higher.
A number of these remorseful sellers decide that if they can buy their shares back at the same price they were sold for, they will. As a result, if the stock falls back to the resistance level they place buy orders. If there are enough of these orders, it will form support at the price that had been resistance.
But now that the support is broken, another move down may follow.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43905646/nvidia-set-for-clear-beat-and-raise-special-as-ai-demand-surges-says-dan-ives">Nvidia Set For &#8216;Clear Beat And Raise Special&#8217; As AI Demand Surges, Says Dan Ives</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Pitor Swat via Shutterstock

Stock Of The Day: Will Constellation Energy Keep Moving Lower?

Top Wall Street analysts changed their outlook on these top names. For a complete view of all analyst rating changes, including upgrades and downgrades, please see our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">analyst ratings page</a>.
<ul>
<li>Mizuho cut Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ITCI#NASDAQ">ITCI</a>) price target from $140 to $132. Mizuho analyst Graig Suvannavejh downgraded the stock from Outperform to Neutral. Intra-Cellular Therapies shares closed at $128.60 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ITCI/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Goldman Sachs slashed the price target for Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAG#NYSE">CAG</a>) from $33 to $26. Goldman Sachs analyst Leah Jordan downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral. Conagra shares closed at $25.79 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CAG/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>B of A Securities cut Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>) price target from $13 to $10. B of A Securities analyst John Murphy downgraded the stock from Neutral to Underperform. Rivian Automotive, shares closed at $12.97 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/RIVN/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Piper Sandler cut the price target for Block, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XYZ#NYSE">XYZ</a>) from $101 to $85. Piper Sandler analyst Arvind Ramnani maintained an Overweight rating. Block shares closed at $68.35 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/XYZ/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Citigroup slashed the price target for NICE Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NICE#NASDAQ">NICE</a>) from $279 to $228. Citigroup analyst Tyler Radke maintained a Buy rating. NICE shares closed at $155.39 on Friday. See how other <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NICE/analyst-ratings">analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>RBC Capital cut Wayfair Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/W#NYSE">W</a>) price target from $50 to $43. RBC Capital analyst Steven Shemesh maintained a Sector Perform rating. Wayfair shares settled at $41.83 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/W/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Loop Capital slashed Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LPX#NYSE">LPX</a>) price target from $117 to $110. Loop Capital analyst Jeffrey Stevenson maintained a Hold rating. Louisiana-Pacific shares closed at $98.71 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/LPX/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock.</a></li>
<li>Scotiabank raised Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTR#NYSE">NTR</a>) price target from $60 to $62. Scotiabank analyst Ben Isaacson maintained a Sector Outperform rating. Nutrien shares closed at $52.59 on Friday.  <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/ntr/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Jefferies raised the price target for NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKE#NYSE">NKE</a>) from $75 to $115. Jefferies analyst Randal Konik upgraded the stock from Hold to Buy. Nike shares settled at $76.50 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MSFT/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
<li>Stifel boosted Floor &amp; Decor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FND#NYSE">FND</a>) price target from $100 to $110. Stifel analyst W. Andrew Carter upgraded the stock from Hold to Buy. Floor &amp; Decor shares closed at $94.27 on Friday. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/fnd/analyst-ratings">See how other analysts view this stock</a>.</li>
</ul>
Read This Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/short-ideas/25/02/43909524/top-3-tech-stocks-that-may-crash-in-q1">Top 3 Tech Stocks That May Crash In Q1</a></li>
</ul>

ITCI

NICE

RIVN

Nike To Rally Over 50%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Monday

The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/us-dollar">U.S. dollar&#8217;s recent slide</a> has less to do with trade and more with the Fed&#8217;s indifference to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/inflation">rising inflation expectations</a>, according to JPMorgan analyst Meera Chandan.
The sharp drop in U.S. real yields, fueled by the Fed's hands-off approach, has pushed the greenback lower. Chandan believes this de-risking cycle is running out of steam, with nearly 75% of the post-October dollar buying already unwound.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/02/43884153/us-services-drop-sharply-darkening-picture-of-high-prices-uncertainty-economist-says">US Services Drop Sharply: &#8216;Darkening Picture&#8217; Of High Prices, Uncertainty, Economist Says</a>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Yen Rally Faces Headwinds</h1>
While the yen has surged, Chandan warns that its strength may be short-lived. The Bank of Japan's policy stance, stretched speculative positioning, and significant domestic outflows could cap further gains. Policymakers are also showing discomfort with the rapid sell-off in Japanese government bonds, suggesting the yen's momentum may soon stall.
For U.S. investors looking to play this theme, the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DXJ#NYSE">DXJ</a>) offers exposure to Japanese equities while hedging yen risk.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">China Stocks Rally, But Yuan Lags</h1>
China's AI-driven stock surge, powered by breakthroughs like Deepseek and a slower tariff rollout, has yet to lift the Chinese yuan. Unlike past rallies, JPMorgan sees limited upside for the yuan, projecting 7.40 by the second quarter and 7.50 by year-end. Solid domestic U.S. dollar demand and a smaller foreign investor footprint are keeping the yuan in check.
Investors eyeing Chinese equities without FX risk might consider the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KWEB#NYSE">KWEB</a>).
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">JPMorgan's Playbook: Watch For A Dollar Rebound</h1>
Chandan recommends a cautious approach: stay modestly long U.S. dollars, reduce Euro shorts and take profits on Japanese yen baskets.
With the U.S. dollar's sell-off losing momentum and tariff risks still looming, JPMorgan's call is clear — the dollar's floor might be closer than markets think.
The Invesco DB US Dollar Bullish ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UUP#NYSE">UUP</a>) could be a practical way to position for a rebound.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43884588/alibaba-leads-china-stock-rally-as-deepseeks-ai-breakthrough-and-xis-support-boost-investor-confidence">US Listed China Stocks Rally: Alibaba&#8217;s Performance, President Xi&#8217;s Support, DeepSeek AI Boost Investor Confidence</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Long Ideas

Currency ETFs

Forex

Global

Federal Reserve

ETFs

WisdomTree Trust Japan Total Dividend Fund

KWEB

PowerShares DB US Dollar Index Bullish Fund

Dollar Dips As Fed Holds Line, But JPMorgan Says Floor Is Near

Macro Economic Events

Economics

Live On CNBC, J.P Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon, On Tariffs, Says If It's Used To Protect National Security, That Is Paramount, And That Transcends If It Causes A Little Inflation

On Monday, Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXSM#NASDAQ">AXSM</a>) announced that the EMERGE Phase 3 trial of Symbravo&nbsp;(MoSEIC meloxicam and rizatriptan) in patients experiencing inadequate response to oral CGRP inhibitors (most commonly used drugs for migraine) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/g43908665/axsome-therapeutics-announces-symbravo-meloxicam-and-rizatriptan-achieves-primary-endpoint-in-the-" rel="noreferrer noopener">met its primary endpoint</a>.
Symbravo demonstrated statistically significantly greater migraine treatment response than oral CGRP inhibitors, as measured by the Migraine Treatment Optimization Questionnaire (mTOQ-4) (5.2 versus 2.8, p&lt;0.001).
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/02/43790716/axsomes-axs-05-in-alzheimers-agitation-could-be-billion-dollar-opportunity-says-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">Axsome&#8217;s AXS-05 In Alzheimer&#8217;s Agitation Could Be Billion Dollar Opportunity, Says Analyst</a>
In the trial, Symbravo rapidly and substantially improved migraine pain and most bothersome symptoms.
Statistically significantly greater proportions of patients achieved clinical response on the 2-hour pain freedom, sustained pain freedom, ability to return to normal activities, and ability to plan daily activities mTOQ-4 items with Symbravo compared to oral CGRP inhibitors:
<ul>
<li>Pain freedom within 2 hours for most attacks was reported half the time or more by 47.9% of patients after treatment with Symbravo, compared to 1.0% of patients after treatment with oral CGRPs.</li>
<li>Sustained relief of migraine pain for at least 24 hours following a single dose of medication was reported half the time or more by 47.9% of patients after treatment with Symbravo, compared to 16.7% of patients after treatment with oral CGRPs.</li>
<li>The ability to quickly return to normal activities after taking their medication was reported half the time or more by 51.0% of patients after treatment with Symbravo, compared to 11.5% of patients after treatment with oral CGRPs.</li>
<li>The proportion of patients who reported being comfortable enough with their medication to be able to plan daily activities half the time or more was 63.5% after treatment with Symbravo, compared to 26.0% after treatment with oral CGRPs.</li>
</ul>
Price Action: AXSM stock is down 4.82% at $131.12 at last check Monday.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43911212/tiktok-collaboration-powers-connexas-new-mena-strategy-stocks-skyrocket" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TikTok Collaboration Powers Connexa&#8217;s New MENA Strategy</a></li>
</ul>

Biotech

AXSM

Axsome Says Symbravo Hits Primary Goal In Late-Stage Migraine Trial In Patients Experiencing Inadequate Response To Commonly Used Drugs

Live On CNBC, J.P Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon Says We See Consumers Are Kind Of Back, Almost Going To Normal

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on Cigna. Our analysis of options history for Cigna (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>) revealed 16 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 31% of traders were bullish, while 68% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 13 were puts, with a value of $1,308,898, and 3 were calls, valued at $247,758.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $270.0 to $310.0 for Cigna over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Cigna'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 Cigna's whale trades within a strike price range from $270.0 to $310.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Cigna Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740421844_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</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 align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>CI</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$8.2</td>
<td>$6.9</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$295.00</td>
<td>$713.3K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td align="right">149</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$10.3</td>
<td>$9.5</td>
<td>$9.6</td>
<td>$300.00</td>
<td>$172.0K</td>
<td>207</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CI</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$23.3</td>
<td>$23.1</td>
<td>$23.18</td>
<td>$310.00</td>
<td>$111.0K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CI</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$8.3</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$8.1</td>
<td>$292.50</td>
<td>$90.7K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td align="right">91</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CI</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$23.2</td>
<td>$22.1</td>
<td>$23.2</td>
<td>$310.00</td>
<td>$88.1K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td align="right">50</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Cigna</h3>
Cigna primarily provides pharmacy benefit management and health insurance services. Its PBM and specialty pharmacy services, which were greatly expanded by its 2018 merger with Express Scripts, are mostly sold to health insurance plans and employers. Its largest PBM contract is the Department of Defense, and it recently won a deal with top-tier insurer Centene. In health insurance and other benefits, Cigna mostly serves employers through self-funding arrangements, and the company operates mostly in the US with 17 million US and 2 million international medical members covered as of September 2024.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Cigna, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Cigna's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 716,139, with CI's price up by 0.89%, positioned at $302.49.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 66 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Cigna</h3>
5 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $368.6.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Oppenheimer persists with their Outperform rating on Cigna, maintaining a target price of $375. 
&#x2A; An analyst from UBS has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Cigna, which currently sits at a price target of $390. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Piper Sandler downgraded its action to Overweight with a price target of $348. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Stephens &amp; Co. keeps a Overweight rating on Cigna with a target price of $380. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Cantor Fitzgerald keeps a Overweight rating on Cigna with a target price of $350. 
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 Cigna options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Options

Cigna Options Trading: A Deep Dive into Market Sentiment

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on Upstart Hldgs.
Looking at options history for Upstart Hldgs (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPST#NASDAQ">UPST</a>) we detected 32 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 46% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 37% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 17 are puts, for a total amount of $2,197,084 and 15, calls, for a total amount of $723,858.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $45.0 and $120.0 for Upstart Hldgs, 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 Upstart Hldgs'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 Upstart Hldgs's whale activity within a strike price range from $45.0 to $120.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Upstart Hldgs Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740421840_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>UPST</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$8.45</td>
<td>$8.35</td>
<td>$8.35</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$355.4K</td>
<td>4.2K</td>
<td>37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UPST</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$8.45</td>
<td>$8.25</td>
<td>$8.31</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$311.3K</td>
<td>4.2K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UPST</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$17.3</td>
<td>$16.5</td>
<td>$16.65</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>$249.7K</td>
<td>152</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UPST</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$4.5</td>
<td>$4.4</td>
<td>$4.48</td>
<td>$68.00</td>
<td>$190.1K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UPST</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$4.5</td>
<td>$4.35</td>
<td>$4.43</td>
<td>$68.00</td>
<td>$166.1K</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1.9K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Upstart Hldgs</h3>
Upstart Holdings Inc provides credit services. The company provides a proprietary, cloud-based, artificial intelligence lending platform. The platform aggregates consumer demand for loans and connects it to the network of Upstart AI-enabled bank partners. Upstart's platform includes personal loans, automotive retail and refinance loans, home equity lines of credit, and small-dollar loans.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Upstart Hldgs</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 3,971,479, with UPST's price down by -1.55%, positioned at $70.66.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 71 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Upstart Hldgs</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 $82.4.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from B. Riley Securities has elevated its stance to Buy, setting a new price target at $105. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Goldman Sachs persists with their Sell rating on Upstart Hldgs, maintaining a target price of $15. 
&#x2A; Showing optimism, an analyst from JP Morgan upgrades its rating to Neutral with a revised price target of $79. 
&#x2A; In a cautious move, an analyst from Piper Sandler downgraded its rating to Overweight, setting a price target of $105. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Citigroup has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Upstart Hldgs, which currently sits at a price target of $108. 
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 Upstart Hldgs options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

UPST

Decoding Upstart Hldgs's Options Activity: What's the Big Picture?

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards KKR (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KKR#NYSE">KKR</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in KKR usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 17 extraordinary options activities for KKR. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 52% leaning bullish and 23% bearish. Among these notable options, 5 are puts, totaling $1,193,155, and 12 are calls, amounting to $1,319,476.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $100.0 to $165.0 for KKR over the recent three months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for KKR's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across KKR's significant trades, within a strike price range of $100.0 to $165.0, over the past month.
<h3>KKR Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740421834_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 align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>KKR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$5.0</td>
<td>$4.6</td>
<td>$4.7</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
<td>$946.0K</td>
<td align="right">73</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KKR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$37.5</td>
<td>$36.5</td>
<td>$37.0</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$370.0K</td>
<td align="right">217</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KKR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$11.2</td>
<td>$11.0</td>
<td>$11.2</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$168.0K</td>
<td align="right">614</td>
<td align="right">75</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KKR</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>04/17/25</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$3.0</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$123.6K</td>
<td align="right">16</td>
<td align="right">89</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KKR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$8.2</td>
<td>$7.9</td>
<td>$8.1</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
<td>$121.5K</td>
<td align="right">693</td>
<td align="right">450</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About KKR</h3>
KKR is one of the world's largest alternative asset managers, with $624.4 billion in total managed assets, including $505.7 billion in fee-earning AUM, at the end of September 2024. The company has two core segments: asset management (which includes private markets—private equity, credit, infrastructure, energy, and real estate—and public markets—primarily credit and hedge/investment fund platforms) and insurance (following the firm's initial investment in, and then ultimate purchase of, Global Atlantic Financial Group, which is engaged in retirement/annuity and life insurance lines as well as reinsurance).
Having examined the options trading patterns of KKR, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>KKR's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 2,393,158, with KKR's price down by -0.64%, positioned at $131.37.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 65 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Professional Analyst Ratings for KKR</h3>
4 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $165.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Morgan Stanley keeps a Equal-Weight rating on KKR with a target price of $156. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Wells Fargo keeps a Equal-Weight rating on KKR with a target price of $150. 
&#x2A; Reflecting concerns, an analyst from HSBC lowers its rating to Hold with a new price target of $173. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Barclays has decided to maintain their Overweight rating on KKR, which currently sits at a price target of $181. 
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 KKR options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>.

KKR's Options: A Look at What the Big Money is Thinking

Buying a home is supposed to be a milestone moment, but for Mary, a first-time homebuyer in Miami, it turned into a nightmare. She and her spouse purchased what they believed was a legally built home, only to discover later that the property technically didn't exist in county records. Seeking advice, Mary called into "The Ramsey Show" to ask financial experts <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43276105/trumps-tax-plan-could-slash-social-security-benefits-33-by-2035-ramsey-show-host-george-kamel-weighs-in">George Kamel</a> and Ken Coleman whether filing for bankruptcy was the right move.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Shocking Discovery</h2>
Mary explained that after purchasing their home in April 2023, they attempted to make improvements, such as installing fencing and encapsulating the crawlspace. However, when the property was surveyed, they learned it wasn't officially recognized by the county. There were no permits, no Certificate of Occupancy, and no legal record of the house's existence.
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When Kamel asked if they had purchased the home without seeing it, Mary clarified that they had done everything by the book—working with real estate agents, lenders, and inspectors. Yet somehow, the sale still went through. "I mean, aren&#8217;t there titles to be cleared?" Kamel asked in disbelief.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Broken System</h2>
The couple had taken out a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan for the price of $259,000 after their $12,000 down payment. Even with standard procedures in place, including an inspection, no one caught the issue. To make matters worse, the home, built on an old 1950s foundation, was deteriorating—developing mold, sinking floors, and leaning walls.
Mary and her spouse initially attempted to resolve the issue without legal intervention, approaching the builder to repurchase the home. When that failed, they hired an attorney. Unfortunately, progress stalled, leaving them stuck paying for a house they couldn't live in while also renting another place to stay.
Trending: The average American couple has saved this much money for retirement —<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/money/smartasset"> How do you compare</a>?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Heated Response</h2>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/11/42235090/callers-fiance-hasnt-filed-taxes-in-20-years-dave-ramsey-says-to-rethink-your-future-with-this-slothful-man">Coleman</a> didn't hold back. Expressing frustration, he told Mary, "You are going to have to stand up and fight." He emphasized that the builder, inspector, and potentially even the lenders had failed them and should be held accountable. Kamel agreed, adding that <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/43171388/dave-ramsey-was-in-debt-up-to-his-eyeballs-sheriff-wanted-to-take-his-kids-crib-now-he-owns-600-million-in-real-estate-paid-for-in-cash">bankruptcy</a> wasn't the right path. Instead, he advised pursuing legal action against the builder and inspector to reclaim their money.
When Mary mentioned that their attorney hadn't made significant progress, Coleman urged them to switch lawyers immediately. "Get an attorney with a backbone," he said, advising them to find someone aggressive enough to take the case to court. He even suggested going to the media, though Mary revealed that local news stations had dismissed it as a legal issue.
See Also: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bezos-landlord-100-dollars">become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100</a>.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Next Steps</h2>
While Kamel and Coleman couldn't offer legal advice, they strongly discouraged bankruptcy, stating that it wouldn't solve the root problem. Instead, they suggested Mary and her spouse:
<ul>
<li>Hire a new, proactive attorney</li>
<li>File a lawsuit against the builder and inspector</li>
<li>Notify the lender that they were sold bad collateral</li>
<li>Refuse to continue making <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/real-estate/25/02/43789996/dave-ramsey-says-a-paid-off-mortgage-is-the-new-status-symbol-not-a-bmw-do-you-agree">mortgage payments</a> until a resolution was found</li>
</ul>
The conversation on "The Ramsey Show" highlights a serious flaw in the homebuying system. If a home can be sold illegally even with professional oversight, how many other buyers might face similar issues?&nbsp;
For now, Mary and her spouse are left fighting for justice, hoping the right legal action can turn their dream home disaster into a recoverable situation.
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<li>Can you guess how many retire with a $5,000,000 nest egg? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/5mil-nest-egg-adv">The percentage may shock you</a>.</li>
</ul>

'How Did Nobody Catch This?' - Couple In Miami Is Sold A Home Illegally And Asks The Ramsey Show If They Should Claim Bankruptcy

Morgan Stanley analyst Dara Mohsenian initiated coverage on Smithfield Foods Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SFD#NASDAQ">SFD</a>) with an Overweight rating and a price forecast of $28.00.
Since being acquired by WH Group in 2013, SFD has evolved into a more streamlined, profitable, and resilient protein business, achieved through operational improvements, refining its product and customer portfolio, and recently downsizing its hog production, said the analyst.
Smithfield Foods, a value-added packaged meats and fresh pork company, went public again in January, pricing its IPO at $20.00 per share.
As a result, the company has increased its focus on value-added packaged meats, leading to a significant rise in profitability.
From 2014 to 2024, EBITDA margins are projected to expand by over 300 basis points, with packaged meats margins improving by approximately 700 basis points.
The analyst expects SFD to continue to perform well, with a 10% EBITDA growth forecast over the next two years, driven by its strong position in trending pork categories, innovation, and a stable commodity business.
Smithfield is primarily involved in the pork industry, which has been a large and historically stable market, with per capita consumption growing at around a 1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past decade.
The analyst notes the sector is well-positioned to capitalize on changing consumer preferences that are driving strong demand for protein, such as increased focus on health, wellness, and high-protein diets.
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The analyst expects the company&#8217;s EBITDA margin to expand by approximately 130 basis points over the next two years, driven by favorable mix benefits in Smithfield&#8217;s packaged meats segment.
Additionally, the analyst mentions Smithfield has the potential to capture market share in underpenetrated categories, such as packaged lunch meats (a category worth over $6 billion), and expand its distribution with current retail partners.
While Smithfield is actively scaling back its hog production, favorable feed costs and rising hog prices indicate a positive outlook for hog producer margins into 2025.
The analyst views Smithfield&#8217;s strong net leverage position and free cash flow generation as favorable factors for delivering attractive returns to shareholders.
The company aims for a dividend payout ratio of about 50% (~5% yield) and presents opportunities for additional returns via share buybacks over time.
The analyst views current valuation of 5.8x &#8217;25e EV/EBITDA as attractive relative to SFD&#8217;s financial profile (~10%e EBITDA CAGR &#8217;24-26), supported by comparisons to public market protein peers.
Price Action: SFD shares are trading higher by 0.97% at $21.31 at the last check Monday.
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Photo by Ground Picture on Shutterstock.

Initiation

Smithfield Foods' Post-IPO Momentum: Morgan Stanley Sees Attractive Value In The Transformed Company

Barrington Research analyst James Goss maintains Clear Channel Outdoor (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CCO#NYSE">CCO</a>) with a Outperform and maintains $2.5 price target.

Barrington Research Maintains Outperform on Clear Channel Outdoor, Maintains $2.5 Price Target

Celsius Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CELH#NASDAQ">CELH</a>) reported better-than-expected <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/02/43868556/celsius-holdings-stock-surges-on-q4-earnings-beat-alani-nu-acquisition" rel="noreferrer noopener">fourth-quarter earnings</a> and entered into an agreement to acquire&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/b43867287/celsius-holdings-to-acquire-alani-nu-creating-a-leading-better-for-you-functional-lifestyle-platfo" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alani Nutrition</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/b43867287/celsius-holdings-to-acquire-alani-nu-creating-a-leading-better-for-you-functional-lifestyle-platfo" rel="noreferrer noopener"> for $1.8 billion</a>.
The following are the analysts reaction to both the events.
Needham analyst Gerald Pascarelli reiterated a Buy rating on the shares and maintained a price forecast of $38.00.
The acquisition of the energy brand Alani Nu represents a revenue multiple of less than 3x for 2024. The transaction will be financed through a combination of $1.275 billion in cash and $500 million in stock (22.5 million shares), along with a potential $25 million earnout tied to 2025 performance, noted the analyst.
Strategically, the acquisition makes sense, as Alani is among the fastest-growing energy brands with significant distribution potential.
This move will offer CELH enhanced growth and scalability. After the acquisition, the combined company will hold a low-to-mid-teens market share in the U.S. energy sector, surpassing the previously difficult-to-achieve double-digit threshold.
Additionally, it will bolster the company&#8217;s appeal to female consumers, an area where CELH has historically had an advantage, given its roughly 50/50 demographic split, noted the analyst.
The analyst is optimistic about the Alani Nu acquisition and the stronger-than-expected earnings and anticipates that CELH shares will see significant rewards.
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B. Riley Securities analyst Jeff Van Sinderen reiterated a Buy rating on the shares and raised the price forecast from $44.00 to $49.00.
CELH reported its fourth-quarter results, surpassing expectations for sales, AEBITDA and EPS. North American sales fell 6%, while international sales rose 39%, partially due to PepsiCo Inc&#8216;s efforts to optimize and balance inventory, said the analyst.
Competition in the energy drink sector remains fierce, with the top two rivals focused on increasing and retaining shelf space and market share amid a tougher consumer environment, the analyst observed.
The start of the first quarter has been slow, but the company is optimistic about retail activations, product innovation, and marketing plans to improve throughout the year.
Celsius aims to attract new customers to the energy category, expand product availability, and boost consumption frequency.
According to the analyst, the acquisition of Alani Nu is expected to close around the second quarter and will increase Celsius&#8217;s market share from approximately 11.8% to 16%.
The analyst views this acquisition positively as it positions the company for further growth and potential higher AEBITDA margins, similar to Monster Beverage&#8217;s high-20% margins in the future. Meanwhile, expanding internationally and continuing innovation in products and marketing will be crucial for the sustained growth of the Celsius brand, per the analyst.
Stifel analyst Mark S. Astrachan reiterated a Buy rating on the shares and maintained a price forecast of $37.00.
Celsius fourth-quarter results, exceeded consensus expectations for both sales and adjusted EBITDA. The company also revealed its acquisition of energy drink rival Alani Nu for $1.8 billion, which equates to a 21x TTM adjusted EBITDA multiple or 12x 2025E adjusted EBITDA, along with $25 million in synergies for the first year, noted the analyst.
The analyst estimates that the deal will boost Celsius&#8217;s sales and adjusted EBITDA by approximately 50% in 2026, assuming $50 million in run-rate synergies and a 28% average adjusted EBITDA growth in 2025-2026, in line with projected sales growth.
In the short term, the analyst is optimistic about the acquisition, as it provides significant upside for Alani&#8217;s sales growth due to enhanced distribution.
Over the long term, the analyst notes Celsius must focus on improving its core sales and market share trends, as integration challenges and the need to sustain strong sales growth and market share momentum, similar to the gains seen in 2024, will be crucial.
Price Action: CELH shares are trading lower by 0.55% at $32.44 in at the last check Monday.
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