IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ARCA: ESGB)

Latest News for IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ARCA:ESGB)

IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF

News

Management

GOOG

GOOGL

Alphabet Inc Board Recommends Alphabet Shareholders To Vote Against Stockholder Proposal Regarding Ai Principles And Board Oversight

Offerings

TKO Group Files Prospectus Relates To Resale Of Up To 8.25M Shares Of Class A Common Stock By Selling Stockholders

Alphabet Inc CEO Sundar Pichai's 2023 Total Compensation Was $8.8M

Blizzard has <a href="https://blizzcon.com/en-us/news/24072107">canceled</a> its annual fan convention, BlizzCon, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/04/38451061/microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella-highlights-record-breaking-gaming-performance-expansion-to-nintendo-sw">for 2024</a>.
The company cited &#8220;careful consideration over the last year&#8221; as the reason behind this decision. 
Instead of BlizzCon, Blizzard plans to host smaller events throughout the year and participate in other trade shows like Gamescom. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/04/38466580/microsoft-thanks-call-of-duty-candy-crush-for-sizzling-q3-gaming-results">Microsoft Thanks Call Of Duty, Candy Crush For Sizzling Q3 Gaming Results</a>
Despite this year&#8217;s cancellation, Blizzard reassures fans that BlizzCon will return in the future: &#8220;While we're approaching this year differently and as we have explored different event formats in the past, rest assured that we are just as excited as ever to bring BlizzCon back in future years,&#8221; the video game developer added.
The cancellation comes amidst a significant year for Blizzard, marked by Microsoft Corp&#8217;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) acquisition of the company for $68.7 billion, legal battles against the acquisition, and changes in the company&#8217;s leadership, including CEO Bobby Kotick&#8216;s departure after over 30 years.
BlizzCon has a history of cancellations. The most recent event to get nixed occurred in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event returned in an online format in 2021, but was canceled in 2022 due to workplace harassment lawsuits. 
An in-person event took place in 2023.
It&#8217;s worth noting that the cancellation of BlizzCon 2024 coincides with the demise of E3 and a struggling video game industry facing layoffs and financial challenges. 
Microsoft&#8217;s recent layoffs of 1,900 employees across Activision Blizzard and Xbox further underscore the industry&#8217;s difficulties.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/24/04/38342845/can-blizzard-keep-its-autonomy-post-microsoft-acquisition-no-one-asking-us-to-do-anything-says-wor">Can Blizzard Keep Its Autonomy Post-Microsoft Acquisition? &#8216;No One Asking Us To Do Anything,&#8217; Says World Of Warcraft Exec</a>
Image credits: <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/es/g/randymir">Randy Miramontez</a> on Shutterstock.

Gaming

Events

MSFT

Why Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Killed Off Blizzcon 2024

Southwest Airlines Received Five -8 Aircraft Deliveries From Boeing In Q1 2024 And Retired Three 737-700 ("-700") Aircraft; As Result Of Boeing's Delivery Delays, Has Re-Planned Its Capacity & Delivery Expectations For Remainder Of This Year & Next

L3Harris CEO Chris Kubasik On 5% Workforce Cut, Says "Was Right Thing To Do For The Business"

CLVRW

Trading Halt: Halt status updated at 4:40:00 PM ET: Quotation Resumption: News and Resumption Times

ACHV

Achieve Life Sciences Files Prospectus Related To Offer & Sale From Time To Time Of Up To 13.1M Shares Of Common Stock, By Selling Stockholders

SQFT

Presidio Property Trust Inc Files For Mixed Shelf Offering Of Up To $50M

Business Outlook
The Company expects its total revenues to be in the range of RMB310 million to RMB320 million in the first quarter of 2024. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change and cannot be predicted with reasonable accuracy as of the date hereof. &nbsp;

Guidance

Scienjoy Holding Sees Q1 2024 Revenue RMB310 Million To RMB320 Million

Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results
Total revenues decreased by 25.0% to RMB1,464.9 million (US$206.3 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023 from RMB1,953.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily caused by decrease of paying users and average revenue per paying user ("ARPPU") due to competitive landscape of China's mobile live streaming market.&nbsp;
Cost of revenues decreased by 23.8% to RMB1,272.1 million (US$179.2 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023 from RMB1,670.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily attributable to a 23.8%, or RMB362.1 million, year-over-year decrease in the Company's revenue sharing fees and content costs. &nbsp;
Gross profit decreased by 31.9% to RMB192.7 million (US$27.1 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023 from RMB283.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Total operating expenses increased by 27.4% to RMB169.9 million (US$23.9 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023 from RMB133.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
<ul>
<li>Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 36.3% to RMB1.4 million (US$0.2 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023 from RMB2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to fewer marketing activities as the Company tightened the budget based on current operating needs.</li>
<li>General and administrative expenses increased by23.9% to RMB75.6 million (US$10.6 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023 from RMB61.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily due to an increase of RMB4.9 million in employee salary and welfare, an increase of RMB4.0 million in share base compensations and an increase of RMB2.5 million office renovation expenses.</li>
<li>Research and development expenses increased by 11.2% to RMB75.1 million (US$10.6 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023 from RMB67.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, due to an increase of RMB7.5 million in employee salary and welfare.</li>
<li>Provision for doubtful accounts increased by 552.2% to RMB17.9 million (US$2.5 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023 from RMB2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primary due to one-time credit loss provision of RMB16.3 million for the loan receivable.</li>
</ul>
Income from operations decreased by 84.8% to RMB22.8 million (US$3.2 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023 from RMB149.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. If excluded one-time provision for credit loss of RMB16.3 million, our income from operation would amount to RMB39.1 million (US$5.5 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Change in fair value of contingent consideration amounted to a loss of RMB5.6 million (US$0.8 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to a gain of RMB 13.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Change in fair value of contingent consideration is derived from earn out liabilities resulted from historical acquisitions. The fair value of the contingent consideration is re-measured at each reporting period, and the change in fair value is recognized as either income or expense.&nbsp;
Change in fair value of warrants liability&nbsp;decreased to a gain of RMB 0.2 million (US$0.02 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023 from a gain of RMB10.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The fair value of the Company's warrants derivative liability assumed from the SPAC acquisition is re-measured to its fair value at the end of each reporting period, with the change being recorded as other expense or gain.
Change in fair value of investment in marketable security amounted to a loss of RMB9.0 million (US$1.3 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared with a gain of RMB1.8 million for year ended December 31, 2022. The change was primarily attributable to the fair value changes in investments in publicly traded company.
Investment loss amounted to RMB31.3 million (US$4.4 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared with an investment income of RMB25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The investment loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to one-time share of unrealized loss of RMB30.7 million in the long-term investments.
Impairment of long-term investments amounted to RMB11.8 million (US$1.7 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023, and no such impairment suffered for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Net loss amounted to RMB35.0 million (US$4.9 million)&nbsp;for the year ended December 31 2023, as compared to a net income of RMB195.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.&nbsp;
Net loss attributable to the Company's shareholders amounted to RMB30.8 million (US$4.3 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to a net income attributable to the Company's shareholders of RMB193.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. If excluded one-time expenses amounting to RMB58.8 million in investment impairment, share of unrealized loss, and provision for credit loss, the Company had net income attributable to the Company's shareholders of RMB28.0 million (US$3.9 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Adjusted net loss attributable to the Company's shareholders&nbsp;amounted to RMB11.7 million (US$1.6 million) for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to a net income adjusted attributable to the Company's shareholders of RMB181.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Basic and diluted net loss attributable to the Company's shareholders per ordinary share were both RMB0.76 (US$0.11) for the year ended December 31, 2023. In comparison, basic and diluted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders per ordinary share were both RMB4.92 for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Adjusted basic and diluted net loss attributable to the Company's shareholders per ordinary share were both RMB0.29 (US$0.04) for the year ended December 31, 2023. In comparison, adjusted basic and diluted net income attributable to the Company's shareholders per ordinary share were both RMB4.62 for the year ended December 31, 2022.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had&nbsp;cash and cash equivalents of RMB205.5 million (US$28.9 million), which represented an increase of 17.2% from RMB175.3 million as of December 31, 2022.

Earnings

Scienjoy Holding FY23 EPS $(0.04); Revenue $206.3M

Ebang Intl Hldgs (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EBON#NASDAQ">EBON</a>) reported quarterly losses of $(5.86) per share. This is a 16.64 percent increase over losses of $(7.03) per share from the same period last year. The company reported $4.86 million in sales this quarter. This is a 84.98 percent decrease over sales of $32.33 million the same period last year.

EBON

Ebang Intl Hldgs FY EPS $(5.86) Up From $(7.03) YoY, Sales $4.86M Down From $32.33M YoY

CB Financial Services (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CBFV#NASDAQ">CBFV</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.62 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.55 by 12.73 percent. This is a 19.48 percent decrease over earnings of $0.77 per share from the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

CBFV

CB Financial Services Q1 Adj $0.62 Beats $0.55 Estimate

CLVR

Trading Halt: Halt status updated at 4:35:00 PM ET: Quotation Resumption: News and Resumption Times

Pagaya Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pgy#NASDAQ">PGY</a>) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Shares of this company have returned -8.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&amp;P 500 composite&#39;s -3% change. The Zacks Technology Services industry, to which Pagaya Technologies Ltd. belongs, has lost 8% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company&#39;s business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.
Earnings Estimate Revisions
Here at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company&#39;s future earnings over anything else. That&#39;s because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors&#39; interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Pagaya Technologies Ltd. is expected to post earnings of $0.16 per share, indicating a change of +166.7% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +17.7% over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of $0.98 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +308.3%. This estimate has changed +22.7% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $1.97 indicates a change of +100.5% from what Pagaya Technologies Ltd. is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +8.2%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock&#39;s near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Pagaya Technologies Ltd.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company&#39;s forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue Growth
While earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company&#39;s financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn&#39;t able to grow its revenues. After all, it&#39;s nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it&#39;s important to know a company&#39;s potential revenue growth.
In the case of Pagaya Technologies Ltd. the consensus sales estimate of $229.45 million for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +22.9%. The $997.77 million and $1.23 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +26% and +23.6%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
Pagaya Technologies Ltd. reported revenues of $218.04 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +13%. EPS of $0.24 for the same period compares with -$0.12 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $222.74 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -2.11%. The EPS surprise was -33.33%.
The company could not beat consensus EPS estimates in any of the last four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates two times over this period.
Valuation
Without considering a stock&#39;s valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock&#39;s future price performance, it&#39;s crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company&#39;s growth prospects.
While comparing the current values of a company&#39;s valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock&#39;s price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an An is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Pagaya Technologies Ltd. is graded B on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers.
Conclusion
The facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it&#39;s worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Pagaya Technologies Ltd. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2262045/pagaya-technologies-ltd-pgy-is-a-trending-stock-facts-to-know-before-betting-on-it?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|most_searched_stocks_-_v1-2262045">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Small Cap

Markets

Tech

Trading Ideas

Pagaya Technologies Ltd. Is a Trending Stock: Facts to Know Before Betting on It

<div>Pam Transportation (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ptsi#NASDAQ">PTSI</a>), the auto industry-focused truckload carrier whose stock has been battered in the past year and beyond, is buying back some of its shares through a process known as a Dutch auction. </div>

Companies buy back their stock frequently but generally do so in a lower-key manner, entering the market as an occasional or frequent buyer operating through the normal processes of the equity markets. Companies often declare their intention to buy back stock over a certain period, but the specifics of those purchases are far less transparent and open-ended than in a Dutch auction.

By contrast, Pam announced the Dutch auction in a press release and in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Wednesday.

If one of the goals of the Dutch auction was to boost the company's stock price, it was working Thursday. At approximately 1:30 p.m., Pam stock was up $2.97, a gain of 20.43%, to $17.51. <script type="text/javascript">
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Pam's stock set its 52-week high on June 7, 2023, when it reached $28.77. Its 52-week low was $13.51 on Monday, a decline of 53% since the 52-week high.

The stock decline has been more dramatic since its high-water mark of near $40 in November 2022. The percentage decline from the peak to the recent 52-week low is roughly two-thirds. 

Pam has not paid a dividend since a special one-time payout in 2012.

Pam executives are prohibited from discussing the offer while it is in what is known as "quiet time" before an action governed by SEC rules. <script type="text/javascript">
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However, the goals of the auction were set forth in a company filing with the SEC.

"Our Board of Directors has determined that the Offer is a prudent use of our financial resources and presents an appropriate balance between meeting the needs of our business and delivering value to our stockholders" the document said. "Our Board of Directors determined that a cash tender offer is an appropriate mechanism to return capital to stockholders that seek liquidity under current market conditions while, at the same time, allowing other stockholders to share in a higher portion of our future potential."

The auction "provides stockholders (particularly those who, because of the size of their shareholdings, might not be able to sell their shares without potential disruption to the share price) with an opportunity to obtain liquidity with respect to all or a portion of their shares, without potential disruption to the share price and the usual transaction costs associated with market sales."

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One shareholder who fits the bill of not being able to sell without "potential disruption to the share price" is Pam Chairman Matthew Moroun and the trusts his family controls. Those individuals and trusts own more than 50% of the company, according to Pam's 10-K filing with the SEC in March. 

The SEC filings note that management participation in the Dutch auction is permitted.

But even shareholders who get shut out or choose to sit out the auction will benefit, Pam's filing said. "If we complete the offer, stockholders who do not participate in the offer will automatically increase their relative percentage ownership interest in us and our future operations at no additional cost to them" the company said.

In a Dutch auction, shareholders are invited to offer their shares at a designated price. Pam has set the range for bids it will accept as $15.50 to $18. All of the bids are in increments of 50 cents.

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What the Dutch auction offer looks like

Pam then would review the bids and accept up to 550,000 shares at the lowest price it can select to fulfill its goal of buying that quantity. The quantity is about 2.5% of the number of outstanding Pam shares.

Under Dutch auction procedures, the company can choose to accept fewer than 550,000 shares. Pam also can buy shares in excess of 550,000.

The offer is open until May 22.

Master Class, the online education offering, laid out in one of its presentations the pros and cons of a Dutch auction. Its benefits: It is faster than a traditional auction (and the normal process for buying and selling shares is a type of auction); it might benefit a company like Pam because the shareholders looking to sell their shares "don't know what prices the other bidders are willing to pay. This uncertainty can make them more willing to pay a higher price to make a successful bid and quickly achieve closure"; and the process can "help determine the best asking price." For that reason, Dutch auctions are often used to sell shares in an IPO rather than having the underwriters set the price.

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Pam's fortunes have long been tied to the fate of the automotive industry. In its 10-K filing with the SEC for this year, Pam said its top five customers, based on revenue, accounted for about 34% of its revenue. General Motors accounted for about 12%.

Few analysts cover Pam stock. But CFRA, an independent research firm, has a buy rating on the company's stock.

Pam had a tough first quarter. Its revenue net of fuel was $161 million, down from $193.4 million a year earlier. The company was barely profitable, with net earnings of 1 cent per share, but posted an operating loss. A year ago, net income was 23 cents.

The post <a href="https://www.freightwaves.com/news/pam-sets-dutch-auction-to-buy-back-shares-battered-stock-price-soars">Pam sets Dutch auction to buy back shares; battered stock price soars</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.freightwaves.com">FreightWaves</a>.

PTSI

Pam Sets Dutch Auction to Buy Back Shares; Battered Stock Price Soars

Affinity Bancshares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFBI#NASDAQ">AFBI</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.20 per share. This is a 23.08 percent decrease over earnings of $0.26 per share from the same period last year.

AFBI

Affinity Bancshares Q1 EPS $0.20 Down From $0.26 YoY

In the latest market close, Alibaba (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/baba#NYSE">BABA</a>) reached $75.11, with a +0.64% movement compared to the previous day. This change outpaced the S&amp;P 500&#39;s 0.46% loss on the day. At the same time, the Dow lost 0.98%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.64%.
Shares of the online retailer witnessed a gain of 4.25% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Retail-Wholesale sector with its loss of 3.05% and the S&amp;P 500&#39;s loss of 3.04%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Alibaba in its upcoming release. The company is expected to report EPS of $1.20, down 23.08% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $30.83 billion, up 1.7% from the year-ago period.
Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Alibaba. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts&#39; favorable outlook on the company&#39;s business health and profitability.
Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To exploit this, we&#39;ve formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 9.8% decrease. As of now, Alibaba holds a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).
From a valuation perspective, Alibaba is currently exchanging hands at a Forward P/E ratio of 9.01. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 21.16 of its industry.
The Internet - Commerce industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 38, placing it within the top 16% of over 250 industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2262738/why-the-market-dipped-but-alibaba-baba-gained-today?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_6-2262738">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

BABA

Why the Market Dipped But Alibaba Gained Today

USCB Financial Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/uscb#NASDAQ">USCB</a>)&nbsp;came out with quarterly earnings of $0.23 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.21 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.29 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 9.52%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.22 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.17, delivering a surprise of -22.73%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once.
USCB Financial, which belongs to the Zacks Banks - Southeast industry, posted revenues of $17.62 million for the quarter ended March 2024, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.30%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $18.07 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock&#39;s immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management&#39;s commentary on the earnings call.
USCB Financial shares have lost about 15.1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&amp;P 500&#39;s gain of 6.3%.
What&#39;s Next for USCB Financial?
While USCB Financial has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors&#39; minds is: what&#39;s next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company&#39;s earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for USCB Financial: mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company&#39;s just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.23 on $17.82 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $0.95 on $73.11 million in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Banks - Southeast is currently in the top 37% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Another stock from the same industry, United Bancorporation of Alabama, Inc. (UBAB), has yet to report results for the quarter ended March 2024.
This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.71 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -8.6%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
United Bancorporation of Alabama, Inc.&#39;s revenues are expected to be $17.93 million, up 5% from the year-ago quarter.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2262747/uscb-financial-holdings-inc-uscb-q1-earnings-and-revenues-top-estimates?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_4-2262747">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

USCB

USCB Financial Holdings, Inc. Q1 Earnings and Revenues Top Estimates

The world&#39;s largest software maker &mdash; Microsoft (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/msft#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) &mdash; reported strong third-quarter fiscal 2024 results, beating earnings and revenue estimates. driven by strong demand for cloud and artificial intelligence offerings. 
Buoyed by robust results, shares of MSFT jumped as much as 5% in after-market hours. Investors could tap the opportune moment in this software leader through ETFs having double-digit exposure to Microsoft. These are Select Sector SPDR Technology ETF (ARCA:XLK), MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (ARCA:FTEC), iShares Global Tech ETF (ARCA:IXN), Vanguard Information Technology ETF (ARCA:VGT) and iShares Dow Jones US Technology ETF (ARCA:IYW).
<h3>Earnings in Focus</h3>
Earnings per share came in at $2.94, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.81 and were 20% higher than the year-ago earnings. Revenues grew 17% year over year to $61.9 billion, edging past the consensus estimate of $60.63 billion. 
Intelligent Cloud revenues jumped 21% year over year. Sales of Office 365 Commercial and Dynamic 365 climbed 15% and 23%, respectively. Sales of the flagship Azure computing platform grew 31% year over year. 
The software maker invested billions of dollars into AI in a bid to turbocharge its growth, particularly its cloud computing services, and is now reaping the fruits. About 7% of the increase in Azure revenues came from AI. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said on a call that 65% of Fortune 500 companies are using the Azure service that delivers OpenAI&#39;s technology to businesses. Demand for generative AI will continue to fuel Microsoft&#39;s cloud business. 
Microsoft is now emphasizing AI transformation through its new offerings like Microsoft Copilot. &quot;Microsoft Copilot and Copilot stack are orchestrating a new era of AI transformation, driving better business outcomes across every role and industry&quot; Nadella said. 
Microsoft expects revenues of $63.5-$64.5 billion for fiscal fourth-quarter 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $64.49 billion.
<h3>ETFs in Focus</h3>
Select Sector SPDR Technology ETF (ETF:XLK) 
Select Sector SPDR Technology ETF is the most popular and liquid ETF in the technology space, with AUM of $61.8 billion and an average daily volume of 7 million shares. It offers broad exposure to the technology sector and follows the Technology Select Sector Index. Select Sector SPDR Technology ETF holds about 65 securities in its basket, with Microsoft occupying the top position at 23.5%. 
Select Sector SPDR Technology ETF charges 9 bps in fees per year from investors and has a Zacks ETF Rank #1 with a Medium risk outlook. 
MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC) 
MSCI Information Technology Index ETF is home to 303 technology stocks with AUM of $9.1 billion. It follows the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology Index. Microsoft is the top firm with an 18.3% allocation. 
MSCI Information Technology Index ETF has 0.08% in expense ratio, while volume is solid at 253,000 shares a day. It carries a Zacks ETF Rank #1 with a Medium risk outlook. 
iShares Global Tech ETF (ETF:IXN) 
iShares Global Tech ETF provides exposure to electronics, computer software and hardware, and informational technology companies by tracking the S&amp;P Global 1200 Information Technology 4.5/22.5/45 Capped Index. Holding 117 stocks in its basket, Microsoft occupies the top spot with a 20.1% share. 
iShares Global Tech ETF has amassed $4.2 billion in its asset base and trades in a good volume of 223,000 shares a day, on average. The expense ratio is 0.41%. 
Vanguard Information Technology ETF (ETF:VGT) 
Vanguard Information Technology ETF manages about $61.3 billion in its asset base and provides exposure to 313 technology stocks. It currently tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology 25/50 Index. Here, MSFT occupies the top position with an 18.3% share. 
Vanguard Information Technology ETF has an expense ratio of 0.10%, while volume is solid at nearly 434,000 shares. It has a Zacks ETF Rank #1 with a Medium risk outlook. 
iShares U.S. Technology ETF (ETF:IYW) 
iShares U.S. Technology ETF provides exposure to U.S. electronics, computer software and hardware, and informational technology companies. It tracks the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index, holding 131 securities in its basket. Of these, Microsoft occupies the top position in the basket, with 18.6% of the assets. 
iShares Dow Jones US Technology ETF has AUM of $15.8 billion and charges 40 bps in fees and expenses. Volume is good as it exchanges nearly 909,000 shares a day. IYW has a Zacks ETF Rank #1 with a Medium risk outlook.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2263342/etfs-to-buy-as-cloud-ai-power-microsoft-s-q3-earnings?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-etf_news_and_commentary-2263342">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

ETFs

FTEC

iShares Trust S&P Global Information Technology Sector Index Fund

iShares Dow Jones US Technology Sector Index Fund