Fire & Flower Holdings Stock (OTC: FFLWF)

Fire & Flower Holdings Stock (OTC:FFLWF), Trade Ideas

Fire & Flower Holdings Corp is an independent adult-use cannabis retailer focused on the Canadian market and international expansion opportunities. The company guides consumers through the complex world of cannabis through education-focused, retailing while the Hifyrea digital platform connects consumers with cannabis products. The company has three reportable segments namely, Retail segment, Wholesale and Logistics segment, and Digital Platform. Majority of the revenue is earned from Retail segment.

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ALEAFIA HEALTH INC ORD by Aleafia Health Inc.

ALEAF

FFLWF

Canadian cannabis retailers have had a challenging year, which is why the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS), which holds a monopoly on legal distribution in the province, announced a change in its pricing.

Ontario Reduces Wholesale Markups On Marijuana As Large Operators Continue To Struggle

ANCTF

TSX:FAF

Fire &amp; Flower Holdings Corp. (OTCQX: FFLWF) (TSX:FAF) announced that the company and its subsidiaries, (collectively, the &#34;Fire &amp; Flower Group&#34;), have received an order for creditor protection from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) under the Companies

Fire &amp; Flower Files For CCAA Protection, Secures $7.3M Via Debtor-In-Possession Loan

Earnings

Fire &amp; Flower Q1 Revenue Grows 5.3% YoY, What About Adjusted EBITDA?

FIRE & FLOWERS HLDGS CP by Fire & Flower Holdings Corporation

Fire & Flower Holdings Corp

Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) bull and Morgan Creek Capital CEO Mark Yusko is putting his money where his mouth is with a challenge proposed to one of the most <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/peter-schiff">notorious Bitcoin bears.</a>
What Happened: Gold bull and Bitcoin skeptic Peter Schiff took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on April 19 &#8212; after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38345128/peter-schiff-mocks-bitcoiners-after-halving-event-asks-if-theyre-throwing-parties-h">Bitcoin halving</a>.
"I think halving is an appropriate name for what's happening as soon Bitcoin HODLers will experience a halving of their net worths," Schiff said.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Congratulations Bitcoiners on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Halving?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Halving</a>. Are you guys commemorating this occasion by throwing parties tonight? I haven&#39;t been invited to any. I think halving is an appropriate name for what&#39;s happening as soon <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HODLers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HODLers</a> will experience a halving of their net worths.
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1781476742156243304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Schiff also asked if Bitcoiners were holding any parties, joking that he wasn't invited to any.
Yusko didn't take kindly to the mocking of Bitcoiners by Schiff and issued a public challenge via social media.
"Peter, we are all so sick of your BS…Time for #MoneyWhereYourMouthIs $1MM Charity Bet (Buffett Style) right now I take $BTC and you take $GOLD from today for next 5 years," Yusko <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkYusko/status/1781503575274746101?t=M2xVxrPHQE560xQB1cyj-w&amp;s=19">tweeted</a>.
Yusko asked everyone to retweet the challenge and get the hashtag #ShutSchiffUpBet trending.
Another <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkYusko/status/1781801251816022166">tweet </a>from Yusko on the challenge pitted it as "Bitcoin vs. BoomerRocks."
Schiff has not responded to the challenge publicly as of the time of writing.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/04/38346412/if-you-invested-1-000-in-bitcoin-during-the-may-2020-bitcoin-halving-heres-how-much-youd-h">If You Invested $1,000 In Bitcoin During The May 2020 Bitcoin Halving, Here&#8217;s How Much You&#8217;d Have Now</a>
Why It's Important: While mocking the Bitcoin halving event, one user was quick to point out a tweet from Schiff that came on May 9, 2020 ahead of the last Bitcoin halving event.
"Looks like some of the Bitcoin speculators who bought in anticipation of the halving couldn't wait for the actual fact to start selling," Schiff <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1259319450588889088">tweeted </a>on May 9, 2020. "As more sellers jump the gun, by the time the fact occurs, the profits those buying the rumor were hoping to cash in on may already be gone."
At the time, Bitcoin traded at $9,913.86 and gold <a href="https://goldprice.org/gold-price-today/2020-05-09">traded </a>at $1,704.66. Bitcoin went on to increased 566.7% since that time, while gold is up 35.8% over the same time period.
"You said this at 1.00, 10.00, 100.00, 1000.00, 10,000, 50,000 and will be saying it when BTC is 1 million dollars per coin. All those poor people that listened to you and stayed in the Gold that you sell. Unreal dude," on users tweeted.
Schiff has famously warned investors against Bitcoin over the years. Recently, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/04/38358074/peter-schiff-warns-against-piling-risk-assets-like-tech-stocks-and-bitcoin-amid-inf">he cautioned investors </a>looking at "risk assets" like Bitcoin and tech stocks with higher concerns on inflation and recommended his favorite asset instead.
"Investors should be buying gold," he said.
Yusko has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/09/35004658/exclusive-mark-yusko-on-bitcoins-future-crypto-protocol-investing-2024-price-target">a price target</a> of $150,000 for Bitcoin over the next year. 
A potential charity bet would echo one made by legendary investor Warren Buffett who famously <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/16/warren-buffett-won-2-point-2-million-on-a-bet-and-gave-it-to-girls-inc.html">bet </a>$1 million that the S&amp;P 500 would outperform hedge funds over a 10-year time frame. Buffett won the bet from 2007 to 2017.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/12/36427407/if-you-invested-1-000-in-bitcoin-when-mark-yusko-said-buy-it-on-tv-heres-how-much-youd-hav">If You Invested $1,000 In Bitcoin When Mark Yusko Said &#8216;Buy It,&#8217; On TV, Here&#8217;s How Much You&#8217;d Have Today</a>
Image: Pixabay

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

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$BTC

Bitcoin Vs. Gold: Hedge Funder Mark Yusko Challenges Peter Schiff To $1M Charity Bet To Settle 'Bitcoin Vs. BoomerRocks'

Over the past 24 hours, Immutable's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">IMX</a>) price rose 6.42% to $2.43. This continues its positive trend over the past week where it has experienced a 33.0% gain, moving from $1.8 to its current price. As it stands right now, the coin's all-time high is $9.52. 
The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for Immutable over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884558_0.png" alt="price_chart" />
The trading volume for the coin has decreased 32.0% over the past week, while the overall circulating supply of the coin has increased 1.95% to over 1.46 billion. This puts its current circulating supply at an estimated 72.84% of its max supply, which is 2.00 billion. The current market cap ranking for IMX is #33 at $3.52 billion.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884558_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" />
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

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$IMX

Cryptocurrency Immutable Rises More Than 6% In 24 hours

Stacks's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/stx/usd">STX</a>) price has increased 5.77% over the past 24 hours to $3.04. Over the past week, STX has experienced an uptick of over 33.0%, moving from $2.31 to its current price. As it stands right now, the coin's all-time high is $3.86. 
The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for Stacks over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884548_0.png" alt="price_chart" />
The trading volume for the coin has tumbled 0.0% over the past week along with the circulating supply of the coin, which has fallen 0.05%. This brings the circulating supply to 1.45 billion, which makes up an estimated 79.97% of its max supply of 1.82 billion. According to our data, the current market cap ranking for STX is #26 at $4.40 billion.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884548_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" />
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$STX

Cryptocurrency Stacks Up More Than 5% In 24 hours

Janney Montgomery Scott analyst Timothy Coffey upgrades Sierra (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BSRR#NASDAQ">BSRR</a>) from Neutral to Buy and lowers the price target from $24 to $23.

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BSRR

Janney Montgomery Scott Upgrades Sierra to Buy, Lowers Price Target to $23

Maine&#8217;s law enforcement agencies recently busted another illegal grow operation seizing 40 pounds (18 kilograms) of processed cannabis, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/illicit-marijuana-operation-charges-maine-ad17b4bf2cab5cf4379fac394045335b">reported</a> the Associated Press. 
Xisen Guo, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, was behind a hidden high-tech cannabis grow operation from his house in Passadumkeag, as per court documents. In February, he was arrested following a police raid of his illegal grow.
Guo's operation appeared on the police radar due to a hike in his utility bills that surged to nearly $9,000 a month from $300 before the house was bought for $125,000 in cash by a limited liability company. During the raid, police also found heat pumps, lighting and additional gear used for the cultivation of marijuana, according to court documents.
Last Friday, Guo was ordered held on federal drug charges.
Meanwhile, the case of Passadumkeag's hidden illicit cannabis grow is just one of roughly a hundred similar illegal weed grow operations in Maine, according to federal law enforcement officials. As of June 2023, some 40 search warrants have been issued.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Feds Crack Down On The Illicit Weed Cultivation</h3>
Maine's Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in August, calling on the agency to put an end to the presence of foreign-owned and illegally operated <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/23/08/34045551/doj-put-on-notice-maines-top-lawmakers-demand-swift-action-on-chinese-illegal-pot-operations">marijuana businesses statewide.</a> &#8220;Law enforcement in the state has identified 270 suspected properties that have been used as illegal Chinese growing operations, producing an estimated $4.37 billion in revenue," the letter said at the time.
The move was followed up when a bipartisan group of 50 congress members from the House and Senate recently urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to look into potential connections between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and illicit cannabis cultivation operations not just in Maine, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/02/36961341/is-chinese-communist-party-behind-illegal-marijuana-grows-in-us-congress-wants-answers">but throughout the United States.</a>
&#8220;We are deeply concerned with reports from across the country regarding Chinese nationals and organized crime cultivating marijuana on United States farmland,&#8221; <a href="https://dailycallernewsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/24.02.02-Letter-to-AG-Garland-regarding-CCP-affiliated-marijuana-farms.pdf">wrote</a> the Congress members.
AG Garland told the Senate Appropriations Committee last week that the investigation of international criminal organizations operating illegal marijuana grows in about 20 states is ongoing, under the auspices of the DEA. 
The IRS, Homeland Security and FBI are also part of the investigation.
U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee said authorities have already put an end to "dozens of operations" over the past months.
"The possible involvement of foreign nationals using Maine properties to profit from unlicensed marijuana operations and interstate distributions makes it clear that there is a need for a strong and sustained federal, state and local effort to shut down these operations," McElwee said.

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Tell-Tale Signs Led To Cannabis Bust In Maine As Feds Crack Down On International Criminal Organizations Growing Illegal Weed

Solana's (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>) price has increased 3.22% over the past 24 hours to $158.14. Over the past week, SOL has experienced an uptick of over 18.0%, moving from $131.71 to its current price. As it stands right now, the coin's all-time high is $259.96. 
The chart below compares the price movement and volatility for Solana over the past 24 hours (left) to its price movement over the past week (right). The gray bands are Bollinger Bands, measuring the volatility for both the daily and weekly price movements. The wider the bands are, or the larger the gray area is at any given moment, the larger the volatility.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884478_0.png" alt="price_chart" />
The trading volume for the coin has tumbled 54.0% over the past week along with the circulating supply of the coin, which has fallen 0.31%. This brings the circulating supply to 447.05 million. According to our data, the current market cap ranking for SOL is #5 at $70.29 billion.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884478_1.png" alt="supply_and_vol" />
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$SOL

Solana Up More Than 3% In 24 hours

Across the recent three months, 4 analysts have shared their insights on Xometry (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XMTR#NASDAQ">XMTR</a>), expressing a variety of opinions spanning from bullish to bearish.
The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Xometry, revealing an average target of $25.5, a high estimate of $30.00, and a low estimate of $21.00. Experiencing a 27.82% decline, the current average is now lower than the previous average price target of $35.33. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884476_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look</h2>
The standing of Xometry 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.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Nicholas Jones</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Karl Keirstead</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$21.00</td>
<td>$22.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Hedberg</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$23.00</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bruno Montanari</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$28.00</td>
<td>$46.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<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 Xometry. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on 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 Xometry compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Xometry's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
For valuable insights into Xometry'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/XMTR/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Xometry analyst ratings.</a>
If you are interested in following small-cap stock news and performance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/small-cap">you can start by tracking it here</a>.
<h2>All You Need to Know About Xometry</h2>
Xometry Inc is engaged in providing AI-enabled manufacturing equipment. Its buyers include engineers, product designers, procurement and supply chain personnel, inventors, and business owners. The manufacturing processes offered by the company include CNC Machining, Injection Molding, Urethane Casting, 3D Printing, and Die Casting. The company is organized into two segments referred to as the U.S. and the International. The majority of the revenue is earned from the U.S. segment.
<h3>Unraveling the Financial Story of Xometry</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.
Revenue Growth: Xometry displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 31 December, 2023, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 30.67%. This indicates a notable 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 Industrials sector.
Net Margin: Xometry's net margin lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of -8.23%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Xometry's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of -3.17%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): Xometry's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of -1.5%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Xometry's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 0.91, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
<h2>What Are Analyst Ratings?</h2>
Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks.
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.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

XMTR

Forecasting The Future: 4 Analyst Projections For Xometry

Stephens &amp; Co. analyst Matt Olney reiterates Pinnacle Finl Partners (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PNFP#NASDAQ">PNFP</a>) with a Overweight and maintains $109 price target.

Reiteration

PNFP

Stephens & Co. Reiterates Overweight on Pinnacle Finl Partners, Maintains $109 Price Target

During the last three months, 9 analysts shared their evaluations of Truist Finl (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TFC#NYSE">TFC</a>), revealing diverse outlooks 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 style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts' evaluations of 12-month price targets offer additional insights, showcasing an average target of $43.33, with a high estimate of $49.00 and a low estimate of $39.00. Surpassing the previous average price target of $40.11, the current average has increased by 8.03%.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884467_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look</h2>
A clear picture of Truist Finl'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.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>David Rochester</td>
<td>Compass Point</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Betsy Graseck</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ken Usdin</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>David Konrad</td>
<td>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$44.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Erika Najarian</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$49.00</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mike Mayo</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
<td>$39.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saul Martinez</td>
<td>HSBC</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$39.00</td>
<td>$37.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Terry McEvoy</td>
<td>Stephens &amp; Co.</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Betsy Graseck</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$43.00</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<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 Truist Finl. This information offers 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 Truist Finl compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Gaining insights, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Truist Finl's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into Truist Finl'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/TFC/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Truist Finl analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Unveiling the Story Behind Truist Finl</h2>
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is the combination of BB&amp;T and SunTrust. Truist is a regional bank with a presence primarily in the Southeastern United States. In addition to commercial banking, retail banking, and investment banking operations, the company operates several nonbank segments, the primary one being its insurance brokerage business.
<h3>Financial Insights: Truist Finl</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Above industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization emphasizes a noteworthy size, indicative of a strong market presence.
Revenue Growth: Truist Finl's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has faced challenges. As of 31 December, 2023, the company experienced a revenue decline of approximately -8.22%. This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Financials sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: Truist Finl's net margin falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of -90.68%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Truist Finl's ROE is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of -9.6%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Return on Assets (ROA): Truist Finl's ROA lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns from its assets. With an ROA of -0.96%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Debt Management: The company faces challenges in debt management with a debt-to-equity ratio higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 1.14, caution is advised due to increased financial risk.
<h2>The Core of Analyst Ratings: What Every Investor Should Know</h2>
Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks.
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://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Forecasting The Future: 9 Analyst Projections For Truist Finl

In the ever-changing and fiercely competitive business landscape, conducting thorough company analysis is crucial for investors and industry experts. In this article, we will undertake a comprehensive industry comparison, evaluating Lam Research (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>) and its primary competitors in the Semiconductors &amp; Semiconductor Equipment industry. By closely examining key financial metrics, market position, and growth prospects, our aim is to provide valuable insights for investors and shed light on company's performance within the industry.
<h3>Lam Research Background</h3>
Lam Research is one of the largest semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment, or WFE, manufacturers in the world. It specializes in the market segments of deposition and etch, which entail the buildup of layers on a semiconductor and the subsequent selective removal of patterns from each layer. Lam holds the top market share in etch and holds the clear cut second share in deposition. It is more exposed to memory chipmakers for DRAM and NAND chips. It counts as top customers the largest chipmakers in the world, including TSMC, Samsung, Intel, and Micron.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>P/E</th>
<th>P/B</th>
<th>P/S</th>
<th>ROE</th>
<th>EBITDA (in billions)</th>
<th>Gross Profit (in billions)</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Lam Research Corp</td>
<td>33.48</td>
<td>13.84</td>
<td>8.11</td>
<td>11.73%</td>
<td>$1.22</td>
<td>$1.76</td>
<td>-28.79%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ASML Holding NV</td>
<td>45.26</td>
<td>23.38</td>
<td>12.33</td>
<td>8.98%</td>
<td>$1.61</td>
<td>$2.7</td>
<td>-21.59%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Applied Materials Inc</td>
<td>22.29</td>
<td>9.03</td>
<td>6.02</td>
<td>11.95%</td>
<td>$2.45</td>
<td>$3.2</td>
<td>-0.47%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>KLA Corp</td>
<td>32.08</td>
<td>28.15</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>19.31%</td>
<td>$0.86</td>
<td>$1.51</td>
<td>-16.66%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Entegris Inc</td>
<td>103.37</td>
<td>5.49</td>
<td>5.31</td>
<td>1.12%</td>
<td>$0.19</td>
<td>$0.34</td>
<td>-14.14%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Enphase Energy Inc</td>
<td>35.89</td>
<td>15.28</td>
<td>6.91</td>
<td>2.09%</td>
<td>$0.04</td>
<td>$0.15</td>
<td>-58.25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Teradyne Inc</td>
<td>35.82</td>
<td>5.92</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>4.71%</td>
<td>$0.17</td>
<td>$0.38</td>
<td>-8.37%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Onto Innovation Inc</td>
<td>69.42</td>
<td>4.84</td>
<td>10.32</td>
<td>1.77%</td>
<td>$0.04</td>
<td>$0.11</td>
<td>-13.59%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Amkor Technology Inc</td>
<td>19.85</td>
<td>1.80</td>
<td>1.10</td>
<td>3.01%</td>
<td>$0.33</td>
<td>$0.28</td>
<td>-8.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Axcelis Technologies Inc</td>
<td>13.06</td>
<td>3.66</td>
<td>2.85</td>
<td>8.53%</td>
<td>$0.09</td>
<td>$0.14</td>
<td>16.63%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FormFactor Inc</td>
<td>38.29</td>
<td>3.42</td>
<td>4.74</td>
<td>8.67%</td>
<td>$0.09</td>
<td>$0.07</td>
<td>1.31%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SolarEdge Technologies Inc</td>
<td>90.80</td>
<td>1.29</td>
<td>1.05</td>
<td>-6.62%</td>
<td>$-0.18</td>
<td>$-0.06</td>
<td>-64.52%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kulicke &amp; Soffa Industries Inc</td>
<td>50.62</td>
<td>2.21</td>
<td>3.54</td>
<td>0.8%</td>
<td>$0.02</td>
<td>$0.08</td>
<td>-2.86%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Photronics Inc</td>
<td>11.57</td>
<td>1.59</td>
<td>1.77</td>
<td>2.62%</td>
<td>$0.07</td>
<td>$0.08</td>
<td>2.48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ACM Research Inc</td>
<td>22.19</td>
<td>2.05</td>
<td>2.99</td>
<td>2.37%</td>
<td>$0.03</td>
<td>$0.08</td>
<td>56.92%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cohu Inc</td>
<td>49.29</td>
<td>1.44</td>
<td>2.19</td>
<td>-0.21%</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>$0.07</td>
<td>-28.19%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PDF Solutions Inc</td>
<td>370.75</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>6.96</td>
<td>0.39%</td>
<td>$0.0</td>
<td>$0.03</td>
<td>1.49%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aehr Test Systems</td>
<td>20.37</td>
<td>3.54</td>
<td>4.37</td>
<td>-1.69%</td>
<td>$-0.0</td>
<td>$0.0</td>
<td>-56.04%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>inTest Corp</td>
<td>14.38</td>
<td>1.46</td>
<td>1.09</td>
<td>0.8%</td>
<td>$0.0</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>-19.27%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Average</td>
<td>58.07</td>
<td>6.64</td>
<td>4.92</td>
<td>3.81%</td>
<td>$0.32</td>
<td>$0.51</td>
<td>-12.96%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<style>
 table {
 width: 100%;
 border-collapse: collapse;
 font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
 font-size: 14px;
 }

 th, td {
 padding: 8px;
 text-align: left;
 }

 th {
 background-color: #293a5a;
 color: #fff;
 text-align: left;
 }

 tr:nth-child(even) {
 background-color: #f2f4f8;
 }

 tr:hover {
 background-color: #e1e4ea;
 }

 td:nth-child(3), td:nth-child(5) {
 text-align: left;
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 .dividend-amount {
 font-weight: bold;
 color: #0d6efd;
 }

 .dividend-frequency {
 font-size: 12px;
 color: #6c757d;
 }
 </style>After examining Lam Research, the following trends can be inferred: 
<ul>
<li>
At 33.48, the stock's Price to Earnings ratio is 0.58x less than the industry average, suggesting favorable growth potential.
</li>
<li>
It could be trading at a premium in relation to its book value, as indicated by its Price to Book ratio of 13.84 which exceeds the industry average by 2.08x.
</li>
<li>
With a relatively high Price to Sales ratio of 8.11, which is 1.65x the industry average, the stock might be considered overvalued based on sales performance.
</li>
<li>
The Return on Equity (ROE) of 11.73% is 7.92% above the industry average, highlighting efficient use of equity to generate profits.
</li>
<li>
The company exhibits higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $1.22 Billion, which is 3.81x above the industry average, implying stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.
</li>
<li>
With higher gross profit of $1.76 Billion, which indicates 3.45x above the industry average, the company demonstrates stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.
</li>
<li>
With a revenue growth of -28.79%, which is much lower than the industry average of -12.96%, the company is experiencing a notable slowdown in sales expansion.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Debt To Equity Ratio</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884459_0.png" alt="debt to equity" />
The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio provides insights into the proportion of debt a company has in relation to its equity and asset value.
Considering the debt-to-equity ratio in industry comparisons allows for a concise evaluation of a company's financial health and risk profile, aiding in informed decision-making.
When assessing Lam Research against its top 4 peers using the Debt-to-Equity ratio, the following comparisons can be made:
<ul>
<li>
Lam Research holds a middle position in terms of the debt-to-equity ratio compared to its top 4 peers.
</li>
<li>
This indicates a balanced financial structure with a moderate level of debt and an appropriate reliance on equity financing with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
For Lam Research, the PE ratio is low compared to peers, indicating potential undervaluation. The PB and PS ratios are high, suggesting overvaluation relative to industry standards. In terms of ROE, EBITDA, and gross profit, Lam Research demonstrates strong performance compared to industry peers. However, the company's revenue growth is relatively low, lagging behind its competitors in the Semiconductors &amp; Semiconductor Equipment sector.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

LRCX

Evaluating Lam Research Against Peers In Semiconductors &amp; Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Analysts' ratings for Sun Communities (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SUI#NYSE">SUI</a>) over the last quarter vary from bullish to bearish, as provided by 5 analysts.
The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Sun Communities, revealing an average target of $143.2, a high estimate of $155.00, and a low estimate of $125.00. This current average has increased by 3.27% from the previous average price target of $138.67. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884455_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Investigating Analyst Ratings: An Elaborate Study</h2>
A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Sun Communities 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.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Aaron Hecht</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Merrill Ross</td>
<td>Compass Point</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
<td>$116.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aaron Hecht</td>
<td>JMP Securities</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Market Outperform</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Anthony Hau</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$136.00</td>
<td>$143.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Anthony Powell</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
<td>$157.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<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 Sun Communities. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Sun Communities 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>
For valuable insights into Sun Communities'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/SUI/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Sun Communities analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering Sun Communities: A Closer Look</h2>
Sun Communities is a residential REIT that focuses on owning manufactured housing, residential vehicle communities, and marinas. The company currently owns a portfolio of 667 properties, which includes 353 manufactured housing communities, 179 residential vehicle communities, and 135 marina properties. Sun targets owning properties that are desirable as second homes or vacation properties with nearly 50% of the portfolio located in either Florida or Michigan near major bodies of water.
<h3>Unraveling the Financial Story of Sun Communities</h3>
Market Capitalization: Surpassing industry standards, the company's market capitalization asserts its dominance in terms of size, suggesting a robust market position.
Revenue Growth: Sun Communities displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 31 December, 2023, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 8.65%. This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Real Estate sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers.
Net Margin: Sun Communities's net margin is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of -59.94%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of -5.84%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Sun Communities's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of -2.51%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 1.1, Sun Communities adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management.
<h2>The Significance of Analyst Ratings Explained</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.
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.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Sun Communities Stock: A Deep Dive Into Analyst Perspectives (5 Ratings)

In the latest quarter, 4 analysts provided ratings for Model N (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MODN#NYSE">MODN</a>), showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The table below provides a concise overview of recent ratings by analysts, offering insights into the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and drawing comparisons with the preceding months for a holistic perspective.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts provide deeper insights through their assessments of 12-month price targets, revealing an average target of $30.0, a high estimate of $30.00, and a low estimate of $30.00. Experiencing a 18.92% decline, the current average is now lower than the previous average price target of $37.00. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884447_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Exploring Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Overview</h2>
A clear picture of Model N'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.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Craig Hettenbach</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$37.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chad Bennett</td>
<td>Craig-Hallum</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rishi Jaluria</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jon Vruwink</td>
<td>Baird</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<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 Model N. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts assign qualitative assessments to stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey the analysts' expectations for the relative performance of Model N compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for Model N's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into Model N'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/MODN/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Model N analyst ratings.</a>
If you are interested in following small-cap stock news and performance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/small-cap">you can start by tracking it here</a>.
<h2>Discovering Model N: A Closer Look</h2>
Model N Inc is a provider of cloud revenue management solutions for life science and technology companies. The products of the company involve Revenue Cloud for Life Sciences for helps life science companies improve revenue and operational efficiency while adhering to government regulations as it creates and executes contracts with its customers; and Revenue Cloud for High Tech that enables customers to modernize their sales processes by adopting a strategic approach to manage the revenue lifecycle by planned revenue. It has one operating segment with one business activity - developing and monetizing revenue management solutions. A majority of the firm's revenue is generated in the United States, but it has a presence in countries across the world.
<h3>Model N: A Financial Overview</h3>
Market Capitalization: Boasting an elevated market capitalization, the company surpasses industry averages. This signals substantial size and strong market recognition.
Revenue Growth: Model N's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 31 December, 2023, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 7.33%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's 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 Information Technology sector.
Net Margin: Model N's net margin surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive -2.83% net margin, the company effectively manages costs and achieves strong profitability.
Return on Equity (ROE): Model N's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching -1.5%. This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Model N's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROA, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROA of -0.35%, the company showcases efficient use of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: With a high debt-to-equity ratio of 2.34, Model N faces challenges in effectively managing its debt levels, indicating potential financial strain.
<h2>What Are Analyst Ratings?</h2>
Experts in banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their comprehensive research involves attending company conference calls and meetings, analyzing financial statements, and engaging with insiders to generate what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Beyond their standard evaluations, some analysts contribute predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, furnishing investors with additional guidance. Users of analyst ratings should be mindful that this specialized advice is shaped by human perspectives and may be subject to variability.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

MODN

Decoding 4 Analyst Evaluations For Model N

In today's rapidly evolving and fiercely competitive business landscape, it is crucial for investors and industry analysts to conduct comprehensive company evaluations. In this article, we will undertake an in-depth industry comparison, assessing Merck &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>) alongside its primary competitors in the Pharmaceuticals industry. By meticulously examining crucial financial indicators, market positioning, and growth potential, we aim to provide valuable insights to investors and shed light on company's performance within the industry.
<h3>Merck &amp; Co Background</h3>
Merck makes pharmaceutical products to treat several conditions in a number of therapeutic areas, including cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and infections. Within cancer, the firm's immuno-oncology platform is growing as a major contributor to overall sales. The company also has a substantial vaccine business, with treatments to prevent pediatric diseases as well as human papillomavirus, or HPV. Additionally, Merck sells animal health-related drugs. From a geographical perspective, just under half of the company's sales are generated in the United States.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>P/E</th>
<th>P/B</th>
<th>P/S</th>
<th>ROE</th>
<th>EBITDA (in billions)</th>
<th>Gross Profit (in billions)</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Merck &amp; Co Inc</td>
<td>906.71</td>
<td>8.56</td>
<td>5.38</td>
<td>-3.11%</td>
<td>$-0.77</td>
<td>$10.72</td>
<td>5.78%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eli Lilly and Co</td>
<td>126.09</td>
<td>64.55</td>
<td>19.36</td>
<td>19.91%</td>
<td>$3.03</td>
<td>$7.57</td>
<td>28.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Novo Nordisk A/S</td>
<td>47.09</td>
<td>36.71</td>
<td>16.97</td>
<td>22.01%</td>
<td>$28.51</td>
<td>$55.85</td>
<td>36.95%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AstraZeneca PLC</td>
<td>36.81</td>
<td>5.55</td>
<td>4.78</td>
<td>2.52%</td>
<td>$2.18</td>
<td>$9.72</td>
<td>7.29%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Novartis AG</td>
<td>23.20</td>
<td>4.17</td>
<td>4.26</td>
<td>19.99%</td>
<td>$4.18</td>
<td>$8.75</td>
<td>7.39%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pfizer Inc</td>
<td>70.97</td>
<td>1.67</td>
<td>2.53</td>
<td>-3.62%</td>
<td>$-1.77</td>
<td>$6.69</td>
<td>-41.34%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sanofi SA</td>
<td>20.56</td>
<td>1.49</td>
<td>2.39</td>
<td>-0.75%</td>
<td>$0.42</td>
<td>$8.15</td>
<td>6.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bristol-Myers Squibb Co</td>
<td>12.73</td>
<td>3.38</td>
<td>2.27</td>
<td>6.03%</td>
<td>$4.45</td>
<td>$8.73</td>
<td>0.62%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GSK PLC</td>
<td>13.69</td>
<td>5.02</td>
<td>2.22</td>
<td>2.64%</td>
<td>$1.16</td>
<td>$5.63</td>
<td>9.16%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Zoetis Inc</td>
<td>28.71</td>
<td>13.31</td>
<td>7.87</td>
<td>10.42%</td>
<td>$0.83</td>
<td>$1.49</td>
<td>8.48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd</td>
<td>36.74</td>
<td>0.96</td>
<td>1.57</td>
<td>1.53%</td>
<td>$314.89</td>
<td>$731.71</td>
<td>1.33%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Viatris Inc</td>
<td>225</td>
<td>0.65</td>
<td>0.88</td>
<td>-3.7%</td>
<td>$-0.07</td>
<td>$1.6</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd</td>
<td>19.24</td>
<td>3.75</td>
<td>3.70</td>
<td>5.29%</td>
<td>$22.42</td>
<td>$42.2</td>
<td>6.57%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC</td>
<td>17.83</td>
<td>1.81</td>
<td>2.04</td>
<td>2.61%</td>
<td>$0.29</td>
<td>$0.9</td>
<td>4.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Average</td>
<td>52.2</td>
<td>11.0</td>
<td>5.45</td>
<td>6.53%</td>
<td>$29.27</td>
<td>$68.38</td>
<td>5.7%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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 table {
 width: 100%;
 border-collapse: collapse;
 font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
 font-size: 14px;
 }

 th, td {
 padding: 8px;
 text-align: left;
 }

 th {
 background-color: #293a5a;
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 text-align: left;
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 background-color: #f2f4f8;
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 .dividend-frequency {
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 }
 </style>By analyzing Merck &amp; Co, we can infer the following trends: 
<ul>
<li>
The current Price to Earnings ratio of 906.71 is 17.37x higher than the industry average, indicating the stock is priced at a premium level according to the market sentiment.
</li>
<li>
Considering a Price to Book ratio of 8.56, which is well below the industry average by 0.78x, the stock may be undervalued based on its book value compared to its peers.
</li>
<li>
Based on its sales performance, the stock could be deemed undervalued with a Price to Sales ratio of 5.38, which is 0.99x the industry average.
</li>
<li>
The company has a lower Return on Equity (ROE) of -3.11%, which is 9.64% below the industry average. This indicates potential inefficiency in utilizing equity to generate profits, which could be attributed to various factors.
</li>
<li>
Compared to its industry, the company has lower Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $-770 Million, which is -0.03x below the industry average, potentially indicating lower profitability or financial challenges.
</li>
<li>
The gross profit of $10.72 Billion is 0.16x below that of its industry, suggesting potential lower revenue after accounting for production costs.
</li>
<li>
The company is experiencing remarkable revenue growth, with a rate of 5.78%, outperforming the industry average of 5.7%.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Debt To Equity Ratio</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884446_0.png" alt="debt to equity" />
The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio measures the financial leverage of a company by evaluating its debt relative to its equity.
Considering the debt-to-equity ratio in industry comparisons allows for a concise evaluation of a company's financial health and risk profile, aiding in informed decision-making.
In terms of the Debt-to-Equity ratio, Merck &amp; Co can be assessed by comparing it to its top 4 peers, resulting in the following observations:
<ul>
<li>
Among its top 4 peers, Merck &amp; Co has a stronger financial position with a lower debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93.
</li>
<li>
This indicates that the company relies less on debt financing and maintains a more favorable balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
For Merck &amp; Co in the Pharmaceuticals industry, the PE ratio is high compared to peers, indicating potential overvaluation. The PB and PS ratios are low, suggesting undervaluation relative to industry standards. In terms of ROE, EBITDA, gross profit, and revenue growth, Merck &amp; Co lags behind its competitors, signaling weaker financial performance and growth prospects within the sector.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Understanding Merck &amp; Co's Position In Pharmaceuticals Industry Compared To Competitors

Disclosed in the latest SEC filing, a significant insider purchase on April 22, involves Matthew J Gould, Senior Vice President at BRT Apartments (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BRT#NYSE">BRT</a>).
What Happened: Gould's recent purchase of 18,350 shares of BRT Apartments, disclosed in a Form 4 filing with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000014846/000121465924007283//Archives/edgar/data/14846/000121465924007283/0001214659-24-007283-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a> on Monday, reflects confidence in the company's potential. The total transaction value is $306,462.
As of Tuesday morning, BRT Apartments shares are up by 0.62%, currently priced at $17.86.
<h3>Delving into BRT Apartments's Background</h3>
BRT Apartments Corp is a real estate investment trust company. The company is primarily focused on the ownership, operation, and development of multi-family properties. BRT also owns and operates other real estate assets. All of the Company's assets are comprised of multi-family real estate assets generally leased to tenants on a one-year basis.
<h3>BRT Apartments: Financial Performance Dissected</h3>
Positive Revenue Trend: Examining BRT Apartments's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 3.51% as of 31 December, 2023, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Real Estate sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers.
Profitability Metrics:
<ul>
<li>
Gross Margin: The company shows a low gross margin of 56.37%, indicating concerns regarding cost management and overall profitability relative to its industry counterparts.
</li>
<li>
Earnings per Share (EPS): BRT Apartments's EPS is below the industry average. The company faced challenges with a current EPS of -0.14. This suggests a potential decline in earnings.
</li>
</ul>
Debt Management: BRT Apartments's debt-to-equity ratio stands notably higher than the industry average, reaching 2.01. This indicates a heavier reliance on borrowed funds, raising concerns about financial leverage.
Valuation Metrics: A Closer Look
<ul>
<li>
Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: A higher-than-average P/E ratio of 110.94 suggests caution, as the stock may be overvalued in the eyes of investors.
</li>
<li>
Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: The current P/S ratio of 3.4 is below industry norms, suggesting potential undervaluation and presenting an investment opportunity for those considering sales performance.
</li>
<li>
EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization): At 13.62, the company's EV/EBITDA ratio outperforms industry norms, reflecting positive market perception. This positioning indicates optimistic expectations for the company's future performance.
</li>
</ul>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company exhibits a lower market capitalization profile, positioning itself below industry averages. This suggests a smaller scale relative to peers.
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<h3>Why Insider Activity Matters in Finance</h3>
Insider transactions, although significant, should be considered within the larger context of market analysis and trends.
Exploring the legal landscape, an "insider" is defined as any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities, as stipulated by Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This encompasses executives in the c-suite and major hedge funds. These insiders are required to report their transactions through a Form 4 filing, which must be submitted within two business days of the transaction.
Highlighted by a company insider's new purchase, there's a positive anticipation for the stock to rise.
But, insider sells may not necessarily indicate a bearish view and can be motivated by various factors.
<h3>Understanding Crucial Transaction Codes</h3>
Delving into transactions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">investors</a> typically prioritize those unfolding in the open market, as precisely outlined in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 indicates a purchase, while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C signals the conversion of an option, and transaction code A denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0000014846">Check Out The Full List Of BRT Apartments's Insider Trades.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Insider Trades

Bullish Move: Matthew J Gould Shows Confidence, Acquires $306K In BRT Apartments Stock

NBT Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NBTB#NASDAQ">NBTB</a>) underwent analysis by 5 analysts in the last quarter, revealing a spectrum of viewpoints from bullish to bearish.
The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have recently evaluated NBT Bancorp and provided 12-month price targets. The average target is $41.0, accompanied by a high estimate of $42.00 and a low estimate of $39.00. Observing a downward trend, the current average is 5.75% lower than the prior average price target of $43.50. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884439_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Understanding Analyst Ratings: A Comprehensive Breakdown</h2>
The standing of NBT Bancorp 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.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Matt Breese</td>
<td>Stephens &amp; Co.</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jake Civiello</td>
<td>Janney Montgomery Scott</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$39.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matt Breese</td>
<td>Stephens &amp; Co.</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Christopher O'Connell</td>
<td>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
<td>$45.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexander Twerdahl</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$41.00</td>
<td>$42.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<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 NBT Bancorp. This information offers 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 NBT Bancorp compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of NBT Bancorp's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Analyzing these analyst evaluations alongside relevant financial metrics can provide a comprehensive view of NBT Bancorp's market position. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NBTB/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on NBT Bancorp analyst ratings.</a>
If you are interested in following small-cap stock news and performance <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/small-cap">you can start by tracking it here</a>.
<h2>Discovering NBT Bancorp: A Closer Look</h2>
NBT Bancorp Inc is a financial holding company that operates through its subsidiaries. The company's principal sources of revenue include management fees and dividends it receives through its subsidiaries. NBT Bank is a full-service community bank offering a full range of retail and commercial banking products and trust and investment services. Loan products include consumer, home equity, mortgage, business banking, and commercial loans. Nearly half of its loan portfolio is in commercial loans. The bank serves individuals, corporations, and municipalities, and operates scores of locations throughout New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.
<h3>Unraveling the Financial Story of NBT Bancorp</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization is below the industry average, suggesting that it is relatively smaller compared to peers. This could be due to various factors, including perceived growth potential or operational scale.
Positive Revenue Trend: Examining NBT Bancorp's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 3.19% as of 31 December, 2023, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Financials sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers.
Net Margin: NBT Bancorp's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 22.2%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): NBT Bancorp's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 2.18%. This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): NBT Bancorp's ROA excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 0.22%. This signifies efficient management of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 0.38.
<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.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

NBTB

Breaking Down NBT Bancorp: 5 Analysts Share Their Views

Mastercard's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MA#NYSE">MA</a>) short percent of float has fallen 5.26% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 4.45 million shares sold short, which is 0.54% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.97 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/">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">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Mastercard Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884429_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Mastercard 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 Mastercard'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://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Mastercard's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 5.10%, 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/">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

How Is The Market Feeling About Mastercard?

Windtree Therapeutics's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WINT#NYSE">WINT</a>) short percent of float has risen 30.3% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 39 thousand shares sold short, which is 0.43% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.0 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/">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">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Windtree Therapeutics Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884424_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Windtree Therapeutics 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 Windtree Therapeutics'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://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Windtree Therapeutics's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.75%, 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/">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.

WINT

(WINT) - Analyzing Windtree Therapeutics's Short Interest

In the last three months, 7 analysts have published ratings on Janus Henderson Group (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JHG#NYSE">JHG</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 style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
In the assessment of 12-month price targets, analysts unveil insights for Janus Henderson Group, presenting an average target of $31.43, a high estimate of $35.00, and a low estimate of $28.00. This current average reflects an increase of 8.91% from the previous average price target of $28.86. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884423_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Interpreting Analyst Ratings: A Closer Look</h2>
The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of Janus Henderson Group by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Ken Worthington</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$35.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrei Stadnik</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adam Beatty</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sell</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$28.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alexander Blostein</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sell</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Dunn</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>In-Line</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brennan Hawken</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sell</td>
<td>$28.00</td>
<td>$27.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ken Worthington</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
<td>$28.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Janus Henderson Group. This offers insight into 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 Janus Henderson Group compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts predict movements in price targets, offering estimates for Janus Henderson Group's future value. Examining the current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into Janus Henderson Group's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/JHG/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Janus Henderson Group analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>All You Need to Know About Janus Henderson Group</h2>
Janus Henderson Group provides investment management services to retail intermediary (55% of managed assets), self-directed (23%) and institutional (22%) clients. At the end of December 2023, active equities (61%), fixed-income (21%), multi-asset (15%) and alternative (3%) investment platforms constituted the company's $334.9 billion in assets under management. Janus Henderson sources 59% of its managed assets from clients in North America, with customers from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America (31%) and the Asia-Pacific region (10%) accounting for the remainder.
<h3>Janus Henderson Group's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization is below the industry average, suggesting that it is relatively smaller compared to peers. This could be due to various factors, including perceived growth potential or operational scale.
Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Janus Henderson Group showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 10.35% as of 31 December, 2023. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's 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: Janus Henderson Group's net margin falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 22.71%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Janus Henderson Group's ROE falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 2.87%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Janus Henderson Group's ROA excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 2.02%. This signifies efficient management of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: Janus Henderson Group's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 0.08, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Beyond their standard evaluations, some analysts contribute predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, furnishing investors with additional guidance. Users of analyst ratings should be mindful that this specialized advice is shaped by human perspectives and may be subject to variability.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Janus Henderson Group plc Ordinary Shares

Beyond The Numbers: 7 Analysts Discuss Janus Henderson Group Stock

First Citizens BancShares's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCNCA#NYSE">FCNCA</a>) short percent of float has risen 9.82% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 285 thousand shares sold short, which is 2.46% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 4.12 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/">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">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>First Citizens BancShares Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884419_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for First Citizens BancShares 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 First Citizens BancShares'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://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, First Citizens BancShares's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 1.67%, which means the company has more 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/">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.

FCNCA

How Is The Market Feeling About First Citizens BancShares?

In the fast-paced and cutthroat world of business, conducting thorough company analysis is essential for investors and industry experts. In this article, we will undertake a comprehensive industry comparison, evaluating Apple (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) in comparison to its major competitors within the Technology Hardware, Storage &amp; Peripherals industry. By analyzing crucial financial metrics, market position, and growth potential, our objective is to provide valuable insights for investors and offer a deeper understanding of company's performance in the industry.
<h3>Apple Background</h3>
Apple is among the largest companies in the world, with a broad portfolio of hardware and software products targeted at consumers and businesses. Apple's iPhone makes up a majority of the firm sales, and Apple's other products like Mac, iPad, and Watch are designed around the iPhone as the focal point of an expansive software ecosystem. Apple has progressively worked to add new applications, like streaming video, subscription bundles, and augmented reality. The firm designs its own software and semiconductors while working with subcontractors like Foxconn and TSMC to build its products and chips. Slightly less than half of Apple's sales come directly through its flagship stores, with a majority of sales coming indirectly through partnerships and distribution.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>P/E</th>
<th>P/B</th>
<th>P/S</th>
<th>ROE</th>
<th>EBITDA (in billions)</th>
<th>Gross Profit (in billions)</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Apple Inc</td>
<td>25.80</td>
<td>34.57</td>
<td>6.76</td>
<td>49.79%</td>
<td>$43.22</td>
<td>$54.85</td>
<td>2.07%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Super Micro Computer Inc</td>
<td>56.10</td>
<td>13.64</td>
<td>4.42</td>
<td>11.29%</td>
<td>$0.37</td>
<td>$0.56</td>
<td>103.25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co</td>
<td>11.61</td>
<td>1.02</td>
<td>0.79</td>
<td>1.82%</td>
<td>$1.23</td>
<td>$2.46</td>
<td>-13.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NetApp Inc</td>
<td>22.30</td>
<td>20.33</td>
<td>3.39</td>
<td>35.49%</td>
<td>$0.46</td>
<td>$1.15</td>
<td>5.24%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pure Storage Inc</td>
<td>265.84</td>
<td>12.92</td>
<td>5.93</td>
<td>5.41%</td>
<td>$0.11</td>
<td>$0.57</td>
<td>-2.52%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Corsair Gaming Inc</td>
<td>365</td>
<td>1.69</td>
<td>0.80</td>
<td>0.94%</td>
<td>$0.03</td>
<td>$0.1</td>
<td>4.65%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eastman Kodak Co</td>
<td>6.96</td>
<td>0.40</td>
<td>0.38</td>
<td>0.21%</td>
<td>$0.03</td>
<td>$0.05</td>
<td>-9.84%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AstroNova Inc</td>
<td>28.20</td>
<td>1.52</td>
<td>0.90</td>
<td>3.06%</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>-0.65%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Transact Technologies Inc</td>
<td>10.23</td>
<td>1.22</td>
<td>0.66</td>
<td>-0.16%</td>
<td>$0.0</td>
<td>$0.01</td>
<td>-26.13%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Average</td>
<td>95.78</td>
<td>6.59</td>
<td>2.16</td>
<td>7.26%</td>
<td>$0.28</td>
<td>$0.61</td>
<td>7.56%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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 th, td {
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 </style>By closely examining Apple, we can identify the following trends: 
<ul>
<li>
At 25.8, the stock's Price to Earnings ratio is 0.27x less than the industry average, suggesting favorable growth potential.
</li>
<li>
It could be trading at a premium in relation to its book value, as indicated by its Price to Book ratio of 34.57 which exceeds the industry average by 5.25x.
</li>
<li>
The Price to Sales ratio of 6.76, which is 3.13x the industry average, suggests the stock could potentially be overvalued in relation to its sales performance compared to its peers.
</li>
<li>
With a Return on Equity (ROE) of 49.79% that is 42.53% above the industry average, it appears that the company exhibits efficient use of equity to generate profits.
</li>
<li>
Compared to its industry, the company has higher Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of $43.22 Billion, which is 154.36x above the industry average, indicating stronger profitability and robust cash flow generation.
</li>
<li>
With higher gross profit of $54.85 Billion, which indicates 89.92x above the industry average, the company demonstrates stronger profitability and higher earnings from its core operations.
</li>
<li>
With a revenue growth of 2.07%, which is much lower than the industry average of 7.56%, the company is experiencing a notable slowdown in sales expansion.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Debt To Equity Ratio</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1713884415_0.png" alt="debt to equity" />
The debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio indicates the proportion of debt and equity used by a company to finance its assets and operations.
Considering the debt-to-equity ratio in industry comparisons allows for a concise evaluation of a company's financial health and risk profile, aiding in informed decision-making.
By analyzing Apple in relation to its top 4 peers based on the Debt-to-Equity ratio, the following insights can be derived:
<ul>
<li>
Apple holds a middle position in terms of the debt-to-equity ratio compared to its top 4 peers.
</li>
<li>
This indicates a balanced financial structure with a moderate level of debt and an appropriate reliance on equity financing with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Takeaways</h3>
For Apple in the Technology Hardware, Storage &amp; Peripherals industry, the PE ratio is low compared to peers, indicating potential undervaluation. The high PB and PS ratios suggest strong market sentiment and revenue multiples. Apple's high ROE, EBITDA, and gross profit reflect efficient operations and profitability. However, the low revenue growth may indicate challenges in expanding market share compared to industry peers.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

AAPL

In-Depth Analysis: Apple Versus Competitors In Technology Hardware, Storage &amp; Peripherals Industry

Fire & Flower GAAP EPS of -C$0.22, revenue of C$43.1M

Fire & Flower Holdings Corp. 2023 Q1 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation

Fire & Flower Holdings Corp. (FFLWF) Q1 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

In a report released on May 16, Andrew Semple from Echelon Wealth Partners reiterated a Buy rating on Fire & Flower Holdings (FFLWF – Research Repo...