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Liquid Holdings Group Inc is a provider of proprietary cloud-based trading and portfolio management solutions. The company's solutions integrate order and execute management with real-time risk management, reporting, shadow accounting and managed services on a platform for the financial services community. Its platform offers various features including A Single, Real-Time Consolidated Portfolio View, Real-Time Portfolio Risk Management and Scenario Analysis, Real-Time Shadow Accounting and Reporting Management, Fee Management, and Transaction Cost Analysis, Broker, Execution and Clearing Firm Agnostic, and Managed Services. It offers its services through direct sales force and through our strategic partner relationships.

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Across the recent three months, 21 analysts have shared their insights on Dollar Tree (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DLTR#NASDAQ">DLTR</a>), expressing a variety of opinions spanning from bullish to bearish.
The following table summarizes their recent ratings, shedding light on the changing sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th 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;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">10</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;">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;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">8</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;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</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 Dollar Tree and provided 12-month price targets. The average target is $94.33, accompanied by a high estimate of $155.00 and a low estimate of $64.00. This current average has decreased by 31.25% from the previous average price target of $137.21. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727121651_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Investigating Analyst Ratings: An Elaborate Study</h2>
A clear picture of Dollar Tree'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>Karen Short</td>
<td>Melius Research</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kate McShane</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Heinbockel</td>
<td>Guggenheim</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joseph Feldman</td>
<td>Telsey Advisory Group</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paul Lejuez</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$64.00</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Edward Kelly</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bradley Thomas</td>
<td>Keybanc</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kelly Bania</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$68.00</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Seth Sigman</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$81.00</td>
<td>$128.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scot Ciccarelli</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$79.00</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter Keith</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$67.00</td>
<td>$112.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Lasser</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Melich</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>In-Line</td>
<td>$78.00</td>
<td>$128.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Simeon Gutman</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Anthony Chukumba</td>
<td>Loop Capital</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$65.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Boss</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$70.00</td>
<td>$111.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joseph Feldman</td>
<td>Telsey Advisory Group</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Edward Kelly</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Boss</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$148.00</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Peter Keith</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$112.00</td>
<td>$143.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Lasser</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
<td>$170.00</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 Dollar Tree. This information offers 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 Dollar Tree compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts predict movements in price targets, offering estimates for Dollar Tree's future value. Examining the current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of Dollar Tree's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/DLTR/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Dollar Tree analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering Dollar Tree: A Closer Look</h2>
Dollar Tree operates discount stores across the United States and Canada, with over 8,600 shops under its namesake banner and nearly 7,800 under Family Dollar. About 47% of Dollar Tree's sales in fiscal 2023 were composed of consumables (including food, health and beauty, and cleaning products), around 45% from variety items (including toys and homewares), and over 5% from seasonal items. The Dollar Tree banner sells most of its merchandise at the $1.25 price point and positions its stores in well-populated suburban markets. Conversely, Family Dollar primarily sells consumable merchandise (80% of the banner's sales) at prices below $10. About two-thirds of Family Dollar's stores are located in urban and suburban markets, with the remaining one-third located in rural areas.
<h3>Dollar Tree's Economic Impact: An Analysis</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 Dollar Tree's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 0.73% as of 31 July, 2024, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Consumer Staples sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 1.79%, the company may need to address challenges in effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): Dollar Tree's ROE is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of 1.8%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Dollar Tree's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.59%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Dollar Tree's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 1.46, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Analyst Ratings

DLTR

Unveiling 21 Analyst Insights On Dollar Tree

EMCOR Group, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/eme#NYSE">EME</a>) shares reached a new 52-week high of $437.10 on Friday. The stock pulled back to end the trading session at $435.60, gaining 1.3% that day. Impressively, the stock marked a 9.9% surge in the past five days.
The move came in after the most awaited interest rate cut news, which boosted the overall market sentiments. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve announced an interest rate cut by 50 cents to a range of 4.75% to 5%. Reduced interest rates can have a highly supportive effect on infrastructure stocks, benefiting from cheaper financing, increased government and private sector investment, higher appeal for dividend-seeking investors, and potential growth in related sectors like real estate.
In the year-to-date period (YTD), the stock surged more than 104%, handily outpacing the Zacks Building Products - Heavy Construction industry&#39;s 79.9% growth, the broader Construction sector&#39;s 22.6% rise and the S&amp;P 500&#39;s 19.6% increase. Investors looking for momentum stock may dig into EME right now.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/b5/78846.jpg?v=176645747" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
EMCOR, known for its strategic focus and diverse offerings, has seen significant growth in recent years amid a competitive landscape of non-residential services.
Substantiating the above-mentioned optimism, the 50-day SMA continues to read higher than the 200-day SMA, signaling a bullish trend. This technical strength underscores positive market sentiment and confidence in EMCOR&#39;s financial health and prospects.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/24/78848.jpg?v=784714474" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Other stocks from the same industry that touched a 52-week high on Sept. 20 are Dycom Industries, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dy#NYSE">DY</a>), MasTec, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mtz#NYSE">MTZ</a>) and Great Lakes Dredge &amp; Dock (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/gldd#NASDAQ">GLDD</a>). These stocks surged 72.2%, 67.1% and 40.7%, respectively, in YTD.
Let&#39;s delve deeper into the factors substantiating this Fortune 500 company&#39;s resilience, which currently captures around $17 billion of total market share.
<h2>Solid Diversified Business</h2>
EMCOR has established itself as a leader in mechanical and electrical construction, industrial infrastructure, and building services. Its focus on these specialized sectors has positioned the company to dominate markets requiring expert solutions.
A key strength of EME is its investment in Virtual Design and Construction&nbsp;technologies, including Building Information Modeling (BIM), which helps the company design and coordinate complex projects. This technology also enhances its prefabrication processes, enabling customized fabrication for electrical, sheet metal, fire sprinkler, and piping systems, thus improving efficiency and competitiveness.
With the growing emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability, EMCOR is well-positioned to benefit from the increased demand for HVAC and lighting retrofits, as well as building automation services. The Mechanical Services division, which generates nearly 65% of EMCOR&#39;s total revenues, plays a crucial role in meeting this demand and driving the company&#39;s success.
The company also expands in high-growth sectors and geographies via acquisitions. In the first half of 2024, EMCOR acquired four companies. The acquired companies are set to strengthen their Mechanical Construction, Building Services and Industrial Services segments, positioning them well for future growth.
<h2>EME&#39;s High RPO Levels May Boost Growth</h2>
EMCOR reported remaining performance obligations (RPOs) of $9 billion at end of second-quarter 2024, reflecting an 8.6% year-over-year increase. This near-record RPO level highlights a robust pipeline of future projects, particularly in sectors like data centers, high-tech manufacturing, healthcare, and water/wastewater.
RPOs in the network and communications sector, which includes data centers, reached a record $1.7 billion, marking 40% year-over-year growth. This surge emphasizes EMCOR&#39;s strong position in the expanding data center market, indicating significant future revenue potential.
<h2>Strong Cash Flow</h2>
The company generated $412 million in operating cash flow in the first six months of 2024, almost double the amount from the prior-year period. This strong cash flow supports the company&#39;s ability to fund growth initiatives, pursue acquisitions, and return capital to shareholders.
EMCOR invests in expanding prefabrication and VDC technologies, including BIM, automation, and robotics, while also engaging in various M&amp;A activities. Additionally, the company provides impressive returns to its stockholders through share repurchases and dividends. In 2024, EMCOR increased its quarterly dividend by 39% to 25 cents.
<h2>Obstacles Hindering EME&#39;s Growth Trajectory</h2>
EMCOR has faced difficulties in the commercial real estate market due to reduced demand and the completion of several projects. The U.S. and U.K. site-based services businesses, particularly in the U.S. Building Services segment, have experienced revenue setbacks, mainly due to the non-renewal of certain contracts in the last reported quarter.
In addition to sector-specific challenges, EMCOR is exposed to risks from fluctuating global energy markets and supply-chain disruptions. These factors could limit infrastructure investments and increase project costs, creating obstacles to the company&#39;s growth prospects.
<h2>Valuation, Return &amp; Growth Trend</h2>
EMCOR&#39;s shares are currently overvalued marginally. Its forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 22.27 is above its five-year median of 16.23 and the industry&#39;s average of 21.66 currently.
EME provides solid investment returns compared to the industry&#39;s average, as reflected by its current trailing 12-month Return on Equity of 32.7%. This indicates the company efficiently uses its shareholders&#39; funds.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/2b/78847.jpg?v=1312124596" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EME&#39;s earnings has moved up in the past 60 days, indicating analysts are showing confidence in the stock. Over the last 60 days, forecasts for 2024 and 2025 have increased to $19.50 (from $16.10) and $19.59 (from $17.41), respectively.
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
EMCOR&#39;s focus on advanced technologies and sustainability, robust capital allocation strategy, and strong financial performance make it a must-buy for investors looking for good long-term gain. Also, Fed&#39;s rate cut is likely to bolster the infrastructure market by lowering borrowing costs, enhancing project viability, encouraging investment, and stimulating economic growth.
However, some industry headwinds and a high valuation depict a risk to the sustainability of its current price if the company&#39;s future performance does not meet investors&#39; expectations.
We believe its impressive business structure, as well as economic rebound, will help the company generate higher earnings in coming quarters. Additionally, solid return and future earnings expectations reinforce its Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating, making EMCOR an attractive addition to investors&#39; portfolio at present.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340075/emcor-hits-52-week-high-is-the-stock-still-worth-buying?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|most_popular_stocks-2340075">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

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GLDD

EMCOR Hits 52-Week High: Is the Stock Still Worth Buying?

Ratings for Assurant (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIZ#NYSE">AIZ</a>) were provided by 6 analysts in the past three months, showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The following table summarizes their recent ratings, shedding light on the changing sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th 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;">3</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;">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;">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;">1</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 provide deeper insights through their assessments of 12-month price targets, revealing an average target of $210.33, a high estimate of $224.00, and a low estimate of $194.00. Marking an increase of 1.69%, the current average surpasses the previous average price target of $206.83. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727121641_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Understanding Analyst Ratings: A Comprehensive Breakdown</h2>
In examining recent analyst actions, we gain insights into how financial experts perceive Assurant. The following summary 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>John Nadel</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$224.00</td>
<td>$217.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Barnidge</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tommy McJoynt</td>
<td>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$194.00</td>
<td>$186.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Nadel</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$217.00</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Grace Carter</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$222.00</td>
<td>$223.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Barnidge</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
<td>$205.00</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 Assurant. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analysts unravel qualitative evaluations for stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings offer insights into expectations for the relative performance of Assurant compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Gaining insights, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Assurant's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of Assurant's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AIZ/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Assurant analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering Assurant: A Closer Look</h2>
Assurant Inc offers a range of property-casualty, health, employee benefit, and warranty insurance to a client base made up of individuals and institutions. Its segments are Global Housing, Global lifestyle, Corporate and Other. Global Housing provides lender-placed homeowners insurance, lender-placed manufactured housing insurance and lender-placed flood insurance; renters insurance and related products; and voluntary manufactured housing insurance, voluntary homeowners insurance and other specialty products. Global Lifestyle, the key revenue-generating segment, provides mobile device solutions and extended service products and related services for mobile devices, consumer electronics and appliances; vehicle protection; and credit protection and other insurance products.
<h3>Assurant's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Perspectives: The company's market capitalization falls below industry averages, signaling a relatively smaller size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as perceived growth potential or operational scale.
Revenue Growth: Assurant's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has been noteworthy. As of 30 June, 2024, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 7.08%. This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Net Margin: Assurant's net margin is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of 6.45%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Assurant's ROE surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 3.8% ROE, the company effectively utilizes shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Assurant's ROA falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.56%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Assurant's debt-to-equity ratio is notably higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 0.42, the company relies more heavily on borrowed funds, indicating a higher level of financial risk.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</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.
Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Evaluating Assurant: Insights From 6 Financial Analysts

Analysts' ratings for Expedia Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXPE#NASDAQ">EXPE</a>) over the last quarter vary from bullish to bearish, as provided by 15 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;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">13</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;">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;">2</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;">9</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;">1</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>
In the assessment of 12-month price targets, analysts unveil insights for Expedia Group, presenting an average target of $142.93, a high estimate of $180.00, and a low estimate of $130.00. Witnessing a positive shift, the current average has risen by 0.17% from the previous average price target of $142.69.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727121629_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look</h2>
The standing of Expedia Group among financial experts is revealed through an in-depth exploration 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>Deepak Mathivanan</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Greg Miller</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$148.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Deepak Mathivanan</td>
<td>Cantor Fitzgerald</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shyam Patil</td>
<td>Susquehanna</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ronald Josey</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tom White</td>
<td>DA Davidson</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brad Erickson</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Sector Perform</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ken Gawrelski</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Daniel Kurnos</td>
<td>Benchmark</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$180.00</td>
<td>$180.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lloyd Walmsley</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$137.00</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scott Devitt</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thomas Champion</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Trevor Young</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$134.00</td>
<td>$138.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ken Gawrelski</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
<td>$137.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Daniel Kurnos</td>
<td>Benchmark</td>
<td>Maintains</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$180.00</td>
<td>$180.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Expedia Group. 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 Expedia Group compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts predict movements in price targets, offering estimates for Expedia Group's future value. Examining the current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
For valuable insights into Expedia Group'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/EXPE/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Expedia Group analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>All You Need to Know About Expedia Group</h2>
Expedia is the world's second-largest online travel agency by bookings, offering services for lodging (80% of total 2023 sales), air tickets (3%), rental cars, cruises, in-destination, and other (11%), and advertising revenue (6%). Expedia operates a number of branded travel booking sites, but its three core online travel agency brands are Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. It also has a metasearch brand, Trivago. Transaction fees for online bookings account for the bulk of sales and profits.
<h3>A Deep Dive into Expedia Group's Financials</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: With a profound presence, the company's market capitalization is above industry averages. This reflects substantial size and strong market recognition.
Revenue Growth: Expedia Group's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 30 June, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 5.96%. 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 Consumer Discretionary sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 10.85%, the company may need to address challenges in effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): Expedia Group's ROE surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 43.4% ROE, the company effectively utilizes shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Expedia Group's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 1.52%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Expedia Group's debt-to-equity ratio stands notably higher than the industry average, reaching 7.37. This indicates a heavier reliance on borrowed funds, raising concerns about financial leverage.
<h2>The Core of Analyst Ratings: What Every Investor Should Know</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.
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

EXPE

Assessing Expedia Group: Insights From 15 Financial Analysts

AECOM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACM#NYSE">ACM</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 8.19% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 22.21%. Currently, AECOM has a market capitalization of $13.57 billion. 
Buying $1000 In ACM: If an investor had bought $1000 of ACM stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,714.42 today based on a price of $101.19 for ACM at the time of writing.
<h3>AECOM's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727121617_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$1000 Invested In AECOM 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Sea (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SE#NYSE">SE</a>) has been analyzed by 10 analysts in the last three months, revealing a diverse range of perspectives 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;">5</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;">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;">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;">2</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>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</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>
The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $84.3, a high estimate of $96.00, and a low estimate of $69.00. Marking an increase of 8.86%, the current average surpasses the previous average price target of $77.44. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727121616_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 Sea 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>Sachin Salgaonkar</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$96.00</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jiong Shao</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$94.00</td>
<td>$87.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Scott Devitt</td>
<td>Wedbush</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
<td>$76.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Blackledge</td>
<td>TD Cowen</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$69.00</td>
<td>$64.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ranjan Sharma</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$66.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fawne Jiang</td>
<td>Benchmark</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$94.00</td>
<td>$87.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sachin Salgaonkar</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
<td>$77.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alicia Yap</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$81.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sachin Salgaonkar</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$77.00</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sachin Mittal</td>
<td>DBS Bank</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Sea. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive 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 Sea compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Gaining insights, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Sea's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
For valuable insights into Sea'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/SE/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Sea analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering Sea: A Closer Look</h2>
Sea operates Southeast Asia's largest e-commerce company, Shopee, in terms of gross merchandise value and number of transactions. Sea started as a gaming business, Garena, but in 2015 expanded into e-commerce, which is now the main growth driver. Shopee is a hybrid C2C and B2C marketplace platform operating in eight core markets. Indonesia accounts for 35% of GMV, with the rest split mainly among Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. For Garena, Free Fire was the most downloaded game in January 2022 and accounted for 74% of gaming revenue in 2021. Sea's third business, SeaMoney, provides lending and we foresee it becoming a larger part of the entire busines in the long term as its loan book has grown to $3.5 billion in 2024.
<h3>Key Indicators: Sea's Financial Health</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: With an elevated market capitalization, the company stands out above industry averages, showcasing substantial size and market acknowledgment.
Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Sea showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 22.97% as of 30 June, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Communication Services sector.
Net Margin: Sea's net margin is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in maintaining strong profitability. With a net margin of 2.15%, the company may face hurdles in effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Sea's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 1.21%. This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.42%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: Sea's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 0.62, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
<h2>The Core of Analyst Ratings: What Every Investor Should Know</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.
Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here to stay ahead of the market</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

The Analyst Landscape: 10 Takes On Sea

Cintas (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTAS#NASDAQ">CTAS</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 7.5% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 15.98%. Currently, Cintas has a market capitalization of $82.20 billion. 
Buying $100 In CTAS: If an investor had bought $100 of CTAS stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $1,921.09 today based on a price of $203.83 for CTAS at the time of writing.
<h3>Cintas's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727121612_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

CTAS

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning Cintas Stock In The Last 20 Years

<a href="https://patentcenter.uspto.gov/applications/17537110/ifw/docs">https://patentcenter.uspto.gov/applications/17537110/ifw/docs</a>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYL4nx-akAEpcwD?format=jpg&amp;name=small" alt="Image" /></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYL4nyEakAQ2ba9?format=jpg&amp;name=small" alt="Image" /></figure>

Biotech

General

SNGX

Soligenix Will Be Issued U.S. Patent Number 12,097,291 Tomorrow Titled "Thermostable Vaccine Compositions And Methods Of Preparing Same"

Applied Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aplt#NASDAQ">APLT</a>) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
A company&#39;s changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.
The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.
As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Applied Therapeutics is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.
<h2>Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices</h2>
The change in a company&#39;s future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company&#39;s shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.
Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Applied Therapeutics imply an improvement in the company&#39;s underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.
<h2>Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions</h2>
As empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988.
<h2>Earnings Estimate Revisions for Applied Therapeutics</h2>
For the fiscal year ending December 2024, this company is expected to earn -$0.84 per share, which is a change of 40.9% from the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Applied Therapeutics. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 18.6%.
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of &#39;buy&#39; and &#39;sell&#39; ratings for its entire universe of more than 4000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a &#39;Strong Buy&#39; rating and the next 15% get a &#39;Buy&#39; rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
The upgrade of Applied Therapeutics to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340046/all-you-need-to-know-about-applied-therapeutics-aplt-rating-upgrade-to-buy?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_12_zacks_rank_upgrade-2340046">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Upgrades

APLT

All You Need to Know About Applied Therapeutics Rating Upgrade to Buy

BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on OneStream Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OS#NASDAQ">OS</a>), an enterprise Finance <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/OS" rel="noreferrer noopener">management platform provider</a>.
&#8220;We see OneStream positioned to gain share thanks to strength in data management, consolidation, and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), which help differentiate it against a crowded field of both legacy and modern competitors, with broader ERP and financial application cloud migrations a tailwind.&#8221;
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40447227/onestreams-ai-integration-expanding-cfo-platform-and-high-retention-rate-poised-to-fuel-strong-marke" rel="noreferrer noopener">OneStream&#8217;s AI Integration, Expanding CFO Platform, and High Retention Rate Poised to Fuel Strong Market Growth, Analysts Say</a>.
In a mixed landscape for &#8220;back-office&#8221; software spending, BMO Capital identifies a promising opportunity to exceed forecasts through new client acquisitions.
Additionally, recent discussions with several OneStream customers indicate significant potential to expand usage with new applications, which could maintain an NRR of around 110%. Together, these factors point to a compelling &#8220;beat and raise&#8221; scenario for both revenue and profit in the short term.
The analyst writes that the companies in the back-office sector are rapidly integrating new AI tools, but OneStream is already delivering value to its clients. Its Sensible ML product, while still in the early stages of adoption, is proving to be a powerful resource for enhancing business forecasting.
The analyst has initiated coverage on OneStream with an Outperform rating and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/OS/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">price target of $38</a>.
BMO Capital projects double-digit growth in the enterprise performance management software market, currently valued at around $7 billion. This growth is driven by the shift of ERP systems to the cloud, ongoing potential to capture market share from Excel-based workflows, and the opportunity to broaden use cases both within and outside the finance suite.
The analyst notes that the company&#8217;s estimate of a roughly $50 billion global market opportunity is credible, backed by their seat-based, bottom-up analysis. With less than 2% market share currently, this suggests a strong long-term growth potential, though the company will need to broaden its use cases over time steadily.
Price Action: OS stock is up 4.31% at $33.96 at last check Monday.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40986267/ge-aerospace-takes-flight-with-ai-wingmate-boosts-innovation-employee-productivity-with-microsof" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GE Aerospace Takes Flight With AI Wingmate: Boosts Innovation, Employee Productivity With Microsoft&#8217;s Azure AI</a>.</li>
</ul>

Analyst Color

Initiation

Movers

Strong Market Opportunities For OneStream Amid Rising Demand for AI-Driven Financial Solutions, Analyst Says

KBC Group SA (OTC: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/kbcsy#OTC">KBCSY</a>) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.
The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company&#39;s changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.
Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.
As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for KBC Group is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.
<h2>Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices</h2>
The change in a company&#39;s future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. That&#39;s partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company&#39;s shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.
For KBC Group, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company&#39;s underlying business. And investors&#39; appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.
<h2>Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions</h2>
As empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988.
<h2>Earnings Estimate Revisions for KBC Group</h2>
This company is expected to earn $5.93 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2024, which represents a year-over-year change of 36.3%.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for KBC Group. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 4%.
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of &#39;buy&#39; and &#39;sell&#39; ratings for its entire universe of more than 4000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a &#39;Strong Buy&#39; rating and the next 15% get a &#39;Buy&#39; rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
The upgrade of KBC Group to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340047/kbc-group-kbcsy-upgraded-to-buy-here-s-what-you-should-know?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_12_zacks_rank_upgrade-2340047">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

KBCSY

KBC Group Upgraded to Buy: Here's What You Should Know

A group of Minecraft players spent the last four years constructing an astonishing one-to-one scale replica of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/new-york-city">New York City. </a>
Reddit user d3_cent (<a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/minecraft-players-build-staggering-11-recreation-of-new-york-city">via</a> IGN) showcased the project. It captures iconic landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and Battery Park, offering a digital homage to one of the world&#8217;s most famous cities.
Although the build is expansive, d3_cent notes that approximately 68% of lower Manhattan is currently complete.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/05/39096394/minecraft-series-coming-to-major-streaming-platform-microsofts-hit-game-thrives">&#8216;Minecraft&#8217; Series Coming To Major Streaming Platform: Microsoft&#8217;s Hit Game Thrives</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Labor Of Love</h3>
The scale and detail of the project are nothing short of extraordinary. According to d3_cent: &#8220;It&#8217;s exact. Every building has been manually recreated, [with] the right amount of windows, correct window detailing, trash cans where they are in real life, road signs, stop signs, everything.&#8221; 
Beyond the visible landmarks, the project extends underground, featuring a carefully crafted subway system that mirrors the complexity of New York&#8217;s mass transit network.
Even the depth of the surrounding waters has been accurately represented, showcasing the builders' commitment to authenticity. So far, the focus has been predominantly on exteriors. But some interiors of notable buildings have also been recreated, adding depth to the virtual experience.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Collaborative Effort</h3>
The project has attracted thousands of contributors, illustrating the collaborative spirit that defines the Minecraft community. 
However, with so much work required to realize the full vision of New York City, d3_cent encourages others to join in: &#8220;We&#8217;re always looking for more contributors.&#8221; 
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Minecraft&#8217;s Enduring Popularity</h3>
Microsoft Corp.&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) Minecraft remains the best-selling video game of all time, boasting an impressive 300 million copies sold since its release 15 years ago. 
Its enduring popularity is largely attributed to its emphasis on creativity, which continues to offer players limitless possibilities. Recently, developer Mojang announced an end to PlayStation VR support; however, the PS5 version of the game was finally released in preview form in June, ensuring the game remains accessible to a wide audience.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Check Out The Incredible New York Replica Made In Minecraft</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="reddit-embed-bq" style="height:500px" ><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Minecraftbuilds/comments/1fmoxbh/nyc_in_minecraft_11_scale/">NYC in Minecraft 1:1 Scale</a> by<a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/d3_cent/">u/d3_cent</a> in<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Minecraftbuilds/">Minecraftbuilds</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://embed.reddit.com/widgets.js" charset="UTF-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/gaming/23/10/35274750/minecraft-celebrates-15-years-hits-a-monumental-benchmark-whats-the-magic-number">Minecraft Celebrates 15 Years, Hits A Monumental Benchmark: What&#8217;s The Magic Number?</a></li>
</ul>

Gaming

MSFT

Minecraft Players Bring New York City To Life: Check Out Stunning Images Of Digital Replica

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has seen a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40860002/heres-how-much-donald-trumps-crypto-portfolio-is-down-from-the-top-spoiler-its-millions-an">significant boost in his cryptocurrency portfolio</a>, with a net gain of $838,210 since the start of September, according to data from Arkham Intelligence.
As of Sep. 23, Trump&#8217;s crypto holdings are <a href="https://platform.arkhamintelligence.com/explorer/entity/donald-trump">valued </a>at $5.91 million, up from $5.07 million on September 1. The majority of this increase can be attributed to the rise in the price of Ethereum and Wrapped Ethereum, alongside other notable holdings in his portfolio.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ethereum And Wrapped Ethereum Drive Trump's Portfolio Growth</h3>
Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>) has been a standout performer in Trump's portfolio, with 493.777 ETH currently valued at $1.33 million, reflecting a gain of over $52,000 in the past month. 
Additionally, his 478.107 Wrapper Ether (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">WETH</a>) has appreciated to $1.28 million, adding another $49,870 to his portfolio&#8217;s overall growth.
The price of Ethereum has surged, with the cryptocurrency trading at $2,680, up by about 15% over the last two weeks.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40989296/ethereum-outshines-bitcoin-after-u-s-federal-reserve-rate-cut-but-heres-how-volatility-cou">Ethereum Outshines Bitcoin After U.S. Federal Reserve Rate Cut, But Here&#8217;s How Volatility Could Crash The Party</a>
Another notable asset in Trump's portfolio is GUA (CRYPTO: GUA), which has seen a dramatic rise in value, going from $175.90K at the beginning of the month to $1.38 million by Sep. 23. This sharp increase is driven by the rising price of GUA tokens, contributing significantly to his overall portfolio growth.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Altcoin Holdings and Stable Assets</h3>
Trump also holds various altcoins, including 579,290 TRUMP (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TRUMP</a>) tokens valued at $1.05 million and 137,390 (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">USDC</a>) stablecoins, providing a more stable component to his portfolio.
His collection of 10 million FIGHT (CRYPTO: FIGHT) tokens and 29,960 CONAN (CRYPTO: CONAN) tokens, though not the largest contributors, indicate a diverse range of assets in his holdings.
The ongoing success of Trump&#8217;s crypto portfolio will be a key topic at Benzinga&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/">Future of Digital Assets</a> event on Nov. 19, where industry leaders and experts will explore the future of digital currencies, blockchain technology, and their role in shaping global financial markets.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40985461/china-controls-55-of-bitcoin-hashrate-despite-crypto-ban-but-the-us-is-catching-up">China Controls 55% Of Bitcoin Hashrate Despite Crypto Ban, But The US Is Catching Up</a></li>
</ul>
This article was previously published by Benzinga and has been updated.

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

Cryptocurrency

$ETH

$TRUMP

$USDC

$WETH

Donald Trump's Crypto Portfolio Surges By Over $800K In September

Amphenol (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/aph#NYSE">APH</a>) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
A company&#39;s changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.
The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.
As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Amphenol is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.
<h2>Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices</h2>
The change in a company&#39;s future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company&#39;s shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.
Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Amphenol imply an improvement in the company&#39;s underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.
<h2>Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions</h2>
As empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, tracking such revisions for making an investment decision could be truly rewarding. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988.
<h2>Earnings Estimate Revisions for Amphenol</h2>
For the fiscal year ending December 2024, this maker of fiber-optic products is expected to earn $1.76 per share, which is a change of 16.6% from the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Amphenol. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 4%.
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of &#39;buy&#39; and &#39;sell&#39; ratings for its entire universe of more than 4000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a &#39;Strong Buy&#39; rating and the next 15% get a &#39;Buy&#39; rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
The upgrade of Amphenol to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340058/all-you-need-to-know-about-amphenol-aph-rating-upgrade-to-buy?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_12_zacks_rank_upgrade-2340058">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

All You Need to Know About Amphenol Rating Upgrade to Buy

Dana (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dan#NYSE">DAN</a>) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
The Zacks rating relies solely on a company&#39;s changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.
As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Dana is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.
<h2>Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices</h2>
The change in a company&#39;s future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. That&#39;s partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company&#39;s shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.
Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Dana imply an improvement in the company&#39;s underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.
<h2>Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions</h2>
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988.
<h2>Earnings Estimate Revisions for Dana</h2>
For the fiscal year ending December 2024, this automotive equipment supplier is expected to earn $0.98 per share, which is a change of 16.7% from the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Dana. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 34.2%.
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of &#39;buy&#39; and &#39;sell&#39; ratings for its entire universe of more than 4000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a &#39;Strong Buy&#39; rating and the next 15% get a &#39;Buy&#39; rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
The upgrade of Dana to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340057/dana-dan-upgraded-to-buy-what-does-it-mean-for-the-stock?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_12_zacks_rank_upgrade-2340057">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Dana Upgraded to Buy: What Does It Mean for the Stock?

As if adulterating drugs with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/fentanyl">fentanyl</a> were not enough, an industrial chemical known as bis (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, or BTMPS, is now appearing in illicit <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/fentanyl">fentanyl across the U.S. </a>
Originally used in plastics for UV protection, BTMPS has been detected in fentanyl samples marking a disturbing shift in the drug supply, raising alarms among health researchers.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tens Of Thousands Potentially Exposed To BTMPS</h3>
In a recent preprint <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.09.13.24313643v1">study</a>, researchers from UCLA and other institutions found that about a quarter of drug samples sold as fentanyl contained BTMPS. This rapid integration of BTMPS into the drug supply represents one of the most abrupt shifts observed in recent times.
<ul>
<li>Get Benzinga&#8217;s exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter <a href="https://newsletteremail.benzinga.com/subscribe">here</a>. If you&#8217;re serious about the business, you can&#8217;t afford to miss out.</li>
</ul>
Tens of thousands might be affected, as 
BTMPS-detected fentanyl jumped from zero instances in L.A. in June to 41% by August, the Los Angeles Times <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-16/an-industrial-chemical-is-being-mixed-with-fentanyl">reported</a>.
UCLA assistant professor Chelsea Shover speculates that drug manufacturers might be adding BTMPS in the supply chain. This is to potentially stabilize the drugs against degradation from light or heat.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Expert Links BTMPS Surge To Failed War On Drugs</h3>
Nicolas Tentoni, from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Buenos Aires and a member of the Harm Reduction Association of Argentina (ARDA), offers a broader perspective on the issue. He attributes the rise in dangerous adulterants like BTMPS to the ongoing War on Drugs. 
&#8220;The emergence of adulterants or substitutes in the illegal drug market is a direct consequence of criminalizing drug use and pushing the trade underground,&#8221; Tentoni explains to Benzinga.&nbsp;
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39912563/exclusive-this-new-harm-reduction-group-wants-home-testing-kits-available-for-all-drugs">EXCLUSIVE &#8211; This New Harm Reduction Group Wants Home Testing Kits Available For All Drugs</a>
"BTMPS&#8217;s toxicological profile includes blocking L-type calcium channels and inhibiting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors," Tentoni details. &#8220;Its potential to cause hemodynamic changes and cardiovascular disturbances exacerbates the already dangerous nature of adulterated fentanyl."
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Testing Programs Key To Life-Saving Harm Reduction Strategies</h3>
Expanded drug-testing programs have proven effective in regions where they are available, Tentoni says. They allow users to make safer choices by identifying dangerous adulterants before consumption. 
This approach, he argues, could significantly mitigate the health risks posed by these unpredictable chemical adulterants.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">No Rapid Tests for BTMPS Yet, Nor Drug Policy Reform</h3>
Currently, there are no rapid test strips available to detect BTMPS as there are for fentanyl, nor is it routinely screened for by healthcare professionals, the Los Angeles Times notes. 
This lack of detection means that many individuals may unknowingly experience harmful effects from this chemical, further intensifying the crisis within the illicit drug market.
As the drug landscape becomes increasingly perilous, the increased harms of prohibitionist policies demand urgent drug policy reform. In the meantime, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/23/12/36160414/coca-leaf-extract-cocaine-safe-supply-grasping-potentials-with-sector-incubators-president-ronan">safe supply</a> and comprehensive <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39470316/un-health-officials-new-report-calls-for-end-to-drug-war-harm-reduction-scientific-approach-to-d">harm reduction</a> strategies become more critical than ever.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/01/36695680/i-got-treated-like-i-was-human-says-one-of-2-8k-participants-of-overdose-prevention-centers-that">&#8216;I Got Treated Like I Was Human,&#8217; Says One Of 2.8K Participants Of Overdose Prevention Centers That Save Hundreds Of Lives</a></li>
</ul>
Image generated with AI tools.

Cannabis

Government

Regulations

Fentanyl Laced With Toxic Chemical BTMPS Raises Alarms Nationwide, Experts Warn Of Danger

Cryptocurrency markets are holding on to the green zone with Bitcoin and Dogecoin relatively flat, while Ethereum is trading higher.
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$63,449.64</td>
<td>&nbsp;+0.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethereum (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/eth/usd">ETH</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$2,685.90&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;+4%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Solana (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/sol/usd">SOL</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$144.14</td>
<td>&nbsp;-0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$0.1073</td>
<td>&nbsp;+0.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/shib/usd">SHIB</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$0.00001456&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;+0.2%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Notable Statistics:
<ul>
<li>IntoTheBlock data shows a decrease of 0.8% in large transaction volume and a drop of 11% in daily active addresses. Transactions greater than $100,000 are down from 5,957 to 5,516 in a single day. Exchanges netflows decreased by 100%.</li>
<li>Coinglass data reports 61,844 traders liquidated in the past 24 hours for $172.46 million. Bitcoin's open interest stands at $34.6 billion, the highest level since Aug. 26.</li>
<li>Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez <a href="https://x.com/ali_charts/status/1838062986885513680">compares</a> Bitcoin's performance to history and is curious if it will repeat. "Bitcoin gained +61% in Q4 of 2016 and +171% in 2020."</li>
</ul>
Notable Developments:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40989296/ethereum-outshines-bitcoin-after-u-s-federal-reserve-rate-cut-but-heres-how-volatility-cou">Ethereum Outshines Bitcoin After U.S. Federal Reserve Rate Cut, But Here&#8217;s How Volatility Could Crash The Party</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40985461/china-controls-55-of-bitcoin-hashrate-despite-crypto-ban-but-the-us-is-catching-up">China Controls 55% Of Bitcoin Hashrate Despite Crypto Ban, But The US Is Catching Up</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40983160/donald-trump-sees-good-future-for-crypto-suggests-it-could-help-pay-off-35-trillion-nation">Donald Trump Sees &#8216;Good Future&#8217; For Crypto, Suggests It Could Help Pay Off $35 Trillion National Debt</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40985125/bitcoins-on-chain-metrics-are-turning-bullish-what-is-going-on">Bitcoin&#8217;s On-Chain Metrics Are Turning Bullish: What Is Going On?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40976413/bitcoin-etf-surge-in-pre-market-as-king-crypto-hits-63-500">Bitcoin ETF Surge In Pre-Market As King Crypto Hits $63,500</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40985124/polymarket-traders-predict-45-chance-of-no-prison-time-for-former-ftx-ceo-caroline-ellison">Polymarket Traders Predict 45% Chance Of No Prison Time For Former FTX CEO Caroline Ellison</a></li>
</ul>
Top Gainers:
<figure class="wp-block-table"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cryptocurrency</td>
<td>Price&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
<td>Gains +/-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bittensor (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">TAO</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$542.67</td>
<td>&nbsp;+17.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Arweave (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">AR</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$22.54</td>
<td>&nbsp;+16.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Popcat (SOL) (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/">POPCAT</a>)</td>
<td>&nbsp;$0.9648</td>
<td>&nbsp;+15.9%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Trader Notes: With Bitcoin prices trading relatively flat, Rekt Capital <a href="https://x.com/rektcapital/status/1838269432960843880">sees</a> &#8220;breakout time&#8221; on the horizon. He added that historically, Bitcoin has broken out from its re-accumulation range 154-161 days after the halving (157 days currenlty).
Martinez highlighted the double-bottom pattern formed on Bitcoin's chart.
<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">From this angle, it seems like <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bitcoin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bitcoin</a> has formed a double-bottom pattern! <a href="https://t.co/xTs8SumI5k">pic.twitter.com/xTs8SumI5k</a>
&mdash; Ali (@ali_charts) <a href="https://twitter.com/ali_charts/status/1838270353623457874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Crypto trader Mayne explains that Bitcoin reached the previous lower high in previous price rallies before fully retracing. The main difference is that it&#8217;s coming off a potentially higher low, signaling a possible trend reversal. He added, "bears have limited time to push the price back down."
He <a href="https://x.com/Tradermayne/status/1838244402373734840">concluded</a>, "Uptober looming, should be exciting."
Another trader marked "how important the reclaim of key horizontal $63,905 will be" and he predicts another throwback before BTC actually reclaims this level.
He stressed that a primed throwback target would be $60,200 horizontal.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24BTC&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$BTC</a> Bitcoin LTF Update I told you many times how important the reclaim of key horizontal $63905 will be. As you can see textbook resistance once again. Expecting another throwback before BTC actually reclaims this level. Primed throwback target would be $60,2k horizontal.… <a href="https://t.co/LffkzZeIyJ">pic.twitter.com/LffkzZeIyJ</a>
&mdash; ANBESSA (@Anbessa100) <a href="https://twitter.com/Anbessa100/status/1838258957821042867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
What&#8217;s Next: The influence of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/is-bitcoin-a-good-investment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin as an institutional asset class</a>&nbsp;is expected to be thoroughly explored at Benzinga&#8217;s upcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/events/digital-assets/agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Future of Digital Assets</a>&nbsp;event on Nov. 19.
Read Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40985125/bitcoins-on-chain-metrics-are-turning-bullish-what-is-going-on">Bitcoin&#8217;s On-Chain Metrics Are Turning Bullish: What Is Going On?</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

$BTC

$DOGE

$POPCAT

$SHIB

$SOL

$TAO

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Holding On To Gains, Trader Sees $63,905 As 'Reclaim Of Key Horizontal'

Homebuilder KB Home (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KBH#NYSE">KBH</a>) could provide a look at how healthy the sector is and what the 2024 election and a recent <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/interest-rates">Federal Reserve rate cut</a> mean for the company when third-quarter earnings are reported Tuesday after market close.
Earnings Estimates: Analysts expect KB Home to report third-quarter revenue of $1.73 billion, up from $1.59 billion in last year's third quarter, according to data<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent092324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"> from Benzinga Pro.</a>
The company has beaten analyst revenue estimates in six straight quarters and seven of the last 10 quarters.
Analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $2.06 compared to $1.80 in last year's third quarter. The company has beaten earnings estimates in six straight quarters and eight of the last 10 quarters.
The earnings report comes as KB Home shares are up 42% year-to-date in 2024, as seen on the<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent092324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"> Benzinga Pro chart </a>below.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent092324&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="993" height="499" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/23143338/Screenshot-188.png" alt="" class="wp-image-561762" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/23143338/Screenshot-188.png 993w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/23143338/Screenshot-188-300x151.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/23143338/Screenshot-188-768x386.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 993px) 100vw, 993px" /></a></figure>
Analyst Ratings: Several analysts have upgraded their ratings and price targets on KB Home stock ahead of the earnings report. Here are the most recent analyst ratings on the stock.
<ul>
<li>Bank of America: Maintained Neutral rating, raised price target from $75 to $90.</li>
<li>Wedbush: Reiterated Neutral rating with a $67 price target.</li>
<li>Wells Fargo: Maintained Equal Weight rating, raised price target from $70 to $80.</li>
<li>RBC Capital: Downgraded from Sector Perform to Underperform with $70 price target.</li>
<li>Goldman Sachs: Maintained Neutral rating, raised price target from $72 to $82.</li>
</ul>
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/09/40979493/how-to-earn-500-a-month-from-kb-home-stock-ahead-of-q3-earnings">How To Earn $500 A Month From KB Home Stock Ahead Of Q3 Earnings</a>
Key Items to Watch: KB Home's earnings report comes with several potential catalysts for the home building sector that will be closely watched going forward.
The Federal Reserve recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/09/40926026/federal-reserve-delivers-bold-0-5-rate-cut-signals-further-easing-ahead">announced a rate cut</a>, and more reductions are anticipated. The trickle-down effect will see mortgage rates drop. Recent declines in mortgage rates have led to increases in refinancing and more consumers looking for new homes.
KB Home is expected to address, or field analyst questions on, how rate cuts could impact demand and the outlook for new home supply.
"Buyers remained resilient in their desire for homeownership despite the volatility in mortgage interest rates. Our pace of monthly net orders per community was one of our highest second quarter levels in many years," KB Home CEO Jeffrey Mezger said of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/06/39390139/kb-home-shares-climb-after-better-than-expected-q2-results">second-quarter results.</a>
The earnings report comes less than two months before the 2024 presidential election. Vice President Kamala Harris recently highlighted plans to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/08/40424431/harris-warns-trump-tax-plan-will-devastate-americans-vows-to-go-after-bad-actors-behind-food-pri">build millions of homes </a>and support first-time homebuyers as key initiatives to boost the economy.
Under these policies, the company could benefit from a Harris presidency, and commentary could show whether the stock could gain value depending on the 2024 election outcome.
KBH Price Action: KB Home shares trade at $88.15 on Monday, versus a 52-week trading range of $42.11 to $89.70.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/broad-u-s-equity-etfs/24/09/40928301/interest-rates-in-free-fall-what-it-means-for-mortgages-credit-cards-and-your-wallet-a">Interest Rates In Free-Fall: What It Means For Mortgages, Credit Cards And Your Wallet As The Federal Reserve Springs Into Action For First Time In 4 Years</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Previews

Real Estate

KB Home Q3 Earnings Preview: Analysts Anticipate Revenue Growth — Will Investors Hear About Rate Cuts, 2024 Election?

Americold Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/cold#NYSE">COLD</a>) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
A company&#39;s changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.
Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.
As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Americold Realty Trust is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.
<h2>Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock Prices</h2>
The change in a company&#39;s future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. The influence of institutional investors has a partial contribution to this relationship, as these big professionals use earnings and earnings estimates to calculate the fair value of a company&#39;s shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their bulk investment action then leads to price movement for the stock.
Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Americold Realty Trust imply an improvement in the company&#39;s underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.
<h2>Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions</h2>
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988.
<h2>Earnings Estimate Revisions for Americold Realty Trust</h2>
For the fiscal year ending December 2024, this company is expected to earn $1.48 per share, which is a change of 16.5% from the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Americold Realty Trust. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 3.1%.
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of &#39;buy&#39; and &#39;sell&#39; ratings for its entire universe of more than 4000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a &#39;Strong Buy&#39; rating and the next 15% get a &#39;Buy&#39; rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
The upgrade of Americold Realty Trust to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2340054/americold-realty-trust-cold-upgraded-to-buy-what-does-it-mean-for-the-stock?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|yseop_template_12_zacks_rank_upgrade-2340054">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

COLD

Americold Realty Trust Upgraded to Buy: What Does It Mean for the Stock?

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AMLI

LITH

Shares of lithium companies are trading higher. The US Department of Energy selected Standard Lithium and Equinor for an award negotiation of up to $225 million for the South West Arkansas project.

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