-- RBC Capital Markets分析師週三在一份報告中指出，CVS Health (CVS) 越來越有可能在2028年實現其3%的Medicare Advantage（聯邦醫療保險優勢計劃）目標利潤率。 分析師表示，該公司第一季調整後收益「輕鬆」超出預期，這主要得益於「強勁」的營收成長以及醫療保健福利業務獲利能力的顯著提升。 報告指出，醫療成本低於預期，儘管該公司維持了全年醫療福利比率的預期，但其業績表現越來越有可能優於預期。 該券商將CVS Health 2026年調整後的每股盈餘預期從7.10美元上調至7.41美元。 FactSet調查的分析師預期為7.29美元。 RBC重申了對該股的「跑贏大盤」評級，並將目標價從93美元上調至107美元。
Price: $87.01, Change: $+0.14, Percent Change: +0.17%
(Updates prices.)Gold rose for a third-straight session midafternoon Thursday on optimism a deal to end the war on Iran may be near, cutting into oil prices and pushing the dollar lower amid easing fears the supply shock around the war would boost inflation and force higher interest rates.Gold for June delivery was last seen up US$20.60 to US$4,714.00 per ounce, after rising by US$125,80 on Wednesday.The rise comes amid optimism the United States and Iran are closer to a peace deal. The Wall Street Journal reported the two countries are working with mediators to come up with a framework to resume negotiations, with talks in Pakistan beginning as soon as next week on a 14-point memorandum of understanding offered by the Trump Administration.Traders have been cautious about turning to gold as a safe haven during the economic turmoil that followed Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, blocking exports from Persian Gulf nations that supplied 20% of global oil demand. The high oil prices that followed the Feb. 28 start to the war has boosted inflation, heightening worries central banks will raise rates to slow demand, concerns eased by the prospect of talks that could bring an end to hostilities."Gold's reaction to ceasefire optimism yesterday reinforces our view that the underpinnings for gold remain intact and increases our conviction in our long-held call for gold to trade mostly in the $4500-5000/oz range this year," Christopher Louney, a gold and natural gas strategist at RBC Capital Markets, wrote.The dollar edged higher, with the ICE dollar index up 0.0 points to 98.11. Treasury yields rose, with the yield on the U.S. two-year note last seen up 4.9 basis points to 3.919%, while the 10-year note was paying 4.393%, up 4.2 points.
EXp World (EXPI) said Thursday it has acquired NextHome, a national real estate franchise.NextHome brings a scalable franchise model into the ecosystem with more than 500 franchisees across the US, the company added.In conjunction with this acquisition, the company said it will begin trading under the new symbol "AGNT" on Nasdaq, effective at the market open on Friday.Shares rose more than 4% in Thursday trading.Price: $6.78, Change: $+0.26, Percent Change: +3.91%
Utz Brands' (UTZ) quarter-to-date trends appear soft but underlying growth remains solid, driven by distribution gains, innovation, and California expansion momentum, RBC Capital Markets said in a note Thursday.Management is optimistic that the company's new products will support topline growth and that the company is well-covered for most of the year on fuel, agricultural commodities, and freight, easing inflationary concerns, according to the note.Full-year guidance for the salty snacks category still assumes an approximately flat growth, which analysts said is appropriate given the noisy Q1 and consumer environment.Following the roughly in-line Q1 results and reaffirmed guidance, the brokerage said it is adjusting its 2026 estimates to reflect organic sales growth of 2.5%, EBITDA growth of 6%, and an EPS decline of 4.1%.RBC Capital Markets maintained its outperform rating on the stock, with a price target of $15.Shares of Utz Brands were down 5% in Thursday trading.Price: $7.88, Change: $-0.42, Percent Change: -5.06%