Top Stock News: February 12th, 2025

American International Group Inc. (AIG)

American International Group (AIG) reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, driven by a strong underwriting performance that offset losses related to natural catastrophes, particularly from hurricanes in Florida. General insurance net premiums written rose by 7% year-on-year to $6.1 billion. Despite $325 million in catastrophe losses during the quarter, the insurer managed to maintain a solid combined ratio of 88.6%, indicating strong underwriting profitability. Additionally, net investment income surged by 44% to $1.3 billion, further supporting the company’s positive performance.

Assurant Inc.

Assurant’s fourth-quarter profit exceeded expectations, primarily due to growth in its global housing insurance business. The company posted adjusted earnings of $4.79 per share, surpassing Wall Street’s consensus estimate of $4.13. Assurant’s global housing unit saw a 19% increase in net earned premiums, driven by higher average premiums and an increase in policies. Looking ahead, the insurer expects modest growth in adjusted earnings for 2025, projecting high single-digit increases year-on-year.

Barrick Gold Corp.

Barrick Gold posted strong fourth-quarter earnings, beating analysts’ estimates on the back of higher gold prices and production. The company reported a profit of 46 cents per share, above the consensus of 41 cents, and production increased slightly to 1.08 million ounces. Barrick’s average realized gold price surged to $2,657 per ounce, compared to $1,986 per ounce the previous year. The company also announced a $1 billion share buyback program, replacing its prior buyback plan, which is seen as a signal of strong confidence in its financial position.

Biogen Inc.

Biogen’s outlook for 2025 missed analysts’ expectations due to challenges posed by a strong dollar and increased competition in the multiple sclerosis drug market. The company expects a mid-single-digit revenue decline in 2025, and adjusted earnings to be between $15.25 and $16.25 per share. Biogen’s 2024 earnings had been slightly better than this outlook, but its cautious projections for 2025 reflect the tough competitive environment ahead.

Carlyle Group Inc.

JPMorgan downgraded Carlyle Group’s target price from $57 to $54 after the company’s fourth-quarter results missed market expectations. Carlyle, a global investment firm, had a challenging quarter as it navigated various market conditions that pressured performance. The downgrade reflects these uncertainties, though the firm remains a key player in the alternative investment space.

CVS Health Corp.

CVS Health reported a smaller-than-expected decline in its fourth-quarter profit, buoyed by a slower pace of medical cost increases and strong performance from its pharmacy business. The company posted adjusted earnings of $1.19 per share, exceeding analyst expectations of 93 cents. Despite some challenges in its healthcare benefits division, CVS expects to generate between $5.75 and $6.00 in adjusted earnings per share for the full year, in line with analyst estimates.

DoorDash Inc.

DoorDash exceeded analysts’ expectations for both revenue and total orders during the fourth quarter. The online food delivery company reported a profit of $141 million, up from a loss of $154 million a year ago. Revenue increased by 25% to $2.87 billion, surpassing the expected $2.84 billion. Additionally, DoorDash announced a $5 billion share buyback program for 2025, reflecting confidence in its future growth despite a slightly weaker outlook for Q1.

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

Edwards Lifesciences reported strong fourth-quarter results, driven by robust demand for its heart valves and medical devices. The company’s flagship transcatheter aortic valve replacement device saw a 6% increase in sales, reaching $1.04 billion. Edwards’ adjusted profit came in at 59 cents per share, above the consensus of 55 cents. For the first quarter of 2025, the company expects adjusted earnings of 58-64 cents per share, slightly above analyst expectations.

Eversource Energy

Eversource Energy posted a strong fourth-quarter profit of $72.5 million, compared to a loss in the previous year. The utility benefited from higher electricity rates, although earnings were pressured by a $298.3 million loss tied to the sale of its water distribution business. The company agreed to sell this business for $2.4 billion as part of its strategy to focus more on electricity and natural gas.

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

First Quantum Minerals, a Canadian mining company, faced a delay in its arbitration proceedings related to the Cobre Panama mine, as the final hearing has been postponed to February 2026. The mine was shut down in November 2023 following a decision by Panama’s Supreme Court to declare the contract unconstitutional. This closure was also fueled by environmental protests against the mine’s operations.

Freshworks Inc.

Freshworks exceeded expectations for its fourth-quarter results, with revenue growth of 22% to $194.6 million. The company forecast strong revenue growth for 2025, predicting annual revenue between $809 million and $821 million. Although its first-quarter revenue forecast was slightly below analysts’ expectations, the full-year guidance and improved profit projections helped boost investor sentiment.

Gilead Sciences Inc.

Gilead Sciences exceeded analysts’ expectations for both fourth-quarter revenue and earnings, driven by a 16% increase in HIV drug sales. The company posted $7.57 billion in quarterly revenue, surpassing Wall Street’s estimate of $7.14 billion. For 2025, Gilead expects adjusted earnings of $7.70 to $8.10 per share and product sales between $28.2 billion and $28.6 billion. The company also announced a 2.6% increase in its quarterly dividend.

IAC Inc.

IAC reported a strong fourth-quarter revenue of $989.3 million, surpassing analysts’ expectations. However, the company forecast lower core profit for 2025 due to several non-recurring expenses related to the spin-off of its home services business, Angi. IAC’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for 2025 are projected between $345 million and $425 million, below analysts’ consensus estimate of $438.7 million.

Lyft Inc.

Lyft forecast weaker-than-expected gross bookings for the first quarter of 2025, citing intense competition with Uber and disruptions caused by wildfires and extreme weather. Despite a strong 26.6% revenue increase in Q4 to $1.55 billion, the company’s stock fell after announcing first-quarter gross bookings would range between $4.05 billion and $4.20 billion, below analyst estimates. Lyft also reported positive free cash flow and profit for the full year, a first in the company’s history.

Restaurant Brands International Inc. (QSR:CA)

Restaurant Brands International reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue, driven by strong demand for value meals at Burger King and continued growth at Tim Hortons. The company’s Q4 revenue came in at $2.30 billion, slightly surpassing analyst estimates of $2.28 billion. The company’s ability to attract price-conscious consumers has been a key driver behind its solid performance, particularly in the Canadian market, where Tim Hortons has seen significant growth.

SoftBank Group Corp.

SoftBank posted a surprising quarterly loss of $2.4 billion, mainly due to declines in the value of its tech investments, including e-commerce platform Coupang. The company’s Vision Fund, which has substantial stakes in tech companies, was hit hard by the market downturn. Despite this, SoftBank’s overall performance was bolstered by an 11% return on its investments over the past year, surpassing the Nikkei 225’s 4% return. The company’s focus remains on its significant investments in artificial intelligence, including its support for Sam Altman’s OpenAI.

Super Micro Computer Inc.

Super Micro Computer is working to resolve issues related to delayed reports and regulatory scrutiny. The company expects to file its delayed reports with the SEC by February 25. In addition, the company revised its revenue forecast for fiscal 2025, now expecting between $23.5 billion and $25 billion, lower than the initial estimate. This adjustment was due to delays in obtaining Nvidia’s Blackwell processors, which impacted its sales forecasts.

Welltower Inc.

Welltower Inc., a real estate investment trust (REIT), exceeded analysts’ expectations for fourth-quarter funds from operations (FFO), posting a 17.7% increase in normalized FFO. The company’s focus on senior housing and assisted living properties, which saw a 23.9% rise in net operating income, proved successful. Welltower expects its 2025 normalized FFO to be between $4.79 and $4.95 per share, above analysts’ average estimate of $4.79.