Market Analysis: Oct 28th, 2025

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. (ARE)

Alexandria Real Estate Equities reported weaker third-quarter results as leasing activity remained under pressure from ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty. The company posted adjusted funds from operations (FFO) of $2.22 per share, below Wall Street expectations, while revenue fell to $751.9 million from $791.6 million a year earlier. Occupancy as of September 30 declined slightly to 90.6%, compared to 90.8% in the prior quarter. Alexandria also reported a net loss of $1.38 per share, reversing a profit of $0.96 per share in the same quarter last year.

Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) & NextEra Energy Inc. (NEE)

Alphabet’s Google and NextEra Energy have partnered to restart the Duane Arnold Energy Center, a nuclear plant in Iowa that was shut down five years ago. The plant is scheduled to resume operations in early 2029 under a 25-year power purchase agreement, where Google will buy electricity from the 615-megawatt facility. The project marks another step toward securing renewable energy to support surging data-center power demand and reflects growing private-sector participation in U.S. nuclear energy.

Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN)

Amazon announced it will cut about 14,000 corporate roles as part of a restructuring aimed at reducing costs and recalibrating its workforce after pandemic over-expansion. The company’s total headcount stood at 1.56 million as of last year, including roughly 350,000 corporate employees. Reports suggest the cuts could reach 30,000 jobs. Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders called on Jeff Bezos to address potential job losses due to automation across Amazon’s operations.

Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL)

Arch Capital reported a 37% rise in third-quarter profit, supported by strong underwriting performance and investment gains. Underwriting income climbed to $871 million from $538 million a year earlier, even as gross premiums written dipped 0.6% to $5.41 billion. Pre-tax investment income rose slightly to $408 million, offsetting higher claims-related expenses. Net profit available to common shareholders surged to $1.34 billion, or $3.56 per share, compared with $2.75 per share last year.

Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. (AVAH)

Jefferies raised its target price on Aveanna Healthcare Holdings to $12.50 from $11.00, maintaining a Buy rating. The firm cited strong preliminary third-quarter results, reimbursement-driven growth, and improved liquidity following reduced private equity ownership as key catalysts for the upgrade.

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY)

Jefferies lowered its target price on Bed Bath & Beyond to $9.00 from $9.50, reflecting uncertainty around the company’s revenue recovery, advertising efficiency, and margin sustainability, despite efforts to streamline costs and optimize operations.

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN)

BioMarin announced plans to divest its gene therapy business, including Roctavian, a treatment for a rare bleeding disorder once expected to be a blockbuster. The company will continue supplying the therapy in the U.S., Germany, and Italy, while seeking out-licensing opportunities globally. Roctavian’s sales forecast has been repeatedly cut, now expected to generate less than $10 million this year.

Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (BAM:CA)

Brookfield Asset Management and Cameco Corp have partnered with Westinghouse Electric and the U.S. government in a historic agreement to build up to $80 billion worth of new nuclear reactors across the U.S. The deal, aligned with President Donald Trump’s May executive order promoting nuclear energy, aims to meet rising electricity demand from AI and data center expansion. Brookfield and Cameco previously closed a $7.9 billion acquisition of Westinghouse in 2023.

Brown & Brown Inc. (BRO)

Insurance brokerage Brown & Brown reported a strong 34.2% rise in commissions and fees to $1.55 billion for the third quarter, driving total revenue to $1.61 billion from $1.19 billion a year earlier. Adjusted profit rose on the back of higher demand for insurance products, while investment income more than doubled to $56 million.

Cadence Design Systems Inc. (CDNS)

Cadence Design Systems raised its 2025 revenue forecast to between $5.26 billion and $5.29 billion, up from prior guidance. The company reported third-quarter revenue of $1.34 billion, beating estimates, but warned that U.S.–China trade tensions may weigh on demand for its chip design tools. JPMorgan raised its target price to $405 from $390, citing record backlog growth and continued strength in advanced chip design software.

Chegg Inc. (CHGG)

Education platform Chegg will cut 45% of its global workforce, or about 388 jobs, to focus on AI-driven services. Former CEO Dan Rosensweig will return to lead the company. Chegg expects to incur $27–$35 million in restructuring costs through 2026 as it adapts to the evolving education technology landscape.

Cincinnati Financial Corp. (CINF)

Cincinnati Financial reported third-quarter profit of $1.12 billion ($7.11 per share), up from $820 million ($5.20 per share) a year earlier. Its property and casualty combined ratio improved to 88.2% from 97.4%, indicating stronger underwriting performance and profitability.

Citigroup Inc. (C) & Coinbase Global Inc. (COIN)

Citigroup and Coinbase announced a partnership to develop digital asset payment solutions for institutional clients. The collaboration aims to integrate traditional currency transfers and crypto transactions, allowing smoother on- and off-ramps for digital assets. Citi said the initiative is a step toward expanding blockchain-based finance within its global operations.

Excelerate Energy Inc. (EE)

Excelerate Energy signed a deal with Iraq to provide the country’s first floating LNG storage and regasification unit, based at the port of Khor al-Zubair. The agreement underscores U.S. investment in Iraq’s energy infrastructure and aims to boost power generation through cleaner, imported natural gas.

F5 Inc. (FFIV)

Cybersecurity firm F5 warned of lower annual revenue, projecting $730–$780 million for the next quarter versus estimates of $791 million. The company disclosed that hackers had gained long-term access to certain systems, including source code, which may hurt future demand for its network security products.

First Foundation Inc. (FFWM) & FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN)

FirstSun Capital Bancorp will acquire First Foundation in an all-stock deal valued at $785 million, creating a combined entity with $17 billion in total assets and $6.8 billion under management. The merger, expected to close in Q2 2026, strengthens FirstSun’s footprint in Southern California amid rising M&A activity in the regional banking sector.

Ford Motor Co. (F)

Daiwa Capital Markets raised its target price on Ford to $13 from $11, citing a stronger 2026 outlook, reduced Model e losses, and lower emission compliance costs. Analysts see production shifts and improved efficiency as key growth catalysts.

GE Vernova Inc.

GE Vernova is among 20 U.S. and Japanese firms exploring investment projects under Tokyo’s $550 billion economic cooperation package, which includes energy and infrastructure initiatives. The plan may include equity and loan guarantees for large-scale clean energy and tech projects involving GE Vernova, Westinghouse, and Hitachi.

GlobalFoundries Inc. (GFS)

GlobalFoundries announced that CFO John Hollister has stepped down for personal reasons, replaced on an interim basis by Sam Franklin. The company remains focused on its $16 billion U.S. manufacturing expansion, supporting President Trump’s efforts to onshore semiconductor supply chains.

Hartford Insurance Group Inc. (HIG)

The Hartford reported a 41% surge in third-quarter profit, driven by robust premium growth and disciplined underwriting. Net income rose to $1.07 billion ($3.77 per share) from $760 million ($2.45 per share) a year earlier, while its business insurance combined ratio improved to 88.8%, indicating solid profitability.

Horizon Bancorp Inc. (HBNC)

Activist investor PL Capital urged Horizon Bancorp to sell itself rather than continue its acquisition strategy, citing mismanagement of its 2021 TCF branch acquisition and recent stock dilution tied to restructuring losses. PL Capital owns about 3% of the company.

MarineMax Inc. (HZO)

Hedge fund Donerail Group, holding a 4% stake, is pressing MarineMax to replace its CEO or consider selling the company. Donerail criticized MarineMax for poor capital allocation and weak oversight, citing underperformance despite the luxury boating market’s strength.

Meta Platforms Inc. (META) 

Meta, ByteDance, and Snap confirmed they will comply with a new law banning users under 16, effective December 10. The companies will begin deactivating over one million underage accounts and contacting affected users, marking a major compliance shift for social media platforms.

Nucor Corp. (NUE)

U.S. steelmaker Nucor beat earnings expectations, posting $2.63 per share in Q3 profit versus estimates of $2.19. Revenue climbed 14% to $8.52 billion, supported by higher steel prices and lower import competition following new tariffs.

Paramount Skydance (PSKY)

Paramount Skydance will cut 1,000 jobs, about 5% of its workforce, following its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. Analysts see the cuts as a move to streamline operations post-merger, with industry speculation that Paramount remains a takeover target.

PepsiCo Inc. (PEP)

PepsiCo resolved a false advertising lawsuit related to its Gatorade protein bars, which plaintiffs claimed contained more sugar than Snickers or Dunkin’ Donuts products. The U.S. District Court in California dismissed the case with prejudice, indicating it cannot be refiled.

Principal Financial Group Inc. (PFG)

Principal Financial reported a 15% increase in third-quarter earnings, driven by premium and fee growth. Adjusted operating earnings rose to $473.7 million ($2.10 per share) from $412 million ($1.76 per share) a year earlier. Assets under management increased 6% to $784.3 billion.

Rogers Communications Inc. (RCI.B:CA)

JPMorgan raised its target price on Rogers Communications to C$62 from C$59, maintaining an Overweight rating. The upgrade follows solid Q3 results, highlighted by stronger service revenue and higher mobile phone net additions across Canada.

Skyworks Solutions Inc. (SWKS)

Skyworks held discussions to acquire rival Qorvo, according to reports. The potential merger would unite two major Apple chip suppliers. Skyworks currently has a market cap of $11.3 billion, while Qorvo’s stands near $8.5 billion.

Smithfield Foods Inc. (SFD)

Smithfield Foods posted strong third-quarter revenue of $3.75 billion, up 12.4%, driven by robust packaged meats demand. The company raised its adjusted operating profit midpoint to $1.28 billion, citing sustained consumer interest in home-cooked meals.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH)

UnitedHealth raised its annual profit forecast after reporting better-than-expected Q3 earnings. The company’s medical loss ratio stood at 89.9%, and revenue from its Optum Rx unit rose 16% to $39.7 billion, supported by new client growth.

United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS)

UPS forecast Q4 revenue of about $24 billion, topping estimates, driven by price increases offsetting weaker business-to-business demand. Adjusted net income came in at $1.48 billion ($1.74 per share), nearly flat from a year earlier.

Universal Health Services Inc. (UHS)

Universal Health Services reported adjusted earnings of $5.69 per share, beating forecasts of $4.84. It raised its 2025 revenue outlook to $17.45 billion and authorized an additional $1.5 billion stock buyback.

Waste Management Inc. (WM)

Waste Management missed profit estimates, with Q3 revenue of $6.44 billion versus expectations of $6.50 billion. The company now sees annual revenue near $25.3 billion, at the low end of its guidance, citing weak healthcare waste growth and lower recycling prices.