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Asian Currencies Consolidate; Fed Rate-Cut Prospects May Support

0024 GMT — Asian currencies consolidate against the dollar in the early session. However, Fed rate-cut prospects spurred by the disappointing U.S. economic data released overnight may support. Activity among U.S. services firms sank unexpectedly in May, according to the Institute for Supply Management's PMI. ADP National Employment Report showed only 37,000 jobs were created in May, the slowest pace of private-sector hiring in more than two years. U.S. money market pricing for a September Fed rate cut is now 97% priced, NAB's Head of FX Research Ray Attrill says, citing the weak data. USD/JPY is steady at 142.77; AUD/USD is little changed at 0.6494. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)

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Investing in Gowing Bros (ASX:GOW) five years ago would have delivered you a 75% gain
Investing in Gowing Bros (ASX:GOW) five years ago would have delivered you a 75% gain

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Investing in Gowing Bros (ASX:GOW) five years ago would have delivered you a 75% gain

If you want to compound wealth in the stock market, you can do so by buying an index fund. But in our experience, buying the right stocks can give your wealth a significant boost. For example, the Gowing Bros. Limited (ASX:GOW) share price is 51% higher than it was five years ago, which is more than the market average. In comparison, the share price is down 3.6% in a year. So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress. This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. Gowing Bros isn't currently profitable, so most analysts would look to revenue growth to get an idea of how fast the underlying business is growing. Generally speaking, companies without profits are expected to grow revenue every year, and at a good clip. That's because fast revenue growth can be easily extrapolated to forecast profits, often of considerable size. In the last 5 years Gowing Bros saw its revenue grow at 0.2% per year. Put simply, that growth rate fails to impress. The modest growth is probably broadly reflected in the share price, which is up 9%, per year over 5 years. The business could be one worth watching but we generally prefer faster revenue growth. You can see how earnings and revenue have changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values). We consider it positive that insiders have made significant purchases in the last year. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. Dive deeper into the earnings by checking this interactive graph of Gowing Bros' earnings, revenue and cash flow. When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. As it happens, Gowing Bros' TSR for the last 5 years was 75%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! Investors in Gowing Bros had a tough year, with a total loss of 0.7% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 13%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 12%, each year, over five years. It could be that the recent sell-off is an opportunity, so it may be worth checking the fundamental data for signs of a long term growth trend. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Take risks, for example - Gowing Bros has 4 warning signs (and 3 which can't be ignored) we think you should know about. There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of undervalued small cap companies that insiders are buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Australian exchanges. — Investing narratives with Fair Values Vita Life Sciences Set for a 12.72% Revenue Growth While Tackling Operational Challenges By Robbo – Community Contributor Fair Value Estimated: A$2.42 · 0.1% Overvalued Vossloh rides a €500 billion wave to boost growth and earnings in the next decade By Chris1 – Community Contributor Fair Value Estimated: €78.41 · 0.1% Overvalued Intuitive Surgical Will Transform Healthcare with 12% Revenue Growth By Unike – Community Contributor Fair Value Estimated: $325.55 · 0.6% Undervalued View more featured narratives — Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to Interplus Re Limited
AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to Interplus Re Limited

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AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to Interplus Re Limited

BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of 'bb+' (Fair) to Interplus Re Limited (Interplus) (Barbados). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect Interplus' balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. Interplus is a reinsurance company incorporated under the Laws of Barbados on Aug. 11, 2021, as a Class 2 License Insurance Company. Interplus is 98% owned by INTEHO Limited, based in Barbados. Interplus offers reinsurance products mainly focused on property business, which accounts for almost 79% of its gross written premium portfolio, followed by surety and credit lines (12%), accidents and health (8%) and the remaining (less than 1%) in life. Two thirds of the businesses underwritten by Interplus originates in Latin America and the Caribbean, with moderate concentration in Ecuador (29% of gross written premiums as of December 2024). The remaining 34% of its portfolio is distributed across Asia (25%), Africa (5%), Europe (4%) and Oceania (less than 1%). Interplus reached USD 34.9 million in gross written premiums during 2024, its third year of operation. AM Best assesses Interplus' business profile as limited due to the recent creation of the company and its small size within a highly competitive global market. Interplus' balance sheet strength is assessed as strong, reflecting the expected volatility of a startup company, its developing investment strategy and adjusting risk profile. The company's capital base has grown since its foundation, to USD 25.1 million as of December 2024, reflecting two years of positive net results and shareholder support from significant capital infusions. AM Best expects Interplus to continue strengthening its capital base through profitable results and prudent capital management. Interplus reported positive bottom-line results of USD 16 million as of December 2024. Reserve adjustments benefited technical results, allowing for a combined ratio of 32%, well within premium sufficiency levels. AM Best expects Interplus to remain profitable through adequate risk selection and stable expenses. The stable outlooks reflect AM Best's expectation that Interplus will continue strengthening its capital base, through prudent capital management and profitable results, to sustain its business plan to maintain current rating levels. Negative rating actions could take place if Interplus' operating performance deteriorates to a point no longer supportive of the adequate assessment and losses further weaken the company's balance sheet strength. Positive rating actions could take place if Interplus is able to consistently strengthen its capital through reinvestment of earnings or capital infusions, demonstrating stability at levels that support the current ratings, according to Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments.

Stocks Settle Mostly Lower as Chip Makers Fall
Stocks Settle Mostly Lower as Chip Makers Fall

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Stocks Settle Mostly Lower as Chip Makers Fall

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) Friday closed down -0.22%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) closed up +0.08%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed down -0.43%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU25) are down -0.21%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU25) are down -0.40%. Stock indexes on Friday gave up an early advance and finished mostly lower on weakness in chip makers after a report from The Wall Street Journal stated that a top US official had told top global semiconductor makers that the US might revoke waivers for allies with semiconductor plants in China. Negative trade news also pressured stocks after the Financial Times reported that Japan had canceled a top-level trade meeting with the US, set for July 1, following a request from the Trump administration for Japan to increase its defense spending. Investors are bracing for more negative tariff news within the next week or so following President Trump's announcement last Wednesday that he intends to send letters to dozens of US trading partners within one to two weeks, setting unilateral tariffs ahead of the July 9 deadline that came with his 90-day pause. Stocks initially moved higher on Friday, driven by a Reuters report that the Iranian government said it is ready to discuss limitations on its uranium enrichment. Stocks were supported Friday by speculation that the US will give negotiations a chance before deciding to enter the Israel-Iran war, following the White House's announcement on Thursday that President Trump would decide within two weeks on any US involvement in the conflict, and there is still a "substantial chance" of a negotiated settlement. Stocks also had support from dovish comments on Friday from Fed Governor Waller, who said, "I think we have room to bring interest rates down as early as July, and then we can see kind of see what happens with inflation." Friday's US economic news was negative for stocks. The June Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey was unchanged at -4.0, weaker than expectations of an increase to -1.5. Also, the May index of leading economic indicators (LEI) fell -0.1% m/m, right on expectations, and the sixth consecutive month the LEI has declined. Hostilities between Israel and Iran entered an eighth day Friday with no signs of easing. Israel struck more of Iran's nuclear and missile production sites Friday and warned it could bring down Iran's leadership. Meanwhile, Iran said it won't negotiate with the US while Israel's assault continues. Iranian President Pezeshkian said the only way to end the imposed war is to "unconditionally stop" the enemy's aggression. Iran showed no signs of backing down and reiterated an intention to respond with force if the US were to get directly involved in Israeli attacks. So far, Iran has not tried to close the vital Strait of Hormuz that handles about 20% of the world's daily crude shipments. However, a French naval liaison group said that navigational signals from about 1000 vessels a day moving through the strait are being disrupted due to "extreme jamming" of signals from the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, which caused a collision of two tankers Tuesday near the Strait of Hormuz. The markets are discounting the chances at 17% for a -25 bp rate cut at the July 29-30 FOMC meeting. Overseas stock markets on Friday settled mixed. The Euro Stoxx 50 closed up by +0.70%. China's Shanghai Composite closed down -0.07%. Japan's Nikkei Stock 225 closed down -0.22%. Interest Rates September 10-year T-notes (ZNU25) Friday closed up +6 ticks. The 10-year T-note yield fell -1.6 bp to 4.375%. T-notes on Friday recovered from early losses and moved higher on the weaker-than-expected Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey. Also, dovish comments from Fed Governor Waller pushed T-note prices higher when he said, "I think we have room to bring interest rates down as early as July." T-notes are still supported by safe-haven demand due to the possibility that the US might bomb Iran's Fordow nuclear complex. T-note prices also saw support from weakness in stocks. T-notes on Friday initially moved lower on reduced safe-haven demand after President Trump vowed to seek a diplomatic solution on Iran's nuclear program over the next two weeks. Also, rising inflation expectations are bearish for T-notes after the US 10-year breakeven inflation expectations rate Friday rose to a 2-week high at 2.34%. European government bond yields on Friday were mixed. The 10-year German bund yield fell -0.4 bp to 2.517%. The 10-year UK gilt yield rose +0.7 bp to 4.537%. The Eurozone Jun consumer confidence index unexpectedly fell -0.1 to -15.3, weaker than expectations of an increase to -14.9. The German May PPI fell -1.2% y/y, right on expectations and the biggest decline in 8 months. UK May retail sales ex-auto fuel fell -2.8% m/m, weaker than expectations of -0.7% m/m and the biggest decline in nearly 1-1/2 years. Swaps are discounting the chances at 7% for a -25 bp rate cut by the ECB at the July 24 policy meeting. US Stock Movers Chip makers turned lower on Friday and weighed on the broader market. Lam Research (LRCX) and KLA Corp (KLAC) closed down more than -2%. Also, Applied Materials (AMAT), Intel (INTC), Qualcomm (QCOM), NXP Semiconductors NV (NXPI), Broadcom (AVGO), and Marvell Technology (MRVL) closed down by more than -1%. Weakness in the Magnificent Seven stocks Friday was a negative factor for the overall market. Alphabet (GOOGL) closed down more than -3%. Also, Meta Platforms (META), Nvidia (NVDA), and (AMZN) closed down more than -1%. In addition, Microsoft (MSFT) closed down -0.59%. However, Apple (AAPL) bucked the trend and closed up more than +2%. Tesla (TSLA) closed up +0.03%. Accenture (ACN) closed down more than -6% to lead losers in the S&P 500 after lowering its full-year operating margin forecast to 15.6% from a previous forecast of 15.6%-15.7%. Smith & Wesson Brands (SWBI) closed down more than -19% after reporting Q4 adjusted EPS of 20 cents, weaker than the consensus of 23 cents. Sarepta Therapeutics (SRPT) closed down more than -3% after William Blair downgraded the stock to market perform from outperform. Johnson Controls International (JCI) closed down more than -1% after Oppenheimer downgraded the stock to perform from outperform. Kroger (KR) closed up more than +9% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 after reporting Q1 adjusted EPS of $1.49, better than the consensus of $1.45. CarMax (KMX) closed up more than +6% after reporting Q1 net sales of $7.55 billion, stronger than expectations of $7.52 billion. GMS Inc (GMS) closed up more than +24% after the Wall Street Journal reported that Home Depot had made an offer for the company, potentially setting off a bidding war with QXO Inc, which made a $5 billion offer for the company earlier this week. Circle Internet Group (CRCL) closed up more than +20%, adding to Wednesday's +34% surge after the US Senate passed stablecoin legislation setting up regulatory rules for cryptocurrencies pegged to the dollar. Mondelez International (MDLZ) closed up more than +2% to lead gainers in the Nasdaq 100 after Wells Fargo Securities upgraded the stock to overweight from neutral with a price target of $78. Fair Isaac Co (FICO) closed up more than +2% after its Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $1 billion of the company's outstanding common stock. Darden Restaurants (DRI) closed up more than 1% after reporting that Q4 comparable same-store sales rose 4.60%, stronger than the consensus of 3.46%. Earnings Reports (6/23/2025) Commercial Metals Co (CMC), FactSet Research Systems Inc (FDS), KB Home (KBH). On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Sign in to access your portfolio

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