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FINWIRES

Research Alert: Pfg Q1 Eps Beat On Strong Retirement/benefits; Buybacks Key To 9%-12% Goal

-- CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

PFG posted Q1 operating EPS of $2.07 versus $1.81 a year ago, missing our $2.24 estimate but topping the $2.01 consensus view on solid Y/Y performance. Operating EPS excluding significant variances of $2.17 versus $1.92 reflected meaningful improvement across several business segments. We applaud these results but caution Q1 may not represent a sustainable run rate given the volatile and transactional nature of many areas within the core Retirement and Income Solutions unit, though we view positively the margin gains achieved in Specialty Benefits. Management reiterated its earlier guidance for 9% to 12% operating EPS growth in 2026. We note Life Insurance results remain somewhat pressured while Investment Management continues to be plagued by net asset outflows. We think share repurchases, like the $900M completed in 2025, will be a key component supporting the EPS growth target and should aid management's efforts to achieve guidance going forward.

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Research Alert: CFRA Keeps Hold Opinion On Shares Of Eqt Corp.

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:Our 12-month target price remains $62, a combination of relative valuation and DCF models. On a relative basis, we apply a 6.2x multiple of enterprise value to projected 2027 EBITDA, above EQT's historical forward average. We think a small premium is defendable, given an improving operating cost profile. Our DCF model, using medium-term free cash flow growth of 4%, terminal growth of 2%, and WACC of 6.7%, yields a value of $70 per share. We lift our 2026 EPS estimate by $0.04 to $4.85 and 2027's by $0.01 to $4.68. Natural gas pricing has dissipated to a degree recently, leading EQT to pull back some production in Q2, but we still see modest volume growth in 2026. Longer-term growth drivers tied to data centers and liquefied natural gas export demand look intact, in our view. We think the most positive development is the improvement in free cash flow. Net debt levels are creeping closer to management's targeted levels.

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Unico Silver Reduces Rigs at Argentina Drilling Operations During Transition to Winter Operations

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Japan Stocks Open Higher on Iran Talks, Lebanon Ceasefire Extension

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