Weight Loss Stock Jumps 300%

American Express is slipping despite strong results, Verizon posted strong subscriber growth, and a weight loss stock has just skyrocketed after a game-changing clinical trial update. Read on to find out more…

High-Growth Gaming Stock

This iGaming Stock Could Dominate the Market

The iGaming market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with New Jersey alone hitting a record $2.4 billion in revenue last year. Amid this surge, one company is carving out a dominant position with a strategy designed for sustainable, high-margin growth.

Unlike others chasing risky sports betting ventures, this company focuses on high-value VIP casino players. With proprietary AI technology driving customer retention and efficiency, it has doubled industry averages for player retention and achieved 60% revenue growth in 2023.

Now, with its recent expansion into Latin America, the stage is set for even greater market share gains in the months ahead.

As the iGaming industry continues its upward trajectory, this could be the stock to lead the charge.

Click here to learn more about this breakout stock.

Futures 📈

What to Watch

Earnings:

• HCA Healthcare [HCA]: Premarket

• First Citizens Bancshares [FCNCA]: Premarket

• Moog [MOG.A]: Premarket

• Lakeland Financial [LKFN]: Premarket

• Northwest Bancshares [NWBI]: Premarket

Economic Reports:

• S&P Flash U.S. Services PMI (Jan): 9:45 a.m.

• S&P Flash U.S. Manufacturing PMI (Jan): 9:45 a.m.

• Existing Home Sales (Dec): 10:00 a.m.

• Consumer Sentiment (final) (Jan): 10:00 a.m.

Financial Services

American Express Exceeds Earnings Expectations, But Stock Dips

American Express [AXP] announced its fourth-quarter earnings today, exceeding market expectations, yet its stock is declining by nearly 4% in premarket trade.

The company’s adjusted earnings per share of $3.04 is above analyst predictions of $3.02. Revenue for the quarter is $17.2 billion, reflecting a 9% year-over-year increase, or 10% when adjusted for currency fluctuations.

This growth was driven by increased cardholder spending, rising net interest income, and a boost in card fee revenue.

For the full year 2024, the financial services firm achieved a record revenue of $65.9 billion, marking a 9% annual increase. Net income climbed 21% to $10.1 billion, while earnings per share surged by 25% to $14.01.

CEO Stephen J. Squeri highlighted the company’s strong financial performance, noting that the results underscored continued momentum in key business areas.

Looking forward, American Express forecasts revenue growth of 8% to 10% for 2025 and projects earnings per share to range between $15.00 and $15.50. The company has also announced a planned 17% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it to $0.82 per share.

Telecommunications

Verizon Beats Q4 Expectations, Forecasts Steady Growth for 2025

Verizon Communications’ [VZ] fourth-quarter earnings are higher than analyst expectations, boosted by a strong increase in wireless subscribers. The company’s consolidated net income of $5.11 billion, or $1.18 per share, on revenue of $35.68 billion is beyond the projected $4.74 billion in profit and $35.36 billion in revenue.

A year ago, Verizon had reported a net loss of $0.64 per share due to a significant impairment charge, but its adjusted earnings per share then stood at $1.08. In the latest quarter, adjusted earnings reached $1.10 per share, aligning with forecasts.

Verizon added 568,000 wireless and 408,000 broadband customers in the quarter, reflecting an increase from the prior year when it gained 449,000 wireless and 413,000 broadband subscribers.

Looking ahead to 2025, the company projects wireless service revenue growth between 2% and 2.8%, with adjusted earnings per share expected to remain stable or rise by up to 3% from the current $4.59 per share.

CEO Hans Vestberg expressed optimism about Verizon’s future, citing upcoming initiatives such as the pending acquisition of Frontier, new satellite collaborations, and AI-driven enhancements that are expected to strengthen network services.

Despite the positive earnings report, Verizon’s stock is nearly unchanged in early trading. Competitors AT&T and T-Mobile are set to release their fourth-quarter earnings next week.

Smart Glass Revolution

This Nasdaq AI Stock Could Be the Smartest Bet of 2025

Smart glass technology and AI are redefining industries, and one Nasdaq-listed company is emerging as a game-changing leader.

With blue-chip clients like BMW, Ferrari, and Mercedes-Benz, and a dominant 95% market share in cockpit shading systems, this company is uniquely positioned to capture massive market opportunities across automotive, aviation, and architecture.

Their 59% revenue growth from 2022 to 2023 is just the start, with projected aeronautics revenue alone estimated at $240 million. A recent nine-year production deal to supply smart glass technology for 50,000 vehicles annually signals significant growth ahead.

With AI enhancing real-world applications, including collision-detecting camera systems that are replacing rearview mirrors, this company is not just innovating—it's leading the charge into the future.

Click here to discover this Nasdaq-listed AI stock with triple-digit growth potential before the market catches on.

Energy

NextEra Energy Beats Profit Estimates, Maintains 2024 Outlook

NextEra Energy [NEE] reported higher-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings today, benefiting from lower natural gas prices that bolstered its regulated utilities segment. The company’s adjusted earnings of 52 cents per share are above Wall Street’s forecast of 49 cents.

A 14% drop in natural gas prices from the previous quarter, coupled with ample supply and a milder winter, contributed to the improved performance.

NextEra’s Florida Power & Light division saw its customer base grow by nearly 81,000 compared to the same period in 2022, despite a 1.8% dip in retail sales due to weather-related challenges.

Meanwhile, the company’s renewable energy arm, NextEra Energy Resources, experienced a decline in earnings per share to 18 cents, down from 20 cents a year earlier. This was attributed to rising interest rates and lower wind generation output from existing assets.

Despite these challenges, the clean energy unit added 9,000 megawatts of new renewable energy and battery storage projects to its backlog in 2023, marking a record year for project origination. Additionally, plans were announced to upgrade an extra 245 megawatts of wind capacity, bringing total planned upgrades to 985 megawatts by 2026.

NextEra’s revenue for the quarter reached $6.87 billion, surpassing expectations of $5.698 billion. The company has reaffirmed its adjusted earnings guidance for 2024, projecting earnings per share between $3.23 and $3.43.

Allurion Technologies, Inc. [ALUR] - Last Close: $3.70

Allurion Technologies is a company that produces weight loss solutions.

The company’s shares are surging more than 300% in premarket trade after it announced plans to initiate a clinical study combining its Allurion Program with GLP-1 agonists, aiming to enhance weight loss while preserving or increasing muscle mass.

Starbox Group Holdings Ltd. [STBX] - Last Close: $0.51

Starbox Group Holdings provides services in digital advertising and payment solutions.

The stock is rising more than 90% before the opening bell today after it announced yesterday that it has entered into a software purchase agreement to acquire Consolidated Thoughts Limited’s Smart Auto Character Reallocate Engine for $15.5 million.

Twilio Inc. [TWLO] - Last Close: $113.40

Twilio Inc. is a leading cloud communications platform.

Its stock is climbing 17% in early trade after it announced a $2 billion share repurchase program, signaling confidence in its future prospects.

Electrifying the Skies

This Stock Is a Top Choice for Tech-Savvy Investors

Exploring the next wave of electric aviation stocks?

This company is leading the charge with its innovative approach to electrification and strong industry ties.

Get this stock’s full report here.

Everything Else

• Monte Paschi bid for Mediobanca in a $13.9 billion deal, aiming for a major banking shakeup.

• Burberry shares surge as their focus on core products and pricing strategy pays off.

• Japan’s central bank raised rates to 0.5% as wage hikes fuel inflation expectations.

• Novo Nordisk's amycretin trial showed 22% weight loss, boosting Novo’s stock to its biggest gain since 2023.

• Ericsson reported lower-than-expected Q4 profits as its enterprise segment struggles.

• Big Cheese Studio has suffered a cyber attack in which hackers demanded cryptocurrency payment.

That’s all for today. Thank you for reading. If you have any feedback, please reply to this email.

Best Regards,

— Adam Garcia
Elite Trade Club

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