, /PRNewswire/ -- Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) today announced that it will redeem all 1,350,000 outstanding shares (Preferred Shares) of its 4.700% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (Series B Preferred Stock) on May 15, 2026 (Redemption Date), representing 100% of the issued and outstanding Series B Preferred Stock and an aggregate liquidation preference of $1,350,000,000.
The Preferred Shares will be redeemed for a redemption price equal to $1,000 per share of Preferred Shares plus an amount equal to any declared and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period up to but excluding the Redemption Date (together, the Redemption Payment). From and after the Redemption Date, all dividends will cease to accrue on the Preferred Shares.
The Preferred Shares will be redeemed on the Redemption Date in accordance with the applicable procedures of The Depositary Trust Company.
The notice of redemption and related materials were delivered today to registered holders of record of the Preferred Shares. Questions relating to, and requests for additional copies of, the notice of redemption and related materials should be directed to the registrar and transfer agent for the Preferred Shares, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021 or via telephone at 800-522-6645 (toll free) or 201-680-6578 (non-U.S.).
Investors in the Preferred Shares should contact the bank or broker through which they hold a beneficial interest in the Preferred Shares for information about obtaining the Redemption Payment for the Preferred Shares in which they have a beneficial interest.
About Ally Financial
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation's largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to "Do It Right" and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves customers with deposits and securities brokerage and investment advisory services as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. The company also includes a seasoned corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies. For more information, please visit www.ally.com
For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures.
For further images and news on Ally, please visit http://media.ally.com.
Contacts:
Sean Leary
Ally Investor Relations
704-444-4830
[email protected]
Peter Gilchrist
Ally Communications (Media)
704-644-6299
[email protected]
Ally Financial (NYSE:ALLY | ALLY Price Prediction) received a price target raise to $56 from $50 from Goldman Sachs on Monday, maintaining a Buy rating.
Resources Investor Relations Journalists Agencies Client Login Send a Release News Products Contact , /PRNewswire/ -- Ally Financial (NYSE: ALLY) Chief Executive Officer Michael Rhodes will present at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at approximately 8:00 a.m. ET.
A live webcast will be available on the day of the conference at http://www.ally.com/about/investor/ under the Events and Presentations section of the Investor Relations website. A replay will also be available.
About Ally Financial
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation's largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to "Do It Right" and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves customers with deposits and securities brokerage and investment advisory services as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. The company also includes a seasoned corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies. For more information, please visit www.ally.com.
For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures.
For further images and news on Ally, please visit http://media.ally.com.
Contacts:
Sean Leary
Ally Investor Relations
704-444-4830
[email protected]
Peter Gilchrist
Ally Communications (Media)
704-644-6299
[email protected]
Ally Financial NYSE: ALLY shareholders approved the company's board nominees and several management-backed proposals at the company's 2026 annual meeting, while rejecting a shareholder proposal that sought to lower the ownership threshold required to call a special shareholder meeting.
On May 11, 2026, Ally Financial Inc (ALLY) shares fell 3.4% today, bringing the current price to $42.74. The stock has experienced a 52-week range of $32.50 to
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
The research service features daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.
Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreValue investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and many other multiples, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.7% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
With more than 800 top-rated stocks to choose from, it can certainly feel overwhelming to pick the ones that are right for you and your investing journey.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Ally Financial (ALLY - Free Report) Founded in 1919, Detroit, MI-based Ally Financial Inc. is a diversified financial services company providing several financial products and services to automotive dealers and their customers. It operates as a financial holding and a bank holding company. Ally Bank is an indirect, wholly-owned banking subsidiary of Ally Financial.
ALLY is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Additionally, the company could be a top pick for growth investors. ALLY has a Growth Style Score of B, forecasting year-over-year earnings growth of 39.1% for the current fiscal year.
Five analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.10 to $5.30 per share. ALLY boasts an average earnings surprise of +17.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Growth and VGM Style Scores, ALLY should be on investors' short list.
Comprised of a construction-to-term loan, bridge loan, and letter of credit facility to construct and operate Eagle Springs, Lupinus 1, and Lupinus 2 solar and battery energy storage projects
, /PRNewswire/ -- Sunraycer Renewables LLC ("Sunraycer"), a leading developer, owner, and operator of clean energy power sites, announced today the closing of a $901 million project financing facility with MUFG Bank, Ltd. (MUFG), Ally Bank, Nomura Securities International, Inc. (Nomura), Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale (Nord/LB), and Societe Generale. This marks Sunraycer's second portfolio financing in approximately 12 months and brings total capital raised across project finance and tax equity to roughly $1.6 billion during that period.
The facility is comprised of a construction-to-term loan, a tax credit bridge loan, and a letter of credit facility.
Proceeds from the financing will support the construction and operation of three Sunraycer projects in Texas, totaling 479.5 MWac of solar generation and 236.5 MWac of paired two-hour battery energy storage systems. The portfolio includes:
Eagle Springs: 77 MWac solar + 33 MWac battery storage project located in Delta County Lupinus 1: 161.5 MWac solar + 82 MWac battery storage project located in Franklin County Lupinus 2: 241 MWac solar + 121.5 MWac battery storage project located in Franklin County All three projects began construction in late 2025. Eagle Springs is expected to reach commercial operation later this year, with Lupinus 1 and Lupinus 2 following in late 2027.
These projects will play a critical role in supporting the growing demand for electricity driven by manufacturing and data center expansion across Texas, particularly within the ERCOT grid, which serves more than 26 million customers and operates the state's independent electricity market.
"This financing represents another significant milestone for Sunraycer as we continue to scale our platform and deliver critical energy infrastructure to meet accelerating demand," said David Lillefloren, Chief Executive Officer of Sunraycer. "We are proud to partner with a highly respected group of financial institutions on this transaction, and we remain focused on executing projects that combine solar generation and energy storage to provide reliable, cost-effective power to the grid."
Sunraycer continues to advance a robust pipeline of solar and storage projects across key U.S. markets, focused on delivering integrated solutions that enhance grid reliability, support economic growth, and accelerate the transition to a cleaner energy future.
"MUFG is thrilled to have led Sunraycer's Eagle Springs and Lupinus 1&2 project financing. The Sunraycer and MUFG teams built off the success of the inaugural project financing in 2025 to finance three more assets that will help have a positive impact for ERCOT's power supply needs. We remain impressed with the platform and expect the team to continue executing at a high level," said Louise Pesce, Managing Director and Head of North American Power at MUFG.
"We're proud to partner with Sunraycer on this significant financing that will help power Texas' growing energy needs," said Dan Bernstein, head of Energy & Infrastructure Corporate Finance, Ally Bank. "This financing demonstrates Ally Corporate Finance's growing capabilities in the energy sector and our relationship-focused approach to delivering customized financing solutions for clients driving the future of sustainable infrastructure."
"We are excited to once again support Sunraycer for its Eagle Springs and Lupinus solar and storage projects located in Texas. The transaction exemplifies our commitment to financing best-in-class infrastructure projects that drive the energy transition and provide reliability for the increase in energy demand," said Vinod Mukani, Global Head of Nomura's Infrastructure & Power Business, and Alain Halimi, Managing Director of Nomura Infrastructure & Power. "This partnership reflects Nomura's dedication to providing innovative financing solutions that accelerate the deployment of critical energy infrastructure. We look forward to continuing our support as Sunraycer scales their operations and delivers sustainable energy solutions to communities worldwide."
"We are proud to have led another financing for Sunraycer with the close of the Eagle Springs and Lupinus transactions. The portfolio reflects a strong combination of solar and storage assets designed to deliver reliable power into ERCOT, and highlights the sponsor's ability to successfully develop and advance complex projects. We are excited to support Sunraycer as they continue to execute on a growing and well-positioned platform in the U.S. renewables market. This transaction underscores NORD/LB's commitment to leading high-quality energy financings and further strengthening our relationship with Sunraycer," said Sondra Martinez, Head of Structured Finance Originations.
"Societe Generale is excited to have supported the Sunraycer team on the Eagle Springs and Lupinus 1&2 project financing. This financing underscores our strong partnership with Sunraycer and supports ERCOT's increasing load growth. We are committed to advancing the global energy transition and to helping the US reach its net-zero carbon emissions targets," said Sang Joon Lee of Societe Generale Energy Plus Group. "We recognize the vast economic potential of the renewable market as one of the fastest growing sources of power in ERCOT and are thrilled to partner with top tier developers like Sunraycer as they continue to lead the growth of renewable power generation."
Sunraycer was advised by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP as legal counsel. The lenders were advised by Milbank LLP and Holland & Knight LLP.
About Sunraycer Renewables, LLC
Sunraycer, a Crayhill Capital Management portfolio company, is a rapidly-growing, Annapolis, Maryland-based Independent Power Producer (IPP), that has a development, construction-stage, and operational pipeline of approximately 3 GW of solar and battery utility-scale power plants. The company prioritizes industry-leading best practices in transmission analytics, land analysis, and valuation, emphasizing flexibility and optimization to adapt to evolving market conditions and technologies. Sunraycer leverages enterprise-scale partnerships with proven industry leaders, as well as an experienced and driven in-house team of renewable energy experts, to accelerate the deployment of development-stage projects.
About MUFG
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) is one of the world's leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo and with over 360 years of history, MUFG has a global network with approximately 2,000 locations in more than 40 countries. The Group has about 150,000 employees and offers services including commercial banking, trust banking, securities, credit cards, consumer finance, asset management, and leasing. The Group aims to "be the world's most trusted financial group" through close collaboration among our operating companies and flexible response to all of the financial needs of our customers, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York stock exchanges. For more information, visit https://www.mufg.jp/english.
About Ally Bank
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation's largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to "Do It Right" and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves customers with deposits and securities brokerage and investment advisory services as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. The company also includes a seasoned corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies. For more information, please visit www.ally.com.
For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures.
For further images and news on Ally, please visit http://media.ally.com.
About Nomura
Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network spanning approximately 30 countries and regions. By connecting markets East & West, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Management, and Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking). Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership. For further information about Nomura, visit www.nomura.com.
About Nord/LB
NORD/LB Norddeutsche Landesbank is one of Germany's leading commercial banks. As an institute under public law, it is part of the S-Finance Group. Its core business segments include corporate customers, special financing in the energy and infrastructure sectors, financing commercial real estate via Deutsche Hypo, capital market business, association business with the savings banks and private and commercial customers including private banking. The bank is based in Hanover, Braunschweig and Magdeburg and has branches in Oldenburg, Hamburg, Schwerin, Düsseldorf and Munich. Outside Germany NORD/LB is represented by a Pfandbrief bank (NORD/LB Covered Bond Bank) in Luxembourg and by branches in London, New York and Singapore.
About Societe Generale
Societe Generale is a top-tier European Bank with around 110,000 employees serving 27 million clients in 58 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for over 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective - to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.
The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:
French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank. Global Banking and Investor Solutions, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG. Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities. Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).
In case of doubt regarding the authenticity of this press release, please go to the end of the Group News page on societegenerale.com website where official Press Releases sent by Societe Generale can be certified using blockchain technology. A link will allow you to check the document's legitimacy directly on the web page.
For more information, you can follow us on Twitter/X @societegenerale or visit our website societegenerale.com.
Sunraycer Media Inquires
Jake Forrestal
Prosek Partners
[email protected]
Original digital banking disruptor sharpens its edge in a more competitive landscape, reigniting its category-of-one position as America's most extraordinary financial ally DETROIT, May 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly two decades ago, Ally disrupted the industry by introducing Ally Bank as one of the first digital-only banks. Today, it's disrupting again.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) announced that Tracey Weber has been elected to its board at its annual meeting of shareholders, expanding the board to 12 members. All other director nominees standing for re-election were also approved by shareholders.
Tracey Weber "Tracey is a digital pioneer who has built her career at the intersection of technology and customer experience. Her expertise in building consumer-first digital experiences across financial services, healthcare, retail and travel makes her an ideal addition as we continue to evolve our digital-first strategy," said Kim Fennebresque, Ally director and chair of the board's Compensation, Nominating, and Governance Committee.
Weber brings more than 20 years of digital and technological leadership to the board, having driven transformation initiatives at some of the world's most recognized consumer brands. She serves as senior vice president and general manager of Expedia Brand and Portfolio Brands at Expedia Group, Inc., where she leads strategy and the P&L for the Expedia brand globally. Prior to Expedia, Weber held senior leadership roles at CVS Health Corporation, IBM Corporation and Gilt Groupe, Inc. Earlier in her career, Weber was managing director and head of internet and mobile banking, global product, North America at Citibank N.A., where she launched mobile check deposit capability and was named "Mobile Banker of the Year" by Bank Technology. She holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
"Having leaders like Tracey who deeply understand how to create seamless, customer-centric experiences is critical to our success. Her track record of driving digital transformation across diverse industries – from revolutionizing online banking to leading enterprise-scale technology initiatives – brings a perspective that will strengthen our oversight of Ally's strategic priorities," said Michael Rhodes, CEO of Ally. "With seven new directors added since 2022, we're well-positioned as a board to continue executing on our focused strategy and delivering long-term value to our stakeholders."
About Ally Financial
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation's largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to "Do It Right" and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves customers with deposits and securities brokerage and investment advisory services as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. The company also includes a seasoned corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies. For more information, please visit www.ally.com.
For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures.
For further images and news on Ally, please visit http://media.ally.com.
Contacts:
Sean Leary
Ally Investor Relations
704-444-4830
[email protected]
Peter Gilchrist
Ally Communications (Media)
704-644-6299
[email protected]
Whether you're a value, growth, or momentum investor, finding strong stocks becomes easier with the Zacks Style Scores, a top feature of the Zacks Premium research service.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ally Financial (NYSE: ALLY) President of Dealer Financial Services, Doug Timmerman, President of Corporate Finance, Bill Hall, and Chief Financial Planning and Investor Relations Officer, Sean Leary, will present at the Morgan Stanley U.S. Financials Conference on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at approximately 8:15 a.m.
Ally Financial demonstrates resilience amid macroeconomic volatility, maintaining profitability and disciplined credit management despite inflationary pressures. ALLY's valuation remains attractive, trading at 10.47x EPS and below its five-year average, with a DDM-derived target price of $55.17. Structural strengths include secured, necessity-driven auto loans, a vast dealership network, and diversified, asset-light operations supporting sustainable growth.
For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores, developed alongside the Zacks Rank, are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing methodologies; they also help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors are more concerned with a stock's future prospects, and the overall financial health and strength of a company. Thus, the Growth Style Score analyzes characteristics like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will see sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.7% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
A stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, for instance, even one with Scores of A and B, will still have a declining earnings forecast, and a greater chance its share price will fall too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Ally Financial (ALLY - Free Report) Founded in 1919, Detroit, MI-based Ally Financial Inc. is a diversified financial services company providing several financial products and services to automotive dealers and their customers. It operates as a financial holding and a bank holding company. Ally Bank is an indirect, wholly-owned banking subsidiary of Ally Financial.
ALLY is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 8.07; value investors should take notice.
Five analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.10 to $5.30 per share. ALLY also boasts an average earnings surprise of +17.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, ALLY should be on investors' short list.
Deciding between Ally Financial (ALLY +1.79%) and Chime Financial Inc. Class A Common Stock (CHYM 3.71%) requires weighing a seasoned digital bank against a high-growth fintech disruptor. Which of these two players is the better buy today?
Ally Financial originated from the automotive world and has since built a massive online deposit base to fund its lending. Chime focuses on providing accessible financial services through partner banks to younger and underbanked populations. As both companies navigate a shifting interest rate environment, their business models offer very different paths for your portfolio.
The case for Ally FinancialAlly provides digital banking, which is becoming common among bank stocks as they move away from physical branches. It relies heavily on relationships with dealers, specifically reporting significant concentration with General Motors and Stellantis. In 2025, General Motors dealers accounted for roughly 34% of inventory financing and 24% of consumer automotive financing. Customer concentration like this adds a layer of risk to the business, as these two manufacturers represent a massive portion of its loan volume.
In fiscal year 2025, revenue reached nearly $7.9 billion, representing a revenue growth decline of roughly 7% from the previous year. Despite this lower revenue, the company achieved net income of approximately $852 million. This resulted in a net margin of close to 7.0%, which is an improvement over the 4.1% net margin reported in fiscal year 2024. The increase in net margin suggests a focus on profitability despite the top-line contraction.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was approximately 1.4x. This ratio measures total debt against shareholder equity, where a higher number suggests more reliance on borrowed funds. The current ratio, which measures the ability to pay short-term debts with short-term assets, was roughly 0.9x. In FY 2025, free cash flow was negative at approximately $647 million, representing the cash generated after paying for operations and capital expenditures.
Chime operates as a financial technology company that offers fee-free banking and payment products to roughly 10.2 million active members. It provides tools like credit-building and short-term liquidity through its partner banks rather than holding a banking charter itself. By targeting everyday U.S. paycheck earners, the company aims to become the primary financial account for its growing member base. It offers checking and savings accounts that emphasize accessibility for households that may be underserved by traditional institutions.
During FY 2025, revenue reached nearly $2.2 billion, marking a revenue growth increase of approximately 30.7%. However, the company reported a net loss of close to $1 billion for the same period. This led to a net margin of roughly negative 46.2%, indicating that the company is currently prioritizing growth and member acquisition over bottom-line profitability. This level of spending is common for younger companies trying to capture market share in competitive industries.
Based on the December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was approximately 0.1x. Its current ratio was roughly 4.5x, suggesting a high level of short-term liquidity relative to its immediate obligations. For FY 2025, free cash flow was nearly $32.9 million. Note that stock-based compensation represented roughly 2029% of operating cash flow, meaning reported cash generation is heavily inflated by this non-cash add-back.
Risk profile comparisonRegulatory risk is a primary concern for Ally, as its status as a large financial firm subjects it to strict capital requirements and stress tests. It also faces significant credit risk, particularly within its used vehicle and nonprime automotive loan portfolios. Competition from traditional lenders like JPMorgan Chase could pressure its interest margins if funding costs rise faster than loan yields.
Chime depends entirely on its partnerships with Bancorp and Stride Bank to offer its services. Losing these relationships would essentially halt its current business model. It also faces intense competition from JPMorgan Chase and must navigate complex regulations regarding interchange fees. Furthermore, its use of artificial intelligence for lending decisions introduces risks of bias and regulatory liability that may be difficult to mitigate.
Valuation comparisonAlly Financial appears significantly cheaper due to its low forward P/E relative to future earnings estimates, while Chime commands a premium P/S ratio.
MetricAlly FinancialChime Financial Inc. Class A Common StockSector BenchmarkForward P/E8.0x58.5x16.6xP/S ratio1.1x3.0xn/aSector benchmark uses the SPDR XLF sector ETF. Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.
Which stock would I buy in 2026?Ally Financial and Chime Financial stocks offer investors different ways to buy into the future of bank stocks. Most investors will likely prefer Ally for its reasonable valuation, 2.8% annual dividend yield, and established relationships in the automotive space. Over the past five years, Ally stock has delivered a more than 17% gain, and that return rises to nearly 19% with dividends reinvested. Chime stock went public in June 2025, so there isn’t as much historical data to consider. Since its IPO, has fallen about 53%. That means a $1,000 investment in Chime five years ago would now be worth about $470.
But Ally isn’t without risk, especially when it comes to its customer concentration. Financial technology is moving at a lightning-fast pace, and consumer preferences — both in the banking and automotive spaces — are changing. Depending so heavily on industry giants GM and Stellantis is a double-edged sword, as their success or failure will reflect in Ally’s performance.
Meanwhile, Chime could turn its fortunes around. In fact, the young disruptor is already making progress. In the first quarter of 2026, it posted its first quarter of profitability under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), raised its full-year guidance, and announced an additional $200 million share repurchase authorization. Its star could be rising, but at 58.5 times forward earnings, it probably isn’t yet time to buy in.
Voya Financial (VOYA) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.26 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.02 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.15 per share a year ago.
Voya Financial (VOYA - Free Report) reported $318 million in revenue for the quarter ended March 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 8.2%. EPS of $2.26 for the same period compares to $2.15 a year ago.
The reported revenue represents a surprise of +2.31% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $310.83 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $2.02, the EPS surprise was +11.88%.
While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how Voya performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Total AUM and AUA - Retirement: $779.7 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $798.44 billion.Client Assets - Retirement - Eliminations: $-4.76 billion versus $-9.42 billion estimated by two analysts on average.Total AUM and AUA - General Account: $36.9 billion compared to the $37.71 billion average estimate based on two analysts.End of period AUM - Institutional: $169.77 billion versus $173.23 billion estimated by two analysts on average.End of period AUM - Retail: $146.76 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $151.71 billion.Client Assets - Subtotal External Clients: $316.53 billion versus the two-analyst average estimate of $324.94 billion.Revenues- Net investment income: $569 million versus $515.52 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +1.6% change.Revenues- Premiums: $744 million compared to the $787.18 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +1% year over year.Revenues- Fee income: $604 million versus $659.42 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +6% change.Adjusted Operating Revenues- Investment Management- Fee income: $243 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $247.6 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +3%.Adjusted Operating Revenues- Investment Management- Total: $251 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $255.74 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +3.3%.Adjusted Operating Revenues- Investment Management- Net investment income and net gains (losses): $7 million versus $7.65 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +16.7% change.View all Key Company Metrics for Voya here>>>
Shares of Voya have returned +20.1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +9.5% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
Key Takeaways VOYA Q1 EPS rose 13% to $2.26, beating estimates by 11.8%, driven by strength across key segments.Voya Financial saw growth in Employee Benefits and Investment Management, while Retirement lagged.VOYA faced pressure from higher corporate costs and slower Retirement segment growth. Voya Financial, Inc. (VOYA - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted operating earnings of $2.26 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.8%. The bottom line increased 13% year over year.
The increase was driven by higher earnings across all segments, led by strong Employee Benefits and Investment Management performance and improved investment income. However, higher corporate expenses and relatively muted growth in the Retirement segment weighed on overall profitability
Behind the HeadlinesAdjusted operating revenues amounted to $2 billion, which increased 3.1% year over year.
Net investment income increased 1.6% year over year to $569 million. Meanwhile, fee income of $604 million increased 6% year over year. Premiums totaled $744 million, up 1% from the year-ago quarter.
Total benefits and expenses were $1.8 billion, up 0.3% from the year-ago quarter.
As of March 31, 2026, VOYA’s assets under management, and assets under administration and advisement totaled $1.1 trillion.
Q1 Segmental UpdateRetirement recorded pre-tax adjusted operating earnings of $209 million, which grew slightly from $207 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was driven by higher assets, contributions from the OneAmerica acquisition and favorable capital market performance
Total client assets as of March 31, 2026, were $780 billion, up 12% year over year.
Employee Benefits reported a pre-tax adjusted operating earnings of $63 million, which increased 37% year over year. The improvement was driven by higher net underwriting and increased fee-based revenues.
Annualized in-force premiums and fees were $3.6 billion, relatively consistent year over year.
Investment Management posted pre-tax adjusted operating earnings, excluding noncontrolling interest, of $46 million, which increased 12% year over year. The increase was primarily driven by higher fee-based revenues, benefiting from strong business momentum and positive capital markets.
Investment Management generated net inflows of $65 million (excluding divested businesses) during the quarter
Corporate incurred pre-tax adjusted operating losses, excluding noncontrolling interest, of $61 million, slightly narrower than the loss of $62 million incurred in the year-ago quarter.
VOYA’s Financial UpdateVoya Financial exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $969 million, which decreased 21.2% from the 2025-end level.
Total investments were to $38.1 billion, down 1.2% from the 2025-end level.
Long-term debt at quarter-end was $1.9 billion, which increased 26% from the 2025-end level.
The financial leverage ratio, excluding AOCI, deteriorated 220 basis points year over year to 29.7%.
As of March 31, 2026, book value per share (excluding AOCI) was $66.09, which increased 6.8% year over year.
For the first quarter of 2026, Voya Financial had approximately $200 million of excess capital.
VOYA’s Capital DeploymentAs of March 31, 2026, Voya Financial's excess capital position was approximately $0.65 billion.
Voya Financial returned $150 million and $44 million of excess capital to shareholders through share repurchases and common stock dividends, respectively, in the reported quarter.
As of March 31, 2025, VOYA had a remaining share repurchase authorization of $413 million.
Voya Financial entered into a $150 million share repurchase agreement for the second quarter of 2026.
VOYA’s Zacks RankVoya Financial currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performance of Other InsurersArthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG - Free Report) reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted net earnings of $4.47 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.6%. The bottom line increased 21.8% on a year-over-year basis.
Total revenues of $4.7 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.4%. The top line also improved 28.1% year over year, driven by higher commissions, fees, supplemental revenues, and contingent revenues.
Brown & Brown, Inc.’s (BRO - Free Report) first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $1.39 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.2%. The bottom line increased 7.8% year over year. Total revenues of $1.9 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.4%. The top line improved 35.4% year over year.
Adjusted EBITDAC was $731 million, up 36.6% year over year. The EBITDAC margin improved 40 basis points year over year to 38.5%.
Willis Towers Watson plc (WTW - Free Report) delivered first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $3.72 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.6%. The bottom line grew 19% year over year. Willis Towers posted adjusted consolidated revenues of $2.4 billion, up 8% year over year on a reported basis. Revenues increased 3% on an organic basis and 4% on a constant currency basis. The top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.1%.
Adjusted operating income totaled $537 million, up 12% year over year. Adjusted operating margin expanded 70 basis points (bps) to 22.3%. Adjusted EBITDA was $589 million, up 11% year over year. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 23.9%, which expanded 50 bps.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TOMS Capital Investment Management (“TCIM”), one of the largest shareholders of Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) (“Voya” of the “Company”), today issued the below statement following the Company's first quarter 2026 earnings call: “As we recently expressed, Voya is one of the most compelling and undervalued franchises in financial services. Voya has outperformed peers in delivering consistent net inflows, recently surpassing $1 trillion in assets while prudently avoi.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Voya Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund (NYSE: IGA) and Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (NYSE: IDE) (the “Funds”) today announced important information concerning the Funds' distributions declared in April 2026. This press release is issued as required by the Funds' Managed Distribution Plan (the “Plan") and an exemptive order received from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of Trustees has approved the imple.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Voya Investment Management, the asset management business of Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced today the distributions on the common shares of five of its closed-end funds: Voya Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund (NYSE: IGA), Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund (NYSE: IGD), Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (NYSE: IDE), Voya Asia Pacific High Dividend Equity Income Fund (NYSE: IAE), and Voya Emerging Markets High Dividend Equity Fund (NYSE: IHD).
With respect to each Fund, the distribution will be paid on June 15, 2026, to shareholders of record on June 1, 2026. The ex-dividend date is June 1, 2026. The distribution per share for each Fund is as follows:
Fund
Distribution Per Share
Monthly Distributions
Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund (NYSE: IGD)
$0.050
Voya Asia Pacific High Dividend Equity Income Fund (NYSE: IAE)
$0.065
Voya Emerging Markets High Dividend Equity Fund (NYSE: IHD)
$0.055
Voya Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund (NYSE: IGA)
$0.085
Voya Infrastructure, Industrials and Materials Fund (NYSE: IDE)
$0.100
The following table sets forth an estimate of the sources of each Fund’s May distribution and its cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date. Amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.
Data as of 4/30/2026 Estimated Sources
Tax YTD1
Estimated Tax YTD Percentages
of Current Distribution
Estimated Sources of Distribution
of Distribution
Per Share
Net Investment
LT
ST
Return of
Per Share
Net Investment
LT
ST
Return of
Net Investment
LT
ST
Return of
Distribution
Income
Gains
Gains
Capital
Distribution
Income
Gains
Gains
Capital
Income
Gains
Gains
Capital
IGA (FYE 2/28) 0.085
0.013
0.019
0.053
0.000
0.340
0.061
0.171
0.108
0.000
18.0%
50.0%
32.0%
0.0%
IGD (FYE 2/28)
0.050
0.008
0.000
0.000
0.042
0.200
0.038
0.000
0.000
0.162
19.0%
0.0%
0.0%
81.0%
IDE (FYE 2/28)
0.100
0.015
0.085
0.000
0.000
0.400
0.038
0.362
0.000
0.000
10.0%
90.0%
0.0%
0.0%
IHD (FYE 2/28)
0.055
0.012
0.000
0.000
0.043
0.220
0.025
0.000
0.000
0.195
11.0%
0.0%
0.0%
89.0%
IAE (FYE 2/28)
0.065
0.011
0.000
0.000
0.054
0.260
0.038
0.000
0.000
0.222
15.0%
0.0%
0.0%
85.0%
1 The Fund's tax year is January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. Set forth in the tables below is information relating to each Fund’s performance based on its net asset value (NAV) for certain periods.
Data as of 4/30/2026 Annualized Cumulative Tax Tax YTD Distribution Tax YTD 5-Year Distribution Rate Tax YTD Distribution Rate Rate Distribution NAV Return on NAV on NAV1 Return on NAV on NAV1 IGA (FYE 2/28) 0.085
0.340
10.56
10.33%
9.66%
4.90%
3.22%
IGD (FYE 2/28) 0.050
0.200
6.27
9.76%
9.57%
1.20%
3.19%
IDE (FYE 2/28) 0.100
0.400
13.97
11.53%
8.59%
4.59%
2.86%
IHD (FYE 2/28) 0.055
0.220
7.54
8.90%
8.75%
2.50%
2.92%
IAE (FYE 2/28) 0.065
0.260
8.70
8.68%
8.97%
0.90%
2.99%
1 As a percentage of 4/30/2026 NAV You should not draw any conclusions about the Funds’ investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Funds’ Plan. The Funds’ estimate that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Funds is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Funds’ investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income.’ The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Section 19(a) Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds’ investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Funds will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate, and shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted.
Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount from their net asset value. The market price of Fund shares may vary from net asset value based on factors affecting the supply and demand for shares, such as Fund distribution rates relative to similar investments, investors' expectations for future distribution changes, the clarity of the Fund's investment strategy and future return expectations, and investors' confidence in the underlying markets in which the Fund invests. Fund shares are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of principal invested. No Fund is a complete investment program and you may lose money investing in a Fund. An investment in a Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. Before investing, prospective investors should consider carefully the Fund's investment objective, risks, charges and expenses.
Certain statements made on behalf of the Funds in this release are forward-looking statements. The Funds’ actual future results may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including but not limited to a decline in value in equity markets in general or the Funds' investments specifically. Neither the Funds nor Voya Investment Management undertake any responsibility to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement.
This information should not be used as a basis for legal and/or tax advice. In any specific case, the parties involved should seek the guidance and advice of their own legal and tax counsel.
About Voya® Investment Management
Voya Investment Management manages over $353 billion as of March 31, 2026 in assets across public and private fixed income, equities, multi-asset solutions and alternative strategies for institutions, financial intermediaries and individual investors, drawing on a 50-year legacy of active investing and the expertise of 300+ investment professionals. Voya IM has cultivated a culture grounded in a commitment to understanding and anticipating clients’ needs, producing strong investment performance, and embedding diversity, equity and inclusion in its business.
Key Takeaways VOYA closed at $81.39, near its 52-week high, and trades above key 50-day and 200-day SMAs. Voya Financial sees growth from Retirement and Investment Management momentum and spend discipline. VOYA returned about $200M to shareholders in Q1 2026 and repurchased more shares in Q2. Shares of Voya Financial, Inc. (VOYA - Free Report) closed at $81.39 on Monday, near its 52-week high of $84.00. This proximity underscores investor confidence and indicates further price appreciation. The stock is trading above the 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages (SMAs) of $73.57 and $73.75, respectively, indicating solid upward momentum. SMA is a widely used technical analysis tool to predict future price trends by analyzing historical price data.
With a market capitalization of $7.37 billion, the average volume of shares traded in the last three months was 1.2 million.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
VOYA is an OutperformerShares of Voya Financial have gained 9.2% in the year-to-date period, outperforming the industry’s growth of 3.9% and the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s return of 9%. The Finance sector has declined 1% in the said time period.
Voya Financial has outperformed its peers, including Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA - Free Report) , Primerica, Inc. (PRI - Free Report) and Brighthouse Financial, Inc (BHF - Free Report) . Shares of RGA and PRI have gained 5.6% and 8.6%, respectively, while BHF stock has lost 3.3% in the year-to-date period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
VOYA Shares are AffordableVoya Financial shares are trading at a price-to-book value of 1.16X, lower than the Zacks Life Insurance industry average of 2.01X, the Finance sector’s 4.28X and the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s 8.08X. Its pricing, at a discount to the industry average, gives a better entry point to investors. The stock has a Value Score of A. This style score helps find the most attractive value stocks.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
VOYA’s Growth Projection EncouragesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Voya Financial’s 2026 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year increase of 9%. The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $1.36 billion, implying a year-over-year improvement of 2.1%.
The consensus estimate for 2027 earnings per share and revenues indicates an increase of 16.7% and 6.1%, respectively, from the corresponding 2026 estimates.
Earnings have grown 8.8% in the past five years, better than the industry average of 6.4%. The expected long-term earnings growth rate is 11.5%.
Average Target Price for VOYA Suggests UpsideBased on short-term price targets offered by 11 analysts, the Zacks average price target is $87.91 per share. The average suggests a potential 7.94% upside from the last closing price.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Factors Acting in Favor of VOYAVOYA’s earnings are driven by its solid segmental performances across Retirement, Investment Management and Employee Benefits segments. These businesses reflect higher-growth, capital-light and higher-return units, boasting the company’s solid presence in the market.
The Retirement segment is steadily witnessing significant growth on the back of higher revenues reflecting onboarded OneAmerica assets, favorable market impacts, higher alternative investment income and active portfolio management, positive defined contribution flows, as well as disciplined management of spend. Given continued commercial momentum, margins remain above the long-term targets. This, in turn, should drive higher fee income, strong spread income and prudent management of spend.
The Investment Management segment should benefit from higher investment capital returns, primarily driven by overall market performance, higher fee-based revenues benefiting from strong commercial momentum and favorable market impacts and disciplined management of spend.
VOYA is constantly taking strategic steps to ramp up growth in its Investment Management segment. Voya Financial and Allianz Global Investors inked a long-term strategic partnership that added scale and diversification to Voya Investment Management.
The Employee Benefits segment of the insurer is likely to benefit from unfavorable Stop Loss claim development in the prior period, which did not repeat, and a smaller block of business in the current period, lower premium-driven expenses, disciplined management of spend, higher alternative investment income and active portfolio management.
The company’s capital levels remain strong. In the first quarter of 2026, VOYA continued to deliver a return on equity above 18% and generated approximately $200 million of excess capital, returning that same amount to shareholders through repurchases and dividends. As of March 31, 2026, the estimated combined RBC ratio was 396%.
VOYA’s Capital DeploymentOperational excellence has been helping the company deploy capital to enhance shareholders’ value. As of March 31, 2026, the aggregate amount remaining under the company's share repurchase authorization was $413. In the first quarter of 2026, VOYA returned approximately $200 million of capital to shareholders through a combination of share repurchases and dividends, and also executed an additional $150 million of share repurchases in the second quarter, underscoring the durability of the cash generation. VOYA's ability to consistently repurchase shares allows it to increase dividends each year while maintaining a payout ratio of approximately 20%. Importantly, these returns have been balanced with ongoing investment in business to enhance customer and client outcomes and support future business growth.
RisksHowever, the life insurer has been experiencing increased expenses due to higher policyholder benefits, interest credited to contract owner account balances, operating costs, and interest expenses. If the company does not strive to generate revenue growth greater than the magnitude of the increase in expenses, the margin will continue to erode.
ConclusionVoya Financial is well-positioned for growth on improved investment income, higher average equity markets and positive net flows, favorable retention, as well as strategic partnerships. It should continue to benefit from financial flexibility and effective capital deployment.
Voya Financial should continue to benefit from impressive dividend history, solid growth projections, optimistic analyst sentiment and attractive valuations. It is, therefore, wise to hold on to this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TOMS Capital Investment Management (“TCIM”), one of the largest shareholders of Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) (“Voya” or the “Company”), today sent the below letter to the Company's Board of Directors (the “Board”) regarding its failure to oversee management and address the Company's persistent underperformance. The letter also urges the Board to open a formal review of all strategic alternatives, including a sale of the Company. June 1, 2026 Voya Financial, Inc.
The Voya Financial Inc. logo is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., May 3, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
CompaniesJune 1 (Reuters) - Activist hedge fund Toms Capital Investment Management on Monday urged Voya Financial (VOYA.N), opens new tab to explore strategic options, including a potential sale, arguing the insurance and investment management company continues to trade at a discount to peers.
Toms Capital, one of Voya's largest shareholders, said in a letter to the company's board that its “persistent underperformance” and trading discount were driven by "management’s strategic indecisiveness and diminished credibility."
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Voya Financial did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Shares of Voya have risen about 9% this year, giving it a market capitalization of roughly $7.36 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Shares of peers Principal Financial Group and Franklin Resources were up 17.5% and 29.9% respectively in the same period.
Voya oversees about $1.1 trillion in assets under management and administration, according to its website.
Toms Capital in the letter said it continued to view Voya as a strong financial services company, whose retirement and investment management businesses have grown net assets and outperformed rivals.
The activist investor said several asset managers that could be logical acquirers had signaled interest in deals and described their target profile in terms that map closely to Voya.
Reporting by Prakhar Srivastava and Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
Voya Financial (VOYA) is under fresh activist pressure as Toms Capital Investment Management pushes the insurer to consider strategic options, including a possi
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Voya Investment Management (Voya IM), the asset management business of Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) today announced the launch of its new multi manager series of collective investment trusts (“CITs”) designed for defined contribution (“DC”) retirement plans. V-ALT Multi-Manager Alternative Fixed Income and V-ALT Multi-Manager Alternative Equity will initially be available through advisor managed accounts on Voya's Retirement platform. Global Trust Company (GTC) i.
Voya Investment Management (Voya IM), the asset management business of Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) today announced the launch of its new multi manager se
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Voya Investment Management, the asset management business of Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA) announced today that it has recommended, and the Boards of Trustees of the Voya Asia Pacific High Dividend Equity Income Fund (TICKER: IAE) and the Voya Emerging Markets High Dividend Equity Fund (TICKER: IHD) have each approved, a merger of their respective fund into the Voya Multi-Manager Emerging Markets Equity Fund (TICKER: IEMLX), an open-end fund. Voya Investm.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Voya Investment Management (Voya IM), the asset management business of Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced today that Christine Cappabianca has joined the firm as head of Systematic Equities reporting to James Lydotes, chief investment officer, Equities. She will split her time between New York and Boston.
In this role, Cappabianca will oversee Voya IM’s $24 billion suite of active and passive systematic equity strategies and will be responsible for the firm’s combined Machine Intelligence and Quantitative Equity suite of products. In addition, she will develop a cohesive strategy to scale and commercialize Voya IM’s systematic equity capabilities, leveraging the full breadth of Voya IM’s Equity platform to deliver solutions more efficiently to clients.
“Christine brings over 20 years of experience in systematic equities and is well-regarded in our industry as a thoughtful and insightful investor with a clear focus on helping clients meet their objectives,” said Lydotes. “In addition to leading the systematic equity team, Christine will work closely with investment professionals across Voya IM’s Equity platform to identify new ways to deliver alpha for clients.”
Prior to joining Voya IM, Cappabianca was head of Systematic Investments at Impax Asset Management. She previously held investment roles at BNY Mellon Investment Management and The Boston Company. Cappabianca earned an MS in investment management from Boston University and a BS in economics from Harvard University.
About Voya Investment Management
Voya Investment Management (IM) manages approximately $353 billion as of March 31, 2026, in assets across public and private fixed income, equities, multi-asset solutions and alternative strategies for institutions, financial intermediaries and individual investors. Drawing on a 50-year legacy of active investing and the expertise of 300+ investment professionals, Voya IM has cultivated a culture grounded in a commitment to understanding and anticipating clients’ needs, producing strong investment performance, and embedding inclusion in its business.
Key Takeaways Voya Financial introduced alternative fixed income and equity CITs for DC retirement plans. New CITs use a multi-manager structure to broaden alternative exposure and diversify risk. Voya Financial sees the products supporting AUM growth and a higher-margin business mix. Voya Financial, Inc.’s (VOYA - Free Report) asset management business, Voya Investment Management (Voya IM), introduced two new multi-manager alternative collective investment trusts (CITs) for defined-contribution (DC) retirement plans. The newly launched CITs, namely, V-ALT Multi-Manager Alternative Fixed Income and V-ALT Multi-Manager Alternative Equity, are designed to bring alternative investments into retirement plans through a structure that combines multiple specialized managers within a single vehicle.
A notable feature of the launch is the separation of investment advisory and fiduciary responsibilities. Voya IM acts as the non-discretionary adviser, providing manager research, portfolio design and allocation recommendations. Global Trust Company serves as trustee and discretionary manager, retaining authority over implementation and manager changes. This structure is intended to strengthen fiduciary oversight and governance for DC plans.
The launch extends Voya's long-standing multi-manager investment approach. The firm has previously used multi-manager frameworks in target-date and multi-asset solutions, and these alternative CITs represent an effort to expand private-market and alternative exposure within workplace retirement plans.
The launch of Voya IM’s new multi-manager alternative CITs is important not only as a new product offering but also as a potential growth driver for the broader business. The new V-ALT Multi-Manager Alternative Fixed Income and Alternative Equity CITs give Voya access to the rapidly growing demand for alternative investments within defined-contribution retirement plans. As plan sponsors allocate a portion of retirement assets to these strategies, Voya can gather additional assets under management. By expanding its alternatives lineup, Voya can improve revenue yields on managed assets and reduce dependence on lower-margin traditional products. Most defined-contribution plans still offer predominantly public equity and bond funds. The new CITs provide exposure to alternative strategies through a diversified multi-manager structure, which Voya believes can reduce manager concentration risk and improve outcome consistency. This helps Voya differentiate itself from competitors in the retirement-plan space and position the firm as an innovator in workplace investing.
The products will support Voya's long-term strategy of building a more diversified, higher-margin asset management business. Over time, successful adoption could become a meaningful contributor to earnings growth and valuation expansion.
Voya’s Zacks Rank & Price PerformanceShares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) life insurer have gained 25.8% in the past year, outperforming the industry’s growth of 8.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks from the insurance industry are First American Financial Corporation (FAF - Free Report) , Universal Insurance Holdings Inc. (UVE - Free Report) , and HCI Group, Inc. (HCI - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
First American has a solid track record of beating earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average being 22.01%. In the past year, shares of FAF have risen 16.8%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FAF’s 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 12.5%, from the consensus estimate of the corresponding year.
Universal Insurance has a solid track record of beating earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average being 36.8%. In the past year, shares of UVE have risen 31.6%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for UVE’s 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 25.3%, from the consensus estimate of the corresponding year.
HCI Group has a solid track record of beating earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average being 42.95%. In the past year, shares of HCI have lost 8%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HCI’s 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 21.5%, from the consensus estimate of the corresponding year.
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Voya Financial (VOYA - Free Report) . Shares have added about 2% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
But investors have to be wondering, will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Voya due for a pullback? Well, first let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent drivers for Voya Financial, Inc. before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.
Voya Financial, Inc. reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted operating earnings of $2.26 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11.8%. The bottom line increased 13% year over year. The increase was driven by higher earnings across all segments, led by strong Employee Benefits and Investment Management performance and improved investment income. However, higher corporate expenses and relatively muted growth in the Retirement segment weighed on overall profitability
Behind the HeadlinesAdjusted operating revenues amounted to $2 billion, which increased 3.1% year over year. Net investment income increased 1.6% year over year to $569 million. Meanwhile, fee income of $604 million increased 6% year over year. Premiums totaled $744 million, up 1% from the year-ago quarter. Total benefits and expenses were $1.8 billion, up 0.3% from the year-ago quarter. As of March 31, 2026, VOYA’s assets under management, and assets under administration and advisement totaled $1.1 trillion.
Q1 Segmental UpdateRetirement recorded pre-tax adjusted operating earnings of $209 million, which grew slightly from $207 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was driven by higher assets, contributions from the OneAmerica acquisition and favorable capital market performance. Total client assets as of March 31, 2026, were $780 billion, up 12% year over year.
Employee Benefits reported a pre-tax adjusted operating earnings of $63 million, which increased 37% year over year. The improvement was driven by higher net underwriting and increased fee-based revenues. Annualized in-force premiums and fees were $3.6 billion, relatively consistent year over year.
Investment Management posted pre-tax adjusted operating earnings, excluding noncontrolling interest, of $46 million, which increased 12% year over year. The increase was primarily driven by higher fee-based revenues, benefiting from strong business momentum and positive capital markets. Investment Management generated net inflows of $65 million (excluding divested businesses) during the quarter
Corporate incurred pre-tax adjusted operating losses, excluding noncontrolling interest, of $61 million, slightly narrower than the loss of $62 million incurred in the year-ago quarter.
VOYA’s Financial UpdateVoya Financial exited the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $969 million, which decreased 21.2% from the 2025-end level. Total investments were to $38.1 billion, down 1.2% from the 2025-end level.
Long-term debt at quarter-end was $1.9 billion, which increased 26% from the 2025-end level. The financial leverage ratio, excluding AOCI, deteriorated 220 basis points year over year to 29.7%.
As of March 31, 2026, book value per share (excluding AOCI) was $66.09, which increased 6.8% year over year. For the first quarter of 2026, Voya Financial had approximately $200 million of excess capital.
VOYA’s Capital DeploymentAs of March 31, 2026, Voya Financial's excess capital position was approximately $0.65 billion. Voya Financial returned $150 million and $44 million of excess capital to shareholders through share repurchases and common stock dividends, respectively, in the reported quarter. As of March 31, 2025, VOYA had a remaining share repurchase authorization of $413 million. Voya Financial entered into a $150 million share repurchase agreement for the second quarter of 2026.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?It turns out, estimates revision have trended downward during the past month.
VGM ScoresAt this time, Voya has a poor Growth Score of F, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. However, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Voya has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
Stocks are lower across the board as investors unpack this morning's inflation data, with the April consumer price index (CPI) rising 0.6% to an annual rate of 3.8% -- the highest reading since May 2023. Meanwhile, tech investors are taking profits, pressuring the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) down triple digits following Monday's record close.
The S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) sit modestly lower as well, the former just off its first close above 7,400. Crude prices continue to climb amid U.S.-Iran turmoil, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) last seen trading at $101.
What could bring a momentum shift for the SPX, per Senior V.P. of Research Todd Salamone. What to look for ahead of Nextpower earnings, due out after the close. Plus, two stocks making outsized post-earnings moves; WEN soars on take-private buzz.
5 Things You Need to Know Today The Cboe Options Exchange saw more than 3.6 million call contracts and 1.6 million put contracts traded on Monday. The single-session equity put/call ratio fell to 0.43, while the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.59. Under Armour Inc (NYSE:UAA) is down 14.8% premarket, after a wider-than-expected first-quarter loss and disappointing guidance, though revenue came in-line with estimates. Coming into today, the equity is up 21.9% year to date. The shares of Plug Power Inc (NASDAQ:PLUG) are up 11.7% in electronic trading, after posting a narrower-than-expected first-quarter loss on a revenue beat, with Oppenheimer reiterating its "perform" rating, touting the stock's turnaround progress. Year to date, PLUG is up 78.7%. Wendy's Co (NASDAQ:WEN) is soaring 17% ahead of the open, after the Financial Times reported Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management was looking for a bid to take the fast food chain private. The stock hit a 12-year low earlier this month, down 18.8% in 2026. More inflation, economic data later this week.
Asian Stocks Mixed Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty Asian markets traded mixed Tuesday as Trump’s grim assessment of the Iran ceasefire rattled investor confidence. Against that backdrop, Japan’s Nikkei 225 managed to add 0.5%, with the 10-year bond yield rising to nearly 30-year highs. South Korea’s Kospi pared early losses and fell 2.3%, pulling back after notching a fresh record high on Monday. Elsewhere, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shed 0.2% and China’s Shanghai Composite dropped 0.3%.
European stocks are under sharp pressure amid geopolitical tensions and worries surrounding U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s premiership. At last look, London’s FTSE 100 is 0.4% lower, with the 10-year gilt rising as 70 Labour Party lawmakers call for Starmer to resign. Germany’s DAX is off by 1.1%, even after a post-earnings pop from Bayer, while France’s CAC 40 has dropped 0.6%.
Nelson Peltz’s activist investment firm Trian Fund Management is seeking investor backing for a potential bid to take fast-food chain Wendy's private, according to a Financial Times report citing people familiar with the matter.
Shares of Wendy’s WEN surged on Tuesday following the report, climbing as much as 14% to $7.75.
The stock had closed Monday with a market capitalization of approximately $1.3 billion and has lost more than 45% of its value over the past year.
The reported discussions come as Wendy’s continues to face slowing customer traffic, rising beef costs, and pressure from increasingly cautious consumers, while also attempting to execute a broader turnaround strategy aimed at reviving sales growth.
According to the Financial Times, Trian has recently held discussions with outside investors, including parties in the Middle East, regarding financing for a possible acquisition of Wendy’s.
Trian and Peltz have long-standing ties to the restaurant chain.
Peltz stepped down as chairman of Wendy’s board in 2024 but remains one of the company’s largest shareholders.
Regulatory filings show that Peltz personally owns approximately 16% of Wendy’s shares, while Trian co-founder Peter May also owns around 16%.
Trian itself holds an additional 8% stake.
Peter May and Bradley Peltz, one of Nelson Peltz’s sons, currently serve on Wendy’s board.
The Peltz family also owns a minority stake in an investment vehicle that controls 87 Wendy’s franchise locations in the New York region.
The activist investor has a history with Wendy’s dating back to a 2005 campaign.
In 2022, Trian pushed the company to explore strategic alternatives, including a potential sale, before stepping back from those efforts in 2023.
In a regulatory filing earlier this year, Trian said Wendy’s was “undervalued” and indicated it was considering options that could include a takeover proposal or reducing its ownership stake.
The renewed takeover interest follows another difficult earnings update from Wendy’s last week.
The company said it was making gradual progress on its “Fresh Start” turnaround plan, which focuses on improving menu quality, boosting US sales, and closing underperforming locations.
However, executives also cited persistent headwinds from elevated beef prices and softer consumer demand.
Wendy’s operates roughly 7,000 stores globally, with most locations concentrated in the United States.
The chain’s shares have declined approximately 71% from their all-time closing high of $28.87 reached in June 2021.
As of Monday’s close, Wendy’s enterprise value stood at approximately $5.1 billion.
The broader restaurant industry has faced increasing competitive pressures as inflation and higher living costs push consumers toward value-focused dining options.
Fast-food chains, including McDonald's and Burger King, have gained traction through value pricing and menu innovation, while higher-end chains such as Shake Shack have struggled with weaker outlooks.
The reported interest in Wendy’s reflects a broader wave of take-private activity across the restaurant industry as lower public market valuations attract financial buyers and activist investors.
Earlier this year, Denny's agreed to a $620 million take-private deal.
Separately, Papa John's has reportedly received takeover interest from Qatari-backed investment firm Irth Capital Management.
Trian itself recently participated in an $8 billion takeover of London-based asset manager Janus Henderson alongside General Catalyst and the Qatar Investment Authority.
Activist investor Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management is seeking investor backing for a potential bid to take fast-food chain Wendy’s private, the Financial Times reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Shares of Wendy’s, which has a market capitalization of $1.3 billion, jumped 17% to $7.90 on Tuesday.
The deal talks are taking place when two of America’s most popular national pizza chains – Papa John’s and Yum Brands’ Pizza Hut – are edging closer to selling to new owners as stiff competition, rising commodity costs and waning consumer demand undercut performance.
Activist investor Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management is seeking investor backing for a potential bid to take fast-food chain Wendy’s private REUTERS Trian has held discussions with outside investors, including in the Middle East, about funding a takeover of Wendy’s, according to the report, which Reuters could not immediately confirm.
Wendy’s and Trian did not respond to requests for comment.
Peltz had considered a potential takeover bid for the burger chain in 2022. In February, he said Wendy’s stock was undervalued, and that he had spoken with possible financing sources about possible deals, including an acquisition or other major transactions.
The stock has been falling for four consecutive years and is down nearly 19% so far this year, trading at a discount to peers. Wendy’s forward price-to-earnings ratio for the next 12 months, a common benchmark for valuing stocks, was 11.17, compared with KFC-owner Yum Brands’ 21.27, 20.34 for McDonald’s and 18.60 for Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King.
Peltz had considered a potential takeover bid for the burger chain in 2022. SKfoto – stock.adobe.com “There is no doubt that Wendy’s and the fast food industry’s margins have been under a lot of pressure recently as input costs have varied widely the past year or so,” said Brian Mulberry, chief market strategist at Zacks Investment Management.
“Going private and getting better cost alignment could really help Wendy’s turnaround, but it all comes down to execution – we have all seen many takeovers fail in the fast food industry,” said Brian Mulberry, chief market strategist at Zacks Investment Management.
Despite beating first-quarter revenue and profit estimates, the Dublin, Ohio-based company posted its fifth straight quarterly drop in US same-store sales last week. The stock has been falling for four consecutive years and is down nearly 19% so far this year.
Fast-food chains have been grappling with prolonged sales weakness in major markets like the US, as rising living costs and softer job conditions curb consumers’ willingness to eat out. Christopher Sadowski Wendy’s has more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide, as of December 28, 2025.
Fast-food chains have been grappling with prolonged sales weakness in major markets like the US, as rising living costs and softer job conditions curb consumers’ willingness to eat out.
Peltz holds a 16.24% stake in Wendy’s – up from 16.09% held in July last year – and Trian’s stake rose to 7.85% from 7.78% in July 2025, according to a February filing.
Wendy’s said at the time its board would review any proposal from Trian Partners in line with its fiduciary duties. It said it was moving quickly on its turnaround plans to improve US operations while growing internationally.
Key Takeaways Wendy's shares rallied Tuesday following a report that longtime investor Nelson Peltz is in talks with other investors for a potential offer to take Wendy's private.The fast food giant has struggled in recent years, with shares losing nearly 70% of their value through Monday's close amid sales declines and high costs. Get personalized, AI-powered answers built on 27+ years of trusted expertise.
Signs a longterm investor could take Wendy's private are sending the fast food giant's stock soaring.
Wendy's (WEN) shares were up over 15% in recent trading, following a Financial Times report that activist investor Nelson Peltz and his hedge fund, Trian Fund Management, are in talks with other investors about assembling a potential offer to take Wendy's private.1
Through Monday's close, Wendy's shares were down about 40% over the past year, and nearly 70% for the last five years as high costs have eaten into Wendy's margins and inflation has driven some Americans away from fast food. Wendy's also lost its CEO last summer, when Kirk Tanner left the company to take the top job at Hershey (HSY), with CFO Ken Cook still serving as interim CEO.
Trian said in a February filing that it believed Wendy's was "undervalued," and was considering its options, including making an offer to take Wendy's private or selling down its stake. In a statement responding to the filing, Wendy's said it would consider proposals.23
Trian declined to comment on the report, and Wendy's did not immediately respond to an Investopedia request for comment.
Why This Matters to Investors The report that Peltz is considering an offer to take Wendy's private would suggest he and Trian still see untapped value in Wendy's that they could unlock.
Peltz and fellow Trian partner Peter May each own about 16% of Wendy's shares, while Trian itself also has smaller stakes, according to the February filing, and the fund has been involved with activist campaigns targeting Wendy's previously dating back to 2005. May and one of Peltz's sons currently serve on Wendy's board.45
In the last year, some Wendy's rivals such as McDonald's (MCD) have had success winning back customers with value-focused promotions. Last week, Wendy's said its "Fresh Start" turnaround effort is progressing as it reported better-than-expected revenue and profits, while its same-restaurant sales declined more than expected.6
JPMorgan analysts downgraded Wendy's stock Monday to an "underweight" rating, citing the sinking same-restaurant sales, a "lack of direction around company’s future with no permanent leadership," and a belief that Wendy's is behind rivals in focusing on value.7
Even with Tuesday's gains, Wendy's shares are still down about 7% since the start of the year.
Shares of Wendy's (WEN +1.18%) rallied on Tuesday as rumors of a potential buyout swirled.
Image source: Getty Images.
Return of the chairman Activist investor Nelson Peltz is reportedly in discussions to raise capital for a takeover bid on the beleaguered restaurant chain, according to the Financial Times.
Peltz, his investment firm Trian Fund Management, and Trian's co-founder Peter May are believed to own roughly 40% of Wendy's shares.
Peltz oversaw the combination of Wendy's with Arby's restaurants back in 2008. He went on to serve as the company's chairman from 2008 to 2024. May and Peltz's son, Bradley are still members of Wendy's board of directors.
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Wendy's struggles The talks come as Wendy's is facing a host of challenges.
Revenue across its more than 7,000 restaurants fell 5.5% to $3.2 billion in the first quarter. Same-store sales at the company's U.S. locations sank 7.8% as cash-strapped consumers dined out less often and competition from value-focused rivals like McDonald's intensified.
Higher beef and labor costs are also biting into the fast-food chain's profits.
Wendy's share price, in turn, is down 35% over the past year, even after today's gains.
Could Wendy's stock be a bargain? Peltz, however, sees value in the burger maker's shares.
Wendy's trades for about 12 times its forward earnings projections, compared to more than 20 for McDonald's.
Perhaps Peltz is also intrigued by Wendy's recently announced plans to open 1,000 new franchised restaurants in China over the next decade.
Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Wendy’s stock is building positive momentum. Why is WEN stock advancing? What’s Driving Wendy’s Stock Higher This Week?Wendy's is back in play after reports that Trian has been in talks with outside investors, including Middle East capital, to finance a possible take-private bid while already owning 16% of the company.
The stock's sensitivity to the headline was clear earlier in the week, when Wendy's jumped 14.05% in Tuesday’s premarket on the pre-market trading report, underscoring how quickly positioning can shift on a credible take-private narrative.
Wendy's valuation also sits in focus for deal math, with the company pegged at about $5.1 billion in enterprise value as of Monday's close, a level that can help frame potential bid premiums.
That matters because Trian said in a February regulatory filing that Wendy's was "undervalued" and was weighing strategic alternatives, including a potential takeover bid or reducing its stake.
Critical Levels To Watch For WEN StockWednesday's pop has the stock trading well above its short- and intermediate-term trend gauges: about 17.3% above the 20-day SMA ($6.95) and 16.3% above the 50-day SMA ($7.01). The bigger test is the long-term trend, with shares still about 3.1% below the 200-day SMA ($8.41), a level that often acts like "gravity" after sharp rebounds.
Momentum is improving: MACD is above its signal line and the histogram is positive, which suggests downside pressure is easing versus the prior downswing. In plain English, when MACD is above its signal line, it typically means buyers are gaining control of the near-term trend even if the longer-term trend hasn't fully flipped.
The longer view still shows damage—Wendy's is down 31.64% over the past 12 months—and the moving-average structure remains bearish with the 50-day SMA below the 200-day SMA. That's why follow-through matters: a one-day squeeze on deal chatter can fade quickly if price can't hold above reclaimed averages.
Key Resistance: $9.00 — a nearby round-number area where rebounds can stall Key Support: $7.00 — aligns closely with the 50-day SMA area ($7.01), a common spot for dip-buyers to defend Wendy’s Benzinga Edge Rankings OverviewBelow is the Benzinga Edge scorecard for The Wendy’s, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses compared to the broader market:
The Verdict: The Wendy’s’s Benzinga Edge signal reveals a neutral-to-weak profile, with momentum as the main soft spot despite the buyout-driven pop. For longer-term bulls, the setup improves most if price can reclaim and hold above the 200-day average while fundamentals stabilize into the next reporting cycle.
WEN Stock Price Activity TodayWEN Stock Price Activity: Wendy’s shares were up 1.77% at $8.04 at the time of publication on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Image: Shutterstock
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
The Wendy’s Company could go private if billionaire Nelson Peltz has anything to say about it.
The Trian Fund Management cofounder is looking for outside investors to help with a takeover of Wendy’s, the Financial Times reports. The news isn’t exactly surprising—in February, Trian used its regulatory filing to announce it might sell its stake or attempt a takeover of Wendy’s.
Peltz and Trian currently own a 16% stake in Wendy’s, along with the Peltz family’s minority stake in a New York-area Wendy’s franchise owner. Peltz’s son, Bradley Peltz, and Trian cofounder and president Peter May are also on the board of Wendy’s.
Trian declined to comment. Wendy’s did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
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Shares of The Wendy’s Company (Nasdaq: WEN) rose almost 17% yesterday on the news but the stock was essentially flat in premarket trading on Wednesday. Accounting for yesterday’s boost, the stock is down roughly 33% over the past 12 months.
Taking major retail chains private is not a new strategy. In recent years, Denny’s, Walgreens, and Barnes & Noble have all gone private.
What’s going on at Wendy’s?Like many fast-food restaurants, Wendy’s has been struggling. On May 8, the company released first-quarter results that beat analysts’ estimates but saw disappointments like a 7.8% drop in U.S. same-restaurant sales.
Wendy’s® Canada is introducing the new Strawberry Salad made with fresh greenhouse-grown produce and 100% Canadian chicken.Wendy’s Canada is launching a new Watermelon Lemonade, made with naturally flavoured lemonade and sweet watermelon purée, and coming soon - two new Refreshers.The seasonal lineup reinforces Wendy’s continued focus on fresh flavours and craveable menu options just in time for summer.
BURLINGTON, Ontario, May 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wendy’s® Canada is bringing fresh summer flavours to menus nationwide with the launch of its new Strawberry Salad and new beverages, like Watermelon Lemonade, giving Canadians fresh new menu items to enjoy this season.
Made with 100% Canadian white meat grilled chicken breast, the Strawberry Salad features a blend of fresh, vibrant ingredients including greenhouse-grown spring mix, hand-cut strawberries, fire-roasted corn, sharp white cheddar and roasted pecans. Finished with a sweet onion vinaigrette, this salad delivers a balanced combination of sweet and savoury flavours. Packed with protein and fresh seasonal ingredients, it offers the quality and craveability Wendy’s fans love.
At a time when salad offerings remain limited across much of the quick service restaurant industry, Wendy’s continues to stand out with a lineup of salads designed to deliver both flavour and variety for consumers seeking more choices.
To complement the salad, Wendy’s Canada is introducing a new Watermelon Lemonade, blending naturally flavoured lemonade with sweet watermelon purée over ice for a refreshing seasonal sip.
Later this month, Wendy’s will also introduce two new Refreshers – Peach and Tropical Strawberry. Made with sparkling water, topped with real dried strawberries and served over ice, these beverages mark the first Refreshers offering for Wendy’s Canada as the brand continues to expand its beverage lineup with trending flavours.
“At Wendy’s, we know Canadians are looking for delicious options made with fresh, high-quality ingredients,” said John Mulvihill, Vice President and Managing Director of Wendy’s Canada. “With the introduction of the Strawberry Salad and the expansion of our beverage lineup, including Watermelon Lemonade and our new Refreshers, we’re offering more variety and delivering the bold flavours our fans expect.”
Wendy’s has been a leader in sustainably sourced, greenhouse-grown produce, including being the first QSR to serve greenhouse-grown lettuce in every restaurant. In 2025, Wendy’s Canada transitioned to 100% greenhouse-grown Canadian tomatoes nationwide, and with the introduction of strawberries in the new salad, the brand is expected to use more than 6,600 pounds of Ontario- and British Columbia-grown strawberries each week this summer.
Strawberry Salad and Watermelon Lemonade will be available at participating Wendy’s Canada locations beginning May 11, 2026, for a limited time. Wendy’s new Refreshers, available in both Peach and Tropical Strawberry flavours will be available starting in June at participating Wendy’s Canada locations.
ABOUT WENDY'S
The Wendy's Company (Nasdaq: WEN) and Wendy's® franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide. Founded in 1969, Wendy's is committed to the promise of Fresh Famous Food, Made Right, For You, delivered to customers through its craveable menu including made-to-order square hamburgers using fresh beef* and fan favourites like the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and nuggets, Baconator®, and the Frosty® dessert. Wendy's supports the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, established by its founder, which seeks to dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America's foster care system. Learn more about Wendy's at www.wendys.com. For details on franchising, visit www.wendys.com/franchising. Connect with Wendy's on X, Instagram and Facebook.
*Fresh beef available in the contiguous U.S. and Alaska, as well as Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the UK, and other select international markets.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ca09ef61-8a0f-4d66-8309-a6ddac21f88b
Wendy’s Canada Brings Fresh Flavours to Menus Nationwide with New Strawberry Salad, Watermelon Lemon... New seasonal lineup highlights fresh ingredients and bold flavours that Wendy’s fans love
Wendy's faces weak U.S. traffic, margin compression, and underperformance versus peers despite new menu launches and value initiatives. Free cash flow and EBITDA are declining, but dividends remain well-covered; leverage is elevated at ~4.9x EBITDA, with refinancing risk looming post-2028. Trian's potential take-private bid could value WEN at $9.50–$11.90 per share (16–45% upside); standalone fair value is $8–$8.75.
Wendy's Company (WEN) remains a Strong Buy, supported by robust cash flow, a high and sustainable dividend yield, and significant turnaround potential. WEN is executing Project Fresh, closing underperforming US restaurants, expanding internationally, and recently announcing a deal for up to 1,000 new units in China. Despite macro headwinds and high interest rates, WEN's manageable debt, and disciplined capital allocation underpin its resilience.
Wendy's (WEN +1.18%) is hoping a strategic move into China will reignite the brand that has struggled mightily in the U.S. in recent years. The Dublin, Ohio-based burger chain announced its first-quarter results on May 8, and the numbers were not good.
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Global sales fell 5.5% in the first quarter, largely driven by weak U.S. restaurant performance, which was down 7.8%. This is an acceleration of the brand's weakening sales performance compared to the same period last year.
Wendy's has closed more than 200 locations in the U.S. in the past year. However bad it may be at home, Wendy's recently signed a new agreement with China to open up to 1,000 restaurants over the next decade. This is a bold move for the company, but it isn't unheard of, as competitors such as McDonald's and Starbucks already have established footprints in China.
Image source: Getty Images.
This is all part of an internal initiative called "Project Fresh," which will also focus on menu upgrades such as a spicy chicken sandwich.
The move to China should give Wendy's investors some hope. International sales have been a bright spot for the chain. Frankly, the company needed to make a bold move to right the ship, and this is the most promising pivot available.
Wendy's investors will still need to remain patient since this is a multiyear effort, but with the stock priced so low right now -- if you're bullish on more American burgers in China -- it could be a good time to buy and hold for a while. Wendy's stock is down more than 31% over the past 12 months and more than 63% over the past five years. Its trailing P/E ratio is only about 9.5. There's a long road ahead, but the future of Wendy's hinges on its success outside of the U.S.
Catie Hogan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Starbucks. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2028 $320 calls on McDonald's and short January 2028 $340 calls on McDonald's. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
In the news release, Wendy's Celebrates Its Redhead Roots with NYC Look-alike Contest on World Redhead Day, issued 19-May-2026 by The Wendy's Company over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end:
Wendy's Celebrates Its Redhead Roots with NYC Look-alike Contest on World Redhead DayFans are invited to dress up as Wendy's iconic logo to compete for grand prize of free Dave's Single hamburgers for a year
, /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: To celebrate World Redhead Day on Tuesday, May 26, Wendy's is honoring its redheaded roots by calling on brand fans to join a look-alike contest in the heart of New York City. Everyone is welcome to join the fun and show up as your best version of Wendy – from natural red hues and pigtails to wigs, freckles and the iconic blue and white collared dress. The coveted grand prize will be free Dave's Single® hamburgers for a year.* The event will also include music, giveaways, photo ops, and special surprises along the way! It's a can't miss contest that's sure to draw a crowd – and a sea of redheads.
Wendy's World Redhead Day Look-alike Contest at Seaport Square, NYC – May 26, 2026. (PRNewsfoto/The Wendy's Company) WHERE & WHEN: Join us at Seaport Square in NYC (19 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038) on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Check in for the contest begins at 3:30 PM ET, with the content occurring from 4:15-5:30 PM ET. With a location name that nods to our iconic square burgers, Seaport Square is the perfect setting to crown our Wendy's look-alike winner on World Redhead Day. All participants must be 18 years or older, up to the first 50 participants to officially enter the contest onsite.
HOW: The competition unfolds across three rounds:
Round 1: Contestants take the stage showcasing their best Wendy's look. Round 2: Contestants prepare and read aloud their best social media worthy post channeling the brand's witty, playful tone for National Hamburger Day (Thursday, 5/28). Round 3: Top 3-5 finalists perform an original, Wendy's-style commercial with crowd applause and judge scores determining the ultimate winner of the grand prize. WHY: Redheads make up just 4% of the U.S. population, but they're impossible to miss. They bring a bold, unmistakable energy that turns heads and leaves an impression –- the kind of presence Wendy's has always admired and recognized as part of its own story. Since 1969, Wendy's has leaned into what makes it different, and World Redhead Day is a moment that reflects that same mindset: one that celebrates being unforgettable instead of blending in. The look-alike contest brings that idea to life in a way that is social, visual, and fun – a live celebration of the people, personality, and spirit that make redheads, and Wendy's, impossible to forget.
Be there. Red hair. Seaport Square!
ABOUT WENDY'S:
The Wendy's Company (Nasdaq: WEN) and Wendy's franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide. Founded in 1969, Wendy's is committed to the promise of Fresh Famous Food, Made Right, For You, delivered to customers through its craveable menu including made-to-order square hamburgers using fresh beef***, and fan favorites like the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and nuggets, Baconator®, and the Frosty® dessert. Wendy's supports the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, established by its founder, which seeks to dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America's foster care system. Learn more about Wendy's at www.wendys.com. For details on franchising, visit www.wendys.com/franchising. Connect with Wendy's on X, Instagram and Facebook.
*Dave's Single hamburgers for a year to be awarded as in the form of cash value of one Dave's Single per week, for 52 weeks
**4% of U.S. population are redheaded, sourced from data collected at World Population Review
***Fresh beef available in the contiguous U.S. and Alaska, as well as Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the UK, and other select international markets.
Correction: The event prize and details have been edited in the 'WHAT' section, the U.S. redhead population has been corrected to 4%, and an update was made to the featured photo.
DUBLIN, Ohio, May 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wendy's Company (Nasdaq: WEN) ("Wendy's" or the "Company") today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Robert D. "Bob" Wright as Wendy's President and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 21, 2026.
Wendy's has tapped Bob Wright as its latest chief executive, the company said Wednesday.
The announcement comes on the heels of the struggling burger chain reporting its fifth straight quarter of same-store sales declines and rumors of a potential take-private deal led by Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management.
Wright previously served as CEO of Potbelly for five years, leading a turnaround of the sandwich chain in the aftermath of pandemic lockdowns. Potbelly went private last year after convenience store owner RaceTrac bought it for $566 million.
Wright officially becomes Wendy's CEO on Thursday.
The chain has not had a permanent chief executive since Kirk Tanner left Wendy's in July to become CEO of Hershey. Tanner was only at Wendy's for about 18 months. Before Tanner's tenure, Wendy's ousted longtime CEO Todd Penegor, who had led the chain for nearly eight years.
In the time since Tanner's departure, Wendy's has struggled to attract consumers who are increasingly value conscious and has lost market share to rivals McDonald's and Burger King. In February, the company announced plans to close about 300 restaurants in the first half of the year.
Shares of Wendy's have tumbled nearly 35% over the last year, dragging its market value down to $1.55 billion.
The company's skid makes it a much cheaper acquisition target for Trian.
The Financial Times reported earlier this month that the firm is seeking funding to take Wendy's private. It isn't the first time that Trian has considered it; most recently, the firm said it was exploring a takeover of Wendy's in 2022, but later decided against it.
Trian owns a 7.85% stake in Wendy's, and Peltz has a 16.24% interest, according to a recent regulatory filing that also called the stock "undervalued."
Peltz's relationship with Wendy's dates back to an activist campaign he led in 2005. In 2024, Wendy's named Peltz as chairman emeritus after he spent 17 years on the company's board. Trian executive Peter May and Peltz's son, Bradley, still sit on Wendy's board.
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Restaurants
Wendy’s New CEO Has a Tough Job. Here’s What Needs to Be Done.
Wendy’s has got a new head as it tries to reverse years of weak sales, falling traffic, and investor frustration. It will be a challenging job.
