Allianz $ALV (+0.85%) with record profit and share buyback

Allianz has achieved a record profit in day-to-day business in 2024. Operating profit rose by almost nine percent to over 16 billion euros. CEO Oliver Bäte is targeting an operating profit of between 15 and 17 billion euros for 2025. Despite this positive news, the Allianz share fell temporarily by 0.84 percent to 330.50 euros. However, there is good news for shareholders: The dividend will be increased by 11.6 percent to 15.40 euros, and share buybacks worth up to 2 billion euros are planned. The Group has set itself ambitious targets and wants to increase earnings per share to 31.50 euros by 2027. Allianz plans to improve its efficiency through new technologies such as artificial intelligence and wants to spend at least 75% of net profit on dividends and buybacks over the next few years.

Holcim $HOLN (+1.48%) increases profit and plans spin-off

Holcim, the world's largest building materials group, increased its recurring operating profit EBIT by 6.1 percent to a record CHF 5.05 billion last year. Despite a decline in net profit of 4.4 percent to 2.93 billion Swiss francs, the Group is optimistic about the future. Holcim is planning to spin off its North American business, which is expected to be completed by mid-2025. Sales in North America stagnated at 11.7 billion dollars in 2024, but operating profit rose by 16 percent to 2.2 billion dollars. Group CEO Miljan Gutovic expects 2025 to be another record year for Holcim, supported by infrastructure projects in the USA. Further acquisitions are also planned in Europe and Latin America.

Berenberg rates Lanxess $LXS (+1.62%) to Hold

The private bank Berenberg has downgraded the Lanxess share to 'Hold' and left the price target at 31 euros. Analyst Andres Castanos-Mollor justifies this decision with the assessment that the shares have risen too much. This movement was influenced by positive quarterly figures as well as factors such as hopes for peace in Ukraine and lower energy prices. Berenberg does not see any further upside potential in the current valuation, which is why the shares will now remain in the holding position.

Sources:

https://www.finanzen.net/nachricht/aktien/aktienrueckkaufprogramm-allianz-aktie-in-gruen-allianz-gibt-milliarden-fuer-aktienrueckkauf-aus-14278458

https://www.finanzen.net/nachricht/aktien/umsatzminus-holcim-aktie-mehr-betriebsgewinn-in-2024-14279781

https://www.finanzen.net/nachricht/aktien/analyse-flash-berenberg-senkt-lanxess-auf-hold-ziel-31-euro-14279904

I was inspired by a Focus Money article and because many people here are asking.

I won't be investing myself, it's too short-term for me. But there are still some very interesting companies.

Feel free to write in the comments whether such "copied articles" are of any use to the community or are legally correct :)

The signs of a peace process in Ukraine are solidifying. This is triggering a run on the stock market for shares that could benefit from reconstruction

Regardless of the political interpretation, the stock market has been turning its back on the war for several days now and is betting on the coming peace. Stocks that are likely to benefit from the reconstruction in Ukraine have soared. The UBS Ukraine Reconstruction Index, which comprises 25 of these stocks, has been climbing for days and is at an all-time high. "The effects of a possible ceasefire in Ukraine are still being underestimated on the financial markets," says Bernd Meyer, Chief Investment Strategist and Head of Multi Asset at Berenberg, who is convinced that the rally will continue. Reconstruction requires enormous resources. According to estimates by the World Bank, the costs for this amount to a total of 500 billion dollars - the equivalent of Austria's gross domestic product and more than three times Ukraine's annual economic output before the war. The money is likely to benefit construction companies, suppliers, infrastructure companies and banks in particular. European companies could be the main beneficiaries - especially from neighboring countries such as Poland and Hungary, but also the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany.

With Wärtsilä $WRT1V (-1.32%) a provider of technologies for the shipping and energy markets, and Konecranes $KCR (+5.85%) a manufacturer of industrial cranes and drive technology, Finnish companies are also on the list of potential peace beneficiaries - as are Italian companies such as the cement and building materials manufacturer Buzzi $BZU (+3.33%) The list is long. There is a great need for building materials, steel and cables to restore the destroyed infrastructure and energy supply. There is still no thematic fund or ETF on the beneficiaries of the reconstruction in Ukraine. Investors who want to benefit from this are therefore well advised to combine several securities into a portfolio themselves.

Banks: Erste Group Bank $EBS (+1.56%) Powszechna K. Osz $PKO (-0.46%) Santander Polska $SPL (+0.15%) Polska K. Opieki $PEO (-0.37%) Raiffeisen Bank Int.$RBI (+1.09%)

Construction: Wienerberger $WIE (+0.32%) Sniezka Construction $SKA Strabag $STR (+2.95%)

Insulation: Kingspan Group $KRX (+4.11%) Rockwool $ROCK B

Glass: Cie de Saint-Gobain $SGO (+4.18%)

Cranes: Konecranes $KCR (+5.85%)

Cement: CRH $CRH (+1.85%) Buzzi $BZU (+3.33%) Holcim $HOLN (+1.48%) Heidelberg Mat. $HEI (+3.61%)

Construction machinery: Caterpillar $CAT (-0.28%)

Mining: Ferrexpo $FXPO (+3.83%) Metso $METSO (+0.02%)

Chemicals: BASF $BAS (+1.27%)

Industrial gases: Air Liquide $AI (+0.08%)

Infrastructure: Schneider Electric $SU (+2.74%) Rexel $RXL (+2.27%) Wärtsilä $WRT1V (-1.32%) Weir Group $WEIR (-0.22%)

Infrastructure (E): Siemens Energy $ENR (+2.01%) Prysmian $PRY (+5.03%) NKT $NKT (+1.69%) Nexans $NEX (+1.98%)

Agriculture: Kernel $KER (-0.39%)

Logistics(warehouse): Kion $KGX (+5.51%)

Steel: Arcelor Mittal $MT (+0.74%) and for stainless steels Outukompu $OUT1V (+0.24%)

Sanitary technology: Geberit $GEBN (+0.64%)

Specialty chemicals: Evonik $EVK (+1.53%) Arkema $AKE (+1.03%) Wacker Chemie $WCH (+2.7%) Lanxess $LXS (+1.62%)

In the last few months I have learned a lot - especially through the exchange here in the community. My portfolio has changed changed a lotLess individual shares, more ETFs, and a clear strategy for the coming years.

🔹 In the past my portfolio was heavily dividend stocks characterized, above all $AAPL (+0.28%) and Swiss stocks with high dividends.

🔹 Today I am consciously focus on more diversificationbut with a focus on Swiss equitiesin which I have been 10 years invested and will continue to do so in the long term. The whole thing is supplemented by accumulating ETFsto minimize costs.

🔹 My current focus:

✅ Swiss blue chips:
$SLHN (+0.41%) , $ZURN (-0.28%) , $SREN (-0.34%) , $HOLN (+1.48%)

✅ Tech:
$AAPL (+0.28%) & $TSLA (+10.24%) as strong individual values

✅ ETFs: iShares MSCI World, S&P 500 for global diversification

✅ Commodities & crypto: Gold (iShares Gold ETF) and a small Bitcoin holding

2nd and 3a pillar (95% invested in equities) as a long-term hedge (these gains are not 100% in the portfolio)

My goal is to live 50 to live largely from the dividendsmy expenses are deliberately very low should remain very low. Until then, I will not be switching my strategy to distributing ETFs, but will continue to rely on accumulating ETFsto take full advantage of the compound interest effect and optimize the tax burden.

💡 Thanks to the community, I was able to develop my strategy further - thank you for your inspiration, tips & helpful contributions! 🙌

➡️ How do you handle the issue of accumulating vs. distributing ETFs? When do you think is the best time to switch? 🤔

What a turbulent week on the stock market, I had to buy more 😅 How are things looking for you?

$KLAC (+1.21%)
$ADBE (+2.31%)
$SIKA (+1.39%)
$HOLN (+1.48%)
$MBG (+1.59%)
$CVX (-0.13%)
$MRNA (+0.63%)

Would love some portfolio feedback!#portfoliocheck

The goal is to save +- 35 selected stocks evenly over the long term in order to build up a passive income with dividends.

As soon as $PAEM (-0.27%) has a positive return, it is sold and also reallocated to equities.

The following stocks will follow in the next few months:

Individual shares

$HOLN (+1.48%)

$CFR (+0.37%)

$PM (+0.52%)

$BALN (-5.37%)

$BKW (+0.03%)

$MCD (+0.23%)

$CL (+1.06%)

Bonds, gold and a global ETF

$CSBGC7

$SGLD (-0.87%)

$ZPRG (+0.14%)

So many falling prices, so many buying opportunities $AMZN (+0.25%)
$MRNA (+0.63%) ... I'm continuing my strategy anyway, as the price of $HOLN (+1.48%) has also fallen: 2nd tranche from the entry 🎉

But it's really hard to stand firm 😂

Are you also standing firm or are you changing your strategy?

It has long been $HOLN (+1.48%) on my watchlist for a long time and now the time has come for me to get in (1st tranche)

(Switzerland) - The most important dates for this trading week

This week is the best of the year for real number crunchers: More than forty listed companies will present their half-year report. These include small companies such as the Walliser Kantonalbank (WKBN), but also big names on the Swiss market such as $ROG (-0.66%) and $NESNE / $NESN (-1.74%) . Naturally, observers will be keeping a close eye on the outlook for the second half of the year.

On Monday, only the climate specialist Belimo $B9H will report on the first half of the year.

Seven companies have announced their reports for Tuesday. These are the logistics company Kuehne + Nagel $KNIN (-1.9%)
, the chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli
$LISN (-1.62%) and the fragrance producer Givaudan $GIVN (+0.34%)
, also reporting Logitech $LOGN (+1.24%), Dätwyler $DAE (+4.66%)
, Temenos $TEMN (+1.09%) and the Valais Cantonal Bank ($WKBN). At Lindt & Sprüngli $LISN (-1.62%) will be watching for comments on the high cocoa prices. At Kühne + Nagel $KNIN (-1.9%) the renewed increase in the complexity of sea transportation due to the threat to shipping in the Red Sea could have an initial positive effect.

On Wednesday, nine companies will give an insight into their finances. For example, the goods inspector SGS
$SGSN (+1.42%) and also Bobst ($BOBNN) , So $ALSN (+1.48%)
Cembra Money Bank $CMBN (+0.75%)
, Cicor $CICN (+1.42%)
Cosmo Pharmaceuticals $COPN (+0%)
EFG International $EFGN (+1.27%)

and Medacta $MOVE (+1.37%)
. At SGS $SGSN (+1.42%) it is to be expected that, as in previous quarters, decent sales growth will be offset by negative exchange rate effects.

Thursday is the highlight of the interim reporting season: a total of sixteen company reports are on the agenda. Among them are Nestlé $NESN (-1.74%)
, Roche $ROG (-0.66%)
, Lonza
$LONN (+0.87%) and Julius Baer $BAER (+0.82%)
, but also Bachem $BANB, Bucher $BUCN
, Galderma $GALD
, Autoneum $AUTN (+1.03%)
, Bellevue $BBN (+2.36%)
, Calida $CALN (-3.63%)
, Idorsia $IDIA (-0.81%)
, Leonteq $LEON (+1.67%)
, the Graubündner Kantonalbank $GRKP (-0.54%)
, Meier Tobler $MTG (-1.37%)
, StarragTornos $STGN and Valiant $VATN (-0.16%)
. At Nestlé $NESN (-1.74%) the question is whether a return to positive growth rates can be achieved.

Many listed companies have once again announced their half-year figures for Friday. They include Holcim $HOLN (+1.48%)
Sulzer $SUN (-2.08%)
, Vontobel $VONN (+1.33%)
, Forbo $FORN (+0.73%)
, APG $APGN (+0.2%)
, Zehnder $ZEHN (+3.61%)
, Orell Füssli $OFN (-1.91%)
, Lem $LEHN (+0.77%)
, AMS Osram $AMS and BB Biotech $BION (+0.66%) and the SIX as the operator of the Swiss stock exchange. The industrial group Sulzer $SUN (-2.08%) should deliver a positive surprise after a strong performance that has been ongoing for some time.

Have a good week everyone!

GG

Switzerland: Quarterly reports, AGMs and annual financial statements for the coming week:

The start will be $ARYN (+1.2%) on Monday with the announcement of its sales figures for the first quarter. After a successful turnaround, expectations for the baked goods group are correspondingly high. The Annual General Meetings of Zurich Airport and the energy company will also take place on this day. $BKW (+0.03%) take place on the same day.

On Tuesday a packed day awaits us: $NOVN (+0.04%) , $KNIN (-1.9%) , $TEMN (+1.09%) and $PMN (+0.22%) announce their quarterly results. It is expected that $NOVN (+0.04%) will achieve or even exceed its own annual targets, having already exceeded expectations several times last year. Also $TEMN (+1.09%) is also in the spotlight, especially after recent allegations by the hedge fund Hindenburg, which the company intends to refute through internal investigations. The company continues to publish $XLS and $HREN its annual figures for 2023. $BCGE (+0%) , $EDHN (+1.6%) , $FTON (-2.63%) , $VBSN (+1.85%) , $MIKN (-4.64%) , $SIGN (SIG Group) and $VZUG their Annual General Meetings.

On Wednesday give $ROG (-0.66%) , $KURN (+5.59%) and $UBXN (+4.02%) quarterly updates. For $ROG (-0.66%) it is the last quarter with a significant base effect due to declining coronavirus product sales. Despite the strong Swiss franc, which is causing a headwind of 9%, sales are expected to decline by 3% compared to the first quarter of 2023. Annual General Meetings are also planned at $ARYN (+1.2%) , $BSLN (-0.43%) , $CMBN (+0.75%) , $MEDX , $SFSN (+1.67%) , $UBSG (+1.09%) , $VARN (+1.97%) and $ZWM .

The Thursday also remains eventful: $EMSN (+0.2%) , $BUCN ,$NESN (-1.74%) , $HOLN (+1.48%) and $VONN (+1.33%) present their quarterly results. At $NESN (-1.74%) is showing a slow recovery, while $HOLN (+1.48%) continues to expect strong results. Turnover and profit figures are also reported by $IFCN and the annual results for 2023 are reported by $SANN (+2.53%) and$EEII will be presented. The Annual General Meetings on this day include $APGN (+0.2%) , $BCV , $EPIC , $KARN (+2.35%) and $VETN (+3.29%) .

The end of the week (Friday) is marked by $SGSN (+1.42%) with the publication of the sales figures for the first quarter on Friday. $AMS and $BION (+0.66%) announce their quarterly results. Further Annual General Meetings are held at $ASWN (+0.84%) , $BALN (-5.37%) , $ESUN , $GLKBN (-0.84%) , $METN (+0.7%) , $VPBN (-0.28%) and $WKBN (Walliser Kantonalbank). An Extraordinary General Meeting is held at $RLF to discuss a capital reduction, among other things.

Coming soon: Happy weekend! - Ditch the securities and enjoy life. 🔥💕✈️

Bought as a rebound speculation.