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Is Travelers Companies Stock Underperforming the Nasdaq?

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avrotusa
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New York-based The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) is a leading provider of commercial and personal property, and property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. Valued at $61.8 billion by market cap, the company’s diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of coverage sold primarily through independent agents and brokers.

Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as “large-cap stocks,” and TRV perfectly fits that description, with its market cap exceeding this mark, underscoring its size, influence, and dominance within the property & casualty insurance industry.

Despite its notable strength, TRV slipped 2.4% from its 52-week high of $280.70, achieved on Sep. 4. Over the past three months, TRV stock gained 2.3% underperforming the Nasdaq Composite’s ($NASX) 11.4% gains during the same time frame.

www.barchart.com
www.barchart.com

In the longer term, shares of TRV rose 13.7% on a YTD basis, outperforming NASX’s YTD gains of 13.1%. However, the stock climbed 13.6% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming NASX’s 29.3% returns over the last year.

To confirm the bullish trend, TRV has been trading above its 200-day moving average over the past year, with slight fluctuations. The stock is trading above its 50-day moving average since early August.

www.barchart.com
www.barchart.com

On Jul. 17, TRV shares closed up by 3.8% after reporting its Q2 results. Its revenue stood at $12.1 billion, up 7.4% year over year. The company’s adjusted EPS rallied 159.4% year over year to $6.51.

TRV’s rival, Cincinnati Financial Corporation (CINF) shares lagged behind the stock, with a 6.7% uptick on a YTD basis and 11.5% gains over the past 52 weeks.

Wall Street analysts are reasonably bullish on TRV’s prospects. The stock has a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating from the 26 analysts covering it, and the mean price target of $279.52 suggests a potential upside of 7.4% from current price levels.

On the date of publication, Neha Panjwani did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com

Postcode lottery for new cancer treatments, doctors warn

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avrotusa
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Philippa RoxbyHealth reporter and

Jim ReedHealth reporter

Getty Images A stock image of a woman in a private clinic being giving radiotherapy for cancer. She is lying on her back wearing a white T-shirt and blue trousers with the radiotherapy machine treating her. A radiographer stands to the right of the frame operating the machine with a remote control.Getty Images

Advances in radiotherapy and other forms of cancer treatment are driving up survival rates of the disease

Senior cancer doctors are warning that excessive red tape means some patients in England are struggling to access the latest cancer treatments.

The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) says bureaucracy is “stifling innovation” and that applying for funding to pay for new treatments can be “cumbersome” for some cancer centres.

It says the situation is leading to an unacceptable postcode lottery with some cutting-edge treatments only available in the larger, better-funded units.

The government says a new cancer strategy, due later this year, will “put the NHS back at the forefront of global cancer care”.

Doctors and scientists say we are living through a golden age of cancer treatment, with new breakthroughs now changing the way patients are cared for.

Survival rates for many common cancers have been rising, partly driven by new technologies such as immunotherapy drugs and more advanced radiotherapy.

But the body representing both radiologists, who analyse scans and treat patients, and cancer doctors says that NHS bureaucracy means some are missing out on the latest life-saving treatments.

The RCR says that even some well-established advances, such as Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy – or SABR – can still be difficult to access.

SABR is a way of more accurately targeting the disease with a precise dose of high-strength radiation, and is typically used to treat very small tumours in the lungs, liver, lymph nodes and brain.

The RCR says individual cancer units still have to apply to NHS England to fund its use, leading to a postcode lottery where some patients lose out.

“That is inequitable and unjust and not compatible with the National Health Service,” says Dr Nicky Thorp, a practising cancer doctor and vice president for clinical oncology at the RCR.

“We would like red tape to be cut and the commissioners to listen to clinicians who really understand the impact on patient care,” she added.

Both the RCR and the Society of Radiographers have written to the government asking for SABR to be made more easily available, along with other cutting-edge treatments such as some immunotherapy medicines and molecular radiotherapy, which uses radioactive drugs to target cancer cells.

NHS England says every hospital trust that is delivering radiotherapy is able to offer SABR, and it is committed to a more “streamlined approach” to expanding its use.

Family handout A portrait shot of Ray Bowen, who has received SABR treatment, sitting in a pub. He has a white beard and grey hair and is wearing a green fleece top and staring to the left of the picture.Family handout

Ray Bowen from Middlesbrough received SABR treatment for kidney cancer in 2022 and is now in recovery.

‘Life-saving’ treatments

Ray Bowen, 76, from Middlesborough had one of his kidneys removed in 2019 after being diagnosed with cancer.

In 2022 a scan showed the disease had returned in his second kidney and he was told surgery would not be possible.

“At best that meant I would have needed to be put on dialysis which I really would not have fancied,” he said.

Instead the former soldier and shipyard worker was given SABR radiotherapy to treat the cancer with high-dose radiation and, three years on, he says he’s doing well.

“I just feel very lucky,” he said. “Not long ago something like this wouldn’t have even existed.

“It’s a magic treatment and without doubt it needs to be more available.”

New cancer strategy

The call by cancer doctors comes as the government prepares to publish its long-awaited cancer strategy for England, now expected later this autumn.

The charity Cancer Research UK (CRUK) said it should include a new commitment to diagnose cancers earlier after a new report found that only half of people diagnosed with cancer after an urgent referral are getting the news within the target 28 days.

For some cancers, such as bone, bladder, kidney and head and neck, only around a third of people receive a diagnosis within the target time.

Between 2021 and 2024, the situation for people being diagnosed with cancer has been getting worse, the charity says.

But, in contrast, those who don’t have cancer after an urgent referral – which is the large majority of people – are informed more quickly, with 75% told the good news within the target time.

“It’s promising that more people are having cancer ruled out on time, helping to put their minds at ease,” says Cancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell.

“However it’s unacceptable that only half of people who have cancer are being diagnosed within the target timeframe.”

Follow-up tests to confirm the presence of cancer, particularly complex ones, and what type it is can cause delays in diagnosis. This can lead to delays in starting treatment too.

Jon Shelton, head of cancer intelligence at CRUK, says this process “is taking too long” and tests need to be carried out “as quickly as possible”.

A spokeswoman for NHSE England said the health service is seeing and treating more cancer patients than ever before, while rolling out new initiatives, such as home tests and mobile scanning trucks, to diagnose the disease earlier.

The Department of Health described cancer care as an urgent priority and said its upcoming national cancer strategy would give patients “the most cutting-edge care”.

“Our plan for change is already making an impact, with 148,000 more people having cancer diagnosed or ruled out within 28 days from July 2024 to June 2025 compared to a year earlier,” a spokesman said.

Scalise says Charlie Kirk shooting 'brings back emotions'

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avrotusa
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House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Wednesday in Utah “brings back emotions” from when he was shot during Congressional baseball practice eight years ago.  

“You know, it always when you see something like this, brings back emotions that hearken back to 2017, you know. And why do you have people that want to go and harm other people for what they believe in, especially in America?” Scalise said during a Wednesday evening interview with The Hill’s sister network NewsNation. “I mean, it’s not who America is. It’s not something we can let America become and everybody, you know, we all have differences. It’s what makes us such a great nation.”

Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The conservative activist was struck by a gunshot in the neck, according to footage from the scenes that was posted on social media. 

Scalise was wounded during Congressional baseball practice in June 2017. Three others were also injured in the attack. James Hodgkinson, the 66-year-old shooter from Illinois, was killed by Capitol Police. 

Less than two hours after announcing the alleged subject was detained related to Kirk’s murder, FBI Director Kash Patel said late Wednesday that the individual was “released after an interrogation” and that the probe, involving local, state and federal law enforcement “continues.” 

It is unclear if law enforcement has taken more people into custody or if the shooter is still at large.

“Well, it’s heartbreaking. You know, for Charlie, for his family, you know he’s got young kids, it’s just devastating from that side. You know, there’s a lot of anger, obviously. I mean, you know, here’s one of the most talented young people of our generation who was taken away in his prime by some nut and for no, no reason,” Scalise told NewsNation’s Ava Thompson. 

“I mean, there’s no justification for murdering somebody for their political views. Obviously, we’ll find out more, and I trust law enforcement, you know, they’re all working together, the FBI on down to local officials, working to get the answers that we all want, but, but it’s just a sad loss and a horrible, horrible day, yeah,” the House majority leader added. 

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) also condemned the fatal shooting of Kirk, calling it a “political assassination” and a “dark day” for both Utah and the nation. 

3 Dividend-Paying Growth Stocks to Double Up on and Buy in September

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avrotusa
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  • Realty Income’s monthly dividend looks attractive as the company begins to benefit from upcoming interest rate cuts.

  • Target’s missteps have not put its generous dividend at risk.

  • PepsiCo offers high dividend returns at a valuation that is likely lower than it appears.

  • 10 stocks we like better than Realty Income ›

One enduring strength among the more prominent consumer stocks is their dividends. Many have maintained dividend payments for decades and, in many cases, they raise their dividends on an annual basis.

Some of these stocks also happen to offer dividend yields that are significantly above the S&P 500 average of 1.2%. Admittedly, such yields often come with depressed stock prices. Still, as business conditions improve, investors could benefit from high dividend returns and, possibly, stock price recoveries in these three stocks.

A dividend yield notebook.
Image source: Getty Images.

Investors know Realty Income (NYSE: O), which bills itself as the “monthly dividend company,” for living up to that moniker. Not only has the real estate investment trust (REIT) maintained this trend since 1994, but it has also hiked its payout at least one time per year since then. At almost $3.23 per share annually, its current yield is about 5.4%.

It has funded those dividends by owning single-tenant, net-leased properties. This provides the company with a steady income as tenants cover the costs of maintenance, insurance, and property taxes. Currently, it has leased nearly 99% of the approximately 15,600 properties it owns.

Despite that success, interest rates rose early in the decade, leading to the stock selling at more than 25% below its all-time high. High rates have not slowed its profitability, as it earned $4.11 per share in funds from operations (FFO) income, a measure of a REIT’s free cash flow. This means the stock trades at just 14 times its trailing FFO income.

Additionally, amid an economic slowdown, the Fed is finally poised to cut interest rates. This should allow the company to refinance existing debt and fund new property developments at a lower cost, possibly serving as the catalyst its stock needs to finally recover.

Target (NYSE: TGT) has steadily trended downward since peaking in late 2021. It has lost nearly two-thirds of its value during that time as an uncertain economy, supply chain woes, and a series of controversial political stances led to fewer shoppers.

Moreover, the recent appointment of COO Michael Fiddelke as its next CEO drew a negative reaction from investors.

Despite a falling stock price, Target continued a pattern of annual payout hikes. With the streak now at 54 years, it is a Dividend King, a status that companies tend not to abandon unless necessary. That payout, which now amounts to $4.56 per share annually, yields more than 4.8%.

Nepal turmoil adds strain to India’s neighbourhood diplomacy

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avrotusa
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Anbarasan EthirajanGlobal Affairs Reporter

Getty Images Modi seen shaking hands with KP Sharma Oli after receiving the guard of honour in Army Pavilion, Kathmandu, Nepal on 11 May, 2018 Getty Images

India and Nepal share historically shared strong ties

Nepal has become the third country in India’s immediate neighbourhood to see a violent uprising topple its government in recent years.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned after more than 20 people died in clashes with police during anti-government demonstrations triggered by a social media ban.

A nationwide curfew is in place and the army is attempting to bring the situation under control after protesters stormed parliament and set fire to the homes of several politicians.

For many, the scenes in Kathmandu were reminiscent of the turmoil that gripped Bangladesh last year, and Sri Lanka in 2022.

Though Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are also India’s close neighbours in South Asia, Delhi’s relationship with Kathmandu is special because of historic people-to-people, economic and strategic ties.

Nepal shares a largely open border of more than 1,750km (466 miles) with five Indian states; Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Bihar and West Bengal.

Delhi is keenly watching developments across the border, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi swiftly reacting to the unfolding events.

“The violence in Nepal is heart-rending. I am anguished that many young people have lost their lives,” Modi wrote in a post on X on Tuesday.

Getty Images Nepali protesters seen watching smoke rise out of Singhadurbar, the seat of power in the country Getty Images

More than 20 people have lost their lives in the anti-government demonstrations in Nepal

Stressing that “stability, peace and prosperity of Nepal are of utmost importance”, he appealed to “all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to support peace”.

Modi also chaired an emergency security meeting with his cabinet colleagues on Tuesday to discuss the situation.

Much like it was caught off-guard by the uprising in Sri Lanka in 2022 that forced the then president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country, analysts say India was taken by surprise by the developments in Nepal, with Oli resigning just a week ahead of a planned visit to Delhi.

Any instability in the country is a cause of concern for India because of Nepal’s strategic location.

“The Western Theatre Command of China sits right across Nepal. The route to the Indo-Gangetic plains comes straight through Nepal,” Maj Gen (Retd) Ashok Mehta, an expert on Nepal, told the BBC.

Getty Images Gorkha Rifles Regimental Center seen in red berets and camouflage as they hold up rifles during a march at Army Day Parade on January 15, 2024 in LucknowGetty Images

Nepali Gurkhas are part of the Indian army under a special arrangement

The unrest also has implications for the large Nepalese diaspora in India. An estimated 3.5 million Nepalis work or live in India, but experts say the actual number could be much higher.

Nepal is predominantly a Hindu-majority country and communities across the border have close family ties.

People travel between the two countries without a visa or passport. Nepalis can also work in India without restriction under a 1950 treaty – the only country along with Bhutan in the region to have this arrangement.

In addition to this, 32,000 famed Gurkha soldiers of Nepal serve in the Indian army under a decades-old special agreement.

“Since the border is open, the communities enjoy a lived experience. Families on both sides interact with each other on a daily basis,” says Professor Sangeeta Thapliyal of Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Nepal is also home to several important Hindu holy sites, including the Muktinath temple in the trans-Himalayan mountains. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims from India visit the temple every year.

Meanwhile, Kathmandu depends heavily on Indian exports, especially oil and food, with India-Nepal annual bilateral trade estimated at $8.5bn (£6.28bn).

Getty Images Women pilgrims touch the holy waters at the Muktinath temple in Nepal. Getty Images

Nepal is home to several important Hindu holy sites, including the Muktinath temple

While a fragile sense of calm returned to Kathmandu on Wednesday, experts say India will have to walk a diplomatic tightrope, as there’s widespread anger among Nepalese protesters at all three major political parties that have ruled the country.

And India has maintained close contacts with all of them – the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN – UML) headed by Oli, the Nepali Congress of Sher Bahadur Deuba, and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is known as Prachanda.

Given the Himalayan nation’s strategic location, both India and China are vying for influence in the country, leading to accusations the two Asian giants are meddling in the internal affairs of Nepal.

It’s not clear what kind of administration will replace Oli, one that is also acceptable to the protesters.

Since the shape of the new government or leadership is uncertain, “India will be cautious”, Prof Thapliyal says. “They don’t want another Bangladesh type of situation in Nepal.”

Delhi had cordial relations with ousted Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, but has ties with the current interim administration are strained over India’s decision to give Hasina shelter in the country.

Nepal and India, too, have had their differences – and those will now have to be managed with extra care.

In 2019, Nepal was furious after India published a map that included areas claimed by Kathmandu, in a western region close to the border with China, as part of its territory.

The diplomatic wrangle escalated after Nepal published its own map which included those disputed areas.

Recently, India and China have agreed to resume trade at one of the border areas claimed by Nepal. During his visit to China last month, Oli raised the issue with the Chinese leadership, objecting to the Lipulekh Pass being used as a trade route.

Experts say India will have to reach out to the new administration to iron out any differences, and also engage with young Nepalis who are angry with their political establishment.

“There are fewer opportunities within Nepal for the youth. India should actively consider increasing fellowships for Nepalese students and provide more job opportunities,” says Prof Thapliyal.

With the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC), a regional grouping, remaining dormant, it’s going to be a challenge for India to deal with the political changes and instability in its neighbourhood.

The crisis in Nepal has blown up as relations with Pakistan are at a low point, ties with Bangladesh remain strained and Myanmar is engulfed in civil war.

“India has taken its eyes off the neighbourhood due to its great power ambitions. But for that to aim to be achieved you have to have a secure and stable neighbourhood,” Mr Mehta argues.

Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.



Utah gov after Charlie Kirk shooting: 'This is a political assassination'

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Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) said the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Wednesday was a “political assassination” and a “dark day” for both Utah and the U.S.

“This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation. I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination,” Cox said during a Wednesday afternoon press conference. 

Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk was hit by a gunshot in the neck, according to videos from the scene shared on social media. 

“Charlie Kirk was first and foremost, a husband and a dad to two young children,” Cox said. “He was also very much politically involved, and that’s why he was here on campus. Charlie believed in the power of free speech and debate to shape ideas and to persuade people.” 

Not long after the shooting, authorities briefly had a person of interest in custody, but he was released authorities “identified that he did not match the shooting suspect and was not an accurate person of interest,” according to Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason. 

“However, he has been booked into the county jail by Utah Valley University Police Department for obstruction of justice,” Mason said, adding that law enforcement still has an “active investigation for the person of interest.”

A person of interest in the fatal shooting of Kirk is in custody, both Cox and FBI Director Kash Patel said. 

“I want to make it crystal clear right now to whoever did this, we will find you, we will try you and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law,” the Utah governor said. “And I just want to remind people that we still have the death penalty here in the state of Utah.” 

Orem Mayor David Young said authorities are evaluating whether the suspect in custody will be charged. 

“They have a new suspect in custody and are going through the process of determining whether or not he will be charged,” Young told The Hill on Wednesday evening. “So some progress has been made but it is not definitive yet.” 

Daily – Vickers Top Insider Picks for 09/10/2025

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avrotusa
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Daily – Vickers Top Insider Picks for 09/10/2025

England vs South Africa: Harry Brook says rain-reduced opening T20 was ‘shambles of a night’

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avrotusa
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England captain Harry Brook described the rain-reduced T20 between England and South Africa in Cardiff as a “shambles of a night”.

A delayed start until 20:50 BST saw the match reduced to nine overs a side and the tourists reached 97-5 after 7.5 overs before another downpour, which gave England a revised target of 69 from five.

The hosts fell short on 54-5 to go 1-0 down in the three-match series, though Brook felt there was nothing to glean from the contest.

“They got nine overs, we got five overs. You can’t take much from it,” said Brook.

“It was a bit of a shambles. It was a long, long day but I don’t think we need to make any excuses up.

“We probably didn’t execute as well as we should have done with bat and ball but it’s hard when you only bat for five overs.”

The original playing conditions stated there would be a 2.4 over powerplay and that four bowlers could bowl a maximum of two overs each and one bowler could bowl one, which curiously did not change once England’s target was adjusted.

Earlier, England made a late change to their team to remove Jofra Archer from the XI considering the conditions, and he was replaced by Luke Wood who took 2-22.

“It would have been stupid to play him with the amount of cricket we’ve got coming up,” Brook added.

“If he’d have gone out and done what Adam Hose did in The Hundred and broken his leg or whatever, that would have been a shambles.”

Archer has been reintroduced to international cricket this summer with his first Test in four years and the hope that he will be fit for the winter’s Ashes in Australia.

Brook would not be drawn on whether the game should have gone ahead, adding that it was simply “up to the umpires”.

The series continues at Old Trafford on Friday, where there is also a mixed forecast.

Musk dethroned as world's richest man

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avrotusa
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