FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - October (BATS: XOCT)

Latest news for FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - October (BATS:XOCT)

The Fund will invest substantially all of its assets in FLexible EXchange Options (FLEX Options) that reference the price performance of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (the Underlying ETF). FLEX Options are customized equity or index option contracts that trade on an exchange, but provide investors with the ability to customize key contract terms like exercise prices, styles and expiration dates. The Underlying ETF is an exchange-traded unit investment trust that uses a replication strategy, meaning it invests in as many of the stocks in the S&P 500 Index as is practicable. PDR Services, LLC (PDR) serves as the Underlying ETFs sponsor. The investment objective of the Underlying ETF is to seek to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P 500 Index. The Funds performance will not reflect the payment of dividends by the Underlying ETF.

FT Cboe Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - October

FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - October

WIIM

LegalZoom.com shares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q4 financial results and issued Q1 revenue guidance above estimates.

Honest Co (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HNST#NASDAQ">HNST</a>) sees FY2025 sales of $393.474 million-$401.040 million vs $396.84 million analyst estimate.

News

Guidance

HNST

Honest Co Sees FY2025 Revenue 4% to 6% from YOY, Revenue  $393.474M-$401.040M vs $396.84M Est

EPR Properties Sees 2025 FFOAA $4.94-$5.14

Earnings

Earnings Beats

EPR Props Q4 2024 FFO $1.23 Beats $1.22 Estimate, Sales $177.234M Beat $174.586M Estimate

Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) could enjoy a boost in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41350072/iphone-16-sales-banned-in-indonesia-after-apples-investments-obligations-in-asian-giant-fall-sho">international smartphone sales</a> once it&#8217;s cleared to sell the iPhone 16 in Indonesia.
What Happened: Apple has been <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42170518/apples-100-million-offer-rejected-as-indonesia-enforces-iphone-16-sales-ban">unable to sell </a>the iPhone 16 in Indonesia since October, due to the Cupertino, California-based company not meeting investment commitments in the country.
According to Reuters, citing Indonesia's industry minister, the two sides have now worked out an agreement. Apple agreed to a new manufacturing plant in the country. It will also invest in a research and development center in Indonesia to produce components for products like AirPods.
Apple currently has no manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, but had previously pledged to invest in the region. Indonesian rules call for smartphones and tablets sold in the country to have at least 40% locally produced components, according to the report.
It is currently unknown how quickly the ban on the iPhone 16 in Indonesia could end.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/02/43827658/exclusive-apple-nvidia-tesla-or-boeing-which-company-faces-the-biggest-risk-from-trumps-china-tariffs-35-say-this-stock" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EXCLUSIVE: Apple, Nvidia, Tesla Or Boeing? Which Company Faces the Biggest Risk From Trump's China Tariffs — 35% Say This Stock</a>
Why It's Important: With a population of more than 280 million people, Indonesia is among the largest countries in the world. It&#8217;s also a key growth market for companies and consumer products to target.
The news of investment in Indonesia follows Apple's recent announcement that it would invest $500 billion over the next four years in the U.S.
Indonesia had smartphone growth of 15.5% year-over-year in 2024. Around 40 million units were sold, <a href="https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prAP53189225">according </a>to the International Data Corporation.
Smartphone sales were up 9.6% year-over-year in the fourth quarter in Indonesia.
The country's ultra-low-end range of under $100 and mid-range $200 to $600 price ranges for smartphones saw the biggest growth in 2024. The premium $600+ sales price saw growth of 9.2% year-over-year.
The average smartphone selling price in Indonesia in 2024 was $195.
Apple has made progress with growth of its iPhone in several international markets. A return to Indonesia could be another catalyst for the company on top of its upcoming <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43820197/apple-unveils-iphone-16e-with-a18-chip-ai-features-599-price-tag">iPhone 16e</a>, a cheaper-priced option in several markets.
AAPL Price Action: Apple stock is down 2.9% Wednesday versus a 52-week trading range of $164.08 to $260.09. Apple stock is up 32% over the last year.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/25/02/43959549/exclusive-apple-iphone-16e-a-smart-buy-or-overpriced-heres-what-34-think">EXCLUSIVE: Apple iPhone 16e – A Smart Buy Or Overpriced? Here&#8217;s What 34% Think</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Apple

Global

Tech

Trading Ideas

AAPL

Apple Stock To Get A Boost From Indonesia? iPhone 16 Ban Could Be Over Soon

ROOT

Root shares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q4 financial results.

Crescent Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRGY#NYSE">CRGY</a>) reported quarterly sales of $875.29 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $889.39 million by 1.58 percent. This is a 33.08 percent increase over sales of $657.73 million the same period last year.

Earnings Misses

CRGY

Crescent Energy Q4 Sales $875.29M Miss $889.39M Estimate

Certara (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CERT#NASDAQ">CERT</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.15 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.13 by 15.38 percent. This is a 66.67 percent increase over earnings of $0.09 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $100.361 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $98.395 million by 2.00 percent. This is a 14.03 percent increase over sales of $88.010 million the same period last year.

CERT

Certara Q4 2024 Adj. EPS $0.15 Beats $0.13 Estimate, Sales $100.361M Beat $98.395M Estimate

FS KKR Capital (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FSK#NYSE">FSK</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.66 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.67 by 1.49 percent. This is a 12 percent decrease over earnings of $0.75 per share from the same period last year.

FS KKR Capital Q4 Adj $0.66 Misses $0.67 Estimate

Kura Oncology (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KURA#NASDAQ">KURA</a>) reported quarterly losses of $(0.22) per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $(0.65) by 66.15 percent. This is a 60 percent increase over losses of $(0.55) per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $53.88 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $8.50 million by 533.92 percent.

KURA

Kura Oncology Q4 GAAP EPS $(0.22) Beats $(0.65) Estimate, Sales $53.88M Beat $8.50M Estimate

MYR Group (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MYRG#NASDAQ">MYRG</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.99 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.63 by 57.14 percent. This is a 30.77 percent decrease over earnings of $1.43 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $829.800 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $886.582 million by 6.40 percent. This is a 17.35 percent decrease over sales of $1.004 billion the same period last year.

MYRG

MYR Group Q4 2024 GAAP EPS $0.99 Beats $0.63 Estimate, Sales $829.800M Miss $886.582M Estimate

Marqeta shares are trading higher after the company reported a Q4 revenue beat and issued FY25 and Q1 revenue guidance above estimates.

FirstEnergy Sees 2025 Core EPS $2.40-$2.65 vs $2.89 Est.

Forward Air (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FWRD#NASDAQ">FWRD</a>) reported quarterly losses of $(1.23) per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $(0.01) by 12200 percent. This is a 251.85 percent decrease over earnings of $0.81 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $632.85 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $667.40 million by 5.18 percent. This is a 87.00 percent increase over sales of $338.43 million the same period last year.

FWRD

Forward Air Q4 EPS $(1.23) Misses $(0.01) Estimate, Sales $632.85M Miss $667.40M Estimate

Root (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ROOT#NASDAQ">ROOT</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $1.62 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $(0.44) by 468.18 percent. This is a 198.78 percent increase over losses of $(1.64) per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $326.70 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $290.99 million by 12.27 percent. This is a 67.71 percent increase over sales of $194.80 million the same period last year.

Root Q4 Adj EPS $1.62 Beats $(0.44) Estimate, Sales $326.70M Beat $290.99M Estimate

Greif Sees FY25 Adj. EBITDA $710M

Stocks in the United States are off to a choppy but positive start to the year, but the biggest story in markets so far in 2025 has been strength out of Europe.
Stock indices in England, France, and Germany have made new all-time highs in 2025, outpacing the modest gains from US stocks. The Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF is up more than 8% over the last three months, while the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF has traded flat.
Here&#8217;s how to get in on this rally.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="253" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXc6ezXG5avTKfztiiWJcjhDwnizam9QG5UCOTH3mLIud4MkvYQgAgl3JZXpy_R5jUdcEusOm9FQs8Jz1SCOxbXzyA2hh6SFOgwc7PsPr3sgYyXPkj7olLczOZQa9UJuJcRlsahu8w?key=P5N4xcdhiWXYCXyrmfVjhRGJ" />
The Stoxx 600 index, which covers markets across the bloc, made several new all-time highs in February, led by a surge from the defense sector. Is this finally the year that European stocks beat their American counterparts? With the United States threatening to pull back from Europe, these tailwinds may have more room to run, especially if the EU follows through on defense spending expansion.
Today we'll look at six European stocks that could continue outperforming in 2025. Some of these companies are available to US investors through American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) or on over-the-counter (OTC) exchanges, so be sure to understand how these assets and markets function before putting any capital to work.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>)</h2>
Danish healthcare giant Novo Nordisk is responsible for Wegovy and Ozempic, two of the prescription GLP-1 medications taking the world by storm. Both are different forms of semaglutide, as Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss while Ozempic is only approved for Type 2 diabetes. Demand for these drugs has been so strong that shortages have been common, but the FDA recently announced that Wegovy and Ozempic are no longer on their shortage list.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="253" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeMMFVivFYB49RkIhd6F4V4BOj3MwHxK-dYRTnOPmEVzn10BgKAQxYD0aKPGbjsUvo7_Id8mtBwD0IyQ7ufyEJzNtN5AwuXhR9poAUxHzv_InWWWrrz6vwacqaFr2AW_Xm-ovCNiQ?key=P5N4xcdhiWXYCXyrmfVjhRGJ" />
Novo Nordisk suffered a lost year in 2024 during the shortage, losing ground to Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound. However, the company is still the top player in the GLP-1 space and posted solid revenue (8.1%) and earnings (9.6%) growth in the most recent report for Q4 2024.
The company's margins are also the envy of European drug makers: 34.8% gross, far outpacing EU competitors AstraZeneca (13%) and Roche (17.5%). NVO also sits on a formidable $9.8 billion cash pile. NVO shares have been choppy since the start of 2025, but the company issued strong guidance and is well-positioned to rebound after a rough 2024.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Unilever PLC (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UL#NYSE">UL</a>)</h2>
Unilever is a global consumer and household products company that markets itself under popular brands such as Ben and Jerry's, Axe, Dove, Breyers, Vaseline, and many more. The firm has offices in over 80 countries, but its headquarters has been in London for more than 100 years.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="255" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfLyiP9J1tvY1PWA28lwZVg1qMWd4BRP81Y7Kr5DAJxyt5yE70uSsFBnY0_uqaNw2dVL-2G2e6z-nw9Qfx_LTgV1-lFkLe64iAJUp-CjEH8crgsdTqFesdvhRok3_IBQRBMKadPzA?key=P5N4xcdhiWXYCXyrmfVjhRGJ" />
Uncertainty is beginning to weigh on investors as US consumer discretionary stocks have been tumbling for most of February while consumer staples surge higher. There's some evidence that businesses and consumers have been pulling forward demand on tariff threats, which could further boost the staples sector if big-ticket items have been already purchased and consumers focus on necessities over luxuries.
UL has a strong cash position and healthy margins to take advantage of this trend; it's also cheaper in terms of forward price-to-earnings and price-to-sales rates than American counterparts like Proctor and Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, and Colgate-Palmolive.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Airbus SE (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EADSY#OTC">EADSY</a>)</h2>
Now, on to the defense contractors, who have been leading the European rally due to expectations that EU governments will ramp up defense spending to counter the growing influence of China and Russia in the East. Companies like Rheinmetall AG have stolen the headlines with substantial early 2025 gains, but Airbus might be the best buy of the group going forward.Now, on to the defense contractors, who have been leading the European rally due to expectations that EU governments will ramp up defense spending to counter the growing influence of China and Russia in the East. Companies like Rheinmetall AG have stolen the headlines with substantial early 2025 gains, but Airbus might be the best buy of the group going forward.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="255" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXd4BuXA8blnD8ed4o81BN79iQw3CA2zc6HwNLBHLAa0mh33ukZrmpTLHjW5ZKN3YjM-67TpNHFAbG6LhdZYNwO-M0AgkXm_PNpw4I06jJrkJI6eZm4i3_mpgMYHIUpkqGO0-PHosA?key=P5N4xcdhiWXYCXyrmfVjhRGJ" />
Airbus is under the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. (EADS) umbrella and has a market cap of $139 billion, nearly $33 billion more than its closest competitor, Safran SA. Airbus has a cheaper valuation than Safran or Rheinmetall and a healthier free cash flow pile ($3.9 billion). Airbus might not be lagging in the European defense sector for much longer.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BNP Paribas SA (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BNPQY#OTC">BNPQY</a>)</h2>
BNP Paribas is a French bank and component of the CAC40, the country&#8217;s primary stock index. With a market value of over $80 billion, it is double the size of other European banking competitors like Societe Generale and Deutsche Bank.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="255" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXckYka7IkZcarbIp67j8yqH43ppxSW2N5rMuhVrZauA_frXIkLej_P9SMVMLQYC7fvqMjP476t2hp20UxgmbEwDRVrtK5WAMbPJFFwTmx4e4eDEi1dobCw4W2iCGGjtUWRXHR2E?key=P5N4xcdhiWXYCXyrmfVjhRGJ" />
BNP Paribas is attractive for several reasons, none more so than the 7.03 forward P/E ratio and 1.22 P/S ratio. Many European banks have extremely affordable valuations, but BNP offers the security of a large-cap with the upside of a smaller company. Plus, the 5% dividend yield is a nice bonus for investors.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hermes International ADR (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HESAY#OTC">HESAY</a>)</h2>
If one luxury brand can survive a consumer slowdown, it might be Hermes International, the high-end French brand with a nearly $300 billion market cap and some of the most desirable handbags in the world. In addition to handbags, Hermes sells clothing for men and women, equestrian products like saddles and bridles, jewelry, perfumes, watches, and tableware.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="255" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeRqgAsvGi2K4xDD6zKwcxyELMvQ8X7TYqXuCIayDKVURQfmIaJLwArD5lK-GQl_ha5KeMsX9vYKOmezlRX-oS-1BAuOMHYd76fx-wkjWRGrtEIlpTWFSSt5xomCA8lYszaQrQ-Uw?key=P5N4xcdhiWXYCXyrmfVjhRGJ" />
Hermes has a pricey valuation compared to European competitors like Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Burberry, but the free cash pile is large ($5.38 billion) and the 30% profit margin dwarfs them all. The stock is up more than 38% in the last three months alone, but the fundamentals are strong, and the stock is comfortably above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages with a Relative Strength Index (RSI) reading of 55.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ABB Ltd. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBNY#OTC">ABBNY</a>)</h2>
ABB Ltd. is a multinational robotics and automation solutions company incorporated in Switzerland and Sweden. The company has several divisions of interest to the defense and aeronautics sector, such as Electrification, Process Automation, and Robotics and Discrete Automation. The stock has a market cap of just under $102 billion and pays a 1.7% dividend yield.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="624" height="252" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfMiBcsNNffpaDwYzBmuxC0za0u_HBPbLL7s7fLmp9ybKjbhOLyH0pjfFA9Iu19fzzZIODYitJqsF-R0l1-CyXwvzI34Z7LyjbR5BIIQ-jQKrYVW48WmjpP5YYUfhgJFenhvVaE4g?key=P5N4xcdhiWXYCXyrmfVjhRGJ" />
ABB Ltd. currently sits on a $4.2 billion cash pile and a forward P/E ratio of 22.6, with a profit margin of 11.9%. The stock has been range-bound since spring 2024 and recently dipped down to its 50-day moving average. If the 50-day proves to be a support level, the next leg higher for ABBNY shares could be right around the corner.

Opinion

ABBNY

BNPQY

European Aeronautic Defence And Space Unsponsored

EADSY

HESAY

6 Stocks to Buy as European Markets Soar

IBTA

Ibotta shares are trading lower following a Q4 sales miss.

VSEC

VSE Corporation Sees 2025 Aviation Segment Growth 35-40%, Aviation segment Adj. EBITDA Margin 15.5-16.5% Est.

Sinclair (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBGI#NASDAQ">SBGI</a>) sees Q1 sales of $691.000 million-$703.000 million vs $791.34 million analyst estimate.

SBGI

Sinclair Sees Q1 Sales $691.000M-$703.000M vs $791.34M Est

FT Cboe Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - October

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FT Vest U.S. Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - October

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