Welcome back to the BBAE Blog, your trusted source for the latest investment insights and analyses from the BBAE team. This week, we’re excited to share some highlights that will keep you informed and ahead of the market. Don’t forget, some of our most valuable insights are available exclusively in the BBAE Pro app—download it now to unlock full access!
- S&P 500: The Winners and Losers of September 2025
- Gator Capital: First Financial Bancorp ($FFBC) Investment Case
- Fiserv ($FISV) Executives Step In Following Sharp Stock Decline
- Trending Tickers: $SNPS AI Deal, $B IPO Plans, $ACHR Military Rotor Deal
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S&P 500: The Winners and Losers of September 2025
November delivered one of the most volatile months of 2025 for the S&P 500, with sharp swings early on before a late rebound left the index barely positive and extending its winning streak to seven months. Beneath the surface, sector leadership shifted significantly—healthcare surged while tech cooled, marking a clear rotation toward defensive names. Lithium producer $ALB, pharma giant $MRK, and recent 3M spinoff $SOLV led the month with strong catalysts ranging from earnings surprises to renewed industry confidence. On the other end, high-flyers like $SMCI, $AXON, and $ORCL faced harsh sell-offs after guidance cuts, margin pressures, and valuation resets — each telling a different story of how quickly sentiment can shift in today’s market. Read the full breakdown to see what drove these moves.
Gator Capital: First Financial Bancorp ($FFBC) Investment Case
Gator Capital Management’s Q3 2025 letter introduces First Financial Bancorp as a September position, highlighting an $18 billion Cincinnati-based commercial bank trading at 7.41x 2026 P/E versus the normal 10-14x regional bank range, despite strong 1.40% ROA and 19.11% ROTCE matching or exceeding peers. The investment thesis centers on extreme valuation dislocation—shares at the same price as 2016 despite doubling earnings per share (P/E compressed from 18x to 8x)—combined with solid credit culture (10-33 bps net charge-offs), smart Cleveland and Chicago expansion through low-priced acquisitions, conservative BankFinancial projections potentially understating 20 cents per share upside from asset repricing, and CEO Archie Brown’s track record of previously selling a bank increasing strategic transaction likelihood. Broad regional bank tailwinds from steepening yield curve, loan repricing adding 2-3% margins through 2027, and improved regulatory environment support upside despite Gator’s increased near-term caution on credit quality trends. Read the full article here.
Fiserv ($FISV) Executives Step In Following Sharp Stock Decline
Fiserv ($FISV) insiders stepped in after the stock slid more than 55% over the past three months, a pullback driven by weak results and lower growth expectations that weighed on investor sentiment. The company’s Chief Financial Officer bought 17,000 shares at $62.41, a $1.06M purchase that lifted their stake by 228.10%, marking their largest buy on record. At the same time, Fiserv’s Chief Administrative and Legal Officer added 7,900 shares at $63.19, investing about $499K and increasing their holdings by 14.80%. With three insiders buying within 30 days, the cluster of purchases comes as the company adjusts its outlook and strategy, raising the question of whether executives see value at these levels or are simply responding to the depth of the recent sell-off. You can track insider activity like this daily with InsiderEdge, available in the BBAE app.
Trending Tickers: $SNPS AI Deal, $B IPO Plans, $ACHR Military Rotor Deal
This week, several stocks attracted attention due to major developments. Here’s a breakdown:
- Synopsys ($SNPS): Synopsys announced a multiyear AI partnership with NVIDIA, combining its chip-design software with NVIDIA’s accelerated computing, digital twin, and agentic AI tools. NVIDIA also invested $2 billion in Synopsys stock, signaling confidence in the long-term AI engineering collaboration.
- Barrick ($B): Barrick’s board approved exploring an IPO for a new subsidiary holding its top North American gold assets, including Nevada Gold Mines and Pueblo Viejo. The IPO would highlight the value of these premium assets while Barrick retains control.
- Archer ($ACHR): Archer signed an exclusive deal with Karem Aircraft for military-grade rotor and tiltrotor technology, supporting its development of dual-use hybrid-propulsion VTOL aircraft. The agreement strengthens Archer’s position in both defense and commercial aviation markets.
Read the full Weekly Highlights article here.
This article is for informational purposes only and is neither investment advice nor a solicitation to buy or sell securities. All investment involves inherent risks, including the total loss of principal, and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Always conduct thorough research or consult with a financial expert before making any investment decisions. BBAE has no position in any investment mentioned.
