April 7, 2022

This paid piece is sponsored by MarketBeat.

Sioux Falls-based MarketBeat is a one-stop resource that brings together fundamental and technical analysis so investors have a single resource to get timely information on news that affects the stocks in their portfolio or watchlist. MarketBeat is partnering with SiouxFalls.Business to provide a monthly overview of stocks of local interest. Here’s a recap of what has been moving these stocks in the past 30 days.

Meta Financial (NASDAQ:CASH) – The South Dakota-based financial holding company announced that it will change its name to Pathward NA. The name denotes the financial institution’s mission to power financial inclusion for all. The company plans to fully transition to the new name by the end of this calendar year.

SAB Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ:SABS) – On April 5, the Sioux Falls-based biotech company announced the appointment of Dr. Mark Ratain to the company’s board of scientific advisers to help advance SAB’s oncology platform. Among his many accomplishments, Ratain is an international leader in phase 1 clinical trials, pharmacogenetics and clinical trial methodology.

First Interstate BancSystem (NASDAQ:FIBK) – On March 25, all outstanding shares of the company’s Class B common stock automatically converted into Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. The bank does not expect the conversion, which simply eliminated the different voting powers of the two classes of common stock, to have a material effect on future operations.

Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) – On April 1, Wells Fargo & Co. reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit that alleged the bank violated sections of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The settlement recovers 40 percent of the plan participants’ estimated fee damages.

NorthWestern Energy (NASDAQ:NWE) – In March, the electric and natural gas utility provider announced its intention to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. In a news release, the company said that in 2021, 56 percent of its existing customers’ energy was from carbon-free resources. NorthWestern plans to invest in a natural gas system to further reduce methane and carbon emissions.

CNH Industrial (NYSE:CNHI) – On March 24, the UK-based company announced it has opened a new engineering center in Scottsdale, Arizona. This facility will support the rapid growth of the company’s Raven precision agriculture technology business, which is working to develop cutting-edge customer solutions.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) – Citigroup announced the pausing of all its special purpose acquisition company IPO issuances pending clarification of new regulation being sought by the Securities & Exchange Commission. One such regulation would require more disclosures in SPAC deals surrounding potential conflicts of interest.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) – Activist investor Carl Icahn continues to be a thorn in the fast-food chain’s side. Icahn’s well-documented crusade against the inhumane treatment of pigs by some suppliers could lead to the chain charging a significant premium for menu items that include bacon. McDonald’s already has raised prices in the United States by 6 percent since 2021.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT) – In the company’s fiscal year 2021, South Dakota-based Walmart stores donated $2.5 million to charity. This included cash and in-kind donations from stores, clubs and the Walmart Foundation.

Target (NYSE:TGT) – In March, Target’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 90 cents per common share. The dividend will be paid on June 10 to shareholders of record by the close of business on the ex-dividend date of May 18. The company is a “dividend king,” having increased its dividend in each of the past 51 years.

Macy’s (NYSE:M) – In February, Sageworth Trust Co. of South Dakota acquired a new stake in shares of Macy’s that are worth $34,000.

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) – In March, Amazon’s board of directors approved a 20-for-1 stock split. The share price will be 1/20th of what it was before the split. Investors will receive 20 shares for every one share they hold. The move will make the AMZN stock price more accessible to retail investors, but it doesn’t change the market value of the company.

Costco (NASDAQ:COST) – In March, Costco announced that as of April 18, it will no longer offer special shopping hours for members 60 and older as well as health care workers, first responders and other high-risk groups. The company instituted the policy at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ford Motor (NYSE:F) – Ford announced that it sold 159,328 vehicles in the U.S. in March. That’s a 26 percent decline in sales from a year ago. The automaker continues to cite shortages of raw materials and semiconductor chips as a reason for the slowdown.

General Motors (NYSE:GM) – On April 5, General Motors and Honda announced a collaboration in which the two automakers will develop affordable electric vehicles using GM’s Ultium battery technology. The vehicles are expected to launch in North America in 2027.

MarketBeat overview

MarketBeat was founded in 2011 with the mission of creating high-quality stock research tools and making them available to investors at all levels. The site uses the latest technology to provide proprietary, comprehensive, accurate and up-to-the-minute financial data, including information about analyst recommendations, dividend declarations and earnings announcements.

All of this information and more is made available for free on the company’s website and via the company’s daily newsletters. MarketBeat aims to be a go-to resource for both retail and institutional investors. Currently over 15 million individuals visit MarketBeat.com every month.