SFL Corporation's stock surged 6.02% during intraday trading on Wednesday, following the release of its preliminary fourth-quarter 2025 results. The shipping company reported mixed financial figures but delivered several positive highlights that appear to have resonated with investors.

The key driver behind the price movement was the company's revenue outperformance, with Q4 operating revenues reaching $176 million, surpassing the FactSet consensus estimate of $168.5 million. Additionally, SFL declared its 88th consecutive quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share, reinforcing its commitment to shareholder returns. The company also reported $52 million in net proceeds from the sale of two Suezmax tankers and a $23 million investment in two newer tankers, positioning it to capitalize on a strong tanker market.

Despite reporting a preliminary net loss of $4.7 million, or $0.04 per share, which missed the estimated profit of $0.01 per share, the positive elements of the report—including an Adjusted EBITDA of $109 million and a favorable analyst outlook with a median price target suggesting upside—seem to have fueled investor optimism, leading to the significant intraday gain.