Market Signal Briefing

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TLDR:BNB Holdings Strengthen Applied DNA’s Crypto Treasury PlanCrypto Meets Corporate Finance in Applied DNA’s New StrategyGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks

Applied DNA Sciences raised up to $58M through a private placement led by institutional DeFi and TradFi investors.
The firm launched a yield-focused BNB treasury strategy holding more than $17M in BNB and BNB trust units.
The company achieved $2.9M in annualized cost savings while shifting to a digital asset treasury model.
Applied DNA’s BNB exposure includes 10,647 BNB tokens and an additional $5.3M direct purchase as of October 2025.

Applied DNA Sciences has made a bold move that’s turning heads in biotech and crypto. 

The company closed a private placement deal worth up to $58 million, setting the stage for a new digital asset strategy. It’s steering toward yield-focused crypto holdings, starting with Binance’s BNB. 

Investors from both traditional and decentralized finance joined the deal. According to a company press release, the plan could reshape how Applied DNA handles its balance sheet and liquidity.

The financing included $27 million in immediate proceeds and the potential for another $31 million if certain warrants are exercised. 

The company said the funds came in a mix of cash, stablecoins, and BNB trust units. That trust alone gives it exposure to more than 10,600 BNB tokens, valued at about $11.7 million. It also disclosed another direct purchase of 4,900 BNB worth $5.3 million as of October 20, 2025.

BNB Holdings Strengthen Applied DNA’s Crypto Treasury Plan
Applied DNA described the move as a core part of its “BNB-focused digital asset treasury strategy.” 

Chief Investment Officer Patrick Horsman said in the release that BNB represents a blockchain with growing institutional appeal. He added that the firm aims to generate yield from its holdings while maintaining exposure to high-quality crypto assets.

The newly raised capital will also help streamline operations. The company reported $2.9 million in annualized cost savings from internal adjustments made alongside the treasury shift. 

CEO Clay Shorrock said Applied DNA is aligning resources around strategic priorities to ensure long-term stability and consistent value delivery.

The BNB allocation is designed to balance traditional cash management with on-chain yield opportunities. The company’s decision reflects a rising trend among public firms looking for blockchain-based treasury diversification. 

Still, Applied DNA clarified that the new crypto exposure will depend on regulatory approvals for certain warrant exercises and the clean transfer of BNB trust units.

According to a tweet by Applied DNA Sciences (@BNBX_Corp), the company expects its combined BNB holdings to exceed $17 million once the full transaction settles. The plan places BNB at the center of its treasury framework and signals a deeper institutional embrace of crypto.

Applied DNA Sciences Closes up to $58 Million Private Placement; Announces Initial BNB Holdings Valued at Over $17 Million, Read More here: https://t.co/wvAKYbWl7j

— Applied DNA Sciences (@BNBX_Corp) October 22, 2025

Crypto Meets Corporate Finance in Applied DNA’s New Strategy
Applied DNA’s transition comes as more firms explore hybrid treasury management between fiat and crypto. 

By building a yield-focused BNB strategy, the company aims to optimize liquidity and generate returns from blockchain-based assets. The structure also reflects growing interest in digital asset treasuries among Nasdaq-listed entities.

The company emphasized that it will use the proceeds to implement its crypto strategy and maintain operational liquidity. The broader goal, according to its management, is sustainable growth through disciplined execution and diversification.

This blend of cost efficiency and on-chain exposure positions Applied DNA as one of the few biotech firms venturing into DeFi-driven treasury models. The move could offer investors a new way to gauge the intersection between blockchain assets and corporate finance.

Bitcoin trades near $108K after falling below STH cost basis. Analysts eye $37K LTH support as retail selling spikes and whales accumulate.

Bitcoin is trading around $109,000 with modest movement over the last day. The weekly chart still shows a broader pullback, and recent data points suggest pressure may continue.

Analysts are watching historical support levels, especially those tied to on-chain cost metrics.

Realized Price Levels Come Into Focus
Bitcoin has slipped below the short-term holder (STH) realized price, which stands at $113,250. Long-term holder (LTH) realized price is much lower, near $36,910. In past cycles, when BTC lost the STH level, it often moved down toward the LTH price. This pattern has shown up during large corrections.

Ali Martinez noted,

Historically, when Bitcoin $BTC breaks below the STH Realized Price, it tends to fall under the LTH Realized Price too, now sitting at $37,000. pic.twitter.com/HM4RuypxXp

— Ali (@ali_charts) October 23, 2025

While BTC is still far above the $37K range, traders are tracking this area as a possible target if selling deepens. So far, there is no indication that the LTH zone is under threat, but the setup matches earlier downside phases.

Retail Selling on Binance Rises
CryptoQuant data shows a rise in selling activity from retail traders. On October 22, about 13,000 BTC were sold on Binance—worth around $1.4 billion. This marked the second big wave in one week, following a similar event on October 17.

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Bitcoin (BTC) Explodes to Almost $114K, Leaving $550 Million in Liquidations

Amr Taha wrote,

“This marks the second major selling wave in a week.”

The STH realized cap, which reflects the value held by short-term holders, fell from $15.2B to $2.2B in eight days. This signals that many exited their positions, locking in losses or shifting assets. At the same time, long-term wallets appeared to be increasing holdings, a pattern seen often during retail-driven dips.

Key Demand Zone Holds Steady
Bitcoin is still trading above a long-standing support zone between $108K and $110K. This level has served as a base in previous market slowdowns. The 21-week EMA is sitting near the same range, which may be adding to the current support.

On the daily chart, the price is showing early signs of building a higher low, marked by a rising line from recent candles. Rekt Capital said this is only a “very initial” development. A firm move back above $114K is needed to shift momentum. For now, BTC remains range-bound.

Traders Watching CPI and Macro News
Short-term moves may depend on upcoming data. Ted said,

“If CPI comes higher than expected, expect more pain ahead.”

A softer inflation reading could help risk markets. Elsewhere, technical traders noted a bullish divergence and a golden cross on the 12-hour chart. Bitcoin is still holding the lower end of its recent range after rejection near $114,500.

Meanwhile, some large BTC holders are moving funds into spot ETFs, seeking better access to traditional finance while avoiding taxable events. Analysts at VanEck called this part of a “liquidity-driven mid-cycle reset” in a recent note.

Sandeep Nailwal has slammed the Ethereum community for downplaying Polygon’s contributions to the wider network. The Polygon co-founder joins a list of industry experts hitting the network hard this week over emerging issues. While the blockchain remains under fire, ETH enthusiasts pointed to the gains made over the last decade. 

Polygon Deserves Ethereum Recognition
In a recent social media post, Nailwal protested against the treatment of Polygon by the Ethereum community. According to him, the Ethereum layer 2 network has made several contributions, many of which have gone unnoticed. The potential of Ethereum drew Nailwal to crypto as he sought to build a new ideal financial ecosystem, unlike many who backed Bitcoin.

Nailwal noted that over the years, he has received direct support from the Ethereum Foundation, yet he still feels a strong sense of loyalty despite the cost.

“NGL, I’ve started questioning my loyalty toward Ethereum. I did not come into crypto because of Bitcoin but because of Ethereum. I also have a lot of gratitude toward @VitalikButerin — someone I looked up to as an ideal for how things should be built in this world. Though I/we never got any direct support from the EF or the Ethereum CT community — in fact, the reverse.”

Furthermore, he pointed to a lack of a reward system where founders question what they do in the ecosystem. This has made other devs taunt him for not walking away and pivoting Polygon to a layer 1 network. Blockchain developer Akshay leaned toward Polygon in the early days before contributing to Solana due to the socialist nature of the Ethereum ecosystem. 

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“At worst, people have started questioning my fiduciary and moral duty toward Polygon. It’s widely believed that if Polygon ever decided to call itself an L1, it would probably be valued 2–5× higher than it is today. Like, think about it, Hedera Hashgraph an L1, is valued higher than Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Scroll combined,” he added. 

In a swift reaction, Ethereum’s co-founder Vitalik Buterin acknowledged Polygon’s contribution to the network, pointing to the largest prediction network and the CryptoRelief program. Buterin added that Polygon has hosted several applications in need of high scalability and built the required infrastructure for proof aggregation. Nailwal’s comments followed a similar criticism from Peter Szilagyi, an Ethereum insider. Szilagyi slammed the network’s growing centralization concerns.

Summary

Ethereum price trades near $3,896, holding between $3,700 and $4,000 as the crypto market remains cautious but steady.
Network activity and DeFi growth are rising, with daily transactions above 1.2 million and total value locked up 8% week-over-week.
Upside target: A breakout above $4,400–$4,500 could send ETH toward $4,800–$5,000 by year-end.
Downside risk: Falling below $3,700 could lead to a pullback toward $3,300–$3,400, especially if DeFi growth slows.
Outlook: The Ethereum forecast stays bullish in the medium term, supported by Layer-2 adoption, strong fundamentals, and deflationary dynamics.

Ethereum is trading near $3,896 on October 23, 2025, holding between $3,700 and $4,000. While the broader crypto scene stays cautious, Ethereum is quietly gaining steam.

Network activity is rising, DeFi is bouncing back, and gas fees are slowly creeping up — all signs the network is getting busier.

The next key level? Breaking through $4,400–$4,500. If ETH can do that, it could run toward $4,800–$5,000. Interested in the short-term Ethereum price prediction? Let’s check out what might push the price next.

Table of Contents

Ethereum price fundamentals get stronger as network activity picks upUpside outlook for Ethereum priceDownside risks for ETHEthereum price prediction based on current levels
Ethereum price fundamentals get stronger as network activity picks up
ETH 1-day chart, October 2025 | Source: crypto.news
Ethereum (ETH) is seeing encouraging momentum in its network activity. Daily transactions are holding strong above 1.2 million, signaling steady user involvement despite the broader macro slowdown. Concurrently, the DeFi ecosystem on Ethereum is experiencing renewed growth, with total value locked climbing around 8% from the previous week. This increase indicates more capital moving into core decentralized applications like lending, staking, and trading.

Gas fees, which serve as a gauge for demand, have risen slightly, reflecting heightened on-chain usage without causing the severe congestion typical of earlier market peaks. This increased activity also raises ETH’s burn rate, helping to reduce net issuance and strengthen Ethereum’s disinflationary stance post-Merge. Taken together, these developments suggest a healthy and expanding network that bodes well for price support.

Upside outlook for Ethereum price
Ethereum’s setup looks promising, with higher lows consistently holding above $3,700 — a good sign the bulls are still in play. If ETH breaks through $4,400–$4,500, it could be gearing up for a move to $4,800–$5,000. 

The Ethereum outlook looks healthy, supported by expanding Layer-2 adoption that helps with scaling and keeps mainnet demand steady. As more rollups go live, they’re increasing fees and transaction activity, which strengthens Ethereum’s fundamentals. If this trend sticks, demand and scarcity could push ETH higher into year-end.

Downside risks for ETH
If ETH loses that $3,700 support, it could fall toward $3,300–$3,400, where buyers tend to jump back in. A dip in DeFi growth — whether it’s from less activity or folks shifting to cheaper Layer-2s — could hit fee revenue and put the brakes on ETH’s climb. Throw in rising Treasury yields and a nervous market, and crypto might struggle to gain traction. Even though fundamentals look better, investors are still playing it safe with the bigger picture in mind.

Ethereum price prediction based on current levels
At this stage, the Ethereum forecast expects ETH to stay within $3,700 and $4,400. If it breaks through $4,500, there’s a good chance it’ll push up to $4,800–$5,000. 

While short-term swings are possible, the medium-term Ethereum price prediction looks promising, supported by increasing on-chain demand, more fee revenue, and deflationary pressure helping the recovery.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.

38 minutes ago

Aave Labs’ latest deal follows a string of institutional initiatives, including its Maple Finance integration and Horizon RWA marketplace.

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San Francisco–based Stable Finance has been acquired by Aave Labs, the developer behind the Aave lending ecosystem, as the firm expands into consumer-facing onchain services.

Founded in 2023, Stable Finance’s mobile app allows users to deposit funds from bank accounts, cards, or crypto wallets to earn yield on stablecoins through overcollateralized decentralized markets.

The deal, announced Thursday, also brings Stable Finance’s founder Mario Baxter Cabrera and his engineering team into Aave Labs. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. 

Source: AaveThe deal signals Aave’s effort to balance retail services with its continued push into institutional markets. The protocol recently announced an integration with Maple Finance’s yield-bearing stablecoins and the launch of Horizon, its institutional marketplace for tokenized assets.

Stani Kulechov, the founder of Aave Labs, said the acquisition “reinforces our commitment to turning onchain finance into everyday finance.”

Launched in January 2020, Aave has over $37.25 billion in total value locked (TVL) as of this writing, according to data from DefiLlama.

Aave total value locked. Source: DefiLlama The debate over yield-bearing stablecoinsAave isn’t the first protocol or company to offer users yield generated through overcollateralized DeFi markets and stablecoin lending strategies.

In September, Coinbase integrated the DeFi lending protocol Morpho directly into its app, allowing customers to lend USDC and earn yield. The update provided users access to onchain lending markets offering returns of up to 10.8%, more than double the 4.5% available through Coinbase’s standard USDC rewards program.

A similar collaboration between Crypto.com and Morpho was unveiled in early October, bringing Morpho’s stablecoin lending markets to the exchange’s Cronos blockchain. The integration allows users to deposit wrapped ETH into Morpho vaults and borrow stablecoins against their collateral to earn yield. 

While the GENIUS Act, passed in July 2025, prohibits yield-bearing stablecoins, it does not explicitly restrict DeFi lending protocols or prevent exchanges from offering yield through onchain markets.

This gap in regulation has caused an uproar from traditional banks, which claim stablecoin loopholes allow unfair competition that could drain trillions in deposits from the US banking system.

But many in the crypto space see it differently. On Sept. 16, Coinbase published a blog post arguing that “institutions now warning of ‘systemic risk’ are the same ones pocketing tens of billions from card processing fees, which stablecoins could bypass entirely.”

Excerpt from Coinbase's blog post. Source: CoinbaseMagazine: Stablecoins in Japan and China, India mulls crypto tax changes: Asia Express

Amid the broad crypto market rebound, XRP derivative products on CME Group, a leading crypto derivatives exchange, have experienced impressive growth amid heightened demand from investors.

On Thursday, October 23, the exchange took to X (formerly Twitter) to share notable milestones achieved through its XRP futures offerings, which were launched five months ago. The surge marks a significant rise in demand for CME’s crypto derivatives products tied to XRP.

XRP crushes $29.6 billion milestone on CMEAccording to data shared by CME, the exchange has recorded over 567,000 XRP and Micro XRP futures contracts traded on its derivatives market over the past five months. Notably, this massive contract volume has helped CME achieve record crypto volumes, driven largely by the launch of XRP futures in May.

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The data further revealed that the total amount of XRP-based futures contracts represents a notional volume of $26.9 billion, equivalent to around 9 billion XRP traded on the platform.

The exchange emphasized that these impressive figures reflect a growing appetite among professional investors for exposure to regulated XRP-based derivative products.

Options on XRP futures go live on CMEFollowing the strong performance of its XRP futures, CME Group has confirmed that options on XRP futures are now live.

While the launch of XRP futures options has long been anticipated by CME users, it now provides traders and institutions with the opportunity to utilize more sophisticated tools to hedge or speculate on XRP’s price — all with the transparency and regulatory safeguards of a U.S.-based exchange.

What does this mean for XRP?With CME disclosing plans to offer 24/7 trading of crypto futures and options starting early next year, the demand for XRP-based products is expected to reach unprecedented levels — potentially positioning XRP for a major rally.

The move will provide institutional investors on CME more avenues and extended trading hours to access both existing and newly launched options contracts tied to XRP.

Notably, this development positions XRP for a significant boost in institutional adoption, potentially propelling its market price to new and unexpected levels.

Ethereum core developer Peter Szilagyi has criticized the blockchain’s centralized nature and related administrative issues. This follows growing concerns from industry experts about the Ethereum Foundation’s internal operations amid last year’s funding scandal. However, the network has recorded massive adoption in the last 12 months as mainstream finance leans towards the industry. 

Vitalik Determines What Succeeds- Szilagyi 
In a letter revealed to the community, the core developer revealed several reasons why “Ethereum failed him” despite working over the years. He criticized the influence of the high rollers around the network, pointing to increased centralization against the core values. In his view, Vitalik Buterin became a victim of his success, being at the center of everything about the projects. 

This led to the Vitalik-centric approach because his opinions influenced what was permitted, the direction of the ecosystem. Furthermore, research, brainpower, and donations also contributed to the growing centralized nature. At the moment, this approach has created a small cabal of 5-10 people around Vitalik that determines what becomes successful. 

“The issue at this point isn’t even Vitalik, but rather that we now do have a “ruling elite” of Ethereum. New projects do not do public offerings anymore; they reach out to the same 5-10 people for initial investment or advisorship roles. Everyone realized that if you can get Bankless to invest, they’ll sing odes on their podcast. If you can get researchers as advisors, you both solve hard problems, but also reduce perceived friction with the Ethereum mainnet,” he added. 

Previously, the early founders backed the decentralized dream before conference attendees began the pro-Vitalik approach. This has sparked stirs around digital asset circles with industry leaders pledging to return to decentralized ideals. Several analysts have also suggested that users have more trust in these systems over the traditional model. 

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A similar issue arose when the network transitioned to a proof-of-stake (PoS) mechanism after the merge. There were growing centralization concerns due to the staking cost. However, positives were pitched for the event, and more devs doubled down on the network. Ethereum remains the largest smart contract blockchain with growing decentralized finance (DeFi) activities.

The platform’s native token, Ether, has also recorded significant success in the same period, attracting bullish investors. Despite the criticisms, Szilagyi heaped praise on the platform for being a positive force in the world, having had a major impact on traditional finance.

TL;DR

Notional open interest on Deribit, the dominant exchange, reached an all-time high of $50 billion.
The increase in activity is driven by traders buying “put” options to protect against price drops.
This defensive posture suggests market caution despite high participation in the derivatives sector.

This Thursday was historic for the cryptocurrency derivatives market. Bitcoin options open interest on Deribit, the exchange that dominates nearly 90% of this market, soared to an unprecedented record of 50 billion dollars in notional value.

This massive increase in outstanding contracts, which surpasses previous records, does not necessarily reflect widespread bullish optimism. On the contrary, data from the platform and analysis of trade flows suggest that traders and institutional investors are actively seeking hedges against the risk of a potential fall in Bitcoin’s (BTC) price.

Activity has notably focused on the purchase of “put” options, which are contracts that grant the right (but not the obligation) to sell an asset at a predetermined price on a future date. This strategy is commonly used as “insurance” to protect spot holding portfolios against adverse market movements.

Caution Dominates Despite the Record
An increase in open interest is usually interpreted as a sign of greater liquidity and market participation. However, the context of this new all-time high reveals a growing sense of caution among the market’s more sophisticated participants.

The demand for “puts” indicates that, although capital is flowing into Bitcoin derivatives, a significant portion is being allocated to manage downside risk rather than aggressively speculating on the upside (via “call” options). This defensive stance comes at a time of high volatility and while Bitcoin is trading at high price ranges, where profit-taking or technical corrections are a constant concern.

Bitcoin options open interest on Deribit is a fundamental metric for analysts looking to gauge market sentiment. While the $50 billion record demonstrates the maturity and scale the crypto derivatives market has reached, the composition of this figure indicates that investors are actively preparing for possible turbulence, prioritizing capital protection.

Chainlink price has crashed by 35% from the September high, and a Murrey Math Lines analysis points to more downside despite the ongoing Strategic LINK Reserves growth.

Summary

Chainlink price may be at risk of a bearish breakout in the near term.
LINK token may crash despite its LINK reserves hitting $10 million.
Murrey Math Lines points to a drop to $12 in the near term.

Chainlink (LINK) token was trading at $17.7 on Oct. 23, a level it has remained at in the past few days. It is a few points above the lowest level this month. 

Chainlink price technicals points to more downside
The daily chart shows that the LINK price plunged to a multi-month low of $15 during the Oct. 11 crypto market crash. It has remained in a consolidation phase since then.

The coin has remained below the 50-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages and is about to form a death cross pattern. 

Most importantly, the coin is in the process of forming a bearish pennant pattern. This pattern is made up of a vertical line and is now forming the triangle section. 

Therefore, the token will likely have a strong bearish breakout, potentially to the key support at $15, its lowest point on Oct. 11. A move below that level could lead to more downside, potentially to the ultimate support at $12.64, the ultimate support of the Murrey Math Lines tool.

The bearish Chainlink price forecast will be invalidated if it moves above the psychological point at $20. A move above that level will point to more gains to the ultimate resistance at $25. 

Chainlink price chart | Source: crypto.news
Strategic LINK Reserves jumps
One potential catalyst is that the Strategic LINK Reserves have continued rising in the past few weeks. Chainlink announced that it acquired over 63,481 tokens this week, bringing the current reserve size to 586,640. 

The value of these tokens is worth about $10.3 million, a notable amount for a program started a few months ago. It involves using on-chain and off-chain fees to buy LINK tokens.

Chainlink price may also benefit from the ongoing whale accumulation. Data shows that whales hold about 2.97 million LINK tokens, up from 2.52 million tokens. Also, the amount of tokens in exchanges dropped to 266 million, down from last month’s high of 283 million tokens.

Bitcoin Climbs to $111K as Whipsaw Action in Crypto ContinuesThe trend has most definitely not been your friend this week as dips get bought and rallies get sold. Oct 23, 2025, 6:47 p.m.

Crypto markets were in rally mode on Thursday alongside sizable gains in stocks, a U.S. presidential pardon for Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, and ahead of tomorrow's key reading on September inflation.

In mid-afternoon U.S. trading, bitcoin BTC$110,639.05 was up 2.7% over the past 24 hours to $110,700, down a hair from the day's high of $111,100. The action came following Wednesday's strong decline which had pushed the price below $107,000. The Wednesday drop came following Tuesday's sharp rise which had brought BTC as high as $114,000.

The back and forth action is commonly known as a whipsaw pattern and usually results in the emptying of pockets of those who try and trade with the trend.

The broader crypto sector is rallying as well, with ether ETH$3,874.04, DOGE$0.1960 and ADA$0.6466 all ahead in the 2%-3% range. Notable outperformers include solana SOL$191.74 and BNB BNB$1,109.33 with advances of more than 5% — BNB getting a boost after President Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng "CZ" Zhao.

Crypto-related stocks, which suffered big losses across the board in Wednesday's selloff, are bouncing today. Bitcoin miner Hut 8 (HUT) is climbing 7.3% after tumbling 17% the previous session. Coinbase (COIN) and Strategy (MSTR) are each higher by about 2%.

The better tone Thursday comes amid the aforementioned pardon of CZ — which suggests a continuing friendly regulatory environment in the U.S. — and gains in U.S. stocks, which had also dipped on Wednesday. A bit more than an hour before the close, the Nasdaq is higher by 1%.

Looking ahead, the U.S. government — despite the continuing shutdown — is still set to release the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) report on Friday morning. This is likely the last piece of important economic data the Federal Reserve will see prior to its rate-setting meeting next week.

At the moment, markets are in full expectation that the Fed will trim its benchmark fed funds rate another 25 basis points at this meeting and another 25 basis points at its final meeting of the year in December.

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Institutions Drive CME Crypto Options to $9B as ETH, SOL, XRP Set Records

Open interest across CME’s regulated markets jumped 27% since Oct. 10, signaling growing conviction among large traders.

What to know:

CME Group’s crypto futures and options markets are seeing record-breaking growth as institutional investors shift from offshore platforms.Open interest in ether, solana and XRP futures hit all-time highs this week, alongside a $9B milestone in crypto options.The surge follows a wave of liquidations in offshore markets and points to rising demand for regulated crypto derivatives.Read full story

The price of the Hyperliquid (HYPE) token rose 10% after Robinhood listing and $1 billion treasury announcement.

Summary

HYPE token price rose 10% after Robinhood announced its listing
The same day, Hyperliquid Strategies filed for a $1 billion treasury raise

HYPE token price surged over 10% on October 23, after two major catalysts converged. For one, trading platform Robinhood officially enabled spot trading for Hyperliquid, giving it access to millions of users. The market reaction was immediate, with the token briefly crossing the $40 mark.

The same day as the listing news, Hyperliquid Strategies filed an S-1 registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a stock offering. The company is seeking to sell up to 160 million shares through an equity facility with Chardan Capital Markets, potentially enabling it to raise as much as $1 billion.

According to the SEC filing, the treasury firm will use the funds raised for general corporate purposes. The firm, trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker HSI, will also use the funds to purchase Hyperliquid (HYPE) tokens, potentially boosting its price further.

Why HYPE token price jumped 10%
Hyperliquid’s current crypto market cap is just $13.24 billion, which makes $1 billion in funding significant. A purchase of more than 7.5% of its supply would have a significant impact on demand and could push up the price significantly.

Still, Hyperliquid Strategies may not be able to raise the full $1 billion in funding. What is more, the firm is not under a strict obligation to use the full proceeds to buy HYPE tokens. Still, the firm’s pivot to a treasury strategy suggests that the bulk of the funding will go toward buying hyperliquid tokens.

Hyperliquid Strategies Inc. was formed as a result of a merger between Sonnet BioTherapeutics and Rorschach I LLC in a $888 million deal. The firm received backing from Atlas Merchant Capital LLC and other partners.

Growth investors focus on stocks that are seeing above-average financial growth, as this feature helps these securities garner the market's attention and deliver solid returns. But finding a great growth stock is not easy at all.

In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.

However, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.

Our proprietary system currently recommends Postal Realty Trust (PSTL - Free Report) as one such stock. This company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.

Studies have shown that stocks with the best growth features consistently outperform the market. And returns are even better for stocks that possess the combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy).

While there are numerous reasons why the stock of this company is a great growth pick right now, we have highlighted three of the most important factors below:

Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for Postal Realty Trust is 4.1%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 8.4% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 1.2%.

Cash Flow GrowthCash is the lifeblood of any business, but higher-than-average cash flow growth is more beneficial and important for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, high cash accumulation enables these companies to undertake new projects without raising expensive outside funds.

Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for Postal Realty Trust is 22.5%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 2.8%.

While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 67.2% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 3.1%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsBeyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

The current-year earnings estimates for Postal Realty Trust have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 1.5% over the past month.

Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made Postal Realty Trust a Zacks Rank #2 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination indicates that Postal Realty Trust is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.

Key Takeaways Tenet Healthcare will report Q3 2025 results on Oct. 28, before market open.Earnings are projected at $3.33 per share on $5.24B revenues, up 13.7% and 2.2% year over year.Ambulatory Care growth may offset fewer hospital patient days and higher operating costs.
Hospital company Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC - Free Report) is set to report third-quarter 2025 results on Oct. 28, 2025, before the opening bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at $3.33 per shareon revenues of $5.24 billion. 

The third-quarter earnings estimate remained stable over the past 60 days. The bottom-line projection indicates a year-over-year increase of 13.7%. Also, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues suggests year-over-year growth of 2.2%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

For full-year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tenet Healthcare’s revenues is pegged at $21.16 billion, implying a rise of 2.4% year over year. The consensus mark for 2025 earnings per share is pegged at $15.82, indicating a jump of 33.2% on a year-over-year basis.

Tenet Healthcare beat the consensus estimate for earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 31.2%, as you can see below.

Q3 Earnings Whispers for THCHowever, our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for the company this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy), or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That’s not the case here.

THC has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

What’s Shaping THC’s Q3 Results?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for adjusted patient admissions in total hospital operations suggests 2.7% year-over-year growth. However, on the same hospital basis, the consensus estimate for adjusted patient admissions indicates a 5.7% decrease from a year ago.

Meanwhile, the Ambulatory Care business is likely to have gained from better patient volumes, new service line growth and buyouts. Our model estimate for the Ambulatory Care segment’s operating revenues suggests 8.5% growth from the prior-year quarter’s figure, whereas the consensus estimate indicates a 10.7% increase. Higher patient service revenues are likely to have provided a boost in the third quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for adjusted EBITDA from Ambulatory Care operations suggests 7.9% year-over-year growth.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hospital Operations and Services revenues for the third quarter is pegged at $3.99 billion, indicating a 0.2% increase from the year-ago period. The consensus mark for net patient revenues per adjusted admission in the same hospital in the third quarter signals a 4.2% year-over-year increase.

The above-mentioned factors are likely to have benefited THC’s results in the quarter under review, positioning its profits for year-over-year growth. However, both the consensus estimate and our model estimate suggest that third-quarter total hospital patient days have decreased 4.4% year over year.

Both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and our model estimate for the average length of stay in total hospital indicate an 8.8% decrease from a year ago. Also, with increased utilization, costs are expected to have increased in the third quarter, making an earnings beat uncertain.

Stocks That Warrant a LookWhile an earnings beat looks uncertain for Tenet Healthcare, here are some companies from the broader Medical space that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this time around:

Select Medical Holdings Corporation (SEM - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +8.58% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Select Medical’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter of 18 cents per share has witnessed one upward revision against no downward movement over the past month. The consensus mark for Select Medical’s revenues is pegged at $1.32 billion.

Erasca, Inc. (ERAS - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +5.66% and a Zacks Rank of 2.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Erasca’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter remained stable over the past week. Erasca’s earnings beat estimates in three of the past four quarters and met once, with an average surprise of 13%.

Envista Holdings Corporation (NVST - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.62% and a Zacks Rank of 3.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Envista’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter indicates 125% year-over-year growth. NVST’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 16.5%.

Q3: 2025-10-22 Earnings SummaryEPS of $2.17 beats by $0.42

 |

Revenue of

$112.31M

(29.28% Y/Y)

beats by $11.46M

QCR Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCRH) Q3 2025 Earnings Call October 23, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

Company Participants

Todd Gipple - President, CEO & Director
Nick Anderson - Chief Financial Officer

Conference Call Participants

Damon Del Monte - Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods, Inc., Research Division
Nathan Race - Piper Sandler & Co., Research Division
Daniel Tamayo - Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Research Division
Jeff Rulis - D.A. Davidson & Co., Research Division
Brian Martin - Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, Research Division

Presentation

Operator

Good morning, and thank you for joining us today for QCR Holdings, Inc. Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call. Following the close of the market yesterday, the company issued its earnings press release for the third quarter. If anyone joining us today has not yet received a copy, it is available on the company's website, www.qcrh.com.

With us today from management are Todd Gipple, President and CEO; and Nick Anderson, CFO. Management will provide a summary of the financial results, and then we will open the call to questions from analysts.

Before we begin, I would like to remind everyone that some of the information management will be providing today falls under the guidelines of forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. As part of these guidelines, any statements made during this call concerning the company's hopes, beliefs, expectations and predictions of the future are forward-looking statements, and actual results could differ materially from those projected. Additional information on these factors is included in the company's SEC filings, which are available on the company's website. Additionally, management may refer to non-GAAP measures, which are intended to supplement but not substitute for the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The press release available on the website contains the financial and other quantitative information to be discussed today as well as the reconciliation of the GAAP to non-GAAP measures. As a reminder, this conference call

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Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH) Q3 2025 Earnings Call October 23, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

Company Participants

David Smith - CEO & Chairman
Frank Dyke - President & Director
Heath R. Byrd - Executive VP & CFO
Danny Wieland - Vice President of Investor Relations & Financial Reporting

Conference Call Participants

Jeffrey Lick - Stephens Inc., Research Division
Michael Ward - Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Rajat Gupta - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Patrick Buckley - Jefferies LLC, Research Division
Christopher Pierce - Needham & Company, LLC, Research Division
Michael Albanese - The Benchmark Company, LLC, Research Division

Presentation

Operator

Good morning. Welcome to Sonic Automotive Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call. This conference call is being recorded today, Thursday, October 23, 2025. Presentation materials, which accompany management's discussion on the conference call can be accessed on the company's website at ir.sonicautomotive.com.

At this time, I would like to refer to the safe harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. During this conference call, management may discuss financial projections, information or expectations about the company's products or market or otherwise make statements about the future. Such statements are forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These risks and uncertainties are detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In addition, management may discuss certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Please refer to the non-GAAP reconciliation tables in the company's current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission earlier today.

I would now like to introduce Mr. David Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sonic Automotive. Mr. Smith, you may begin your conference.

David Smith
CEO & Chairman

Thank you very much, and good

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George Gianarikas, managing director at Canaccord Genuity, joins CNBC's 'The Exchange' to discuss his reaction to Tesla's most recent quarter.

Shares of Chinese toymaker Pop Mart fell 9% Thursday, notching the stock's worst day since April and extending its declines since a late-August peak.

The company behind the popular Labubu dolls, a series of collectible elf-like monster dolls that come in blind-box packaging, reported on Tuesday that third-quarter revenue had more than tripled year over year as sales in the U.S. swelled between 1,265% and 1,270%.

And yet concerns are growing the craze could be fading.

Data from Chinese resale platform Qiandao shows that some Labubus are being sold close to or below official Pop Mart retail prices, a stark shift after a period of sky-high demand and prices. The Labubu character Luck, released in April, for example, saw its resale price soar to over 500 yuan, or about $70, at one point. But that's since dropped to 108 yuan, or about $15, according to Qiandao.

Since August, Pop Mart stock has fallen 30%, but is still up 159% so far this year.

Analysts are split on how to interpret the downturn.

One line of thinking is that the falling resale prices could signal slowing enthusiasm for Labubu and other collectibles after a summer peak, particularly among younger, nontraditional toy buyers. Another possibility: The decline may reflect Pop Mart's efforts to increase supply and curb scalping, rather than waning consumer demand.

Pop Mart reported a 10-fold increase in the supply of plush toys this year and said it now manufactures approximately 30 million units each month, the company told Reuters on Tuesday.

Morgan Stanley analysts noted in a September client note that "prices in the second-hand market do not effectively reflect the true supply and demand situation," especially given Pop Mart's initiatives to limit resellers' influence.

The popularity of the Labubu dolls have been boosted by celebrity fans including singer Rihanna and former soccer star David Beckham. However, Labubus aren't the only Pop Mart product drawing the eye of nontraditional toy buyers.

Morgan Stanley analysts noted that emerging characters like Twinkle Twinkle and opportunities for global expansion continue to play a key role in driving Pop Mart's growth.

Key Takeaways Valero Energy's Q3 adjusted EPS of $3.66 topped estimates and rose from $1.16 a year ago.Higher refining and ethanol margins lifted results despite lower renewable diesel sales.Refining throughput rose to 3,087 MBbls/d, with margins improving to $13.14 per barrel.
Valero Energy Corporation (VLO - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $3.66 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.95. The bottom line improved from the year-ago quarter’s level of $1.16 per share.

Total quarterly revenues decreased from $32.9 billion in the prior-year quarter to $32.2 billion. The top line, however, beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $29.8 billion.

Better-than-expected quarterly results can be primarily attributed to an increase in refining margins, higher ethanol margins and lower total cost of sales. The positives were partially offset by a decline in renewable diesel sales volumes.

Segmental Performance of VLOAdjusted operating income in the Refining segment totaled $1,665 million, up from $568 million in the year-ago quarter. The segment’s performance was supported by a higher refining margin per barrel of throughput.

In the Ethanol segment, Valero reported an adjusted operating profit of $183 million, up from $153 million in the prior-year quarter. A higher ethanol margin per gallon of production aided the business segment.

Operating loss in the Renewable Diesel segment totaled $28 million against an operating income of $35 million in the year-ago quarter. Renewable diesel sales volume declined to 2,717 thousand gallons per day from 3,544 in the year-ago quarter. Our estimate for the same was pegged at 3,196 thousand gallons per day. The segment was affected by a decline in the renewable diesel margin per gallon of sales compared to the year-ago level.

VLO’s Throughput VolumesIn the third quarter, Valero’s refining throughput volumes totaled 3,087 thousand barrels per day (MBbls/d), up from the year-ago quarter’s figure of 2,884 MBbls/d. The figure came in higher than our estimate of 3,070.6 MBbls/d.

In terms of feedstock composition, sweet crude, medium/light sour crude and heavy sour crude accounted for 53.8%, 9.1% and 16.4%, respectively, of the total volume. The remaining volume came from residuals, other feedstock, and blendstocks and others.

The Gulf Coast contributed 60% to the total throughput volume, while the Mid-Continent, North Atlantic and West Coast regions accounted for 15%, 17% and 8%, respectively.

VLO’s Throughput MarginsThe refining margin per barrel of throughput increased to $13.14 from the year-ago level of $9.09.

Refining operating expenses per barrel of throughput were $4.71 compared with $4.73 in the year-ago quarter.

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased to $2.57 per barrel from $2.22 in the prior-year period.

Valero’s adjusted refining operating income was $5.86 per barrel of throughput compared with $2.14 a year ago.

VLO’s Cost of SalesTotal cost of sales amounted to $30,396 million, down from the year-ago quarter’s figure of $32,122 million. The decline can be attributed to a fall in the cost of materials and others.

Capital Investment & Balance Sheet of VLOThe third-quarter capital investment totaled $409 million, of which $364 million was allocated toward sustaining the business.

The company had cash and cash equivalents of $4.8 billion at the end of the third quarter. As of Sep. 30, 2025, it had a total debt of $8.4 billion and finance-lease obligations of $2.2 billion.

VLO’s Zacks Rank and Other Key PicksVLO currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Some other top-ranked stocks from the energy sector are Cheniere Energy Inc. (LNG - Free Report) , Archrock, Inc. (AROC - Free Report) and TechnipFMC plc (FTI - Free Report) . While Cheniere Energy sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present, Archrock and TechnipFMC carry a Zacks Rank #2 each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Cheniere Energy is involved in LNG-related businesses, which include LNG terminals and natural gas marketing. The company has achieved a milestone with the first production from the first LNG train of its Corpus Christi Stage 3 Liquefaction Project. The project, which includes seven midscale LNG trains, aims to expand the production capacity of the Corpus Christi Liquefaction facility. This expansion is expected to strengthen Cheniere's position in the rapidly growing global LNG market, enabling it to meet the rising demand for LNG both in the United States and internationally.

Archrock is an energy infrastructure company based in the United States with a focus on midstream natural gas compression. It provides natural gas contract compression services and generates stable fee-based revenues. With natural gas playing an increasingly important role in the energy transition journey, AROC is expected to witness sustained demand for its services.

TechnipFMC plc is a leading manufacturer and supplier of products, services and fully integrated technology solutions for the energy industry. FTI’s project backlog, now at $15.8 billion, has grown sequentially in six of the last seven quarters, reinforcing long-term revenue visibility for the company.

Key Takeaways WST's Q3 EPS of $1.96 beat estimates by 17.4%, with revenues up 7.7% year over year.WST's Proprietary Products sales rose 7.7%, driven by 16.3% growth in High-Value Product components.WST lifted full-year EPS view to $7.06-$7.11, citing demand strength and FX-related benefits.
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST - Free Report) delivered adjusted third-quarter 2025 earnings per share (EPS) of $1.96, which moved up 5.9% year over year. The figure topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 17.4%.

The adjustments include expenses related to the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, among others.

GAAP EPS for the quarter was $1.92, reflecting an improvement of 3.8% from the year-ago figure.

WST’s Revenues in DetailQuarterly revenues of $804.6 million were up 7.7% year over year and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.4%.

Organic net sales, which exclude the impact of acquisitions and/or divestitures, were up 5% year over year.

Robustperformances by the Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products segments drove thetop-line improvement.

Shares of WST were up nearly 6.7% in today’s pre-market trading. The company’s shares have lost 15.5% so far this year against the industry’s growth of 4.1%. The S&P 500 Index has increased 14.9% in the said period.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

West Pharmaceutical’s Segment DetailsWST operates under two segments — Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products.

In the quarter under review, Proprietary Products reported worldwide revenues of $647.5 million, up 7.7% year over year on a reported basis. Our estimate for the segment’s revenues was pinned at $638 million.

On an organic basis, revenues were up 5.1% year over year.

Thesegment’s high-value product (HVP) accounted for 48% of its net sales during the period.Sales of HVP components were up 16.3%, driven by strength in Westar and Envision products. HVP Delivery Devices, which represented 12% of total company net sales, decreased 15.7%. The decline was primarily due to the absence of a one-time fee of $19 million recorded in the year-ago quarter. Standard Products, 20% of total company net sales, increased 6.7%.

Revenues in the Contract-Manufactured Products segment totaled $157.1 million, up 8% year over year on a reported basis. This growth was driven by an increase in sales of self-injection devices for obesity and diabetes, partially offset by a decrease in sales of healthcare diagnostic devices. Our estimate for this segment’s third-quarter revenues was pegged at $148.8 million.

Organically, revenues were up 4.9% year over year.

WST’s Margin AnalysisIn the quarter under review, West Pharmaceutical’s gross profit increased 11.2% year over year to $294.3 million. The gross margin expanded 120 basis points (bps) to 36.6%. We had projected 33.6% of gross margin for the third quarter of 2025.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 23% year over year to $102.7 million. Research and development expenses increased 10.3% to $17.1 million.

Adjusted operating profit totaled $170.1 million, reflecting a 5.9% improvement from the year-ago quarter’s level. The adjusted operating margin contracted 40 bps to 21.1%. We had projected 18.2% of operating margin for the quarter.

West Pharmaceutical’s Financial PositionWST exited the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $628.5 million compared with $509.7 million as of June-end. Total debt at the end of the reported quarter was $202.7 million, which remained almost flat sequentially.

Cumulative net cash provided by continuing operating activities at the end of the third quarter was $503.7 million compared with $463.3 million a year ago.

West Pharmaceutical has a consistent dividend-paying history, with a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 5.21%.

WST’s GuidanceWest Pharmaceutical has issued fourth-quarter guidance and updated its financial outlook for 2025.

WST expects its fourth-quarter sales to lie between $790 million and $800 million, implying organic growth of 1-2.3%. The company expects EPS to be in the range of $1.81-$1.86, which assumes a 14 cents benefit based on current foreign exchange rates. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter sales and EPS is pegged at $792.7 million and $1.77, respectively.

WST now projects full-year revenues to be between $3.06 billion and $3.07 billion (up from its previous guidance of $3.04-$3.06 billion). The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $3.04 billion.

For 2025, organic net sales are expected to grow 3.75-4% from the prior-year level.

For the full year, adjusted EPS is now anticipated to be in the range of $7.06-$7.11 (up from the previous guidance of $6.65-$6.85). Full-year EPS guidance now reflects a 27 cents tailwind from currency movement against previous guidance of no impact. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $6.74.

Our TakeWest Pharmaceutical exited the third quarter of 2025 with better-than-expected results. Solid top-line results, along with improvements in organic revenues, were impressive. Robust performance by the Proprietary Products segment was encouraging. Strength in HVP and robust growth in the Biologics and Pharma market units during the reported quarter were also promising.

West Pharmaceutical Services strong quarterly performance underscores the resilience of its diversified portfolio and continued execution across both Proprietary and Contract Manufacturing segments. Growth in High-Value Product components remains a key driver, supported by rising demand for GLP-1 related products and Annex 1 conversions.

The company’s operational discipline and strategic focus on innovation, quality, and customer partnerships continue to strengthen its competitive position in the injectable solutions market. Leadership enhancements, including the appointment of a new CFO, further reinforce West Pharmaceutical’s focus on long-term growth and operational excellence. With improving market conditions and strong momentum in its core businesses, West Pharmaceutical has raised its full-year outlook, reflecting confidence in sustained performance through the remainder of the year.

West Pharmaceutical’s Zacks Rank and Stocks to ConsiderWST currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX - Free Report) , Merit Medical Systems (MMSI - Free Report)  and Masimo Corporation (MASI - Free Report) .

Boston Scientific, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present, has an estimated long-term growth rate of 14%. BSX’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 8.1%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Boston Scientific’s shares have gained 14.2% against the industry’s 0.4% decline in the past year.

Merit Medical, carrying a Zacks Rank of 2 at present, has an estimated long-term growth rate of 9.8%. MMSI’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 12.92%.

Merit Medical has declined 11.8% against the industry’s 4.6% gain in the past year.

Masimo, carrying a Zacks Rank of 2 at present, has an estimated growth rate of 20.5% for 2025. MASI’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 13.8%.

Masimo’s shares have gained 2.3% against the industry’s 12.1% decline over the past year.

HomeMarketsU.S. & CanadaCommodities CornerCommodities CornerThe crude market awaits India’s response to sanctions against RussiaPublished: Oct. 23, 2025 at 1:55 p.m. ET

Oil prices surged after the U.S. and E.U. announced fresh sanctions on Russia’s crude-oil industry. Photo: MarketWatch photo illustration/Getty Images, iStockphotoThe latest U.S. and European Union sanctions targeting two of Russia’s biggest oil producers may succeed in reducing the country’s ability to generate revenue for its war with Ukraine — but they also could alter the landscape for global energy trading.

“The sanctions will reshape energy flows and global trade,” Nigel Green, chief executive officer at deVere Group, wrote in a note Thursday. “We can expect Russia to deepen ties with non-Western buyers such as China and India, which could redraw pricing structures and long-term supply routes. It’s an immediate geopolitical and economic realignment.”

Key Takeaways NIKE partners with SKIMS to blend sport performance with pop-culture influence.The 58-piece debut line merges NIKE's innovation with SKIMS' fit and aesthetic.The alliance targets growth in women's wear and the premium athleisure market.
NIKE Inc.’s (NKE - Free Report) collaboration with SKIMS marks one of its most intriguing moves in recent years, a partnership that blends sport performance with pop-culture appeal. As NIKE works to revive growth and modernize its brand under the “Sport Offense” strategy, teaming up with SKIMS — a brand known for inclusivity, body positivity and sleek design — represents more than just a fashion statement. It’s a deliberate effort to bridge the gap between athletic performance and everyday style, targeting a broader and more diverse consumer base, especially women who value both function and form in activewear.

NikeSKIMS exists to serve women who are redefining what it means to be an athlete today. Within this vision, the partnership debuts its first apparel collection on Sept. 26, designed to sculpt and engineered to perform without compromise. The debut collection, featuring 58 silhouettes, merges NIKE’s performance expertise with SKIMS’ signature aesthetic. Early consumer response has been strong, signaling that this collaboration could help NIKE connect more deeply with a demographic that views activewear as a lifestyle, not just a sport utility. By infusing fashion-forward design into performance wear, NIKE is not only refreshing its women’s segment but also reclaiming cultural relevance.

The SKIMS partnership could serve as a catalyst for growth if NKE successfully scales the concept. It opens new avenues for product diversification, expands NIKE’s reach into the premium athleisure space, and enhances its appeal among younger, style-conscious consumers. If executed well, this collaboration could transcend a simple “fashion flex,” redefining NKE’s women’s business and strengthening its position as a leader in both sport and culture.

NKE’s Competition in the Global Arenaadidas AG (ADDYY - Free Report) and lululemon athletica inc. (LULU - Free Report) are the key companies competing with NIKE in the global market.

adidas stands as NIKE’s strongest global competitor, combining performance innovation with cultural relevance. The company is rebuilding momentum through its “Own the Game” strategy, which emphasizes direct-to-consumer growth, digital expansion and sustainability. Revitalized classics like the Samba and Gazelle have fueled a powerful lifestyle resurgence, while core performance categories such as running and football continue to benefit from strong innovation and athlete partnerships. With renewed focus on brand storytelling and premium positioning in key markets, adidas is regaining consumer trust and narrowing the gap with NIKE in the global sportswear race.

lululemon has evolved from a niche yoga brand into a global performance and lifestyle powerhouse. Its “Power of Three ×2” strategy focuses on expanding men’s and digital sales while accelerating growth in international markets, particularly China. Known for its premium quality, technical fabrics and community-driven approach, lululemon continues to capture consumers seeking both style and performance. The brand’s recent entry into footwear and running further deepens its competition with NIKE, positioning it as a formidable challenger that bridges athletic functionality with modern, fashion-forward design.

NKE’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of NIKE have lost 8.7% year to date compared with the industry’s decline of 11.4%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, NKE trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 34.92X compared with the industry’s average of 29.37X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NKE’s fiscal 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year decline of 23.6%, while that for fiscal 2027 indicates growth of 50.5%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

NIKE stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Q3: 2025-10-22 Earnings SummaryEPS of $0.50 beats by $0.04

 |

Revenue of

$393.31M

(1.56% Y/Y)

beats by $8.51M

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. (NYSE:ELS) Q3 2025 Earnings Call October 23, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

Company Participants

Marguerite Nader - CEO & Non-Independent Vice Chairman
Patrick Waite - President & COO
Paul Seavey - Executive VP & CFO

Conference Call Participants

Michael Goldsmith - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Brad Heffern - RBC Capital Markets, Research Division
Jana Galan - BofA Securities, Research Division
Steve Sakwa - Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division
James Feldman - Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division
Eric Wolfe - Citigroup Inc., Research Division
John Kim - BMO Capital Markets Equity Research
Jason Wayne - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Wesley Golladay - Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division
David Segall
Omotayo Okusanya - Deutsche Bank AG, Research Division

Presentation

Operator

Good day, everyone, and thank you all for joining us to discuss Equity LifeStyle Properties Third Quarter 2025 Results.

Our featured speakers today are Marguerite Nader, our CEO; Patrick Waite, our President and COO; and Paul Seavey, our Executive Vice President and CFO.

In advance of today's call, management released earnings. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this call is being recorded.

Certain matters discussed during this conference call may contain forward-looking statements in the meanings of the federal security laws. Our forward-looking statements are subject to certain economic risk and uncertainty. The company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any statements that become untrue because of subsequent events. In addition, during today's call, we will discuss non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G, reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures are included in our earnings release, our supplemental information and our historical SEC filings.

At this time, I would like to turn the call over to Marguerite Nader, our President and CEO. Please go ahead.

Marguerite Nader
CEO & Non-Independent Vice Chairman

Good morning, and

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Q3: 2025-10-22 Earnings SummaryEPS of $0.99 beats by $0.03

 |

Revenue of

$172.35M

(6.48% Y/Y)

misses by $173.20K

First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ:FRME) Q3 2025 Earnings Call October 23, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

Company Participants

Mark Hardwick - CEO & Director
Michael Stewart - President
Michele Kawiecki - Executive VP, CFO & Principal Accounting Officer
John Martin - Executive VP & Chief Credit Officer

Conference Call Participants

Damon Del Monte - Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods, Inc., Research Division
Nathan Race - Piper Sandler & Co., Research Division
Daniel Tamayo - Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Research Division
Brian Martin - Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, Research Division
Terence McEvoy - Stephens Inc., Research Division
Brendan Nosal - Hovde Group, LLC, Research Division

Presentation

Operator

Thank you for standing by, and welcome to the First Merchants Corporation Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call. Before we begin, management would like to remind you that today's call contains forward-looking statements with respect to the future performance and financial condition of First Merchants Corporation that involve risks and uncertainties. Further information is contained within the press release, which we encourage you to review.

Additionally, management may refer to non-GAAP measures, which are intended to supplement but not substitute for the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The press release available on the website contains financial and other quantitative information to be discussed today as well as a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures.

As a reminder, today's call is being recorded. I will now turn the conference over to Mr. Mark Hardwick, CEO. Mr. Hardwick, you may begin.

Mark Hardwick
CEO & Director

Good morning, and welcome to First Merchants Third Quarter 2025 Conference Call. Thanks for the introduction and for covering the forward-looking statement on Page 2. We released our earnings yesterday after the market closed, and you can access today's slides by following the link on the third page of our earnings release.

On Page 3 of our slides, you

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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises BellRing Brands, Inc., ("BellRing" or the "Company") (NYSE: BRBR) investors that the firm has initiated an investigation into possible securities fraud, and may file a class action on behalf of investors. 

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 844-767-8529 or email: [email protected], to discuss their legal rights, or join the case via https://portnoylaw.com/bellring-brands-inc-2. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors’ options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

BellRing Brands operates in the convenient nutrition category. The Company’s primary brands include Premier Protein and Dymatize, which offer ready-to-drink (“RTD”) protein shakes and powders. During the relevant period, the Company stated that Premier Protein “hit an all-time high in household penetration” and that “demand remains strong.” The Company also stated that its growth was “strong in all channels,” driven by “distribution expansion, accelerating velocities and incremental promotional activity.”

In truth, the Company’s sales growth during the relevant period may have been driven by temporary trade inventory loading at several key retailers, not sustainable end-consumer demand.

On May 5, 2025, after market hours, BellRing revealed that starting in Q2 2023, “several key retailers lowered their weeks of supply on hand,” which would create a headwind to Q3 2025 growth. The Company also announced it was expanding promotions to boost sales and “offset [] third quarter reductions in retailer trade inventory levels.” On this news, the price of BellRing stock fell $13.96 per share, or more than 18%, from $77.34 per share on May 5, 2025, to $63.38 per share on May 6, 2025.

Then, on August 4, 2025, after market hours, BellRing announced disappointing quarterly consumption of Premier Protein RTD Shakes, which had been expected to outpace shipments by a wider margin given previously announced retailer destocking, but instead came “more in line” with shipments. On this news, the price of BellRing Brands stock fell $17.46 per share, or nearly 33%, from $53.64 per share on August 4, 2025, to $36.18 per share on August 5, 2025.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firm’s founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.
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[email protected]
310-692-8883
www.portnoylaw.com 

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