Market Signal Briefing

NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ: TCOM) resulting from allegations that Trip.com Group Limited may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Trip.com Group Limited securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50668 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On January 14, 2026, Investing.com published an article entitled “Trip.com stock falls after Chinese regulators launch antitrust probe.” The article stated that Trip.com stock fell after “the Chinese travel service provider disclosed it is under investigation by China’s market regulator for potential antitrust violations.”

On this news, Trip.com American Depositary Shares (“ADS”) fell 17% on January 14, 2026.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

        Laurence Rosen, Esq.
        Phillip Kim, Esq.
        The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
        275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
        New York, NY 10016
        Tel: (212) 686-1060
        Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
        Fax: (212) 202-3827
        [email protected]
        www.rosenlegal.com

This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

© Kelly Sullivan / Stringer / Getty Images North America

Meta Platforms closed the week at $639.77, down 3.28% from February 6. The S&P 500 fell just 1.29% over the same period, while the Nasdaq 100 dropped 1.27%. It’s another losing week for Meta, and the stock is now down 13% from where it closed the day after reporting blowout earnings.

Let’s dive into the three storylines that drove price action for Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META | META Price Prediction) this week.

The Stock’s Performance Context Year to date, Meta is down 3.08%, trading below where it closed December 31. Over one year, shares are off 11.91% from February 13, 2025. This week’s drop pushed the stock further from its 52-week high of $795.06. The question is whether the three developments that shaped this week signal opportunity or warning.

Bill Ackman Calls Meta One of the World’s Greatest Businesses On February 11th, Pershing Square’s Bill Ackman disclosed a significant new stake in Meta, describing it as “one of the world’s greatest businesses” with strong long-term upside from AI integration. Ackman dumped Chipotle, Nike, and Hilton to make room for Meta, Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN), and Alphabet. That’s a bet on the Magnificent Seven over consumer discretionary, reflecting conviction that Meta’s AI infrastructure investments will pay off.

Reddit’s retail traders noticed. Sentiment spiked to 80 on February 11 at 9pm ET, the highest reading of the week.

I defended the trade on 24/7 Wall St. yesterday. Amazon now trades for half the forward P/E of Walmart. Meta is now down 13% from posting outstanding earnings and once again proved its AI spend is going to drive significant revenue acceleration. The sell-off in these names feel more than overdone right now.

The $135 Billion Capital Expenditure Question Meta guided to $115 to $135 billion in capital expenditures for 2026, a staggering commitment to AI infrastructure and technical talent.

That’s up from $21.4 billion in Q4 2025 alone, which already represented a 48% increase year over year. Operating margin declined to 41% from 48% as total costs rose 40% year over year.

Zuckerberg framed it as necessary: “I’m looking forward to advancing personal superintelligence for people around the world in 2026.” The market isn’t sure the payoff justifies the cost. Corning announced a $6 billion multiyear fiber optic supply deal with Meta for AI data centers, and Vistra secured a 20-year power purchase agreement for zero-carbon nuclear energy to power those facilities. Meta is building the infrastructure. Whether it generates returns that exceed the capital deployed is the bet.

Despite the massive capex raise, Wall Street has increased its earnings estimates for 2027 from where they were before earnings. A month ago, Wall Street was projecting $33.33 in adjusted EPS in 2027. Now that figure sits at $34.33. Revenue acceleration is outpacing margin erosion driven by increased infrastructure spending.

Analyst Sentiment Remains Constructive Despite Pressure Wall Street analysts maintain an average target price of $860.08, implying 34% upside from current levels. The analyst community breaks down as 11 Strong Buy ratings, 51 Buy ratings, and just 5 Hold ratings with no Sell recommendations. Our proprietary 24/7 Wall St price target is also bullish on Meta, assigning the company a target price of $769.98.

That’s overwhelming bullish consensus, yet the stock fell this week. The disconnect suggests analysts believe in the long-term AI story while the market worries about near-term margin compression. Meta’s forward P/E of 22 looks reasonable if operating income will exceed 2025 levels as management projects. It looks expensive if the $135 billion in CapEx doesn’t pay off until 2028 or later.

The week’s performance tells you the market is still deciding which scenario to price in.

Expense ratios, portfolio size, and weighting strategies set these two consumer staples ETFs apart for investors seeking sector exposure.

The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (NYSEMKT: VDC) and Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Consumer Staples ETF (NYSEMKT: RSPS) both focus on consumer staples, but VDC is much larger, carries a lower expense ratio, and weights its holdings by market cap, while RSPS uses an equal-weight approach and charges more.

Both VDC and RSPS give investors exposure to the consumer staples sector, but they approach it differently. VDC tracks a broad, cap-weighted index including over 100 stocks, while RSPS equally weights just 37 S&P 500 consumer staples names. This comparison highlights their differences in cost, recent returns, risk, and portfolio construction.

Snapshot (cost & size)MetricVDCRSPSIssuerVanguardInvescoExpense ratio0.09%0.40%1-yr return (as of 2026-02-04)11.5%14.5%Dividend yield2.10%2.63%Beta0.640.61AUM$9.05 billion$249.67 millionBeta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year monthly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

RSPS is more expensive to hold than VDC, charging 0.40% annually versus 0.09%, but it has delivered a slightly higher dividend yield, paying 2.6% compared to VDC’s 2.1%.

Performance & risk comparisonMetricVDCRSPSMax drawdown (5 y)-16.55%-18.60%Growth of $1,000 over 5 years$1,375$1,073What's insideRSPS tracks an equal-weighted index of S&P 500 consumer staples names, giving smaller companies a bigger role than in traditional cap-weighted funds. With 37 holdings, its largest positions recently included Bunge Global SA (BG +0.64%), Colgate-Palmolive Co. (CL +0.41%), and Church & Dwight Co Inc. (CHD +1.69%), each making up just over 3% of assets. The fund has been operating for over 19 years and holds only consumer defensive stocks, rebalancing quarterly.

VDC, in contrast, includes over 100 companies, weighting them by market cap and resulting in heavy tilts toward giants like Walmart Inc. (WMT +0.22%), Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST +1.92%), and Procter & Gamble Co. (PG 0.71%). VDC’s sector makeup is nearly all consumer defensive, with small allocations to consumer cyclical and industrials, making it more diversified by number of holdings and offering broader industry coverage within staples.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

What this means for investorsAlthough the Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Consumer Staples ETF (RSPS) both deliver exposure to the consumer staples sector, their approach is quite different. Those differences can be the reasons for choosing one over the other.

VDC is a much larger fund with over $9 billion assets under management (AUM). This provides a great deal of liquidity, and its more than 100 holdings offers a diverse portfolio of stocks. Its expense ratio is pretty low, and it has delivered better returns than RSPS over time. These factors make VDC a good ETF for investors who are cost conscious and prefer a “set it and forget it” mindset.

However, since VDC is weighted by market cap, the ETF’s performance is heavily tied to the biggest companies in the sector, such as Walmart. Its more diversified holdings helps to soften this drawback.

RSPS focuses on a handful of consumer staples stocks, and its equal weighting approach means no company dominates. Its higher dividend yield can appeal to income-oriented investors, although that is offset to some degree by its higher expense ratio.

VDC is the better choice for investors who like its larger AUM, broader diversification, and lower cost. RSPS is the ETF to pick if you desire a higher dividend yield and want a more balanced portfolio that doesn’t skew towards mega-cap stocks.

Not every software stock deserves to be downgraded due to the potential threat of AI-powered alternatives.

One of the biggest stories in the technology sector in 2026 is the "SaaSpocalypse." This broad tech stock sell-off has been hitting well-known software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies like Salesforce, Adobe, and Microsoft.

Investors fear that powerful new artificial intelligence (AI) tools could disrupt the enterprise software industry. The premise is simple: Companies won't need to buy as much software or subscribe for as many seat licenses as they used to because they can create their own software with AI, or use AI to produce similar results. If that's true, software companies are about to become a lot less profitable.

As a result, the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF is now down 20% from where it traded a year ago, even as the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 index is up 16%.

ServiceTitan (TTAN +2.57%) is one SaaS stock that might not be so vulnerable to the SaaSpocalypse. The company offers a specialized software platform that handles back-office functions specifically for skilled trades businesses such as contractors, carpenters, and plumbers. Although ServiceTitan stock is down 39% in the past year and 41% year to date, that sell-off seems overblown. Investors might be overreacting to AI hype and unfairly punishing the stock of a company with a bright future.

Here are a few big reasons why ServiceTitan could bounce back from the SaaSpocalypse.

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ServiceTitan is growing strong If AI is truly on the verge of disrupting many software companies' business models, that threat is not showing up yet in ServiceTitan's earnings. The company reported strong results for its fiscal 2025 third quarter, with 25% year-over-year revenue growth. Its annual revenue run rate is almost $1 billion. And its non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) operating margin in the most recent quarter was 8.6%, up from 0.8% in the prior-year period.

Like many early-stage tech companies, ServiceTitan is not profitable yet. But for four consecutive quarters, the company has also grown its revenue and beaten analysts' estimates on earnings per share. Its earnings per share estimates have grown steadily -- but the market seems to be undervaluing this stock because of the broader narrative about AI.

TTAN data by YCharts.

The company might have an AI-proof market Here's the bull case for why ServiceTitan won't be disrupted by AI systems like Anthropic's Claude Cowork: ServiceTitan makes software for an underserved niche market of AI-proof trade operations -- HVAC companies, roofers, plumbers, construction firms, and other contractors providing residential and commercial services. These businesses often struggle to find off-the-shelf software solutions that meet their unique needs.

ServiceTitan's products add value by giving its customers easy-to-use, scalable software that helps them handle their everyday business challenges -- tasks like scheduling appointments, managing contracts, and marketing their business. Even if some enterprise-level legal tech or insurance tech software companies are on track to get disrupted by AI, the market for software that caters to the "real world" trades seems relatively cushioned against that type of competition.

Image source: Getty Images.

ServiceTitan executives don't seem afraid of AI. On the company's latest earnings call, executives made several mentions of using AI in their software platform, such as AI-driven agents and automation. AI experts like Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang have predicted that software companies won't be losers in the AI revolution. Instead, they should be able to use AI to help make their software better and more profitable.

No matter what happens next with AI companies and SaaS players generally, ServiceTitan seems poised to coexist with AI, not be replaced by it, which is why the stock could be a good buy for patient investors. 

Ben Gran has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Adobe, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Salesforce. The Motley Fool recommends ServiceTitan and recommends the following options: long January 2028 $330 calls on Adobe and short January 2028 $340 calls on Adobe. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of BAC either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - February 14, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of agilon health, inc. (NYSE: AGL) between February 26, 2025 and August 4, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important March 2, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.

SO WHAT: If you purchased agilon securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the agilon class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46039 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than March 2, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) defendants recklessly issued guidance for 2025 that they knew or should have known was not going to be achieved, given material industry headwinds of which they were aware; (2) defendants materially overstated the immediate positive financial impact from "strategic actions" taken by agilon to reduce risk; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about agilon's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and/or misleading at all times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the agilon class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46039 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/283877

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.

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Wall Street analysts are reassessing their outlook on Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ: RIVN) as the electric vehicle maker navigates a volatile start to the year.

Medicus Pharma (NASDAQ:MDCX) CEO Raza Bokhari talked with Proactive about the FDA's clearance to begin a Phase 2b dose optimization study for Teverelix, the company’s next-generation GnRH antagonist targeting advanced prostate cancer.

Proactive: All right. Welcome back inside our Proactive newsroom. And joining me now is Dr Raza Bokhari. He is the CEO of Medicus Pharma. Dr Bokhari, good to see you again. How are you?

Raza Bokhari: Thank you for having me back on your program.

Yes. Excited to have you here, especially because you've got significant news out that you've now been cleared to launch a Phase 2b study for Teverelix. So let's talk about Teverelix first. You're looking at this potentially for prostate cancer.

That is correct. As we have shared with your audience, we have entered 2026 with multiple Phase 2 catalysts. This is one of the most exciting news items for us, where the FDA has given us a study may proceed notice, allowing us to commence a dose optimization study for Teverelix.

Our asset comes to us following the acquisition of Antev. This dose optimization study sets the stage for us to subsequently begin a pivotal study for patients with advanced prostate cancer and high cardiovascular risk profiles.

Tell me about Teverelix and what it is designed to do.

Teverelix is a next-generation GnRH antagonist. It is an androgen deprivation therapy administered as an injectable that suppresses the LH and FSH hormones, resulting in testosterone suppression, which is very important to prevent progression of advanced prostate cancer.

In patients with advanced prostate cancer—approximately 300,000 to 500,000 in the United States living on androgen deprivation therapy—the most common cause of death is not prostate cancer, but cardiovascular comorbidity. Teverelix®, as an antagonist rather than an agonist, has an opportunity to achieve a label indication if we can demonstrate that it is also cardioprotective. We hope this could become a first-in-class indication.

You're looking to enroll about 40 men for approximately 22 weeks. Is this something you want to get started on right away?

We are aligning our CMC and manufacturing. We have retained IQVIA as our CRO. This dose optimization study is designed to ensure we can maintain castration levels beyond day 42, which was demonstrated in the previous Phase 2a study.

This Phase 2b study extends evaluation to day 155, positioning us to return to the FDA to finalize a pivotal study. Our focus as a company is on completing Phase 2 studies and positioning the asset for partnership and monetization.

Besides the Skinject opportunity, which is ready for monetization pending data readout, we believe Teverelix could become a partnership candidate around this time next year.

Quotes have been lightly edited for style and clarity

This fintech firm delivers mobile-first, no-fee banking services to U.S. consumers underserved by traditional banks.

On February 13, 2026, Singapore-based Napean Trading & Investment reported selling 449,981 shares of Chime Financial (CHYM +1.81%), an estimated $9.56 million trade based on quarterly average pricing.

What happenedAccording to an SEC filing dated February 13, 2026, Napean Trading & Investment reduced its position in Chime Financial by 449,981 shares. The estimated value of the sale was approximately $9.56 million, based on the average unadjusted closing price during the fourth quarter of 2025. The fund’s quarter-end stake was 11,878 shares, valued at $298,969.

What else to knowFollowing the sale, Chime Financial accounts for 0.06% of the fund’s 13F reportable assets under management.Top holdings after the filing:NASDAQ: HOOD: $118.73 million (23.1% of AUM)NASDAQ: NAVN: $100.33 million (19.5% of AUM)NASDAQ: AVGO: $21.08 million (4.1% of AUM)NASDAQ: BLLN: $19.10 million (3.7% of AUM)NASDAQ: LRCX: $18.07 million (3.5% of AUM)As of February 13, 2026, shares of Chime Financial were priced at $19.69, down about 27% from their $27 offering price in June.The position was previously 1.8% of the fund's AUM as of the prior quarter.Company overviewMetricValuePrice (as of market close 2/13/26)$19.69Market Capitalization$7.38 billionRevenue (TTM)$2.07 billionNet Income (TTM)($984.77 million)Company snapshotChime Financial offers mobile-first, fee-free banking services including checking, savings, early paycheck access, and overdraft protection.The company generates revenue primarily through interchange fees from debit card transactions, leveraging partnerships with FDIC-insured banks.It targets consumers earning under $100,000 annually, focusing on underserved retail banking customers in the United States.Chime Financial, Inc. operates at scale as a leading U.S. fintech platform, serving over a thousand employees and a broad base of retail banking customers. The company differentiates itself by providing no-fee, accessible digital banking products and leveraging technology to streamline customer experience. Its strategy centers on expanding financial access for lower and middle-income consumers, positioning Chime as a disruptor among regional banks and traditional financial institutions.

What this transaction means for investorsConviction is often clearest when capital is reallocated, and reducing a once meaningful 1.8% position to just 0.06% of assets shows a portfolio tilting focus toward higher concentration ideas like Robinhood and Navan, with fintech exposure becoming more selective.

Operationally, Chime is hardly stagnant. Third quarter revenue rose 29% year over year to $543.5 million, with gross margin holding at 87% and active members up 21% to 9.1 million. Purchase volume climbed 15% to $32.3 billion, and adjusted EBITDA turned positive at $28.8 million. Yet the firm’s net loss remained $54.7 million for the quarter (worse than a loss of $22 million last year), underscoring that scale has not fully translated to GAAP profitability.

Shares now trade around $19.69, roughly 27% below the $27 IPO price. For long-term investors, the story is less about quarterly trims and more about unit economics. Revenue growth and improving margins are real, but sustained profitability and disciplined expense control will determine whether this fintech earns back conviction capital over time.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Lam Research. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

When a company decides to conduct a forward stock split, it's usually because the share price has gotten "too high" in nominal terms and management teams want to increase accessibility for more investors by raising the number of shares outstanding, thereby lowering the price per share. While the stock doesn't change fundamentally, this can be an exciting development.

In June last year, aftermarket auto parts business O'Reilly Automotive (ORLY +1.50%) implemented a 15-for-1 stock split. This move shouldn't distract investors from the real story, though.

This unstoppable retail stock has registered a fantastic return, as its shares are up 58,000% since the company's initial public offering in 1993.

Image source: Getty Images.

The stocks of boring companies can be monster winners Via its nearly 6,600 stores (most in the U.S., with some in Canada and Mexico), O'Reilly Automotive sells aftermarket auto parts to DIY and professional customers. This business could not be any less exciting. However, that monster return since IPO speaks for itself.

In just the last five years, shares have more than tripled.

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Consistency is the name of the game here. In 2025, O'Reilly reported same-store sales growth of 4.7%. This was the 33rd straight year that the metric was positive. Considering all the macroeconomic headwinds that occurred in the past three decades, this is an unbelievable streak.

It all comes down to demand trends. People can't go long without having a working vehicle. It doesn't matter if the economy is thriving or if the U.S. is in a severe recession. A backdrop like this, coupled with an aging vehicle fleet and more miles driven each year, supports durable revenue growth for O'Reilly.

Between 2015 and 2025, revenue climbed 122%. Net income was up 168% during that time. Earnings per share were boosted by sizable stock buyback activity. New store openings, planned to total between 225 and 235 this year, are helping fuel the numbers.

Expensive for a reason The market doesn't typically place O'Reilly shares on the discount rack. The current price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 31.8 is 26% more expensive than the S&P 500 index. That premium is warranted, given the quality of this business.

However, value investors probably won't be interested in buying this stock unless there's a major pullback that pushes the P/E multiple below 25 and even closer to 20. That day might never come.

If, however, you are simply looking for the best companies, then it makes sense to take a closer look at O'Reilly.

PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, returns to the North American International Toy Fair® at the Javits Convention Center in New York (February 14-17, 2026) with a dynamic slate of product reveals and franchise milestones that blend pop culture with play. Throughout the weekend, Hasbro will welcome fans and partners at Booth #403 to experience the latest across its iconic brands. This year's show highlights meaningful new storytelling across Hasbro's p.

This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

© Pixels Hunter / Shutterstock.com

Synopsys (NASDAQ:SNPS) is having a week worth watching. The chip design software leader posted a 2.39% gain over the past five trading days, climbing from $426.88 to $437.09. Year to date, Synopsys is down 6.95%, and over the past month, shares have dropped 13.51%.

That sounds like poor performance, but Synopsys is performing much better than peers in the software space, as a brutal sell-off has led to many popular stocks down 30% or more year to date. Let’s dive into some of the biggest storylines that impacted Synposys this week.

Performance: Outpacing Software, Lagging Semiconductors Synopsys’s 2.39% weekly gain looks solid compared to the broader software sector, which posted just 0.33% over the same period. But semiconductors climbed 1.76% this week, and year to date, the semiconductor ETF is up 17.77% while Synopsys has bled value. The divergence is striking. Synopsys builds the tools that design the chips everyone wants, yet it’s trading like a software company in a sector-wide selloff rather than a semiconductor play riding the AI wave.

Storyline 1: Design IP Weakness and China Headwinds The Design IP segment is the biggest anchor weighing on Synopsys’ share price over the past six months. Revenue hit $1.75 billion in fiscal 2025, down 8% year over year. CEO Sassine Ghazi laid out the challenges: “Foundry customer uptake challenges, China restrictions impact, custom IP delivery delays.” The company expects “muted growth in the low-to-mid single digit range” for fiscal 2026, calling it a “transitional year.”

China revenue dropped 18% in fiscal 2025, with no improvement expected near term. That’s a structural headwind that will take time to work through.

Storyline 2: NVIDIA’s $2 Billion Vote of Confidence NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA | NVDA Price Prediction) invested $2 billion in Synopsys at $414.79 per share. That’s a strategic partnership. Ghazi explained the three-part collaboration: “GPU acceleration of Synopsys products, Omniverse integration for intelligent systems using ANSYS multiphysics simulation, and go-to-market reach leveraging ANSYS’s channel partnerships.” Jensen Huang doesn’t write $2 billion checks lightly. His endorsement carries weight: “I want to endorse it with an investment because I know we can make money.” The investment accelerates debt repayment and is accretive to fiscal 2026 earnings per share. It positions Synopsys at the center of AI chip design infrastructure.

One important piece of news that happened on February 4th was Huang calling the software sell-off “illogical.”

As Huang said, “If you were a human or robot, artificial, general robotics, would you use tools or reinvent tools? The answer, obviously, is to use tools … That’s why the latest breakthroughs in AI are about tool use, because the tools are designed to be explicit.”

While the market frets that AI will disrupt Synopsys, keep in mind it also makes the company’s software much more capable as well.

Storyline 3: Ansys Integration and Margin Expansion The Ansys acquisition transformed Synopsys from an EDA leader to what Ghazi calls “the leader in engineering solutions from silicon to systems.” Ansys contributed $668 million in Q4 fiscal 2025 and is expected to deliver $2.9 billion in fiscal 2026 with double-digit growth. The company is executing a 10% workforce reduction to accelerate cost synergies, targeting 40.5% non-GAAP operating margin in fiscal 2026, up from 37.3%. That’s 320 basis points of expansion in one year.

This week’s gain doesn’t erase the damage Synposys has seen across the software sell-off, but it shows the market is separating Synopsys’s fundamental story from the broader software panic. The company’s Design IP weakness is real and will weigh on fiscal 2026. But NVIDIA’s investment and the Ansys integration position Synopsys as infrastructure for the AI chip design cycle.

If AI infrastructure spending continues, Synopsys is the toll bridge every chip designer has to cross.

, /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Klarna Group plc (NYSE: KLAR) pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and related prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with Klarna's September 2025 initial public offering (the "IPO"), of the important February 20, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.

So What: If you purchased Klarna securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the Klarna class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48971 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 20, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, the Registration Statement contained false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Defendants materially understated the risk that Klarna's loss reserves would materially go up within a few months of the IPO, which they either knew of or should have known of given the risk profile of many individuals agreeing to Klarna's buy now, pay later ("BNPL") loans; and (2); as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times and negligently prepared. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.  

To join the Klarna class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48971 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

      Laurence Rosen, Esq.
      Phillip Kim, Esq.
      The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
      275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
      New York, NY  10016
      Tel: (212) 686-1060
      Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
      Fax: (212) 202-3827
      [email protected]
      www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.

Not everyone thinks it's a bargain, but I do.

Smart investors debate whether it's smart to keep some cash on the sidelines, waiting to be invested opportunistically. I see merit in both perspectives. But I've kept a cash position in recent years, hoping to use it once I saw some better deals.

The S&P 500 has provided above-average returns in recent years, meaning I've used less of this cash than I originally anticipated. But thankfully, I've been finding opportunities I like in recent months, allowing me to finally invest some of this cash.

My most recent addition is a small position in e.l.f. Beauty (ELF +9.53%). Allow me to briefly explain why I just bought this consumer discretionary stock.

A beautiful portfolio addition As an investor, I'm prioritizing stocks where I actually like the business (as opposed to companies with good numbers but that I'm otherwise disinterested in), and members of my household are avid fans of e.l.f. Beauty's products. This alone was enough to put the stock on my watch list. But it rose in the rankings due to its growth rate.

Image source: Getty Images.

e.l.f. Beauty expects to grow its fiscal 2026 net sales by at least 22% year over year -- it's already completed three quarters of fiscal 2026, and its net sales are up 21%. The company has found a growing base of adopters attracted to the low prices of its products.

On Aug. 1, e.l.f. Beauty raised its prices by about 15%, which is a substantial increase. But the company's products are still roughly 20% cheaper than competitive mass-market brands, allowing it to remain a low-cost leader. In other words, it quickly boosted sales and margins without sacrificing its market position, which is a move I love.

Today's Change

(

9.53

%) $

7.08

Current Price

$

81.41

To be clear, e.l.f. Beauty is a profitable business, but profits are down. Tariffs have hit the company's gross margin, considering its products are made in heavily hit China. And in May, it acquired beauty brand rhode for $1 billion, which has also impacted the financial statements for now.

Nevertheless, e.l.f. Beauty is growing its top line by double digits, navigating macro-economic volatility, and making acquisitions while still delivering profits according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). I think that's commendable.

Moreover, e.l.f. Beauty stock has dropped significantly from its highs, and it now trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 42. While that's considered expensive, it's below its average valuation since the start of 2022, as the chart below shows.

ELF PE Ratio data by YCharts

Keep in mind that profits are down for e.l.f. Beauty, and the valuation is below average already. If profits return to more normalized levels as it works through what are (hopefully) temporary headwinds, profits should rise, further lowering the valuation.

In conclusion, e.l.f. Beauty stock provides what I'm looking for: a growing business generating profits that trades at a valuation I can support. Moreover, the company's products are used in my own house, meaning I'll likely be interested in watching the business and holding the stock for years to come.

There's still time to own this play on AI infrastructure.

Vertiv Holdings (VRT 0.84%) just showed that following the pick-and-shovel approach to investing in data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) is alive and well. On Wednesday morning, it reported strong results for the fourth quarter of 2025 and even stronger guidance for the year ahead, and shares were up 22% by midday. As of the close of trading Thursday, they were still holding onto most of that gain, up by 17% from where they sat before the report.

Even after that sharp rise, however, there's still one key reason to believe the stock price can continue to climb.

Image source: Getty Images.

Demand keeps growing Vertiv has benefited from the tech sector's rapid AI data center buildout, as it provides critical infrastructure such as cooling solutions, energy storage, and monitoring systems. It just reiterated how important those offerings are, reporting that in 2025, its sales rose 28% to $10.2 billion. Operating profit for the year climbed 35% to $668 million, and free cash flow rose 66% to $1.8 billion.

Today's Change

(

-0.84

%) $

-1.98

Current Price

$

234.53

The clearest signal this is still a stock to buy and hold onto came from one number in the report: Vertiv's backlog climbed 109% from $7.8 billion as of the end of 2024 to $15 billion at the end of 2025.

That's a strong signal of ongoing demand for the company's wares, which is even more critical as investors grow more worried that the AI sector's growth may be losing steam. At least for Vertiv's role, though, it looks like it's full steam ahead.

For 2026, management forecasts organic net sales growth of 27% to 29%, and a $15 billion backlog supports that outlook. That level of demand shows that investors still have time to buy in and take advantage of what's ahead for this AI infrastructure company.

Jack Delaney has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Vertiv. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VNDA) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

TFI International (TFII) faces persistent industry headwinds, including weak demand, overcapacity, and policy risks, warranting only a 'hold' rating. Recent financials show revenue and net income declines, with 2025 guidance indicating further contraction in earnings and cash flows. AI-driven efficiency tools and regulatory changes threaten to exacerbate supply-demand imbalances and driver shortages in the trucking sector.

This clinical-stage biotech develops monoclonal antibody therapies targeting chronic inflammatory and immunological diseases.

On February 13, 2026, Affinity Asset Advisors disclosed a purchase of 61,500 shares of Apogee Therapeutics (APGE 2.21%), an estimated $3.87 million trade based on quarterly average pricing.

What happenedAccording to an SEC filing dated February 13, 2026, Affinity Asset Advisors, LLC increased its position in Apogee Therapeutics by 61,500 shares during the fourth quarter of 2025. The estimated transaction value, based on the average closing price for the quarter, was $3.87 million. Meanwhile, the fund's quarter-end stake rose to 1,234,926 shares, with the value of the position increasing by $46.59 million including both share additions and price appreciation.

What else to knowTop five holdings after the filing:NASDAQ: APGE: $93.21 million (6.9% of AUM)NASDAQ: INSM: $78.32 million (5.8% of AUM)NASDAQ: ABVX: $68.10 million (5.0% of AUM)NASDAQ: VTYX: $58.56 million (4.3% of AUM)NASDAQ: XENE: $56.02 million (4.1% of AUM)As of February 13, 2026, shares of Apogee Therapeutics were priced at $67.78, up 86.9% over the past year, with 75.14 percentage points of alpha versus the S&P 500.Company overviewMetricValueMarket capitalization$4 billionNet income (TTM)($253.67 million)Price (as of market close 2/13/26)$67.78Company snapshotApogee Therapeutics develops biologic therapies, including monoclonal antibodies such as APG777 for atopic dermatitis and APG808 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with additional pipeline candidates targeting inflammatory and immunology indications.The company operates a research-driven biotechnology model focused on advancing proprietary biologics from early-stage development through clinical trials, aiming for regulatory approval and future commercialization.It targets patients with chronic inflammatory and immunological diseases, with primary customers expected to be healthcare providers, hospitals, and specialty clinics treating these conditions.Apogee Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of extended half-life monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, COPD, and related inflammatory diseases. The company's strategy centers on leveraging proprietary biologic platforms to address significant unmet medical needs in immunology. With a focused pipeline and a scalable approach to biologics development, Apogee aims to establish a competitive position in the specialty therapeutics market.

What this transaction means for investorsThis move has the hallmarks of a high-conviction biotech bet on a name that’s certainly showing some momentum. In the firm's latest quarterly report, released last month, Apogee CEO Donald Nolan said he was "proud" of the firm's "disciplined execution" despite a "challenging environment." The Apogee position now totals 1,234,926 shares valued at $93.21 million, or 6.9% of reportable assets. The holding climbed $46.59 million in value during the period, thanks to a steep ascent throughout the quarter. And with the stock delivering roughly 75 percentage points of alpha versus the S&P 500, this is no small bet.

More broadly, the portfolio is concentrated in clinical-stage biotech names such as Insmed, Abivax, Ventyx, and Xenon, each between 4% and 6% of assets. Apogee now sits at the top of that cluster, suggesting differentiated confidence in its monoclonal antibody pipeline targeting atopic dermatitis and COPD.

Ultimately, long-term investors should remember what drives outcomes here. Clinical data, regulatory milestones, and capital discipline matter more than short-term volatility.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Praxis Precision Medicines develops therapies for central nervous system disorders, with candidates targeting depression and epilepsy.

On February 13, 2026, Affinity Asset Advisors disclosed a new position in Praxis Precision Medicines (PRAX 4.42%), acquiring 185,000 shares in an estimated $54.53 million trade.

What happenedAccording to a SEC filing dated February 13, 2026, Affinity Asset Advisors, LLC reported a new position in Praxis Precision Medicines (PRAX 4.42%), acquiring 185,000 shares during the fourth quarter. The quarter-end value of the position registered as $54.53 million, reflecting the combined impact of the share purchase and subsequent market price changes.

What else to knowThe PRAX stake represents a new position, now accounting for 3.11% of the fund’s 13F reportable assets.Top five fund holdings after the filing:NASDAQ: APGE: $93.21 million (6.9% of AUM)NASDAQ: INSM: $78.32 million (5.8% of AUM)NASDAQ: ABVX: $68.10 million (5.0% of AUM)NASDAQ: VTYX: $58.56 million (4.3% of AUM)NASDAQ: XENE: $56.02 million (4.1% of AUM)As of February 13, 2026, shares of Praxis Precision Medicines were priced at $317.25, up 266.1% over the past year and vastly outperforming the S&P 500 by 254.29 percentage points.Company overviewMetricValuePrice (as of market close February 13, 2026)$317.25Market capitalization$8.8 billionRevenue (TTM)$7.46 millionNet income (TTM)($273.04 million)Company snapshotPraxis Precision Medicines develops clinical-stage therapies for central nervous system disorders, with lead candidates including PRAX-114 (major depressive disorder), PRAX-944 (essential tremor), PRAX-562 (epilepsy and cephalgia), and antisense oligonucleotide programs targeting rare epilepsies.It’s a Boston-based biotechnology company specializing in novel therapies for neurological and psychiatric conditions characterized by neuronal imbalance.The firm leverages a robust clinical pipeline and strategic collaborations to address significant gaps in neurological and psychiatric care.Praxis Precision Medicines focuses on innovative small molecules and antisense oligonucleotides, positioning itself to potentially deliver first-in-class treatments for complex neurological conditions. Its strategic approach aims to address unmet needs in central nervous system disorders.

What this transaction means for investorsPraxis is in the middle of one of the most consequential periods in its history. In January, the firm said it expects two new drug application submissions by mid-February for ulixacaltamide and relutrigine, with CEO Marcio Souza saying both “delivered compelling late-stage results and earned Breakthrough Therapy Designation.” In the firm’s latest earnings release, management highlighted pro forma cash and investments of approximately $956 million, including proceeds from an October offering, which are expected to fund operations into 2028. That kind of runway meaningfully reduces near-term financing risk.

Third-quarter research and development expense rose to $65.8 million, and net loss widened to $73.9 million. This is still a clinical-stage biotech, and volatility is the price of admission. But the portfolio now spans multiple late-stage and registrational programs, including relutrigine and vormatrigine, creating several shots on goal.

For a fund already concentrated in high-conviction biotech names, adding here after a 266% one-year move signals belief that the story is shifting from promise to potential commercialization. Ultimately, long-term investors should focus less on the recent share surge and more on regulatory milestones, cash discipline, and execution this year.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Lead Plaintiff Deadline is April 6, 2026

, /PRNewswire/ -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Mereo BioPharma Group PLC (NASDAQ: MREO) ("Mereo" or the "Company") inclusive on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Mereo American Depositary Shares ("ADS's") between June 5, 2023 and December 26, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Investors have until April 6, 2026, to seek appointments as lead plaintiff.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CASE AND SUBMIT CONTACT INFORMATION

Investors allege that Mereo and certain executives made materially false and misleading statements about the likelihood of success of its Phase 3 clinical trials for setrusumab, a treatment for Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI).

Specifically, defendants repeatedly expressed confidence that:

The ORBIT and COSMIC Phase 3 trials would Achieve statistical significance in reducing annualized fracture rates (AFR) Position setrusumab for regulatory success While promoting these optimistic projections, the complaint claims the company concealed adverse facts showing:

Neither Phase 3 study was on track to meet its primary endpoint The trials ultimately failed to demonstrate AFR reduction versus control groups Corrective Disclosure & Stock Collapse
On December 29, 2025, Mereo issued a press release revealing that:

Neither ORBIT nor COSMIC achieved statistical significance The primary endpoint — reduction in AFR — was not met Improvements in bone mineral density did not offset failure of core efficacy goals Following this disclosure:

Share price fell from $2.31 to $0.29 in one trading session Representing a loss of over 87% of shareholder value Investors seeking appointment as Lead Plaintiff may file a motion with the court no later than April 6, 2026.

Why Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP?:

This illustrious firm, founded in 1888, is steadfast in their pursuit of justice for investors who have suffered financial harm due to these misrepresented statements. The law firm brings to the fore over 125 years of legal expertise in securities litigation and has a proven track record of protecting the rights of investors.

We encourage all investors who have been affected or have information that will assist in our investigation, to contact Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP.

Contact:

Phone: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774 Email: [email protected] Contact Person: Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis Firm Website: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

SOURCE Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP

Also from this source

Lead Plaintiff Deadline is April 3, 2026

, /PRNewswire/ -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Picard Medical, Inc. (NYSE: PMI) ("Picard" or the "Company") inclusive on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Picard shares between September 2, 2025 and October 31, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Investors have until April 3, 2026, to seek appointments as lead plaintiff.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CASE AND SUBMIT CONTACT INFORMATION

The Complaint alleges that Defendants issued false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose material adverse facts, including allegations that:

Picard was the subject of a fraudulent stock promotion scheme involving social media-based misinformation and impersonated financial professionals; insiders and/or affiliates used offshore or nominee accounts to facilitate the coordinated dumping of shares during a price inflation campaign; and Picard's public statements and risk disclosures omitted any mention of the false rumors and artificial trading activity driving the stock price. Investors seeking appointment as Lead Plaintiff may file a motion with the court no later than April 3, 2026.

Why Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP?:

This illustrious firm, founded in 1888, is steadfast in their pursuit of justice for investors who have suffered financial harm due to these misrepresented statements. The law firm brings to the fore over 125 years of legal expertise in securities litigation and has a proven track record of protecting the rights of investors.

We encourage all investors who have been affected or have information that will assist in our investigation, to contact Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP.

Contact:

Phone: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774 Email: [email protected] Contact Person: Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis Firm Website: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

SOURCE Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP

There are more than 80 stocks that pay monthly dividends. These are three of the best.

Most income investors are accustomed to receiving quarterly dividend distributions, but there are more than 80 stocks that cut shareholders a check every month.

Most of them are real estate investment trusts (REITs) or business development companies (BDCs), which are investment vehicles that get tax breaks in exchange for paying out at least 90% of their taxable income to investors through dividends.

So, while many do offer quarterly distributions, some REITs and BDCs do so every month. Here are three in particular that have been the most consistent in increasing their dividends.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Realty Income No list of monthly dividend payers would be complete without Realty Income (O +1.36%), which has long been the gold standard -- it even calls itself the "monthly dividend company."

In January, the company paid out a monthly dividend of $0.27 per share, marking the 667th consecutive month it has paid out a dividend. It also marks the 32nd straight year that Realty Income has increased its dividend, dating back to 1994.

Today's Change

(

1.36

%) $

0.88

Current Price

$

65.66

That represents an annual payout of $3.24 for each share, at a high yield of 5.07%.

Realty Income owns commercial real estate, mostly retail, with a decent stake in industrial buildings. It owns or invests in more than 15,500 properties leased to more than 16,000 clients in 92 different industries. Most of its clients are single-lease, meaning they are the only ones in the building, and they are under long-term lease agreements, which provides dependable rental revenue. The occupancy rate is about 98.7%.

In addition to its reliable dividend, the stock is up 13% year to date and 17% over the past year.

Over the past 10 years, with its dividend reinvested, it has averaged a return of 6.4% per year. Without the dividend reinvested, its annualized 10-year return is about 1.5%.

2. Main Street Capital Main Street Capital (MAIN 2.27%) is a business development company (BDC) that invests in lower middle market companies, providing debt and equity solutions. It invests in companies with annual revenues between $10 million and $150 million and provides loans to companies with annual revenues between $25 million and $500 million. It currently has a portfolio of about 200 companies.

One of the things that sets it apart is its one-stop shop, meaning, it offers both debt and private equity solutions. Another thing that sets it apart is its monthly dividend.

Today's Change

(

-2.27

%) $

-1.39

Current Price

$

59.51

Outside of Realty Income, it is one of the most consistent dividend payers, increasing its annual payout for 18 straight years dating back to its inception in 2007. It is currently paying out a $0.26 per share monthly dividend at a high yield of 6.96%. That totals $4.32 per share for the full year.

Main Street Capital stock has also been a consistently strong performer, averaging an 8.3% annualized return over the past 10 years, and 16.3% annually with the dividend reinvested. The latter beats the S&P 500.

3. Phillips Edison & Company Phillips Edison & Company (PECO +0.82%) is a retail REIT that invests in grocery stores, or more specifically, grocery-anchored shopping centers, where the grocery store is the primary tenant.

It is one of the largest owners of grocery stores in the country with 324 shopping centers across 31 states in its portfolio. And it has some 5,500 tenants within these shopping centers. It has a 97.3% occupancy rate.

Today's Change

(

0.82

%) $

0.31

Current Price

$

38.16

Phillips Edison has been successful in part due to its neighborhood strategy -- that is, buying shopping centers in neighborhoods, closer to home, as opposed to regional malls or shopping centers. These neighborhood shopping centers are filled with services people use every day, like nail salons and pharmacies and pizza shops. Also, grocery stores, particularly those in neighborhood centers, are a more sturdy tenant in all types of markets.

While Phillips Edison has been around since 1991, it has only been a public company for four years. And in each of those four years, it has raised its dividend. It currently pays out $0.11 per month and $1.30 per year at a yield of 3.42%.

The stock has also averaged a 7% return annually, which goes up to about 11% with the dividend reinvested.

Two fintech stocks have crushed the S&P 500 over the past year and are just getting started.

Investing $1,000 in a stock won't change your life overnight, but that same position can compound over time. Some growth stocks more than double in a single year, while others consistently beat the S&P 500 over long stretches.

Two fintech stocks managed to beat the famed benchmark over the past year, but both are currently in the middle of prolonged corrections. However, strong fundamentals suggest these corrections are nothing but short-term dips that savvy investors see as attractive investment opportunities.

Prediction markets can propel Robinhood to new highs Robinhood Markets (HOOD +6.88%) was one of the most successful stocks of 2025, with shares tripling during that year. Rising transaction-based revenue was a major catalyst, and that trend continued in the third quarter. Overall revenue doubled year over year, with transaction-based revenue up by 129% year over year. Red-hot demand for cryptocurrencies propelled Robinhood's financials and capped a strong quarter.

Image source: Getty Images.

Net interest revenue and Robinhood Gold memberships continued to climb as the company reached 26.8 million funded customers. While Robinhood has enough catalysts to deliver long-term gains for shareholders, prediction markets are the new opportunity, and it's gaining momentum quickly.

Prediction markets aren't entirely new to Robinhood. The brokerage firm introduced this segment in March 2025, where investors could trade contracts on Federal Reserve interest rate decisions and March Madness. It's very similar to betting, but since users trade contracts with each other instead of going to a sportsbook, Robinhood gets to escape the legal complexities associated with gambling.

Today's Change

(

6.88

%) $

4.89

Current Price

$

76.01

Legally, Robinhood's prediction market is treated as event-based derivatives platform, and the introduction of professional and college football contracts in August has been a game changer. Total revenue for this segment more than doubled sequentially in Q3, and the company generated more revenue from prediction markets in October than in all of Q3. That type of growth adds another major opportunity for Robinhood investors, and the remaining parts of the business are still delivering exceptional gains.

Sezzle is a tiny BNPL player with tremendous financials Sezzle (SEZL +3.21%) is an emerging leader in the buy now, pay later industry. It allows customers to split purchases into 4 interest-free installment payments. The company makes most of its money from high transaction fees that businesses pay in exchange for higher sales volume.

Growth has not been an issue for this fintech company. Revenue surged by 67% year over year in the third quarter, with net income up by 72.7% year over year. Rising profit margins and strong revenue growth make for a good combination, and that's part of the reason Sezzle stock is up by 46% over the past year.

Today's Change

(

3.21

%) $

1.99

Current Price

$

64.06

However, the stock is down by more than 60% from its all-time high. Some people are concerned about Sezzle's credit risk because people are financially strained and it serves customers who do not have credit cards. The lack of a credit card can be a sign of bad credit, but these concerns are mostly overblown.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a report last year claiming that "BNPL default rates remain lower than credit cards." BNPLs are automatically repaid, reducing the risk of default.

Meanwhile, Sezzle continues to attract customers. It wrapped up Q3 2025 with 2.97 million customers, representing an 11.4% year-over-year increase. If growth remains strong as people look for ways to reduce their financial strain, Sezzle may continue to outperform the S&P 500.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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Comcast recently sent $0.33 per share to investors in January 2026, marking the company’s eighteenth consecutive year of dividend growth. The cable and media giant’s dividend program stands out in a sector where many competitors have slashed or eliminated payouts entirely.

With a current yield of 4.09% and a remarkably conservative payout ratio of just 24.49%, Comcast’s dividend looks sustainable even as the company navigates intense broadband competition and invests heavily in growth initiatives. But the real story lies in the cash flow generation backing these payments.

Comcast’s (CMCSA) dividend scorecard showcases an ‘A’ grade across all metrics, with a 4.09% yield and 18 years of growth, complemented by Wall Street’s consensus ratings as of February 12, 2026. Record Free Cash Flow Provides Dividend Cushion Comcast generated $21.9 billion in free cash flow during 2025, the highest annual figure in company history. That translates to 4.48x coverage for the $4.9 billion paid out in dividends-well above the 2.0x threshold typically considered safe.

The improvement from 2024 is striking. Free cash flow jumped 41.3% year-over-year, driven by stronger operating cash flow and reduced capital expenditures. Even after funding $7.2 billion in share repurchases, the company returned only 55% of its free cash flow to shareholders, leaving substantial cushion for economic downturns or strategic investments.

CFO Jason Armstrong emphasized the company’s financial flexibility during the Q4 2025 earnings call: “Our capital allocation strategy remains unchanged. Our priorities are to invest organically in our growth businesses, maintain a strong balance sheet, and return capital to shareholders.”

Dividend Growth Trajectory Slows but Remains Intact Comcast has increased its quarterly dividend from $0.1575 in 2017 to $0.33 in 2026, representing a 109% increase over nine years or roughly 8.5% compounded annually. The most recent increase came in Q2 2025, when the company raised the quarterly payment from $0.31 to $0.33—a 6.5% bump.

While the growth rate has moderated from the 8-9% annual increases seen in 2021-2022, management confirmed investors should expect another increase in 2026. Armstrong stated: “Our investors should see higher total dividends in 2026, marking our eighteenth consecutive year of dividend growth.”

The company maintains a quarterly payment schedule with ex-dividend dates typically falling in early January, April, July, and October. The next payment is scheduled for April 22, 2026 for shareholders of record as of April 1, 2026.

How Comcast Stacks Up Against Telecom Peers Comcast’s dividend profile stands in sharp contrast to major competitors in the cable and telecom space:

Company Dividend Yield Payout Ratio Recent Dividend Action Comcast (CMCSA) 4.09% 24.49% 18 consecutive years of growth AT&T (T) 4.05% 35.1% Flat since 2023 (cut 47% in 2022) Charter (CHTR) 0% N/A No dividend program Charter Communications, Comcast’s primary cable competitor, pays no dividend at all, choosing instead to focus capital allocation entirely on debt reduction and share buybacks. AT&T offers a similar yield to Comcast but with a higher payout ratio and a troubling recent history—the telecom giant slashed its dividend by 46.6% in 2022 and has kept it frozen at $1.11 annually since then.

Near-Term Headwinds Could Test Dividend Policy While Comcast’s dividend appears secure, several factors warrant monitoring. The company benefited from approximately $2 billion in one-time tax benefits during 2025 that will not repeat in 2026. Armstrong explicitly warned that 2026 cash tax benefits would be “significantly lower” than 2025’s outsized gains.

The company is also entering what management calls its “largest broadband investment year in our history” as it completes network upgrades and transitions customers to simplified pricing. This investment cycle is pressuring near-term EBITDA, which declined 10.3% in Q4 2025.

The broadband business lost 181,000 subscribers in Q4 2025 as fiber and fixed wireless competition intensified. Armstrong acknowledged that “incremental EBITDA pressure over the next couple of quarters” is expected until the company laps these initial investments.

Growth Engines Offset Legacy Business Pressure Comcast’s dividend sustainability ultimately depends on whether growth businesses can offset broadband headwinds. Three segments showed particularly strong momentum in Q4 2025:

Domestic Wireless: Revenue jumped 18% as the company added 1.5 million net lines during 2025, reaching 9 million total lines. Current penetration of just 15% of the residential broadband base suggests significant runway for continued growth.

Peacock Streaming: Revenue grew 23% to $1.6 billion in Q4, while losses improved by $700 million year-over-year for the full year. Management expects “Peacock losses to meaningfully improve again” in 2026 as NBA content drives subscriber growth.

Theme Parks: Revenue surged 21.9% to $2.89 billion, with EBITDA crossing $1 billion for the first time in a single quarter. The opening of Epic Universe and continued international expansion should support momentum.

Balance Sheet Supports Dividend Through Cycles Comcast ended 2025 with net leverage of 2.3x, comfortably within investment-grade territory. Co-CEO Michael Cavanagh emphasized the company’s financial positioning: “We have the financial strength to perform through cycles and create long-term value.”

The recent spinoff of cable networks into Versant Media will temporarily increase leverage ratios, but management stated its “intention will be to migrate back to the 2025 ending leverage of 2.3 times.” Importantly, the Versant transaction was structured as a dividend distribution to shareholders, maintaining Comcast’s dividend growth streak while removing lower-growth assets from the portfolio.

Valuation Suggests Limited Downside Risk At a trailing P/E ratio of just 6x and trading 20% below its five-year high, Comcast shares appear to price in significant pessimism about the broadband business. The current $32.40 stock price sits just below the $33.06 average analyst target, suggesting limited downside from current levels.

The combination of a 4% yield, conservative payout ratio, and depressed valuation creates an asymmetric risk profile for dividend-focused investors. Even if growth initiatives disappoint, the substantial free cash flow cushion and strong balance sheet should allow Comcast to maintain or potentially grow its dividend through 2026 and beyond.