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WPP Enterprise Solutions, the global business transformation operating unit of WPP, today announced it has signed a multi-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS). The agreement accelerates how enterprise brands close the gap between AI experimentation and scaled business impact across commerce, customer experience, and marketing operations.

The prevalence of AI in everyday life has made instant, intelligent, personalized experiences the baseline consumer expectation. Gartner predicts that by 2028, 60% of brands will use agentic AI to deliver streamlined one-to-one interactions. Consumers now expect every touchpoint to be intelligent, contextual, and autonomous.

Through this SCA, WPP Enterprise Solutions brings engineering depth and creative-to-commerce expertise to AWS generative and agentic AI capabilities, delivering production-grade AI systems at the speed and scale enterprise customers need to meet consumer demand.

From AI Pilots to Production

WPP Enterprise Solutions is the AWS Consulting Partner within WPP that specializes in agentic commerce and customer experience. Its engineers write the code, deploy the agents, and operate the AI, bridging the gap between creative strategy and production-grade technology.

At the center of the collaboration is a portfolio of production-ready offerings built on AWS:

Amazon Marketing Cloud Center of Excellence. Extends the content and data foundation into audience intelligence and measurement, connecting creative production directly to commerce outcomes on AWS. Composable Content Engine. Built on Amazon Bedrock and available in AWS Marketplace, this subscription-based platform enables franchisees, dealers, and local markets to create brand-compliant creative assets at scale with governance from day one. Enterprise clients have achieved up to 90% reduction in production time and 40% reduction in content costs. Agentic CX and Commerce Accelerators. Production-ready accelerators available through AWS Marketplace give enterprises a governed path from pilot to full-scale deployment of autonomous marketing, personalization, and commerce workflows. "This collaboration with AWS is about one thing: helping our clients turn generative and agentic AI from experiments into operating systems for their businesses," said Jeff Geheb, Global CEO, WPP Enterprise Solutions. "Enterprise leaders are past the pilot stage. They need AI that ships, scales, and delivers measurable ROI with the rigor that boards and C-suites now demand. We already build and operate production AI on AWS for the world's biggest brands. This SCA reinforces the shared commitment, engineering depth, and go-to-market alignment to deliver at even greater scale."

"AI is becoming the operating layer for commerce and customer experience," said Ruba Borno, Vice President of Global Specialists and Partners at AWS. "This collaboration proves what's possible when you combine deep transformation expertise with a platform purpose-built for AI at scale. WPP Enterprise Solutions engineers build and operate production AI directly on AWS for some of the world's most recognizable brands, and together we're scaling a proven model that's already delivering measurable outcomes for customers."

Customer Proof Point: United Rentals

United Rentals (NYSE: URI), the world's largest equipment rental company, shows what scaled AI built by WPP Enterprise Solutions on AWS can deliver in practice. Through the collaboration, WPP Enterprise Solutions and United Rentals built Equipment Agent — an omni-channel AI-powered equipment identification solution live across unitedrentals.com and AI platforms. First launched on Amazon Bedrock Agents and since evolved onto Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, the solution grounds its selections in Amazon Bedrock Knowledge Bases vectorized in Amazon OpenSearch:

One of the first AI-powered recommendation solutions of its kind in the equipment rental industry Approximately 70% improvement in helping customers find the right equipment for their projects based on internal testing United Rentals expects to continue to scale AI applications on AWS, including capabilities built on Amazon Bedrock and Amazon OpenSearch.

"We built Equipment Agent to meet customers where they already plan their work — on unitedrentals.com and across the AI assistants, anywhere AI is becoming part of how the job gets done. With WPP Enterprise Solutions engineering and Amazon Bedrock anchoring it, we have moved generative and agentic AI from ideas to production at the pace our business demands and believe this SCA supports continued development," said Tony Leopold, Chief Technology & Strategy Officer, United Rentals.

Building on AWS for Leading Brands

WPP Enterprise Solutions is an AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner with AWS-certified consultants, a dedicated Amazon Marketing Cloud Center of Excellence, and production deployments across commerce, customer experience, data, and customer service, with Amazon Bedrock anchoring the generative and agentic AI layer.

For more information, please visit https://www.wpp.com/en/wpp-enterprise-solutions.

ABOUT WPP ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS

WPP Enterprise Solutions designs, builds, and operates the growth systems that competitive businesses rely on. WPP Enterprise Solutions is recognized for its innovative business transformation work on behalf of global clients and works alongside best-in-class partners to deliver transformation solutions tailored to the needs of our clients’ businesses. WPP Enterprise Solutions is a global business powered by 12,000 experts who operate across 40+ markets in North America, Latin America, EMEA and APAC.

WPP Enterprise Solutions is a WPP company (NYSE: WPP). For more information, visit https://www.wpp.com/en/wpp-enterprise-solutions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260618440450/en/

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anfield Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: AEC; TSX.V: AEC; FRANKFURT: 0AD) (“Anfield” or the “Company”), following its May 4th news release, is pleased to report that is has filed its combined preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) titled, “The Shootaring Canyon Mill and Tributary Mines, Utah and Colorado, USA, Preliminary Economic Assessment” on SEDAR+. The PEA incorporates its Utah-based Velvet-Wood uranium and vanadium project (“Velvet-Wood”), its Colorado-based Slick Rock uranium and vanadium project (“Slick Rock”) and six of the nine mines which comprise the West Slope complex (“West Slope Mines”).

, /PRNewswire/ -- National shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman has launched an investigation into Hub Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUBG) amid a worsening series of accounting failures, disclosures of material misstatements, and emerging signs of a potential SEC investigation, according to analysts.

If you suffered significant losses investing in Hub Group, Inc. (HUBG) stock, click this link to submit your transaction details.

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/hubg
Contact the Firm Now: [email protected]
                                       844-916-0895

New Developments: Mounting Risk and Executive Turnover:

As of June 2026, the situation at Hub Group has deteriorated significantly, raising urgent questions for shareholders:

Possible Undisclosed SEC Investigation: Analysts at Disclosure Insight recently identified an early signal of a potential SEC investigation into Hub Group. While not yet confirmed as an ongoing enforcement action, according to Disclosure Insight, the company's recent history of undisclosed SEC activity—including a separate, previously undisclosed investigation that concluded on February 9, 2026—suggests a heightened risk profile. Abrupt Executive Departures: On May 27, 2026, the company saw the sudden, simultaneous departures of its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Delisting Risk: The company has been issued a delisting notice by NASDAQ, further adding to the instability surrounding the firm's public standing. Accounting Allegations and Internal Control Failures

The current turmoil follows a series of disclosures beginning in February 2026, when Hub Group admitted that its financial statements for the first nine months of 2025 were materially misstated due to a $77 million understatement of purchased transportation costs and accounts payable.

Subsequent filings have revealed that these accounting issues are far more pervasive than initially disclosed:

Expanded Non-Reliance: In May 2026, the company admitted that its audited financial statements for both 2023 and 2024 were also materially misstated and should no longer be relied upon. Systemic Internal Control Issues: The company has acknowledged that it did not maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures, or internal control over financial reporting, for the fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025. Unsupported Transactions: A review directed by the Audit Committee identified transactions that were "prematurely or incorrectly recognized or not adequately supported," leaving investors in the dark regarding the true state of the company's finances. Investor Alert:

Hagens Berman is investigating whether Hub Group and its management misled investors regarding the company's internal accounting controls and financial health. Investors who have suffered significant losses are encouraged to submit their information to the firm.

"Now that Hub Group has almost cleaned out its C-suite following an accounting error that reaches all the way back to 2023, the core focus of our investigation is whether these expenses were intentionally or recklessly understated to artificially inflate operating margins," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm's investigation.

If you invested in Hub Group and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now »

If you'd like more information and answers to other frequently asked questions about the firm's Hub Group investigation, read more »

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Hub Group should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected].

About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman's team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP

NEW YORK, June 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces an investigation into Hub Group Inc. (NASDAQ:HUBG) for potential securities fraud after significant stock drops.

If you invested in Hub Group, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/hub-group-class-action-lawsuit.

Key Details of the Hub Group ($HUBG) Class Action Investigation:

Investigation Overview: Securities fraud regarding Hub Group’s financial restatements for the first nine months of 2025 and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 due to prematurely or incorrectly recognized transactions.Stock Declines: February 6, 2026 - 18% Stock DropMay 12, 2026 - 13% Stock Drop Action: Contact BFA Law to discuss your rights Why is Hub Group Being Investigated for Securities Fraud?

Hub Group is a supply chain solutions provider that offers transportation and logistics management services. Hub Group is one of the largest freight transportation providers in North America. 

BFA is investigating Hub Group’s financial statements for the first nine months of 2025 and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, due to prematurely or incorrectly recognized transactions.

Why did Hub Group’s Stock Drop?

On February 5, 2026, Hub Group announced that it would delay the full release of its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results and will restate its financial statements for the first three quarters of 2025 due to an error that understated purchased transportation costs and accounts payable.

This news caused the price of Hub Group stock to decline $9.37 per share, or 18%, from a closing price of $51.33 per share on February 5, 2026, to $41.96 per share on February 6, 2026.

Then, on May 12, 2026, Hub Group announced that its previously issued audited financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were materially misstated and should no longer be relied upon. Hub Group stated that it identified premature or incorrectly recognized transactions and that it expects to conclude that it did not maintain effective disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

This news caused the price of Hub Group stock to decline $5.24 per share, or 13%, from a closing price of $41.86 per share on May 11, 2026, to $36.62 per share on May 12, 2026.

Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/hub-group-class-action-lawsuit.

What Can You Do?

If you invested in Hub Group, you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis; there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.

Submit your information by visiting:

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/hub-group-class-action-lawsuit

Or contact:

Adam McCall
[email protected]
212.789.3619

Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?
BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named “Elite Trial Lawyers” by the National Law Journal, “Litigation Stars” by Benchmark Litigation, among the top “500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers” by Lawdragon, “Titans of the Plaintiffs’ Bar” by Law360 and “SuperLawyers” by Thomson Reuters.

Most recently, The Legal 500 awarded BFA the most client satisfaction accolades of any plaintiff’s securities litigation law firm, with clients noting: “[t]here is no better service provider in the practice area,” “[t]he interest of the client is always front and center,” and “[t]here isn’t a better firm in this space.” One testimonial described the firm as “nimble and entrepreneurial,” with a “relentless focus on adding value for clients.” 

Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.’s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.

For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com.

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/hub-group-class-action-lawsuit

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

HYPROMAG USA ADVANCES TEXAS HUB AND U.S. MAGNET PLATFORM

Company Starts Long-Lead Equipment Procurement, Increases Projected Magnet Production, and Progresses U.S. Build-Out

CALGARY, AB / ACCESS Newswire / June 22, 2026 / Mkango Resources Ltd (AIM:MKA)(TSX-V:MKA) ("Mkango") is pleased to announce that HyProMag USA, LLC ("HyProMag USA" or the "Company"), has provided an update on the development of its Ironhead facility (the "Texas Hub") and the build-out of its U.S. commercial platform (together, the "Project"). The Company has increased its projected magnet production capacity, started procurement of key long-lead equipment and is progressing detailed engineering, feedstock aggregation, and commercial offtake discussions, while also initiating a search for U.S-based executive leadership to support the next phase of growth.

Following completion of the Class 2 AACE[1] capital cost estimate in Q4 2025 and the commissioning of HyProMag's UK and German plants, HyProMag USA has begun ordering critical-path long-lead equipment to support a targeted H2 2027 commissioning of the Texas Hub. In parallel, detailed engineering is advancing and the Company is in discussions with feedstock suppliers, potential offtake partners and financing counterparties as it transitions from feasibility and pilot validation into execution of a scaled domestic magnet recycling and manufacturing platform in the United States.

Key Highlights

Long-lead equipment procurement underway:
The Company has commenced procurement of three Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap ("HPMS") vessels along with magnet processing and finishing equipment to secure the development schedule for the Texas Hub.

Increased magnet production and updated economics:
Detailed engineering for a rare earth magnet recycling and manufacturing operation at the Texas Hub, supported by two pre-processing spoke sites at Intelligent Lifecycle Solution ("ILS") facilities in South Carolina and Nevada, indicates[2]:

Annual production capacity of approximately 1,048 metric tons of recycled sintered neodymium-iron-boron ("NdFeB") magnets and 478 metric tons of NdFeB co-products (total payable capacity of 1,526 metric tons NdFeB) over a 40-year operating life.

Post-tax Net Present Value ("NPV")[3] of approximately US$416 million and a real internal rate of return ("IRR") 26.3% based on current market prices[4],[5].

Post-tax NPV of approximately US$797 million and a real IRR of 37.1% based on forecast market prices[6].

Total initial capital cost of approximately US$152 million[7], including an 8.2% contingency and detailed design and engineering costs, over a one-year construction phase.

Power supply discussions initiated:
HyProMag USA has started formal discussions with Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC ("Oncor") to provide power to the Texas Hub and expects the facility to be supplied predominantly from renewable resources.

Ironhead Building and early works:
Preparatory work is underway for the project execution phase at the Ironhead building in Northlake, Texas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, including planning for the delivery and installation of early works equipment.

Inserma systems installation at ILS spoke sites:
Three INSERMA ANOIA S.L. ("Inserma") "3rd generation" hard disk drive ("HDD") magnet separation systems have been installed at the ILS pre-processing sites in Williston, South Carolina and Las Vegas, Nevada. Inserma is currently implementing additional machine upgrades, including AI embedded HDD recognition and data traceability functions.

Feedstock security and diversification:
HyProMag USA continues to build its feedstock base through its partnership with ILS[8] and a broader multi-source purchasing strategy. In addition to HDDs, ILS is actively targeting other bulk NdFeB feedstock, including electric motor rotors, wind turbine magnets, speaker assemblies and end-of-life MRI machines.

Offtake engagement:
The Company is in discussions with multiple potential offtake customers and, together with HyProMag Limited, is providing magnet samples for product verification and qualification.

U.S. leadership build-out:
HyProMag USA has engaged a leading global executive search and consulting firm to identify a U.S.-based CEO and CFO to support a potential future public listing and continued rollout of the business.

Pre-feasibility expansion study for future plants:
The Company is targeting completion of a Class 3 AACE estimate and optimal configuration study in Q3 2026 for additional plants that will mirror the Texas Hub, with the objective of expanding U.S.-based production to approximately 4,656 metric tons of NdFeB saleable products.

Financing:
The Company is in discussions with three financial institutions and continues to advance its project finance discussions following the procurement of the long lead equipment.

Julian Treger, CoTec CEO commented: "We are making strong progress on our first plant in Texas. Ordering long-lead items now keeps the Texas Hub on track and signals our confidence in the project and our ability to deliver it on schedule. ILS' growing portfolio of NdFeB feedstock, combined with stockpiling prior to commissioning, is designed to support a smooth ramp-up and optimized batch production. Any additional feedstock secured can underpin our future expansion of the plans.

Our near-term focus is on securing feedstock and offtake commitments to support our project financing and enable a construction start in Q4, 2026. Importantly, we are not starting from scratch - the underlying technology is already commissioned and operating in the UK[9] and Germany[10], and our goal is to scale that proven model in the United States. In parallel, we are building the leadership and operational platform needed to support long-term growth and preparing for a potential future U.S. listing."

Will Dawes, Mkango CEO commented: "HyProMag USA continues to progress towards commercial development and is well placed to play a key role in the development of more robust domestic rare earth supply chains in the United States. The Company has significant competitive advantages in the sector underpinned by the energy-efficient and cost-effective HPMS and Inserma technologies and proven capabilities to make commercial grade magnets for a range of applications. The Project is complemented by existing operations in UK and Germany, which effectively de-risk the technologies and facilitate ongoing offtake discussions.

We have a strong platform for growth in the United States and are excited to see the largescale expansion plans move to the pre-feasibility stage."

Detailed Design and Project Economics

The Texas Hub Class 2 AACE Capital Cost Estimate and Study (the "Detailed Design") is being carried out by a multidisciplinary team appointed by CoTec Holdings Corp. (TSXV: CTH; OTCQX: CTHCF) ("CoTec") and Mkango and led by independent engineering firms PegasusTSI and BBA. The study, which is approximately 35% complete, includes optimization of the operation as well as an updated capital cost profile. PegasusTSI and BBA have completed a 3D Plant model based on the Class 2 estimate prepared in Q4 2025 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNmJF3Hh1Mk)

Potential Future U.S. Listing

In December 2025, HyProMag USA's owners, CoTec and Mkango , announced that they were exploring a potential U.S. listing for HyProMag USA.[11] Since then, the Company has begun engaging prospective advisors and investment banks as part of an ongoing evaluation.

Any potential listing will remain subject to project execution milestones, market conditions and regulatory approvals. No decision has been made at this time, and any such transaction would not be expected before late 2026 or early 2027.

About Mkango Resources Ltd.

Mkango is listed on the AIM and the TSXV. Mkango's corporate strategy is to become a market leader in the production of recycled rare earth magnets, alloys and oxides, through its interest in Maginito, which is owned 79.4 per cent by Mkango and 20.6 per cent by CoTec Holdings Corp ("CoTec"), and to develop new sustainable sources of neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium to supply accelerating demand from electric vehicles, wind turbines and other clean energy technologies.

Maginito holds a 100 per cent interest in HyProMag Limited and a 90 per cent direct and indirect interest (assuming conversion of Maginito's convertible loan) in HyProMag GmbH, focused on short loop rare earth magnet recycling in the UK and Germany, respectively, and a 100 per cent interest in Mkango Rare Earths UK Ltd ("Mkango UK"), focused on long loop rare earth magnet recycling in the UK via a chemical route.

Maginito and CoTec are also rolling out HPMS recycling technology into the United States via the 50/50 owned HyProMag USA LLC joint venture company.

Mkango also owns the advanced stage Songwe Hill rare earths project in Malawi ("Songwe") and the Pulawy rare earths separation project in Poland ("Pulawy"). Both the Songwe and Pulawy projects have been selected as Strategic Projects under the European Union Critical Raw Materials Act. Mkango has signed a business combination agreement ("Business Combination Agreement") with Crown PropTech Acquisitions ("CPTK") to list the Songwe Hill and Pulawy rare earths projects on NASDAQ via a SPAC Merger under the name Mkango Rare Earths Limited.

For more information, please visit www.mkango.ca

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ('MAR') which has been incorporated into UK law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of this announcement via Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this news release, including statements regarding MKAR's and Mkango's future financial position, results of operations, business strategy, and plans and objectives of their management team for future operations, as well as statements relating to the proposed amendments to the Company's stock option plan, the extension of certain stock options, the outcomes of the Meeting, the waiver of TSXV oversight and the Proposed MKAR Transaction, are forward-looking statements. Any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are also forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "may," "target," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "preliminary," or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the outlook for Mkango's business, productivity, plans, goals for future operational improvements, capital investments, operational performance, future market conditions, economic performance, developments in the capital and credit markets, expected future financial performance, capital expenditure plans and timeline, mineral reserve and resource estimates, production and other operating results, productivity improvements, expected net proceeds, expected additional funding, the percentage of redemptions of CPTK's public shareholders, growth prospects and outlook of MKAR's or Maginito's operations, individually or in the aggregate, including the future listing of MKAR on Nasdaq, as well as any information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of Mkango and MKAR. Forward-looking statements also include statements regarding the expected benefits of the Proposed MKAR Transaction. The forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the respective management teams of CPTK, Mkango and MKAR, as applicable, and are inherently subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstance and their potential effects. These forward‑looking statements are based on certain assumptions, including that required shareholder, regulatory and stock exchange approvals will be obtained and that the Proposed MKAR Transaction will be completed as currently contemplated. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (i) the risk that the Proposed MKAR Transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of CPTK's, MKAR's or Mkango's securities, (ii) the risk that the Proposed MKAR Transaction may not be completed by CPTK's business combination deadline, or at all, and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by CPTK, MKAR or Mkango (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Proposed MKAR Transaction, including the approval of the Business Combination Agreement by Mkango ,the shareholders of CPTK, and the TSX-V, the satisfaction of the minimum cash amount following redemptions by CPTK's public shareholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, (iv) market risks, including the price of rare earth materials, (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement, (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Proposed MKAR Transaction on CPTK's, Mkango's or MKAR's business relationships, performance, and business generally, (vii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against CPTK or MKAR related to the Business Combination Agreement or the Proposed MKAR Transaction, (viii) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed MKAR Transaction, (ix) the inability of MKAR to meet the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market, or if listed, the inability of MKAR to maintain the listing of its securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market, (x) the risk that the price of MKAR securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors, including changes in the highly competitive industries in which MKAR plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws, regulations, technologies, natural disasters or health epidemics/pandemics, national security tensions, and macro-economic and social environments affecting its business, and changes in the combined capital structure, (xi) the inability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the Proposed MKAR Transaction, identify and realize additional opportunities, and manage its growth and expanding operations, (xii) the risk that Mkango may not be able to successfully develop its assets, (xiii) the risk that Mkango will be unable to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all, (xiv) political and social risks of operating in Malawi or Poland, (xv) operational hazards and risks that Mkango could face, and (xvi) the risk that additional financing in connection with the Proposed MKAR Transaction may not be raised on favorable terms, in a sufficient amount to satisfy the minimum cash amount condition to the Business Combination Agreement. The foregoing list is not exhaustive, and there may be additional risks that CPTK, Mkango, or MKAR presently do not know or that they currently believe are immaterial. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors, any other factors discussed in this news release and the other risks and uncertainties described in CPTK's filings with the SEC, Mkango's filings on SEDAR+, the risks to be described in a registration statement on Form F-4, which will include a proxy statement/prospectus, and those discussed and identified in filings made with the SEC by CPTK and MKAR, from time to time. Mkango caution you against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect current beliefs and are based on information currently available as of the date a forward-looking statement is made. Forward-looking statements set forth in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release. None of CPTK, Mkango, or MKAR undertakes any obligation to revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs. In the event that any forward-looking statement is updated, no inference should be made that CPTK, Mkango, or MKAR will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statements. Any corrections or revisions and other important assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements, including discussions of significant risk factors, may appear, up to the consummation of the Proposed MKAR Transaction, in CPTK's or MKAR's public filings with the SEC, which are or will be (as appropriate) accessible at www.sec.gov, or Mkango's public filings on SEDAR+, which you are advised to review carefully.

For further information on Mkango, please contact:

Mkango Resources Limited

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP

Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker
Caroline Rowe, Jen Clarke, Devik Mehta
UK: +44 20 3470 0470

H&P Advisory Limited

Joint Broker
Andrew Chubb, Leif Powis, Jay Ashfield
UK: +44 20 7907 8500

The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any equity or other securities of the Company in the United States. The securities of the Company will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold within the United States to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act.

[1] Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) - Class 2 Estimate

[2] https://hypromagusa.com/hypromag-usa-expands-feedstock-supply-agreementwith-global-electronics-recycler-intelligent-lifecycle-solutions/

[3] 7% real discount rates. NPVs are calculated by discounting real US dollar cash flows from 2027

[4] Current market prices ("Current Prices") for all NdFeB products sold in the U.S, excluding residual scrap, derived from updated November 2025 U.S. 2024 price quotes, over the life of the asset

[5] NPV does not include the economic benefit of any government or state incentives, carbon pricing

[6] Forecast market prices ("Forecast Prices") are the prices for all NdFeB products sold in the U.S, excluding residual scrap feed, with the rare earth price component thereof derived from the latest rare earth oxide price forecasts from Q1 (2027) Adamas Intelligence, over the life of the asset

[7] Capital excludes any U.S. tariffs

[8] https://www.cotec.ca/news/hypromag-usa-expands-feedstock-supply-agreement-with-global-electronics-recycler-intelligent-lifecycle-solutions

[9] https://mkango.ca/news/uk-minister-for-industry-officially-opens-rare-earth-magnet-recycling-and-manufacturing-facility-at-tyseley-energy-park/

[10] https://mkango.ca/news/first-commissioning-runs-for-magnet-recycling-technology-successfully-completed-at-hypromag-germany/

[11] https://hypromagusa.com/hypromag-usa-provides-positive-update-to-valuation-of-expanded-dallas-fort-worth-plant-and-commences-strategic-review-to-explore-a-u-s-listing/

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Mkango Resources Ltd.

Entegris (ENTG) saw its shares surge in the last session with trading volume being higher than average. The latest trend in earnings estimate revisions may not translate into further price increase in the near term.

Fidelity National Financial operates the largest U.S. title insurance platform. A growing annuities, life insurance, and retirement segment compliments and diversifies the earnings stream. Even modest improvement in the housing market is likely to bolster the FNF bottom line. The business model features strong cash generation, a sound balance sheet, and solid margins; thereby supporting the current 4.3% dividend and meaningful share buybacks.

June 17, 2026 08:05 ET  | Source: StepStone Group Inc

Now generally available: deal-level performance and operating metrics from SPI by StepStone, delivered directly within PitchBook workflows 

Gives fund managers, investors, and service providers granular, apples-to-apples benchmarking across private equity buyout, venture capital and growth equity, and infrastructure 

NEW YORK, June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StepStone Group (Nasdaq: STEP), a leading private market investment firm, and PitchBook, a leading private capital markets intelligence provider and Morningstar company (Nasdaq: MORN), today announced the general availability of SPI Deal Benchmarking, the deal-level benchmarking solution first unveiled in the firms’ May 2026 partnership. The solution is now live and accessible to fund managers and service providers through the PitchBook platform as a standalone offering, and to investors through SPI by StepStone. 

The solution brings institutional-grade, deal-level benchmarking into PitchBook users' existing workflows for the first time, pairing SPI by StepStone's performance and operating metrics with PitchBook's private capital data, research, and AI-powered tools. All outputs are aggregated and anonymized to protect fund manager and deal confidentiality.  

“When we announced this partnership, our goal was to give all market participants a fundamentally clearer view of granular trends within private markets and how performance is actually generated,” said Tyler Johnson, Partner and Chief Technology Officer at StepStone Group. “With today’s launch, that capability is now in their hands. Investors can compare deal performance and operating metrics across several dimensions, analyze track records, and unlock insights that sharpen every stage of their decision-making—all without leaving the tools they already use.” 

“Fund managers have told us they need benchmarking that goes deeper than high-level fund comparisons and lives inside their existing workflows,” said Joanna McGinley, EVP of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at PitchBook. “That’s exactly what we’re delivering today. By enabling access to StepStone’s deal- and operating-level benchmarks, we’re giving the market a more integrated, transparent way to evaluate performance, support fundraising and underwriting, and navigate an increasingly complex environment.” 

What’s now available 

Enhanced deal-level analytics: A flexible analytics interface to report performance, exposure, deployment, operating metrics, and value creation analysis for private market deals—drawing on the combined deal and company classification databases of StepStone and PitchBook. Users can filter and report across strategy, industry, geography, size, and time period, with all outputs aggregated and anonymized. Clearer insight into performance drivers: Deal-level (vs. fund-level) analysis enables apples-to-apples comparisons, helping investors distinguish alpha from beta across their managers and portfolios. Rigorous deal underwriting & analysis: Detailed performance, valuation, and capital structure data supports more rigorous underwriting and better-informed investment decisions. Improved investor relations & investment strategy: More granular benchmarks help fund managers articulate and quantify their differentiators, strengthening transparency for fundraising and reporting and informing go-forward strategy. To learn more, click here.  About StepStone Group 

StepStone Group Inc. (Nasdaq: STEP) is a global private markets investment firm focused on providing customized investment solutions and advisory and data services to its clients. As of March 31, 2026, StepStone was responsible for approximately $885 billion of total capital, including $233 billion of assets under management. StepStone’s clients include some of the world’s largest public and private defined benefit and defined contribution pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies, as well as prominent endowments, foundations, family offices and private wealth clients. StepStone partners with its clients to develop and build private markets portfolios across the private equity, infrastructure, private debt and real estate asset classes. For more information, visit StepStone Group.

StepStone Group Contacts 

Shareholder Relations:
Seth Weiss 
[email protected]
+1 (212) 351-6106 

Media:
Maggie Duffy / Harper Clark, Edelman
[email protected] 

About PitchBook, a Morningstar company 

As the pulse of private capital markets, PitchBook delivers trusted, real-time data, research, and technology to help investors, dealmakers, and innovators make decisions with confidence. Its products provide comprehensive information on companies, investors, funds, deals, and people, along with tools that help professionals analyze market activity. Founded in 2007, PitchBook serves more than 100,000 clients worldwide and is recognized as a leading source of private capital market intelligence, with over 3,000 employees across offices in Seattle, San Francisco, New York, London, Singapore, Mumbai, and other global locations. Since 2016, PitchBook has been a subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. For more information, visit www.pitchbook.com. 

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If you own Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (NYSE:GBTC), you are paying a premium for Bitcoin exposure that nearly identical funds now sell for a fraction of the price. The fund still quietly charges 1.50% a year, and that meter ran every single day of 2026’s 27.08% year to date drawdown. Fees do not pause for bear markets.

What You’re Actually Paying The headline cost is the sponsor fee. At 1.50%, GBTC takes $150 a year out of every $10,000 you have parked in it. BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (NASDAQ:IBIT), the dominant low-cost spot Bitcoin ETF, lists its expense ratio at 0.33% as of March 14, 2026. That is roughly $33 a year on the same $10,000. Same coin in the vault. Different toll.

Stretch that gap across a long holding period and the drag compounds. Each year the higher fee shaves off a slice of the price exposure you thought you were buying. Grayscale itself confirms the scale of the business: the firm runs over $35 billion in assets across various digital asset products. The fee is the product.

The Part the Factsheet Doesn’t Highlight The structural cost is what GBTC used to be and what it still drags behind. For years GBTC was a closed-end trust that traded at a persistent discount to the Bitcoin it held. One analysis at the time argued converting it could unlock up to $8 billion in value for investors by eliminating the trust’s persistent discount to net asset value. The conversion happened in January 2024, and the fee did not move. As InvestorPlace noted in January 2024, “the GBTC ETF carries a high expense ratio of 1.50%”, calling it “considerably more expensive than competitors.”

Holders voted with their money. Outflows hit $700 million to $785 million in a single day on January 22, 2024, and IBIT was already described as “poised to overtake GBTC in assets under management.” There is a second hidden cost in those outflows: legacy holders selling to escape the fee can trigger capital gains distributions and force tax drag on anyone who stays.

The Cheaper Mirror The exposure trade-off is almost nothing. IBIT and Fidelity’s Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (NYSEARCA:FBTC) both hold spot Bitcoin in cold storage and price off the same network. The performance lines up: over the past year, IBIT returned -38.89%, FBTC returned -38.86%, and GBTC returned -39.58%. Bitcoin itself fell 38.41% over the same window. GBTC trailed the spot coin and trailed the cheaper wrappers, in the same direction, by roughly the size of its fee gap. That is what a fee looks like in the wild.

Year to date the pattern repeats: Bitcoin is down 26.15%, IBIT is down 26.77%, FBTC is down 26.68%, and GBTC is down 27.08%. The cheaper mirror tracks the asset more closely because less of the asset is being skimmed off the top.

What This Means for You Loyalty to a ticker is not a strategy. If you bought GBTC before January 2024, you owned the only game in town and you paid for that scarcity. That moat is gone. The real question is whether your specific wrapper is worth roughly four to five times what the same exposure costs next door, and what your tax bill looks like if you decide it isn’t.

Key Takeaways UNM expects 2026 premium growth of 4-7% and adjusted operating EPS of $8.60-$8.90.Unum is investing in digital capabilities and operational transformation to support growth.UNM repurchased $402.4M of shares in Q1 despite pressure from rising expenses and weaker segments. Shares of Unum Group (UNM - Free Report) have gained 16.8% in the past year, outperforming the industry’s growth of 15.4%. The company’s share price closed at $91.62 on Wednesday and it is trading near its 52-week high of $93.22. This proximity underscores investor confidence. It has the ingredients for further price appreciation.

Strong premium growth, favorable disability claims experience, robust sales momentum and aggressive capital returns to shareholders through buybacks and dividends are driving the UNM stock performance. Earnings have grown 10.6% in the past five years, outperforming the industry average of 0.6%.

Shares of other insurers include AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF - Free Report) , which has lost 28.8%, while Globe Life Inc. (GL - Free Report) and Aflac Incorporated (AFL - Free Report) have gained 43% and 13.2%, respectively, in the past year.

1-Year Performance: UNM, AMSF, GL, AFL & Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

UNM’s Average Target Price Suggests UpsideBased on short-term price targets offered by 13 analysts, the Zacks average price target is $96.77 per share. The average suggests a potential 5.6% upside from the last closing price.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

UNM’s Attractive ValuationUnum Group’s shares are trading at a discount compared to the industry. Its price-to-book value of 1.34X is lower than the industry average of 1.73X, the Finance sector’s 4.53X and the Zacks S&P 500 Composite’s 8.02X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Zack Consensus Estimates of UNMThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Unum Group’s 2026 revenues is pegged at $11.9 billion, implying a year-over-year decline of 10.3%, while 2026 EPS indicates a year-over-year increase of 7.8%.

The consensus estimate for 2027 earnings per share (EPS) and revenues indicates an increase of 10.4% and 4.1%, respectively, from the corresponding 2026 estimates.

The expected long-term earnings growth rate is 11.3%, better than the industry average of 9.7%.

Mixed Analyst Sentiment for UNMTwo of the three analysts have raised estimates for 2026, while one analyst has decreased estimates for 2027, with no upward movement over the past 30 days. Thus, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings has moved north 0.3% and south 0.3%, respectively, over the same period.

What Drives UNM?Premiums, the primary component of UNM’s top line, continue to benefit from its healthy in-force block growth and higher sales. In 2026, Unum Group anticipates total premium growth of 4-7%, driven by persistency, new sales, employment and salary growth, and the effectiveness of a renewal program. UNM expects adjusted operating income per share to be between $8.60 and $8.90, indicating growth of about 8-12%.

Unum Group remains focused on expanding its core businesses through continued investments in technology and operational transformation. The company is enhancing digital capabilities, customer engagement and broker experience to better address evolving customer needs. Management expects these initiatives to support robust premium growth and earnings expansion in 2026.

Unum Group is poised to grow on the operational excellence of Unum U.S. and Colonial Life. Unum U.S. continues to benefit from disciplined sales trends, strong persistency in group lines, strong large-case sales and favorable disability claims experience. Growth in voluntary benefits also supported results, while sales momentum was fueled by new customers in the large-case market and continued strength among existing core-market clients.

Operating income in the Colonial Life Segment has risen over the last few years, banking on improving premium income and favorable risk results. The company's conservative pricing and reserving practices have contributed to its overall profitability. Premium income should continue to increase due to prior period sales across all product lines. Management remains focused on moving toward a mix of businesses with higher growth and stable margins.

Unum Group enjoys a solid capital position and substantial statutory earnings and capital, leading to financial flexibility. The company has consistently enhanced shareholders’ value through dividend hikes and share buybacks.

Risks for UNMCompetitive pricing in the group disability market remains a key risk, as intense competition could pressure premium rates and constrain underwriting margins.

Unum Group has been witnessing a rise in total benefits and expenses over the past few years, inducing margin contraction. UNM expects the adjusted operating expense ratio to be 22%.

Performance at the Closed Block and Corporate segments has also been disappointing over the past few quarters.

End NoteFavorable sales trends, strong persistency, solid capital position and effective capital deployment should continue to favour UNM over the long term. However, competitive pricing in the group disability market, weak performance at the Closed Block and Corporate segments, and a rise in total benefits and expenses over the past few years remain concerns.

The company has an impressive dividend track record, having increased dividends 19 times in the last 17 years and yielding better than the industry average, making it an attractive pick for yield-seeking investors.

The insurer should continue to gain from premium growth, dividend history and the attractive valuation of the stock. It is, therefore, wise to retain this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Shares of Dycom Industries (DY - Free Report) have gained 10.2% over the past four weeks to close the last trading session at $456.65, but there could still be a solid upside left in the stock if short-term price targets of Wall Street analysts are any indication. Going by the price targets, the mean estimate of $631 indicates a potential upside of 38.2%.

The average comprises 10 short-term price targets ranging from a low of $610.00 to a high of $654.00, with a standard deviation of $18.41. While the lowest estimate indicates an increase of 33.6% from the current price level, the most optimistic estimate points to a 43.2% upside. More than the range, one should note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.

While the consensus price target is a much-coveted metric for investors, solely banking on this metric to make an investment decision may not be wise at all. That's because the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable.

But, for DY, an impressive average price target is not the only indicator of a potential upside. Strong agreement among analysts about the company's ability to report better earnings than they predicted earlier strengthens this view. While a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't gauge how much a stock could gain, it has proven to be powerful in predicting an upside.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Here's What You May Not Know About Analysts' Price TargetsAccording to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.

While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?

They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.

However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.

That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.

Why DY Could Witness a Solid UpsideThere has been increasing optimism among analysts lately about the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher. And that could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 12.9% over the past month, as four estimates have gone higher compared to no negative revision.

Moreover, DY currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), which means it is in the top 5% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much DY could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.

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Combining AI-powered media orchestration and human expertise with healthcare-grade data to deliver highly targeted, measurable engagement across HCP and patient audiences.

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--StackAdapt (www.stackadapt.com), the leading AI advertising and orchestration platform, today announced a collaboration with IQVIA Digital to advance more relevant and compliant engagement with healthcare audiences. IQVIA Digital’s integrated solutions enable marketers to quickly transform data-driven insights into meaningful, privacy-conscious activation across the healthcare ecosystem.

Through this collaboration, StackAdapt’s programmatic advertising capabilities are now available within Media OS, IQVIA Digital’s end-to-end platform purpose-built for healthcare marketers. This integration enables brands and agencies to activate campaigns with StackAdapt’s best-in-class DSP directly from Media OS, a centralized environment designed around healthcare identities and compliance requirements.

Healthcare marketers have traditionally relied on separate platforms and partners across data, activation, and measurement, often resulting in disconnected workflows and limited visibility into campaign performance. By bringing these components together within Media OS, IQVIA Digital and StackAdapt simplify execution and improve visibility, enabling marketers to reach intended healthcare professionals with enhanced audience fidelity and relevant targeting across channels including CTV, video, display, native, and audio.

“StackAdapt is proud to work closely with IQVIA Digital to enhance the Media OS platform and support healthcare marketers with more connected advertising workflows,” said Mike Novosel, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at StackAdapt. “Together, we are helping marketers reach healthcare audiences more seamlessly, reduce onboarding complexity, and gain clearer visibility into media measurement.”

For advertisers who prefer to activate campaigns directly within StackAdapt, IQVIA Digital audiences remain seamlessly accessible within the platform. This includes custom HCP audience creation, pre-built audience segments, and integrated healthcare measurement workflows, without requiring additional onboarding, external integrations, or third-party workflows.

For those centralizing campaigns within Media OS, the platform delivers a unified experience that brings together the best of healthcare-specific media and audience intelligence in one place. In addition to DSP-based activation, Media OS provides access to premium endemic healthcare environments, including electronic health record platforms, medical journals, and telehealth settings, as well as broader channels such as email, search, and social.

This release builds on StackAdapt’s growing healthcare offering, where IQVIA Digital’s healthcare intelligence supports HCP engagement, campaign measurement, and reporting capabilities designed for pharmaceutical and healthcare advertisers. StackAdapt works with healthcare organizations like Advanced Diabetes Supply, Mass General Brigham, VSP Vision Care, Indiana University Health, Genomic Health, and US Med.

About StackAdapt

StackAdapt is the leading AI advertising and orchestration platform marketers rely on to drive brand growth and revenue. Built entirely in-house with an easy-to-use interface, StackAdapt unifies programmatic and owned channels—including CTV, DOOH, display, native, audio, email, and more—into one seamless experience. The platform makes it easy to find the right audience, personalize creative, run campaigns, optimize, and measure results in one place. Trusted by the most forward-thinking brands and agencies, StackAdapt combines speed of innovation, deep vertical expertise, and partnership that powers real business growth. For further information, visit www.stackadapt.com.

About IQVIA Digital

IQVIA Digital powers exceptional brand experiences, delivering innovative solutions based on a customer-first, insights-driven, and integrated omnichannel vision. We provide authenticated, data and analytics, innovative fit-for-purpose healthcare technology, and the expertise to enable an effective and adaptable marketing model that drives better quality of care and patient outcomes. IQVIA is the leading global provider of data, advanced analytics, technology solutions and clinical research services for the life sciences industry. Contact us at www.IQVIADigital.com.

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Key Takeaways LEN delivered 20,519 homes in Q2 FY2026, up 2%, while new orders totaled 21,749 homes.Lennar's average delivered-home sales price fell 5% to $371,000, pressuring profitability.LEN guides Q3 gross margin near 16% and cut FY2026 deliveries to about 82,000-83,000 homes. Lennar Corporation (LEN - Free Report) is still closing homes at a large scale, but the investment debate has shifted from volume to economics. Deliveries remain steady, while affordability pressure keeps pricing and margins under strain.

That mix makes 2026 a test of execution. LEN is preserving activity in a difficult housing market, but weaker revenue per home is limiting near-term stock appeal.

How LEN Is Managing a Tough Housing MarketElevated mortgage rates, affordability constraints and cautious consumer behavior continue to shape demand. Management noted mortgage rates in the mid-to-upper 6% range during the second quarter of fiscal 2026, with affordability still the defining challenge for buyers.

Lennar’s answer has been a volume-focused strategy. The company is using pricing adjustments and incentives to sustain sales activity and protect market share, even though that approach weighs on profitability and revenue momentum.

D.R. Horton, Inc. (DHI - Free Report) remains a relevant comparison because it also competes at national scale in entry-level and move-up housing. PulteGroup, Inc. (PHM - Free Report) provides another useful peer reference, given its broad U.S. homebuilding footprint and exposure to similar buyer affordability pressures.

Lennar Home Sales Still Show ScaleLennar delivered 20,519 homes in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, up 2% from the prior-year period and within management’s guidance range of 20,000-21,000 homes. New orders totaled 21,749 homes, down 4% year over year but still near the company’s operating targets.

That production consistency matters. It shows that LEN is not facing a collapse in activity, even as buyers remain selective. Steady closings and orders help investors evaluate execution, backlog conversion and market-share retention in a softer housing backdrop.

Backlog also offered some support. Lennar ended the quarter with 16,818 homes in backlog, up from 15,538 a year earlier, while backlog value rose to $6.61 billion from $6.48 billion.

Why LEN Pricing Keeps Pressure on ProfitsThe main pressure point is pricing. The average sales price of homes delivered fell 5% year over year to $371,000 from $389,000, reflecting continued market weakness and affordability-driven adjustments.

Gross margin on home sales declined to 15.6% from 17.8% a year earlier. Lower revenue per square foot and higher land costs offset some benefits from reduced construction costs, showing that LEN’s top-line pressure is tied more to weaker economics per home than to a sharp volume decline.

Incentives remain part of the story. Average sales price in the quarter reflected roughly 12.9% in incentives, along with base price adjustments needed to sustain volume.

Lennar’s Land Model Offers Some ProtectionLennar’s asset-light land strategy gives the company more flexibility than a traditional land-heavy model. At the end of the second quarter, about 98% of homesites were controlled through third parties, while only about 2% were owned.

Less than 5% of land remained on the balance sheet. Lennar controlled roughly 484,000 homesites and owned about 11,000, a structure designed to reduce capital intensity and limit balance-sheet risk through uneven housing cycles.

This model does not eliminate margin pressure. It can, however, help LEN preserve liquidity, adjust more quickly to changing demand and support market-share growth without tying up as much capital in land.

LEN Signals to Watch NextThe bottom line is that LEN’s scale remains intact, but investors still need evidence that volume can translate into better earnings power. Third-quarter guidance calls for 20,500-21,500 deliveries, 21,000-22,000 new orders and gross margin on home sales of roughly 16%.

Management also reduced its full-year fiscal 2026 delivery target to approximately 82,000-83,000 homes, citing pressure on interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty. That makes pricing, incentives and margin recovery the key signals to watch.

LEN currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). It also has weak Style Scores, including a Value Score of D, Growth Score of F, Momentum Score of D and VGM Score of F.

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

The Zacks Rank reflects unfavorable earnings estimate revision trends over the one- to three-month horizon. The weak Style Scores indicate that LEN does not currently screen well across value, growth and momentum characteristics, reinforcing that operational scale has not yet translated into stronger near-term stock appeal.

Key Takeaways LEN delivered 20,519 homes in Q2 FY2026, while average selling price fell 5% to $371,000.Lennar is investing in technology to improve land operations, sales conversion and efficiency.LEN cut construction costs and cycle times, but margins remain below year-ago levels. Lennar Corporation (LEN - Free Report) is navigating a housing market where affordability matters more than pricing power. Buyers remain stretched, mortgage rates have stayed in the mid-to-upper 6% range and demand remains uneven.

That backdrop is pushing Lennar toward volume discipline, cost control, land flexibility and technology investment. Those same conditions are keeping margins under pressure.

LEN Is Built for an Affordability CycleLennar’s strategy fits a market that rewards attainable pricing. In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, the company delivered 20,519 homes, up 2% year over year, even as new orders declined 4% to 21,749 homes.

Pricing flexibility remains central to that approach. Average selling prices on homes delivered fell 5% year over year to $371,000, reflecting weak demand and affordability support.

Even-flow production also matters. By matching starts, sales and closings, Lennar aims to protect market share and improve inventory efficiency rather than wait for higher prices.

D.R. Horton (DHI - Free Report) and PulteGroup (PHM - Free Report) face the same affordability-sensitive homebuilding cycle. Their inclusion in Lennar’s peer set reinforces that the pressure reflects broader demand friction.

Lennar Technology Push Aims to Lift EfficiencyLennar is trying to make the affordability cycle more manageable through technology. The company is investing in digital marketing, lead generation and customer conversion capabilities to improve responsiveness.

Its technology effort extends beyond the customer interface. Lennar is developing a technology-enabled land operating system intended to improve diligence, land acquisition and administration and reduce costs.

The goal is to operate more like a manufacturing homebuilder, with better data across land, product, construction, sales and customer experience. Payoff is longer term.

Technology spending can help execution, but adds near-term expense while revenue per home is under pressure.

LEN Costs and Cycle Times Are ImprovingLennar’s efficiency gains are the clearest counterweight to the pricing challenge. Construction cost per square foot declined to $81 in the second quarter and has fallen 13% over the past two years.

Cycle time improved to a record-low 121 days from 132 days a year earlier. Faster builds help reduce capital tied up in inventory and support more predictable delivery schedules.

Inventory turns improved to 2.5 times from 1.8 times a year ago. That matters because Lennar’s model depends on turning homesites and finished homes quickly enough to preserve activity in a weaker pricing environment.

Its land-light structure adds flexibility. At the end of the quarter, roughly 98% of homesites were controlled through third parties, while only about 2% were owned.

Lennar Margins Show the Industry Trade-OffThe margin picture shows why the stock remains pressured despite operational progress. Home sales gross margin improved sequentially to 15.6%, and incentives declined to 12.9% from 14.1% in the prior quarter.

Still, profitability remains well below last year’s level. Gross margin was 17.8% in the year-ago quarter, reflecting lower revenue per square foot and higher land costs, partly offset by lower construction costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses remain elevated. They represented 9.2% of home sales revenues in the second quarter, up from 8.8% a year earlier, mainly because of lower revenue leverage and higher marketing and selling expenses.

This is the core industry trade-off. Builders can keep activity moving with incentives, price adjustments and faster turns, but profit per home can remain under pressure.

What LEN Ratings Say About This TrendThe bottom line is that Lennar’s operating model is improving, but the market is still focused on earnings and margin pressure. Lower construction costs, faster cycle times and a land-light model are positives, yet they have not fully offset affordability headwinds.

LEN currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). That ranking reflects weaker earnings estimate trends over the one-to-three-month horizon, which keeps the stock’s near-term setup cautious.

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

The Style Scores also lean negative. LEN has a VGM Score of F, Value Score of D, Growth Score of F and Momentum Score of D. Since Style Scores complement the Zacks Rank, those weak grades suggest the stock lacks support across valuation, growth and momentum characteristics.

Lennar’s efficiency trends matter, but the current ratings show that those positives have not yet outweighed the pressure from lower pricing, elevated expenses and a difficult housing cycle.

All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. But when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.

Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and, of course, dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends make up large portions of long-term returns, and in many cases, dividend contributions surpass one-third of total returns.

Headquartered in St Louis, Ameren (AEE - Free Report) is a Utilities stock that has seen a price change of 10.64% so far this year. Currently paying a dividend of $0.75 per share, the company has a dividend yield of 2.72%. In comparison, the Utility - Electric Power industry's yield is 2.94%, while the S&P 500's yield is 1.4%.

Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $3.00 is up 5.6% from last year. Over the last 5 years, Ameren has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 7.11%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. Ameren's current payout ratio is 57%, meaning it paid out 57% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.

AEE is expecting earnings to expand this fiscal year as well. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $5.36 per share, which represents a year-over-year growth rate of 6.56%.

Investors like dividends for many reasons; they greatly improve stock investing profits, decrease overall portfolio risk, and carry tax advantages, among others. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.

For instance, it's a rare occurrence when a tech start-up or big growth business offers its shareholders a dividend. It's more common to see larger companies with more established profits give out dividends. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, AEE is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Resources Investor Relations Journalists Agencies Client Login Send a Release News Products Contact , /PRNewswire/ -- The Entergy Texas, Inc. board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend payment of $0.3359375 per share on its Series A Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable July 15, 2026, to shareholders of record as of July 2, 2026.

About Entergy Texas

Entergy Texas (NYSE: ETI-PR) provides electricity to approximately 538,000 customers in 27 counties. Its customers are connected to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator Inc. power grid, which is a regional transmission organization responsible for administering the transmission systems of member utilities in 15 states stretching across the central region of the United States and Manitoba, Canada. Entergy Texas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR). Entergy generates, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for more than 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're focused on keeping costs for our customers as low as possible while providing reliable energy that our communities count on. We're also investing in growth for the future with a more resilient, cleaner energy system that includes modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy generation. As a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, Entergy delivers more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at EntergyTexas.com and connect with @EntergyTX on social media.

SOURCE Entergy Corporation

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YETI Holdings has outperformed the S&P 500 over the last year, driven by strong brand loyalty, robust wholesale growth and international expansion. Management raised FY26 guidance, now projecting 7–8% sales growth and adjusted EPS of $2.83–$2.89. International expansion remains a key growth lever, with high-teens to 20% expected sales growth and new market entries in Asia planned.

Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces an investigation into The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) for potential securities fraud after significant stock drops.

If you invested in Ensign, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/ensign-class-action-lawsuit.

Key Details of the Ensign ($ENSG) Class Action Investigation:

Investigation Overview: Securities fraud relating to Ensign’s misrepresentations about care quality at the company’s nursing facilities, as well as Ensign’s growth, margins, and regulatory complianceStock Declines: June 8, 2026 – 8.2% Stock Drop; June 10, 2027 – 3% Stock DropAction: Contact BFA Law to discuss your rightsWhy is Ensign Being Investigated for Securities Fraud?

Ensign is a healthcare services company that operates skilled nursing, senior living, and rehabilitative care facilities through a network of affiliated providers. Ensign relies heavily on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, making government funding and regulatory compliance central to Ensign’s business model.

BFA is investigating whether Ensign misled investors about the quality of care at its facilities, as well as Ensign’s growth, margins, and regulatory compliance.

Why did Ensign’s Stock Drop?

On June 8, 2026, Hunterbrook Capital published a research report titled “Ensign: The Nursing Home Empire Built on Fatal Neglect” based on a five month investigation that alleged “Ensign’s profits can be traced to providing less care than its patients need – and less care than it is meant to provide based on the tax dollars it receives from the government.” According to Hunterbrook, Ensign padded its profit margin by understaffing its facilities while routing Medicare and Medicaid payments to affiliate entities owned or controlled by Ensign.

This news caused the price of Ensign stock to decline $13.88 per share, or 8.2%, from a closing price of $170.30 per share on June 5, 2026, to $156.42 per share on June 8, 2026.

On June 11, 2026, Muddy Waters Research published a research report titled “Ensign: Deceiving the Government at Estimated ~20% of Facilities” which alleged that Ensign “rents” required nursing-home administrator licenses from off-site administrators that do not actually oversee its facilities to create the appearance of regulatory compliance. According to Muddy Waters, genuine regulatory compliance would significantly reduce Ensign’s profitability.

On this news, the price of Ensign stock declined $4.52 per share, or 3%, from a closing price of $151.65 per share on June 10, 2026, to $147.13 per share on June 11, 2026.

Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/ensign-class-action-lawsuit.

What Can You Do?

If you invested in Ensign, you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis; there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.

Submit your information by visiting:

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/ensign-class-action-lawsuit

Or contact:

Adam McCall
[email protected]
212.789.3619

Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?

BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named “Elite Trial Lawyers” by the National Law Journal, “Litigation Stars” by Benchmark Litigation, among the top “500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers” by Lawdragon, “Titans of the Plaintiffs’ Bar” by Law360 and “SuperLawyers” by Thomson Reuters.

Most recently, The Legal 500 awarded BFA the most client satisfaction accolades of any plaintiff’s securities litigation law firm, with clients noting: “[t]here is no better service provider in the practice area,” “[t]he interest of the client is always front and center,” and “[t]here isn’t a better firm in this space.” One testimonial described the firm as “nimble and entrepreneurial,” with a “relentless focus on adding value for clients.”

Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.’s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.

For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com.

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/ensign-class-action-lawsuit

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260617004761/en/

NEW YORK, June 17, 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 The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENSG) resulting from allegations that Ensign may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Ensign 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/cases/the-ensign-group-inc/join 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 June 8, 2026, Investing.com published an article entitled "Ensign Group stock tumbles after short seller report." The article stated that Ensign shares fell after "short seller Hunterbrook released a report alleging the nursing home operator’s business model relies on inadequate patient care and gaming quality metrics." Further, the article stated that Hunterbrook "published findings from a five-month investigation claiming the company’s profits depend on understaffing facilities while routing taxpayer dollars to executives and affiliates. The report alleges patients have suffered and died as a result."

On this news, Ensign Group shares fell sharply in intraday trading on June 8, 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. At the time 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

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 18, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENSG) resulting from allegations that Ensign may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Ensign 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/cases/the-ensign-group-inc/join 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 June 8, 2026, Investing.com published an article entitled "Ensign Group stock tumbles after short seller report." The article stated that Ensign shares fell after "short seller Hunterbrook released a report alleging the nursing home operator's business model relies on inadequate patient care and gaming quality metrics." Further, the article stated that Hunterbrook "published findings from a five-month investigation claiming the company's profits depend on understaffing facilities while routing taxpayer dollars to executives and affiliates. The report alleges patients have suffered and died as a result."

On this news, Ensig's shares fell sharply in intraday trading on June 8, 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. At the time 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.

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/302094

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.

Contact Us

NEW YORK, June 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces an investigation into The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) for potential securities fraud after significant stock drops.

If you invested in Ensign, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/ensign-class-action-lawsuit.

Key Details of the Ensign ($ENSG) Class Action Investigation:

Investigation Overview: Securities fraud relating to Ensign’s misrepresentations about care quality at the company’s nursing facilities, as well as Ensign’s growth, margins, and regulatory complianceStock Declines: June 8, 2026 – 8.2% Stock Drop; June 10, 2027 – 3% Stock DropAction: Contact BFA Law to discuss your rights Why is Ensign Being Investigated for Securities Fraud?

Ensign is a healthcare services company that operates skilled nursing, senior living, and rehabilitative care facilities through a network of affiliated providers. Ensign relies heavily on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, making government funding and regulatory compliance central to Ensign’s business model.

BFA is investigating whether Ensign misled investors about the quality of care at its facilities, as well as Ensign’s growth, margins, and regulatory compliance.

Why did Ensign’s Stock Drop?

On June 8, 2026, Hunterbrook Capital published a research report titled “Ensign: The Nursing Home Empire Built on Fatal Neglect” based on a five month investigation that alleged “Ensign’s profits can be traced to providing less care than its patients need – and less care than it is meant to provide based on the tax dollars it receives from the government.” According to Hunterbrook, Ensign padded its profit margin by understaffing its facilities while routing Medicare and Medicaid payments to affiliate entities owned or controlled by Ensign.

This news caused the price of Ensign stock to decline $13.88 per share, or 8.2%, from a closing price of $170.30 per share on June 5, 2026, to $156.42 per share on June 8, 2026.

On June 11, 2026, Muddy Waters Research published a research report titled “Ensign: Deceiving the Government at Estimated ~20% of Facilities” which alleged that Ensign “rents” required nursing-home administrator licenses from off-site administrators that do not actually oversee its facilities to create the appearance of regulatory compliance. According to Muddy Waters, genuine regulatory compliance would significantly reduce Ensign’s profitability.

On this news, the price of Ensign stock declined $4.52 per share, or 3%, from a closing price of $151.65 per share on June 10, 2026, to $147.13 per share on June 11, 2026.

Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/ensign-class-action-lawsuit.

What Can You Do?

If you invested in Ensign, you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis; there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.

Submit your information by visiting:

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/ensign-class-action-lawsuit

Or contact:

Adam McCall
[email protected]
212.789.3619

Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?

BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named “Elite Trial Lawyers” by the National Law Journal, “Litigation Stars” by Benchmark Litigation, among the top “500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers” by Lawdragon, “Titans of the Plaintiffs’ Bar” by Law360 and “SuperLawyers” by Thomson Reuters.

Most recently, The Legal 500 awarded BFA the most client satisfaction accolades of any plaintiff’s securities litigation law firm, with clients noting: “[t]here is no better service provider in the practice area,” “[t]he interest of the client is always front and center,” and “[t]here isn’t a better firm in this space.” One testimonial described the firm as “nimble and entrepreneurial,” with a “relentless focus on adding value for clients.”

Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.’s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.

For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com.

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/ensign-class-action-lawsuit

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

, /PRNewswire/ -- The Ensign Group (NASDAQ: ENSG) investors saw the price of their shares in the skilled nursing facilities ("SNFs") provider tumble over 8% on June 8 and another 3% on June 11, 2026 after Hunterbrook Media and Muddy Waters Research, respectively, published highly critical reports questioning Ensign's business practices.

In total, over $500 million of Ensign's market capitalization has been wiped out since June 7, 2026, the day before the first of the two reports.

These developments have prompted national shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman to open an investigation into allegations within the two reports and whether Ensign may have violated the federal securities laws.

The firm encourages Ensign investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.

The Ensign Group (ENSG) Investigation:

The investigation is primarily focused on the propriety of Ensign's disclosures about SNF acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and certain accounting matters.

In the past, Ensign repeatedly assured investors that "compliance and quality outcomes are precursors to outstanding financial performance" and "we strive to aggressively increase quality in every facility we acquire, and to adjust our overall policies to adapt to CMS's changing criteria for the Five-Star Quality Rating System."

But, on June 8, 2026, Hunterbrook published its report, contending in part that "Ensign's profits can be traced to providing less care than its patients need – and less care than it is meant to provide based on the tax dollars it receives from the government." In addition, the firm said that "[w]e found Ensign's growth strategy is to buy struggling nursing homes – then cut staff at those facilities and bank the savings, all while claiming quality improves."

Then, on June 11, 2026, Muddy Waters Research published its report, adding to Hunterbrook's analysis. Muddy Waters sent investigators to 57 of Ensign's SNFs and found "red flags consistent with rented" NHA licenses that enabled "Ensign to state the facilities have licensed Administrators when in fact these administrators are seldom on premise and do not substantively manage the facilities."

The firm concluded that "this scheme, which could amount to fraud against states, Medicare, and Medicaid, is the pillar upon which Ensign's acquisition strategy and margins is built[]" and "[u]nder the False Claims Act, if these practices have been in place for one year at ~20% of facilities, we estimate the violations carry theoretical sanctions in the billions of dollars."

"Our investigation is focused on whether the analysts' allegations are accurate and, if so, whether Ensign may have misled investors about its business practices and accounting," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm's investigation.

If you invested in Ensign and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that will assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now »

If you'd like more information and answers to other frequently asked questions about the firm's Ensign investigation, read more »

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Ensign should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected].

About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman's team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-ensign-group-ensg-shares-fall-amid-activist-forensic-reports-challenging-patient-care-claims-legal-compliance----hbss-302804936.html

SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP

NEW YORK, June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds ChampionX Corporation (“ChampionX” or the “Company”) (formerly NASDAQ: CHX) investors of the July 14, 2026 deadline involving a securities fraud class action lawsuit commenced against the Company.

Should You Join The ChampionX Class Action Lawsuit:

Do you, or did you, own shares of ChampionX Corporation (formerly NASDAQ: CHX)?
Did you sell your shares between February 29, 2024 and April 1, 2024, inclusive?
Did you lose money in your investment in ChampionX Corporation?
Investors are encouraged to act promptly and submit a form at ChampionX Corporation Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit, email Jeffrey McEachern at [email protected], or call us at (877) 779-1414.

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff for the Class, you must file papers by July 14, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on other class members’ behalf in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn’t require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses.

About The Lawsuit:

A lawsuit was filed on behalf of investors (the “Class”) who sold the common stock of ChampionX between February 29, 2024 and April 1, 2024, inclusive, alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its senior officers.

The lawsuit alleges that defendants repurchased millions of dollars’ worth of ChampionX shares without disclosing material nonpublic information about Schlumberger Limited’s offers to purchase ChampionX at a premium to then-current prices, which, if disclosed as required, would have indicated to investors that ChampionX’s stock was worth significantly more.

About Bernstein Liebhard:

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal’s “Plaintiffs’ Hot List” thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2026 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:

Jeffrey McEachern
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
https://www.bernlieb.com
(877) 779-1414
[email protected]

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 18, 2026) - Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized investor-rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against ChampionX Corporation (NASDAQ: CHX) and certain of its officers.

This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired ChampionX securities between February 29, 2024 and April 1, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/CHX.

ChampionX Case Details

The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:

while repurchasing millions of dollars' worth of ChampionX Corporation ("ChampionX" or the "Company") common stock, Defendants were in possession of material nonpublic information regarding offers made by Schlumberger Limited ("SLB") to acquire ChampionX at a premium to prevailing market prices; Defendants failed to either abstain from trading or disclose SLB's offer(s), which, if disclosed, would have signaled to investors that ChampionX's stock was worth significantly more than its trading price; Defendants further failed to disclose subsequent offers and negotiations involving ChampionX and SLB; and as a result, Defendants' statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.What's Next for ChampionX Investors?

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/CHX, or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 917-590-0911. If you suffered a loss in ChampionX you have until July 14, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.

No Cost to ChampionX Investors

We, Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLC, represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.

Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC for ChampionX Securities Class Action?

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide. More at www.bgandg.com

"Our practice centers on restoring investor capital and ensuring corporate accountability, which serves to uphold the essential integrity of the marketplace," said Peretz Bronstein, Founding Partner of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.

Attorney advertising.
Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/297978

Source: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC

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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NEW YORK, June 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds sellers of common stock of ChampionX Corporation (NASDAQ: CHX) between February 29, 2024 and April 1, 2024, inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important July 14, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you sold ChampionX common stock 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 ChampionX class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/cases/championx-corporation/join 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 July 14, 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 failed to disclose material information, which artificially deflated the price of ChampionX common stock. On February 29, 2024, ChampionX received an unsolicited non-public offer from Schlumberger Limited to purchase all the outstanding shares of ChampionX for $36.70 per share. On March 7, 2024, Schlumberger raised its offer to $37.80 per share. The lawsuit alleges that while these offers were on the table and unknown to the investing public, ChampionX was repurchasing its common stock at market prices significantly below the prices offered by Schlumberger. ChampionX had an obligation to disclose that it had received a formal acquisition offer from Schlumberger or abstain from purchasing ChampionX stock from unsuspecting investors. During the Class Period, ChampionX’s average stock price was $33.32 per share. On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, during pre-market hours, ChampionX disclosed the merger with Schlumberger. The merger eventually closed on July 16, 2025, with Schlumberger acquiring ChampionX for $40.58 per share.

To join the ChampionX class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/cases/championx-corporation/join 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, 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