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Ceconomy AG (MTTRY) Q1 2026 Earnings Call February 11, 2026 4:00 AM EST

Company Participants

Fabienne Caron
Kai-Ulrich Deissner - CEO & Chairman of Management Board
Remko Rijnders - CFO & Member of the Management Board

Conference Call Participants

Matthias Inverardi

Presentation

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by. Welcome to the CECONOMY Q1 2025-2026 Results Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded.

I will now hand over to Fabienne Caron, Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications. Please go ahead.

Fabienne Caron

Thank you. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our Q1 results. I'm joined today by our CEO, Dr. Kai-Ulrich Deissner; and our CFO, Remko Rijnders.

Before we begin, a brief reminder. Today's discussion will include forward-looking statements. Please refer to the disclaimer in the presentation for important information. This call is being recorded, and the recorded (sic) [ recording ] will be available on our website later today.

With that, I'm pleased to hand over to Kai to walk you through the key highlights. Kai, over to you.

Kai-Ulrich Deissner
CEO & Chairman of Management Board

Thank you, Fabienne. Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us today. Together with my partner in crime, our trusted CFO, Remko Rijnders, I will soon take you through the results of our first quarter in financial year '25-'26. But let's first recognize, Q1 is a very important quarter for us. It includes the full peak season around Black Week and Singles Day and Cyber Week and Christmas.

And in that quarter, we see millions of customers visiting our stores and our app. So at least statistically, you personally will have been part of those customers, too, and hopefully, even in real life and not just statistically. But effectively, it's a stress test for us, a stress test to our business model

LAVAL, QC, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. ("Couche-Tard" or the "Corporation") (TSX: ATD) will present today its 2026 Business Strategy Update in Toronto. The Corporation will introduce its Core + More strategy: Amplify the Core and Invest in More.

Verra Mobility will manage NYC's red-light, speed, and bus lane enforcement programs, contributing to the City's lowest number of pedestrian deaths in history

Red-light and bus lane camera programs to expand across the five boroughs

The contract value represents a 34% increase from the previous five-year contract period, 2021-2025

, /PRNewswire/ -- Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM), a leading provider of safe, smart, and connected mobility technology solutions, announced today that it has finalized a new, five-year, $998 million contract with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) to continue managing New York City's automated enforcement camera programs, with an option to extend for an additional five-year term. This includes the city's red-light, speed, and bus lane enforcement systems, as well as cameras used to enforce weight limits on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE).

The new contract will support the city's red-light safety camera program expansion to 600 signalized intersections and the future growth of automated bus lane enforcement. Verra Mobility has managed the city's automated enforcement programs – the largest network of its kind – since they were originally introduced more than 30 years ago. The new contract will be effective from January 1, 2026.

The previous contract between Verra Mobility and NYC DOT expired in December 2025. Under the new contract, the number of red-light camera locations will significantly increase, following legislation signed by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul in 2025 to renew and expand the city's red-light camera program to 600 signalized intersections – up from just 150 previously, or less than one percent of intersections in the city.

In addition to growing the city's bus lane obstruction enforcement program, Verra Mobility will upgrade legacy equipment across various programs. The new contract also commits to 33 percent utilization of minority- and women-owned business enterprises, community partnerships, and public education components.

"At Staffing 101 Group, our mission has always been to connect qualified talent with purpose-driven opportunities," said Raymond Aviles, managing director, Staffing 101 Group. "Partnering with Verra Mobility allows us to do just that, ensuring that New Yorkers are directly supporting and benefiting from one of the city's most important traffic safety initiatives. Since joining Verra Mobility's New York City operations in 2023, we have already connected more than 100 New Yorkers—many from historically underserved communities—with meaningful employment that supports safer streets across the five boroughs. As a certified MBE staffing firm, Staffing 101 is committed to building a diverse, city-based workforce that reflects and serves New York's communities. We're proud to provide a local, diverse workforce that keeps this critical program running for the benefit of all New Yorkers."

"Windsor Electrical Contracting Inc. is honored to collaborate with Verra Mobility on the NYC DOT safety camera enforcement program, an essential initiative dedicated to improving roadway safety across New York City," said Andy Rambharose, president, Windsor Electrical Contracting Inc. "With over 35 years of experience in the Electrical Construction industry, Windsor brings a proven track record of reliability, technical excellence and precision to complex infrastructure projects.

After a competitive request for proposals (RFP) issued last summer, NYC DOT selected Verra Mobility as the vendor to manage New York City's network enforcement programs. Verra Mobility was selected based on the company's proven ability to operate large-scale camera systems and by providing the highest technical response to the agency's RFP, fully meeting the standards for expanded operations. This includes the company's ability to leverage recent innovations in camera technology to tackle new challenges, such as the increase in obscured license plates.

"We are proud to extend our decades-standing partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation to continue operating the nation's largest automated traffic enforcement program, which is saving lives and enhancing public safety," said Jon Baldwin, executive vice president, Verra Mobility. "This agreement advances our shared mission to leverage best-in-class technology and by expanding the red-light and bus lane programs, we are building on years of proven success. We are grateful to NYC DOT for their commitment to safer streets and look forward to continuing to deliver safer transportation for millions of New Yorkers."

The red-light and bus lane expansions will extend to all five boroughs, bringing continued traffic safety to communities throughout New York City. Building on the program's established success, the new contract advances local employment opportunities, supports the growth of minority- and women-owned businesses, promotes public education, and delivers meaningful safety benefits to all New Yorkers.

About Verra Mobility

Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM) is a leading provider of smart mobility technology solutions that make transportation safer, smarter and more connected. The company sits at the center of the mobility ecosystem, bringing together vehicles, hardware, software, data and people to enable safe, efficient solutions for customers globally. Verra Mobility's transportation safety systems and parking management solutions protect lives, improve urban and motorway mobility and support healthier communities. The company also solves complex payment, utilization and compliance challenges for fleet owners and rental car companies. Headquartered in Arizona, Verra Mobility operates in North America, Europe and Australia. For more information, please visit www.verramobility.com.

Forward Looking Statements

We describe initiatives that drive our business and future results in this press release. Such discussions contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements are those that address activities, events, or developments that management intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future. They are based on management's assumptions and assessments in light of past experience and trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other relevant factors. They are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ significantly from those envisaged by our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update or revise any of our forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to material risks and uncertainties that can affect our performance in both the near-and long-term. In addition, no assurance can be given that any plan, initiative, projection, goal, commitment, expectation, or prospect set forth in this press release can or will be achieved. These forward-looking statements should be considered in light of the information included in this press release, our Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking plans described herein are not final and may be modified or abandoned at any time.

Additional Information

We periodically provide information for investors on our corporate website, www.verramobility.com, and our investor relations website, ir.verramobility.com.

We intend to use our website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor our website, in addition to following the Company's press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.

SOURCE Verra Mobility

February 11, 2026 09:05 ET  | Source: SEALSQ

Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

SEALSQ Presented at Tech&Fest How the Quantum Shield QS7001 Can be Integrated as a Hardware Root of Trust to Meet Cryptographic Transition New Legal Requirements Like CNSA 2.0

The quantum resistant chip can be embedded inside robots, autonomous systems, automotive ECUs, industrial controllers, IoT edge nodes, and other intelligent devices to comply with emerging post-quantum mandates and regulation, like CNSA 2.0 or CRA.

SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) ("SEALSQ" or "Company"), a company that focuses on developing and selling Semiconductors, PKI, and Post-Quantum technology hardware and software products, has been showcasing last week its quantum resistant chip, at Tech&Fest, a prominent deep-tech fair at the heart of the European and French research and technology ecosystem in Grenoble.

The QS7001 is a quantum-resistant secure microcontroller (SoC) built around a 32-bit RISC-V core tightly coupled with a dedicated cryptographic acceleration subsystem. Unlike software-based PQC implementations running on general-purpose MCUs, the QS7001 implements SHA 3 lattice-based post-quantum primitive directly in silicon, significantly reducing cycle count, memory footprint, and power consumption while mitigating timing and side-channel leakage risks.

At the core of its CNSA 2.0 compliance is native hardware support for:

ML-DSA-87 (Dilithium 5) for firmware and software signing, as required under CNSA 2.0 for high-security environmentsML-KEM (Kyber) for quantum-resistant key establishmentSHA-3 hardware hashing enginesAES-256 symmetric encryptionTrue Random Number Generator (TRNG) Hardware & ROM based PQC Acceleration
Beyond SHA 3 hardware acceleration, The QS7001 integrates at ROM level a dedicated lattice-math accelerator optimized for:

Number Theoretic Transform (NTT) operationsPolynomial multiplication over module latticesRejection sampling and modular reductionConstant-time arithmetic to mitigate timing attacks By implementing these computationally intensive lattice operations in hardware, the device achieves up to 10x performance improvement versus software-only PQC stacks running on conventional microcontrollers.

Most importantly, Hardware acceleration also reduces RAM usage, enabling full ML-DSA-87 execution within embedded constraints typical of robotics controllers and automotive ECUs.

The chip includes 512 KB embedded FLASH and secure SRAM partitions, supporting

Secure key storageFirmware image storageEncrypted bootloadersTrusted execution environments Secure Boot and Firmware Signing (CNSA 2.0 Alignment)
CNSA 2.0 mandates ML-DSA-87 (Dilithium 5) for firmware and software signing in National Security Systems and high-assurance environments. The QS7001 ML-DSA-87 implementation is protected against side channel attacks and fault injections. The chip also features Anti-rollback firmware protection and cryptographically enforced firmware authenticity and integrity.

Hybrid and Migration Support
CNSA 2.0 defines a transition path from classical public-key cryptography to post-quantum algorithms. The QS7001 supports hybrid cryptographic modes, enabling:

Parallel support for ECC/RSA and ML-DSAHybrid key establishment combining ECDH and ML-KEMConfigurable cryptographic policies for phased migration This ensures backward compatibility with existing infrastructure while enabling forward compliance with NSA timelines.

Tamper Resistance and Physical Security
The QS7001 is engineered for Common Criteria EAL5+ and FIPS certification pathways and integrates:

Active tamper detection sensorsVoltage, frequency, and glitch monitoringSecure key zeroization on tamper eventsSide-channel hardened cryptographic enginesMemory protection units (MPU) These protections are essential for robotics, defense systems, autonomous vehicles, and critical infrastructure where physical exposure cannot be ruled out.

Application Integration in Intelligent Systems
Within robotics and intelligent devices, the QS7001 functions as:

A secure element for identity provisioningA hardware trust anchor for AI model integrityA secure communication co-processorA TPM-like security controller in embedded architectures It ensures that:

Robot firmware updates are quantum-safeAI models deployed at the edge cannot be alteredDevice-to-device authentication is resistant to quantum adversariesTelemetry and control channels are encrypted using CNSA 2.0-aligned primitives CNSA 2.0 is critical because it mandates the transition from classical cryptography (RSA and ECC) to quantum-resistant algorithms to protect national security systems against future quantum-computing threats. It addresses the “harvest now, decrypt later” risk, where adversaries can capture encrypted data today and decrypt it once quantum computers become powerful enough.

A key requirement is the use of ML-DSA-87 (Dilithium 5) for firmware and software signing, ensuring that secure boot and system integrity remain protected in a post-quantum world. It also mandates ML-KEM (Kyber) for quantum-safe key exchange, safeguarding encrypted communications and device authentication.

CNSA 2.0 is not just a cryptographic update — it is a strategic shift that forces governments, defense contractors, and technology providers to redesign hardware, firmware, and infrastructure with long-term quantum resilience built in.

The moment is critical to accelerate the migration to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). As quantum technologies rapidly advance, governments are moving decisively to secure strategic leadership.

About SEALSQ:
SEALSQ is a leading innovator in Post-Quantum Technology hardware and software solutions. Our technology seamlessly integrates Semiconductors, PKI (Public Key Infrastructure), and Provisioning Services, with a strategic emphasis on developing state-of-the-art Quantum Resistant Cryptography and Semiconductors designed to address the urgent security challenges posed by quantum computing. As quantum computers advance, traditional cryptographic methods like RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) are increasingly vulnerable.

SEALSQ is pioneering the development of Post-Quantum Semiconductors that provide robust, future-proof protection for sensitive data across a wide range of applications, including Multi-Factor Authentication tokens, Smart Energy, Medical and Healthcare Systems, Defense, IT Network Infrastructure, Automotive, and Industrial Automation and Control Systems. By embedding Post-Quantum Cryptography into our semiconductor solutions, SEALSQ ensures that organizations stay protected against quantum threats. Our products are engineered to safeguard critical systems, enhancing resilience and security across diverse industries.

For more information on our Post-Quantum Semiconductors and security solutions, please visit www.sealsq.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning SEALSQ Corp and its businesses. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our business strategy, financial performance, results of operations, market data, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, as well as any other statements which are not historical facts. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include SEALSQ's ability to continue beneficial transactions with material parties, including a limited number of significant customers; market demand and semiconductor industry conditions; and the risks discussed in SEALSQ's filings with the SEC. Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by SEALSQ with the SEC.

SEALSQ Corp is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SEALSQ Corp.
Carlos Moreira
Chairman & CEO
Tel: +41 22 594 3000
[email protected] Investor Relations (US)
The Equity Group Inc.
Lena Cati
Tel: +1 212 836-9611
[email protected]

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Ultragenyx To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you purchased or acquired securities in Ultragenyx between August 3, 2023 and December 26, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

, /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc ("Ultragenyx" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: RARE) and reminds investors of the April 6, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

James (Josh) Wilson, Faruqi & Faruqi Senior Partner (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP) Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (i) defendants created the false impression that they possessed reliable information pertaining to the effects of setrusumab on patients with variable types of Osteogenesis Imperfecta ("OI"), while also minimizing risk that patients in Ultragenyx' Phase III Orbit study would fail to achieve a statistically significant reduction in annualized fracture rate ("AFR"), such that the second interim analysis could be performed and presented to the investing public; and (ii) in truth, Ultragenyx' optimism in the Phase III Orbit study's results and interim analysis benchmark were misplaced because Ultragenyx failed to convey the risk associated with basing such threshold figures on Phase II results that had no placebo control group for appropriate comparison and thus had not ruled out that the reduction in AFR from that study could merely be triggered by an increased standard of care and the placebo effect of being provided a novel treatment.

On July 9, 2025, Ultragenyx revealed that the Phase III Orbit study failed to achieve statistical significance for the second interim analysis and that Phase III Orbit and Cosmic studies would now be "progressing toward final analysis."

On this news, the price of Ultragenyx stock fell more than 25%, according to the complaint.

Then, on December 29, 2025, Ultragenyx announced that both its Phase III Orbit and Cosmic Studies had not "achieved statistical significance against the primary endpoints of reduction in annualized clinical fracture rate compared to placebo or bisphosphonates, respectively." Ultragenyx allegedly attributed the study failure to a "low fracture rate in the placebo group" of Orbit and a trend that fell shy of statistical significance in Cosmic.

On this news, the price of Ultragenyx stock fell more than 42%, according to the complaint.

The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. 

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Ultragenyx's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

To learn more about the Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/RARE or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

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

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP

Ryder (R - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $3.59 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.66 per share. This compares to earnings of $3.45 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -1.91%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this truck leasing company would post earnings of $3.56 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.57, delivering a surprise of +0.28%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.

Ryder, which belongs to the Zacks Transportation - Equipment and Leasing industry, posted revenues of $3.18 billion for the quarter ended December 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.18%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $3.19 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Ryder shares have added about 10.9% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 1.4%.

What's Next for Ryder?While Ryder has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Ryder was favorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $2.77 on $3.19 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $14.94 on $13.27 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Transportation - Equipment and Leasing is currently in the top 11% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

One other stock from the same industry, Freightcar America (RAIL - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended December 2025.

This rail car maker is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.18 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -14.3%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Freightcar America's revenues are expected to be $144.78 million, up 5.1% from the year-ago quarter.

The Zacks Automotive Replacement Parts industry faces a challenging setup as multiple pressures weigh on its outlook. Persistent cost inflation and intensifying competition continue to dampen margins and pricing power. At the same time, increasing vehicle complexity is raising operating costs and execution risk across the aftermarket, particularly for smaller players. Tariff exposure adds to cost volatility. Offsetting these headwinds, an aging vehicle fleet remains a key demand stabilizer, as consumers continue to maintain older cars amid elevated vehicle prices. Against this backdrop, two industry players — Genuine Parts Company (GPC - Free Report) and Dorman Products (DORM - Free Report) — are expected to benefit from their strategic initiatives, expansion efforts and investor-friendly moves.

About the Industry The Zacks Automotive – Replacement Parts industry includes companies involved in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of replacement components for the automotive aftermarket. Industry participants supply systems, components, and equipment used to repair and maintain vehicles, including engine, steering, drivetrain, suspension, brake and transmission parts. Demand for replacement parts is generally more resilient than new vehicle sales, as consumers tend to maintain existing vehicles rather than purchase new ones during periods of economic uncertainty. Repairs may be undertaken either by vehicle owners themselves or through professional service providers. That said, the industry is undergoing a period of transition, with evolving consumer expectations, rising vehicle complexity and technological innovation reshaping cost structures and competitive dynamics.

Factors At Play Margin Pressure from Persistent Cost Inflation: Elevated labor, freight and sourcing costs continue to put pressure on profitability across the replacement parts value chain. While companies have implemented price increases, incomplete cost pass-through—amid a price-sensitive repair market—has constrained margin recovery, particularly for manufacturers and smaller distributors with limited pricing power.

Rising Vehicle Complexity Weighs on the Aftermarket: Increasing reliance on advanced electronics, ADAS, and EV-specific systems is raising the cost and complexity of vehicle repairs. Aftermarket players must invest more heavily in diagnostics, training, and inventory while adapting to rapidly changing vehicle platforms. These higher fixed costs and execution challenges are expected to weigh on margins, especially for less-scaled replacement parts providers.

Tariff Exposure Adds Cost Volatility: Ongoing reliance on imported parts, particularly from China and Europe, leaves sections of the auto replacement supply chain exposed to U.S. import tariffs. While some of these costs can be passed through, incomplete pass-through risks margin pressure and higher repair costs, increasing earnings volatility for parts manufacturers and distributors.

Intensifying Competition Limits Pricing Power: Heightened competition—driven by private-label expansion, aggressive promotions, and growing omnichannel offerings—has constrained pricing power across the industry. At the same time, elevated investments in technology and supply chain capabilities are raising operating costs, further hurting returns on invested capital.

Aging Vehicle Fleet Supports Replacement Demand: The steady aging of the vehicle fleet continues to underpin demand for replacement parts, as older vehicles require more frequent repairs and maintenance. With new and used vehicle prices still elevated, many consumers are delaying purchases and opting to keep existing cars on the road longer. The average age of vehicles in the United States has climbed to nearly 12.8 years, which bodes well for the auto replacement industry.

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Glum Prospects The Zacks Automotive – Replacements Parts industry is part of the broader Zacks Auto-Tires-Trucks sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #208, which places it in the bottom 14% of around 240 Zacks industries.

The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates dim near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. The industry’s positioning in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a weak earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Over the past year, the industry’s earnings estimate for 2026 has declined 54%.

Still, we will present a few stocks from the industry worth considering for your portfolio. But before that, let's take a look at the industry’s stock market performance and current valuation.

Industry Lags Sector and S&P 500 The Zacks Automotive – Replacement Parts industry has underperformed the Auto, Tires and Truck sector and the S&P 500 composite over the past year. The industry has declined around 5% against the S&P 500 and the sector’s growth of 18% and 30%, respectively.

One-Year Price Performance

Industry's Current Valuation Since automotive companies are debt-laden, it makes sense to value them based on the Enterprise Value/ Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EV/EBITDA) ratio. On the basis of trailing 12-month enterprise value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA), the industry is currently trading at 9.64X compared with the S&P 500’s 17.29X and the sector’s trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 28.92X. Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 12.15X, as low as 7.32X and at a median of 10.26X, as the chart below shows.

EV/EBITDA Ratio (Past 5 Years)

2 Stocks to Watch Genuine Parts is a leading global distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts, offering both products and value-added solutions across multiple end markets. The company continues to expand its footprint through acquisitions, including KDG, Gaudi, MPEC, Walker, and the recent buyout of Benson Auto Parts, which added roughly 85 stores in Canada. GPC’s Industrial Parts Group—operating under Motion Industries—is benefiting from steady MRO demand, rising data center activity and onshoring trends supported by shifting trade policies.

At the same time, management is executing a global restructuring initiative to better align its cost base and asset footprint with current market conditions, which should enhance operational efficiency. GPC’s shareholder-friendly approach remains a key positive. Being a dividend aristocrat, the company has paid dividends since 1948 and raised its 2025 payout by 3% to $4.12 per share, marking its 69th consecutive annual increase.

Genuine Parts carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GPC’s 2026 sales and EPS implies 4% and 10% growth, respectively, from the projected 2025 levels.

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

Price & Consensus: GPC

Dorman Products is one of the leading automotive aftermarket suppliers focused on the replacement and upgrade of parts across the automotive, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle markets. Dorman continues to expand its addressable market by launching hundreds of new direct replacement parts and assemblies that meet or exceed original equipment standards. This steady product innovation supports organic growth and helps the company capture demand tied to an aging vehicle fleet. The acquisition of SuperATV further strengthened Dorman Products’ growth profile by broadening its product portfolio and exposure to adjacent aftermarket categories.

DORM rolled out a redesigned website with an upgraded e-commerce platform. The modern, user-friendly interface is tailored to the next generation of heavy-duty repair professionals, improving part identification, order accuracy and delivery efficiency. This digital investment should support operational scalability and reinforce Dorman’s competitive position over time.Additionally, the company’s share buybacks demonstrate management’s commitment to shareholder value.

Dorman Products Parts carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GPC’s 2026 sales and EPS implies 6% and 9% growth, respectively, from the projected 2025 levels.

Price & Consensus: DORM

BP p.l.c. is rated Buy as it pivots back to core oil operations, suspending buybacks to prioritize debt reduction and future growth. BP's safety and operational reliability have markedly improved since 2019, with process safety events dropping to 27 in 2025 and record upstream reliability. 2026 will be a transition year with flat organic production, new CEO leadership, and major project ramp-up setting the stage for growth post-2027.

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National shareholder rights law firm Hagens Berman is issuing notice to investors in F5, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIV) regarding the February 17, 2026, lead plaintiff deadline in a pending securities class action against the company and certain of its executives.

The firm is actively investigating the alleged claims, which allege that F5 executives misled the market regarding the security of its core BIG-IP products. The lawsuit alleges that while F5 touted its comprehensive security platform, the truth emerged in October 2025: a sophisticated nation-state threat actor had allegedly maintained long-term persistent access to F5’s systems, exfiltrating sensitive source code. This breach and the subsequent 2026 revenue guidance cut triggered a series of crashes wiping out over $2 billion in market value.

[CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR F5 LOSSES]

View our latest video summary of the allegations: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SyUnnvAYak

“We are investigating if F5 unduly delayed in disclosing a material cybersecurity incident,” said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the firm’s investigation of the alleged claims in the pending suit.

FFIV Case Summary at a Glance

Key DetailInformation for FFIV InvestorsLead Plaintiff DeadlineFebruary 17, 2026Class PeriodOct. 28, 2024 – Oct. 27, 2025Core AllegationUndisclosed breach of BIG-IP source codeStock Price ImpactSignificant declines from Oct. 2025 disclosures   F5, Inc. (FFIV) Securities Fraud Claims: Alleged Infiltration and the Guidance Collapse

Concealment of Systemic Vulnerabilities and Significant Financial risks: The lawsuit alleges the company falsely touted its best-in-industry security and confidence in its ability to meet and capitalize on the growing security needs for its clientele. In reality, F5 was, at the time, the subject of a significant security incident, placing its clientele’s security and F5’s future prospects at significant risk.Undetected Longterm Persistent Infiltration: On Oct. 15, 2025, F5 revealed that “[i]n August 2025, we learned a highly sophisticated nation-state threat actor maintained long-term, persistent access to, and downloaded files from, certain F5 systems.  These systems included our BIG-IP product development environment and engineering knowledge management platforms.” This news drove shares down nearly 14% over two trading days, according to the complaint.Poor Performance and Dismal Outlook: On Oct. 27, 2025, F5 released disappointing 4Q FY25 results, providing significantly below-market growth expectations for fiscal 2026 due in significant part to the security breach as F5 announced expected reductions to sales and renewals, elongated sales cycles, terminated projections, and increased expenses attributed to ongoing remediation efforts.  Defendants also allegedly disclosed that BIG-IP, the product that was the subject of the security breach, is F5’s highest revenue product. This news drove the price of F5 shares down $22.83 (-7%) the next day and was followed by several analyst rating and price target downgrades.
Next Steps: Contact Partner Reed Kathrein Today
Hagens Berman is a top-tier plaintiff litigation firm recognized for leading complex securities fraud class actions.

Mr. Kathrein is actively advising investors who purchased FFIV shares during the Class Period (October 28, 2024 – October 27, 2025) and suffered substantial losses.

The Lead Plaintiff Deadline is February 17, 2026.

TO SUBMIT YOUR F5 (FFIV) LOSSES NOW, PLEASE USE THE SECURE FORM BELOW:

Report Your FFIV Losses to Hagens BermanContact: Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email [email protected]. If you’d like more information and answers to additional frequently asked questions about the F5 case and our investigation, read more »

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding F5 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. 

Contact:
Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895

Kraft Heinz (KHC - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.67 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.61 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.84 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +9.37%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this processed food company with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Chicago would post earnings of $0.57 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.61, delivering a surprise of +7.02%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.

Kraft Heinz, which belongs to the Zacks Food - Miscellaneous industry, posted revenues of $6.35 billion for the quarter ended December 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.99%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $6.58 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Kraft Heinz shares have added about 2.7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 1.4%.

What's Next for Kraft Heinz?While Kraft Heinz has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Kraft Heinz was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.61 on $6.07 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $2.53 on $25.08 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Food - Miscellaneous is currently in the bottom 23% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Another stock from the same industry, Utz Brands (UTZ - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended December 2025. The results are expected to be released on February 12.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.26 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +18.2%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.8% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.

Utz Brands' revenues are expected to be $342.65 million, up 0.5% from the year-ago quarter.

Key Takeaways Pfizer's COVID sales fell sharply, while non-COVID revenues rose 6% operationally in 2025.PFE's new and acquired drugs generated $10.2B in 2025, up about 14% year over year.Pfizer faces a 2026-2030 LOE cliff as Eliquis and other key drugs near patent expiry. Sales of Pfizer’s (PFE - Free Report) COVID products, Comirnaty and Paxlovid, declined from their peak with the end of the pandemic. Their sales came down to around $11 billion in 2024 and $6.7 billion in 2025 from $56.7 billion in 2022. In addition to lower sales of its COVID products, Pfizer faces some other challenges, like U.S. Medicare Part D headwinds and the upcoming loss of exclusivity (“LOE”) cliff in the 2026-2030 period as several of its key products, including Eliquis, Vyndaqel, Ibrance, Xeljanz and Xtandi, face patent expirations.

However, Pfizer’s non-COVID revenues are improving, driven by its key in-line products like Vyndaqel, Padcev and Eliquis, new launches and newly acquired products.

Year 2023 was a record year for Pfizer in terms of FDA approvals. It received nine new medicine/vaccine approvals in 2023 that have begun to contribute to top-line growth. A couple of new product approvals were also received in 2024 and 2025.

Revenues from Pfizer’s non-COVID products rose 6% operationally in 2025. Pfizer's recently launched and acquired products delivered $10.2 billion in revenues in 2025 while growing approximately 14% operationally year over year. In 2026, Pfizer expects its recently launched and acquired products to record continued double-digit growth.

Pfizer is also trying to rebuild its pipeline through acquisitions to maximize post-2028 growth. Seagen, Metsera and Biohaven are the most significant strategic acquisitions in recent years. In 2025, Pfizer invested around $9 billion in M&A deals, including the acquisition of Metsera and the licensing deal with Chinese biotech 3SBio. Pfizer plans to start 20 pivotal studies in 2026, which include 10 pivotal studies for the ultra-long-acting obesity candidates added from the Metsera acquisition and four for PF-08634404, the dual PD-1/VEGF inhibitor in-licensed from 3SBio in 2025.

Pfizer expects its recently launched and acquired products and a strong pipeline in obesity and oncology to help revive top-line growth toward the end of the decade. However, in the 2026 to 2028 period, it is not very clear if Pfizer’s new and acquired products can help the company offset the impact of the LOEs.

Competition in the Oncology SpacePfizer is one of the largest drugmakers of cancer medicines. Other large players in the oncology space are AstraZeneca (AZN - Free Report) , Merck (MRK - Free Report) , J&J (JNJ - Free Report) and Bristol-Myers.

For AstraZeneca, oncology sales now comprise around 44% of total revenues. Sales in its oncology segment rose 14% at constant exchange rate (CER) in 2025. AstraZeneca’s strong oncology performance was driven by medicines such as Tagrisso, Lynparza, Imfinzi, Calquence and Enhertu (in partnership with Daiichi Sankyo).

Merck’s key oncology medicines are PD-LI inhibitor, Keytruda and PARP inhibitor, Lynparza, which it markets in partnership with AstraZeneca. Keytruda, approved for several types of cancer, alone accounts for more than 50% of Merck’s pharmaceutical sales. Keytruda recorded sales of $31.7 billion in 2025, up 7% year over year.

J&J’s oncology sales now comprise around 27% of its total revenues. Its oncology sales rose 20.9% on an operational basis in 2025 to $25.4 billion. While J&J’s older cancer drugs, multiple myeloma treatment Darzalex and prostate cancer drug Erleada, are key contributors to its top-line growth, new drugs such as Carvykti, Tecvayli, Talvey and Rybrevant, plus Lazcluze, hold the key to long-term growth.

Bristol-Myers’ key cancer drug is PD-LI inhibitor, Opdivo, which accounts for around 21% of its total revenues. Opdivo’s sales rose 8% to $10 billion in 2025.

PFE’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesPfizer’s stock has risen 8.4% in the past year compared with an increase of 17.3% for the industry. 

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Pfizer appears attractive relative to the industry and is trading below its 5-year mean. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 9.33 forward earnings, lower than 18.65 for the industry and the stock’s 5-year mean of 10.23.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings has declined from $2.99 per share to $2.98, while that for 2027 has been stable at $2.83 per share over the past 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Pfizer has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

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

Standard Uranium Ltd (TSX-V:STND, OTCQB:STTDF, FRA:9SU0) announced that drilling has commenced at its Corvo uranium project near Wollaston Lake in northeastern Saskatchewan, with field crews arriving on site February 6 and drilling starting February 9.

The Corvo project, covering 12,364 hectares, is subject to a three-year earn-in option agreement with Aventis Energy Inc. Under the agreement, Aventis has the option to earn a 75% interest in the project by funding C$6 million in exploration expenditures over three years. Aventis is funding the current drill program, which is being operated by Standard Uranium.

The company said the winter drill program is expected to include approximately 2,500 to 3,000 metres of diamond drilling across eight to ten holes, with an anticipated duration of five to six weeks.

Initial drilling is focused on the Manhattan target area, with additional holes planned along prospective electromagnetic corridors supported by gravity survey data.

Standard Uranium noted that target areas were refined using geophysical work completed in 2025, along with recent prospecting, mapping, and surface radioactivity measurements.

The company reported grab samples with elevated uranium content from surface work at the Manhattan area, although it cautioned that grab samples are selective by nature.

The company said target selection for the 2026 drill campaign was conducted in collaboration with Convolutions Geoscience Corporation and was based on geophysical signatures, geological and structural setting, proximity to surface uranium occurrences, and recent field mapping results.

"The team and I are thrilled to announce that the drill is spinning on the Corvo project for the first time in more than 40 years, kicking off our winter exploration season," Standard Uranium president and VP exploration Sean Hillacre said in a statement.

"This program also marks the first drill holes ever at the Manhattan showing, which returned uranium grades up to 8.10% U3O8 in surface samples from our prospecting program in 2025."

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Ripple has announced a new partnership agreement with one of the key investment giants in the UK, Aviva Investors, for bringing traditional fund constructs to the XRP ledger, in response to growing interest in the tokenization of markets.

Aviva Investors to Debut Tokenized Products Using XRP Ledger In a press release, Ripple said that this year, it will start working in association with Aviva Investors to include traditional financial assets in its ledger.

We’re thrilled to announce that @Ripple is partnering with Aviva Investors to bring traditional fund structures to the XRP Ledger. This marks our first collaboration with a European investment management firm to tokenize real-world assets (RWAs) at scale.

By leveraging the…

— Reece Merrick (@reece_merrick) February 11, 2026

The network has processed over four billion transactions since 2012, has over seven million active wallets, and operates through 120 individual validators. The partnership with Aviva Investors marks the first time Ripple has collaborated with an asset manager on the continent.

This also comes at a time when Ripple shared in its roadmap at the end of last year that it would be building on its institutional push for tokenization on the XRP Ledger. The notable partnerships that this firm has entered into globally include BNY, American Express, and PNC Bank.

“Institutions like Aviva Investors are now focused on how to deploy regulated financial assets at scale. The development of tokenised fund structures is one that we believe can bring huge technological efficiencies to the investment sector,” said Nigel Khakoo, Vice President, Trading and Markets.

Jill Barber, Chief Distribution Officer at Aviva Investors, also highlighted that bringing this onto the XRP ledger could offer many benefits to investors.

“We believe there are many benefits that tokenisation can bring to investors, including improvements in terms of both time and cost efficiency, he said.” We think tokenised funds can be hugely beneficial to our clients.”

Ripple’s Future Still Tied to Its Token, CEO Confirms The firm’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, has come out to reaffirm that XRP is still the top priority. This comes amid the various ecosystem expansions seen that may not directly affect the token’s utility.

Glad to see the message is (finally, even more) clear!

XRP family has and always will be top of mind for Ripple. https://t.co/Pu2aMx6ja0

— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) February 9, 2026

For instance, yesterday, Ripple announced a new partnership with Zand Bank to boost the adoption of RLUSD in the UAE. Many investors have speculated that the firm is more concerned about boosting its stablecoin activity than the token.

Garlinghouse spoke to the ongoing discussions, saying “The XRP family will always be top of mind,” he said. Notably, the firm has bet big on the future of the coin. The firm invested in a $1 billion project to establish a treasury on the altcoin.

BNB price has entered a decisive corrective phase, sliding more than 6% and breaking below the psychological $600 level amid a broader crypto market downturn. The move was not random. Price action confirms a bearish flag breakdown on the daily timeframe, signaling that the recent consolidation was a continuation pattern rather than a base-building structure. With market sentiment turning defensive and risk appetite fading across major altcoins, BNB price now faces mounting selling pressure at a critical juncture.

Bearish Flag Breakdown Shifts BNB Price Lower: Is $500 the Next Stop?BNB price spent several sessions forming a tight upward sloping channel following its prior decline, a textbook bearish flag formation. This pattern typically signals temporary relief bounce before another leg lower, and the recent selloff validates that structure. The breakdown occurred near the $620 rejection zone, where sellers repeatedly capped upside attempts. Once BNB price lost the $600 support level, selling pressure deepened, confirming that buyers were unable to absorb supply at key resistance. 

The momentum indicators are also titling bearish, with RSI and MACD showcasing bearish crossover. The breakdown with heightened volume adds credibility to the move, indicating bearish conviction rather than a low-liquidity drift lower. 

With BNB price now trading below $600, this former support turns into immediate resistance. Any short-term bounce toward $600–$610 is likely to face renewed selling pressure unless broader market conditions improve.

On the downside, the first technical checkpoint sits near $560, a minor intraday reaction level. However, the more significant demand band lies between $520 and $500, where historical buying interest previously emerged. A clean break below $500 would alter the broader medium-term structure and could expose deeper retracement levels, though for now, the market is focusing on whether bulls can defend the mid-$500 region.

Top Exchange Positioning Shows Shorts in ControlDerivative data positioning adds weight to the bearish continuation narrative across the major exchanges over the past 24 hours. On Binance, short exposure stands near $584 million compared to roughly $492 million in long positions, indicating that sellers currently maintain control of directional leverage On OKX, where approximately $351 million in shorts outweighs nearly $315 million in long contracts, reinforcing the broader tilt toward downside expectations among active derivatives traders. Bybit also reflects this imbalance, with short positions around $53 million exceeding long exposure near $40 million, suggesting that speculative positioning remains skewed in favor of further correction rather than immediate recovery. 

This consistent dominance of short exposure across the top three exchanges signals that market participants are not yet positioning aggressively for a rebound. Instead, traders appear to be leaning into continuation risk, particularly after the confirmed bearish flag breakdown below the $600 threshold. Moreover, Liquidation data further supports this view. As BNB slipped under key support, leveraged longs were flushed out, accelerating downside momentum. Meanwhile, cumulative short liquidity now clusters above the $610–$620 region, meaning any sharp recovery into that zone could trigger forced buying. Until that level is reclaimed decisively, however, derivatives positioning continues to favor sellers.

Can $500 Become the Next Magnet?BNB price remains structurally vulnerable below $600. The confirmed bearish flag breakdown shifts technical focus toward the $520–$500 region as the next meaningful support cluster. A relief bounce toward $600–$610 is possible, especially if broader market conditions stabilize. However, without a sustained reclaim of $610 accompanied by rising volume and improving long/short ratios, upside moves are likely to be treated as corrective. If sellers maintain control and derivatives positioning continues to favor shorts, the $500 zone could act as the next magnet for liquidity before any durable reversal attempt develops.

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Tether invests in LayerZero to boost its digital assets’ cross-chain interoperability. The investment aims to support AI-driven finance that manages wallets and executes payments across blockchains. Tether Investments has made an investment in LayerZero Labs, as it strengthens Tether’s focus on expanding blockchain interoperability and improving the infrastructure that supports digital asset payments, and emerging use cases such as AI-based transactions across multiple networks, as per Tether’s announcement on February 10.

LayerZero’s Omnichain Infrastructure for USDt0 Expansion  LayerZero is commonly referred to as an omnichain interoperability protocol since it facilitates the safe and effective transfer of digital assets between blockchains.  Also, Everdawn Labs has been using it for the past year to create crypto USDt0, which is the omnichain version of USDT, and XAUt0, the omniversion of Tether Gold crypto. 

These two, which are based on the Omnichain Fungible Token standard, demonstrated that tokenized assets and stablecoins can migrate between blockchains without fragmentation or liquidity loss.

According to Tether,  “Since launch, USDt0 has facilitated more than $70 billion in cross-chain value transfer in under twelve months, serving as real-world proof of global-scale interoperability and validating LayerZero Labs’ technology as critical infrastructure supporting major assets.”

In addition, the CEO of LayerZero, Bryan Pellegrino, said that the launch and growth of USDt0 was a key milestone, and Tether’s investment further validates LayerZero’s technology.

Infrastructure for AI-Driven Finance Tether mentioned that LayerZero is further combined with Tether’s Wallet Development Kit (WDK), which makes it easier and more secure to move, store, and manage stablecoins and other digital assets across different blockchains.

Tether also said the system is designed to support “agentic finance,” which means the AI-powered agents can run their own wallets and automatically send or receive stablecoins and digital assets without human intervention.

With that, Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, said that LayerZero technology is important for the future of finance, especially for an AI-driven economy where autonomous agents may need to handle large volumes of micro-payments using digital assets.

Highlighted Crypto News Today:

‌Hong Kong to Allow Institutional Crypto Perpetual Futures Under New Rules

In brief Denmark’s Danske Bank is now giving users of its Danske eBanking and Danske Mobile Banking the opportunity to invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs. The rollout of crypto-related products represents a turnaround for the Danish bank, which in previous years had explicitly ruled out offering any kind of crypto services. But while the lender accepts that the cryptocurrency market has matured in recent years, it still underlines that it does not recommend crypto as an asset class. Danish lender Danske Bank is offering its customers the opportunity to invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded products, but is refusing to recommend cryptocurrencies as an asset class.

According to a press release, users of its Danske eBanking and Danske Mobile Banking services will be able to gain exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum via corresponding ETPs, without having to hold the cryptocurrencies themselves.

The bank, Denmark's largest, says that it’s rolling out these options in response to growing customer demand, and that it’s targeting customers who use its trading platform without receiving advice on investments.

“As cryptocurrencies have become a more common asset class, we are receiving an increasing number of enquiries from customers wanting the option of investing in cryptocurrencies as part of their investment portfolio,” said Kerstin Lysholm, Head of Investment Products & Offering at Danske Bank.

Danske Bank had previously taken an unaccommodating stance towards crypto, having flatly refused in 2018 to offer or support any kind of cryptocurrency trading through its platforms. In a 2018 report, the bank noted that, "Overall, we are negative towards cryptocurrencies and we strongly recommend that our customers avoid investing in cryptocurrencies," renewing its internal ban on crypto in 2021.

Lysholm noted that the cryptocurrency market has become “better regulated” in the past few years, particularly as a result of the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, which she holds has increased confidence in digital assets.

She said that “on balance,” the bank had concluded that, “the time is ripe for making cryptocurrency investment products available to the customers who want to invest in the asset class and who accept the very high risks involved in cryptocurrency-related investments.”

However, while Danske is offering customers the opportunity to buy Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs, it’s also making clear that it still doesn’t endorse cryptocurrencies as an investment option.

Indeed, it ends its press release by declaring that it doesn’t offer advisory services for cryptocurrencies since it regards them as “opportunistic investments” rather than something for long-term investors.

The final sentence reads, “Kerstin Lysholm therefore also emphasises that access to selected cryptocurrency ETPs on Danske Bank’s trading platform should not be seen as a recommendation of the asset class from Danske Bank.”

Danske Bank and cryptoDespite these words of caution, Lysholm herself affirms that there have been significant advancements in the regulation of the cryptocurrency sector.

She told Decrypt that this “has created a more mature market with enhanced investor protection, transparency, and market integrity,” and that such developments have enabled the bank to offer “selected and regulated investment products that provide customers with a more convenient and regulated way to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies.”

Lysholm also told Decrypt that Danske regards cryptocurrencies as a “natural step” in its ongoing efforts to cater to different kinds of investors in an evolving market and economy.

“We are not moving away from our previous cautious approach but are now offering regulated products that make it possible to invest in cryptocurrencies in a safer and more transparent manner,” she added.

Lysholm noted that Danske offers products only to customers who have passed an “appropriateness test,” which ensures that they understand attendant risks.

She explained, “It is ultimately the customers' own choice to invest, and we make it clear that these are opportunistic investments with high volatility.”

According to data collected by Triple-A, there were 70,605 cryptocurrency owners in Denmark as of 2024, representing around 1.2% of the total population.

Meanwhile, Chainalysis’ Geography of Crypto 2025 report ranked Denmark 84th out of 151 countries for cryptocurrency adoption, which the intelligence firm measured in terms of on-chain value received by centralized and decentralized platforms.

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XRP falls below the $1.40 support level following a broader market sell-off led by Bitcoin. Analysts now eye $1.25 as the next crucial target.

LayerZero’s native token ZRO trades at $2.27 as of writing, climbing 24% in the past 24 hours and 56% over the past 30 days. The rally lifts its market capitalization to about $1.116 billion and positions the token among the strongest performers in the cross-chain sector this week.

The surge followed a wave of institutional announcements tied to LayerZero Labs and its newly unveiled blockchain, Zero. Investors responded quickly as major financial names confirmed direct involvement. While the broader crypto market showed mixed momentum, ZRO outperformed several large-cap peers and drew fresh attention from both retail and institutional traders.

Zero Blockchain Targets Wall StreetLayerZero launched Zero in New York on February 10. The company designed this in-house Layer 1 blockchain to support institutional-grade trading, clearing, and settlement workflows. The project describes Zero as a heterogeneous blockchain that uses zero-knowledge proofs and a split validator model.

The architecture targets up to 2 million transactions per second per zone while aiming for transaction costs near $0.000001. LayerZero claims that breakthroughs in compute, storage, networking, and zk technology unlock virtually unlimited block space. The firm positions Zero as infrastructure tailored for global financial markets rather than retail experimentation.

DTCC, Intercontinental Exchange, Google Cloud, and Citadel Securities have entered joint exploration agreements tied to the initiative. This alignment places LayerZero alongside entities that process significant portions of U.S. equity settlement and exchange activity.

Strategic Investments Drive MomentumCitadel Securities made a strategic investment in ZRO, marking a rare direct crypto token purchase from a traditional Wall Street market maker. ARK Invest acquired both equity stakes and tokens, and Cathie Wood joined the advisory board.

At the same time, Tether Investments disclosed a strategic investment in LayerZero Labs. Tether connected this move to its Wallet Development Kit and broader cross-chain ambitions. The company already deployed LayerZero technology to power USDT0, an omnichain version of USDT that has processed $70 billion in cross-chain transfers since early 2025.

These endorsements have strengthened LayerZero’s narrative as a bridge between traditional finance and decentralized infrastructure.

Market Reaction And On-Chain SignalsFutures data reflects growing speculative activity. CoinGlass reports that ZRO futures open interest has climbed to $105.56 million, its highest level since December 2024. Rising leverage often amplifies price swings, so traders are watching positioning closely.

Source: Coinglass

However, on-chain usage presents a more complex picture. Daily transactions and active users have declined to 5.75 million transactions and about 307,685 active addresses. This drop aligns with broader ecosystem slowdowns across several blockchain networks.

Investors are also preparing for a token unlock scheduled for February 20. The event will release 25.70 million ZRO tokens, increasing circulating supply by nearly 6%. Past unlocks have seen price recoveries within a week, yet market participants continue to assess potential short-term pressure.

What Analysts Watch NextTechnically, ZRO is at short-term strength. Can the token hold support near the $2.00 level and extend gains beyond recent highs?

At the same time, market participants are tracking further updates around Zero’s roadmap ahead of its planned fall 2026 rollout. Institutional collaboration remains a key variable.

Will this momentum translate into sustained adoption? That question now shapes the next chapter for LayerZero as it positions itself at the intersection of cross-chain infrastructure and traditional finance.

Solana price prediction steep slide is hammering ETFs and corporate treasuries, with $1.4b in paper losses exposing how fragile institutional crypto risk-taking has become.

Bitcoin is trading around $67,000 ahead of U.S. unemployment data and renewed fears of a potential government shutdown. Cryptocurrency Ticker Price Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $67,035 Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $1,949 Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) $80.87 XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $1.36 Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) $0.08977 Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) $0.055791 The meme coin sector dropped 5.7% in a single day to $31.8 billion.

Bitcoin entered Feb. 11, 2026, walking a tightrope between hopeful rebounds and heavy-handed resistance. Priced at $67,131 with a market cap of $1.34 trillion, the cryptocurrency saw an intraday range between $66,351 and $69,876 and boasted a 24-hour trading volume of $46.24 billion. But despite the fireworks in volume, momentum isn't exactly throwing a party.

Journalist

Posted: February 11, 2026

Bitcoin’s [BTC] downside spiral continued, failing to hold the $70k level and reaching a local low of $ 66,529. At the time of writing, BTC was trading at $66,975, down 3.11% on the daily charts, adding to its 12.61% weekly decline. 

Amid this continued weakness, some whales have capitulated and started to close positions.

Bitcoin whale offloads $172.56M in BTC Since Bitcoin was rejected at $97k, it has experienced sustained selling pressure, particularly from whales. Whale sell-side pressure to price has hovered between 10% and 3%, indicating strong negative pressure every time whales offloaded. 

Amid this increased sales-side activity, Lookonchain reported a whale transaction. According to the on-chain monitor, a whale deposited 2.5k BTC, valued at $172.56 million, into Binance.

Source: Lookonchain

Two weeks ago, the whale began accumulating Bitcoin when prices hovered around $81,000, with the most recent purchase occurring just 13 hours ago at press time.

After BTC slipped below $70,000 again, the whale sold off holdings to limit losses, an indication of waning market confidence.

What’s more troubling is that this whale wasn’t alone. The combined exchange balance of whales and megawhales fell from 63,000 BTC a week ago, though it remains elevated.

Source: Checkonchain

Checkonchain data showed that these two groups offloaded 37k BTC over the past day, reflecting higher sell-side activity. 

Usually, when whales keep offloading during a downtrend, it signals bearishness and an attempt to avoid further losses.

Is a drop towards $62k inevitable? Bitcoin has faced strong downside pressure as investors, especially whales, have been selling. Whale sell pressure has further strained the market.

Moreover, sellers have largely dominated the market. Looking at the seller’s strength, it surged to 93 as of writing, while buyers held at -7.

This implies that buyers have been overwhelmed and that sellers have taken complete control of the market. As such, prevailing demand remains insufficient to sustain an upward movement.

Source: CryptoQuant

Moreover, exchange activity echoed this seller dominance, especially on the daily charts. According to CryptoQuant, Exchange Netflow rose to 1.3k BTC, with Inflows hitting 6.6k BTC at press time.

A positive Netflow indicated more investors moved their assets to exchanges, a clear sign of aggressive spot selling. Often, higher inflows have accelerated downside momentum, leading to lower prices, as recently witnessed.

In fact, the downside momentum has further strengthened, as evidenced by the Relative Strength Index (RSI), which stood within an oversold zone at 29.9, suggesting massive sell-side pressure.

Source: TradingView

When momentum indicators reach such levels, they signal the trend’s strength and its potential to continue. Therefore, if sell pressure, especially from whales, persists, Bitcoin could drop to $62k again.

For a significant trend reversal, Bitcoin bulls need to reclaim $72k and flip $80k, until these levels are reached, downside risk remains elevated.

Final Thoughts A Bitcoin whale panic sold 2500 BTC worth $172.56 million.   BTC failed to hold  $70k, dropped to a low of $66,529, then rebounded to $66,975 at press time. 

Bitcoin price is back on shaky ground ahead of Wednesday’s nonfarm payrolls release. The 8:30 a.m. ET data drop has traders on edge, as macro catalysts often trigger sudden volatility.

More than $250 million in leveraged trades were flushed out in just one day, hammering long positions the hardest. The move below short-term support blindsided bulls and reinforced how quickly this market can unravel.

Summary

Bitcoin is trading near $66,700, slipping below $67,000, and triggering over $250 million in leveraged liquidations, mostly affecting long positions. Short-term momentum is bearish, with the $69,000–$71,000 range acting as key resistance and $72,000 needing a decisive breakout to shift momentum. Failure to reclaim $69,000–$71,000 could push Bitcoin toward $64,000, with $60,000 as a critical psychological support where panic selling may intensify. Current market scenario: Technical weakness builds As of February 11, Bitcoin (BTC) is trading near $66,700 after breaking below $67,000 and triggering another flush of liquidations.

BTC 1-day chart, February 2026 | Source: crypto.news Traders see this as a break on the daily chart. The two-week support that had absorbed recent dips is gone, and momentum in the short term is clearly bearish.

Spikes in liquidations often reflect forced selling, not a steady trend. Still, the lack of a strong bounce is raising concerns about broader weakness.

All eyes are on Wednesday’s Nonfarm Payrolls report at 8:30 a.m. ET. Delayed by last month’s brief federal shutdown, the data is expected to move markets. Some Trump administration officials have suggested the numbers might come in weaker than expected, which could fuel rate-cut bets and support risk assets — though volatility is likely before any clear trend emerges.

Key levels to watch From a technical view, the battle zone is clearly $69,000–$71,000. But even if Bitcoin rallies into that range, it’s resistance until proven otherwise.

A meaningful shift in momentum requires a decisive breakout above $72,000, confirmed by a strong daily close. Without it, any rally could quickly fizzle and remain part of the larger corrective move.

Failing to reclaim $69,000–$71,000 within 24 hours could open the door toward $64,000. Beneath that, the psychological $60,000 level comes into focus — an area where panic selling has historically intensified.

It’s a narrow window with high stakes. Bulls need to act fast. Bears are waiting patiently.

BTC price prediction: What comes next? Macro catalysts are steering short-term moves. Should the jobs report fall short of expectations and risk appetite improve, Bitcoin price could climb toward resistance. But without decisively reclaiming $72,000, any rally risks fading quickly.

Should selling continue and a $64,000 break, the market could accelerate toward $60,000, where long-term buyers may step in. That zone may ultimately decide whether the broader uptrend holds.

The near-term Bitcoin price prediction leans toward continued volatility. The market is perched at a technical crossroads, and macro data may spark the next big move.

For now, the Bitcoin outlook is cautiously neutral-to-bearish, though a decisive breakout above $72,000 could swing sentiment sharply back toward the bulls.

Traders should prepare for rapid price action, as sharp moves could come in either direction.

The optimism in crypto that followed Donald Trump’s election in November 2024 has all but faded as Bitcoin takes a plunge, falling 45% from its October high.

On the regulatory front, the standoff between the banking industry and crypto stakeholders over stablecoin yields in the CLARITY Act is being closely monitored.

Lastly, AI continues to dominate headlines with its feared disruptions. Invezz spoke to Bryan Benson, CEO of Aurum, a financial technology company using AI and blockchain for neobanking, wealth management, and crypto trading, for his commentary.

Benson, a former Binance managing director who steered its Latin American operations, opens up about what is inhibiting AI’s growth in crypto, why the conflict over stablecoin yields is “a competition for deposits dressed up as consumer protection,” and why Bitcoin’s crash is a familiar pattern rather than a structural reset.

Excerpts:

Bryan Benson

How building Binance in Latin America helped in building Aurum Copy link to section

Invezz: You helmed Binance’s Latin American operations. How did that experience help in building Aurum?

I spent years building Binance’s presence across Latin America, growing the user base from a few hundred thousand to tens of millions.

I set up fiat on-ramps, navigated local regulators, and figured out what people needed from a crypto platform.

You learn things on the ground that you never pick up from headquarters.

The same problem showed up in every market. Users had access but no real tools.

They were trading against algorithms with nothing but a price chart and gut instinct.

Retail infrastructure hadn’t caught up with what institutions were running. Aurum gave me the opportunity to build for that problem directly.

We took everything I learned about scaling in complex markets and paired it with the AI execution layer that retail never had.

The goal from day one was to give everyday users the same systematic advantages that professional desks take for granted.

Level of AI in crypto going up but adoption getting stalled by these factors Copy link to section

Invezz: How has the use of AI in crypto trading evolved, and what is standing in the way of its even more widespread adoption?

Five years ago, AI in crypto meant basic bots running grid strategies on a single exchange. 

Now you have systems scanning thousands of order books, parsing on-chain data, and executing across multiple venues in milliseconds.

Algorithmic systems already handle over 60% of volume in US equities and over 70% in FX. Crypto is catching up fast.

Adoption still stalls in a few places. Most AI models train on historical data, and crypto regimes shift quickly.

A system that performed well in a trending market can fall apart when conditions flip. 

Then there’s the black-box problem. Users and regulators both want to understand how decisions get made, and most systems can’t explain themselves.

The biggest obstacle is the “set and forget” mindset. AI needs supervision, parameter tuning, and human judgment on macro shifts.

People who treat it like a slot machine get slot-machine results.

Blocking stablecoin yield to unbanked people is gatekeeping Copy link to section

Invezz: You are a champion of financial inclusion. The CLARITY Act under consideration is being held up because of one sticky point — whether crypto platforms should be able to pay customers yield or interest on their stablecoin balances. What is your view?

The whole fight over stablecoin yield is a competition for deposits dressed up as consumer protection.

The banking lobby argues that yield-bearing stablecoins will drain deposits from the traditional system. 

Standard Chartered estimates $500 billion could move out of banks and into stablecoins by 2028. That is a sign that the real concern here is competition, not financial stability.

The GENIUS Act already blocks issuers from paying yield directly. The Senate draft of the CLARITY Act goes further and tries to close the loopholes around third-party rewards too.

Over 125 crypto companies pushed back for a reason. Coinbase pulled its support. The White House meeting on February 3rd ended without a deal.

For the 1.4 billion unbanked people worldwide, stablecoin yield is one of the few ways to earn anything on their savings.

Blocking it to protect deposit bases at regulated banks is exactly the kind of gatekeeping crypto was built to bypass.

Copy link to section

Invezz: How does AI tie into your vision of greater financial inclusion?

Traditional finance locks people out through complexity.

You need a credit score to borrow, a bank account to save, and enough financial literacy to navigate products that were designed for people who already have money.

AI strips most of that away.

At Aurum, the AI handles execution, risk management, and yield optimization without asking the user to understand how any of it works.

Someone in Lagos or São Paulo sees a dashboard with results. The flash loan arbitrage, the DEX routing, the position sizing — it all stays buried in the infrastructure.

The other piece is credit.

AI can assess risk using on-chain behavior, wallet history, and transaction patterns instead of traditional credit scores that don’t exist in most emerging markets.

That opens lending and borrowing to people the legacy system never bothered to serve.

On BTC collapse: Trump bump erased but its not a structural reset Copy link to section

Invezz: Bitcoin has been in a free fall. Are investors losing confidence in near-term profit expectations? Are we in a temporary downturn or a structural reset?

Bitcoin is down roughly 45% from its October high and just had its worst single-day drop since the FTX collapse. 

The entire Trump bump has been erased.

US spot ETFs that bought 46,000 bitcoin this time last year are now net sellers, with over $3 billion in outflows in January alone.

That’s institutional money heading for the exits, and it drags sentiment with it.

The “digital gold” narrative took a serious hit. Gold is up around 24% since October, while bitcoin dropped by half.

Investors who bought the hedge thesis are watching it fail in real time.

I don’t think this is a structural reset, though. Bitcoin has dropped 74% before and recovered.

The 200-day moving average is around $58,000 to $60,000, which lines up with the realized price. We’ve seen this pattern play out in every cycle.

Higher USDT likely but floor is closer than most think Copy link to section

Invezz: At the same time, USDT dominance breached the 7% mark a few days ago. Do you think it could go higher (which means BTC will move even lower)?

USDT dominance hit 7.4% on February 2nd, the highest level in two years.

When capital rotates out of volatile assets and into stablecoins, dominance goes up. When confidence returns, it comes back down.

The 2022 market bottom coincided with USDT dominance around 9.5%, and we’re not there yet.

Stablecoin inflows to exchanges dropped from $9.7 billion monthly in October to negative flows at the start of this year.

That tells you capital is still leaving risk assets and parking in USDT.

Can it go higher? Yes. Thin liquidity, ongoing ETF outflows, and a broader selloff across tech stocks and precious metals all point in that direction. 

Bitcoin’s weekly RSI dipped below 30 for the first time since mid-2022, and historically, that has preceded bottoms forming within three to six months.

So higher USDT dominance is likely, but we’re probably closer to the floor than most people think.

On USDT as safe haven for crypto and concentration risks Copy link to section

Invezz: Is USDT becoming the real safe haven of crypto markets? Is the crypto ecosystem dangerously dependent on a single private stablecoin issuer?

USDT dominates stablecoin trading, stablecoin savings, and stablecoin user growth by wide margins.

When the market sold off in Q4, Tether’s market cap actually grew while its closest competitors shrank or collapsed. 

So yes, USDT is the safe haven. That’s not really up for debate at this point.

The crypto ecosystem runs on a single private company that still faces scrutiny over reserve transparency.

If confidence in Tether ever cracked, the damage would cascade through every exchange and every trading pair that uses it as a base. 

No competitor matches Tether’s $140B in circulation. Circle’s USDC sits at $50B. The concentration risk persists.

How AI trading systems are adding to the rush into stablecoins Copy link to section

Invezz: Are AI trading systems also accelerating the shift into stablecoins during market stress?

Yes. Bots trade on fixed rules: if Bitcoin falls 8% in an hour, sell. If portfolio volatility exceeds 15%, reduce exposure.

The algo executes immediately. Most crypto bots exit through BTC/USDT because Tether offers the deepest order books.

A $2M position can unwind in seconds without slippage. The bot sells everything volatile, sits in Tether.

When volatility drops back under the threshold, it re-enters.

A human trader might hesitate, hold through a dip, or wait for confirmation. An algorithm reads the order-book shift and executes in milliseconds. 

Now picture thousands of bots hitting the same conditions at roughly the same time. The rush into stablecoins compounds on itself, and the selloff gets steeper.