Market Signal Briefing

CNH Industrial (CNH - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.19 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.11 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.15 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +74.47%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this truck, tractor and bus maker would post earnings of $0.13 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.08, delivering a surprise of -38.46%.

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

CNH, which belongs to the Zacks Manufacturing - Farm Equipment industry, posted revenues of $5.16 billion for the quarter ended December 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.74%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $4.88 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times 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.

CNH shares have added about 38.3% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's decline of 0.1%.

What's Next for CNH?While CNH 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 CNH 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 $0.06 on $3.86 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $0.48 on $18.02 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, Manufacturing - Farm Equipment is currently in the bottom 36% 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.

Alamo Group (ALG - Free Report) , another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended December 2025.

This maker of road maintenance, industrial and farm equipment is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.06 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -13.8%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Alamo Group's revenues are expected to be $399.6 million, up 3.7% from the year-ago quarter.

February 17, 2026 07:30 ET  | Source: Applied Materials, Inc.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Materials, Inc. today announced that members of its management team will participate in fireside chats at upcoming investor conferences.

Dr. Prabu Raja, President, Semiconductor Products Group, will participate at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on Monday, March 2 beginning at 3:20 p.m. PT / 6:20 p.m. ET.

Brice Hill, Senior Vice President and CFO, will participate at the Cantor Fitzgerald Global Technology & Industrial Growth Conference on Tuesday, March 10 beginning at 5:40 a.m. PT / 8:40 a.m. ET.

A live audio webcast of each session will be available on the Applied Materials website at: https://ir.appliedmaterials.com with a replay available the same day.

About Applied Materials
Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMAT) is the leader in materials engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor and advanced display in the world. The technology we create is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation chips. At Applied, we push the boundaries of science and engineering to deliver material innovation that changes the world. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.

Contact:
Ricky Gradwohl (editorial/media) 408.235.4676
Mike Sullivan (financial community) 408.986.7977

Boosts Annual Dividend 10% to $13.20 Per Share

Entrepreneurial Culture, Transformational Technologies and Debt-Free Balance Sheet Positions Company for Growth

MIAMI, Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Watsco, Inc. (NYSE: WSO) announced its operating results for the full-year and fourth quarter period ended December 31, 2025. The Company also provided updates related to innovation and technology, business trends and long-term growth opportunities.

Watsco also announced today a 10% increase in its annual dividend to $13.20 per share effective with its next regular dividend payment in April 2026. This year marks Watsco’s 52nd consecutive year of paying dividends.

Watsco is the largest distributor in the highly-fragmented North American HVAC market. Since entering distribution in 1989, Watsco has achieved a 17% compounded annual total-shareholder return through a combination of organic growth and the acquisition of more than 70 market-leading businesses.

The Company maintains a solid financial position with currently $780 million in cash and investments and no debt, enabling sustained investments in growth, including the Company’s industry-leading technologies. Approximately 73,000 contractors, installers and technicians engage digitally with the Company, which contributes to customer growth and reduced attrition. AI-driven initiatives have also been launched to further enhance the customer experience and improve efficiency. These investments are especially critical as contractors increase their adoption of digital, data-driven solutions in their businesses.

Recent Industry Dynamics
Since 2019, the HVAC/R industry has experienced volatility due to various macroeconomic and industry-specific factors that impacted OEMs, distributors and contractors alike. The COVID pandemic and subsequent supply chain disruptions, the 2023 regulatory transition to new higher-efficiency products, the reduction of available legacy refrigerants and the slow-down in housing activities have weighed on performance and contributed to volatility.

The industry was further impacted in 2025 by the transition to A2L refrigerant products, the second such regulatory-driven product change in three years. The transition impacted approximately 55% of products sold across 650 locations domestically and resulted in the conversion of over $1 billion of inventory to new products. In response, Watsco invested in people, technology, logistics, training and more to support its customers during the transition.

Despite these dynamics, the Company believes its overall performance in the context of these complexities and other macroeconomic headwinds speaks well of its business model and overall execution. Key performance metrics during this time period include:

 Year endedYear ended   December 31, 2019December 31,2025ChangeCAGR %Revenues$4.8 billion$7.2 billion+52%+7%Operating income$367 million$720 million+96%+12%Gross margin24.3%28.0%+370 bps Earnings per share$6.50$12.25+88%+11%Dividends paid$6.40$11.70+83%+11%Net (debt) cash($81 million)$733 million+$814 million 
Albert H. Nahmad, Chairman and CEO remarked: “The recent business environment has been among the most complicated in memory. I am gratified at the results we achieved and the execution by our teams over the time horizon summarized above. We raised margins, nearly doubled our profitability, invested $300 million in technology, nearly doubled our dividend and fortified our balance sheet to allow investment in most any-sized growth opportunity. We expect a more conventional industry environment and better prospects for growth as 2026 unfolds, and we believe there is room to further optimize inventory and improve operating efficiency.”

Mr. Nahmad added: “We are in a wonderful industry and our technology advantage remains immense. We operate a resilient business in a resilient industry and our focus on the long-term has been, and will be, far more consequential as we build our network, scale our technologies to delight customers and partner with our OEMs to grow and gain share.”

2025 Full-Year Performance

Revenues decreased 5% to $7.24 billionGross profit decreased 1% to $2.0 billionGross profit margin expanded 120 basis-points to a record 28.0%SG&A expenses increased 3%Operating income decreased 8% to $720 million (operating margin of 10.0% versus 10.3% last year)Earnings per share of $12.25 compared to $13.30 last yearOperating cash flow was $570 million (97% of net income) Sales trends

4% overall sales decline in U.S. markets and a 10% decline in non-U.S. markets7% decrease in HVAC equipment (67% of sales)1% decrease in sales for other HVAC products (29% of sales)Flat sales of commercial refrigeration products (4% of sales) Revenues in 2025 reflect lower unit volumes of HVAC equipment, which were partially offset by higher average selling prices following the A2L product transition, further impacted by slower homebuilding. Gross profit margin expanded 120 basis-points to a record 28.0%, driven by further scaling of Watsco’s pricing optimization technologies, as well as OEM pricing actions implemented in 2025. Operating expenses increased due to higher labor, facilities and transportation costs partially associated with the A2L product transition, as well as the acquisition of three businesses during 2025.

Fourth Quarter Performance

Revenues decreased 10% to $1.58 billionGross profit decreased 8% to $428 millionGross profit margin expanded 40 basis-points to 27.1%SG&A expenses decreased 2%Operating income declined 25% to $102 million (operating margins of 6.4%)Earnings per share of $1.68 versus $2.37 last yearRecord operating cash flow of $400 million Sales trends

13% decrease in HVAC equipment (67% of sales)4% decrease in other HVAC products (29% of sales)5% increase in commercial refrigeration products (4% of sales) Fourth quarter 2025 performance should be considered in light of the strong 2024 comparable results, which included 22% sales growth in domestic residential HVAC equipment (20% unit growth) boosted by the sale of older, more economical 410A systems ahead of the A2L transition. Fourth quarter 2025 results also reflect an 11% increase in average selling price domestically, a 40 basis-point improvement in overall gross margins and improved operating efficiency as evidenced by a 2% reduction in SG&A.

It is important to note that the fourth and first quarters of each calendar year are highly seasonal due to the timing of the replacement of HVAC systems. Results are typically strongest in the second and third quarters, and the Company’s fourth quarter financial results are disproportionately affected by seasonality.

Innovation and Strategic Technology Initiatives
Watsco pioneered the industry’s most comprehensive digital ecosystem, which continues to reshape the industry. The Company has invested more than $250 million in technology over the last five years (an annual current run rate of approximately $60 million) with close to 300 technologists. Highlights of Watsco’s customer-facing platforms include:

Watsco’s HVAC Pro+ Mobile Apps and E-Commerce platform have transformed the customer-experience by providing contractors a seamless digital experience, including sourcing products, accessing technical help, real-time inventory, pricing, product information and more. These tools empower customers to self-serve, place orders 24/7 and benefit from features like intelligent search, dynamic reordering, technical knowledge and product recommendations. The result is a frictionless buying journey, increased convenience and higher customer satisfaction, which we believe drives greater loyalty and repeat business with lower costs to serve. 2025 highlights relative to HVAC Pro+ and e-commerce include:The addition of more than 10,000 new SKUs related to the A2L product launch, including all relevant data concerning features, dimensions, capacities, consumer literature and technical information, including bills of material, warranty information, regulatory match-ups and more.
The authenticated user community of our HVAC Pro+ Mobile Apps increased 15% to approximately 73,000 users.E-commerce sales totaled approximately $2.5 billion during 2025 and comprised 35% of overall sales, with outperforming regions exceeding 60% e-commerce penetration. Order trends and the rate of improvement in customer attrition remain consistent year over year. OnCallAir® is Watsco’s digital sales platform used by HVAC/R contractors to engage, present and quote solutions to homeowners. The gross merchandise value (GMV) of products sold by customers through OnCallAir® was approximately $400 million during the fourth quarter of 2025. For the year ended December 31, 2025, contractors presented quotes to approximately 329,000 households and generated $1.8 billion GMV, a 20% increase versus the year ended December 31, 2024. A.J. Nahmad, Watsco’s President, added: “As we work to further scale our core technology platforms among our customers, we constantly challenge ourselves to find new ways to delight our customers. Earlier this year, we set in motion incremental investments in new platforms that we think will enhance growth with existing customers, attract more new customers and boost profitability in the years ahead. We believe these initiatives hold great promise and we feel that they will enhance Watsco’s already-sizeable competitive advantage in the fragmented HVAC/R industry.”

Cash Flow, Financial Strength and Liquidity
Watsco invested substantially in working capital during 2025 to build inventory to support customers during the A2L transition. Inventory peaked at $2.1 billion during 2025 and declined by 30% to $1.4 billion at December 31, 2025. Operating cash flow was $570 million for the year and a record $400 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2025, reflecting the sharp reduction in inventory. The Company expects more conventional working capital trends going forward, providing the opportunity for better inventory turns and enhanced returns on invested capital.

The Company’s objective is to maintain a healthy balance sheet that allows access to low-cost capital to fund strategic investments in growth. The Company’s strong financial position has been key to its ability to deliver sustained long-term returns, enabling investments regardless of macroeconomic or industry conditions. The Company’s stated goal is to generate annual operating cash flow in excess of net income consistent with its long-term track record.

Buy & Build Acquisition Strategy
Watsco has partnered with more than 70 independent distributors who have joined the Watsco family, contributing to the Company’s scale and, more importantly, its community of seasoned leaders. During 2025, the Company acquired three distributors in key Sunbelt markets and, since 2019, has acquired 12 companies that today represent approximately $1.6 billion in annualized sales and 120 locations. Our “buy and build” strategy builds upon their long-standing legacies through investment in new locations, new products and by leveraging Watsco’s technology platforms. The HVAC/R distribution landscape in North America remains highly fragmented with more than 2,100 independent distributors.

Full-Year and Fourth Quarter Earnings Conference Call Information
Date and time: February 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. (ET)
Webcast: http://investors.watsco.com (a replay will be available on the Company’s website)
Dial-in number: United States (844) 883-3908 / International (412) 317-9254

About Watsco
Watsco is the largest distributor in the highly-fragmented North American HVAC/R market. Watsco’s solid financial position and culture of innovation has enabled investments in long-term growth, including the Company’s industry-leading technology platforms. Today, approximately 73,000 contractors, installers and technicians engage digitally with the Company, resulting in improved growth and lower attrition. The Company is now advancing AI-driven initiatives to leverage its extensive data assets to enhance the customer experience and improve efficiencies. These investments position Watsco to capture market share as contractors increasingly adopt digital tools and incorporate data-driven solutions in their businesses.

This document includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, our expected financial and operational results and the related assumptions underlying our expected results. These forward-looking statements are distinguished by use of words such as “will,” “would,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “designed,” “plan,” or “intend,” the negative of these terms, and similar references to future periods. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in economic, business, competitive market, new housing starts and completions, capital spending in commercial construction, consumer spending and debt levels, regulatory and other factors, including, without limitation, the effects of supplier concentration, competitive conditions within Watsco’s industry, the seasonal nature of sales of Watsco’s products, the ability of the Company to expand its business, insurance coverage risks and final GAAP adjustments. Detailed information about these factors and additional important factors can be found in the documents that Watsco files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. Watsco assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

WATSCO, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Results of Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)   Quarter Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,   2025   2024   2025   2024 Revenues $1,578,757  $1,753,962  $7,239,290  $7,618,317 Cost of sales  1,150,319   1,285,878   5,208,826   5,573,604 Gross profit  428,438   468,084   2,030,464   2,044,713 Gross profit margin  27.1%  26.7%  28.0%  26.8%Selling, general and administrative expenses  332,645   338,489   1,337,882   1,293,439 Other income  5,735   6,593   27,765   30,501 Operating income  101,528   136,188   720,347   781,775 Operating margin  6.4%  7.8%  10.0%  10.3%Interest income, net  5,850   6,713   17,329   20,869 Income before income taxes  107,378   142,901   737,676   802,644 Income taxes  20,328   27,721   150,088   166,904 Net income  87,050   115,180   587,588   635,740 Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interest  15,305   18,339   90,594   99,454 Net income attributable to Watsco, Inc. $71,745  $96,841  $496,994  $536,286 Diluted earnings per share:        Net income attributable to Watsco, Inc. shareholders $71,745  $96,841  $496,994  $536,286 Less: distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common stock  7,998 (1) 7,578 (1) 32,807   37,369 Earnings allocated to Watsco, Inc. shareholders $63,747  $89,263  $464,187  $498,917 Weighted-average Common and Class B common shares and equivalent shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share  37,927,340   37,738,113   37,899,859   37,510,332 Diluted earnings per share for Common and Class B common stock $1.68 (1)$2.37 (1)$12.25  $13.30           (1)The quarterly EPS results reflect dilution of 9 cents per share in 2025 ($3.3 million impact) and 2 cents per share in 2024 ($0.9 million impact) attributable to the amount that (a) dividends actually paid on restricted shares exceeds (b) the net income allocable to restricted common stock. The Company expects this dilutive impact to be seasonal during the first and fourth quarters of each year due to EPS in such periods generally being less than the quarterly dividend rate. WATSCO, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited, in thousands)   December 31,
2025 December 31,
2024Cash and cash equivalents $433,283 $526,271Short-term cash investments  300,000  255,669Accounts receivable, net  796,181  877,935Inventories, net  1,386,317  1,385,436Other current assets  38,725  34,670Total current assets  2,954,506  3,079,981Property and equipment, net  136,012  140,535Operating lease right-of-use assets  452,547  419,138Goodwill, intangibles, net and other  871,740  839,869Total assets $4,414,805 $4,479,523     Accounts payable and accrued expenses $600,589 $873,628Current portion of lease liabilities  117,153  110,273Total current liabilities  717,742  983,901Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion  350,616  321,715Deferred income taxes and other liabilities  124,386  109,669Total liabilities  1,192,744  1,415,285Watsco, Inc. shareholders' equity  2,781,376  2,656,990Non-controlling interest  440,685  407,248Total shareholders' equity  3,222,061  3,064,238Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $4,414,805 $4,479,523 WATSCO, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited, in thousands)   Year Ended December 31,   2025   2024 Cash flows from operating activities:    Net income $587,588  $635,740 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:    Depreciation and amortization  43,752   40,822 Share-based compensation  35,344   35,022 Non-cash contribution to 401(k) plan  8,743   8,735 Provision for doubtful accounts  5,201   4,285 Other, net  18,844   765 Other income from investment in unconsolidated entity  (27,765)  (30,501)Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:    Accounts receivable, net  83,425   (85,555)Inventories, net  11,957   (41,678)Accounts payable and other liabilities  (203,051)  197,765 Other, net  5,575   7,702 Net cash provided by operating activities  569,613   773,102 Cash flows from investing activities:    Net purchases of short-term investments  (44,331)  (255,669)Capital expenditures, net  (34,093)  (29,828)Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired  (19,198)  (5,173)Other investments  (500)  — Net cash used in investing activities  (98,122)  (290,670)Cash flows from financing activities:    Dividends on common stock  (473,765)  (423,521)Distributions to non-controlling interest  (132,196)  — Net repayments under revolving credit agreement  —   (15,400)Net proceeds from the sale of Common stock  —   281,784 Proceeds from dividend reinvestment plan  21,665   13,224 Other, net  16,180   (14,617)Net cash used in financing activities  (568,116)  (158,530)Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  3,637   (7,743)Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents  (92,988)  316,159 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  526,271   210,112 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $433,283  $526,271  Barry S. Logan
Executive Vice President
(305) 714-4102
e-mail: [email protected]

Change in ADS ratio aimed at simplifying comparisons to ordinary shares traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, while boosting liquidity and access for U.S. investors February 17, 2026 07:30 ET  | Source: BrainsWay

BURLINGTON, Mass. and JERUSALEM, Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BrainsWay Ltd. (NASDAQ & TASE: BWAY) (“BrainsWay” or the “Company”), a global leader in advanced noninvasive brain stimulation technologies, today announced that its Board of Directors approved a plan to change to the ratio of its American Depositary Shares (ADSs) listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“NASDAQ”) relative to its ordinary shares traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. The Company’s Board of Directors believes that aligning the ADS ratio with the ordinary share will simplify the Company’s capital structure and provide investors with a clearer basis for assessing the Company’s valuation.

The Company will adjust its current 2-to-1 ordinary share-to-ADS ratio to a new 1-to-1 structure, effective March 3, 2026. As a result of this change, each existing ADS holder will receive one additional ADS for each ADS held. This ratio change will have the same effect as a 2-for-1 forward split of the ADSs. The Company’s ADSs will continue to trade on the NASDAQ under the symbol “BWAY,” and its ordinary shares, which will not be affected by the ratio change, will continue to trade on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

The new 1-to-1 ADS to ordinary share ratio will take effect prior to the commencement of trading on the NASDAQ on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Because the ratio change will result in each ADS representing half the number of ordinary shares currently represented by each ADS, the trading price of the ADSs is expected to be divided in half after the ratio change.

“Changing the ADS ratio to align on a one-for-one basis with our ordinary shares is intended to simplify comparisons of our share price on NASDAQ and TASE, allowing for a clearer focus on the value of our rapidly growing business, regardless of the exchange on which investors hold our securities,” said Hadar Levy, Chief Executive Officer of BrainsWay. “It is our hope that the simplified structure may enhance liquidity, improve accessibility, and better reflect the strength of our business.”

ADS holders with ADSs held in book-entry form or through a bank, broker, or other nominee are not required to take any action and will see the impact of the change to the ADS ratio reflected in their accounts after March 3, 2026. Beneficial holders may contact their bank, broker or nominee for more information.

About BrainsWay
BrainsWay is a global leader in advanced noninvasive neurostimulation treatments for mental health disorders. The Company is boldly advancing neuroscience with its proprietary Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS™) platform technology to improve health and transform lives. BrainsWay is the first and only TMS company to obtain three FDA-cleared indications backed by pivotal clinical studies demonstrating clinically proven efficacy. Current indications include major depressive disorder (including reduction of anxiety symptoms, commonly referred to as anxious depression), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and smoking addiction. The Company is dedicated to leading through superior science and building on its unparalleled body of clinical evidence. Additional clinical trials of Deep TMS in various psychiatric, neurological, and addiction disorders are underway. Founded in 2003, with operations in the United States and Israel, BrainsWay is committed to increasing global awareness of and broad access to Deep TMS. For the latest news and information about BrainsWay, please visit www.brainsway.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be preceded by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “targets,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential” or similar words, and also includes any financial guidance and projections contained herein. These forward-looking statements and their implications are based on the current expectations of the management of the Company only and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. In addition, historical results or conclusions from scientific research and clinical studies – especially preliminary data which remains subject to peer-review – do not guarantee that future results would suggest similar conclusions or that historical results referred to herein would be interpreted similarly in light of additional research or otherwise. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: the failure to realize anticipated synergies and other benefits of the proposed transaction; the failure of our investments in management services organizations and/or other clinic-related entities to produce profitable returns; inadequacy of financial resources to meet future capital requirements; changes in technology and market requirements; delays or obstacles in launching and/or successfully completing planned studies and clinical trials; failure to obtain approvals by regulatory agencies on the Company’s anticipated timeframe, or at all; inability to retain or attract key employees whose knowledge is essential to the development of Deep TMS products; unforeseen difficulties with Deep TMS products and processes, and/or inability to develop necessary enhancements; unexpected costs related to Deep TMS products; failure to obtain and maintain adequate protection of the Company’s intellectual property, including intellectual property licensed to the Company; the potential for product liability; changes in legislation and applicable rules and regulations; unfavorable market perception and acceptance of Deep TMS technology; inadequate or delays in reimbursement from third-party payers, including insurance companies and Medicare; inability to commercialize Deep TMS, including internationally, by the Company or through third-party distributors; product development by competitors; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications, which could cause the actual results or performance of the Company to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement in this press release speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company is contained under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts:
BrainsWay:
Ido Marom
Chief Financial Officer
[email protected]

Investors:
Brian Ritchie
LifeSci Advisors
[email protected]

February 17, 2026 07:30 ET  | Source: BriaCell Therapeutics Corp.

Independent DSMB has identified no safety concerns, and recommends continuation of BriaCell’s pivotal Phase 3 study of Bria-IMT™ plus immune check point inhibitorFifth consecutive positive DSMB recommendation supports the favorable safety profile observed to datePhase 3 study is being conducted under FDA Fast Track Designation, reflecting the significant unmet need in metastatic breast cancer
PHILADELPHIA and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq: BCTX, BCTXW, BCTXZ, BCTXL) (TSX: BCT) (“BriaCell” or the “Company”), clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care, announces that the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) has issued its fifth consecutive positive recommendation following review of safety data from BriaCell’s pivotal Phase 3 Bria-ABC study of Bria-IMT plus immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (NCT06072612).

Following its review, the DSMB raised no safety concerns and recommended that the study continue without modifications. DSMB meetings occur quarterly in accordance with the study protocol. BriaCell’s ongoing pivotal Phase 3 study is being conducted under Fast Track designation granted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), reflecting the significant unmet medical need in metastatic breast cancer.

“This marks the fifth consecutive DSMB review supporting the continued conduct of BriaCell’s pivotal Phase 3 Bria-ABC study,” said Dr. William V. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of BriaCell. “We are encouraged by the DSMB’s ongoing confirmation of the safety profile of the Bria-IMT regimen and remain focused on advancing this program for patients with limited treatment options. We look forward to providing additional clinical updates as the study progresses.”

About BriaCell Therapeutics Corp.

BriaCell is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care. More information is available at https://briacell.com/.

Safe Harbor

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “aim,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements, including those about Bria-IMT’s safety and tolerability profile; the continued conduct and advancement of BriaCell’s pivotal Phase 3 Bria‑ABC study under FDA Fast Track designation; and Bria-IMT’s potential as a transformative immunotherapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer, are based on BriaCell’s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements, such as those are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the heading “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s most recent Management’s Discussion and Analysis, under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form, and under “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available under the Company's profiles on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contact Information

Company Contact:
William V. Williams, MD
President & CEO
1-888-485-6340
[email protected] 

Investor Relations Contact:
[email protected]

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brixton Metals Corporation (TSX-V: BBB, OTCQB: BBBXF) (the “Company” or “Brixton”) announces that further to its news release dated February 6, 2026, the Company has received the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) for, and is proceeding with, a consolidation (the “Consolidation”) of its issued and outstanding common shares on the basis of one post-consolidation common share (“Post-Consolidation Shares”) for every ten pre-consolidation common shares (“Pre-Consolidation Shares”).

The Consolidation was approved by the shareholders of the Company at the Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Company held on February 4, 2026.

The Post-Consolidation Shares will commence trading on the TSXV at the market open on February 20, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), under the existing symbol “BBB”.

The new CUSIP will be 11120Q708 and the new ISIN number will be CA11120Q7084. There will be no name change in association with the Consolidation.

Following the share consolidation, Brixton will have approximately 71,323,542 common shares issued and outstanding.

No fractional shares will be issued as a result of the Consolidation. Any fractional interest in shares resulting from the Consolidation that is less than 0.5 of a common share will be rounded down to the nearest whole share and any fractional interest in common shares resulting from the Consolidation that is 0.5, or greater, of a common share will be rounded up to the nearest whole share.

The Company’s transfer agent, TSX Trust Company (“TSX Trust”), will mail a letter of transmittal to registered shareholders of the Company providing instructions on exchanging Pre-Consolidation Share certificates for Post-Consolidation Share certificates or Direct Registration System (DRS) advices. Shareholders are encouraged to send their share certificates, together with their letter of transmittal, to TSX Trust in accordance with the instructions in the letter of transmittal.

About Brixton Metals Corporation

Brixton Metals is a Canadian exploration company focused on the advancement of its mining projects. Brixton wholly owns four exploration projects: Brixton’s flagship Thorn copper-gold-silver-molybdenum Project, the Hog Heaven copper-silver-gold Project in NW Montana, USA, which is optioned to Ivanhoe Electric Inc., the Langis and HudBay silver Projects in Ontario and the Atlin Goldfields Project located in northwest BC, which is optioned to Eldorado Gold Corporation. Brixton Metals Corporation shares trade on the TSX-V under the ticker symbol BBB, and on the OTCQB under the ticker symbol BBBXF. For more information about Brixton, please visit our website at www.brixtonmetals.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mr. Gary R. Thompson, Chairman and CEO
[email protected]

For Investor Relations inquiries please contact: Mr. Michael Rapsch, Vice President Investor Relations. email: [email protected] or call Tel: 604-630-9707

Follow us on:
LinkedIn | Twitter/X | Facebook | Instagram

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.

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, and “intend”, statements that an action or event “may”, “might”, “could”, “should”, or “will” be taken or occur, including statements that address potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, potential size and expansion of a mineralized zone, proposed timing of exploration and development plans, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; and the additional risks identified in the annual information form of the Company or other reports and filings with the TSXV and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. 

TORONTO, Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) (“Cronos”), an innovative global cannabinoid company, announced today the launch of its newest all-in-one (AIO) vape, Spinach PUFFERZ™. The latest innovation under Cronos’ Spinach® brand brings together high-quality cannabis infused with liquid diamonds in a convenient all-in-one device.

Crafted for modern cannabis consumers who value functionality and design, Spinach PUFFERZ™ offers a seamless way to enjoy high-quality cannabis vape extracts and bold flavors. Every design element was carefully considered to deliver a differentiated experience. Spinach PUFFERZ™ is Cronos' first AIO vape featuring the increasingly popular palm-style hardware. The device boasts a uniquely satisfying squishy grip with a puffy exterior, a dual ceramic coil for maximum flavor and smooth draws, a boost button for temperature control, and a battery meter to indicate when a charge is needed.

“Our leadership in the Canadian cannabis marketplace is driven by our relentless pursuit of excellence in product quality, innovation, and differentiation,” said Mike Gorenstein, Chairman, President and CEO of Cronos. “We are focused on building brand loyalty with fantastic products, and our newest all-in-one vape is a device that looks, feels, and tastes great. The launch of Spinach PUFFERZ™ demonstrates our ability to continuously find new ways to innovate and create new cannabis experiences.”

Spinach PUFFERZ™ all-in-one 1g vapes will launch in three flavors, each infused with liquid diamonds and delivering 98.1% THC:

Spinach PUFFERZ™ Sour Blue Razz (Hybrid) Inspired by a strain with Blue CKS x Mendobreath lineage and featuring berry and citrus flavor notes Spinach PUFFERZ™ Tropical AF (Sativa) Inspired by a strain with Pink Rozay and White Runtz lineage and featuring tropical and fruity flavor notes Spinach PUFFERZ™ Pineapple Coconut (Indica) Inspired by a strain with LA Cush CK and Coco Milk lineage and featuring a combo of fruity and vanilla flavor notes “Our teams have been unwavering in their commitment to elevating our vape portfolio with products and flavors that truly connect with consumers,” said Jeff Jacobson, Chief Growth Officer, Cronos. “We’re incredibly excited to introduce a standout innovation like Spinach PUFFERZ™ at a time when the all‑in‑one category is experiencing remarkable momentum. As one of Canada’s leading cannabis vape brands, we’re proud to help shape the category and remain dedicated to delivering memorable products that keep Spinach® top‑of‑mind with cannabis consumers,” Mr. Jacobson added.

Available now in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, Spinach PUFFERZ™ will be available nationally by April 2026. For more information and product availability, visit https://spinachcannabis.com/. To learn more about Spinach PUFFERZ™ and stay up-to-date on Spinach® products, follow @spinachwithfriends on Instagram.

About Cronos Group Inc.
Cronos is an innovative global cannabinoid company committed to building disruptive intellectual property by advancing cannabis research, technology and product development. With a passion to responsibly elevate the consumer experience, Cronos is building an iconic brand portfolio. Cronos’ diverse international brand portfolio includes Spinach®, PEACE NATURALS® and Lord Jones®. For more information about Cronos and its brands, please visit: thecronosgroup.com.

Forward-looking Statements 
This press release may contain information that may constitute “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws and court decisions (collectively, “Forward-looking Statements”). All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute Forward-looking Statements. In some cases, Forward-looking Statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “potential”, “estimate”, “believe” or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify Forward-looking Statements. Some of the Forward-looking Statements contained in this press release include statements about future product availability and rollout timing; market trends and demand in the all-in-one cannabis vape category; brand positioning, growth, and leadership; innovation strategy and execution; and anticipated consumer response to Spinach PUFFERZ™; and the Company’s intention to build an international iconic brand portfolio and develop disruptive intellectual property by advancing cannabis research, technology and product development. Forward-looking Statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks. Financial results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those Forward-looking Statements and the Forward-looking Statements are not guarantees of future performance. A discussion of some of the material risks applicable to the Company can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2025, June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2025, each of which have been filed on SEDAR+ and EDGAR and can be accessed at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov/edgar, respectively. Any Forward-looking Statement included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release and, except as required by law, Cronos disclaims any obligation to update or revise any Forward-looking Statement. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on any Forward-looking Statement.

For further information, please contact:

Media Relations Contact: 
Emily Whalen 
Communications 
Tel: (416) 504-0004 
[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:
Harrison Aaron 
Investor Relations 
Tel: (416) 504-0004 
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1336a52e-140a-459b-b7a1-cb871250d7f6

Spinach PUFFERZ™ Spinach PUFFERZ™ Pineapple Coconut (Indica), Spinach PUFFERZ™ Sour Blue Razz (Hybrid), Spinach PUFFE...

Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski. John Phillips/Getty Images for SXSW London 2026-02-17T12:30:15.149Z

The cofounder and CEO of Klarna predicts that the firm's workforce will be less than 2,000 by 2030. Klarna has already reduced its workforce by 50% through a hiring slowdown and AI adoption. Siemiatkowski said jobs based on "human connection" will remain. Klarna's workforce has halved in the last four years, but its CEO and cofounder says it isn't done shrinking yet.

In an interview with Harry Stebbings on the "20 VC" podcast on Monday, CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski talked through the impact of AI and how he expects Klarna's workforce to drop below 2,000 employees by 2030.

He said there are about 3,000 employees at the company right now, down from 7,000 in 2022. This reduction is due to layoffs and "natural attrition" — where employees leave the company, and their roles are not replaced, he said.

"Occasionally, we hire somebody here and there," he said, but if you "go to LinkedIn and look at the insights, you're going to see how the company is shrinking."

Siemiatkowski said he has seen the speed at which AI is improving and believes these technologies can be integrated into the company without expanding the head count.

Klarna declined to comment further when contacted by Business Insider.

Siemiatkowski's comments come as the debate around the extent to which AI will replace jobs intensifies.

While Tesla and xAI CEO Elon Musk has said AI will create abundance for all, other tech CEOs have a more gloomy outlook.

Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei has warned about the impact AI could have on society, writing that it presents "a serious civilizational challenge" in his January essay on the future of technology. Amodei has also said that he believes AI could cut 50% of all white-collar entry-level jobs.

"I'm more in Dario's camp," Siemiatkowski said on Monday. "I want to be honest about the fact that I do think there's going to be a very big shift."

"I'm an optimist at heart, but I also want to be a realist around what's going to happen in the shorter term, and it's going to be a lot of turmoil in this," he said of AI's impact on jobs.

Some major companies, such as IBM, HP, and Salesforce, have already signaled they are cutting jobs because of AI.

Siemiatkowski said that jobs at Klarna involving "human connection," such as relationships with retailers, will not be replaced by AI.

"It's going to be vital to offer a human connection there. So those jobs will remain, but for the rest it's going to be definitely smaller," he said.

Do you work for Klarna and have a tip or story to share? Contact this reporter via email at [email protected] or Signal at @royashahidi.36. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

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SummarySoftware and IT services are undervalued relative to 11-year averages, while semiconductors and hardware remain notably overvalued.Baron Technology ETF is a new, actively managed, high-conviction tech fund with a 0.75% expense ratio and 40 holdings.BCTK is overweight in semiconductors (36%), uses a broader sector scope than XLK, and has strong growth characteristics.Seven tech stocks were cheaper than their peers in February.Quantitative Risk & Value members get exclusive access to our real-world portfolio. See all our investments here » Alexander Sikov/iStock via Getty Images

This monthly article series offers a top-down analysis of the information technology sector based on value, quality, and momentum metrics. It may also help analyze sector ETFs such as the Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (

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

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

TORONTO, Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- McFarlane Lake Mining Limited (“McFarlane” or the “Company”) (CSE: MLM, OTC: MLMLF, FRA: W2Z), is pleased to announce the Company commenced trading on the Frankfurt Exchange under the Symbol FRA: W2Z. This listing forms part of the Company’s broader strategy to expand investor awareness of its flagship Juby Gold Project across North America and Europe.

The Company will also participate in several upcoming investor conferences, including the Red Cloud Pre-PDAC 2026 Mining Showcase (February 26–27, 2026), the PDAC 2026 Convention (March 1–4, 2026), and the Precious Metals Summit 1x1 Meetings Program.

“Listing on the Frankfurt Exchange strengthens our access to international capital and reflects the growing interest in the Juby Gold Project,” said Mark Trevisiol, President & CEO. “With several key investor conferences ahead, we’re excited to connect directly with the market and highlight the momentum we’re building.”

The Red Cloud Pre-PDAC Mining Showcase will be held in person at the Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto. The event brings together mining companies and institutional investors for presentations, networking, and one-on-one meetings. President & CEO Mark Trevisiol will present on February 26th at 2:40pm ET.

The PDAC remains the world’s leading mineral exploration and mining convention, attracting global industry participants, investors, and analysts. As part of PDAC 2026, McFarlane will participate in the Precious Metals Summit Investor Exchange at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on March 2–3, where management will meet with qualified institutional investors.

Members of the Company’s management team will be available throughout the conference week to discuss recent developments and near-term plans for the Juby Gold Project.

Investors interested in meeting with management or learning more about McFarlane Lake Mining are encouraged to contact [email protected].

About McFarlane Lake Mining Limited

McFarlane Lake Mining Limited is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on advancing its flagship Juby Gold Project, located near Gowganda, Ontario, within the established Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The Juby Gold Project hosts a current (effective September 29, 2025) NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) of 1.01 million ounces of gold in the Indicated category at an average grade of 0.98 g/t gold (31.74 million tonnes) and an additional 3.17 million ounces of gold in the Inferred category at an average grade of 0.89 g/t gold (109.48 million tonnes). The estimate was calculated using a long-term gold price of US$2,500 per ounce, applying cut-off grades of 0.25 g/t gold for open pit and 1.85 g/t gold for underground resources.

A sensitivity analysis completed at a higher gold price of US$3,750 per ounce resulted in an Indicated Mineral Resource of 1.20 million ounces grading 0.94 g/t gold (39.51 million tonnes) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 4.23 million ounces grading 0.85 g/t gold (154.50 million tonnes) applying cut-off grades of 0.25 g/t gold for open pit and 1.15 g/t gold for underground resources.

The independent MRE was prepared by BBA E&C Inc. in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The full technical report supporting the resource estimate was filed on SEDAR+ on November 21, 2025, and is also available on the Company’s website www.mcfarlanelakemining.com.

McFarlane is actively executing an exploration drilling program and additional technical studies at the Juby Project to further evaluate and advance this large-scale gold system.

In addition to Juby, McFarlane holds a portfolio of 100%-owned gold assets across Ontario, including the past-producing McMillan Gold Mine and Mongowin properties located approximately 70 kilometres west of Sudbury and the Michaud/Munro properties located 115 kilometres east of Timmins. McFarlane Lake Mining Limited is a reporting issuer in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.

Readers are cautioned to refer to the “Cautionary Statement on Mineral Resources” and all other disclaimers included in this news release for important information regarding the limitations and verification status of the data presented above and elsewhere herein.

To learn more, visit: https://mcfarlanelakemining.com/.

Additional information on McFarlane can be found by reviewing its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

Further Information

For further information regarding McFarlane, please contact:

Mark Trevisiol,
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
McFarlane Lake Mining Limited
(705) 665-5087
[email protected]

Kaitlin Taylor
Investor Relations
[email protected] 

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Qualified Person

Technical information was reviewed by Mark Trevisiol P.Eng., an officer of McFarlane and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: 

This news release contains “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements relating to the timeline for the completion of the transaction, the ability of McFarlane to satisfy or waive closing conditions under the Agreement, including receipt of required regulatory and third-party approvals. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “believes” or “intends”, or variations of such words and phrases, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of McFarlane to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated as of November 27, 2024, which is available for view on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and McFarlane disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management’s estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 

Cautionary Statement on Mineral Resources

This news release uses the terms indicated and inferred mineral resources as a relative measure of the level of confidence in the resource estimate. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources are not mineral reserves and that the economic viability of resources that are not mineral reserves has not been demonstrated. The mineral resource estimates disclosed in this news release may be materially affected by geology, environmental, permitting, legal, title, socio-political, marketing or other relevant issues. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to an indicated or measured mineral resource category, however, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. The mineral resource estimate is classified in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum’s “CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves” incorporated by reference into NI 43-101. Under NI 43-101, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies or economic studies except for preliminary economic assessments. Readers are cautioned not to assume that further work on the stated resources will lead to mineral reserves that can be mined economically.

Regina, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - February 17, 2026) - Above Food Ingredients Inc. (NASDAQ: ABVE) (the "Company") today announced that on February 3, 2026, in accordance with expectations, it received a staff determination letter from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq") indicating that the Company is not currently in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(2) due to the delay in filing its interim financial statements for the six-month period ended July 31, 2025. The interim financial statements for the six-month period ended July 31, 2025 have already been completed, and will be filed within one week following the filing of the audited annual financial statements included in the Company's Form 20-F.

COLDWATER, Mich., Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Southern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. (OTC Pink: SOMC) announced fourth quarter 2025 net income of $2,912,000, or $0.62 per share, an increase of $262,000, or 9.9%, compared to net income of $2,650,000, or $0.57 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2024. Southern earned $12,215,000, or $2.63 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase of $1,813,000, or 17.4%, compared to net income of $10,402,000, or $2.28 per share, for the same period of 2024.

The annualized return on average assets for the years ended December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, was 0.77% and 0.71%, respectively. The annualized return on average equity for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, was 10.64% and 10.07%, respectively. The tax equivalent net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2025 was 3.22% compared to 2.98% for the same period of 2024.

John R. Waldron, President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Michigan Bancorp, Inc., stated, “We are pleased to announce another solid quarter of earnings and growth. For 2025, we achieved loan growth of 14.1%, deposit growth of 13.2% and total asset growth of 13.0%.”

The allowance for credit losses totaled $15,553,000, or 1.22% of loans on December 31, 2025. Net loan charge-offs totaled $53,000 for 2025, compared to $28,000 for 2024. Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans were 0.98% as of December 31, 2025, and 0.08% as of December 31, 2024.

Southern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company and the parent company of Southern Michigan Bank & Trust. It operates 18 offices within Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Jackson, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph Counties providing a broad range of consumer, business and wealth management services throughout the region.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the financial services industry, the economy, and Southern Michigan Bancorp, Inc. Forward-looking statements are identifiable by words or phrases such as “expected,” “begin,” and other similar words or expressions. All statements with reference to a future time period are forward-looking. Management’s determination of the provision and allowance for credit losses and other accounting estimates, such as the carrying value of goodwill, other real estate owned, mortgage servicing rights and the fair value of investment securities, involves judgments that are inherently forward-looking. The future effect of changes in the financial and credit markets and the national and regional economy on the banking industry, generally, and Southern Michigan Bancorp, Inc., specifically, are also inherently uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("risk factors") that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what may be expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Southern Michigan Bancorp, Inc., does not update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that may arise after the date of the forward-looking statements.

SOUTHERN MICHIGAN BANCORP, INC. 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share data)

  December 31,
2025 December 31,
2024 ASSETS       Cash and cash equivalents $109,498 $73,737 Federal funds sold  878  259 Securities available for sale, at fair value  156,220  159,320 Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost  62,471  60,454 Loans held-for-sale  214  995 Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $15,553 – 2025, $12,782 - 2024  1,257,855  1,103,652 Premises and equipment, net  25,188  25,600 Net cash surrender value of life insurance  28,506  23,139 Goodwill  13,422  13,422 Other intangible assets, net  75  111 Other real estate owned  3,689  - Other assets  32,461  35,866 TOTAL ASSETS $1,690,477 $1,496,555         LIABILITIES       Deposits:       Non-interest bearing $224,171 $223,583 Interest bearing  1,192,627  1,028,212 Total deposits  1,416,798  1,251,795         Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and overnight borrowings  1,390  1,560 Accrued expenses and other liabilities  18,118  18,355 Other borrowings  97,900  82,900 Subordinated debentures  34,791  34,722 Total liabilities  1,568,997  1,389,332         SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY       Preferred stock, 100,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding  –  – Common stock, $2.50 par value:       Authorized – 10,000,000 shares       Issued and outstanding – 4,623,734 shares in 2025, 4,577,107 shares in 2024  11,555  11,438 Additional paid-in capital  13,621  13,438 Retained earnings  106,716  97,462 Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (10,412) (15,115)Total shareholders’ equity  121,480  107,223 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $1,690,477 $1,496,555 
SOUTHERN MICHIGAN BANCORP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except per share data)

  Three Months Ended
December 31, Year Ended
December 31,   2025 2024 2025 2024 Interest income:             Loans, including fees $19,052 $16,628 $72,776 $64,376 Federal funds sold and balances with banks  823  999  3,314  4,629 Securities:             Taxable  1,404  1,376  5,810  5,889 Tax-exempt  410  318  1,498  1,222 Total interest income  21,689  19,321  83,398  76,116               Interest expense:             Deposits  7,847  7,358  30,434  29,013 Other  1,447  1,315  5,484  6,016 Total interest expense  9,294  8,673  35,918  35,029 Net interest income  12,395  10,648  47,480  41,087 Provision for credit losses  1,332  353  3,196  1,014 Net interest income after provision for credit losses  11,063  10,295  44,284  40,073               Non-interest income:             Service charges on deposit accounts  443  422  1,669  1,692 Trust fees  876  704  3,221  2,744 Net gains on loan sales  395  253  1,139  672 Earnings on life insurance assets  229  170  833  667 Gain from life insurance  –  –  202  – ATM and debit card fee income  476  462  1,882  1,818 Other  230  289  831  898 Total non-interest income  2,649  2,300  9,777  8,491               Non-interest expense:             Salaries and employee benefits  6,161  6,233  24,146  22,388 Occupancy, net  601  540  2,438  2,054 Equipment  553  425  2,015  1,658 Professional and outside services  575  581  2,130  2,156 Software maintenance  774  635  2,841  2,452 ATM expenses  235  212  976  841 Printing, postage, and supplies  123  97  468  510 Telecommunication expenses  91  73  314  313 Other  1,251  1,096  4,342  4,053 Total non-interest expense  10,364  9,892  39,670  36,425 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES  3,348  2,703  14,391  12,139 Federal income tax provision  436  53  2,176  1,737 NET INCOME $2,912 $2,650 $12,215 $10,402               Basic Earnings Per Common Share $0.63 $0.57 $2.65 $2.28 Diluted Earnings Per Common Share  0.62  0.57  2.63  2.28 Dividends Declared Per Common Share  0.16  0.15  0.64  0.60 
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/832ed605-5584-4b45-b447-75d83a032fe1

SMBT Jackson Summit Township Branch Southern Michigan Bank and Trust, Jackson Summit Township Branch

As XRP continues to struggle below the $1.50 zone, the asset’s network activity has dropped sharply, signaling cooling participation across the blockchain.

In this line, the number of active wallets fell from 55,080 on February 9 to 40,778 by February 15, reflecting a decline of about 26%, according to on-chain data shared by Ali Martinez on February 17.

XRP active addresses chart. Source: Ali Martinez Notably, activity peaked at around 55,000 active addresses on February 9 before plunging on February 10. From February 11 through February 15, daily active addresses remained subdued, fluctuating between 41,000 and 43,000 but failing to regain earlier highs. 

Active addresses are a key measure of network engagement and transaction demand. A sharp decline over a short period signals reduced on-chain activity and weakening short-term participation from traders and investors.

From a price standpoint, softer network activity can curb bullish momentum. Lower engagement typically translates into weaker liquidity and transactional demand, which can pressure XRP’s price.

XRP price weakness The drop comes at a time when the cryptocurrency’s price has shown resilience in recent days, rallying roughly 38% from early February lows around $1.11 to $1.20 following a sharp crypto-wide crash. However, XRP remains significantly below its 2025 peak of $3.65.

In this line, a major development weighing on sentiment is a sharp revision from banking giant Standard Chartered, with its analysts slashing their end-of-2026 XRP price target by 65%, from a previous bullish forecast of $8 to $2.80.

Global Head of Digital Assets Research Geoffrey Kendrick cited challenging price action, macro headwinds, reduced institutional inflows, and expectations of further near-term declines across the crypto sector.

Despite the bearish outlook from Standard Chartered, some positive signals persist. XRP ETFs have attracted over $1.37 billion in inflows since late 2025, and Ripple recently unveiled an institutional roadmap in mid-February, including DeFi scaling features, lending capabilities, and a substantial treasury fund.

XRP price analysis  By press time, XRP was trading at $1.46, down about 1% over the past 24 hours. On the weekly timeframe, the asset is up nearly 3%.

XRP seven-day price chart. Source: Finbold As it stands, XRP remains below both its 50-day SMA at $1.83 and 200-day SMA at $2.34, signaling sustained bearish momentum across the medium and long term.

The fact that the price remains below these key moving averages suggests sellers are still in control, and rallies may face resistance near those levels.

Meanwhile, the 14-day RSI stands at 44.26, in neutral territory but below the midpoint of 50, indicating weakening buying pressure without yet reaching oversold conditions.

Featured image via Shutterstock

Altcoin Sherpa says Bitcoin’s bear phase could end within 12 months as ETFs, macro risks and a possible capitulation shape the next accumulation zone.

Summary

Altcoin Sherpa projects Bitcoin’s peak‑to‑bottom phase will likely conclude in less than a year, excluding the post‑bottom accumulation range. The analyst says a major selloff from the October peak and ETF outflows may already have marked capitulation, putting Bitcoin in early accumulation. Structural shifts such as US spot ETFs and macro headwinds mean this cycle may diverge from 2018 and 2022, even if the one‑year bear timing repeats. Bitcoin market analyst Altcoin Sherpa has projected the current cryptocurrency bear phase will conclude in less than 365 days, with the digital asset potentially resuming its broader uptrend before year-end, according to analysis published on social media platform X.

The projection comes as Bitcoin trades well below its all-time high reached in October, prompting investor questions about when the cryptocurrency might establish its next bottom.

Sherpa specified the timeline refers to the move from peak to bottom and does not include the accumulation period that typically follows, according to the analysis. The accumulation phase is characterized by sideways price action with relatively low volatility and subdued trading volume, historically lasting between two and four months.

Historical data shows Bitcoin experienced major rallies in 2017 and 2021, each followed by year-long declines in 2018 and 2022, according to the analyst. Extended accumulation periods followed those drawdowns in 2019 and 2020. From peak to bottom in both the 2017-2018 and 2021-2022 cycles, Bitcoin required approximately one year to complete its downward move.

Past bear markets have featured a final capitulation event—a sharp sell-off marking the end of the downtrend, according to Sherpa’s analysis. The analyst indicated a capitulation may have already occurred earlier this year, pointing to a substantial price drop as a potential final decline. If correct, the market could already be in early accumulation stages.

Sherpa stated the current decline will differ from previous patterns due to structural changes in the market. The analyst cited the growing role of US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, which have altered capital flow structures despite declining alongside the broader market. An extended consolidation period of approximately eight months in a prior price range was also noted, with such trading ranges often acting as support zones during pullbacks from a technical analysis perspective.

Broader macroeconomic factors including equities, metals, overall risk appetite and artificial intelligence developments remain critical variables, according to the analysis. Sherpa stated Bitcoin does not require another seven months of decline to form a bottom, suggesting accumulation may already be underway if the recent slide was the final capitulation.

The analyst acknowledged one key risk to the outlook: the possibility that a final capitulation has not yet occurred. If another significant sell-off emerges, that would be interpreted as the definitive bottoming event, with accumulation likely following for several months, according to the analysis.

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Bitcoin price hovered at $68,021 on Tuesday, following a week of consolidation below the $70k level. Ethereum is trading around $1,970. Despite the wider crypto market experienced some positive growth last week, the total market cap increased 0.35%, now estimated at 2.35 trillion. 

In the meantime, Willy Woo has cautioned about the possible dangers that quantum computing represents to the security of Bitcoin.

Willy Woo Warns Quantum Risk Threatens Bitcoin’s Gold Advantage On-chain analyst Willy Woo has sounded the alarm about the growing risk that quantum computing could erode Bitcoin’s edge over gold. 

Woo maintained that markets are beginning to take into consideration the threat of a “Q Day. This name is used to describe the point at which quantum computers can crack existing public-key encryptions.

Such an innovation can reintroduce some 4 million Bitcoin, which is estimated to have been lost out of circulation, since unreachable private keys, into circulation. These misplaced coins are accumulated in addresses that have an open public key that may be intercepted using quantum technology.

Woo stated that this is already getting factored into the price of Bitcoin, with a structural discount becoming apparent against gold.

He further observed that the Bitcoin network could use a hard fork to freeze these coins. Nonetheless, this action would spark a lot of controversy insofar as it would mean that Bitcoin would have its fungibility and immutability.

Woo approximated that the recall of these coins may equate to about eight years of Bitcoin amassing by companies.

Key Crypto Events To Watch Ahead The market is closely watching the Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes, set for release this Wednesday. The minutes will provide important details on how the central bank manages interest rates and inflation.

The released minutes of the meeting owed to the release three weeks after the FOMC meeting, give an insight into the internal discussions of the Fed. They target the economic situation, employment growth, and inflation issues.

These pieces of information frequently cause market trends, particularly in the crypto sector. Dovish minutes, which indicate the potential of a rate reduction, are likely to increase the price of crypto.

There are some major weekly crypto market calendars to watch. These are the ADP employment update, the retail sales information, and the December PCE inflation report. These reports will also ascertain the market mood and the potential fluctuations of the prices.

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Is BTC Set for a Breakout or a Pullback? As of writing, the BTC price stands at about $68,454 with a minor rise of +0.7%.

The MACD indicator shows a negative trend, and this may show a short-term downturn. This is also supported by the histogram since the bars appear red, which depicts a bearish movement. The MACD line, however, crossing over the signal line might indicate a potential short-term reversal in case the momentum changes.

The RSI is 43, which is close to the neutral zone, indicating that Bitcoin is not overbought or oversold.

The long-term Bitcoin forecast is on the verge of important target levels of $75,000 and $65,000 to monitor. Any move above $75,000 could be an indicator of an upward trend, whereas a fall below $65,000 could be an indicator of a downward trend.

Source: BTC/USDT 4-hour chart: Tradingview To sum up, Bitcoin price holds its ground as the crypto market expands slowly. The security of Bitcoin is also a cause of concern in light of the warning given by Willy Woo on the issue of quantum computing. Future market moods will be determined by future economic reports and Federal Reserve minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) "Q Day" refers to the moment when quantum computers become powerful enough to break current cryptographic techniques used in Bitcoin's security.

Willy Woo warns that quantum computing could compromise Bitcoin's security, especially with lost coins stored in addresses that might become vulnerable once quantum computers can break public-key cryptography.

Ethereum Price Attempts 3 Rebounds in 10 Days — Charts Explain Why Each Failed Prefer us on Google

Ethereum price has failed three rebounds near a critical resistance zoneLarge investors and key holder behavior signal hidden pressure on price A major supply cluster continues shaping Ethereum’s next directional moveEthereum price is up about 1% over the past 24 hours, holding near the $2,000 level. But this is not the first time Ethereum has tried to recover. Over the past 10 days (between February 6 and February 15), ETH attempted three separate rebounds. Each one showed early strength but failed to continue higher.

Now, charts explain why each failed. The data also shows what must change for Ethereum price prediction to finally turn bullish.

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Ascending Triangle Shows Recovery Attempt — But Resistance LingersThe Ethereum price has been forming an ascending triangle since early February. This pattern forms when buyers push the price gradually higher, while sellers consistently defend the same resistance zone.

The rising trendline shows buyers stepping in earlier during each dip. But the resistance zones near $2,000 and $2,120 have stopped every rebound so far.

Three clear rebound attempts happened. On Feb. 6, the Ethereum price jumped 23% but failed near $2,120. On Feb. 12, the price rose 11% but again failed below resistance. On Feb. 15, the price climbed 7% but eventually stalled under $2,000. Even though buyers returned each time, they could not break through.

One key indicator supporting the recovery attempt is the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF). CMF measures large investor buying and selling by combining price and volume. When CMF rises above zero, it shows more buying than selling.

Ethereum’s CMF crossed above zero on Feb. 15 (during the third rebound attempt) and remains positive near 0.05. This suggests large investors have started buying again. But the buying strength remains limited so far.

Ethereum Price Rebounds: TradingViewWant more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

This raises an important question. If buyers are returning, why does the Ethereum price keep failing? The answer becomes clearer by looking at whales and long-term holders.

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Whale and Long-Term Holder Selling IncreasedLarge investors have been reducing exposure during the same period that Ethereum price tried to recover. Wallets holding large amounts of ETH, known as whales, reduced their holdings from 113.92 million ETH to 113.66 million ETH. This equals a decline of about 260,000 ETH, roughly $500 million.

Ethereum Whales: SantimentThis shows whales were selling ETH during the recovery attempts instead of supporting the price.

Another key metric confirms this trend. The Hodler Net Position Change metric tracks whether long-term investors are accumulating or selling. When the metric turns negative, it means long-term holders are selling.

Ethereum’s Holder Net Position Change remained negative between Feb. 3 and Feb. 16 (during the rebound phase). Selling also increased from -13,677 ETH to -18,411 ETH. This marks a 34% rise in selling pressure.

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Hodlers Selling: GlassnodeThis timing is critical. Each rebound attempt happened during this same period of increased selling.

This explains why the Ethereum price could not sustain its recovery. Even though new buyers entered, long-term holders and whales were exiting. But there is another reason why the $2,000 and $2,120 levels remain difficult to break.

Cost Basis Data Shows Why Ethereum Price Keeps Failing Near $2,000Cost basis data shows where investors originally bought their Ethereum. This level often becomes resistance when the price returns to it.

The largest cost basis cluster currently sits between $1,995 and $2,015. More than 1.01 million ETH were purchased in this range. This creates strong selling pressure.

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Cost Basis Heatmap: GlassnodeWhen the Ethereum price returns to this level, many investors choose to sell to recover their initial investment. This increases supply and prevents the price from rising further. This pattern matches all three rebound failures.

Each rebound attempt stopped near (or slightly above) this same cost basis zone. This confirms that the Ethereum price must break through this level cleanly to start a stronger recovery. Ethereum price now remains stuck between support and resistance.

Immediate resistance levels are $2,000 (most vital for now) and $2,120, as highlighted earlier. But more detailed levels now come into the picture if we use technical projections. If Ethereum breaks above the $2,120-$2,140 zone, the next upside targets could reach $2,210 and $2,300.

Ethereum Price Analysis: TradingViewBut failure to break resistance could keep the Ethereum price moving sideways. Support remains near $1,895, and a dip under that would invalidate the trendline-led recovery attempt. The charts show recovery attempts are forming. CMF confirms buyers are returning. But whale selling, long-term holder selling, and cost basis resistance continue blocking the rally.

Ethereum price prediction now depends on whether buyers can finally absorb this selling pressure and break above resistance.

Disclaimer

In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

Decentralized lending protocol ZeroLend announced it will shut down after struggling with declining user activity, shrinking liquidity and mounting operational challenges.

Danielle du Toit2 min read

17 February 2026, 11:00 AM

Founder Ryker said the platform became financially unsustainable as supported chains grew inactive, oracle services were withdrawn and security risks increased. ZeroLend has seen its TVL collapse, while its ZERO token plunged after the shutdown announcement and has lost almost all its value since its 2024 peak.

ZeroLend Winds DownDecentralized lending protocol ZeroLend announced it will shut down operations entirely, due to declining user activity, shrinking liquidity and mounting operational challenges across the blockchains it supports. The decision is a sharp reversal for a project that once held hundreds of millions of dollars in total value locked during the height of the Ethereum layer-2 expansion narrative.

In a statement that was shared on X, ZeroLend’s founder, known only as Ryker, said the team made the “difficult decision to wind down operations” after three years of building the protocol. Despite efforts to sustain growth, he acknowledged that the platform is no longer financially viable in its current form.

ZeroLend primarily operated on Ethereum layer-2 networks, which were once championed by Vitalik Buterin as a core strategy for scaling the Ethereum ecosystem. However, Buterin recently suggested that his earlier vision of scaling primarily through layer-2 solutions “no longer makes sense,” and argued that many rollups have failed to fully inherit Ethereum’s security guarantees.

According to Ryker, several of the blockchains supported by ZeroLend have become inactive or much less liquid, which undermined the protocol’s ability to generate sustainable revenue. In some cases, oracle providers, which supply critical price and market data to decentralized applications, discontinued support for certain networks. That loss of infrastructure made it very difficult for ZeroLend to operate lending markets reliably.

He also pointed to the growing threat landscape facing decentralized finance platforms. As ZeroLend expanded, it attracted a lot of  attention from hackers and scammers. Combined with the thin profit margins and inherently high-risk nature of lending protocols, these pressures resulted in extended periods during which the platform operated at a loss.

The team assured users that withdrawals will stay open and strongly encouraged participants to remove their remaining funds. However, some assets may be stuck on chains where liquidity deteriorated significantly. Ryker said the protocol’s smart contracts will be upgraded to help redistribute those trapped assets.

ZeroLend has also been working to trace and recover funds tied to a February exploit last year involving a Bitcoin product deployed on the Base blockchain. During that incident, an attacker drained lending pools, which affected suppliers to the product. Ryker said affected users will receive a partial refund, funded through an airdrop allocation previously received by the ZeroLend team.

Market reaction to the shutdown has been quick. The ZERO token fell 34% within 24 hours of the announcement and has lost almost all of its value since reaching a peak of roughly one-tenth of a cent in May of 2024.

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Danielle du Toit, a criminology honors graduate, has channeled her curiosity and analytical mindset into exploring the fascinating and ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency. Drawn to the dynamic nature of blockchain technology and its impact on global markets, Danielle thrives on uncovering insights in this complex industry. As a crypto journalist, Danielle is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with fellow enthusiasts. Her work combines a keen investigative eye with a love for storytelling, making even the most intricate aspects of crypto accessible and engaging. Through her writing, Danielle aims to inspire readers to delve deeper into the weird and wonderful realm of digital finance.

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Spot Ethereum (ETH) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are facing immense selling pressure, having recorded four consecutive weeks of net outflows.

Over that stretch, between January 17 and February 13, U.S. spot Ethereum ETFs have shed roughly $1.26 billion worth of the cryptocurrency, according to historical data accessible on SoSoValue at press time, February 17. 

If redemptions continue this week, the market will thus log a fifth straight week of outflows, a streak not seen since spring 2025, when institutional flows ended up in the red for two months straight between late February and late April.

The signs that outflows might continue are already negative, as Ethereum funds recorded a loss of 22,492 ETH yesterday, Monday, February 16, worth around $44.42 million, as per the latest Lookonchain reports.

Ethereum ETF moves. Source: SoSoValue Ethereum ETFs struggle as spot prices fall The institutional pullback comes amid a sharp correction in Ethereum prices. In fact, over the same period, the spot price has slid from $3,328 to $1,946, a more or less 41% decline.

Bitcoin (BTC) is facing a similar problem. Namely, according to SoSoValue statistics, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs lost some $1.3 billion at the same time, just as the price fell from $95,598 to $69,382.

At the time of writing, Ethereum was trading at $1,966, down 0.72% on the daily chart, while the total crypto market capitalization slipped 0.97% to $2.34 trillion.

Daily Ethereum price. Source: Finbold At the same time, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index dropped to 13, firmly in “Extreme Fear” territory and signaling heightened risk aversion. With daily Ethereum trading volumes also down 22%, declining conviction rather than panic-driven selling appears even more likely.

From a technical standpoint, the digital currency is trading below its 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $2,027.39, a level widely seen as defining the longer-term trend. Meanwhile, the 7-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $1,984.73 has turned into near-term resistance.

Until ETH can reclaim the $2,000–$2,030 range, the path of least resistance appears tilted to the downside. The key question facing the market now is whether Ethereum can at least defend the $1,950 support zone, as a failure to do so could likely lead to a deeper correction.

Featured image via Shutterstock

Stan Chartered just revised their XRP price target, but capital flow rotation points the opposite way.

Market Sentiment:

Bullish Bearish Neutral

Published: February 17, 2026 │ 10:59 AM GMT

Created by Kornelija Poderskytė from DailyCoin

Standard Chartered has cut its 2026 price target for XRP to $2.80, a sharp reduction that lands as the token tries to steady itself around the mid-$1.40s after a volatile February.

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The downgrade, described as a 65% trim to the bank’s prior forecast, has become a fresh anchor on sentiment even as XRP posts modest day-to-day gains. It also highlights a familiar tension in crypto: big-name projections can shift quickly, while positioning in the market often tells a different story.

A Lower Ceiling From a Major Bank The revised $2.80 call resets expectations for investors who had been leaning on more aggressive longer-term scenarios. Around the time of the update, XRP was trading near $1.48, only slightly higher on the day, suggesting traders absorbed the news without an immediate capitulation move.

Standard Chartered slashes 2026 targets as "ETF Fatigue" sets in!

The bank’s digital asset lead, Geoffrey Kendrick, warns of a "final capitulation" phase before the recovery. Here’s the breakdown:

📉 2026 Targets Revised:
XRP: $2.80 (was $8.00)
BTC: $100K (was $150K)
ETH:… pic.twitter.com/F42KMogkFm

— 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸XRP (@BankXRP) February 16, 2026 What Standard Chartered’s change reflects—whether softer assumptions on adoption, market structure, or broader risk appetite—wasn’t fully detailed across reports. But the magnitude of the cut was the headline, and it arrived during a period when large-cap altcoins have struggled to reclaim key technical levels.

Capital Flows Point The Other Way In a twist, XRP has simultaneously led institutional flows among major digital assets, topping Bitcoin and Ethereum in net inflows over the latest tracked period, according to a separate report. That’s notable given the broader backdrop of redemptions from digital-asset investment products, with weekly outflows cited at roughly $173 million and month-to-date redemptions in the billions.

The divergence suggests some allocators are rotating within crypto rather than exiting entirely—reducing exposure to certain assets while selectively adding to others, XRP included. Whether that reflects opportunistic dip-buying, relative-value positioning, or shifting expectations around XRP-specific catalysts is still unclear.

Why This Matters For Traders Now For crypto investors, the immediate takeaway is less about the exact $2.80 number and more about dispersion: analysts are turning cautious while capital is still showing up. In practical terms, that can translate into choppy price action—headlines capping rallies, but steady bid support limiting drawdowns—until a clearer macro or regulatory catalyst breaks the stalemate.

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Market Sentiment

100% Bullish

This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein shall be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading forex, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs pose a considerable risk of loss.

12h05 ▪ 4 min read ▪ by Fenelon L.

Summarize this article with:

Bitcoin is going through one of its toughest phases in months. Nearly half of the circulating supply is at a loss, ETFs are bleeding billions. Yet, miners and long-term holders refuse to give in. Should this be seen as a sign of hope, or simply the denial of a market that has not yet hit bottom?

In brief Nearly 43% of Bitcoin’s circulating supply is currently at a loss. The NUPL indicator falls to 21.30%, a level characteristic of widespread capitulation. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have recorded $2.17 billion in net outflows since early February. Miners hold onto their BTC rather than sell, partially financed by AI-related revenues. Indicators Sound the Alarm February 2026 will be remembered as a painful month for Bitcoin holders. Analyst GugaOnChain, a recognized contributor to CryptoQuant, published a particularly harsh on-chain report: 42.85% of the circulating supply is now at a loss, and the NUPL (Net Unrealized Profit/Loss) indicator has plummeted to 21.30%. 

Over the past thirty days, BTC has lost nearly 28% of its value, trading about 46% below its all-time high surpassing $126,000, reached in October 2025.

These levels recall painful episodes. Experts at XWIN Research note that the fear and greed index has dropped to 8 out of 100, an extremely rare level. It was previously observed only at the 2018 bottom, the COVID crash in March 2020, and the FTX collapse in November 2022. In short: the current market sentiment resembles a genuine crisis.

On the institutional side, the trend is equally worrying. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have recorded $2.17 billion in net outflows since the start of the month, with a notable acceleration when the price crossed the $60,000 threshold on February 6. 

More broadly, according to CoinShares, crypto investment products have experienced $3.8 billion in withdrawals over four consecutive weeks. Sector assets under management have fallen to their lowest level since April 2025.

The behavioral dimension also sheds light on the situation. Heavily negative funding rates on major exchange platforms, according to Santiment, indicate many traders are heavily betting on the continuation of the decline. Behavioral finance speaks here of loss aversion and herd behavior: when fear dominates, caution becomes instinctive.

Signs of Resistance That Deserve Attention Yet, the story does not end there. Beneath the surface of a retreating market, several indicators reveal unexpected resistance, which is precisely what makes the situation interesting.

Long-term holders, far from panicking, have absorbed 380,104 BTC over the past 30 days. This figure reflects an unwavering conviction among those familiar with Bitcoin cycles: buy when there is “blood in the streets,” according to the famous phrase. 

Miners adopt the same philosophy: rather than liquidating their BTC to cover operating costs, they choose to hold. Part of their income now comes from services related to artificial intelligence, giving them unprecedented leeway to withstand selling pressure.

Michael Saylor, CEO of Strategy, embodies this conviction alone. Despite a correction of more than 50% since the all-time high, he announced a new purchase of 1,142 BTC for about $90 million — bringing the company’s total to 714,644 BTC valued at $49.3 billion. 

Globally, revealing geographic divergences are also noted. While the United States concentrates $403 million in outflows, Germany, Canada, and Switzerland show significant combined inflows — proof that American pessimism is not unanimous.

In summary, Bitcoin is going through a severe turbulence zone, and GugaOnChain does not foresee a real recovery before the second quarter of 2026. However, strong hands, miners, long-term holders, and players like Strategy send a clear message: they are not selling. In past cycles, it is often this type of silent resistance that has preceded the most spectacular reversals.

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Fenelon L.

Passionné par le Bitcoin, j'aime explorer les méandres de la blockchain et des cryptos et je partage mes découvertes avec la communauté. Mon rêve est de vivre dans un monde où la vie privée et la liberté financière sont garanties pour tous, et je crois fermement que Bitcoin est l'outil qui peut rendre cela possible.

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.

Solana DEXs now offer CEX-like pricing despite a 90% volume drop since 2024, as prop AMMs, wrapped SOL markets, and new staked-SOL liquidity tools reshape on-chain trading.

Summary

Solana DEXs achieve market depth that often matches or beats Binance and OKX pricing, with spreads shifting as arbitrage rotates across venues. Prop AMMs and wrapped SOL on Ethereum, Base, and BNB Chain improve price discovery but still face thinner liquidity and higher cross-chain costs. Treasury wallets hold over 20 million SOL, about half staked, while Jupiter’s native-staked SOL tool unlocks liquidity without exiting staking. Solana’s on-chain trading infrastructure has demonstrated competitive pricing compared to centralized exchanges, according to recent market data.

Decentralized exchanges on the Solana network have achieved market depth sufficient to match or exceed prices quoted on major centralized platforms including Binance and OKX, according to trading data. The price differential between decentralized and centralized venues remains variable as arbitrage opportunities shift between platforms.

Proprietary automated market makers (Prop AMM) have contributed to improved price discovery on Solana’s decentralized exchanges, according to market observers. These specialized liquidity pools operate at specific price ranges, providing trading efficiency. Prop AMM exchanges have increased activity over the past month, offsetting declines in overall decentralized exchange volume.

Wrapped Solana tokens on Ethereum, Base, and BNB Chain trade at different price ranges compared to native Solana, according to market data. These markets face liquidity constraints and higher transaction costs related to trading and cross-chain bridging.

Trading volumes on Solana decentralized exchanges have declined approximately 90% since October 2024, according to network data.

Treasury entities currently hold over 20 million Solana tokens, with holdings remaining stable in recent months, according to blockchain data. Approximately 50% of treasury holdings are staked, the data showed.

Jupiter, a Solana-based platform, recently launched a tool enabling natively staked Solana to function as liquid tokens. The tool allows Solana validators to access liquidity while maintaining staking positions and earning block rewards and fees, according to the company’s announcement.

Solana has historically experienced extended periods of price decline followed by accumulation phases, according to market records. The token currently trades above previous baseline levels, though concerns regarding large holder liquidations persist, market participants noted.

Ethereum’s tokenized real-world asset market has topped $17 billion in value issued on its mainnet, according to The Block’s data, as large players like BlackRock and JPMorgan continue bringing traditional funds onchain.

The figure represents a nearly 315% increase from a year earlier, when the sector was worth $4.1 billion, and reinforces Ethereum’s dominance as the leading blockchain for tokenized finance. Ethereum currently accounts for approximately 34% of total onchain RWA value across all networks. Stablecoins on Ethereum mainnet have also climbed above $175 billion in aggregate market capitalization, underscoring the network’s role as the primary settlement layer for tokenized dollar-denominated assets.

RWA boom The growth highlights an accelerating shift by traditional financial institutions toward blockchain-based versions of familiar products. Wall Street incumbents, including BlackRock and JPMorgan, are building blockchain-native payments, savings, and investment instruments on Ethereum.

BlackRock’s tokenized Treasury fund, BUIDL, has emerged as the flagship product in the category. Launched in 2024 via Securitize, the fund invests in short-term U.S. government securities and has grown to become the largest tokenized money-market vehicle on public blockchain infrastructure.

Earlier this month, BlackRock expanded BUIDL’s utility by enabling direct onchain trading through UniswapX in collaboration with Securitize and Uniswap Labs, marking one of the clearest intersections yet between institutional capital and decentralized finance.

JPMorgan has also entered the arena. In December, the bank launched its first tokenized money-market fund on Ethereum, seeding it with $100 million and targeting qualified investors. The move builds on the firm’s broader blockchain strategy and signals that tokenized yield products are gaining traction beyond crypto-native issuers.

Recent market activity suggests the momentum is not confined to Treasuries alone. This week, Wintermute launched institutional trading for tokenized gold, forecasting that the tokenized commodities segment could reach $15 billion in 2026. Commodities already represent more than $5 billion of Ethereum’s RWA footprint.

The surge in Ethereum-based RWAs also aligns with broader projections from major financial institutions. Standard Chartered has previously estimated that tokenized real-world assets could reach $2 trillion by 2028, with the vast majority issued on Ethereum. ARK Invest has projected that tokenized assets could climb to roughly $11 trillion by 2030 from current levels.

Disclaimer: Evgeny Gaevoy, the founder and CEO of Wintermute, previously sat on The Block’s board of directors from April 2023 to early November 2023 and remains a minority shareholder.

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

Spot Ethereum ETFs see four straight weeks of outflows as price and sentiment slide.

Summary

Spot Ethereum ETFs post longest outflow streak since spring 2025, with a likely fifth week looming.​ Ethereum price, volumes, and total crypto market cap have all declined alongside U.S. spot ETF redemptions.​ Fear & Greed Index flashes “Extreme Fear” as ETH trades below key moving averages and tests critical supports.​ Recent reports from Lookonchain indicated funds recorded additional losses in recent trading sessions, as Ethereum price continues to face downward momentum hovering around $2,000 USD.

Spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds have recorded four consecutive weeks of net outflows, with signs pointing to a fifth straight week of redemptions, according to historical data from SoSoValue.

The outflows have coincided with a sharp correction in Ethereum prices, with the spot price declining significantly over the same timeframe. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have similarly experienced notable outflows as cryptocurrency prices fell, according to market data.

Ethereum traded lower during the reporting period, while total cryptocurrency market capitalization declined, according to market tracking services.

The Crypto Fear & Greed Index has fallen into “Extreme Fear” territory, indicating heightened risk aversion among market participants. Daily Ethereum trading volumes have also decreased during the period.

Technical analysis showed the digital currency trading below its longer-term moving average, with the short-term moving average functioning as near-term resistance. Market analysts noted that until Ethereum reclaims its prior higher range, downward pressure may persist.

The cryptocurrency’s ability to defend key support levels remains a critical factor, as a breach could trigger a deeper correction, according to market observers.

The TON Foundation has partnered with crypto infrastructure provider Banxa to roll out stablecoin payment processing for small and medium-sized enterprises across the Asia-Pacific region. 

The collaboration enables APAC SMEs to use The Open Network (TON) blockchain for settlement and cross-border money movement, according to a statement on Tuesday. 

More specifically, the integration combines Banxa's fiat-to-crypto on- and off-ramp network with TON's infrastructure to support business-to-business settlements, consumer-to-business payments, and cross-border transactions. Banxa, an OSL Group company, brings licensed operations across Asia-Pacific, the U.S., the UK, Europe, Latin America, and Africa to the partnership, the firms said.

"This collaboration reflects our emphasis on generating TON-based use cases that provide long-term commercial utility for builders and businesses around the world," Nikola Plecas, vice president of payments at TON Foundation, said in the statement. 

The announcement follows the Feb. 11 launch of TON Pay, a payment SDK that allows Telegram Mini Apps to accept Toncoin and USDT directly within the messaging platform. TON Pay processes transactions with average fees below $0.01 and sub-second settlement times, targeting Telegram's 1.1 billion monthly active users, according to the foundation.

OSL Group, which acquired Banxa as part of its push into payments, completed a $200 million equity financing round in January 2026, following a $300 million raise in 2025 — at the time the largest publicly disclosed equity raise in Asia's digital asset sector, according to the firm.

Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures.

© 2026 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.