Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Key Takeaways Kroger's grocery engine remains steady, with identical sales excluding fuel up 1% in fiscal Q1.Adjusted e-commerce sales rose 19%, led by delivery and under-one-hour convenience orders.Kroger's Our Brands gained share and outpaced national brands by 175 basis points in Q1. The Kroger Co. (KR - Free Report) is being judged on more than store traffic. Its investment case now depends on whether grocery momentum, digital growth, retail media and private-label strength can offset cost and consumer pressures.

The latest results show that Kroger still has durable operating advantages. They also show why investors are likely to keep watching margins and sales acceleration closely.

Why KR’s Grocery Engine Still MattersKroger’s identical sales excluding fuel increased 1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. That growth came despite a 130-basis-point headwind tied to the Inflation Reduction Act and 64 basis points of pressure from egg deflation.

The company expects identical sales without fuel to rise 1-2% in fiscal 2026. That outlook points to steady progress in the core grocery business, but not a sharp acceleration.

Walmart Inc. (WMT - Free Report) remains a relevant comparison because grocery value and convenience are central to how consumers choose where to shop. Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST - Free Report) also matters in the sector context, as membership-based food retail keeps pressure on traditional grocers to defend traffic and value perception.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

How Kroger Is Expanding Beyond StoresKroger has built a broad omnichannel network that includes supermarkets, pharmacies, fuel centers and digital commerce platforms. As of Jan. 31, 2026, it operated 2,697 supermarkets, 2,250 pharmacies and 1,731 fuel centers.

The company offers pickup and delivery to substantially all customers. Store-based fulfillment, third-party delivery partnerships and automated capabilities are becoming more important as shoppers shift between in-store and online purchases.

KR’s Digital Business Is Becoming More ImportantAdjusted e-commerce sales grew 19% in the first quarter, led by delivery. Under-one-hour convenience orders represented roughly 50% of digital growth, showing how speed is becoming a larger part of Kroger’s customer proposition.

Kroger also reached a key milestone as e-commerce, including media, turned profitable. That matters because lower cost to serve, better store-based fulfillment and digital scale can help protect margins while the company continues investing in convenience.

Why Kroger’s Private Labels Stand OutKroger’s Our Brands portfolio gained share and outpaced national brands by 175 basis points in the first quarter. Momentum was supported by Simple Truth and Private Selection, with innovation helping the company sharpen its merchandising position.

Private label gives Kroger two advantages in a cautious spending environment. It helps customers manage affordability while giving the company more control over assortment, differentiation and margin flexibility.

What KR’s Ratings Say About the SetupThe bottom line is that Kroger has useful operating levers, but the setup is not without near-term friction. Digital profitability, private-label gains and grocery traffic trends support the bull case, while pharmacy pressure, diesel-related transportation costs and cautious consumers keep the story balanced.

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). That rank fits a company with visible strengths but also execution questions as investors wait for clearer evidence of stronger sales momentum and margin stabilization. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Kroger’s Value Score of A and VGM Score of A support investor interest from a valuation and blended-style standpoint. Its Momentum Score of D is a reminder that timing remains less favorable, which may keep some investors on the sidelines until operating trends become cleaner.

Mlink chipsets expand the ecosystem for Iridium's standards-based NB-IoT and D2D connectivity 

, /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice, data, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite services, today announced that Mlink Technology Inc. (Mlink), a leading fabless semiconductor company specializing in IoT and satellite communication chipsets, has begun live, on-air testing of its MS150-IR IoT-NTN chipset using Iridium NTN Direct℠. MS150-IR is a specialized version of the MS150 chipset family, developed specifically for Iridium NTN Direct as part of Mlink's global IoT-NTN product portfolio.

The Iridium Network Mlink joins a growing ecosystem of chipset providers supporting Iridium NTN Direct, Iridium's 3GPP standards-based non-terrestrial network (NTN) service. By integrating Iridium NTN Direct, Mlink's chipsets will help device manufacturers, module makers and mobile network operators (MNOs) extend low-power IoT connectivity beyond the reach of terrestrial networks through a single global satellite platform. The companies anticipate certification and product availability before the end of 2026.

"We're excited by Mlink's strong progress and the successful transition from lab testing to live on-orbit validation over the Iridium network," said Tim Last, Executive Vice President, Iridium. "This achievement demonstrates the technical maturity of both teams and the readiness of Iridium NTN Direct. We look forward to certification of the MS150-IR chipset later this year, giving our partners and customers additional high-quality, standards-compliant options for global NB-IoT and D2D connectivity."

"Having the opportunity to collaborate with Iridium in the emerging NTN field is a tremendous opportunity for Mlink," said Zhiping An, Co-Founder and Vice President, Mlink. "Our MS150-IR chipset platform has successfully completed Iridium's laboratory testing and has now progressed into the over-the-air (OTA) testing phase. We also have introduced a comprehensive reference design kit, enabling our customers to accelerate product development and commercialization. We look forward to leveraging Iridium NTN Direct to provide high-quality low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication services to customers around the world, enabling reliable and efficient global connectivity."

Iridium NTN Direct leverages Iridium's unique network of 66 cross-linked LEO satellites and 3GPP standards to deliver low-latency, reliable connectivity with excellent signal penetration on a truly global basis. The service is designed for IoT applications including asset tracking, logistics, utilities, agriculture, automotive, industrial monitoring and remote infrastructure, extending connectivity where terrestrial coverage is unavailable, limited or unreliable.

For chipset vendors, module manufacturers, OEMs, and MNOs, Iridium NTN Direct reduces the technical and commercial barriers to integrating satellite connectivity into existing products and networks without requiring additional terrestrial infrastructure. The service enables partners to expand coverage, improve resilience and support new connected-device applications using globally recognized standards.

Mlink's advancement adds to Iridium's expanding roster of chipset partners and reinforces growing momentum toward commercial availability of Iridium NTN Direct in 2026. Iridium NTN Direct is designed to deliver truly global, standards-based NB-IoT and D2D connectivity, enabling devices, sensors and assets to remain connected anywhere on Earth.

For more information on Iridium NTN Direct and how to join the ecosystem, visit: www.iridium.com/ntn-direct.

For more information about Iridium, visit: www.iridium.com

About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) operates the world's only truly global mobile satellite network, delivering reliable voice, data, and positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services anywhere on Earth. Iridium supports safety- and mission-critical operations for diverse markets such as aviation, maritime, government, emergency services, critical infrastructure, autonomous systems, and remote monitoring applications, where connectivity is essential.

Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Iridium provides its products and services through an ecosystem of 500-plus partner companies around the world. For more information, visit www.iridium.com.

About Mlink Technology Inc.
Mlink Technology Inc, founded in 2013, is a leading innovator in semiconductor solutions for satellite and cellular communications. Mlink has launched SatCom chipsets covering multiple standards such as IoT-NTN, NR-NTN, and GMR, as well as cellular communication chips for 5G RedCap and NB-IoT. Mlink's MS150 series IoT-NTN chipsets and MS340 series NR-NTN chipsets have successfully completed extensive LEO and GEO satellite testing across multiple countries and regions worldwide. Today, they are recognized as among the industry's most widely adopted NTN chipset platforms.

Headquartered in Beijing, the company has established research and development centers in Shanghai, Hefei, and Xiamen. For more information about Mlink, visit: www.mlink-tech.cn.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure
Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has based these statements on its current expectations and the information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the capabilities, benefits and availability of the Iridium NTN Direct service. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "anticipates," "may," "can," "believes," "expects," "projects," "intends," "likely," "will," "to be" and other expressions that are predictions or indicate future events, trends or prospects. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Iridium to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding the timing of commercial availability of the Iridium NTN Direct service, the company's ability to maintain the health, capacity and content of its satellite constellation, general industry and economic conditions, and competitive, legal, governmental and technological factors. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include those factors listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 12, 2026, as well as other filings Iridium makes with the SEC from time to time. There is no assurance that Iridium's expectations will be realized. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Iridium's underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Iridium's forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Iridium undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Press Contact:     

Investor Contact:

Jordan Hassin     

Kenneth Levy

Iridium Communications Inc.                

Iridium Communications Inc.

[email protected]                                

[email protected]

+1 (703) 287-7421     

+1 (703) 287-7570

X: @Iridiumcomm

SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.

Key Takeaways FTNT launches FortiSOC, an AI-driven SecOps platform integrating 6 security functions into one SaaS console.FTNT posted Q1 revenues of $1.85B, up 20%, with billings rising 31% and EPS climbing 41% to 82 cents.Fortinet raised 2026 revenue outlook to $7.71B-$7.87B, citing AI-driven demand and platform innovation. Fortinet (FTNT - Free Report) is further leaning into artificial intelligence as a growth lever, having launched FortiSOC, a unified, cloud-delivered security operations center platform powered by agentic AI. The move raises the question of whether this AI-driven push can translate into sustained stock momentum. FortiSOC consolidates six security operations functions, including SIEM, SOAR, behavioral analytics, threat intelligence and identity threat detection, into a single SaaS console. Its centerpiece, FortiAI-Assist, autonomously investigates and correlates alerts, generates playbooks and coordinates response actions across thousands of multivendor tools using Model Context Protocol-based agent coordination, while keeping human analysts in oversight roles. The launch builds on AI-focused SecOps innovations previewed at the company's Accelerate 2026 event, positioning Fortinet to compete in the expanding market for AI-assisted threat detection as attackers themselves increasingly weaponize AI.

This AI expansion follows a financially strong first quarter wherein revenues reached $1.85 billion, up 20% year over year, while product revenues jumped 41% to $645 million. Billings, an indicator of forward demand, rose 31% to $2.09 billion. Profitability metrics were equally robust: non-GAAP operating margin hit a first-quarter record of 35.8%, non-GAAP earnings per share grew 41% to 82 cents, and the company generated record operating cash flow of $1.08 billion and free cash flow of $1.01 billion. An increasingly complex threat environment, intensified by AI, alongside new platform differentiators like FortiOS 8.0 and FortiASIC technology, were cited as demand drivers behind this growth.

On the back of this performance, Fortinet raised its full-year 2026 guidance, now projecting revenues between $7.71 billion and $7.87 billion and non-GAAP operating margin of 33% to 36%. Whether FortiSOC converts into durable subscription growth, however, remains to be tested against execution risk, AI-related competitive pressure and the company's ability to turn previewed innovations into sustained billings momentum in the coming quarters.

Microsoft and Palo Alto Networks Push Their Own Agentic AI BetsFortinet is not alone in racing toward agentic AI security. Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) has built Security Copilot into an agentic SOC layer across Defender, Sentinel and Purview, alongside Agent 365, a control plane to govern AI agents that became generally available last month. Palo Alto Networks (PANW - Free Report) has taken a similar path through Prisma AIRS 3.0, designed to secure the full agentic AI lifecycle, reinforced by its 2026 acquisitions of Portkey and Koi to govern and protect autonomous agents. While Microsoft leans on platform-wide integration and Palo Alto Networks emphasizes lifecycle and identity security, both illustrate how agentic AI has become a central competitive battleground alongside Fortinet in cybersecurity.

FTNT’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesFortinet shares have lost 20.4% in the past six-month period, underperforming the Zacks Security industry’s 9.8% decline and the broader Computer and Technology sector’s 22.1% growth.

FTNT’s 6-Month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, FTNT appears overvalued, trading at a price-to-book ratio of 84.98, higher than the sector's average of 21.7. The company carries a Value Score of D.

FTNT’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Fortinet’s earnings is pegged at $2.69 per share for 2026, which implies year-over-year growth of 13.5%.

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

Item 1 of 4 Reuters U.S. Power Correspondent Laila Kearney speaks with Consolidated Edison CEO Tim Cawley during Reuters Global Energy Forum in New York City, U.S., June 23, 2026 Julian Guidera/Handout via REUTERS

[1/4]Reuters U.S. Power Correspondent Laila Kearney speaks with Consolidated Edison CEO Tim Cawley during Reuters Global Energy Forum in New York City, U.S., June 23, 2026 Julian Guidera/Handout via... Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Read more

June 23 (Reuters) - Consolidated Edison (ED.N), opens new tab CEO Tim Cawley, speaking at the Reuters Global Energy Forum in New ​York on Tuesday, said the utility must upsize ‌parts of its grid equipment to withstand longer and hotter heat waves, while avoiding a fundamental overhaul of the system.

U.S. utilities have ​invested heavily to upgrade electric grids as they ​face extreme weather and growing demand from power-hungry ⁠data centers.

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• "Long, deep heat waves wear on our equipment," ​Cawley said. "So we've got to upsize the equipment sort of ​to meet that moment," he added.

• Cawley added that New York does not need a fundamental grid overhaul, but should better use ​rooftop solar, batteries, demand response and grid data to ​improve efficiency and contain costs.

• He noted that while Con Edison ‌is ⁠seeing increased demand from data centers, it is at around 60 megawatts, compared with the roughly 800-megawatt scale cited by some utilities, with electrification of transport and heating remaining ​the main ​drivers of ⁠load growth.

• He also backed utility-owned large-scale renewables, especially upstate projects linked by transmission to ​downstate demand centers.

• Cawley said artificial intelligence ​and ⁠enhanced real-time visibility into the grid could further improve operations. With more data from smart meters and system telemetry, the ⁠company ​can optimize voltage, reduce consumption, cut ​emissions and lower customer bills while maintaining reliability.

Reporting by Laila Kearney in ​New York and Pranav Mathur in Bengaluru; Editing by Matthew Lewis

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Initial 30 MW delivery is expected to begin this year June 24, 2026 07:00 ET  | Source: FuelCell Energy, Inc.

DANBURY, Conn. and BOCA RATON, Fla., June 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL), a clean energy technology company that manufactures utility scale power solutions, and Fit Energy USA LP (“Fit Energy”), a developer of reliable power solutions to support advanced computing infrastructure and artificial intelligence, today announced a strategic agreement for up to 380 megawatts (MW) of clean, baseload on-site power for data centers using FuelCell Energy’s utility-scale fuel cell technology. The agreement includes an immediate deposit for an initial 30 MW of power scheduled to begin delivery later this year.

“We are pleased to partner with Fit Energy on its development plans. We’ve engaged with a diverse range of prospective customers across the digital infrastructure landscape, and Fit Energy has distinguished itself through its commitment to ‘energy as a service’ power solutions that support both communities and the environment,” said Jason Few, President and CEO of FuelCell Energy. He added, “This agreement further validates our decision to scale our operations to 500 MW, preserving our ability to serve a broad and growing pipeline of customers.”

Joel Leonoff, CEO of Fit Energy, added, “Today’s announcement marks a critical step in building the power foundation required for the next generation of AI infrastructure. FuelCell Energy’s technology aligns with our growth objectives and our goal of delivering behind-the-meter power solutions to data centers at gigawatt scale.”

Under the arrangement, Fit Energy will be eligible to receive warrants tied to future deployment milestones of up to 380 MW. The warrant structure is designed to align long-term value creation with successful project execution and customer deployment.

Canaccord Genuity served as a financial advisor to FuelCell Energy Inc. on certain aspects of this transaction.

About Fit Energy

Fit Energy is an energy infrastructure company focused on long-term ownership of generation assets formed to deliver near-term, scaled energy solutions for the digital economy. The platform is designed to serve large power requirements through a hybrid model supporting behind-the-meter, microgrid and grid-connected structures ranging from fuel cell technology to natural gas turbines. Learn more about Fit Energy at www.Fitenergygroup.com.

About FuelCell Energy

FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL) is an American clean energy technology company delivering continuous, scalable baseload power for mission critical applications globally. The company’s fuel cell systems generate electricity directly at the point of use, enabling reliable, low emissions power for data centers, industrial facilities, utilities, and distributed generation customers. FuelCell Energy delivers commercially proven, modular, utility-scale systems—backed by global fuel cell deployments approaching one gigawatt. Learn more at www.fuelcellenergy.com.

Cautionary Language

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding future events or our future financial performance that involve certain contingencies and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company’s anticipated financial results and statements regarding the Company’s plans and expectations regarding the continuing development, commercialization and financing of its current and future fuel cell technologies, the Company’s business plans and strategies, the Company’s plan to reduce operating costs, the capabilities of the Company’s products, the Company’s potential sales pipeline, opportunities, and partners, and the markets in which the Company expects to operate. Projected and estimated numbers contained herein are not forecasts and may not reflect actual results. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and all forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those projected. Factors that could cause such a difference include, without limitation: general risks associated with product development and manufacturing; general economic conditions; changes in interest rates, which may impact project financing; supply chain disruptions; changes in the utility regulatory environment; changes in the utility industry and the markets for distributed generation, distributed hydrogen, and fuel cell power plants configured for carbon capture or carbon separation; potential volatility of commodity prices that may adversely affect our projects; availability of government subsidies and economic incentives for alternative energy technologies; our ability to remain in compliance with U.S. federal and state and foreign government laws and regulations; our ability to maintain compliance with the listing rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market; rapid technological change; competition; the risk that our bid awards will not convert to contracts or that our contracts will not convert to revenue; market acceptance of our products; changes in accounting policies or practices adopted voluntarily or as required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States; factors affecting our liquidity position and financial condition; government appropriations; the ability of the government and third parties to terminate their development contracts at any time; the ability of the government to exercise “march-in” rights with respect to certain of our patents; our ability to successfully market and sell our products internationally; delays in our timeline for bringing commercially viable products to market; our ability to develop additional commercially viable products in the future; our ability to implement our strategy; our ability to reduce our levelized cost of energy and deliver on our cost reduction strategy generally; our ability to protect our intellectual property; litigation and other proceedings; the risk that commercialization of our new products will not occur when anticipated or, if it does, that we will not have adequate capacity to satisfy demand; our need for and the availability of additional financing; our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations; our ability to service our long-term debt; our ability to increase the output and longevity of our platforms and to meet the performance requirements of our contracts; our ability to expand our customer base and maintain relationships with our largest customers and strategic business allies; and our ability to reduce operating costs, as well as other risks set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statement contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

FuelCell Energy Contacts
Media Relations: [email protected]
Investor Relations: [email protected]

Fit Energy Media Contact
Zenergy Communications
[email protected]

Key Takeaways Rithm Capital now spans servicing, lending, asset management, investments and commercial real estate.RITM grew investable assets above $100B as asset management reached about $59B by Q1'26.Rithm Capital faces higher costs, liquidity pressure and mortgage servicing rights volatility. Rithm Capital Corp. (RITM - Free Report) is no longer a narrow mortgage story. The company now blends mortgage origination and servicing, transitional lending, asset management, investment holdings and commercial real estate.

That broader platform gives RITM more earnings levers, but it also makes the stock harder to assess. Scale is visible, while costs, liquidity and rate sensitivity still shape the risk profile.

Rithm Capital Has More Than One Profit LeverRithm Capital reports five operating segments. Origination and Servicing remains the largest, with Newrez providing home loans and buying mortgages from other lenders.

Residential Transitional Lending, mainly through Genesis, adds construction, renovation and bridge loans. Asset Management brings fee-oriented exposure across private credit, real estate, fund liquidity and other alternative strategies.The Investment Portfolio adds exposure to mortgage and consumer credit assets. Commercial Real Estate adds Class A office properties. This mix creates more than one path to earnings.

Why RITM Is Expanding Beyond Mortgage CyclesThe logic is to reduce reliance on one housing or rate backdrop. Between the second quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, Rithm Capital expanded through Newrez, Genesis, Sculptor and Rithm Asset Management, while Crestline and Paramount added breadth.

That growth lifted investable assets beyond $100 billion. Asset management reached roughly $59 billion by the end of the first quarter of 2026, compared with $35 billion a year earlier. A larger asset-management business can make fee-related earnings a bigger part of the model.

How Newrez Still Anchors the Rithm Capital StoryNewrez remains the operating core. In the first quarter of 2026, it generated $273.7 million of pre-tax operating income, up from $249.1 million in the prior quarter.

Servicing scale is central to that earnings base. Servicing unpaid principal balance stood at $850 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2026, including $257 billion of third-party servicing.

Origination also remains meaningful. Funded production was $15.5 billion in the first quarter, down 18% sequentially but up 31% year over year, while total gain-on-sale margin improved to 1.44% from 1.37%.

Cost initiatives matter because scale is only valuable if margins hold. Servicing costs per loan declined to $51 from $54 in the prior quarter, and management is targeting further reductions through technology and automation.

Where Rithm Capital's Pressure Points RemainThe broader platform has come with a larger cost base. Total expenses were $1.24 billion in the first quarter, up from $419 million in the year-ago period, reflecting Elecor-related depreciation and amortization and higher operating expenses.

Liquidity is another concern. As of March 31, 2026, Rithm Capital had total liquidity of $1.4 billion, below total debt of $39.5 billion, including short-term and long-term debt.

Mortgage servicing rights still create volatility. Nearly 20% of total assets were directly tied to mortgage servicing rights and related financing receivables as of March 31, 2026.

That exposure matters because Rithm Capital reported a $204.2-million negative change in their fair value, net of economic hedges, in the first quarter. Integration is another test, as added scale must outpace fixed-cost pressure.

How Rithm Capital’s Ratings Match a Mixed SetupThe bottom line is that Rithm Capital has built a larger and more diversified financial platform, but the stock remains a balanced case rather than a clean growth story. 

The stock has declined 18.1% over the past year compared with the industry’s fall of 19.9%, reflecting investor caution despite the company’s expanded platform and high dividend yield.

Price Performance

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The estimate picture also looks point to neutral setup. The Zacks consensus estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings has been unchanged over the past month.

Estimate Revision Trend

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

RITM currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which points to a neutral near-term setup. That fits a stock with visible operating scale and diversification benefits, but also cost, liquidity and rate-related risks that keep the investment case from looking cleaner. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The Style Scores reinforce that mixed profile. RITM has a VGM Score of F, Value Score of C, Growth Score of F and Momentum Score of D. Since the Style Scores are designed to complement the Zacks Rank, the weak Growth, Momentum and VGM readings suggest investors are still waiting for stronger evidence that the broader platform can translate into better stock performance. 

Investors tracking Rithm Capital can also compare it with Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc. (BXMT - Free Report) , a real estate finance company focused on commercial real estate debt investments. BXMT offers a useful comparison point because it also carries sensitivity to commercial real estate fundamentals and credit conditions. 

NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NREF - Free Report) is another relevant peer. The company originates, structures and invests in first mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity and other structured financings tied to commercial real estate and multifamily assets. NREF's narrower real estate finance focus contrasts with Rithm’s broader mix of servicing, lending, asset management and investment portfolio exposure.

Key Takeaways DELL booked $24.4B in AI orders and ended Q1 FY2027 with a record $51.3B AI backlog. DELL launched the PowerEdge XE8812 with NVIDIA to meet rising AI and HPC infrastructure demand. DELL expects Q2 FY2027 revenues of $44B-$45B, supported by AI servers and enterprise demand. Dell Technologies (DELL - Free Report) shares have surged 239.8% year to date, significantly outperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector's return of 18.6%. 

The outperformance can be attributed to an innovative portfolio, expanding partner base, and growing AI footprint. In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the company booked $24.4 billion in AI orders and recognized $16.1 billion in AI server revenues, exiting the quarter with a record $51.3 billion AI backlog.

The customer base for AI solutions surpassed 5,000, representing more than 50% over the past six months, with gains across neocloud, sovereign and enterprise customers.

DELL Benefits From Rising AI Infrastructure DemandDell Technologies’ expansion of its AI portfolio remains noteworthy.  The company continues to strengthen the Dell AI Factory through collaborations with NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) , Alphabet’s (GOOGL - Free Report) cloud computing platform Google Cloud, OpenAI, xAI, ServiceNow, Palantir, Mistral and CrowdStrike, enabling integrated AI solutions across compute, storage, networking, software and services.

Building on this momentum, the company recently introduced the new PowerEdge XE8812 server as part of the Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA, aimed at addressing the growing demand for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing workloads. Powered by NVIDIA's Vera Rubin NVL4 architecture, the platform supports up to 144 GPUs per rack, making it one of the industry’s highest-density AI infrastructure offerings.

The new server is designed to support demanding workloads, including AI training, inference and scientific simulations, while delivering higher memory capacity, greater compute density and improved energy efficiency. These capabilities are expected to help enterprises and research institutions accelerate AI adoption and large-scale innovation initiatives.

The PowerEdge XE8812 strengthens Dell Technologies’ AI infrastructure portfolio and is expected to drive broader adoption of Dell AI Factory solutions, supporting the company's long-term growth prospects.

DELL’s Rich Partner Base Supports ProspectsDell Technologies’ growing partner base, which includes NVIDIA, Alphabet, OpenAI, ServiceNow, Palantir, Mistral, CrowdStrike and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD - Free Report) , is expected to support its long-term growth prospects.

DELL is bringing Alphabet’s Google Distributed Cloud and Gemini models on-premises with confidential compute to address data residency and sovereignty needs. The company is advancing the Dell AI Data Platform to help customers make enterprise data AI-ready at scale, with stronger orchestration, faster indexing of unstructured data and improved analytics performance.

In May 2026, Dell Technologies announced that Dell PowerEdge servers will support Advanced Micro Devices Instinct MI350P PCIe GPUs, equipping enterprises with a high-performance, cost-effective option to scale agentic and generative AI deployments. The company is enhancing the Dell AI Platform with Advanced Micro Devices to help scale AI workloads from pilot to production.

DELL Initiates Strong Q2 GuidanceDell Technologies’ expanding AI portfolio and growing partner ecosystem reflect strong long-term growth prospects.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2027, Dell expects revenues to be in the range of $44-$45 billion, implying year-over-year growth of roughly 50% at the midpoint, driven by continued strength in AI servers and enterprise demand.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter fiscal 2027 revenues is pegged at $44.85 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 50.62%.

Non-GAAP earnings are expected to be $4.80 (plus or minus 10 cents). The consensus mark for earnings is pegged at $4.83 per share, up 52.8% over the past 30 days. The figure implies a year-over-year increase of 108.19%.

What Should Investors do With DELL Stock?Dell Technologies’ strong position in the rapidly expanding AI infrastructure market, robust AI demand and continued market share gains across servers, storage and PCs position the company well for sustained long-term growth.

Dell Technologies’ currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), making the stock an attractive investment option for growth-oriented investors. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Yum! Brands (YUM +0.22%) is burning the pizza. The company is selling Pizza Hut in two transactions. First, Pizza Hut outside of mainland China will go to LongRange Capital, a private equity firm. Secondly, Pizza Hut in China will be sold to Yum China. All told, Yum! Brands will net about $2.3 billion from the sales.

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The $2.3 billion is an immediate win for the balance sheet. In theory, the plan to sell Pizza Hut and focus on growth opportunities within KFC and Taco Bell is a good one. Both KFC and Taco Bell have healthier unit economics and clearer paths to expanding their global footprint.

Image source: Getty Images.

Yet the entire plan hinges on consumer choices and discretionary spending. Americans' wallets are tightening and leaning toward greater value and healthier choices. Yum!'s growth assumptions reflect a level of optimism and execution that may not fully be realized. U.S. consumer debt reached an all-time high this year at $18.8 trillion. Inflation and fuel prices ticking upward over a prolonged period do not bode well for fast-food or fast-casual restaurants, either.

The sale of Pizza Hut is smart and makes the company leaner and better positioned to reward shareholders. Yum! authorized a $4 billion share buyback. The stock has been largely muted year to date, up less than 1%. If macroeconomic conditions improve, I'll be more bullish. Until then, investors should be cautiously optimistic.

Catie Hogan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Yum! Brands. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Texas Pacific Land Corporation (NYSE: TPL) (“TPL”) today announced an agreement with Chevron U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) ( “Chevron”) to provide land and brackish water resources for Chevron’s recently announced development known as Project Kilby, involving a large-scale power generation facility Chevron is developing to support a customer data center in Reeves County, Texas.

As part of the agreement, TPL contributed surface acreage in exchange for cash consideration and the exclusive right to source aquifer-derived water for the power generation facility and other associated aspects of the project.

“This advancement of giga-watt scale power generation and data centers developed by the industry’s leading technology, energy, and industrial companies validates West Texas as a premier location for compute infrastructure,” said Ty Glover, CEO of TPL. “As the world’s largest supplier of conventional energy and a leading source of renewable energy, the Permian Basin combines critical resources with skilled talent and a supportive regulatory environment. We believe these virtues position the region to become a major hub for compute services, and TPL is well positioned to support that growth through our leading surface footprint, industry relationships, and access to energy and water resources.”

Chevron has emphasized that water stewardship and community engagement are central considerations as the project advances. TPL intends to supply brackish groundwater, helping reduce demand for shared freshwater resources and reinforcing its ongoing commitment to responsible water development in the Permian Basin. TPL also continues to advance solutions for reuse of desalinated produced water from oil and gas operations.

“This project demonstrates how large‑scale energy infrastructure can be developed responsibly in West Texas to meet the increasing demands for power and technology,” said Daniel Droog, Vice President, Power Solutions of Chevron. “By securing access to land and reliable sources for non‑potable brackish water supply, engaging openly with the community, and working closely with trusted long-term value chain partners such as TPL we aim to support economic growth while respecting the importance of water stewardship in West Texas.”

About Texas Pacific Land

Texas Pacific Land Corporation is one of the largest landowners in the State of Texas, with the majority of its ownership concentrated in the Permian Basin. The Company is not an oil and gas producer, but its surface and royalty ownership provides revenue opportunities throughout the life cycle of a well. These revenue opportunities include fixed fee payments for use of the Company’s land, revenue for sales of materials (caliche) used in the construction of infrastructure, providing sourced water and/or treated produced water, revenue from the Company’s oil and gas royalty interests, and revenue related to saltwater disposal on the Company’s land. The Company also generates revenue from pipeline, power line and utility easements, commercial leases and temporary permits principally related to a variety of land uses including, but not limited to, midstream infrastructure projects and hydrocarbon processing facilities.

Visit TPL at http://www.TexasPacific.com.

This press release contains certain statements that may include “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical or present facts or conditions, included herein are “forward-looking statements.” Included among “forward-looking statements” are, among other things, statements regarding TPL’s business strategy, plans and objectives. TPL believes that the expectations reflected in these “forward-looking statements” are reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties beyond TPL’s control. In addition, assumptions may prove to be inaccurate. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in “forward-looking statements” as a result of a variety of factors. These “forward-looking statements” speak only as of the date made, and other than as required by law, TPL undertakes no obligation to update or revise any “forward-looking statement” or provide reasons why actual results may differ, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Robinhood Markets (HOOD 3.90%) has delivered for investors. Since the start of 2024, the stock has surged 731%, far outpacing peers such as Interactive Brokers and Charles Schwab. Robinhood has done an excellent job of expanding its customer base and consistently rolling out new offerings to increase its total asset base.

The company made headlines earlier this month when it announced it secured regulatory approval to serve as a direct underwriter for initial public offerings (IPOs). This moves Robinhood into the investment banking space, opening up an entirely new revenue stream for the company. 

Image source: Getty Images.

Robinhood is taking on investment banks On the heels of Space Exploration Technologies' IPO, Robinhood announced it would build out its own investment banking and equity underwriting business. No longer will Robinhood be a passive distributor for third-party investment banks. Instead, Robinhood becomes a direct syndicate partner in IPOs, gaining control of shares at the institutional offer price and bypassing Wall Street intermediaries and gatekeepers.

Moving into equity underwriting moves Robinhood beyond its retail brokerage platform and into a full-service financial services company that aims to take on Wall Street's giants. It also builds on Robinhood's growing platform, which has added numerous offerings in recent years, including futures and index options, retirement accounts, prediction markets, stock tokens, and agentic artificial intelligence (AI) trading.

Robinhood aims to provide its customer base with early access to IPO stocks before they begin trading on public exchanges. This privilege has traditionally been reserved for institutional and high-net-worth investors. As a syndicate underwriter, Robinhood hopes to remove barriers and allow everyday users to participate in IPOs at their listing price, rather than inflated secondary-market prices.

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The move opens up a new revenue stream for Robinhood The move benefits both Robinhood users and Robinhood itself by providing a profitable, nontransactional revenue stream. The company has historically relied on payment for order flow (PFOF), which has been heavily scrutinized, and net interest income, which is sensitive to the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy. The expansion is the next step for Robinhood as it builds itself up as a formidable competitor in the financial services industry.

While the move opens Robinhood to new revenue streams, it will take time to build up its investment banking business. As part of this, the company will need to gain the trust of corporate issuers and build relationships with management teams. It is also exposed to legal risks when performing due diligence under federal and state securities laws. Finally, investment banking fees are highly volatile, and revenues could become more cyclical as a result.

Robinhood has done an excellent job of evolving from a stock-trading app to a profitable financial services operation. The company has continued to grow its customer and asset base, and the move into equity underwriting will open new revenue streams as it expands. That said, with the stock trading at 49 times forward earnings, investors are already banking on strong growth ahead.

Charles Schwab is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Courtney Carlsen has positions in Interactive Brokers Group and Robinhood Markets. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Interactive Brokers Group. The Motley Fool recommends Charles Schwab and recommends the following options: long January 2027 $43.75 calls on Interactive Brokers Group, short January 2027 $46.25 calls on Interactive Brokers Group, and short June 2026 $97.50 calls on Charles Schwab. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

A logo of Blackstone is pictured in Manhattan, New York City, U.S. July 29, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Segar//File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

June 23 (Reuters) - Blackstone (BX.N), opens new tab is planning to ​invest $30 billion in Japan's ‌AI data centers over the next three to five years, its ​president and chief operating ​officer Jonathan Gray told Nikkei ⁠in a recent interview, the ​business daily reported on Tuesday.

The ​world's largest alternative asset manager is in discussions to develop facilities exceeding ​1 gigawatt in the ​country, the report said, citing Gray.

Get a daily digest of breaking business news straight to your inbox with the Reuters Business newsletter. Sign up here.

Blackstone did ‌not ⁠immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. It also plans to accelerate its ​private equity ​investments ⁠in Japan, the company said.

Earlier this month, Blackstone ​had raised $13.1 billion for its ​Asia ⁠private equity fund, exceeding its initial target and marking its ⁠largest ​such fundraise in ​the region.

Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh in ​Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

The space industry is in the middle of a transformation. For years, investors focused on launch providers, treating rocket launches as the primary source of value. That model is changing.

Governments increasingly want companies that can build satellites, launch them, operate them, and respond quickly when national security demands it. The winners may not be the companies with the biggest rockets, but those that can provide complete mission solutions. That’s why Rocket Lab‘s (NASDAQ:RKLB | RKLB Price Prediction) latest Victus Haze mission may prove more important than the launch itself. For investors, it signals that Rocket Lab is evolving into something much larger than a small launch company.

Victus Haze Was About More Than a Rocket Launch According to Rocket Lab, the company launched the Victus Haze mission just 16 hours and 42 minutes after receiving a launch order from the U.S. Space Force. That set a new record for the military’s Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program.

On the surface, that sounds like a simple operational achievement. In reality, it demonstrated capabilities that few competitors can match.

What makes Victus Haze unique is that Rocket Lab served as the prime contractor. The company didn’t just launch the mission. It also built the satellite, integrated the payload, conducted mission planning, and now operates the spacecraft in orbit.

Here’s what Rocket Lab controlled during the mission:

Capability Rocket Lab Role Launch Vehicle Electron rocket Satellite Platform Pioneer spacecraft Mission Operations In-house Spacecraft Components In-house systems and subsystems Launch Execution In-house That level of vertical integration resembles traditional aerospace contractors more than a standalone launch provider.

The Defense Opportunity Is Now Much Larger The launch itself won’t materially change Rocket Lab’s financial results. The U.S. Space Force contract was worth approximately $32 million. In comparison Rocket Lab generated $601.8 million in revenue during 2025. A single $32 million contract is helpful, but it is not transformational. The opportunity comes from what Victus Haze proves.

The Pentagon increasingly wants responsive space capabilities that can deploy assets within days or even hours. As geopolitical tensions rise, governments need the ability to replace satellites, inspect spacecraft, and respond to threats quickly. Victus Haze demonstrated that Rocket Lab can provide all of those services under one roof.

That potentially positions the company for future contracts involving:

Space domain awareness Military satellite production Responsive launch services On-orbit inspection missions National security space operations Those markets are far larger than Rocket Lab’s traditional small-launch business.

Investors Should View Rocket Lab Differently Today For years, critics argued that launch alone would never be a large enough market to justify premium valuations across the space sector. Surprisingly, Rocket Lab appears to agree.

The company has spent the past several years building spacecraft systems, acquiring satellite component manufacturers, and expanding beyond launch services. Victus Haze provides tangible evidence that those investments are paying off.

Compare Rocket Lab to many smaller launch competitors and the distinction becomes clear. Most can sell a launch. Rocket Lab can increasingly sell an entire mission. That creates multiple revenue streams while reducing dependence on launch frequency alone.

Granted, execution risk remains. Rocket Lab still needs to prove that these defense opportunities translate into recurring contracts and growing cash flow. The company is also investing heavily in its larger Neutron rocket program, which carries development risk.

That said, Victus Haze reduced one important uncertainty: whether Rocket Lab’s broader aerospace strategy actually works. The answer appears to be yes.

Key Takeaway In short, Victus Haze is not important because it generated a $32 million contract. It matters because it demonstrated that Rocket Lab can function as a full-service aerospace and defense contractor. The mission showcased rapid launch, satellite manufacturing, mission operations, and spacecraft management in a single package.

For long-term investors, that changes the investment thesis. Rocket Lab is no longer just competing for launch contracts. It is positioning itself to compete for larger defense and space systems programs that could generate recurring revenue for years. Ultimately, Victus Haze may be remembered less as a launch and more as the moment Rocket Lab proved its business model extends far beyond the rocket itself.

, /PRNewswire/ -- NNN REIT, Inc. (NYSE: NNN) ("NNN" or the "Company"), a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), today announced the exercise of its $200 million incremental term loan option under its senior unsecured term loan facility, increasing the aggregate facility size to $500 million (the "Term Loan"). The incremental borrowings carry identical terms to the existing $300 million term loan (after giving effect to the amendments described below). The Term Loan matures on February 15, 2029, with two one-year extension options. NNN expects to use proceeds from the incremental term loan for general corporate purposes.

In anticipation of the incremental term loan, NNN entered into a $100 million forward starting swap that fixes SOFR at 3.43% through February 15, 2029.

"We are pleased with today's transactions, which enhance our financial flexibility, provide capital to fund our business plans, and lower our cost of capital," said Vincent H. Chao, Chief Financial Officer. "We greatly appreciate the continued support and long-standing relationships with our bank group."

Additionally, the Company amended the pricing grids on the Term Loan and its existing senior unsecured revolving credit facility, (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). Based on NNN's current credit ratings, the applicable SOFR-based margin was lowered to 0.800% from 0.850% for all outstanding Term Loan borrowings and 0.725% from 0.775% for all Revolving Credit Facility borrowings.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and BofA Securities, Inc., served as the Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association acting as the Administrative Agent and Bank of America, N.A. acting as the Syndication Agent.

Truist Securities, Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC, U.S. Bank National Association, Royal Bank of Canada and TD Bank, N.A., served as Joint Lead Arrangers, with Truist Bank, PNC Bank, National Association, U.S. Bank National Association, Royal Bank of Canada, TD Bank, N.A., and Mizuho Bank Ltd., acting as Documentation Agents. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, New York Branch, and Raymond James Bank also participated in the transaction.

About NNN REIT, Inc.
NNN is a REIT that invests in high-quality properties subject generally to long-term, net leases with minimal ongoing capital expenditures. As of March 31, 2026, the Company owned 3,711 properties across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, encompassing approximately 39.6 million square feet of gross leasable area, with a weighted average remaining lease term of 10.1 years. For additional information, please visit www.nnnreit.com.

SOURCE NNN REIT, Inc.

Key Takeaways IBKR added ChatGPT and Grok, extending AI-assisted trading to options and futures.IBKR clients can link accounts to ChatGPT, Grok or Claude without passwords or API keys.IBKR requires review and approval of every AI instruction before orders reach markets. Interactive Brokers (IBKR - Free Report) is further accelerating its push into artificial intelligence (AI) by adding ChatGPT and Grok to its expanding suite of AI-enabled investing solutions. The enhancement will expand AI-assisted trading beyond stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to include options, futures and futures options, enabling investors to interact with a broader range of markets through conversational prompts.

The launch builds on IBKR's earlier integration with Anthropic's Claude and highlights the broker's efforts to simplify market analysis and trading workflows without compromising investor oversight.

Now, existing customers can connect their IBKR accounts to ChatGPT, Grok or Claude within minutes at no additional cost, using their standard IBKR credentials and without sharing passwords or API keys with third-party providers.

As interest in AI-powered investing gains momentum, IBKR is positioning itself at the forefront of this shift. Users can leverage AI assistants to assess portfolio exposures, explore hedging strategies, track technical indicators such as the relative strength index, benchmark performance against major ETFs and create futures order instructions.

However, execution remains firmly in investors’ hands, as every AI-generated instruction must be reviewed and approved through a dedicated AI Instructions tab before reaching the market.

How IBKR Builds on AI & Platform InvestmentsThe latest AI integrations complement an expanding suite of tools already available across Interactive Brokers' platforms. AI Screeners allow investors to search more than 70,000 global stocks using conversational prompts, while Investment Themes help users explore opportunities tied to trends, such as clean energy and cloud computing.

IBKR also introduced Connections, which maps relationships among companies, ETFs, derivatives and thematic datasets from a single interface. Ask IBKR enables clients to query portfolio exposure and concentration in plain language, and AI News Summaries provide concise updates tailored to holdings and watch lists.

Beyond AI, Interactive Brokers recently launched a unified interface for prediction-market contracts offered through Kalshi, CME and ForecastEx. The company has also added stablecoin funding capabilities, expanded access to Coinbase Derivatives products and benefited from growing engagement, with overnight trading volumes climbing to 8.1 million trades in the first quarter of 2026 from 2.8 million a year earlier.

For IBKR, these investments are part of a long-term strategy to simplify investing while broadening access to institutional-grade capabilities. By steadily adding new asset classes, intelligent research tools and innovative trading workflows, the company aims to help investors make better-informed decisions while ensuring that final control over every transaction remains in the hands of clients.

IBKR’s Price Performance & Zacks RankIn the last six months, Interactive Brokers shares have gained 46.7%, outperforming the industry’s 4.1% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

IBKR’s Competitive LandscapeInteractive Brokers is not alone in embedding AI into investing workflows. Several brokerages and investment platforms have accelerated their AI initiatives over the past year, though their approaches differ.

Among retail brokers, Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD - Free Report) launched AI-enabled trading accounts that allow users to connect AI agents, including Claude and ChatGPT-based tools, to analyze portfolios and execute stock trades within predefined limits. Robinhood is also extending AI capabilities to credit-card purchases through agent-driven workflows.

Charles Schwab (SCHW - Free Report) incorporated an AI assistant into its platform, with a focus on helping investors navigate research, educational content and trading tools. Rather than emphasizing autonomous trading, Schwab's approach centers on improving investor support and platform usability.

While liquefied natural gas (LNG) stocks, such as Cheniere Energy (LNG 1.64%), have been traded as a proxy for negotiations over the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the reality is that the impact will last longer than many think. In addition, Cheniere recently provided a positive update on the most important part of the stock's investment case.

The company recently told investors about "the substantial completion of Train 6 of the Corpus Christi Liquefaction (CCL) Stage 3 Project in Texas." LNG trains are "trains" of independent equipment that take natural gas and convert it into LNG for export. The more trains, the more LNG export capacity.

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Cheniere plans seven additional mid-scale trains for CCL, adding more than 10 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) and raising CCL's capacity above 25 mtpa, as well as the overall company capacity to 55 mtpa. Another two trains (8 & 9) will add 5 mtpa by the end of 2028, and expansion projects at Sabine Pass (SBL) mean the company has "line of sight to potentially surpass 100 mtpa of LNG production capacity by the mid-2030s."

For reference, Qatar exported about 110 mtpa via the Strait in 2025.

Why it matters to investors Cheniere de-risks its expansion projects by signing long-term offtake agreements before making an investment decision, so one of the greatest risks in its business is the execution and timing of expansions. As such, the news that CCL is on track is excellent.

Image source: Getty Images.

Moreover, thinking longer-term, a reopening of the Strait will obviously ease concerns about LNG supply. Still, it will take years for Qatar to fully restore the 17% of its capacity damaged by attacks. In addition, energy companies usually sign long-term LNG supply contracts, and they might not be as willing to do so with Qatar/UAE now, given the ongoing instability in the region and Iran's demonstrated ability and willingness to close the Strait. And there's the question of insurers charging extra premiums for shipping through the Strait.

As such, even if a ceasefire holds and the Strait is permanently reopened, the threat of future disruption may still confer a competitive advantage on Cheniere. It may also negatively affect Qatar's financial viability in pursuing its own expansion plans.

Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Cheniere Energy. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

, /PRNewswire/ - Canada Nickel Company Inc. ("Canada Nickel" or the "Company") (TSXV: CNC) (OTCQX: CNIKF) has appointed SB1 Markets AS ("SB1 Markets") as exclusive advisor to arrange debt financing of up to US$600 million. The facility would allow the Company to monetize Investment Tax Credits expected to be generated by the construction of its Crawford Nickel Project.  The Company expects the financing to be arranged by the end of 2026, in advance of a final investment decision on Crawford targeted for 2027. There can be no assurance that the proposed financing will be completed, and, if completed, the terms of such financing would be included in a subsequent release.

Mark Selby, CEO and Director of Canada Nickel Company said, "We are very pleased to work with SB1 Markets, a global leader with deep experience and a highly successful track record in providing debt financing for natural resource projects.  With a final permitting decision expected shortly, we can now move more aggressively on key components of our project financing as we advance towards a final investment decision.  This bridge financing is central to Crawford's overall capital structure; it allows us to deploy Canada's generous investment tax credits available for critical mineral projects in Canada to fund more than half of the equity capital we need to build Crawford."

About SB1 Markets

SB1 Markets AS is a leading Nordic investment bank, jointly owned by SpareBank 1 and Swedbank and providing investment banking services across DCM, ECM, advisory, research, sales, corporate access, and FICC. The firm is headquartered in Norway and Sweden with around 270 professionals. SB1 Markets has arranged transactions for a total value of approximately USD 70bn over the last twelve months and financing natural resource companies and projects is a core part of the company's business.

About Canada Nickel

Canada Nickel is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless steel markets. Canada Nickel has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero NickelTM, NetZero CobaltTM and NetZero IronTM and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins-Cochrane mining camp. For more information, please visit www.canadanickel.com.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Selby
CEO
Phone: 647-256-1954
Email: [email protected]

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes the ability of the Company to qualify for critical minerals tax credits, complete the financing described in this release and otherwise finance and construct the Crawford Nickel Project, deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless steel markets, and the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Readers should not place undue reliance on 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 Canada Nickel to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. There are no assurances that Crawford will be placed into production. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: inability to repay the loan or comply with the covenants set out in the loan agreement; the ability to obtain the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange for the matters described herein; the actual results of development activities; project delays; inability to raise the funds necessary to complete development; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future prices of metals or project costs could differ substantially and make any commercialization uneconomic; availability of alternative nickel sources or substitutes; actual nickel recovery; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in applicable laws; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents, labour disputes, the availability and productivity of skilled labour and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; delays in obtaining governmental approvals, necessary permitting or in the completion of development or construction activities; mineral resource estimates relating to Crawford could prove to be inaccurate for any reason whatsoever; additional but currently unforeseen work may be required to advance to the feasibility stage; and even if Crawford goes into production, there is no assurance that operations will be profitable. Although Canada Nickel has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Canada Nickel disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Canada Nickel Company Inc.

New research warns of $143 billion in revenue at risk in the U.S. alone, as clients expect AI-driven value from providers Companies at risk of losing 24% of talent within two years if their firms fail to deliver on AI At the same time, one third of lawyers, accountants and compliance professionals are using unsanctioned AI, creating invisible risks organizations cannot monitor or control , /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters (Nasdaq/TSX:TRI), a global content and technology company, today released its 2026 Future of Professionals report which warns of the financial cost of failing to effectively implement AI across the legal, tax and audit and risk professions. The findings, based on a global survey of 1,800 professionals, show a widening gap between AI ambition and reality, one that is now carrying material consequences with up to $143 billion in client revenue at risk in the U.S. alone* and talent considering leaving.

"We're seeing a clear divide emerge," said Steve Hasker, President and CEO of Thomson Reuters. "Firms that are operationalizing AI are pulling ahead. Those that aren't are starting to take on real risk, across talent, clients, and financial performance. Closing that execution gap is now a business imperative for professional firms."

AI adoption is not the issue. 74% of professionals are already using AI tools every week, but organizations are struggling to translate that usage into real value. In fact, 91% of professionals believe their organizations are falling short of what AI can deliver, leading to unintended consequences such as one-third of lawyers, accountants, and compliance professionals saying they turn to unsanctioned tools, creating invisible, unmanaged risk.

Even where an AI strategy exists, execution is lagging: 35% say ambitions are not reflected in their day-to-day work, and nearly one in five say their organization still lacks a clear strategy. This gap between promise and reality is beginning to affect talent, with one in four professionals saying they would consider leaving within two years if they don't see the value they expect. Clients are reaching the same conclusion: 78% now see AI-enabled quality improvements as essential, yet just 6% believe most providers are delivering. As a result, nearly a third are preparing to reassess those provider relationships within the next 12 months.

These pressures are building faster than many leaders recognize, and are showing up in three interconnected areas:

Shadow AI is creating risk exposure

A third of lawyers, accountants and compliance professionals are using AI their organization has not approved, rising to 41% among those who say their organization is moving too slowly on AI. 96% say their AI must safeguard confidential data, 94% require verified authoritative content, and 90% need outputs they can explain and defend. Yet 41% lack access to professional-grade tools that meet these standards.  Talent is leaving

One in four professionals (24%) who are experiencing a gap between what AI technology is capable of, and what their organization is delivering are considering leaving within two years; and 13% within 12 months. Yet almost half of senior leaders believe meaningful talent pressure is still at least three years away. 62% say access to professional-grade AI would be a factor in accepting a new role. Among those already using it, nearly one in three would turn a role down without it. Clients are not waiting

78% of corporate clients now consider AI-enabled quality improvements very important or essential, yet just 6% say most of their providers deliver it. Within 12 months, 32% will be reconsidering provider relationships, with a third putting more than $1 million in annual work at risk, amounting to a combined ~$143 billion in U.S. legal and accounting revenue under active reconsideration based on AI delivery. "Not all AI is created equal. In professions where there is real liability, the standard has to be much higher," said Steve Hasker, President and CEO of Thomson Reuters. "When outputs shape legal judgments, regulatory filings, or client advice, 'almost right' isn't good enough. That's why we build what we call Fiduciary‑Grade AI, technology professionals can verify, trust, and ultimately stand behind." 

Read the full Future of Professionals report 2026 here.

The technology is ready. The gap is in execution, and the benchmark is now accountability. Thomson Reuters defines this as Fiduciary-Grade™ AI, built on authoritative, domain‑specific content; rigorous privacy and security; subject-matter expertise; outputs that are transparent and verifiable; and access to real-time human support.

About Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters (TSX/Nasdaq: TRI) informs the way forward by bringing together the trusted content and technology that people and organizations need to make the right decisions. The company serves professionals across legal, tax, accounting, compliance, government, and media. Its products combine highly specialized software and insights to empower professionals with the data, intelligence, and solutions needed to make informed decisions, and to help institutions in their pursuit of justice, truth, and transparency. Reuters, part of Thomson Reuters, is a world leading provider of trusted journalism and news. For more information, visit thomsonreuters.com.

About the Future of Professionals Report 2026
Now in its fourth year, the Thomson Reuters Future of Professionals Report is an annual study of how technology is reshaping professional work. The findings in the 2026 report are based on a global survey of 1,816 professionals across law, tax, audit, accounting, compliance, risk, and global trade, conducted in March - April 2026. Respondents span private practice firms as well as in-house corporate and government departments across 62 countries. For more information visit http://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/institute/future-of-professionals-2026/report.  

Notes to Editors
* According to Future of Professionals data, within 12 months, 32% of corporate clients will be reconsidering their professional service provider relationships, with a third saying this will put more than $1 million in annual work at risk. Applied to the U.S. legal and CPA markets, this puts a combined ~$143 billion in client revenue in active reconsideration.

Media Contact
Samina Ansari, Corporate Communications
[email protected]

SOURCE Thomson Reuters

Key Takeaways Lincoln National is benefiting from growth in spread-based annuities and stronger Life Insurance sales.LNC's annuity sales rose 4% YoY to $3.9B, with spread-based products making up nearly two-thirds.LNC expects its RBC ratio to stay above 420%, supporting growth while maintaining strength. Lincoln National Corporation (LNC - Free Report) is strategically positioned for growth, supported by its ongoing business transformation, driven by growth in spread-based annuity products, improving momentum in Life Insurance and Group Protection, disciplined expense management and a strengthened capital position that supports sustainable earnings growth.

With a market capitalization of $7.2 billion, Lincoln National is a diversified life insurance and investment management company that provides a wide range of wealth accumulation, wealth protection, group protection and retirement products and solutions. The company operates multiple insurance businesses through four business segments: Annuities, Life Insurance, Group Protection and Retirement Plan Services. LNC stock has risen 13.7% over the past year compared with the industry’s average gain of 16.4%.

Courtesy of solid prospects, LNC currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Where Do Estimates for LNC Stand?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lincoln National’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $7.72 per share. In the past 30 days, it has witnessed two upward estimate revisions against one in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the consensus mark for revenues is pegged at $19.5 billion for 2026, indicating a 2.2% year-over-year rise. It beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 13.8%.

LNC Stock’s Growth DriversLincoln National continues to benefit from the transformation of its annuity franchise toward products that generate steadier earnings and require less capital. The company has been emphasizing spread-based offerings such as fixed indexed annuities and RILAs while reducing exposure to more market-sensitive business. This shift is helping improve the quality of earnings and supporting long-term cash flow generation. In the first quarter of 2026, annuity sales rose 4% year over year to $3.9 billion, with spread-based products accounting for nearly two-thirds of total sales.

The Life Insurance segment is emerging as another key growth driver. LNC has repositioned the business toward accumulation-focused products, executive benefits solutions and offerings with more predictable profitability characteristics. These product lines are expected to support sales growth while enhancing profitability and capital efficiency. Total life insurance sales climbed 33% year over year to $129 million in the first quarter of 2026.

LNC continues to expand its Group Protection franchise through targeted market strategies, supplemental health offerings and enhanced digital tools for employers and brokers. These efforts helped drive a 10.9% increase in operating income to $112 million in the first quarter of 2026.

Lincoln National is also investing heavily in technology modernization and operational efficiency initiatives across its businesses. The company is expanding digital capabilities, automating processes and enhancing self-service tools to improve customer and distributor experiences while creating operating leverage. These initiatives are supporting growth in Retirement Plan Services.

In addition, LNC remains focused on disciplined capital management, free cash flow generation and balance sheet strength. As of March 31, 2026, holding company available liquidity rose to $805 million (net of prefunding) from $655 million at the 2025-end. Lincoln National expects its RBC ratio to remain above the 420% target, reflecting solid capitalization to fund growth initiatives while maintaining financial strength.

Key ConcernLincoln National has relatively higher financial leverage compared to the industry, with a total debt-to-capital of around 38.4%, significantly above the industry average of 15.2%. This elevated leverage may increase financial risk, particularly amid volatile market conditions.

LNC is currently trading at 0.78X trailing 12-month price-to-book, below its three-year median of 0.79X and the industry average of 2.17X, reflecting lingering investor skepticism.

Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks in the broader finance space are Alerus Financial Corporation (ALRS - Free Report) , Pelagos Insurance Capital Ltd. (PLGO - Free Report) and Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (CBOE - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Alerus Financial’s current-year earnings of $2.95 per share has witnessed two upward revisions in the past 60 days against none in the opposite direction. ALRS’ earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 35.8%. The consensus estimate for current-year revenues is pegged at $306.2 million, suggesting a 3.8% year-over-year jump.

The consensus estimate for Pelagos Insurance Capital’s current-year earnings is pegged at $3.78 per share, which signals 96.9% year-over-year growth. Its earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 53.6%. The consensus mark for PLGO’s current-year revenues of $2.8 billion implies 11.4% year-over-year growth.

The consensus estimate for Cboe Global Markets’ current-year earnings is pegged at $13.34 per share, which has witnessed two upward revisions in the past 30 days against none in the opposite direction. Its earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 5.4%. The consensus estimate for CBOE’s current-year revenues is pegged at $2.8 billion, which implies a 13.1% year-over-year rise.

UWM Holdings Corporation (“UWMC” or the “Company”) (NYSE: UWMC), today reaffirmed its commitment to acquire Two Harbors Investment Corp. (“Two Harbors” or “TWO”) (NYSE: TWO) and issued a statement regarding the upcoming special meeting on June 23 to vote on TWO’s proposed merger with CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC ("CrossCountry" or "CCM"), following the third adjournment.

UWMC issued the following statement:

“TWO stockholders have sent a clear message over and over again: they do not support the inferior CCM transaction or the TWO Board’s repeated adjournments – and we urge them to continue to reject CCM’s inferior proposal. It’s high time that the TWO Board respect the will of their stockholders.

“In stark contrast, UWMC’s proposal offers both higher value and stockholder choice through stock consideration or an election to receive $12.50 per share in cash with full financing. That optionality is a clear benefit to stockholders, not a flaw. UWMC remains committed to its superior proposal, to reaching a transaction that is best for UWMC and for TWO stockholders, to delivering a superior offer and finalizing an agreement quickly if the TWO Board will finally do the right thing and engage in good faith.

“Stockholders should not be forced into the inferior CCM deal because TWO’s management thinks it is better for them personally. It is ironic that the TWO Board bemoans the decline of its stock price, when they have a path to maximizing value for all TWO stockholders: true engagement with UWMC. TWO stockholders should continue to vote AGAINST the CCM merger and demand that the TWO Board engage with UWMC in an open, unrestricted and good-faith manner.”

TWO stockholders should remember:

UWMC’s proposal provides higher value. UWMC’s proposal provides stockholders the option to elect $12.50 per share in cash, compared to CCM’s “best and final” $12.00 per share agreement. UWMC’s proposal provides stockholder choice. TWO stockholders can receive 2.3328 shares of UWMC stock at closing per share of TWO, preserving potential upside in the combined company. The TWO Board has categorically ruled out any formulation that includes stock, removing this optionality for stockholders. UWMC remains ready for true, good-faith engagement. TWO’s short-lived attempt at engagement was a smokescreen, given the arbitrary deadlines, restricted participation, and harsh preconditions that limited constructive discussion. UWMC is prepared to continue discussing terms, including alternatives around the default election mechanism and other adjustments to the merger consideration, if TWO will finally conduct open negotiations. Independent proxy advisors have universally recommended AGAINST the CCM transaction. ISS, Glass Lewis and Egan-Jones have all recommended that TWO stockholders vote AGAINST the CCM transaction, citing concerns with the TWO Board’s process and the availability of UWMC’s superior offer. Voting AGAINST the CCM transaction is the only way to maintain a path to maximum value. Without full engagement with UWMC, TWO stockholders can never be certain that their Board has delivered maximum value for their holdings. Keeping pressure on the Board by voting AGAINSTthe inferior CCM transaction is the only path to asserting stockholders’ rights. VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED CCM MERGER ON THE BLUE PROXY CARD TODAY!

UWMC encourages all TWO stockholders toVOTE AGAINST Two Harbors’ CCM Merger Proposal, AGAINST the Non-Binding Compensation Advisory Proposal and AGAINST the Adjournment Proposal according to the instructions on UWMC’s BLUE Proxy Card today to preserve the opportunity to achieve greater value by engaging with UWMC’s superior proposal.

If you have any questions or require assistance with voting your shares, please contact our proxy solicitor, Okapi Partners, by calling (844) 343-2621 (Toll Free for stockholders) or (212) 297-0720 (for Banks and Brokers), or by email at [email protected].

IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO CHANGE YOUR VOTE.

ONLY YOUR LAST SUBMITTED AND RECEIVED VOTE WILL COUNT AT THE MEETING.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN!

About UWM Holdings Corporation and United Wholesale Mortgage

Headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan, UWM Holdings Corporation (UWMC) is the publicly traded indirect parent of United Wholesale Mortgage, LLC (“UWM”). UWM is the nation’s largest home mortgage lender, despite exclusively originating mortgage loans through the wholesale channel. UWM has been the largest wholesale mortgage lender for 11 consecutive years and is also the largest purchase lender in the nation. With a culture of continuous innovation of technology and enhanced client experience, UWM leads the market by building upon its proprietary and exclusively licensed technology platforms, superior service and focused partnership with the independent mortgage broker community. UWM originates primarily conforming and government loans across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit uwm.com or call 800-981-8898. NMLS #3038.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are generally identified using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict” and similar words indicating that these reflect our views with respect to future events. Forward-looking statements in this communication include statements regarding our expectations and beliefs related to (i) the timing of the completion of any proposed transaction; (ii) the ability of the parties to complete any proposed transaction; and (iii) the benefits of a proposed transaction. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, but are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control, and could cause future events or results to materially differ from those stated or implied in the forward-looking statements, including: (i) that the parties will not agree to pursue a business combination transaction or that the terms of any such transaction will be materially different from those described herein; (ii) the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions to any proposed transaction, including obtaining stockholder approval and regulatory approval, on a timely basis or at all; (iii) the ability to obtain synergies and benefits of any proposed transaction; (iv) UWM’s ability to successfully implement strategic decisions and product launches; (iv) UWM’s dependence on macroeconomic and U.S. residential real estate market conditions, including changes in U.S. monetary policies, more specifically caused by the Presidential Administration that affect interest rates and inflation; (vi) UWM’s reliance on its warehouse and MSR facilities and the risk of a decrease in the value of the collateral underlying certain of its facilities causing an unanticipated margin call; (vii) UWM’s ability to sell loans in the secondary market; (viii) UWM’s dependence on the government-sponsored entities such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; (ix) changes in the GSEs, FHA, USDA and VA guidelines or GSE and Ginnie Mae guarantees; (x) our ability to consummate the merger with Two Harbors and achieve the anticipated benefits; (xi) our ability to comply with all rules and regulations in connection with the launch of our internal servicing and the new risks that may be presented as a result of the transition; (xii) UWM’s dependence on Independent Mortgage Advisors to originate mortgage loans; (xiii) the risk that an increase in the value of the MBS UWM sells in forward markets to hedge its pipeline may result in an unanticipated margin call; (xiv) UWM’s inability to continue to grow, or to effectively manage the growth of its loan origination volume; (xv) UWM’s ability to continue to attract and retain its broker relationships; (xvi) UWM’s ability to implement technological innovation, such as AI in our operations; (xvii) the occurrence of a data breach or other failure of UWM’s cybersecurity or information security systems; (xviii) reliance on third-party software and services; the occurrence of data breaches or other cybersecurity failures at our third-party sub-servicers or other third-party vendors; (xix) UWM’s ability to continue to comply with the complex state and federal laws, regulations or practices applicable to mortgage loan origination and servicing in general; and (xx) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) including those under “Risk Factors” therein. We wish to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect our results and could cause actual results for subsequent periods to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of us. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to, and shall not, constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Additional Information

This communication relates to a proposal that UWMC has made to the Two Harbors Board for a business combination transaction with Two Harbors. In furtherance of this proposal and subject to future developments, UWMC filed a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A on May 14, 2026 (the “Proxy Statement”) with the SEC in order to solicit proxies against the Proposed CCM Merger and other proposals to be voted on by TWO stockholders at the special meeting of TWO stockholders to be held to approve the Proposed CCM Merger. UWMC may file amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement and one or more registration statements, proxy statements, tender or exchange offers or other documents with the SEC. This communication is not a substitute for any proxy statement, registration statement, tender or exchange offer document, prospectus or other document UWMC and/or Two Harbors may file with the SEC in connection with a proposed transaction.

INVESTORS AND SECURITYHOLDERS OF UWMC AND TWO HARBORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT, ANY ADDITIONAL MATERIALS UWMC MAY FILE WITH RESPECT TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION TRANSACTION, INCLUDING ANY REGISTRATION STATEMENT, TENDER OR EXCHANGE OFFER DOCUMENT, PROSPECTUS, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IF AND WHEN FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY, WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT UWMC, TWO HARBORS, A PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and securityholders of UWMC and Two Harbors will be able to obtain copies of these documents if and when they become available, as well as other filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference into such documents, containing information about UWMC and Two Harbors, without charge, at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by UWMC will be available free of charge under the SEC Filings heading of the Investor Relations section of UWMC’s website at https://investors.uwm.com.

Participants in the Solicitation

UWMC and its respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in any solicitation of proxies from Two Harbors stockholders in respect of a solicitation and proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information regarding UWMC’s directors and executive officers is available in UWMC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and UWMC’s proxy statement, dated April 24, 2026, for its 2026 annual meeting of stockholders (the “UWMC 2026 Proxy”), which can be obtained free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Please refer to the sections captioned “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, “Executive Compensation”, “Stock Ownership” and “Proposal 3 – Advisory Vote on Executive Officer Compensation” in the UWMC 2026 Proxy. Any changes in the holdings of UWMC’s securities by UWMC’s directors or executive officers from the amounts described in the UWMC 2026 Proxy have been reflected in Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC subsequent to the filing date of the UWMC 2026 Proxy and are available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260622782067/en/

Key Takeaways Dollar Tree expanded gross margin 120 bps on higher merchandise margins, freight gains and lower shrink.Shrink reduction was the largest contributor to the quarterly gross margin beat.Dollar Tree expects higher fuel costs and potential tariff increases to pressure profitability in FY26. Dollar Tree, Inc. (DLTR - Free Report) delivered one of its strongest profitability performances in recent quarters, demonstrating the effectiveness of its ongoing operational and merchandising initiatives. Despite a challenging consumer environment and persistent tariff-related pressures, the company generated meaningful margin improvement through better execution across key areas of the business. Management highlighted progress in shrink reduction, merchandise optimization and cost controls, underscoring that many of the factors driving profitability are company-specific and within its control.

Margin performance stood out in the quarter. Gross margin expanded 120 basis points year over year, supported by higher merchandise margins, freight favorability and lower shrink. Adjusted operating margin also improved 110 basis points to 9.5%, reflecting stronger execution across controllable areas of the business. These gains came despite headwinds from higher tariffs and markdown activity, underscoring Dollar Tree’s ability to protect profitability through operational discipline.

A key contributor to the margin expansion was the company's progress in reducing shrink — an area management has aggressively targeted through its Gold Store standards, enhanced audits, improved training and product-protection initiatives. Executives indicated that shrink improvement was the single largest contributor to the quarterly gross margin beat. At the same time, inventory discipline has improved significantly, with inventory declining 9% year over year despite sales growth of 7.2%. Better inventory management, improved merchandise productivity and a more efficient supply chain are creating a stronger foundation for sustainable profitability.

The key question now is whether these gains can continue amid an uncertain tariff environment. Management remains cautiously optimistic, noting that operational improvements are largely within its control and should continue to support margins. However, the company expects higher fuel costs and potential tariff increases in the second half of fiscal 2026, which could create fresh pressure on profitability. Even so, Dollar Tree's ongoing shrink-reduction efforts, disciplined cost management and growing contribution from higher-margin multi-price merchandise position the retailer to offset at least part of these external headwinds. If execution remains strong, margin expansion could remain an important earnings driver despite the tariff uncertainty ahead.

DLTR’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company have gained 7% in the past three months against the industry’s loss of 1.5%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, DLTR trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 15.69X compared with the industry’s average of 31.25X.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DLTR’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies year-over-year growth of 6.5% and 21.5%, respectively. For the next fiscal year, the consensus estimate indicates a 6.2% rise in sales and 10.2% growth in earnings. The company’s EPS estimate for both fiscal years has remained stable in the past seven days.

Other Key PicksRoss Stores (ROST - Free Report) , a leading U.S. off-price retailer operating Ross Dress for Less and dd's DISCOUNTS stores, sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. ROST delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.2%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The consensus estimate for Ross Stores’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings suggests growth of 9.1% and 17.1%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.

Five Below, Inc. (FIVE - Free Report) , which operates as a specialty value retailer, currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. FIVE delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 70.1%, on average.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Five Below’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings suggests growth of 14.7% and 31.7%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.

Tapestry, Inc. (TPR - Free Report) provides accessories and lifestyle brand products in North America, Greater China, the rest of Asia and internationally. At present, TPR sports a Zacks Rank of 1.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 13.8% and 36.3%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. TPR has delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 15.6%, on average.

WAYNE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE: TFX), a leading global provider of medical technologies, today announced the beginning of enrollment in the BIOMAG™‑III Study (NCT07258290), a landmark global study evaluating the Freesolve™ Resorbable Magnesium Scaffold (RMS).

Dr. Itsik Ben-Dor, MedStar Health in Washington, D.C., is the first implanter in the United States (U.S.) in the IDE trial of Freesolve™ RMS. Designed as a pivotal trial to support future regulatory applications, the BIOMAG™‑III Study represents the most comprehensive planned clinical evaluation of Freesolve™ RMS to date.

Chairman of the steering committee of the BIOMAG™-III Study, Dr. Ron Waksmanǂ, Associate Director of Cardiology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, stated: “I’m proud that the very first patient in the BIOMAG™-III IDE trial has been enrolled at MedStar Health. Contributing to this important international study is the first step towards potentially changing how we treat narrowed arteries, a very common condition we see in our clinics every day. Researching innovative therapies like Freesolve™ RMS is critical to advancing care for our patients.”

The BIOMAG™-III Study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The study will enroll 1,859 patients and compare Freesolve™ RMS to Xience™ Drug‑Eluting Stent (DES) with respect to Target Lesion Failure (TLF) ratea at 12 months. The study will include scaffold lengths up to 40mm. The BIOMAG™-III Study will be conducted at up to 120 sites worldwide, including up to 60 sites in the U.S., underlining Teleflex’s strong global commitment to advancing resorbable scaffold technology.

Furthermore, enrollment recently completed ahead of schedule for the BIOMAG™-II Study (NCT05540223). This study enrolled 1,861 patients across 20 countries in Europe and Asia Pacific. The BIOMAG™-II Study is a prospective, international, multi-center, RCT comparing Freesolve™ RMS with Xience™ DES with respect to TLF ratea at 12 months. Completion of enrollment marks a major milestone for the first large‑scale, head‑to‑head RCT evaluating Freesolve™ RMS against DES.

Additionally, Teleflex recently announced positive long-term data from the BIOMAG™-I First-In-Human (FIH) Study (NCT04157153), demonstrating 3.5% TLFb at four years and no new clinical events between two and four years for Freesolve™ RMS1.

“The BIOMAG™‑III Study represents an important milestone in the evolution of resorbable technologies,” said Dr. David E. Kandzariǂ, U.S. National Principal Investigator for the BIOMAG™-III Study, Chief, Piedmont Heart Institute, and Chief Scientific Officer, Piedmont Healthcare. “Freesolve™ RMS technology has shown positive outcomes in the BIOMAG™-I FIH trial, with a plateauing of clinical events after resorption. This has long been the vision of resorbable scaffolds.”

Freesolve™ RMS is engineered to resorb within 12 months2, potentially reducing long‑term events associated with permanent metallic implants. The BIOMAG™‑III Study aims to generate pivotal evidence required to bring this technology to physicians and patients.

“The BIOMAG™‑III Study is a pivotal trial designed not only to meet rigorous regulatory standards, but also to demonstrate the long‑term safety and efficacy of a fully resorbable magnesium scaffold for patients, physicians, and healthcare systems,” says Prof. Dr. Georg Nollert, Vice President Medical Affairs at Teleflex. “We believe Freesolve™ RMS has the potential to reshape the coronary intervention landscape, and the BIOMAG™‑III Study could be the catalyst to drive that.”

About Teleflex Incorporated
As a global provider of medical technologies, Teleflex is driven by our purpose to improve the health and quality of people’s lives. Through our vision to become the most trusted partner in the world of healthcare, we offer a diverse portfolio with solutions in the therapy areas of anesthesia, emergency medicine, interventional cardiology and radiology, surgical, vascular access, and urology. We believe that the potential of great people, purpose driven innovation, and world-class products can shape the future direction of healthcare.

Teleflex is the home of Arrow™, Barrigel™, Deknatel™, LMA™, Pilling™, QuikClot™, Rüsch™, UroLift™ and Weck™ – trusted brands united by a common sense of purpose.

At Teleflex, we are empowering the future of healthcare. For more information, please visit teleflex.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on our management's current beliefs and expectations, but are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances, which may cause actual results or company actions to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these statements. These risks and uncertainties are identified and described in more detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Teleflex, the Teleflex logo, Arrow, Barrigel, BIOMAG, Deknatel, Freesolve, LMA, Pilling, QuikClot, Rüsch, UroLift and Weck are trademarks or registered trademarks of Teleflex Incorporated or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks marked with a ™ are the property of their respective owners and are solely used for identification purposes and do not imply any affiliation, endorsement, or ownership by Teleflex Incorporated or its affiliates. Information in this material is not a substitute for the product Instructions for Use. Not all products may be available in all countries.
© 2026 Teleflex Incorporated. All rights reserved. MC-012134 Rev 0.

References:

Torzewski, J. Lessons from the long-term DES data: how they can inform today's practice - BIOMAG-I: 4-Year Clinical Outcomes of the Resorbable Magnesium Scaffold-DREAMS 3G. pcronline.com Published May 20, 2026. Accessed June 3, 2026. https://www.pcronline.com/Cases-resources-images/Resources/Course-videos-slides/2026/EuroPCR/Lessons-from-the-long-term-DES-data-how-they-can-inform-today-s-practice?auth=true. Research sponsored by Teleflex. Seguchi, M., Aytekin, A., Xheoa, E. et al. Vascular response following implantation of the third-generation drug-eluting resorbable coronary magnesium scaffold: an intravascular imaging analysis of the BIOMAG-I first-in-human study. EuroIntervention. 2024; 20(18): e1173-e1183. doi: 10.4244/EIJ-D-24-00055. Scaffold 99.0% resorbed at 12 months (markers are not resorbable). Research sponsored by Teleflex. Disclaimers:

a For BIOMAG™-III and BIOMAG™-II Studies, TLF is a composite of Cardiac Death, Target Vessel Q-wave or non-Q wave Myocardial Infarction, or clinically driven Target Lesion Revascularization (TLR).
b For BIOMAG™-I Study, TLF is a composite of Target-Vessel Myocardial Infarction (TV-MI), clinically driven Target Lesion Revascularization (CD-TLR) and Cardiac Death. BIOMAG™-I FIH Study data is based on Kaplan-Meier failure estimate analysis.

ǂDrs. Waksman and Kandzari are paid consultants of Teleflex.

CAUTION—Investigational device. Limited by the United States law to investigational use.
Freesolve™ RMS is clinically often referred to as DREAMS 3G RMS.
Freesolve™ RMS is not approved for sale in the United States and is commercially available in CE-mark accepting countries only. Indications for Use may vary by geographic location.

Expands presence in the U.K. market through the addition of 174 pawn locations with strong brand;
Further enhances FirstCash’s global leadership positioning and long-term growth platform;
Expected to be accretive to EBITDA and EPS
_________________________________________________________

FORTH WORTH, Texas, June 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FirstCash Holdings, Inc. (“FirstCash” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: FCFS), the leading international operator of more than 3,300 retail pawn stores, today announced that it has reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash acquisition of Ramsdens Holdings plc (“Ramsdens”), a leading operator of pawn stores in the United Kingdom. Under the terms of the agreement, FirstCash (through its wholly-owned U.K. subsidiary, Chess Bidco Limited) will pay cash consideration of 600 pence for each share of Ramsdens stock. In addition, Ramsdens shareholders will receive an interim cash dividend of up to 9 pence for each Ramsdens share to be paid on October 9, 2026. The total equity value, including cash consideration for the shares and the interim cash dividend, is approximately £206 million or $273 million USD based on the exchange rate as of the close of business on June 22, 2026.

The acquisition of Ramsdens, which operates 174 pawn locations across England, Scotland and Wales, expands FirstCash’s geographic footprint in the U.K. and provides enhanced scale, operating efficiencies and long-term growth opportunities in the market. This combination further builds FirstCash as the largest publicly traded pawn platform in the United States, Latin America and the United Kingdom and is expected to drive further long-term revenue and earnings growth.

Mr. Rick Wessel, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of the Board of FirstCash, commented, “We are excited to add Ramsdens as part of the global FirstCash family. Ramsdens is a well-respected operator with a proven track record of operating successfully in the U.K. pawn market. This transaction will not only provide immediate revenue and earnings accretion to FirstCash upon closing, but also enhances our long-term growth profile through continued expansion of its industry-leading brands and platform. FirstCash looks forward to working together with the Ramsdens team to drive further long-term value for all of our customers, employees and shareholders.”

Mr. Peter Keynon, Chief Executive Officer of Ramsdens, commented, “I am exceptionally proud of Ramsdens’ transformational growth since our IPO in 2017. FirstCash is an internationally established sector leader, and I share their confidence and conviction in the outlook for Ramsdens, which is underpinned by our diversified model and established reputation for consistently doing the right thing for our customers and our fantastic people.”

Compelling Strategic and Financial Benefits

Strengthens FirstCash’s position as a leading pawnbroking operator in the U.K.: Ramsdens represents a highly complementary strategic fit alongside FirstCash’s existing U.K. operations following the acquisition of H&T, creating a scaled U.K. platform with a combined network of almost 470 stores with limited location overlap between the existing footprints of H&T and Ramsdens.Unlocks Further Growth and Revenue Synergies for Ramsdens: The Ramsdens platform is expected to benefit from the additional growth capital provided by FirstCash which should support increased pawn lending activities and resulting revenue growth in the existing Ramsdens stores while providing further opportunities for additional geographic expansion in the U.K.Enhances Scale and Operating Leverage: The addition of the 174 Ramsdens stores increases FirstCash’s scale, operational footprint and ability to leverage efficiencies in the U.K. and across its global platform. Upon closing, FirstCash expects to have over 3,500 pawn locations worldwide.Financially Compelling: The transaction is expected to drive further revenue growth and be accretive to both EBITDA and EPS, strengthening FirstCash’s financial profile and long-term shareholder value. Ramsdens Financial Highlights

Trailing Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2026 (USD) (1)

•Revenue$ 200 million•Net income$ 26 million•Adjusted EBITDA(2)$ 40 million     (1)Amounts presented on an IFRS basis in USD using a GBP/USD average exchange rate over the period of 1.34.  (2)Calculated as reported EBITDA less expenses related to depreciation of the right-of-use assets and interest on lease liabilities, which are treated as “rent expenses" for compatibility to FirstCash’s reported Adjusted EBITDA.      Transaction Timeline and Additional Details
The acquisition has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both FirstCash and Ramsdens. The transaction is subject to approval by Ramsdens’ shareholders and customary regulatory approvals in the United Kingdom. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to receipt of these approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

Advisors
Jefferies LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to FirstCash. Gowling WLG (UK) LLP and Alston & Bird LLP are serving as legal counsel to FirstCash.

Cavendish is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Ramsdens. Addleshaw Goddard LLP is serving as legal advisor to Ramsdens.

Further Information; No Offer or Solicitation
This release is for information purposes and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the all-cash offer by Chess Bidco Limited (“Bidco”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstCash Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Ramsdens, a company incorporated in England and Wales (“Ramsdens”) (such acquisition, the “Acquisition”), or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Ramsdens in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. The Acquisition will be made solely by means of a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement (the “Scheme”) under Part 26 of the United Kingdom Companies Act 2006, as amended (the “U.K. Companies Act”) (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of a takeover offer, as such term is defined in the U.K. Companies Act (the “Takeover Offer”), the offer document), which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Acquisition, including details of how to vote in respect of the Scheme. Any vote in respect of the Scheme or other response in relation to the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme document (or, if the Acquisition is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer, the offer document). Ramsdens shareholders are urged to read the Scheme document when it becomes available, because it will contain important information relating to the Acquisition.

Additional Information
The Acquisition is being made to acquire the shares of an English company by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under English law. A transaction effected by means of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer rules or the proxy solicitation rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“U.S. Exchange Act”). Accordingly, the Scheme will be subject to disclosure requirements and practices applicable in the United Kingdom to schemes of arrangement, which are different from the disclosure requirements of the U.S. tender offer and proxy solicitation rules. The financial information included in this release and the Scheme documentation has been or will have been prepared in accordance with accounting standards applicable in the United Kingdom and thus may not be comparable to financial information of U.S. companies or companies whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. If Bidco exercises its right to implement the Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer, such offer will be made in compliance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations.

The receipt of cash pursuant to the Acquisition by a U.S. holder as consideration for the transfer of its Ramsdens shares pursuant to the Scheme will likely be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes and under applicable United States state and local, as well as foreign and other, tax laws. Each Ramsdens shareholder is urged to consult their independent professional adviser immediately regarding the tax consequences of the Acquisition applicable to them.

In accordance with normal United Kingdom practice and pursuant to Rule 14e-5(b) of the U.S. Exchange Act (to the extent applicable), Bidco, its nominees or its brokers (acting as agents) may from time to time make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, Ramsdens shares outside of the U.S., other than pursuant to the Acquisition, until the date on which the Acquisition becomes effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn. If such purchases or arrangements to purchase were to be made, they would be made outside of the U.S. and would be in accordance with applicable law, including the U.S. Exchange Act and the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Code”). These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Any information about such purchases will be disclosed as required in the United Kingdom, will be reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available on the London Stock Exchange website at www.londonstockexchange.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, the Acquisition, the anticipated benefits and timing of the Acquisition and the business, financial condition, outlook and prospects of the Company and Ramsdens. Forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “outlook,” “believes,” “projects,” “expects,” “may,” “estimates,” “should,” “plans,” “targets,” “intends,” “could,” “would,” “anticipates,” “potential,” “confident,” “optimistic,” or the negative thereof, or other variations thereon, or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, objectives, estimates, guidance, expectations, outlook and future plans. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by the fact these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. Rather, forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results. Because forward-looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties.

While the Company believes the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurances such expectations will prove to be accurate. Security holders are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Certain factors may cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements made in this release. With respect to the proposed Acquisition, these factors, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risk that the Acquisition may not be consummated, including as a result of a failure by Company or Ramsdens to obtain the necessary shareholder (in the case of Ramsdens) or regulatory approvals required for the Acquisition, or that required regulatory approvals may delay the Acquisition or result in the imposition of conditions that could reduce the anticipated benefits from the Acquisition, or the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Acquisition; the risk that Company will incur additional indebtedness to finance the Acquisition, which may not be on favorable terms to the Company; the length of time necessary to consummate the Acquisition, which may be longer than anticipated for various reasons; the risk that Ramsdens will not be combined and integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings, synergies and other benefits from the Acquisition may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the diversion of management time on Acquisition-related issues; the risk that costs associated with the integration of Ramsdens is higher than anticipated; increased exposure to local economic and political conditions, exchange rate fluctuations and the extensive regulatory regime in the U.K.; risks related to the ability to hire and retain key Ramsdens personnel; and the effects of tax assessments or tax positions taken, risks related to goodwill and other intangible asset impairment, tax adjustments, anticipated tax rates, or other regulatory compliance costs.

Additional risks and uncertainties with respect to the Company are discussed and described in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the risks described in Part 1, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” thereof, and other reports filed with the SEC. Many of these risks and uncertainties are beyond the ability of the Company to control, nor can the Company predict, in many cases, all of the risks and uncertainties that could cause its actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date of this release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to report any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

Publication on website

In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Code, a copy of this release will be made available, subject to certain restrictions, on the Company’s website at https://investors.firstcash.com/ by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the business day following publication of this release. For the avoidance of doubt, the contents of any websites referred to in this release are not incorporated into and do not form part of this release.

Right to request hard copies
In accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Code, a person so entitled may request a hard copy of this release (and any document or information incorporated into it by reference to another source) by contacting Ramsdens’ registrars, Equiniti, by writing to Equiniti at Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN99 6DA, United Kingdom or by calling them during business hours on +44 (0)371 384 2030. Lines are open from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (London time) Monday to Friday (except English and Welsh public holidays). Calls are charged at the standard geographical rate and will vary by provider. Calls from outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. For persons who receive a copy of this release in electronic form or via a website notification, a hard copy of this release (and any document or information incorporated by reference into this release) will not be sent unless so requested. In accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Code, such persons may also request that all future documents, announcements and information to be sent to them in relation to the Acquisition should be sent in hard copy form.

About FirstCash
FirstCash is the leading international operator of pawn stores focused on serving cash and credit-constrained consumers. FirstCash operates more than 3,300 pawn stores in the U.S., Latin America and the U.K. Most of the stores buy and sell a wide variety of jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, musical instruments and other merchandise, and make small non-recourse pawn loans secured by pledged personal property. FirstCash’s pawn operations currently account for over 90% of net revenue, with the remainder provided by its wholly owned subsidiary, AFF, a leading provider of customer payment solutions at the point-of-sale for retailers of consumer goods and services.

FirstCash is a component company in both the Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index® and the Russell 2000 Index®. FirstCash’s common stock (ticker symbol “FCFS”) is traded on the Nasdaq, the creator of the world’s first electronic stock market. For additional information regarding FirstCash and the services it provides, visit FirstCash’s websites located at http://www.firstcash.com, http://www.americanfirstfinance.com and http://www.handt.co.uk.

About Ramsdens

Ramsdens is a U.K.‑based diversified provider of financial services and a retail operator, serving customers primarily through a nationwide estate of high street stores and complementary online channels.

Ramsdens primarily operates across the following business segments:

Pawnbroking – provision of short-term, asset backed loans secured against customer assets, predominantly jewelry and watches;Foreign currency exchange – the purchase and sale of foreign currency notes, together with the provision of travel money products including multi-currency cards and international transfers;Purchase of precious metals – acquisition of gold and other valuables from customers, with subsequent resale into wholesale or bullion markets; andJewelry retail – sale of new and pre-owned jewelry and watches through the Ramsdens Group’s store network and online channels. These activities are delivered through a combination of physical stores, of which there are currently 174 across the U.K., and a growing digital platform, providing Ramsdens with a diversified and complementary income base. Ramsdens currently employs 877 employees across its operations.

For further information, please contact:
Gar Jackson
Global IR Group
Phone: (817) 886-6998
Email: [email protected]

Doug Orr, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (817) 258-2650
Email: [email protected]
Website: investors.firstcash.com

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Agreement supports Walmart’s expansion in the state and includes uprates at the Dresden Clean Energy Center

BALTIMORE & BENTONVILLE, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Constellation (Nasdaq: CEG) and Walmart (Nasdaq: WMT) today announced a long-term nuclear power purchase agreement (PPA) for emissions-free electricity from Constellation’s Dresden Clean Energy Center in Illinois. The agreement includes approximately 176 MW of wholesale supply, including 30 MW of expanded generating capacity.

Walmart will purchase energy, environmental attributes and capacity through two 15‑year terms beginning in 2029 and 2030. This agreement supports reliable nuclear energy in the region and enables planned uprates — efficiency upgrades that increase output from existing nuclear units without the need to build a new facility. The agreement is expected to help Walmart access cleaner energy and strengthen local energy infrastructure — while continuing to serve customers with everyday low prices.

“This agreement reflects long‑term stewardship of critical infrastructure, the communities it serves, and the energy system that powers American growth,” said Jim McHugh, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Constellation. “Walmart’s commitment enables meaningful investment in the Dresden Clean Energy Center — bolstering reliability, sustaining local jobs and economic activity, and putting more dependable, emissions-free energy onto the Illinois power grid.”

Through uprates at the Dresden Clean Energy Center, this agreement will provide enough new power to the grid to support Walmart’s previously announced high-tech perishable distribution center, currently in development in Belvidere, Ill. Together, these investments strengthen the local community by supporting jobs and enabling continued expansion of Walmart’s supply chain operations and workforce.

“Walmart has a long history of investing in energy solutions that support our business and the communities where we operate, and this agreement builds on that work,” said Shayne Wahlmeier, SVP Energy – Walmart US. “Working with Constellation allows us to support new operations in Illinois while advancing our strategy in a way that prioritizes affordable, reliable, and clean energy for our business and the communities we serve. We’re constantly evaluating new capabilities and energy solutions that help ensure the electricity we rely on is dependable, responsibly produced, and built to support long-term growth.”

This agreement marks Walmart’s first nuclear PPA and is among the first of its kind between a large retailer and a nuclear energy facility in the United States. The agreement follows Constellation’s December 2025 license renewal announcement for Dresden and supports continued investment in Dresden’s long‑term reliability and performance. Licensed to operate through 2049 and 2051, the Dresden Clean Energy Center provides baseload, reliable carbon-free electricity for the region and supports more than 1,100 family-sustaining jobs.

Constellation and Walmart have both maintained a longstanding presence in Illinois. Constellation’s generation footprint produces enough energy to power more than eight million homes, and Walmart’s retail operations total approximately 175 stores and clubs with more than 55,000 associates in the state. Both companies view the PPA as an extension of their shared, long-term commitment to the communities where they operate.

About Constellation

Constellation Energy Corporation (Nasdaq: CEG), a Fortune 200 company headquartered in Baltimore, is the largest private-sector power producer in the world and the nation’s largest producer of clean and reliable energy. With 55 gigawatts of capacity from nuclear, natural gas, geothermal, hydro, wind and solar facilities, our fleet has the generating capacity to power the equivalent of 27 million homes, providing about 10% of the nation’s clean energy and delivering the around-the-clock reliability needed to power America’s growing economy. We are also the largest nuclear energy company in the U.S. and a leading competitive retail supplier, serving approximately 2.5 million customer accounts nationwide, including 80% of the Fortune 100. We are committed to investing in innovation and new technologies to drive the transition to a reliable, sustainable and secure energy future. Follow Constellation on LinkedIn and X.

About Walmart

Walmart Inc. (Nasdaq: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 280 million customers and members visit more than 10,900 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2026 revenue of $713 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart, on X (formerly known as Twitter) at twitter.com/walmart, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/walmart.

More News From Constellation

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Key Takeaways Commvault is positioning Commvault Cloud as a broader cyber resilience platform.AI, cloud adoption and identity-based attacks are creating a multi-year demand backdrop.CVLT's SaaS ARR rose 42% to $400M in Q4'26, while subscription ARR increased 27% to $989M. Commvault Systems, Inc. (CVLT - Free Report) is no longer just a backup-software story. The company is positioning Commvault Cloud as a broader cyber resilience platform spanning data protection, data security, identity resilience and recovery.

That matters because enterprise data is becoming larger, more distributed and more exposed. AI, cloud adoption and identity-based attacks are creating a multi-year demand backdrop that could matter more than any single quarter’s results.

Commvault Benefits From AI-Driven Data GrowthAI is increasing the value and volume of enterprise data, while also expanding the number of access points that must be secured. Commvault’s platform is built around that problem: protecting data sets, helping detect threats, supporting recovery at scale and adding governance around AI-related data use.

The company estimates its total addressable market across core data protection, cloud security and data security at $24 billion in 2025, with potential expansion to $38 billion by 2029. That gives CVLT a growth narrative tied to enterprise resilience, not just traditional backup demand.

CVLT Pushes Deeper Into Identity ResilienceIdentity resilience is becoming a more important part of the Commvault story. In the latest quarter, identity resilience and data security offerings represented 33% of net new annual recurring revenue, showing that newer modules are contributing to platform expansion.

Active Directory protection was one of the company’s fastest-growing SaaS offerings, with annual recurring revenue more than doubling year over year. Commvault is also extending protection across Microsoft Entra ID and Okta environments, which could make identity recovery a larger contributor as attacks increasingly target credentials and directory systems.

Commvault Expands Its Cloud and Partner ReachCommvault’s platform strategy is also getting support from integrations and alliances. Recent business highlights included an integration with Microsoft Security, expanded work with CrowdStrike Falcon Next-Gen SIEM, a strategic alliance with NetApp and a CloudSEK partnership focused on exposed credentials on the dark web.

CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (CRWD - Free Report) is relevant to this discussion because Commvault’s expanded integration with CrowdStrike connects threat visibility with recovery workflows. Okta, Inc. (OKTA - Free Report) also fits the theme, as Commvault has extended identity resilience to Okta environments.

The broader partner ecosystem reinforces Commvault’s role in hybrid and multi-cloud operations. The company’s materials also highlight cloud partners such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, Microsoft and Oracle, underscoring the need to protect workloads across fragmented enterprise infrastructure.

CVLT Still Must Prove It Can Sustain the TrendThe opportunity is attractive, but not frictionless. Commvault competes in a highly fragmented market against vendors such as Rubrik, Inc. (RBRK - Free Report) , Cohesity and Veeam, as well as cloud providers and other cybersecurity companies.

Rubrik is a direct peer in data security and cyber resilience, making it an important comparison point for investors assessing CVLT’s competitive position. Commvault also faces risks from pricing pressure, longer enterprise sales cycles, reseller execution and hyperscalers expanding native cloud protection capabilities.

Currency and international execution add another layer of variability. In fiscal 2026, international markets accounted for a sizable portion of revenues, so foreign exchange swings and regional demand conditions can affect reported growth.

How CVLT's Zacks Signals Frame the Trend BetThe bottom line is that CVLT has exposure to several durable technology themes: AI-driven data growth, cyber resilience, identity recovery and hybrid cloud complexity. The company’s SaaS annual recurring revenue rose 42% year over year to $400 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, while subscription annual recurring revenue increased 27% to $989 million.

Still, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). That rating suggests a more balanced near-term earnings outlook rather than a clear positive estimate-revision signal. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

CVLT has a VGM Score of C, with a Growth Score of B, Momentum Score of C and Value Score of D. The Growth Score of B aligns with the company’s longer-term expansion themes, while the VGM Score of C and Zacks Rank #3 indicate investors may want to keep the trend story in perspective.

Key Takeaways Amvuttra drives Alnylam's top line through expanded label and as patients switch from Onpattro.Givlaari, Oxlumo and royalties from Leqvio add incremental revenues and global growth potential.Rare disease drugs delivered $125.7M in first-quarter 2026 revenues, up 15% year over year. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals’ (ALNY - Free Report) primary top-line driver is its newest drug, Amvuttra (vutrisiran), which is approved in the United States and the EU for treating the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis and ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).

Amvuttra generated $889.9 million in global sales in the first quarter of 2026, representing 187% year-over-year growth. The figure accounted for 76% of Alnylam’s total revenues generated in the quarter. The drug’s solid uptake has been driven by increased patient demand, mainly in ATTR-CM patients in the United States, as well as several patients switching from Onpattro (patisiran), ALNY’s first FDA-approved drug for hATTR amyloidosis.

Alnylam also markets several other products across the rare disease and cardiovascular markets, providing the company with incremental revenues that add to the top line.

Givlaari (givosiran) is approved in both the United States and the EU for treating adults with acute hepatic porphyria. In the EU, the drug is also approved for use in adolescents. Strong uptake has made Givlaari a meaningful revenue driver, with regulatory filings in additional territories pending or planned during 2026 and beyond to widen its global presence.

Similarly, Oxlumo (lumasiran) injection was initially approved in the United States and the EU for the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 to lower urinary oxalate levels in pediatric and adult patients. Later, the drug’s label was expanded to include lowering urinary and plasma oxalate levels. This expansion, coupled with pending or planned regulatory filings in additional territories, strengthens its potential for international growth.

Alnylam also markets a fifth drug, Leqvio (inclisiran), in collaboration with Novartis (NVS - Free Report) to treat hypercholesterolemia in the EU. In the United States, it is approved to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The drug’s label has also been expanded to cover high-risk cardiovascular patients, and late-stage studies are underway to broaden its indication further. ALNY earns royalties from Novartis for Leqvio sales that add to the top line.

In the first quarter of 2026, Alnylam generated $125.7 million in net product revenues from its rare disease portfolio (Givlaari and Oxlumo), reflecting a 15% year-over-year increase. Expanding global adoption of these therapies is expected to sustain Alnylam’s top-line growth while diversifying its revenue streams and reducing reliance on Amvuttra.

Pipeline Assets Could Broaden ALNY’s Growth DriversBeyond its marketed products, Alnylam’s pipeline offers multiple opportunities to further diversify its commercial portfolio over the long term. The company stands to earn royalties from cemdisiran, which is being advanced by Regeneron across several complement-mediated diseases and is already under regulatory review for generalized myasthenia gravis in the United States.

Alnylam is also progressing mivelsiran into mid-stage studies for Alzheimer’s disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, expanding its reach into neurodegenerative disorders. In cardiovascular disease, zilebesiran is being evaluated in a late-stage outcomes study, in partnership with Roche, which could unlock a significant hypertension market opportunity. Meanwhile, nucresiran, a next-generation RNAi therapy for ATTR amyloidosis, has entered phase III development in both polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy indications.

ALNY’s Competition in the Market for Its Lead DrugAlnylam’s push to broaden indications and expand the global reach of its marketed drugs is becoming increasingly critical as Amvuttra faces intensifying competition in the ATTR-CM market. Rival therapies, including Pfizer’s (PFE - Free Report) Vyndaqel/Vyndamax (tafamidis) and BridgeBio’s (BBIO - Free Report) Attruby (acoramidis), are already approved and competing for market share in this space.

Vyndaqel is one of the key in-line products that has driven improvement in Pfizer’s revenues in the first quarter of 2026. Global Vyndaqel family revenues of $1.6 billion rose 8% year over year in the quarter, primarily driven by international growth on the back of higher demand due to increases in diagnosis and treatment rates. Pfizer’s Vyndaqel family includes global revenues from Vyndaqel as well as revenues for Vyndamax in the United States and Vynmac in Japan.

Approved in late 2024, Attruby is BridgeBio’s only marketed product. The drug generated sales worth $180.6 million in the first quarter of 2026, up significantly year over year, driven by solid uptake. BridgeBio is also currently evaluating acoramidis for the prevention of early-stage variant transthyretin amyloidosis in a late-stage study.

ALNY’s Stock Price, Valuation and EstimatesShares of Alnylam have plunged 30.1% so far this year compared with the industry’s 1.8% decline. The stock has also underperformed the sector and the S&P 500 index during the same time frame, as seen in the chart below.

ALNY Stock Price MovementImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Alnylam stock is expensive. Going by the price/sales ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 8.97 trailing 12-month sales per share, higher than 2.30 for the industry. However, the stock is trading much below its five-year mean of 18.24.

ALNY Stock ValuationImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

Estimates for Alnylam’s 2026 earnings have improved from $9.10 to $9.22 per share in the past 60 days, while estimates for 2027 earnings have deteriorated from $14.66 to $13.68 over the same timeframe.

ALNY Estimate MovementImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

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