Market Signal Briefing

Bitcoin dropped nearly 11% in January, extending its losing streak to four months, the longest since 2018, amid broader market turbulence. As gold also faces a steep decline, opportunistic investors are eyeing the dip.

Summary

Bitcoin’s price remains below $80,000, as the crypto market continues to struggle amidst a broader market downturn. While U.S. stock markets showed modest gains, oil prices plunged and gold retreated from its all-time highs. Technical indicators and market sentiment suggest Bitcoin’s recovery could be a bull trap, with a potential further decline to $70,000 if it fails to regain momentum above $100,000. Bitcoin (BTC) is currently hovering just above $78,400. Indeed, the market capitalization of all coins rose by 1.7% to over $2.7 trillion, but that’s still a long ways away from its all-time high of approximately $4.1 trillion in August 2025.

Top tokens on Monday afternoon, EST, include MYX Finance, Memecore, River, Jupiter, Morpho, and Hyperliquid. 

The stock market showed modest gains: Major large-cap indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 were up 0.7% and 1.1%, respectively. The iShares Russell 2000 ETF led market gains with a 1.32% rally by midday.

Crude oil prices, meanwhile, plunged as the U.S. military assembles in the Gulf.

Brent, the global benchmark, dropped by 4.75% to $66, while the West Texas Intermediate plunged to $61. At the same time, gold, often seen as a safe-haven asset, retreated to $4,600 from the all-time high of $5,568. 

More data from Polymarket shows that the odds of the U.S. striking Iran have continued falling. Odds of strikes happening by the end of the year moved from 80% to6 69%.

The crypto crash also stalled as the Fear and Greed Index slumped to 14, its lowest level this year. In most cases, crypto rebounds occur when the index moves into the extreme fear zone.

Bitcoin price technicals suggest the rally could be a bull trap BTC price chart | Source: crypto.news The weekly chart shows that the BTC price has crashed in the past few months.

It has already flipped the Supertrend indicator from green to red. The last time this happened was in 2021, and the coin tumbled by over 70% after that.

Bitcoin has moved below the 38.2% Fibonacci Retracement level and the 50-week Exponential Moving Average. The Relative Strength Index and the Stochastic Oscillator continued falling. 

Therefore, these technical indicators suggest that the Bitcoin price may continue to fall in the near term. If this happens, it may continue falling, potentially to the 50% retracement level at $70,000. As such, there is a risk that the crypto crash will continue falling in the coming weeks. 

This view aligns with Michael Novogratz’s recent prediction when he noted that a full Bitcoin recovery will be confirmed when it moves above $100,000 and $103,000.

As one of the world's most exciting trends right now, it's natural to wonder if cryptocurrencies could benefit from AI.

In the long run, buying XRP (XRP +2.20%) is a bet that the XRP Ledger (XRPL) will become a piece of financial plumbing that financial institutions actually route value through. But many different factors influence whether that actually happens, and artificial intelligence (AI) is one of them.

So is the coin exposed to any upside stemming from the rise and proliferation of AI, or is its infrastructure too insulated from one of the decade's most powerful trends?

Image source: Getty Images.

Where AI might help XRP XRPL is built for fast and low-cost transaction settlements that can meet the regulatory compliance burden of banks and other financial businesses.

All of those features become relevant if AI agents start handling real money in the near future and use blockchains to do so. In this context, an AI agent is software that can plan and take actions toward a goal, including making payments or swapping assets. Financial regulators are already talking about agentic AI as a coming factor in mainstream finance and market structure, so this isn't science fiction any longer.

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If that future of AI agents transacting on various blockchains arrives soon, XRP already has rails for it.

The ledger has a feature that allows parties to stream or batch XRP payments off the main ledger and then settle them later, which might come in handy for agents. Similarly, the network's built-in decentralized exchange (DEX) can also bridge assets, though it's currently barely in use.

Don't treat XRP as an AI thesis yet While it's technically possible for XRP to benefit from AI transacting on its chain, it doesn't make much sense to include that possibility in the asset's investment thesis right now.

First, XRPL's fees are intentionally minuscule, so transaction volume is unlikely to be a major driver of the coin's price, even if agents are transacting heavily.

Second, AI adoption in finance increases compliance headaches, which can slow deployment. XRP's compliance features aren't specifically geared for AI, and also, there's not much the chain can do about financial companies needing to overhaul their own internal compliance measures before they can go big on agentic AI that handles money.

Third, Ripple, the company that issues XRP, does not currently appear to be prioritizing AI in any context. Its newer service and feature offerings are positioned around managing stablecoins and tokenized asset deposits and optimizing for on-chain liquidity, not around making XRP the unavoidable tool for every AI-based workflow.

But could XRPL evolve into a friendlier platform for agent-driven finance? Of course, and it has plenty of time and resources to do so -- assuming that this trend toward AI handling money on blockchains actually pans out. The evidence of the trend being worth chasing simply isn't there yet.

Representation of cryptocurrencies are seen in this illustration taken September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

SummaryCompaniesBitcoin trading below $80k after a 6% drop on SaturdayMicrosoft's Azure revenue growth disappoints, impacting AI sentimentTrump nominates Kevin Warsh for Fed, markets expect rate cutsFeb 2 (Reuters) - Bitcoin investors liquidated $2.56 billion in recent days, according to data provider CoinGlass, as cryptocurrencies slumped following a sell-off in other risk assets, including equities and precious metals.

The wipeouts in both short and long bitcoin positions are far below the record $19 billion in crypto liquidations the market experienced after U.S. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on China. Even so, analysts say the fresh cascade of wipeouts demonstrates how sensitive the crypto market has become to risk-off sentiment.

The Week in Breakingviews newsletter offers insights and ideas from Reuters' global financial commentary team. Sign up here.

While bitcoin is notoriously volatile, cryptocurrencies have been weighed down by fresh concerns about the AI trade and a sell-off in precious metals sparked by Trump's announcement that he was picking Kevin Warsh as his Fed chair nominee.

"What we've seen the last few months is probably people taking a step back while they have to reassess their risk frameworks and how they operate in this market," said Adam McCarthy, a senior research analyst at digital market data provider Kaiko.

Bitcoin fell as low as $104,782.88 during the October 10-11 period, after setting a fresh record high just days earlier above $126,000.

It has yet to regain those peaks, and was last trading at around $78,396, after falling more than 6% on Saturday. Thin weekend liquidity also exacerbated downward moves over the weekend, Bitfinex analysts said in a Monday research report.

"The biggest risk to prices at these levels have been outside forces — whether including a sharp rise in unemployment or deterioration of the AI trade," said Jim Ferraioli, director of crypto research and strategy at Charles Schwab's Schwab Center for Financial Research.

Markets encountered a barrage of news last week that weighed heavily on investor sentiment, including disappointing Microsoft earnings that raised concerns about AI spending. Microsoft on Wednesday reported revenue growth in its Azure cloud-computing business that was only slightly above expectations, sending shares down 10% the following day.

Markets also expect Warsh to lead a shift toward rate cuts alongside tighter balance‑sheet policy, which is seen as leaning more hawkish.

That announcement sparked a sharp sell-off in gold and silver prices on Friday, with silver recording its worst day ever and gold notching its steepest daily fall since 1983.

"Investors were looking for an excuse to lighten up and they finally got several," said David Morrison, senior market analyst at Trade Nation.

Reporting by Hannah Lang in New York; editing by Michelle Price and Diane Craft

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

Hannah Lang covers financial technology and cryptocurrency, including the businesses that drive the industry and policy developments that govern the sector. Hannah previously worked at American Banker where she covered bank regulation and the Federal Reserve. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park and lives in Washington, DC.

Bitmine Immersion Technologies has crossed a milestone that is hard to ignore: the firm now controls 3.55% of Ethereum's total token supply, putting it more than 70% of the way toward its self-styled “Alchemy of 5%” goal in just six months, according to company disclosures.

BTC’s retreat toward the $68K region is driven by hefty spot ETF outflows & one of the worst liquidation waves on record.

Market Sentiment:

Bullish Bearish Neutral

Published: February 2, 2026 │ 8:25 PM GMT

Created by Kornelija Poderskytė from DailyCoin

During a live market rundown, a daily crypto-focused host warned that Bitcoin’s slide below $80,000 and heavy ETF outflows are stripping away key support and pushing the market toward what could become a deeper correction.

Sponsored

Market connoisseur Wendy O framed the past 24 hours as “absolutely brutal,” with cascading liquidations, stressed altcoins, and even precious metals showing unusual volatility.

Liquidations & a Possible Test Of The 200-Week EMAThe host pegged Bitcoin around $77,000 during the stream and highlighted a downside target near $68,000, tied to the 200-week exponential moving average. A decisive break below that level, she said, would mark the point where “things are going to get really, really, really nasty” echoing conditions last seen during the 2022–2023 bear market when BTC traded under the 200-week EMA for an extended stretch.

My high time frame targets for BTC
200 EMA: ~$68.4k
300 EMA: ~$56.7k

Historically the 21 Weekly EMA is a great indicator of the market trend (yellow MA). We wicked up straight into it and confirm further bearish bias towards lower moving averages. https://t.co/nzUprUbpYR pic.twitter.com/4qbk9uWtHC

— Greeny (@greenytrades) January 29, 2026 Leveraged traders were hit hard. Roughly $1.5–$1.6 billion in crypto positions were liquidated over 24 hours, making it one of the worst liquidation events in the industry’s history. Most of the damage came from over-leveraged longs, particularly in Ethereum. The host noted that some traders had positioned for an ETH move higher, only to be wiped out as the market reversed.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs, once seen as a stabilizing force, are now a source of concern. The commentator cited figures showing around $1.6 billion in net withdrawals this month and roughly $6 billion leaving U.S.-listed spot products over the past three months. Since early 2026, the ETFs have reportedly seen an exodus of about 4,500–4,600 BTC, compared with tens of thousands flowing in over the same period a year earlier.

Altcoin Pain Meets MicroStrategy Risk & E-File FalloutAltcoins are faring worse. The host said “altcoins are suffering, they’re struggling, they’re going down” while pointing to Ethereum’s fall toward key support near $2,200 and the possibility of a move to $1,500. They also mentioned Solana weakness and noted that XRP had recently tagged a higher target level that some analysts had been watching.

MicroStrategy’s aggressive Bitcoin strategy was flagged as a risk point.

The company’s heavy use of debt to accumulate BTC has long been debated, and the host suggested that if its position were ever forced or “knocked out” the knock-on effects for Bitcoin and related derivatives could be severe. While they did not predict such an outcome, they framed MicroStrategy as “in a little bit of hot water” if prices slide far enough.

Beyond price action, Wendy O addressed newly surfaced “E-files” that mention names from the crypto sector, including figures connected to Ripple and Stellar (XLM).

One cited email from 2014, involving early industry investors, described Ripple and Stellar as “bad for the ecosystem” and raised concerns about backing “two horses in the same race.” The commentator stressed that, in the material they reviewed, there were no explicit allegations of criminal behavior against those crypto teams—only competitive and funding-related tensions.

She repeatedly urged viewers to be cautious about unverified claims circulating on social media, especially in an era of AI-generated forgeries, and to distinguish between reputational damage by association and documented wrong-doing.

Why This MattersThe host argued that the combination of ETF outflows, heavy liquidations, and macro stress effectively places crypto in a new bear phase, even if the broader cycle structure remains intact.

She expects Bitcoin to consolidate roughly between $74,000 and $80,000 in the short term, with a meaningful risk of a test near $68,000 and, for some analysts, even the $55,000 region.

For strategy, the commentator pushed dollar-cost averaging over short-term trading, warning that “most people think we get into Bitcoin and crypto, we’re going to be expert traders… that’s not how it works.” They framed current conditions as an entry window for long-term investors who understand volatility, while cautioning against panic trades or chasing leverage during a period of heightened uncertainty and ongoing regulatory and political noise.

Check out DailyCoin’s hottest crpyto news now:
SWIFT Embraces XRP’s Playbook: Real-Time Transfers Coming
Bitcoin Tests $75,000 as Risk-Off Trade Sweeps Crypto

People Also Ask:Is Bitcoin’s price going to zero?

According to the YouTube show host, no. She described Bitcoin as “too big to fail,” while acknowledging that some altcoins can and likely will go to zero.

How bad could the correction get?

The commentator discussed historical 70–80% BTC drawdowns but did not predict a repeat, instead highlighting possible zones around $68,000 and, for some market bettors, the mid-$50,000s.

Are spot Bitcoin ETFs still important?

Yes. Even with recent outflows, the host emphasized that ETF flows materially affect BTC’s “floor,” and large withdrawals remove a key Bitcoin price support layer.

What should inexperienced traders do now?

The host favored systematic dollar-cost averaging with disposable income, rather than trying to time short-term moves or trade big on leverage in a highly volatile market.

DailyCoin's Vibe Check: Which way are you leaning towards after reading this article?

Market Sentiment

100% Bullish

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

HomeStock IdeasQuick Picks & Lists

SummaryThe Undercovered Dozen spotlights 12 lesser-covered stocks with compelling investment theses.Highlighted companies include POET Technologies, Pan American Silver, MercadoLibre, Willdan Group, and Uranium Energy, each rated Strong Buy on compelling catalysts.Key themes are AI infrastructure upgrades, precious metals rallies, deep value in Latin American e-commerce, grid modernization, and uranium sector growth.Several funds and ETFs, such as MLPI and UTF, offer high yields or sector-specific exposure with tactical advantages for income-focused investors.Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts and suggest additional undercovered stocks worth following. Cavan Images/iStock via Getty Images

The Undercovered Dozen is a weekly Seeking Alpha editor-curated series highlighting 12 articles on lesser-covered stocks from the previous seven days. We hope this provides ideas and inspires discussion among the community.

Today, we're looking

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

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given that any particular security, portfolio, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. The author is not advising you personally concerning the nature, potential, value or suitability of any particular security or other matter. You alone are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, security or strategy, or any product or service, is appropriate or suitable for you based on your investment objectives and personal and financial situation. The author is an employee of Seeking Alpha. Any views or opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank.

Key Takeaways Avery Dennison to report Q4 results on Feb. 4, with revenues estimated to rise 4.9% y/y.Improved volumes across segments likely helped, while higher raw material and freight costs weighed.Materials Group revenues are expected to rise 5.2% to $1.55B, driven by base business and specialty labels. Avery Dennison Corporation (AVY - Free Report) is scheduled to report fourth-quarter 2025 results before the opening bell on Feb. 4, 2026.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AVY’s fourth-quarter revenues is pegged at $2.29 billion, indicating a 4.9% rise from the year-ago reported figure.

The consensus estimate for AVY’s earnings has moved down in the past 60 days. The consensus estimate is pegged at $2.40 per share, indicating a year-over-year rise of 0.8%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

AVY’s Earnings Surprise HistoryAvery Dennison’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average surprise being 0.9%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

What the Zacks Model Unveils for Avery DennisonOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for AVY this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. But that is not the case here, as you can see below.

You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Earnings ESP: Avery Dennison has an Earnings ESP of -1.46%.

Zacks Rank: AVY currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.

Factors Likely to Have Shaped AVY’s Q4 PerformanceAvery Dennison’s fourth-quarter results are likely to reflect improved volumes in both its segments. However, higher raw material, labor and freight costs are expected to have impacted the company’s margins. The impacts are anticipated to have been offset by AVY’s productivity improvement and cost-saving actions.

Our model predicts the Materials Group segment’s revenues to rise 5.2% year over year in the quarter to $1.55 billion. The upside will be driven by growth in the base business and high-value categories, led by specialty labels. Our estimate for the Materials Group segment’s adjusted operating profit is pinned at $237 million, indicating year-over-year growth of 8.9%.

Normalized growth in apparel is expected to have aided the Solutions Group segment's growth. Our model predicts the Solutions Group segment’s revenues to be $746 million, indicating an increase of 4.5% from the prior-year quarter’s actual.
Our estimate for the segment’s operating profit is pinned at $69.5 million, indicating a decrease of 14.4% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.

Avery Dennison Stock’s Price PerformanceAVY shares have gained 3.3% in the past year against the industry’s decline of 4.8%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks That Warrant a LookHere are some companies with the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in their upcoming releases.

Trimble Inc. (TRMB - Free Report) , slated to release fourth-quarter 2025 results on Feb. 10, has an Earnings ESP of +1.91% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Trimble’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings is pegged at 96 cents per share, suggesting a year-over-year rise of 7.9%. TRMB has a trailing four-quarter average surprise of 7.4%.

Hubbell Incorporated (HUBB - Free Report) , slated to release fourth-quarter 2025 results on Feb. 3, has an Earnings ESP of +0.52% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hubbell’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings is pegged at $4.70 per share, suggesting a year-over-year rise of 14.6%. HUBB has a trailing four-quarter average surprise of 8.5%.

Tenaris S.A. (TS - Free Report) , slated to release fourth-quarter 2025 results soon, has an Earnings ESP of +12.86% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tenaris’ fourth-quarter 2025 earnings is pegged at 76 cents per share, suggesting a year-over-year dip of 19%. TS has a trailing four-quarter average surprise of 18.9%.

Shares of C&F Financial Corporation (CFFI - Free Report) have gained 5.1% since reporting results for the fourth quarter of 2025. This compares with the S&P 500 index’s 0.1% decline over the same time frame. Over the past month, the stock has gained 8.3% compared with the S&P 500’s 0.8% return.

C&F Financial reported consolidated net income of $6.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2025, up 11% from $6 million in the year-ago quarter. For the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, net income rose 36% to $27 million from $19.9 million in 2024.

Earnings per share for the fourth quarter increased to $2.07 from $1.87 a year earlier, while full-year EPS climbed to $8.29 from $6.01. Profitability metrics also improved on an annual basis, with return on average assets rising to 1.01% from 0.80% and return on average equity increasing to 11.11% from 9.02%.

Other Key Business MetricsBalance sheet growth remained a notable theme during the period. Total assets increased to $2.77 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025, compared with $2.56 billion a year earlier. Deposits grew 8.1% year over year to $2.35 billion, reflecting higher balances across time deposits, savings, money market and non-interest-bearing accounts. Loan growth was led by the community banking segment, where loans increased by $136.7 million, or 9.4%, from that reported on Dec. 31, 2024. Average loans for the consolidated company rose 10% for the year, whereas average deposits increased 7.2% year over year.

Net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis increased to $107.4 million for the year, up from $97.9 million in 2024. This improvement was supported by higher yields on loans and securities and balance sheet growth. The consolidated net interest margin expanded to 4.21% for the year from 4.12% in the prior year. Asset quality indicators remained relatively stable, with community banking non-accrual loans at 0.07% of total loans at the year-end, up from 0.02% a year earlier, while the allowance for credit losses declined slightly as a percentage of total loans.

Management CommentaryManagement emphasized the benefits of a diversified business model in driving improved performance during 2025. The chief executive officer highlighted growth in loans and deposits in the community banking segment, increased wealth advisory revenues, higher mortgage loan originations and efforts to enhance operational efficiencies in the consumer finance segment as key contributors to earnings growth.

Management also pointed to improvement in the net interest margin, strong liquidity and capital positions, and solid asset quality as indicators of the company’s overall financial strength.

Factors Influencing Headline NumbersHigher interest income was a primary driver of the year-over-year earnings increase, supported by growth in average loan balances and higher yields on securities. These gains were partially offset by higher interest expenses, reflecting increased balances of interest-bearing deposits, as well as higher non-interest expenses.

Salaries and employee benefits rose due to incentive accruals tied to improved performance and the addition of a seasoned lending team as the company expanded into Southwest Virginia. Marketing and advertising expenses also increased in connection with a strategic marketing initiative launched in the second half of 2024.

Provision for credit losses had a mixed impact across segments.

The community banking segment recorded a net reversal of provision for credit losses for the year compared with a provision in 2024 due to the resolution of a non-performing commercial real estate loan.

In contrast, the consumer finance segment recorded provisions consistent with the prior year, reflecting ongoing credit costs in that portfolio.

Mortgage banking results benefited from higher loan originations and increased gains on sales of loans despite elevated mortgage rates and constrained housing inventory.

GuidanceManagement reiterated its commitment to executing a strategic plan focused on leveraging core strengths, expanding in targeted markets, and maintaining disciplined balance sheet and risk management practices. The company signaled an ongoing emphasis on expanding loans, maintaining a stable deposit base, and improving operational efficiency in future periods.

Other DevelopmentsThe company authorized a share repurchase program in December 2025, allowing for the repurchase of up to $5 million of common stock between Jan. 1, 2026, and Dec. 31, 2026, following the expiration of a similar program in 2025 under which no shares were repurchased. The company also declared total cash dividends of $1.84 per share for 2025, reflecting a payout ratio of 22.2% of earnings. These actions underscore management’s focus on capital management, alongside organic growth initiatives.

On Monday, Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (NASDAQ: WVE) said it regained full rights to WVE-006 from GSK Plc (NYSE: GSK).

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TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DREAM INDUSTRIAL REIT (TSX: DIR.UN) (“Dream Industrial”) will be releasing its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Senior management will be hosting a conference call to discuss the financial results. Participants may join the conference call by audio or webcast.

Conference Call:

  Date:

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. (ET)

  Audio:

1-800-715-9871 (toll free)

647-932-3411 (toll)

  Webcast:

A live webcast will also be available in listen-only mode. To access the simultaneous webcast, go to the Calendar of Events on the News and Events page on Dream Industrial REIT’s website at www.dreamindustrialreit.ca and click the link for the webcast.

  Digital Replay:

A taped replay of the call will be available for ninety (90) days. For access details, please click on the Calendar of Events on Dream Industrial’s website.

About Dream Industrial

Dream Industrial REIT is an owner, manager and operator of a global portfolio of well-located, diversified industrial properties. As at September 30, 2025, Dream Industrial REIT has an interest in and manages a portfolio which comprises 340 industrial assets (552 buildings) totalling approximately 73.2 million square feet of gross leasable area in key markets across Canada, Europe, and the U.S. Dream Industrial REIT’s objective is to deliver strong total returns to its unitholders through secure distributions as well as growth in net asset value and cash flow per unit underpinned by its high-quality portfolio and an investment grade balance sheet. Dream Industrial REIT is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust. For more information, please visit our website at www.dreamindustrialreit.ca.

More News From Dream Industrial REIT

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

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

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TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dream Unlimited Corp. (TSX: DRM) (“Dream”) will be releasing its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Senior management will be hosting a conference call to discuss the financial results. Participants may join the conference call by audio or webcast.

Conference Call:

Date:

  Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)

  Audio:

  1-800-715-9871 (toll free)

  647-932-3411 (toll)

  Webcast:

  A live webcast will also be available in listen-only mode. To access the simultaneous webcast, go to the Calendar of Events on the News and Events page on Dream’s website at www.dream.ca and click on the link for the webcast.

  Digital Replay:

  A taped replay of the call will be available for ninety (90) days. For access details, please click on the Calendar of Events on Dream’s website.

About Dream

Dream is a leading real estate developer and has an established and successful asset management business, inclusive of $28 billion of assets under management across four Toronto Stock Exchange listed trusts, our private asset management business and numerous partnerships as at September 30, 2025. We develop land and housing in our master planned communities in Western Canada and hold a growing portfolio of income generating properties across Canada. Dream expects this area of our business to grow as investment properties under construction are completed and held for the long term. Dream has a proven track record for being innovative and for our ability to source, structure and execute on compelling investment opportunities. For more information, please visit our website at www.dream.ca.

More News From Dream Unlimited Corp.

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Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Litigation Partner Brandon Walker Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Gauzy (GAUZ) To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you purchased or acquired Gauzy securities between March 11, 2025 and November 13, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Bragar Eagel & Squire partner Brandon Walker or Melissa Forunato directly at (212) 355-4648.

Click here to participate in the action.

NEW YORK, Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

What’s Happening:

Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized stockholder rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Gauzy Ltd (“Gauzy” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:GAUZ) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of all persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Gauzy securities between March 11, 2025 and November 13, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”).Investors have until February 6, 2026 to apply to the Court to be appointed as lead plaintiff in the lawsuit. Allegation Details:

According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) three of Gauzy’s French subsidiaries lacked the financial means to meet their debts as they became due; (2) as a result, it was substantially likely insolvency proceedings would be commenced; (3) as a result, it was substantially likely a potential default under Gauzy’s existing senior secured debt facilities would be triggered; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants’ positive statements about Gauzy’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. Next Steps:

If you purchased or otherwise acquired Gauzy shares and suffered a loss, are a long-term stockholder, have information, would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Brandon Walker or Melissa Fortunato by email at [email protected], telephone at (212) 355-4648, or by filling out this contact form. There is no cost or obligation to you. About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.:

Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York, South Carolina, and California. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in securities, derivative, and commercial litigation as well as individuals in consumer protection and data privacy litigation. The firm has a nationwide practice and routinely handles cases in both federal and state courts. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn and Facebook, and keep up with other news by following Brandon Walker, Esq. on LinkedIn.

Contact Information:

Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.
Brandon Walker, Esq.
Melissa Fortunato, Esq.
(212) 355-4648
[email protected]
www.bespc.com

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 2, 2026) - Summit Royalties Ltd. (TSXV: SUM) (the "Corporation" or "Summit Royalties"), announced today that a feature article produced by Market One, highlighting the high-margin gold and silver exposure without mining risk, has been published on BNN Bloomberg.

The article outlines how Summit Royalties is building a diversified, cash-flowing gold and silver royalty portfolio designed to deliver high-margin, capital-efficient exposure to rising precious metal prices without operating risk. It highlights the company's rapid growth to 47 royalties through strategic acquisitions, its early cash-flow generation, and a pipeline of near-term catalysts that position Summit as an emerging player in the precious metals royalty sector.

Summit has royalties or streams on three cash-flowing producing assets:

1% NSR royalty on West Red Lake Gold Mines' Madsen Mine50% silver stream on Orezone Gold's Bomboré Mine0.5% NSR royalty on Denarius Metals' Zancudo MineThe article also includes a video interview where Summit Royalties CEO Drew Clark explains how the company is building a diversified, cash-flowing precious metals royalty portfolio that provides high-margin exposure to gold and silver without operating risk. He outlines Summit's rapid growth to 47 royalties, highlights its highest-value assets and near-term production catalysts, and discusses how upcoming expansions, new developments, and a recent OTC listing are expected to drive revenue and NAV growth in 2026.

To read the full article and watch the video interview, please visit BNN Bloomberg at: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/investment-trends/2026/02/02/summit-royalties-targets-high-margin-gold-and-silver-exposure-without-mining-risk/

About Summit Royalties Ltd.
Summit Royalties Ltd. is a precious metals royalty and streaming company. Its current portfolio is anchored by cash-flowing production, with additional royalties on advanced development- and exploration-stage properties. Summit intends to become the next mid-tier royalty and streaming company by executing actionable, accretive acquisitions that increase production and drive cash flow growth. The Corporation has no debt and has sufficient cash on hand for future acquisitions.

To learn more about Summit Royalties, visit their website here. For the latest updates, follow the company on LinkedIn and X.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/282408

Source: Market One Media Group Inc.

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Key Takeaways Intel shares climbed 24% over the past three months, but gains contrast with weakening earnings outlook.INTC faces supply constraints, a $2.5B foundry loss, and heavy reliance on external funding for capex.Intel is pressured by falling estimates, China exposure, and stiff competition across PCs, servers, and AI. Intel Corporation (INTC - Free Report) has gained 24% over the past three months against the industry’s decline of 6%. It has outperformed compared to the Zacks Computer & Technology sector and the S&P 500.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company has also outperformed its competitor, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD - Free Report) , and Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM - Free Report) . AMD has declined 4.5%, while Qualcomm has decreased 15.2% during this period.

Intel’s performance over the past few months has drawn investor interest. The key question, however, is whether this momentum is worth riding or if caution is warranted. Let’s take a closer look.

Intel Rides on Strong AI MomentumIntel is benefiting from solid demand in the Data Center & AI segment. Revenues grew 15% sequentially, and revenues came in above expectations. The company is witnessing strong order growth, and demand for traditional server CPUs remains very strong. The company is forming strategic collaborations with industry leaders like NVIDIA to drive innovation. In collaboration with NVDA, it is working on developing a custom XEON fully integrated with NVIDIA’s NVLink technology to bring best-in-class x86 performance to AI host nodes.

Solid traction in the AI PC market is also a major growth driver. In the fourth quarter, AI PC units grew 16% year over year. It is collaborating with original equipment manufacturers, such as HP and Microsoft, to expand into the AI PC domain. Along with the AI PC domain, Intel is also expanding into the rapidly growing Edge AI landscape.

INTC Plagued by Supply Constraints, Loss in Foundry BusinessDespite strong demand from multiple end markets, Intel is failing to match customer demand. The company is getting into 2026 with depleted buffer inventory, which will limit its ability to match customer demand effectively, impeding revenue and overall growth prospects in the near term.

Intel Foundry business has reported an operating loss of $2.5 billion in the fourth quarter. Loss increased due to the early ramp of Intel 18A. Intel’s 18A yield is still below management’s internal targets. Loss in the foundry business remains a major undermining factor in improving profitability and cash flow.

The company’s also heavily dependent on external funding and asset monetization. Monetization of Mobilieye, completion of our stake sale of Altera, government incentives, investment from Softbank and NVIDIA are supporting its capex spending. This high reliance on external support remains a concern.

INTC Affected by Weakness in CCG, Stiff CompetitionClient Computing Group (CCG) revenues decreased to $8.19 billion from $8.77 billion, driven by a constrained supply despite solid data center demand. Despite growth in the AI PC business, the overall net sales were down 4% sequentially. Lower revenues, early 18A ramp, combined with unfavorable product mix, are putting pressure on gross margin. It is witnessing intensifying competition in the server, storage and networking markets.

The server segment has always generated strong margins, and Intel’s powerful architecture has always been considered supreme. However, it lagged NVIDIA on the innovation front with the latter’s H100 and Blackwell graphics processing units (GPUs) being runaway successes. In the AI PC domain, it is facing strong competition from Qualcomm. The company has been also facing stiff competition from AMD in the commercial PC market. Such factors are straining its growth prospects.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Tariff Related Uncertainties Remains a ConcernIntel generates a significant portion of its revenues from China. Tariff-related uncertainties amid high geopolitical tension between the United States and China remain a major concern. Moreover, the communist nation's purported move to replace U.S.-made chips with domestic alternatives significantly affected its revenue prospects. The recent directive to phase out foreign chips from key telecom networks by 2027 underscores Beijing's accelerating efforts to reduce reliance on Western technology amid escalating U.S.-China tensions.

Estimate Revision Trend of INTCEarnings estimates for Intel for 2025 have moved down 15.25% to 50 cents over the past 60 days, while the same for 2026 has declined 14.04% to 98 cents. The negative estimate revision depicts bearish sentiments for the stock.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Key Valuation Metric for IntelFrom a valuation standpoint, Intel appears to be relatively cheaper than the industry and below its mean. Going by the price/sales ratio, the company shares currently trade at 4.29 forward sales, lower than 17.78 for the industry.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

End NoteIntel is taking various initiatives to establish a strong foothold in the expanding AI infrastructure market. However, despite strong AI traction, the company is facing stiff competition in each of the markets it serves. Downward estimate revision highlights dwindling investors’ confidence. Uncertainty related to Intel 18A adoption remains a concern. Supply constraints will cap its growth to some extent, at least in the near term. Despite growing investment in advanced chip development, regaining a competitive edge over rivals appears to be a challenging endeavor for Intel. Hence, investors should avoid investing in this stock. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). 

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

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

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The earnings season is upon us, the Fed has kept the rates steady, and the S&P 500 has hit a fresh record. The big tech earnings will take the market higher. This doesn’t mean that you should jump right in and load up on tech stocks. Instead, you might want to consider a relatively stable investment to navigate the market. 

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are an ideal alternative to investing in individual stocks. They hold a bunch of stocks, carry low risk, and generate steady income. I’ve identified 3 ETFs with a yield higher than 4%. Let’s take a look at them. 

State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dvd ETF The SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (NYSEARCA:SPYD) invests in 80 high dividend-yielding companies and tracks the performance of the S&P 500 High Dividend Index. Since it holds limited stocks, you get to own the best of the industry. 

It aims to provide dividend income and the potential for capital appreciation. The ETF has a yield of 4.57% and an expense ratio of 0.07%. Besides the quarterly dividends, the fund has generated a 1-year return of 4.67% and a 3-year return of 7.85%. 

SPYD isn’t solely focused on tech. Instead, it invests only 0.94% in tech. The fund has the highest allocation to the real estate sector (21.05%), followed by financials (17.08%) and consumer staples (16.17%). 

Its top holdings include Viatris Inc., Ford Motor Company, CVS Health Corporation, Invesco Limited, Merck & Co., and Citizens Financial Group. No stock has a weightage higher than 2%. The ETF rebalances semi-annually, ensuring the top dividend payers from the S&P 500 are included in it. 

As of writing, the ETF is trading for $44, up 1.3% in the past year. This ETF is ideal for investors seeking stable income and who have the patience to sit back and watch the stocks move higher.

Global SuperDividend U.S. ETF  The Global X SuperDividend ETF (NYSEARCA:SDIV) is another top dividend fund that has a yield of 7.96%. It invests in the 100 highest-yielding dividend stocks in the world. With SDIV, you get global exposure and get to own the best dividend stocks. The fund sets itself apart with monthly dividend payments, ensuring you get a check each month. It has an expense ratio of 0.58%.

SDIV has generated an average annualized 1-year return of 28.27% and a 3-year return of 11.43%. It heavily invests in the United States (30%), followed by Brazil (13.6%) and Britain (10.2%). 

Sector-wise, it has the highest allocation to the financial industry (32.4%) and energy industry (16.5%). Since it invests in global stocks, it carries a certain level of volatility, but if you’re only chasing yields, SDIV won’t disappoint. No stock has a weightage over 2%.

An investment of $100,000 in SDIV would generate about $8,000 in annual dividends. The fund has paid steady dividends for 14 years, making it an ideal choice for retirees. SDIV is exchanging hands for $26.23 and has gained 23% in the past year. It is a cheap ETF offering global diversification, monthly dividends, and an upside potential. 

JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF The JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSEARCA:JEPI) is a unique fund with a strong yield of 8.13%. Not many ETFs have a yield as high as 8%. However, JEPI sets itself apart with a two-step strategy to offer passive income and growth. 

It generates income by selling options and invests in U.S. blue-chip stocks. The fund looks for undervalued stocks that carry low volatility and a favorable risk-return profile. It is an ideal fund for investors who seek regular cash payments. Its core strategy is to remain invested in large-cap stocks while adding an options layer that helps boost income. JEPI pays monthly dividends. 

The actively managed fund has an expense ratio of 0.35% and offers one of the highest yields. It holds 125 stocks and has the highest allocation to the technology sector (14.6%), followed by healthcare and industrials at 12.3% and financials at 11%. Its top 10 holdings are a mix of dividend giants and the Magnificent Seven. These include Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Nvidia, Meta Platforms, Alphabet, NextEra Energy, and Analog Devices. 

JEPI has generated a cumulative 5-year return of 56.78%. It is exchanging hands for $58.55 and has remained flat in the past year. JEPI is a low-risk investment that can generate predicable income throughout the year. 

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Oracle Corp’s plan to raise up to $50 billion next year is landing as a relief trade for Wall Street, with analysts saying the financing move helps quiet fears about how the software giant will pay for the massive AI data-center buildout tied to customers such as OpenAI and Nvidia.

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said the fundraising effort signals Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) is “doubling down on its AI efforts” and should help lift a cloud that has hung over the stock in recent months.

“Over the past few months there have growing investor concerns around Oracle’s ability to meet its datacenter buildouts and $300 billion deal with OpenAI which have been a black cloud over the stock,” Ives wrote. He added that the planned capital raise “will be received well by investors as they digest it and ultimately shows Oracle is doubling down on its AI efforts (not backing down from the noise).”

Oracle said it plans to raise $45 billion to $50 billion in calendar 2026 to support data-center expansion tied to customers including OpenAI, Nvidia, AMD and xAI, as demand for AI computing capacity continues to surge.

Jefferies analysts said the financing plan directly addresses funding concerns and buys Oracle time as it scales its Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) platform.

“ORCL addressed funding concerns with a $45–50B financing plan in CY26,” Jefferies wrote, adding that the move “reinforces ORCL’s commitment to its aggressive AI infra expansion and helps close the gap between its FY26E capex of (less than) $50B and its current liquidity.”

Jefferies noted Oracle plans to fund the raise with a roughly 50-50 mix of equity and debt, including equity-linked securities, common equity issuance, a new $20 billion at-the-market program, and a single issuance of investment-grade unsecured bonds early in 2026. The firm said Oracle’s decision not to issue additional bonds during the year underscores its focus on preserving investment-grade status.

“Importantly, ORCL does not expect additional bond issuance during the year, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining investment-grade status and capital allocation transparency as OCI continues to scale,” Jefferies wrote.

Analysts cautioned, however, that the plan does not eliminate all risks. Jefferies said Oracle will likely need additional funding beyond 2026, as free cash flow is not expected to turn positive until fiscal 2029, while near-term dilution and margin pressure could weigh on earnings.

“Execution risk remains high given the scale and pace of build-out,” Jefferies wrote, warning that any delays in hyperscale contracts could push out margin expansion.

Still, Wedbush framed Oracle’s move as part of a broader push by major technology firms to control their own AI destinies.

“These are both two important developments to help the AI Revolution take its next step of growth and monetization ahead,” Ives wrote, adding that Oracle and Nvidia are “steamrolling ahead in their efforts to buildout this next consumer and enterprise economy that AI is fueling.”

Forestar Group (FOR - Free Report) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given a notable revision in the company's earnings estimates. While the stock has been gaining lately, the trend might continue since its earnings outlook is still improving.

The rising trend in estimate revisions, which is a result of growing analyst optimism on the earnings prospects of this real estate and natural resources developer, should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. Our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is principally built on this insight.

The five-grade Zacks Rank system, which ranges from a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record of outperformance, with Zacks #1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008.

Consensus earnings estimates for the next quarter and full year have moved considerably higher for Forestar Group, as there has been strong agreement among the covering analysts in raising estimates.

The chart below shows the evolution of forward 12-month Zacks Consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Current-Quarter Estimate RevisionsThe company is expected to earn $0.72 per share for the current quarter, which represents a year-over-year change of +12.5%.

Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Forestar Group has increased 18.03% because one estimate has moved higher compared to no negative revisions.

Current-Year Estimate RevisionsThe company is expected to earn $3.06 per share for the full year, which represents a change of -7.6% from the prior-year number.

The revisions trend for the current year also appears quite promising for Forestar Group, with one estimate moving higher over the past month compared to no negative revisions. The consensus estimate has also received a boost over this time frame, increasing 8.13%.

Favorable Zacks RankThanks to promising estimate revisions, Forestar Group currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The Zacks Rank is a tried-and-tested rating tool that helps investors effectively harness the power of earnings estimate revisions and make the right investment decision.

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

Our research shows that stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) significantly outperform the S&P 500.

Bottom LineInvestors have been betting on Forestar Group because of its solid estimate revisions, as evident from the stock's 7% gain over the past four weeks. As its earnings growth prospects might push the stock higher, you may consider adding it to your portfolio right away.

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Seasoned Commercial Real Estate and Private Credit Professional to Support Growing Demand for Note Finance Solutions

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Western Alliance Bank today announced that Ian Hawk has joined the company as New York market manager for the Note Finance Group, expanding the bank’s presence in one of the nation’s most competitive private credit hubs .

Western Alliance Bank Expands Note Finance Team in New York With Addition of Market Manager Ian Hawk

Share In this role, Hawk provides Western Alliance Bank’s differentiated leverage solutions to New York-based private credit platforms, offering clients nearly a decade of experience across public and private real estate, capital markets, origination and AI‑driven financial analysis to deliver deep data-driven insights to facilitate informed decision-making.

“We’re pleased to enhance Western Alliance Bank’s Note Finance presence within the New York region with the addition of Ian Hawk, who has strong experience and relationships with key real estate lenders, portfolio managers and institutional investors,” said Mark Roberts, National Sales Manager for Western Alliance Bank’s Note Finance Group. “Ian is well prepared to help Western Alliance expand the availability of note finance and single note-on-note products and solutions in this region, which is experiencing growing demand for tailored, flexible financing.”

Hawk brings extensive experience with commercial real estate financing, including collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), mortgage brokerage, and debt and equity capital for real estate developers and institutional and entrepreneurial sponsors across all asset types. He joins Western Alliance from Lument and previously worked for Dwight Securities Management, Walker & Dunlop and Fitch Ratings.

“Western Alliance Bank is at the heart of the note finance industry, with a distinctive entrepreneurial approach that focuses on ways to say ‘yes’ and do deals,” Hawk said. “Having served on both sides of the note finance relationship, including managing capital markets at a debt fund, I’m excited to bring my insights into what clients are seeking from note finance solutions to better meet their needs in this competitive landscape.”

Hawk earned his Bachelor of Finance degree from the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University. He is active in his community, having served as a volunteer firefighter with the Woodmere Fire Department, as well as working with Project Ezrah, a community organization that provides job placement and other services to families in need.

Western Alliance Note Finance, a national banking group within Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC, delivers flexible, custom-tailored solutions and exceptional service that private lenders can rely on. The experienced relationship banking team is a trusted, committed resource empowering funds nationwide to access financing quickly. For more information, visit Western Alliance Note Finance.

About Western Alliance Bank

Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) is one of the country’s top-performing banking companies and has ranked as a top U.S. bank by American Banker and Bank Director since 2016. Its primary subsidiary, Western Alliance Bank, is a leading national bank for business that puts customers first, delivering tailored business banking solutions and consumer products backed by outstanding, personalized service and specific expertise in more than 30 industries and sectors. With $90 billion in assets and offices nationwide, Western Alliance excels at helping businesses of all sizes capitalize on their opportunities to solve today and succeed tomorrow. For more information on our offerings, subsidiaries and affiliates, visit Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC, or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Note Finance

Western Alliance Note Finance, a national banking group within Western Alliance Bank, Member FDIC, delivers flexible, custom-tailored solutions and exceptional service that private lenders can rely on. The experienced relationship banking team is a trusted, committed resource empowering funds nationwide to access financing quickly. The Note Finance Group is part of Western Alliance Bancorporation, which has $90 billion in assets and has ranked as a top U.S. bank by American Banker and Bank Director since 2016. With significant national capabilities, the Note Finance Group delivers the reach, resources and deep industry knowledge to help businesses capitalize on their opportunities to solve today and succeed tomorrow. For more information, visit Western Alliance Note Finance.

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NEW YORK, Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New York Times and international bestselling author J.D. Barker has announced the highly anticipated expansion of his wildly popular 4MK Thriller series with three newly completed prequels that will explore the dark origins of one of modern suspense fiction's most terrifying villains. The first installment, THE FIRST SCARLET DOOR, is scheduled for worldwide release on September 22, 2026.

Hampton Creek Press will publish THE FIRST SCARLET DOOR domestically in partnership with Simon & Schuster, with the novel releasing simultaneously in approximately two dozen languages across roughly 150 countries through regional publishing partners. This marks one of the most extensive coordinated launches in recent thriller fiction history.

"Since the launch of the 4MK series, readers worldwide have wanted to know one thing: how did this killer become who he is?" said Barker. "These prequels take readers back to the beginning—to the moments that shaped a monster.”

The 4MK Thriller series has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted international following since its debut, with readers drawn to Barker's intricate plotting, psychological depth, and ability to craft truly unsettling antagonists. The announcement of three prequels represents a significant expansion of the series' universe and promises to deepen the mythology that has made 4MK a modern thriller phenomenon.

Details regarding the second and third prequels will be announced at a later date.

A television series based on the books is currently in active development with an A-list production company known for globally recognized franchise IP.

About J.D. Barker J.D. Barker is a New York Times and international bestselling author of numerous thrillers, including the acclaimed 4MK series. His work has been translated into multiple languages and has earned him a reputation as one of the most compelling voices in modern suspense fiction.

About Hampton Creek Press Hampton Creek Press is committed to publishing exceptional fiction that captivates and challenges readers worldwide.

On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi’s Head of Research, Todd Rosenbluth, discussed the Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF (FESM) with Chuck Jaffe of Money Life. The pair discussed several topics related to the fund to give investors a deeper understanding of the ETF.

Chuck Jaffe: One fund, on point for today. The expert to talk about it. Welcome to the ETF of the Week!

Welcome to the ETF of the Week, where we examine trending, newsworthy, unique, and intriguing exchange-traded funds. And we do it with Todd Rosenbluth, the head of research at VettaFi. And at VettaFi.com, you’ll find all the tools and research that you need to make yourself a savvier, smarter investor in ETFs. 

Todd Rosenbluth, it’s great to chat with you again!

Todd Rosenbluth: Same here, Chuck.

Chuck Jaffe: Your ETF of the Week is…

Todd Rosenbluth: The Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF, FESM.

Chuck Jaffe: FESM, the Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF. You know, Todd, on Money Life, we’ve had a whole bunch of money managers say they expect this to be a pretty good year for small-caps. They think the rally we’ve been awaiting — that we’ve had a lot of false starts on — is here and it’s coming. This is a fund with a quality track record. But is it about small-caps? Is it about “enhanced,” or is it about timing?

Todd Rosenbluth: It’s a combination of those things. So, I noticed that this ETF, FESM, saw strong inflows — $2 billion worth in 2025 — when the overall investment style of small-cap ETFs was out of favor. The IWM, the Russell 2000 ETF, bled money. The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap 600 ETF, IJR, also bled money. FESM gained money — in fact, $2 billion worth — and it’s continued to gain money.

So now that investors are more on board with the small-cap investment style, this ETF — strong performer. It is active, using computer-generated efforts, and we can talk about the investment approach in a deeper dive in a moment. 

But this fund has outperformed its peers, its benchmark over a long track record. It’s relatively cheap. Fidelity is a brand name many people are familiar with, and they are a growing player within the active ETF space. Lots of good things about this fund.

Chuck Jaffe: Let’s go back and talk about the active management on this one, because one of the things you said was “computer-driven,” and you’ve been doing a lot with active ETFs. You know, the ETF of the Week is most of the time an active pick over the potential for something that is just an index fund in the same space. 

But Fidelity is known for its active management; that’s where this shop cut its teeth. So why this particular methodology, and how does it differ from classic, you know, Fidelity, “I’ve got a stock jockey in the saddle”?

Todd Rosenbluth: You’re right, this is different. So, Fidelity offers some of those in the ETF wrapper; they have the word “Fundamental” in place of the word “Enhanced.” This is the Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap ETF. This is using computer aides to help do analysis of historical valuation, growth, profitability, and other characteristics to — in a well-diversified, relatively low-cost manner — give small-cap exposure.

So, it is active, but it’s more “strategic active” than the traditional stock-picking from a bottom-up standpoint. When you look at this fund, when I looked at this fund, relative to its benchmark, it’s not taking on that much sector exposure. So, relatively in line for industrials, healthcare, and financials. As I looked off to the side for a second to just check those, those are all double-digit percentage sectors — industrials, financials, healthcare — in line with what you’re going to see within the benchmark. 

And it’s more the stock-picking, but [with]600 stocks within this portfolio. So, you get active management, but not significantly aggressive active management the way that you can within a traditional active ETF.

Chuck Jaffe: This fund historically has gone gangbusters when the market has done well. It has been less of a performer relative to its small-cap peers at times when the market has struggled — roughly. That being the case, I mean, a lot of people turn to active management not so much to get a goose on the upside, but to have downside protection. 

In this case, do you worry at all about that? I mean, would you rather have the more human form of this — the more personal manager touch in a fund — if you’re worried at all that this rally is not going to hold with small-caps?

Todd Rosenbluth: I’m going to take your question and slide it a little bit. What we found is that for many people, their go-to vehicle to get small-cap exposure in the ETF space is the Russell 2000. The iShares Russell 2000 is IWM. That’s the largest, I believe, of those Russell 2000-based ETFs. 

That’s a relatively simple index in that it just takes the 2,000 largest stocks that don’t make it into the Russell 1000. And there’s no criteria behind it. Many of the companies that are in the Russell 2000 are unprofitable. It’s actually not one of the intentions, but that is one of the appeals for investors, and then you get unprofitable companies that are more risk-on oriented.

So, what I like about this ETF, FESM, is that there is a quality approach to it. It’s done through an active perspective, but this is a focus on profitability. So, you are going to own companies that are profitable in the small-cap space that are positioned to be able to grow. 

That should help to offset some of the volatility that you find within small-caps. But you’re right, in 2022 when the broader small-cap space was down, this fund was down, I believe slightly more than the Morningstar category, but it held up better than its benchmark.

So, that’s a data point in time. The last three years, which are all good years — all the three years while this was an ETF. We’ve talked about it in the past that there are mutual funds that convert into ETFs. 

This is an example of that; this fund from Fidelity has a long-term track record that isn’t entirely as an ETF, but as a mutual fund. It just shows you that more and more asset managers are skating where the puck is. Investors are buying ETFs; Fidelity brought one of its better products into the ETF world.

Chuck Jaffe: As I look at the way I ask you questions, Todd, one of the things is I typically only ask you about expense ratios when they might be a little expensive for what they’re doing. But this fund… well, I mean, you’re getting active management. Maybe it’s because of the style of management, but you’re almost paying index fund fees on it, aren’t you?

Todd Rosenbluth: You are. So, 28 basis points is the fee for this product. We’ve seen — I know I’ve answered a version of this question a couple of different ways — people are willing to pay up for active management when it’s working out well. And so, for example, in 2025, this fund beat its benchmark by roughly 500 basis points. 

And according to the fact sheet that I’m looking at from Fidelity, it outperformed the Morningstar category by almost a thousand basis points. So, even if this was charging more than 28 basis points, investors were being rewarded for that. But this is a relatively low-cost way of getting active small-cap exposure.

Chuck Jaffe: And the role that this plays in a portfolio — if somebody already has small-cap exposure, does it kind of depend — like, if they’ve got it through an index, okay, great, this is your active management. But if you’ve got small-caps and you have active management, does this one compare well? Make sure your fund stacks up, but we don’t want to add — or do we want to add this as a core holding regardless?

Todd Rosenbluth: So, I think this can be a core holding within a portfolio. If you — I don’t believe people should sell out of funds that they’re happy with just because we offer another idea and another alternative. So, if you are happy with the track record and the exposure that you’re getting and how much you’re paying with your existing small-cap product, then this is good to put on your radar and perhaps wait for an opportunity if you want to get more aggressive and overweight your exposure to small-caps. 

And I know you mentioned some guessing this is a good time for small-caps, and I think it is a good time for small-caps. But people may not want to be that tactical within their portfolios. But this can be a good strategic, low-cost, small-cap part of your portfolio. If you own something, you shouldn’t just pay taxes as a result of selling it. But if you own a mutual fund that is charging you a lot more than 28 basis points and it’s not delivering this type of performance, this might be a good alternative for you if you’re comfortable with ETFs.

Chuck Jaffe: Yeah, absolutely. It’s got a lot of potential for that kind of role. And like I said, not only are guests telling me about small-caps, they’re routinely saying that investors, while they may have a small-cap allocation, don’t have enough allocated towards small-caps. 

So if you’re looking to goose your small-cap allocation, start with FESM, Fidelity Enhanced Small Cap. Consider it, because it’s the ETF of the Week. Todd Rosenbluth, always great to chat with you. See you next week!

Todd Rosenbluth: I’ll see you next week!

Chuck Jaffe: The ETF of the Week is a joint production of VettaFi and Money Life with Chuck Jaffe. And yep, I’m Chuck Jaffe, and I’d love it if you check out my hour-long weekday podcast. You can do that by going to MoneyLifeShow.com, or you can just look for it wherever you find your favorite podcasts. 

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This article looks at the 10-year Treasury yield’s historical trends since 1962, exploring its relationship with key economic indicators like the Fed Funds Rate (FFR), inflation, and the S&P 500.

Fighting Inflation vs. Stimulating Recovery The 10-year Treasury yield has experienced dramatic fluctuations, ranging from a peak of 15.68% in October 1981, during the height of the Volcker era, to a historic low of 0.55% in August 2020, amidst the economic uncertainty of the pandemic. More recently, at the end of January 2026, the weekly average stood at 4.24%.

The stagflation crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s demanded drastic measures. To combat soaring prices, Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker pushed the Federal Funds Rate (FFR) to a historic high of 20.06% in January 1981. This aggressive tightening of monetary policy was instrumental in curbing runaway inflation, albeit at the cost of a significant economic slowdown. Nine months later, in October 1981, the 10-year yield’s weekly average hit a peak of 15.68%.

In stark contrast, the FFR was driven to near-zero levels in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and again during the economic turmoil of the 2020 pandemic. Specifically, the FFR reached a record low of approximately 0.04% in May 2020. A few months later, the 10-year yield weekly average fell to a historic low of 0.55% in August. These periods of ultra-low interest rates aimed to stimulate borrowing, investment, and economic recovery.

The Recent Surge and Policy Response This period of ultra-low rates was followed by inflation reaching its highest levels since the aforementioned stagflation crisis. In response, the Fed began raising rates to fight inflation, though some would argue their efforts were too late. From May 2022 to August 2023, the Fed quickly raised the FFR to its highest level in over 20 years. The 10-year yield moved in similar fashion, tracking the sharp rise in the FFR.

The Fed then held its rate steady for just over a year as inflation cooled from its 2022 peak. However, the central bank shifted course in September 2024, implementing three consecutive rate cuts. Interestingly, while the FFR declined during the back end of 2024, the 10-year yield moved in the opposite direction and inflation remained sticky.

In 2025, the Fed maintained steady rates for the first half of the year before implementing three consecutive rate cuts to close out the year. Meanwhile, the 10-year yield has slowly trended downwards, moving mostly in sync with the FFR. Despite these rate moves, inflation heated up for most of the year, remaining well above the Fed’s 2% target.

At the end of December, the 10-year yield weekly average stood at 4.24% while inflation was at 2.68%. At their last meeting, the Fed held the federal funds rate (FFR) steady in the 3.50%-3.75% range. This move came after three consecutive rate cuts of 25 basis points each and keeps the central bank’s range at its lowest level since November 2022. The statement from the meeting revealed the Committee believes “inflation remains somewhat elevated,” but that they are strongly committed to returning inflation to its 2% objective. The Fed is expected to hold rates steady in the near term, with the CMEFedWatchTool currently projecting an 89% likelihood of rates remaining where they are at their next meeting in March.

Treasuries vs. Equities In our next chart, the S&P 500 is overlaid with the 10-year yield’s weekly average and the Fed Funds Rate. Generally, equities and treasuries tend to move in opposite directions. When one goes up; the other goes down. However, that’s not always the case. During inflationary periods, like the past few years, both move in tandem due to the impact of higher interest rates on corporate profits and bond prices. The initial chart presents nominal values, meaning it doesn’t account for inflation. This can create a misleading picture of the actual purchasing power of yields and equity returns.

Here’s the same chart with the S&P 500 and 10-year yields adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). By adjusting the data for inflation, we gain a clearer understanding of the real returns. This adjustment reveals the severe impact of stagflation, particularly the significant decline in real equity values from the mid-1960s to 1982. We can also see why high yields can be deceptive in periods of elevated inflation. As evidenced by the stagflation from the 70s/80s and more recently from just a few years ago.

The FFR line offers valuable insights into the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy. We can see how the Fed has used rates to control inflation, accelerate growth and, when needed, apply the brakes. I’ve annotated the top chart with the tenures of the Fed chairmen so we can see who was managing the various FFR cycles since 1960.

Examining the FFR’s historical extremes, from the 20.06% peak in 1981 to the 0.04% trough in 2020, underscores the Federal Reserve’s capacity to implement dramatic policy shifts in response to prevailing economic conditions. In the early 1980s, the priority was taming inflation, while in the more recent periods, the focus shifted to preventing deflation and promoting economic growth.

It’s not obvious that the Fed has done a great job stimulating the economy. However, even during periods of high interest rates, such as the late 1980s and the recent period of rates being at a 20 year high, the S&P 500 has demonstrated resilience and achieved record highs. Our last chart shows the 10-year yield’s daily closes against the S&P 500 with some notes on Fed intervention.

Key Takeaways AMD expects strong Q4 Data Center growth from EPYC processors and Instinct accelerators. Cloud hyperscalers tripled EPYC usage, now totaling over 1,350 public instances globally. Oracle and partners deploy AMD-powered AI superclusters and private cloud platforms. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD - Free Report) is expected to have benefited from strong Data Center revenues in the fourth quarter of 2025. The company is set to release results on Feb. 3, 2026.

The company continues to strengthen its footprint in the enterprise data center arena by leveraging EPYC processors and Instinct accelerators amid significant competition from NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) and Broadcom (AVGO - Free Report) . On a sequential basis, AMD’s topline is expected to benefit from double-digit growth in the Data Center segment with strong growth in server and the continued ramp of the company’s MI350 Series GPUs.

Click here to know how AMD’s overall fourth-quarter performance is likely to be.

AMD’s Data Center Revenues to Ride on Enterprise AdoptionIn the enterprise, AMD’s EPYC has been gaining traction with an expanding clientele in technology, automotive, manufacturing, financial services, and public sector domains. In the third quarter of 2025, the company reported record data center revenues of $4.3 billion, marking a 22% year-over-year increase. This growth was fueled by the rapid adoption of AMD’s 5th Generation EPYC Turin processors, which accounted for nearly half of the overall EPYC revenue during the third quarter.

The adoption of EPYC by the largest cloud hyperscalers has been increasing significantly. In the third quarter of 2025, the adoption of AMD’s EPYC processors in the cloud has surged, with large businesses tripling their usage year over year. Hyperscalers such as Google, Microsoft Azure, and Alibaba have expanded their EPYC-powered offerings, launching more than 160 new instances in the third quarter of 2025 alone.  AMD now boasts over 1,350 public EPYC cloud instances globally, a nearly 50% increase from the previous year.

AMD’s to-be-reported quarter’s Data Center results are also expected to benefit from a rich partner base that includes the likes of OpenAI, Cohere, IBM, Oracle (ORCL - Free Report) , Google, HPE, Dell Technologies, Lenovo, Super Micro, and others.

In the third quarter of 2025, AMD announced that Oracle Cloud Infrastructure will launch the first publicly available AI supercluster using AMD’s Helios rack design, featuring Instinct MI450 GPUs, EPYC Venice CPUs, and Pensando Vulcano networking. The initial deployment includes 50,000 GPUs starting third-quarter 2026. Oracle also announced Compute Cloud@Customer X11 and Private Cloud Appliance X11 platforms powered by 5th Gen EPYC CPUs.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter Data Center revenues is pegged at $4.86 billion, indicating impressive year-over-year growth of 26.04%.

AMD Faces Stiff CompetitionNVIDIA is benefiting from the strong growth of AI and high-performance, accelerated computing. NVIDIA’s newer Hopper 200 and Blackwell GPU platforms are being rapidly adopted as customers work to grow their AI infrastructure.

Broadcom is benefiting from strong demand for its networking products and custom AI accelerators (XPUs). Broadcom expects accelerated demand for XPUs in the back half of 2026 as hyperscalers focus more on inference, along with frontier model training.

Zacks RankAMD currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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

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