Market Signal Briefing

, /PRNewswire/ -- Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.® ("Prosperity") (NYSE: PB), the parent company of Prosperity Bank®, today announced the completion of the merger of Southwest Bancshares, Inc. ("Southwest") with and into Prosperity and the merger of Southwest's wholly owned subsidiary, Texas Partners Bank ("Texas Partners"), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with and into Prosperity Bank, all effective on February 1, 2026.

Under the terms of the merger agreement between Prosperity and Southwest, Prosperity issued 4,095,397 shares of Prosperity common stock to the former shareholders and award holders of Southwest.

Brent Given, Texas Partners Interim Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, will join Prosperity Bank as San Antonio Area Chairman, and Tom Moreno, Texas Partners Chief Operating Officer, will have a senior management position in Prosperity Bank's operations. Additional members of Texas Partners management will maintain leadership roles in the combined organization. In addition, Gene Dawson, Jr., Interim Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Southwest, has joined the Board of Directors of Prosperity Bank.

Texas Partners operates eleven (11) banking offices in Central Texas including its main office in San Antonio, and banking offices in the San Antonio area, Austin and the Hill Country. Texas Partners banking locations will continue to operate under the Texas Partners Bank name until the operational integration, which is scheduled for November 2026. At that time, Texas Partners customers may begin using any of Prosperity Bank's full service banking centers.

About Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. ®

As of December 31, 2025, Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.® is a $38.463 billion Houston, Texas based regional financial holding company providing personal banking services and investments to consumers and businesses throughout Texas and Oklahoma. Founded in 1983, Prosperity believes in a community banking philosophy, taking care of customers, businesses and communities in the areas it serves by providing financial solutions to simplify everyday financial needs. In addition to offering traditional deposit and loan products, Prosperity offers digital banking solutions, credit and debit cards, mortgage services, retail brokerage services, trust and wealth management, and treasury management.

As of January 30, 2026, Prosperity operates 301 full-service banking locations: 62 in the Houston area, including The Woodlands; 36 in the South Texas area including Corpus Christi and Victoria; 61 in the Dallas/Fort Worth area; 22 in the East Texas area; 28 in the Central Texas area including Austin and San Antonio; 45 in the West Texas area including Lubbock, Midland-Odessa, Abilene, Amarillo and Wichita Falls; 15 in the Bryan/College Station area; 6 in the Central Oklahoma area; 8 in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area; and 18 in the Central, South Texas and San Antonio areas currently doing business as American Bank.

Cautionary Notes on Forward-Looking Statements 

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. From time to time, oral or written forward-looking statements may also be included in information released to the public. Such forward-looking statements are typically, but not exclusively, identified by the use in the statements of words or phrases such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "guidance," "intend," "is anticipated," "is expected," "is intended," "objective," "plan," "projected," "projection," "will affect," "will be," "will continue," "will decrease," "will grow," "will impact," "will increase," "will incur," "will reduce," "will remain," "will result," "would be," variations of such words or phrases (including where the word "could," "may," or "would" is used rather than the word "will" in a phrase) and similar words and phrases indicating that the statement addresses some future result, occurrence, plan or objective. Forward-looking statements include all statements other than statements of historical fact, including forecasts or trends, and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Prosperity Bancshares and its subsidiaries. These forward-looking statements may include information about Prosperity's possible or assumed future economic performance or future results of operations, including future revenues, income, expenses, provision for loan losses, provision for taxes, effective tax rate, earnings per share and cash flows and Prosperity's future capital expenditures and dividends, future financial condition and changes therein, including changes in Prosperity's loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses, changes in deposits, borrowings and the investment securities portfolio, future capital structure or changes therein, as well as the plans and objectives of management for Prosperity's future operations, future or proposed acquisitions, including the integration of American, the future or expected effect of acquisitions on Prosperity's operations, results of operations, financial condition, and future economic performance, statements about the anticipated benefits of each of the proposed transactions, and statements about the assumptions underlying any such statement. These forward‑looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on expectations and assumptions Prosperity currently believes to be valid. Because forward-looking statements relate to future results and occurrences, many of which are outside of Prosperity's control, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to whether Prosperity can: successfully identify acquisition targets and integrate the businesses of acquired companies and banks, including American; continue to sustain its current internal growth rate or total growth rate; provide products and services that appeal to its customers; continue to have access to debt and equity capital markets; and achieve its sales objectives. Other risks include, but are not limited to: the possibility that credit quality could deteriorate; actions of competitors; changes in laws and regulations (including changes in governmental interpretations of regulations and changes in accounting standards); the possibility that the anticipated benefits of an acquisition transaction, including American, are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of American or as a result of the strength of the economy and competitive factors generally; a deterioration or downgrade in the credit quality and credit agency ratings of the securities in Prosperity's securities portfolio; customer and consumer demand, including customer and consumer response to marketing; effectiveness of spending, investments or programs; fluctuations in the cost and availability of supply chain resources; economic conditions, including currency rate, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations; and weather. Prosperity disclaims any obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments. These and various other factors are discussed in Prosperity's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and other reports and statements Prosperity has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Copies of the SEC filings for Prosperity may be downloaded from the Internet at no charge from http://www.prosperitybankusa.com.

SOURCE Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.

February 02, 2026 16:30 ET  | Source: Palomar Holdings, Inc

LA JOLLA, Calif., Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Palomar Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLMR) (the “Company”) today announced that it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 results after the market close on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and will host a conference call at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) the following day, Thursday, February 12, 2026.

The conference call can be accessed live by dialing 1-877-423-9813 or for international callers, 1-201-689-8573, and requesting to be joined to the Palomar Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call. A replay will be available starting at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on February 12, 2026, and can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921, or for international callers, 1-412-317-6671. The passcode for the replay is 13758018. The replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on February 19, 2026.

Interested investors and other parties may also listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by logging onto the investor relations section of the Company's website at https://ir.palomarspecialty.com/. The online replay will remain available for a limited time beginning immediately following the call.

About Palomar Holdings, Inc.

Palomar Holdings, Inc. is the holding company of subsidiaries Palomar Specialty Insurance Company (“PSIC”), Palomar Specialty Reinsurance Company Bermuda Ltd. (“PSRE”), Palomar Insurance Agency, Inc. (“PIA”), Palomar Excess and Surplus Insurance Company (“PESIC”), Palomar Underwriters Exchange Organization, Inc. ("PUEO"), First Indemnity of America Insurance Co. ("FIA"),  Palomar Crop Insurance Services, Inc. ("PCIS"), and The Gray Casualty & Surety Company (“Gray Surety”). Palomar's consolidated results also include Laulima Exchange ("Laulima"), a variable interest entity for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Palomar is an innovative specialty insurer serving residential and commercial clients in five product categories: Earthquake, Inland Marine and Other Property, Casualty, Fronting, and Crop. Palomar’s insurance subsidiaries, PSIC, PSRE, PESIC, FIA and Gray Surety have a financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent) from A.M. Best.

To learn more, visit PLMR.com

Follow Palomar on LinkedIn: @PLMRInsurance

Contact
Media Inquiries
Lindsay Conner
1-551-206-6217
[email protected]

Investor Relations
Jamie Lillis
1-203-428-3223
[email protected]   
Source: Palomar Holdings, Inc.

Southampton, PA, Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quaint Oak Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (OTCQB: QNTO), the holding company for Quaint Oak Bank (the “Bank”), announced today net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 of $174,000, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $1.6 million, or $0.60 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2024. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $322,000, or $0.12 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $2.8 million, or $1.08 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2024.

Robert T. Strong, Chief Executive Officer stated, “Starting our Centennial Year is a proud moment for our entire organization as it reflects a long-standing culture of resilience and disciplined leadership. Our ability to navigate changing environments while investing in the future has earned the continued trust of shareholders and customers. Reaching 100 years is not about survival but sustained progress, driven by adapting to industry direction and the evolving needs of our customers.”

“2025 continued as a year of building out both technology platforms and personnel which largely accounted for the $2.2 million increase in non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2025, over calendar year 2024. During 2025, the Bank invested significant resources and capital to lay the proper foundation on which we expect to grow net income and optimize the balance sheet.”

“As we enter 2026, we have now moved from investment to activation in our international correspondent banking business line, from which we expect to see results in 2026. We anticipate that the long-term investments we have made have positioned us for growth in this sector and will provide promising results.”

“Additionally, our SBA initiative showed considerable progress in 2025. Our status as an SBA Preferred Lender has empowered the Commercial Lending team to operate with greater efficiency, resulting in a substantial increase in production volume as we originated $36.2 million of SBA loans in 2025 compared to $18.5 million of originations in 2024. While the recent government shutdown temporarily affected our fourth-quarter performance in this business segment, we are pleased to report that operations have normalized and momentum is strong moving forward.”

“One more observation in our resilience pattern: Oakmont Commercial, the Bank’s specialty real estate lending subsidiary, has successfully pivoted to a new model of originate-and-sell. This approach is expected to control our growth and anticipated to produce an increase in fee income. It also provides the ability to scale volume moving forward, building capital rather than reducing capital ratios with asset growth.”

Mr. Strong concluded, “We believe we leave 2025 in a much better position as we enter our Centennial Year, having focused on progress in key sectors of our business lines. As always, our current and continued business strategy focuses on long-term profitability and maintaining healthy capital ratios, both of which reflect our strong commitment to shareholder value.”

Comparison of Quarter-Over-Quarter Operating Results

Net income amounted to $174,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 89.0%, compared to net income of $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in net income on a comparative quarterly basis was primarily the result of an increase in non-interest expense of $662,000, and a decrease in non-interest income of $2.4 million, partially offset by a decrease in the net provision for income taxes of $436,000, a net decrease in the (recovery of) provision for credit losses of $402,000, an increase in interest and dividend income of $393,000, and a decrease in interest expense of $382,000.

The $393,000, or 4.0%, increase in interest and dividend income for the quarter was primarily due to a 23 basis point increase in the average yield on loans receivable, net from 6.32% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 to 6.55% for the three months ended December 31, 2025, and had the effect of increasing interest income $357,000, and an increase in the average balance of loans receivable, net, including loans held for sale, which increased $2.7 million from $608.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 to $611.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and had the effect of increasing interest income $43,000. Also contributing to the increase in interest and dividend income was a 25 basis point increase in the average yield on due from banks – interest earning, which increased from 3.47% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 to 3.72% for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and had the effect of increasing interest income $16,000. Partially offsetting the increase in interest and dividend income was a $5.3 million decrease in the average balance of due from banks – interest earning, which decreased from $31.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 to $26.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025, and had the effect of decreasing interest income $46,000. The $5.3 million decrease in the average balance of due from banks – interest earning was due to a higher level of balances during 2024 due to proceeds from the sale of the Bank’s 51% ownership of Oakmont Capital Holdings, LLC on March 29, 2024.

The $382,000, or 6.5%, decrease in interest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2025 over the comparable period in 2024 was driven by a $496,000, or 9.3%, decrease in interest expense on deposits, which was primarily attributable to a $103.3 million decrease in the average balance of money market deposits which decreased from $198.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 to $95.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and had the effect of decreasing interest expense $1.1 million, and a 126 basis point decrease in the average rate of money market accounts from 4.08% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 to 2.82% for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and had the effect of decreasing interest expense $300,000. The decrease in average balances of interest-bearing deposits was a result of a strategic exit of a correspondent banking relationship for business checking deposits, and reduction in money market deposits through a deposit placement agreement. These decreases in interest expense were partially offset by a $1.0 million increase in the interest expense for certificates of deposit due to a $92.8 million increase in the average balance of certificates of deposit which increased from $252.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024 to $345.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025. The $92.8 million increase in the average balance of certificates of deposits was primarily due to the Bank’s competitive rate offerings in our market area. The average interest rate spread increased from 1.88% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 to 2.40% for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and the net interest margin increased from 2.54% for the three months ended December 31, 2024 to 3.04% for the three months ended December 31, 2025.

The $402,000, or 127.2%, net decrease in the (recovery of) provision for credit losses for the three months ended December 31, 2025 over the three months ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to a decrease in charge-offs and a decrease in the commercial and industrial loan balances, during the three months ended December 31, 2025.

The $2.4 million, or 58.0%, decrease in non-interest income for the three months ended December 31, 2025 over the comparable period in 2024 was primarily attributable to the $1.5 million gain on the sale and leaseback of the Company’s office building at 1710 Union Boulevard in Allentown, Pennsylvania in October, 2024, a $1.0 million, or 59.3%, decrease in net gain on sale of mortgage and Oakmont Commercial loans, a $50,000, or 17.7%, decrease in mortgage banking, equipment lending and title abstract fees, and a $4,000 decrease in net loan servicing income. These decreases were partially offset by a $145,000, or 71.8%, increase in gain on sale of SBA loans, a $25,000, or 11.5%, increase in insurance commissions, a $19,000, or 63.3%, increase in other fees and service charges, and a $2,000, or 6.5%, increase in income from bank-owned life insurance. The decrease in net gain on sale of loans was primarily attributable to mortgage loans.

The $662,000, or 11.6%, increase in non-interest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2025 over the comparable period in 2024 was primarily due to a $482,000, or 108.7%, increase in professional fees, a $79,000, or 19.6%, increase in data processing expense, a $55,000, or 1.4%, increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, a $25,000, or 5.9%, increase in occupancy and equipment expense, a $23,000, or 19.2%, increase in FDIC deposit insurance assessment, and a $19,000, or 39.6%, increase in directors’ fees and expenses. These increases were partially offset by a $33,000, or 33.0%, decrease in advertising expense. The increase in professional fees during the fourth quarter was primarily due to international correspondent banking software and compliance related activities and expense.

The provision for income tax from continuing operations decreased $436,000, or 84.5%, from $516,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2024 to $80,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2025 due primarily to a decrease in pre-tax income.

Comparison of Year-Over-Year Operating Results

Net income amounted to $322,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of $2.5 million, or 88.5%, compared to net income of $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in net income on a comparative year basis was primarily the result of a decrease in interest and dividend income of $2.8 million, an increase in non-interest expense of $2.2 million, a decrease in non-interest income of $997,000, and a decrease in net income from discontinued operations of $406,000, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $2.9 million, a decrease in the net provision for income taxes from continuing operations of $710,000, and a decrease in the provision for credit losses of $317,000.

The $2.8 million, or 6.5%, decrease in interest and dividend income for the year ended December 31, 2025 over the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily driven by a decrease in the average balance of loans receivable, net, including loans held for sale, which decreased $23.8 million from $621.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 to $597.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 and had the effect of decreasing interest income $1.5 million. Also contributing to the decrease in interest and dividend income was a $29.6 million decrease in the average balance of due from banks – interest earning, which decreased from $61.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 to $32.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, and had the effect of decreasing interest income $1.5 million, and a 108 basis point decrease in the average yield on due from banks - interest earning from 4.96% for the year ended December 31, 2024 to 3.88% for the year ended December 31, 2025, and had the effect of decreasing interest income $348,000. Partially offsetting this decrease in interest and dividend income was a nine basis point increase in the average yield on loans receivable, net from 6.45% for the year ended December 31, 2024 to 6.54% for the year ended December 31, 2025, and had the effect of increasing interest income $518,000. Similar to the quarter, the $29.6 million decrease in the average balance of due from banks – interest earning was due to a higher level of balances during 2024 due to proceeds from the sale of the Bank’s 51% ownership of Oakmont Capital Holdings, LLC on March 29, 2024.

The $2.9 million, or 11.3%, decrease in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 over the year ended December 31, 2024 was driven by a $4.2 million, or 18.0%, decrease in interest expense on deposits, which was primarily attributable to an $82.0 million decrease in the average balances of money market deposits which decreased from $211.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 to $129.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 and had the effect of decreasing interest expense by $3.6 million, and a 108 basis point decrease in average rate of money markets which decreased from 4.44% for the year ended December 31, 2024, to 3.36% for the year ended December 31, 2025. Also contributing to the decrease was a $49.7 million decrease in the average balances of business checking accounts which decreased from $93.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 to $43.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 and had the effect of decreasing interest expense by $2.2 million, and a 159 basis point decrease in the average yield on business checking accounts which decreased from 4.50% for the year ended December 31, 2024 to 2.91% for the year ended December 31, 2025 and had the effect of decreasing interest expense by $691,000. The decrease in average balances of interest-bearing deposits was a result of a strategic exit of a correspondent banking relationship for business checking deposits and reduction in a money market deposits through a deposit placement agreement. These decreases in interest expense were partially offset by $3.5 million increase in the interest expense on certificates of deposit due to an $85.5 million increase in the average balance of certificates of deposit which increased from $230.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 to $316.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 and had the effect of increasing interest expense by $3.5 million. These decreases in interest expense were also partially offset by a $1.3 million, or 240.9% increase in the interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings due to a $25.1 million, or 171.0%, increase in the average balance of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings which increased from $14.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 to $39.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, and had the effect of increasing interest expense $941,000, and a 94 basis point increase on the rate on Federal Home Loan borrowings which increased from 3.74% for the year ended December 31, 2024, to 4.68% for the year ended December 31, 2025, and had the effect of increasing interest expense by $373,000. Similar to the quarter, the $85.5 million increase in the average balance of certificates of deposits was primarily due to the Bank’s competitive rate offerings in our market area. The average interest rate spread increased from 1.84% for the year ended December 31, 2024 to 2.27% for the year ended December 31, 2025 while the net interest margin increased from 2.59% for the year ended December 31, 2024 to 2.83% for the year ended December 31, 2025.

The $317,000, or 20.7%, decrease in the provision for credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2025 over the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to a decrease in the commercial and industrial loan category, and a decrease in charge-offs during the year ended December 31, 2025.

The $997,000, or 12.2%, decrease in non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025 over the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily attributable to the $1.5 million gain on the sale and leaseback of the Company’s office building at 1710 Union Boulevard in Allentown, Pennsylvania in October, 2024, a $636,000, or 103.9%, decrease in other fees and service charges, a $20,000, or 100.0%, decrease in real estate sales commissions, net, and a $4,000, or 3.4%, decrease in loan servicing fee income. These decreases were partially offset by a $978,000, or 215.9%, increase in gain on sale of SBA loans, a $76,000, or 10.2%, increase in insurance commissions, a $38,000, or 4.2%, increase in mortgage banking, equipment lending and title abstract fees, and a $10,000, or 8.5%, increase in income from bank-owned life insurance.

The $2.2 million, or 10.4%, increase in non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 over the comparable period in 2024 was primarily due to a $720,000, or 93.6%, increase in professional fees, a $522,000, or 3.6%, increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, a $462,000, or 35.6%, increase in data processing expense, a $381,000, or 26.9%, increase in occupancy and equipment expense, a $128,000, or 7.4%, increase in other expense, and a $62,000, or 30.8%, increase in directors’ fees and expenses. These increases were partially offset by an $84,000, or 13.7%, decrease in FDIC deposit insurance assessment, and an $8,000, or 2.6%, decrease in advertising expense. The increase in salaries and employee benefits expense, professional fees, occupancy and equipment expense, data processing expense, and other expense was primarily due to international correspondent banking software and compliance related activities and expense.

The provision for income tax from continuing operations decreased $710,000, or 68.8%, from $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 to $322,000 for the year ended December 31, 2025 due primarily to a decrease in pre-tax income.

Comparison of Financial Condition

The Company’s total assets at December 31, 2025 were $675.9 million, a decrease of $9.3 million, or 1.4%, from $685.2 million at December 31, 2024. This decrease in total assets was primarily due to a $9.4 million, or 15.0%, decrease in cash and cash equivalents, a $3.3 million, or 5.2%, decrease in loans held for sale, a $1.9 million, or 86.9%, decrease in investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost, and a $784,000, or 47.1%, decrease in investment securities available for sale. Partially offsetting the decrease in total assets was a $6.0 million, or 1.1%, increase in loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses. The largest increases within the loan portfolio occurred in one-to-four family owner occupied loans which increased $15.7 million, or 60.6%, commercial real estate loans, which increased $12.1 million, or 4.1%, and construction loans which increased $5.1 million, or 28.1%. Partially offsetting these increases were commercial business loans which decreased $18.6 million, or 16.2%, one-to-four family non-owner occupied loans which decreased $4.7 million, or 14.0%, multi-family residential loans which decreased $4.6 million, or 10.2%, and home equity loans which decreased $365,000, or 6.4%. Cash and cash equivalents decreased as excess liquidity was used to fund the repayment of FHLB borrowings.

Loans held for sale decreased $3.3 million, or 5.2%, from $64.3 million at December 31, 2024 to $61.0 million at December 31, 2025 as the Bank’s commercial real estate subsidiary, Oakmont Commercial, LLC, originated $52.0 million of commercial real estate loans during the year ended December 31, 2025 and sold $49.5 million of loans in the secondary market during this same period. The Bank’s mortgage banking subsidiary, Quaint Oak Mortgage, LLC, originated $112.3 million of one-to-four family residential loans during the year ended December 31, 2025 and sold $113.9 million of loans in the secondary market. Additionally, the Bank originated $14.7 million of SBA loans for sale and sold $18.9 million of SBA loans in the secondary market in the same period.

Total deposits increased $44.0 million, or 8.0%, to $597.3 million at December 31, 2025 from $553.3 million at December 31, 2024. This increase in deposits was primarily attributable to an increase of $71.8 million, or 25.4%, in certificates of deposit, an increase of $40.9 million, or 68.4%, in non-interest bearing checking accounts, an increase of $22.9 million, or 47.9%, in interest bearing checking accounts, and a $207,000, or 42.1%, increase in savings accounts. These increases in deposits were partially offset by a decrease of $91.8 million, or 56.6%, in money market accounts due to the strategic exit of a deposit placement agreement.

Total Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings decreased $47.9 million, or 100.0%, to none at December 31, 2025 from $47.9 million at December 31, 2024 as the Bank paid down the $47.9 million of borrowings.

Senior debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs, increased $9.6 million from none at December 31, 2024 as the Company entered into a Senior Unsecured Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional accredited investors pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of $9.75 million in aggregate principal amount of Fixed Rate Unsecured Senior Notes due March 1, 2028 (the “Senior Debt Notes”) in a private placement. The Company issued to an accredited individual investor an additional $250,000 in principal amount of the Senior Debt Notes as of March 4, 2025 for a total of $10.0 million in aggregate principal amount. The Senior Debt Notes bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 11.00%, payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning September 1, 2025. The maturity date of the Senior Debt Notes is March 1, 2028.

Subordinated debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs, decreased $14.0 million, or 63.6%, to $8.0 million at December 31, 2025 from $22.0 million at December 31, 2024 as the Company used the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Debt Notes to repay a portion of the outstanding $14.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.5% Fixed Rate Subordinated Notes upon their maturity on March 15, 2025. The remaining $8.0 million of subordinated debt matures on December 31, 2028.

Total stockholders’ equity from continuing operations decreased $288,000, or 0.6%, to $52.3 million at December 31, 2025 from $52.6 million at December 31, 2024. Contributing to the decrease were dividends paid of $894,000, and purchase of treasury stock of $44,000. The decrease in stockholders’ equity was partially offset by net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 of $322,000, amortization of stock awards and options under our stock compensation plans of $251,000, the reissuance of treasury stock under the Bank’s 401(k) Plan of $74,000, and other comprehensive income, net of $3,000.

Non-performing loans at December 31, 2025 totaled $7.3 million, or 1.36%, of total loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, consisting of $5.8 million of loans on non-accrual status and $1.5 million of accruing loans 90-days or more delinquent. Non-accrual loans consist of two one-to-four family residential owner occupied loans, 14 commercial real estate loans, and 15 commercial business loans. Included in the 15 commercial business loans is one pool of equipment loans. Accruing loans 90-days or more past due include one one-to-four family residential owner occupied loan, one one-to-four family residential non-owner occupied loan, one commercial real estate loan, and one commercial business loan, all of which are still accruing. All non-performing loans are either well-collateralized or adequately reserved for. During the year ended December 31, 2025, one commercial real estate loan, and 11 commercial business loans totaling $1.6 million that were previously on non-accrual were charged-off through the allowance for credit losses. Non-performing loans at December 31, 2024 totaled $6.3 million, or 1.18%, of total loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, consisting of $5.6 million of loans on non-accrual status and $725,000 of accruing loans 90-days or more delinquent. Non-accrual loans consist of one one-to-four family residential owner occupied loan, four commercial real estate loans, and ten commercial business loans. Included in the ten commercial business loans is one pool of equipment loans. Loans 90-days or more past due include one one-to-four family residential owner occupied loan, two commercial real estate loans, and four commercial business loans, all of which are still accruing. All non-performing loans are either well-collateralized or adequately reserved for. During the year ended December 31, 2024, 19 commercial business loans totaling $1.6 million, and one construction loan of $187,000, that were previously on non-accrual were charged-off through the allowance for credit losses.

Other real estate owned (OREO) amounted to $360,000 at December 31, 2025 consisting of one property that was collateral for a non-performing commercial loan. Non-performing assets, consisting of non-performing loans and OREO, amounted to $7.6 million, or 1.14% of total assets at December 31, 2025. At December 31, 2024, there was no OREO.

Quaint Oak Bancorp, Inc., a Financial Services Company, is the parent company for the Quaint Oak Family of Companies. Quaint Oak Bank, a Pennsylvania-chartered stock savings bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is headquartered in Southampton, Pennsylvania and conducts business through three regional offices located in the Delaware Valley, Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia markets. Quaint Oak Bank’s subsidiary companies include Quaint Oak Abstract, LLC, Quaint Oak Insurance Agency, LLC, Quaint Oak Mortgage, LLC, and Oakmont Commercial, LLC, a specialty commercial real estate financing company. All companies are multi-state operations.

Statements contained in this news release which are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors. Factors which could result in material variations include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates which could affect net interest margins and net interest income, competitive factors which could affect net interest income and noninterest income, changes in demand for loans, deposits and other financial services in the Company's market area; changes in asset quality, general economic conditions as well as other factors discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made.

In addition to factors previously disclosed in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and those identified elsewhere in this press release, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts its operations; general economic conditions; legislative and regulatory changes; monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government; changes in tax policies, rates and regulations of federal, state and local tax authorities including the effects of the Tax Reform Act; changes in interest rates, deposit flows, the cost of funds, demand for loan products and the demand for financial services, competition, changes in the quality or composition of the Company’s loan, investment and mortgage-backed securities portfolios; geographic concentration of the Company’s business; fluctuations in real estate values; the adequacy of loan loss reserves; the risk that goodwill and intangibles recorded in the Company’s financial statements will become impaired; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines and other economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services and fees.

QUAINT OAK BANCORP, INC.Consolidated Balance Sheets(In Thousands)   At December 31,  At December 31,    2025  2024   (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) Assets          Due from banks, non-interest-earning $1,978  $345   Due from banks, interest-earning  51,569   62,644           Cash and cash equivalents  53,547   62,989            Investment in interest-earning time deposits  912   912   Investment securities available for sale at fair value  882   1,666   Loans held for sale  60,956   64,281   Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses (2025: $6,166; 2024: $6,476)  540,698   534,693   Accrued interest receivable  3,789   3,961   Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost  291   2,214   Bank-owned life insurance  4,575   4,447   Premises and equipment, net  1,540   1,626   Goodwill  515   515   Other intangible, net of accumulated amortization  28   77   Other real estate owned, net  360   -   Prepaid expenses and other assets  7,760   7,787       Total Assets $675,853  $685,168          Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity        Liabilities            Deposits           Non-interest bearing $100,697  $59,783    Interest-bearing  496,581   493,469      Total deposits  597,278   553,252     Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings  -   47,855     Senior debt, net of unamortized costs  9,619   -     Subordinated debt  8,000   22,000     Accrued interest payable  1,086   937     Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance  2,643   3,122     Accrued expenses and other liabilities  4,898   5,385    Total Liabilities  623,524   632,551 Total Stockholders’ Equity  52,329   52,617    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $675,853  $685,168  QUAINT OAK BANCORP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(In Thousands, except share data)

  For the Three
Months Ended   For the Year
Ended   December 31,  December 31,   2025  2024  2025  2024   (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) Interest and Dividend Income                   Interest on loans, including fees $10,013  $9,613  $39,039  $40,058 Interest and dividends on time deposits, investment securities, interest-bearing deposits with others, and Federal Home
 Loan Bank stock  326   333   1,590   3,379 Total Interest and Dividend Income  10,339   9,946   40,629   43,437                  Interest Expense                  Interest on deposits  4,850   5,346   18,966   23,141   Interest on FHLB borrowings  190   42   1,858   545   Interest on FRB borrowings  -   -   1   -   Interest on senior debt  275   -   947   -   Interest on subordinated debt  164   473   954   1,934 Total Interest Expense  5,479   5,861   22,726   25,620 Net Interest Income  4,860   4,085   17,903   17,817   (Recovery of) Provision for Credit Losses – Loans  (27)  279   1,197   1,506   (Recovery of) Provision for Credit Losses – Unfunded Commitments  (59)  37   20   28 Total (Recovery of) Provision for Credit Losses  (86)  316   1,217   1,534 Net Interest Income after (Recovery of) Provision for Credit Losses  4,946   3,769   16,686   16,283                  Non-Interest Income                   Mortgage banking, equipment lending and title abstract fees  232   282   947   909   Real estate sales commissions, net  -   -   -   20   Insurance commissions  243   218   820   744   Other fees and services charges  49   30   (24)  612   Net loan servicing income  107   111   112   116   Income from bank-owned life insurance  33   31   128   118   Net gain on sale of loans  693   1,701   3,745   3,699   Gain on sale of SBA loans  347   202   1,431   453   Gain on sale-leaseback transaction  -   1,485   -   1,485 Total Non-Interest Income  1,704   4,060   7,159   8,156                  Non-Interest Expense                  Salaries and employee benefits  3,873   3,818   15,158   14,636   Directors' fees and expenses  67   48   263   201   Occupancy and equipment  447   422   1,799   1,418   Data processing  483   404   1,760   1,298   Professional fees  928   446   1,489   769   FDIC deposit insurance assessment  143   120   530   614   Advertising  67   100   294   302   Amortization of other intangible  12   12   48   48   Other  376   364   1,860   1,732 Total Non-Interest Expense  6,396   5,734   23,201   21,018   Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes  254   2,095   644   3,421   Income Taxes  80   516   322   1,032 Net Income from Continuing Operations  174   1,579   322   2,389   Income from Discontinued Operations  -   -   -   564   Income Taxes  -   -   -   158 Net Income from Discontinued Operations  -   -   -   406 Net Income  $174  $1,579  $322  $2,795    Three Months Ended
December 31,  Year Ended
December 31,   2025  2024  2025  2024 Per Common Share Data: (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)   Earnings per share from continuing operations – basic $0.07  $0.60  $0.12  $0.92   Earnings per share from discontinued operations – basic $-  $-  $-  $0.16   Earnings per share, net – basic $0.07  $0.60  $0.12  $1.08   Average shares outstanding – basic  2,636,914   2,631,851   2,632,661   2,578,804   Earnings per share from continuing operations – diluted $0.07  $0.60  $0.12  $0.92   Earnings per share from discontinued operations – diluted $-  $-  $-  $0.16   Earnings per share, net – diluted $0.07  $0.60  $0.12  $1.08   Average shares outstanding - diluted  2,636,914   2,631,851   2,632,661   2,578,804   Book value per share, end of period $19.84  $20.03  $19.84  $20.03   Shares outstanding, end of period  2,637,978   2,626,535   2,637,978   2,626,535    Three Months Ended
December 31,  Year Ended
December 31,   2025  2024  2025  2024 Selected Operating Ratios: (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)   Average yield on interest-earning assets  6.46%  6.19%  6.41%  6.32%  Average rate on interest-bearing liabilities  4.05%  4.30%  4.14%  4.48%  Average interest rate spread  2.40%  1.88%  2.27%  1.84%  Net interest margin  3.04%  2.54%  2.83%  2.59%  Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities  118.43%  118.00%  115.40%  120.08%  Efficiency ratio  97.45%  70.40%  92.58%  80.93%                 Asset Quality Ratios (1):                  Non-performing loans as a percent of total loans receivable, net  1.36%  1.18%  1.36%  1.18%  Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets  1.09%  0.92%  1.09%  0.92%  Allowance for credit losses as a percent of non-performing loans  84.01%  102.45%  84.01%  102.45%  Allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans receivable, net  1.13%  1.20%  1.13%  1.20%  Texas Ratio (2)  11.45%  8.77%  11.45%  8.77% (1) Asset quality ratios are end of period ratios.
(2) Total non-performing assets divided by tangible common equity plus the allowance for credit losses.

ToplineShares of stock trading platform Robinhood fell nearly 10% on Monday, tumbling amid a larger cryptocurrency sell-off that has sent digital assets like bitcoin and ethereum reeling in recent weeks.

Robinhood traded down nearly 9% on Monday. (Photo illustration by Cheng Xin/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Key FactsRobinhood shares closed down 9.6%, continuing a string of losses over the last five days of trading that have seen the stock drop nearly 16%.

Robinhood’s stock performance is strongly linked to the crypto market, often swinging on how well or how poorly large crypto players are trading.

Bitcoin managed a small increase Monday to $77,966, though the cryptocurrency juggernaut is down 10.4% since the start of the year and recently fell below $80,000 for the first time since April 2025.

Ethereum traded up a fraction of a percent but is down 22.5% in the last week of trading, to around $2,325.

Binance Coin traded up to $769.13 on Monday, leveling out after a 14.5% plunge in the last week of trading.

Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.

TangentGold and silver prices slipped Friday following President Donald Trump’s announcement of Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair, falling after reaching all-time highs just days before. However, plummeting prices of the metals do not have some high-profile analysts worried, as they have suggested the cool-off was due to normal volatility and new record highs for gold could still be set this year.

What To Watch ForRobinhood will report its fourth quarter and full-year earnings on Feb. 10, with consensus revenue estimated at $1.34 billion. The company reported $1.27 billion in revenue during its third quarter.

Key BackgroundRobinhood’s poor start to the year comes after a massive 2025 in which shares surged over 200%. The trading platform reported doubled revenue in its third quarter, as well as a 271% increase in net income year-over year. The crypto slump in 2026 impacting Robinhood’s stock performance has been fueled by high inflation and the Fed’s policy, with the Federal Reserve voting last week to pause interest rate cuts. Rates could be lowered this year after Warsh comes into power, with analysts predicting cuts could come as early as June.

Further ReadingFed Holds Interest Rates Steady As Trump Pressures Central Bank (Forbes)

Gold And Silver Price Plummets Don’t Worry Analysts—Here’s Why (Forbes)

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.

TL;DR

Venezuelan police arrested Rosa María González, a woman from Argentina who is a key suspect in the Generación Zoe crypto fraud. Leonardo Cositorto, leader of Generación Zoe, stated that González fled with 611 Bitcoin, equivalent to $56 million, and accused her of planning a new fraud from Venezuela. Diplomatic tensions between Argentina and Venezuela complicate González’s extradition process. Interpol authorities warned that her return will not be straightforward. Venezuelan police arrested Rosa María González, a key suspect in the Generación Zoe crypto scam, in San Cristóbal, Táchira state. The arrest occurred nearly four years after the scheme collapsed, leaving at least $120 million in losses for tens of thousands of investors in Argentina. González was apprehended while allegedly planning a new fraudulent project in Venezuela.

Leonardo Cositorto, leader of Generación Zoe, was sentenced to 12 years in prison in Argentina in 2025. Reports indicate that Cositorto stated González fled with 611 Bitcoin, worth $56 million after the collapse of the scam. During the scheme’s operation, the organizers offered returns of up to 7.5% on investments. The operation was presented as an automated trading system backed by a gold-linked crypto asset. Subsequent investigations determined that Generación Zoe functioned as a Ponzi scheme, paying older investors with funds from new participants.

González Planning a New Scam González reportedly introduced Cositorto to trading algorithms she had developed, claiming “quantum security” features and promised returns of up to 70% per month. The suspect evaded arrest in Buenos Aires by using private security firms and relocated to Venezuela, where she continued coordinating with other Generación Zoe associates. Reports indicate she sent funds to an individual so they could leave their job and dedicate themselves to the new project, which promised 5% monthly returns to investors contributing at least $1,000 in cryptocurrency.

González’s repatriation faces complications due to diplomatic tensions between Argentina and Venezuela. Relations between the two countries deteriorated in July 2024 following Venezuelan elections deemed “fraudulent” by the Argentine government. Interpol authorities indicated that the extradition will not be a simple process.

Generación Zoe: Argentina’s Largest Crypto Scam Generación Zoe used trading technology and promises of high returns to attract investments. After the scheme collapsed, the organizers faced multiple legal cases in Argentina. González’s arrest comes a year after Cositorto was jailed and shows that the fraudsters intended to continue operations.

This case represents one of Argentina’s largest crypto frauds, caused millions in losses for investors, and triggered a wave of active legal procedures to recover funds. The investigation into González will continue under coordination with local and international authorities

Key NotesRipple executed its February 2026 escrow unlock releasing 1 billion XRP tokens from accounts established in 2022.The unlock represents 1.66% of XRP's circulating supply while 300 million tokens were allocated to treasury operations.XRP currently trades at $1.63 with an 18% monthly decline amid broader cryptocurrency market outflows totaling $1.7 billion. Ripple unlocked 1 billion XRP XRP $1.63 24h volatility: 1.5% Market cap: $99.32 B Vol. 24h: $5.61 B —worth approximately $1.63 billion—on February 2, as part of its funding strategy. 300 million XRP—worth half a billion dollars—are now reserved at its main treasury account, reserved for the company’s sales this month. Coinspeaker researched this information via publicly available, on-chain data retrieved from Ripple-owned accounts, labeled by XRPScan.

Notably, the funds come from previously locked XRP tokens via escrows created in 2022 that date back to XRP’s pre-mint and initial distribution. February 2026’s unlocks happened from the accounts labeled as Ripple (9) and Ripple (28), with four escrows reaching finality on Feb. 1.

Each account unlocked 500 million XRP in total, out of which came from escrows of 100 million and 400 million XRP tokens. These were then reallocated to three other accounts, following a pattern observed in previous months.

The Ripple (28) account sent 100 million XRP to Ripple (14) and 400 million XRP to Ripple (15), which have been re-locked in new escrows set to finish (and unlock) in December 2026. Meanwhile, the Ripple (9) account sent 200 million XRP to Ripple (14) for the same reason, plus 300 million tokens to Ripple (1), identified as the company’s liquid treasury account—used for funds distribution operations like OTC sales and exchange deposits.

Ripple on-chain data flow | Monthly Escrow Unlock February 2026 | Source: Coinspeaker / XRPScan

XRP Price Analysis As of this writing, XRP is trading at $1.63 per token, with accumulated losses of 18% in the past 30 days, following macro uncertainty and a trend also seen in most of the other cryptocurrencies. For example, crypto products recorded a net outflow of $1.7 billion in the last week alone, affecting the supply side of their underlying assets in open markets.

According to data from CoinMarketCap, XRP has a market capitalization of nearly $100 billion, positioned as the fifth-largest crypto by market cap. With a currently circulating supply of 60 billion XRP, the recent unlock represents 1.66% of that amount and the 300 million reserved for February operations represents 0.5% of that active supply.

XRP price (30D chart) as of Feb. 2, 2026 | Source: CoinMarketCap

On the other hand, Ripple, the company behind XRP’s issuance, unlocks, and ongoing developments, continues to push and advance in many areas, with a highlight to compliance-related movements. In the most recent development, Ripple has been granted a full Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license by Luxembourg’s CSSF, as Coinspeaker reported.

Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.

Cryptocurrency News, News, XRP News

Vini Barbosa has covered the crypto industry professionally since 2020, summing up to over 10,000 hours of research, writing, and editing related content for media outlets and key industry players. Vini is an active commentator and a heavy user of the technology, truly believing in its revolutionary potential. Topics of interest include blockchain, open-source software, decentralized finance, and real-world utility.

Vini Barbosa on X

XRP’s price just bounced off a crucial central line, tagging the 33-EMA after last weekend’s wild liquidity sweep.

Market Sentiment:

Bullish Bearish Neutral

Published: February 2, 2026 │ 7:44 PM GMT

Created by Kornelija Poderskytė from DailyCoin

Is another liquidity grab coming? That’s the question that’s been bothering the majority of crypto enthusiasts. With market liquidations resembling the Corona years or the FTX downfall, traders rely on historical price trends to assess what’s coming next for the XRP Army.

Egrag‘Y’ Crypto, a popular French technical crypto chart analyst, explained the two most likely outcomes, based on XRP’s price recently hitting the 33 Exponential Moving Average (EMA) around $1.60 – $1.61. While at it, XRP’s liquidity sweep at $1.64 has boosted the OG altcoin’s rebound to $1.66 to kick off February.

Sponsored

In the first most-likely scenario, the popular crypto analyst expects a “relief bounce first”, but a second liquidity sweep is still coming. The seasoned market watcher has refrained from giving an exact XRP price range that’s projected for the second liquidity sweep. In this case, the sweep is followed by an expansion – high price fluctuations.

Judging from the fractal XRP structure, here the second scenario comes into play – this one is based solely on the historical price of Ripple coin (XRP), not taking into account social factors or the shifted regulatory landscape.

By this scenario, XRP either replicates the 2021 structure or the 2017 one. In the first case, XRP would test $7, nearly 2x from the current all-time peak.

XRP’s 2017 Bull Cycle Projects Huge Price TargetMeanwhile, the repetition of 2017 bull cycle hits even harder – if mimicked, XRP’s price would tack on a 1,600% upswing to tackle $27. While this forecast may look far-fetched, the legal progress in the Clarity Act makes it easier for Ripple Labs to put the pieces together in the quest to frontrun crypto adoption. 

#XRP – 33 EMA Breakdown ≠ Game Over (UPDATE):

🏳️On the monthly chart, #XRP just tagged the Central Line + 33 EMA around $1.60–$1.61 ( The Dip was to $1.50)

🏳️It held the close above $1.60, swept liquidity near $1.64, and opened February at $1.66.

🏳️Why this This matter???… https://t.co/P56R5P3xr0 pic.twitter.com/CvJstLiCwG

— EGRAG CRYPTO (@egragcrypto) February 1, 2026 Following the launch of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, Ripple’s original token XRP is bound to capture a piece of the newly-established liquidity as institutional investors pile in. Surpassing $1.2 billion in less than two weeks since inception, RLUSD could help XRP soften the second liquidity grab, a temporary phase where XRP won’t break beyond $2.40, says Egrag.

“Same structure. Same EMA behavior. Same central line reaction.”, – contemplated Egrag, the highly-experienced trader as XRP’s price continued to dance around the $1.64 liquidity pocket on Monday evening. With the general markets back below $3 trillion, the next few business days are likely to deliver a decisive XRP price signal for the near-term.

Delve into DailyCoin’s popular crypto news today:
Japan’s “Avalanche Moment” To Lead The Next Big Liquidity Wave?
Historic Liquidations Rattle Market, But XRP ETFs See Fresh Inflow

People Also Ask:What does “double-digit move” mean here?

A 10%+ XRP price swing (up or down) in a short-term period—could be $1.90 to $2.10+ (bullish) or back to $1.70–$1.52 (bearish).

Why is XRP set up for a big swing now?

The current price action of Ripple coin (XRP) shows compression (falling wedge/tight range on daily/weekly charts), low volume building tension.

What is the bullish scenario?

Break above $2.00–$2.10 with volume could ignite 10–20%+ upside fast (targets $2.50–$3 short-term, $4+ longer if ETF inflows/RWA adoption ramp).

What’s the bearish scenario?

Failure at resistance + macro headwinds (Bitcoin pullback, geopolitical risks) could trigger 10–20% downside (re-test $1.50–$1.70 or lower).

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.

Raoul Pal said that Bitcoin's collapse reflects a temporary US liquidity drain, not a broken crypto cycle or failed market.

Bitcoin has plunged almost 40% from its peak of $126,000. While it currently trades a little above $77,000, prices remain fragile, and investors are positioning for a deeper drawdown.

Amidst intense bearish sentiment, Raoul Pal, founder and CEO of Global Macro Investor, said that widely circulating claims that BTC and the broader crypto market are “broken” represent a false narrative driven by temporary liquidity conditions rather than a failed cycle.

Bitcoin and SaaS Pal said the dominant market story indicates the crypto cycle is over, and prices are collapsing due to factors such as exchange issues, institutional actions, or structural flaws. But he described this view as an “alluring narrative trap” which has been reinforced by continued daily price declines. Analysis showed that the UBS SaaS Index and Bitcoin have followed nearly identical price patterns, which essentially indicates a common underlying factor rather than asset-specific problems.

According to Pal, that factor is US liquidity, which has been constrained as a result of several technical and fiscal factors. He pointed to the completion of the US Reverse Repo drain in 2024, followed by Treasury General Account (TGA) rebuilds in July and August that lacked an offsetting liquidity injection, which ended up resulting in a liquidity withdrawal.

Pal stated this liquidity shortage has also contributed to weak ISM readings. While Global Total Liquidity typically has the strongest long-term correlation with Bitcoin and US equities, he argued that US Total Liquidity is currently more influential because the US is the primary source of global liquidity. The GMI founder added that global liquidity has led US liquidity this cycle and is beginning to turn higher, which is expected to feed through to US liquidity and economic indicators.

Bitcoin and SaaS have been particularly affected because they are among the longest-duration assets and therefore most sensitive to liquidity conditions.  The rally in gold absorbed marginal liquidity that might otherwise have flowed into riskier assets such as Bitcoin and SaaS, leaving insufficient liquidity to support all asset classes at the same time, he said.

The current US government shutdown has intensified the liquidity drain, as the Treasury did not draw down the TGA after the previous shutdown and instead added to it. He called the resulting environment a temporary “air pocket,” which has caused severe price pressure.

You may also like: Bitcoin Drops Out of Top 10 Global Assets, Falls to 13th Bitcoin Touches 9-Month Low as Selling Hits Crypto, Metals, and Energy Bitcoin Rebounds Above $76K, but Analysts See Cycle Bottom Much Lower However, Pal said signs indicate the shutdown could be resolved soon, and characterized it as the final major liquidity obstacle. He reiterated that additional liquidity factors, such as adjustments to the enhanced supplementary leverage ratio (eSLR), partial TGA drawdowns, fiscal stimulus, and eventual rate cuts, remain ahead.

Hawkish Fed Fears Some market commentators have hinted that expectations of a more cautious pace of rate cuts under incoming Fed chair Kevin Warsh have also weighed on markets. But Pal rejected claims that Warsh represents a hawkish policy stance, and instead called the narrative incorrect and rooted in outdated comments. He believes Warsh’s approach aligns with policies favoring rate cuts and economic expansion, while maintaining balance sheet stability due to reserve constraints.

Despite the recent turmoil in the market, Pal said that he remains strongly bullish on 2026.

Tags:

An XRP analyst is pushing back against the growing sense of boredom surrounding XRP’s price action, with the outlook that people are misreading what is actually happening on the higher timeframes. 

Taking to the social media platform X, an analyst known as XRP QUEEN said traders are overlooking a typical setup that has always preceded some of XRP’s most notable rallies. Her view is based on XRP’s weekly price structure and a comparison with how previous long consolidation phases eventually resolved.

Why XRP $1.50 To $3 Range Matters More Than It Looks A look at the weekly candlestick timeframe chart shows that XRP’s price action over multiple months has been largely confined between support at $1.5 and resistance just above $3. Interestingly, according to the analysis from XRP Queen, XRP’s price action being pinned between roughly $1.50 and $3 is not a sign of weakness but a repeat of earlier accumulation zones. 

The chart shows how the token has previously spent long stretches moving sideways for hundreds of days, highlighted on the chart as 200-day, 800-day, and even 1,000-day consolidation phases. In each case, price compression eventually gave way to a vertical move higher, labeled as MOON on the chart.

Source: Chart from XRP Queen on X The key point being made is that these flat, frustrating periods tend to drain interest and attention from the market. That drop in engagement, according to the analyst, has always aligned with smart accumulation. The longer the range holds, the more pressure builds beneath the surface.

$2.72 And The Projection Of A Teleport Move A notable level on the chart is the $2.72 zone, which is sitting around the 0.786 Fibonacci extension level projected from XRP price lows in 2018. Breaking and holding above $2.72 would be important to how XRP rallies to new all-time highs. As noted by XRP Queen, if $2.72 holds, then the next outlook is looking at $9-$15.

Once XRP leaves this range, it teleports. No pullbacks and no second chances. The projection on the chart shows Fibonacci extensions stretching far above the current price. These extensions include 0.786 at $2.71, the 1.0 extension around $3.40, followed by 1.618 at $5.47, 2.818 at $8.78, and the most extreme 4.764 extension around $15.89, all pointing to price targets to be broken once the current range is broken.

However, the altcoin is currently trading far below the $2.72 level needed to confirm the price teleportation to interesting highs. At the time of writing, XRP is trading around $1.60, meaning the price would need to climb by about 69% just to retest $2.72. Until that happens, XRP is in consolidation mode, and it is unclear how long it will keep trading sideways in the current range.

XRP trading at $1.60 on the 1D chart | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Freepik, chart from Tradingview.com

BitMine Immersion Technologies is facing unrealized losses of almost $7 billion on its Ethereum positions. The unrealized losses are a result of the current crypto market downturn and its effect on ETH prices. The current scenario emphasizes the risks of illiquidity and valuation associated with institutional Ether positions. BitMine Immersion Technologies, one of the largest publicly recognized holders of Ethereum (ETH), is currently struggling with unrealized losses of almost $7 billion due to the recent crypto market downturn, which has pushed its Ethereum treasury significantly into the red. The company’s Ether position, acquired at an average price of approximately $3,883 per Ether, is currently under pressure due to the significant decline in ETH prices, resulting in substantial paper losses on its balance sheet.

BitMine Immersion Technologies’ unrealized losses are among the largest in the industry, according to data on corporate Ether treasuries, exceeding initial estimates of around $6 billion due to the current market downturn.

Market Downturn Squeezes ETH Treasury Firms BitMine’s current state is indicative of approximately 4.24 million ETH tokens, which is a significant representation of the total circulating supply, with the Ethereum market price significantly lower than the firm’s acquisition cost. As the ETH market prices approached multi-month lows, the BitMine treasury’s valuation decreased from a peak of nearly $14 billion to the current $9.6 billion, leaving a significant gap between the acquisition and market prices.

The increasing paper losses are a sign of the stressed state of the crypto treasury market, where firms with large crypto balance sheets are under pressure due to market valuation and liquidity constraints. BitMine’s decreasing Market Net Asset Value (mNAV), which is a measure of the company’s enterprise value relative to its crypto assets, could make it increasingly difficult for the firm to raise capital or issue new stocks, particularly when the mNAV crosses critical levels.

Liquidity and Considerations The size of BitMine’s ETH holdings has also raised concerns about the liquidity risks associated with large, concentrated portfolios. It has been observed that if BitMine were to be faced with a situation where it had to sell off large chunks of its treasury holdings in a weak market, it could create enough downward pressure on ETH prices due to the relative size of its holdings compared to the average daily trading volumes. The current market conditions, including leveraged liquidations, ETF outflows, and macroeconomic factors, have also contributed to the current downturn in the Ethereum market.

The unrealized loss of close to $7 billion that BitMine Immersion Technologies has incurred in its Ethereum treasury portfolio is a clear indicator of the risks that a centralized crypto treasury faces in the market. With the current ETH price trading much lower than the historical acquisition price, institutional investors such as BitMine are faced with the challenge of dealing with the risks associated with valuation, liquidity, and raising capital.

Highlighted Crypto News:

Crypto ETPs See $1.7B Weekly Outflows as Investor Sentiment Weakens

I specialize in Web3 and crypto writing, producing clear, research-driven content on blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and market trends.

📊
No votes yet – Be the first to vote

Step Finance got hit hard. The decentralized finance platform on Solana lost between $27 million and $30 million worth of SOL tokens after hackers broke into their treasury wallets and made off with 261,854 SOL tokens in what’s become one of the biggest thefts on the Solana blockchain.

The attack sent shockwaves through DeFi circles and crushed the platform’s native STEP token, which plummeted 80% to 90% in value almost immediately after news broke. Before the hack, STEP was trading at around $0.50, but by February 1st it had crashed to roughly $0.05. The dramatic collapse shows just how fast investor confidence can evaporate when security fails in the decentralized finance world.

Details remain pretty murky. Step Finance hasn’t said much about how the attackers got in.

The company started working with blockchain security experts right after the breach to trace the stolen funds and figure out what went wrong. But they haven’t released specifics about the attack method or timeline for recovery. Users and investors are basically left waiting for updates while their money sits in limbo.

Step Finance CEO George Harrap tried to calm nerves on January 31st. “Our primary goal is to ensure the safety of our users’ assets and to prevent any future breaches,” Harrap said. The company’s also thinking about offering a bounty for info that leads to getting the stolen funds back. But that’s not really helping STEP token holders who’ve watched their investments get decimated.

The hack adds to growing security problems across DeFi. Without central authorities to help when things go wrong, users often have limited recourse when platforms get breached. And this one’s particularly painful because Solana was supposed to be the fast, cheap alternative to Ethereum.

Solana Labs finally acknowledged the breach on February 2nd. They said they’re reviewing protocols to find systemic weaknesses but didn’t give specifics. The network’s been gaining traction for its speed and low transaction costs, but now investors are questioning whether security kept pace with growth.

Major exchanges jumped into action fast. Binance and Kraken temporarily halted SOL deposits to prevent hackers from cashing out the stolen tokens. “We’re taking precautionary measures to support the investigation,” a Binance spokesperson said. The deposit freeze shows how seriously the crypto industry’s taking this breach.

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis joined the hunt on February 2nd. They’re using advanced tracking tools to monitor any movement of the stolen SOL tokens and prevent attackers from liquidating them on exchanges. But hackers are getting smarter about covering their tracks, so there’s no guarantee they’ll recover anything.

The community’s not happy. Step Finance users flooded forums and social media demanding transparency and quick action. Many feel left in the dark about what happened and whether they’ll ever see their funds again. The platform hasn’t provided a recovery timeline or said if any money’s been found.

SOL’s price got volatile after the news broke. The token dropped to $18 but managed to recover slightly to around $20 by February 3rd. Market participants are nervous and watching every development in the investigation. Even though the hack targeted Step Finance specifically, it’s raising broader questions about Solana’s security.

Industry analysts are treating this as a potential case study for DeFi crisis management. How Step Finance handles the aftermath could influence how investors view security across decentralized platforms on Solana. The outcome might lead to stricter security standards and more scrutiny of DeFi projects.

The investigation’s still active but progress seems slow. Step Finance hasn’t announced any fund recovery or given users much hope for getting their money back. The attackers’ identities remain unknown and their methods unclear.

For now, the crypto world’s watching and waiting. The breach shows that even promising platforms on fast-growing networks like Solana aren’t immune to sophisticated attacks. Users who trusted Step Finance with their assets are learning the hard way that decentralized doesn’t always mean secure.

The stolen 261,854 SOL tokens are still out there somewhere, and time’s running out to track them down before they disappear forever into the crypto underground.

The hack exposed vulnerabilities in multi-signature wallet configurations that many DeFi protocols rely on for treasury management. Security researchers noted that Step Finance’s wallet setup may have had fewer signature requirements than industry best practices recommend, making it easier for attackers to drain funds once they gained initial access.

Solana’s validator network processed the malicious transactions without flagging unusual activity, highlighting gaps in real-time monitoring systems. Other major DeFi platforms on Solana, including Raydium and Serum, quickly conducted internal security audits following the breach. Several announced plans to upgrade their wallet security and implement additional monitoring layers to prevent similar attacks.

Post Views: 1

21h05 ▪ 3 min read ▪ by Luc Jose A.

Summarize this article with:

While bitcoin briefly fell below $75,000, Michael Saylor did not hesitate to strengthen his positions. The Executive Chairman of Strategy invested $75.3 million to acquire an additional 855 BTC. A strategic choice, made official via the SEC, that fits into an uninterrupted accumulation policy since 2020. In a tense market, this move confirms the long-term vision of a key player on the crypto scene.

In brief Michael Saylor took advantage of a Bitcoin drop below $75,000 to buy 855 more BTC. The purchase, totaling $75.3 million, was made official via a SEC filing. The average acquisition price stands at $87,174 per bitcoin, despite the ongoing market correction. Polymarket predictions estimate an 81% chance that Strategy will reach 800,000 BTC by 2026. A consolidated strategy : Strategy buys $75 million of BTC Strategy announced a new acquisition of 855 bitcoins for a total amount of $75.3 million, according to an 8-K form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

This transaction was made at an average price of about $87,174 per BTC. Such a move comes as the price of bitcoin briefly fell below $75,000, an opportunity seen as strategic by Michael Saylor.

Here are the key facts :

Quantity purchased : 855 BTC ; Total amount invested : $75.3 million ; Average purchase price : $87,174 per unit. “Strategy currently holds about 713,000 BTC”, states the official filing, highlighting an accumulation strategy maintained despite market fluctuations. The company thus retains the status of the world’s largest institutional holder of bitcoin.

A bullish momentum anticipated by the markets ? Beyond the purchase itself, it is the projection of Strategy’s portfolio that intrigues analysts. On the prediction platform Polymarket, traders now estimate there is an 81 % probability that the company will hold 800,000 bitcoins by the end of this year.

This anticipation reflects a clear confidence in the continuity of the accumulation strategy, regardless of short-term fluctuations. The company does not communicate a precise timeline, but its steady purchase pace could continue.

For Saylor, bitcoin represents a superior store of value, a strategic asset for corporate balance sheets in a context of inflation and monetary depreciation. While this approach is being adopted by some listed companies, it also triggers criticism regarding the centralization of a significant share of BTC in the hands of a single player. The limited supply structure of bitcoin accentuates this concentration, with potential long-term effects on market liquidity.

Strategy’s continuous accumulation confirms an intact conviction in bitcoin, even during downturns. While attention turns to regulators, MSCI extends the reprieve for crypto companies like Strategy, still giving them strategic room to maneuver in an ecosystem under pressure but still evolving.

Maximize your Cointribune experience with our "Read to Earn" program! For every article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start earning benefits.

Join the program

A

A

Lien copié

Luc Jose A.

Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019. Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.

DISCLAIMER

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

TL;DR:

Zama debuts its native token following a record-breaking auction that encrypted over $121 million on Ethereum. The protocol introduces the “Total Value Shielded” (TVS) metric to measure cryptographically protected economic value. Listings on major exchanges such as Coinbase and Binance mark the start of the asset’s official trading. Open-source cryptography company Zama has just released the ZAMA token launch. By doing so, it establishes itself as the new privacy standard for the onchain ecosystem. This achievement follows a successful public auction in which more than $121 million was protected using homomorphic encryption.

We are looking at the first production-scale implementation of FHE (Fully Homomorphic Encryption) technology on the Ethereum mainnet. Through this breakthrough, Zama succeeds in eliminating the historic gap between public transparency and financial confidentiality in crypto markets.

As of now, the token is operational and available for trading on global platforms. It has already been confirmed that listings on top-tier centralized exchanges, including Coinbase and Binance, will begin progressively throughout the day.

Privacy Innovation: TVS Metric and the HTTPZ Concept Alongside the ZAMA token launch, the company introduced an innovative metric called Total Value Shielded (TVS). This concept seeks to measure the economic value maintained confidentially onchain, serving as a privacy-focused alternative to the traditional Total Value Locked (TVL) used in decentralized finance.

During the Dutch-style auction, more than 11,000 participants utilized Zama’s technology to hide their bidding strategies. As a result, the protocol demonstrated that it is possible to conduct massive token sales without publicly exposing the individual financial data of investors.

The company indicated that this launch is only the beginning of Zama’s “HTTPZ” vision, which aims to make encrypted computation a default feature on the blockchain. In this way, the firm seeks to emulate the HTTPS standard that transformed web traffic security decades ago.

In summary, the ZAMA token launch not only provides liquidity to the market but also validates a critical infrastructure for the future of Web3. Now, the industry is closely watching how this homomorphic encryption technology scales to be adopted by other protocols and developers.

MSTR stock price continued its recent downtrend on Monday as volatility in the crypto market remained. 

Summary

MSTR stock price continued its strong downward trend this week. MicroStrategy continued its Bitcoin accumulation strategy. Technical analysis suggests that MSTR may crash to $100 soon. MicroStrategy dropped to $136, down by 75% from its all-time high. It then stabilized at $145 as Bitcoin (BTC) pared back some of its earlier losses and moved above $78,000. 

Strategy also stabilized after the company revealed that it acquired 8555 coins worth over $75 million last week. It was its smallest purchase in three weeks. 

The company now holds 713,502 coins, which it bought for the average price of $76,052. At its lowest level on Monday, Strategy’s unrealized losses jumped to over $900 milllion. 

Strategy has access to more cash to continue it Bitcoin buying spree. Its buying report showed that it has access to over $8 billon worth of the MSTR stock to sell to raise capital. It also has $20 billion worth of STRK preferred shares, $4 billion of STRD, $3.6 billion of STRC, and $1.6 billion of STRD stock. 

Therefore, there is a likelihood that Saylor will use the lower Bitcoin price to continue the accumulation. His view is that Bitcoin will ultimately bounce back and move to a new record high.

History shows that Bitcoin always rebounds whenever it crashes into a bear market. For example, BTC crashed by over 35% between its highest point in January last year and its lowest point in April. It then rebounded to a record high in May. 

Bitcoin also slipped by over 70% between its highest level in 2021 and lowest level in 2022. It then surged from below $16,000 in 2022 to $126,200 in 2025. Therefore, the most likely scenario is where Bitcoin rebounds later this year.

MSTR stock price technical analysis Strategy stock chart | Source: TradingView The weekly chart shows that the MicroStrategy share price has been in a strong downward trend. It has now crashed below the 61.8% Fibonacci Retracement level, confirming the downward trend.

The Average Directional Index has jumped to 33, its highest level since March last year. A soaring ADX indicator is a sign that the downward trend is gaining momentum. 

The stock moved below all moving averages and the Supertrend indicator. Therefore, the most likely scenario is where it drops by 35% to $100 and then resumes the downward trend.

Almost all but the latest Antminer bitcoin miners are in the red following a collapse in the price of bitcoin, according to data from Antpool.

According to the data feed, only the Antminer S23 Hydro, Antminer U3S23H, and Antminer S23e U2H, all part of the S23 series unveiled last year that started shipping this month, are currently seeing healthy returns with a daily profit per hashrate measure of around $0.016/T.

Other leading models, like the Whatsminer M6 series, older Antminer products, and lesser-known brands, are currently running a deficit or nearing unprofitability, Antpool data shows. Older Antminers like the S21 series machines are nearly out of profit, according to Antpool.

Antpool and Antminer are affiliated through their associations with the Bitmain miner manufacturer.

Bitcoin has dropped to a low below $75,000 in recent days and is currently trading around $78,500, according to The Block's price page. The drop in price means miners earn less per unit of energy they provide to power the global network. This diminishing profitability comes despite a recent drop in network hashrate, attributed to the cold snap that has overtaken large parts of North America, reportedly forcing miners to curtail or shut down operations.

Still, Bitcoin's hashrate is near all-time highs, locking an all-time monthly high of 927.7 EH/s, according to The Block's data. A lower hashrate boosts block rewards per unit of hashpower for remaining online miners, improving margins temporarily despite the price decline, though the mining sector appears to remain highly competitive.

The best-performing miner, the Antminer S23 Hydro, is seeing daily returns of $ 18.53 per machine, according to Antpool. While the Antminer S21, while still in profit, is only returning $0.12 per day per machine. Whatsminer M63S, meanwhile, is reportedly losing $0.47 per day, according to Antpool.

Average monthly Bitcoin miner revenue per TH/s has been steadily declining since last August, The Block's data shows. This follows a longer trendline where miner profitability has been heading closer to the $1 per TH/s level since the market crash in 2022. Miners even faced a "profitability crisis" when bitcoin was trading at record highs last year.

Over the past several years, miners have increasingly diversified into HPC/AI services to diversify away from the increasingly competitive bitcoin mining landscape.

Of note, some of the leading publicly traded bitcoin mining stocks are also down in Monday's session, including MARA Holdings (down 2.5%), Cleanspark (6%), and HIVE Digital (10%).

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

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

Bitcoin traded at about $74,500 at its bottom on Monday – its lowest price since last April. CNBC's MacKenzie Sigalos explains.

Arcium has launched its Mainnet Alpha on Solana, introducing encrypted execution as a native infrastructure layer and marking a significant step toward privacy-preserving finance and AI on public blockchains.

Arcium CEO Yannik Schrade said the project reframes privacy as a core design primitive rather than a niche feature, introducing a general-purpose encrypted execution environment that expands what is possible for internet-native financial systems.

The first application to deploy on Mainnet Alpha is Umbra, which brings a shielded finance layer to Solana. Umbra supports encrypted transfers and private swaps and has launched with controlled access, onboarding 100 users per week under a $500 deposit limit. Broader access is expected in February following additional stress testing.

Developer activity around Arcium has increased since its testnet debut in May 2025, with projects such as Melee, Vanish, and Anonmesh building integrations. The roadmap also includes Confidential SPL, which aims to enable confidential tokens directly on Solana.

Source: Arcium, Umbra

Disclaimer: Crypto Economy Flash News is prepared using official and publicly available sources verified by our editorial team. Its purpose is to provide rapid updates on relevant developments within the crypto and blockchain ecosystem.

This information does not constitute financial advice or an investment recommendation. We recommend always verifying official project channels before making related decisions.

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) stock surged after the company said ad sales are picking up fast and profits will keep growing, giving Wall Street fresh confidence that its AI push is paying off. The big question now is whether that momentum can hold as Meta ramps up spending on data centers, chips, and new tech to fuel its next wave of growth.

Key Takeaways CRS delivered Q2 adjusted EPS of $2.33, beating estimates and rising sharply from the prior-year quarter.Revenues rose 7.5% y/y to $728M, driven by strength in the Aerospace, Defense and Energy markets.Carpenter Technology posted record adjusted operating income of $155M as margins expanded to 21.3%. Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS - Free Report) reported adjusted earnings of $2.33 per share for second-quarter fiscal 2026, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.20. It had posted adjusted earnings of $1.66 in the year-ago quarter. The upside was driven by ongoing improvements in the product mix and expanding operating efficiencies.

Including one-time items, earnings per share were $2.09 in the quarter compared with $1.66 in the year-ago quarter.

Net revenues increased 7.5% year over year to $728 million in the reported quarter. The figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $729 million. 

CRS witnessed a year-over-year revenue increase of 15.3% in the Aerospace and Defense end-use market. Revenues in the Energy end-market rose 19.3%. The metric for the Medical end-use markets moved down 22.3%. Revenues in the Distribution markets decreased 14.1%, whereas Industrial and Consumer end-use market revenues rose 10.1%. The Transportation end-use market’s revenues fell 19.2%

CRS’s Q2 Operational ResultsThe cost of goods sold in second-quarter fiscal 2026 moved up 2.1% year over year to $510 million. Gross profit increased 23% year over year to $218 million. The gross margin came in at 30% compared with the prior-year quarter’s 26.2%. 

Adjusted operating income in the reported quarter was a record $155 million compared with the prior-year quarter’s $119 million. The adjusted operating margin in the quarter under review was 21.3% compared with 17.6% in the year-ago quarter.

Carpenter Technology’s Q2 Segmental PerformanceThe Specialty Alloys Operations segment reported sales of $662 million compared with the prior-year quarter’s $602 million. We predicted the segment’s sales to be $672 million. The segment sold 46,836 pounds compared with the year-ago quarter’s 44,714 pounds. The reported figure missed our estimate of 44,956 pounds. The segment posted an operating profit of $175 million compared with the prior-year quarter’s $136 million. Our estimate for the segment’s operating profit was $171 million.

The Performance Engineered Products’ net sales fell 12.4% year over year to $83 million. The reported figure missed our estimate of $99 million. The segment sold 2,218 pounds compared with the year-ago quarter’s 2,208 pounds. It was higher than our projection of 2,199 pounds. The segment reported an operating profit of $6.9 million, a dip of 1.4% year over year. Our estimate for the segment’s operating profit was $9.4 million.

CRS’ Cash Flow & Balance Sheet UpdatesCarpenter Technology ended second-quarter fiscal 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $232 million compared with $315.5 million at the end of fiscal 2025. The long-term debt was $690 million at the end of the quarter compared with $695 million as of the end of fiscal 2025. 

Cash flow from operating activities was $132 million in the quarter under review compared with $68 million in the prior-year quarter.

Carpenter Technology’s Guidance for FY26CRS expects operating income of $680-$700 million for fiscal 2026 compared with the prior stated $660-$700 million. 

It expects the fiscal third-quarter operating income to be $177-$182 million.

CRS’s Share Price PerformanceShares of the company have surged 66.9% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 72.6%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Peer PerformanceCommercial Metals Company (CMC - Free Report) reported earnings per share of $1.84 for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 compared with 78 cents in the year-ago quarter. Commercial Metals’ bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.55. 
The company’s net revenues in the reported quarter were $2.12 billion, up 11% year over year. The reported figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.99 billion.

Steel - Specialty Stock Awaiting ResultsMetallus Inc. (MTUS - Free Report) is scheduled to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results on Feb. 19. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Metallus’s fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings is pegged at 5 cents per share. MTUS reported a loss of 8 cents in the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Metallus’ top line is pegged at $290 million, indicating growth of 20% from the prior-year reported figure.

NWPX Infrastructure, Inc. (NWPX - Free Report) is scheduled to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results soon.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NWPX Infrastructure’s fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings is pegged at 62 cents per share, indicating a year-over-year dip of 38%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NWPX Infrastructure’s top line is pegged at $121.5 million, indicating growth of 1.6% from the prior-year reported figure.

COHR moves ahead to post 2Q26 results, with revenue estimates of $1.6B, a rising EPS forecast and strong AI-driven demand aiding the company.

-

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DREAM IMPACT TRUST (TSX: MPCT.UN) (“Dream Impact” or the “Trust”) 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 9:00 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 Impact Trust’s website at www.dreamimpacttrust.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 Impact’s website.

About Dream Impact

Dream Impact Trust is an open-ended trust dedicated to impact investing. Dream Impact's underlying portfolio is comprised of exceptional real estate assets reported under two operating segments: development and recurring income, that would not be otherwise available in a public and fully transparent vehicle, managed by an experienced team with a successful track record in these areas. The objectives of Dream Impact are to create positive and lasting impacts for our stakeholders through our three impact verticals: environmental sustainability and resilience, attainable and affordable housing, and inclusive communities. For more information, please visit: www.dreamimpacttrust.ca.

More News From Dream Impact Trust

Back to Newsroom

-

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DREAM OFFICE REIT (TSX: D.UN) (“Dream Office”) will be releasing its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, on Thursday, February 19, 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:

Friday, February 20, 2026 at 10:00 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 Office’s website at www.dreamofficereit.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 Office’s website.

About Dream Office

Dream Office REIT is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust. Dream Office REIT is a premier office landlord in downtown Toronto with over 4.0 million square feet owned and managed. We have carefully curated an investment portfolio of high-quality assets in irreplaceable locations in one of the finest office markets in the world. For more information, please visit our website at www.dreamofficereit.ca.

More News From Dream Office REIT

Back to Newsroom

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz announces an investigation of PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (“PennyMac” or the “Company”) (NYSE: PFSI) on behalf of investors concerning the Company's possible violations of federal securities laws. IF YOU ARE AN INVESTOR WHO LOST MONEY ON PENNYMAC FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. (PFSI), CLICK HERE TO INQUIRE ABOUT POTENTIALLY PURSUING A CLAIM TO RECOVER YOUR LOSS. What Is The Investigation About? On January 29, 2026, PennyMac released.

Store openings in the U.S. are expected to rise and store closures fall this year compared to the 2025, with value retailers leading the growth as they continue to attract more of consumers' dollars, according to an analysis by Coresight Research.

Overall, Coresight projects that U.S. retailers will close about 7,900 stores in 2026, a 4.5% drop year over year. That would represent the lowest number of total store closures in the past three years.

The advisory group also expects retailers will open about 5,500 new stores, a 4.4% increase year over year.

So far, Dollar General, Aldi and Tractor Supply top the list for retailers with the most planned store openings this year, according to Coresight. On the other hand, GameStop, Francesca's and Walgreens lead the way with the most planned closures in 2026.

John Mercer, head of global research of Coresight, said he expects some closely watched economic factors, such as high inflation and the slow housing market, to gradually ease in the coming year. He said retailers' real estate plans also reflect "an incremental improvement over 2025 but not a major inflection point."

Some themes for the retail industry persist and show in the data. Department stores and legacy retailers are slimming down their store counts. Value players including discounters, warehouse clubs and off-price chains are bulking up their national footprint. Successful and reinvented mall retailers, such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap, are squeezing out smaller specialty apparel retailers.

In the first few weeks of the year, there have already been some major store closure announcements. Video game retailer GameStop plans to shutter hundreds of locations, following a significant wave of previous closures. Women's fashion chain Francesca's, which sells clothing and accessories, is closing its nearly 460 stores as the company liquidates its business after a bankruptcy filing. And Amazon said it will shutter all Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go locations and turn some of those into Whole Foods Market stores, marking the end of the e-commerce giant's latest brick-and-mortar experiment in the grocery industry.

Last year, store closures were expected to hit the highest level since the Covid pandemic. Yet the final tally came in at 8,270 closures — down from 8,825 in 2024 and 9,700 in 2020.

"We saw a lot of things we didn't expect and a lot of things we didn't expect were on the upside," Mercer said.

Among them, higher tariffs didn't ding consumer spending as much as feared because retailers imported early shipments and absorbed some of those higher costs. Affluent Americans, who have benefitted from strong stock market gains and rising property values, have kept spending and propped up the retail industry. They have been the thriving part of the so-called K-shaped economy.

Last year, retail bankruptcies drove much of the downsizing, with 32 retailers filing for bankruptcy last year. Rite Aid, Joann, Party City and Big Lots topped the list of the most shuttered stores last year.

Other drugstores contributed significantly to closures last year, too, with Walgreens and CVS Health each shrunk their store footprints.

So far this year, two retailers have filed for bankruptcy: Saks Global, the parent company of luxury department stores Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, and LKM Convenience, a Louisiana-based operator of convenience store brands Brothers Food Mart and Magnolia Express.

Shorter real estate supplyAn expected slowdown of bankruptcies could tighten real estate demand, said Naveen Jaggi, president of retail advisory services for JLL, a commercial real estate company that works primarily in larger and fast-growing U.S. retail markets like Chicago, New York City and Dallas.

Many of the retailers opening stores in 2026 hammered out their real estate deals back in 2024, a year when a large amount of space opened up because companies including Bed Bath & Beyond, Joann and Forever 21 shuttered stores after bankruptcy filings.

"We are looking at a world of dwindling supply," he said. "That is going to become a challenge in 2029 and 2030."

Similar to the housing market, construction of new strip malls has been sluggish because of higher labor costs and elevated interest rates. That tide may turn and developers could break ground more if labor and borrowing costs stabilize and retailers show they're willing to pay enough to fund those builds, Jaggi said.

Not only are retailers competing for space with their closest peers, he said they're also vying for square footage in the same strip malls with expanding food and beverage concepts and chains like Raising Cane's, along with pilates and fitness studios.

"Shopping centers that are trying to grow up and mature like to bring in those national name brands like Soulcycle," Jaggi said. "You can pop out a GameStop and pop in a Soulcycle."

As retailers open new stores, customers' adoption of artificial intelligence chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini and similar to discover merchandise or get shopping advice is challenging retailers to think about what they can offer customers in person, Coresight's Mercer said.

He said for brick-and-mortar locations to complement retailers' e-commerce offerings, a store needs to provide convenience and immediacy, offer ease of pickup or returns, give compelling enough discounts to offset downsides of in-person retail or become an experiential destination.

"Stores are great brand builders," he said. "If you think about agentic commerce, it's great for comparison shopping. Stores are a great way to build value in that brand and separate yourself from the race to the bottom on price."