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SummaryPalantir Technologies Inc. retains a Strong Buy rating, driven by robust growth in both government and commercial segments and a fortress-like balance sheet.PLTR’s Q3 2025 revenue surged 63% to $1.18B, with U.S. commercial revenue up 121% and operating leverage driving outsized profit growth.Despite a forward P/E of ~292x and PEG of 5.12x, PLTR’s premium valuation is underpinned by record contract wins and a unique dual-market position.Key upside drivers include sustained U.S. commercial momentum, potential large government contracts, and untapped international growth, though government budget risk remains. hapabapa/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR) is down about 7% since I last covered it, lagging behind the S&P 500’s (SP500) 3% gain over the same stretch. The decline appears tied to broader worries

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.

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

While this article may sound like financial advice, please observe that the author is not a CFA or in any way licensed to give financial advice. It may be structured as such, but it is not financial advice. Investors are required and expected to do their own due diligence and research prior to any investment. Short-term trading, options trading/investment and futures trading are potentially extremely risky investment styles. They generally are not appropriate for someone with limited capital, limited investment experience, or a lack of understanding for the necessary risk tolerance involved. I own the European/Scandinavian tickers (not the ADRs) of all European/Scandinavian companies listed in my articles. I own the Canadian tickers of all Canadian stocks I write about. Please note that investing in European/Non-US stocks comes with withholding tax risks specific to the company's domicile as well as your personal situation. Investors should always consult a tax professional as to the overall impact of dividend withholding taxes and ways to mitigate these. Please note that my position in Adidas at this time is a watchlist position, but i may increase it going forward.

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.

Zacks Investment Research recently initiated coverage of Stran & Company, Inc. (SWAG - Free Report) with a “Neutral” recommendation, reflecting a balance between the company’s accelerating growth profile and ongoing challenges in profitability, margins and cash flow.

Stran operates as an outsourced marketing solutions provider, offering promotional products, branded merchandise, and loyalty and incentive programs to more than 2,000 active clients across a wide range of industries. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Quincy, MA, the company has steadily expanded its capabilities through organic growth and acquisitions, positioning itself as a scaled platform in a highly fragmented promotional products industry.

A central theme is Stran’s rapid revenue expansion and the early signs of operating leverage. Revenue growth has significantly outpaced expense growth, allowing operating costs to decline as a percentage of sales and driving a sharp improvement in EBITDA toward breakeven levels. This trend suggests that incremental revenues are increasingly being absorbed by a largely fixed cost structure, creating potential for margin expansion as scale continues to build.

The company’s August 2024 acquisition of Gander Group stands out as a transformative development. The transaction meaningfully expanded Stran’s presence in loyalty, casino and continuity programs, which have become a major contributor to consolidated revenues. The company has completed integration within roughly a year and highlighted cross-selling opportunities, new vertical exposure and a repeatable consolidation strategy that could support long-term growth in a fragmented market.

The research report highlights several key factors that could drive SWAG's growth. Stran’s solid balance sheet is also highlighted as a key source of financial flexibility. With no traditional debt and nearly $12 million in cash and investments, the company has supported growth initiatives while opportunistically repurchasing shares. SWAG's decision to buy back shares, even while the company remains unprofitable, signals confidence in long-term value creation.

However, potential investors should consider certain risks outlined in the report. Stran continues to report net losses and negative operating cash flow, with working capital demands and inventory growth weighing on liquidity. The gross margin has come under pressure from acquisition mix, tariffs and limited pricing power, while exposure to discretionary marketing budgets introduces sensitivity to broader economic conditions. Potential equity dilution from outstanding warrants and options, along with rising fixed lease obligations, adds complexity.

From a valuation perspective, Stran shares trade at a substantial discount to industry and market benchmarks on an EV-to-sales basis, even after a strong run over the past year. The “Neutral” recommendation suggests that, while the company’s growth story is compelling, shares are expected to perform in line with the broader market until profitability and cash flow trends become more firmly established.

For a comprehensive analysis of Stran's financial health, strategic initiatives and market positioning, you are encouraged to view the full Zacks research report. This in-depth report provides a detailed discussion of the company's operational strategies, financial performance, and the potential risks and opportunities that lie ahead.

Read the full Research Report on Stran & Company here>>>

Note: Our initiation of coverage on Stran & Company, which has a modest market capitalization of $38 million, aims to equip investors with the information needed to make informed decisions in this promising but inherently risky segment of the market.

Tether (CRYPTO: USDT) has launched USA₮, a federally regulated stablecoin issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, but Standard Chartered warns stablecoins could drain $100 billion from U.S. bank deposits with the market reaching $301.4 billion.

USA₮: Built For The GENIUS ActTether launched USA₮ on Monday to comply with the GENIUS Act, the first nationwide framework governing stablecoins sold to U.S. users.

The law requires stablecoins offered to Americans to be issued by federally or state-qualified entities. That locked out USDT, Tether’s flagship token, forcing the company to create a separate U.S.-compliant version.

Bo Hines, former White House Crypto Council Executive Director, leads the project as CEO of Tether USA₮.

USA₮ is now available on Bybit, Crypto.com, Kraken, OKX, and MoonPay. Cantor Fitzgerald serves as reserve custodian, ensuring transparency from day one.

This move puts Tether back in direct competition with Circle’s (NYSE:CRCL) USDC, which has dominated the U.S. institutional market due to early regulatory compliance. 

Meanwhile, USDT continues operating globally with $143 billion in circulation.

Paolo Ardoino, Tether’s CEO, called USA₮ “a dollar-backed token made in America” designed for institutions that need federal oversight.

Standard Chartered: Stablecoins Are A “Real Threat”The same day Tether launched USA₮, Standard Chartered published a report warning that stablecoins pose a serious threat to bank deposits.

Geoff Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research, estimates U.S. bank deposits will shrink by one-third of the total stablecoin market cap—currently $301.4 billion. 

That translates to roughly $100 billion leaving U.S. banks as stablecoins grow.

The problem is simple: when customers move money from banks into stablecoins, that money doesn’t come back as stablecoin issuers don’t redeposit the cash into the banking system.

Tether holds just 0.02% of reserves in bank deposits. Circle holds 14.5%. The rest sits in Treasury bills and other instruments outside the traditional banking system.

That means every dollar flowing into stablecoins is a dollar permanently leaving bank balance sheets—reducing deposits that banks use to make loans and generate revenue.

Regional Banks Face The Biggest HitKendrick’s analysis shows regional banks are most exposed because they rely heavily on deposits for profitability. 

He specifically flagged Huntington Bancshares, M&T Bank, Truist Financial, and CFG Bank as facing the highest risk.

Larger investment banks are less exposed because they generate revenue from multiple sources beyond deposit-driven lending.

Looking ahead, Kendrick projects the stablecoin market will reach $2 trillion by end-2028. 

At that scale, about $500 billion could leave developed-market banks, with another $1 trillion exiting emerging-market banks.

Circle (NASDAQ:CRCL) CEO Jeremy Allaire has called fears of stablecoin-driven bank runs “totally absurd,” but Standard Chartered’s numbers suggest the threat is real for banks that depend on deposits.

What Happens NextTether’s USA₮ launch legitimizes stablecoins in the U.S. regulatory framework, potentially accelerating adoption among institutions previously blocked from using USDT.

For banks, the expansion of federally regulated stablecoins like USA₮ and USDC increases competitive pressure. 

As stablecoins scale toward $2 trillion, regional banks face structural threats to deposit bases.

Standard Chartered expects the CLARITY Act to pass by the end of Q1 2026, which could limit stablecoin yields. But even without yields, stablecoins offer instant settlement and 24/7 availability—features traditional bank deposits can’t match.

Image: Shutterstock

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XRP is trading at $1.89, down 1.2% today, which caps off a rather gloomy week of 2.4% losses and a two-week tumble totaling 8.4%. With a market cap holding steady at $114 billion, XRP clings to the fifth spot among cryptocurrencies by size—but don't expect a celebratory confetti cannon just yet.

Rick Rieder, a rising favorite for Trump's Fed chair pick, sees bitcoin as new goldAs Trump mulls the next leader of the U.S. Federal Reserve, the BlackRock executive has caught a surge of online wagers, and he'd bring a pro-crypto view. Jan 27, 2026, 3:15 p.m.

A rotating cast of top candidates has roiled Polymarket betting on the next chair of the Federal Reserve, but the new favorite, BlackRock's Rick Rieder, has argued that bitcoin will replace gold and has recommended people should have it in their portfolios.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Rieder, BlackRock's chief investment officer for global fixed income, has rocketed to the top of the list of President Donald Trump's likely picks in the prediction markets, and he's frequently waxed supportive of cryptocurrencies.

He said as far back as 2020 — in much earlier days of digital assets — that bitcoin would take over for gold as a store of value, "because it’s so much more functional than passing a bar of gold around," he said in a CNBC interview. And more recently, he told the same outlet that bitcoin should be part of a smart investment mix, saying that the leading digital token and gold were "things that give you a little bit of ballast in the portfolio."

In that September interview, when bitcoin was still above $112,000, he predicted "it's going to go up." The cryptocurrency is currently trading around $88,000, having fallen recently on possible tariffs and other geopolitical turmoil.

Trump has a choice to make before the term of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell — who the president has framed as his economic nemesis — is set to expire on May 15. It was Trump who originally placed Powell, a Republican, in that pivotal role, but the president has since routinely lamented his performance, calling him "dumb" and "stupid" and nicknames such as "Mr. Too Late."

Meanwhile, Trump has often teased about frontrunners for his replacement, making for a volatile prediction market. Rieder has said it's "an unbelievably honor to even be mentioned in that list."

Rieder vocally shares Trump's frustrations at the sedate pace at which the Fed has cut interest rates. In a recent interview during the president's trip to Davos in Switzerland, Trump called Rieder "very impressive," and his odds on Polymarket have climbed from under 3% to almost 53% at their height, before settling at a current 48%.

For the crypto sector, a Fed chair can pull multiple levers. Apart from a heavy influence in the group that sets the federal funds rate, the chair controls the board's regulatory agenda. However, Powell has deferred to the vice chair for supervision, Michelle Bowman, on the Fed's supervisory work.

So Rieder's crypto enthusiasm may not have a significant play in the rules the regulatory side of the Fed writes for such things as stablecoins or central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

More than as a mechanic of policy, a Fed chair has a softer role as an outsized voice on the health and direction of the U.S. economy, and a staunch bitcoin advocate in that position would be a first.

Though Powell is departing soon as chairman, his term as a regular governor on the Fed board continues, leaving some question about whether he'll take the traditional route and exit after his leadership expires or stay on another two years. Every member of the board has an automatic seat on the Federal Open Market Committee that decides U.S. interest rates, meaning a Powell decision to stay would keep his generally centrist position in place in that group and would fail to open another seat for a Trump appointee.

Trump's relentless criticism of Powell escalated last month when his Department of Justice said it's investigating the central bank chairman for his public descriptions of renovations at the Federal Reserve buildings in Washington. Powell released an unusual, direct response.

"The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the president," Powell said.

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Pudgy Penguins: A New Blueprint for Tokenized Culture

Dec 30, 2025

Pudgy Penguins is building a multi-vertical consumer IP platform — combining phygital products, games, NFTs and PENGU to monetize culture at scale.

What to know:

Pudgy Penguins is emerging as one of the strongest NFT-native brands of this cycle, shifting from speculative “digital luxury goods” into a multi-vertical consumer IP platform. Its strategy is to acquire users through mainstream channels first; toys, retail partnerships and viral media, then onboard them into Web3 through games, NFTs and the PENGU token.

The ecosystem now spans phygital products (> $13M retail sales and >1M units sold), games and experiences (Pudgy Party surpassed 500k downloads in two weeks), and a widely distributed token (airdropped to 6M+ wallets). While the market is currently pricing Pudgy at a premium relative to traditional IP peers, sustained success depends on execution across retail expansion, gaming adoption and deeper token utility.

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WH advisor Patrick Witt: Davos 2026 was ‘turning point’ for global crypto normalization

46 minutes ago

White House crypto advisor Patrick Witt said stablecoins are the “gateway drug” for global finance and that Washington is racing to deliver regulatory clarity.

What to know:

The Context: The Executive Director of the President’s Council for Advisors for Digital Assets sat down for an interview with CoinDesk where he said the recent World Economic Forum in Davos served as a stage for the Trump administration to signal its commitment to normalizing digital assets as a permanent asset class. He said:

The administration aims to strike a balance between traditional financial incumbents and new crypto entrants through a "symbiosis" where they can coexist and compete.Consumers benefit from this competition, positioning the current administration as firmly on the side of technological innovation.The President renewed a pledge at the event to establish the United States as the undisputed "crypto capital of the world".Latest Developments: Regulatory movement is accelerating in Washington with key committee markups scheduled for major digital asset legislation.

The Senate Agriculture Committee is set to mark up its portion of the market structure bill on Thursday, January 29th at 10:30 AM.The Senate Banking Committee has postponed its markup, requiring further mediation on issues like stablecoin rewards and ethics.Witt expressed confidence that despite these delays, the legislation will eventually be reconciled and brought to the Senate floor.Reading Between the Lines: Stablecoins are acting as a "gateway drug" for global business leaders who are beginning to grasp the technology's potential—and its threat.

Witt observed a cycle where traditional players move from a lack of understanding to fear, and finally to incorporating crypto into their own product offerings.While some Senate Republicans worry about stablecoins causing deposit flight from community banks, Witt believes a "smooth glide path" into these future technologies is possible with patience and cooperation.“Consumers win when there’s choice,” he said, while also acknowledging concerns from Senate Republicans about community banks and financial stability. The administration, he suggested, sees convergence between crypto and traditional finance as inevitable but wants the transition to be smooth rather than destabilizing to all parties.U.S. regulators intend to lead the global regulatory conversation, even if the domestic legislative process results in imperfect "directionally accurate" rules.What Comes Next: Once the primary market structure bill passes, the administration plans to pivot toward a major crypto tax package.

Witt suggested there is still a window of opportunity to pass additional digital asset legislation this year before midterms dominate the congressional calendar.The administration is also monitoring "developing situations" regarding digital assets potentially seized in national security actions abroad, such as in Venezuela.Finally, Witt declined to specifically comment on speculation that Venezuelan enforcement actions may have involved seized digital assets, citing national security sensitivities and an evolving situation, but did add, “There’s a number of folks in the national security apparatus engaged,” in regards to how the Maduro regime was financed.

Spot XRP ETF volume has surpassed $2B, highlighting strong demand and rising institutional interest.

Brian Njuguna2 min read

27 January 2026, 03:19 PM

Source: ShutterstockSpot XRP ETF Volume Surpasses $2 Billion Amid Growing Institutional DemandXRP Update reports spot XRP ETFs have surpassed $2B in cumulative trading volume, signaling strong, sustained demand from both retail and institutional investors.

Since October, steady trading activity reveals a quiet but growing surge of institutional investment in XRP. 

Unlike retail-driven volatility, this strategic inflow signals confidence in XRP as a maturing, credible asset, marking a decisive shift toward intentional, long-term market participation.

Spot ETFs, enabling direct XRP ownership without intermediaries or futures, are gaining favor among professional investors. Offering simplicity, transparency, and regulatory clarity, they reduce counterparty risk while providing seamless exposure, making them ideal for institutions seeking diversified crypto portfolios.

Therefore, XRP’s $2 billion milestone signals more than a headline, it underscores the token’s market utility, liquidity, and rising institutional trust. Steady ETF volume amid broader crypto volatility highlights XRP’s resilience and growing market confidence.

Continued inflows signal a shift toward long-term digital asset adoption. Institutions now view XRP not as a speculative play, but as a strategic complement to traditional portfolios. This steady demand supports price stability and drives further crypto product innovation.

As spot XRP ETFs gain momentum, regulatory clarity and new institutional entrants are expected to accelerate adoption. Surpassing $2 billion in cumulative volume marks more than a milestone, it reflects growing legitimacy, strategic allocation, and the rising influence of institutional capital in crypto.

Why does this matter? Well, the XRP ETF market has evolved from niche to mainstream, steadily redefining how institutions approach cryptocurrency exposure.

ConclusionSpot XRP ETFs hitting $2 billion highlights rising institutional confidence, steady demand, and market maturity, positioning XRP as a strategic digital asset in mainstream finance.

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Brian Njuguna is a seasoned crypto journalist at Coinpaper, specializing in blockchain innovation, market trends, and regulatory developments. With a background in economics and years of experience covering the digital asset space, Brian delivers sharp, data-driven insights that cut through the hype. His reporting bridges global crypto narratives with emerging market perspectives, making complex topics accessible to a wide audience.

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Latest Cryptocurrencies News TodayXRP (Ripple) News

In early 2026, gold and Bitcoin are moving in opposite directions. Bitcoin is struggling to bounce back from its January $98,000 peak, while gold climbs past $5,000, led by tokenized markets.

Table of Contents

Tokenized gold breaks out above $5,000Gold price prediction: Why the rally looks durableWhy Bitcoin is going downBitcoin price prediction: Key downside levelsBTC-to-Gold ratio signals defensive capital shiftFinal outlook The takeaway: investors are playing it safe rather than chasing risky gains.

Summary

Gold is climbing while Bitcoin faces downside pressure, with potential drops to $74,000, $68,000, or even $53,000 in extreme scenarios. The BTC-to-Gold ratio near 17.3 signals a defensive capital shift, favoring gold over Bitcoin until market risk appetite improves. Tokenized gold, like Pax Gold and Tether Gold, trades 24/7, accelerating price discovery and reflecting real-time macro demand. Tokenized gold breaks out above $5,000 Pax Gold and Tether Gold broke above $5,000 this week, rising from the mid-$4,600s and holding support near $4,900 as gold rallied.

Because tokenized gold trades 24/7, macro demand showed up instantly, accelerating price discovery and highlighting tokenization’s edge over traditional markets.

Gold price prediction: Why the rally looks durable This gold rally isn’t driven by speculation — it’s fundamentals at work. Central banks are buying more gold than they have in decades, and worries about geopolitics, debt, and currencies keep demand strong.

Gold 1-day chart, January 2026 | Source: TradingView With gold near $5,080, banks are raising long-term forecasts, and tokenized gold reflects these expectations in real time, giving a sneak peek at how markets could trade 24/7.

Why Bitcoin is going down Bitcoin (BTC) has come under pressure as investors shift toward safer assets.

Weakening global risk sentiment, U.S. policy uncertainty, and fears of a yen carry-trade unwind are weighing on prices.

BTC 1-day chart, January 2026 | Source: crypto.news Trading around $87,967, Bitcoin has fallen more than 10% from its January peak.

Bitcoin price prediction: Key downside levels On the technical side, Bitcoin looks at risk of testing the $82,000–$85,000 support area.

If macro conditions continue to deteriorate and the Fed stays hawkish, the next downside levels sit around $74,000 and $68,000. 

In a more extreme sell-off, Fibonacci extensions point to a possible move toward $53,000 — near the psychologically important $50,000 mark.

It’s not the main scenario, but it’s a risk if markets stay in risk-off mode.

BTC-to-Gold ratio signals defensive capital shift The BTC-to-Gold ratio is around 17.3, close to the lower end of its usual range.

It shows how much gold one Bitcoin can buy and gives a sense of whether investors are taking risks or playing it safe.

In past Bitcoin bull runs, this ratio often went above 30–35. Right now, tight liquidity and muted speculation leave gold as the clear winner.

Final outlook Gold’s outlook remains positive thanks to strong institutional buying, while Bitcoin forecasts point to continued volatility and potential downside. Gold is likely to keep its edge over Bitcoin until investors grow more confident.

Tue, 27/01/2026 - 15:36

Corporate treasury giant BitMine Immersion has officially staked more than half of its total Ethereum reserves.

Cover image via U.Today Corporate treasury giant BitMine has managed to stake more than half of its total Ethereum reserves. 

According to on-chain data from Arkham Intelligence, the firm, which is chaired by Fundstrat’s Tom Lee, moved an additional 209,504 ETH into staking contracts earlier today. The sum is currently valued at approximately $610 million.

BitMine’s total staked value now stands at a staggering 2,218,771 ETH ($6.52 billion). This represents over 52% of its total ETH holdings. 

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How Bitmine's staking worksBitMine is utilizing an institutional solo staking model. The firm is leveraging its proprietary infrastructure known as MAVAN (Made in America Validator Network). 

For every 32 ETH they lock up, they activate one unique validator software instance on the network. With over 2.2 million ETH staked, BitMine is operating nearly 70,000 individual validators.

BitMine's $6.52B stake is projected to generate roughly $190 million – $200 million in annual recurring revenue.

Lee previously claimed that BitMine will be able to turn ETH into a productive asset in such a way.  

Bitmine's dominance 

According to the data provided by CoinGecko, BitMine holds 4,243,338 ETH, valued at approximately $12.4 billion.

The company holds nearly 5x more Ethereum than the second-largest holder, SharpLink. 

For context, owning 3.5% of a major asset class is virtually unheard of for a single corporation when it comes to traditional equities. 

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Artificial intelligence model ChatGPT has projected that XRP could register a new all-time high in 2026, with price targets suggesting a meaningful but measured upside compared to previous crypto market cycles.

Indeed, the model’s outlook comes as the token continues to languish below the crucial $2 support after being weighed down by broader market sentiment. 

As of press time, XRP was trading at $1.88, having plunged over 2.6% in the past 24 hours, while on the weekly timeline, the asset is down about 1.6%.

XRP seven-day price chart. Source: Finbold XRP price 2026 outlook  When consulted for insights on a possible XRP 2026 record high, ChatGPT’s assessment noted that the most likely peak stands at around $6.20. 

XRP 2026 price prediction. Source: ChatGPT Under more favorable market conditions, the AI model sees scope for a brief bullish overshoot toward $8.50, while a weaker momentum scenario could cap gains near $4.20. This outlook places XRP firmly above its previous peak of roughly $3.84.

ChatGPT’s projection is based on a structural comparison between past and future market cycles. The model noted that XRP’s prior all-time high occurred in an environment characterized by thinner liquidity and limited institutional participation. 

By contrast, a 2026 cycle is expected to be more capital-intensive, with stronger institutional involvement but tighter valuation discipline, reducing the likelihood of extreme price multiples.

The AI tool also applied historical market cycle behavior, observing that large-cap cryptocurrencies that survive multiple cycles typically achieve gains of about 1.5 to 2.5 times their prior peaks during strong bull phases. 

Using this framework, XRP’s potential valuation range clusters between roughly $5.75 and $9.60, with the midpoint forming the core of ChatGPT’s base-case outlook.

XRP circulating supply impact  ChatGPT also highlighted XRP’s large circulating supply as a structural constraint on upside, arguing that liquidity depth naturally limits exponential price expansion compared with lower-supply digital assets. 

In addition, the model emphasized that XRP’s strongest rallies tend to occur when speculative momentum aligns with a clear adoption narrative, such as cross-border payments or institutional liquidity use cases, a convergence that historically proves difficult to sustain for extended periods.

Finally, the AI pointed to XRP’s continued correlation with major cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Unless XRP achieves a meaningful decoupling, ChatGPT expects it to peak later in the cycle and at a lower multiple than the market leaders.

Featured image via Shutterstock

Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

BlackRock appears to have hit the pause button on its recent massive Bitcoin sell-off after four consecutive days of outflows. Farside Investor data reveals that BlackRock’s IBIT recorded an inflow of $15.9 million, the highest by any asset manager on the exchange-traded funds (ETFs) market.

Bitcoin ETFs turn green on BlackRock inflowsNotably, BlackRock’s inflow contributed largely to the ETF market closing in the green after five straight days of outflows. Besides BlackRock, two other asset managers, WisdomTree’s BTCW and Grayscale’s BTC, both registered $2.8 million and $7.7 million inflows, respectively.

Fidelity’s FBTC recorded $5.7 million in outflows, while Bitwise’s BITB and Ark Invest’s ARKB offloaded $11.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively. The remaining five asset managers registered zero flow.

However, it was BlackRock’s $15.9 million that helped offset the difference between inflows and outflows. The cumulative inflows at the end of the trading day stood at $6.8 million.

It is unclear if BlackRock will continue its selling spree after this given that it is the leading asset manager with the highest dump in the last five days of sales. The asset manager’s move has remained of interest and concern to market watchers.

BlackRock kicked off Bitcoin (BTC) sales in 2026 with the deposit of 1,134 BTC valued at $101.4 million on the Binance exchange. At the time, there were concerns that the move could trigger selling pressure — not only on Binance but across the broader market.

This has largely been true as Bitcoin has continued to face volatility on the crypto market. In the last 30 days, the flagship crypto asset has only managed to climb by 0.09%. The coin has not been able to reclaim six-figure prices within this period. The highest it hit was the $97,000 zone before it faced rejection.

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Bitcoin price in consolidation modeAs of press time, Bitcoin is exchanginge hands at $88,034.51, which reflects a 0.46% increase in the last 24 hours. Its trading volume remains in the red zone, having dropped by 25.9% to $35.87 billion within the same time frame.

As U.Today reported, the continued price consolidation of Bitcoin has led to one of the highest weekly withdrawals of January 2026. A total of $1.46 billion or 16,300 BTC exited the combined Bitcoin funds as spotted by onchain crypto analyst, Ali Martinez.

Interestingly, amid these high outflows, business intelligence firm, Strategy within the last 48 hours, announced the purchase of an additional 2,932 BTC valued at over $264 million. The development offers hope to a segment of the market that not all institutional holders are dumping the coin.

Tue, 27/01/2026 - 15:58

Solana is leading most layer-1 networks in raw on-chain activity, but a bigger question appears for the SOL price as 2026 progresses.

Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Asset manager 21shares has revealed its outlook for the seventh largest cryptocurrency by market cap, Solana (SOL).

In an X post, 21shares outlined its Solana predictions for 2026. In a base case scenario, it predicts Solana reaching $150, which is a 21% increase from current prices. In a bull case scenario, Solana is predicted to reach $197, a 57% increase, while in a bear case scenario, Solana might drop 23% to $95.

At press time, Solana was trading at $123, down 58.18% from an all time high of $294.33 reached on Jan. 19, 2025.

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The base and bull case targets highlighted by 21shares remain minimal and bar an explosive surge in the magnitude of hundreds of percent for Solana.

In a blog post, 21shares indicated doubts about Solana capturing value despite its scaling potential being proven. It was noted that SOL’s price will ultimately reflect not raw network performance, but the quality, durability and value capture of that performance.

Solana's scaling potential highlightedAccording to 21Shares, Solana is surpassing most layer-1 networks in raw on-chain activity. The Solana network processes about 2.2 billion transactions per week, second only to Internet Computer (ICP) at 2.6 billion, and far ahead of other major chains such as BNB Chain and Tron (108 million and 62 million, respectively).

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Solana is also seeing increasing U.S. dollar payments and meaningful institutional experimentation as 2026 progresses. Thus, the debate is no longer whether Solana can scale usage, as this has been resolved. The unresolved question now is whether this economic activity can translate into durable value capture for SOL investors.

Short-term SOL outlookSOL rebounded from a low of $118 on Monday, indicating that the bulls are defending the level.

The relief rally is expected to face immediate resistance at $131. If the Solana price turns down from here, the risk of a drop below the $117 level increases. Solana may then head toward solid support at $95.

On the other hand, if the Solana price turns up and breaks above the moving averages, it might continue sideways trading inside the $117 to $147 range for a little while.

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Bitcoin has reaffirmed its bearish structure after strong rejection near $98,000, signaling that sellers remain firmly in control. With key resistance holding and momentum tilting lower, traders are now shifting focus to where the price could head next if the downside continues to unfold.

Neckline Rejection Locks In A Bearish Bias Crypto analyst Crypto Patel, in a recent post on X, pointed out that Bitcoin has firmly rejected the $94,000–$98,000 neckline resistance, a move that reinforces a bearish market structure. The rejection signals that sellers remain firmly in control, with the failure to reclaim this zone preventing any meaningful shift in momentum.

From a technical standpoint, Patel noted that Bitcoin has confirmed a failed Head and Shoulders pattern, followed by a bear-flag breakdown. This sequence strengthens the bearish outlook, as the price action continues to respect lower highs while struggling beneath key resistance. As long as BTC remains capped below the neckline, the broader trend remains decisively bearish.

Source: Chart from Crypto Patel on X Looking ahead, Patel emphasized that price action below the $90,000 level favors further downside continuation. Based on the measured move from the breakdown, Bitcoin could slide toward the $75,000–$70,000 support region, representing a potential decline of around 22% from current levels.

On the flip side, Patel stressed that a bullish bias would only return if Bitcoin manages a strong reclaim and acceptance above $92,000. Until that happens, any upside attempts are likely to be short-lived, making rallies opportunities for selling rather than signs of a trend reversal.

$89,000: The Fuse For A Potential Bitcoin Short Squeeze According to another Bitcoin post shared by Ardi, the $89,000 level stands out as a critical threshold for any potential shift in momentum. A decisive break above this zone could begin to trigger short-squeeze conditions, as bearish positions that entered lower start to feel pressure and cover.

He further emphasized that $90,300 remains the primary gatekeeper for the market. A strong reclaim and sustained acceptance above this level would signal improving bullish control, allowing price to move higher in search of the $92,000 liquidity band, where a concentration of stops and resting orders is likely positioned.

On the downside, Ardi noted that liquidity near $86,000 has already been taken, suggesting that immediate downside targets have been largely satisfied. With that sweep complete, attention now shifts to whether bulls can push through overhead resistance and force late bears to exit, setting the stage for a sharper upside reaction.

BTC trading at $87,878 on the 1D chart | Source: BTCUSDT on Tradingview.com Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

Crypto ETFs opened the week with a much-needed rebound as ether snapped a four-day outflow streak and bitcoin finally edged back into positive territory. XRP and solana also closed green, signaling a tentative shift in market sentiment.

17h05 ▪ 4 min read ▪ by Evans S.

Summarize this article with:

The crypto market is starting to lift its head again after turbulent weeks. And when the head of Ripple takes a public stand, the signal deserves decoding. Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, says he expects a new all-time high in the crypto market. He stated this during an appearance on CNBC, calling himself “very bullish” and ready to “go on the record” with this forecast.

In brief Garlinghouse publicly bets on a new record for crypto The main lever is institutions, not retail euphoria. U.S. regulation could serve as an accelerator… or a filter. Garlinghouse puts his credibility on the line This statement is not just another tweet in the background noise. Garlinghouse speaks like a leader who knows every word will be dissected by regulators, banks, and investors. His idea is simple, almost brutal. Optimism is returning because the bitcoin sector is weathering the storm without losing support, but mainly because the nature of the sector is changing. He emphasizes a transition that feels like a decade shift.

He also adds a useful nuance for reading the market. According to him, part of this dynamic is not yet priced in valuations. In other words, the market “sees” the movement but does not yet “pay” for it. When Garlinghouse talks about a “massive sea change,” he is mainly referring to Wall Street. The gradual entry of large institutions is transforming demand. Less short betting, more allocation theses.

We have already seen this during the euphoric phases of 2025. Flows into listed products and appetite for bitcoin accompanied the acceleration to new highs. But this engine has a particularity. It does not run continuously. It stops when the political framework becomes blurry, when liquidity tightens, or when risk committees cut back. Even the most optimistic admit it after the post-October 2025 record correction.

Law as a switch: CLARITY and the rest Crypto has never been allergic to risk. It has mostly been allergic to uncertainty. In the United States, the question is no longer only “is it legal?” but “who watches what, and how?” The CLARITY Act embodies this border battle. The text exists, is progressing, and its institutional path is public. It’s exactly the kind of milestone that can bring back players who stayed on the sidelines.

Be careful though with the automatic reflex “a law = pump.” Markets anticipate, then disappoint, then reevaluate. Regulation can free adoption, but it can also impose costs, obligations, and therefore a tougher selection between solid projects and hollow promises.

XRP and the post-hype: an industry aging Garlinghouse is not just selling a price scenario. He is selling a trajectory, with a five- or ten-year horizon, centered on payments, stablecoins, and infrastructure. It’s less spectacular, but more coherent to speak to institutional investors.

In this narrative, XRP becomes a “use” asset, not just a “cycle” asset. The argument is strategic. If use cases stabilize, volatility eventually loses some of its narrative power.

The reality remains of a market that loves shortcuts. An ATH for crypto is possible, especially if institutional demand and regulatory clarity strengthen. But the road can look like a bumpy track, not a highway. And that is often where the difference is made between conviction and mere enthusiasm.

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Evans S.

Fascinated by Bitcoin since 2017, Evariste has continuously researched the subject. While his initial interest was in trading, he now actively seeks to understand all advances centered on cryptocurrencies. As an editor, he strives to consistently deliver high-quality work that reflects the state of the sector as a whole.

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.

Bitcoin Is Being Bought, Not UsedFor most of Bitcoin’s history, price and usage told broadly the same story.

When price moved higher, more people showed up. More wallets became active. More transactions hit the chain. The relationship was never perfect, but it was stable enough to treat price as a rough signal for adoption.

That relationship has now broken.

For years, we compared Bitcoin adoption to the growth of the internet, screaming, “We're still early.” The graph went up and to the right. Since 2021, that is no longer the case for Bitcoin.

Bitcoin adoption versus the internet using active addresses as a proxy for usersYears of GrowthInternet Year (Total Users)Bitcoin Year (Active Addresses SMA)ObservationYear 11991: 4.3M2010: ~105BTC started from a much smaller base.Year 51995: 39.2M2014: ~150kBTC scaling rapidly.Year 102000: 361M2019: ~750kBTC on-chain growth begins to slow.Year 122002: 669M2021: ~1.0MThe Peak: BTC adoption stalls here.Year 172007: 1.3B2026: ~900kThe Stagnation: BTC activity is down ~10% from 2021.Bitcoin is trading at levels that would have sounded implausible just a few years ago, yet fewer people are actually using the network. On-chain activity has not completely vanished, but it has clearly failed to keep pace with price.

The data points to a market that is being accumulated aggressively, while the blockchain itself is seeing less engagement than it did four years ago.

This looks less like a temporary divergence and more like a structural shift.

Price hit new highs, usage didn’tOur first chart makes the problem obvious. The number of active Bitcoin addresses has fallen to the lowest average level since January 2020.

For context, miners received 12.5 BTC per block to verify these transactions when usage was last this low. That's $1.1 million per block by today's prices. Miners today receive an average of just $275,000.

Bitcoin’s price has reached new all-time highs in the ETF era, even as daily active addresses remain well below their 2021 peak, highlighting a growing gap between valuation and on-chain usage.Daily active addresses, sourced from CryptoQuant, peaked during the 2021 bull market, reaching roughly 1.2 to 1.3 million addresses per day. That period marked the high watermark for on-chain participation.

Since then, activity has never returned to those levels.

Bitcoin went on to set new all-time highs in the ETF era, yet active addresses failed to make a higher high. By early 2025, as price pushed to record levels, on-chain activity was already rolling over, sitting closer to ranges last seen during the 2022 bear market.

The implication is uncomfortable but hard to ignore. Bitcoin’s highest prices now occur with fewer active users than four years ago.

That alone challenges the assumption that rising prices automatically reflect growing adoption. Capital is clearly flowing into Bitcoin, but far fewer participants are interacting with the network itself.

Moreover, the trend from November 2024 to today may be even more concerning, as shown below.

The total number of unique Bitcoin active addresses, inclusive of senders and receivers since the end of 2024 (Source: CryptoQuant)ETFs changed Bitcoin’s market structureTo understand why this divergence matters, it helps to step back and look at adoption more holistically.

Rather than relying on a single metric, we constructed a composite adoption index using only on-chain fundamentals. The index combines daily active addresses, total transaction count, and the ratio between realized price and spot price, with all inputs normalized and weighted toward usage rather than valuation.

The goal was straightforward, isolate real engagement with the Bitcoin network while filtering out price-driven noise.

When this adoption index is plotted against normalized spot price, a clear divergence emerges in early 2024, shortly after the approval of US spot Bitcoin ETFs by the SEC.

A composite adoption index built from on-chain metrics diverges from price after ETFs launch, suggesting recent price gains are no longer accompanied by rising network usage.Price continues to climb. Adoption stalls and then begins to trend lower.

This pattern did not appear in prior cycles. In 2020 and 2021, price and adoption rose together. In 2022, both fell together. In the ETF era, price has moved ahead while on-chain usage failed to follow.

Since ETFs launched, price has risen faster than adoption, marking a break from how Bitcoin has historically behaved.

That break matters because ETFs change who is buying Bitcoin and how they hold it. Exposure can now be gained without touching the blockchain at all through custodians like Coinbase. No wallets are created. No transactions are broadcast. No fees are paid to miners.

[Editor's Note: OTC transfers by Authorized Participants are regularly registered on-chain, but ETF trades are all off-chain, and many OTC trades also take place off-chain between Coinbase Prime account holders.]

The asset can change hands while the network remains largely untouched.

Capital is deepening, activity is notThe relationship between spot price and realized price makes this shift even clearer.

Realized price reflects the average cost basis of all coins in circulation. It moves slowly and tends to rise as long-term holders accumulate at higher prices. Spot price reacts far more quickly to marginal demand.

Since 2023, realized price has climbed steadily, showing that capital entering Bitcoin is increasingly committed and long-term in nature. Over the same period, spot price has repeatedly overshot, particularly during the ETF-driven rally.

The widening gap between spot price and realized price tells a specific story.

Realized price continues to trend upward as spot price becomes more volatile, indicating deeper capital commitment without a corresponding increase in transaction activity.Capital is entering at a higher cost basis. Existing holders are not transacting more frequently. Network velocity is declining.

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Bitcoin is increasingly functioning as collateral, a treasury asset, and a long-duration store of value. Those roles are materially different from the transactional adoption narratives often implied by rising prices.

This chart adds economic depth to the broader picture. Bitcoin is being accumulated, while circulation continues to slow.

A regime shift, not a cycleThe final chart puts numbers behind what the earlier charts suggest.

By calculating a rolling 90-day correlation between the adoption index and spot price, it becomes possible to see how tightly price has tracked on-chain usage over time.

From 2020 through most of 2021, the correlation remained consistently positive. Price moved in step with adoption, reflecting organic network growth. In 2022, the correlation turned sharply negative as price collapsed faster than usage, a typical capitulation phase.

The historical relationship between price and adoption has become increasingly unstable in the ETF era, marking a shift away from price movements driven by on-chain usage.After ETFs entered the market, that relationship became unstable.

Correlation now swings between positive and negative, often remaining below zero for extended periods. Price movements increasingly fail to reflect changes in on-chain engagement.

For the first time in Bitcoin’s history, price appreciation is no longer reliably associated with rising on-chain adoption.

That change reflects a shift in how Bitcoin is owned, accessed, and valued.

What this means for Bitcoin adoptionNone of this suggests Bitcoin is failing.

What the data shows is a network moving into a different phase of its life cycle.

On-chain adoption appears to have peaked in 2021. The 2024–2025 rally was driven primarily by price discovery away from the base layer. ETFs introduced a structural decoupling between price and usage. Rising realized prices signal conviction among existing holders rather than an expanding user base.

Supporting data from UTXO age bands reinforces this picture. Older coins account for a growing share of supply, while short-term UTXOs show weaker growth. Exchange netflows also point toward accumulation rather than distribution, and transaction counts have remained broadly flat since 2022, even as prices more than doubled.

UTXO Count – Age Bands shows the number of UTXOs that were last moved within a specified age band. Each colored band represents the number of UTXOs in existence, that were last moved within the denoted time period. (Source: CryptoQuant)Bitcoin is entering a more capital-intensive, lower-velocity phase.

That shift does not invalidate the asset. It changes how adoption should be measured and how price should be interpreted.

Reading price as a proxy for usage no longer works in the ETF era.

Bitcoin is being bought, enthusiastically and at scale. It is simply being used less than it once was.

The blockchain has been signalling that change for some time. The charts make it difficult to ignore.

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LQWD invites individual and institutional investors, as well as advisors and analysts, to attend online at VirtualInvestorConferences.com January 27, 2026 10:01 ET  | Source: Virtual Investor Conferences; LQWD Technologies Corp.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LQWD Technologies Corp. (“LQWD” or the “Company”) (TSXV: LQWD) (OTCQX: LQWDF), a Canadian-based Bitcoin-backed company and provider of enterprise-grade infrastructure for the Bitcoin Lightning Network, announces that Shone Anstey, Chief Executive Officer of LQWD Technologies, will present live at the Digital Asset Treasury Virtual Investor Conference hosted by Virtual Investor Conferences on January 27, 2026.

DATE: January 27th, 2026
TIME: 12:30 PM ET
LINK: REGISTER HERE
Available for 1x1 meetings January 27-30th. Schedule 1x1 Meetings here

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.  

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

About LQWD Technologies Corp.

LQWD Technologies Corp. is a Canadian-domiciled reporting public company with offices in Vancouver, Canada, and Lugano, Switzerland. The Company has approximately 31.9 million shares outstanding, and 42.7 million shares fully diluted and maintains a strong balance sheet with no outstanding debt, convertible bonds, or debentures.

The Company’s shares trade in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LQWD, and on the OTCQX Market in the United States under the symbol LQWDF.

LQWD is advancing Bitcoin adoption through the Lightning Network, a second-layer solution that enables instant, low-cost transactions at global scale. As one of the first companies dedicated to building, launching, and expanding core Lightning Network infrastructure, LQWD operates a network of enterprise-grade nodes and network liquidity which earn transaction fees.

With a strategic Bitcoin holding and infrastructure positioned for effectively unlimited scalability, LQWD offers investors unique exposure to both the potential long-term appreciation of Bitcoin and the emergence of Lightning-based payment technology.

For more information, please visit LQWD’s website and connect with the Company’s Lightning Network nodes in real time.

About Virtual Investor Conferences®
Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access.  Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

Ashley Garnot, President/Director
Phone: 1.604.669.0912
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lqwdtech.com
X: @LQWDTech

Virtual Investor Conferences
John M. Viglotti
SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
OTC Markets Group
(212) 220-2221
[email protected] 

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Company’s business plans and the outlook of the Company’s industry. Although the Company believes, considering the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release and the Company assumes no responsibility to update them or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances other than as required by applicable securities laws. 

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

Nice (NICE - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.

Over the past month, shares of this software company have returned +2.7%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.4% change. During this period, the Zacks Internet - Software industry, which Nice falls in, has lost 3.4%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.

Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Nice is expected to post earnings of $3.23 per share, indicating a change of +7% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.6% over the last 30 days.

The consensus earnings estimate of $12.28 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +10.4%. This estimate has changed -0.2% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $11.62 indicates a change of -5.4% from what Nice is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -0.2%.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Nice is rated Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Projected Revenue GrowthEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.

For Nice, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $778.66 million indicates a year-over-year change of +7.9%. For the current and next fiscal years, $2.94 billion and $3.18 billion estimates indicate +7.4% and +8.2% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryNice reported revenues of $732 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +6.1%. EPS of $3.18 for the same period compares with $2.88 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $727.92 million, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.56%. The EPS surprise was +0.32%.

The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.

The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Nice is graded B on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Nice. However, its Zacks Rank #4 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.

Meta is giving Corning up to $6 billion for fiber-optic cable in its AI data centers, in a deal reported first by CNBC. Famous for making iPhone glass for Apple, the 175-year-old U.S. company is now at the heart of the AI infrastructure boom, with demand for fiber sending its stock up more than 70% in the last year.

Occidental Petroleum (OXY - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.

Over the past month, shares of this oil and gas exploration and production company have returned +8.7%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.4% change. During this period, the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - United States industry, which Occidental falls in, has gained 6.4%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.

Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Occidental is expected to post earnings of $0.27 per share, indicating a change of -66.3% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -32.2% over the last 30 days.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $2.18 points to a change of -37% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed -36.8%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $0.76 indicates a change of -65.1% from what Occidental is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -37.2%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) for Occidental.

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

For Occidental, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $5.98 billion indicates a year-over-year change of -12.5%. For the current and next fiscal years, $25.97 billion and $20.89 billion estimates indicate -3.4% and -19.6% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryOccidental reported revenues of $6.72 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -6.1%. EPS of $0.64 for the same period compares with $1 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.72 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of -0.07%. The EPS surprise was +33.33%.

The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates times over this period.

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.

As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Occidental is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Occidental. However, its Zacks Rank #5 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.

VZ eyes Q4 gains with new 5G offerings and strong wireless traction, but margin pressures and soft outlook cloud the picture.

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

If you suffered significant losses in Rezolute stock or options and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 27, 2026) - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Rezolute, Inc. ("Rezolute" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: RZLT).

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

Rezolute, Inc. shares tumbled sharply on December 11, 2025, as investors reacted to disappointing topline results from its Phase 3 sunRIZE clinical trial for ersodetug, its lead drug candidate for treating congenital hyperinsulinism. The study failed to meet both its primary and key secondary endpoints, with the highest dose showing reductions in hypoglycemia events that were not statistically significant versus placebo.

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

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

If you purchased or acquired securities in Bath & Body Works between June 4, 2024 and November 19, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 27, 2026) - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Bath & Body Works, Inc. ("Bath & Body Works" or the "Company") (NYSE: BBWI) and reminds investors of the March 16, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) the Company's strategy of pursuing "adjacencies, collaborations and promotions" was not growing the customer base and/or delivering the level of growth in net sales touted; (2) as the Company's strategy of "adjacencies, collaborations and promotions" faltered, the Company relied on brand collaborations "to carry quarters" and obfuscate otherwise weak underlying financial results; (3) as a result, the Company was unlikely to meet its own previously issued financial guidance; (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

On November 20, 2025, Bath & Body Works, Inc. announced disappointing third quarter 2025 financial results, reporting a 1% year-over-year decline in revenue, missing prior guidance calling for 1-3% growth, and a 26% drop in net income to $77 million. The Company also sharply reduced its full-year outlook, cutting expected earnings per diluted share from a range of $3.28 to $3.53 to "at least $2.83." That same day, in an investor presentation, Bath & Body Works unveiled a new business strategy and acknowledged that its prior focus on "adjacencies, collaborations and promotions" had failed to grow its total customer base. The Company further admitted that this strategy reduced investment in core categories, relied on collaborations to "carry quarters," and led to an overreliance on deeper and more frequent promotions.

Following these disclosures, Bath & Body Works' stock price fell $5.22, or 24.8%, to close at $15.82 per share on November 20, 2025.

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

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

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

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281654

Source: Faruqi & Faruqi LLP

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