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Q4: 2026-01-22 Earnings SummaryEPS of $0.41 beats by $0.04

 |

Revenue of

$104.46M

(9.31% Y/Y)

beats by $759.00K

OceanFirst Financial Corp. (OCFC) Q4 2025 Earnings Call January 23, 2026 11:00 AM EST

Company Participants

Alfred Goon - Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Strategy & Investor Relations
Christopher Maher - Chairman & CEO
Joseph Lebel - President, COO & Director
Patrick Barrett - Senior EVP & CFO

Conference Call Participants

Daniel Tamayo - Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Research Division
Timothy Switzer - Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods, Inc., Research Division
Christopher Marinac - Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, Research Division
David Bishop - Hovde Group, LLC, Research Division
Matthew Breese - Stephens Inc., Research Division

Presentation

Operator

Hello, everyone, and welcome to the OceanFirst Financial Corp. Q4 '25 Earnings Release. My name is James, and I will be your operator for today. [Operator Instructions]

The conference call will now start, and I'll hand it over to our host, Alfred Goon. Please go ahead.

Alfred Goon
Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Strategy & Investor Relations

Thank you, James. Good morning, and welcome. I am Alfred Goon, SVP of Corporate Development and Investor Relations. Before we kick off the call, we'd like to remind everyone that our quarterly earnings release and related earnings supplement can be found on the company website, oceanfirst.com.

Our remarks today may contain forward-looking statements and may refer to non-GAAP financial measures. All participants should refer to our SEC filings, including those found on Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K for a complete discussion of forward-looking statements and any factors that could cause actual results to differ from those statements.

Thank you. And now I will turn the call over to Christopher Maher, Chairman and CEO.

Christopher Maher
Chairman & CEO

Thank you, Alfred. Good morning, and thank you to all who been able to join our fourth quarter 2025 earnings conference call. This morning, I'm joined by our President, Joe Lebel; and our Chief Financial Officer, Pat Barrett. We appreciate

Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.

By their very nature, these stocks carry above-average risk and volatility. Moreover, if a company's growth story is over or nearing its end, betting on it could lead to significant loss.

However, the task of finding cutting-edge growth stocks is made easy with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.

The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW - Free Report) is on the list of such stocks currently recommended by our proprietary system. In addition to a favorable Growth Score, it carries a top Zacks Rank.

Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.

Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this company a great growth pick right now.

Earnings GrowthArguably nothing is more important than earnings growth, as surging profit levels is what most investors are after. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for Charles Schwab is 5.9%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 17.6% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 11.9%.

Cash Flow GrowthWhile cash is the lifeblood of any business, higher-than-average cash flow growth is more important and beneficial for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, growth in cash flow enables these companies to expand their businesses without depending on expensive outside funds.

Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for Charles Schwab is 22.3%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 14.2%.

While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 13.7% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 8.3%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsBeyond the metrics outlined above, investors should consider the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is a plus here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

The current-year earnings estimates for Charles Schwab have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 3.9% over the past month.

Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made Charles Schwab a Zacks Rank #2 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of A based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above.

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

This combination indicates that Charles Schwab is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.

Key Takeaways ADP will report Q2 FY26 results Jan. 28, with consensus calling for $5.4B in revenues and $2.58 EPS.Employer Services revenues are projected at $3.6B, reflecting 5% growth driven by solid business bookings.ADP expects $1.8B from PEO services and $310M from interest on client funds. ADP (ADP - Free Report) is scheduled to release second-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Jan. 28, before market open.

ADP has a decent earnings surprise history, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters, with an average surprise of 2.7%.

ADP’s Q2 ExpectationsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for the top line is pegged at $5.4 billion, indicating 6.7% year-over-year growth. Solid segmental growth is likely to have driven the top line.

The consensus estimate for second-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues of $3.6 billion from Employer Services hints at 5% growth from the year-ago quarter’s actual. A solid business booking is expected to have driven this segment’s revenues.

For Professional Employer Organization (“PEO”) services, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is kept at $1.8 billion, suggesting 6% year-over-year growth. A consistent increase in PEO new business bookings is anticipated to have benefited this segment’s revenues.

The consensus mark for Interest on Funds held for clients is pegged at $310 million, implying 14% growth from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure. This upsurge is expected to have been fueled by higher client fund balance growth.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Average Paid PEO Worksite Employees for the quarter is 762.

The consensus estimate for earnings per share is kept at $2.58, suggesting year-over-year growth of 9.8%.

What Our Model Says About ADPOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for ADP this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But that is not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

ADP has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Stocks to ConsiderHere are a few stocks from the broader Computer and Technology sector, which, according to our model, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this season.

Birkenstock Holding PLC (BIRK - Free Report) : The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s first-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues is pinned at $467.6 million, indicating a 21.2% year-over-year decline. For earnings, the consensus mark is set at 27 cents per share, implying a 42.1% upsurge from the year-ago quarter’s actual. The company beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the past four quarters, the average surprise being 18.8%.

BIRK has an Earnings ESP of +0.42% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The company is scheduled to declare its first-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Feb. 12.

V.F. Corporation (VFC - Free Report) : The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenues is kept at $2.7 billion, indicating a year-over-year dip of 2.6%. For earnings, the consensus mark is pinned at 43 cents per share, suggesting a 30.7% decline from that reported in the year-ago quarter. The company beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 37.7%.

VFC currently has an Earnings ESP of +4.05% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is scheduled to declare third-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Jan. 28.

Key Takeaways Visa is set to report fiscal Q1 2026 on Jan. 29, with EPS seen up 14.2% and revenues expected to rise 12.3%.V's volumes are forecast to grow, with processed transactions up 9.5% and payment volumes up 8.6%.Visa faces pressure from higher expenses and client incentives, with shares valued above the industry. Visa Inc. (V - Free Report) is set to report its first-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Jan. 29, 2026, after market close. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at $3.14 per share on revenues of $10.68 billion.

The estimate for fiscal first-quarter earnings has remained stable over the past 60 days. The bottom-line projection indicates a year-over-year increase of 14.2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues suggests year-over-year growth of 12.3%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

For fiscal 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Visa’s revenues is pegged at $44.44 billion, implying a rise of 11.1% year over year. The consensus mark for EPS is pegged at $12.81, suggesting a jump of around 11.7% on a year-over-year basis.

The payments juggernaut has a robust history of surpassing earnings estimates. It beat estimates in each of the last four quarters, with the average being 2.7%. This is depicted in the graph below:

Q1 Earnings Whispers for VisaHowever, our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for the company this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy), or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, but that is not the case here.

Visa has an Earnings ESP of -0.23% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

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

Factors Shaping Visa’s Q1 ResultsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests a 6.4% increase in total Gross Dollar Volume from the previous year, while our model predicts 6.2% growth. The growing adoption and popularity of digital payment methods are likely to contribute positively to Visa's overall fiscal first-quarter results.

As the company draws revenues as a set percentage of total transaction value every time a customer makes payments with a debit/credit card, higher spending means more revenues in the form of transaction processing fees. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal first-quarter total processed transactions indicates 9.5% year-over-year growth.

The consensus mark for total payment volumes indicates an 8.6% year-over-year increase. We expect the metric for U.S. operations alone to jump 6.7% year over year. Similarly, our model predicts 10% year-over-year growth in Latin America and 15% in CEMEA.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for data processing revenues indicates 14.6% growth in the fiscal first quarter from the year-ago level of $4.7 billion, while our estimate suggests a 14.9% increase. Similarly, the consensus mark for service revenues suggests 11.2% year-over-year growth, whereas we expect the metric to grow by 9.2% from $4.2 billion.

Furthermore, the consensus estimate for international transaction revenues indicates 11.8% growth from a year ago, whereas our model predicts a 10.8% increase. Continuous growth in cross-border volumes is expected to have supported the metric.

The factors stated above are expected to have positioned Visa for strong year-over-year growth in the fiscal first quarter. However, rising expenses and client incentives (a contra-revenue item) are likely to have partially offset the positive impact of higher volumes.

We expect adjusted total operating expenses for the quarter under review to increase 12% year over year due to increased Personnel, Professional Fees and Network and Processing expenses. Also, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for client incentives is pegged at $4.4 billion for the to-be-reported quarter.

Visa Price Performance & ValuationVisa's stock has declined 6.1% in the past three months. It shed less value than the industry’s 9.4% fall butunderperformed the S&P 500’s rise of 2.4%. In comparison, its peers like Mastercard Incorporated (MA - Free Report) and American Express Company (AXP - Free Report) have decreased 7.1% and gained 2.9%, respectively, during this time.

3-Month Price Performance – V, MA, AXP, Industry & S&P 500 Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Now, let’s look at the value Visa offers investors at current levels.

The company’s valuation looks somewhat stretched compared with the industry average. Currently, Visa is trading at 24.46X forward 12-month earnings, above the industry’s average of 19.62X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

In comparison, Mastercard is even less attractively valued, trading at 27.71X forward 12-month earnings. American Express, on the other hand, is trading at 20.80X, offering a better value at the moment.

How Should You Play Visa Ahead of Q1 Earnings?Visa remains a high-quality compounder, backed by its asset-light model, resilient transaction volumes, expanding value-added services, and long-term relevance in global payments. Structural tailwinds, from cross-border recovery, stablecoin enablement and emerging AI-led commerce, support its long-term growth outlook.

However, near-term risks are rising. Expense growth and higher client incentives are pressuring margins, regulatory scrutiny is intensifying across key markets and competitive threats from potential large-merchant stablecoins could weigh on transaction economics. Despite a recent pullback, Visa’s valuation remains elevated versus the industry, limiting near-term upside.

Given these factors, Visa looks fundamentally strong but not compellingly priced. Investors may be better served waiting on the sidelines for a more attractive entry point, either through further price correction or clearer visibility on cost and regulatory pressures.

Key Takeaways Lam Research expects Q2 revenues of $5.2B, up 19% year over year.Q2 earnings are projected at $1.15 per share, reflecting 26% growth.AI-driven chip demand and higher DRAM spending likely boosted system revenues. Lam Research Corporation (LRCX - Free Report) is likely to beat earnings estimates when it releases its second-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Jan. 28. The company expects revenues of $5.2 billion (+/- $300 million) for the quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $5.22 billion, indicating 19.2% growth from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter.

Lam Research expects earnings of $1.15 (+/- $0.10) per share for the second quarter. The consensus mark for second-quarter earnings has remained unchanged at $1.16 per share over the past 60 days, implying a 27.5% year-over-year increase.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Lam Research has an impressive earnings surprise history. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 4.13%. The company’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 5.89%.

Q2 Earnings Whispers for Lam ResearchOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for Lam Research this earnings season. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat, which is exactly the case here.

Earnings ESP of LRCX: Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate ($1.18) and the Zacks Consensus Estimate ($1.16), is +1.56%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Lam Research’s Zacks Rank: LRCX presently sports a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Factors Likely to Influence LRCX’s Q2 ResultsLam Research has been riding on the wave of a strong rebound in the semiconductor industry, driven by the surging demand for memory and advanced AI applications. The rise in spending on AI and machine learning, particularly with the growing influence of Generative AI, is likely to have provided a significant boost to the company's performance in the fiscal second quarter. The increasing need for advanced AI-centric chips has become a key growth catalyst.

Heightened dynamic random access memory (DRAM) spending, especially in response to demand for high-bandwidth memory, is likely to have played in Lam Research's favor. The company's momentum in 3D DRAM and advanced packaging technologies is also expected to have added to its strong performance. At the same time, ongoing technological advancements are pushing NAND spending higher, which is likely to contribute to LRCX’s quarterly results.

Lam Research’s focus on expanding semiconductor fabrication capabilities, along with its heavy investment in research and development, positions it well in a competitive landscape. Its innovation through Semiverse solutions, particularly in high-aspect-ratio memory hole etch for NAND, is likely to have fueled this progress. LRCX’s strategic investments in cutting-edge technologies are anticipated to have bolstered its performance in the foundry and logic segment, while the increasing adoption of 3D architectures is expected to have supported growth in its etch and deposition services.

The company’s robust suite of tools, which enable foundry logic inflections, is likely to have secured strong customer traction. With the accelerating deployment of 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT), Lam Research’s semiconductor and memory solutions remain in high demand, reinforcing its market position in the fiscal second quarter.

All these factors are likely to have driven growth in system revenues. Our model estimate for second-quarter system revenues is pegged at $3.41 billion, implying year-over-year growth of 29.7%, underscoring Lam Research’s continued strength in the evolving tech landscape. Our model estimate for the Customer Support segment’s first-quarter revenues is pegged at $1.8 billion, indicating a year-over-year increase of 2.6%.

LRCX’s Stock Price Performance & ValuationLam Research shares have surged 177% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Electronics – Semiconductors industry, which has risen 30.6%. The stock has also surpassed major semiconductor equipment providers, including KLA Corporation (KLAC - Free Report) , ASML Holding (ASML - Free Report) and Applied Materials (AMAT - Free Report) . Shares of KLA Corporation, ASML Holding and Applied Materials have soared 100.1%, 90.5% and 70.7%, respectively.

LRCX One-Year Price Return Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Let us look at the value Lam Research offers investors at current levels. Currently, LRCX is trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month P/E of 41.29X compared with the industry’s 32.75X.

Lam Research Forward 12-Month P/E Ratio
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Compared with semiconductor giants, the stock trades at a lower multiple than ASML Holding, while at a higher multiple than KLA Corporation and Applied Materials. At present, ASML Holding, KLA Corporation and Applied Materials have forward 12-month P/E of 43.54X, 37.70X, and 32.55X, respectively.

Investment Thesis on LRCX StockLam Research is capitalizing on AI trends. It builds the tools chipmakers need to manufacture next-generation semiconductors, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and chips used in advanced packaging. These technologies are vital for powering AI and cloud data centers.

Lam Research’s products are not only critical but also innovative. For example, its ALTUS ALD tool uses molybdenum to improve speed and efficiency in chip production. Another product, the Aether platform, helps chipmakers achieve higher performance and density. These are essential capabilities as demand for advanced AI chips continues to increase.

In 2024, Lam Research’s shipments for gate-all-around nodes and advanced packaging exceeded $1 billion, and management had expected this figure to triple to more than $3 billion in 2025. Additionally, the industry’s migration to backside power distribution and dry-resist processing presents growth opportunities for LRCX’s cutting-edge fabrication solutions.

Lam Research’s steady investments in research & development and new products are paying off. Its Cryo 3.0 technology has set new standards in the industry, and the Aether dry-resist system is being adopted, especially for high-bandwidth DRAM.

Expanding its manufacturing operations in Asia has also helped the company lower costs and improve margins. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, Lam Research’s non-GAAP operating margin increased by 60 basis points to 35% year over year.

Conclusion: Buy LRCX Stock for NowLam Research’s reasonable valuation, strong financials and clear focus on AI-related growth make it a good investment choice right now. Its market position in AI and data center chipmaking, combined with ongoing innovation, should keep driving long-term gains.

TL;DR

Hedera (HBAR) trades near $0.11 after a 2.2% daily gain, but volume fell 41% to $107M, reflecting lower trading activity. The token recently printed intraday lows near $0.10 after losing the $0.12 support; the technical rebound to $0.115 failed to sustain volume or traction. Market capitalization stands around $4.7 billion, down 65% from the July 2025 peak; TVL sits at $61.5M. Hedera (HBAR) posted a volatile session and is trading near $0.11 following a 2.2% daily increase, according to the latest CoinMarketCap data. Trading volume declined 41% to roughly $107M, pointing to reduced market activity.

The short-term move follows a bearish sequence that pushed the token to intraday lows close to $0.10. After a sharp drop on January 19, HBAR staged a technical rebound toward the $0.115 area, but failed to sustain volume consistently. Price remains below the levels seen at the beginning of the month, when the asset lost the $0.12 support.

HBAR’s performance remains aligned with broader crypto market dynamics. Bitcoin continues to trade below $90,000, having reached lows of $87,700. Its current price stands at $89,700. This backdrop weighed on a large share of altcoins and limited short-term rebounds, including in projects that reported market-relevant announcements.

Hedera announced a multi-year partnership with McLaren Racing, making the network an official partner of the Formula 1 team. Several crypto companies have signed sports sponsorship deals in recent years, although the announcement did not translate into an immediate shift in the token’s price dynamics.

HBAR Fell 68% Over the Past Year From a technical perspective, HBAR continues to trade below all major moving averages and maintains a descending structure from the $0.35 highs recorded in January last year. The $0.11 area acts as the immediate reference following the latest rebound, while the $0.10 zone draws attention as both a psychological and technical level. October lows sit around $0.0976.

Hedera’s market capitalization stands near $4.7 billion, representing a decline of roughly 65% from the peaks observed in July 2025. Meanwhile, the network’s total value locked is around $61.5M, and the stablecoin supply contracted by 16% over the past week.

In the derivatives market, futures traders increased short positions. At the same time, ETF-related inflows linked to HBAR remain absent

The product, if approved, would give US investors access to regulated BNB exposure without needing to hold the token themselves.

Grayscale has filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to launch a spot exchange-traded fund tracking BNB, marking one of the asset manager’s most ambitious moves beyond Bitcoin and Ether.

According to a registration statement filed on Friday, the proposed Grayscale BNB ETF would hold BNB (BNB) directly and issue shares designed to reflect the token’s market value, minus fees and expenses. The filing indicates the fund is intended to trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol GBNB, subject to regulatory approval.

If approved, the product would give US investors regulated exposure to BNB without needing to custody the token themselves or hold it on crypto exchanges.

Source: SECA filing tied to BNB is notable, as the token is the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, with a total value of $120.5 billion at the time of filing.

BNB is the native token of the Binance ecosystem and plays a central role across its products. The token is used to pay transaction fees on the BNB Smart Chain, participate in onchain governance and receive trading fee discounts on Binance’s platform, among other use cases.

Expansion beyond Bitcoin and EtherGrayscale’s filing does not represent the first attempt to bring a BNB-linked ETF to the US market.

Investment manager VanEck submitted a registration statement for its own proposed BNB ETF, including an amended Form S-1 seeking a Nasdaq listing under the ticker VBNB, placing it further along in the regulatory review process than Grayscale’s proposal.

Still, the filing highlights Grayscale’s broader strategy to expand its lineup of crypto investment products following the approval and successful launches of spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) ETFs in the United States.

Spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs together hold more than $100 billion in assets under management, underscoring investor demand for regulated crypto exposure. A BNB-linked product would extend that access beyond base-layer networks, offering exposure to a token closely tied to a major crypto exchange ecosystem.

The total value of crypto ETFs under management. Source: CoinglassCointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently. Read our Editorial Policy https://cointelegraph.com/editorial-policy

This week has been tumultuous for both global politics and the cryptocurrency market, with Bitcoin feeling the brunt of it. The volatility began last weekend after eight EU countries sent troops to Greenland as part of a reconnaissance mission, following President Trump’s bold remarks about the US needing to annex the island. In response, Trump threatened to impose a 10% tariff on these nations starting February 1 unless they withdrew their forces and allowed negotiations to proceed.

The European Union quickly scheduled an emergency meeting, with some reports suggesting that the bloc was prepared to unleash a “trade bazooka” never before used. As tensions mounted, Bitcoin’s price, which had been trading above $95,000 over the weekend, began to falter. By Monday morning, after Asian markets opened, Bitcoin slid down to $92,000 and then swiftly fell below the critical $90,000 mark.

On Wednesday morning, the cryptocurrency dipped below $88,000. A brief rally ensued when Trump stated at his Davos speech he would not use force in Greenland’s takeover. But this optimism was short-lived; Bitcoin tumbled again to $87,200 shortly after. The erratic price movements continued with another attempt at breaching $90,000 when Trump hinted at canceling the tariffs against the EU pending a potential agreement. As of now, no clear details of such an agreement have emerged.

Currently trading around $89,200, Bitcoin has not been able to reclaim its $90K support level. This represents a 6.5% decline over the past week—a comparatively modest drop next to other cryptocurrencies like ETH and SOL which suffered around an 11% loss each. Meanwhile, XMR has seen a steep decline of nearly 30%. Some assets like CC and PAXG bucked the trend and ended well in the green.

In market data highlights: The total crypto market capitalization stands at approximately $3.1 trillion with a 24-hour volume near $110 billion. Bitcoin maintains its dominance at around 57.5%, despite recent setbacks.

Here’s what changed: Gold has surged amidst Bitcoin’s struggles this week, reaching unprecedented highs nearing $5,000 per ounce for the first time ever—a stark contrast to BTC’s declines.

Meanwhile, XRP ETFs faced their largest outflows ever recorded as Ripple’s price stumbled once more on Tuesday; around $50 million exited these funds in a single day.

The week also marked one year since Donald Trump’s second inauguration as “crypto president.” During his tenure, while Bitcoin is down about 15%, altcoins have plunged between 70-90%, revealing stark contrasts in investor sentiment under his watch.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin announced plans to transition fully away from centralized social media by 2026. All his posts this year have been disseminated through Firefly—a multi-client platform supporting networks like X and Lens.

Michael Saylor’s Strategy company continues to buy Bitcoin aggressively; they recently acquired over 22,305 BTC for roughly $2.1 billion despite geopolitical tensions and sluggish price trends.

In another highlight from this week: Nate Geraci rebuffed Peter Schiff’s criticism that Bitcoin is Wall Street’s worst performer by demonstrating that since ETF launches two years ago; Bitcoin has gained more than 90%.

As global political dynamics evolve further—particularly concerning US-EU relations over Greenland—the impact on cryptocurrencies remains palpable but uncertain until concrete resolutions materialize or markets settle into new patterns dictated by emerging realities.

The question now is whether Bitcoin will stabilize or face further turbulence amid ongoing geopolitical narratives shaping its trajectory this year.

On the trading front, the volatility has caught many investors off guard. The filing—late Friday—of new tariff threats by President Trump only exacerbated the uncertainty in the markets. Traders were already on edge with Bitcoin’s precarious position under $90,000. The timing matters. Just as traders thought they had a handle on the situation, Trump’s announcements at Davos threw another wrench into their assessments.

Adding to the complexity, major exchanges like Binance and Coinbase reported a surge in activity on January 22nd, as users rushed to either mitigate losses or capitalize on potential rebounds. According to Binance, trading volumes for Bitcoin spiked by nearly 30% compared to the previous week. This rush was partly fueled by speculative bets on whether Trump’s softer stance would translate into concrete diplomatic progress or if it was merely posturing.

Meanwhile, Ethereum’s decline of over 11% this week has raised eyebrows among analysts who note that its network upgrades and developments should ideally provide some price support. On January 21st, Ethereum co-creator Joseph Lubin remarked that the market’s reaction seems disconnected from the underlying technological advancements. “It’s perplexing,” Lubin said during an interview with Bloomberg, “but it reflects current investor sentiment rather than fundamentals.”

As for altcoins like Solana and Chainlink, which saw double-digit percentage drops, there are questions about their resilience in such volatile conditions. Solana Labs CEO Anatoly Yakovenko noted on January 20th that while short-term price swings are concerning, their focus remains steadfast on long-term growth and ecosystem development. However, with such pronounced weekly declines, investors remain cautious about further downside risks in the near term.

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Key NotesUSYC reached $1.69B while BUIDL fell to $1.68B.USYC grew 11% in 30 days while BUIDL declined 2.85%.Circle acquired Hashnote, the USYC issuer, in January 2025 and integrated the fund with Binance in July 2025.BUIDL maintains 103 distinct holders compared to USYC's concentrated distribution, with positions remaining fluid. Circle’s USYC has overtaken BlackRock’s BUIDL as the world’s largest tokenized money market fund, a type of investment product that holds U.S. Treasury securities and trades on blockchain networks.

USYC reached $1.69 billion in assets while BUIDL fell to $1.68 billion. USYC grew 11% in 30 days while BUIDL declined 2.85%, according to RWA.xyz data.

The roughly $6 million margin between the two comes with a significant caveat as Arkham Intelligence data shows Binance holds $1.43 billion of USYC, representing 94% of the total supply.

Previous on-chain records showed Usual Protocol held a similar share before diversifying its reserves in late 2024. Nearly all of USYC’s growth came from a single institutional relationship with Binance.

Arkham Intelligence data showing Circle USYC top holders by entity. Binance controls 94.19% of the total supply at $1.43 billion, followed by Usual Treasury at 3.22%. | Source: Arkham Intelligence

Binance Partnership Drives USYC Growth Circle announced its partnership with Binance in July 2025, allowing institutional clients to use USYC as backing for trades on the exchange.

The fund was issued on Binance’s blockchain network, with approximately $1.4 billion now deployed there.

Kash Razzaghi, Circle’s Chief Business Officer, said at the time that the integration unlocks new possibilities for institutional capital efficiency.

Catherine Chen, Head of Binance VIP & Institutional, said the integration represents a major step forward in support for the future of capital markets.

The partnership followed Circle’s acquisition of Hashnote, the original USYC issuer, in January 2025.

Holder Distribution Comparison BlackRock’s BUIDL fund maintains a more diversified holder base with 103 distinct holders. BUIDL’s distribution is more granular, though its top 10 holders still account for over 95% of total value.

The overall tokenized treasury market reached $10.07 billion, with USYC and BUIDL combined representing approximately one-third of that value.

Both funds invest in short-duration U.S. Treasury securities and serve institutional investors seeking interest-earning digital assets.

The thin margin between the two funds means rankings could shift with normal fund activity. Stablecoin transaction volumes increased to reach $33 trillion in 2025, which may continue driving institutional interest in related products.

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

As a Web3 marketing strategist and former CMO of DuckDAO, Zoran Spirkovski translates complex crypto concepts into compelling narratives that drive growth. With a background in crypto journalism, he excels in developing go-to-market strategies for DeFi, L2, and GameFi projects.

Zoran Spirkovski on X

XTZ eyes breakout from Tallinn upgrade as volatility compresses ahead of weekend.SKR cools after launch surge while profit-taking threatens deeper support test levels.Canton shows relative strength with buying pressure building toward resistance test zone.The final weekend of the month is expected to be relatively calm as geopolitical tensions ease. With concerns surrounding Greenland subsiding, crypto markets may regain stability and find clearer direction.

BeInCrypto has analyzed three altcoins that appear positioned for a potentially positive weekend ahead.

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Tezos (XTZ)XTZ enters the weekend with a major catalyst ahead as the Tallinn upgrade goes live. The update aims to enhance network efficiency, speed, and security. Protocol upgrades often influence short-term price action, making Tezos a closely watched asset as traders position for potential volatility.

Technical indicators support the possibility of a breakout. Bollinger Bands are converging, signaling compressed volatility. If expansion coincides with the Tallinn upgrade, the XTZ price could push above $0.59 and $0.62. A successful breakout may drive Tezos toward the $0.66 resistance level.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

XTZ Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewThe bullish scenario depends on market reaction. If traders fail to respond positively, the price may remain range-bound. Under that outcome, XTZ would likely continue consolidating between $0.55 and $0.62, reflecting neutral sentiment despite the protocol upgrade.

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Seeker (SKR)SKR delivered a strong performance this week, surging 335% after launch and setting a new all-time high at $0.0597. The rapid rally attracted speculative interest before profit-taking emerged. Early momentum positioned SKR as a high-volatility asset, drawing active participation from short-term traders.

After the peak, SKR corrected 23.6% and now trades near $0.0390, holding above the $0.0385 support. Selling transactions currently outweigh buying activity. If this imbalance persists into the weekend, downside pressure could intensify, sending SKR toward the next major support level near $0.0205.

SKR Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewA reversal remains possible if sentiment shifts. Renewed buying interest could stabilize price action and trigger a rebound. Reclaiming $0.0517 would mark a decisive move, opening the door for SKR to retest the previous high and potentially establish a new all-time high.

Canton (CC)CC is among the few altcoins showing bullish momentum heading into the weekend. The Money Flow Index indicates strengthening buying pressure, signaling rising investor interest. This accumulation phase suggests CC may sustain upward movement as market conditions stabilize and traders rotate into assets showing relative strength.

CC trades near $0.142 at the time of writing, just below the $0.148 resistance level. A successful breakout could push the price toward $0.164. Such a move would place CC closer to its $0.177 all-time high, which remains about 24% above current levels.

CC Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewThe bullish outlook depends on clearing resistance. Failure to breach $0.148 could trigger renewed selling pressure. Under that scenario, CC price may retreat toward the $0.133 support level, invalidating the bullish thesis and postponing any attempt to approach the all-time high.

Disclaimer

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

Analyst claims traders are likely to mistake routine leverage flushes, emotionally exiting positions at exactly the wrong time.

Market Sentiment:

Bullish Bearish Neutral

Published: January 23, 2026 │ 4:35 PM GMT

Created by Kornelija Poderskytė from DailyCoin

Wealth-building focused crypto analyst Kamilah Stevenson is pushing back against the idea that every violent XRP move exposes a “scam” arguing instead that traders are misreading leverage-driven volatility as fundamental failure.

In a recent breakdown, the host dissected XRP’s sharp drop from about $2.06 to roughly $1.84 in a matter of hours, framing the move as a mechanical flush of excess risk rather than a collapse in real demand.

Leverage Wipe-Out, Not a Mass Exit According to the analyst, fast XRP selloffs are rarely the result of calm, long‑term holders deciding to abandon the asset. “What it is is leverage getting forced out of the system” the host said, describing a cascade where one liquidation triggers the next until price “is moving faster than people expect.”

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These events, the analyst argued, are “mechanical, not emotional.” The key tell, in their view: price tends to stabilize and often snap back once the forced selling runs its course. If real demand had vanished, they said, the chart would show “continued weakness,” buyers stepping away and visible hesitation, rather than a quick attempt to re-base.

Kamilah Stevenson called the recent XRP move a “risk reset, not a thesis reset” warning that without a framework for volatility, every wick starts to feel like a personal verdict on the investor’s judgment.

Analyst Stress-tests Her XRP Thesis Instead of reacting to price alone, the analyst runs a simple checklist whenever XRP swings hard. First: did usage change? “Did anything actually stop working, did transactions slow down or did the system fail to do what it’s designed to do?” Second: did integration stall — did developers, infrastructure providers, or other participants pull back?

Third, they look at institutional behavior: “Did the institutions walk away, or did they actually lean in? Did they buy the dip?” And finally: did the core thesis break, as opposed to just price or sentiment. If those answers are no, the analyst sees volatility as information about positioning and leverage, not a revelation that “it was a scam all along.”

Kamilah Stevenson disclosed her own approach to the recent selloff: beginning to “buy lightly” any time XRP dips under $2, adding more in the $1.80s, and keeping lower limit orders in place.

Why This Matters Beneath the XRP focus is a broader warning: many holders, the analyst said, “want certainty without understanding” and have no structure to absorb volatility without emotionally capitulating. They argued that strong theses “don’t eliminate volatility, they give you context for it” and that most risk lies not in the asset itself but in how investors interpret turbulent price action.

For a market still dominated by leveraged speculation and rapid liquidations, the message is blunt: without a clear view of usage, integration and reliance, traders are likely to mistake routine leverage flushes for existential failure — and exit positions just as the “risk reset” finishes.

The analyst promotes education as the antidote, pointing to a separate university-style program and a coaching offer that claim to teach how “money moves, how liquidity behaves and how to read market stress without the panic.”

For now, the episode underscores a familiar crypto tension: structurally driven volatility on one side, and a retail base still tempted to call every sharp move proof that the game is rigged.

People Also Ask: Why did XRP’s price drop from $2.06 to around $1.84?

The analyst attributes the move mainly to leveraged positions being liquidated in a chain reaction, not a coordinated exit by long‑term holders.

Does the analyst think XRP is being exposed as a scam?

No. They argue that volatility is being misread and that the underlying thesis should only be questioned if usage, integrations, or institutional interest actually break down.

How does the analyst personally trade these moves?

They say they start buying modestly below $2, add more in the $1.80s, and place lower limit orders in advance, emphasizing this is their own strategy, not financial advice.

What should investors watch during big crypto selloffs?

The host suggests focusing on whether the network still functions, whether integrations and participants remain, and how institutions respond, rather than reacting to price alone.

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.

Bitcoin (BTC) may remain pinned below $100,000 for the first half of 2026 as the market lacks bullish catalysts amid macroeconomic uncertainties. 

Key takeaways:

BTC price has a less than 10% chance of retaking $100,000 before Feb. 1, according to prediction markets.

Traders predict that Bitcoin is unlikely to see $100,000 before June.

Bitcoin’s price will likely drop below Strategy’s cost basis.

Less than 10% chance BTC hits $100,000 before FebruaryThe majority of traders on Polymarket and Kalshi don’t expect Bitcoin to return to a six-figure price over the next seven days. 

As of Jan. 22, Polymarket bettors are pricing in about 6% odds of BTC crossing $100,000 before Jan. 31. Kalshi sets 7% odds of BTC touncing the $100,000 psychological level before the end of January.

Bitcoin $100K price target before Jan. 31. Source: PolymarketBitcoin’s high for 2026 sits at $97,900, reached on Jan. 14, and the last time the BTC/USD pair traded above $100,000 was on Nov. 13. 

The last time BTC/USD dropped below $100,000, it reclaimed the level after 93 days following a 25.5% drawdown. 

BTC/USD daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewIf a similar scenario plays out, BTC price could retake $100,000 in mid-February, as shown in the chart below.

However, traders on Kalshi say that this may take longer, estimating a 65% chance that Bitcoin will break $100,000 before June 2026. 

Bitcoin $100K price target before May. 31. Source: KalshiIn fact, traders on Polymarket see 65% odds of BTC dropping to $80,000 first, before returning to $100,000 in 2026.

Kalshi bettors price in 54% odds that Bitcoin will bottom out at $70,000 this year. Furthermore, the chance of it going to $65,000 is 50% and going as low as $60,000 is 42%.

Will BTC price drop below Strategy’s cost basis?There are increasing signs that Bitcoin has transitioned into a bear market, with targets as low as $58,000. 

Traders on Polymarket set a 75% chance that Bitcoin will trade below Strategy’s average BTC cost price in 2026, which is $75,979  at the time of writing.

Odds that Bitcoin drops below Strategy’s average cost. Source: Polymarket.Despite the expected drawdown in price, Polymarket odds for Strategy selling Bitcoin in 2026 remain below 26%, while expectations for routine small buys stay elevated.

Polymarket traders still see routine Strategy purchases throughout the year as a high-probability event, with an 84% chance of it holding over $800,000 BTC by Dec. 31. 

Last week, Strategy expanded its Bitcoin treasury to 709,715 BTC after buying 22,305 coins for roughly $2.13 billion.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision. While we strive to provide accurate and timely information, Cointelegraph does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information in this article. This article may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Cointelegraph will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your reliance on this information.

XRP ETFs show $2.09M daily inflow as of January 22, with XRPZ leading and total net assets reaching $1.37B.

TL;DR

Bitcoin is trading around $90,160 after posting a 1.4% daily gain; volume fell 27% but remains above $33B, signaling still-relevant activity. BTC recently printed lows near $87,700 after losing the 50-day EMA at $91,942 and failing to hold the $90,000 psychological level. Immediate support sits at $87,787, with key resistance between $91,000 and $92,000, as the market remains in consolidation. Bitcoin is moving through a consolidation phase following last week’s correction. According to the latest CoinMarketCap data, BTC is trading at $90,160 after rising 1.4% over the past session. Daily volume dropped 27% but remains above $33 billion, confirming substantial yet slowing activity.

A bearish sequence pushed Bitcoin below key technical levels and down to lows in the $87,700 area. During that move, price closed below the 50-day exponential moving average, located near $91,942, a level that had acted as a dynamic reference for much of the month. The initial attempt to hold the $90,000 psychological threshold failed and led to an extension of the correction toward the midpoint of a horizontal channel around $87,787.

Following that pullback, Bitcoin posted a technical rebound that brought it back into the current range. Price is now fluctuating between $89,000 and $90,500, with no clear direction and short-range candles. Volume behavior aligns with that setup: the 27% decline reflects reduced aggressiveness from both buyers and sellers, consistent with a market moving sideways.

From a technical standpoint, the $87,787 area continues to act as immediate support. A daily close below that level would open the door to a move toward the lower boundary of the consolidation range, located near $85,569. On the upside, the $91,000 to $92,000 zone represents the main reference area, with the 50-day EMA standing as a direct technical resistance.

Bitcoin Fails to Sustain a Clear Trend Indicators are sending mixed signals. The RSI on intraday timeframes remains below the neutral level but is trending higher. The MACD retains a bearish bias following the crossover recorded earlier this week, limiting the pace of any upside move.

Macroeconomic data continues to influence price dynamics. Bitcoin erased a large portion of the gains accumulated earlier in the month due to trade tensions between the United States and the European Union. While that front has eased, the market has yet to price in a catalyst capable of breaking the current range.

With price back above $90,000, declining volume, and nearby resistance, Bitcoin remains within a consolidation phase, with clearly defined technical levels on both the upside and the downside

Cryptocurrency markets may be heading into a prolonged growth phase that breaks away from Bitcoin’s traditional four-year boom-and-bust cycle, according to Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance.

Speaking in an interview with CNBC on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Zhao said a global shift toward clearer crypto regulation and rising institutional participation could set the stage for what he described as a potential “super cycle” by 2026.

“The main thing is regulation,” Zhao said, adding that governments are now more focused on creating workable frameworks for cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and tokenized assets.

Bitcoin has historically followed a four-year cycle linked to its halving events, but Zhao said that pattern may no longer hold as crypto becomes more integrated into mainstream finance.

Institutions Changing the Market StructureZhao said institutional investors are playing a much larger role than in previous cycles, providing steadier inflows rather than short-term speculative demand.

He reiterated his long-term view that Bitcoin could eventually reach $1 million, though he did not give a timeline and stressed that such projections depend on adoption continuing to expand.

“Demand keeps increasing, while supply remains fixed,” he said, referring to Bitcoin’s capped issuance.

From Binance Exit to Advisory RoleZhao stepped down as Binance’s chief executive in 2023 after pleading guilty to charges related to failures in anti-money laundering controls. He later served a prison sentence and said he was pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump in October.

Reflecting on that period, Zhao said the pardon brought a sense of relief and allowed him to refocus on longer-term projects.

He said he is now spending time advising governments on crypto regulation, working on an education initiative called Giggle Academy, and mentoring founders within the BNB Chain ecosystem. He remains a minority investor in several crypto-related ventures but is no longer involved in Binance’s daily operations.

Pro-Crypto Policy EnvironmentZhao dismissed speculation about political ties between Binance and the Trump family, saying any perceived overlap stems from the U.S. administration’s pro-crypto stance rather than direct connections.

“A pro-crypto administration helps the entire industry,” he said. “That’s good for crypto and good for the economy.”

Looking AheadZhao said the coming years could mark a turning point for the digital asset sector, as regulation reduces uncertainty and institutional capital brings greater stability.

“If this continues,” he said, “the next cycle won’t look like the last one.”

Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

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Ondo Price Prediction SOL

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3 minutes ago

Over 200 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs just landed on Solana, boosting bullish Solana price predictions as its ecosystem evolves into the go-to platform for on-chain capital markets.

The altcoin is earning its keep as Wall Street’s blockchain of choice, now offering near-complete TradFi portfolio access through its partnership with Ondo Global Markets.

Today, Solana goes TradFi.

Hundreds of tokenized stocks & ETFs are now live on @solana, bringing the full TradFi portfolio to crypto’s largest trading ecosystem.

Millions of Solana users can now access Wall Street-grade liquidity across 200+ assets, including tokens tracking:… pic.twitter.com/JRZxcScOXj

— Ondo Finance (@OndoFinance) January 21, 2026 While Ondo featured on Ethereum and BNB first, Solana’s throughput makes it a closer match for the demands of traditional capital markets. It is uniquely positioned as the infrastructure layer to bridge TradFi and DeFi.

Solana has already proven itself in tokenized equities, accounting for a dominant 46% share of the $1 billion tokenized stock market through platforms like xStocks.

Tokenised Stock assets under managment (AUM) by platform ($). Source: Dune Analytics.Until now, however, growth has been constrained by limited liquidity depth and asset selection.

That ceiling may be lifting. With regulation pushing tokenization deeper into the mainstream, even a small fraction of the U.S. stock market’s massive trading volume could send SOL significantly higher.

Solana Price Prediction: Could Ondo Help Fuel a SOL Surge?As the bull market matures, sticky adoption of RWAs could bring the demand Solana needs to finally realise a year-long descending channel.

Momentum indicators suggest the shift may already be underway, with a potential higher low setting focus on a breakout attempt.

SOL / USD 1-day chart – descending triangle pattern. Source: TradingView.The RSI has once again affirmed its uptrend with another higher low after falling below the 50 neutral line, a sign of strength beneath the surface.

The MACD shows a potential trend shift, levelling off below the signal line around bottoms that previously marked the end of consolidation within the structure.

The recent bounce from the patterns $120 support could be the last, but the resistance that has capped upside since September at $145 will be the key proving grounds.

From there, the key breakout threshold sits at $210.

And with that level confirmed as support, a breakout push eyes past all-time highs at $300 for a 300% push into new price discovery targeting $500.

However, as Solana permeates deeper into the mainstream TradFi markets and infrastructure, fresh liquidity and use cases could send the altcoin much higher, eying a 680% move to $1,000.

Bitcoin Hyper: Don’t Back Solana Until You’ve Seen ThisThose who chose Solana over the leading cryptocurrency may soon need to reconsider, as the Bitcoin ecosystem finally tackles its biggest limitation: scalability.

Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is bridging Bitcoin’s security with Solana tech, creating a new Layer-2 network that unlocks scalable, efficient use cases Bitcoin couldn’t support on its own.

Whatever Solana can do, Bitcoin can now do – top-performing narratives like DeFi and real-world assets could be Bitcoin’s for the taking.

The project has already raised almost $31 million in presale, and post-launch, even a small fraction of Bitcoin’s massive trading volume could send its valuation significantly higher.

Bitcoin Hyper is fixing the slow transactions, high fees, and limited programmability that have long capped Bitcoin’s potential – just as the market turns bullish.

Visit the Official Bitcoin Hyper Website Here

Bitcoin has limped into 2026, flailing in the wake of a gold price boom that’s catapulted it to an eye-watering $34 trillion market capitalization (triggering predictions of even more gains to come).

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The bitcoin price, which plummeted under $100,000 per bitcoin in November, has struggled to regain its early 2025 momentum as Bank Of America’s chief executive issues a serious $6 trillion warning.

Now, with bitcoin and crypto primed for an imminent, “massive” shock, bitcoin-backing BlackRock fixed income chief Rick Rieder has become a surprise favorite to be named as U.S. president Donald Trump’s pick as Federal Reserve chair.

Sign up now for the free CryptoCodex—A daily five-minute newsletter for traders, investors and the crypto-curious that will get you up to date and keep you ahead of the bitcoin price and crypto market swings

Forbes‘It’s Now Happening’—Urgent $38 Trillion U.S. Dollar ‘Collapse’ Warning Issued As Markets Brace For Gold And Bitcoin Price ShocksBy Billy Bambrough

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BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink embraced U.S. president Donald Trump during this week's World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland amid a gold boom that's left the bitcoin price in the dust.

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"I think [bitcoin] will take the place of gold to a large extent? Yeah, I do, because it’s so much more functional than passing a bar of gold around,” Rieder, whose odds of being named as the next Fed chair have rocketed to almost 40% this week, told CNBC in 2020, adding, “I think bitcoin is here to stay.”

“Rick Rieder’s odds of being next Fed chair have increased dramatically,” Geoff Kendrick, head of digital assets research at Standard Chartered Bank, said in emailed comments. "He will run the economy hot which should help crypto."

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, led a Wall Street bitcoin and crypto adoption charge in 2023, with the company spearheading a campaign to bring a fully-fledged bitcoin exchange-traded fund to market.

BlackRock’s bitcoin ETF has rocketed to becoming one of the fastest growing ETFs of all time following its early 2024 launch, holding almost 800,000 bitcoin worth $70 billion on behalf of investors.

In September last year, Rieder said he thought the bitcoin price is “going to go up,” advising investors to hold bitcoin alongside gold to give them “a little bit of ballast in the portfolio against potential for currency depreciation.”

Fears of further currency depreciation have fueled the so-called debasement trade in recent months, propelling the gold price towards $5,000 per ounce, while investors have also piled into silver.

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ForbesThe Dollar ‘Will Fall’—Serious Fed ‘Crisis’ Warning Predicted To Blow Up The Bitcoin PriceBy Billy Bambrough

The bitcoin price has failed to rocket alongside the gold price so far in 2026, though some think that could change.

Forbes Digital Assets

Trump has teased his decision for current Fed chair Jerome Powell’s replacement for almost a year now, throwing out different names and keeping traders guessing.

Trump said Rieder was “very impressive," in an interview with CNBC this week. “I’d say we’re down to three, but we’re down to two. And I can probably tell you, we’re down to maybe one, in my mind,” Trump said.

Former Fed governor Kevin Warsh, who has also been a vocal supporter of bitcoin and crypto, remains the front runner, according to Kalshi and Polymarket contracts, after former favorite Kevin Hassett, Trump’s national economic council director, was all but ruled out of the race.

Expectations that interest rates may fall sharply in 2026 once Trump replaces Powell have supported bitcoin, crypto and equity markets in recent months, with Trump repeatedly saying his Fed chair pick will have to promise to heavily cut interest rates.

“Undermining the Fed’s independence makes holding the greenback a less attractive safety play," Samer Hasn, senior market analyst at XS.com, said via email.

"For the crypto markets, this "politicized dollar" narrative serves as a long-term bull case, even if current prices are dipping. If investors lose faith in U.S. government debt and the Fed’s autonomy, decentralized assets like bitcoin and "hard" assets like gold, which has already seen skyrocketing prices, become the logical hedge against institutional decay."

Having earlier breached $100 per ounce for the first time ever, silver has risen to $101, while gold sits just shy of $5,000 per ounce.

Texas Capital Bancshares (NASDAQ:TCBI) reported better-than-expected earnings for the fourth quarter on Thursday.

The company posted quarterly earnings of $2.08 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.77 per share. The company reported quarterly sales of $327.483 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $324.621 million.

“Consecutive strong quarters to close 2025 validate our multi-year transformation strategy and demonstrate the resilience of our business model in a complex market environment,” said Rob C. Holmes, Chairman, President & CEO. “Surpassing our long-term Return on Average Assets goal of 1.1% in the final two quarters underscores the effectiveness of our deliberate, disciplined approach. We are now positioned to capitalize on our increasingly differentiated platform, executing seamlessly for clients, delivering comprehensive solutions across market events and driving meaningful, sustainable value for our investors.”

Texas Capital Bancshares shares fell 2% to trade at $100.25 on Friday.

These analysts made changes to their price targets on Texas Capital Bancshares following earnings announcement.

Piper Sandler analyst Stephen Scouten maintained Texas Capital Bancshares with a Neutral and raised the price target from $86 to $96. Barclays analyst Jared Shaw maintained the stock with an Underweight rating and raised the price target from $90 to $100. DA Davidson analyst Peter Winter maintained Texas Capital Bancshares with a Neutral and raised the price target from $94 to $104. RBC Capital analyst Jon G. Arfstrom maintained the stock with a Sector Perform and raised the price target from $105 to $110. Considering buying TCBI stock? Here’s what analysts think:

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A sign stands outside of a McDonald's restaurant in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Over the past ten years, McDonald’s (MCD) stock has handed back an impressive $79 Bil to its shareholders through direct cash returns via dividends and buybacks. Let’s examine some figures and see how this distribution capability compares to the market’s leading capital-return entities.

Interestingly, MCD stock ranks as the 26th highest in history for returns to shareholders.

shareholder returns

Trefis

Why should you care? Because dividends and share buybacks signify immediate, tangible returns of capital to shareholders. Additionally, they indicate management's confidence in the company’s financial stability and capacity to produce sustainable cash flows. Furthermore, there are other stocks that exhibit similar traits. Below is a list of the top 10 companies ranked by total capital returned to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases.

Top 10 Stocks By Total Shareholder Return

top 10

Trefis

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For the complete ranking, visit Buybacks & Dividends Ranking

What do you observe here? The total capital returned to shareholders as a % of the current market cap seems inversely correlated with growth expectations for reinvestments. Companies like Meta (META) and Microsoft (MSFT) are experiencing significantly faster growth in a more predictable manner compared to others, yet they have returned a considerably smaller portion of their market cap to shareholders.

That’s the downside of high capital returns. Indeed, they are appealing, but it's essential to ask yourself: Am I compromising growth and strong fundamentals? With this perspective, let’s delve into some numbers for MCD. (see Buy or Sell McDonald’s Stock for further information)

McDonald’s Fundamentals

Revenue Growth: 1.2% LTM and 4.2% over the last three years on average.Cash Generation: Almost 28.1% in free cash flow margin and 46.1% in operating margin LTM.Recent Revenue Shocks: The lowest annual revenue growth for MCD in the past three years was 1.2%.Valuation: McDonald’s stock currently trades at a P/E ratio of 25.9metrics

Trefis

*LTM: Last Twelve Months

The table provides a comprehensive overview of what you gain from MCD stock; however, what about the associated risk?

MCD Historical Risk

McDonald’s is not sheltered from significant declines either. It suffered a 47% drop during the Dot-Com bust, fell by 36% amid the Covid crisis, and decreased by over 21% in the Global Financial Crisis. Even more minor dips, such as the 2018 correction and current inflation anxieties, resulted in declines of approximately 16-17%. It remains a robust entity, but these figures indicate that no stock is absolutely secure when turmoil arises.

Moreover, risk is not confined to major market downturns. Stocks may decline even in stable markets—consider events like earnings releases, business updates, and forecast revisions. Refer to MCD Dip Buyer Analyses to observe how the stock has rebounded from severe drops in the past.

The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, comprising 30 stocks, has a history of consistently outperforming its benchmark which includes all three indices—the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000. Why is this the case? As a collective, HQ Portfolio stocks have delivered superior returns with reduced risk in comparison to the benchmark; resulting in a smoother investment journey, as highlighted in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.

SanDisk (SNDK) – a creator and producer of solid-state drives and storage solutions – has recorded a 5-day winning streak, resulting in total gains of 30% during this timeframe. The market capitalization of the company has increased by approximately $17 billion over the past 5 days, now totaling $74 billion.

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

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

Key Takeaways Four momentum stocks near their 52-week high show potential for continued upside.IPGP, DG, IRWD and SAIC demonstrate strong earnings growth and positive price momentum.The screening criteria target stocks trading within 20% of their highs with undervalued metrics. Investors generally consider a stock's 52-week high a good criterion for an entry or exit point. Stocks touching new 52-week highs are often predisposed to profit-taking, resulting in pullbacks and trend reversals.

Moreover, given the high price, investors often wonder if the stock is overpriced. While the speculation is not absolutely baseless, not all stocks hitting a 52-week high are necessarily overpriced.

Investors might lose out on top gainers in an attempt to avoid the steep prices.

Stocks such as IPG Photonics (IPGP - Free Report) , Dollar General (DG - Free Report) , Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (IRWD - Free Report) and Science Applications International (SAIC - Free Report) are expected to maintain their momentum and keep scaling new highs. More information on a stock is necessary to determine whether there is scope for further upside.

Here, we discuss a strategy to find the right stocks. The technique borrows from the basics of momentum investing and bets on “buy high, sell higher.”

52-Week High: A Good IndicatorMany times, stocks that hit a 52-week high fail to scale higher despite having potential. This is because investors fear that the stocks are overvalued and expect the price to crash.

Overvaluation is natural for most of these stocks as investors’ focus (or willingness to pay the premium) has helped them reach this level. But that does not always indicate an impending decline. Factors such as robust sales, surging profit levels, earnings growth prospects and strategic acquisitions, which encouraged investors to bet on these stocks, could keep them motivated if there are no tangible negatives. In other words, the momentum might continue.

Also, when a string of positive developments dominates the market, investors find their underreaction unwarranted, even if there are no company-specific driving forces.

Setting the Right FiltersWe ran a screen to zero in on 52-week high stocks (trading near the high level) that hold tremendous upside potential. The screen includes parameters to shortlist stocks with strong earnings growth expectations, sturdy value metrics and price momentum.

Moreover, the screen filters stocks that are relatively undervalued compared to their peers in terms of earnings and sales, ensuring the continuation of their rally for some time.

Current Price/52 Week High >= .80: This is the ratio between the current price and the highest price at which the stock has traded in the past 52 weeks. A value greater than 0.8 implies the stock is trading within 20% of its 52-week high range.

% Change Price – 4 Weeks > 0: This ensures that the stock price has moved north over the past four weeks.

% Change Price – 12 Weeks > 0: This metric guarantees a continued upward price momentum for the stock over the past three months as well.

Price/Sales <= XIndMed: The lower, the better.

P/E using F(1) Estimate <= XIndMed: This metric measures the amount an investor puts into a company to obtain one dollar of earnings. It narrows down the list of stocks to those that are undervalued compared to the industry.

One-Year EPS Growth F(1)/F(0) >= XIndMed: This helps choose stocks that have higher growth rates than the industry. This is a meaningful indicator, as decent earnings growth adds to investor optimism.

Zacks Rank =1: No screening is complete without the Zacks Rank, which has proved its worth since its inception. It is a fundamental truth that stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) have always managed to brave adversities and beat the market average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Current Price >= 5: This parameter will help screen stocks that are trading at $5 or higher.

Volume – 20 days (shares) >= 100000: The inclusion of this metric ensures that there is a substantial volume of shares, so trading is easier.

Here are our four picks out of the 20 stocks that made it through the screen:

IPG Photonics positions itself favorably for 2026 growth through strategic expansion and product innovation. The November 2025 opening of its dedicated 14,000-square-foot Huntsville facility establishes IPG Defense as a distinct business unit, capitalizing on the rising demand for CROSSBOW laser defense systems in counter-UAS applications. This expansion into the defense sector diversifies revenue streams beyond traditional materials processing markets.

Meanwhile, January 2026 showcased breakthrough technologies at SPIE Photonics West, including an award-finalist 8-kilowatt compact single-mode laser with exceptional beam quality, advanced nanosecond cleaning systems, and high-power platforms reaching 60 kilowatts. These innovations demonstrate technological leadership across cleaning, welding, cutting, micro-machining and medical applications. The combination of defense market penetration and cutting-edge product development strengthens IPG's competitive positioning for accelerating adoption across multiple end markets.

This Zacks Rank #1 stock has returned 12.5% in the past six-month period. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 89.09%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for IPGP’s 2026 earnings has moved north by 4.7% to $1.55 per share over the past 60 days.

Dollar General presents a compelling investment opportunity driven by robust operational momentum and strategic expansion initiatives. The retailer delivered strong third-quarter results with same-store sales growth of 2.5%, accompanied by matching traffic growth —demonstrating genuine customer engagement. Operating profit surged 31.5%, reflecting improved operational efficiency. The company raised its fiscal 2025 financial guidance and outlined an ambitious fiscal 2026 real estate expansion plan encompassing approximately 4,730 projects, including 450 new U.S. store openings, primarily targeting underserved rural communities. This footprint expansion, combined with 4,250 store remodels through Project Renovate and Project Elevate initiatives, positions Dollar General to capture incremental market share. The company's value proposition resonates strongly with price-conscious consumers navigating economic uncertainty, while its dividend declaration demonstrates commitment to shareholder returns alongside growth investments.

This Zacks Rank #1 stock has returned 32.4% in the past six-month period. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 22.86%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DG’s fiscal 2026 earnings has moved north by 5.7% to $7.08 per share over the past 60 days.

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals presents a compelling opportunity driven by strategic pricing optimization and pipeline advancement. The January 2026 LINZESS list price reduction eliminates inflationary rebate penalties, paradoxically driving higher net sales expectations of $1.125-$1.175 billion while supporting patient access. This enhanced margin profile powers projected adjusted EBITDA exceeding $300 million, establishing robust cash generation without dilutive financing needs. The company strengthened its balance sheet to over $200 million in cash while achieving debt covenant compliance.

Importantly, fourth-quarter 2025 FDA alignment on apraglutide's confirmatory Phase 3 trial design clears regulatory uncertainty, with initiation planned for first-half 2026. The ongoing strategic alternatives review further signals management's commitment to maximizing shareholder value. This dual-engine approach—optimizing the LINZESS franchise while self-funding apraglutide's blockbuster potential—positions Ironwood for sustained profitability and growth.

This Zacks Rank #1 stock has surged 521.5% in the past six-month period. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 28.95%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for IRWD’s 2026 earnings has moved north by 65.2% to 76 cents per share over the past 60 days.

Science Applications International Corporation is positioned for growth through strategic organizational restructuring and significant contract wins. The consolidation of five business groups into three streamlined divisions, effective Jan. 31, 2026, aims to optimize operations and sharpen customer focus for sustainable value creation. The company secured a substantial $1.4 billion COBRA task order in November 2025 to accelerate multi-domain warfighting technologies across Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control systems, demonstrating strong positioning in defense modernization.

December 2025 saw a $242 million Navy contract for undersea weapon facility operations and recognition as an IDC MarketScape Leader in AI services for both defense/intelligence and civilian government sectors. With a robust $23.8 billion backlog and a year-to-date book-to-bill ratio of 1.3, fundamental momentum supports continued operational strength.

This Zacks Rank #1 stock has lost 6% in the past six-month period. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 26.05%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SAIC’s fiscal 2026 earnings has moved north by 3.9% to $9.96 per share over the past 60 days.