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Bank of Nova Scotia purchased a new stake in shares of Evergy Inc. (NASDAQ:EVRG – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 41,318 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,569,000.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of EVRG. Kestra Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in Evergy by 0.8% in the first quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 15,829 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,297,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Trilogy Capital Inc. increased its holdings in Evergy by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Trilogy Capital Inc. now owns 47,210 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,080,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Planning Group LLC raised its position in shares of Evergy by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Retirement Planning Group LLC now owns 23,659 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,938,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. Earned Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Evergy by 4.9% during the 1st quarter. Earned Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,946 shares of the company’s stock valued at $241,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. Finally, Optiver Holding B.V. lifted its stake in shares of Evergy by 14.5% during the 1st quarter. Optiver Holding B.V. now owns 1,107 shares of the company’s stock valued at $91,000 after buying an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.24% of the company’s stock.

Evergy Trading Up 0.0% EVRG stock opened at $81.41 on Wednesday. Evergy Inc. has a twelve month low of $70.42 and a twelve month high of $88.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a quick ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $84.68 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $82.92.

Evergy (NASDAQ:EVRG – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The company reported $0.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.81 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $1.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.36 billion. Evergy had a net margin of 15.19% and a return on equity of 9.20%. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.82 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Evergy Inc. will post 4.25 earnings per share for the current year. Evergy Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 18th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 18th will be issued a $0.695 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 18th. This represents a $2.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Evergy’s payout ratio is presently 70.56%.

Insider Activity at Evergy In other Evergy news, EVP Charles A. Caisley sold 10,787 shares of Evergy stock in a transaction on Monday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.46, for a total transaction of $900,283.02. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 37,789 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,153,869.94. The trade was a 22.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, Director Sandra Aj Lawrence sold 761 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.31, for a total value of $63,398.91. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 1,680 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $139,960.80. This represents a 31.18% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders sold 12,748 shares of company stock worth $1,061,870. 1.52% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Citigroup upped their price target on Evergy from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Barclays boosted their target price on Evergy from $89.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. BTIG Research set a $97.00 price target on Evergy in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Evergy from $88.00 to $91.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Evergy in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Evergy currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $90.60.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Evergy

Evergy Profile (Free Report)

Evergy, Inc is a regulated electric utility that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers primarily across Kansas and western Missouri. The company provides core utility services including retail electric delivery, grid operations, customer service and outage restoration, operating under state regulatory frameworks. Evergy serves a mix of urban and rural communities, including portions of the Kansas City metropolitan area and other population centers in its service territory.

The company’s business activities span power generation, system planning, transmission and distribution infrastructure, and customer-facing programs such as energy efficiency and demand-side management.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Evergy Pathward’s Credit Scare Tests Its Comeback Story Wiring the AI Boom: Rumble’s $13.7B Pivot StoneX: Too Far Too Fast? DICK’s Sporting Goods Faces Pain Now for a Bigger Prize Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EVRG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Evergy Inc. (NASDAQ:EVRG – Free Report).

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On August 26, 2026, we delve into the DCF analysis for Comfort Systems USA Inc FIX, a company that has experienced significant price fluctuations recently. Over the past year, the stock has surged by 126.5%, but it has also seen a decline of 10.2% in the last week alone. This volatility raises questions about its current valuation.

DCF Earnings-based intrinsic value is $1295.53, compared to the current price of $1561.96 (margin of safety: -20.6%) DCF Free Cash Flow (FCF)-based intrinsic value is $1912.47, suggesting a second opinion on valuation. GF Score™ of 85/100 indicates strong financial health, but the low predictability rank of 1/5 stars suggests caution in relying solely on DCF inputs. What Is FIX Worth? DCF Earnings-Based Model The DCF earnings-based model for Comfort Systems USA Inc utilizes a two-stage approach to estimate intrinsic value. The first stage reflects a high growth phase over the next ten years, while the second stage accounts for a more stable growth rate thereafter. Below are the key assumptions used in this model:

Parameter Value Current EPS (TTM, excl. non-recurring) $41.46 10-Year Growth Rate 33.2% 10-Year Treasury Rate 4.64% Discount Rate (ceil(Treasury) + 6%) 11% Terminal Growth Rate 4% In the growth phase (Years 1-10), the EPS is projected to grow at 33.2% annually, discounted at a rate of 11%. The terminal phase (Years 11-20) assumes a more modest growth rate of 4%, also discounted at 11%. The calculation summary is as follows:

Stage Description Value Growth Stage (Years 1-10) EPS growing at 33.2%, discounted at 11% $536.76 Terminal Stage (Years 11-20) 4% terminal growth, discounted at 11% $758.77 Intrinsic Value Growth + Terminal $1295.53 With the current price at $1561.96, the intrinsic value of $1295.53 indicates that the stock is modestly overvalued, with a margin of safety of -20.6%. It is important to note that GuruFocus uses EPS excluding non-recurring items, as research shows a stronger correlation between stock prices and earnings than with free cash flow. For further analysis, you can visit the FIX DCF Calculator.

What Does the Free Cash Flow DCF Say? The Free Cash Flow (FCF)-based intrinsic value for Comfort Systems USA Inc is calculated at $1912.47. This figure presents a contrasting perspective compared to the earnings-based DCF, suggesting that while the earnings model indicates overvaluation, the FCF model points towards a modest undervaluation with an 18.3% margin of safety. This discrepancy highlights the importance of considering multiple valuation methods.

How Does GF Value™ Compare to the DCF Models? The GF Value™ for Comfort Systems USA Inc stands at $793.13, providing yet another layer of valuation insight. This proprietary measure from GuruFocus is derived from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates. The divergence among the three models—earnings DCF, FCF DCF, and GF Value™—suggests a complex valuation landscape for FIX. For more details, visit the GF Value™ page.

What Does FIX's GF Score™ Tell Us? The GF Score™ evaluates a stock's overall quality based on various factors, including financial strength, profitability, growth potential, valuation, and momentum. For Comfort Systems USA Inc, the GF Score™ is 85/100, indicating robust financial health. However, the predictability rank of 1/5 stars suggests that the DCF model may be less reliable for this stock due to its lower predictability. Below is a summary of the GF Score™ metrics:

Metric Rating GF Score™ 85/100 Financial Strength 9/10 Profitability 10/10 Growth 10/10 Valuation 1/10 Momentum 6/10 For more information, you can check the FIX stock page.

Key Assumptions and Limitations It is crucial to recognize that DCF models are highly sensitive to assumptions regarding growth rates and discount rates. Stocks with low predictability ratings, such as Comfort Systems USA Inc, yield less reliable DCF estimates. The terminal growth rate of 4% is a simplifying assumption that may not reflect future realities.

What This Means for Investors In synthesizing the three valuation models—DCF earnings, DCF FCF, and GF Value™—we find a notable tension. The earnings DCF suggests that FIX is modestly overvalued, while the FCF DCF indicates a modest undervaluation. The GF Value™ further complicates the picture, suggesting significant overvaluation. Additionally, the guru ownership signal shows that 15 gurus currently hold the stock, with 9 adding to their positions and 5 trimming their stakes, while insiders have sold $156.3M worth of shares over the past year. This mixed signal warrants caution for potential investors. For a deeper dive into the valuation, visit the FIX DCF Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions What is FIX's intrinsic value based on DCF?

Answer: earnings-based $1295.53, FCF-based $1912.47

Is FIX overvalued or undervalued?

Answer: The earnings DCF indicates it is overvalued, while the FCF DCF suggests it is undervalued, and GF Value™ shows significant overvaluation.

How reliable is the DCF model for FIX?

Answer: The predictability rank of 1/5 indicates that the DCF model is less reliable for this stock.

This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

Disclosures I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.

Cardano (ADA) has maintained its position above the key breakout point after the recent Ouroboros Leios upgrade, adding strength to the current bullish momentum. Market participants note ADA’s steady climb, with the price trading at $0.2147, reflecting a 1.08% increase over the past 24 hours.

Leios Upgrade Raises Network PerformanceThe recent implementation of the Ouroboros Leios protocol has significantly impacted Cardano’s technical outlook and broader sentiment. According to the Cardanians’ official X account, initial testing results revealed that Leios improved Cardano’s throughput capacity by 500%. Developers reported that four additional test phases remain before the anticipated mainnet hard fork, underscoring ongoing development milestones.

The Leios upgrade focuses on scaling Cardano’s transaction processing capabilities, aiming to strengthen its infrastructure and attract wider adoption. The community and technical analysts have responded positively, as the upgrade marks a step forward in Cardano’s roadmap.

Ouroboros Leios increased Cardano’s throughput capacity by 500% during its first testnet phase, with four more test stages planned ahead of the mainnet hard fork. This advancement is seen as a significant upgrade for Cardano’s network performance.

Cardano’s current price remains firmly above the $0.2004 support level, after recovering from lower levels in recent sessions. Technical analysis shows the present price surpasses not only this support but also the middle line of the Bollinger Bands, located at $0.1972, hinting at a short-term bullish structure.

Resistance and Market StructureThe upper Bollinger Band sits at $0.2344, defining the $0.23 to $0.2344 range as a critical resistance zone for ADA. Analysts observe that a clear breakout above this area could signal stronger gains, whereas a sustained decline below $0.2004 would suggest a potential loss of momentum and a possible shift toward lower support levels.

Recent data from CoinGlass shows that Cardano’s open interest in the derivatives market rose markedly during its latest price surge, reaching nearly $580 million before dropping to approximately $480 million on August 27. This reduction indicates that some traders closed their positions after profit-taking, though open interest remains elevated compared to July’s figures.

Analysts highlight derivatives activity as a key indicator to monitor, especially as ADA approaches the $0.23 resistance.

Short-Term ADA Price PredictionsCoinCodex has issued short-term ADA price projections with a target of $0.2148 for August 28, followed by incremental increases to $0.2155, $0.2162, $0.2170, and $0.2177 through September 1. This gradual upward trajectory suggests a mild bullish trend rather than an immediate surge toward the upper resistance band.

As a result, staying above the $0.2004 support remains essential for maintaining this positive outlook. Conversely, a dip below this level could refocus attention on the $0.1972 region.

In a market where a single Fed decision or a sudden altcoin listing can change everything in seconds, jumping between different apps for charts, news, and portfolio tracking is costing investors money. Smart traders are now utilizing privacy-first tools like CryptoAppsy to consolidate everything. Without even the hassle of creating an account, you get real-time charts, smart price alerts, coin-specific news, and critical macro data all on one screen.

Due to the cryptocurrency market’s high volatility, market observers recommend continual monitoring of price action along with upcoming events that may serve as catalysts for movement.

Technical signals remain positive for Cardano, as a breakout above the $0.23 resistance zone could generate additional upward momentum. However, a drop below key support might indicate waning short-term strength and raise the importance of watching lower technical levels.

Weekly decentralized exchange volume on the @Cardano network has surged 1,551%, reaching $151.01M over the past seven days, according to on-chain data shared by @BSCNews. The move marks one of the most dramatic short-term spikes in the network's history.

Record Daily High on August 22The peak came on August 22, when the network recorded a daily high of 245.31M $ADA in volume.

The spike did not happen in isolation.

Capital Rotation Within Cardano DeFiThe volume data points to a tactical shift of capital within local DeFi protocols rather than a simple influx of new users. This pattern is consistent with existing liquidity repositioning inside the ecosystem rather than a large wave of external capital entering the chain.

The broader network backdrop has also strengthened.

Whether the volume surge marks a durable shift in on-chain momentum or a short-term burst remains to be seen. Traders and ecosystem participants will be watching closely to see if the elevated baseline holds.

Sources:
AMBCrypto: Cardano price holds above $0.21 even as DEX trading surge fades
The Crypto Basic: Cardano Network Activity Rises Sharply as Daily Transactions Hit 32,841
Coinpedia: Cardano Price Prediction for August 2026 as Network Activity Surges

American Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of ResMed Inc. (NYSE:RMD – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 228,458 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock, valued at approximately $44,522,000. ResMed accounts for 2.0% of American Capital Management Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 22nd largest holding. American Capital Management Inc. owned about 0.16% of ResMed at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of ResMed during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc bought a new position in ResMed in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Imprint Wealth LLC bought a new position in ResMed in the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in ResMed during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new position in ResMed during the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Institutional investors own 54.98% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently weighed in on RMD shares. Robert W. Baird set a $213.00 price objective on shares of ResMed in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Morgan Stanley restated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $230.00 price target (down from $286.00) on shares of ResMed in a report on Wednesday, June 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of ResMed in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. KeyCorp dropped their price objective on shares of ResMed from $260.00 to $255.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn began coverage on shares of ResMed in a report on Wednesday, August 19th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $230.00 price objective on the stock. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $239.38.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on ResMed ResMed Stock Performance RMD opened at $235.73 on Thursday. ResMed Inc. has a 12-month low of $180.26 and a 12-month high of $285.08. The company has a current ratio of 3.10, a quick ratio of 2.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.00 billion, a PE ratio of 22.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 0.76. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $209.84 and a two-hundred day moving average of $219.29.

ResMed (NYSE:RMD – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The medical equipment provider reported $2.95 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.46 billion. ResMed had a return on equity of 25.58% and a net margin of 26.94%.The company’s revenue was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.55 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that ResMed Inc. will post 12.03 EPS for the current year.

ResMed Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 24th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 20th will be given a dividend of $0.66 per share. This is a boost from ResMed’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 20th. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. ResMed’s payout ratio is currently 25.31%.

Insider Activity In other news, Director Peter C. Farrell sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.00, for a total value of $1,800,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 52,773 shares in the company, valued at $11,873,925. This represents a 13.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Michael J. Farrell sold 4,991 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $205.69, for a total transaction of $1,026,598.79. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 466,256 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $95,904,196.64. The trade was a 1.06% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 22,973 shares of company stock worth $4,885,436. 0.65% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About ResMed (Free Report)

ResMed (NYSE: RMD) is a global medical device and cloud-connectivity company focused on improving outcomes for people with sleep-disordered breathing and chronic respiratory conditions. Founded in 1989, the company is headquartered in San Diego, California, and develops, manufactures and distributes a range of devices and software used by patients, clinicians and providers worldwide.

ResMed’s product portfolio centers on noninvasive ventilation and sleep therapy equipment, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel devices, masks and related accessories for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and other respiratory disorders.

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Vail Resorts is facing a revolt from within.

A shareholder has turned on the ski resort behemoth in a blistering lawsuit accusing the corporate executives of participating in an illegal price-fixing scheme that sent the cost of list tickets and its popular Epic Pass soaring.

In a 55-page complaint brought by shareholder Gary Peterson in Colorado federal court on Monday, he claims that Vail Resorts exchanged pricing and financial information with competitors Alterra Mountain Company, Boyne Resorts, and Powdr Corp. starting in 2020 to increase prices across passes, lift tickets, rentals, and lessons. The alleged backroom dealing sent ski ticket prices soaring into the stratosphere.

Skiers prepare to load the gondola at Vail Ski Resort on March 18, 2026, in Vail, Colorado. Getty Images At the center of the legal snowstorm is Vail’s lucrative Epic Pass, which gives skiers access to their massive portfolio of mountain resorts. Vail pioneered the Epic Pass, and helped shape the economics of skiing by getting customers to ditch pricey day tickets and commit to a full season upfront.

The coordinated scheme allowed Vail to ratchet up seasonal Epic Pass costs by 39% since 2021, going from $783 to a whopping $1,119 this season.

To force skiers into buying the pricey multi-mountain pass, the lawsuit claims Vail drove single-day lift tickets to “economically irrational” extremes, with peak holiday tickets reaching $385.

The sticker shock has sparked widespread fury. “I’m sitting in the parking lot staring at my receipt and I feel sick,” one devastated skier vented on Reddit after hitting Vail. “$275 for a Saturday pass. That doesn’t include the $40 parking, the $22 mountain priced burger, or the gas to get here.”

To force skiers into buying the pricey multi-mountain pass, the lawsuit claims Vail drove single-day lift tickets to “economically irrational” extremes. Getty Images

Vail operates 42 ski destinations, and the pass accounts for roughly 65% of its lift revenue. Bloomberg via Getty Images “The pricing of the Epic Pass and the Company’s lift tickets is not a peripheral concern; it is the core of Vail’s business,” the complaint states. Vail operates 42 ski destinations, and the pass accounts for roughly 65% of its lift revenue. With that much money riding on the Epic Pass, the lawsuit argues that few decisions matter more to Vail than how the company sets that price.

The new lawsuit marks the third class action targeting Vail’s pricing tactics, following two antitrust suits filed by frustrated customers. But this time, customers are taking aim at the company’s bottom line, arguing that top brass breached fiduciary duties and violated securities laws by misleading shareholders about its soaring profits.

“These wrongs resulted in significant damages to Vail’s reputation, goodwill, and standing in the business community, as well as exposing the company to two federal antitrust class actions seeking treble damages,” Peterson stated in the complaint.

Peterson argues that shareholders themselves were harmed by Vail’s directors, who unknowingly exposed them to financial and reputational damages by keeping them in the dark about its most important money maker — all while enriching themselves.

The company is fighting back against its shareholder. “We believe that the claims are without merit and will defend the company and our board of directors vigorously,” a Vail Resorts spokesperson told Courthouse News.

The suit demands a jury trial.

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Key Takeaways The Hartford's Business Insurance premiums rose 5%, with an 89.3% underlying combined ratio in Q2 2026.Net investment income jumped 22% to $800 million as invested assets and alternative income increased.HIG plans $475 million in quarterly buybacks through 2026 and approved a new $4.2 billion authorization. Shares of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (HIG - Free Report) have gained a modest 4.2% over the past year, outperforming the industry’s 2.4% growth, though trailing the S&P 500’s 20% advancement. The Hartford continues to execute well, supported by strong Business Insurance growth, disciplined underwriting, higher investment income and shareholder-friendly capital allocation.

Headquartered in Hartford, CT, the company is a leading provider of property and casualty (P&C) insurance and employee benefits in the United States. Its offerings include commercial and personal P&C insurance, group life and disability insurance and related employee-benefit solutions, with a market capitalization of approximately $37.88 billion.

Valuation of HIGIts forward P/E ratio of 10.28 is lower than the industry average of 26.85, indicating a relatively attractive valuation. Supported by solid earnings prospects and consistent operating performance, HIG currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), along with a Value Score of B.

Estimates for HIG StockThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Hartford’s 2026 and 2027 earnings is pegged at $12.80 and $13.73 per share, respectively.  The top-line estimate for 2026 is pegged at $20.94 billion, representing a 4.8% increase from the prior-year level. Over the past 30 days, earnings estimates have seen four upward revisions against one downward revision. HIG beat earnings estimates in three of the past four quarters and missed once, with an average surprise of 13.1%.

HIG’s Business TailwindsHIG is sharpening its business focus by monetizing non-core operations and concentrating resources on its core Property & Casualty and Employee Benefits businesses. This strategy is reflected in the solid performance of Business Insurance. Written premiums grew 5% year over year in the second quarter of 2026. The segment also posted an underlying combined ratio of 89.3%, underscoring HIG's disciplined underwriting, pricing and risk-selection approach.

The Hartford is increasing investments in technology, data and artificial intelligence. These initiatives could strengthen underwriting and risk selection while improving customer experience and operational efficiency. The company's focus on technology should help enhance its competitive position and support long-term profitability. The company generated a trailing 12-month core earnings ROE of 18.7% as of June 30, 2026.

HIG's diversified investment portfolio provides an important earnings tailwind alongside its underwriting operations. Approximately 95% of the fixed-maturities portfolio was investment grade as of June 30, 2026, supporting portfolio quality and recurring income. Meanwhile, increased income from limited partnerships and other alternative investments, along with a higher level of invested assets, helped drive net investment income up 22% year over year to $800 million in the second quarter. The company expects net investment income to increase in 2026, supported by growth in invested assets.

HIG continues to return excess capital to shareholders. It repurchased $450 million of shares in the second quarter of 2026. About $650 million remained under the existing authorization as of June 30. The company also approved a new $4.2 billion share-repurchase authorization through 2028. Management expects quarterly buybacksto rise to $475 million through the rest of 2026. HIG also paid $165 million in common dividends during the quarter. This combination of strong capital generation and shareholder returns provides an additional catalyst for per-share value creation.

Risks to MonitorDespite its strengths, HIG faces several challenges.

HIG remains exposed to elevated catastrophe risk from severe storms, wildfires and other weather-related events. Catastrophe losses totaled $768 million in 2024 and $748 million in 2025. They reached $222 million in the second quarter of 2026. These losses can create earnings volatility and pressure underwriting results.

Leverage also remains a factor to monitor. As of June 30, 2026, long-term debt stood at $4.4 billion compared to cash of $125 million. The company's long-term debt-to-equity ratio was 22.7%. The ratio was above the stated industry average of 1.3%, potentially limiting financial flexibility during periods of market stress.

Key PicksSome better-ranked stocks in the broader Finance space are The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV - Free Report) , The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (THG - Free Report) and The Allstate Corporation (ALL - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Travelers Companies’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $33.82 per share, indicating 22.6% year-over-year growth. TRV has witnessed one upward revision in the past 30 days, with no movement in the opposite direction. It beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 41.7%. The consensus estimate for 2026 revenues is pinned at $48.82 billion.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hanover Insurance’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $20.17 per share, which has witnessed five upward revisions in the past 30 days, with no movement in the opposite direction. THG beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 27.3%. The consensus estimate for 2026 revenues is pinned at $6.95 billion, implying 4.6% year-over-year growth.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Allstate’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $34.45 per share,which has witnessed 12 upward revisions in the past 30 days, with no movement in the opposite direction. ALL beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 45.3%. The consensus estimate for 2026 revenues is pinned at $70.81 billion, implying 4.4% year-over-year growth.

Archer Investment Corp purchased a new stake in Ciena Corporation (NYSE:CIEN – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 1,518 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock, valued at approximately $745,000.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. purchased a new position in Ciena in the first quarter valued at about $395,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its stake in shares of Ciena by 139.6% during the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 5,253 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock worth $317,000 after acquiring an additional 3,061 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Ciena by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 222,054 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock worth $13,419,000 after acquiring an additional 3,117 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth grew its holdings in shares of Ciena by 14.6% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 5,762 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock worth $348,000 after acquiring an additional 733 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. purchased a new position in Ciena in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $234,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.99% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ciena In other Ciena news, CFO Marc D. Graff sold 4,995 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $430.72, for a total transaction of $2,151,446.40. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 107,519 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $46,310,583.68. This trade represents a 4.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Gary B. Smith sold 2,952 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $457.02, for a total transaction of $1,349,123.04. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 266,605 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $121,843,817.10. The trade was a 1.10% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 25,422 shares of company stock worth $11,638,117. 0.58% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Ciena Stock Down 5.7% Shares of NYSE CIEN opened at $377.07 on Friday. Ciena Corporation has a 1 year low of $90.00 and a 1 year high of $637.51. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $415.85 and its 200 day moving average price is $435.53. The firm has a market cap of $53.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 125.69 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 2.11 and a current ratio of 2.73. Ciena (NYSE:CIEN – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 4th. The communications equipment provider reported $1.64 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $1.57 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.50 billion. Ciena had a return on equity of 18.15% and a net margin of 7.87%.Ciena’s revenue was up 39.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.42 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Ciena Corporation will post 5.4 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have commented on the company. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Ciena in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Raymond James Financial raised their price target on Ciena from $320.00 to $530.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, June 4th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Ciena from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Northland Securities upgraded shares of Ciena from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $450.00 to $500.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. Finally, Argus set a $650.00 price objective on shares of Ciena in a research note on Friday, June 5th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Ciena has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $527.78.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Ciena

Ciena News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Ciena this week:

Positive Sentiment: Ciena enters the earnings report with a reported $7.7 billion backlog, momentum in cloud connectivity and demand for networks supporting artificial-intelligence workloads. These factors could support revenue growth and another earnings beat. Ciena Stock Ahead of Q3 Earnings: Buy, Sell, or Wait for the Results? Positive Sentiment: Recent surveys indicate that telecom providers in India, the UAE and Saudi Arabia expect AI-based network services to create new revenue opportunities. The findings reinforce Ciena’s long-term exposure to AI infrastructure spending and optical-network upgrades. Ciena survey: 67% of Indian telcos foresee AI-driven network revenue Positive Sentiment: Needham & Company reaffirmed its Buy rating, while analysts expect earnings growth and see potential for Ciena to exceed quarterly expectations. Needham Reaffirms Buy Rating for Ciena Neutral Sentiment: The company is scheduled to report third-quarter results shortly. Investors are likely waiting for updated guidance, order trends and evidence that AI-driven demand is translating into shipments and margins. Ciena Expected to Post Quarterly Earnings Negative Sentiment: Supply constraints remain a key execution risk. Delays in fulfilling strong demand could limit near-term revenue recognition and offset otherwise favorable AI and cloud trends. Ciena Stock Ahead of Q3 Earnings: Buy, Sell, or Wait for the Results? Negative Sentiment: Despite its growth outlook, Ciena trades at a demanding valuation, increasing the risk of profit-taking or a sharp reaction if earnings, guidance or backlog conversion fall short of elevated investor expectations. Is AI Network Demand Rewriting Ciena’s Story? Ciena Company Profile (Free Report)

Ciena Corporation (NYSE: CIEN) is a global supplier of telecommunications networking equipment, software and services. The company develops high-capacity optical transport systems and packet-optical platforms that enable service providers, cloud operators and large enterprises to build, manage and scale their networks. Ciena’s product portfolio includes coherent optical solutions, packet networking platforms and a suite of network automation software designed to optimize bandwidth, reduce latency and simplify network operations.

In addition to hardware offerings, Ciena provides professional services and support, including network design, implementation and ongoing maintenance.

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China's top memory chipmaker, CXMT (688825.SS), will supply its latest LPDDR6 DRAM chips for Xiaomi's upcoming flagship ​folding phone, the companies said on Saturday.

ChangXin Memory Technologies ‌has started mass production of LPDDR6, which will supply Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi's new foldable phone 18 Fold, CXMT posted on China's Weibo ​social media platform. LPDDR6 arrived less than a year ​after CXMT mass-produced the previous generation of LPDDR5 chips.

Xiaomi, ⁠one of the world's largest smartphone makers, confirmed the ​plan on its official Weibo account. The companies said the new ​foldable phone will be released in September.

LPDDR6 is CXMT's most advanced Dynamic Random-Access Memory chip for mobile devices, narrowing the company's technology gap ​with China's top DRAM maker and global peers such as ​Samsung and SK Hynix.

Xiaomi said this week the upcoming folding phone is ‌expected ⁠to use a new version of the company's in-house 3-nanometre handset processor Xring O3, which would support LPDDR6.

On Friday, CXMT posted a sharp turnaround to profit in the first half in ​its first earnings ​release since listing, ⁠while revenue spiked 874% from a year earlier to 150.3 billion yuan ($22.36 billion).

The Hefei-based company ​said it had shipped to customers samples of ​its ⁠LPDDR6 DRAM chips, which are to be used on mobile devices, servers and smart cars - to customers.

Also on Friday, CXMT sued the ⁠Pentagon ​over being placed on a list ​of companies the U.S. says are aiding China's military. The Pentagon declined to ​comment on ongoing litigation.

PagerDuty (PD - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.32 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.3 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.3 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +6.67%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this software developer would post earnings of $0.24 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.32, delivering a surprise of +33.33%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.

PagerDuty, which belongs to the Zacks Internet - Software industry, posted revenues of $124.44 million for the quarter ended July 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.25%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $123.41 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

PagerDuty shares have lost about 7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 12.1%.

What's Next for PagerDuty?While PagerDuty has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for PagerDuty was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.34 on $124.19 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $1.30 on $493.04 million in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Internet - Software is currently in the top 35% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Another stock from the same industry, Cognyte Software Ltd. (CGNT - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended July 2026.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.09 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +12.5%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Cognyte Software Ltd.'s revenues are expected to be $108.7 million, up 11.5% from the year-ago quarter.

NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of The Chemours Company (“Chemours” or the “Company”) (NYSE: CC). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Chemours and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. 

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On August 4, 2026, Chemours announced second quarter 2026 financial results. Among other things, the Company reduced its adjusted EBITDA full-year guidance to $775 million to $825 million (from $800 million to $900 million previously). Further, in the accompanying earnings call, management admitted that “[a]s a result of the initial channel fill, aftermarket customers built additional inventory, creating an oversupplied channel heading into 2026.” Management further disclosed “from the Q2 and Q3 perspective, there's probably about $65 million of aftermarket sales that realistically, you think about like-for-like probably should have been allocated to more of this year.” 

On this news, Chemours’s stock price fell $3.34 per share, or 18.63%, to close at $14.59 per share on August 10, 2026.

Then, on August 11, 2026, AECOM reported weaker-than-expected results for the third quarter of 2026, which were impacted by a $337 million pre-tax loss related to the delayed completion of a construction management project. 

On this news, AECOM’s stock price fell $6.25 per share, or 8.53%, to close at $67.05 per share on August 11, 2026.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.  

CONTACT:
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Pomerantz LLP
[email protected]
646-581-9980 ext. 7980

The Kansas City Fed named cryptocurrencies and stablecoins in the official brief for this year’s Jackson Hole symposium. In 48 earlier editions, no agenda had made private digital money the subject of the meeting.

The 49th symposium runs August 27 to 29 in Wyoming. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh gives his opening remarks Friday morning. The theme is financial innovation and what it does to payments and policy.

What the Jackson Hole crypto agenda actually saysThe announcement listed cryptocurrencies and stablecoins beside instant payments. The brief then framed the week around the future of currency, banking, and how policy gets carried out.

The program follows that brief. Six papers and three panels cover payments, tokens, and banks. Two Friday names show what the room is really for:

Darrell Duffie of Stanford University presents the paper on tokenized finance. His discussant is Isabel Schnabel of the European Central Bank. She spent June telling central bankers that stablecoins are now their problem.

Central banks cannot remain passive observers of these developments,” Isabel Schnabel, member of the ECB’s Executive Board, in a Seoul speech on June 1, 2026.

Kenneth Rogoff of Harvard University gives the Friday luncheon address. He wrote The Curse of Cash, a book urging rich economies to phase out large paper bills. In it he describes cryptocurrencies as a supercharged version of the $100 note.

The rest of the slate covers the international monetary system and the future of banking. Panels seat the International Monetary Fund and the Bank for International Settlements.

Why 48 Earlier Agendas Never Got HereThe symposium archive stretches back to 1978, with no title in it naming crypto, stablecoins, or tokenization. Its nearest cousins were about older machinery:

Financial restructuring in 1987 Capital markets in 1993 The internet economy in 2001 Last year the theme was labor markets, demographics, and productivity. The subject likely changed because the numbers did.

Stablecoins are worth about $304 billion today, DefiLlama data shows. The White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) counted roughly $300 billion in February. That is close to 1.7% of all money sitting in US bank accounts.

Stablecoins Market Cap. Source: DefiLlamaWhile size alone may not suffice to book a Jackson Hole slot, reach would. In April the CEA found that stablecoin issuers hold more short-term US government debt than Saudi Arabia.

This is not gonna end well.

“Stablecoin-issuing companies, like Circle and Tether, now hold more Treasury debt than major U.S. government creditors like Saudi Arabia and South Korea.”https://t.co/aKvQS0PO3M

— Leah Libresco Sargeant (@LeahLibresco) March 19, 2026 The CEA also cited research on those flows, revealing that up to $3.5 billion of stablecoin inflows pulls three-month Treasury yields down. The drop is five to eight basis points. A basis point is one hundredth of a percentage point.

That is private money tugging at the short end of the government debt market. It is also the exact channel a symposium on policy implementation has to discuss.

Congress made the link explicit first and President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act on July 18, 2025. The law makes issuers back every token with dollars or short-term Treasuries, and publish those holdings monthly.

That mandate turned stablecoin issuers into standing buyers of US debt. The stablecoin Treasury bill buying followed the law, not the other way around.

Warsh Speaks Into It With Rates UnsettledWarsh takes the podium at 10 a.m. ET. The Kansas City Fed streams the remarks on YouTube. His first Jackson Hole speech lands with September policy still contested.

September Interest Rate probabilities. Source: CME FedWatch ToolBitcoin (BTC) held near $79,373 on Friday, up 0.09% over 24 hours. A $6.4 billion options expiry had already stripped away its nearest reference point.

Nevertheless, two readings are available.

He can treat stablecoins as a story about demand for dollars and Treasuries. Alternatively, he can leave the printed theme to the academics and talk inflation. While either choice tells traders something, the agenda has already done its work regardless. The institution that sets the price of money is spending a weekend asking who else gets to issue it.

Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in shares of Chemed Corporation (NYSE:CHE – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 94,045 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $43,800,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp owned approximately 0.72% of Chemed at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of CHE. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its stake in Chemed by 3.1% in the fourth quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 734 shares of the company’s stock worth $314,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares in the last quarter. Cim LLC raised its position in shares of Chemed by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Cim LLC now owns 2,139 shares of the company’s stock valued at $958,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares in the last quarter. Eukles Asset Management lifted its stake in Chemed by 0.4% during the fourth quarter. Eukles Asset Management now owns 6,056 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,591,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its holdings in Chemed by 65.3% in the second quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 81 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the period. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Chemed by 9.4% in the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 406 shares of the company’s stock worth $153,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.85% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have weighed in on CHE shares. Oppenheimer increased their target price on shares of Chemed from $500.00 to $590.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Chemed from $436.00 to $548.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Chemed from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 1st. Bank of America reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Chemed in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded Chemed from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $530.75.

Read Our Latest Analysis on CHE Chemed Stock Down 5.1% CHE stock opened at $520.34 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $6.80 billion, a PE ratio of 26.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.51. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $507.71 and its 200 day simple moving average is $449.15. Chemed Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $365.20 and a fifty-two week high of $557.00. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

Chemed (NYSE:CHE – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The company reported $6.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.60 by $0.46. Chemed had a net margin of 10.60% and a return on equity of 31.77%. The firm had revenue of $673.25 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $665.04 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $4.27 EPS. Chemed’s revenue was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. Chemed has set its FY 2026 guidance at 25.000-25.750 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Chemed Corporation will post 23.18 EPS for the current year.

Chemed Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 17th. This is an increase from Chemed’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. Chemed’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 14.06%.

Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Andrea R. Lindell sold 1,347 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $447.33, for a total value of $602,553.51. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 4,578 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,047,876.74. This represents a 22.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Kevin J. Mcnamara sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $539.51, for a total value of $1,079,020.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 70,418 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $37,991,215.18. The trade was a 2.76% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 6,537 shares of company stock worth $3,406,014. Insiders own 3.33% of the company’s stock.

About Chemed (Free Report)

Chemed Corporation is a diversified provider of essential home services and healthcare solutions in the United States. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, the company operates through two principal business segments—Roto-Rooter and Vitas Healthcare. Since its founding in 1974, Chemed has built a reputation for reliability and expertise, serving both residential and commercial customers across a broad range of markets.

The Roto-Rooter segment offers a comprehensive suite of plumbing, drain cleaning and water restoration services.

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BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Acushnet (NYSE:GOLF – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 4,188,504 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $496,463,000. BlackRock Inc. owned about 7.15% of Acushnet at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of GOLF. Millstone Evans Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Acushnet by 170.2% in the first quarter. Millstone Evans Group LLC now owns 281 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 177 shares during the last quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Acushnet by 389.6% during the 3rd quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 328 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 261 shares during the last quarter. Kelleher Financial Advisors bought a new stake in shares of Acushnet in the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Acushnet in the second quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Acushnet by 149.7% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 492 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 53.12% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Acushnet In other Acushnet news, insider Nicholas N. Mohamed sold 529 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.00, for a total value of $50,255.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 2,868 shares in the company, valued at approximately $272,460. This represents a 15.57% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Steven Francis Pelisek sold 15,000 shares of Acushnet stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $91.26, for a total transaction of $1,368,900.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 70,512 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,434,925.12. The trade was a 17.54% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 53.30% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages recently weighed in on GOLF. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Acushnet from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Acushnet from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 15th. Roth Capital reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $95.00 target price on shares of Acushnet in a research note on Friday, August 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Acushnet from $96.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, June 26th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price target on Acushnet from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Acushnet has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $99.17. View Our Latest Research Report on GOLF

Acushnet Price Performance NYSE GOLF opened at $89.60 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $104.53 and a 200-day moving average price of $98.21. Acushnet has a 52 week low of $73.09 and a 52 week high of $119.65. The company has a quick ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 2.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.41 and a beta of 0.81.

Acushnet (NYSE:GOLF – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported $2.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.63 by $0.45. The company had revenue of $819.95 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $788.24 million. Acushnet had a net margin of 8.12% and a return on equity of 27.98%. The firm’s revenue was up 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.25 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Acushnet will post 4.02 earnings per share for the current year.

Acushnet Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.255 per share. This represents a $1.02 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 4th. Acushnet’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 27.79%.

Acushnet Company Profile (Free Report)

Acushnet Holdings Corp., traded on the NYSE under the symbol GOLF, is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of golf equipment, footwear, apparel and accessories. The company’s portfolio encompasses a range of golf lifestyle products, with a focus on innovation, performance and quality for players of all skill levels.

At the core of Acushnet’s product lineup is the Titleist brand, globally recognized for its Tour-level golf balls and precision-engineered clubs. FootJoy offers golf shoes, gloves and apparel that blend comfort, style and technical performance, while Scotty Cameron putters and Vokey design wedges cater to players seeking exacting standards in feel and accuracy.

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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Verisk Analytics (VRSK - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 4.7% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

But investors have to be wondering, will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Verisk due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for Verisk Analytics, Inc. before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.

Verisk Q2 Earnings Surpass EstimatesVerisk Analytics has reported second-quarter 2026 diluted adjusted earnings of $1.98 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.94 by 2.1%. The figure increased 5.3% from the year-ago quarter.

Revenues of $806.3 million topped the consensus mark of $802.4 million by 0.5% and rose 4.3% year over year. Organic constant-currency growth was 5.8%, supported by an 8% increase in underlying subscription revenues and growth across both Underwriting and Claims.

VRSK Posts Higher Insurance RevenuesUnderwriting revenues increased 3.5% year over year to $569 million. On an organic constant-currency basis, revenues advanced 5.6%.

Growth reflected annual price increases tied to continued enhancements in the models and content supporting Verisk’s forms, rules and loss cost services. The company also benefited from sales of expanded catastrophe and risk solutions to new and existing customers.

Verisk Gains From ClaimsClaims revenues rose 6.3% year over year to $237 million. Organic constant-currency growth was 6.1%, outpacing the reported growth rate of the Underwriting business.

The improvement was primarily driven by anti-fraud analytics and property and restoration solutions. These offerings supported broader Insurance revenue growth as carriers continued using Verisk’s data and technology across underwriting and claims decisions.

VRSK Maintains Strong EBITDA MarginAdjusted EBITDA increased 4.2% year over year to $463.6 million. On an organic constant-currency basis, adjusted EBITDA grew 7.4%, reflecting revenue growth and continued cost discipline.

The adjusted EBITDA margin was 57.5% compared with 57.6% in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA expenses increased to $342.7 million from $327.8 million, while operating income rose to $363.7 million from $354.3 million.

Verisk Faces Pressure on GAAP EarningsNet income declined 9.8% year over year to $228.6 million. The net income margin contracted to 28.4% from 32.8%, while diluted GAAP earnings fell 3.3% to $1.75 per share.

The decline reflected a higher effective tax rate, increased net interest expenses and legal fees connected with ongoing litigation. Net interest expenses increased to $52.8 million from $35.5 million, while the effective tax rate rose to 24.6% from 22.7%.

VRSK Delivers Strong Cash Flow GrowthNet cash provided by operating activities jumped 49.7% year over year to $366 million. The free cash flow increased 57.9% to $297.9 million despite capital expenditure rising 22% to $68.1 million.

The cash flow improvement was primarily driven by higher operating profit and the timing of certain vendor and tax payments. Verisk ended June with $551.4 million in cash and cash equivalents compared with $2.18 billion at the end of 2025.

Verisk Accelerates Capital ReturnsThe company entered a $200-million accelerated share repurchase program during the quarter. It received an initial delivery of 949,190 shares at an initial price of $179.10, representing roughly 85% of the aggregate purchase price.

In the first six months of 2026, Verisk funded aggregate share repurchases of $1.9 billion and received an initial delivery of 8.5 million shares at an average price of $186.32. The company had $800 million remaining under its repurchase authorization at the quarter-end.

Verisk Advances Data & AI StrategyManagement said that Verisk continues to invest in proprietary datasets and deploy advanced artificial intelligence technologies across those assets. The strategy is aimed at generating differentiated insights and strengthening value for insurance clients.

The company expects growth to return to levels consistent with its Investor Day targets during the second half of 2026. Verisk also approved another quarterly cash dividend of 50 cents per share, payable Sept. 30, to shareholders of record as of Sept. 15.

VRSK Reaffirms 2026 OutlookVerisk maintained its 2026 revenue guidance of $3.19-$3.24 billion. Management expects adjusted EBITDA of $1.79-$1.83 billion and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 56-56.5%.

Diluted adjusted earnings are projected between $7.45 and $7.75 per share. The company expects a tax rate of 23-26%, capital expenditure of $260-$280 million and interest expenses of $190-$200 million.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in estimates review.

VGM ScoresAt this time, Verisk has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a D. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a score of D on the value side, putting it in the bottom 40% for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Verisk has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

Performance of an Industry PlayerVerisk belongs to the Zacks Business - Information Services industry. Another stock from the same industry, TransUnion (TRU - Free Report) , has gained 5.5% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended June 2026.

TransUnion reported revenues of $1.31 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +14.9%. EPS of $1.23 for the same period compares with $1.08 a year ago.

TransUnion is expected to post earnings of $1.21 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +10%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -1.1%.

The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for TransUnion. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of B.

3 Sector ETFs Catching Fire After Earnings BeatsInterDigital NASDAQ: IDCC highlighted its research-driven patent licensing model, recent financial performance and long-term growth targets during the IDEAS conference, with Chief Financial Officer Rich Brezski citing expanding recurring revenue, high operating leverage and opportunities in smartphones, connected devices and streaming video.

Brezski said the company generated more than $800 million in revenue in 2025, non-GAAP earnings per share above $15, a 71% adjusted EBITDA margin and more than $1 billion in cash. He added that the company has continued to deliver a “great year” so far in 2026.

Get InterDigital alerts:

2 Sizzling Mid-Caps That Could Stay Hot This SummerAt the core of InterDigital’s model is research in wireless, video and artificial intelligence technologies, Brezski said. The company contributes technologies to industry standards, protects its innovations with patents and then negotiates licensing agreements with companies that use those standards in products and services.

Research, Standards and Patent Portfolio Brezski said InterDigital participates in more than 100 standards organizations, including 3GPP for cellular technologies and groups focused on video standards. The company is currently involved in work related to 6G, which Brezski said is expected to emerge in the coming years.

InterDigital Raises Its Earnings GuidanceHe said InterDigital has two chair positions among roughly 15 key research groups within 3GPP, placing it alongside China Mobile and Samsung as the only organizations with more than one such position. He also noted that LexisNexis has included InterDigital among its 100 most innovative companies for five consecutive years.

InterDigital’s patent portfolio has grown to roughly 40,000 assets globally from about 19,000 in 2017, according to Brezski. The company’s video capabilities expanded following its 2018 and 2019 acquisition of Technicolor’s research team and much of its patent portfolio.

Video compression technology is increasingly important to streaming services because it reduces the data required to transmit high-definition content, Brezski said. He cited streaming, video conferencing, cloud gaming and other cloud-based services as markets that rely on compressed video delivery.

Licensing Momentum and Financial Model Over the past five years, InterDigital has signed more than 60 licensing agreements with total contract value of roughly $5 billion, Brezski said. The agreements include companies such as Apple, Samsung, Amazon, Xiaomi and LG.

Annualized recurring revenue rose from $356 million in 2020 to a record $626 million in the most recent quarter, he said. Total revenue has approximately doubled over that period, while adjusted EBITDA has increased roughly fourfold.

Brezski said the company benefits from operating leverage because newly signed license agreements generally relate to technology developed years earlier. As a result, added licensing revenue carries limited incremental cost, although the company continues to invest in research for future standards and technologies.

InterDigital has also returned capital to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases. Brezski said the company reduced its outstanding share count by 16% during the past five years, while non-GAAP EPS increased sevenfold over the same period.

2030 Revenue Targets and Market Opportunities The company reaffirmed its long-range objective of exceeding $1 billion in annualized recurring revenue by 2030. Its targets include $500 million from smartphones, $200 million from consumer electronics, internet-of-things applications and automotive markets, and more than $300 million from streaming and cloud services.

InterDigital reported smartphone-related recurring revenue of $491 million in mid-2026, nearing its 2027 target of $500 million. Revenue in consumer electronics, IoT and automotive stood at $75 million, while the streaming and cloud segment has begun generating revenue following an agreement with Amazon.

Brezski said Amazon has the right to use InterDigital technology in its streaming services and products, while an arbitration panel will determine the licensing price. InterDigital recognizes revenue on an estimated basis until that outcome is determined.

In the smartphone market, Brezski said 85% of more than 1 billion annual device shipments are made by companies licensed to InterDigital’s technology. The company is in litigation with Transsion and is seeking agreements with other unlicensed manufacturers, including Huawei and HMD.

InterDigital is also pursuing broader adoption in televisions, connected vehicles and cellular IoT. Brezski said it is in litigation with TCL and Hisense in the television market and is working to renew a Samsung television license that expired at the end of the prior year.

For 2030, InterDigital targets more than $1 billion in recurring revenue and $600 million in adjusted EBITDA, based on a 60% adjusted EBITDA margin. Brezski said the margin assumption leaves room for future investments or acquisitions, while the company’s cash balance provides resources to fund research, pursue opportunities and enforce its patent rights when necessary.

About InterDigital (NASDAQ:IDCC)InterDigital, Inc is a mobile and video technology research and development company that designs and licenses wireless communications and video compression innovations. Its patent portfolio encompasses key standards across 3G, 4G LTE and 5G wireless networks, as well as video and multimedia technologies. By focusing on fundamental technology creation rather than device manufacturing, InterDigital delivers core intellectual property to smartphone manufacturers, chipset vendors and telecommunications operators worldwide.

The company's principal services include patent licensing, technology evaluation and consulting.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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With the proliferation of data centers and electric vehicles, the electric grid will only get more strained. Download this report to learn how energy stocks can play a role in your portfolio as the global demand for energy continues to grow.

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Shares of Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ:COLM – Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of “Hold” by the six ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have given a hold recommendation and two have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $65.40.

COLM has been the topic of several research analyst reports. BTIG Research reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $80.00 price objective on shares of Columbia Sportswear in a report on Friday, July 31st. Citigroup reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $68.00 price target (up from $67.00) on shares of Columbia Sportswear in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Robert W. Baird set a $65.00 price target on shares of Columbia Sportswear in a research report on Friday, July 31st. UBS Group reissued a “sell” rating and issued a $47.00 price objective (up from $44.00) on shares of Columbia Sportswear in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Columbia Sportswear from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 20th.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Columbia Sportswear

Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Columbia Sportswear by 195.4% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 449 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 297 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in Columbia Sportswear by 690.0% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 553 shares of the textile maker’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 483 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Columbia Sportswear by 250.0% in the third quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 581 shares of the textile maker’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 415 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. purchased a new position in Columbia Sportswear in the second quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont acquired a new position in Columbia Sportswear during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $39,000. 47.76% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Columbia Sportswear Stock Performance Shares of Columbia Sportswear stock opened at $58.16 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.11 and a beta of 0.94. Columbia Sportswear has a fifty-two week low of $47.47 and a fifty-two week high of $69.06. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $61.47 and a 200 day moving average of $60.81.

Columbia Sportswear (NASDAQ:COLM – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The textile maker reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.39) by $0.91. The firm had revenue of $614.36 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $606.97 million. Columbia Sportswear had a net margin of 6.05% and a return on equity of 11.20%. Columbia Sportswear’s revenue was up 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($0.19) EPS. Columbia Sportswear has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.150-1.350 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.450-4.900 EPS. Analysts forecast that Columbia Sportswear will post 3.58 EPS for the current year.

Columbia Sportswear Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 20th will be paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 20th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Columbia Sportswear’s payout ratio is 31.17%.

(Get Free Report)

Columbia Sportswear Company develops, sources, markets and distributes a wide range of outdoor apparel, footwear and accessories designed for activities such as hiking, skiing, snowboarding and trail running. Its product portfolio includes weatherproof jackets and pants featuring proprietary technologies like Omni-Tech® waterproofing and Omni-Heat® thermal reflective lining, as well as activewear, footwear, hats, gloves and accessories under the Columbia® brand and complementary brands.

Founded in 1938 as the Columbia Hat Company in Portland, Oregon, the company initially focused on headwear before expanding into outerwear in the 1970s with the introduction of the Bugaboo® interchange jacket.

See Also Five stocks we like better than Columbia Sportswear Williams-Sonoma’s Quarter Gave Bulls More Than Just a Beat-and-Raise Alcoa’s Gallium Project Opens a New Door Beyond Aluminum Oura’s $16 Billion IPO Could Put a New Price on Wearable Tech Can Tesla’s Flying Roadster Distract From Its Real Risks?

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BNP Paribas bought a new stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 8,385 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,200,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its position in Valero Energy by 2.8% during the second quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 743,997 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $194,174,000 after buying an additional 20,234 shares during the period. Field & Main Bank purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,782,000. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $4,855,000. Beacon Pointe Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,390,000. Finally, Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $413,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

More Valero Energy News Here are the key news stories impacting Valero Energy this week:

Positive Sentiment: Tight refining market supports margins: Historically low fuel inventories, limited excess refining capacity and ongoing supply disruptions are creating a favorable environment for higher crack spreads. Valero’s flexible, complex coastal refinery network is well positioned to process various crude grades and supply multiple fuel markets. Valero Energy Looks Well Placed in the Tight Global Refining Market Positive Sentiment: Strong second-quarter performance and estimates: Valero’s second-quarter 2026 results reportedly showed substantial year-over-year improvement in adjusted EPS and revenue. Rising consensus estimates and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) indicate that analysts are becoming more constructive on the company’s earnings prospects. Did Strong Q2 2026 Earnings and Refining Tailwinds Just Shift Valero Energy’s Investment Narrative? Positive Sentiment: Relative market strength and favorable valuation: VLO recently gained while the broader market declined. Its low PEG ratio compared with industry peers may be adding to the stock’s appeal, particularly as refining profitability expectations improve. Valero Energy Gains as Market Dips Negative Sentiment: One analyst downgrade: Erste Group Bank AG lowered Valero from “buy” to “hold,” which could limit upside sentiment after the stock’s strong advance and near-record trading levels. Finviz Valero Analyst Update Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $280.00 to $355.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $259.00 to $302.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Piper Sandler reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $329.00 target price on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $232.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, June 12th. Finally, Erste Group Bank lowered Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $288.00. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Valero Energy

Insiders Place Their Bets In other Valero Energy news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 7,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.17, for a total value of $2,011,275.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 19,742 shares in the company, valued at $5,294,212.14. The trade was a 27.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.36% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Valero Energy Stock Performance Shares of VLO stock opened at $352.66 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.23. The firm has a market cap of $101.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.63, a PEG ratio of 0.23 and a beta of 0.55. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $303.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $259.07. Valero Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $150.10 and a fifty-two week high of $353.00.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $10.11 by $2.43. Valero Energy had a net margin of 5.17% and a return on equity of 26.74%. The company had revenue of $44.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.47 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.28 EPS. Valero Energy’s quarterly revenue was up 48.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 40.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Investors of record on Friday, July 31st will be paid a $1.20 dividend. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 31st. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 19.92%.

Valero Energy Profile (Free Report)

Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texas–based integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The company’s operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers.

In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products.

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, /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE:LDOS) was recently awarded a contract by the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) to provide behavioral health research, operational assessments, and data-driven analyses that strengthen the psychological health and operational readiness of members of the U.S. armed services.

The work will focus on identifying risks and protective measures and interventions that affect the health, performance and readiness of military personnel throughout the deployment cycle, while developing evidence-based strategies that enhance resilience, support informed-decision making and reduce adverse outcomes. Leveraging more than 50 years of experience supporting research, Leidos will help NHRC translate scientific findings into practical solutions aimed at improving force readiness and optimizing performance and readiness within the military.

"This program reinforces the need for mission-critical health research in the military community," said Sarah McNichol, vice president of Behavioral Health & Readiness at Leidos Health. "It is vitally important we work to improve warfighter readiness by studying the various psychological factors that can impact military populations."

The NHRC is one of the eight laboratories within the Navy Medical Research & Development Enterprise tasked with optimizing the operational readiness and health of U.S. armed forces through behavioral health, epidemiology, readiness, and disease surveillance. The contract holds a total value of $56 million over a 66-month period of performance.

About Leidos 

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with approximately 50,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.

Media contact:

Brandon Ver Velde
(571) 526-6257
[email protected] 

SOURCE Leidos Holdings, Inc.

, /PRNewswire/ -- EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE: EGP) (the "Company" or "EastGroup") announced today that its Board of Directors approved a 12.9% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it to $1.75 per share from $1.55 per share. The dividend is payable on October 15, 2026, to shareholders of record of Common Stock on September 30, 2026. This dividend is the 187th consecutive quarterly cash distribution to EastGroup's shareholders and represents an annualized dividend rate of $7.00 per share. EastGroup has increased or maintained its dividend for 34 consecutive years. The Company has increased it 31 years over that period, including increases in each of the last 15 years.

About EastGroup Properties, Inc.
EastGroup, a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 2000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in high-growth markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Texas, Florida, California, Arizona and North Carolina. The Company's goal is to maximize shareholder value by being a leading provider in its markets of functional, flexible and quality business distribution space for location sensitive customers (primarily in the 20,000 to 100,000 square foot range). The Company's strategy for growth is based on ownership of premier distribution facilities generally clustered near major transportation features in supply-constrained submarkets. The Company's portfolio, including development projects and value-add acquisitions in lease-up and under construction, currently includes approximately 66.5 million square feet.

EastGroup Properties, Inc. press releases are available at www.eastgroup.net.

Contact: [email protected]     

SOURCE EastGroup Properties

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Cactus, Inc. (WHD - Free Report) . Shares have added about 10.5% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.

But investors have to be wondering, will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Cactus due for a pullback? Well, first let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent drivers for Cactus, Inc. before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.

WHD Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates on Pressure Control, Spoolable Growth.Cactus, Inc. reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 93 cents per share, up 40.9% from 66 cents per share a year earlier. The bottom line topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 71 cents per share by 31%.

Quarterly revenues surged 64.3% to $449.53 million from $273.58 million a year ago. The top line exceeded the consensus mark of $400.62 million by 12.2%.

Strong quarterly results were driven by higher contributions from Cactus International, stronger Middle East Pressure Control shipments and growing demand for Spoolable Technologies. Backlog ended the quarter at $455.8 million.

WHD's Pressure Control Revenues SurgePressure Control revenues increased 91.4% year over year to $344 million from $179.77 million a year ago. The figure is above our estimate of $307.2 million. The sharp rise primarily reflected the addition of Cactus International, which expanded WHD’s international operations and contributed significant Middle East revenues.

The segment also benefited from stronger U.S. customer activity and solid execution of international deliveries despite conflict-related logistics challenges. Aftermarket service activity in Saudi Arabia and Norway provided additional support, as customers focused on repairing and better utilizing existing equipment.

Pressure Control operating income rose 39.7% to $59.15 million from $42.33 million recorded a year earlier. Adjusted segment earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased 80.7% to $95.92 million from $53.08 million in the prior-year quarter. However, the adjusted (EBITDA) margin declined to 27.9% from 29.5%, reflecting the changed business mix following the Cactus International acquisition.

Cactus' Spoolable Business Maintains GrowthSpoolable Technologies revenues increased 9.7% to $105.53 million from $96.23 million in the prior-year quarter. The figure is above our estimate of $95.5 million.

Segment operating income increased 14.7% year over year to $32.17 million from $28.05 million recorded a year earlier. Adjusted segment EBITDA rose 11% to $42.14 million from $37.95 million in the prior-year quarter, while the adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 39.9% from 39.4%. The expansion reflected favorable product mix and stronger operating leverage.

WHD's Earnings Benefit From Higher ScaleTotal operating income increased 37.5% year over year to $83.58 million from $60.81 million a year earlier. The operating margin contracted to 18.6% from 22.2%, as results included acquisition-related purchase accounting expenses tied to Cactus International and FlexSteel.

These expenses included amortization associated with acquired intangible assets and the step-up in inventory values. The company recorded severance costs related primarily to efforts to resize and integrate the Cactus International organization.

Adjusted EBITDA rose 53.2% year over year to $132.78 million. The adjusted EBITDA margin was 29.5% compared with 31.7% in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted net income increased 41.1% to $75.11 million, supported by the substantial revenue contribution from Pressure Control and continued profitability in Spoolable Technologies.

Cactus' Strong Cash Flow, Maintained DividendOperating cash flow was $104.6 million in the quarter. Net capital expenditures totaled $15.6 million and dividend payments and related distributions totaled $11.2 million.

WHD Maintains Robust LiquidityWHD ended June with $365.82 million in cash and cash equivalents and no bank debt. The balance included $92.5 million retained to finalize legal restructuring activities tied to the Cactus International acquisition. The company had $223.7 million available under its revolving credit facility.

Cactus Expands Capacity for Global DemandCactus raised its 2026 net capital expenditure guidance to a range of $55-$65 million. The increase primarily reflects investments in the Baytown Spoolable Technologies facility to support growing demand from international and midstream customers.

The Baytown project is expected to cost roughly $40 million and could expand the facility’s production capacity by as much as 20%. Management is evaluating additional Spoolable Technologies manufacturing capacity in the Eastern Hemisphere to serve opportunities in the Middle East and other international markets.

The company received more than $80 million of incremental international Spoolable Technologies orders in July. Including Pressure Control, international purchase orders received after the quarter exceeded $130 million, indicating continued demand across both operating segments.

WHD’s 2026 Outlook & Dividend IncreaseFor the third quarter, management expects Pressure Control adjusted EBITDA margins to be in the range of 22-24%, excluding about $4 million of stock-based compensation. Lower international operating leverage, reduced aftermarket service contributions and fewer tariff recoveries are expected to affect profitability.

Spoolable Technologies adjusted EBITDA margins are projected at 39-41%, excluding roughly $1 million of stock-based compensation. Management expects demand to remain supported by Latin American orders, international market expansion and increased adoption among U.S. customers.

The board increased the quarterly dividend by 7% to 15 cents per share, marking the fourth consecutive year of dividend growth. Cactus expects third-quarter depreciation and amortization of about $27 million and an adjusted tax rate of approximately 27%.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?Since the earnings release, investors have witnessed a flat trend in estimates revision.

VGM ScoresAt this time, Cactus has a nice Growth Score of B, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

Outlook Cactus has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

American Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Medpace Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:MEDP – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 210,217 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $111,329,000. Medpace makes up about 5.0% of American Capital Management Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest holding. American Capital Management Inc. owned approximately 0.75% of Medpace as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in Medpace in the second quarter worth $1,323,047,000. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Medpace by 31.6% during the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,349,703 shares of the company’s stock valued at $758,061,000 after acquiring an additional 324,293 shares during the period. Wasatch Advisors LP lifted its position in Medpace by 14.0% during the 2nd quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 945,814 shares of the company’s stock valued at $296,853,000 after acquiring an additional 116,354 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Medpace by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 667,298 shares of the company’s stock worth $374,836,000 after acquiring an additional 24,625 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Medpace by 18.9% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 537,407 shares of the company’s stock worth $276,313,000 after acquiring an additional 85,517 shares in the last quarter. 77.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Medpace Trading Up 0.8% Medpace stock opened at $619.05 on Thursday. Medpace Holdings, Inc. has a 12 month low of $373.00 and a 12 month high of $677.90. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $559.49 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $493.31. The firm has a market cap of $17.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.29, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.15.

Medpace (NASDAQ:MEDP – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The company reported $4.25 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.98 by $0.27. The business had revenue of $707.33 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $689.51 million. Medpace had a return on equity of 110.15% and a net margin of 17.67%.Medpace’s revenue was up 17.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.10 EPS. Medpace has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.250-17.950 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Medpace Holdings, Inc. will post 17.54 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In related news, Director Fred B. Davenport, Jr. sold 7,283 shares of Medpace stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $606.15, for a total transaction of $4,414,590.45. Following the transaction, the director owned 3,798 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,302,157.70. The trade was a 65.73% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO August J. Troendle sold 27,174 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $618.79, for a total value of $16,814,999.46. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 561,195 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $347,261,854.05. The trade was a 4.62% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders have sold 125,290 shares of company stock valued at $76,466,988. Company insiders own 20.50% of the company’s stock.

Medpace News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Medpace this week:

Positive Sentiment: Medpace remains near a potential technical buy point of $628.92 after its July advance. The stock is trading well above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages, indicating sustained momentum. Medpace Stock Hovers Near Entry, Offers Second Chance After July Spike Positive Sentiment: The company’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations: adjusted earnings were $4.25 per share versus the $3.98 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 17.2% year over year to $707.33 million, surpassing forecasts. Fiscal 2026 EPS guidance remains $17.25 to $17.95. Positive Sentiment: Institutional investors and hedge funds own approximately 78% of Medpace, and several investment firms have recently increased their positions. Some analysts have also raised price targets, including RBC’s $692 target and Mizuho’s $665 target. Neutral Sentiment: Value-focused investors are comparing Medpace with Concentra Group, but the available report does not establish a clear valuation advantage for MEDP. The stock trades at roughly 36 times earnings, with a PEG ratio above 2.7, suggesting investors are already paying a premium for growth. CON vs. MEDP: Which Stock Should Value Investors Buy Now? Neutral Sentiment: Reported short interest was zero shares, producing a zero-day days-to-cover ratio. This provides no meaningful evidence of short-covering demand or downside pressure. Negative Sentiment: Several executives have recently sold shares near $620–$625. CEO August Troendle sold 15,978 shares in two transactions worth approximately $9.97 million, while CFO Kevin Brady sold 3,400 shares valued at about $2.13 million. Although both executives retain shares, the concentration of insider selling could weigh on sentiment. Medpace CEO August Troendle Sells 1,983 Shares Negative Sentiment: Analyst opinion remains cautious overall: the consensus rating is “Hold,” and the average price target of $584.18 is below recent trading levels. This may make additional upside more difficult without another earnings or guidance catalyst. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have weighed in on MEDP shares. Leerink Partners set a $620.00 target price on shares of Medpace in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Mizuho boosted their target price on Medpace from $586.00 to $665.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on Medpace from $547.00 to $624.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Medpace from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $490.00 to $515.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Medpace from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Medpace has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $584.18.

Read Our Latest Report on MEDP

Medpace Profile (Free Report)

Medpace Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: MEDP) is a global contract research organization (CRO) that provides comprehensive clinical development services to biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies. The company supports clinical trials across all phases (I–IV), offering end-to-end solutions designed to streamline the development process and accelerate the delivery of new therapies to market.

Medpace’s core service offerings include clinical pharmacology, regulatory affairs consulting, project management, central laboratory services, imaging, data management and biostatistics, pharmacovigilance and medical writing.

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Key Highlights The TRON blockchain achieved 400 million user accounts by August 23, 2026 Cumulative transfer volume across the network has exceeded $29 trillion through 15.2 billion transactions Tron Inc., trading on Nasdaq, maintains a treasury of 711.2 million TRX tokens valued at approximately $245 million Shares of Tron Inc. surged 7.49% on August 24, settling at $2.01 Current TRX market price stands at approximately $0.338, reflecting a 1.81% decline The TRON blockchain achieved a significant benchmark on August 23, 2026, surpassing 400 million cumulative accounts, as confirmed by TRON DAO. Alongside this user milestone, the platform has facilitated over 15.2 billion transactions with an aggregate transfer volume exceeding $29 trillion.

Tron (TRX) Price Reaching the initial 100 million accounts required four years following the genesis block deployment on June 25, 2018. Subsequently, the platform achieved 200 million accounts on December 7, 2023, reached 300 million by April 12, 2025, and has now doubled that figure within roughly three years.

Justin Sun, who founded TRON, characterized this achievement as evidence of “growing demand for accessible blockchain infrastructure.” He emphasized that stablecoin transactions, international money transfers, and tokenized asset management represent the primary applications fueling this expansion.

Source: Justin Sun The TRON ecosystem maintains the world’s largest circulating USDT stablecoin supply, currently surpassing $94 billion. Additionally, the platform reports total value locked (TVL) exceeding $28 billion.

Cryptocurrency analyst OxPink commented on the achievement via X, observing that TRON required 2,982 days from its initial launch to surpass the 400 million address threshold. The analyst provided a comprehensive timeline documenting each major account milestone from the network’s inception.

Tron Inc. Expands TRX Holdings to $245M In related corporate developments, Tron Inc. — a Nasdaq-traded entity previously operating as SRM Entertainment — announced the acquisition of 145,002 TRX tokens on August 24. This purchase elevates the company’s aggregate position to 711.2 million TRX, representing a market value near $245 million.

Tron Inc. (NASDAQ: TRON) acquired 144,606 TRX tokens today at an average price of $0.3458, further increasing its TRX treasury holdings to more than 711.3 million TRX in total. The company aims to further grow its Tron DAT holdings to enhance long term shareholder value. For live…

— Tron Inc. (@TRON_INC) August 25, 2026

Shares of Tron Inc. appreciated 7.49% following the disclosure, finishing the trading session at $2.01. The company represents part of an emerging trend of publicly traded corporations implementing cryptocurrency treasury strategies beyond Bitcoin holdings, similar to Ethereum-focused organizations like BitMine.

Distinguishing Corporate Accumulation from Network Expansion These developments warrant careful distinction. Tron Inc.’s token accumulation represents a strategic corporate treasury allocation. This action does not inherently indicate heightened user engagement or transaction throughput on the TRON network.

Metrics demonstrating network expansion — including account creation, transaction processing, and TVL — constitute independent performance indicators. While both narratives are unfolding concurrently, they remain functionally separate phenomena.

TRON secured inclusion in the S&P Pantera Digital Asset Index recently, earning recognition based on protocol functionality, blockchain liquidity, and ecosystem activity. The platform has simultaneously broadened its institutional collaborations through partnerships with Anchorage Digital, Securitize, and Bitnomial.

At the time of publication, TRX trades at $0.338, representing a 1.81% decrease.

TRON has activated a network upgrade designed to make Ethereum applications easier to bring onto its blockchain.

Proposal 107 received 25 approvals before taking effect on August 28, with the changes providing the groundwork for wallets that use passkeys instead of conventional passwords.

Ethereum applications face fewer barriers The upgrade introduces features from Ethereum’s Prague and Osaka updates to the TRON Virtual Machine, which runs applications on the network.

Now developers have less of the software to change to allow an application to move from one network [such as Ethereum] to the others [such as TRON].

TRON developers had to adjust for newer Ethereum tools, meaning errors or older settings for dApps in the TRON ecosystem.

The proposal brings the two environments closer together, and make TRON more attractive to teams that already build Ethereum applications.

Further to this, the upgrade will enable an application to look further back into the blockchain to verify transactions previously made, helping services where earlier transactions need to be confirmed and rely less on data providers.

How passkeys could make TRON wallets easier to use Instead of remembering passwords, users can sign in to applications using the security features built into phones or computers. These features depend on the computer being used but include fingerprints, a scan of the user’s face or a PIN.

The new capability makes it cheaper for TRON applications to verify signatures created through systems such as Apple Secure Enclave and Android Keystore. Wallets that offer a more familiar sign-in experience could get more support without users personally managing every security step.

But passkeys have not suddenly just appeared across existing TRON wallets. The upgrade provides the underlying support, while wallet and application developers must decide how to use it.

Similarly, the cost of some expensive security computations is lowered in proposal 107, but the extent of savings will depend heavily on the way in which particular applications are compiled.

TRON’s governance record shows that the upgrade is now active.

Final Summary Proposal 107 passed with 25 approvals and activated on August 28. The upgrade makes Ethereum applications easier to adapt and allows some other key features.

Stellar’s tokenized real-world asset market has climbed from about $785 million in January to more than $3 billion in July, while only just over $2 million has entered Blend pools that accept RWAs.

Summary

Stellar’s RWA value increased almost fourfold during the first seven months of 2026. Four tokenized products account for hundreds of millions of dollars each on the network. Blend has $127 million in TVL, but its RWA-enabled pools hold only slightly more than $2 million. RedStone says round-the-clock pricing remains necessary before more RWAs can serve as DeFi collateral. Stellar’s RWA market has crossed $3 billion RedStone’s latest report has found that Stellar’s RWA market expanded almost fourfold between January and July, driven by tokenized money market funds, U.S. Treasury products and corporate credit.

Several individual products have reached values normally associated with established investment funds rather than early blockchain trials. The Amundi and Spiko Overnight Swap Fund, a French-regulated UCITS cash-management product, has grown to hundreds of millions of dollars in onchain value since going live on Stellar in March.

RedStone’s report identified Spiko’s tokenized U.S. Treasury bill fund as another major contributor. The product had reached about $536 million, while Ondo Finance’s USDY held more than $533 million on Stellar.

USDY is a yield-bearing asset supported by short-term U.S. Treasuries and bank demand deposits. Ondo expanded the product to Stellar in September 2025, after which its value on the network rose from slightly more than $1 million at the beginning of 2026 to over $533 million.

Corporate credit has added another large pool of tokenized value. VuMe Bond 2030, issued under Luxembourg securitization rules, launched on Stellar in February and has since reached approximately $500 million.

Franklin Templeton has maintained an earlier institutional presence through the Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund. Launched on Stellar in 2021, the fund uses the BENJI token and invests primarily in U.S. government securities, cash, and repurchase agreements. RedStone placed the value tokenized on Stellar at about $460 million.

The concentration of several large products shows that Stellar has already attracted issuers capable of placing hundreds of millions of dollars on a public network. Yet issuance records how much value has been tokenized, not how much of it is being traded, supplied to lending markets, or used as collateral.

RWA use in Stellar DeFi remains limited Stellar’s decentralized finance market remains much smaller than its tokenized asset base. RedStone placed total DeFi value on the network at about $259 million when its report was prepared, compared with more than $3 billion in RWAs.

Blend, Stellar’s largest lending protocol, accounted for roughly $127 million of that DeFi total. Pools capable of accepting RWAs, however, held only slightly more than $2 million.

Templar Protocol provides another example of the limited use of tokenized assets in lending. Its Stellar application allows users to borrow against assets including deJAAA, deJTRSY, CETES, and USTRY, but the protocol had about $8.4 million in total value locked on the network, according to RedStone.

DeJAAA represents exposure to AAA-rated collateralized loan obligation tranches, while deJTRSY is tied to short-term U.S. Treasury securities. CETES tracks Mexican government Treasury certificates, and USTRY is backed by short-term U.S. Treasury bills.

Royal Fool, the pseudonymous co-founder and chief executive of Templar Protocol, said dependable pricing is required before a lending market can safely accept an RWA.

“Listing a real-world asset as collateral works best if we can price it reliably around the clock.”

According to the executive, SEP-40 feeds allow Templar to accept real-world collateral and support borrowing against it on Stellar. Lending protocols need current prices to calculate loan-to-value ratios and determine when a position no longer has enough collateral.

A tokenized security does not automatically become usable in DeFi simply because it exists on a blockchain. Trading venues need a defensible price before listing it, while lending protocols must keep valuing collateral even when the market for its underlying asset is closed.

Continuous pricing could bring more RWAs into DeFi Price discovery becomes harder when an onchain token represents an asset that does not trade continuously. Bitcoin, Ether, and other liquid cryptocurrencies change hands around the clock, allowing oracle providers to combine quotes from several active exchanges.

Traditional assets follow different schedules. U.S. stocks trade mainly during set market hours, while government debt products may only have reliable spot prices when their domestic markets are open.

Money market funds add another complication because their value depends on the securities held in their portfolios rather than on constant secondary-market trading. Fund administrators may also distribute net asset value data through systems that cannot send information directly to a smart contract.

Corporate debt requires additional inputs, including credit quality, maturity, settlement terms, and the structure of the security. According to RedStone, an oracle must account for such differences rather than applying the same method used to price a liquid crypto token.

Stellar’s SEP-40 Oracle Consumer Interface provides a common format through which Soroban smart contracts can request price information. Before the standard was introduced, each provider could use a separate interface, requiring developers to build a new adapter whenever they added another data source.

Under SEP-40, compatible providers follow the same set of functions for identifying supported assets, price precision, update intervals, and timestamps. Applications can retrieve the latest value, request historical records, and check whether a price has become stale.

RedStone joined Stellar in March and later adopted SEP-40. Materials provided with the report said the oracle provider now supports 55 price feeds covering U.S. Treasuries, sovereign debt, corporate credit, tokenized gold, and money market products.

Among the covered assets are Ondo’s USDY, Franklin Templeton’s BENJI and Matrixdock’s XAUm gold token. RedStone also supplies data for Centrifuge-linked Treasury and credit products, along with tokenized Mexican and Brazilian government debt issued by Etherfuse.

Martin Quensel, founder of Anemoy and co-founder of Centrifuge, said tokenization places regulated funds within reach of decentralized finance, while standardized pricing allows protocols to use them as collateral.

“Reliable, standardized pricing on Stellar by RedStone is what lets protocols actually use them as collateral.”

Stellar had previously added another data layer when it integrated Chainlink services in October 2025. The arrangement covered Data Feeds, Data Streams, and the Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol for applications working with DeFi and tokenized assets.

DTCC brings a U.S. market catalyst for 2027 The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation plans to add tokenized versions of DTC-custodied assets to Stellar in the first half of 2027, extending the network’s RWA pipeline into U.S. market infrastructure.

As reported in May, the initial eligible assets are expected to include Russell 1000 shares, major index exchange-traded funds, U.S. Treasuries, and several classes of corporate and other bonds.

DTCC received a no-action letter from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in December 2025. The relief allows it to test tokenized securities under specified conditions while maintaining existing investor protections, disclosures and control over ownership records.

The $114 trillion figure attached to the agreement represents assets held in custody by DTC, not the value that will move to Stellar. DTCC has not said that its entire custody base will be tokenized or transferred onto the network.

For U.S. investors, tokenization under DTCC’s system would keep the securities within established custody and regulatory structures. Eligible assets could receive blockchain-based representations while ownership records remain tied to the securities held at DTC.

DTCC has already begun testing tokenized public-market assets with major financial firms. In July, BlackRock, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Vanguard, the New York Stock Exchange, and almost 40 other institutions participated in a tokenization pilot involving stocks, ETFs, and U.S. Treasuries.

Microsoft and Circle shares, the Invesco QQQ Trust, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF and BlackRock’s iShares 0–3 Month Treasury Bond ETF were among the first assets included. JPMorgan also completed a conversion of QQQ shares into a tokenized representation during the pilot.

The active trial uses permissioned infrastructure, including Hyperledger Besu and Canton, while the separate Stellar deployment remains scheduled for 2027. DTCC said participants would test collateral transfers, repurchase agreements, and equity transactions before the current program enters its planned operational phase.