Barclays shares soar 243% in two years, £15,000 stake now worth over £51,000
February 21, 2026, 1:10 AM EST.Barclays shares have surged 243% from February 2024 to February 2026, boosted by a 232% price increase and 11.4% dividends. A £15,000 investment in early 2024 would now be worth £51,398. The bank benefits from strong interest rates, efficiency savings, and structural hedging, supported by a recent £15 billion capital allocation for dividends and buybacks. Barclays trades below sector averages with a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.7 and price-to-book ratio of 1.02. Risks include falling inflation potentially leading to lower interest rates, possible stock market corrections especially in the US, and windfall tax threats in the UK. Despite these headwinds, Barclays remains an appealing stock, though a repeat of recent gains appears unlikely.
US Supreme Court Limits Trump Tariffs; India Faces 10% US Tariff; Market Response Mixed
February 21, 2026, 12:55 AM EST. The US Supreme Court ruled President Trump's broad tariff imposition under emergency powers unconstitutional, limiting his authority. Despite this, the US enforces a 10% global tariff, including on India, due to trade agreements. Indian markets reacted positively, with the BSE Sensex rising 0.38% and NSE Nifty up 0.46%, signaling cautious optimism. Analyst Hariprasad K noted pivotal support for Nifty at 25,350 but flagged a neutral technical outlook due to the index's position below its 100-day exponential moving average (EMA) and a falling relative strength index (RSI). The ruling underscores Congress's exclusive right to impose tariffs, challenging the presidential use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Trump reiterated tariffs will remain despite the decision, maintaining market uncertainty.
Tesco Shares Surge 16.7% in One Month, Turning £7,500 Into £8,755
February 21, 2026, 12:54 AM EST. Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO) shares soared 16.7% in the past month, hitting a 14-year high and turning a £7,500 investment into roughly £8,755. The FTSE 100 index's strong upward trend, rising nearly 7.8% year-to-date, helped lift Tesco alongside easing UK grocery inflation, which dropped to 4%-the lowest since April 2025. This inflation relief boosted consumer confidence and Tesco's sales, which grew 4.4% year-over-year, increasing its market share to 28.7%. The supermarket's steady share buyback programme, nearly £4 billion since October 2021, underpins the stock price. Additionally, investors are favoring 'HALO' stocks like Tesco, featuring hard assets and low AI disruption risk. Tesco's 2026 earnings multiple exceeds 17 with a 3.2% forecast dividend yield, reflecting a fairly valued stock amid robust market factors.
Quarterhill Inc (TSE:QTRH) Shares Rise 6.4% on Increased Midday Trading Volume
February 21, 2026, 12:53 AM EST. Shares of Quarterhill Inc. (TSE:QTRH) surged 6.4% to C$1.00 in midday trading on Friday, marking a significant rise from the previous close of C$0.94. Trading volume hit approximately 156,405 shares, a 60% increase over the average daily volume of 97,621 shares. Quarterhill holds a market capitalization of C$117.09 million with a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.88, reflecting ongoing losses. The company operates primarily in the intelligent transportation systems and licensing sectors across multiple global markets including the U.S., Canada, and Asia. Financially, its quick ratio stands at 2.58, indicating strong short-term liquidity. Despite the current Buy rating, market analysts suggest other stocks may offer better value within the sector.
Persistent Systems (PERSISTENT.NS) Intraday at INR 5266 with AI Services Driving Momentum
February 21, 2026, 12:22 AM EST. Persistent Systems (PERSISTENT.NS) traded intraday at INR 5266 on the NSE with volume surging over 1 million shares, reflecting active trading. The stock shows a trailing PE of 45.89, above the sector average, backed by strong earnings per share (110.97) and healthy cash flow metrics. Price remains below key moving averages, indicating short-term selling pressure, while technical indicators suggest a strong downtrend but proximity to volatility support. AI-enabled service contracts in banking, healthcare, and telecom underpin growth prospects and justify premium valuation despite recent selling. Risks include valuation sensitivity and margin pressures. Traders watch for price reclaim near INR 5818 as a potential reversal signal amid sector selectivity and sustained demand for AI and cloud solutions.
EMP.A Stock Market Analysis and Trading Signals for Empire Company Limited
February 21, 2026, 12:06 AM EST. On February 20, 2026, Empire Company Limited's non-voting Class A shares (EMP.A:CA) received mixed AI-generated ratings. The mid-term outlook is strong, while near-term and long-term ratings remain neutral. Trading plans suggest buying near 45.01 CAD with a target of 49.58 CAD and a stop loss at 44.78 CAD. Conversely, short positions are advised near 49.58 CAD aiming for 45.01 CAD with a stop loss at 49.83 CAD. These signals provide a tactical blueprint for traders navigating EMP.A's price movements.
