Australian Shares Flat; Monadelphous Group Reports Higher H1 Earnings and Revenue
February 24, 2026, 1:34 AM EST. Australian shares closed flat at 9,022.30 on Tuesday, impacted by Wall Street tech selloff amid AI disruption concerns. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow all fell over 1%. Domestic data showed a 3.1-point rise in consumer confidence to 80.2 with inflation expectations easing slightly. Monadelphous Group posted fiscal H1 earnings of AU$0.6462 per share, up from AU$0.4293, and revenue rose to AU$1.44 billion from AU$1.02 billion, driving its shares over 5% higher to a record high. ANZ halted legal action on CEO Shayne Elliott's 2025 remuneration. ARB's H1 adjusted earnings dropped to AU$0.519 per share from AU$0.611, revenue slipped slightly, and shares closed down 12%, hitting a five-year low.
Solvay Reports 2025 Results with Strong Free Cash Flow Amid Market Challenges
February 24, 2026, 1:33 AM EST. Solvay S.A. posted 2025 full-year underlying net sales of €4.3 billion, a 6.5% decline organically from 2024. The company faced weaker soda ash and Coatis markets, though Peroxides and bicarbonate segments grew. Despite a 13.4% organic drop in EBITDA to €881 million, the EBITDA margin remained robust at 20.7%. Strategic cost savings contributed €101 million, supporting strong free cash flow of €350 million. Underlying net profit fell to €306 million from €445 million the previous year. Net debt held steady at €1.6 billion, with a leverage ratio of 1.8x. Solvay proposed a gross dividend of €2.43 per share. CO2 emissions decreased by 29% from 2021, nearing 2030 targets. For 2026, the company forecasts an underlying EBITDA between €770 million and €850 million and free cash flow at least €200 million, reaffirming its stable-to-increasing dividend policy and investment-grade credit commitment.
CI U.S. MidCap Dividend Index ETF (UMI:CA) Stock Analysis and AI Trading Signals
February 24, 2026, 1:32 AM EST. The CI U.S. MidCap Dividend Index ETF (UMI:CA) shows a strong near-term rating based on the latest AI-generated signals dated February 24, 2026. Current trading advice suggests a long position entry near 35.73 with a stop loss at 35.55, emphasizing caution with no short-selling plans available. Mid-term ratings appear weak while the long-term view remains neutral. This data reflects an active attempt to combine AI analytics and traditional trading strategies for effective risk management in the mid-cap dividend sector.
AI-Driven Productivity Gains Could Threaten Consumer Demand, Research Warns
February 24, 2026, 1:31 AM EST. A recent in-depth report by Sir Trini Research has sparked discussion on how rapid AI-driven productivity boosts could disrupt markets. The paper predicts that while AI may significantly increase GDP and productivity, it might not translate to growth in consumer demand. This scenario arises because machines, unlike humans, do not consume goods or services, potentially leading to a collapse in money circulation within the economy. The report also highlights that workers displaced by AI may take lower-paid jobs or cut consumption, dampening spending further. Additionally, it warns of broader disruptions extending into credit markets, impacting key financial intermediaries. These factors together point to complex challenges ahead as AI reshapes economic dynamics.
Bitcoin Falls to $64,000 Amid Macro Shocks, Cycle Remains Intact
February 24, 2026, 1:20 AM EST. Bitcoin slid to $63,822, extending losses amid global tariff increases and risk-off market sentiment, analysts told Decrypt. Despite dropping roughly 50% from its $126,080 peak, this decline reflects a 'macro shock' rather than a structural breakdown of its four-year cycle. Tariff hikes by the U.S., persistent high inflation, and rising interest rate expectations pressured Bitcoin, which continues to behave like a risk asset rather than a safe haven. ETF inflows turned negative for the fifth consecutive week, with $4 billion exiting. Experts caution that ongoing macro pressures may push Bitcoin down to $55,000 but structural demand remains, suggesting a correction and base-building phase rather than a bear market collapse.
Lean Hog Futures Rise as USDA Reports Higher Prices and Slaughter Numbers
February 24, 2026, 1:08 AM EST. Lean hog futures edged higher Monday, with gains of up to 50 cents. The USDA reported the national base hog price at $91.28, up $2.32 from the previous day. The CME Lean Hog Index also rose 36 cents to $87.95 on Feb 19. The USDA's pork carcass cutout value increased by $1.79 to $97.40 per hundredweight (cwt), while slaughter figures rose to 489,000 head, up 28,000 from last week and slightly higher than last year. Notably, rib cuts were the only primal section to decline. Futures contracts showed mixed gains, with April, May, and June 2026 contracts closing higher. Market activity reflects steady demand amid fluctuating supply conditions.
Corn Futures Stable with Slight Gains on Monday Amid Export Sales
February 24, 2026, 1:07 AM EST. Corn futures remained mostly steady on Monday, with December contracts rising 2 cents. The national average cash corn price increased by 2.5 cents to $3.87 1/4 per bushel. USDA reported export sales of 150,000 metric tons to Mexico and 120,000 metric tons to unknown destinations for 2024/25. The U.S. corn harvest is 91% complete, ahead of the 75% five-year average. Export inspections totaled 779,078 metric tons for the week ending Oct. 31, down 7.3% from last week but up 35.6% year-over-year. Marketing year shipments climbed 33.7% from last year. StoneX slightly lowered its U.S. crop yield estimate to 183.7 bushels per acre from 184. December 2024 corn futures closed at $4.16 1/2 per bushel, up 2 cents.
REG – RNS: Market and Reference Data Providers Overview
February 24, 2026, 1:06 AM EST. This brief highlights key market and reference data sources. ICE Data Services supplies select market data essential for trading and analysis. FactSet Research Systems Inc. provides select reference data and manages the CUSIP database, a unique identifier for securities in the U.S. American Bankers Association also contributes content. Additional regulatory filings and documents come from Quartr. TradingView, Inc. powers real-time market visualization tools. Together, these providers underpin the financial information industry used for compliance, research, and investment decisions.
VerticalScope Holdings Inc. (FORA:CA) AI-Generated Trading Signals for February 24, 2026
February 24, 2026, 1:01 AM EST. VerticalScope Holdings Inc. (FORA:CA) shows strong short-term and mid-term ratings, while the long-term rating is weak according to AI-generated signals dated February 24, 2026. The suggested long-term trading plan is to buy near 2.50 Canadian dollars, targeting 4.82, with a stop loss at 2.49. Conversely, a short position is advised near 4.82, targeting 2.50, with a stop loss at 4.84. These signals provide a structured approach for traders monitoring FORA in the Canadian market.
LSEG Share Price Declines Ahead of Earnings Amid AI Disruption and Market Challenges
February 24, 2026, 12:59 AM EST. The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) share price has fallen sharply to 7,706p from last year's peak of 12,025p, reflecting investor concerns over AI disruption and a slowdown in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). Key companies like Flutter Entertainment and CRH have shifted listings to the U.S., further pressuring LSEG's exchange business. Despite challenges, LSEG's profitable data and analytics segment, boosted by its Refinitiv acquisition, saw 2.9% revenue growth in Q3. A group of banks acquired 20% of its Post Trade Solutions business, supporting an expanded £1 billion share buyback program. Hedge fund Elliott Management demands a £5 billion buyback, pressing LSEG to consider selling its 51% stake in TradeWeb. Analysts remain cautiously optimistic, projecting revenue growth to £10.5 billion and underlying profit to £2.5 billion by 2027.
Wheat Futures Decline on Monday Amid Stronger US Dollar and Rainfall in Southern Plains
February 24, 2026, 12:54 AM EST. Wheat futures fell on Monday with Chicago SRW down 3 ¼ to 7 cents, Kansas City HRW down up to 4 3/4 cents, and Minneapolis spring wheat down as much as 5 ¾ cents. The US dollar index strengthened by 515 points, exerting downward pressure on prices. Recent rains in the Southern Plains are expected to improve winter wheat crop conditions, contributing to the decline ahead of Tuesday's USDA Crop Progress report. December 2024 CBOT wheat closed at $5.65 1/2, down 7 cents, while March 2025 contracts also slipped. Market watchers remain focused on weather and exchange-rate impacts in the near term.
Sensex and Nifty Drop as IT Stocks Lead Market Downturn, Infosys Falls 3.5%
February 24, 2026, 12:53 AM EST. The Indian stock market opened sharply lower on Tuesday, with the S&P BSE Sensex falling 722 points to 82,572.47 and the NSE Nifty50 down 203 points to 25,509.40. IT stocks suffered heavy losses, mirroring Wall Street's selloff. Infosys declined 3.5%, HCL Technologies fell 4% and Tata Consultancy Services dropped over 3%. Dr. VK Vijayakumar of Geojit Investments attributed weakness to concerns over AI impact and tariff tensions after the US Supreme Court ruling. Meanwhile, financial and capital goods sectors gained, supported by renewed foreign institutional investor (FII) interest in India amid improving corporate earnings. Experts advise caution in IT stocks while watching resilient sectors favored by FIIs.
Michael Burry's 2026 AI Dot Com 2.0 Thesis Faces Market Reality Check
February 24, 2026, 12:52 AM EST. Michael Burry, famed for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, claims the AI sector is experiencing a dot-com style bubble. He alleges tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet manipulate accounting practices and warn of cash flow strains from high capital expenditures. However, evidence shows tech firms' cash flow and margins are improving, driven by AI advancements. NVIDIA, Burry's high-profile target for overvaluation, contrasts sharply with its growth and profitability prospects amid the AI boom. As markets rally, Burry's bearish thesis appears misaligned with the sustained operational gains and evolving AI technology, challenging his prediction of a looming bust comparable to 2000.
Cotton Futures Close Lower as Oil and Dollar Dip on Monday
February 24, 2026, 12:51 AM EST. Cotton futures ended Monday's session weaker, with May 25 contracts falling 55 points to 65.77 cents per pound despite a midday rebound. The U.S. Dollar Index dropped by nearly 1 point to 98.044, while crude oil futures slid $1.30 per barrel. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported cotton planting at 11% as of April 20, aligning with the five-year average. Commodity traders increased net short cotton positions by 13,273 contracts to 42,418 as of April 15, per Commitment of Traders data. Cash bale sales averaged 62.5 cents per pound on April 17, with ICE-certified stocks steady at 14,478 bales. The USDA's Adjusted World Price rose 33 points to 53.43 cents a pound last Thursday. Market participants remain cautious amid mixed signals from stock levels and planting progress.
Fractal Industries shares list 6% above IPO price on BSE SME debut
February 24, 2026, 12:50 AM EST. Fractal Industries' share price opened at ₹229 on BSE SME, marking a 6% premium over its IPO price of ₹216. The IPO, which raised ₹49 crore through a fresh issue of 0.23 crore shares, was subscribed 5.44 times overall, reflecting strong investor demand. Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) subscribed 5.95 times their quota, while Non-Institutional Investors (NIIs) and retail investors also showed robust interest. The company, a garment manufacturer and supply chain service provider for e-commerce platforms like Myntra and Flipkart, reported FY25 income of ₹85.51 crore and net profit of ₹7.54 crore. Proceeds from the IPO will mainly fund working capital with some allocated for general corporate use.
Indian Markets Fall Nearly 1% as IT Sector Slumps Amid Trump Tariff Concerns
February 24, 2026, 12:49 AM EST. Indian equity indices Sensex and Nifty dropped nearly 1% on February 24, 2026, led by a sharp decline in IT stocks amid fears of AI disruption. The BSE Sensex fell 813.13 points to 82,481.53, while the NSE Nifty declined 230.15 points to 25,482.85. Rising crude oil prices and renewed worries over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats further dampened market sentiment. Analysts flagged ongoing pressure on IT stocks, with Foreign Institutional Investors buying ₹3,483.70 crore worth of equities despite domestic investors selling. Asian markets showed mixed performance, and the U.S. market closed nearly 2% lower the previous day. Investors await Trump's State of the Union address for further signals on trade policy, as tariff tensions continue to unsettle global markets.
Blackstone Resources AG (BLS.SW) Surges in Pre-Market with High Volume on SIX Swiss Exchange
February 24, 2026, 12:47 AM EST. Blackstone Resources AG (BLS.SW) shares jumped to CHF 0.13 in pre-market trading on February 24, 2026, with volume hitting 626,693 shares-over four times its average. The stock trades well below its 200-day average of CHF 1.03, reflecting volatility amid a long-term downtrend. Fundamentals show a negative earnings per share (-0.12) and a price-to-book ratio of 0.14, far below sector peers. Meyka AI assigns BLS.SW a Hold rating with a score of 63.31 and forecasts potential 92% upside over 12 months to CHF 0.25, though risks remain due to structural volatility. Increased activity may be fueled by interest in battery metals, where Blackstone operates lithium, graphite, and cobalt projects.
ASX Profit Season Sees Aurizon, JB Hi-Fi Shares Surge While Treasury Wine Estates Falls
February 24, 2026, 12:41 AM EST. The February 2026 ASX reporting season triggered sharp share price movements. Aurizon (AZJ ASX) and JB Hi-Fi (JBH ASX) saw significant gains, buoyed by strong profit results. BlueScope Steel (BSL ASX) also posted a rise. Meanwhile, Treasury Wine Estates (TWE ASX) experienced a decline, reflecting investor caution. The day was notable for HMC Capital's David Di Pilla addressing market challenges amid a tough environment for asset managers. The wide swings highlight the sensitivity of stock prices to earnings reports and CEO commentary during this period. Market watchers continue to monitor the evolving narratives around corporate profits and shareholder sentiment.
Activist Investors Target Norwegian Cruise Line and TripAdvisor Amid Industry Challenges
February 24, 2026, 12:40 AM EST.Activist investors Paul Singer of Elliott Management and Starboard Value recently acquired significant stakes in Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) and TripAdvisor (TRIP), respectively, rattling their boards. Singer criticized Norwegian's poor execution and cost control, urging a board overhaul and new leadership. Despite its challenges, Norwegian's luxury market focus and industry tailwinds suggest potential for strong earnings growth by 2027. Meanwhile, Starboard Value condemned TripAdvisor's slow artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and proposed a sale, aiming to revitalize the travel review platform which has seen an 80% stock decline over a decade. Both moves highlight strategic shifts in the travel sector as these investors seek to unlock value amid evolving market conditions.
IBM Shares Plunge After Anthropic's AI Tool Threatens Mainframe Business
February 24, 2026, 12:38 AM EST.IBM's stock plunged 13% intraday, its steepest drop since March 2020, following Anthropic's announcement of Claude Code, an AI tool that automates upgrading COBOL, a legacy language primarily on IBM mainframes. The shares are down 26% in February, poised for the worst monthly loss since at least 1968. Mainframes, crucial for sectors like finance and government, rely heavily on COBOL, and Anthropic's AI threatens to disrupt this segment by reducing the need for costly modernization projects. Investors fret that AI-driven coding tools from startups like Anthropic and giants like OpenAI could slash demand for traditional software services, squeezing growth and margins in legacy tech firms.
Ivanhoe Mines Shares Slide 11% Amid Valuation Concerns
February 24, 2026, 12:36 AM EST. Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN) saw its share price fall 11.8% over the past week, hitting C$15.05 amid cooling investor sentiment towards mining stocks. The Canadian miner faces scrutiny as its valuation score rates low, passing just 1 of 6 value checks. A Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis by Simply Wall St estimates the stock's intrinsic value at C$5.99 per share, implying it is overvalued by 151%. The model factors in projected cash flows, currently negative, turning positive by 2030. Despite a 2.6% gain over one year, the stock remains pressured due to concerns over copper project returns and broader material sector headwinds on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Investors are reassessing long-term growth prospects given ongoing cash flow deficits and valuation risks.
St. Joe (JOE) Shares Show Strong Gains but Valuation Signals Caution
February 24, 2026, 12:35 AM EST. St. Joe (JOE) stock has surged 67% over three years, closing recently at $69.33, but valuation metrics suggest mixed signals. The company's discounted cash flow (DCF) model estimates a fair value of $86.38 per share, implying the stock may be undervalued by about 19.7%. However, it scores only 2 out of 6 on undervaluation tests, indicating potential concerns. St. Joe, a real estate management and development firm, is closely watched for its asset base and long-term project pipeline. Investors should weigh recent strong returns against these valuation markers and sector sentiment shifts to gauge if optimism is appropriately priced in.
Pegasystems (PEGA) Share Price Pullback Suggests Potential Overvaluation
February 24, 2026, 12:34 AM EST. Pegasystems (PEGA) shares closed at $41.98, down 4.3% over seven days and 25.1% year to date. Despite a 7.6% gain over the past year, the stock faces mixed long-term performance. The software and automation sector's sentiment impacts investor views on Pegasystems' growth and risks. Simply Wall St rates Pegasystems at 4/6 on valuation, indicating it may trade below fair value by some measures. However, a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model estimates an intrinsic value of $34.22 per share, suggesting the stock could be overvalued by about 22.7%. The DCF approach projects future cash flows discounted to present value, revealing potential pricing concerns amid recent market pullbacks.
ASX 200 Edges Lower Amid Wall Street Dips, Supported by US Tariff Shift
February 24, 2026, 12:32 AM EST. The ASX 200 slipped 5 points to 9,020 by 3:10pm AEDT, showing resilience despite declines on Wall Street triggered by artificial intelligence (AI) disruption fears and US trade policy uncertainty. The US Supreme Court's striking down of President Trump's International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs, now replaced by a 15% global tariff under Section 122, is seen as a positive catalyst. This change lowers average tariffs from about 13% to 11%, supporting global growth and benefiting Chinese trade-the largest partner to Australia. Key movers included Kelsian Group (+9.17%) on record H1 profits, Viva Energy (+8.38%) with robust FY25 results, and Monadelphous (+7.48%) after strong half-year performance. Adore Beauty stumbled (-24.42%) following earnings revealing modest growth but contracting margins.
VSE Corporation Q4 Earnings Preview: Revenue Decline Anticipated Amid Sector Gains
February 24, 2026, 12:16 AM EST. VSE Corporation (VSEC) is set to release its Q4 results on Wednesday, with analysts forecasting a 3.3% year-over-year revenue decline, reversing prior growth trends. This comes after a previous quarter revenue beat of $282.9 million, up 3.4% year-over-year. The company has a history of missing revenue estimates in recent years. In contrast, peers W.W. Grainger and Transcat reported solid fourth-quarter revenue gains of 4.5% and 25.6%, respectively, surpassing expectations and boosting their stock prices by 9% and 11.5%. Investor sentiment in the maintenance and repair sector remains positive, reflected in a 4.3% rise in average share prices and an 8.8% gain in VSE's stock over the past month. VSE's current share price stands at $222.39 against an average analyst target of $234.52.
Nvidia Stock Returns: $1,000 Investment 10 Years Ago Now Worth $255,400
February 24, 2026, 12:15 AM EST. Nvidia (NVDA) has delivered an extraordinary 25,440% total return over the past decade, turning a $1,000 investment in 2016 into approximately $255,400 today. The chipmaker, benefiting from soaring demand tied to the expanding artificial intelligence (AI) sector, boasts a market capitalization near $4.7 trillion, making it the world's largest company. Despite recent slower gains-up only 8% in the past six months-the AI revolution remains nascent. Nvidia's future chip demand looks strong, potentially driving continued, if more moderate, returns as the AI sector matures.
Is Lazard (LAZ) Stock Undervalued Following Recent Price Decline?
February 24, 2026, 12:14 AM EST. Lazard's (LAZ) shares closed at $49.32, marking a short-term decline yet showing solid long-term gains: 4.4% over one year, 53.4% over three, and 55.1% over five. The firm, known for global financial advisory and asset management, faces market-driven shifts in advisory pipelines and assets under management impacting its stock. Valuation analysis ranks Lazard a 6 out of 6, indicating it is undervalued across key metrics. The Excess Returns model reveals Lazard's intrinsic value near $90.55 per share, about 45.5% above the current price, supported by a 35% average return on equity. Investors should weigh these factors amid ongoing market volatility when considering Lazard's fee-based revenue potential and growth outlook.
Lean Hog Futures Rise Amid Slight Market Adjustments
February 24, 2026, 12:03 AM EST. Lean hog futures gained between 65 cents and $1 on Monday, reflecting modest market optimism. The USDA did not report a national base hog price due to low volume. The CME Lean Hog Index fell 11 cents to $110.21 on July 31. Managed money net long positions dropped by 2,821 contracts as of July 29 but rose to 107,586 contracts by Tuesday. USDA's pork cutout report showed a $2.19 increase to $119.13 per hundredweight, driven by a $6.85 rise in ham prices, while the butt primal declined. Estimated hog slaughter last week was 2.336 million head, slightly higher than the previous week but down nearly 7,000 from last year. Futures contracts for August, October, and December are all up, signaling bullish activity in the hog market.
Tennant (TNC) Misses Q4 Earnings and Revenue Estimates, Shares Up 13.1% YTD
February 24, 2026, 12:02 AM EST. Tennant (TNC) reported Q4 earnings of $1.39 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.68, marking a 17% negative surprise. Revenue came in at $291.6 million, down from $328.9 million year-over-year and 8.7% below estimates. Over the past four quarters, Tennant failed to beat earnings estimates, delivering only one revenue beat. Despite the weak quarterly results, Tennant shares have risen 13.1% year-to-date, outpacing the S&P 500's 0.9% gain. The stock holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), reflecting mixed earnings estimate revisions ahead. Current consensus expects Q1 EPS of $1.35 and revenues near $301 million. Industry outlook also remains a key factor for future performance in the manufacturing general industrial sector.
Bob's Discount Furniture Executive VP Buys 15,000 Shares Post-IPO, Signaling Confidence
February 24, 2026, 12:01 AM EST. Bob's Discount Furniture (BOBS) Executive VP Stephen Moeller purchased 15,000 shares worth $255,000 on Feb. 6, 2026, the day after the company's IPO. This marks Moeller's initial direct equity stake, representing 0.01% of shares outstanding. The shares were acquired at the IPO price of $17 each, reflecting a commitment to the company's growth prospects. Bob's Discount Furniture, a U.S. value-focused home furnishings retailer, reported a market cap of $2.8 billion and trailing twelve-month revenue of $2.3 billion. Following the purchase, shares surged to a high of $22.93 by Feb. 23, indicating early investor confidence in the stock's momentum and Moeller's bullish outlook.
Coffee Prices Drop on Brazil's Record Crop Forecast and Rising Exports
February 24, 2026, 12:00 AM EST. Coffee prices slid sharply on Monday, with arabica falling 2.68% and robusta down 0.86%, pressured by prospects of a record Brazilian crop. Brazil's crop agency Conab forecasts a 17.2% rise in 2026 coffee production, led by a 23.2% jump in arabica output. Favorable rainfall in Minas Gerais boosted the outlook further. Meanwhile, surging Vietnamese robusta exports and higher global inventory levels added bearish weight. Vietnam's January exports soared 38.3% year-on-year, with 2025 production hitting a 4-year high. Despite Brazil's January exports falling 42.4%, and Colombia's reduced output supporting prices, overall supply growth and inventory recovery weighed on the market. The USDA projects 2025/26 world coffee production hitting a record 178.8 million bags, driven by a 10.9% rise in robusta, overshadowing a decline in arabica.
