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5 hours ago

March 2, 2026 – U.S. Stocks Close Mixed as Middle East Conflict Fuels Oil Spike -( $ABBV $EPRX $FIGS $INTG $MTWO $NVDA $NVO $SOAR Rise!)

U.S. stocks showed resilience on Monday, March 2, 2026, rebounding from early losses driven by escalating Middle East tensions involving U.S., Israel, and Iran. Major indexes closed mixed after volatile trading, with energy stocks gaining on surging oil prices while technology faced pressure from prior AI spending concerns.investopedia+2

Major Indexes

The S&P 500 edged up slightly by 0.04% to around 6,881.62 points, recovering from an intraday drop of up to 1.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped marginally by 0.15%, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.36% amid broader market swings. Small-cap Russell 2000 fell sharply by 2.7% at open but stabilized later to close up .90%.

Key Sectors

Energy led gains with a 1.4% advance, fueled by oil’s sharp rise amid Strait of Hormuz closure fears. Healthcare and consumer sectors outperformed, up 1.5-1.8%, contrasting tech’s 2.2% prior decline tied to AI doubts. Financials lagged following Friday’s weakness.

Commodities

Oil prices jumped significantly, with Brent crude up 6.70% to multi-month highs around $71.51 per barrel due to supply disruption risks from Iran conflict. Gold surged 1.96% to record highs above $5,350.80/oz per ounce as a safe-haven amid geopolitical turmoil.

Economic Indicators

February ISM Manufacturing PMI held at 52.4, signaling continued expansion for the second month but with slower new orders and production. Prices paid subindex spiked to 70.5, the highest since mid-2022, raising inflation worries alongside oil shocks.

Biotech/Pharma Highlights

GSK agreed to acquire 35Pharma for $950 million to enhance its cardiopulmonary pipeline with PAH candidate HS235. Eli Lilly, AbbVie (ABBV $234.26, +.94%), and Novo Nordisk (NVO, $37.76, +.83%) topped watchlists for obesity and immunology drugs, while IQVIA expanded via Charles River acquisition. UniQure shares dropped 36% on worsening FDA news.

VP Watchlist Updates

Below is an update‑style snapshot on the VP Watchlist names for the week, focused on recent catalysts, positioning, and narrative rather than precise price moves.

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals (EPRX, $8.30, +1.47%)

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Eupraxia” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging its proprietary Diffusphere™ technology designed to optimize local, controlled drug delivery for applications with significant unmet need, recently announced the successful closing of its previously announced public offering (the “Offering”) of 7,607,145 common shares of the Company (the “Common Shares”), which includes the full exercise of the option to purchase additional shares granted to the underwriters, at a price to the public of US$7.00 per Common Share, and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 1,428,571 Common Shares in lieu thereof (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”) at a price of US$6.99999 per Pre-Funded Warrant, which equals the public offering price per Common Share less the C$0.000001 per share exercise price of each Pre-Funded Warrant, for gross proceeds of approximately US$63.2 million, before deducting the underwriting commissions and estimated expenses incurred in connection with the Offering.“We are pleased to complete this financing, allowing us to significantly expand our pipeline, reach several additional development milestones with EP-104GI for eosinophilic esophagitis, and make meaningful progress towards commercial readiness,” said James Helliwell, CEO of Eupraxia. “We appreciate the support from both existing and new investors as we execute our mission and pursue the next phase of growth for Eupraxia.” Cantor and LifeSci Capital acted as joint book-running managers for the Offering. Bloom Burton and Craig-Hallum also acted as co-managers for the Offering. As previously stated, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering primarily for the continued advancement of EP-104GI for Eosinophilic Esophagitis, including the completion of ongoing preclinical studies, and Phase 2 clinical trials, preparations for a Phase 3 clinical trial including the related regulatory submissions, and manufacturing activities, and to undertake the necessary commercial/market development activities to prepare for the eventual product launch. The Company also intends to use a portion of the proceeds to accelerate and expand its plans to pursue clinical studies with EP-104GI in multiple additional gastrointestinal indications, including in esophageal strictures and fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease. A portion of the proceeds will be allocated to research and development of additional pipeline candidates, business development initiatives, and general corporate purposes, which may include but are not limited to employee salaries, working capital, leases for facilities, administrative expenses, and capital expenditures. The Company may also use a portion of the proceeds to expand its intellectual property portfolio and strengthen its corporate infrastructure to support future growth.

Modular Medical (MODD)

  • MODD closed at $.1570 after launching offering on Friday on a best-efforts basis for up to $12,000,000 of shares of their common stock. Has been trading as a diabetes‑tech name, with shares reacting to execution milestones around its Pivot tubeless patch pump platform.Earlier this month, the company began production of validation lots for its disposable cartridge and infusion set, keeping it on track for a planned commercial launch in the first quarter of 2026, contingent on FDA 510(k) clearance—an event path that positions upcoming regulatory decisions as key stock catalysts.
  • Earlier this month, the company began production of validation lots for its disposable cartridge and infusion set, keeping it on track for a planned commercial launch in the first quarter of 2026, contingent on FDA 510(k) clearance—an event path that positions upcoming regulatory decisions as key stock catalysts.

FIGS, Inc. (FIGS, $17.12, +10.81%)

  • FIGS, the direct‑to‑consumer healthcare apparel brand, operates at the intersection of e‑commerce and specialty retail, with a loyal professional customer base and a growing product portfolio. While macro headwinds and digital‑ad volatility have pressured some consumer names, FIGS’ brand equity in the medical community and ongoing product innovation offer levers for renewed growth as conditions normalize.
  • After the close (Feb. 26), FIGS released its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results and published a financial highlights presentation on its investor relations highlighting the following: Exceeded Top and Bottom Line Expectations, Grew Q4 2025 Net Revenues 33.0% to a Record $201.9 Million, Achieved Q4 2025 Net Income Margin of 9.2% and Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 13.2% & Plans Low Double-Digit Net Revenues Growth and Margin Expansion in FY 2026. FIGS shares have traded up to $13.74 in the aftermarket today.

GeoVax Labs (GOVX, $1.56)

DoubleVerify (DV, $10.48)

  • DoubleVerify, the leading software platform for digital media measurement, data and analytics, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025 and highlighted the following: Increased 2025 Revenue by 14% Year-over-Year to $748.3 Million, Driven by Global Growth in Social, CTV Measurement, and Programmatic Activation, Achieved 2025 Net Income of $50.7 Million and Adjusted EBITDA of $245.6 Million, representing a 33% Adjusted EBITDA margin, & $300 Million Authorized for Share Repurchases, the Largest Amount in DoubleVerify’s History.

The InterGroup Corporation (INTG, $32.59, +8.52%)

  • InterGroup Corporation delivered (Feb. 17) a notably stronger quarter, highlighted by a 20% jump in total revenue to $17.3 million and a 27% surge in hotel revenue as renovated rooms returned to service and travel demand improved. The company swung from a prior-year net loss to $1.0 million in net income, with operating income more than doubling to $2.0 million, underscoring better cost control and improved operating efficiency. Management further enhanced liquidity and sharpened strategic focus by selling a non-core 12‑unit Los Angeles multifamily property, generating a meaningful gain and additional working capital while maintaining stable performance across its real estate portfolio.

Serina Therapeutics (SER, $1.77)

  • Serina Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing drug candidates enabled by its proprietary POZ Platform™ drug optimization technology, announced (Feb. 19) that the first patient has been enrolled in the Company’s Phase 1b registrational trial evaluating. The Phase 1b registrational study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of SER-252 in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease whose symptoms are inadequately controlled by current standard-of-care therapies. Serina remains on track to initiate dosing during the current quarter, consistent with previously disclosed guidance.

Volato Group, Inc. (SOAR, $3161, +5.58%) & M2i Global, Inc. (MTWO, +12.40%)

  • Volato and M2i Global reaffirmed their goal of closing their business combination in the first quarter of 2026, citing steady advancement through SEC review and integration planning as they move toward a combined listing. The deal, originally announced in 2025, will effectively transition Volato from a pure‑play private aviation operator into a diversified platform spanning aviation technology and critical minerals, with M2i shareholders expected to own the majority of the combined entity. Operationally, the partnership is already visible: the two companies recently initiated their first shipment of titanium ore from Western Australia to the United States from Titanium X, underscoring how the critical‑minerals vertical could become a meaningful growth engine as domestic supply‑chain security rises in strategic importance.
  • On Feb. 4, M2i Global,Inc.along with Volato Group, Inc. announced that Titanium X has initiated its first shipment of titanium ore from Western Australia to the U.S. under its collaboration agreement.

NVIDIA (NVDA, $182.48, +2.99%)

  • Nvidia delivered strong fourth-quarter results recently, posting revenue of $68.1 billion, well above analyst expectations. Looking ahead, the company projects $7.8 billion in revenue for the first quarter of 2026, reflecting continued robust demand for its AI chips even amid broader market headwinds.

McDonald’s (MCD, $334.82)

  • Options data around the February 2026 expiries highlight active positioning near the 300–305 strike range, consistent with expectations for steady but not explosive upside from here.
  • In the run-up to World Protein Day on 27th February, McDonald’s India (West & South), owned and operated by Westlife Foodworld, is celebrating Protein Week, reinforcing its leadership in nutrition-led innovation. Making protein more accessible, affordable and customizable, Indian consumers can use the McDonald’s app to explore these nutritious offerings and avail of protein burgers starting at just INR 69. Enhancing this convenience, consumers ordering via McDelivery can also enjoy free delivery on the Protein Plus meal range.

Nokia (NOK, $8.26, +6.99%)

Opendoor (OPEN, $5.05)

The Sources

  1. CNBC – “S&P 500 closes flat, rebounding from lows as traders buy the dip after U.S.-Iran attacks: Live updates”
    https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/01/stock-market-today-live-update.html[cnbc]​
  2. Investopedia – “Stock Market Today: Major Indexes Close Mixed as Markets React to …”
    https://www.investopedia.com/stock-market-today-dow-jones-s-and-p-500-03022026-11917019[investopedia]​
  3. The Wall Street Journal – “Stock Market Today: Oil Prices Jump; Stocks Pare Losses”
    https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-oil-prices-iran-attack-03-02-2026[wsj]​
  4. Barron’s – “S&P 500 Struggles to Hold On to Gains”
    https://www.barrons.com/livecoverage/stock-market-news-today-030226[barrons]​
  5. Yahoo Finance – “Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq recover from major sell …”
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-recover-from-major-sell-off-as-wall-street-watches-iran[finance.yahoo]​
  6. TheStreet – “Stock Market Today, Mar. 2: Stocks plummet as Iran conflict raises …”
    https://www.thestreet.com/latest-news/stock-market-today-mar-2-stocks-plummet-as-iran-conflict-raises-war-worries[thestreet]​
  7. Equity Clock – “Stock Market Outlook for March 2, 2026”
    https://equityclock.com/2026/02/27/stock-market-outlook-for-march-2-2026[equityclock]​
  8. Polymarket – “Russell 2000 (RUT) Up or Down on March 2?”
    https://polymarket.com/event/rut-up-or-down-on-march-2-2026[polymarket]​
  9. The Globe and Mail – “Stock Market News for Mar 2, 2026”
    https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/stocks/MSFT/pressreleases/512181/stock-market-news-for-mar-2-2026[theglobeandmail]​
  10. Yahoo Finance – “Stock Market News for Mar 2, 2026”
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/stock-market-news-mar-2-142600248.html[finance.yahoo]​
  11. Reuters – “Wall Street rebounds from early losses on Iran worries”
    https://www.reuters.com/business/wall-street-futures-slide-middle-east-conflict-escalates-2026-03-02[reuters]​
  12. AJG – “Weekly Financial Markets Update March 2, 2026”
    https://www.ajg.com/news-and-insights/weekly-financial-markets-update-march-2-2026[ajg]​
  13. Nasdaq – “Attacks on Iran Send Oil Prices Up, Pre-Markets Down”
    https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/attacks-iran-send-oil-prices-pre-markets-down[nasdaq]​
  14. Bill Good Marketing – “Top 46 SEO Keywords & Best Practices for Financial Advisors”
    https://www.billgoodmarketing.com/resources/financial-advisor-seo-keywords[billgoodmarketing]​
  15. SmartAsset – “Financial Advisor SEO Keywords to Target”
    https://smartasset.com/advisor-resources/financial-advisor-seo-keywords[smartasset]​
  16. SEOpital – “The Best SEO Keywords for Finance”
    https://www.seopital.co/blog/finance-keywords[seopital]​
  17. FMG Suite – “Best SEO Keywords for Financial Advisors 2025”
    https://fmgsuite.com/insights/seo-keywords-for-financial-advisors[fmgsuite]​
  18. Mint Copywriting Studios – “SEO for Financial Services: What You Need to Know in 2026”
    https://www.mintcopywritingstudios.com/blog/seo-for-financial-services[mintcopywritingstudios]​

8 hours ago

Eupraxia Steps Into the Spotlight: AAAAI 2026 Puts EoE Back on the Growth Map -( $EPRX $SNY $REGN $IBB $XBI )

In a conference season dominated by mega-cap immunology franchises, Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: EPRX) quietly walked into AAAAI 2026 and walked out looking a lot less “micro‑cap” and a lot more “mispriced asset.” For investors willing to do more than skim the abstracts, the meeting underscored a simple thesis: eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) still has a gaping treatment gap, and EP‑104GI plus the DiffuSphere platform may be holding more optionality than the current share price suggests.

EoE: A Common Disease With Uncommonly Thin Competition

EoE has matured from obscure diagnosis to mainstream GI problem, with prevalence now high enough that payers and physicians can no longer treat it as a rounding error in the allergy and gastroenterology budgets. Yet despite that prevalence, the pipeline remains surprisingly sparse, in part because the field still cannot quite decide whether EoE behaves more like a plumbing problem or a classic inflammatory cascade.

Into that uncertainty stepped Sanofi’s (SNY) Dupixent, which now holds the distinction of being the first and only approved treatment for EoE down to age one, an important milestone but hardly a cure‑all. Even Sanofi reportedly acknowledges that a large fraction of young children still have significant unmet need despite existing options, which is a polite way of saying that real‑world control is imperfect and the addressable market is still very much open. Weekly injections, emerging adverse events, and good old‑fashioned injection fatigue are already pushing some patients and physicians to look around for alternatives, a theme that surfaced repeatedly in conversations at AAAAI.

EP‑104GI: Turning a Workhorse Steroid Into a Precision Tool

Eupraxia’s lead candidate EP‑104GI is, on the surface, an extended‑release formulation of fluticasone propionate; under the hood, the DiffuSphere microsphere platform is doing the heavy lifting. Instead of systemic peaks and troughs, EP‑104GI is injected directly into the esophageal wall via multiple sites, delivering a local, stable steroid exposure that early data suggest can maintain effect while potentially tempering adverse events.

The ongoing RESOLVE Phase 1b/2a trial has already produced a string of positive cohorts, with dose‑escalation data showing encouraging signals in adults with histologically confirmed active EoE. Eupraxia has highlighted nine‑month durability of benefit in some patients, reinforcing the platform’s thesis that slow, even release can make old pharmacology look surprisingly new again. Cantor Fitzgerald’s analysts now model Phase 2b data for EP‑104GI in EoE in the second half of 2026 and explicitly expects that readout to be positive, a stance that sets a high—but not unreasonable—bar for this management team.

Beyond EoE: Strictures, Crohn’s, and the Art of Quietly Building a Franchise

If AAAAI 2026 was the coming‑out party for EoE, it also served as a soft launch for Eupraxia’s broader GI ambitions. Management reportedly spent a notable amount of time exploring benign esophageal strictures, a roughly one‑million‑patient opportunity in which repeated balloon or bougie dilations are common and relapse is a feature, not a bug. With about half of patients undergoing one or more dilations a year, the notion of a locally delivered, durable steroid to reduce restenosis risk has intuitive appeal—and importantly, leverages the same delivery logic already being de‑risked in EoE.

Fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease (FSCD) may be the most intriguing upside call option in the story. Up to half of Crohn’s patients develop strictures over their lifetimes, and biologics have historically struggled here, hinting that fibrosis pathways—not just runaway inflammation—drive the clinical burden. That is exactly where the market is starting to place larger bets: Belgium’s Agomab Therapeutics, for example, is pushing an ALK5 inhibitor for fibrostenosing Crohn’s and is targeting an IPO valuation of roughly 800 million dollars, with proceeds earmarked for a global Phase 2b program. The irony, not lost on Eupraxia’s backers, is that Agomab’s valuation ambition already eclipses Eupraxia’s market cap despite both companies working in adjacent fibrotic GI territory at broadly similar stages of development.

Valuation: When the DCF Looks More Ambitious Than the Market

Cantor Fitzgerald’s recent probability‑adjusted DCF pegs Eupraxia’s equity value at about 1.4 billion dollars, including cash, translating into a 12‑month price target of 19 per share versus a recent price in the single‑digit range. The model extends cash flows out to 2035 using a 12 percent discount rate and assumes zero terminal growth, a combination that would normally elicit a raised eyebrow on the Street but here instead highlights how compressed expectations have become for mid‑cap‑aspiring biotech.

To be sure, the risk section of the Cantor Fitzgerald report reads like a standard biotech disclaimer: clinical trial failure, regulatory setbacks, competitive pressures from entrenched therapies, reimbursement uncertainty, and the ever‑present need for additional capital all apply. The company has already tapped equity markets to support expansion of EP‑104GI into Phase 2 and Phase 3 work and to extend the DiffuSphere platform into other indications, moves that are dilutive in the short term but necessary if Eupraxia wants to be a platform company rather than a single‑asset curiosum. Still, when the sell‑side labels the name “Overweight” and illustrates a multi‑bagger upside case using conservative growth assumptions, it tends to focus investor attention in ways no conference booth ever could.

AAAAI 2026: Reading Between the Posters

The larger immunology backdrop at AAAAI 2026 was dominated by Regeneron’s (REGN) and Sanofi’s growing allergy empire, including new Phase 3 allergen‑challenge data and another supplemental BLA milestone for Dupixent. That context matters: the more Dupixent expands across allergic and type 2 inflammatory disease, the more line items appear on payer spreadsheets, and the stronger the incentive to consider targeted, local approaches where they can plausibly reduce systemic exposure and cost. In that environment, a once‑per‑procedure, locally injected steroid platform that could be applied to EoE, benign strictures, and fibrostenotic Crohn’s starts to look less like a niche science project and more like a strategic hedge on the biologics era.

Physicians at the meeting reportedly questioned long‑held assumptions around proton‑pump inhibitor responsiveness in EoE—with some citing response rates closer to 25 percent—and noted a trickle of patients discontinuing Dupixent due to waning effect, side effects, or simple fatigue with weekly injections. None of this undermines Dupixent’s position as a transformative agent in the field; instead, it underscores the obvious but often overlooked reality that in chronic immune‑mediated disease, there is rarely a single winner, only portfolios of partially overlapping solutions. For Eupraxia, that nuance is the opportunity: the company does not need to displace the incumbent biologic so much as fill in the therapeutic whitespace it leaves behind.

The Takeaway: A Small Cap Playing a Big‑Disease Game

For investors, the EoE narrative after AAAAI 2026 comes down to a handful of testable propositions: that EP‑104GI can sustain its early efficacy and safety profile in larger, controlled studies; that DiffuSphere can be ported into high‑value fibrotic indications like benign strictures and FSCD; and that the market will ultimately reconcile Eupraxia’s (NASDAQ: EPRX) valuation with those of peers chasing similar biology. In a sector where sentiment can swing faster than an allergist’s clinic schedule on pollen‑count days, the setup heading into a Phase 2b EoE readout in the back half of 2026 is unlikely to stay under the radar for long.

The humor, if there is any in a disease defined by trouble swallowing, is that the Street itself may be the one struggling here—this time with digesting how much optionality can be packed into a string of local steroid injections.

The Sources

  1. Cantor Fitzgerald equity research report: “AAAAI 2026 Takes: Unmet Need Remains in EoE; Brief Introduction to Pipeline Expansion Opportunities” (Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals, EP‑104GI, EoE, benign strictures, FSCD, valuation, risks).
  2. Eupraxia Phase 1b/2a RESOLVE data overview (EP‑104GI in eosinophilic esophagitis), including sustained treatment effects and safety profile.
    https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eupraxia-pharmaceuticals-announces-positive-data-from-resolve-phase-1b2a-trial-of-ep-104gi-for-the-treatment-of-eosinophilic-esophagitis-302375412.html[prnewswire]​
  3. Eupraxia RESOLVE efficacy update and cohort data for EP‑104GI in EoE, including histologic and symptomatic outcomes.
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/eupraxia-pharmaceuticals-announces-sustained-positive-110000452.html[finance.yahoo]​
  4. Eupraxia additional positive data from higher‑dose or later RESOLVE cohorts in EoE.
    https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/09/29/3158170/0/en/Eupraxia-Pharmaceuticals-Announces-Positive-Data-from-Highest-Dose-Cohort-in-RESOLVE-Phase-1b-2a-Trial-of-EP-104GI-for-Eosinophilic-Esophagitis.html[globenewswire]​
  5. Eupraxia background on RESOLVE trial and mechanism for EP‑104GI (extended‑release esophageal steroid).
    https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/eupraxia-pharmaceuticals-announces-data-resolve-phase-1b-2a-trial-ep-104gi-treatment[nasdaq]​
  6. Additional write‑up summarizing EP‑104GI Phase 1b/2a results and platform description.
    https://synapse.patsnap.com/article/eupraxia-reports-positive-data-from-phase-1b2a-trial-of-ep-104gi-for-eosinophilic-esophagitis[synapse.patsnap]​
  7. Dupixent (dupilumab) label expansion: FDA approval as first and only treatment for EoE in pediatric population (down to age 1).
    https://www.sanofi.com/en/media-room/press-releases/2024/2024-01-25-19-30-00-2817342[sanofi]​
  8. Regeneron/Sanofi AAAAI 2026 immunology portfolio and Phase 3 allergen‑challenge program highlights.
    https://reachmd.com/news/regeneron-at-aaaai-2026-first-phase3-allergenchallenge-readouts-and-dupixent-sbla/2485661/[reachmd]​
  9. Additional AAAAI 2026 context on Regeneron’s expanding allergy and immunology presence.
    https://www.stocktitan.net/news/REGN/regeneron-highlights-expanding-immunology-portfolio-and-pipeline-at-hu5phtxyn7uf.html[stocktitan]​
  10. General highlights and key themes from AAAAI 2026 across allergy and immunology programs.
    https://www.medcentral.com/immunology/aaaai-meeting-highlights-2026[medcentral]​
  11. Agomab Therapeutics U.S. IPO plans and targeted valuation for fibrosis‑focused GI pipeline (including fibrostenosing Crohn’s).
    https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/belgiums-agomab-therapeutics-seeks-up-8285-million-valuation-us-ipo-2026-01-29/[reuters]​
  12. Additional background on Agomab’s Nasdaq debut and fibrosis pipeline positioning.
    https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/belgium-biotech-agomab-outlines-212m-nasdaq-debut[fiercebiotech]​
  13. Eupraxia corporate and financing update (recent proposed public offering to support pipeline development).
    https://www.stocktitan.net/news/EPRX/eupraxia-pharmaceuticals-announces-proposed-public-rv5gk8fa7wdy.html[stocktitan]​
9 hours ago

Tech’s New Power Trio: Chips, Phones, and the Pentagon -( $AAPL $AMZN $COHR $MSFT $NOK $NVDA )

The trading week opened with a very 2026 question: what do you buy when chips, phones, defense‑grade algorithms, and even old‑school networks all decide to reinvent themselves at once? Investors answered with a familiar refrain—more tech.

Nvidia Bets $4 Billion That Light Beats Copper

Nvidia is doubling down on the idea that the future of AI isn’t just about bigger models, but faster plumbing. The company committed a combined $4 billion—$2 billion each to Coherent and Lumentum—to secure cutting‑edge photonics that can move data around its next‑generation AI data centers at the speed of, essentially, physics.

The deals come with multibillion‑dollar purchase agreements for advanced lasers and optical networking gear, effectively turning Nvidia into both cornerstone investor and anchor customer. While Nvidia shares eased about 1.2% in premarket trading, Coherent (COHR) and Lumentum (LITE) jumped roughly 8% and 7% as Wall Street decided that being on Nvidia’s supplier list is the closest thing semiconductors have to a royal warrant.

Behind the numbers is a strategic wager that silicon photonics will be critical to scaling AI infrastructure as today’s electrical interconnects hit power and bandwidth ceilings. In an era when training runs are measured in gigawatts and data centers are starting to look like small utilities, shaving latency and power loss between chips is more than an engineering nicety—it is the business model.

Apple’s iPhone 17e: Luxury Brand, Outlet Pricing

Over in Cupertino, Apple (AAPL) opened its own front in the AI era—not with an exotic headset, but with something much more dangerous to rivals: a cheaper iPhone that does not feel cheap. The new iPhone 17e starts at $599, coming in about $200 below the standard iPhone 17 while sharing the same processor.

To hit that price, Apple trimmed around the edges: a slightly smaller display, a single rear camera instead of two, and no Dynamic Island interface flourish. For many upgraders coming from older devices, those trade‑offs may feel more like fine print than sacrifice, especially when the chip inside unlocks Apple’s latest AI features.

The timing is deliberate. Global smartphone shipments are expected to decline in the near term amid memory shortages tied to AI demand, yet Apple is expanding its budget lineup for a second straight year after the reception to last year’s 16e. While the market frets about unit volumes, Apple is tuning its price ladder to pull more users into its ecosystem just as it prepares a revamped, AI‑heavy Siri powered by Google’s Gemini later this year.finance.

OpenAI Heads to the Pentagon—And Into the Spotlight

If Nvidia is rewiring the data center and Apple is re‑pricing the handset, OpenAI is testing the boundaries of where commercial AI belongs. The company signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, a move that arrives amid rising geopolitical tensions and an unusually public feud between the Pentagon and Anthropic.

Anthropic has resisted government pressure for less‑restricted access to its AI models, prompting threats that it could be tagged as a supply‑chain risk. OpenAI, by contrast, says its Pentagon deal includes guardrails similar to those Anthropic advocates, with CEO Sam Altman stressing the firm’s ethical commitments. In practice, that sets up a real‑time case study in how AI vendors balance lucrative government contracts with reputational risk among employees, civil society groups, and international customers.

The deal also lands just days after Amazon (AMZN) agreed to invest $50 billion in OpenAI and commit 2 gigawatts of Trainium capacity, while Microsoft (MSFT) reiterated that its own partnership with the startup remains intact. For now, OpenAI is managing to play three‑dimensional chess across cloud, capex, and defense, while everyone else watches to see how many boards can be kept in the air at once.

BYD, SpaceX, and the Global Tech Undercard

The day’s tape also featured a supporting cast that would be headliners in any other market cycle. BYD shares rose about 4% after the Chinese EV giant teased “disruptive technology” at an upcoming event, even as it reported a 41% slide in February global sales. The message from investors: in a market this hungry for innovation, credible promises about the future can sometimes outrun uncomfortable math about the recent past.

SpaceX, meanwhile, is reportedly weighing a confidential IPO filing that could value the company north of $1.75 trillion. That would cement the launch provider as one of the world’s most richly valued private enterprises, reflecting not only its rocket business but also the capital markets’ growing comfort with space infrastructure as a core part of the digital economy.

Layered on top of all this is ongoing strain in smartphone supply chains, with memory shortages linked to AI workloads expected to drive a meaningful decline in shipments this quarter. The irony is hard to miss: the same AI boom lifting data‑center spending and photonics valuations is squeezing components for the pocket computers that first taught consumers to expect cloud intelligence everywhere.

Nokia and Nvidia: Turning Networks into AI Superhighways

Just as Nvidia courts photonics makers for its data centers, it is also wiring itself into the less glamorous—but equally critical—world of telecom networks through Nokia (NOK). In late 2025, Nvidia agreed to invest $1 billion in Nokia at a subscription price of $6.01 per share, cementing a strategic partnership to build AI‑native 5G‑Advanced and 6G networks on Nvidia platforms. For longtime Nokia watchers, the phrase “strategic investor” is more often associated with nostalgia than growth, but this time the money is aimed squarely at AI‑RAN: radio access networks that push intelligence all the way to the cell tower.nvidianews.nvidia+3

Under the deal, Nokia is accelerating its 5G and 6G RAN software on Nvidia’s CUDA platform and embedding Nvidia’s AI‑focused RAN hardware into future baseband products. The two companies are also collaborating on AI networking solutions, from data‑center switching using Nokia’s SR Linux on Nvidia’s Spectrum‑X Ethernet platform to applying Nokia’s telemetry and fabric‑management tools across Nvidia AI infrastructure. In effect, Nvidia supplies the GPUs and AI plumbing, Nokia supplies the carrier‑grade networking stack, and together they give operators a path to turn mobile networks into distributed AI grids rather than mere conduits for video streams.

For Nokia shareholders, Nvidia’s capital and endorsement add financial and strategic weight to a turnaround that now leans heavily on AI‑RAN economics. For Nvidia holders, the tie‑up extends the company’s reach beyond data centers and into the “most valuable real estate for AI—the edge, where data is created,” as partners have framed it. In a market where everyone wants exposure to AI infrastructure, owning a chip designer that is simultaneously backing photonics in the data center and GPUs in the radio network—and a legacy network vendor repositioning itself as an AI‑era gatekeeper—has its appeal.delloro+4

The Through‑Line: AI as Infrastructure, Not Hype

Strip away the tickers, and a common theme emerges: AI is quietly graduating from marketing slogan to industrial infrastructure. Nvidia’s photonics push is about reducing the physical friction of moving data; Apple’s budget iPhone aims to broaden the installed base that can actually run AI features; OpenAI’s Pentagon contract tests where society will draw the line on dual‑use algorithms; and Nokia’s embrace of Nvidia capital reframes the radio network as an AI platform rather than a cost center.

For investors, that means the AI trade is increasingly less about guessing the next viral model and more about understanding who controls the pipes, platforms, and policy relationships that make those models durable. On a day when markets digested billions of dollars of chip investments, a cheaper flagship iPhone, a headline‑grabbing defense deal, and a quiet but consequential Nokia‑Nvidia alliance, the through‑line was surprisingly sober: the AI era is maturing, and the winners are behaving less like speculative darlings and more like the utilities, arms suppliers, and consumer staples of the digital age.

The Sources

  1. Tech stocks today: Nvidia invests $4B in photonics makers, Apple announces low-cost iPhone, OpenAI strikes deal with Pentagon – Yahoo Finance Live
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/tech-stocks-today-nvidia-invests-4b-in-photonics-makers-apple-announces-low-cost-iphone-openai-strikes-deal-with-pentagon-163709849.html[finance.yahoo]​
  2. Apple launches cheaper iPhone 17e in push to boost iPhone sales – CNN
    https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/02/tech/apple-iphone-17e-launch[cnn]​
  3. Apple introduces iPhone 17e – Apple Newsroom
    https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/03/apple-introduces-iphone-17e/[apple]​
  4. Apple launches lower cost iPhone 17e and a new iPad Air powered by its M4 chip – CNBC
    https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/02/apple-iphone-17e-ipad-air-m4-chip.html[cnbc]​
  5. Amazon invests $50 billion in OpenAI, committing to 2 gigawatts of Trainium capacity – Tom’s Hardware
    https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/amazon-invests-50-billion-in-openai[tomshardware]​
  6. Chip giants again back Ayar Labs for optical interconnects – optics.org
    https://optics.org/news/15/12/24[optics]​
  7. Nokia partners with Nvidia – Nokia Newsroom
    https://www.nokia.com/newsroom/nokia-partners-with-nvidia/[nokia]​
  8. NVIDIA and Nokia to pioneer the AI platform for 6G – Nokia Newsroom
    https://www.nokia.com/newsroom/nvidia-and-nokia-to-pioneer-the-ai-platform-for-6g–powering-americas-return-to-telecommunications-leadership/[nokia]​
  9. NVIDIA and Nokia to pioneer the AI platform for 6G – Nvidia Newsroom
    https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-nokia-ai-telecommunications[nvidianews.nvidia]​
  10. Telco giants join forces with Nvidia for AI-ready 6G infrastructure – Silicon Republic
    https://www.siliconrepublic.com/comms/nvidia-6g-ai-telecommunication-bt-t-mobile-nokia-sktelecom-ericsson-softbank[siliconrepublic]​
  11. Nokia and NVIDIA Take on RAN – Dell’Oro Group
    https://www.delloro.com/nokia-and-nvidia-take-on-ran/[delloro]​
11 hours ago

Nokia Turns Up the AI Dial in Brazil: TIM Bets Big on an “AI‑Ready” 5G Future -( $NOK $NVDA)

Nokia (NOK) and TIM Brasil are quietly rewriting the script for Latin America’s telecom sector, rolling out an AI‑ready 5G network that targets nearly half of Brazil’s population while giving enterprises a front‑row seat to the AI industrial era.

A 5G Deal With AI as the Main Event

The expanded partnership takes what TIM started in São Paulo and extends it across 14 additional states, ultimately reaching regions that together represent roughly 42% of Brazil’s population. The upgraded network leans on Nokia’s latest AirScale portfolio, including energy‑efficient Habrok Massive MIMO radios, Remote Radio Heads and small cells designed to boost capacity, improve indoor coverage and cut power consumption at the same time.

In practical terms, this is less about bragging rights on speed tests and more about building a platform for AI‑driven services: the architecture is being designed from the ground up to support 5G Advanced, 6G and AI‑native workloads at the edge, not just another round of radio swaps.

NVIDIA in the Engine Room

Under the deal, TIM Brasil will be able to offer AI‑driven services to business customers using NVIDIA’s AI‑RAN platforms, effectively bringing GPU‑class intelligence into the radio access network. Nokia’s AI‑RAN solution is intended to handle not only classic RAN optimization but also more advanced workloads, such as intelligent video and image analysis, voice recognition and threat detection running close to where the data is generated.

That combination—Nokia’s AirScale and MantaRay automation tools on top of NVIDIA’s AI‑RAN stack—signals a shift from “smart networks” as marketing gloss to networks where AI is a primary workload and not an afterthought. For investors tracking the AI infrastructure trade, it nudges Nokia further into the category of “AI enabler” rather than just “5G gear vendor.”

Where the Bits Will Hit the Ground

The modernization wave is not confined to Brazil’s marquee markets; it explicitly targets a mix of capital cities and fast‑growing regional hubs. Key locations flagged in the rollout include Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Goiânia, Manaus, Belém and São Luís, among others—areas where improved 5G capacity is expected to support both consumer data demand and industrial automation projects.news.

For TIM, the strategic payoff is twofold: reinforce its positioning as Brazil’s leading 5G operator by footprint, and deepen its relevance in sectors like agribusiness, mining, logistics, manufacturing and transportation, where AI‑enhanced connectivity can translate directly into productivity gains. In a country where the digital divide still maps closely to regional economic gaps, pushing AI‑ready infrastructure beyond the usual coastal corridors also carries a subtle policy undertone.

Efficiency, ESG and the New Telecom Math

Nokia is putting almost as much emphasis on energy savings and automation as on raw performance metrics. AirScale radios powered by custom SoCs and the use of automation platforms like MantaRay SON and MantaRay Network Management are pitched as levers to lower power usage and operating costs while maintaining or improving quality of service.

For operators facing capex fatigue and rising ESG scrutiny, a 5G upgrade that promises higher spectral efficiency, lower energy per bit and fewer truck rolls via automated optimization is more than a technical spec sheet—it’s a balance‑sheet story. If the model works at scale in Brazil, it could become a reference architecture for other emerging markets looking to square the circle of higher capacity, AI readiness and tighter carbon targets.

Why This Matters Beyond Brazil

On the strategic chessboard, the TIM Brasil expansion reinforces Nokia’s push to position itself at the heart of AI‑native networks, alongside recent multi‑year data‑center and AI‑RAN contracts in Europe. TIM, for its part, gains a differentiated 5G‑plus‑AI narrative in a competitive mobile market, with a clear enterprise upside as Brazilian companies accelerate digitization.

In an era when “AI” is often added to press releases like parsley to pasta, this tie‑up reads more like a structural shift: radios, silicon and software being tuned for a world where the network doesn’t just move data—it helps think about it. For investors scanning the tape for durable AI infrastructure stories, watching how this Brazilian experiment scales could be as important as the next headline out of Silicon Valley.

The Sources

  1. Nokia expands partnership with TIM Brasil to deliver next-generation AI-ready 5G network with NVIDIA technology – Yahoo Finance
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nokia-expands-partnership-tim-brasil-102600473.html
  2. Nokia expands partnership with TIM Brasil to deliver next-generation AI-ready 5G network with NVIDIA technology – Nokia newsroom
    https://www.nokia.com/newsroom/nokia-expands-partnership-with-tim-brasil-to-deliver-next-generation-ai-ready-5g-network-with-nvidia-technology
  3. Nokia and TIM Brasil expand strategic partnership to modernize 5G network and enable AI-driven enterprise services – EuropaWire
    https://news.europawire.eu/nokia-and-tim-brasil-expand-strategic-partnership-to-modernize-5g-network-and-enable-ai-driven-enterprise-services
  4. Nokia expands partnerships with TIM Brasil, Deutsche Telekom in AI – Yahoo Finance (UK)
    https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/nokia-expands-partnerships-tim-brasil-092843261.html
  5. Nokia expands 5G partnership with TIM Brasil using NVIDIA tech – Investing.com
    https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/nokia-expands-5g-partnership-with-tim-brasil-using-nvidia-tech-93CH-4533940
  6. Nokia and TIM partner to expand 5G coverage in Brazil in 2025 – Nokia newsroom
    https://www.nokia.com/newsroom/nokia-and-tim-partner-to-expand-5g-coverage-in-brazil-in-2025
  7. Nokia, TIM team to expand 5G coverage in Brazil – Computer Weekly
    https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366605776/Nokia-TIM-team-to-expand-5G-coverage-in-Brazil
  8. Nokia wins TIM deal to extend 5G reach in Brazil – Mobile World Live
    https://www.mobileworldlive.com/latin-america/nokia-wins-tim-deal-to-extend-5g-reach-in-brazil/
  9. Nokia Oyj (NOK) stock quote and news – Yahoo Finance
    https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/NOK/
  10. Nokia Oyj (NOKIA.HE) stock quote and news – Yahoo Finance
    https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/NOKIA.HE/
3 days ago

February 27, 2026 – From Euphoria to Error 404: AI Hype Meets Inflation Reality in This Week’s Market Sell‑Off -( $DV $FIGS $GOVX $INTG $MCD $NOK $OPEN $SER Rise!)

U.S. equities finished the week ending Friday, February 27, 2026 on a sharply weaker note, as hotter‑than‑expected inflation data and mounting anxiety over the economic and earnings impact of artificial intelligence (AI) triggered a broad risk‑off move across technology and growth shares.

Index performance

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell roughly 1%–1.5% on Friday alone, a decline of more than 500 points, capping a volatile week but still leaving the blue‑chip index marginally positive—about 0.2%—for February and extending its run to a tenth straight month of gains. The S&P 500 dropped around 0.5%–0.6% on Friday and finished the month down about 0.8%–0.9%, its steepest monthly pullback since March 2025 as selling pressure broadened beyond megacap tech into cyclicals and financials. The tech‑heavy Nasdaq Composite led to the downside, sliding roughly 0.8%–1.4% on Friday and ending the month lower by about 3%, as investors reassessed rich AI‑driven valuations and the durability of cloud and software spending. Volatility picked up meaningfully into week‑end, with the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) moving into the low‑20s and posting a double‑digit percentage gain as traders rushed to add downside hedges.

Taken together, the major benchmarks showed a clear pattern: relatively resilient industrial and value exposure in the Dow, broad but still manageable downside in the S&P 500, and more acute weakness in the growth‑ and AI‑heavy Nasdaq. This style dispersion underscored investor efforts to rotate away from the most crowded AI leaders while keeping some exposure to more traditional cyclical and defensive names.finance.

Drivers: inflation, Fed path and rates

A “hot” wholesale inflation report toward the end of the week surprised to the upside, reinforcing the idea that disinflation progress is becoming less linear and pushing back expectations for aggressive Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026. Fixed income markets saw modest upward pressure on Treasury yields earlier in the week on steady growth and fiscal concerns, with the 10‑year hovering in a 4.0%–4.25% range, before yields eased on softer prior CPI readings and an essentially unchanged market‑implied Fed rate path. Strategists highlighted that while the Fed is still expected to deliver only a limited number of quarter‑point cuts this year, the risk of inflation running persistently above target has re‑entered the discussion, contributing to higher rate‑volatility and compressing equity multiples at the margin.

This macro backdrop left risk assets trading in a narrow channel between hopes for eventual policy easing and fears that the Fed will be forced to stay restrictive longer than previously assumed. Equity investors reacted by de‑risking high‑duration assets—particularly long‑duration tech and AI names—while treating more stable cash‑flow stories and rate beneficiaries as relative safe havens.

AI anxiety and sector moves

The week’s defining narrative was a shift from “AI euphoria” to “AI disruption risk,” as fresh commentary from corporate leaders and investors emphasized potential job losses, margin pressure and capital‑intensity associated with large‑scale AI investments. Announcements of aggressive cost‑cutting and layoffs tied to AI efficiency—such as a major workforce reduction at Block (XYZ, $63.70, +19.69% over the last 5-days) that was explicitly linked to AI gains—underscored fears that automation could weigh on employment and demand across software, wealth management, real estate and other white‑collar industries. At the same time, a massive new private funding round for a leading AI model developer—reportedly totaling about 110 billion dollars from a consortium including Nvidia, Amazon and SoftBank—spotlighted the capital‑intensive nature of AI infrastructure and raised questions about long‑term returns on these projects.

Big‑cap AI bellwethers came under pressure, with names such as Microsoft and Oracle sliding by high‑single to low‑double‑digit percentages over the month, while AI‑heavy sector and thematic ETFs gave back a notable portion of last year’s gains. Yet the tape was not uniformly negative: select names in communications and software, including companies like RingCentral, as well as certain legacy tech and enterprise players such as Cisco and SAP, managed to hold up or advance on idiosyncratic news and earnings. This divergence highlighted that while the market is reassessing AI winners and losers, it is not abandoning the theme altogether, instead becoming more discriminating about balance sheets, capital‑spending plans and visibility into monetization.

Style, sector and global context

Within the S&P 500, information technology, communication services and consumer discretionary led declines for the week and month, reflecting their heavier concentration of AI beneficiaries and longer‑duration earnings streams. More defensive and rate‑sensitive pockets of the market, such as financials, occasionally held up better as higher yields supported net‑interest‑margin narratives, although they were not immune to broad risk‑off sentiment. Alternative asset managers with heavy exposure to private credit, including Apollo and Blackstone, faced selling pressure as dividend cuts in business development companies stoked concern that the private credit boom could be entering a more stressed phase.

Outside the U.S., European equities offered a modest counterpoint to the AI‑driven tech unwind. Germany’s DAX, for example, managed to end February in positive territory—up just over 3% for the month—supported by a different sector mix and relatively less exposure to U.S.‑style AI megacaps. This divergence suggested that while risk appetite is cooling globally, the epicenter of AI‑valuation repricing remains U.S. growth benchmarks, particularly the Nasdaq and the AI‑heavy components of the S&P 500.

Positioning into March

With the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting their sharpest monthly pullbacks in nearly a year and volatility resetting higher, positioning appears less extended than at the start of February, but traders remain highly sensitive to incremental data on inflation, labor markets and corporate AI spending plans. Bond markets are pricing a “lower‑for‑longer, but not too fast” easing cycle, with only a couple of Fed cuts expected this year; that combination of still‑restrictive policy, slower disinflation and elevated uncertainty around AI’s impact leaves risk assets vulnerable to additional event‑driven swings in the weeks ahead.

Against that backdrop, many portfolio managers are emphasizing quality balance sheets, free‑cash‑flow resilience and pricing power, particularly in companies that can harness AI productivity benefits without requiring massive incremental capital outlays. Until the path of inflation and the policy response become clearer—and the market gains more confidence in AI’s net economic impact—short‑term trading is likely to remain headline‑driven and skewed toward volatility spikes around data releases and major corporate AI updates.

VP Watchlist Updates

Below is an update‑style snapshot on the VP Watchlist names for the week, focused on recent catalysts, positioning, and narrative rather than precise price moves.

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals (EPRX, $8.18)

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Eupraxia” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging its proprietary Diffusphere™ technology designed to optimize local, controlled drug delivery for applications with significant unmet need, is pleased to announce the successful closing of its previously announced public offering (the “Offering”) of 7,607,145 common shares of the Company (the “Common Shares”), which includes the full exercise of the option to purchase additional shares granted to the underwriters, at a price to the public of US$7.00 per Common Share, and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 1,428,571 Common Shares in lieu thereof (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”) at a price of US$6.99999 per Pre-Funded Warrant, which equals the public offering price per Common Share less the C$0.000001 per share exercise price of each Pre-Funded Warrant, for gross proceeds of approximately US$63.2 million, before deducting the underwriting commissions and estimated expenses incurred in connection with the Offering.“We are pleased to complete this financing, allowing us to significantly expand our pipeline, reach several additional development milestones with EP-104GI for eosinophilic esophagitis, and make meaningful progress towards commercial readiness,” said James Helliwell, CEO of Eupraxia. “We appreciate the support from both existing and new investors as we execute our mission and pursue the next phase of growth for Eupraxia.” Cantor and LifeSci Capital acted as joint book-running managers for the Offering. Bloom Burton and Craig-Hallum also acted as co-managers for the Offering. As previously stated, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering primarily for the continued advancement of EP-104GI for Eosinophilic Esophagitis, including the completion of ongoing preclinical studies, and Phase 2 clinical trials, preparations for a Phase 3 clinical trial including the related regulatory submissions, and manufacturing activities, and to undertake the necessary commercial/market development activities to prepare for the eventual product launch. The Company also intends to use a portion of the proceeds to accelerate and expand its plans to pursue clinical studies with EP-104GI in multiple additional gastrointestinal indications, including in esophageal strictures and fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease. A portion of the proceeds will be allocated to research and development of additional pipeline candidates, business development initiatives, and general corporate purposes, which may include but are not limited to employee salaries, working capital, leases for facilities, administrative expenses, and capital expenditures. The Company may also use a portion of the proceeds to expand its intellectual property portfolio and strengthen its corporate infrastructure to support future growth.

Modular Medical (MODD)

  • MODD closed at $.2471 after launching offering on Friday on a best-efforts basis for up to $12,000,000 of shares of their common stock. Has been trading as a diabetes‑tech name, with shares reacting to execution milestones around its Pivot tubeless patch pump platform.Earlier this month, the company began production of validation lots for its disposable cartridge and infusion set, keeping it on track for a planned commercial launch in the first quarter of 2026, contingent on FDA 510(k) clearance—an event path that positions upcoming regulatory decisions as key stock catalysts.
  • Earlier this month, the company began production of validation lots for its disposable cartridge and infusion set, keeping it on track for a planned commercial launch in the first quarter of 2026, contingent on FDA 510(k) clearance—an event path that positions upcoming regulatory decisions as key stock catalysts.

FIGS, Inc. (FIGS, $15.45, +37.46% over the last 5-days)

  • FIGS, the direct‑to‑consumer healthcare apparel brand, operates at the intersection of e‑commerce and specialty retail, with a loyal professional customer base and a growing product portfolio. While macro headwinds and digital‑ad volatility have pressured some consumer names, FIGS’ brand equity in the medical community and ongoing product innovation offer levers for renewed growth as conditions normalize.
  • After the close today (Feb. 26), FIGS released its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results and published a financial highlights presentation on its investor relations highlighting the following: Exceeded Top and Bottom Line Expectations, Grew Q4 2025 Net Revenues 33.0% to a Record $201.9 Million, Achieved Q4 2025 Net Income Margin of 9.2% and Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 13.2% & Plans Low Double-Digit Net Revenues Growth and Margin Expansion in FY 2026. FIGS shares have traded up to $13.74 in the aftermarket today.

GeoVax Labs (GOVX, $1.60, +4.58% over the last 5-days)

DoubleVerify (DV, $10.54, +9.91% over the last 5-days)

  • DoubleVerify, the leading software platform for digital media measurement, data and analytics, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025 and highlighted the following: Increased 2025 Revenue by 14% Year-over-Year to $748.3 Million, Driven by Global Growth in Social, CTV Measurement, and Programmatic Activation, Achieved 2025 Net Income of $50.7 Million and Adjusted EBITDA of $245.6 Million, representing a 33% Adjusted EBITDA margin, & $300 Million Authorized for Share Repurchases, the Largest Amount in DoubleVerify’s History.

The InterGroup Corporation (INTG, $30.03, +8.22% over the last 5-days)

  • InterGroup Corporation delivered (Feb. 17) a notably stronger quarter, highlighted by a 20% jump in total revenue to $17.3 million and a 27% surge in hotel revenue as renovated rooms returned to service and travel demand improved. The company swung from a prior-year net loss to $1.0 million in net income, with operating income more than doubling to $2.0 million, underscoring better cost control and improved operating efficiency. Management further enhanced liquidity and sharpened strategic focus by selling a non-core 12‑unit Los Angeles multifamily property, generating a meaningful gain and additional working capital while maintaining stable performance across its real estate portfolio.

Serina Therapeutics (SER, $1.80, +11.11% over the last 5-days)

  • Serina Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing drug candidates enabled by its proprietary POZ Platform™ drug optimization technology, announced (Feb. 19) that the first patient has been enrolled in the Company’s Phase 1b registrational trial evaluating. The Phase 1b registrational study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of SER-252 in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease whose symptoms are inadequately controlled by current standard-of-care therapies. Serina remains on track to initiate dosing during the current quarter, consistent with previously disclosed guidance.

Volato Group, Inc. (SOAR) & M2i Global, Inc. (MTWO)

  • Volato and M2i Global reaffirmed their goal of closing their business combination in the first quarter of 2026, citing steady advancement through SEC review and integration planning as they move toward a combined listing. The deal, originally announced in 2025, will effectively transition Volato from a pure‑play private aviation operator into a diversified platform spanning aviation technology and critical minerals, with M2i shareholders expected to own the majority of the combined entity. Operationally, the partnership is already visible: the two companies recently initiated their first shipment of titanium ore from Western Australia to the United States from Titanium X, underscoring how the critical‑minerals vertical could become a meaningful growth engine as domestic supply‑chain security rises in strategic importance.
  • On Feb. 4, M2i Global,Inc.along with Volato Group, Inc. announced that Titanium X has initiated its first shipment of titanium ore from Western Australia to the U.S. under its collaboration agreement.

NVIDIA (NVDA, $177.19)

  • Nvidia delivered strong fourth-quarter results, posting revenue of $68.1 billion, well above analyst expectations. Looking ahead, the company projects $7.8 billion in revenue for the first quarter of 2026, reflecting continued robust demand for its AI chips even amid broader market headwinds.

McDonald’s (MCD, $341.06, +3.59% over the last 5-days)

  • Options data around the February 2026 expiries highlight active positioning near the 300–305 strike range, consistent with expectations for steady but not explosive upside from here.
  • In the run-up to World Protein Day on 27th February, McDonald’s India (West & South), owned and operated by Westlife Foodworld, is celebrating Protein Week, reinforcing its leadership in nutrition-led innovation. Making protein more accessible, affordable and customizable, Indian consumers can use the McDonald’s app to explore these nutritious offerings and avail of protein burgers starting at just INR 69. Enhancing this convenience, consumers ordering via McDelivery can also enjoy free delivery on the Protein Plus meal range.

Nokia (NOK, $7.72)

Opendoor (OPEN, $5.42, +8.40% over the last 5-days)

The Sources

  1. Yahoo Finance – “Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq fall to end losing month as AI worries buffet markets”
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-fall-to-end-losing-month-as-ai-worries-buffet-markets-211239963.html[finance.yahoo]​
  2. CNBC – “Dow closes more than 500 points lower after hot inflation …”
    https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/26/stock-market-today-live-updates.html[cnbc]​
  3. Investopedia – “Markets News, Feb. 27, 2026: Major Indexes End Sharply Lower …”
    https://www.investopedia.com/stock-market-today-dow-jones-s-and-p-500-02272026-11915796[investopedia]​
  4. Nasdaq.com – “Stock Market News for Feb 27, 2026”
    https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/stock-market-news-feb-27-2026[nasdaq]​
  5. Barchart/Nasdaq – “Stocks Retreat on AI Disruption Concerns and Geopolitical Risks”
    https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/stocks-retreat-ai-disruption-concerns-and-geopolitical-risks[nasdaq]​
  6. Reuters – “Wall St on course for monthly declines on AI worries, renewed tariff …”
    https://www.reuters.com/business/us-stock-futures-falter-ai-jitters-nasdaq-braces-steep-monthly-fall-2026-02-27/[reuters]​
  7. Economic Times – “US stock market volatility spikes: Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq post worst month in 11 months …”
    https://economictimes.com/news/international/us/dow-sp-500-and-nasdaq-post-worst-month-in-11-months-is-the-ai-stock-boom-losing-its-shine/articleshow/108090822.cms[economictimes]​
  8. AInvest – “Stocks Close Lower After Hotter Inflation Data, AI Turbulence Deepens February Rout”
    https://www.ainvest.com/news/stocks-close-hotter-inflation-data-ai-turbulence-deepens-february-rout-2602/[ainvest]​
  9. Yahoo Finance – “Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq sink after hot PPI …”
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-sink-after-ppi-inflation-comes-in-hot-block-lays-out-ai-job-cuts-151119887.html[finance.yahoo]​
  10. MarketWatch – “Stock Market News, Feb. 27, 2026: Dow ends the day lower, but still …”
    https://www.marketwatch.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-s-p-500-and-nasdaq-point-to-weaker-start-as-choppy-february-comes-to-a-close[marketwatch]​
  11. Reuters – “Stocks fall but set for monthly gain as investors take a breather from AI”
    https://www.reuters.com/world/china/global-markets-global-markets-2026-02-27/[reuters]​
  12. Morningstar/MarketWatch – “February’s ‘panic’ rotation in stocks sets the stage for more tumult in March”
    https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20260227275/februarys-panic-rotation-in-stocks-sets-the-stage-for-more-tumult-in-march[morningstar]​
  13. Morningstar – “DAX Ends the Month 3.04% Higher at 25284.26 — Data Talk”
    https://www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/202602278259/dax-ends-the-month-304-higher-at-2528426-data-talk[morningstar]​
  14. Nuveen – “Weekly fixed income commentary | 02/23/2026”
    https://www.nuveen.com/en-us/insights/investment-outlook/fixed-income-weekly-commentary[nuveen]​
  15. BBVA Research – “Market-implied Fed rate path remains unchanged despite lower yields”
    https://www.bbvaresearch.com/en/publicaciones/us-market-implied-fed-rate-path-remains-unchanged-despite-lower-yields/[bbvaresearch]​

3 days ago

Hot Wholesale Prices, Cool Fed Nerves: Is Inflation’s “Last Mile” a Marathon? -( $SPY $DIA $QQQ $VIX )

US wholesale prices jumped more than expected in January, complicating the “soft landing” narrative but stopping well short of an outright inflation scare.

Wholesale Prices Run Hotter Than Forecast

The Labor Department’s producer price index (PPI), a key gauge of inflation before it reaches consumers, rose 0.5% from December, outpacing economist expectations for a 0.3% gain. On a year-over-year basis, wholesale prices climbed 2.9% versus forecasts closer to the mid‑1% range, underscoring that the final stretch back to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target remains stubborn.

Stripping out the more volatile food and energy components, core wholesale prices also advanced faster than anticipated, with monthly gains around 0.8% and core PPI marking its strongest annual increase since early last year. The data arrive just weeks after consumer prices were reported up 2.4% year over year, suggesting pipeline pressures are building even as headline consumer inflation appears to cool.

Services, Margins, and the New Price Setters

This latest leg of inflation is less about oil wells and cornfields and more about balance sheets and profit margins. Higher wholesale service prices, particularly in trade services that capture the margins of retailers and wholesalers, did much of the heavy lifting in January’s PPI report. Categories tied to professional and commercial equipment, health and beauty products, apparel, and telecom services saw notably wider markups, suggesting companies are still confident enough to nudge prices higher without scaring away customers.

Goods prices told a more nuanced story: energy and food costs eased, while prices for select manufactured items such as metals and metal‑cutting machinery moved higher. For corporate finance chiefs, the message is clear: the inflation debate has migrated from factory floors to service counters, where pricing power is proving harder to tame.

Tariffs, Trump, and the “Pass‑Through” Question

The January upside surprise also rekindles a debate Wall Street has been having sotto voce for months: how much of today’s inflation is “made in America” and how much is imported via tariffs. Economists point to higher margins and selective price increases as evidence that businesses are passing along at least part of the cost of President Donald Trump’s tariff regime to customers, even as some direct tariff expenses have eased.

So far, the inflationary punch from those double‑digit import taxes looks more jab than knockout. Headline consumer inflation remains in the mid‑2% range, and fears of an uncontrollable price spiral have not materialized. Still, with wholesale prices now re‑accelerating, the tariff impact is behaving less like a one‑off shock and more like a slow‑burn surcharge embedded in the cost of doing business.

Fed’s “Last Mile” Gets Bumpier

For Federal Reserve officials, the hotter‑than‑expected PPI print lands at an awkward moment. The central bank has spent recent meetings carefully sketching a roadmap toward eventual rate cuts, contingent on “greater confidence” that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2%. A 0.5% monthly gain in producer prices—combined with firm core readings—does not quite fit the script of a smooth disinflationary glide path.

Market commentary is already shifting from “when will the Fed cut?” to “how sure is the Fed about cutting at all?” after the latest wholesale data. Some analysts warn that if PPI‑linked components push the Fed’s preferred PCE inflation gauge higher in coming months, policymakers may feel compelled to keep rates “higher for longer” than investors had penciled in at the start of the year. In central‑bank speak, that is the monetary‑policy equivalent of telling markets there will be no dessert until the vegetables are truly finished.

Wall Street Reacts: Caution With a Wink

Equity markets, which had grown comfortable with the notion of an imminent easing cycle, showed signs of indigestion as traders digested the PPI surprise. Major indexes came under pressure, with rate‑sensitive sectors and richly valued growth names particularly exposed to the prospect of stickier inflation and a more patient Fed. Bond yields, meanwhile, drifted higher, reflecting a modest repricing of the path of policy rates and term premiums.

Still, the mood is far from panic. With consumer inflation running notably cooler than producer prices and wage growth off its peak, many on Wall Street see the latest report less as a regime change and more as a reminder that the “last mile” of disinflation rarely proceeds in a straight line. For investors, that means dusting off old playbooks: favor quality balance sheets, maintain some inflation hedges, and remember that even in a higher‑for‑longer world, volatility can be as much an opportunity as a risk.

The Sources


[1] US Wholesale Prices Arrive Hotter Than Expected, up 0.5% From December and 2.9% From a Year Ago https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2026-02-27/us-wholesale-prices-arrive-hotter-than-expected-up-0-5-from-december-and-2-9-from-a-year-ago
[2] US wholesale prices arrive hotter than expected, up 0.5% from … https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-wholesale-prices-arrive-hotter-133757417.html
[3] US producer prices increase more than expected in January https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-producer-prices-increase-more-135517295.html
[4] Wholesale inflation was hotter than expected in January https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wholesale-inflation-hotter-expected-january-135338108.html
[5] Wholesale Inflation Surges In January Amid Tariff Impact https://evrimagaci.org/gpt/wholesale-inflation-surges-in-january-amid-tariff-impact-531808
[6] Consumer prices up 2.4 percent over the year ended January 2026 https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2026/consumer-prices-up-2-4-percent-over-the-year-ended-january-2026.htm
[7] Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq sink after PPI inflation … https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-sink-after-ppi-inflation-comes-in-hot-block-lays-out-ai-shift-235202604.html
[8] Wholesale prices increase driven by service costs – CFO Brew https://www.cfobrew.com/stories/2026/01/30/wholesale-prices-increase-driven-by-service-costs
[9] Wholesale prices climb, defying forecasts | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/wholesale-prices-climb-defying-forecasts-6938764/
[10] Inflation’s ‘Last Mile’ Hits a Roadblock: PPI Surge Rattles Fed as … http://business.times-online.com/times-online/article/marketminute-2026-2-27-inflations-last-mile-hits-a-roadblock-ppi-surge-rattles-fed-as-split-vote-looms-large
[11] Inflation’s ‘Last Mile’ Hits a Roadblock: PPI Surge Rattles Fed as Split Vote Looms Large https://markets.financialcontent.com/stocks/article/marketminute-2026-2-27-inflations-last-mile-hits-a-roadblock-ppi-surge-rattles-fed-as-split-vote-looms-large
[12] Wholesale prices rise sharply and point to persistent inflation https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20260227164/wholesale-prices-rise-sharply-and-point-to-persistent-inflation
[13] US wholesale prices arrive hotter than expected, up 0.5 … – WSLS 10 https://www.wsls.com/business/2026/02/27/us-wholesale-prices-arrive-hotter-than-expected-up-05-from-december-and-29-from-a-year-ago/
[14] US wholesale prices arrive hotter than expected, up 0.5 … – News4JAX https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/02/27/us-wholesale-prices-arrive-hotter-than-expected-up-05-from-december-and-29-from-a-year-ago/
[15] Price Tracker: Monday, February 23, 2026 – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0CPMiaJWkQ

4 days ago

IonQ, Sezzle and a Quantum of Optimism: Today’s 10 Biggest U.S. Stock Gainers -( $SEZL $LMAT $FA $IONQ $HPP $CZR $WRBY $EFXT $FTDR $PENN )

U.S. equity markets served up a risk‑on cocktail today, with high‑octane growth and turnaround stories topping the leaderboard of price gainers. From quantum computing to buy‑now‑pay‑later, investors rediscovered their taste for future earnings—preferably delivered with triple‑digit growth rates and a side of guidance upgrades.

Below, we break down the top 10 gainers, why they surged, and what today’s moves may signal for market sentiment and SEO‑worthy stock‑picking themes.

1. Sezzle Inc. (SEZL): Buy Now, Rally Now

Sezzle sprinted more than 35% higher to roughly 85 dollars, putting the buy‑now‑pay‑later player at the top of today’s U.S. gainers list. The move followed a Q4 report that topped earnings expectations and showcased strong revenue growth, underscoring that Sezzle’s business model can generate real cash, not just clever checkout buttons.

Management’s 2026 EPS guidance, paired with expectations for mid‑20s to high‑20s percentage revenue growth, helped convince investors that Sezzle’s profitability is no longer a deferred payment. While some on the Street still preach valuation caution, today’s price action signals that the market is rewarding scale, operating leverage and disciplined credit risk in fintech.

2. LeMaitre Vascular (LMAT): Medtech Gets Its Pulse Back

LeMaitre Vascular jumped more than 20% as investors warmed to the company’s focused vascular surgery portfolio and consistent profitability. Coming off a relatively flat 52‑week performance, the stock’s sudden strength suggests that even steady medtech names can enjoy a rerating when growth visibility improves.

With a premium earnings multiple reflecting investor confidence in recurring procedure demand and product innovation, LeMaitre now sits in that rarefied category of defensive growth: boring enough to hold through volatility, but dynamic enough to justify a higher bar. In a healthcare tape often dominated by drug‑pricing headlines, quiet execution is having a loud day.

3. First Advantage (FA): Background Checks, Forward Returns

First Advantage, a technology‑enabled background‑screening company, rallied more than 20% as traders bet on a cyclical and structural rebound in hiring and verification activity. The stock had been under pressure over the past year, leaving sentiment subdued and expectations modest.

Today’s move looks like an early vote that revenue growth could be turning a corner as employers lean into digital identity, compliance and risk management. For investors, the thesis is straightforward: as long as companies keep hiring—and regulators keep caring—background checks are not going out of style.

4. IonQ (IONQ): Quantum Computing Steps Out of Theory

IonQ surged roughly 20% after delivering a blockbuster quarter and a bold multi‑year revenue outlook. The company posted eye‑catching year‑over‑year revenue growth and raised its forecasts, signaling that commercial quantum computing demand is moving beyond pilot projects.

Management’s guidance for sharply higher revenue over the next couple of years has forced the market to rethink IonQ’s timeline from speculative moonshot to emerging platform. With a sizable cash position and expanding partnerships, the company is staking a claim as one of the few pure‑play ways to express a view on quantum’s real‑world future—and today, investors were happy to superposition their risk appetite.

5. Hudson Pacific Properties (HPP): Real Estate Finds a Plot Twist

Hudson Pacific Properties, a REIT tied to office and studio assets, climbed more than 20% despite a bruising 52‑week track record that still shows the shares deeply in the red. After a year of punishing downdrafts driven by office‑sector anxiety and higher rates, even a modest hint of stabilization can spark a sharp move.

Today’s rally likely reflects a mix of bargain hunting and short covering, as traders wager that “peak pessimism” might be in the rearview mirror. This is not yet a clean growth story; it is a narrative about survivability, balance‑sheet endurance and the notion that, eventually, humans might spend slightly more time in offices than on video calls.

6. Caesars Entertainment (CZR): The House Wins Today

Caesars Entertainment rallied close to 20%, giving casino and digital‑gaming bulls something to cheer after a difficult year for the stock. Despite the bounce, the shares remain down substantially over the past 12 months, reflecting ongoing concerns about leverage, consumer spending and competitive intensity in both physical and online gaming.

The market’s enthusiasm today hints at rising confidence that cost controls, disciplined capital allocation and a normalization in travel and leisure could support better cash generation. In an age of subscription fatigue, casinos remain one of the few experiences where customers willingly opt into variable pricing—and investors, at least today, like those odds.

7. Warby Parker (WRBY): Vision Correction, Multiple Expansion

Warby Parker advanced nearly 20% as investors applauded improving execution at the digitally native eyewear brand, which continues to lean into an omnichannel strategy. Trading volume spiked well above its three‑month average, a sign that today’s rally drew broad engagement from both institutions and retail traders.

Although the stock remains modestly negative over the past year, the latest move suggests growing belief that the company can blend store expansion, digital reach and operational efficiency into a path toward more robust earnings. With a still‑lofty valuation built on brand equity and data‑driven customer acquisition, Warby Parker is trying to prove that fashionable frames and financial discipline can, in fact, coexist.

8. Enerflex Ltd. (EFXT): Energy Infrastructure Turns Up the Pressure

Enerflex rose close to 17%, extending an already powerful 12‑month run that has seen the stock more than double. The company’s focus on energy infrastructure and natural‑gas compression has positioned it squarely in the sweet spot of energy security, reliability and transition narratives.

Investors appear to be rewarding visibility into projects and cash flows in a segment that benefits from both traditional hydrocarbons and cleaner‑burning gas. Trading at a reasonable earnings multiple after such a move, Enerflex has become a case study in how “picks and shovels” plays can outperform the commodity producers they quietly serve.

9. Frontdoor (FTDR): Home Warranties, Market Applause

Frontdoor climbed almost 17% as the home‑services and warranty provider continued its steady ascent. The company has already delivered a solid year of gains, and today’s action adds momentum to a story built around recurring revenue, data and scale in home maintenance.

As homeowners face aging housing stock, rising labor costs and expensive repairs, shifting surprise expenses into a predictable plan has intuitive appeal. Investors, for their part, seem to appreciate the combination of subscription‑like revenue, improving margins and a business model that does well when water heaters, HVAC units and budgets all feel stretched.

10. PENN Entertainment (PENN): Betting on a Rebound

PENN Entertainment rounded out the top‑gainers list with a sharp advance that continues the stock’s tradition of headline‑driven volatility. After a challenging stretch marked by questions over digital wagering economics, marketing spend and strategic partnerships, the bar for good news had dropped meaningfully.

Today’s rally reflects a market willing to re‑examine the story if management can show a clearer path to sustainable profitability and capital discipline. The investment case is not about perfection; it is about simply being better than the deeply discounted expectations baked into the shares. On Wall Street, sometimes the biggest win is just beating the spread.

A Day That Rewarded Narrative and Numbers

Taken together, today’s top gainers illustrate a market ready to reward companies that offer both compelling narratives and improving numbers. On one side sit high‑growth names like Sezzle and IonQ, which paired upside surprises with confident forward guidance; on the other, early‑stage rebounds in real estate, gaming and services, where investors see mispriced optionality.

For stock pickers and SEO‑hungry headline writers alike, three threads stand out: visible growth with upgraded guidance, selective risk‑taking in beaten‑down sectors and durable demand in infrastructure‑ and service‑oriented models. Hope is not a strategy—but on a day when quantums, casinos and compressors all rallied in unison, it certainly helped the tape look a little more optimistic.

The Sources

  1. Yahoo Finance – Top Stock Gainers Today
    https://finance.yahoo.com/research-hub/screener/day_gainers/
  2. Yahoo Finance – February 2026 Insider Favorites For Growth Stocks
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/february-2026-insider-favorites-growth-113543794.html
  3. Yahoo Finance – Sezzle Inc (SEZL) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sezzle-inc-sezl-q4-2025-050201089.html
  4. GlobeNewswire – Sezzle Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2025 Results
    https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/02/25/3244959/0/en/sezzle-reports-fourth-quarter-and-fiscal-year-2025-results.html
  5. Zacks – Sezzle Inc. (SEZL) Q4 Earnings and Revenues Top Estimates
    https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2875451/sezzle-inc-sezl-q4-earnings-and-revenues-top-estimates
  6. MarketBeat – Sezzle Q4 Earnings Call Highlights
    https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/sezzle-q4-earnings-call-highlights-2026-02-26/
  7. Investing.com – Sezzle Q4 2025 Slides: 32% Revenue Growth, Margins Expand to 45%
    https://ng.investing.com/news/company-news/sezzle-q4-2025-slides-32-revenue-growth-margins-expand-to-45-93CH-2360610
  8. Public.com – Sezzle Inc (SEZL) Earnings
    https://public.com/stocks/sezl/earnings
  9. Intellectia – IonQ Shares Surge on Strong Revenue Forecast Exceeding Expectations
    https://intellectia.ai/news/stock/ionq-shares-surge-on-strong-revenue-forecast-exceeding-expectations
  10. Benzinga – IonQ Posts Strong Q4, Guides To 81% Revenue Growth In 2026
    https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/26/02/50900159/ionq-posts-strong-q4-guides-to-81-revenue-growth-in-2026
  11. Zacks – IonQ Stock Up on Q4 Earnings & Revenue Beat, Gross Margin Down
    https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2876009/ionq-stock-up-on-q4-earnings-revenue-beat-gross-margin-down
  12. GuruFocus – Sezzle (SEZL) Surges on Strong Q4 Earnings and Raised Guidance
    https://www.gurufocus.com/news/8653228/sezzle-sezl-surges-on-strong-q4-earnings-and-raised-guidance
  13. MLQ – IonQ Exceeds Earnings Forecasts With Strong Q4 Revenue Surge
    https://mlq.ai/news/ionq-exceeds-earnings-forecasts-with-strong-q4-revenue-surge/
4 days ago

Jack Dorsey’s Great Intelligence Diet: Block Sheds 4k Jobs to Feed the AI Love Story, Profits & The Citrini Thesis -( $SPY $XYZ )

Jack Dorsey’s Block (XYZ) is once again reminding Wall Street that in fintech, standing still is far riskier than swinging for the fences. The company is cutting more than 4,000 jobs—about 40% of its roughly 10,000‑plus employees—as it rewires the business around artificial intelligence, even as investors bid the stock sharply higher on the promise that “smaller, smarter, faster” may finally replace “bigger at any cost.”

Block’s Latest Efficiency Push

Block is eliminating over 4,000 positions, shrinking its global headcount from a bit above 10,000 to under 6,000 and effectively reducing nearly half of its workforce. The latest move comes on top of earlier rounds that included about 1,000 job cuts in January 2024 and 931 roles in March 2025, as the company has steadily moved away from its former growth‑at‑all‑costs staffing model.

Dorsey has framed the overhaul less as a distress maneuver and more as a philosophical reset: teams are expected to be smaller, more focused, and increasingly augmented by AI rather than layers of management. In corporate‑speak, it is an “efficiency initiative”; in tech‑speak, it is a bet that code will do what middle management used to—only with fewer meetings and, ideally, fewer slide decks.

AI at the Center of the Strategy

The restructuring is anchored in the idea that AI can automate routine workflows across payments, risk, customer support, and even slices of product development. Block is investing in automation across its Cash App, Square, and related ecosystems, seeking to reduce redundancy while keeping the platform nimble in a market where every fintech is racing to bolt AI onto its stack.

Dorsey has positioned the shift as proactive rather than reactive, placing Block in the camp of technology companies that are reshaping their workforces before AI reshapes their income statements. If software really is “eating the world,” Block appears determined to ensure it also handles some scheduling, compliance checks, and perhaps the occasional passive‑aggressive status email.

Markets Cheer the Tough Love

Investors, often accused of focusing on the next quarter, signaled strong approval for Block’s longer‑term resolve. Following the announcement of more than 4,000 job cuts tied to an AI‑led overhaul, Block’s shares jumped over 20% in extended trading, with several accounts putting the move closer to 22–24%.

The rally rested on more than rhetoric: Block has recently reported solid gross profit growth driven by Cash App and broader ecosystem momentum, alongside guidance that pointed to healthy double‑digit gains and stronger adjusted earnings than many on the Street had penciled in. In a market that now prizes profitability discipline over headcount bragging rights, investors appear eager to reward a fintech that trims thousands of roles while still promising growth.

Regulatory Clouds and BNPL Headwinds

The strategic reset arrives amid an increasingly complex regulatory backdrop. Block’s buy‑now‑pay‑later arm, Afterpay, has wrestled with losses and faces intensifying oversight as regulators scrutinize consumer credit risk and explore tougher capital, marketing, and disclosure standards for BNPL products. Cash App, meanwhile, continues to draw attention from federal authorities focused on anti‑money‑laundering and know‑your‑customer controls, amplifying the stakes for getting risk and compliance architecture right the first time.

In that environment, a leaner, more automated operation is not just about margins—it is about durability. The more Block can hard‑code compliance and risk checks into its AI‑driven infrastructure, the less it must rely on armies of people manually chasing edge cases across spreadsheets and email threads.

The Citrini Thesis and Block as an Early Mover

The February 2026 Citrini Research report, “The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis,” sketches a darker, hypothetical future in which runaway AI adoption triggers a white‑collar employment shock, a collapse in wage growth, and a painful repricing of the financial system. In Citrini’s scenario, companies slash headcount, reinvest the savings into ever‑cheaper machine intelligence, and lock the economy into what the report calls an “intelligence displacement spiral” with no natural brake.

Seen through that lens, Block’s decision to cut over 4,000 jobs while plowing more resources into AI‑driven efficiency looks like one of the earliest real‑world expressions of the dynamic Citrini described. The company is, in effect, moving along the frontier that the report imagines: using AI to preserve output with fewer humans, even as markets cheer the margin expansion and policymakers debate what happens if that playbook scales across entire sectors.

That does not mean Citrini’s doomsday path is preordained; critics have been quick to portray the essay as “hard science fiction” rather than base case. But Block’s restructuring underscores a key point from the report that even skeptics accept: the gains from abundant machine intelligence will accrue fastest to firms willing to restructure early, while the social costs show up later and in very different places on the income statement—households, labor markets, and credit quality.

What It Means for the Fintech Playbook

Block’s transformation offers a demanding but instructive blueprint for the next chapter of fintech. Scale alone is no longer a moat; companies are being judged on their ability to convert that scale into sustainable profitability with fewer people, sharper focus, and more automation. At the same time, regulators have moved from scenery to co‑authors of the business model, particularly in payments and BNPL, forcing firms to design compliance into the product rather than bolt it on later.

For shareholders, the near‑term message is encouraging: Block is leaning into AI, cutting more than 4,000 roles—roughly 40% of its workforce—tightening its structure, and pairing those moves with stronger forward guidance that the market is actively rewarding. For employees and the broader labor market, the message is more sobering: the future of fintech is still hiring, but it increasingly prefers those who can build and train the systems, not just operate them once they are in place. And if Citrini Research is even directionally right, Block may be remembered not just as a fintech turnaround story, but as one of the first marquee names to execute the new, AI‑era corporate playbook at full scale.

The Sources


[1] Jack Dorsey Cuts Over 4,000 Jobs as Block Shrinks Workforce … https://www.ainvest.com/news/jack-dorsey-cuts-4-000-jobs-block-shrinks-workforce-2602-74/
[2] Block (SQ) Surges 24% After Announcing Major Workforce Reduction https://www.gurufocus.com/news/8659600/block-sq-surges-24-after-announcing-major-workforce-reduction
[3] Jack Dorsey’s Block cuts thousands of jobs as it embraces AI https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/jack-dorseys-block-cuts-thousands-000646352.html
[4] Jack Dorsey’s Block looking to cut up to 10% of workforce in latest … https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jack-dorsey-block-looking-cut-193840357.html
[5] Block plans another round of layoffs – Yahoo Finance https://finance.yahoo.com/news/block-plans-another-round-layoffs-181951417.html
[6] Read the email Jack Dorsey sent when he cut 931 of Block’s staff https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/25/read-the-email-jack-dorsey-sent-when-he-cut-931-of-blocks-staff/
[7] US fintech Block reportedly laying off 931 staff https://www.fintechfutures.com/job-cuts-new-hires/us-fintech-block-reportedly-laying-off-931-staff
[8] Jack Dorsey’s Block Slashes Nearly Half Its Staff in AI Bet https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-26/jack-dorsey-s-block-slashes-nearly-half-of-workforce-in-ai-bet
[9] Block Plans to Lay Off Nearly Half Its Staff, Betting on AI to Boost … https://www.ainvest.com/news/block-plans-lay-staff-betting-ai-boost-company-efficiency-2602-80/
[10] Block Lays Offs Nearly Half Its Workforce in AI-Driven Overhaul https://mlq.ai/news/block-lays-offs-nearly-half-its-workforce-in-ai-driven-overhaul/
[11] Block becomes the latest fintech to lay off workers – TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/30/block-becomes-the-latest-fintech-to-lay-off-workers/
[12] Earnings live: Block stock surges over 20% after Jack Dorsey cuts … https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/earnings-live-block-stock-surges-over-20-after-jack-dorsey-cuts-nearly-half-of-staff-dell-stock-jumps-220241966.html
[13] Block Stock Surges Over 20% Following Workforce Reduction and … https://intellectia.ai/news/stock/block-stock-surges-over-20-following-workforce-reduction-and-strong-2026-guidance
[14] Earnings live: Block stock surges over 20% after Jack Dorsey cuts … https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/earnings-live-block-stock-surges-over-20-after-jack-dorsey-cuts-nearly-half-of-staff-dell-stock-jumps-220241966.html
[15] Block (SQ) Deep Dive: The 2026 Rule of 40 Reckoning – Markets http://markets.chroniclejournal.com/chroniclejournal/article/finterra-2026-2-26-block-sq-deep-dive-the-2026-rule-of-40-reckoning
[16] THE 2028 GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE CRISIS – Citrini Research https://www.citriniresearch.com/p/2028gic
[17] Citrini Research’s ‘2028 Global Intelligence Crisis’: How Worried … https://seekingalpha.com/article/4874066-citrini-researchs-2028-global-intelligence-crisis-how-worried-should-we-be
[18] THE 2028 GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE CRISIS – Askwho Casts AI https://askwhocastsai.substack.com/p/the-2028-global-intelligence-crisis
[19] Doomsday AI report goes viral after warning the importance of … https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/doomsday-ai-report-goes-viral-175626403.html
[20] Decoded: The viral doomsday AI memo that roiled Wall Street https://economictimes.com/markets/us-stocks/news/decoded-the-viral-doomsday-ai-memo-that-roiled-wall-street/articleshow/128773322.cms
[21] FREE PREVIEW: 26 Trades for 2026 – Citrini Research https://www.citriniresearch.com/p/free-preview-26-trades-for-2026
[22] Citadel Securities demolishes viral doomsday AI essay https://fortune.com/2026/02/26/citadel-demolishes-viral-doomsday-ai-essay-citrini-macro-fundamentals-engels-pause/
[23] New report on AI strikes fear on Wall Street – WVTF https://www.wvtf.org/2026-02-24/new-report-on-ai-strikes-fear-on-wall-street
[24] The Talent Industry’s Citrini Moment – Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnwinsor/2026/02/26/the-talent-industrys-citrini-moment/
[25] The Citrini post is just a scary bedtime story – Noahpinion https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/the-citrini-post-is-just-a-scary
[26] A Viral AI Doomsday Report Just Shook Wall Street – Inc. Magazine https://www.inc.com/brian-contreras/viral-ai-doomsday-report-citrini-research-automation-stock-market-dip/91307712
[27] Block weighs workforce reduction of up to 10% amid ongoing … https://finance.yahoo.com/news/block-weighs-workforce-reduction-10-113428850.html
[28] Jack Dorsey Faces Employee Backlash After Mass Layoffs and AI … https://www.inc.com/kevin-haynes/jack-dorsey-faces-employee-backlash-after-mass-layoffs-and-ai-mandates-at-block-inc/91306381
[29] The 2026 Global Intelligence Crisis – Citadel Securities https://www.citadelsecurities.com/news-and-insights/2026-global-intelligence-crisis/
[30] Viral ‘2028 Global Intelligence Crisis’ Report Models Potential AI … https://finance.yahoo.com/news/viral-2028-global-intelligence-crisis-153100275.html
[31] Citrini’s 2028 Intelligence Crisis: A Hard Science Fiction Scenario https://www.linkedin.com/posts/emollick_i-see-a-lot-of-attention-being-paid-to-a-activity-7431726164714455042-GW-z
[32] The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis — And the Half They Didn’t Write https://colinmcnamara.com/blog/global-intelligence-crisis-missing-half

4 days ago

FIGS Doubles Down on Healthcare Chic: Record Q4, Healthier Margins, and a Raymond James Runway -( $FIGS )

FIGS just put up the kind of quarter that makes even seasoned healthcare investors sit up a little straighter in their ergonomic chairs. The direct‑to‑consumer scrubs innovator grew fourth‑quarter 2025 net revenues 33% year over year to a record 201.9 million dollars, while expanding net income margin to 9.2% and delivering a 13.2% adjusted EBITDA margin. For a company once pigeonholed as a “pandemic darling,” the latest print reads more like the opening act of a durable growth story than a rerun of 2020 nostalgia.

Management is simultaneously guiding to low double‑digit revenue growth and margin improvement in 2026, signaling the confidence to grow the top line without sacrificing profitability. In other words, FIGS is no longer just selling better scrubs; it is steadily stitching together a real economic moat in healthcare apparel.

From Functional to Financial Performance

The most striking feature of the quarter is how neatly the operating story lines up with the financial one. FIGS’ record Q4 revenue base suggests robust engagement from its core community of healthcare professionals, amplified by its founder‑led, direct‑to‑consumer model. That model lets the company control product, brand, and margin in a way legacy uniform suppliers can only envy from the supply closet.

At the same time, a 9.2% net income margin on a fast‑growing revenue base shows that FIGS is learning to scale like a mature consumer brand, not just a niche e‑commerce upstart. The 13.2% adjusted EBITDA margin offers a buffer for continued investment in marketing, product innovation, and international expansion while still giving investors the operating leverage they want to see.

Earnings Call to Investor Catwalk

The financial results set the stage; the investor relations calendar now reads like a runway show. FIGS has locked in a slot at the Raymond James 46th Annual Institutional Investors Conference on March 3, 2025, with CEO and co‑founder Trina Spear and CFO Sarah Oughtred headlining a fireside chat at 11:00 a.m. Eastern. For a brand built on elevating the everyday uniform, the Orlando event doubles as a tailored opportunity to tighten its fit with the institutional investor base.

The appearance will be webcast and archived for 90 days, a subtle but important reminder that FIGS sees its investor communications as another always‑on channel, much like its relationship with healthcare professionals. For portfolio managers, the session should offer more color on capital allocation, category expansion, and how FIGS intends to sustain double‑digit growth without letting margins fray at the edges.

A Founder‑Led Brand with Global Ambitions

Underpinning the quarter is a brand architecture that increasingly looks built for the long haul. FIGS describes itself as a global leading healthcare apparel and lifestyle brand, dedicated to improving the lives of healthcare professionals through technically advanced products that blend comfort, durability, function, and style. That positioning matters: it moves the story beyond scrubs into a broader ecosystem of healthcare lifestyle, community, and advocacy.

The company already serves healthcare professionals across North America, Europe, the Asia‑Pacific region, and the Middle East, and also sells into institutions through its TEAMS platform. With a stronger balance sheet coming out of 2025 and improving profitability, FIGS now has the financial flexibility to keep seeding international markets, expand its assortment, and deepen its presence inside hospital systems—all while maintaining the direct‑to‑consumer DNA that powers its brand.

Why Wall Street’s Stethoscope Is Back on FIGS

For investors, the latest developments do three things at once: they de‑risk the near‑term earnings profile, re‑ignite the growth narrative, and showcase a management team comfortable on both the earnings stage and the conference circuit. Record fourth‑quarter revenue, expanding profitability, and constructive guidance for 2026 give FIGS fresh credibility as a scalable, cash‑generating consumer brand in a structurally resilient end market.

Layer on a high‑visibility Raymond James appearance and a clearly articulated mission to “always have the backs” of healthcare professionals worldwide, and the stock starts to look less like a speculative trade and more like a long‑term brand compounder in scrubs. In a market that constantly hunts for durable, defendable growth, FIGS is quietly reminding Wall Street that sometimes the most interesting fashion stories are the ones being written in hospitals, clinics, and operating rooms.

The Sources

  1. FIGS Releases Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results – Yahoo Finance
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/figs-releases-fourth-quarter-full-210500455.html[finance.yahoo]​
  2. FIGS Releases Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results – FIGS Investor Relations
    https://ir.wearfigs.com/news/news-details/2025/FIGS-Releases-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2024-Financial-Results/[ir.wearfigs]​
  3. FIGS Announces Participation in the Raymond James 46th Annual Institutional Investors Conference – Yahoo Finance
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/figs-announces-participation-raymond-james-210500062.html
  4. FIGS Announces Participation in the Raymond James 46th Annual Institutional Investors Conference – FIGS Investor Relations
    https://ir.wearfigs.com/news/news-details/2025/FIGS-Announces-Participation-in-the-Raymond-James-46th-Annual-Institutional-Investor-Conference/default.aspx[ir.wearfigs]​
  5. FIGS at 46th Annual Raymond James Institutional Investor Conference – FIGS Events & Presentations
    https://ir.wearfigs.com/events-and-presentations/event-details/2025/FIGS-at-46th-Annual-Raymond-James-Institutional-Investor-Conference/default.aspx[ir.wearfigs]​
4 days ago

February 26, 2026 – Wall Street Walks Into a Bar: Nvidia Pays the Tab, Tech Stocks Nurse the Hangover -( $DV $EPRX $FIGS $INTG $MCD $OPEN $SER Rise!)

Major U.S. stock indexes closed mixed on Thursday, February 26, 2026, with technology shares under pressure even as broader cyclicals and small caps showed resilience. The session highlighted ongoing investor tension between enthusiasm for AI-driven growth and concern about stretched valuations and policy uncertainty.

Major Indexes

The S&P 500 fell about 0.5% to roughly 6,909, snapping a two‑day advance as tech and communication services weighed on the benchmark. The Nasdaq Composite lost about 1.2% to around 22,878, reflecting concentrated weakness in megacap growth and chip stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was roughly flat, edging up around 0.03% to near 49,499, while the Russell 2000 gained about 0.5% to 2,677 as investors rotated into smaller domestically focused names.

Sector Highlights

Technology and semiconductor stocks led declines as traders took profits in AI leaders following a strong multi‑month run. Financials, real estate, and some industrial names outperformed, helped by stable yields and optimism that growth can remain solid even as inflation drifts closer to central bank targets. Healthcare and select biotech names attracted defensive interest, with investors continuing to favor large, cash‑generative platforms alongside a curated list of high‑conviction innovators.

Key Corporate Updates

Nvidia delivered another blockbuster quarter, with fiscal Q4 revenue around 68 billion dollars, up more than 70% year‑over‑year on surging data‑center and AI server demand, and guidance that topped Wall Street expectations. Despite the beat, the stock fell roughly 5% as investors focused on the pace of future growth, supply‑chain capacity, and the company’s willingness to return more cash via buybacks and dividends, which weighed on the broader chip complex. Across the AI ecosystem, sentiment was mixed: some cloud and infrastructure names saw modest gains on the back of Nvidia’s spending signals, while highly valued software and model‑centric plays faced renewed scrutiny over premium multiples.

In healthcare, Street research and screeners highlighted a fresh list of “promising pharmaceutical” and “top biotech” names to watch, reinforcing ongoing interest in rare‑disease, oncology, and metabolic‑disease pipelines as potential 2026 outperformers. Deal and capital‑markets activity remained active at the margin, including continued use of at‑the‑market equity programs by emerging biotechs seeking to extend cash runways into upcoming data catalysts.

Macroeconomic, Interest Rate, and Mortgage Backdrop

Weekly U.S. jobless claims ticked up by about 4,000 to a still‑low 212,000, underscoring a labor market that is cooling from 2024’s pace but remains broadly stable. Inflation nowcasting from the Cleveland Fed points to year‑over‑year CPI running in the mid‑2% range for February, suggesting that price pressures have eased materially from prior peaks but have not yet fully settled at the Fed’s 2% goal. An IMF Article IV assessment released this week projected U.S. growth around the mid‑2% range in 2026 with inflation gradually converging to target by early 2027, reinforcing the “soft‑landing” narrative underpinning risk assets.

The Federal Reserve is holding the federal funds rate in a 3.5% to 3.75% range after a series of cuts in 2025, with policymakers signaling patience before any further easing. Fed officials, including Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee, reiterated that several additional cuts are possible later in 2026 but stressed they will not accelerate the process without clearer evidence that inflation is durably returning to 2%. Treasury yields drifted lower on the day as investors weighed the steady‑growth, cooling‑inflation backdrop and looked ahead to upcoming inflation releases and Fed communication.

Against that policy setting, mortgage financing conditions have continued to improve. The average 30‑year fixed mortgage rate sits around 5.8% to 5.9% today, down notably from roughly 6.8% a year ago, while 15‑year fixed rates hover in the mid‑5% range. Refinance rates are higher than primary purchase rates but have also declined, with 30‑year refi offers clustering near 6% to 6.6%, prompting renewed interest from borrowers who locked in at the cycle peak in 2023–2024.

Commodities and Precious Metals

Silver traded in the upper‑80‑dollar‑per‑ounce range, slipping about 1% on the day but holding sizable year‑to‑date gains as investors balance industrial demand with its role as a partial inflation hedge. Gold remained anchored just above the 5,100‑dollar‑per‑ounce mark, supported by central‑bank buying and lingering geopolitical risk even as real yields stay positive.

VP Watchlist Updates

Below is an update‑style snapshot on the VP Watchlist names for the week, focused on recent catalysts, positioning, and narrative rather than precise price moves.

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals (EPRX, $8.16, $1.61%)

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Eupraxia” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging its proprietary Diffusphere™ technology designed to optimize local, controlled drug delivery for applications with significant unmet need, is pleased to announce the successful closing of its previously announced public offering (the “Offering”) of 7,607,145 common shares of the Company (the “Common Shares”), which includes the full exercise of the option to purchase additional shares granted to the underwriters, at a price to the public of US$7.00 per Common Share, and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 1,428,571 Common Shares in lieu thereof (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”) at a price of US$6.99999 per Pre-Funded Warrant, which equals the public offering price per Common Share less the C$0.000001 per share exercise price of each Pre-Funded Warrant, for gross proceeds of approximately US$63.2 million, before deducting the underwriting commissions and estimated expenses incurred in connection with the Offering.“We are pleased to complete this financing, allowing us to significantly expand our pipeline, reach several additional development milestones with EP-104GI for eosinophilic esophagitis, and make meaningful progress towards commercial readiness,” said James Helliwell, CEO of Eupraxia. “We appreciate the support from both existing and new investors as we execute our mission and pursue the next phase of growth for Eupraxia.” Cantor and LifeSci Capital acted as joint book-running managers for the Offering. Bloom Burton and Craig-Hallum also acted as co-managers for the Offering. As previously stated, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering primarily for the continued advancement of EP-104GI for Eosinophilic Esophagitis, including the completion of ongoing preclinical studies, and Phase 2 clinical trials, preparations for a Phase 3 clinical trial including the related regulatory submissions, and manufacturing activities, and to undertake the necessary commercial/market development activities to prepare for the eventual product launch. The Company also intends to use a portion of the proceeds to accelerate and expand its plans to pursue clinical studies with EP-104GI in multiple additional gastrointestinal indications, including in esophageal strictures and fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease. A portion of the proceeds will be allocated to research and development of additional pipeline candidates, business development initiatives, and general corporate purposes, which may include but are not limited to employee salaries, working capital, leases for facilities, administrative expenses, and capital expenditures. The Company may also use a portion of the proceeds to expand its intellectual property portfolio and strengthen its corporate infrastructure to support future growth.

Modular Medical (MODD)

  • Closed at $.4501. Has been trading as a diabetes‑tech name, with shares reacting to execution milestones around its Pivot tubeless patch pump platform.Earlier this month, the company began production of validation lots for its disposable cartridge and infusion set, keeping it on track for a planned commercial launch in the first quarter of 2026, contingent on FDA 510(k) clearance—an event path that positions upcoming regulatory decisions as key stock catalysts.
  • Earlier this month, the company began production of validation lots for its disposable cartridge and infusion set, keeping it on track for a planned commercial launch in the first quarter of 2026, contingent on FDA 510(k) clearance—an event path that positions upcoming regulatory decisions as key stock catalysts.

FIGS, Inc. (FIGS, $12.47, +13.78%)

  • FIGS, the direct‑to‑consumer healthcare apparel brand, operates at the intersection of e‑commerce and specialty retail, with a loyal professional customer base and a growing product portfolio. While macro headwinds and digital‑ad volatility have pressured some consumer names, FIGS’ brand equity in the medical community and ongoing product innovation offer levers for renewed growth as conditions normalize.
  • After the close today (Feb. 26), FIGS released its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results and published a financial highlights presentation on its investor relations highlighting the following: Exceeded Top and Bottom Line Expectations, Grew Q4 2025 Net Revenues 33.0% to a Record $201.9 Million, Achieved Q4 2025 Net Income Margin of 9.2% and Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 13.2% & Plans Low Double-Digit Net Revenues Growth and Margin Expansion in FY 2026. FIGS shares have traded up to $13.74 in the aftermarket today.

GeoVax Labs (GOVX, $1.60)

DoubleVerify (DV, $9.53, +0.00%)

  • DoubleVerify, the leading software platform for digital media measurement, data and analytics, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025 and highlighted the following: Increased 2025 Revenue by 14% Year-over-Year to $748.3 Million, Driven by Global Growth in Social, CTV Measurement, and Programmatic Activation, Achieved 2025 Net Income of $50.7 Million and Adjusted EBITDA of $245.6 Million, representing a 33% Adjusted EBITDA margin, & $300 Million Authorized for Share Repurchases, the Largest Amount in DoubleVerify’s History.

The InterGroup Corporation (INTG, $30.36, +2.78%)

  • InterGroup Corporation delivered (Feb. 17) a notably stronger quarter, highlighted by a 20% jump in total revenue to $17.3 million and a 27% surge in hotel revenue as renovated rooms returned to service and travel demand improved. The company swung from a prior-year net loss to $1.0 million in net income, with operating income more than doubling to $2.0 million, underscoring better cost control and improved operating efficiency. Management further enhanced liquidity and sharpened strategic focus by selling a non-core 12‑unit Los Angeles multifamily property, generating a meaningful gain and additional working capital while maintaining stable performance across its real estate portfolio.

Serina Therapeutics (SER, $1.81, +2.26%)

  • Serina Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing drug candidates enabled by its proprietary POZ Platform™ drug optimization technology, announced (Feb. 19) that the first patient has been enrolled in the Company’s Phase 1b registrational trial evaluating. The Phase 1b registrational study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of SER-252 in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease whose symptoms are inadequately controlled by current standard-of-care therapies. Serina remains on track to initiate dosing during the current quarter, consistent with previously disclosed guidance.

Volato Group, Inc. (SOAR) & M2i Global, Inc. (MTWO)

  • Volato and M2i Global reaffirmed their goal of closing their business combination in the first quarter of 2026, citing steady advancement through SEC review and integration planning as they move toward a combined listing. The deal, originally announced in 2025, will effectively transition Volato from a pure‑play private aviation operator into a diversified platform spanning aviation technology and critical minerals, with M2i shareholders expected to own the majority of the combined entity. Operationally, the partnership is already visible: the two companies recently initiated their first shipment of titanium ore from Western Australia to the United States from Titanium X, underscoring how the critical‑minerals vertical could become a meaningful growth engine as domestic supply‑chain security rises in strategic importance.
  • On Feb. 4, M2i Global,Inc.along with Volato Group, Inc. announced that Titanium X has initiated its first shipment of titanium ore from Western Australia to the U.S. under its collaboration agreement.

NVIDIA (NVDA, $185.89)

  • Nvidia delivered strong fourth-quarter results, posting revenue of $68.1 billion, well above analyst expectations. Looking ahead, the company projects $7.8 billion in revenue for the first quarter of 2026, reflecting continued robust demand for its AI chips even amid broader market headwinds.

McDonald’s (MCD, $334.53, +.46%)

  • Options data around the February 2026 expiries highlight active positioning near the 300–305 strike range, consistent with expectations for steady but not explosive upside from here.
  • In the run-up to World Protein Day on 27th February, McDonald’s India (West & South), owned and operated by Westlife Foodworld, is celebrating Protein Week, reinforcing its leadership in nutrition-led innovation. Making protein more accessible, affordable and customizable, Indian consumers can use the McDonald’s app to explore these nutritious offerings and avail of protein burgers starting at just INR 69. Enhancing this convenience, consumers ordering via McDelivery can also enjoy free delivery on the Protein Plus meal range.

Nokia (NOK, $7.50)

Opendoor (OPEN, $5.41, +8.63%)

The Sources

  1. Reuters – “Nvidia’s results beat estimates, but Wall Street wants more cash return”
    https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nvidia-forecasts-first-quarter-sales-above-estimates-2026-02-25/[reuters]​
  2. CNBC – “Stock market news for Feb. 26, 2026”
    https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/25/stock-market-today-live-updates.html[cnbc]​
  3. Investopedia – “Stock Market Today: Major Indexes End Mostly Lower After Two-Day …”
    https://www.investopedia.com/stock-market-today-dow-jones-s-and-p-500-02262026-11914836[investopedia]​
  4. Yahoo Finance – “How major US stock indexes fared Thursday, 2/26/2026”
    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/major-us-stock-indexes-fared-211836919.html[finance.yahoo]​
  5. The Wall Street Journal – “Stock Market Today: Nvidia Stock Falls After Earnings; Dow Rises”
    https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-02-26-2026[wsj]​
  6. TheStreet – “Stock Market Today, Feb. 26: Nasdaq falls nearly 2% despite strong …”
    https://www.thestreet.com/latest-news/stock-market-today-feb-26-nasdaq-falls-nearly-2-despite-strong-nvidia-earnings[thestreet]​
  7. Nasdaq – “Stock Market News for Feb 26, 2026”
    https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/stock-market-news-feb-26-2026[nasdaq]​
  8. Kiplinger – “Nvidia Earnings: Live Updates and Commentary February 2026”
    https://www.kiplinger.com/investing/live/nvidia-earnings-live-updates-and-commentary-february-2026[kiplinger]​
  9. MarketBeat – “Promising Pharmaceutical Stocks To Follow Now – February 26th”
    https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/promising-pharmaceutical-stocks-to-follow-now-february-26th-2026-02-26/[marketbeat]​
  10. MarketBeat – “Top Biotech Stocks To Follow Now – February 26th”
    https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/top-biotech-stocks-to-follow-now-february-26th-2026-02-26/[marketbeat]​
  11. Zacks – “Best Biotech Stocks to Buy for February 2026”
    https://www.zacks.com/featured-articles/381/best-biotech-stocks[zacks]​
  12. Nasdaq – “This Rare‑Disease Specialist Has a Superior Portfolio and Pipeline”
    https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/forget-centessa-pharmaceuticals-rare-disease-specialist-has-superior-portfolio-and[nasdaq]​
  13. Davis Polk – “Recursion Pharmaceuticals $300 million at-the-market offering”
    https://www.davispolk.com/experience/recursion-pharmaceuticals-300-million-market-offering-february-2026[davispolk]​
  14. FXStreet – “Silver price today: falls on February 26”
    https://www.fxstreet.com/news/silver-price-today-silver-falls-according-to-fxstreet-data-202602260930[fxstreet]​
  15. Fortune – “Current price of silver as of Thursday, February 26, 2026”
    https://fortune.com/article/current-price-of-silver-2-26-2026/[fortune]​
  16. CBS News – “What is the price of silver today: February 26, 2026?”
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/price-of-silver-today-february-26-2026/[cbsnews]​
  17. USAGOLD – “Daily Silver Price History”
    https://www.usagold.com/daily-silver-price-history/[usagold]​
  18. Reuters – “US weekly jobless claims rise slightly; unemployment rate …”
    https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-weekly-jobless-claims-increase-marginally-labor-market-stabilizes-2026-02-26/[reuters]​
  19. IMF – “Press Briefing Transcript: U.S. 2026 Article IV Consultation Mission”
    https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/02/26/tr-0225206-press-briefing-transcript-conclusion-of-2026-us-aiv-consultation-miss[imf]​
  20. Federal Reserve – “Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement”
    https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20260128a.htm[federalreserve]​
  21. Charles Schwab – “Fed Interest Rates: FOMC Cuts Rates”
    https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/fomc-meeting[schwab]​
  22. Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland – “Inflation Nowcasting”
    https://www.clevelandfed.org/indicators-and-data/inflation-nowcasting[clevelandfed]​
  23. CNBC – “Treasury yields fall as investors await more economic data”
    https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/26/us-treasury-yields-investors-await-more-economic-data-.html[cnbc]​
  24. Reuters – “Odds of early Warsh-led Fed rate cuts slide with bullish outlook”
    https://www.reuters.com/business/odds-early-warsh-led-fed-rate-cuts-slide-with-bullish-outlook-2026-02-26/[reuters]​
  25. Reuters – “Fed’s Goolsbee forecasts several more rate cuts this year, but not soon”
    https://www.reuters.com/business/feds-goolsbee-forecasts-several-more-rate-cuts-this-year-not-soon-2026-02-26/[reuters]​
  26. CBS News – “What are today’s mortgage interest rates: February 26, 2026?”
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/todays-mortgage-interest-rates-february-26-2026/[cbsnews]​
  27. Fortune – “Current refi mortgage rates report for Feb. 26, 2026”
    https://fortune.com/article/current-refi-mortgage-rates-02-26-2026/[fortune]​
  28. Yahoo Finance – “Mortgage rates fall below 6% for first time in over 3 years”
    https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/mortgages/article/mortgage-refinance-interest-rates-today-thursday-february-26-2026-1[finance.yahoo]​

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