Core Insights - The tax season is currently active, with many individuals filing their taxes and the average refund from last year being $3,167 [1] Tax Deduction Overview - A new senior tax deduction has been introduced as part of President Trump's legislation, effective from tax year 2025 through 2028 [2] - The standard deduction for tax year 2025 is set at $15,750 for singles and $31,500 for couples filing jointly, with additional amounts for seniors [5] - Seniors aged 65 and older will receive an extra $2,000 (for singles) and $3,200 (for couples) on top of the standard deduction, plus an additional $6,000 if filing as single or $12,000 if married filing jointly [5] Eligibility Criteria - To qualify for the new deduction, individuals must be 65 years old by December 31, 2025, with income limits set at $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly [6] - The deduction amount decreases by 6% for every dollar earned above the income threshold, with full ineligibility occurring at $175,000 for singles and $250,000 for married couples [7]

Core Insights - Conestoga Capital Advisors reported solid returns in US equities for 2025, with double-digit gains across major indices, despite underlying volatility and market leadership shifts [1] - The Small Cap Strategy returned -1.89% net-of-fees in Q4 2025, underperforming the Russell 2000 Growth Index's 1.22% return [1] Company Overview: Digi International Inc. (NASDAQ:DGII) - Digi International Inc. specializes in Internet of Things technology, focusing on connectivity products, services, and solutions [2][3] - As of February 18, 2026, Digi's stock closed at $49.64, with a one-month return of 13.59% and a 12-month increase of 41.67% [2] - The company has a market capitalization of $1.87 billion [2] Performance Highlights - Digi's stock performed well in Q4 2025, driven by faster-than-expected growth in recurring services revenue and improved margins due to a shift towards software and subscriptions [3] - Demand visibility in industrial and infrastructure markets, along with disciplined expense management, contributed to earnings upside [3] Investment Sentiment - Digi International Inc. was held by 16 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2025, an increase from 11 in the previous quarter [5] - Despite acknowledging Digi's potential, the company believes certain AI stocks present greater upside potential and lower downside risk [5]

Company Overview - Novanta Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVT) is a technology solutions company specializing in precision medicine, precision manufacturing, medical solutions, robotics and automation solutions, and advanced surgery solutions [2][3] - The company has a market capitalization of $5.2 billion [2] Financial Performance - On February 18, 2026, Novanta Inc. stock closed at $145.63 per share [2] - The one-month return for Novanta Inc. was 5.29%, and its shares increased by 1.98% over the past twelve months [2] - In the fourth quarter of 2025, Novanta Inc. reported strong earnings with double-digit growth in its Advanced Surgery business [3] Market Position and Demand - Novanta Inc. experienced a 17% year-over-year growth in bookings, indicating robust future demand as customer inventory levels normalize [3] - The company is noted for its ability to exceed profit expectations while navigating a complex macro environment, showcasing the durability of its diversified, high-quality business model [3] Investment Sentiment - Novanta Inc. is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 27 hedge fund portfolios holding the stock at the end of the third quarter, unchanged from the previous quarter [4] - While the potential of Novanta Inc. as an investment is acknowledged, certain AI stocks are considered to offer greater upside potential and less downside risk [4]

Conestoga Capital Advisors, an asset management company, released its fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter. As many believe, US equities experienced solid returns in 2025, with double-digit gains across all major indices, yet underlying conditions revealed extreme volatility and market leadership. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In Q4 2025, Conestoga Capital Advisors Small Cap Strategy returned -1.89% net-of-fees, trailing the Russell 2000 Growth Index’s 1.22% return. The returns were volatile i ...

Core Insights - Dividend Kings are companies that have consistently increased their dividend payments for 50 consecutive years, showcasing resilience amid economic fluctuations [1] - Investing in Dividend Kings can generate significant passive income, with an example showing a $15,000 investment yielding $578 in annual dividend income [1] Group 1: Federal Realty Investment Trust - Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT) is a REIT that has raised its dividend for 58 consecutive years, the longest in the REIT sector [5] - The company focuses on high-quality open-air shopping centers and mixed-use properties, owning 104 properties with 28.8 million square feet of commercial space and 2,700 residential units [6] - Federal Realty's strategy emphasizes quality over quantity, routinely upgrading its portfolio by selling lower-quality assets and reinvesting in better properties, such as the recent acquisition of Village Pointe for $153.3 million [7] Group 2: PepsiCo - PepsiCo has recently increased its dividend by 4%, extending its growth streak to 54 consecutive years [8]

Group 1 - Klarna reported a 38% year-on-year increase in fourth-quarter sales, reaching $1.08 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $1.07 billion [1] - The number of users for Klarna's banking services doubled to 15.8 million, indicating successful growth in its banking operations [2] - Klarna's gross merchandise volume (GMV) rose 32% to $38.7 billion in the quarter, with a 43% increase in the U.S. market and a 58% rise in revenue [4] Group 2 - The average employee compensation at Klarna has increased by 60% since 2022, attributed to early adoption of AI which has allowed for workforce reduction while reallocating savings to wages [3] - Klarna is set to release its full fourth-quarter earnings report on February 26, following a net loss of $95 million in the third quarter [5]

Everyone has been talking about Ozempic in recent years. You may have seen the name in the news or even know someone who is taking this blockbuster drug. Though Ozempic, made by Novo Nordisk, is approved for type 2 diabetes, the drug has also been prescribed for weight loss. It's part of the popular GLP-1 class of drugs. Novo was first to market with a GLP-1 drug in 2017 and maintained leadership for a while. But that has changed over the past year, as another player roared into the top spot. So, as an i ...

Optimism has plunged to a new all-time low after intense selling pressure overwhelmed recent demand. OP price collapsed 23% in 24 hours, extending an already fragile downtrend. Weak liquidity and deteriorating sentiment had been weighing on the altcoin for weeks. The decline accelerated after Coinbase’s Layer-2 network Base confirmed it is transitioning away from the Optimism OP Stack. Base announced plans to develop its own unified technology stack. The decision removed a major ecosystem catalyst, amplify ...

Company Overview - FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ:FSV) is a leading provider of essential property services to residential and commercial customers in North America [3] - The company has a market capitalization of $7.182 billion [2] Financial Performance - In Q4 2025, FirstService Corporation's stock closed at $156.86 per share, with a one-month return of -1.90% and a 52-week loss of 10.27% [2] - The company reported third-quarter revenues that fell short of consensus expectations, although it met earnings per share estimates [3] Investment Sentiment - FirstService Corporation was held by 25 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2025, a decrease from 27 in the previous quarter [4] - Despite acknowledging the potential of FirstService Corporation as an investment, the company is viewed as having less upside compared to certain AI stocks [4]

Core Insights - Conestoga Capital Advisors reported that US equities had solid returns in 2025, with double-digit gains across major indices, but underlying conditions showed extreme volatility and market leadership [1] Group 1: Company Performance - In Q4 2025, Conestoga Capital Advisors' Small Cap Strategy returned -1.89% net of fees, underperforming the Russell 2000 Growth Index's return of 1.22% [1] - AAON, Inc. (NASDAQ:AAON) had a one-month return of 5.90% but saw a decline of 7.51% over the past twelve months, with a market capitalization of $8.35 billion [2] - Despite solid Q3 2025 results, AAON's shares retreated due to ERP-related delivery delays and extended lead times, with execution concerns impacting sentiment [3] Group 2: Market Position and Sentiment - AAON, Inc. is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 29 hedge fund portfolios holding the stock at the end of Q3, unchanged from the previous quarter [4] - The company is viewed as having potential, but certain AI stocks are considered to offer greater upside potential and less downside risk [4]