Core Insights - OpenAI is nearing a record fundraising round expected to exceed $100 billion, which would elevate its valuation to over $850 billion [1][2] Fundraising Details - The new funding round, rumored for months, is anticipated to close by the end of the month, with major backers including Amazon (up to $50 billion), SoftBank ($30 billion), Nvidia ($20 billion), and Microsoft [2] - This new round more than doubles the previous record of $40 billion raised by OpenAI in March [3] Financial Strategy - OpenAI is investing heavily in infrastructure, with significant financial commitments to companies like Nvidia and Oracle, raising questions about when these investments will yield profits [3] - CEO Sam Altman emphasized that the current focus is on growth rather than immediate profitability, stating that reasonable unit economics will guide future decisions on profitability [4] IPO Prospects - OpenAI is reportedly preparing for an IPO, potentially as soon as later this year, competing with rival Anthropic to be the first major AI company to go public [4]

“My son is smart — he really is — but he was in love.” (Photo subject is a model.) - Getty Images/iStockphoto Dear Quentin, A caution to anyone who doesn’t already know this. My son is smart — he really is — but he was in love. He and his live-in girlfriend mingled their finances. I’m not sure how much, but now that they’ve parted, his credit rating is wrecked. Just enough that he couldn’t apply for a car loan or an apartment. Most Read from MarketWatch Yes, he has managed to get both because he has a ...

Geely-owned Polestar has set out plans to broaden its electric vehicle (EV) portfolio with four new models scheduled between 2026 and 2028, as part of its next growth phase. It represents what the Swedish EV manufacturer described as “largest” product expansion in its history. The rollout will begin with the Polestar 5 four-door grand tourer, with deliveries due to start in summer this year. Later this year, in the fourth quarter, the company intends to introduce a new variant of the Polestar 4 SUV to ...

If you’re chasing both earning power and affordability in East Coast states, a few cities rise above the rest. A new MoneyLion study offers a list of options based on factors including median household income, home values, cost-of-living data and mortgage estimates. By weighting income more heavily than expenses, the ranking highlighted places residents don’t just earn more, but keep more of what they earn. Here’s MoneyLion’s top 12 list of East Coast contenders, along with key figures for each city: Na ...

Airbus is slowing down production of its A320. - sergio yate/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images Airbus said it would deliver fewer aircraft than expected this year because of significant shortages of Pratt & Whitney engines, issuing a sharp public rebuke of one of its largest suppliers. Shares of the European plane maker fell as much as 8% on Thursday after the company said the engine issue had forced it to slow production of its bestselling A320 jets—the latest setback in its efforts to capitalize on a p ...

Company Overview - Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI) is a leading manufacturer of flow measurement, quality, control, and communication solutions primarily for the municipal water utility market [2][3] - The company operates in an oligopolistic water-metering market, providing essential solutions with a recurring revenue model [3] Financial Performance - Badger Meter, Inc. reported total sales of $221 million in Q4 2025, reflecting an 8% increase year-over-year [4] - As of February 18, 2026, Badger Meter, Inc. stock closed at $158.20 per share, with a one-month return of -8.09% and a twelve-month decline of 27.49% [2][4] Investment Insights - The company is noted for its high-quality operations, healthy capital structure, and good management, which support durable growth and value compounding through economic cycles [3] - Despite the potential of Badger Meter, Inc. as an investment, the company is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 28 hedge fund portfolios holding its stock at the end of Q3 2025, down from 32 in the previous quarter [4] - The company faces competition from certain AI stocks that are perceived to offer greater upside potential and less downside risk [4]

Group 1 - Adani Group plans to invest $100 billion in renewable energy-powered, AI-ready data centers by 2035 [1] - The investment is part of a larger vision to create the world's largest integrated data center platform, potentially generating an additional $150 billion by 2035 across various sectors [2] - The total projected value of the AI infrastructure ecosystem in India is estimated to reach $250 billion over the next decade [2] Group 2 - Adani's plans are supported by strategic partnerships with major tech companies like Google and Microsoft, with ongoing discussions for establishing large campuses across India [3] - This announcement coincides with India's AI Impact Summit, featuring prominent figures in technology [3] - Recent investments in India's tech sector include Adani's $5 billion investment in Google's AI infrastructure hub and Microsoft's record $17.5 billion investment [4]

Core Viewpoint - Volkswagen is advancing plans to reduce its stake in Everllence, its unit that manufactures marine engines and heat pumps, with indicative offers received from private equity firms, valuing the unit at approximately €5bn to €6bn ($5.9bn to $7.1bn) [1][2] Group 1: Volkswagen's Strategic Moves - Volkswagen is looking to sell a controlling stake in Everllence while retaining a significant minority shareholding [2] - The sale of Everllence is part of Volkswagen's broader strategy to reshape its business amid declining demand and increased competition from Chinese manufacturers [2][6] Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Context - Volkswagen reported a net cash flow of €6bn from its automotive division in 2025, indicating stronger cash generation than expected [3] - The European automotive industry is facing challenges from competition with China and a slower-than-expected transition to electric vehicles [4] Group 3: Industry Trends and Comparisons - The auction of Everllence coincides with Continental's sale of its ContiTech division, highlighting a trend among European industrial groups to streamline operations amid rising costs and regulatory pressures [6] - Private equity firms are increasingly interested in acquiring non-core assets from large industrial groups, seeing opportunities for performance improvement through further investment [6]

Logistec Corp., a Montréal-based marine and logistics provider, has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of IPA Terminal, a breakbulk and steel handling facility at the Port of Altamira, marking the company’s first move into Latin America. The transaction, announced Tuesday, aims to position Logistec as a broader global multi-purpose marine terminal operator and expands its presence beyond its established North American footprint, company officials said. “This expansion is a defining moment for Logi ...

Group 1: Company Overview - Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE: VNO) has experienced a 30% decline in value over the past year due to high interest rates and challenging office market conditions [1] - The company primarily focuses on office properties within a diversified real estate portfolio that also includes retail and residential properties located in major cities like New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco [4] Group 2: Market Conditions - The office market has faced significant pressure since the pandemic, driven by the rise of remote and hybrid work, leading to uncertainty in demand for office space [5] - Recent reports indicate a recovery in the office market, with leasing activity in Q4 reaching a post-pandemic high and annual leasing activity increasing by 5.2% [5] - Large-scale transactions in the office sector have risen by 15% year over year, indicating growing confidence among companies in committing to office space [5] - U.S. office sales volume has increased for seven consecutive quarters, reflecting heightened investor confidence in purchasing office properties [5] - The pipeline for new office constructions is trending down towards a record low, suggesting a potential shift towards a new growth cycle in the office sector according to JLL [5] Group 3: Interest Rate Impact - REITs, including Vornado, are highly sensitive to interest rate changes, with higher rates increasing borrowing costs and reducing cash flows, while lower rates can enhance their value by decreasing borrowing costs [2] - Although short-term interest rates have fallen due to Federal Reserve actions, longer-term rates, such as the 10-year Treasury, have not decreased as significantly, which has a greater impact on REIT values [3] - A meaningful decline in long-term interest rates, particularly if inflation dips below 2%, could positively influence Vornado's share price [3]