Core Viewpoint - Sharp Therapeutics Corp. has successfully closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement for unsecured convertible notes, raising a total of US$500,000 through the issuance of 500 notes, with proceeds allocated for general working capital purposes [1]. Group 1: Note Offering Details - Each note has a principal amount of US$1,000 and is convertible into common shares at a price of US$2.00 per share, with a conversion option available until 12 months post-closing [2]. - The notes carry an interest rate of 6.0% per annum, calculated as simple interest and payable in cash on the maturity date [3]. - The first tranche included participation from insiders, with STX Partners, LLC acquiring 200 notes for US$200,000, Newlin Investment Company 1, LLC acquiring 100 notes for US$100,000, and others, totaling 350 notes for US$350,000 [4]. Group 2: Regulatory and Compliance Information - The insider participation in the first tranche is classified as a related-party transaction, exempt from formal valuation or minority shareholder approval under Multilateral Instrument 61-101, as the transaction does not exceed 25% of the company's market capitalization [5]. - The company did not file a material change report prior to the closing due to the timing of insider participation details, and no new Control Person will be created as a result of this tranche [6]. Group 3: Future Commitments and Offerings - STX has committed an additional US$800,000 for future contributions in four tranches of US$200,000 each, scheduled for March and April 2026 [7]. - The notes were offered through private placement in Canada and the United States, adhering to applicable exemptions from prospectus requirements [8]. Group 4: Company Overview - Sharp Therapeutics is a preclinical-stage company focused on developing small-molecule therapeutics for genetic diseases, utilizing a discovery platform that combines high throughput screening technologies and computationally optimized compound libraries [10].

Group 1 - The stock market is currently experiencing a significant sell-off of tech-related stocks, referred to as the "SaaSpocalypse," leading investors to search for "AI-proof" companies to invest in [1] - Gary Alexander has extensive experience in covering technology companies and has been involved with several seed-round startups, providing insights into current industry trends [2] Group 2 - The article does not provide any specific financial data or performance metrics related to companies or the industry [3][4]

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight filed an ERISA class action Complaint today in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri that alleges retirement plan mismanagement by Stifel Financial, Corp. and other fiduciaries of the Stifel Financial Profit Sharing 401(k) Plan. According to the allegations in the Complaint, Stifel failed to remove two funds from its Plan – the American Century Large Cap Growth Fund and the Artisan Mid-cap Growth Fund – even a ...

Group 1 - Sharp announced the termination of the sale of its second LCD panel factory in Kameyama, Japan, to its parent company Foxconn due to the ongoing weakness in LCD panel prices [1][3] - Following the cancellation of the acquisition, Sharp plans to shut down the Kameyama factory in August this year and will offer a voluntary resignation program for its 1,170 employees [3] - Sharp expects to incur a restructuring cost of 10 billion yen as a special loss for the fiscal year ending in March, with an additional 2 billion yen in related costs for the next fiscal year [3] Group 2 - Foxconn initially intended to maintain panel production and establish a new production line for AI server manufacturing after acquiring the factory, but is now considering utilizing another idle building in the Kameyama area for AI server production [3] - Sharp's CEO Masahiro Okitsu stated that the partnership with Foxconn remains stable despite the failed acquisition [3] - In addition to the factory sale cancellation, Sharp has also scrapped a technology transfer plan to an Indian company, which was aimed at accommodating workers from its Sakai factory, set to cease production in August 2024 [3] - The cancellation of the technology transfer plan will lead to a voluntary resignation program for 240 affected employees and an additional special loss of 2.2 billion yen for the fiscal year ending in March [3]

Group 1 - Sharp announced that the acquisition deal with its parent company Foxconn for the second LCD panel factory in Kameyama, Mie Prefecture, has officially fallen through due to the ongoing weakness in LCD panel prices [1][3] - Following the termination of the acquisition, Sharp plans to shut down the Kameyama factory in August this year and will offer a voluntary resignation program for its 1,170 employees [3] - Sharp expects to incur a restructuring cost of 10 billion yen as a special loss for the fiscal year ending in March, with an additional 2 billion yen in related costs for the next fiscal year [3] Group 2 - Foxconn initially intended to maintain panel production and establish a new production line for AI server manufacturing after acquiring the factory, but is now considering utilizing another idle building in the Kameyama site for AI server production [3] - Sharp's CEO Masahiro Okitsu stated that the partnership with Foxconn remains unaffected and stable despite the failed acquisition [3] - In addition to the failed factory acquisition, Sharp has canceled a technology transfer plan to an Indian company, which aimed to accommodate workers from the Sakai factory, set to cease production in August 2024 [3] - The cancellation of the technology transfer plan will also lead to a voluntary resignation program for 240 affected employees, with an additional special loss of 2.2 billion yen expected for the fiscal year ending in March [3]

Core Viewpoint - Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. has appointed Heath Sharp to its Board of Directors, highlighting his extensive experience in scaling industrial businesses internationally [1] Company Summary - Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. is recognized as a global leader in the filtration industry [1] - The CEO and President of Atmus, Steph Disher, emphasized Sharp's over 30 years of leadership experience in manufacturing, product development, and commercial execution [1] Leadership Impact - Heath Sharp's appointment is expected to enhance Atmus's strategic direction and operational execution due to his seasoned background in the industrial sector [1]

Core Insights - The company has established a significant licensing agreement with Samsung, marking the most valuable license in its history, and has renewed agreements with major smartphone vendors, including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, ensuring a strong foundation for future growth [1][2] - The company reported record revenue of $834 million for the full year 2025, with a 24% year-over-year increase in annualized recurring revenue (ARR) to $582 million, and achieved all-time highs in adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP EPS [3][16] - The company is focusing on expanding its licensing programs, particularly in the consumer electronics (CE) and Internet of Things (IoT) sectors, and has made significant progress in its video service licensing program [5][6] Financial Performance - In Q4 2025, the company achieved total revenue of $158 million, exceeding its outlook, and reported an adjusted EBITDA of $88 million, resulting in a margin of 56% [14][15] - For the full year 2025, adjusted EBITDA reached a record high of $589 million, nearly three times the 2021 level, and non-GAAP EPS was reported at $15.31, more than four times the 2021 figure [16] - The company has guided for a strong 2026, expecting total revenue between $675 million and $775 million, with adjusted EBITDA projected at $381 million to $477 million [17][18] Licensing Agreements - The company has signed over 50 licensing agreements since 2021, with a total contract value exceeding $4.6 billion, and has licensed about half of the global PC market following a new agreement with HP [5][6] - New agreements with Vivo and Honor have expanded the company's licensing to cover approximately 85% of the global smartphone market [2] - The company is actively pursuing licensing agreements with major streaming platforms, having initiated enforcement actions against Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ [6][7] Research and Development - The company emphasizes the importance of its research pipeline, which supports its licensing programs and drives growth through 2030 and beyond [8][9] - A recent acquisition of AI startup DeepRender aims to enhance the company's capabilities in AI and video compression, aligning with its focus on developing next-generation technologies [9][10] - The company has increased its patent portfolio by 14% year-over-year, surpassing 38,000 granted patents and applications, and is recognized for the quality of its patents [10][11] Industry Recognition - The company has received multiple accolades, including being named one of America's fastest-growing companies by Fortune and recognized as the number one most successful mid-cap company in America for 2026 by Forbes [11][12] - The company's strong performance and strategic positioning in the market are expected to continue driving shareholder value [12]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2025, total revenue was $834 million, the second highest in the company's history, with a year-over-year increase of approximately 2 times compared to 2021 levels of $425 million [16][17] - Adjusted EBITDA reached a record high of $589 million for 2025, nearly 3 times the 2021 level of $208 million [17] - Non-GAAP EPS for 2025 was $15.31 per share, more than 4 times the $3.73 per share reported in 2021 [17] - In Q4 2025, total revenue was $158 million, exceeding the high end of the outlook of $144-$148 million [15] - Q4 adjusted EBITDA was $88 million, exceeding the high end of the outlook of $68-$76 million, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 56% [15][16] - Non-GAAP EPS for Q4 was $2.12, exceeding the high end of the outlook of $1.38-$1.63 [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Smartphone revenue for 2025 was just below $680 million, up 14% year-over-year, marking an all-time high [7] - The company licensed 8 of the top 10 largest smartphone manufacturers, covering about 85% of the overall market [6] - In the CE and IoT program, a new agreement was signed with HP, covering about half of the global PC market [7] - The company has now licensed over 50 agreements with a total contract value of more than $4.6 billion since 2021 [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has renewed licenses with major smartphone vendors, including Xiaomi and LG Electronics, which are expected to contribute to recurring revenue [7][8] - The enforcement campaign against major streaming services like Disney+ and Amazon is ongoing, with positive preliminary results in Brazil and Germany [9][27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to grow its annualized recurring revenue and margin expansion, focusing on AI research and the development of 6G and next-generation video codecs [4][5] - The acquisition of AI startup Deep Render is part of the strategy to strengthen AI research capabilities [11] - The company is actively contributing to 6G standards development, which is expected to be the first native AI wireless standard [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's position to drive shareholder value in 2026, with expectations for total revenue in the range of $675 million-$775 million [18] - The company anticipates a step down in annualized recurring revenue (ARR) due to expirations but expects to renew about two-thirds of the $92 million that expired at the end of 2025 [19] - Management emphasized the importance of their patent portfolio and ongoing litigation efforts to ensure fair compensation for their innovations [36][37] Other Important Information - The company received recognition from multiple third parties, including being named one of America's greatest companies by Newsweek and the number one most successful mid-cap company in America for 2026 by Forbes [13] - The company will showcase its technology at the Mobile Congress in Barcelona, highlighting innovations in 6G and AI [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance for Q1 revenue and recurring fees - Management confirmed that the guidance for Q1 includes $55-$60 million of catch-up sales, indicating a decrease in recurring revenue due to expirations [24][25] Question: Timeline for litigation with Disney and Amazon - Management provided updates on the positive outcomes in Brazil and Germany for the Disney case, with further developments expected in the U.S. later in the year [26][27] Question: Details on the consumer electronic device agreement - The agreement with the social media company is a device agreement that licenses radio assets and Wi-Fi, but is not expected to be a high-volume agreement [33] Question: Threats on the litigation front - Management acknowledged the inherent risks in litigation but expressed confidence in the quality of their patent portfolio and the strategy to enforce their rights [36][37] Question: M&A as part of R&D efforts - The company is open to M&A opportunities to enhance its research capabilities and fill gaps in its portfolio [41] Question: Differences in litigation for streaming services - Management noted that the streaming industry is relatively new for the company, requiring more time to establish the strength of their portfolio compared to established relationships in the smartphone industry [42]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2025, total revenue reached $834 million, the second highest in the company's history, with a year-over-year increase of approximately 2 times compared to 2021 levels of $425 million [16] - Adjusted EBITDA for 2025 was a record high of $589 million, nearly 3 times the 2021 level of $208 million [17] - Non-GAAP EPS for 2025 was $15.31 per share, more than 4 times the $3.73 per share reported in 2021 [17] - In Q4 2025, total revenue was $158 million, exceeding the high end of the outlook of $144-148 million [15] - Q4 adjusted EBITDA was $88 million, exceeding the high end of the outlook of $68-76 million, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 56% [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Smartphone revenue for 2025 was just below $680 million, up 14% year-over-year, marking an all-time high [7] - Annualized recurring revenue (ARR) increased to $582 million, up 24% year-over-year [5] - The company signed new licensing agreements with major smartphone vendors, including Vivo and Honor, and renewed agreements with Xiaomi, Samsung, Sharp, and Seiko [6][7] - In the CE and IoT program, the company signed a new agreement with HP, covering about half of the global PC market [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has now licensed eight of the top ten largest smartphone manufacturers, covering about 85% of the overall market [6] - The licensing agreements signed since 2021 have a total contract value of more than $4.6 billion [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to grow its licensing pipeline, particularly in the Video Service Licensing Program and AI research capabilities [4] - The focus is on expanding the patent portfolio and advancing technologies related to 6G and next-generation video codecs [4] - The company emphasizes the importance of AI in enhancing network efficiency and video quality, with a recent acquisition of AI startup Deep Render to strengthen its capabilities [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's position to drive shareholder value in 2026, with expectations for total revenue in the range of $675-775 million and adjusted EBITDA of $381-477 million [18] - The company anticipates further increases in ARR, aiming to reach $1 billion by 2030 [19] - Management highlighted the importance of ongoing litigation efforts to protect intellectual property and secure fair compensation for investments in research [10][36] Other Important Information - The company received recognition from multiple third parties, including being named one of America's greatest companies by Newsweek and the number one most successful mid-cap company in America for 2026 by Forbes [13] - The company will showcase its technology at the Mobile Congress in Barcelona, focusing on 6G and AI innovations [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance for Q1 revenue and recurring fees - Management confirmed that the guidance for Q1 includes $50-55 million of catch-up revenue, indicating a decrease in recurring fees due to expirations, but noted that two-thirds of the $92 million expired contracts have been renewed [24][25] Question: Timeline for litigation with Disney and Amazon - Management reported positive outcomes in the Disney case with preliminary injunctions in Brazil and Germany, with further trials expected in the US and UPC later in the year [26][27] - The Amazon case is in earlier stages, with multiple jurisdictions involved [27] Question: Litigation costs outlook - Management indicated an expected increase in litigation expenses for Q1 and throughout 2026, which is factored into the full-year guidance [29] Question: Details on the consumer electronic device agreement - The agreement with the social media company is a device agreement that licenses radio assets and Wi-Fi, but is not expected to be a high-volume agreement [33] Question: Differences in litigation for streaming services - Management noted that while they prefer negotiations, the streaming industry is relatively new for them, requiring more time to demonstrate the strength of their patent portfolio [42]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2025, total revenue was $834 million, the second highest in the company's history, with a year-over-year increase of approximately 2 times compared to 2021 levels of $425 million [18] - Adjusted EBITDA reached a record high of $589 million, nearly 3 times the 2021 level of $208 million [19] - Non-GAAP EPS for the full year was $15.31 per share, more than 4 times the $3.73 per share reported in 2021 [19] - In Q4 2025, total revenue was $158 million, exceeding the high end of the outlook of $144-$148 million [17] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $88 million, exceeding the high end of the outlook of $68-$76 million, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 56% [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Smartphone revenue for 2025 was just below $680 million, up 14% year-over-year, marking an all-time high [7] - Annualized recurring revenue (ARR) increased to $582 million, up 24% year-over-year [5] - The company signed new licensing agreements with major smartphone vendors, including Vivo and Honor, and renewed agreements with Samsung, Sharp, and Seiko [6][8] - In the CE and IoT program, the company licensed about half of the global PC market after signing a new agreement with HP [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has now licensed 8 of the top 10 largest smartphone manufacturers, covering about 85% of the overall market [6] - The licensing agreements signed since 2021 have a total contract value of more than $4.6 billion [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to grow its licensing pipeline, particularly in the Video Service Licensing Program and AI research capabilities [4] - The focus is on deepening AI expertise and leading the development of AI-based solutions for next-generation technologies [12] - The company is actively contributing to 6G standards development, which is expected to be the first native AI wireless standard [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's position to drive shareholder value in 2026, with expectations for total revenue in the range of $675 million-$775 million [20] - The company anticipates a strong year in 2026, despite a step down in ARR from year-end expirations, with plans to renew contracts and drive further increases in ARR [21] Other Important Information - The company completed a key acquisition of AI startup Deep Render to strengthen its research capabilities in AI and video compression [12] - The company received recognition from multiple third parties, including being named one of America's greatest companies by Newsweek and the number one most successful mid-cap company in America for 2026 by Forbes [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance on Q1 revenue and recurring fees - Management confirmed that the guidance for Q1 includes $55 million-$60 million of catch-up sales, indicating a decrease in recurring fees due to expirations [25][26] Question: Timeline for litigation with Disney and Amazon - Management provided updates on the positive outcomes in Brazil and Germany for the Disney case, with further developments expected in the U.S. later in the year [27][28] Question: Details on the consumer electronic device agreement - The agreement with the social media company is a device agreement that licenses radio assets and Wi-Fi, but is not expected to be a high-volume agreement [33] Question: M&A strategy for expanding the patent portfolio - The company is open to M&A opportunities to fill gaps in research and accelerate areas of strength, leveraging its industry reputation [40] Question: Differences in litigation for streaming services compared to smartphones - Management noted that the streaming industry is relatively new for the company, requiring more time to demonstrate the strength of its patent portfolio [41]