WEST CHESTER, Pa., Feb. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Verrica”) (Nasdaq: VRCA), a dermatology therapeutics company developing and selling medications for skin diseases requiring medical interventions, today announced that Jayson Rieger, PhD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of Verrica Pharmaceuticals, will present at the TD Cowen 46th Annual Healthcare Conference in Boston. TD Cowen 46th Annual Health Care Conference, March 2-4, 2026Event details:Date: Monday, March 2 ...

Core Insights - Rafael Holdings, Inc. (RFL) is engaged in the development and commercialization of novel cancer therapies within a competitive biotechnology landscape [1] - The company's Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is -34.90%, significantly lower than its Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) of 8.08% [2][6] - All companies in the peer group, including RFL, are generating returns below their cost of capital, with Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) showing relatively better efficiency [5][6] Financial Metrics Comparison - RFL's ROIC to WACC ratio is -4.32, indicating insufficient returns to cover capital costs [2] - Scholar Rock Holding Corporation (SRRK) has a ROIC of -101.98% and a WACC of 6.91%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of -14.75, which is less efficient than RFL [3] - Evelo Biosciences, Inc. (EVLO) has the lowest ROIC to WACC ratio at -22.10, with a ROIC of -199.73% against a WACC of 9.04% [3][6] - Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) has a ROIC of -65.23% and a WACC of 16.08%, yielding the highest ROIC to WACC ratio among peers at -4.06 [4] - Replimune Group, Inc. (REPL) shows a ROIC of -94.11% and a WACC of 7.63%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of -12.34 [4]

Company Overview - Rafael Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:RFL) focuses on the development and commercialization of novel cancer therapies through its subsidiaries, emphasizing oncology drug research and development [1] Financial Performance - RFL's Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is -34.90%, significantly lower than its Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) of 7.93%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of -4.40, indicating the company is not generating returns above its cost of capital [2] - Compared to its peers, RFL demonstrates relatively more efficient capital utilization despite the negative ROIC [2] Peer Comparison - Scholar Rock Holding Corporation (SRRK) has a ROIC of -101.98% and a WACC of 6.82%, leading to a ROIC to WACC ratio of -14.96, indicating less efficient capital utilization compared to RFL [3] - Evelo Biosciences, Inc. (EVLO) shows a ROIC of -199.73% and a WACC of 9.04%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of -22.10, further highlighting its inefficiency [3] - Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) is the most efficient among peers with a ROIC to WACC ratio of -4.13, indicating better capital efficiency despite all companies having negative ratios [4] - Replimune Group, Inc. (REPL) has a ROIC of -71.09% and a WACC of 7.47%, resulting in a ROIC to WACC ratio of -9.52, showing less favorable performance [4]

Core Insights - Premarket trading is showing notable activity with significant price movements indicating potential investment opportunities before the market opens [1] Group 1: Premarket Gainers - SMX (Security Matters) Public Limited Company (SMX) is up 58% at $27.60 [3] - Aditxt, Inc. (ADTX) has increased by 27% to $4.01 [3] - TMC the metals company Inc. (TMC) is up 15% at $6.75 [3] - CDT Equity Inc. (CDT) has risen by 13% to $2.34 [3] - Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) is up 12% at $7.56 [3] - Compass Diversified (CODI) has increased by 9% to $7.59 [3] - mF International Limited (MFI) is up 7% at $21.99 [3] - CEA Industries Inc. (BNC) has risen by 7% to $6.42 [3] - Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (OMEX) is up 7% at $2.07 [3] - Vuzix Corporation (VUZI) has increased by 4% to $2.48 [3] Group 2: Premarket Losers - Solo Brands, Inc. (SBDS) is down 12% at $7.35 [4] - Surrozen, Inc. (SRZN) has decreased by 10% to $14.75 [4] - Protagenic Therapeutics, Inc. (PTIX) is down 10% at $2.00 [4] - Antelope Enterprise Holdings Limited (AEHL) has fallen by 8% to $3.18 [4] - Zynex, Inc. (ZYXI) is down 7% at $1.47 [4] - Reading International, Inc. (RDI) has decreased by 7% to $1.21 [4] - GCL Global Holdings Ltd (GCL) is down 6% at $1.24 [4] - Lunai Bioworks Inc. (LNAI) has fallen by 5% to $1.22 [4] - Solid Biosciences Inc. (SLDB) is down 4% at $5.10 [4] - Foxx Development Holdings Inc. (FOXX) has decreased by 4% to $4.30 [4]

Core Insights - Heartbeam Inc's shares increased significantly by 43.3% to $0.86 in pre-market trading following the announcement of its regulatory strategy after the FDA's Not Substantially Equivalent decision on its Electrocardiogram Synthesis Software [1][2] Company Developments - Heartbeam is exploring multiple regulatory options, including an appeal process or a 510(k) resubmission to demonstrate that its device is equivalent to legally marketed products [1] Market Movements - Other notable pre-market stock movements include: - SMX PLC surged 73.1% to $30.12 after a previous jump of 194% [6] - Zenta Group Co Ltd gained 26.7% to $3.18 [6] - Waton Financial Ltd rose 21.1% to $3.74 [6] - Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc increased by 9.7% to $7.36 after announcing a $50 million private placement [6] - Conversely, several companies experienced declines, such as: - FBS Global Ltd fell 24.3% to $0.51 [6] - Tilray Brands Inc declined 15% to $0.88 following a reverse stock split announcement [6] - Solo Brands Inc dipped 14.4% to $7.19 after reporting disappointing third-quarter results [6]

Core Insights - Premarket trading is showing notable activity with significant price movements indicating potential trading opportunities before the market opens [1] Premarket Gainers - Mobile-Network Solutions (MNDR) is up 42% at $2.71 [3] - Antelope Enterprise Holdings Limited (AEHL) is up 17% at $3.77 [3] - Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN) is up 15% at $78.95 [3] - DDC Enterprise Limited (DDC) is up 15% at $3.46 [3] - Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. (WOOF) is up 14% at $3.40 [3] - Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) is up 11% at $5.70 [3] - Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) is up 7% at $317.85 [3] - Webull Corporation (BULL) is up 7% at $9.37 [3] - A Paradise Acquisition Corp. (APAD) is up 6% at $10.67 [3] - ENDRA Life Sciences Inc. (NDRA) is up 5% at $5.74 [3] Premarket Losers - Nutanix, Inc. (NTNX) is down 11% at $51.84 [4] - Deswell Industries, Inc. (DSWL) is down 11% at $3.28 [4] - Workday, Inc. (WDAY) is down 6% at $219.10 [4] - Ambarella, Inc. (AMBA) is down 6% at $84.99 [4] - TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. (TPVG) is down 6% at $5.96 [4] - Zscaler, Inc. (ZS) is down 5% at $273.50 [4] - Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc. (NEUP) is down 5% at $4.31 [4] - Senstar Technologies Corporation (SNT) is down 5% at $4.14 [4] - iOThree Limited (IOTR) is down 4% at $3.23 [4] - Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (CETY) is down 4% at $2.22 [4]

Core Viewpoint - Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating potential breaches of fiduciary duties by certain officers and directors of Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM), urging shareholders to contact the firm to discuss their rights [1][2]. Group 1: Shareholder Rights and Legal Options - Long-term shareholders of Axsome may seek corporate governance reforms, return of funds, court-approved financial incentives, or other benefits [2][3]. - Shareholder involvement is emphasized as a means to improve company policies and enhance shareholder value through better management and accountability [3]. Group 2: Firm's Background and Services - Halper Sadeh LLC represents global investors affected by securities fraud and corporate misconduct, having successfully implemented corporate reforms and recovered millions for defrauded investors [4].

Core Viewpoint - Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating potential breaches of fiduciary duties by certain officers and directors of Luminar Technologies, Inc., urging shareholders to contact the firm to discuss their rights and possible legal actions [1][2]. Group 1: Shareholder Rights and Legal Options - Long-term shareholders of Luminar may seek corporate governance reforms, the return of funds to the company, court-approved financial incentive awards, or other relief and benefits [2][3]. - Shareholder involvement is emphasized as a means to improve company policies, practices, and oversight mechanisms, ultimately enhancing shareholder value [3]. Group 2: Firm's Background and Services - Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors globally who have experienced securities fraud and corporate misconduct, having successfully implemented corporate reforms and recovered millions for defrauded investors [4].

Core Insights - Premarket trading is showing notable activity with significant price movements indicating potential trading opportunities before the market opens [1] Premarket Gainers - AlphaVest Acquisition Corp (ATMV) is up 71% at $14.24 [3] - BranchOut Food Inc. (BOF) is up 44% at $3.04 [3] - rYojbaba Co., Ltd. (RYOJ) is up 35% at $5.14 [3] - GSI Technology, Inc. (GSIT) is up 25% at $16.24 [3] - Jowell Global Ltd. (JWEL) is up 18% at $2.02 [3] - General Motors Company (GM) is up 9% at $63.68 [3] - Crown Holdings, Inc. (CCK) is up 8% at $103.00 [3] - Spero Therapeutics, Inc. (SPRO) is up 8% at $2.49 [3] - Sunrun Inc. (RUN) is up 6% at $21.90 [3] - Foxx Development Holdings Inc. (FOXX) is up 5% at $4.50 [3] Premarket Losers - Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc. (NEUP) is down 66% at $5.19 [4] - New Era Energy & Digital, Inc. (NUAI) is down 9% at $5.09 [4] - Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (OMEX) is down 8% at $3.28 [4] - Carbon Revolution Public Limited Company (CREV) is down 7% at $4.86 [4] - Coeur Mining, Inc. (CDE) is down 7% at $20.38 [4] - Hecla Mining Company (HL) is down 6% at $13.50 [4] - Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) is down 6% at $4.12 [4] - Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc. (SNSE) is down 5% at $10.06 [4] - Whitehawk Therapeutics, Inc. (WHWK) is down 5% at $2.52 [4] - Greenidge Generation Holdings Inc. (GREE) is down 5% at $2.07 [4]

Financial Performance - Soleno Therapeutics reported a quarterly loss of $0.09 per share, significantly better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.53, and an improvement from a loss of $0.57 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +83.02% [1] - The company posted revenues of $32.66 million for the quarter ended June 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.58%, compared to zero revenues a year ago [2] Stock Performance - Soleno Therapeutics shares have increased approximately 81.6% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 7.1% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is -$0.49 on revenues of $24.62 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is -$2.13 on revenues of $122.75 million [7] Industry Outlook - The Medical - Drugs industry, to which Soleno Therapeutics belongs, is currently ranked in the top 34% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook [8] - Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, suggesting that the company's stock may continue to perform well based on these revisions [5][6]