FTSE 100 Index soared to a record high thanks to these stocks - Invezz# FTSE 100 Index soared to a record high thanks to these stocks[Indices]Author[Crispus Nyaga]Feb 23, 2026, 09:22 AM- Other top gainers were companies like BAE Systems, Glencore, and Weir Group.- Beazley and Schroders are the top gainers in the index.- The FTSE 100 Index continued soaring this year.The FTSE 100 Index soared to a record high last week, continuing a strong bull run that started in April when it bottomed at £4,890. It soared ...

Nextech3D.ai’s Eventdex to power AI matchmaking at business event Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock Nextech3D.AI (CSE:NTAR, OTCQX:NEXCF, FRA:1SS) announced that its Eventdex platform has been selected to provide AI-based matchmaking services for the 2026 Connecticut Business Matchmaker, a small-business procurement and networking event hosted in partnership with the US Small Business Administration (SBA). The event is scheduled to take place on March 5, 2026, at the Connecticut Convention C ...

BAE Systems rolls out world-leading CV90 combat vehicle to the Slovak Armed Forces [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationÖRNSKÖLDSVIK, Sweden, Feb. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The CV9035 MkIV for the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic has been unveiled during a ceremonial rollout at BAE Systems Hägglunds in Sweden.Swedish Minister of Defence Pål Jonson welcomed esteemed guest Slovak Minister of Defence, Robert Kaliák, and high ranking Armed Forces officials to the momentous event.Continue ReadingThe CV9035 ...

Airbus capable of developing a fighter alone, CEO says amid FCAS row | ReutersSkip to main content[Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv]Item 1 of 2 Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, poses during the Adopt AI International Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, November 26, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor/File Photo[1/2]Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, poses during the Adopt AI International Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, November 26, 2025 ...

Group 1: Stock Market Performance - Technology and energy stocks were the main drivers of the US stock market's rise on Wednesday, with the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks all closing higher, led by Amazon and Nvidia, which both saw intraday gains of nearly 3% [1] - Nvidia's stock price benefited from a new agreement with Meta to deploy millions of Nvidia chips over the coming years [1] - Amazon's stock was supported by a 65% increase in holdings from Bill Ackman's Pershing Square, despite a 77% cut in holdings by Berkshire Hathaway [1] - Major US stock indices showed gains, with the S&P 500 up 0.56% to 6881.31 points, the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.26% to 49662.66 points, and the Nasdaq up 0.78% to 22753.635 points [10] Group 2: Economic Data and Federal Reserve - Strong economic data, including December new housing starts and core capital goods orders, exceeded expectations, temporarily overshadowing AI-related concerns and supporting gains in major US stock indices [2] - The Federal Reserve's meeting minutes revealed internal divisions regarding interest rate decisions, with some officials advocating for the inclusion of potential rate hikes in guidance, which led to a reduction in stock gains [3] Group 3: Energy Sector - Energy stocks were boosted by a rebound in oil prices, with US oil prices rising over 5% at one point, marking the largest increase in nearly four months [33] - The potential for military action against Iran by the US has increased, contributing to the rise in oil prices, with WTI crude oil closing at $65.19 per barrel, up 4.59% [34] Group 4: Precious Metals - Gold prices initially rose above $5000 but fell back below this level after the Federal Reserve's meeting minutes were released, with spot gold closing at $4985.45, up 2.2% for the day [35][37] - Silver prices also saw significant gains, with COMEX silver futures rising 5.5% to $77.598 per ounce [38]

Core Viewpoint - BAE Systems has demonstrated robust financial performance in 2025, driven by strong demand for military equipment amid heightened geopolitical tensions and increased defense budgets globally [2][3][9] Financial Performance - Underlying sales increased by 10% to £30,662 million (approximately $41.6 billion), marking a record high supported by strong performances across all sectors [3] - Statutory revenue under IFRS rose 8% to £28.3 billion from £26.3 billion the previous year, reflecting a broader operational scale due to joint ventures [4] - Underlying EBIT grew 12% to £3,322 million, achieving a return on sales of 10.8%, while statutory EBIT was £2,934 million, up from £2,684 million [5] - Underlying EPS increased by 12% to 75.2 pence, with statutory EPS at 68.0 pence compared to 64.1 pence previously [6] Order Activity - Order intake reached £36.8 billion, contributing to a record order backlog of £83.6 billion, an increase of £5.8 billion from the previous year [7] Cash Flow - Free cash flow was £2,158 million, down from £2,505 million but still strong amid high capital expenditures nearing £1 billion and increased R&D spending [8] - Cumulative free cash flow for 2023-2025 exceeded £7 billion, surpassing guidance [8] Future Outlook - For 2026, underlying sales are projected to grow by 7-9%, with underlying EPS expected to increase by 9-11% [9] - Free cash flow is anticipated to exceed £1.3 billion, with multi-year cumulative free cash flow projections upgraded to over £6 billion for 2024-2026 [9] Market Response - Stock market response was favorable, with BAESY shares opening at $113.82 and reaching highs of $115.82, representing an intraday gain of about 4% [10] - Year-to-date, BAESY has returned over 23%, outperforming benchmarks like the FTSE 100 [10] Valuation Metrics - The trailing P/E ratio is approximately 32.35, indicating a premium for growth prospects, while the P/S ratio is about 2.20 [11] - Enterprise value to operating cash flow is around 27, suggesting a balanced view of cash efficiency relative to debt and market cap [11]

Core Viewpoint - BAE Systems, a significant player in the defense industry, reported earnings that were slightly below estimates, yet the company's shares rose due to investor confidence in its long-term growth prospects [2][6]. Financial Performance - The company reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.52, which was below the estimated EPS of $0.54 [2][6]. - Actual revenue was approximately $21.64 billion, falling short of the estimated $21.77 billion, but showed a year-on-year sales increase of 10%, reaching a record £30.7 billion ($41.7 billion) [3][6]. Growth Drivers - The growth in sales was driven by significant defense contracts with countries such as Norway, the U.S., and Turkey, as noted by CEO Charles Woodburn [3]. Financial Metrics - BAE Systems has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 31.54, indicating the price investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings [4][6]. - The price-to-sales ratio stands at about 2.19, and the enterprise value to sales ratio is around 2.46, reflecting the company's total value compared to its sales [4]. Order Backlog and Future Outlook - The company's order backlog has reached £83.6 billion, marking a £5.8 billion increase from 2024 [5]. - BAE Systems anticipates sales growth of 7% to 9% in 2026, with projected cumulative free cash flow exceeding £6 billion between 2026 and 2028 [5]. - The debt-to-equity ratio is approximately 0.87, suggesting a balanced approach to financing its growth and operations [5][6].

Market Performance - European stocks closed positively, with the pan-European Stoxx 600 up by 1.19%, the UK's FTSE 100 climbing 1.23%, Germany's DAX gaining 1.12%, and France's CAC 40 ending 0.81% higher [1][3]. - Defense stocks rose due to an agreement between India and France to strengthen defense and aerospace ties [2]. - Mining and banking sectors also saw significant gains, with notable performances from companies like Antofagasta, which soared nearly 11% [4]. Company Updates - BAE Systems reported a better-than-expected 12% rise in full-year operating profit, leading to a 4% increase in its shares [4]. - In Germany, Rheinmetall climbed more than 5%, and Heidelberg Materials gained about 4.3% [5]. - Bayer's shares fell over 7% due to a proposed $10.5 billion settlement related to litigation over its Roundup weedkiller [6]. Sector Performance - In the UK market, mining companies such as Fresnillo, Anglo American Plc, and Glencore gained between 4.25% and 4.8% [4]. - In France, companies like Thales, ArcelorMittal, and STMicroelectronics saw gains of 2%-5% [7]. - Notable declines were observed in food retailer Carrefour, which slid more than 5% after reporting a decline in operating profit [8]. Economic Indicators - France's inflation eased to the lowest in five years, with the consumer price index rising only 0.3% year-on-year in January [9]. - The EU harmonized inflation softened to 0.4% from 0.7% in December, marking the weakest rate since December 2020 [10]. - In the UK, the consumer price index posted an annual increase of 3% in January, the lowest since March 2025 [12].

Meanwhile, U.S. rate futures have priced in a 92.1% probability of no rate change and a 7.9% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut at the next FOMC meeting in March.Fed Governor Michael Barr said on Tuesday that interest rates should remain unchanged until officials see clearer evidence that inflation is moving toward the central bank’s 2% target. “I would like to see evidence that goods price inflation is sustainably retreating before considering reducing the policy rate further, provided labor market condit ...

BAE Systems attracted record orders in 2025, and now the UK defense staple is setting its sights on years of growth amid a global ramp-up in spending.Its shares rose 3.6% on Wednesday after its full-year earnings report showed sales soared 10% last year to reach a record £30.7 billion ($41.7 billion).That helped push operating profits to £2.93 billion, a 9% year-on-year increase, as revenues grew 8% to £28.3 billion.The FTSE 100-listed company, which manufactures a range of aircraft, weapons, munitions and ...