SAN DIEGO, Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artiva Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARTV) (Artiva), a clinical-stage biotechnology company whose mission is to develop effective, safe and accessible cell therapies for patients with devastating autoimmune diseases and cancers, today announced the appointment of Elaine Sorg to its Board of Directors. Ms. Sorg brings more than 35 years of executive leadership and commercial experience in the biopharmaceutical industry to Artiva, including leading the commerciali ...

Core Viewpoint - Investors in the Medical - Biomedical and Genetics sector should consider CSL Limited Sponsored ADR (CSLLY) and Exact Sciences (EXAS) for potential value opportunities [1] Group 1: Zacks Rank and Valuation Metrics - CSL Limited Sponsored ADR has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a more favorable earnings estimate revision compared to Exact Sciences, which has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3] - Value investors focus on various valuation metrics to identify undervalued companies, including P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, and cash flow per share [4] Group 2: Valuation Comparisons - CSLLY has a forward P/E ratio of 15.23, significantly lower than EXAS's forward P/E of 73.88, suggesting CSLLY is more attractively priced [5] - The PEG ratio for CSLLY is 1.72, while EXAS has a PEG ratio of 2.44, indicating that CSLLY offers better value relative to its expected earnings growth [5] - CSLLY's P/B ratio is 2.4, compared to EXAS's P/B of 7.81, further supporting the notion that CSLLY is the superior value option [6]

Market Overview - The Australian Sharemarket saw a significant rally, with the S&P/ASX 200 closing at 9,014.80, up 147.40 points or 1.66%, marking a new 50-day high and the strongest close since late October 2025 [1][8] - The index has gained 0.97% over the last five days and is currently 1.10% off its 52-week high [2] Top Performers - AUSSIE BROADBAND LIMITED and AGL ENERGY LIMITED were the top performers, rising 14.79% and 11.75%, respectively [2][8] - Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) rose 6.8% after reporting record first-half cash earnings, contributing to a 3.8% increase in heavyweight financials [3][8] Notable Stock Movements - Evolution Mining Limited (EVN) gained $1.300 to close at $16.280, an increase of 8.678% [6] - James Hardie Industries plc (JHX) advanced from $3.630 to $36.870, up 10.920% [8] - Domino's Pizza Enterprises shares rose 2.9% following the appointment of former McDonald's executive Andrew Gregory as CEO [9] Decliners - CSL Limited experienced the steepest decline, falling from $20.200 to $163.440, a drop of 11.000% [6][8] - Biotech major CSL slumped 18.2% to an eight-year low due to CEO Paul McKenzie's departure and a significant drop in half-year profit, impacting healthcare stocks which fell as much as 6.2% [8][9] - ResMed Inc. (RMD) slipped $1.760 to $36.790, down 4.566% [6]

Core Viewpoint - CSL Limited experienced a significant drop in share price, falling over 12% due to weaker half-year earnings and a sudden CEO exit, marking a shift in investor sentiment towards the company [1][5]. Financial Performance - CSL reported total revenue of US$8.3 billion for the half, a 4% decline in constant currency terms [2]. - Underlying NPATA was US$1.9 billion, reflecting a 7% decrease compared to the prior period [2]. - Reported net profit (NPAT) plummeted 81% to US$401 million, impacted by one-off restructuring costs and asset impairments totaling approximately US$1.1 billion [2]. Dividends and Cash Flow - The interim dividend remained unchanged at US$1.30 per share [3]. - Cash flow from operations increased by 3% to US$1.3 billion [3]. - Management expanded the share buyback program from US$500 million to US$750 million [3]. Business Challenges - The earnings results were negatively affected by government policy changes, restructuring costs, and impairments, particularly related to CSL Vifor and Seqirus [4]. - While some business segments are stabilizing, core areas continue to face pressure, indicating a deeper reset rather than a simple cyclical slowdown [4]. Market Reaction - The sharp market reaction was driven not only by the 7% profit decline but also by the unexpected leadership change and falling revenue, which led investors to reassess growth expectations for CSL [5]. - The market is seeking clearer evidence of operational momentum and improved margins, as well as leadership stability following recent turbulence [9]. Long-term Outlook - Despite current challenges, CSL remains a global biotechnology leader with strong intellectual property and a robust plasma infrastructure, suggesting that long-term demand drivers are still intact [7].

Core Viewpoint - The ASX health care sector faced significant challenges in 2025, with CSL Limited and Pro Medicus Limited experiencing substantial declines, leading to a 24% drop in the ASX health care index over the past year. This situation reflects a reset in valuation and investor expectations rather than a fundamental collapse in the companies' operations [2]. Group 1: CSL Limited - CSL's shares have decreased by over one-third in 2025 due to a downgrade in financial projections, a paused spin-off, and lower influenza vaccination rates in a volatile US market [3]. - Despite the downturn, CSL remains a global leader in plasma therapies and vaccines, with a strong portfolio and a robust R&D pipeline. The core business fundamentals are intact, but investor expectations have been reassessed, creating a potentially improved risk-reward scenario [3][12]. - The company is expected to benefit from a cost savings program, and investors are advised to monitor gross margin stabilization before making further commitments [3]. Group 2: Pro Medicus Limited - Pro Medicus has seen a sell-off not due to business failures but because its share price had surged excessively, trading at over 300 times forward earnings [8]. - The company boasts exceptional operating earnings margins exceeding 70% and is recognized for its critical enterprise imaging software used in leading hospitals, indicating strong economic fundamentals [8]. - With ongoing growth in US hospitals and advanced technology, Pro Medicus presents a potential opportunity for investors to dollar cost average into a high-quality company [9]. Group 3: Market Sentiment and Future Outlook - The market has not abandoned CSL and Pro Medicus; rather, it has recalibrated the price investors are willing to pay for their earnings, reflecting a reassessment of their valuations [12]. - Both companies maintain world-class intellectual property, high returns on capital, and strong customer relationships, suggesting that the risk-reward profile may have improved following the sell-off [12]. - These companies are recommended for consideration on watchlists for investors looking to gain exposure to the global health care sector's tailwinds [13].

CSL Seqirus Overview - CSL Seqirus holds a 60% global revenue value share among the top 3 players in the influenza market[12] - CSL Seqirus projects revenue to reach $2 billion in FY25, a significant increase from $751 million in FY16[12] - CSL Seqirus leverages unique and specialized go-to-market strategies, including just-in-time supply chains and mass immunization campaigns[12] Influenza Disease Burden and Immunization - The annual US disease burden from influenza results in $112 billion in health economic burden[17] - The annual global disease burden from influenza can result in up to 650000 deaths[17] - Reduced US immunization rates correlate with a higher disease burden[21] Strategic Differentiation and Growth Opportunities - CSL Seqirus aims for approximately $500 million in growth through US customer segments and about $300 million through geographic expansion into Germany and Nordics[42] - CSL Seqirus anticipates over $35 billion in revenue during the first wave of an influenza pandemic[38] - CSL Seqirus has a pandemic dose capacity of half a billion doses in the first wave of 16 weeks[40]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the top trending stocks on the ASX, focusing on companies that have gained attention from HotCopper users due to recent developments and market movements [2][3]. Group 1: Trending Companies - **Resolution Minerals (ASX:RML)**: This company has seen a significant increase in interest, with several hundred users adding it to their watchlists after reporting "exceptional" gold values at its Golden Gate prospect, including 1.30g/t gold over a downhole interval of 189.2 metres [3][4]. The stock has risen by 24% recently [4]. - **Arafura Rare Earths (ASX:ARU)**: Following a notable spike in Week 43, Arafura has faced a decline of 37.5% in recent days, despite a slight recovery of 2.7% today, bringing the stock price to 28.8 cents per share [5][6]. The interest in rare earths has been fueled by recent geopolitical developments [5]. - **Pivotal Metals (ASX:PVT)**: Pivotal has attracted attention after securing $5.4 million for drilling at Belleterre, with plans to accelerate operations in December [7]. The current share price is 2.6 cents per share [7]. Group 2: Additional Trending Stocks - The remaining companies in the top ten trending stocks include CSL Limited, Lodestar Minerals, WiseTech Global, Klevo Rewards, Stakk Ltd, Mount Ridley Mines, and Northern Minerals [7].

Core Insights - Arafura Rare Earths (ASX:ARU) has become the most-discussed stock on HotCopper forums due to a trading halt likely related to a capital raise [2][3] - Resolution Minerals (ASX:RML) has made headlines with a significant gold discovery at the Horse Heaven project, although its shares have decreased by 12.5% to 7 cents [3] - CSL Limited (ASX:CSL) experienced a significant drop of 14.9% following disappointing quarterly results and an AGM, attracting over 24,000 views on its reporting thread [4] Company Summaries - **Arafura Rare Earths (ASX:ARU)**: The company is currently in the spotlight after announcing a trading halt, which is anticipated to be for a capital raise. The stock price is noted at 37.5 cents per share [2][3] - **Resolution Minerals (ASX:RML)**: The company has reported a significant gold discovery at its Horse Heaven project, but its stock has seen a decline of 12.5%, trading at 7 cents [3] - **CSL Limited (ASX:CSL)**: Following its quarterly reporting and AGM, CSL's shares fell by 14.9%, indicating market disappointment. The broader market also shifted down by 0.4% [4]

Core Viewpoint - CSL Limited has experienced a significant decline in share price, dropping nearly 15% following its latest AGM, primarily due to a forecasted decline in U.S. influenza vaccination rates by 12% [1][2] Financial Performance - The company anticipates a revenue decline in the influenza segment by a number in the mid-teens, which is worse than the previously expected high single-digit growth [2] - Overall revenue growth is now projected at 2-3% year-over-year, down from an earlier estimate of 4-5% [2] - Profit after tax growth is also revised down to 4-7%, reduced from 7-10% [2] Market Challenges - Reduced demand for albumin in China is impacting the company's financials, with CSL aiming to limit the effects to the first half of FY26 [2] - Policy changes in China have made domestic albumin cheaper, affecting CSL's export strategy [2] Management Insights - CSL's Chair, Brian McNamee, acknowledged the frustrations of shareholders regarding the company's performance and the need for change [3] - CEO Dr. Paul McKenzie reaffirmed confidence in the core business and mentioned ongoing efforts to streamline operations for growth [4] Workforce and Cost Management - The company employs over 29,000 staff globally, which may be impacted by a cost-cutting program hinted at during the AGM [4]

Group 1 - The article promotes iREIT on Alpha, highlighting its comprehensive research offerings that include various investment vehicles such as REITs, mREITs, Preferreds, BDCs, MLPs, and ETFs [1] - It mentions the positive feedback from users, with 438 testimonials, most of which are rated 5 stars, indicating high satisfaction with the service [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific financial data or performance metrics related to any companies or industries [2][3]