SAN DIEGO, Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) (the “Company”) today released its monthly activity report for January 2026. Total advisory and brokerage assets at the end of January were $2.41 trillion, an increase of $38.0 billion, or 1.6%, compared to the end of December 2025. Advisory assets as a percentage of total assets increased to 59.1%, up from 54.8% a year ago. Total organic net new assets for January were $4.2 billion, translating to a 2.1% annualized gro ...

Core Insights - LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA) has formed a strategic partnership with Simplicity Group to enhance its insurance platform and support for financial advisors, effective May 1, 2026 [1][9] Partnership Details - Simplicity will act as LPLA's preferred Brokerage General Agency (BGA), providing a wide range of insurance products, advanced technology, and dedicated client service support to advisors [2] - LPLA will transition its internal insurance unit, LPL Insurance Associates, to Simplicity to create a more unified experience for advisors and clients [2] Advisor Benefits - Advisors using Simplicity's platform will gain access to specialized wholesale assistance, point-of-sale support, integrated insurance solutions, and advanced planning expertise for high-net-worth individuals [3] Strategic Goals - The partnership aims to provide advisors with advanced technology and support, enabling them to build deeper client relationships and address a broader range of financial needs, which is expected to drive revenue growth and asset retention [5] Market Position - LPLA has a network of over 32,000 advisors and nearly $2.4 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets, which will significantly enhance Simplicity's distribution capabilities and competitive position in the insurance advisory market [6] Ongoing Expansion Efforts - LPLA is actively expanding its wealth management platform through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, including the acquisition of Commonwealth Financial and The Investment Center in 2025, and Crown Capital Securities and Atria Wealth Solutions in 2024 [7][8]

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LPL Financial LLC announced today that financial advisor Tom Madigan, CEPA®, has joined LPL Financial’s broker-dealer, Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and custodial platforms, aligned with Thimble Island Private Wealth, an existing firm supported by LPL Strategic Wealth (SW). He reported serving approximately $300 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement assets* and joins LPL from UBS. Based outside New Haven, Conn. in Branford, the Thimble Island team i ...

Core Insights - LPL Financial LLC has welcomed Jason Mochi from Shoreline Private Wealth Management, which manages approximately $275 million in advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets, transitioning from Morgan Stanley [1][2]. Company Overview - LPL Financial Holdings Inc. is one of the fastest-growing wealth management firms in the U.S., supporting over 32,000 financial advisors and approximately 1,200 financial institutions, with around $2.4 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets for about 8 million Americans [6]. Client Focus and Service Model - Shoreline Private Wealth Management emphasizes a personalized, family-focused service model, prioritizing long-term relationships and comprehensive planning over transactional interactions [3][4]. - Jason Mochi's approach to wealth management is characterized by listening, disciplined strategy, and independent judgment, aligning with clients' long-term goals [2][4]. Strategic Partnership - The decision to partner with LPL was driven by its scale, platform strength, and support for a high-touch, client-first service model, allowing Shoreline to deliver customized advice without compromise [3][4]. - LPL's commitment to providing innovative technology and comprehensive business solutions aligns with Shoreline's focus on independence and personalization in client service [4].

Core Insights - LPL Financial (LPLA) is the leading independent broker-dealer in the United States, serving approximately 32,200 financial advisors and managing around $2.4 trillion in assets under custody [1] Company Overview - The core value proposition of LPL Financial is to provide a comprehensive suite of solutions across the front, middle, and back office [1]

Core Insights - Generative AI is viewed as a transformative technology by Amazon's CEO Andy Jassy, indicating its potential to reinvent customer experiences across the company [1] - Elon Musk predicts that humanoid robots could create a market worth $250 trillion by 2040, representing a significant shift in the global economy driven by AI innovation [2][3] - Major firms like PwC and McKinsey acknowledge the multi-trillion-dollar potential of AI, suggesting a broad consensus on its economic impact [3] Company and Industry Analysis - A breakthrough in AI technology is redefining work, learning, and creativity, leading to increased interest from hedge funds and top investors [4] - There is speculation about an under-owned company that may play a crucial role in the AI revolution, with its technology posing a threat to competitors [4][6] - Prominent figures in technology and investment, including Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, recognize AI as a significant technological advancement with the potential for substantial social benefits [8] Market Dynamics - The AI ecosystem is expected to reshape how businesses, governments, and consumers operate, indicating a broad and deep impact across various sectors [2] - The investment landscape is becoming increasingly competitive, with major players like Oracle investing heavily in AI technologies [8]

Market Overview - Wall Street is experiencing significant disruption concerns due to AI, leading to a sell-off in various sectors, particularly software companies, which has resulted in sharp losses in U.S. stocks this week [1][2]. Software Sector - The S&P 500 Software & Services index has lost approximately $2 trillion in value since its peak in October, with half of this loss occurring in the past two weeks due to fears that AI could disrupt traditional subscription and enterprise tools [2]. - Notable declines in the Nasdaq 100 include Atlassian down 47%, Intuit down 40%, and Workday down 33% [4]. - The U.S. software sector is facing its worst drawdown in over three years, impacting alternative asset managers with exposure to software-related loans, with firms like Ares, Blackstone, and KKR seeing declines between 13% and 24% this year [5]. Financial Brokerage, Data Analytics & Legal Services - The financial industry, especially brokerages and data analytics firms, has been negatively affected after Altruist introduced AI-enabled tax planning features, raising fears about the viability of their business models [6]. - Shares of brokers such as LPL Financial and Charles Schwab fell over 7%, while S&P Global's shares dropped more than 25% in February, marking its worst month since 2009 [7]. Real Estate Services - Commercial real estate and investment managers have suffered as investors shift away from high-fee, labor-intensive business models perceived as vulnerable to AI disruption, with CBRE Group and Jones Lang LaSalle each dropping about 12% [8]. Insurance Sector - Insurance stocks have experienced a significant decline, with the S&P 500 insurance index falling 3.9% on a single day, its largest drop since mid-October, following the release of an AI-powered comparison tool by Insurify [10]. - Shares of Willis Towers Watson have decreased by 15% this week, while Aon and Arthur J. Gallagher fell by 9% and 15%, respectively [11]. Trucking & Logistics - The trucking and logistics sector saw unexpected declines, with stocks like Landstar System and C.H. Robinson dropping sharply after Algorhythm Holdings reported a significant increase in freight volumes without a corresponding rise in operational headcount [13].

Core Viewpoint - The artificial intelligence (AI) landscape is becoming increasingly volatile, shifting from a broad market uplift to specific stock declines, particularly affecting technology and related sectors [1][2]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Enthusiasm for AI has driven a bull market in the U.S., particularly benefiting technology companies and those involved in data center infrastructure [2]. - Concerns regarding AI's disruptive potential are causing investors to reassess valuations in various industries, including software and wealth management [3]. - Major companies like Amazon and Microsoft are facing pressure on their share prices due to scrutiny over their significant AI capital expenditures [4]. Group 2: Stock Performance - The S&P 500 software and services index has seen a decline of 15% since the end of January 2026, influenced by AI-related news [4]. - Shares of U.S. brokerages and insurance companies have dropped significantly, with firms like LPL Financial and Charles Schwab each falling by at least 7% following the introduction of AI features by competitors [5]. - Microsoft shares are down 16% and Amazon over 11% this year, reflecting concerns about their high capital spending on AI [7]. Group 3: Investment Opportunities - Some investors view the current market as a buying opportunity, with the forward price-to-earnings ratio for the software and services index falling to 22.7 times, the lowest in nearly three years [9]. - JPMorgan equity strategists recommend increasing exposure to higher-quality, "AI-resilient" software companies, suggesting a potential rebound in the market [9]. - Economic "moats" are highlighted as a means for investors to identify strong companies amidst the volatility, as indiscriminate selling creates investable opportunities [9]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The S&P 500 is projected to see earnings rise over 14% in 2026, with expectations of further interest rate easing by the Federal Reserve [11]. - However, AI-driven volatility is complicating stock selection, with S&P 500 constituents that are down averaging a 10.6% decline, compared to a 5.9% decline for the same period last year [12].

Core Insights - LPL Financial LLC has welcomed financial advisors Curt Pederson and Britt Saylor from Sound Wealth, who manage approximately $420 million in advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets [1][2] Group 1: Company Overview - LPL Financial Holdings Inc. is one of the fastest-growing wealth management firms in the U.S., supporting over 32,000 financial advisors and approximately 1,200 financial institutions [6] - The firm services and custodies around $2.4 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets for approximately 8 million Americans [6] - LPL offers a variety of advisor affiliation models, investment solutions, fintech tools, and practice management services, allowing advisors to choose the business model and technology resources they need [6] Group 2: Advisor Background - Pederson and Saylor have a combined experience of 40 years and are based in Seattle and Phoenix [2] - The team specializes in serving high-net-worth individuals, families, and multigenerational households with complex financial planning needs, including inheritance planning and advanced executive compensation planning [2] Group 3: Reasons for Transition - Sound Wealth chose LPL for its support of a highly customized service model, open architecture, and commitment to innovation, including advancements in AI and expanded investment solutions [3][4] - The advisors were impressed by LPL's leadership in technology and the flexibility to tailor strategies uniquely for each client [4]

Company Overview - Vertex Inc. (NASDAQ:VERX) is a provider of tax compliance software solutions for enterprises and mid-market companies, established in 1978 and located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania [4]. Recent Developments - Piper Sandler downgraded Vertex's rating from Overweight to Neutral on February 3, cutting the target price by 37.5% to $20 from $32 due to concerns about seat compression related to artificial intelligence [1]. - The stock price of Vertex fell by 20.3% to $14.78 from $18.55 following the news, before slightly rebounding to $15.73 [3]. Market Context - The release of AI-related plugins by Anthropic on January 30 led to a significant market reaction, erasing $285 billion in market capitalization for software, financial services, and asset management stocks [3]. - Despite the downgrade and sell-off, analysts maintain a positive outlook on Vertex, with a median target price of $25.50, indicating a potential upside of 62.11% [3].