Experienced AI and enterprise IT operations leader joins Company to accelerate scalable growth, strengthen security architecture, and advance next-generation cyber software innovation Scottsdale, Ariz., Feb. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CISO Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: CISO) (“CISO Global” or the “Company”), a provider of AI-powered cybersecurity software and compliance services, today announced the appointment of Dhaval Damania as Executive Vice President of Cybersecurity & IT. This appointment reinforces its co ...

Mostly a narrative that we can see out there is a weaker dollar right across the board and with some of the Asian currencies performing strongly, but not just those over here, but also European currencies too. Secondary. We've got futures lower again for US stocks today, and I think that that gives you that sort of impression that all of this is creating just a real sense of uncertainty at the moment.What is Trump going to do exactly. He's changing his mind every 5 minutes. That's not very good for long ter ...

Core Insights - Walmart's recent earnings call revealed a candid acknowledgment of the impact of automation on workforce reduction, despite previous claims of creating new roles through automation [1][2] Group 1: Automation and Labor - Walmart's CFO, John Rainey, stated that approximately 60% of Walmart U.S. stores receive freight from automated distribution centers, and about 50% of eCommerce fulfillment center volume is automated, enhancing shipping and inventory management [3] - The company emphasized that automation improves labor productivity and inventory visibility, allowing stores to function as digital fulfillment nodes for faster inventory movement [4] - Rainey highlighted that reducing labor costs is a primary goal, as inventory and labor represent the largest expenses for the company [5] Group 2: Workforce Strategy - Doug McMillon, Walmart's former CEO, noted that AI will significantly impact all jobs, but reassured that the company is not aiming to reduce its workforce [6] - Walmart plans to maintain its global headcount of 2.1 million workers for the next three years while anticipating revenue growth driven by increased AI technology adoption [7]

Core Viewpoint - ON Semiconductor is positioned as an attractive investment due to recovering end markets, strong valuation, and growth in AI data center sales [1] Group 1: Company Performance - ON Semiconductor's shares have increased by 53% since being highlighted for 2026 and 31% year-to-date, indicating strong market interest [1] - The company has passed an inflection point, with sequential growth in automotive and industrial sales over the last two quarters, and industrial revenue returning to year-over-year growth [4][7] - Management's guidance for Q1 2026 projects revenue between $1.435 billion and $1.535 billion, marking the first expected year-over-year growth since the downturn began over three years ago [5] Group 2: Product Focus and Market Position - The company specializes in power and sensing chips, focusing on silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) chips, where it holds a leadership position [2] - SiC chips are ideal for electric vehicles, renewable energy, EV chargers, and industrial motors, while GaN chips are suited for AI data centers, EVs, and aerospace applications [2] Group 3: Financial Metrics and Valuation - In 2025, ON Semiconductor generated $1.4 billion in free cash flow, approximately 4.9% of its current market cap, with projections indicating at least 25% of revenue will convert to free cash flow in 2026 [8] - The stock trades at a forward price-to-free cash flow multiple of 18.1, considered low for a growth stock, indicating potential for further appreciation [8] - The company has initiated a three-year $6 billion share-repurchase program, enhancing shareholder value [8] Group 4: Market Opportunities and Risks - The company faces risks related to its exposure to Chinese EVs but has growth opportunities in AI data centers, which contributed $250 million to its $6 billion revenue in 2025 [9] - There are signs of improvement in the industrial sector and stabilization in EV spending, supporting the company's growth outlook [9]

The U.S. stock market experienced a day of significant volatility and divergent performance on Friday, February 20, 2026. Investors navigated a complex landscape defined by a landmark Supreme Court ruling on trade policy, a disappointing reading on economic growth, and mounting geopolitical tensions. While technology and growth-oriented sectors found a second wind, the broader market remained tethered by concerns over a cooling economy and sticky inflation.Market Index Performance RecapAs of the closing bel ...

Analysts remained bullish, highlighting Walmart’s expanding ecosystem, AI investments and higher-margin alternative businesses as key long-term growth drivers.Earnings SnapshotThe company reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share of 74 cents, beating the Street view of 73 cents.Sales of $190.70 billion rose 5.6% year over year (up 4.9% in constant currency), topping the analyst consensus estimate of $190.43 billion.Here are the key analyst insights:Telsey Advisory Group analyst Joseph Feldman reit ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue increased 11% to a record $286 million in Q4 2025, driven by acquisitions and aftermarket parts business [7][13] - Adjusted EPS decreased to $9.26 in 2025 from $10.28 in 2024, reflecting ongoing economic challenges [8][17] - Operating cash flow reached $61 million in Q4 2025, contributing to a record free cash flow of $154 million for the year, up 15% [7][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Flow control segment revenue increased 5% to $100 million in Q4 2025, with aftermarket parts making up 73% of total revenue [9] - Industrial processing segment revenue rose 16% to $118 million, with aftermarket parts revenue growing 31% [10] - Material handling segment revenue increased 11% to $69 million, driven by strong growth in capital revenue [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Bookings increased 12% year-over-year, indicating solid demand across all operating segments [7] - The backlog at the end of Q4 2025 was $288 million, with 60% attributed to capital and 40% to parts [50] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage ongoing modernization efforts in recycling, waste management, and data center construction to drive growth [12] - Focus on improving productivity and efficiency rather than adding new capacity, as customers adapt to economic conditions [44] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while capital project activity remained soft in 2025, there is optimism for increased demand in 2026 as customers begin to invest again [12][28] - The company is cautious in its 2026 guidance due to uncertainties in capital orders but expects to raise guidance if significant orders are placed [66] Other Important Information - The company plans to adjust its EPS calculation to include recurring intangible amortization expense, which will provide a more consistent comparison of operating results [30][32] - Anticipated revenue guidance for 2026 is $1.16 billion to $1.185 billion, with adjusted EPS guidance of $10.40 to $10.75 [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Current assets and liabilities at year-end - Current assets are $542 million, and current liabilities are $228 million [36] Question: Demand for consumable products and capital projects outlook - Customers are running equipment harder, leading to increased demand for consumables, which may positively impact capital projects in 2026 [41] Question: Backlog figure and organic assumptions for 2026 guidance - Current backlog is $288 million, with organic growth modeled at less than 1%-3% [50][51] Question: Uniqueness of proposal timelines for capital orders - Proposals have been outstanding longer than usual due to economic uncertainty, but projects are still in the pipeline [60] Question: Competition in aftermarket services - Competition primarily revolves around pricing, with the company maintaining strong customer relationships to defend market share [80]

Cognex (NasdaqGS:CGNX) 2026 Conference February 19, 2026 08:50 AM ET Company ParticipantsDennis Fehr - SVP of Finance and CFOConference Call ParticipantsPiyush Avasthi - VP and Research AnalystNone - AnalystPiyush AvasthiPrivate chat with Cognex. I am Piyush Avasthi, analyst at Citi. With me today is Dennis Fehr, the CFO of Cognex. Welcome, Dennis.Dennis FehrThank you. Thank you for having me, and thanks, everyone, for your interest in Cognex.Piyush AvasthiHi, Dennis. Cognex is a strong player in machine vi ...

Core Insights - Honeywell's planned separation into three companies has transitioned from a hypothesis to an operational reality, allowing for better strategic clarity and portfolio adjustments [1] - The aerospace segment is experiencing strong bookings, but growth is limited by the company's delivery capacity, which is expected to increase by approximately 12% to 14% per quarter [2] - Long-cycle project demand is strong, particularly in LNG and aerospace, with Honeywell's LNG business booked until late 2027 and early 2028 [3] - Weaker demand persists in petrochemical catalysts due to excess industry capacity, while long-cycle process activities in LNG and refining are seeing increased orders [4] - Building Automation remains robust, with strong demand in North America, although conditions are weaker in Europe and China [5] - Honeywell's momentum from 2025 is continuing into early 2026, with first-quarter performance aligning with recent guidance [6] Business Strategy - Honeywell aims to operate as a pure-play automation company within six months, with a target of achieving a 40% services and software aftermarket mix [6] - The company is focusing on new product introductions as a core growth strategy, with varying adoption cycles across segments [7] - Inflation is a significant factor affecting pricing, with persistent cost pressures in the range of 3% to 3.5% [8] - Honeywell is adapting its pricing strategy to address inflation directly with customers and is emphasizing productivity to avoid relying solely on price increases [9] Technological Developments - Progress at Quantinuum is supported by recent technological advancements, with a hardware platform launched that delivers 48 logical qubits [10] - Honeywell's increased customer engagement in Quantinuum is building confidence in its potential to operate independently [11] - The company owns 52% of Quantinuum, and an eventual exit could eliminate approximately $250 million in annual investment [12] Market Trends - Honeywell's preference for bolt-on M&A and comfort with carve-outs reflects a significant shift in its portfolio, with 15% of revenue exited and 15% added [13] - Data center demand is closely linked to Building Automation, with customers seeking greater standardization and faster execution [13] - Key structural forces shaping the next five years include persistent inflation and a shift from rule-based automation to autonomy [13]

Group 1: Lean Manufacturing and AI Integration - BD, also known as Becton, Dickinson and Company, emphasizes the importance of lean manufacturing, with CEO Tom Polen advocating for its integration with AI to enhance operational efficiency [2][3] - Polen launched BD Excellence in 2024, scaling lean practices from 50 kaizen projects to 1,500 in the previous year, indicating a significant commitment to continuous improvement [2][3] - The company recently spun off its $10.4 billion bioscience and diagnostic solutions units to focus on its $11.5 billion medical technology business, showcasing a strategic shift towards core competencies [3] Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Trends - BD's stock has increased by 16% this year, contrasting with the S&P 500's decline, reflecting positive market sentiment despite challenges such as pricing pressure in China [3] - Figma reported a 40% year-over-year increase in quarterly revenue, demonstrating resilience in the software sector amid broader market challenges [5] - Job-hopping employees experienced a decrease in year-over-year pay growth from 6.6% to 6.4%, while those who remained in their positions saw a pay growth of 4.5%, indicating a narrowing gap in compensation trends [4]