An examination of the daily bar charts for gold (GCJ26) and silver (SIH26) futures shows that daily price volatility has declined from levels seen in late January and early February. In other words, the daily price bars are smaller than those seen in that earlier timeframe. However, make no mistake: The gold and silver markets are by no means calm. Just last week, silver futures had a $10 daily trading range and gold a $220 daily trading range. Last summer, those trading ranges were nearly unfathomable. ...

Shares of Flanigan's Enterprises, Inc. (BDL) have lost 0.9% since the company reported its earnings for the quarter ended Dec. 27, 2025. This compares with the S&P 500 Index’s 1.7% decline over the same time frame. Over the past month, the stock slipped 0.2%, while the broader index fell 1.9%.BDL’s Earnings SnapshotFor the 13 weeks ended Dec. 27, 2025, total revenues rose 5.1% year over year to $52.6 million from $49.9 million in the prior-year period. Net income attributable to Flanigan’s surged to $0.9 mi ...

Summary of Honeywell International Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Honeywell International (NasdaqGS: HON) - **Date**: February 18, 2026 - **Key Speakers**: Vimal Kapur (Chairman and CEO), Mike Stepniak (SVP and CFO) Key Industry Insights Building Automation and Industrial Automation - Strong performance in building automation and industrial automation, particularly in North America, but weaker demand in Europe and China [4][6] - Long cycle businesses, especially in LNG and refining, are experiencing growth, while short cycle catalyst demand in petrochemicals is flat due to excess capacity [6][8] - Orders for long cycle projects are increasing, with significant bookings extending into 2027 and early 2028 [15][19] Market Dynamics - The external market conditions remain stable year-over-year, with no significant changes anticipated [2] - The company is focusing on improving its capacity to meet growing demand, particularly in aerospace and LNG sectors [21] Financial Performance and Guidance - Honeywell expects to maintain a strong financial performance, with guidance for 2026 reflecting continued growth in key segments [8][32] - The company is targeting a pricing increase of 3%-4% for 2026, driven by inflation and new product introductions [63][66] - Free cash flow conversion is projected to be high, with expectations of reaching the high nineties percentage [231] Strategic Initiatives Separation and Focus - The separation of Honeywell into more focused entities is believed to enhance operational efficiency and strategic clarity [22][32] - The company is transitioning to a pure-play automation company, which is expected to yield better growth opportunities [32][80] New Product Introductions (NPI) - New product development is a key growth strategy across all segments, with a focus on building automation and industrial automation [36][46] - The company is investing in R&D and customer co-creation to enhance its product offerings [46] Quantum Computing and AI Integration - Honeywell's quantum computing business, Quantinuum, is gaining traction with significant advancements in hardware and customer interest [98][135] - The integration of AI with quantum computing is seen as a major opportunity for future growth [127][131] Challenges and Risks - The company faces challenges related to inflation, supply chain constraints, and geopolitical factors affecting global operations [233][234] - The demand for catalysts is not linear and can lead to lumpiness in revenue, particularly in the process technology segment [188][190] Conclusion - Honeywell is positioned for growth in 2026, with strong demand in key sectors and a focus on innovation and strategic separation. The company is actively managing challenges related to inflation and supply chain while leveraging new technologies like quantum computing and AI to enhance its offerings and market position.

Core Insights - The upcoming earnings releases from major Retail-Wholesale players are expected to shape near-term market sentiment, with modest growth anticipated in sales and earnings following the holiday shopping season [1] - The sector is projected to achieve fourth-quarter revenue growth of 6.7% year over year, while earnings are expected to rise by 3.5%, indicating a slowdown from previous growth rates [2] Group 1: Earnings Trends - Consumer spending trends significantly influenced retail performance during the holiday season, with December retail sales unchanged month over month, reflecting a slowdown from November's 0.6% gain [4] - Year-over-year retail sales increased by 2.4% in December and 3.3% in November, indicating some resilience despite the month-over-month stagnation [4] - The slowdown in consumer spending is attributed to moderating job growth, policy uncertainty, and elevated household cost pressures, leading consumers to prioritize essentials and seek discounts [5] Group 2: Margin Pressures - Inflation trends, although moderating, continue to impact consumer budgets and retailers' cost structures, exerting pressure on margins for those unable to pass on higher costs [6] - Retailers with strong pricing power and efficient supply-chain management are better positioned to protect profitability amid these challenges [6] Group 3: E-commerce and Inventory Management - E-commerce and omnichannel execution are critical differentiators, with retailers that integrate digital and physical channels effectively capturing demand during peak shopping periods [7] - Inventory discipline is vital for profitability, with retailers using advanced analytics to align stock levels with demand, thus avoiding excessive markdowns [8] Group 4: Company-Specific Insights - **Dollar General**: Positioned well with a Zacks Rank 2 and an Earnings ESP of +16.26%, supported by market share gains and strategic initiatives like "Project Elevate" [10][11] - **Walmart**: Holds a Zacks Rank 3 and an Earnings ESP of +1.31%, leveraging e-commerce momentum and a commitment to low prices, with a stable earnings estimate suggesting a 10.6% year-over-year increase [14][15] - **Home Depot**: Also a Zacks Rank 3 with an Earnings ESP of +5.61%, focusing on professional contractors and utilizing AI tools to enhance project planning [16][17] - **Dollar Tree**: With a Zacks Rank 3 and an Earnings ESP of +1.63%, the company is enhancing its value proposition and operational discipline following the decision to move forward without the Family Dollar brand [18][19][20]

This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Several Federal Reserve officials voiced concern that inflation persists above their 2% goal and cautioned that further monetary easing could signal a weaker commitment to reducing price pressures, according to minutes of their Jan. 27-28 meeting released Wednesday.  A “vast majority” of Fed officials noted at the meeting that the labor market showed signs of ...

Group 1: Market Overview - International stocks, particularly the MSCI All-Country World ex-USA Index, have shown their best return relative to the S&P 500 Index since at least 1995, indicating a significant shift in market dynamics [2] - Domestic "SMID" caps and defensive sectors like Consumer Staples and Real Estate are outperforming, while Energy and Materials are leading among the 11 S&P 500 sectors [3] Group 2: Economic Data and Earnings - A busy week of macroeconomic releases is expected, including Q4 GDP and PCE inflation data, which could reshape growth and inflation narratives [9][10] - The anticipated Q4 GDP growth rate is 3.0% quarter-on-quarter annualized, a deceleration from Q3's 4.4% [11] - The PCE update for October to December will provide a clearer view of inflation, with expectations of a warm year-end print [12] Group 3: Corporate Insights - Walmart's upcoming earnings report is anticipated to provide insights into consumer behavior and potential AI and cost-cutting strategies under new CEO John Furner [6][7] - The tech sector, particularly high-margin software companies, is facing valuation pressures, with many stocks trading at mid-teens P/E multiples [5] Group 4: Consumer and Business Sentiment - The S&P Global Flash PMIs will be released, which may reflect improved sentiment among business owners and corporate managers, potentially indicating a better labor market [14] - The University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers will provide a second update on consumer sentiment, with initial reports showing more optimism than expected [15]

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Core Insights - The final reading for the 2025 holiday shopping season indicated flat retail sales at $735.0 billion, missing the expected 0.5% increase, with a year-over-year growth of 2.4% against a 2.7% rise in the Consumer Price Index, suggesting weak real spending momentum [1][10] Retail Performance Analysis - Large U.S. retailers like Walmart, Costco, and Alibaba are under pressure due to disappointing year-end sales, impacting profit margins and earnings, which raises concerns for retail ETFs that include these companies [2] - The stagnation in December retail sales was attributed to several economic factors, including persistent inflation, economic uncertainty, early promotions that pulled sales forward, and a K-shaped consumer behavior where higher-income households remained stable while lower-income households reduced spending [4][5][6][7] Future Outlook - The retail sector's recovery depends on moderating inflation and a rebounding U.S. economy, with expectations for gradual improvement in real consumer spending if demand stabilizes and retailers manage costs effectively [8][9] - Analysts project U.S. retail sales to grow by 3.5% year-over-year in 2026, with inflation anticipated to remain between 2.6% and 3.0% [11] Retail ETFs Spotlight - **State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT)**: AUM of $681.4 million, exposure to 73 companies, gained 10.2% over the past year, charges 35 bps in fees [12][13] - **VanEck Retail ETF (RTH)**: AUM of $265.2 million, exposure to 26 companies, rallied 9.5% over the past year, charges 35 bps in fees [14] - **ProShares Online Retail ETF (ONLN)**: Net asset value of $52.84 million, exposure to 20 online retail stocks, gained 3% over the past year, charges 58 bps in fees [15] - **Amplify Online Retail ETF (IBUY)**: AUM of $124.5 million, exposure to 81 companies in online retail, charges 65 bps in fees [16]

Key TakeawaysUS Industrial Production grew by 0.7% in January, significantly outperforming the 0.4% estimate, driven by a 0.6% gain in manufacturing.Office CMBS delinquency rates spiked to an all-time high of 12.3%, a figure that now officially exceeds the peak distress levels seen during the 2008 Financial Crisis.Bank of America’s Bull & Bear Indicator hit 9.5, maintaining a contrarian "sell signal" for the eighth consecutive month as institutional cash levels hover near record lows at 3.4%.The Trump Admin ...

Economic Overview - Inflation pressures are easing, with the consumer price index (CPI) rising 2.4% year-over-year in January, down 0.3% from the previous month, marking the lowest level since May 2025 [4][11] - Core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose 2.5% year-over-year, matching expectations and the lowest since April 2021 [5] - The U.S. economy added 130,000 jobs in January, with the unemployment rate decreasing to 4.3% from 4.4% in December [6] Federal Reserve Insights - The Federal Reserve is optimistic about inflation slowing to 2.4% by the end of 2026 and economic growth accelerating to 2.3% [7] - The recent CPI data aligns with the Fed's forecast, providing reassurance amid concerns over a cooling labor market [2][7] Investment Recommendations - Four consumer discretionary stocks are recommended for purchase: Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL), Callaway Golf Company (CALY), Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB), and Marriott International, Inc. (MAR) [2] - These stocks have experienced positive earnings estimate revisions in the past 60 days and carry Zacks Ranks of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [3] Company-Specific Insights Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) - CCL is the largest cruise operator globally, with an expected earnings growth rate of 12.9% for the current year and a 6.3% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [8][9] Callaway Golf Company (CALY) - CALY specializes in premium golf equipment and apparel, with an expected earnings growth rate of 28.6% and earnings estimates improving over 100% in the last 60 days [12][11] Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (DLB) - DLB focuses on audio and imaging technologies, with an expected earnings growth rate of 0.9% and a 1.9% improvement in earnings estimates over the past 60 days [13][14] Marriott International, Inc. (MAR) - MAR is a leading hospitality company with a development pipeline of 4,056 hotels and approximately 610,000 rooms, expecting earnings growth of 16.5% for the current year [15][16]