Core Insights - London Market brokers are increasingly favoring insurers that leverage digital technology to enhance efficiency and ease of business transactions in a softening market [1] - The Guidewire London Market Tech Barometer survey indicates that 78% of brokers believe insurer technology significantly influences their risk placement decisions [1] - Modernization is becoming essential for insurers to maintain broker loyalty, moving beyond traditional relationships [1] Technology Adoption - Over half of the brokers (51%) report that the shift towards algorithmic or fully digital underwriting is currently underway [1] - The primary AI application identified by brokers is automating submission intake and data extraction (42%), followed by enhancing exposure management (38%) [1] - 78% of brokers are pursuing their own technology strategies independently of the Blueprint Two timeline, with 31% expressing concerns about legacy systems' integration capabilities [1] Market Dynamics - The reliance on outdated technology is seen as the biggest barrier to modernization in the London Market, cited by 24% of respondents [1] - The competitive landscape is intensifying, prompting brokers to prioritize technologically advanced insurers [1] - Insurers that invest in resilient core operating platforms are better positioned to meet customer commitments and compete effectively [1]

Core Insights - Fortude has achieved the Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions designation, enhancing its cloud expertise and solidifying its role as a trusted partner for enterprise-scale cloud transformation [1][3]. Company Achievements - This new designation builds on Fortude's existing Microsoft designations, which include Analytics on Microsoft Azure specialization, Data & AI, and Digital & App Innovation [2]. - The Azure Infrastructure Solutions designation recognizes partners with proven expertise in designing, deploying, and managing Azure environments tailored to enterprise needs [3]. Strategic Importance - The designation is seen as a significant milestone in Fortude's Microsoft journey, highlighting the demand for partners capable of delivering data and AI solutions while building resilient and secure cloud foundations [4]. - Fortude aims to assist global enterprises in maximizing value on Azure through expert cloud guidance, modernization assessments, and frameworks that facilitate sustained cloud success [4]. Company Overview - Fortude is a global enterprise solutions provider delivering digital solutions across data, automation, AI, and cloud services, with a presence in multiple countries including the US, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, India, Singapore, and Australia [5].

Core Insights - Carrefour is entering a new chapter with the introduction of its third strategic plan, highlighting the company's evolution and commitment to innovation and customer service [3][4]. Group Overview - The company employs 500,000 staff members globally and serves 10 million customers daily, showcasing its extensive operational scale and customer reach [3]. - Carrefour is recognized for its customer-centric approach, innovation, agility, and financial strength, positioning itself as a leader in the industry [4].

Warren Buffett portrait with Google and Amazon logos over financial newspaper background Key Points Berkshire Hathaway's latest 13F filing revealed interesting moves from Q4 2025, especially regarding AI hyperscalers. The company initiated a position in a top media company, pushing hard into the digital economy. While Berkshire sold a portion of its AAPL holdings, the Magnificent Seven stock remains its largest position. Interested in Berkshire Hathaway Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. In ...

Key Takeaways Pure Storage lifted fiscal 2026 revenue view to $3.63-$3.64B amid flash and hyperscaler strength.NetApp posted 3% revenue growth, with AI and cloud gains tempered by U.S. public sector softness.PSTG expects continued hyperscaler momentum, while NTAP guides to similar 3% growth next quarter.The explosion of data from AI, cloud computing and digital transformation has driven demand for data storage/management solutions.In this evolving landscape, two prominent names stand out: Pure Storage (PSTG ...

Rockwell Automation Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Rockwell Automation - **Key Executives**: Blake Moret (Chairman and CEO), Matheus Bulho (SVP of Software and Control Segment) [1][4] Core Industry Insights - **Industry Focus**: Automation and digital transformation in manufacturing [6] - **Market Position**: Rockwell is the most used technology in American manufacturing [5] Financial Performance and Growth Outlook - **Resilience**: Rockwell has become more resilient over the past few years, with a focus on operational excellence and expanding margins [4][5] - **Annual Recurring Revenue**: Comprises over 10% of total revenue, driven by software and high-value services [4][36] - **Growth Projections**: - Current guidance for organic growth is 4% at the midpoint, with potential upward pressure towards 5%-8% [10][11] - Strong double-digit growth expected in earnings [10] - **Market Segments**: Growth noted in e-commerce, warehouse automation, life sciences, and data centers [6][12] Key Market Trends - **Customer Sentiment**: Positive sentiment among customers, with increased orders expected across various verticals [12][14] - **CapEx Intentions**: Notable CapEx announcements across both traditional and newer industries, indicating a potential recovery in short-cycle industrial activity [14][15] - **Lifecycle Services**: Strong Book-to-Bill Ratio of 1.16, with expectations for improved demand as comparables ease [18] Product and Technology Developments - **Logix Growth**: Over 20% year-over-year growth in Logix products, particularly strong in North America [22][23] - **Software Integration**: Software is closely integrated with hardware, enhancing value in mission-critical applications [36][37] - **R&D Investment**: Approximately 8% of total revenue allocated to R&D, with a focus on new product introductions [26] Challenges and Strategic Responses - **Supply Chain Management**: No current issues with chip availability; proactive inventory management in response to past supply chain crises [44][48] - **Pricing Strategy**: Expectation of continued price realization to cover inflation and capture product value [51][54] - **Margin Goals**: Targeting operating margins in the low to mid-twenties, with incremental improvements expected [56] Emerging Technologies - **Humanoid Robots**: Limited near-term application in manufacturing; focus remains on mobile robots and automation solutions [60][64] Conclusion - Rockwell Automation is positioned for growth with a strong focus on operational excellence, market expansion, and technological integration, while navigating challenges in supply chain and pricing strategies. The company remains optimistic about its growth trajectory across various sectors, particularly in automation and digital transformation.

Quick Read Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) concentrates 39% of assets in three stocks: NVIDIA, Apple and Microsoft. XLK outperformed SPY by 35 percentage points over five years through concentrated tech exposure. XLK declined 3.06% through mid-February 2026 while SPY remained flat during sector rotation. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. If you want to own a piece of the tech sect ...

IRVING, Texas, Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XBP Global Holdings, Inc. (“XBP Global” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ: XBP), a workflow automation leader that leverages decades of industry experience, a global footprint, and agentic AI to rethink business process automation and digital transformation, presents a new report from Everest Group, supported by XBP Global. Public sector organizations worldwide are accelerating the adoption of Intelligent Document Processing (“IDP”) to improve service delivery, stren ...

Walmart to tread with caution into 2026 as Furner-era begins | ReutersSkip to main content[Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv]Customers leave a Walmart Supercenter retail store in North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S., November 21, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo [Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab]- Companies- Summary- AI investments enhance Walmart's digital transformation- Furner names Amazon alumnus Guggina as head of Walmart U.S.- Annual fo ...

This is not a cyclical blip. It is the culmination of forces that have been building for several years but have now converged powerfully. Platform-based investments are now the dominant strategy, with global investors such as Blackstone, GIC, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, alongside domestic capital providers including HDFC Capital and Kotak Investment Advisors, backing scaled logistics platforms.Warehouses overtake officesWarehousing and logistics Live EventsA rec ...