The U.S. infrastructure market is nearing a pivotal stage as there are trillions in infrastructure spending that could be unlocked through 2026. The iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF ( IFRA ) has come on the radar asI aim to help uncover opportunities for investors that have strong potential risk-adjusted returns. I enjoy creating articles by arguing from first principles and walking readers through my reasoning step-by-step. I mostly cover tech stocks, ETFs, precious metals, dividend stocks, and undercovered ...

Core Insights - The U.S. infrastructure market is approaching a critical phase with trillions in potential infrastructure spending available through 2026 [1] Group 1: Market Opportunities - The iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) is highlighted as a potential investment opportunity with strong risk-adjusted returns [1] Group 2: Analyst Perspective - The article aims to provide insights and reasoning to help investors uncover opportunities in various sectors, including tech stocks, ETFs, precious metals, and dividend stocks [1]

Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 04, 2026 10:00 AM ET Speaker4Welcome to the Brookfield Asset Management fourth quarter 2025 earnings call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question during this session, you'll need to press star one one on your telephone. You will then hear an automated message advising your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, please pr ...

Key Takeaways IBM delivered Q4 revenue and earnings beats, driven by strong software demand and an improved portfolio mix.IBM's Software segment climbed to $9.03B as hybrid cloud, automation, data and watsonx AI fueled growth.IBM expects over 5% constant-currency revenue growth in 2026, with free cash flow near $15.73B.International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) reported strong fourth-quarter 2025 results, with adjusted earnings and revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate.The company’s strong qu ...

IBM (NYSE:IBM) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 28, 2026 05:00 PM ET Company ParticipantsArvind Krishna - CEOJames Kavanaugh - CFOMatthew Swanson - Director and Equity ResearchOlympia McNerney - Head of Investor RelationsConference Call ParticipantsAmit Daryanani - AnalystOperatorWelcome, and thank you for standing by. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. Today's conference is being recorded. If you have any objections, you may disconnect at this time. Now, I will turn the meeting over to ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - IBM achieved a revenue growth of 6% in 2025, the highest level in many years, and generated $14.7 billion in free cash flow, the highest in over a decade [4][17] - The company reported a 12% growth in operating diluted earnings per share and a 17% growth in Adjusted EBITDA [17][24] - Operating pre-tax margin expanded by 100 basis points, reflecting strong execution and a favorable portfolio mix [17][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Software revenue grew 9% in 2025, with three of four sub-segments delivering double-digit growth rates [5][18] - Infrastructure revenue increased by 10%, driven by the successful launch of the z17 mainframe [18] - Consulting revenue grew 1%, reflecting increased demand for AI services [8][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Data solutions grew by 19%, driven by demand for GenAI products [20] - Automation solutions saw a growth of 14%, with record bookings for HashiCorp [20] - Red Hat's revenue growth decelerated to 8%, impacted by delays in U.S. federal business deal activity [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - IBM is focused on becoming a software-led hybrid cloud and AI platform company, with significant investments in innovation and productivity initiatives [4][10] - The company aims to sustain revenue growth of 5%+ in 2026, with a strong emphasis on its software business, expected to grow by 10% [28][34] - Strategic acquisitions, such as Confluent, are seen as key to enhancing IBM's hybrid cloud and automation solutions [10][32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that client demand remains resilient, particularly in hybrid cloud, AI, and mission-critical infrastructure [6][16] - The company expressed confidence in sustaining growth momentum, with expectations for free cash flow to increase by about $1 billion in 2026 [28][34] - Management highlighted the importance of productivity initiatives, which have already exceeded initial targets [11][33] Other Important Information - IBM's cumulative GenAI book of business reached over $12.5 billion, with significant contributions from both software and consulting [9][31] - The company is advancing its quantum computing initiatives, with plans to deliver a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029 [15][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on software growth acceleration - Management expressed confidence in organic growth within the software segment, driven by increased demand for automation and data solutions [40][46] Question: Free cash flow performance and guidance - Management attributed the strong free cash flow performance in 2025 to revenue growth and operating leverage, with a guidance of $15.7 billion for 2026 [49][52] Question: Red Hat's growth trajectory - Management acknowledged the challenges in Red Hat's growth but emphasized the strategic value and ongoing demand for its offerings [57][60]

NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Legato Merger Corp. IV (the “Company”) announced today that it closed its initial public offering of 23,000,000 units, including the full 3,000,000 units subject to the underwriters’ over-allotment option, at $10.00 per unit. The offering resulted in gross proceeds to the Company of $230,000,000. The Company’s units are listed on the NYSE American Market (“NYSE American”) and are trading under the ticker symbol “LEGO U.” Each unit consists of one ordinary share an ...

Core Viewpoint - Power & Infrastructure Split Corp. has demonstrated strong performance with a one-year return of 23.5% and a 13.8% annual return since inception in May 2021, leading to an increase in the monthly distribution rate for Class A Shares from $0.085 to $0.10 [1][2] Performance Summary - The Class A Shares have outperformed both the S&P Global Infrastructure Total Return Index and the MSCI World Total Return Index over 1-year, 3-year, and since inception [3] - Annual compound returns for the Fund are as follows: - 1-Year: 23.5% - 3-Year: 31.9% - Since Inception: 13.8% - For comparison, the S&P Global Infrastructure Total Return Index and MSCI World Total Return Index returns are: - S&P Global Infrastructure: 1-Year: 22.6%, 3-Year: 14.6%, Since Inception: 10.1% - MSCI World: 1-Year: 21.6%, 3-Year: 21.7%, Since Inception: 11.4% [4][6] Investment Strategy - The Fund invests in a globally diversified and actively managed portfolio primarily consisting of dividend-paying securities from power and infrastructure companies [2] - Key investment areas include: - Infrastructure (data centers, public works) - Renewable power (wind, solar, hydroelectric) - Green transportation (electric vehicles, energy transportation and storage, railroads, carbon capture) - Energy efficiency (smart grids, smart meters, building efficiency) - Communications (communication networks, 5G wireless technology) [2]

NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Legato Merger Corp. IV (the “Company”) announced today that it priced its initial public offering of 20,000,000 units at $10.00 per unit. The units will be listed on the NYSE American Market (“NYSE American”) and will begin trading under the ticker symbol “LEGO U” on January 23, 2026. Each unit consists of one ordinary share and one-third of one redeemable warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one ordinary share at a price of $11.50 ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **China Economics** sector, particularly analyzing the economic indicators and trends in the Asia Pacific region [1] Core Insights and Arguments - **Economic Performance**: In 4Q25, real GDP softened to **4.5% YoY**, attributed to weaker consumption and capital expenditure (capex) offsetting improved exports [9] - **Industrial Production**: Year-on-year industrial production increased by **5.2%**, driven by export strength and quarter-end window dressing [2] - **Retail Sales**: Retail sales hit a post-COVID low, declining further by **0.9% YoY**, reflecting a high base and negative wealth effects from the ongoing housing downturn [2] - **Fixed Asset Investment (FAI)**: There was a significant decline in FAI, down **3.8% YoY**, which may have exaggerated the perception of investment weakness [6][9] - **Infrastructure Push**: Despite the decline in FAI, there is evidence of an accelerated infrastructure push since December, indicated by stabilized upstream production and stronger-than-seasonal cement shipments [3][9] - **GDP Deflator**: The GDP deflator remained subdued at **-0.7% YoY** in 4Q, compared to **-1%** in 3Q, contributing to a nominal GDP growth of **3.8% YoY** [2] Outlook - The outlook suggests that real GDP could be pulled towards **5% YoY** in 1Q26 due to front-loaded infrastructure spending. However, this momentum is expected to be unsustainable due to ongoing weaknesses in consumption and the property sector [4][9] Additional Important Points - **Government Bond Issuance**: There has been strong government bond issuance year-to-date, indicating a push for infrastructure investment [9] - **Sector-Specific Performance**: The manufacturing sector saw a decline in FAI by **10.6% YoY**, while infrastructure investment dropped by **16.0% YoY** [6] - **Property Sector**: The property sector continues to be a weak link, with property sales down **17.6% YoY** and new starts declining by **18.7%** [6] This summary encapsulates the key findings and insights from the conference call, highlighting the current state and outlook of the Chinese economy and its sectors.