RTX's Collins Aerospace autonomy solution, Sidekick, flies GA-ASI's YFQ-42A CCA platform [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationSemi-autonomous flight enabled by advanced softwareCEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Feb. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, showcased its Sidekick mission autonomy software in a successful test flight of a YFQ-42A, an uncrewed jet developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. for the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. ...

Core Viewpoint - Merlin Labs is preparing for its public listing through a business combination with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. IV, which is expected to enhance its capabilities in autonomous flight technology and strengthen its strategic position in the aerospace and defense sectors [1][3]. Company Overview - Merlin Labs, Inc. is focused on developing the operating system for autonomous flight, aiming to deliver full-stack autonomy for various aircraft, both military and civilian [1]. - The company has secured over $100 million in contracts from military customers, positioning itself as a leader in autonomous aviation and addressing national security challenges [1]. Business Combination Details - The business combination agreement with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. IV was announced on August 13, 2025, and is anticipated to accelerate the delivery of new capabilities to customers [1]. - The transaction is expected to deepen engagements with government customers and advance civil certification efforts, reinforcing national security in a changing defense landscape [1]. Executive Team Expansion - Merlin Labs has made key additions to its executive leadership team, including Leslie Ravestein as Chief Legal Officer and David Lasater as Chief People Officer, to optimize the organization ahead of its public listing [3]. - Ryan Carrithers has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer to oversee financial operations and strategy, enhancing the company's readiness for public markets [3]. PIPE Investment - The company announced an increase in its private investment in public equity (PIPE) commitments to over $200 million, with contributions from both new and existing investors [3].

Market Overview - US equity futures are lower as traders assess the potential market impact of war with Iran and await significant US economic data including GDP and core PCE [1] - The S&P and Nasdaq futures are down 0.1% after trading positively overnight, with the "Magnificent Seven" stocks showing mixed performance [3] - Bond yields have reversed and are lower, while the USD remains flat; commodities show mixed results with base metals declining and precious metals, particularly gold, rallying above $5000 [1][11] Company Earnings and Stock Movements - Akamai Technologies (AKAM) shares fell 11% after a weaker-than-expected earnings outlook [3] - Ardelyx (ARDX) dropped 6% due to a softer sales forecast for its Ibsrela drug [3] - Copart (CPRT) fell 8% after reporting operating income that missed analyst estimates [3] - Floor & Decor (FND) rose 4% after exceeding earnings expectations for the fourth quarter [3] - Grail (GRAL) tumbled 47% after its cancer detection test failed to meet primary endpoints [3] - Harmonic (HLIT) increased by 9% due to strong book-to-bill ratios indicating growth potential [3] - Newmont (NEM) dropped 4% as it expects lower gold production this year [3] - Opendoor Technologies (OPEN) surged 19% after reporting better-than-expected revenue [3] - RingCentral (RNG) rose 10% after beating expectations and providing a positive forecast [3] - Texas Roadhouse (TXRH) increased by 4% as it anticipates positive sales growth [3] - Workiva Inc. (WK) gained 12% after reporting strong fourth-quarter results and optimistic forecasts [3] Economic Data and Inflation - Core personal consumption expenditure (PCE) data is expected to show an increase, which may influence interest rate decisions and the economic outlook [4] - Bloomberg Economics anticipates core inflation to accelerate, with a month-on-month increase of 0.32% in the core PCE deflator for December, raising the annual rate to 2.9% from 2.8% [4] - Wider inflation concerns are heightened by oil prices nearing a six-month high amid geopolitical tensions [5][6] Geopolitical Impact - The US military is deploying forces in the Middle East, with President Trump warning Iran of a limited strike if negotiations do not progress [6][35] - Geopolitical tensions have led to a cautious market sentiment, impacting stock performance and investor behavior [6][39]

Core Insights - Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS) provides concentrated exposure to the industrial sector with 97.4% of its assets allocated to over 500 holdings, including major companies like GE, RTX, and Caterpillar [1] - The ETF has achieved a year-to-date gain of 12.51%, closely mirroring the performance of its main competitor, the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund [1] - Manufacturing value-added reached $2.95 trillion in Q3 2025, showing a growth acceleration of 3.2% after a period of cyclical weakness [1] ETF's Intended Portfolio Role - VIS serves as a precise tool for sector allocation, focusing solely on industrials and eliminating exposure to other sectors, which allows investors to capitalize on cyclical recovery themes [1] - The fund's holdings include key subsectors such as aerospace and heavy equipment, providing diversification within the industrial theme [1] - With a dividend yield of only 1.02%, VIS is positioned as a growth-focused investment rather than an income-generating vehicle [1] Performance and Returns - VIS has successfully captured the industrial sector's cyclical upswing, benefiting from its exposure to leading companies in aerospace and heavy equipment [1] - The ETF's low fees enhance its attractiveness, allowing investors to fully benefit from the industrial recovery without incurring high expenses [1] Tradeoffs and Considerations - The cyclical nature of the industrial sector introduces significant risk, as evidenced by the year-to-date gains occurring alongside rising jobless claims and a contraction in manufacturing [1] - The lack of defensive exposure means that during economic downturns, VIS offers no protective buffer against losses [1] - Active monitoring of economic indicators and cycle positioning is essential for investors, as the industrial sector can experience rapid shifts in performance [1]

Core Viewpoint - Airbus is prepared to participate in decisions regarding the potential division of the troubled Franco-German-Spanish fighter project, known as FCAS, into two separate warplanes, but the company is also capable of independently developing a fighter if necessary [1]. Group 1: Airbus's Position on FCAS - Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury stated that it is uncertain how a decision to split the FCAS project would affect the common elements between the two potential projects [1]. - The ongoing disputes between Airbus and Dassault Aviation have contributed to the challenges faced by the FCAS project [1]. Group 2: Industry Context - The comments from Airbus come amid broader discussions in the aerospace and defense industry regarding collaboration and competition among European defense contractors [1]. - The potential split of the FCAS project reflects the complexities and strategic considerations in developing advanced military technology in Europe [1].

By Allison Lampert and Mike Stone Feb 20 (Reuters) - New U.S. cybersecurity rules for the defense sector are leading some small suppliers to rethink military work due to high compliance costs, raising production risks at a time when the Trump administration ‌is pressuring contractors to boost output and diversify the supply base. The Defense Department's long-delayed U.S. Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification started last November ‌to protect sensitive information, known as controlled unclassified ...

Core Viewpoint - The industrial sector is experiencing positive momentum in 2026, driven by improved economic visibility and investor interest in cyclical stocks, with notable gains in the State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) which has risen 12.8% year to date [2]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The U.S. manufacturing activity has shown resilience, with leading indicators like new orders and capital spending stabilizing, encouraging investment in companies poised for economic growth [3]. - Easing input cost pressures and enhanced supply chain efficiency have improved margins for diversified industrial firms, while steady infrastructure spending continues to support demand, particularly for engineering and construction companies [3]. - Defense and aerospace stocks are benefiting from sustained government spending and a robust commercial aviation cycle, while transportation companies are seeing improvements in freight volumes and global trade normalization [4]. Group 2: Investment Opportunities - Kaiser Aluminum Corp. (KALU) is highlighted as a strong buy with an expected earnings growth rate of 142.6% for the current year, and a Zacks Consensus Estimate increase of 3.8% over the past 60 days [7]. - The Gorman-Rupp Company (GRC) is noted for its expected earnings growth rate of 8.4% for the current year, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate increase of 3.1% over the past 60 days [8]. - Century Aluminum Company (CENX) is projected to have an impressive earnings growth rate of 312.3% for the next year, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate increase of 42.1% over the past 60 days [9][10].

Market Overview - U.S. markets experienced volatility due to escalating tensions with Iran and concerns over private credit, leading to a decline in major indices [1][3] - The S&P 500 decreased by 0.28%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.54%, and the Nasdaq Composite closed down by 0.31% [3] Oil Market - Oil prices increased by nearly 2% in U.S. trading amid fears of supply disruptions due to potential military action in Iran [1] Private Credit Market - Blue Owl Capital sold $1.4 billion in loan assets, raising concerns about liquidity and stability in the private credit market, resulting in a nearly 6% drop in its stock [2] - Other asset managers, including Blackstone and Apollo Global Management, also saw declines in their stock prices [2] Aerospace Industry - Airbus stock fell by 6% after the company announced that its deliveries for the year would be below analyst expectations, citing supplier-driven engine shortages as "unsatisfactory" [3] Artificial Intelligence Sector - Positive sentiment was noted at India's AI Impact Summit, with discussions involving leaders from Microsoft, OpenAI, and Qualcomm on the AI industry and semiconductor manufacturing [3] - Google DeepMind's CEO highlighted that the memory chip shortage remains a limiting factor for agentic AI [4] - Nvidia plans to invest up to $30 billion in OpenAI, which would value the startup at $730 billion pre-money [4]

Falcon 9 lifts off from pad 40 in Florida, delivering 29 @Starlink satellites to the constellation ahead of landing off the coast of The Bahamas https://t.co/XTy01HCUsh ...

Landing off the coast of The Bahamas will also provide greater winter weather recovery options, helping Falcon continue to provide rapid and reliable service for our customers ...