The drubbing that monthly Social Security benefits take from out-of-pocket medical costs shocks many retirees. My recent column highlighting how healthcare costs are eating into Social Security checks hit a nerve. Thousands of you shared how you’re grappling with the reality: that even including Medicare coverage and not accounting for long-term care, retirees are overwhelmed by premiums, copays, and a myriad of uncovered medical services. These expenses make up roughly a third of a typical retiree’s S ...

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Ardent Health, Inc. (NYSE: ARDT) securities between July 18, 2024 and November 12, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), have until Monday, March 9, 2026 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Ardent Health class action lawsuit. Captioned Postiwala v. Ardent Health, Inc., No. 26-cv-00022 (M.D. Tenn.), the Ardent Health class action lawsuit charges Ardent He ...

Group 1 - Optima Health PLC is acquiring PAM Healthcare for approximately £100 million in cash, enhancing its scale in the UK and Ireland market [1] - Helium One Global Ltd reported a six-fold increase in flow rates at its ITW-1 well in Tanzania's southern Rukwa basin, initiating a formal farmout process for development [1] Group 2 - Buccaneer Energy Plc announced that output has doubled in an Organic Oil Recovery pilot at its Pine Mills field in Texas, with plans to expand the recovery process across the field later this year [2] - Rome Resources Plc has extended high-grade tin mineralization at its Kalayi project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with fresh drilling revealing multi-meter intercepts and two rigs currently operating on site [2] Group 3 - Pantheon Resources PLC has commenced seismic reprocessing at its Kodiak project in Alaska and is preparing for a potential Theta West-2 appraisal well, pending funding [3] - Valereum PLC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Integra Foundation regarding tokenized real estate assets, aiming to enhance issuance, distribution, and secondary market liquidity [3]

Group 1: LATAM Airlines Group - LATAM Airlines Group is the leading airline in Latin America, providing regional and long-haul flights in Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and has seen a 4.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - LATAM Airlines' shares have gained 37.8% over the last three months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 1.3%, and it possesses a Momentum Score of A [2] Group 2: ING Group - ING Group is a global financial institution of Dutch origin, offering banking, insurance, and asset management services to over 50 million clients in 65 countries [2] - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 1 and has experienced a 7.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - ING Group's shares have increased by 10.6% over the last three months, also outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 1.3%, and it has a Momentum Score of A [3] Group 3: Cardinal Health - Cardinal Health is one of the world's largest healthcare services and products providers, operating in Pharmaceutical & Specialty Solutions, Global Medical Products & Distribution, and other growth businesses [4] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 and has seen a 4.4% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [4] - Cardinal Health's shares have gained 4.6% over the last three months, again outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 1.3%, and it possesses a Momentum Score of A [5]

Core Viewpoint - The Ardent Health class action lawsuit alleges that the company and its executives made misleading statements regarding financial practices and liability reserves, leading to significant stock price declines following revelations of financial mismanagement [3][4]. Group 1: Allegations and Financial Impact - The lawsuit claims that Ardent Health did not rely on accurate methods for determining the collectability of accounts receivable, which inflated reported financial positions [3]. - On November 12, 2025, Ardent Health disclosed a $43 million decrease in third quarter 2025 revenue due to revised accounts receivable assessments, resulting in a nearly 34% drop in stock price [4]. - The company cut its 2025 EBITDA guidance by approximately 9.6%, from a range of $575 million - $615 million to $530 million - $555 million, citing persistent industry-wide cost pressures [4]. Group 2: Class Action Details - Investors who purchased Ardent Health securities between July 18, 2024, and November 12, 2025, can seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the class action lawsuit [1][5]. - The lead plaintiff will represent the interests of all class members and can select a law firm to litigate the case [5]. - Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP, the firm handling the case, is recognized as a leading complex class action firm with a strong track record in securities fraud litigation [6].

Core Viewpoint - CVS Health is a significant player in the healthcare sector, with a diverse range of services and is set to release its quarterly earnings on February 10, 2026, with estimated EPS of $0.99 and revenue of approximately $103.57 billion [1][6] Financial Performance - CVS has consistently exceeded earnings estimates over the past four quarters, indicating strong financial performance [2] - For Q4 2025, analysts expect non-GAAP earnings of $0.99 per share, a decline from $1.19 per share in Q4 2024, potentially influenced by Medicare news [3] Market Valuation - CVS's P/E ratio of 212 suggests that investors are willing to pay a high price for its earnings, reflecting high expectations [3] - The price-to-sales ratio of 0.25 indicates that the market values CVS at 25 cents for every dollar of sales, while the enterprise value to sales ratio of 0.44 reflects its valuation in relation to sales [4] - The enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio of 18.89 highlights how the market values CVS's cash-generating ability [4] Capital Structure - CVS's debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12 shows a moderate use of debt in its capital structure [5] - The current ratio of 0.83 suggests potential liquidity concerns, as CVS has less than one dollar in current assets for every dollar of current liabilities [5] - The earnings yield of 0.47% provides a comprehensive view of CVS's financial health and market valuation [5]

Core Viewpoint - Community Health Systems, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and year-end 2025 financial results on February 19, 2026 [1][2]. Group 1: Conference Call Details - The press release announcing the financial results will be issued on February 18, 2026, after market close [2]. - The conference call is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Central Time and 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on February 19, 2026 [2]. - A live webcast of the conference call will be available online, with a replay accessible for approximately 30 days [3]. Group 2: Participation Information - Participants can join the live call by dialing 1-833-630-1961 for domestic calls or 1-412-317-1842 for international calls [4]. - A telephonic replay will be available until February 26, 2026, using the number 1-855-669-9658 and entering the confirmation number 6006633 [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - Community Health Systems, Inc. is one of the largest healthcare companies in the U.S., operating in 34 distinct markets across 13 states [5]. - The company owns or leases 65 affiliated hospitals with over 9,000 beds and operates more than 900 care sites, including various healthcare facilities [5]. - The headquarters is located in Franklin, Tennessee, and the company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CYH" [5].

Consumption Trends in China - Overall retail sales and consumption in China are currently weak, but there are interesting trends emerging, particularly related to aging demographics [1] - The demographic shift shows that individuals in their 60s, who were previously in their 40s and 50s, are now spending more on themselves, although they are not big spenders [2][3] Silver Spenders - The "silver spenders" demographic is characterized by older individuals who have accumulated significant cash reserves but tend to save rather than spend [3] - This group is not heavily investing in property but is more inclined to spend on healthcare services, leisure travel, and elderly care [4][5] Property Market Insights - There is an oversupply of older properties in China, but demand may shift towards new and nicer apartments [5] - A notable increase of 20% in mainland Chinese buyers entering the Hong Kong property market has been observed, indicating a potential recovery [6] Hong Kong Property Market - The Hong Kong property market is showing signs of recovery, even without significant easing of interest rates, which typically align with the Federal Reserve [7][8] - Local residents are also sitting on large cash reserves, leading to increased interest in property investments [8][9] Price Forecasts - Analysts predict a 5% increase in residential property prices in Hong Kong, with potential for initial price increases to exceed forecasts as market recovery gains momentum [10][11][12]

Core Viewpoint - The Ardent Health class action lawsuit alleges that the company and its executives made misleading statements regarding financial practices and liability reserves, leading to significant stock price declines following revelations of financial discrepancies [3][4]. Group 1: Allegations and Financial Impact - The lawsuit claims that Ardent Health did not accurately assess the collectability of accounts receivable, which inflated reported financial positions [3]. - On November 12, 2025, Ardent Health disclosed a $43 million decrease in third quarter 2025 revenue due to revised accounts receivable assessments, resulting in a nearly 34% drop in stock price [4]. - The company also cut its 2025 EBITDA guidance by approximately 9.6%, from a range of $575 million - $615 million to $530 million - $555 million, citing industry-wide cost pressures [4]. Group 2: Legal Process and Representation - Investors who purchased Ardent Health securities during the specified class period can seek to be appointed as lead plaintiff in the class action lawsuit [5]. - The lead plaintiff will represent the interests of all class members and can choose a law firm to litigate the case [5]. Group 3: Company Overview - Ardent Health operates a network of hospitals and clinics providing various healthcare services [2].

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus is on China's power grid equipment sector, with a bullish outlook on grid capital expenditure (CAPEX) growth, projected at an 11% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for 2026-2030, up from a previous estimate of 9% [2][10][13]. Core Insights and Arguments - **CAPEX Growth Drivers**: - The State Grid's Rmb4 trillion investment plan under the 15th Five-Year Plan (FYP) indicates a 7% CAPEX CAGR [3][15]. - Historical data shows that actual grid investments during previous FYPs exceeded initial targets by 2-18%, suggesting potential for similar outcomes in the future [3][15]. - Structural factors such as electrification, energy security, and the integration of renewables are increasing the urgency for grid reinforcement [7][20]. - **Pricing Upside**: - Anticipated increases in transmission and distribution (T&D) tariffs starting in 2026 could enhance grid economics, with each Rmb0.01/kWh increase potentially generating Rmb634 billion in pre-tax profit over the 2026-2030 period, equating to 14% of total grid CAPEX during the 15th FYP [3][20]. - **Earnings Revisions**: - Earnings per share (EPS) estimates for 2025-2027 have been revised from -31% to +18%, reflecting stronger volume outlooks and improved pricing [4][32]. - NARI Technology is highlighted as a top pick, with expected earnings growth of 22% CAGR, driven by its alignment with State Grid's CAPEX growth [4][32]. Key Companies and Their Performance - **NARI Technology (600406.SS)**: - Price target raised from Rmb28.00 to Rmb42.00, with EPS revisions indicating a 7-16% increase for 2026-2027 [32][35]. - The smart grid and energy digitalization segments are expected to drive revenue growth [33]. - **Ningbo Sanxing Medical Electric (601567.SS)**: - Price target increased from Rmb30.00 to Rmb39.10, but EPS forecasts were trimmed by 25% due to weaker revenue and margins [41][44]. - The power equipment segment is expected to recover with a projected 20% YoY increase in average selling prices (ASP) in 2026 [44]. - **Willfar Information Technology (688100.SS)**: - Price target raised from Rmb45.00 to Rmb64.00, with EPS revisions up by 4% for 2026 and 11% for 2027, driven by grid investment acceleration [48]. Valuation Insights - Key power grid equipment stocks are trading at an average forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 23x, below the historical average of 24x and the peak of 40x [2][28]. - Domestic-focused stocks have underperformed export-driven peers by 191 percentage points since January 2025, indicating potential for re-rating as domestic CAPEX growth becomes more apparent [7][28]. Additional Important Points - The market currently underestimates the potential for domestic grid CAPEX growth, which could lead to significant earnings upgrades and valuation re-ratings across the sector [27][28]. - The report emphasizes the importance of investor positioning, which is currently skewed towards export-driven stocks, suggesting a potential rotation towards domestically focused names as CAPEX surprises materialize [7][28]. This summary encapsulates the key insights and projections regarding the power grid equipment sector in China, highlighting the expected growth in CAPEX, pricing dynamics, and the performance of specific companies within the industry.