Munich Re’s primary insurance unit ERGO aims to cut about 1,000 positions in Germany, partly as a result of its increased use of artificial intelligence.The cuts affect simple and repetitive tasks in telephony and claims processing, a spokesman said on Tuesday. They will take place over five years through the end of 2030, with ERGO saying there will be no forced redundancies during this time. Companies in the finance industry are increasingly using AI to speed up services and cut costs. Late last year, ING ...

GLENVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of TrustCo Bank Corp NY (TrustCo, Nasdaq: TRST) on February 17, 2026 declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.38 per share, or $1.52 per share on an annualized basis. The dividend will be payable on April 1, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 6, 2026. Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Robert J. McCormick said: “The generation of long-term shareholder value is a central focus for our board a ...

Industry Overview - The Staffing Firms industry is expected to gradually recover to pre-pandemic levels, enabling companies to pay regular dividends [1] - The industry encompasses a wide range of human resources and workforce solutions, including recruitment, payroll administration, and organizational planning [2] Market Trends - There is stable demand in the mature business services industry, with revenues and cash flows anticipated to recover to pre-pandemic levels [3] - The adoption of remote work and hybrid models has significantly increased, prompting staffing agencies to focus on flexible staffing solutions [4] - Technological advancements are being implemented to enhance operational efficiency, with AI-driven tools and platforms becoming more prevalent [5] Industry Performance - The Zacks Staffing Firms industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 227, placing it in the bottom 7% of 244 Zacks industries, indicating sluggish near-term prospects [6] - Over the past year, the industry has underperformed the S&P 500, declining 39.2% compared to the S&P 500's growth of 18.9% [8] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at an EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 5.76X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 18.98X and the sector's 10.7X [9] Company Highlights Resources Connection (RGP) - RGP has seen favorable international growth, particularly in Europe, India, Japan, and the Philippines, with steady revenues and improved gross margins [14] - The company holds $90 million in cash with zero current debt, indicating a strong balance sheet [16] - RGP's current ratio is 2.64, suggesting strong short-term debt coverage capability [16] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RGP's 2025 earnings per share has been revised up by 14.3% [17] Kforce (KFRC) - Kforce reported a top line of $332.6 million and 63 cents in EPS, exceeding expectations [18] - The company maintains a strong balance sheet with zero current debt and a current ratio of 1.88 [20] - KFRC's shares have gained 21.1% over the past three months [21] HireQuest (HQI) - HQI's system-wide sales grew 6.1% year-over-year, with a net income of $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2025 [21][22] - The company's current ratio is 2.4, indicating a strong liquidity position [23] - HQI's shares have gained 29.6% over the past three months [23]

Core Insights - Financial Gravity Companies, Inc. is featured as a case study in the book "Good to Growing," authored by the Company's CEO Scott Winters, which discusses the operational evolution and growth strategies of the firm [3][4] - The book aims to provide frameworks for business scaling, targeting founders, CEOs, and leadership teams [5] Company Overview - Financial Gravity Companies, Inc. is a publicly traded investment manager based in Lakeway, Texas, offering services such as wealth management, family office services, tax planning, risk mitigation, retirement planning, estate planning, and business consulting [7]

Core Viewpoint - TrustCo Bank Corp NY will release its fourth quarter 2025 results on January 21, 2026, after market close, with a conference call scheduled for January 22, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results [1][2]. Company Overview - TrustCo Bank Corp NY is a $6.3 billion savings and loan holding company operating through its subsidiary, Trustco Bank, which has 134 offices across New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Florida [3]. - The common shares of TrustCo are traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol TRST [3]. - Trustco Bank's Wealth Management Department provides a comprehensive range of investment services, retirement planning, and trust and estate administration services [3]. Conference Call Details - Participants can join the conference call by dialing toll-free numbers: 1-833-470-1428 for the United States and 1-833-950-0062 for Canada, with access code 774913 [1]. - A replay of the call will be available for thirty days at 1-866-813-9403, access code 268454 [1]. - The call will also be available as an audio webcast for one year at the provided link [2]. Investor Relations - The earnings press release will be posted on the Company's Investor Relations website, which also contains the most recent annual report, proxy statement, and SEC filings [2].

Core Viewpoint - TrustCo Bank Corp NY has announced a new stock repurchase program allowing the repurchase of up to 2,000,000 shares, approximately 11% of its outstanding shares, aimed at increasing shareholder value [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Repurchase Program - The new stock repurchase program permits shares to be repurchased in open market or private transactions, including block trades, in accordance with SEC Rule 10b5-1 [1]. - The company recently completed a previous repurchase program of one million shares earlier in December 2025 [1]. - Repurchases will be made at management's discretion over the next twelve months, considering factors such as stock availability, market conditions, and TrustCo's financial performance [2]. Group 2: Company Background - TrustCo Bank Corp NY is a $6.3 billion savings and loan holding company operating 135 offices across New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Florida [4]. - The company has a tradition of over 100 years in providing high-quality services, including a variety of deposit and loan products, as well as investment services through its Wealth Management Department [4]. - TrustCo Bank is recognized as one of the best performing savings banks in the country [4].

Core Insights - Financial Compass Group, LLC celebrates 20 years of providing a planning-centered approach to financial decision-making for business owners, individuals, and families [1][10] - The firm emphasizes a people-first philosophy, focusing on understanding clients' unique circumstances and tailoring strategies accordingly [4][5] Company Evolution - Initially, the firm specialized in retirement plan consulting for business owners, recognizing the need for comprehensive financial guidance that integrates personal and business priorities [5][6] - Over time, the firm's services expanded to include a broader range of clients, reflecting the complexity of individual and family financial needs [6] Service Offerings - Financial Compass Group offers a holistic suite of services, including investment guidance, retirement planning, estate and legacy considerations, insurance and risk management, employee benefit consulting, and business succession planning [8] - The firm’s approach is characterized by a process-oriented methodology that begins with understanding clients' lifestyle priorities and values before developing tailored financial strategies [7][9] Client Engagement - Listening is a core competency of the firm, with advisors dedicating significant time to understanding clients' true priorities and framing their financial decisions accordingly [9] - Long-term relationships and ongoing conversations are fundamental to the firm's practice, fostering clarity and confidence in clients' financial journeys [8][10] Future Outlook - As Financial Compass Group looks to the future, it plans to leverage technology to enhance client experiences and improve financial clarity [11] - The firm continues to invest in its advisory team, aiming to unite diverse perspectives and skills to support sustained growth [11]

Core Points - TrustCo Bank Corp NY declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.38 per share, amounting to an annualized dividend of $1.52 per share, payable on January 2, 2026, to shareholders of record as of December 5, 2025 [1] - The company emphasizes its commitment to returning capital to shareholders, which is a fundamental aspect of its operations and aims to enhance shareholder value while maintaining strong relationships with customers [2] - TrustCo Bank Corp NY operates as a $6.3 billion savings and loan holding company with 136 offices across New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Florida, offering a range of financial services [3]

Core Insights - Manulife has launched the Longevity Institute, a global platform aimed at helping individuals live longer, healthier, and financially secure lives, supported by a commitment of $350 million [1][12] - The initiative addresses the widening gap between lifespan and healthspan, with many individuals spending up to 20% of their lives in poor health and nearly 40% facing financial insecurity as they age [2][12] Initiatives - Manulife is partnering with the National Institute on Ageing to support the annual Ageing in Canada Survey, which explores the experiences of Canadians aged 50+ [4] - Collaboration with the Milken Institute aims to advance research on critical longevity issues, including food production and health interventions [4] - The Longevity Symposiums, which began in Boston, are expanding globally to discuss how to improve quality of life as people age [4][5] Outcomes - The Longevity Institute will build on Manulife's existing efforts to assist over 36 million customers in improving their health and wealth [6] - The Institute will be known as the John Hancock Longevity Institute in the United States, focusing on research, advocacy, and community investments [12] - The initiative aims to promote health, wellness, and financial readiness, ultimately helping individuals thrive at any age [3][11]

Core Insights - A group of Commonwealth Financial Network teams, managing nearly $400 million in assets, is transitioning to Savvy Advisors following LPL Financial's acquisition of Commonwealth [1][5] - This shift is part of LPL's strategy to retain 90% of Commonwealth advisors, with Savvy's total wealth manager count exceeding 100 as a result [1] Group 1: Team Details - The departing teams include Innovative Financial Solutions, managing $250 million, which will rebrand as Mosaic Wealth Advisors at Savvy, focusing on tax, retirement, and financial planning [2] - Horizon Advisory Group from Houston, managing $108 million, and Atticus Wealth Management from Macomb, managing $37 million, are also joining Savvy, with services ranging from personal financial planning to investment management [3] Group 2: Advisor Motivations and Platform Benefits - Advisors are attracted to Savvy for its expertise, technology, marketing resources, and flexible multi-custodial platform, allowing them to chart their own career paths [4] - Savvy operates on Fidelity and Schwab platforms, which is beneficial for Commonwealth advisors transitioning to Savvy [4] Group 3: Acquisition Context and Defections - LPL Financial acquired Commonwealth for approximately $2.7 billion, with Commonwealth having 3,000 advisors and $305 billion in assets under management at the time of the acquisition [5] - Since the acquisition, nearly 250 advisor defections from Commonwealth have been reported, with advisors moving to various firms including Cetera and Raymond James [6] Group 4: Competitive Landscape - Rival firms are attracting Commonwealth teams with competitive pay packages and advanced technology platforms, with Savvy maintaining a connection to Fidelity Investments' custody platform [7]