With a market cap of $372.9 billion, Bank of America Corporation (BAC) is a global financial institution that delivers a wide range of banking, investing, asset management, and financial products to consumers, businesses, institutions, and governments worldwide. Companies valued at $200 billion or more are generally considered “mega-cap” stocks, and Bank of America fits this criterion perfectly. Operating through four core segments: Consumer Banking; Global Wealth & Investment Management; Global Banking; ...

Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (AMP) is a Minnesota-based diversified financial services company providing wealth management, asset management, insurance, and retirement planning solutions to individual and institutional clients. Founded in 1894 and valued at a market cap of $43.8 billion, Ameriprise operates through a nationwide network of financial advisors supported by integrated brokerage, banking, and advisory platforms. The asset management giant has substantially underperformed the broader market over ...

St. Petersburg, Fla., Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On February 19, 2026, the Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on shares of its common stock of $0.54 per share, payable April 15, 2026 to shareholders of record on April 1, 2026. About Raymond James Financial, Inc. Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) is a leading diversified financial services company providing private client group, capital markets, asset management, banking and other s ...

Valued at a market cap of $31.3 billion, Saint Petersburg, Florida-based Raymond James Financial, Inc. (RJF) is a diversified financial services company that provides private client group, capital markets, asset management, banking, and other services to individuals, corporations, and municipalities in the United States and internationally. The company's shares have underperformed the broader market over the past year and in 2026. RJF stock has declined 1.1% over the past 52 weeks and 1.6% on a YTD basis ...

Core Insights - UMB Financial has seen significant increases in institutional ownership, with several hedge funds raising their stakes substantially in recent quarters, indicating strong investor confidence in the company [1][6] - The company's stock performance shows a market capitalization of $9.78 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.10 and a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93, suggesting a potentially attractive valuation [2] - UMB Financial reported a quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $3.08, exceeding analyst expectations, and demonstrated a year-over-year revenue growth of 66.0% [3] Institutional Ownership - Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake by 219.2%, owning 249 shares valued at $29,000 after acquiring 171 additional shares [1] - EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake by 193.5%, now holding 405 shares worth $43,000 after acquiring 267 shares [1] - 1620 Investment Advisors Inc. significantly increased its position by 8,790.9%, owning 978 shares valued at $116,000 after acquiring 967 shares [1] Financial Performance - UMB Financial's stock opened at $128.77, with a 50-day moving average of $122.41 and a 200-day moving average of $117.35 [2] - The company has a 1-year low of $82.00 and a 1-year high of $136.11, indicating volatility in its stock price [2] - The firm reported a net margin of 16.90% and a return on equity of 12.14% [3] Dividend Information - UMB Financial declared a quarterly dividend of $0.43, representing an annualized dividend of $1.72 and a dividend yield of 1.3% [4] - The company's payout ratio stands at 18.84%, indicating a conservative approach to dividend distribution [4] Analyst Ratings - Zacks Research upgraded UMB Financial from a "hold" to a "strong-buy" rating, reflecting positive sentiment among analysts [5] - Piper Sandler raised its price target from $145.00 to $152.00, maintaining an "overweight" rating [5] - The average target price for UMB Financial is $141.00, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" [5] Insider Transactions - Director Kevin Charles Gallagher sold 388 shares at an average price of $129.30, reducing his ownership by 3.01% [7] - CEO J Mariner Kemper sold 15,367 shares at an average price of $114.58, representing a 1.00% decrease in his position [7] - In the last 90 days, insiders sold a total of 34,469 shares valued at $4,218,998, with insiders owning 5.45% of the stock [7] Company Overview - UMB Financial Corporation is a diversified financial services holding company based in Kansas City, Missouri, providing a full suite of banking services [8] - The company offers commercial and consumer banking, wealth management, trust services, investment advisory, and retirement planning [9]

Core Insights - Bank of America Community Development Banking provided $7.4 billion in financing in 2025, creating over 11,000 affordable housing units across 87 developments in 68 cities and 21 states [1] - Since 2020, the company has financed more than $42 billion, resulting in the creation and preservation of over 74,000 housing units in 335 cities across 40 states [1] - The focus on affordable housing is linked to improving stability and long-term opportunities for individuals and families, contributing to overall community wellness [1] Financing and Investments - In 2025, Bank of America closed direct and fund equity investments totaling $357 million for workforce and middle-income housing, targeting households earning up to 120% of the area median income [2] - These investments are aimed at creating over 3,400 new high-quality, attainable housing units in competitive housing markets across states including Florida, Georgia, Texas, California, Colorado, Virginia, and North Carolina [2] Health and Housing Initiatives - In 2025, Bank of America financed 39 developments with a healthcare component, providing access to health and wellness education, primary and preventative care, and supportive services [1][2] - The bank hosted a thought leadership event titled "A Meeting at the Intersection of Health and Housing" in Boston, connecting healthcare systems, affordable housing developers, and community leaders to improve health and housing outcomes [2] Community Engagement and Challenges - Bank of America hosted the 35th annual Affordable Housing Challenge, inviting teams to design innovative affordable housing developments, with many alumni pursuing careers in the affordable housing sector [2] - The company emphasizes collaboration with experienced developers and local/state agencies to address community needs and reduce housing insecurity [2]

Market Overview - The S&P 500 is trading slightly below its all-time highs, showing resilience despite recent selling in sectors like software and AI, with a focus on projected earnings growth in 2026 and potential rate cuts [1] - Long-term investors are encouraged to continue buying strong stocks, as market fluctuations may not significantly impact overall investment strategies [2] Investment Opportunities - Investors are advised to consider best-in-class, cheap stocks trading under $10, which have strong Zacks Ranks due to improving earnings outlooks [3] - Stocks priced under $10 are generally seen as less risky than penny stocks, which trade for less than $5, but still carry speculative risks [4][6] Stock Screening Criteria - A screening process for identifying the best cheap stocks under $10 includes parameters such as price, volume, Zacks Rank, average broker rating, number of analysts covering the stock, and earnings estimate revisions [8][9] Featured Stock: Itaú Unibanco (ITUB) - Itaú Unibanco (ITUB) is highlighted as a strong investment opportunity, being one of the largest private banks in Brazil, with a full range of financial services [10] - ITUB stock has increased by 75% over the past year, with projected adjusted earnings growth of 18% in FY26 and 10% in the following year, supported by 7% sales growth in both periods [11] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and is part of the Banks – Foreign industry, which ranks in the top 16% of Zacks industries, indicating strong potential for price movement [13]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2025, the company reported a net income of $231.9 million and core net income of $237.5 million, resulting in a core net income per share growth of 17.4% year on year to $5.60 per share [4][5] - The net interest margin increased by 5 basis points to 2.69% from 2.64% in 2024, while the average cost of deposits fell to 150 basis points from 183 basis points in 2024 [6] - The tangible book value per common share grew by 21.7% in 2025, ending the year at $26.41 [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the fourth quarter, net income and core net income were reported at $63.8 million, with earnings per share of $1.54 and a core return on average tangible common equity of 24.6% [9] - Non-interest income totaled $66.3 million in the fourth quarter, an increase of $5.1 million over the last quarter, driven by higher banking fees and foreign exchange revenues [12] - The bank's net interest income before provision for credit losses was $92.6 million, consistent with the prior quarter [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company maintained a low risk density of 28.3%, reflecting regulatory capital efficiency [13] - Average interest-earning assets in the fourth quarter increased by $199.4 million to $13.7 billion [11] - The investment portfolio consists entirely of double A or higher-rated US Treasuries and government-guaranteed agency securities, indicating strong asset quality [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a growth strategy through mergers and acquisitions, with active dialogues with potential targets [4][5] - The bank aims to improve the overall quality of earnings for its asset-sensitive banking franchise by pursuing trust and bank acquisitions [17] - The company is committed to maintaining expense discipline while advancing its technology platform [4] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strong financial results and the stability of its banking jurisdictions in Bermuda, Cayman, and the Channel Islands [16][17] - The company anticipates continued improvement in other comprehensive income (OCI) over the next 12 months [15] - Management noted that credit performance in loan and mortgage portfolios remains stable, with no systemic shifts in non-performing asset (NPA) migration [29] Other Important Information - The board approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share, maintaining a total combined payout ratio of 97% in 2025 [4][6] - The company repurchased 3.5 million shares for a total value of $146.7 million in 2025 [6] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on expense guidance - Management confirmed that quarterly core expenses are expected to settle between $90 million and $92 million, with some seasonal costs not expected to repeat in future quarters [20][21] Question: Trends in fee businesses - Management highlighted strong performance in asset management fees driven by improved underlying valuations and increased transaction volume fees, particularly in foreign exchange [25][27] Question: Non-performing assets (NPAs) movement - Management noted that NPAs have decreased, primarily due to improvements in specific commercial accounts and successful credit liquidations [28][29] Question: Non-interest deposit growth in the Cayman Islands - Management acknowledged that the increase was driven by seasonal reinsurance payments [34] Question: Opportunities in the trust business post Credit Suisse integration - Management indicated that the Singapore office is in growth mode and emphasized that growth in trust will primarily come through acquisitions [35][36]

Core Viewpoint - Galaxy Digital Inc. has announced a share repurchase program authorized to buy up to $200 million of its Class A common stock, reflecting confidence in the company's long-term prospects and a strong balance sheet [1][2]. Group 1: Share Repurchase Program - The share repurchase program allows Galaxy to buy back shares through various means, including open market purchases and privately negotiated transactions, subject to compliance with securities laws and stock exchange requirements [2]. - The program will last for 12 months and can be suspended or discontinued at any time, with no obligation for the company to acquire any specific amount of common stock [2]. - Repurchases through Nasdaq will not exceed 5% of the common stock issued and outstanding at the start of the program, and the timing and total amount of repurchases will depend on various market conditions [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - Galaxy Digital Inc. is a global leader in digital assets and data center infrastructure, providing solutions that enhance progress in finance and artificial intelligence [3]. - The company operates a digital assets platform that offers institutional access to trading, advisory, asset management, staking, self-custody, and tokenization technology [3]. - Galaxy's Helios campus in Texas, with a capacity of 1.6 GW, positions it among the largest and fastest-growing data center developers in North America [3].

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors select stocks with high potential for market outperformance [3] Zacks Style Scores Overview - The Zacks Style Scores categorize stocks into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score [4][5][6][7] - Each stock receives a rating from A to F based on its characteristics, with A indicating the highest potential for outperforming the market [3] Value Score - The Value Score identifies attractive stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [4] Growth Score - The Growth Score focuses on a company's financial health and future outlook, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [5] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score assesses stocks based on price trends and earnings outlook changes, helping investors capitalize on upward or downward price movements [6] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for selecting stocks with favorable value, growth, and momentum characteristics [7] Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank uses earnings estimate revisions to simplify portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +23.83% since 1988 [8] - Stocks with a 1 or 2 rank and Style Scores of A or B are recommended for maximizing returns [10] Company Spotlight: UMB Financial - UMB Financial Corporation, based in Kansas City, MO, offers various banking and asset servicing solutions [12] - Currently rated 3 (Hold) by Zacks, UMBF has a VGM Score of A and a Momentum Style Score of A, with shares increasing by 5.4% over the past four weeks [12][13] - Analysts have raised earnings estimates for UMBF, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.40 to $11.93 per share, and an average earnings surprise of +16.3% [13]