Lindsey Vonn said she is “confident” she can compete at the Milano Cortina Winter Games despite revealing she has been managing a ruptured ACL, maintaining that her Olympic comeback remains on track after a crash last week raised fresh doubts over her participation. Speaking on Tuesday, the 41-year-old American said she was approaching the final decision cautiously but remained focused on lining u...
Lindsey Vonn said she is “confident” she can compete at the Milano Cortina Winter Games despite revealing she has been managing a ruptured ACL, maintaining that her Olympic comeback remains on track after a crash last week raised fresh doubts over her participation. Speaking on Tuesday, the 41-year-old American said she was approaching the final decision cautiously but remained focused on lining up for the downhill in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where the Olympic women’s alpine programme opens Sunday. “Last Friday in Crans Montana in the last World Cup I completely ruptured my ACL,” Vonn said. “I have to take it day by day. My goal is obviously right now the downhill. I have to see how it feels – if it’s stable and I feel confident, I’ll continue to race. That is my goal. But I can’t tell you that answer until I actually ski 85 miles an hour.” The update came three days after Vonn crashed into the netting during the World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, injuring her left knee – her right knee required a partial replacement less than two years ago. The fall cast immediate uncertainty over one of the most anticipated storylines of this year’s Games. Vonn said the days since the crash have been spent undergoing scans, physical testing and monitoring swelling and muscle response, adding that she believes her overall conditioning remains strong. “My fitness is 100%, but that doesn’t mean that my body is 100%,” she said. “As long as my swelling is down and my muscles are firing, my strength is what it was a few days ago. “My knee is not swollen, and with the help of a knee brace, I am confident that I can compete on Sunday. This is not, obviously, what I had hoped for. I’ve been working really hard to come into these Games in a much different position. “I know what my chances were before the crash, and I know my chances aren’t the same as it stands today, but I know there’s still a chance. And as long as there’s a chance, I will try. So, that’s where I am.” The revelation that Vonn...
In this article WMT Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Walmart associates celebrate during the opening bell ceremony at the Nasdaq Market to celebrate the company’s listing transfer, in New York City, U.S., December 9, 2025. Brendan McDermid | Reuters Walmart crossed the $1 trillion market cap threshold on Tuesday after a dizzying stock climb fueled by the growth of digital businesses...
In this article WMT Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Walmart associates celebrate during the opening bell ceremony at the Nasdaq Market to celebrate the company’s listing transfer, in New York City, U.S., December 9, 2025. Brendan McDermid | Reuters Walmart crossed the $1 trillion market cap threshold on Tuesday after a dizzying stock climb fueled by the growth of digital businesses and the acquisition of new customers. In hitting the benchmark, the largest U.S. retailer and grocer joins an exclusive club made up almost entirely of technology companies. Walmart's stock has climbed more than 24% in the past year, and more than 11% so far in 2026. That has outpaced the nearly 16% and 2% gains in those timeframes, respectively, for the S&P 500 . The retailer's inclusion in a group heavy on tech companies illustrates much about its ambitions. Walmart has tried to grow profits faster than sales in recent years by leaning into its third-party marketplace and advertising businesses — both of which bring higher margins than its traditional brick-and-mortar operations. The boom in its online selling platform followed the path of key rival Amazon . And Walmart put out the clearest signal yet of its tech ambitions when it listed on the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 last month.
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Willis Towers Watson ( WTW ) shares gapped up 5.6% in Tuesday morning trading after the insurance broker turned in better-than-expected headline numbers for Q4 2025. Q4 adjusted EPS of $8.12, surpassing the $7.93 average analyst estimate, rose from $7.97 in the year-ago quarter. Revenue of $2.94B, also topping the $2.86B consensus, slid 3% from $3.04B a ...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Willis Towers Watson ( WTW ) shares gapped up 5.6% in Tuesday morning trading after the insurance broker turned in better-than-expected headline numbers for Q4 2025. Q4 adjusted EPS of $8.12, surpassing the $7.93 average analyst estimate, rose from $7.97 in the year-ago quarter. Revenue of $2.94B, also topping the $2.86B consensus, slid 3% from $3.04B a year earlier, driven by the sale of TRANZACT, which was completed early last month. On an organic basis, revenue increased 6% Y/Y. For the quarter, the company's Health, Wealth & Career segment posted an 11% Y/Y retreat in total revenue, while the Risk & Broking unit reported 10% Y/Y growth. Adjusted operating margin climbed 80 basis points to 36.9% Y/Y in Q4. “We delivered on our financial targets and strengthened our business through strategic investments in talent and innovation to accelerate performance, enhance efficiency and optimize our portfolio," said CEO Carl Hess. More on Willis Towers Watson Willis Towers Watson: A Steady Play With Light Top-Line Growth Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (WTW) M&A Call Transcript Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (WTW) Newfront Insurance Holdings, Inc. - M&A Call - Slideshow Willis Towers Watson Non-GAAP EPS of $8.12 beats by $0.19, revenue of $2.9B beats by $40M Willis Towers Watson Q4 2025 Earnings Preview
fengdr/iStock via Getty Images Overview The John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund ( PDT ) has recently retraced to a new 52-week low, pushing its discount to Net Asset Value (NAV) toward the double-digit mark—a level rarely seen for this fund over the past few years. PDT is a multi-asset fund that may be used as an equity income substitute. It blends preferred securities with high-dividend common sto...
fengdr/iStock via Getty Images Overview The John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund ( PDT ) has recently retraced to a new 52-week low, pushing its discount to Net Asset Value (NAV) toward the double-digit mark—a level rarely seen for this fund over the past few years. PDT is a multi-asset fund that may be used as an equity income substitute. It blends preferred securities with high-dividend common stocks. With a 7.6% yield and a monthly distribution, the current sell-off provides a good entry point for income-focused investors. PDT is a Hybrid: It Is More Than Just Preferred Stocks A common mistake some investors make is to compare PDT directly to pure-play preferred CEFs like Flaherty & Crumrine Dynamic Preferred and Income ( DFP ) or First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income ( FPF ). While CEFConnect classifies PDT as Fixed Income- Taxable-Preferreds, Morningstar more accurately classifies it as a Moderate Allocation fund. Strategy Income emphasis: Typically investing at least 80% of net assets in dividend paying securities Diversified portfolio: Seeks income from both dividend-paying preferred stocks and common equity securities Utilities exposure: Provides exposure to the high-dividend-paying utilities sector The portfolio composition tells the true story. The tables below are taken from the last PDT annual report. Note that they held a bit more common stocks than preferred securities as of October 31, 2025. By far the highest sector allocations were to Financials and Utilities. PDT Portfolio Composition (PDT Fund Web Site) This structure allows PDT to capture capital appreciation from equity bull markets while maintaining a steady income floor and stability provided by the preferred stock and corporate bonds. The fund is managed by Manulife, which acquired John Hancock about 20 years ago, bringing a deep institutional bench to the fund's strategy. Why PDT Looks Attractive Now Valuation: PDT has historically traded at a premium or a very narrow discount. ...
Speaking to the BBC on Tuesday, Epstein survivor Annie Farmer said: "It's hard to focus on the new information that has been brought to light because of how much damage the DOJ has done by exposing survivors in this way."
Speaking to the BBC on Tuesday, Epstein survivor Annie Farmer said: "It's hard to focus on the new information that has been brought to light because of how much damage the DOJ has done by exposing survivors in this way."
Image source: The Motley Fool. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS Chief Executive Officer — Maryann Mannen Chief Financial Officer — Carl Hagedorn President — Shawn Lyon Executive Vice President — Gregory Floerke Vice President, Investor Relations — Kristina Kazarian Need a quote from a Motley Fool analyst? Email [email protected] TAKEAWAYS Adjusted EBITDA -- $1.8 billion for ...
Image source: The Motley Fool. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS Chief Executive Officer — Maryann Mannen Chief Financial Officer — Carl Hagedorn President — Shawn Lyon Executive Vice President — Gregory Floerke Vice President, Investor Relations — Kristina Kazarian Need a quote from a Motley Fool analyst? Email [email protected] TAKEAWAYS Adjusted EBITDA -- $1.8 billion for the quarter, up 2% year over year. -- $1.8 billion for the quarter, up 2% year over year. Full-year Adjusted EBITDA -- Exceeded $7 billion, marking a three-year CAGR of 6.7%. -- Exceeded $7 billion, marking a three-year CAGR of 6.7%. Distribution Increase -- Quarterly distribution rose 12.5%; management expects 12.5% distribution growth for two more years. -- Quarterly distribution rose 12.5%; management expects 12.5% distribution growth for two more years. Total 2025 Capital Returns -- $4.4 billion returned to unitholders via distributions and buybacks. -- $4.4 billion returned to unitholders via distributions and buybacks. Distributable Cash Flow -- $1.4 billion for the quarter, down 4% year over year, attributed to higher interest expense from incremental debt for acquisitions and growth capital. -- $1.4 billion for the quarter, down 4% year over year, attributed to higher interest expense from incremental debt for acquisitions and growth capital. Cash Balance -- $2.1 billion at quarter end with plans to align usage to the capital allocation framework. -- $2.1 billion at quarter end with plans to align usage to the capital allocation framework. 2026 Capital Spending Plan -- $2.4 billion in planned capital investments primarily focused on natural gas and NGL projects. -- $2.4 billion in planned capital investments primarily focused on natural gas and NGL projects. Growth Capital Allocation -- 90% allocated to the Natural Gas and NGL Services segment, with project returns targeted in the mid-teens. -- 90% allocated to the Natural Gas and NGL Services segment, with project ...
Stanley Yeh/iStock via Getty Images The long-term return forecast for the Global Market Index (GMI) held steady in January at 7%-plus while the benchmark’s trailing 10-year shot higher through last month, rising above 10%. The near-three-percentage-point spread between the high-flying trailing results and the relatively moderate outlook is unusually wide. The gap suggests that investors should man...
Stanley Yeh/iStock via Getty Images The long-term return forecast for the Global Market Index (GMI) held steady in January at 7%-plus while the benchmark’s trailing 10-year shot higher through last month, rising above 10%. The near-three-percentage-point spread between the high-flying trailing results and the relatively moderate outlook is unusually wide. The gap suggests that investors should manage expectations down for the performance outlook for globally diversified portfolios in the years ahead. GMI is a market-value weighted mix of the major asset classes (excluding cash) via ETF proxies. Today’s forecast is calculated as the average of three models (defined below). The current 7.3% annualized estimate for GMI is unchanged from the January estimate , but remains well below the trailing 10.1% annualized return that GMI has generated over the past decade. In the wake of strong gains in several markets and asset classes recently, nearly half of GMI’s components are projected to generate returns that are below results for the past ten years. Ditto for GMI, which is currently projected to earn a substantially softer return compared with its performance over the trailing ten-year window through January. GMI represents a theoretical benchmark for the “optimal” portfolio that’s suited for the average investor with an infinite time horizon. Accordingly, GMI is useful as a starting point for customizing asset allocation and portfolio design to match a particular investor’s expectations, objectives, risk tolerance, etc. GMI’s history suggests that this passive benchmark’s performance will be competitive with most active asset-allocation strategies, especially after adjusting for risk, trading costs and taxes. It’s likely that some, most or possibly all of the forecasts above will be wide of the mark to some degree. GMI’s projections, however, are expected to be somewhat more reliable vs. the estimates for its components. Predictions for the specific markets (US stocks, c...
Hong Kong authorities are considering changing the proposed fine for smoking on a construction site to a fixed penalty of HK$3,000 (US$385) rather than a maximum of HK$150,000. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Tuesday that the initial plan was to amend the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, which only stipulates the maximum fine to be determined by the court...
Hong Kong authorities are considering changing the proposed fine for smoking on a construction site to a fixed penalty of HK$3,000 (US$385) rather than a maximum of HK$150,000. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Tuesday that the initial plan was to amend the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, which only stipulates the maximum fine to be determined by the courts rather than a fixed amount. The proposed smoking ban is in response to the deadly Tai Po blaze in November at Wang Fuk Court, which had been undergoing renovations. Advertisement “While many construction workers have expressed agreement with the comprehensive smoking ban on construction sites … they have raised concerns, stating that if the maximum penalty is set at HK$150,000, they’ll feel apprehensive,” Sun said. “Certain concerns are valid. We must allow more time to thoroughly consider the details, work through the specifics and ensure each step is viable.” Advertisement He said the government was “actively looking at” a solution that addressed such concerns. Sun said that one option would be to align the fine with the existing HK$3,000 penalty under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance. He added that he was heartened to see the industry agree with the fine.
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images NXP Semiconductors ( NXPI ) was down 8% during early market action on Tuesday following fourth-quarter financial results that surpassed estimates, as financial firms pointed to broader market issues affecting the share price. The stock drop appears due to NXP's "over-exposure to Auto, sequential GM pressure, and lack of Industrial recovery evidenced in t...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images NXP Semiconductors ( NXPI ) was down 8% during early market action on Tuesday following fourth-quarter financial results that surpassed estimates, as financial firms pointed to broader market issues affecting the share price. The stock drop appears due to NXP's "over-exposure to Auto, sequential GM pressure, and lack of Industrial recovery evidenced in the results," said Cantor analysts, led by Matthew Prisco, in an investor note. "No change to our thesis post-press release as we continue to view NXPI's through-cycle resiliency and secular growth drivers as underappreciated by investors, with over-indexing to Automotive and continued macro/geopolitical uncertainty likely to weigh on near-term relative performance within Analog." Cantor retained its Overweight rating and $280 price target. "By segment, Auto/Industrial essentially came in as expected, with Mobile driving the Dec Q beat," Prisco added. "Elsewhere, DIO were down 7 days Q/Q to 154, and channel inventory increased to 10wks (vs 9wks last Q)—indicating some degree of channel fill benefit in the Dec Q (as expected)." Meanwhile, Oppenheimer retained its Outperform rating and attributed the stock price drop to a "muted outlook." "We view results/outlook aligned with the modest pace of continued cyclical recovery," said Oppenheimer analysts, led by Rick Schafer, in a note. "NXP remains well positioned to benefit in the cyclical recovery as utilization improves and content-led growth helps drive GM expansion." NXP competitors Analog Devices ( WDI ) and Infineon ( IFNNY ) were down 0.1% and 3.6%, respectively. More on NXP Semiconductors NXP Semiconductors N.V. 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation NXP Semiconductors: As Self-Driving Advances, Can Auto IoT Keep Driving Growth? NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NXPI) Presents at CES 2026 Prepared Remarks Transcript NXP edges down following Q4 financial results despite strong growth in IoT and industrial NXP Semiconductors...
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) stock has been riding the AI wave with an upside of 116% in the last 52 weeks. Further, according to Holly Newman Kroft, managing director at Neuberger Berman Private Wealth, the “AI euphoria is far from finished.” The big investments in AI will therefore continue to benefit the “Magnificent Seven tech companies” and the other participants with a product portfolio that...
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) stock has been riding the AI wave with an upside of 116% in the last 52 weeks. Further, according to Holly Newman Kroft, managing director at Neuberger Berman Private Wealth, the “AI euphoria is far from finished.” The big investments in AI will therefore continue to benefit the “Magnificent Seven tech companies” and the other participants with a product portfolio that benefits from the structural tailwinds. AMD is among the high-performance computing companies that are positioned to benefit. Specific to AMD, Wedbush Securities is bullish ahead of the company’s earnings. Analyst Matt Bryson expects earnings to exceed Q4 estimates. In addition, Bryson expects “gross margin and profit growth through 2026.” Another potential catalyst is China starting to “green-light some AI-related shipments.” Overall, Wedbush has an “Outperform” rating and a $290 price target for AMD stock. About AMD Stock Headquartered in Santa Clara, Advanced Micro Devices is an innovator in high-performance computing, graphics, and visualization technologies. With a global presence, AMD operates in three segments: Data Center, Client and Gaming, and Embedded. For Q3 2025, AMD reported 36% year-on-year (YoY) growth in revenue to $9.2 billion. This growth was driven by demand for the company’s data center AI, server, and PC business. For the same period, the company’s GAAP gross margin was robust at 52%. Considering the strong financial performance and continued tailwinds for the industry, AMD stock has trended higher by 44% in the last six months. With AI-driven industry investments, it’s likely that robust growth will ensure that AMD stock remains in an uptrend. Ample Growth Opportunities The bullish view on AMD stock is underpinned by the point that the addressable market is significant. To put things into perspective, AMD believes that the compute market is likely to be worth $1 trillion by the end of the decade. With a broad portfolio of hardware, software, and solu...
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) stock has been riding the AI wave with an upside of 116% in the last 52 weeks. Further, according to Holly Newman Kroft, managing director at Neuberger Berman Private Wealth, the “AI euphoria is far from finished.” The big investments in AI will therefore continue to benefit the “Magnificent Seven tech companies” and the other participants with a product portfolio that...
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) stock has been riding the AI wave with an upside of 116% in the last 52 weeks. Further, according to Holly Newman Kroft, managing director at Neuberger Berman Private Wealth, the “AI euphoria is far from finished.” The big investments in AI will therefore continue to benefit the “Magnificent Seven tech companies” and the other participants with a product portfolio that benefits from the structural tailwinds. AMD is among the high-performance computing companies that are positioned to benefit. Specific to AMD, Wedbush Securities is bullish ahead of the company’s earnings. Analyst Matt Bryson expects earnings to exceed Q4 estimates. In addition, Bryson expects “gross margin and profit growth through 2026.” Another potential catalyst is China starting to “green-light some AI-related shipments.” Overall, Wedbush has an “Outperform” rating and a $290 price target for AMD stock. About AMD Stock Headquartered in Santa Clara, Advanced Micro Devices is an innovator in high-performance computing, graphics, and visualization technologies. With a global presence, AMD operates in three segments: Data Center, Client and Gaming, and Embedded. For Q3 2025, AMD reported 36% year-on-year (YoY) growth in revenue to $9.2 billion. This growth was driven by demand for the company’s data center AI, server, and PC business. For the same period, the company’s GAAP gross margin was robust at 52%. Considering the strong financial performance and continued tailwinds for the industry, AMD stock has trended higher by 44% in the last six months. With AI-driven industry investments, it’s likely that robust growth will ensure that AMD stock remains in an uptrend. Ample Growth Opportunities The bullish view on AMD stock is underpinned by the point that the addressable market is significant. To put things into perspective, AMD believes that the compute market is likely to be worth $1 trillion by the end of the decade. With a broad portfolio of hardware, software, and solu...
primeimages Shares of Palantir ( PLTR ) are in focus Tuesday morning after the company reported earnings after Monday’s close. The stock is up roughly 6.5% following a fourth-quarter beat and an outlook that topped expectations, fueling a positive response across the market. Investors are now weighing strong execution and forward guidance as momentum builds. See what Seeking Alpha analysts are say...
primeimages Shares of Palantir ( PLTR ) are in focus Tuesday morning after the company reported earnings after Monday’s close. The stock is up roughly 6.5% following a fourth-quarter beat and an outlook that topped expectations, fueling a positive response across the market. Investors are now weighing strong execution and forward guidance as momentum builds. See what Seeking Alpha analysts are saying about Palantir’s latest earnings report. SA analyst Mike Zaccardi indicated: “Valuation remains premium at 50x forward sales and >3x PEG, but strong free cash flow and EPS momentum support a Buy rating for PLTR stock,” in Palantir: Blowout Guidance Backs Up Strong Earnings, Shares Hold Key Support . SA Analyst The Asian Investor said: “Free cash flow expanded sharply in Q4. Palantir's significant cash flow growth and higher margins would be supportive of potential stock buybacks or strategic acquisitions. Despite a premium valuation, PLTR's accelerating growth, expanding customer base, and AI leadership justify a continued bullish stance,” in Palantir: AI-Driven Growth Acceleration (Rating Upgrade) . SA analyst Gary Alexander noted: “While I won't argue that Palantir certainly had some valuation premium that it needed to burn off, its fundamentals are also terrific, as amply demonstrated by its latest Q4 earnings print. In my view, this is an excellent time to accumulate shares of Palantir while they're taking a breather,” in Palantir: Blistering Growth And A Buy-The-Dip Moment . SA analyst Ahan Vashi expressed: “Considering Palantir's business fundamentals, valuation, and technicals, I am upgrading my rating on PLTR stock from a Strong Sell to a tactical Sell. I rate Palantir stock a tactical Sell in the mid-$100,” in Palantir: Q4 Earnings, Valuation, Technicals, And More (Rating Upgrade) . More on markets ETF inflows shatter records as $165B floods in during the month of January U.S. corporate profits stay on solid footing, as Goldman projects double-digit growth in 2...
koto_feja ManpowerGroup ( MAN ) fell on the radar of Argus on Tuesday. The firm boosted its rating on the employment stock to Buy from Hold on its view that the recent negative earnings trend is beginning to turn. Analyst John Eade highlighted that in the most recent quarter, revenue growth has improved for ManpowerGroup ( MAN ), and margins have held steady. Notably, ManpowerGroup ( MAN ) managem...
koto_feja ManpowerGroup ( MAN ) fell on the radar of Argus on Tuesday. The firm boosted its rating on the employment stock to Buy from Hold on its view that the recent negative earnings trend is beginning to turn. Analyst John Eade highlighted that in the most recent quarter, revenue growth has improved for ManpowerGroup ( MAN ), and margins have held steady. Notably, ManpowerGroup ( MAN ) management's outlook calls for a return to growth in Q1. "Results lately have been hurt by weak economic conditions and soft demand for staffing services. But conditions appear to be improving in key markets, and management has implemented cost-optimization strategies. We expect Manpower to benefit over time from its investment in data analytics and have a positive view of the company's long-term prospects as it focuses on selling higher-margin services," updated Eade. In terms of valuation, ManpowerGroup ( MAN ) was called attractive at a current P/E of 7.4X. From a technical standpoint, Argus thinks shares appear to be reversing a long-term bearish pattern and embarking on a bullish trend of higher highs and higher lows. Argus set a 12-month price target of $42 on ManpowerGroup ( MAN ). More on Manpower ManpowerGroup Inc. (MAN) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript ManpowerGroup Inc. 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation ManpowerGroup Stock: Holding Pattern In A Soft Labor Market ManpowerGroup outlines Q1 2026 revenue growth forecast with margin expansion focus amid AI-driven transformation Manpower beats top-line and bottom-line estimates; initiates Q1 outlook
Chris Harvey, CIBC head of equity strategy, says don't go "bottom-fishing" for stocks right now. He expects a melt-up for stocks this summer. (Source: Bloomberg)
Chris Harvey, CIBC head of equity strategy, says don't go "bottom-fishing" for stocks right now. He expects a melt-up for stocks this summer. (Source: Bloomberg)
aapsky/iStock via Getty Images IREN ( IREN ) reports 2Q26 on Thursday after the bell, and I’m maintaining the stock with a buy ahead into print. I last covered the stock in early January of this year, flagging IREN as cheap at the $45 level. With the stock up over 21.6% since then, outperforming the S&P 500 and peers during the same period, that call has played out as expected. The mini-rally rein...
aapsky/iStock via Getty Images IREN ( IREN ) reports 2Q26 on Thursday after the bell, and I’m maintaining the stock with a buy ahead into print. I last covered the stock in early January of this year, flagging IREN as cheap at the $45 level. With the stock up over 21.6% since then, outperforming the S&P 500 and peers during the same period, that call has played out as expected. The mini-rally reinforces my view that $45 marked a fundamental floor, mainly supported by improving visibility into IREN’s AI data center pipeline, contracting demand, and expanding margins as the business continues its transition away from pure Bitcoin mining. Heading into earnings, expectations remain reasonable relative to growth, and I see upside surprise if management reiterates or raises FY26 run-rate targets, especially around AI capacity utilization and customer diversification. Seeking Alpha The latter is where my thesis on the stock comes in. With IREN slowly but surely becoming a go-to provider of large-scale AI compute, I think more hyperscaler deals are underway. IREN isn’t just a momentum trade anymore; the company is positioning itself as a foundational layer in the AI buildout, with Cloud AI contracts now doing the heavy lifting on both revenue visibility and margin expansion. Sentiment around the neoclouds is nowhere near stable, which is why I view IREN as attractive on pullbacks. That has played out well so far, with the stock up another 88% since my September buy call of last year, down around 16.8% since my reiterated buy in early October of last year, and then up another 20% since my December buy call. Heading into 2Q26, IREN looks less like a speculative trade and more like a durable AI infrastructure compounder, and one that still hasn’t fully earned its seat at the valuation table. Investment Thesis: My long-term investment thesis remains unchanged: IREN’s long-term value depends on the speed and success of its transition into the AI cloud. While Bitcoin mining still...
Image source: The Motley Fool. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS President and Chief Executive Officer — John Stauch Chief Financial Officer (outgoing) — Bob Fishman Chief Financial Officer (incoming) — Nick Brazos TAKEAWAYS Sales Growth -- Reported 5% sales growth in Q4, with segment performance of 9% growth in Flow and 11% growth in Pool, partially offset by a 10% decline in W...
Image source: The Motley Fool. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS President and Chief Executive Officer — John Stauch Chief Financial Officer (outgoing) — Bob Fishman Chief Financial Officer (incoming) — Nick Brazos TAKEAWAYS Sales Growth -- Reported 5% sales growth in Q4, with segment performance of 9% growth in Flow and 11% growth in Pool, partially offset by a 10% decline in Water Solutions. -- Reported 5% sales growth in Q4, with segment performance of 9% growth in Flow and 11% growth in Pool, partially offset by a 10% decline in Water Solutions. Adjusted Operating Profit -- Adjusted operating profit increased 9% in Q4 to $252 million, with company return on sales expanding 90 basis points to 24.7% year over year. -- Adjusted operating profit increased 9% in Q4 to $252 million, with company return on sales expanding 90 basis points to 24.7% year over year. Adjusted EPS -- Q4 adjusted EPS rose 9% to $1.18; full-year adjusted EPS increased 14% to a record $4.92. -- Q4 adjusted EPS rose 9% to $1.18; full-year adjusted EPS increased 14% to a record $4.92. Full-Year Metrics -- Annual sales rose 2% to $4.18 billion, adjusted operating income was up 10%, and full-year return on sales reached 25.2%, marking a 170 basis point expansion. -- Annual sales rose 2% to $4.18 billion, adjusted operating income was up 10%, and full-year return on sales reached 25.2%, marking a 170 basis point expansion. Record Free Cash Flow -- Delivered record free cash flow of $748 million for the year, enabling $225 million in share repurchases (2.3 million shares) and a new $1 billion repurchase authorization. -- Delivered record free cash flow of $748 million for the year, enabling $225 million in share repurchases (2.3 million shares) and a new $1 billion repurchase authorization. Transformation Savings -- Achieved transformation savings of $70 million net of investments, with the same level targeted for 2026. -- Achieved transformation savings of $70 million net of inves...