//php echo do_shortcode('[responsivevoice_button voice="US English Male" buttontext="Listen to Post"]') ?> Texas Instruments, a leading supplier of analog and power chips, is bolstering its embedded processing capabilities by acquiring Silicon Laboratories at a time when the IoT world is remaking itself with edge AI. Silicon Labs’s embedded processors, specializing in wireless connectivity and har...
//php echo do_shortcode('[responsivevoice_button voice="US English Male" buttontext="Listen to Post"]') ?> Texas Instruments, a leading supplier of analog and power chips, is bolstering its embedded processing capabilities by acquiring Silicon Laboratories at a time when the IoT world is remaking itself with edge AI. Silicon Labs’s embedded processors, specializing in wireless connectivity and hardware security, are expected to bolster TI’s presence in IoT and edge AI designs. TI’s CEO, Haviv Ilan, acknowledged embedded processing as the primary driver of this acquisition. TI will acquire the Austin, Texas-based specialist of mixed-signal chips for approximately $7.5 billion; it’s TI’s largest acquisition since it bought National Semiconductor for $6.5 billion in 2011. It’s also another analog-meets-digital story. In a way, it seems a redux of Infineon’s 2020 acquisition of Cypress Semiconductor, which allowed the German chipmaker to venture into the IoT-centric connectivity world that’s gradually advancing toward the edge AI-enabled automotive, consumer, and industrial designs. According to industry insiders, though TI has a significant presence in the embedded processing space, its embedded solutions have a long way to go in IoT silicon and related software tools. On the other hand, Silicon Labs is known for robust software development kits (SDKs) and development tools for its wireless connectivity and hardware security silicon. Partner Content View All By Andras Vass-Varnai 02.02.2026 By MRPeasy 02.01.2026 By Global Unichip Corp. (GUC 01.28.2026 Silicon Labs showcased its wireless connectivity silicon and related software toolchains at CES 2026. (Source: Silicon Labs) At CES 2026, Silicon Labs showcased a simplified SDK for Zephyr, the go-to open RTOS for connected embedded systems. The SDK, which offers a portable, production-grade alternative to proprietary kernels, streamlines RTOS adoption for next-generation IoT designs. The fab angle Besides Silicon Labs’ e...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics rescheduled its January jobs report for Feb. 11, it said on Wednesday, shortly after funding for the Labor Department and other agencies was restored after a partial government shutdown. The nonfarm payrolls data were originally due out on Feb. 6. In addition, the January Consumer Price Index report, initially due Feb. 11, is now slated for Feb. 13, the BLS said . Th...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics rescheduled its January jobs report for Feb. 11, it said on Wednesday, shortly after funding for the Labor Department and other agencies was restored after a partial government shutdown. The nonfarm payrolls data were originally due out on Feb. 6. In addition, the January Consumer Price Index report, initially due Feb. 11, is now slated for Feb. 13, the BLS said . The December Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey was also rescheduled for Feb. 5, and the December Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment release is now scheduled for Feb. 6. These two reports were originally due this week. Dear readers: We recognize that politics often intersects with the financial news of the day, so we invite you to click here to join the separate political discussion. More on the U.S. Economy Macro Insights: Gold's Warning, Warsh's Fed Takeover, And 15 S&P 500 Stocks Still Worth Buying Warsh Nomination To Fed Introduces New Uncertainty For 2026 Policy Outlook Sunday's Election Prospects Weigh On The Yen U.S. dollar rises on safe-haven demand, Fed leadership speculation: Currency Recap Big investors brace for inflation comeback as rate-cut bets look risky
Unity Software ( U ) shares clocked seven straight sessions of losses on Wednesday, as the stock was 6% lower at $24.33. The application software company lost over 37% in the preceding six sessions. Overall, the stock has fallen 47% so far this year, compared to the 1% rise in the broader S&P 500 Index ( SP500 ). U is down 46% over the past one month. “U's operating profits remain deep in the red....
Unity Software ( U ) shares clocked seven straight sessions of losses on Wednesday, as the stock was 6% lower at $24.33. The application software company lost over 37% in the preceding six sessions. Overall, the stock has fallen 47% so far this year, compared to the 1% rise in the broader S&P 500 Index ( SP500 ). U is down 46% over the past one month. “U's operating profits remain deep in the red. Investors need to see a credible plan through which revenues could grow and overcome burdensome fixed costs,” pointed out a recent Seeking Alpha analysis. Seeking Alpha's Quant rated the stock Hold, with a score of 2.6 out of 5. The company received B+ in the prospect of profitability, while it received D+ in the growth factor. Seeking Alpha analysts are cautious and see the stock as a Hold. Turning to the Wall Street , 17 analysts have given the stock a Buy or above rating. Nine analysts gave the stock hold recommendation, while one positioned Sell. More on Unity Software Inc Unity Software: Structural Progress Offset By Financial And Industry Hurdles (Downgrade) Unity: It's 2021 All Over Again, Downgrade To 'Sell' Unity Software Inc. (U) Discusses Game Development Innovation and Community Achievements at Unite Event Prepared Remarks Transcript Video game stocks nosedive as Google's 'Project Genie' allows virtual world creation Enterprise software stocks follow larger market down; AppLovin, Unity lead declines
As February begins, major U.S. stock indexes have shown a strong start with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 515 points and the S&P 500 nearing record highs, indicating a positive market momentum. In this thriving environment, growth companies with high insider ownership can be particularly appealing as they often reflect confidence from those closest to the business in its potential for f...
As February begins, major U.S. stock indexes have shown a strong start with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 515 points and the S&P 500 nearing record highs, indicating a positive market momentum. In this thriving environment, growth companies with high insider ownership can be particularly appealing as they often reflect confidence from those closest to the business in its potential for future success. Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In The United States Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Super Micro Computer (SMCI) 13.9% 40.3% StubHub Holdings (STUB) 25.1% 59.8% SES AI (SES) 12% 68.9% Prairie Operating (PROP) 32.2% 90.6% Niu Technologies (NIU) 39.3% 101.1% Karman Holdings (KRMN) 17.3% 62% Corcept Therapeutics (CORT) 11.6% 43.7% Bitdeer Technologies Group (BTDR) 33.4% 136.7% BillionToOne (BLLN) 11.2% 51% Astera Labs (ALAB) 10.5% 28.8% Click here to see the full list of 208 stocks from our Fast Growing US Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. Below we spotlight a couple of our favorites from our exclusive screener. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Astrana Health, Inc. is a healthcare management company offering medical care services in the United States with a market cap of approximately $1.12 billion. Operations: Astrana Health's revenue is derived from its Care Delivery segment at $195.02 million, Care Partners segment at $2.78 billion, and Care Enablement segment at $212.87 million. Insider Ownership: 10.2% Earnings Growth Forecast: 32.3% p.a. Astrana Health's earnings are forecast to grow significantly at 32.3% annually, outpacing the US market average. Despite this, profit margins have decreased from 3.6% to 0.3%, and interest payments remain poorly covered by earnings. The company trades at a substantial discount to its estimated fair value but has experienced high share price volatility recently. Recent financials show revenue of US$956 million for Q3 2025, reflecting strong growth but with reduced net i...
Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision via Getty Images Introduction To The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF 2025 was a year that reminded investors of the value of diversifying their equity positions internationally, as foreign markets, represented by the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF ( IXUS ), outpaced returns of the U.S. equity market. Data by YCharts For those seeking international diversific...
Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision via Getty Images Introduction To The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF 2025 was a year that reminded investors of the value of diversifying their equity positions internationally, as foreign markets, represented by the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF ( IXUS ), outpaced returns of the U.S. equity market. Data by YCharts For those seeking international diversification, ETFs have offered opportunities to become more specific than ever without incurring heavy trading fees and costs. The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF ( IEFA ) is one such ETF that can offer broad international diversification that's also very specific at the same time. This is a passively managed ETF that tracks large, mid, and small-cap stocks across all developed markets within MSCI's definition, excluding those based in Canada and the United States. It's an ETF that can make a lot of sense for certain investors and not so much for others. In this article, I'll discuss how IEFA operates, some use cases that it might best fit into, and various considerations to help you understand if the ETF is a useful vehicle for your investment purposes. IEFA's Strategy And Investor Suitability Launched on October 18, 2012 , IEFA has since garnered over $173B in AUM. The ETF is fundamentally a low-cost, index fund with an expense ratio of only 0.07% and tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index . This index, quote: ".. . captures large, mid and small cap representation across Developed Markets countries around the world, excluding the US and Canada. The index is comprehensive, covering approximately 99% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country." In other words, the index is made up of stocks from MSCI's developed markets outside of the U.S. and Canada, and is weighted based on the market cap that's available for the public to invest in. Developed markets that are included as of February 3, 2026, include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong ...
Freepoint Commodities and US refiner Citgo Petroleum are seeking direct access to Venezuelan oil cargoes as US sanctions on the South American nation ease. Commodities trader Freepoint is considering applying for a US Treasury license to buy Venezuelan fuel oil, people familiar with the matter said. Citgo plans to use an already-issued general license to buy crude oil, according to a person who as...
Freepoint Commodities and US refiner Citgo Petroleum are seeking direct access to Venezuelan oil cargoes as US sanctions on the South American nation ease. Commodities trader Freepoint is considering applying for a US Treasury license to buy Venezuelan fuel oil, people familiar with the matter said. Citgo plans to use an already-issued general license to buy crude oil, according to a person who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information. A Freepoint representative declined to comment for this story. Citgo didn’t immediately respond to an inquiry. Freepoint and Citgo are joining a flurry of companies expressing interested in going back to the Venezuelan oil trade after the US deposed strongman Nicolas Maduro last month. Read More: Mercuria Joins List of Traders Vying for Venezuela Oil Since Maduro’s capture, Venezuelan oil sales have been handled exclusively by Chevron Corp. and trading firms Vitol Group and Trafigura Group . A general license published last week opened the oil trade to more companies. Freepoint is primarily interested in buying fuel oil, the people said, adding that the trader has already bought one cargo from Vitol. Citgo , which is currently evaluating how to buy crude directly from PDVSA, has bought as much as 1 million barrels for delivery as soon as March, pending legal approvals, a person said. The US refiner, indirectly controlled by the Venezuelan government, is under scrutiny as its court-ordered sale remains subject to additional approvals. Citgo was the largest US buyer of Venezuelan oil before 2019, when the US imposed a de facto ban on imports from the South American nation.
"The Pulse With Francine Lacqua" is all about conversations with high profile guests in the beating heart of global business, economics, finance and politics. Based in London, we go wherever the story is, bringing you exclusive interviews and market-moving scoops. (Source: Bloomberg)
"The Pulse With Francine Lacqua" is all about conversations with high profile guests in the beating heart of global business, economics, finance and politics. Based in London, we go wherever the story is, bringing you exclusive interviews and market-moving scoops. (Source: Bloomberg)
Pgiam/iStock via Getty Images Investment Thesis Trustco Bank ( TRST ) shares are up 35.5% in the past twelve months, outperforming the NASDAQ Community Bank Index ( ABAQ ) and the broader market index ( SP500 ). This year, there are signs that TRST is poised for a similar outperformance. Here's why: The stock remains undervalued despite the bullish run. The board of directors authorized a 2 millio...
Pgiam/iStock via Getty Images Investment Thesis Trustco Bank ( TRST ) shares are up 35.5% in the past twelve months, outperforming the NASDAQ Community Bank Index ( ABAQ ) and the broader market index ( SP500 ). This year, there are signs that TRST is poised for a similar outperformance. Here's why: The stock remains undervalued despite the bullish run. The board of directors authorized a 2 million share purchase, equivalent to 11% of the company's outstanding shares. Some Net Interest Margin "NIM" wins are likely to continue going into 2026, particularly those tied to the loans repricing cycle. Data by YCharts Company Overview TrustCo is a mid-sized community bank. It operates 136 branches across 5 states: New York, Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Vermont. In its current organizational structure, the bank was incorporated in 1981 but traces its roots back more than a century - management states that it has been paying dividends since 1904 ( p.3 ), highlighting its emphasis on shareholder returns, a claim supported by the recent behemoth share buyback programs, including the one recently completed in 2025, which saw 1 million shares retired, representing roughly 5% of shares outstanding. In terms of operations, TrustCo is a traditional banking institution. It does have a small wealth management arm, but its assets are mostly residential mortgage loans, while its liabilities are mostly consumer deposits. Balance Sheet As of December 2025, TrustCo held roughly $6.4 billion in total assets. Approximately $4.9 billion, or 77% of this amount, is tied to residential mortgage and home equity loans. An additional 11% is cash and equivalents. The remaining 12% is tied to a diverse set of investment categories, including Mortgage Backed Securities "MBS" corporate bonds, SBA loans, Fed deposits, etc. Looking at loan write-offs and non-performing assets, TrustCo's loan underwriting process seems prudent. About $22.1 million of the company's assets were non-performing, r...
wildpixel/iStock via Getty Images Investors have gotten fat and happy since ChatGPT debuted in November of 2022, provided they had substantial exposure to the Magnificent Seven. These tech titans have driven most of the gains in equities via riding the AI Revolution wave. The S&P 500 has returned an average annual return of just north of 20% since 2023. S&P 500 Annual Returns (Slickcharts) One of ...
wildpixel/iStock via Getty Images Investors have gotten fat and happy since ChatGPT debuted in November of 2022, provided they had substantial exposure to the Magnificent Seven. These tech titans have driven most of the gains in equities via riding the AI Revolution wave. The S&P 500 has returned an average annual return of just north of 20% since 2023. S&P 500 Annual Returns (Slickcharts) One of the consequences of these consistent gains in equities, is that investors have become quite complacent. One way you can measure this complacency is the movement of the S&P VIX Index ( VIX ) which is trading at low levels despite myriad market worries (AI Bubble, sticky inflation, faltering jobs growth, Iran, etc...) VIX Stock Chart (Seeking Alpha) In addition, 2026 looks very similar to 2022 in several aspects. And 2022 was a brutal year for investors. The S&P 500 fell just over 18% for the year, and the NASDAQ fell by roughly a third. In today's column, I will highlight four ways the current year is mapping 2022. Shiller PE Ratio (Multpl) Let's start with the obvious, and this is around equity valuations. As can be seen above, the Shiller PE ratio recently surpassed the level it last hit in late 2021. This was just before the big swoosh down in the market the following year. NASDAQ Price to Sales ratio (Macrotrends) Several other metrics show the current market trading significantly above the peak levels of 2021. In addition, cash flows and stock buybacks from the Magnificent Seven should be greatly reduced in coming quarters as the tech titans greatly ramp up their capital expenditures targeting AI infrastructure. Capex at Microsoft ( MSFT ) has nearly doubled over the past five quarters. Meta Platforms ( META ) capex guidance for FY2026 is between $115 billion to $135 billion. This is a huge increase from the $72.2 billion the company spent on capex in FY2025. January 2026 Company Presentation One of the features of 2022 was that many asset bubbles popped in a major way....
Sundry Photography/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Introduction Oracle ( ORCL ) is a giant tech corporation that appears almost unwieldy or disjointed. Expanding from its traditional database -centric identity, the company is providing essential infrastructure to hyperscalers focused on data centers. It's also becoming a full-stack provider with cloud architecture and applications that mesh with...
Sundry Photography/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Introduction Oracle ( ORCL ) is a giant tech corporation that appears almost unwieldy or disjointed. Expanding from its traditional database -centric identity, the company is providing essential infrastructure to hyperscalers focused on data centers. It's also becoming a full-stack provider with cloud architecture and applications that mesh with its database core offering. Oracle is also spearheading the acquisition and establishment of TikTok USA, leading a consortium that plans to build a two-part entity. This MSN piece lays out the Oracle transformation and accompanying challenges: “Oracle's voracious appetite transformed the company into... a full-stack provider, offering enterprise customers.. . software and middleware to databases and hardware. But the acquisitions were also very expensive, pressuring margins...when year-over-year revenue growth was hard to come by.” While growth may be beautiful in theory, major capex, backlog in the form of Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) and large amounts of debt impinge on the effort. The RPO has contributed to the current share price decline, along with a bondholders' lawsuit that I discuss later. Prospective customers might not wait for "backup catch-up" before Oracle supplies them . Even contracted customers might raise issues if the backlog is not translated to the pipeline. Still, Oracle has a record of success and of rewarding patient investors. Looking at the history, $1,000 invested in Oracle 20 years ago would translate to about $29,000, for an annual return of more than 18% . Founder Larry Ellison and his teams have created a true success story. The Oracle Business Case Oracle has a strong business case built around expanding its database identity. A "migration" into the hyperscale cloud universe is the core of current expansion, within a strategy that Argus Research analyst Joe Bonner presented in a recent MSN article : " Ora cle has now partnered with...
Key Points Starbucks impressed investors with its recovery progress in the 2026 fiscal first quarter. It's opening stores more deliberately as it recovers. Management sees the opportunity to open as many as 10,000 new stores in the U.S. alone over many years. 10 stocks we like better than Starbucks › Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) wowed the markets last week with its latest quarterly update. The company...
Key Points Starbucks impressed investors with its recovery progress in the 2026 fiscal first quarter. It's opening stores more deliberately as it recovers. Management sees the opportunity to open as many as 10,000 new stores in the U.S. alone over many years. 10 stocks we like better than Starbucks › Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) wowed the markets last week with its latest quarterly update. The company made strides under the leadership of CEO Brian Niccol, who's been at the helm for a bit more than a year, and it has a roadmap toward a complete recovery. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » There were many updates about performance and strategy in the report and at the investors' day. Management provided an outlook through 2028, as well as a long-term view. One seemingly minor piece of information was that it sees the opportunity to open another 5,000 stores in the U.S. alone over the long term, and "as average unit volumes grow, that number could double over time." That implies that it still thinks it can open as many as 10,000 U.S. locations, in addition to the 18,360 stores it already operates in North America. Rather than continue opening new stores at a rapid pace, Starbucks has been much more deliberate about store openings in the pressured environment. Since the new store count expected in 2026 offsets store closures from last year, management is guiding for revenue to grow at the same rate as comparable sales this year. It opened only 128 net new stores in the 2026 fiscal first quarter (ended Dec. 28), ending the quarter with 41,118 stores globally. That includes 8,011 in China, where it thinks it can open another 15,000 to 20,000 stores. In fact, it plans to double its international store count to about 40,000 stores. Investors who think Starbucks' opportunity is saturated should think twice. There's no guarantee that the company w...
Name: Dark showering. Age: The name is new; the idea is not. Appearance: Barely visible. What is it? It’s exactly what it sounds like. That’s what I was afraid of. Showering with the light off. That’s it? What’s happened, has the bulb gone again? No, it’s showering with the light off on purpose. Why would you do that? It’s a way to remove distraction, calm your nervous system and practise mindfuln...
Name: Dark showering. Age: The name is new; the idea is not. Appearance: Barely visible. What is it? It’s exactly what it sounds like. That’s what I was afraid of. Showering with the light off. That’s it? What’s happened, has the bulb gone again? No, it’s showering with the light off on purpose. Why would you do that? It’s a way to remove distraction, calm your nervous system and practise mindfulness. And get clean. Yes, you also get clean. But this is more about finding those small, intentional moments that release you from the cares of your day. It sounds like an accident waiting to happen. You don’t have to shower in complete darkness – just in dim light, even by candlelight. Would I be correct in assuming that this is another TikTok wellness trend? Actually dark showering – or more precisely dark bathing – is an established Ayurvedic practice, a pre-bedtime ritual that cleanses not just the body, but the mind. It is big on TikTok, though. View image in fullscreen A little Ayurvedic self-care … Photograph: Posed by model; microgen/Getty Images Is that so? It also has a scientific foundation: warm water is supposed to help reduce the stress hormone cortisol, and the darkness can trigger the release of melatonin, which can allegedly shorten the average time between hitting the hay and falling asleep. These are bold claims to make for showering in the dark. Think of it as a spa treatment in your own home: hot water, scented products, a flickering tea light … Can I take my waterproof iPad in with me? No. This is about reducing sensory overload. And your electricity bill, if only slightly. Devotees swear by dark showering, so don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I have tried it once, when I was drunk in a Travelodge and couldn’t figure out how the lights worked. What happened? They made me pay for the mirror I broke. I suggest you try it again in your own bathroom after a stressful day, on a night when you feel you might need a little self-care. Do say: “After a few ...
Michael Vi/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Shares of AbbVie ( ABBV ) lost ~7% on Wednesday after the Chicago-based pharma giant posted better-than-expected Q4 2025 results, which, according to BNP Paribas, were driven by its older blockbuster Humira and not Rinvoq, one of its newer immunology drugs. The results come as the company relies on Rinvoq and its sister drug Skyrizi to offset the impact...
Michael Vi/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Shares of AbbVie ( ABBV ) lost ~7% on Wednesday after the Chicago-based pharma giant posted better-than-expected Q4 2025 results, which, according to BNP Paribas, were driven by its older blockbuster Humira and not Rinvoq, one of its newer immunology drugs. The results come as the company relies on Rinvoq and its sister drug Skyrizi to offset the impact of low-cost generics targeting Humira, which flooded the U.S. market after the arthritis drug lost its market exclusivity in 2023. However, the former bestseller added $1.2B to AbbVie’s ( ABBV ) topline in Q4, well ahead of the $993.8M projected by analysts, according to Bloomberg data. Meanwhile, Rinvoq and Skyrizi generated $2.37B and $5.00B in net revenue compared to $2.38B and $4.9B in the consensus. “We expect a negative stock reaction for ABBV upon market open despite the slight beat that was unusually driven by a large beat in US Humira,” read a research note from Navann Ty, senior analyst at BNP Paribas Equity Research. “The usual AbbVie’s ‘beaters’ and growth drivers reported marginally lower (Rinvoq) to slightly better (Skyrizi) revenues,” the analyst added, reaffirming her Neutral rating on the stock. BMO Markets analyst Evan Seigerman agreed, noting that investors might view ABBV’s Q4 report as “somewhat lower quality,” as it was led by better-than-expected sales for Humira, which, however, indicated a ~26% YoY drop during the quarter. According to William Blair analyst Matt Phipps, the results marked the second consecutive quarter in which “Rinvoq has not beat consensus, and Skyrizi has only had a slight beat.” More on AbbVie AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) Presents at 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference Transcript AbbVie: The Dividend Does Not Lie AbbVie: Rocky Near-Term, Positive Long-Term AbbVie posts Q4 beat as Humira outperforms AbbVie Non-GAAP EPS of $2.71 beats by $0.06, revenue of $16.62B beats by $200M
Companies at the intersection of cloud or AI technology and healthcare have underperformed in the last year, but some firms have compelling cases for buyers.
Companies at the intersection of cloud or AI technology and healthcare have underperformed in the last year, but some firms have compelling cases for buyers.
Earnings Call Insights: Veralto Corporation (VLTO) Q4 2025 Management View Jennifer Honeycutt, President and CEO, highlighted "a strong fourth quarter, capping off an outstanding year for Veralto." She recognized the company's operational teams for their execution, which included replicating and regionalizing more than a dozen production lines to enhance flexibility and efficiency. Strategic actio...
Earnings Call Insights: Veralto Corporation (VLTO) Q4 2025 Management View Jennifer Honeycutt, President and CEO, highlighted "a strong fourth quarter, capping off an outstanding year for Veralto." She recognized the company's operational teams for their execution, which included replicating and regionalizing more than a dozen production lines to enhance flexibility and efficiency. Strategic actions in supply chain and pricing supported navigation of a dynamic macro environment. Honeycutt reported "mid-single-digit core sales growth, double-digit adjusted earnings per share growth and over $1 billion of free cash flow" for 2025. She announced the establishment of a $750 million share repurchase program and an 18% dividend increase. The acquisition of In-Situ was completed at the outset of 2026, expanding the Water Analytics portfolio into "fast-growing environmental water and hydrology markets." The CEO emphasized broad-based growth across key regions and verticals. In North America and Western Europe, which make up about 70% of revenue, core sales grew 5.3% and 3.8%, respectively. High-growth markets, including Latin America, India, and the Middle East, contributed with 5.1% year-over-year core sales growth. Regarding innovation, Honeycutt detailed new product launches, such as a new ammonia analyzer, single-use Chemkeys with double-digit growth, a UV laser marking and coding system, and an AI-enabled packaging software solution. She referenced the divestiture of AVT and the strong performance of TraceGains, which grew sales by more than 20% in its first full year post-acquisition. Sameer Ralhan, Senior VP & CFO, stated, "Total sales grew 3.8% on a year-over-year basis to nearly $1.4 billion...Core sales grew 1.6%. Our core sales growth was primarily driven by price, which increased 2.3% year-over-year." He added, "Adjusted earnings per share grew 9% year-over-year to $1.04 per share." Outlook The company is targeting core sales growth in the low to mid-single-digi...