Kwangmoozaa/iStock via Getty Images Last Wednesday , Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) announced that the FDA had approved Icotyde, a once-daily oral peptide for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. This drug selectively blocks the interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23) and was a joint discovery with Protagonist Therapeutics ( PTGX ). The drug has also been submitted for approval to the European Medicines Agency (...
Kwangmoozaa/iStock via Getty Images Last Wednesday , Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) announced that the FDA had approved Icotyde, a once-daily oral peptide for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. This drug selectively blocks the interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23) and was a joint discovery with Protagonist Therapeutics ( PTGX ). The drug has also been submitted for approval to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the US launch is already underway. Upon learning this news, the market reacted by penalizing AbbVie ( ABBV ), with the stock trading approximately 5% lower since. AbbVie is the maker of an injectable IL-23 blocker named Skyrizi, which is the drugmaker's best-selling drug, achieving 2025 total sales of $17.6B . The 5% drop in AbbVie's stock represents a loss in market capitalization of approximately $28 billion (a $16/share drop times 1.77 billion shares outstanding). The clear winner of this development is Protagonist. The FDA approval triggered a $50M milestone payment from JNJ with potentially $580M in future milestones and a 6-10% royalty on sales of Icotyde. While the profit-sharing agreement limits upside to some extent, it also places the costs of commercialization with JNJ. Protagonist has additional commercialization catalysts that may be realized this year, specifically Rusfertide , a first-in-class hepcidin mimetic that targets red blood cell overproduction for the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV). The company has secured Priority Review with the FDA on the basis of the drug's Phase 3 VERIFY trial that met all primary and secondary endpoints. This drug is being developed with Takeda with a PDUFA date in Q3 2026 and potential commercialization thereafter. Protagonist's platform peptide technology presents the company with a strong pipeline of additional clinical candidates in obesity, hematology, and inflammation-related diseases. Analysts see the company achieving profitability this year from milestone payments, with more durable profitability by 2028...
Bitcoin Depot ( NASDAQ: BTM ) announced on Tuesday that Alex Holmes will be appointed as CEO and Chairman after Scott Buchanan stepped down as CEO, effective immediately. Holmes had spent over 16 years at MoneyGram International, including as CFO and COO, before serving as Chairman and CEO from 2016 to 2024, and had most recently been Executive Vice Chairman of United Texas Bank. He brings decades...
Bitcoin Depot ( NASDAQ: BTM ) announced on Tuesday that Alex Holmes will be appointed as CEO and Chairman after Scott Buchanan stepped down as CEO, effective immediately. Holmes had spent over 16 years at MoneyGram International, including as CFO and COO, before serving as Chairman and CEO from 2016 to 2024, and had most recently been Executive Vice Chairman of United Texas Bank. He brings decades of leadership in global payments and fintech, having led MoneyGram’s transformation into a modern global fintech operating in more than 200 countries. Brandon Mintz will transition from Executive Chair to a non-executive board member and is expected to serve as an advisor to the CEO. He built the company into one of the largest Bitcoin ATM networks and remains a long-term shareholder. More on Bitcoin Depot Bitcoin Depot Inc. (BTM) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript Bitcoin Depot Inc. 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation Bitcoin Depot ATMs suspended in Connecticut amid compliance failures Bitcoin Depot outlines 30%-40% 2026 revenue decline as it diversifies into fintech Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating on Bitcoin Depot
Monty Rakusen/DigitalVision via Getty Images Investment Approach Fidelity® International Growth Fund is a diversified international equity strategy with a large-cap growth orientation. Our investment approach targets companies with multiyear structural growth prospects, high barriers to entry and attractive valuations based on our earnings forecasts. Investment ideas typically fall into three main...
Monty Rakusen/DigitalVision via Getty Images Investment Approach Fidelity® International Growth Fund is a diversified international equity strategy with a large-cap growth orientation. Our investment approach targets companies with multiyear structural growth prospects, high barriers to entry and attractive valuations based on our earnings forecasts. Investment ideas typically fall into three main categories: structurally attractive growth themes, where investors may be underestimating the durability of growth drivers and long-term earnings power; cyclically out-of-favor companies with limited competition and pricing power, where investors may be focusing on near-term cyclical concerns and discounting long-term prospects; and companies with strong earnings potential whose share prices have fallen due to macroeconomic events. We strive to uncover these companies through in-depth fundamental analysis, working in concert with Fidelity's global research team, with the goal of capturing market upside while limiting downside participation. Performance Review For the final quarter of 2025, the fund's Retail Class shares gained 0.29%, trailing the 1.88% advance of the benchmark MSCI EAFE Growth Index (Net MA). This result was affected by a downward fair-value pricing adjustment of 0.52 percentage points. Fair-value pricing is an adjustment process that attempts to best represent the value of the fund's securities as of the close of trading in U.S. markets, accounting for any major changes occurring after the close of foreign markets. Since index performance is not adjusted in a similar manner, this can be a source of performance deviation between the fund and its benchmark in any given time period. The impact of fair-value adjustments tends to smooth out over the long term, where performance comparisons remain quite favorable. International growth stocks extended their upward momentum the past three months, concluding 2025 up roughly 18%, with both developed and emerging ma...
claffra/iStock via Getty Images An Israeli official said Tuesday that any deal to end the war with Iran does not appear close, suggesting the purported diplomacy may be a tactic to buy time as Israel presses ahead with military operations in Iran and Lebanon, according to a media report. “The Iranians do not appear to be in any concession mode - we are not there yet,” the official said, CNN report...
claffra/iStock via Getty Images An Israeli official said Tuesday that any deal to end the war with Iran does not appear close, suggesting the purported diplomacy may be a tactic to buy time as Israel presses ahead with military operations in Iran and Lebanon, according to a media report. “The Iranians do not appear to be in any concession mode - we are not there yet,” the official said, CNN reported. The assessment comes even after U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the U.S. had held productive talks with Iran about ending hostilities, although Iran denied that negotiations had occurred. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made plain Tuesday morning that Israel is not scaling back its bombing campaign in Iran, CNN reported. “We continue striking Iran with full force," he said at a situational assessment. With optimism fading over a possible de-escalation in the Iran war, oil prices pared losses after tumbling in the prior session, with Brent futures ( CO1:COM ) advancing 2.8% to $102 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate ( CL1:COM ) rising 4.1% to around $92 a barrel at press time. Oil ETFs: ( USO ), ( UCO ), ( DBO ), ( OILK ), and ( USL ). Natural Gas ETFs: ( UNG ), ( BOIL ), and ( UNL ). Energy ETFs: ( XLE ), ( AMLP ), ( VDE ), ( XOP ), ( OIH ), and ( IXC ). More on United States Oil Fund LP ETF, United States Brent Oil Fund LP ETF Commodities: De-Escalation Hopes Fade Three Hedging Strategies For Oil Prices Oil Plunging To $50 Could Be The Next Big Catalyst For Stocks Bahrain pitches UN resolution to secure Hormuz shipping; Gulf states weigh joining war Crude climbs on supply worries after Iran rejects U.S. negotiation claims
Conservationists celebrate second twin birth just two months after another found in Virunga national park A second set of mountain gorilla twins has been born in Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in what conservationists are celebrating as an “extraordinary” event for the endangered primates. Just two months after tiny twin mountain gorillas were discovered by ra...
Conservationists celebrate second twin birth just two months after another found in Virunga national park A second set of mountain gorilla twins has been born in Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in what conservationists are celebrating as an “extraordinary” event for the endangered primates. Just two months after tiny twin mountain gorillas were discovered by rangers in the Virunga massif, in eastern DRC, another rare twin birth has been found by park wardens. This time, an infant male and female have been spotted in the Baraka family, a troop of 19 mountain gorillas that roam the region’s high-altitude rainforests. Continue reading...
georgeclerk Samsung Electronics' ( SSNLF ) management and its South Korean workers' union have agreed to restart discussions on bonuses, according to the union, Reuters reported. Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Seeking Alpha. Last week, the union, representing about 90,000 workers accounting for over 70% of the company's workforce in South Korea, had voted ...
georgeclerk Samsung Electronics' ( SSNLF ) management and its South Korean workers' union have agreed to restart discussions on bonuses, according to the union, Reuters reported. Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Seeking Alpha. Last week, the union, representing about 90,000 workers accounting for over 70% of the company's workforce in South Korea, had voted to authorize a strike, raising the risk of production disruption. More on Samsung Samsung Brings AI And Hardware Refinements To S26 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (SSNLF) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation Smart TV Wars: EU broadcasters push for tougher oversight of big tech companies KOSPI plummets 5.8% as 48-hour U.S. ultimatum and new governor selection weigh on Seoul
Dennis Diatel Photography/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Introduction Following the introduction of the first round of Ethereum exchange-traded funds (which did not offer staking), we recently saw the launch of BlackRock’s iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF ( ETHB ), which began trading on March 12 th . This is one of a limited number of Ethereum exchange-traded funds that currently introduce a ...
Dennis Diatel Photography/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Introduction Following the introduction of the first round of Ethereum exchange-traded funds (which did not offer staking), we recently saw the launch of BlackRock’s iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF ( ETHB ), which began trading on March 12 th . This is one of a limited number of Ethereum exchange-traded funds that currently introduce a yield component, providing investors the ability to earn from on-chain staking rewards. While we previously argued that the Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF ( ETH ) was one of the best ways for longer-term investors to allocate to Ethereum (given its low expense ratio, strong liquidity, and potential yield), we now contend that the new iShares Ethereum ETF stands to be a strong potential alternative. While ETHB’s AUM remains well below other top ETHUSD funds, we see the reduced expense ratio, currently higher staking ratio, and the strength of the fund sponsor (BlackRock) as key differentiators that could support sustained inflows and long-term growth. Staking and Other Fund Differentiators With the introduction of the iShares Staked Ethereum Trust ETF, investors are given yet another way to gain ETHUSD exposure in an ETF wrapper while simultaneously receiving yield from staking. Currently, the only other Ethereum ETFs that offer access to staking are the Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF and the Grayscale Ethereum Staking ETF ( ETHE ). As we have covered previously, while ETHE maintains its first-mover advantage (with holdings predating ETF conversion), the steep expense ratio of 2.50% makes it one that investors should largely avoid. In the current landscape, investors looking for Ethereum exposure and access to yield are left to decide between either ETH or ETHB. While we admit that both provide adequate exposure to the underlying asset, their yield components differ. According to the fund’s prospectus , ETHB aims to stake as much of its Ether as practicable (i.e., ...
voffkatw/iStock via Getty Images U.S. policy on global oil markets is showing striking continuity across administrations, with both Donald Trump and Joe Biden ultimately constrained by one overriding factor: keeping oil prices in check. Despite sharp differences in rhetoric, decisions around sanctions and enforcement suggest a shared reluctance to disrupt global supply. That assessment comes from ...
voffkatw/iStock via Getty Images U.S. policy on global oil markets is showing striking continuity across administrations, with both Donald Trump and Joe Biden ultimately constrained by one overriding factor: keeping oil prices in check. Despite sharp differences in rhetoric, decisions around sanctions and enforcement suggest a shared reluctance to disrupt global supply. That assessment comes from Robin Brooks, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former chief economist at the Institute of International Finance, who argues that energy economics is quietly dictating U.S. foreign policy. In his analysis, both administrations have avoided aggressively choking off key oil flows, from Russia after the Ukraine invasion to Iran amid Middle East tensions, because of the political risks tied to higher fuel prices. Brooks’ central point is that domestic considerations dominate: rising oil prices feed directly into inflation and voter sentiment, forcing policymakers to prioritize stability over strategy. This results in selective enforcement of sanctions and tacit tolerance of certain exports, even when they appear inconsistent with stated geopolitical goals. The implication, Brooks argues, is clear: "Oil is king." Whether under Trump or Biden, the political cost of an oil shock compels similar trade-offs, revealing continuity where voters might otherwise expect stark differences. 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 oil Commodities: De-Escalation Hopes Fade Three Hedging Strategies For Oil Prices Crazy Swings All Across Markets As U.S.-Iran Talks Pick Up: Gold Grazes $4,000, WTI To $90 Bahrain pitches UN resolution to secure Hormuz shipping; Gulf states weigh joining war Well-timed oil trades before Trump post stir market scrutiny - report
Wolterk/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Thesis General Mills, Inc. ( GIS ) has failed to meet expectations per the company’s last quarterly report, and investors have (arguably rightly) been pulling out. However, I believe we’ve reached the bottom or are at least approaching it. Given this, I rate GIS a soft buy. That said, GIS does face some serious headwinds, like GLP-1 usage and a shift among...
Wolterk/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Thesis General Mills, Inc. ( GIS ) has failed to meet expectations per the company’s last quarterly report, and investors have (arguably rightly) been pulling out. However, I believe we’ve reached the bottom or are at least approaching it. Given this, I rate GIS a soft buy. That said, GIS does face some serious headwinds, like GLP-1 usage and a shift among consumers towards buying private labels. GLP-1 Is Curbing Appetites GLP-1 tends to discourage compulsive food purchases . If a driver is hungry and driving by their favorite fast food chain, there's a good chance s/he will take a spin through the drive-thru. By tamping down on appetite, GLP-1 may reduce compulsive purchases and could encourage more people to eat at home to save money. More at-home eating could bolster General Mills and other staples stocks and ETFs. Research has found that households with at least one GLP-1 user undergo rather dramatic shifts in consumption. This includes a 5.3% decrease in spending on groceries within six months. That said, coffee chains, limited-service restaurants, and fast food restaurants saw spending drop by 8%, substantially exceeding the grocery spending decline. GLP-1 is gaining more and more traction in the United States and indeed around the world. Obesity can be a massive drain on healthcare systems, so getting people to lose weight could reduce costs for insurers and governments alike. Already, some governments are striving to get GLP-1 into the hands of their citizens. The Trump Administration, for example, reached an agreement with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to sell GLP-1 for $245 a month to Medicare and Medicaid patients. Further, GLP-1 medications can now be purchased through TrumpRx for $350. While not exactly cheap, this is far less than the +$1000 price tag folks had to contend with previously. Outside the United States, patents have expired in India . Now the market is being flooded with cheaper generic alternatives. T...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images J.P. Morgan on Tuesday upgraded Ecolab ( ECL ) to Overweight from Neutral, citing its balance sheet strength and ability to navigate a more difficult operating environment . The firm maintained a price target of $295, based on a valuation of roughly 20 times forward earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The upgrade reflects a vi...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images J.P. Morgan on Tuesday upgraded Ecolab ( ECL ) to Overweight from Neutral, citing its balance sheet strength and ability to navigate a more difficult operating environment . The firm maintained a price target of $295, based on a valuation of roughly 20 times forward earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The upgrade reflects a view that recent share price weakness already accounts for potential earnings pressure tied to input costs. Ecolab’s ( ECL ) stock has fallen about 15% since late February, underperforming the broader market, as investors reacted to rising geopolitical tensions and concerns about raw material costs. The decline has placed the company closer to peers in coatings and materials, which are more sensitive to economic cycles, though J.P. Morgan analysts led by Jeffrey Zekauskas said the reaction may overstate the risks. Pricing actions aim to protect margins The company plans to implement surcharges of 10% to 14% beginning in April to offset higher raw material costs. Analysts said Ecolab ( ECL ) has improved its ability to execute price increases compared with earlier periods, supported by stronger systems and experience gained during prior inflation cycles. Competitors have introduced similar pricing measures, suggesting a broader industry response to cost pressures. Portfolio shift targets faster growth Ecolab ( ECL ) is pursuing acquisitions and investments aimed at improving its long-term growth profile. Recent deals include water treatment capabilities and cooling technology used in data centers, which are expected to benefit from rising demand for more efficient computing infrastructure. The company estimates these initiatives could add about one percentage point to its long-term growth rate. Volume trends remain uneven Demand has been mixed across end markets. Volumes were flat in 2023 and recovered modestly in 2024, but weakened again in 2025 due to macroeconomic uncertain...
Key PointsThe Strait of Hormuz blockade almost guarantees inflation will soar in the upcoming months, which makes high-yield savings accounts less attractive.
Key PointsThe Strait of Hormuz blockade almost guarantees inflation will soar in the upcoming months, which makes high-yield savings accounts less attractive.