News 18 February 2026

Why Mastercard stock is moving: MetaMask’s U.S. crypto card launch and an insider filing
···

Why Mastercard stock is moving: MetaMask’s U.S. crypto card launch and an insider filing

Mastercard shares fell 5.6% to $509.39 Thursday, dragging Visa and American Express lower, as investors questioned the impact of AI-driven “agent” payments and crypto rails. Consensys launched the MetaMask Card nationwide, linking crypto wallets to Mastercard’s network. Executive Hai Ling sold nearly 9,000 shares under a pre-set plan. Mastercard’s annual report highlighted new AI payment products and said 40% of its transactions are tokenized.
February 26, 2026
Broadcom stock price steadies after early dip as Citi trims AVGO target, AI chip bets stay twitchy
···

Broadcom stock price steadies after early dip as Citi trims AVGO target, AI chip bets stay twitchy

Broadcom rose 0.6% to $334.56 Wednesday morning, trading between $326.68 and $336.25. Citigroup cut its price target to $458, citing margin and competition concerns, while ARK funds bought $7.87 million in shares. Nvidia announced a major Meta chip deal, boosting semiconductor stocks. CloudBolt reported 86% of large firms are reducing VMware use amid pricing concerns.
February 18, 2026
Palantir (PLTR) stock price jumps 5% after Mizuho upgrade — what traders watch next
···

Palantir (PLTR) stock price jumps 5% after Mizuho upgrade — what traders watch next

Palantir shares rose 5.3% to $140.07 Wednesday morning after Mizuho upgraded the stock to “Outperform” with a $195 target. The company said it will move its headquarters to Miami from Denver. A regulatory filing showed Palantir held 9.4% of Surf Air Mobility as of Dec. 31. Investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s January minutes due later in the day.
February 18, 2026
Intel stock rises in early trade as Nvidia-Meta deal lifts chip mood and Fed minutes loom
···

Intel stock rises in early trade as Nvidia-Meta deal lifts chip mood and Fed minutes loom

Intel shares rose about 1% to $46.64 Wednesday, recovering from an earlier drop to $44.90 as chip stocks steadied. Nvidia gained 2.7% after announcing a multi-year AI chip deal with Meta, while Advanced Micro Devices slipped 1.4%. Investors await Federal Reserve meeting minutes at 2 p.m. EST and the PCE inflation report on Feb. 20. Intel remains below its Jan. 22 high of $54.60.
February 18, 2026
Micron stock price pops as Needham lifts target and Fed minutes loom
···

Micron stock price pops as Needham lifts target and Fed minutes loom

Micron shares rose 3.3% to $412.79 in morning trading Wednesday after Needham raised its price target to $450, citing tighter memory supply and higher prices. The stock rebounded from a 2.9% drop Tuesday. Investors awaited Federal Reserve minutes due at 2 p.m. ET. Micron plans to invest $200 billion in U.S. chip manufacturing, with new fabs in Boise and near Syracuse, according to the Wall Street Journal.
February 18, 2026
Apple stock price edges up again as March 4 event nears and AI wearables report fuels bets
···

Apple stock price edges up again as March 4 event nears and AI wearables report fuels bets

Apple shares rose 0.4% to $264.90 in early Wednesday trading, extending Tuesday’s rebound. Investors focused on Apple’s March 4 event and reports of new AI-enabled wearables tied to Siri. Berkshire Hathaway disclosed it cut its Apple stake by 4% last quarter but kept it as its largest holding. Federal Reserve meeting minutes are due at 2 p.m. EST.
February 18, 2026
Mercury General (MCY) stock slides as Q4 earnings meet wildfire loss recovery questions
···

Mercury General (MCY) stock slides as Q4 earnings meet wildfire loss recovery questions

Mercury General shares fell 6% after the insurer reported $380 million in net wildfire losses for 2025, despite fourth-quarter net income doubling to $202.5 million. The company handled over 2,900 claims and paid $1.4 billion tied to the Palisades and Eaton fires. Mercury’s combined ratio improved to 88.6%. The board declared a $0.3175 quarterly dividend, payable March 26.
February 18, 2026
Amazon stock rises after Morgan Stanley names it a Top Pick as AI spending returns come under scrutiny
···

Amazon stock rises after Morgan Stanley names it a Top Pick as AI spending returns come under scrutiny

Amazon shares rose 2% to $205.09 Wednesday after Morgan Stanley named it a Top Pick, citing AI potential. The stock rebounded from a 9% drop earlier this month after Amazon outlined $200 billion in 2026 capital spending, sparking investor debate over cash flow and profitability. Tiger Global and Berkshire Hathaway trimmed Amazon stakes in recent filings. Federal Reserve minutes due later Wednesday may affect tech valuations.
February 18, 2026
Palo Alto Networks stock tumbles as profit outlook cut puts focus on deal costs
···

Palo Alto Networks stock tumbles as profit outlook cut puts focus on deal costs

Palo Alto Networks shares fell 7.7% to $150.95 Wednesday after the company cut its fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings forecast to $3.65–$3.70 per share, citing higher integration costs from acquisitions. The cybersecurity firm raised its revenue outlook but forecast third-quarter adjusted profit below analyst estimates. Acquisition-related expenses rose to $24 million in the quarter.
February 18, 2026
Avadel (AVDL) stock: new SEC filing as shares stay suspended after $21 Alkermes buyout
···

Avadel (AVDL) stock: new SEC filing as shares stay suspended after $21 Alkermes buyout

Avadel shares were halted and suspended from Nasdaq after closing at $21.64 on Feb. 11 ahead of its merger with Alkermes. Holders as of late Feb. 11 are entitled to $21 cash and a non-transferable CVR per share, with the CVR paying up to $1.50 more if FDA approval for LUMRYZ in idiopathic hypersomnia is secured by end-2028. Two Seas Capital reported no stake as of Dec. 31.
February 18, 2026
ICL stock slides 5% after $239 mln charges; 2026 outlook and March dividend in focus
···

ICL stock slides 5% after $239 mln charges; 2026 outlook and March dividend in focus

ICL Group shares dropped about 5% Wednesday after reporting a $16 million Q4 operating loss, hit by $239 million in unusual charges. Fourth-quarter sales rose 6% to $1.70 billion, while adjusted EBITDA climbed 10% to $380 million. The company set 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance at $1.4–$1.6 billion. A $0.0465 per share dividend will be paid March 25 to holders as of March 10.
February 18, 2026
SolarEdge stock whipsaws after earnings as outlook puts margins back in focus
···

SolarEdge stock whipsaws after earnings as outlook puts margins back in focus

SolarEdge Technologies fell 4.3% to $35.54 Wednesday morning after an early surge, as investors reacted to its quarterly results and outlook. Fourth-quarter revenue slipped 1.4% to $335.4 million, with non-GAAP gross margin rising to 23.3%. The company posted a GAAP net loss of $132.1 million, including a $70.5 million one-time finance expense. SolarEdge guided first-quarter revenue of $290 million to $320 million.
February 18, 2026
IPG Photonics stock slips again after a 12% drop, even as Bernstein lifts its target
···

IPG Photonics stock slips again after a 12% drop, even as Bernstein lifts its target

IPG Photonics shares fell 1.4% to $133.01 in early Wednesday trading, extending a 12.38% drop from the previous session. Bernstein raised its price target to $162, citing a cyclical recovery. The company recently reported Q4 revenue up 17% year over year but flagged margin pressure from tariffs and inventory moves. Investors await Fed minutes and IPG’s March 2 investor conference.
February 18, 2026
Herc Holdings (HRI) stock dips again: 2026 outlook and H&E integration stay in focus
···

Herc Holdings (HRI) stock dips again: 2026 outlook and H&E integration stay in focus

Herc Holdings shares dropped 2.8% to $145.89 in early Wednesday trading after the company set 2026 revenue and EBITDA targets and reported $8.1 billion in net debt. Analysts at KeyBanc and Baird cut price targets, citing integration challenges from the H&E acquisition and pressure on margins. Fourth-quarter equipment rental revenue rose 24% to $1.039 billion. CEO Larry Silber called 2025 “a pivotal year.”
February 18, 2026
Franklin Electric stock (FELE) hit by weak 2026 outlook — what to know before the open
···

Franklin Electric stock (FELE) hit by weak 2026 outlook — what to know before the open

Franklin Electric shares dropped 14.7% to $92.98 after the company issued a 2026 forecast below analyst expectations, guiding for sales of $2.17–$2.24 billion and adjusted EPS of $4.40–$4.60. Fourth-quarter revenue missed estimates, while adjusted EPS met consensus. Investors are watching demand, margins, and acquisition results as risks remain around tariffs, currencies, and end-market volatility.
February 18, 2026
1 … 43 44 45 46 47 … 161