Core Viewpoint - Ready Capital is implementing a comprehensive balance sheet repositioning strategy aimed at generating over $850 million in free cash flow and reducing its legacy commercial real estate (CRE) portfolio by 60% to approximately $2 billion [1][6]. Financial Performance - In Q4, Ready Capital reported a GAAP loss of $1.46 per share and a distributable loss of $0.43 per share, with book value declining to $8.79 from $10.28 due to a $173 million increase in valuation allowances and CECL reserves [5][14][15]. - Loans on nonaccrual rose to 27% at year-end, reflecting a strategic decision rather than broad-based credit deterioration [18]. Strategic Initiatives - The company's plan focuses on three priorities: strengthening liquidity, selling underperforming CRE assets, and positioning for sustainable growth [2][3]. - A two-phase approach is being adopted, starting with aggressive asset management followed by streamlining the CRE origination business [2][3]. Asset Management - Management aims to sell or resolve about $1.4 billion of sub-performing and non-performing loans and REO assets, which are currently causing a negative earnings drag of approximately $0.08 per share [7][10]. - The company generated about $380 million in free cash in Q4, including $130 million from portfolio sales and $250 million from portfolio runoff [1][6]. Cost Management - A targeted 25% reduction in operating costs is planned to align with a simplified CRE investment strategy [4][10]. - Leadership changes have been made to support the repositioning plan, including promotions and shifts in responsibilities [9]. Debt Management - Immediate debt maturities include $67 million due in Q3 and $450 million due in Q4, with plans to ensure liquidity significantly exceeds these obligations [12][13]. - The company retired its 5.75% February senior unsecured note upon maturity and is considering refinancing portions of the 2026 maturities [13]. Market Commentary - The company remains a top-five SBA lender despite a 50% decline in quarterly originations to $84 million due to a prior government shutdown [22]. - Management is optimistic about executing the liquidity plan and expects to improve the company's fundamental earnings capacity in the second half of the year [23].

Core Insights - Qnity reported a strong financial performance for 2025, with net sales of $4.75 billion, a 10% increase year-over-year, and an Adjusted Pro Forma Operating EBITDA of $1.4 billion, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 29.5% [1][7] - The company achieved its seventh consecutive quarter of organic growth, driven by demand in advanced semiconductor technologies [3][4] Financial Performance - For the fourth quarter, Qnity's net sales reached $1.2 billion, an 8% increase year-over-year, with an Adjusted Pro Forma Operating EBITDA of $349 million and adjusted pro forma EPS of $0.82 [2] - The full-year adjusted pro forma EPS was $3.35, reflecting a 12% increase compared to the previous year [1] Segment Performance - The Semiconductor segment generated $2.65 billion in sales, reflecting 8% organic growth, with an EBITDA margin just above 35% [6][11] - The Interconnect Solutions segment produced $2.1 billion in sales, a 12% organic growth, with margin expansion to just over 25% [6][11] Growth Drivers - Key growth drivers include advanced nodes, advanced packaging, and thermal management, with significant contributions from AI and advanced semiconductor manufacturing [4][10] - Demand in the semiconductor market is tied to transitions in advanced logic and memory technologies, including 3 nm and 2 nm production [13] 2026 Guidance - For 2026, management projects net sales between $4.97 billion and $5.17 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $1.465 billion to $1.575 billion, and adjusted EPS of $3.55 to $3.95 [5][19] - The company anticipates adjusted free cash flow of $450 million to $550 million for 2026 [20] Capital Allocation and Transformation Plan - Qnity plans to implement a multi-year transformation plan expected to yield approximately $100 million in EBITDA run-rate benefits by 2028, with an implementation cost of around $140 million [17] - The company ended 2025 with over $900 million in cash and a net leverage of approximately 2.2x, below its long-term target [16] Geographic Performance - China accounted for just over 30% of total sales in 2025, growing at a high single-digit rate, while the rest of Asia and the Americas experienced double-digit growth [22]

Core Insights - D-Wave Quantum is experiencing significant commercial traction, with fiscal 2025 being described as an "inflection point" for the company and the quantum computing industry, moving towards real-world impact [1][2] - The company reported a remarkable revenue growth of 179% in fiscal 2025, reaching $24.6 million, despite a substantial net loss of $355 million primarily due to non-cash charges [3][14] - D-Wave entered 2026 with strong momentum, achieving more bookings in January than in all of fiscal 2025, including major sales and strategic acquisitions [5][6] Financial Performance - Fiscal 2025 revenue was $24.6 million, up from $8.8 million in fiscal 2024, with a gross profit of $20.3 million and a gross margin of 82.6% [12][13] - The company reported a net loss of $355 million, or $1.11 per share, compared to a loss of $143.9 million, or $0.75 per share, in the previous fiscal year [14] - Liquidity remains strong with $884.5 million in cash and marketable securities as of December 31, 2025, following a capital raise of over $800 million [20][21] Technology Developments - D-Wave's technology roadmap includes advancements in both annealing and gate models, with the Advantage3 system expected to enhance performance through analog-digital controls and multi-chip scaling [4][8] - The acquisition of Quantum Circuits positions D-Wave as a dual-platform provider, enhancing its capabilities in both annealing and gate-model quantum computing [6][9] - The company is developing an 8-qubit gate-model system available to select customers, with a 17-qubit system expected later in 2026 [11] Market Position and Strategy - D-Wave is focusing on optimization as a near-term commercial opportunity across various industries, including logistics, defense, and finance, while also exploring applications in AI and blockchain [7] - The company aims to leverage its on-chip cryogenic control technology to provide full qubit control at scale, which is considered an industry first [10] - D-Wave plans to invest aggressively in R&D and operational expansion, with a projected 15% increase in quarterly operating expenses in fiscal 2026 [22]

Core Insights - Everpure achieved its first $1 billion revenue quarter in Q4, marking a 20% year-over-year growth, with full-year revenue reaching $3.7 billion, up 16% year-over-year [3][4][7] - The company reported strong performance in large transactions, with deals over $5 million growing 80% year-over-year in Q4 [1] - Everpure's strategic shift towards data intelligence and AI scale is underscored by its acquisition of 1touch and a rebranding initiative [5][18][20] Revenue Performance - Q4 product revenue was $618 million, a 25% increase year-over-year, while subscription revenue was $440 million, up 14% year-over-year, representing 42% of Q4 revenue [2] - For fiscal 2026, product revenue totaled $1.97 billion (up 16%) and subscription revenue reached $1.69 billion (up 15%) [2] Profitability Metrics - Q4 operating profit reached a record $226 million, resulting in an operating margin of 21.3% [3] - Total gross margin for Q4 was 71.4%, with a product gross margin of 67.3%, which increased by over 400 basis points year-over-year due to a favorable product mix [8] Strategic Initiatives - The acquisition of 1touch aims to enhance data discovery and governance capabilities, supporting enterprise-scale AI deployment [18][19] - Everpure's rebranding reflects a transition from operational storage to broader data intelligence and management capabilities [20] Market Dynamics - The company raised prices by an average of 20% due to AI-driven shortages in NAND, memory, CPUs, and GPUs, which may pressure near-term product gross margins [6][9] - Management anticipates product gross margins in Q1 to be at the lower end of the typical 65%-70% range, with recovery expected as pricing and costs re-synchronize [10] Future Guidance - For Q1 of fiscal 2027, Everpure guided for revenue between $990 million and $1.01 billion, with an operating profit of $125 million to $135 million [21] - Full-year guidance for fiscal 2027 is set at revenue of $4.3 billion to $4.4 billion and operating profit of $780 million to $820 million [21][23]

Core Viewpoint - Postal Realty Trust demonstrated strong financial performance in 2025, with significant growth in assets and stable leasing from the USPS, positioning the company for continued expansion in 2026 through strategic acquisitions and a solid balance sheet [2][4][22] Financial Performance - The company reported a 20% growth in its asset base for 2025 and an adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) per share of $1.32, reflecting a 13.8% increase year-over-year [4][11] - For 2026, the company provided AFFO guidance of $1.39 to $1.41 per share, indicating a projected growth of approximately 6.1% at the midpoint [5][6] Liquidity and Capital Structure - Year-end liquidity increased to approximately $271 million, supported by a triple-B investment grade rating from Kroll KBRA [1][3] - The company lowered its leverage target to net debt to adjusted EBITDA below 6x, achieving a ratio of 5.2x at year-end 2025 [3][11] Acquisition Strategy - Postal Realty Trust plans to acquire between $115 million and $125 million in properties in 2026, with the high end of this guidance already funded [4][9] - In 2025, the company acquired 216 properties for $123 million at a weighted average initial cash cap rate of 7.7% [16] Leasing Stability - USPS has consistently paid 100% of monthly rent, with lease expenses representing only 1.5% of its total operating expenses [2] - The company noted that 53% of its portfolio rent is subject to annual rent escalations, and 37% consists of leases with 10-year terms [18] Operational Efficiency - Cash general and administrative expenses for 2025 were reported at $10.9 million, showing a decline of nearly 130 basis points as a share of revenue due to scale efficiencies [7] - Same-store cash net operating income (NOI) performance was 8.9% in 2025 [7] Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the acquisition pipeline, with initial 2026 acquisition guidance being over 40% higher than the previous year [19] - The company is in a strong position to pursue growth opportunities, supported by capital raised and a robust acquisition pipeline [22]

Core Insights - Pearson's business units showed accelerating performance, particularly in the second half of the year, with a focus on cash performance and strategic growth initiatives [1][3][5] Financial Performance - Free cash flow increased by 8%, with a conversion rate of 125% including a tax recovery and 98% excluding it [1][5] - Adjusted EPS rose by 4% to GBP 0.645, with a 9% increase at constant FX rates [2] - Sales growth for 2025 was reported at 4%, with underlying adjusted operating profit up 6% to GBP 614 million and an operating profit margin expansion to 17.2% from 16.9% [2][5] Strategic Initiatives - The company emphasized strong secular demand for skills validation driven by demographic shifts and AI advancements [3] - Pearson highlighted enterprise momentum with revenue commitments from nine major tech/service partners, projecting mid-single-digit sales growth for 2026 [3][9] - AI integration across products and operations led to significant productivity gains, including a 40% reduction in content editing time and a 33% decrease in translation costs [4][7] Segment Performance - The Assessments & Qualifications segment grew 4%, with notable strength in clinical assessments and digital growth [5] - Virtual Learning experienced a standout year with second-half sales up 18% and a segment margin increase to 16% [5] - Higher Education reported faster growth than in 2024, with strengths in Inclusive Access and opportunities for platform simplification [5][13] - English Language Learning continued to grow, with PTE revenue flat year-on-year despite a declining market [5] - Enterprise Learning and Skills grew by 6%, driven by vocational qualifications and a 20% increase in enterprise solutions in Q4 [5] Future Outlook - For 2026, Pearson guided mid-single-digit sales growth and adjusted operating profit between GBP 640 million and GBP 685 million, with free cash conversion expected at 90% to 100% [12][13] - The company anticipates growth in all segments, with Virtual Learning expected to grow even more strongly than in 2025 [13] Leadership Transition - A leadership transition is underway, with the introduction of incoming CFO Simon Robson, previously Group CFO at Sky [14]

Core Viewpoint - The US and Israel have conducted a significant military operation against Iran, named Operation Epic Fury, with the apparent goal of regime change in Iran [1] Group 1 - The operation took place on Saturday morning, local time, indicating a coordinated effort between the US and Israel [1] - President Trump's statement suggests that the mission is focused on altering the current government in Iran [1]

Core Insights - The process of obtaining a personal loan is straightforward, with most lenders providing an online application that requires basic information such as income, credit history, and bank account details [2][3] Group 1: Credit Score Impact - Borrowers with excellent credit can access loans up to $100,000 with repayment terms of up to seven years, while those with fair or bad credit may face higher rates and borrowing limits [3] - Personal loan APRs can range from just below 6% to 35.99%, heavily influenced by the borrower's credit score, with higher scores leading to lower rates and larger loan amounts [4][5] - According to TransUnion's report, the median estimated APR varies significantly across credit score ranges, with near prime borrowers (601-660) facing a median APR of 26.90% and super prime borrowers (781+) enjoying a median APR of 10.90% [6] Group 2: Lender Requirements - Lenders assess multiple criteria beyond credit scores, including stable income and employment history, which are crucial for loan approval [8] - Most personal loans are unsecured, making them quicker and easier to obtain compared to collateral-backed loans, and shopping around with multiple lenders can yield better deals [8][9]

Group 1 - River Road Asset Management established a new position in AptarGroup by acquiring 917,670 shares valued at $111.92 million, representing 1.23% of its 13F reportable assets under management as of December 31, 2025 [1][2] - As of February 28, 2026, AptarGroup shares were trading at $143.71, down 1.32% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 18.68 percentage points [2] - AptarGroup reported a revenue of $3.78 billion and a net income of $393 million for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [3] Group 2 - AptarGroup provides dispensing, sealing, and material science solutions across various markets, including beauty, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage [4] - The company generates revenue through proprietary pumps, closures, aerosol valves, and elastomeric packaging, organized into Pharma, Beauty and Home, and Food and Beverage segments [4] - AptarGroup serves global customers and distributes products through direct sales and independent representatives across multiple regions [5] Group 3 - In the fourth quarter, AptarGroup's sales increased by 14%, with growth across all core segments in 2025, marking the 32nd consecutive year of dividend increases with a current yield of 1.29% [6] - The company is committed to sustainability, aiming to source 100% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2030 and adhering to emissions reduction goals [8] - Leadership expects strong growth in the pharma segment, particularly in injectables and consumer healthcare solutions, while the beauty and closures segments are anticipated to remain steady in 2026 [9]

Core Viewpoint - President Trump has announced major combat operations in Iran, which could have significant implications for investments in the region and beyond [1] Group 1: Investment Implications - The announcement of combat operations may lead to increased volatility in markets, particularly in sectors sensitive to geopolitical tensions [1] - Investors should closely monitor the situation as it unfolds, as it could impact oil prices and related industries [1] Group 2: Regional Impact - The military actions in Iran could affect the broader Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape, influencing trade routes and economic stability [1] - Companies with exposure to the region may face heightened risks and opportunities depending on the outcomes of these operations [1]