"Boring" may be just what the doctor ordered in this volatile market.Over the past few years, the exciting field of artificial intelligence (AI) has captured much of Wall Street's attention and headlines. And sure enough, some of the leaders in AI have produced incredible returns and might continue doing so. However, investors shouldn't ignore businesses that may not be as exciting, but more than make up for that with other qualities that can slowly increase wealth over time.One such company is Abbott Labor ...

NYSE Content Update: Starfighters Space Celebrates NYSE American Listing [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationNYSE issues a pre-market daily advisory direct from the trading floor.NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today's NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins.Ashley Mastronardi delivers the pre-market update on February 20thContinue ReadingHerbalife CFO join ...

Cristiano Ronaldo Invests $7.5 Million Into Herbalife—Stock Surgeshttps://t.co/NLAusEGUmT https://t.co/xrsyo6aJM9 ...

Core Viewpoint - dsm-firmenich has successfully launched a €1.5 billion dual-tranche bond issuance aimed at refinancing existing bond maturities [1][2] Group 1: Bond Issuance Details - The bond issuance consists of two tranches: €750 million fixed-rate notes due 2031 with a yield of 3.00% and €750 million fixed-rate notes due 2038 with a yield of 3.75% [2][8] - The re-offer price for the 5-year bond tranche was set at 99.886%, resulting in a yield of 3.025% [2] - The re-offer price for the 12-year bond tranche was set at 99.100%, resulting in a yield of 3.845% [2] Group 2: Company Overview - dsm-firmenich is a Swiss company listed on the Euronext Amsterdam, with operations in nearly 60 countries and revenues exceeding €12 billion [4] - The company employs around 30,000 people globally and focuses on nutrition, health, and beauty, providing essential nutrients, flavors, and fragrances [4] - dsm-firmenich holds an A3 rating (stable outlook) from Moody's and an A- rating (stable outlook) from S&P [3]

Core Insights - Abbott Laboratories has raised its quarterly dividend to $0.63, marking a 6.8% increase from the previous rate, with a free cash flow payout ratio of 60.4% [1][2] - The company has a consistent dividend growth streak of 13 years, with total annual payout increasing from $1.04 in 2016 to $2.36 in 2025, representing a 127% increase [1] - Despite a 9.8% decline in shares year-to-date, the current dividend yield of 2.14% is considered attractive for income investors [1] Dividend Growth - Abbott has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.2% over the past decade [1] - The recent quarterly increase from $0.59 to $0.63 continues the trend, although growth rates have moderated compared to earlier in the decade [1] - CEO Robert Ford reaffirmed the company's commitment to growing dividends during the recent earnings call [1] Cash Flow Coverage - In fiscal 2024, Abbott generated $8.56 billion in operating cash flow and $6.35 billion in free cash flow, with a 60.4% free cash flow payout ratio [1] - The payout ratio increased from 42.4% in 2022, reflecting both growing dividend commitments and declining cash generation due to reduced COVID-related testing revenue [1] - Quarterly free cash flow payout ratios showed volatility, with a peak of 110% in Q1 2025, but normalized in subsequent quarters [1] Profitability Metrics - Abbott maintains a 22% operating margin and a 14.7% profit margin, with a return on equity of 13.2%, supporting dividend sustainability [1] - The FreeStyle Libre glucose sensor recall, classified as a Class I recall, poses risks to profitability and may lead to litigation costs [1] - The medical devices segment showed a 12.3% growth in Q4, with strong performance from electrophysiology products [1] Forward Guidance - Management's guidance for 2026 includes an adjusted EPS of $5.55-$5.80, indicating approximately 10% growth at the midpoint [1] - Expected organic sales growth is projected at 6.5-7.5%, with annual margin expansion of 50-70 basis points [1] - The nutrition segment, which declined 8.9% in Q4, is anticipated to face challenges in the first half of 2026 before recovery [1] Valuation and Peer Comparison - Abbott's trailing P/E ratio is 30x, while the forward P/E is 20x, suggesting potential normalization as earnings grow [2] - Compared to Johnson & Johnson's 2.16% dividend yield and 46.6% payout ratio, Abbott's 63.8% payout ratio indicates less cushion but remains sustainable [2] - Institutional investors hold 81.7% of Abbott's shares, reflecting confidence in the company's long-term prospects despite current challenges [2]

DSM says it will divest its animal nutrition and health business to CVC Capital Partners for an enterprise value of about $2.6 billion https://t.co/SLuhJDHkz2 ...

Core Viewpoint - dsm-firmenich has agreed to divest its Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) business to CVC Capital Partners for an enterprise value of approximately €2.2 billion, which includes an earnout of up to €0.5 billion, while retaining a 20% equity stake in the divested companies [1][2]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The divestment of ANH follows the sale of Feed Enzymes activities to Novonesis for €1.5 billion in 2025, marking a strategic shift for dsm-firmenich to focus solely on consumer sectors in nutrition, health, and beauty [2]. - The total enterprise value of ANH, including the previous sale, amounts to €3.7 billion, reflecting a 10x EV/Adjusted EBITDA multiple [2][5]. - dsm-firmenich expects to receive approximately €1.2 billion post-transaction, with an estimated €0.6 billion in net cash proceeds and a vendor loan note of €0.1 billion [5][12]. Group 2: Business Structure and Operations - ANH will be divided into two standalone companies: the "Solutions Company" and the "Essential Products Company," both based in Kaiseraugst, Switzerland [5]. - The Solutions Company will focus on Performance Solutions, Premix, and Precision Services, while the Essential Products Company will handle Vitamins, Carotenoids, and Aroma Ingredients [5]. - dsm-firmenich will enter into a long-term supply agreement for vitamins with the Essential Products Company to ensure continuity in supply for human and pet food applications [5]. Group 3: Financial and Strategic Implications - The transaction is expected to result in a non-cash impairment of around €1.9 billion in 2025 before taxes, with additional cash tax and transaction costs of €0.2 billion anticipated in 2026 [12]. - dsm-firmenich plans to initiate a share repurchase program worth €0.5 billion in Q1 2026 and aims to maintain a stable dividend of €2.50 per share, with a policy of progressively increasing dividends over time [3][4]. - The CEO of dsm-firmenich emphasized that this divestment represents the final step in their strategic roadmap, aiming to accelerate growth and create long-term value for stakeholders [7].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of dividend stocks as a reliable investment option, particularly during varying market conditions, highlighting three companies known as Dividend Kings that are recommended for long-term investment. Group 1: Dividend Kings Overview - Dividend Kings are companies that have increased their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years, indicating a strong commitment to returning value to shareholders [3]. - These companies provide passive income and can offer stability during market downturns while also benefiting from market upswings [2]. Group 2: Abbott Laboratories - Abbott Laboratories has a dividend of $2.52, yielding 2.4%, which is higher than the S&P 500's 1.1% yield [4]. - The company has a diversified healthcare business with four units: medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition, and established pharmaceuticals, providing security against downturns in any single unit [6]. Group 3: Target - Target has faced challenges recently, including a shift in consumer behavior and theft, but is implementing strategies to recover, such as creating an enterprise acceleration office [7][8]. - The company offers a dividend of $4.56, yielding 4.5%, which can provide passive income while the stock potentially rebounds [10]. Group 4: Johnson & Johnson - Johnson & Johnson spun off its consumer health business to focus on higher-growth areas, resulting in a 6% sales increase to over $94 billion last year and an 8% rise in adjusted diluted earnings per share [11][12]. - The company pays a dividend of $5.20, yielding 2.3%, making it a solid choice for passive income [14].

Core Viewpoint - Promino Nutritional Sciences Inc. has successfully closed a private placement, raising a total of $1,121,413 by issuing 37,380,433 units at a price of $0.03 per unit, with each unit consisting of one common share and one warrant [1][4] Group 1: Private Placement Details - The private placement involved the issuance of 37,380,433 units at $0.03 per unit, resulting in gross proceeds of $1,121,413 [1] - The company paid finders' fees of $69,233 in cash and issued 2,307,767 finders warrants, each exercisable at $0.06 for twelve months [2] - Upon closing, AlphaNorth Partners Fund Inc. increased its ownership from approximately 8.78% to 10.71%, holding 18,824,851 shares [3] Group 2: Use of Proceeds - Net proceeds from the private placement will be allocated to accelerate growth through inventory investments and for general corporate purposes, excluding salaries for officers or directors [4] Group 3: Company Overview - Promino Nutritional Sciences is focused on science-based nutrition for muscle health, with its core product being Rejuvenate Muscle Health™, a clinically researched amino acid formula [5] - The company also produces Promino™, which is NSF Certified for Sport® and endorsed by elite athletes [6]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights that the Chinese market remains a crucial battleground for global brand growth, with Tmall International reporting a significant increase in the number of overseas brands entering the market [1][2] - By 2025, a total of 2,415 overseas new brands are expected to open their first stores in China through Tmall International, achieving double-digit growth year-on-year, averaging over 6 new brands daily [1] - The fourth quarter saw a notable acceleration in brand entries, with a record addition of 691 new brands in a single quarter, marking the peak for the year [1] Group 2 - The top three new imported brands in 2025 are COVERNAT from South Korea, herbs of gold from Australia, and Weverse Shop, a brand associated with Korean celebrities [1] - New brands are emerging from 52 countries and regions globally, with the highest numbers from the United States, Japan, and South Korea, while France, New Zealand, and Australia are the fastest-growing sources [1] - The platform has welcomed brands from Cuba, Chile, and Lithuania for the first time, indicating a continuous expansion of its global network [1] Group 3 - In terms of industry dimensions, health, beauty and personal care, and maternal and infant sectors are the most densely populated areas for overseas new brand entries [2] - There is a shift in brand strategies from general demand fulfillment to more refined positioning, particularly in the maternal and infant sector, where new brands in baby food surged by 128% [2] - The fastest-growing categories on Tmall International include toys, outdoor equipment, baby food, fashion cosmetics, and pet health, all achieving double-digit growth, reflecting consumer preferences for both personal and family-oriented products [2] Group 4 - Tmall International currently hosts over 40,000 brands from more than 110 countries and regions, enhancing its infrastructure for cross-border recruitment, supply chain, and product authenticity [2] - The platform is facilitating efficient market entry and sustainable growth for various overseas brands in China [2]