Today's Finance Pulse
Autodesk to acquire MaintainX for $3.6B, expanding into operations software
Autodesk announced a $3.6 billion purchase of MaintainX, a leader in operational‑phase software for the built environment. The deal extends Autodesk’s portfolio from design and manufacturing into ongoing building operation, creating an end‑to‑end data loop. CEO Andrew Anagnost said the acquisition unlocks a $40 billion total addressable market.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Pemberton Asset Management closes $3.7B fourth vintage fund
Japan Accounting Group Seeks to Ease Insurer Bond Loss Rule
The Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (JICPA) has proposed treating life insurers' government‑bond holdings as held‑to‑maturity, removing the need for impairment accounting when certain criteria are met. Under current rules insurers must record a loss if market value falls 50% below book value, creating ¥13.2 trillion of unrealized losses across major firms. The proposal aims to ease earnings pressure, stabilize dividends and support insurers’ long‑term asset strategies. Shares of insurers rose sharply as investors priced in the potential regulatory relief.
AI Spending and Consumer Surge Mask Weak Underlying Growth
Recent top and bottom line (as well as profit margins) have been disproportionately impacted by massive AI cap spending and high end consumer spending. The former has a half life to it. The later may not be sustained if home and stock...
Retail Traders Set Record Demand on Citadel Platform
Citadel on flows, via Bbrg: Retail traders spent a record amount snapping up software shares on Citadel Securities’ platform, according to Scott Rubner, head of equity and equity derivatives strategy at the firm, which began tracking the data in 2017: “Net notional...
You Can Invest in SpaceX Before Its IPO — but Should You?
Investors can now gain exposure to SpaceX through private secondary markets, specialty ETFs and pooled funds, sidestepping the wait for a public listing. The rocket company is valued at roughly $1.25 trillion, making it one of the most coveted private assets....
Top Invoicing Vendors Capture 55% Market Share
You don't get paid unless you invoice. Accurate, timely invoices. These are the top invoicing vendors used in software companies. Plus, honorable mentions just off the chart. Survey Highlights: - 57 invoicing solutions named - Top 5 solutions own 55%...
Warren Targets Dimon for Help on Interest Rate Caps
Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon urging his public support for the Empowering States’ Rights to Protect Consumers Act, which would let states re‑impose credit‑card interest‑rate caps on national banks. The legislation seeks to restore the...
Isabel Schnabel: Fiscal Challenges Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty and Ageing Societies
Isabel Schnabel highlighted the euro area’s mounting fiscal pressures, noting that low debt levels often coincide with weak public investment. She examined Germany’s new defence and infrastructure package, showing it can lift GDP but also raise debt ratios under different...
France’s Very Low Inflation Rate Is a Major Challenge for Public Finances
France’s inflation fell to 0.3% year‑on‑year in January, the lowest level since 2016 and well below the euro‑area average of 1.7%. The drop, driven by falling manufactured‑goods and energy prices, leaves core inflation at just 0.7% and fuels criticism that...
The Hidden Cost of AI: Why Data Debt Is Actually a Human Problem
At the Digital Lounge in Davos, IT leaders highlighted a hidden crisis: data debt is draining human capacity more than technology. Legacy SAP systems and fragmented data require teams to spend countless hours cleaning and governing information, leading to transformation...
Sibanye-Stillwater to Recognise R5.3bn in Impairments
Sibanye‑Stillwater will record R5.3 bn of impairments in the second half of its 2025 financial year, bringing total FY2025 impairments to R14 bn. The write‑downs stem from a R3.8 bn reduction at the Kloof gold mine and a R138 m impairment on the Keliber...
Snapchat+ Tops 25M Subscribers, Driving Company’s Direct Revenue ARR to $1B
Snap announced its direct‑revenue business reached a $1 billion annualized run rate. The milestone is driven by Snapchat+, which now has more than 25 million paying subscribers. The service, launched in 2022 at $3.99 per month, has expanded with higher‑priced tiers such...
Global Payments Builds Salesforce
Global Payments announced a 300‑agent salesforce expansion in 2026, following its recent acquisition of Worldpay. The company will invest $1 billion this year to accelerate growth of its Genius processing brand and AI capabilities. Adjusted net revenue rose 1% to $2.32 billion...
IFF to Sell Off Food Ingredients - the Supplier’s Biggest Earner
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) posted 2025 results showing its Food Ingredients division generated $3.28 bn in revenue but delivered the lowest profit margin at 12.9%. Sales in the division fell 3% despite overall company growth, while Taste, Scent and Health...
Demand Surge Compresses Bond Spreads Despite Record Issuance
Record bond issuance. Record trading volumes. Tighter spreads. More supply should widen spreads. Instead buyers are so hungry that more issuance actually improves liquidity and compresses risk premiums. This works until it doesn’t.
Stripe’s Bridge Wins OCC Conditional Approval
Stripe’s Bridge subsidiary received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national trust bank charter, filed in October and approved on Feb. 12. The charter would let Bridge issue stablecoins, custody digital assets, and manage...
Five US Policy Shifts Could Reshape Financial Markets
The Trump administration is advancing five domestic policy initiatives that touch credit, housing, monetary policy, corporate governance, and digital‑asset regulation. Proposed credit reforms would tighten loan underwriting, while housing changes could modify the mortgage interest deduction. Monetary officials hint at...
Market Trading Guide: Bank of India Among 2 PSU Bank Stocks Offering up to 8% Upside
The Nifty 50 logged a third straight gain, breaking above the 25,500 support and 25,800 resistance as consumer, financial and metal stocks led the rally. Bank of India and Bank of Maharashtra each posted decisive breakouts from consolidation zones, prompting...
Employee Ownership as a Search Fund Advantage, Turner Wyatt of Small Capital
Turner Wyatt, founder and CEO of Small Capital, funds self‑funded searchers who embed employee ownership from acquisition day one. He argues that search fund deals can address income inequality while enhancing business performance by giving employees a stake. Small Capital’s...
US Companies Increasingly Face Investor Pushback on M&A Deals
Activist investors intensified pressure on U.S. companies, with push‑to‑sell campaigns rising 29% in 2025, reaching a five‑year high. More than 30 firms encountered shareholder resistance to M&A deals, while overall activist activity modestly declined to 579 targets. Concurrently, private‑equity firms...
1164: From Boardroom Lens to Operator Reality | Alex Melamud, CFO, Engine
In this episode, CFO Alex Melamud of Engine discusses how he brings a boardroom and private‑equity perspective to day‑to‑day operations, starting his day by reading customer NPS feedback before any financial metrics. He explains the evolving CFO role—from traditional governance...
Nicole Brizan Joins Donohoe Hospitality Services
Donohoe Hospitality Services has appointed Nicole Brizan as vice president of finance and accounting, tasking her with steering corporate and property‑level financial strategy for its hotel portfolio. Brizan brings more than two decades of hospitality accounting experience, most recently as...
Press Release: Eaton Square’s Silicon Creates Partnership with Klear to Strengthen Critical Mineral Supply Chains
Australian‑founded Eaton Square announced that its Silicon subsidiary will integrate with U.S. capital‑intelligence firm Klear, creating a unified solution for sourcing, financing and managing critical minerals. The combined platform leverages AI to provide end‑to‑end operational and treasury visibility, offering verified...
Press Release: Millions in Losses Drive Return to FX Protection in 2026
MillTech’s Q4 2025 Corporate Hedging Monitor shows UK corporates lost an average £6.71 million and US firms $9.85 million in 2025 due to unhedged foreign‑exchange exposure. Eighty percent of surveyed firms reported losses, prompting a rebound in hedging activity as average hedge ratios...
The Price Waterfall: A Framework to Prevent Margin Leak & Improve Profits
The price waterfall is a visual framework that tracks every discount, rebate, allowance and fee from the list price down to the pocket price a company actually receives. By mapping each deduction, businesses can pinpoint where margin leakage occurs and...
The EBA ESG Dashboard Update Shows Stable Climate Risk Indicators
The European Banking Authority released its ESG risk dashboard covering data through Q2 2025, showing that climate‑related credit exposure among large EU banks remains stable at about 62 % of non‑financial corporate portfolios. Environmental data quality improved, with proxy‑based measurements dropping ten...
OCC Conditionally Approves Stripe Subsidiary Bridge for Trust Charter
Stripe’s subsidiary Bridge received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national trust bank charter. The license would allow Bridge to issue stablecoins, custody digital assets, and manage reserves under OCC oversight. The decision...
RioCan REIT Reports ‘Strong Year’ for 2025 with 5 Million Square Feet of Leasing Activity
RioCan REIT reported a robust 2025, delivering 5 million square feet of leasing activity and a record‑high new‑lease spread of 37.3%. Blended leasing spreads rose to 21.1%, while same‑property NOI grew 3.6% for the year. The trust repatriated $741.7 million of capital,...
KBRA Direct Lending Deals: News & Analysis – 2/16/2026
Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) released its latest direct‑lending default indices covering the trailing‑twelve‑month period ending February 17, 2026. The indices aggregate performance data from a broad universe of private credit transactions, including senior secured loans, unitranche facilities, and mezzanine tranches. By...
InfraVia, Liberty Global and Telefónica Agree £2 Billion Deal for Netomnia
InfraVia, Liberty Global and Telefónica’s joint venture nexfibre has agreed to acquire Netomnia, the parent of YouFibre and brsk, in a £2 billion transaction. The deal consolidates a significant portion of the UK’s full‑fibre retail market under nexfibre’s control. It brings...
CLOs Bet on Yield While AI Threatens Software Holdings
This is the CLO market right now: Sellers: AI will destroy these businesses Buyers: Thanks for the yield Software is the largest sector in CLO portfolios globally. 10-15% concentration. Nearly half mature in the next 3 years. Someone here is wrong.
American Crypto Holders Are Scared and Confused About This Year’s New IRS Tax Rules
A poll of 1,000 U.S. crypto investors shows more than half fear IRS penalties as the Treasury rolls out Form 1099‑DA, which forces exchanges to automatically report transaction proceeds. The new rule shifts tax compliance from self‑disclosure to broker‑driven reporting,...
Cheap Passes Won’t Buy a Fix for Six Flags
Six Flags is deepening its low‑price annual‑pass strategy, launching Gold passes as cheap as $90 that grant access to multiple regional parks but exclude free parking at Knott’s Berry Farm. The company also upgraded its Perks & Play program to include all...
💥New Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing - Carbon Health Technologies, Inc.💥
The episode details Carbon Health Technologies, Inc.'s pre‑arranged Chapter 11 filing in February 2026, outlining its rapid rise to a $3 billion valuation and subsequent collapse due to post‑pandemic revenue decline and tighter capital markets. It explains the company’s business model—an...
Leonard Green & Partners to Acquire Mister Car Wash for $3.1 Billion
Leonard Green & Partners announced a definitive agreement to acquire Mister Car Wash, Inc. for $3.1 billion in cash, paying $7 per share, a 16.5% premium to the prior close. The transaction values the car‑wash operator at 13.78 times EBITDA and...
Navigating Liquidity Traps in a Fragmented World
The episode examines how "trapped cash" has evolved from a balance‑sheet inefficiency into a geopolitical risk as capital controls, ESG mandates, and tax treaty changes fragment global liquidity. It outlines the macro drivers—FX shortages, regulatory black‑lists, and new cross‑border pooling...
If US Regulators Won’t Hold Auditors to Account, Will the Courts?
The Trump administration slashed the PCAOB budget and installed a career auditor as its head, prompting concerns that auditors are now policing themselves. The SEC argues the changes refocus the board on substantive wrongdoing rather than paperwork errors. Critics fear...
KITS Issues First-Quarter Guidance, Projects Revenue of up to $60 Million
Kits Eyecare Ltd. forecast first‑quarter revenue of $58 million to $60 million, reflecting 25‑29% organic growth. Glasses sales are expected to top $10 million, a year‑over‑year increase of more than 50%. The company projects adjusted EBITDA margins of 4‑6% while maintaining a disciplined...
CT REIT Reports Q4 and 2025 Annual Financial Results, Portfolio Continues to Expand
CT Real Estate Investment Trust reported a strong 2025 year, investing roughly $235 million in projects and expanding its portfolio by about 893,000 sq ft of gross leasable area. The fourth quarter saw net income rise to $191.3 million, up $56 million year‑over‑year, and AFFO...
A Year After Designation of Cartels as Terrorists, What Is the Risk Landscape for Multinationals Operating in Mexico?
In February 2025 the U.S. designated six Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, extending material‑support statutes and national‑security enforcement to any company dealing with them. The DOJ’s new guidelines prioritize terrorism‑finance violations, while FinCEN’s geographic targeting orders have already...
Equity Volatility Spike Defies Traditional Buying Signals
Good read on *market stress* from GS: “Our vol stress index closed the week registering 9 out of 10. Historically, readings of >9 have been buying opportunities, but this time ‘feels different’ as the increase in panic has not come with...
Sector Rotation Timing Yields Asset‑rich Returns
The Great Rotation: From Growth to Asset Rich Value My job is timing sector rotation & picking the best stocks long/short within it. That & sizing up macro event risk & market structure support. That's how I could time the...
Your Foreign AI Vendor’s Black Box Is an Ethics Problem, Not a Technical One
Boards and senior leaders are confronting a growing dilemma: critical AI systems supplied by foreign vendors operate as opaque black boxes, delivering efficiency while limiting auditability. Ethicists Vera Cherepanova and Brian Haman argue this is fundamentally an ethical issue of...
Equal‑Weighted S&P Nears Cap‑Weighted Levels Amid Broadening Market
The market has been broadening out nicely as of late, and since the April 2025 Tariff tantrum low, the equal-weighted S&P 500 index has almost caught up to the cap-weighted index (34% vs 38%). It has been good to see....
Arizona Senate Advances State Crypto Reserve Bill
NOW: 🇺🇸 Arizona’s SB1649, creating a state-run crypto reserve holding XRP, BTC, and more, cleared the Senate Finance Committee and now heads to the Rules Committee https://t.co/KSlJxJiDTM
VMO2 Owners Make Substantial Acquisition to Gain Altnet Broadband Business
InfraVia, Liberty Global and Telefónica, via their joint venture Nexfibre, announced a £2 bn acquisition of Substantial Group, the owner of altnet Netomnia. The deal adds roughly three million premises and 450,000 customers, targeting an eight‑million‑premise footprint by 2027 and a...
Our Portfolios Stay Calm as Rivals Tumble
CHART OF THE DAY: Our Portfolios Are Experiencing Lower Volatility While The Competitors Are Crashing https://t.co/8ToxLIPXph via @hedgeye
AI May Reverse Dilution From Slowing Revenue Growth
Your slowing revenue growth has created a stock-based comp (dilution) problem AI is destroying software multiples, but it may also be the only thing that can solve our dilution problem. https://t.co/8EiZueMtNK
ZM Poised for Upside with Buyback, Growth, Cheap Valuation
- Anthropic catalyst - Pouring cash into buyback w/ conservative balance sheet - 5% annual gross profit growth since EOY 2022 - stock trading below 17x EV/EBIT per @fiscal_ai Very interesting set-up for $ZM over next couple of years https://t.co/75MsUcEE1b
FinTechs Become Latin America’s SME Financial Operating System
Latin America’s small businesses don’t lack ambition. They lack liquidity. FinTechs are stepping in to close persistent cash flow gaps with smarter underwriting, real-time data and embedded finance solutions. The real opportunity isn’t just lending. It’s becoming the financial operating system for...
Upcoming UST Auctions May Cool Rally, Create Opportunity
Busy UST auction schedule in the next eight days could finally slowdown the rally a bit and offer an opportunity. Brand new 20s ($16B) today, new 30y TIPS tomorrow ($9B), and regular size/schedule 2s, 5s and 7s next week.