Today's Finance Pulse
Buy‑Side Commercial Due Diligence: A Multi‑Disciplinary Playbook for Acquisitions
Buy‑side commercial due diligence is a systematic, multi‑disciplinary evaluation that buyers run before closing an acquisition. It goes beyond the balance sheet to assess market dynamics, customer relationships, operational capabilities and regulatory compliance, and follows a five‑stage process that begins with target screening. The approach helps buyers form a realistic view of future performance and mitigate hidden risks.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Trump Administration pumps $2B into quantum computing firms
New Senate Bill Aims at STEM Designation
Senators Susan Collins and Jacky Rosen introduced the Accounting STEM Pursuit Act, seeking to classify accounting programs as STEM under the Every Student Succeeds Act. The bill would make accounting eligible for federal K‑12 and higher‑education grant funding after a recent Department of Education ruling removed accounting from the professional‑degree list for loan eligibility. A Harris Poll shows 75% of Americans support adding accounting to STEM curricula, and the AICPA argues the change would address the growing accountant shortage and digital skill demands. The proposal has previously stalled in the House but gains renewed Senate attention.
Scaling Brands Must Eliminate Tax Inconsistencies or Face Audits
At scale, tax mistakes stop being mistakes. They become red flags. Here's what most brands don't realize: States aren't looking for perfection. They're looking for inconsistency. 🚩 When your collected tax doesn't match your filings 🚩 When registrations lag behind where you're actually...
Humana Approaches $1B Acquisition of Florida Primary Care Company: Bloomberg
Humana is negotiating a roughly $1 billion purchase of Florida‑based MaxHealth, a primary‑care network focused on adults and seniors. MaxHealth is owned by Arsenal Capital Partners’ Best Value Healthcare, and the deal would deepen Humana’s primary‑care footprint after recent growth in...
Spotify Q4 Report Exceeds Expectations; Stock Bounces
Spotify's Q4 2025 earnings beat expectations, driving a sharp rebound in its stock price. Revenue grew 13% YoY to €? and gross margin hit 33.1%, delivering €1.17 billion in net income and EPS of €4.43, well above forecasts. Monthly active users rose...
Goodwill Accounting Might Not Be the Problem After All
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) reopened the goodwill accounting debate, revisiting a project shelved four years ago. Goodwill—valued at roughly $5.6 trillion across U.S. public companies—continues to generate costly annual impairment testing, with 8,134 firms writing down $96 billion in 2024....
McLeod Russel Reports Narrowing of Q3 Net Loss at ₹36.41 Crore, Revenue Rises 20%
McLeod Russel narrowed its Q3 consolidated net loss to ₹36.41 crore, down from ₹87.33 crore a year earlier, while revenue from operations climbed 20% to ₹445.45 crore. The company acknowledged continued financial stress, citing outstanding inter‑corporate deposits and ongoing legal actions. Lenders have...
Anthropic Raises $30B, Bringing Its Valuation to $380B
Anthropic announced a $30 billion Series G round, pushing its valuation to $380 billion, the second‑largest private tech financing after OpenAI. The round was led by Coatue and GIC, with participation from Nvidia, Microsoft, D.E. Shaw, Dragoneer, Founders Fund, ICONIQ and MGX. Anthropic reported a...
Moderna's Flu Shot Dilemma Muddies 2028 Break-Even Guidance
Moderna’s chief financial officer indicated that the company cannot yet confirm whether its 2028 cash‑flow break‑even goal will hold, as the outlook for its seasonal flu vaccine remains uncertain. The flu shot, once expected to be a steady revenue stream,...
Clorox Completes SAP ERP Overhaul as Purell Acquisition Tests Integration Capacity
Clorox wrapped up a five‑year, multi‑plant SAP rollout, replacing a two‑decade‑old legacy system with a cloud‑based ERP that unifies finance, supply chain, sales and planning. The deployment spanned 21 U.S. and Canadian factories and required over 5,000 employees to complete...
Add 30% Detail to Make Financial Models Credible
Your Model is 70% There. Here's What's Missing. Most VPs of Finance I work with have a solid financial model. P&L looks good. Balance sheet ties out. Cash flow makes sense. But when the board starts asking harder questions, the model falls short. "What...
Prediction Market Aggregator Stand Launches Counter-Trading Tool
Prediction market aggregator Stand introduced a new feature that automatically places opposite bets to traders who consistently lose. The tool aims to replace traditional copy‑trading, which has become ineffective as top wallets can front‑run followers. Research shows about 70% of...
Sanctions Data Has Outgrown the Systems Built to Manage It
Sanctions‑related securities have multiplied severalfold since early 2022, turning a niche compliance issue into a real‑time operational variable. A SIX survey of 291 financial institutions shows senior executives now expect sanctions data to create material challenges across trading, risk and...
AGM Alts & Wealth Weekly News Roundup | 2.13.26
The AGM newsletter announced the launch of the AGM Community, an RIA advisory board, and its first field trip in New York, signaling deeper engagement with wealth managers. Across the private‑markets landscape, major deals include Apollo and Schroders’ joint fund...
Bonds Rally, Ignoring Surge in SuperCore CPI
Bonds rallied as the latest CPI data showed headline inflation just below forecasts and core inflation on target, pushing 10‑year Treasury yields down to 4.07%. Shelter costs continued to ease, with owners' equivalent rent hitting a cycle low. Meanwhile, the...
BSE Gets Sebi Nod to Launch 'Focused Midcap Index' Futures and Options Contracts
The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has secured SEBI approval to roll out cash‑settled futures and options on its new Focused Midcap Index, which tracks the top 20 mid‑cap companies by free‑float market capitalisation. The contracts will be monthly, expiring on...
CFOs On the Move: Week Ending Feb. 13
A wave of CFO appointments and departures unfolded this week, spanning automakers, retail, crypto, and fintech. General Motors hired Lucid veteran Claudia Gast to steer strategy and technology partnerships, while Warby Parker tapped former Macy’s CFO Adrian Mitchell. Kraken dismissed...
How Match Group’s CFO Runs the Finance Function Behind Modern Dating
Match Group CFO Steve Bailey, marking his first year in the role, has tightened capital discipline across a portfolio that includes Tinder, Hinge and dozens of international brands. He introduced the PRISM framework to standardize ROI measurement for a $600 million marketing...
Regulatory Silence Is an Interpretive Act
In this episode, Nathan Eckel explores how regulatory silence functions as an implicit form of interpretation, especially in healthcare compliance where guidance often lags behind operational change. He explains that organizations fill the void by creating provisional standards that become...
Market Regulator Sebi Floats Proposal to Revamp ETF Price Band Framework
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a consultation paper proposing a overhaul of ETF price‑band rules. It recommends moving the base‑price reference from T‑2 closing NAV to T‑1 data or recent indicative NAV, and introducing dynamic,...
FCPA Priorities Whitepaper
Ground Truth Intelligence released a whitepaper outlining the Department of Justice’s refreshed FCPA enforcement agenda after a 180‑day pause and June 2025 guidance. The DOJ is shifting resources toward corruption that threatens U.S. national security, economic competitiveness, and organized‑crime links,...
Mergers And Acquisitions Strategies For British SME Growth
British SMEs are turning to mergers and acquisitions to sustain growth as organic expansion slows. The piece outlines the current UK mid‑market M&A landscape, noting strong activity in technology, healthcare, manufacturing and professional services. It highlights strategic drivers such as...
Morning SPAC News Roundup: February 13, 2026
The Morning SPAC News Roundup for February 13, 2026 was published on SPAC Insider, offering a curated list of SPAC‑related developments. Access to the full content requires a paid monthly subscription, limiting free readership. The post includes typical market commentary, deal announcements,...
Bhatia Communications Sets Record Date for Third Interim Dividend Payable in FY26
Bhatia Communications & Retail announced February 20 as the record date for its third interim dividend for FY 2025‑26, offering Rs 0.01 per equity share. The dividend is payable to shareholders holding shares before that date. The announcement follows a December‑quarter earnings beat,...
Morgan Stanley Said to Consider $500 Million India Fund, Shifts some Assets
Morgan Stanley Investment Management is exploring a $500 million continuation fund focused on India, intending to transfer eight healthcare‑related assets, including Omega Hospitals and RG Scientific, into the new vehicle. The move signals the firm’s effort to provide existing investors an...
Can Mining Stocks Deliver Golden Gains?
Investors are flocking to mining equities as gold and silver prices surged in early 2026, with Glencore and Fresnillo ranking among Interactive Investor’s most‑popular stocks. Strong commodity rallies have propelled miners such as Barrick and Fresnillo to share price gains...
Bankruptcy Threat Looms as Quince Runs Out of Options
Quince Therapeutics warned investors it may need bankruptcy protection after its lead drug eDSP failed a pivotal phase 3 trial for ataxia‑telangiectasia. The SEC filing disclosed less than $6 million in cash, $12 million in short‑term investments and a $16 million unsecured line of...
TOST Q4 Margins Surge, Profit Spikes over 200%
$TOST Q4: Operating income +140% YoY, net income +216% YoY. Margins expanding across the board. Revenue came in at $1.63B, up 22% YoY. Growth moderated vs +25% last quarter, but profitability stepped up meaningfully. Gross profit grew 27% YoY with gross margin...
Wipro, Infosys, TCS and 9 Other Stocks Hit 52-Week Lows and Slip up to 20% in a Month
A wave of weakness hit India’s blue‑chip segment as the Sensex slumped nearly 1,048 points, pushing nine BSE 200 stocks to fresh 52‑week lows. Leading IT giants Wipro, L&T Technology Services, TCS and Infosys each fell between 14% and 19% over...
ETFs Rake $250B in 28 Days, EM Overtakes Gold
There's only been 28 trading days this year and ETFs have already pulled in about $250b. More than double any other start to a year. Up until 2020, $250b was what they averaged for a YEAR. That's $9b/day pace, or...
Financial Limitations on Growth
Rural ISPs repeatedly cite financing caps as the primary barrier to expanding broadband, not a lack of willingness. Lenders impose strict borrowing limits based on cash flow, debt ratios, and broader market conditions, which many small providers cannot exceed. Grant...
We Need a Better System for Routing International Payments in a Crisis
A senior Consumer Reports director recounts how international relief funds for Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica were crippled by fragmented payment systems, losing roughly 10% to fees and taking weeks to clear. Despite a plethora of fintech options, P2P apps, traditional...
EIL Q3 Profit Soars over 3x YoY to Rs 302 Crore
Engineers India Ltd (EIL) posted a net profit of Rs 302 crore for Q3 FY2025‑26, more than three times its profit a year earlier. The surge was driven by a dramatic rise in turnkey contract earnings, which jumped to Rs 273.68 crore from Rs 18.92 crore,...
New Chief Economic Advisor to the Treasury Appointed
Professor Brian Bell has been appointed as the Treasury’s chief economic advisor, taking up the post on 9 March. He will serve as the principal adviser to Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister on macro‑economics and fiscal policy, overseeing the department’s...
Most Private Credit PIK Is Bad Yet Labeled Performing
58% of PIK in private credit is "bad PIK" per Lincoln. Borrower stops paying cash. Lender accepts more debt instead. Everyone marks it at par. This is called "performing."
AI-Driven Low Rates Boost Term Premium Compression, Hedge Long Bonds
A very positive setup for duration and UST term premium compression if rates are to stay low for a longer timeframe because of AI disruption. It will take time to play out but long end is well priced and...
TF1 Leans on TF1+ Momentum as Ad Market Softens
TF1 Group posted 2025 revenue of €2.297 bn, a 2.5% decline driven by a softening advertising market, especially in Q4. Media division revenue fell 4.5% to €1.921 bn while Studio TF1 grew 9.2% to €376 million. The digital platform TF1+ delivered a 35.8% jump...
OneWeb Boost
.@EutelsatGroup: OneWeb rev up 59.7% in 6M to Dec. 31; 600 aircraft have our connectivity hardware; hosted payloads, ground segment seen as fresh revenue sources; cancelling @Thales_Alenia_S GEO sat saves EUR 100M in capex, costs 60M in impairment charges.https://t.co/f8cngyWfes https://t.co/iWpscm5aIi
Netherlands' 36% Unrealized Gains Tax Slashes Decade‑Long Wealth Growth
A new 36% unrealized gains tax passed in the Netherlands. This means assets that have increased in value are now taxed, even if not sold. See the devastating impact on wealth growth over 10 years. #CryptoTax #Netherlands #IvanClips https://t.co/OMzGMofQhw
Most AllianzGI Funds Pass Assessment of Value Test
An independent Assessment of Value test has evaluated Allianz Global Investors' UK fund lineup. The majority of the funds received a positive rating, indicating they deliver good value to investors. A subset were amber‑flagged, meaning they only meet basic value...
Crypto Tokens Failed; Real Cash‑Flow Businesses Will Prevail
I think @nic_carter is right about this: crypto's token era didn't fail because of regulation. It failed because the model never produced durable value. What comes next, according to Nic, is more mundane and more sustainable. Cash-flow businesses. Real revenue. The...
AI‑First SaaS Lacks Playbook, Creating New Opportunities
No playbook yet for building an AI-first SaaS company — and that’s the opportunity. Episode 232 of The SaaS CFO Podcast with Ben Winter 👇 https://t.co/0CcjGEIVb9 #SaaS #AI https://t.co/62OFBrvp7A
Sebi Eases Reporting Norms for Brokers, Extends Exemptions to Primary Dealers
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) released a consultation paper proposing to relax the naming, tagging and reporting requirements for bank and demat accounts held by stockbrokers. The draft aligns primary dealers with the exemptions already granted to...
Five Tech Giants' 2026 Capex Beats Global Oil‑Gas Average
Something scary for Friday the 13th. The planned 2026 CAPEX budgets for just 5 big tech firms in 2026 is larger than the average GLOBAL oil & gas capex between 2022-2025. 🤯🤯🤯🤯 https://t.co/WfwKC00YCY
S&P Erases Almost All 2026 Gains Amid AI Hype
Forget Trump's AI HYPE. The S&P Index has now given up nearly all its 2026 gains. https://t.co/GAL0TbU7KG
PNGS Reva Diamond IPO to Hit Dalal Street Soon: Check 5 Key Risks Ahead of the Offer Launch
The PNGS Reva Diamond Limited is set to launch a fresh‑share IPO on Dalal Street valued at roughly ₹380 crore. The issue comprises 0.98 crore new shares priced between ₹367 and ₹386 each, with the bidding period running from February 24 to February 26,...
Stablecoins Take Off in Rapidly Growing Hong Kong Market
Touchdown for stablecoins in Hong Kong, one of the fastest-growing and most interesting stablecoin markets globally. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
Adapt Your Trading Strategy as Markets Evolve
I spent years trying to find the 'perfect' trading strategy. The one that would work forever, but the markets aren't static. What worked yesterday might not work today. The only way to survive is to adapt and evolve our strategies with the market.
Coinbase Swings to Surprise Loss Amid Crypto Exodus, but Says Traders Are Buying the Dip
Coinbase reported a surprise fourth‑quarter loss as crypto trading volumes continued to shrink, marking the first quarterly deficit in years. Despite the loss, the stock steadied and rose modestly in after‑hours trading, bouncing off a two‑year low. Management used the...
Banks' Inflation Forecasts Politicized, Yield Soft Surprises
Another SOFT inflation surrpise... It has become a bit of a theme, and we are increasingly convinced that inflation forecasting has become a "politicized arena" within banks, given how incredibly stubborn they have been in their wrong lean on this.
Rising SPX Put Skew May Push VIX to 30
SPX put skew is really starting to warm up here, while ATM IV remains relatively subdued. If SPX 30) https://t.co/p9qsHp8nHk