🎯Today's Finance Pulse
Updated 1h agoWhat's happening: ESMA fines trade repository REGIS‑TR €1.374 million for EMIR and SFTR breaches
The European Securities and Markets Authority imposed a €1.374 million penalty on REGIS‑TR after finding seven violations of the European Market Infrastructure Regulation and the Securities Financing Transactions Regulation. This is the first enforcement action involving SFTR breaches and the largest fine ever levied on a trade repository. ESMA said the sanctions underscore its commitment to market integrity.
Also developing:
News•Feb 17, 2026
CleanMax to Float ₹3,100 Crore IPO on Feb 23
CleanMax Enviro Energy Solutions announced a ₹3,100 crore IPO opening on Feb 23, with a price band of ₹1,000‑1,053 per share that values the company at up to ₹12,325 crore. The issue includes a ₹1,200 crore fresh issue and a ₹1,900 crore offer‑for‑sale by promoters, reduced from an earlier ₹5,200 crore plan. Proceeds will primarily be used to repay debt, with the remainder earmarked for general corporate purposes. The company, which posted FY25 revenue of ₹1,610 crore and its first net profit, will list on March 2.
By The Hindu BusinessLine – Markets
News•Feb 17, 2026
What CFOs Need From Banks and FinTechs in Cross-Border Payments
Cross‑border payments are undergoing a structural shift as CFOs demand more predictable, liquid, and compliant solutions. FinTech firms have accelerated speed and API‑driven usability, opening new corridors and transparent pricing. At the same time, banks are investing in modern settlement,...
By PYMNTS
News•Feb 17, 2026
DCM Shriram Industries’ Demerger Entities Debut on Bourses
DCM Shriram Industries completed its demerger, launching DCM Shriram Fine Chemicals Ltd and DCM Shriram International Ltd on Indian exchanges. Fine Chemicals opened around 17% below its issue price, while International fell about 18% on the NSE but edged up...
By The Hindu BusinessLine – Markets
News•Feb 17, 2026
CESC Seeks KERC Nod to Bridge Revenue Deficit
Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) has asked the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) to approve a plan that bridges a ₹528.1 crore net revenue deficit for FY 2024‑25. The shortfall stems from higher power procurement costs, rising finance expenses and a 5.8%...
By ET EnergyWorld (The Economic Times)
News•Feb 17, 2026
Fibe Crosses Rs 1,200 Cr Revenue in FY25; Profit Spikes 13%
Fibe, the former EarlySalary, posted FY25 operating revenue of Rs 1,228 crore, a 49% increase from the prior year, while net profit rose 13% to Rs 114 crore. Interest on loans remained the dominant revenue stream, exceeding Rs 1,000 crore and representing over...
By Entrackr
News•Feb 17, 2026
Blackstone and EQT to Acquire Spanish Waste Business Urbaser for €5.6bn
Blackstone and EQT have agreed to acquire Spain’s waste‑management firm Urbaser for an enterprise value of €5.6 billion. The purchase price reflects an 11‑times multiple of the company’s projected 2025 EBITDA, underscoring strong confidence in the sector’s cash flow generation. The...
By PE Hub
News•Feb 17, 2026
Naturals Eyes 2028 IPO if Reliance Stake Talks Fail
Naturals, one of India’s largest organised salon chains with about 900 outlets, is negotiating a stake sale with Reliance but talks have stalled over control, with Reliance seeking a 51% stake while Naturals wants to retain 49%. The company reported...
By The Hindu BusinessLine – Markets
News•Feb 17, 2026
Sources: US Healthcare Manufacturer Danaher Is Nearing a Deal to Buy Medtech Company Masimo for ~$10B; Masimo Is in an...
Danaher, a US healthcare conglomerate, is close to finalizing a roughly $10 billion acquisition of Masimo, the maker of pulse‑oximetry and other medical monitoring devices. The deal, still subject to antitrust clearance, would add Masimo’s sensor technology to Danaher’s Life Sciences...
By Techmeme
News•Feb 17, 2026
Industrial AI Shifting as Enterprises Turn Analytics Into Autonomous Action
IFS posted 23% annual recurring revenue growth and a 114% net retention rate for FY 2025, indicating industrial AI is moving from pilot projects to large‑scale operational use. The company’s new IFS Nexus Black and Agent Studio platforms let enterprises...
By ERP Today
News•Feb 17, 2026
UK Software Firm Pinewood's Stock Fell ~31% on February 16 After Apax Withdrew Its £575M Takeover Offer, Citing "Prevailing Challenging...
Apax Partners pulled its £575 million takeover bid for FTSE 250 software firm Pinewood on February 16, citing challenging market conditions. The withdrawal triggered an immediate 31% drop in Pinewood’s share price, the steepest decline in weeks. Analysts view the move as a...
By Techmeme
Social•Feb 17, 2026
Know Your Business Meal Deduction Risk Levels
A guide to business meal deductions Lower Risk • Occasional client lunch • Modest amounts • Clean documentation • Clear business relationship Moderate Risk • Frequent meals but defensible revenue • Slightly aggressive % of expenses • Documentation exists but is thin High Risk • Large meals relative to income • vague “business meeting” notes • No attendee names • Receipts missing • Pattern suggest disguised...
By Prof. Victoria J. Haneman
News•Feb 17, 2026
The Diversification Mirage Inside Today’s Indexes
Indexes are increasingly dominated by a handful of AI‑focused mega‑cap firms, turning passive funds into de‑facto concentrated bets. Peter Corey of Pave warns that investors often mistake broad ETF holdings for true diversification, while underlying exposure remains clustered around the...
By InvestmentNews – ETFs (tag)
News•Feb 17, 2026
FDIS: Consumer Discretionary Dashboard For February
The February Consumer Discretionary Dashboard shows the sector’s services segment trading about 14% below its 11‑year average, while autos and components remain the most overpriced subsector. Fidelity’s FDIS ETF and SPDR’s XLY deliver comparable long‑term Sharpe ratios, but FDIS offers...
By Seeking Alpha – ETFs & Funds
News•Feb 17, 2026
Stocks to Buy in 2026 for Long Term: IGL, Siemens Energy Among 5 Stocks that Could Give 10-40% Return
Brokerage houses have highlighted five Indian equities that could deliver 10‑40% returns by 2026. Motilal Oswal sees Indraprastha Gas (IGL) rising 41% to ₹235 and Siemens Energy up 31% to ₹3,600. Citi maintains a Buy on Lupin with a 15% upside,...
By The Economic Times (India) – RSS hub
News•Feb 17, 2026
Retail Expansion Drives Record Earnings for Baby Bunting
Baby Bunting posted record half‑year sales of $271.4 million, a 4.9% increase year‑on‑year, driven by a mix of new large‑format stores, small‑format openings, and six "store of the future" refurbishments. Online sales climbed to 24.8% of total revenue, up 18%, reflecting...
By Inside Retail Australia
News•Feb 17, 2026
Market Quote of the Day by Sir John Templeton | “The Time of Maximum Pessimism Is the Best Time to...
Sir John Templeton’s adage that the best buying opportunities arise at peak pessimism is highlighted as a timeless investing principle. The article notes that widespread fear compresses valuations, allowing strong companies to be bought at discounts, while emphasizing the need...
By The Economic Times (India) – RSS hub
Blog•Feb 16, 2026
Banks Are Starting to Price Liquidity by the Hour
Banks are moving from traditional overnight benchmarks to quoting liquidity rates on an hourly basis, reflecting tighter funding conditions and the rise of electronic trading platforms. The shift provides more granular price signals, allowing lenders to capture real‑time balance‑sheet pressures...
By The Blind Spot
News•Feb 16, 2026
FX Option Expiries for 17 February 10am New York Cut
Investors received the FX option expiry list for 17 February 10 am New York cut, detailing strike levels and notional amounts across major pairs. EUR/USD options total roughly €2.6 billion at strikes 1.1900, 1.2000 and 1.2025. USD/JPY carries about $2.86 billion at 156.00 and 151.00,...
By ForexLive — Feed
News•Feb 16, 2026
FastFinance: Cost Implications of New HOPD Reporting Rules; Election Year Opportunity on Affordability
HFMA’s FastFinance podcast highlights new off‑campus HOPD reporting requirements that could impose significant cost burdens on health systems. The episode also cites a "Weird Number"—a 3‑5% annual net revenue loss attributed to inefficient electronic health records and billing platforms. Additionally,...
By HFMA – Healthcare Financial Management Association
News•Feb 16, 2026
Big Financial Impacts From Off-Campus HOPD Rule Change
Effective Jan. 1 2028, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 requires hospitals to assign separate NPIs and submit two provider‑based attestations for each off‑campus hospital outpatient department (HOPD) or lose Medicare OPPS reimbursement. Compliance documentation can be extensive—up to 200 pages per...
By HFMA – Healthcare Financial Management Association
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Private Credit Bets on Software Amid AI Uncertainty
Five private credit firms just provided $1.4B for a software buyout of OneStream valued at $6.4B. Same week everyone’s asking whether AI will make these companies obsolete. The market is telling you software is at risk. The lenders are telling you...
By JunkBondInvestor
News•Feb 16, 2026
UK-Based Investor Independent Franchise Partners Takes 3% Stake in Universal Music Group Worth $1.2bn+
Independent Franchise Partners (IFP) has acquired a 3.01% stake in Universal Music Group (UMG), valued at roughly €1.09 billion ($1.29 bn). The holding makes IFP the sixth‑largest shareholder and adds to its existing positions in Vivendi, Rightmove and Warner Music, signalling a...
By Music Business Worldwide (MBW)
News•Feb 16, 2026
Fitch Ratings Assigns ‘a’ Rating to Lee County, Florida Airport Revenue Bonds Series 2026
Fitch Ratings assigned an ‘A’ rating to Lee County, Florida’s airport revenue bonds, Series 2026, and affirmed the rating on existing bonds with a stable outlook. The rating reflects a balanced carrier mix serving a leisure‑focused market and enplanements that...
By Airport Improvement Magazine
News•Feb 16, 2026
State Firms Told to Avoid Borrowing when Investing
Thailand's finance ministry has instructed state‑owned enterprises to fund new investments primarily from internal revenues, limiting reliance on borrowing that is classified as public debt. The policy follows a backdrop where public debt stands at 66.1% of GDP, close to...
By Bangkok Post – Investment (subset within Business)
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Alphabet and Meta CDS Explode From Zero to Top Traders
A year ago, CDS on Alphabet and Meta didn't exist. Now they're among the most actively traded single-name contracts in the US market Nobody creates a default insurance market for fun... $GOOG $META
By JunkBondInvestor
Social•Feb 16, 2026
AI Disruption Drives Widening Credit Spreads Ahead of Earnings
AI disruption is hitting IG credit spreads, not just stock prices. Concentrix: BBB-rated, 455,000 call center employees. Paid 130bps concession to refinance. Stock down 24% last week. Spreads doubled in February. Credit markets pricing obsolescence before it shows up in earnings.
By JunkBondInvestor
News•Feb 16, 2026
10 Stocks the Best European Fund Managers Have Been Buying and Selling
Leading European large‑cap equity funds rebalanced portfolios in December, increasing exposure to financial services, healthcare and, to a lesser extent, industrials. At the same time, allocations to basic materials, consumer defensive and technology stocks were trimmed. ASML emerged as the...
By Morningstar UK – News
News•Feb 16, 2026
Plus500 CEO, CFO, CMO to Sell 1.5M Shares
Plus500’s chief executive, chief financial officer and chief marketing officer announced the sale of 1,500,000 ordinary shares, representing roughly 2.14% of the company’s issued capital. The transaction will be executed on the secondary market through Goldman Sachs International, with Panmure...
By FX News Group — Feed
News•Feb 16, 2026
Crypto Cost Basis Gaps Create Civil and Criminal Tax Exposure
Crypto taxpayers are increasingly exposed to tax liabilities because many cannot substantiate the cost basis of their digital assets. When the IRS cannot verify basis, it treats the entire proceeds as taxable gain, potentially invoking civil penalties or criminal fraud...
By Accounting Today
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Eight Formulas Cut Reporting From Hours to Minutes
They told me their reports take 6 hours. I showed them 8 formulas. Now it takes 10 minutes. Join my free masterclass with Ramp on February 19th 👉 https://t.co/Aw0QFfIbL0 I've seen this pattern dozens of times. Smart FP&A teams. Good analysts. Solid finance...
By YourCFOGuy
Social•Feb 16, 2026
2025 Profitability Snapshot: Sector Returns & Excess Gains
In my sixth data update, I look at business profitability in 2025, across sectors, industries and regions, scaled to revenues (profit margins) and to invested capital (accounting returns). I use the latter to compute and compare excess returns. https://t.co/L3PDmph4VA
By Aswath Damodaran
News•Feb 16, 2026
Goldman Sachs Doubles Down on Aye Finance Despite Muted Debut; BofA Picks up Stake in EIL in Rs 100 Crore...
Goldman Sachs increased its stake in Aye Finance by buying 16.8 lakh shares for about Rs 22 crore, bringing its total exposure to roughly Rs 91 crore. The NBFC’s IPO was 97 % subscribed, yet the shares opened flat at Rs 128.80, just 0.16 % below the issue...
By The Economic Times – Markets
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Master These 5 SaaS Metrics for Sustainable Growth
Every SaaS leader should master these 5 metrics. Bookings, retention, margins, OPEX, and efficiency — the core numbers behind durable growth and valuation. 🎥 https://t.co/ViVeSCTLXx #SaaS #SaaSMetrics https://t.co/bvoRB24XES
By Ben Murray
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Weekly S&P 500 Chart Review Highlights Key Trends
ICYMI: Weekly S&P500 #ChartStorm blog post https://t.co/B5a4uBC2Q4 Thanks + follow reco to chart sources @MarketCharts @topdowncharts @dailychartbook @MauiBoyMacro @KobeissiLetter @StealthQE4 @HayekAndKeynes
By Callum Thomas
News•Feb 16, 2026
EU Crypto Reporting Goes Live and Netherlands Immediately Votes on 36% Bitcoin Tax – Even if You Don’t Sell
The Dutch House approved a Box 3 overhaul that will tax the annual change in value of liquid assets such as Bitcoin at a flat 36 % rate, effective Jan 1 2028 pending Senate approval. The regime treats crypto like a marked‑to‑market security, meaning...
By CryptoSlate
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Sector Rotation Ends; Brace for Upcoming Volatility
Given I timed the sector rotation with precision in Nov & said it would likely run until Feb, and we are here, I'm gonna share what else I also told clients: IN LIEU OF SECTOR ROTATION, THERE WILL BE VOLATILITY™️😉
By Samantha LaDuc
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Amazon's High Capex-to-FCF Isn't New, Still Managed Well
Working on my $AMZN growth thesis report for this week, and just helpful to point out, that this high capex to FCF is not uncharted territory for Amazon. I get there is more competition this time than e-comm but they...
By Ben Bajarin
News•Feb 16, 2026
Cohu: Maintaining Bearish Stance Post Q4 Earnings Release
Cohu, Inc. posted a Q4 earnings miss despite a 34% surge in recurring bookings and over 12% revenue growth, keeping operating losses and margins under pressure. The company added $290 million of convertible debt, raising dilution concerns, while one‑time inventory charges...
By Seeking Alpha — Site feed
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Reeves Gains Momentum as UK Debt Interest Falls
UK’s Reeves is set to get a boost from falling debt interest https://t.co/iirQy0fcBA via @PhilAldrick https://t.co/R8A0t6Sj29
By Zöe Schneeweiss
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Stand Out in FP&A: Unique Capabilities Beat Plateau
Why do FP&A careers plateau? Not because of performance—but because, at promotion time, top finance talent starts to look alike. Nicholas Bell (Clyde & Co), on the capabilities that set him apart on his path to Head of FP&A. 🔗 https://t.co/w8xraVQKjD #fpatrends #FinanceCareers https://t.co/BYjczXwbsO
By Larysa Melnychuk
News•Feb 16, 2026
S&P Global: An Undervalued Dividend King For Long-Term Investors
S&P Global (SPGI) is a $133 billion market‑cap provider of credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions. The company has raised its dividend for 53 consecutive years and trades at a 21.9× P/E, roughly 20% below its five‑year average, implying undervaluation....
By Seeking Alpha — Site feed
News•Feb 16, 2026
Brokers to Approach RBI as Tighter Norms Squeeze Funding for Proprietary Desks
The Reserve Bank of India’s new capital‑market exposure framework, effective April 1 2026, mandates 100 percent collateral backing for all bank loans to brokerage firms and bars banks from financing proprietary trading desks. Brokers plan to petition the RBI for clarifications as the...
By The Hindu BusinessLine – Markets
News•Feb 16, 2026
Indian REITs Distribute ₹2,450 Crore to over 3.8 Lakh Unitholders in Q3
India’s five listed REITs paid out over ₹2,450 crore to more than 380,000 unitholders in Q3, covering 185 million square feet of Grade A office and retail space. Since inception, the trusts have distributed over ₹29,100 crore and now hold assets exceeding ₹2.5 lakh crore. The...
By The Hindu BusinessLine – Markets
News•Feb 16, 2026
Sundaram AMC Launches Mid-Cap Fund in GIFT City
Sundaram Asset Management Company has launched the Sundaram India Mid Cap GIFT, a USD‑denominated offshore feeder fund that gives global investors direct exposure to India’s mid‑cap equities. The fund is domiciled in GIFT City’s International Financial Services Centre and invests...
By The Hindu BusinessLine – Markets
News•Feb 16, 2026
Volkswagen Aims to Cut Costs by 20% by 2028 in Restructuring Plan, Report Says
Volkswagen announced a new restructuring plan aimed at cutting operating costs by 20% by 2028, building on a €10 bn savings target set three years ago. The initiative may involve plant closures and a further reduction of 35,000 jobs by 2030....
By The Guardian » Business
News•Feb 16, 2026
No One Has Cash to “Buy the Dip” But $7.7T Could Rotate Into Bitcoin if Prices Stay Beaten Down
A new analysis argues that most cash is already deployed, leaving little idle liquidity to "buy the dip" in risk assets. Retail portfolios show a cash allocation of 14.4% in January 2026, down from over 20% in 2022, while equity...
By CryptoSlate
Social•Feb 16, 2026
Bobby Jain Launches $6B Multi‑strat Amid Portfolio Shift
Hedge fund portfolios are being shaped by the shift from banks, multi-manager scale, and public/private convergence. Bobby Jain (CEO/CIO, Jain Global) on launching a $6B multi-strat, talent & risk management, and portfolio construction. https://t.co/BfZsVcl2vY With thanks to @AlphaSenseInc, @MorningstarInc, and Ridgeline.
By Ted Seides
News•Feb 16, 2026
Tract’s Fleet Data Centers Seeks $3.8bn to Fuel Nevada Build-Out
Fleet Data Centers, the development arm of Tract, announced a $3.8 billion senior secured note issuance to fund a 230 MW data center campus in Reno, Nevada. The facility, built on a 252‑acre site, is 100 percent leased to an unnamed investment‑grade tenant...
By Data Center Dynamics
News•Feb 16, 2026
Investment Fund for Wales Sees Largest-Ever Deal
British Business Bank’s £130 m Investment Fund for Wales has completed its largest single investment, a £3.5 m injection into engineering services firm Advantiv. The deal, executed by fund manager Foresight Group, marks the 102nd investment since the fund’s 2023 launch. Advantiv...
By UKTN (UK Tech News)
News•Feb 16, 2026
Metaplanet Operating Profit to Rise 81% in 2026 After Soaring 17-Fold Last Year on Options Writing
Metaplanet, Japan’s largest bitcoin treasury firm, posted a 17‑fold jump in operating profit to ¥6.28 bn in 2025, propelled by a surge in options‑writing premiums that lifted revenue 738% to ¥8.9 bn. Despite the earnings boom, a steep bitcoin price decline generated...
By CoinDesk