TSI: Massive 30% Dividend Raise For This Monthly Income Fund
TCW Strategic Income Fund (TSI) announced a roughly 30% increase in its monthly dividend, pushing its distribution yield to about 6.9%. The closed‑end fund trades at a 7.62% discount to net asset value and carries a Buy rating. TSI’s portfolio leans heavily on corporate and mortgage‑backed securities and employs up to 33% leverage, which amplifies both income potential and risk. A softer interest‑rate environment could narrow spreads, lift the fund’s price, and reinforce its appeal to income‑focused investors.
IG Unveils Fat Cat Index Exposing ISA Fee Gaps
IG launched its “Check Your Fees” campaign and unveiled the Fat Cat Index, revealing that most UK investors are overpaying on Stocks and Shares ISA platform fees. The index shows 52% of investors use the 12 most expensive providers, with...
Software Maker Dassault Systèmes Falls 8% as AI Fears Persist; Europe Markets Edge Higher
European markets edged higher after the Munich Security Conference, but software giant Dassault Systèmes slumped 8% as lingering AI skepticism dampened investor sentiment. The conference underscored Europe’s push for greater defense spending and strategic autonomy, lifting defense‑related equities. Meanwhile, NatWest kicked...
Asset Finance Demand Steady as Renewables Rise
Allica Bank’s survey of more than 570 asset‑finance brokers shows demand holding steady, with 29% reporting higher application volumes in the second half of the year and 26% seeing no change. Renewables have broken into the top three sectors for...
EQS-CMS: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA: Release of a Capital Market Information
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA disclosed its weekly share‑buyback activity for 9‑13 February 2026, repurchasing 17,000 preferred shares and 18,000 ordinary shares on the XETR. The preferred‑share buyback cost €1.37 million at an average price of €80.56, while the ordinary‑share buyback cost €1.34 million...
Cregis at iFX EXPO Dubai 2026: Shaping the Next Era of Enterprise Payments and Digital Asset Infrastructure
Cregis showcased its upgraded Cregis Payment Engine at iFX EXPO Dubai 2026, positioning the solution as a multi‑chain, multi‑currency platform for enterprise payments. The engine promises near‑real‑time cross‑border settlement, automated routing, and real‑time compliance monitoring, targeting use cases such as...
Strategies and Opportunities for Corporate Clients
In a recent interview, MUFG Managing Director Manoj S. Bhatia highlighted the bank’s focus on bespoke, empathetic relationships with corporate clients, driven by a decentralized, sector‑specialist approach. This model enables MUFG to stay nimble amid volatile market conditions and deliver...
Amazon Deemed Seller VAT Fraud Reform Would Raise Tax Revenues and Tackle Fraud
UK policymakers are considering extending the VAT deemed‑seller rules to cover both overseas and domestic sellers on online marketplaces. Amazon argues that the change would close a loophole exploited by fraudulent sellers, streamline VAT collection and generate roughly £700 million in...
Govt Aims to Revive Private Investment in Highway Construction
India’s government plans to award ₹1 lakh crore of highway projects to private developers by fiscal year 2027, aiming to raise private sector participation to 25 % of highway development next year from the current low single digits. The budget allocates ₹12.2 lakh crore to...
Firms Report Improved Financial Performance Linked to Use of Embedded Finance
A new PYMNTS Intelligence study of 515 senior leaders shows embedded finance is now a strategic imperative for mid‑size and large firms. Nearly 90% of respondents prioritize strengthening customer and employee relationships, while 75% plan technology upgrades within the next...
Stablecoin Payments Show Up at Checkout Despite Crypto Markets Slump
Despite a broad crypto market downturn, stablecoin‑linked cards are gaining traction at U.S. checkout counters. Monthly payment flows through these cards have surpassed $1.5 billion, and annualized spend now tops $18 billion. The growth is driven by card networks embedding stablecoins as...
Rethinking SARs in the Fight Against Financial Crime
Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) remain the cornerstone of global AML frameworks, yet many institutions misunderstand their purpose, treating them as accusations rather than suspicion flags. Regulatory pressure and soaring transaction volumes have driven firms to prioritize filing speed over narrative...
The Spreadsheet Trap in Financial Crime Risk
Spreadsheets have long been the default tool for financial crime risk assessments, prized for their flexibility and low cost. However, they cannot enforce governance, version control, or audit trails required by modern compliance frameworks. As institutions expand across products and...
Fitch, Afreximbank, and Africa's Development Sovereignty
Afreximbank terminated its credit rating relationship with Fitch after the agency reclassified the bank as high‑risk for providing debt relief to Ghana. Fitch argued the support indicated a lack of preferred‑creditor status, a claim the bank disputes, citing treaty‑based protections...
Arqiva in Uncertainty over DTT Switch Off
Arqiva, the UK's sole national digital terrestrial TV and radio infrastructure provider, faces financial uncertainty as major shareholders reassess their stakes. Macquarie has divested its 26.5% holding, while Digital 9 Infrastructure (DGI9) is reviewing its 51.8% share and may write off...
A Practical Guide to Completing Identity Verification for Your Clients
In this Accountancy Age episode, the hosts walk listeners through the two‑step Companies House identity verification process that directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) must complete before filing confirmation statements. They explain how ACSPs report verifications, obtain the 11‑character...
EToro Launches Shareholder Engagement Initiative in Partnership with Stockperks
eToro has launched a shareholder engagement initiative in partnership with Stockperks, a loyalty‑rewards marketplace for public companies. The program invites eligible eToro shareholders to receive exclusive educational content, event invitations, and direct access to company leaders and market experts. By...
A Blueprint for the Predictive Firm: Moving Beyond Manual Data Reconciliation
The episode explores how leading accountancy firms are shifting from retrospective reporting to predictive, real‑time visibility by consolidating fragmented tech stacks into unified platforms. It highlights the £300k technology investment benchmark needed to eliminate manual data reconciliation, improve margin protection...
EaseMyTrip to Raise Rs 500 Cr to Scale Hotels and Holidays Biz
EaseMyTrip, one of India’s leading online travel platforms, announced plans to raise up to Rs 500 crore through a rights issue, QIP or other approved methods. The capital will be used to deepen its hotel and holiday‑package business, upgrade technology, and pursue...
Insurance Broker M&A Stabilizes After Surge
Insurance brokerage M&A activity has settled into a lower‑than‑peak but sustainable level. Total reported transactions fell 12% in 2025 to 691, aligning with a ten‑year average of 686 when the 2021‑22 surge is excluded. Private‑equity‑backed (PE‑hybrid) firms continue to dominate,...
Suits Arise as Tariff Questions Raise D&O Risk
Securities class-action lawsuits are emerging as tariff uncertainty under the Trump administration creates new D&O exposure. Although overall federal securities filings fell 10.7% in 2025, four suits specifically cited tariff‑related misstatements, targeting companies such as Dow, CarMax and Tronox. Insurers...
BI, Litmus Partner on Composite Insurer Ratings
Business Insurance has partnered with Litmus Analysis to publish a composite rating table for North American commercial‑line insurers. Litmus uses its proprietary Litmus Composite Score (LCS) to blend A.M. Best, Fitch, Moody’s and S&P ratings into a single numerical outcome,...
How Checking Accounts Cut Cash Flow Woes in Your Clinic
Medical clinics face chronic cash‑flow volatility due to delayed reimbursements, labor costs, and fragmented financial systems. The article argues that the structure of a clinic’s checking account is a core revenue‑cycle asset, not merely a passive fund holder. By integrating...
The End of the Boozy Chinese Banquet Hits Australia’s Largest Winemaker
Treasury Wine Estates’ push back into China has been derailed by a government crackdown on extravagant banquets and tighter grey‑market controls. The winemaker announced it will pull 400,000 cases from China and 500,000 from the United States to regain pricing...
Amova Bets on ‘New Singapore Sectors’ as MAS Expands EQDP
Amova Asset Management has been selected as one of six managers under Singapore’s expanded Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP), which grew to S$6.5 billion in the 2026 budget. The firm will roll out two new funds – the Singapore All Share...
DailyRounds Delivers Rs 363 Cr Profit on Rs 641 Cr Revenue in FY25
DailyRounds posted a Rs 363 crore profit on Rs 641 crore operating revenue for FY25, marking a 13% rise in both profit and revenue from FY24. The company’s flagship subscription platform Marrow contributed 88% of revenue, while non‑operating income added Rs 132 crore....
Major Capital Raise Seeks $450 Million to “Lead New Zealand’s Renewable Energy Future”
Contact Energy announced a NZ$525 million equity raise to fund its Contact31+ renewable strategy. The capital will back projects including the 200 MW Glenbrook Battery 2.0, the 150 MW Glorit solar farm, and expansion of the Tauhara 2 geothermal plant. In H1 2026 the company...
Demutualizing IDX to Deepen Market Trust
The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) is moving to demutualize, converting from a member‑owned body to a shareholder‑owned company. The reform separates ownership from trading rights, aiming to reduce conflicts of interest and improve governance, transparency, and market liquidity. Concurrently, the...
Koxa, Bottomline Announce ERP Embedded Banking Partnership
Koxa and Bottomline have formed a partnership to embed banking services directly within ERP systems, leveraging Koxa’s platform and Bottomline’s Commercial Digital Banking API framework. The joint solution lets banks offer integrated payments, approvals, reconciliation and statement access without building...
Cloud and AI to Ramp up Operational Risk in 2026: Brennan
Brennan’s latest analysis warns that expanding multi‑cloud footprints and rapid AI trials will heighten operational risk in 2026. Seventy‑five percent of surveyed organisations say their attack surface has grown, prompting a move away from pure public‑cloud strategies toward hybrid, repatriated...
Q-Day: Bank Quantum Attack Could Cost US Economy Trillions, Warns Citi
Citi warns that quantum computers could break public‑key encryption within the next decade, estimating a 19‑34% probability of a widespread breach by 2034 and 60‑82% by 2044. A successful quantum attack on a major U.S. bank could generate $2‑3.3 trillion in...
Russian Military Aircraft Maker Reports Heavy Financial Losses
TANTK Beriev, Russia’s premier airborne early‑warning aircraft manufacturer, posted a 2025 net loss of roughly $65 million after revenue collapsed to $49 million, a 3.8‑fold year‑over‑year decline. Production costs fell more slowly, squeezing gross profit to just $3 million. The firm’s debt rose to...
Singapore Budget 2026: S$37 Billion (US$29.3 Billion) RIE 2030 Plan Anchors Quantum as a Strategic Pillar
Singapore’s 2026 Budget unveiled a S$37 billion Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2030 plan, a 32% increase that keeps R&D spending at roughly 1% of GDP. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong highlighted quantum technology as a strategic growth pillar, announcing the country will...
European FinTech Investments Dropped by 11% YoY Amid Market Uncertainties in 2025
European FinTech investment contracted 11% year‑over‑year in 2025, with total funding falling to $16.3 billion across 743 deals. Deal activity under $100 million shrank 26%, while large transactions above $100 million held steady, pushing the average deal size to $21.9 million. The market’s shift...
FFSM: Sensible SMID Strategy, Competitive Returns, Worth Shotlisting
Fidelity Fundamental Small‑Mid Cap ETF (FFSM) is an actively managed, non‑transparent fund that combines quantitative screening with fundamental research. Since its 2024 strategy shift, FFSM has outperformed the S&P 500 and several SMID peers such as IJH and SMMD, driven by...
Andhra Pradesh Budget 2026-27 Worth ₹3.32 Lakh Crore — What's in for Women, Govt Employees, Health, Agriculture
Andhra Pradesh unveiled its FY 2026‑27 budget at ₹3.32 lakh crore, marking a roughly 8% increase over the previous year. The plan earmarks substantial allocations for women‑focused initiatives, government employee welfare, health infrastructure, and agricultural support. Health spending is set to rise 15%,...
UTF Vs. ASGI: Why A 6% Discount And Rate Cut Cycle Make UTF The Obvious Choice
Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund (UTF) received a Buy rating, while abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund (ASGI) was placed on Hold due to its premium valuation. UTF trades at a 6 % discount to NAV and carries 29.7 % leverage, positioning it to...
Rivalry to Scale Back Operations
Rivalry Corp., a TSXV‑listed esports betting operator, announced it will dramatically scale back operations while evaluating strategic alternatives. The board approved immediate cost reductions, including a significant workforce cut and a pause on player activity with withdrawals permitted. Rivalry is...
Edward Shugrue III and the Emerging Playbook Redefining Distressed Office Tower Ownership
Edward L. Shugrue III of RiverPark Funds outlines a new playbook for distressed office towers, highlighting how mezzanine lenders are moving from passive financing to ownership control. He cites the Worldwide Plaza case, where a $1.7 billion asset is now valued around $350 million, illustrating...
Friday Footnotes: Italian Tax Cops Go Sniffing Around KPMG’s Office; Depreciation Is AI’s Latest Victim | 2.13.26
The latest Friday Footnotes roundup highlights three intertwined trends reshaping accounting and finance. Big‑tech firms’ $3 trillion cap‑ex plans are prompting aggressive depreciation adjustments, as Meta’s $2.6 billion earnings boost shows the earnings‑management risk. Meanwhile, Italian tax authorities have raided Amazon managers’...
Badger Meter Declares Regular Quarterly Dividend and Expands Share Repurchase Authorization
Badger Meter’s board approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share, payable on March 13, 2026. It also increased its share‑repurchase authorization by $75 million, bringing the total program to $150 million through November 30, 2028. In the first quarter of...
Banks Effectively Deputized in Trump's Immigration Fight
President Trump’s Treasury Department has launched an aggressive AML campaign targeting Minnesota and U.S.–Mexico border regions, using new Geographic Targeting Orders and high‑performance data analytics to flag cartel, fraud and immigration‑related transactions. FinCEN now requires banks and money‑service businesses to...
JEPI: Improving Economic Conditions Should Uniquely Benefit This Fund
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) uses a covered‑call strategy to target 7‑9% annual distributions, positioning it as a low‑volatility, income‑focused vehicle. The fund has consistently met its payout goals since inception, appealing to risk‑averse investors seeking steady cash flow....
Nektar, Evommune Capitalize on Positive Phase II Readouts in Atopic Dermatitis: Public Equity Report
Nektar Therapeutics announced robust Phase II results for its IL‑2R modulator rezpegaldesleukin in atopic dermatitis, propelling its stock 51% higher. Leveraging the momentum, the company closed an upsized $400 million PIPE financing consisting of common stock and pre‑funded warrants. Evommune also secured...
Central Alabama Water Downgraded by S&P
S&P Global Ratings lowered Central Alabama Water’s revenue‑bond rating to AA‑minus from AA and placed the issue on CreditWatch Negative. The downgrade reflects weakening liquidity, high debt levels and aging infrastructure, compounded by delayed budget adoption after a state‑mandated governance...
Figures on Automotive Securitization Tapes: Definitions Report - February 2026
The Fixed‑Asset Securitization Tracker (FAST) released its February 2026 Definitions report, detailing the data fields used in automotive securitization tapes. The document supplies precise definitions, code tables, and cross‑references to related transaction disclosures. By standardizing terminology, the report aims to simplify...
Bucking a Trend, One Out-of-State Bank Will Exit North Carolina
First National Corp., a $2 billion Virginia community bank, announced it will exit North Carolina by selling its two branches and has already closed two loan production offices. The exits are slated for the second half of 2026 and are part...
New Rules for M&A Financing, Loans Against Shares
The Reserve Bank of India issued final guidelines allowing banks to fund acquisitions only when the acquirer already controls the target and seeks to increase its stake from 26% to 90%. Borrowers must have at least ₹500 crore net worth, three...
Tariffs, Supplier Fire Continue to Batter Ford
Ford Motor Co. reported a roughly $2 billion tariff hit in 2025, double the amount projected just months earlier, after a miscommunication about the effective date of auto‑part tariff offsets. A fire at Novelis’ Oswego aluminum plant added another $2 billion headwind,...
California Sees Healthy Demand for Water System Revenue Bonds
California’s Department of Water Resources issued a $546 million Central Valley Project water‑revenue bond under a new 2026 resolution, reporting a 4.14 % all‑in true interest cost. The 5 % coupon bonds carry yields from 1.70 % to 4.27 % and mature between 2027 and...