Ps S&P Low Vol

DTE Energy Attracts Institutional Attention Due to Clean Energy Investments

WE Energy Reports Over 68,000 Customers Without Power in Wisconsin

Duke Energy Completes $1.5 Billion Convertible Senior Notes Private Placement

CMS Energy's Consumers Energy Plans to Implement Integrated Resource Plan Over Next 20 Years

Duke Energy Reaches Merger Agreement with Multiple Parties

Duke Energy Reaches Merger Agreement with South Carolina Customer Groups

Duke Energy Upsizes Offering of $1.3 Billion in Convertible Senior Notes

WEC Energy Rises 7% in US Pre-Market and Other Energy Companies' Performance

Southern Power Relative Strength Rating Upgrade

Duke Energy Announces Plans to Issue $1 Billion Convertible Preferred Bonds

BMO Raises Duke Energy's Target Price While Maintaining Outperform Rating

Wells Fargo Raises Duke Energy Target Price to $135

Armon Ranch Illinois Building Stilleys Substation and Upgrading Crab Orchard Substation

Duke Energy Signs New Operating Agreement

APG Asset Management N.V. Reduced Its Holdings in Atmos Energy Corporation

DTE Gas 2025 Fiscal Year Financial Report Falls Short of Expectations

CFRA Maintains Buy Rating on Centerpoint Energy with a $46 Price Target

Aramine Prices $400 Million 5.00% Senior Notes Due 2036

Duke Energy Reports 2025 Financials and Announces Business Plans

WEC Energy Group to hold 2026 Annual Shareholders Meeting

bioAffinity Tech

Firefly Neuroscience

Silvaco

eLong Power

T-REX 2X Long UPXI Daily Target ETF

Polaryx Therapeutics

TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.

Stak

iSpecimen

Oruka Therapeutics

SCHD

JEPI

VLUE

.SPX

SPLV

Elizabeth Park Capital Advisors increased its stake in Origin Bancorp (NYSE:OBK) by purchasing 70,151 shares for approximately $2.51 million in Q4 2025. The value of this position rose by $2.81 million by quarter-end, totaling $4.74 million. OBK shares have appreciated 17% over the past year, although this is slightly below the S&P 500's 20% gain. Origin Bancorp focuses on community banking and has shown steady growth, generating a net income of $75 million in 2025. However, it was not included in the Motley Fool's top 10 stock recommendations.

- Elizabeth Park Capital Advisors increased its position in Origin Bancorp (NYSE:OBK) by 70,151 shares, valued at an estimated $2.51 million, as per a February 17, 2026 SEC filing.  
- The position's value appreciated by $2.81 million by the end of Q4 2025, driven by share additions and price movements, making up 3.9% of the fund's assets under management.  
- Despite OBK shares rising 17% over the past year, they were not among the top 10 stock recommendations from The Motley Fool, which emphasize potential high-return investments.

nasdaq

Invesco S&P 500 Eq Wgt ETF

Schwab US Div Eq

JPMorgan Equity Premium Inc ETF

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF

iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF

SPDR S&P 500

iShares Core S&P 500

S&P 500

Origin Bancorp

VG S&P 500

This Community Bank With $9 Billion in Assets Just Drew a $2.5 Million Investor Buy

SPXS

.VIX

SCHG

- U.S. Federal Reserve policymakers are expected to hold interest rates steady amid concerns over the Middle East conflict and its impact on inflation and growth.  
- Investors are closely monitoring oil prices, which surged due to the conflict, affecting market sentiment and dampening expectations for rate cuts this year.  
- The Fed will release updated economic projections, and Chair Jerome Powell's upcoming press conference may provide insights on the situation's influence on monetary policy.

Reuters

Direxion S&P 500 Bear 3X

VG Growth

Proshares Ultrashort S&P500 ETF

iShares Core S&P US Value

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund

Direxion S&P 500 Bull 3X

Ultr S&P 500 Pro

Pro Ultr Cvix Shrt Futures

ISHRS Us Brokers & Sec Exchg

VG Mga Cap 300 Grw

Cboe Validus S&P 500 Dynamic Putwrite Index ETF

Cboe Volatility Index

Pro Vix Mid Fut

VG Financial

Fidelity MSCI Financials Index

Pro Shrt Vix Shrt Future

VG Value

Pro Vix Shrt Fut

VOLATILITY SHARES TRUST 1X SHORT VIX MID TERM FUTURES STRATEGY

iShares Core S&P US Growth

Schw Us L-Cp Grw

VG Mga Cap 300 Val

VG S-Cp Value

Wall St Week Ahead-Investors await Fed rate outlook as Iran war keeps markets on edge

SLYV

Panic is gripping the stock market as options traders signal trouble and systematic funds prepare to reduce their exposure to U.S. stocks. Concerns over inflation and interest rates, exacerbated by the Iran conflict, have led to a decline in U.S. stocks. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) indicates heightened fear, despite the S&P 500's recent stability. Only 31% of S&P 500 components are above their 50-day moving average, suggesting market fragility. The technology sector has regained leadership, but uncertainty remains regarding the Iran conflict's impact on inflation and market stability.

- Options traders indicate growing concern as they seek protection, while systematic funds are expected to reduce their U.S. stock exposure by $36 billion.  
- The market remains fragile, with only 31% of S&P 500 components above their 50-day moving average and an ongoing conflict in Iran raising inflation fears.  
- Despite recent volatility, traders are reluctant to sell due to concerns of missing a potential market recovery, while stocks have shown a pattern of losses, marking the longest losing streak in a year.

MorningStar

SPDR S&P 600 S-Cp Val

Avantis U.S. Small Cap Value

ISHRS Russ 1000 Growth

Pro UltrPro S&Pro 500

Pro UltrPro Shrt S&Pro 500

Avantis US Large Cap Value ETF

VG Mid-Cap Val

VG S&P M-Cap 400 Val

ISHRS Russ 2000 Val

VG S-Cp Grw

Invesco QQQ Trust

2x Long VIX Futures ETF

Pro Shrt S&P 500

Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF

Panic is slowly gripping the stock market. Expect the selling to pick up this week.

EMLP

GRID

UTSL

The U.S. Department of Energy has approved a record US$26.54 billion loan for Southern Company subsidiaries to enhance grid reliability and support new power capacity, while freezing electricity rates in Georgia and Alabama. This federal support reduces financing costs and indicates strong policy backing for Southern's growth plans. Despite revenue growth, Southern faces challenges with capital spending and potential regulatory changes. Projections suggest a revenue of $31.7 billion and earnings of $5.8 billion by 2028, with fair value estimates for the stock ranging from US$100 to US$204 per share.

Simplywall

Select Sect Spdr Util

ISHRS S&P Glb Utilities

Southern

First Trust North American Energy Infra Fd

Fisr Trust Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infra

Direxion Utility Bull 3X

How Record US$26.54 Billion Federal Loan Support At Southern (SO) Has Changed Its Investment Story

Duke Energy urges customers to prepare for damaging high winds and possible tornadic activities across the Carolinas | DUK Stock News

StockTitan

Duke Energy

Duke Energy urges customers to prepare for damaging high winds and possible tornadic activities across the Carolinas | DUK Stock News

The likelihood of a stock market crash has increased significantly due to geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict with Iran, which has disrupted global oil supply. The S&P 500 remains near all-time highs, but valuations are concerningly high, reminiscent of the dot-com bubble. Investors face a precarious situation with rising inflation fears and potential delays in interest rate cuts. The author suggests investors remain calm, be selective in stock purchases, and increase cash positions to prepare for possible market fluctuations.

- The ongoing conflict with Iran is causing unprecedented disruption to global oil supply, leading to soaring prices and heightened market risks.  
- While the S&P 500 remains near its all-time high, valuation metrics suggest a bubble, prompting concerns of a market crash amidst geopolitical and economic uncertainties.  
- Investors are advised to remain calm, selectively choose stocks with strong fundamentals, and increase cash reserves to capitalize on potential sell-offs.

VanEck Oil Services ETF

SPDR O&G Equip

iShares US Oil Equip & Svcs

VanEck Oil Refiners ETF

SPDR Energy Select

iShares US Oil & Gas Expl & Prod

iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN

United States Oil Fund LP

ISHRS S&P Glb Engy

VG Energy

SPDR O&G Ex & Prd

Opinion: A Stock Market Crash Is Much More Likely Now Than It Was 2 Months Ago

.DJI

NVDY

The ongoing conflict involving the U.S., Iran, and Israel is disrupting the energy commodities market, leading to rising oil prices and increased inflation, which affects corporate profitability. Seven major central banks, including the Federal Reserve, are set to announce interest rate decisions next week, adding to market uncertainty. Key economic data releases will also provide insights into inflation trends and labor market resilience. Additionally, the NVIDIA GTC 2026 conference will showcase advancements in AI technology, with a focus on new chip developments.

CoinLive

Dow Jones Industrial Average

YieldMax NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF

Global X NASDAQ 100 Collar 95-110 ETF

iShares Semiconductor ETF

iShares Expanded Tech Software Sector ETF

Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X Shares

NASDAQ-100

VanEck Semiconductor ETF

Spdr Select Tech

T-Rex 2X Long NVIDIA Daily Target ETF

GraniteShares 2x Long NVDA Daily ETF

SPDR S&P Software

Direxion Semicon Bull 3X

NVIDIA

Global Economic Uncertainty as Central Banks Prepare Rate Decisions

.DJU

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has issued a warning for American citizens to leave Iraq immediately due to escalating attacks by Iran-aligned militias. The embassy is closed, and areas around Erbil International Airport are at risk from missile and drone attacks. The embassy reiterated a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for Iraq, citing significant threats to public safety. The alert follows increased military tensions in the region and a buildup of U.S. air power in response to the situation.

- The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has issued a security alert urging American citizens to leave Iraq due to escalating attacks by Iran-aligned militias.  
- The embassy highlighted a significant threat to public safety, with ongoing risks around Erbil International Airport and the U.S. Consulate, and reiterated a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning.  
- This notice follows a buildup of U.S. military presence in the region, reflecting rising tensions and potential military actions involving Iran.

benzinga_article

Dow Jones Utility Average

NASDAQ Composite Index

Cboe Global Markets

Nasdaq

Proshares Big Data Refiners ETF

Ark Innovation ETF

Global X Robotics & Artificial

First Trust Cloud Computing

ISHRS S&P Glb It

iShares S&P Global Clean Energy

ProShares Ultra QQQ

Pacer Data & Infrastructure Real Estate ETF

Proshares UltraPro QQQ

Amplify Transform Data Sharing ETF

Invesco Nasdaq 100 ETF

Fidelity Nasdaq Composite Index ETF

Ark Genomic Revolution ETF

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted

Pro Ultrshort Qqq

Franklin Exponential Data ETF

Proshares UltraPro Short QQQ ETF

First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity

SPDR S&P Semicon

Global X Data Center & Dgtl Infrs ETF

Global X Cloud Computing ETF

ProShares Shrt QQQ

iShares US Digital Infrastructure and Real Estate ETF

iShares Future AI & Tech ETF

US Embassy In Baghdad Warns Americans: 'Leave Now If You Are There' As Iran-Aligned Militias Escalate Attacks

The S&P 500 is currently at its highest valuation in over 25 years, with a Shiller P/E ratio of 39.2, reminiscent of the dot-com bubble. Investors are advised to consider dollar-cost averaging to mitigate risks of market corrections. Despite the high valuation, the market is driven by the AI boom and major tech companies, differing from past bubbles. An equal-weight S&P 500 ETF is suggested as an alternative investment strategy. Analysts recommend exploring other stocks outside the S&P 500 for better opportunities.

- The Shiller P/E ratio indicates that the S&P 500 is at historically high levels, approaching peaks not seen since the dot-com bubble.  
- Investors are advised to adopt dollar-cost averaging to mitigate risks associated with potential market corrections while remaining aware that past performance does not guarantee future results.  
- Alternatives like equal-weight S&P 500 ETFs are suggested for those concerned about market concentration in megacap tech stocks, along with recommendations for other high-potential stocks.

This Is the Most Expensive Stock Market in Over 25 Years. Should Investors Be Worried?

The iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) has gained nearly 12% in 2026, appealing to dividend investors with a yield of 2.96%. The ETF benefits from sector rotation towards value stocks, with significant holdings in consumer staples, healthcare, and utilities. However, its exposure to volatile oil stocks like ExxonMobil and Chevron poses risks. Despite this, the ETF's quality holdings and low expense ratio of 0.08% make it an attractive option. Analysts suggest considering other stocks for potentially higher returns, as HDV was not included in a recent top stock list.

iShares Global Healthcare

VG Consumer Stap

Health Care Select Sector SPDR

SPDR FD Consumer Staples

iShares US Consumer Staples ETF

VG Health

iShares US Pharma

Huatai-PB SSE Dividend ETF

iShares Core High Dividend

Target

Costco Wholesale

Kroger

Is the iShares Core High Dividend ETF a Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2026?

Panic is gripping the stock market as options traders signal trouble and systematic funds prepare to reduce their exposure to U.S. stocks. Concerns over inflation and rising oil prices due to the Iran conflict have led to a decline in U.S. stocks. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) indicates heightened fear among investors, despite the S&P 500's recent stability. Only 31% of S&P 500 components are above their 50-day moving average, suggesting market fragility. The technology sector has regained leadership, but uncertainty remains regarding the Iran conflict's impact on inflation and market stability.

MarketWatch

-1x Short VIX Futures ETF

Panic is slowly gripping the stock market. Expect the selling to pick up next week.

Ps S&P Low Vol(SPLV.US)

This Community Bank With $9 Billion in Assets Just Drew a $2.5 Million Investor Buy

Wall St Week Ahead-Investors await Fed rate outlook as Iran war keeps markets on edge

Panic is slowly gripping the stock market. Expect the selling to pick up this week.

How Record US$26.54 Billion Federal Loan Support At Southern (SO) Has Changed Its Investment Story

Duke Energy urges customers to prepare for damaging high winds and possible tornadic activities across the Carolinas | DUK Stock News