Polestar stock rises after securing $400 million equity investment

Investing.com --BTIG upgraded McDonald’s to Buy from Neutral, saying changes to the company’s value strategy are driving steadier traffic growth and setting up a stronger sales and earnings recovery. Shares of the company are up 1.12% in Monday premarket trading.  

The firm said recent conversations with franchisees point to consistent gains in guest counts after McDonald’s increased discounts on Extra Value Meals and expanded $5 and $8 meal bundles.

Such moves are changing consumer perception back toward value leadership, following two years of pressure on traffic.

Fourth-quarter trends were strong, though January sales were disrupted by severe winter weather in parts of the U.S.

Snow and ice storms forced some restaurants to close early or shut for several days, weighing on same-store sales and traffic by several hundred basis points. BTIG said the underlying demand trend remained healthy and expects sales to recover as weather normalizes.

Macro tailwinds should also support demand, especially among lower-income consumers. Expectations for larger tax refunds in 2026 and reduced taxes on tips and overtime, should benefit quick-service restaurants that skew toward that customer base. BTIG analysts expect those factors to begin supporting comparable sales from February.

New product launches are potential catalysts, says BTIG. Franchisees indicated strong results from CosMc’s beverage tests in Denver and the upper Midwest, with a national rollout expected in the first half of 2026.

BTIG said the beverage platform could become a mid-single-digit same-store sales driver and improve margins. The firm also said McDonald’s is preparing to launch the Big Arch burger, a premium product previously tested internationally, in the U.S. as early as March.

BTIG said the combination of stronger traffic, a clearer value message and new menu platforms could deliver McDonald’s most meaningful earnings growth since 2023. It set a $360 price target, reflecting confidence in improving fundamentals despite recent volatility.

Investing.com -- InMode Ltd. (NASDAQ:INMD) stock rose 2.5% in Monday’s premarket trading after the company confirmed it is evaluating potential strategic alternatives.

The medical technology provider stated it has established a committee of independent directors to oversee the review process. This committee has retained independent legal and financial advisors to evaluate proposals, including any involving third parties or management affiliates.

The announcement comes amid market speculation, including reports about a non-binding proposal from Steel Partners Holdings L.P. to acquire 51% of InMode’s outstanding shares, as well as recent statements attributed to the company’s Chief Executive Officer.

InMode emphasized that there is no guarantee the review will result in any transaction or strategic outcome. The company also indicated it does not intend to comment further on the ongoing process unless required by law or regulation.

The Israel-based company, which specializes in developing and manufacturing devices using radio frequency technology for medical procedures, has not provided details about the timeline or specific options being considered in its strategic review.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Investing.com -- Northfield Bancorp Inc (NASDAQ:NFBK) stock surged 11.9% in premarket trading Monday after the company announced it will be acquired by Columbia Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLBK) in a deal valued at approximately $597 million.

The merger agreement, unanimously approved by both companies’ boards of directors, will create the third largest regional bank headquartered in New Jersey, with pro forma total assets of $18 billion based on financial data as of December 31, 2025.

Under the terms of the agreement, Northfield shareholders will receive either shares of Columbia’s newly formed holding company common stock or cash. The exchange ratio will be determined by an independent valuation, with shareholders receiving either 1.425 to 1.465 shares of the new holding company’s stock or $14.25 to $14.65 in cash per Northfield share, depending on the final valuation. Cash consideration is limited to 30% of outstanding Northfield shares.

Simultaneously with the merger, Columbia announced plans for a "second-step" conversion, transitioning from its current mutual holding company structure to a fully public stock holding company organization. Columbia will offer shares at $10.00 each, with depositors having first priority subscription rights.

"Northfield has built an excellent deposit franchise with a conservative credit culture, which makes it an ideal fit with Columbia and provides great opportunities for future growth," said Thomas J. Kemly, President and CEO of Columbia.

Following the merger, Kemly will continue as President and CEO of the combined entity, while Northfield’s Chairman, President and CEO Steven M. Klein will become Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

The transaction, expected to close early in the third quarter of 2026, is subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder votes from both companies. Columbia anticipates the merger will be 50% accretive to its 2027 earnings per share.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

SYNO Capital Group (SYNO) has filed for a proposed Nasdaq IPO.

The company describes itself as: "Our mission is to build the most trustworthy asset management and industrial empowerment platform in the world through technological innovation and data-driven. We are committed to providing investors with long-term stable returns, creating high-quality smart consumption experiences for users, and building a sustainable digital ecosystem for partners. By continuously deepening the application of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain, we will promote the transformation and development of the industry and realize the vision of technology-led, trust-driven and ecological synergy."

Investing.com -- Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN) stock falls 3% and Coterra Energy (NYSE:CTRA) stock drops 4.2% in premarket trading Monday after the companies announced an all-stock merger agreement that will create one of the leading shale operators in the U.S.

Under the terms of the deal, Coterra shareholders will receive 0.70 shares of Devon common stock for each Coterra share, valuing the combined enterprise at approximately $58 billion. Devon shareholders will own approximately 54% of the merged company, while Coterra shareholders will hold the remaining 46%.

The combined entity, which will retain the Devon Energy name and be headquartered in Houston with a significant presence in Oklahoma City, aims to leverage complementary assets and technical capabilities to create a premier shale operator with a focus on the Delaware Basin.

The companies expect to realize $1 billion in annual pre-tax synergies by year-end 2027 through an optimized capital program, operating margin improvements, and streamlined corporate costs. The transaction is expected to be accretive to key per-share financial metrics including free cash flow.

The merged company will have third-quarter 2025 production exceeding 1.6 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, including over 550,000 barrels of oil per day. Its Delaware Basin position will consist of nearly 750,000 net acres with production of 863,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, representing more than 50% of the combined company’s total production and cash flow.

Clay Gaspar, Devon’s President and CEO, will continue in that role, while Coterra’s Chairman, CEO, and President Tom Jorden will become Non-Executive Chairman of the Board. The board will consist of 11 members, with six from Devon and five from Coterra.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder approval from both companies.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Investing.com -- Pharming Group NV (NASDAQ:PHAR) stock plunged 16.8% in premarket trading Monday after the company announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) for its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Joenja.

The FDA raised concerns about potential underexposure in lower weight pediatric patients for the oral treatment, which targets activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta syndrome (APDS), a rare primary immunodeficiency. Regulators requested additional pediatric pharmacokinetic data to reassess proposed doses for children aged 4 to 11 years. The agency also identified issues with an analytical method used for production batch testing.

Pharming said it believes it can address the issues outlined in the letter and plans to work closely with the FDA to determine next steps for resubmission. The company intends to request a Type A meeting with the FDA to discuss the path forward.

"While we are disappointed in the FDA’s response, we remain dedicated to making Joenja available to pediatric patients aged 4-11 with APDS," said Fabrice Chouraqui, Chief Executive Officer of Pharming.

The sNDA submission was based on data from an open-label Phase III study in children aged 4 to 11 years, which showed improvements in lymphadenopathy and increased naïve B cells over 12 weeks. The FDA had previously granted the application Priority Review in October 2023.

Importantly, Joenja’s existing FDA approval for treating APDS in patients 12 years of age and older remains unaffected by this regulatory action. The drug received this approval in March 2023 and currently represents the only approved treatment for APDS in the U.S. for patients in this age group.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.