Youlife stock surges after robotics partnership with VCI Global

Investing.com -- Valens Semiconductor (NYSE:VLN) stock dropped 3.9% on Wednesday after the high-performance connectivity solutions provider announced a workforce reduction plan aimed at improving operational efficiency.

The company plans to cut approximately 10% of its staff across various departments, a move expected to save around $5 million annually in operating expenses. The reduction is scheduled to be completed during the second quarter of 2026.

CEO Yoram Salinger explained that despite reporting revenue growth momentum in the latest earnings call, the company is implementing this efficiency plan to "optimize our cost structure, and to concentrate resources on our core business segments, where we have demonstrated meaningful achievements and see significant growth opportunities."

The Israel-based semiconductor firm, which specializes in high-speed connectivity solutions, indicated it would provide support to affected employees. The market’s negative reaction suggests investors may be concerned about the underlying reasons necessitating the workforce reduction.

Valens is scheduled to release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results before market open on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Investors will likely be watching closely for more details about the company’s financial position and growth strategy.

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

Investing.com -- FedEx announced Wednesday that it plans to return its grounded MD-11 cargo jets to service by May 31, which marks the end of its current fiscal quarter.

"We continue to work with Boeing and the FAA to address any required inspection and maintenance that may be needed to return our MD-11 aircraft safely to service," FedEx said.

The logistics giant is coordinating with Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration on necessary inspections and maintenance procedures to ensure the aircraft can safely resume operations. MD-11’s have been grounded following a deadly crash in Kentucky last year

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

Investing.com -- Glaukos Corporation (NYSE:GKOS) stock climbed 6.3% on Wednesday after the company announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its NDA labeling supplement allowing for re-administration of iDose TR using a repeat treatment protocol.

The approval provides physicians with the ability to re-administer iDose TR more than once in patients who maintain a healthy cornea, defined by specific corneal endothelial cell density parameters. This enhancement expands treatment options for glaucoma patients and offers greater flexibility in long-term management.

"We are pleased to announce this important labeling enhancement for iDose TR, which should help expand access for patients who may benefit from repeat treatment and provide physicians with greater flexibility in managing their glaucoma patients over time," said Thomas Burns, Glaukos chairman and chief executive officer.

iDose TR is an intracameral procedural pharmaceutical therapy designed to continuously deliver therapeutic levels of travoprost inside the eye for extended periods. The treatment addresses patient non-compliance issues and chronic side effects associated with traditional topical glaucoma medications.

Clinical studies have demonstrated a favorable long-term corneal safety profile for iDose TR, with no clinically significant corneal endothelial cell loss observed through three years in both Phase 3 and Phase 2b studies.

Following the announcement, BTIG analyst Ryan Zimmerman raised his price target on Glaukos to $131 from $123 while maintaining a Buy rating. The expanded label represents a significant improvement from the previous limitation of one iDose per eye per lifetime, giving the company greater optionality in the interventional glaucoma space.

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

Investing.com -- Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) stock jumped briefly before paring gains Wednesday afternoon following a Bloomberg report that Blackstone (NYSE:BX) is considering expanding its financial commitment to Oracle’s data-center project in Michigan.

The alternative asset manager, which was already in talks to provide equity capital, is now also contemplating a debt investment to strengthen the site’s financing, according to people familiar with the matter. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) is spearheading efforts to raise debt for the project with an initial target of $14 billion.

Oracle shares turned positive briefly on the news before settling down 0.8% in afternoon trading.

The Saline Township, Michigan project has faced increased scrutiny since Oracle confirmed last month that Blue Owl Capital (NYSE:OWL), a partner in some of its other AI infrastructure projects, would not be contributing equity.

Oracle’s stock has declined in recent months while the cost to insure its debt against default has risen, causing some potential investors to question whether the initial terms for the project can be maintained amid market volatility.

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

Investing.com -- CVC Capital Partners Plc is close to acquiring DSM-Firmenich AG’s animal nutrition and health business, with an announcement possible in the coming days, according to Bloomberg News.

The buyout firm and DSM-Firmenich are currently finalizing transaction details, sources familiar with the matter said. DSM is expected to retain a stake in the business as part of the deal.

While negotiations have reached an advanced stage, there remains a possibility that the agreement could collapse or face delays. Previous discussions between the parties had stalled over issues related to the final structure and terms of the transaction.

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

Investing.com - European stocks declined on Wednesday, as investors digested a flood of corporate earnings while cautiously awaiting the latest interest rate decision from the U.S. Federal Reserve.

The DAX index in Germany dropped 0.2% and the CAC 40 in France slipped 1.1%, while the FTSE 100 in the U.K. fell 0.5%. 

Fed meeting prompts caution  

Investors in Europe have shown a degree of caution ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision later in the day, even as strong gains in technology and AI-related shares ahead of key U.S. megacap earnings lifted the benchmark S&P 500 index to record highs on Wall Street overnight.

The U.S. central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged later on Wednesday, and thus investors will likely focus on Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks for clues on the timing of potential rate cuts later this year.

Additionally, Powell’s term ends in May, and U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will announce his pick for the new head of the Federal Reserve soon.

Trump has repeatedly pressed Powell to cut interest rates sharply, criticising the Fed head by claiming that he has been too slow in easing rates, creating concerns that his appointment of a replacement will result in a watering down of the independence of the central bank. 

German consumer sentiment rises

The mood among German consumers is set to improve in February, as the forward-looking GfK consumer sentiment index rose to -24.1 points in February from -26.9 points the month before, beating the expectations of a slight rise to -26.0 points.

The European Central Bank meets next week, and is widely expected to keep rates on hold at 2% for a fifth consecutive meeting with eurozone inflation remaining restrained and the region’s economy having proven more resilient than expected.

That said, ECB policymakers may need to consider another interest rate cut if further gains in the euro start to weigh on inflation, Austrian central bank governor Martin Kocher said in an interview with the Financial Times on Wednesday.

The euro rose to a more than four-year high on Tuesday as the dollar weakened amid investor concerns over U.S. policy risks and geopolitical tensions. 

ASML expresses confidence for 2026

Turning to the corporate sector, the earnings season has kicked into top gear in Europe, with ASML (AS:ASML) in the spotlight after the Dutch chipmaking equipment supplier beat fourth-quarter forecasts and offered upbeat guidance for 2026 after reporting a jump in orders. This has pointed to continued demand from makers of advanced chips used in artificial intelligence.

Volvo (ST:VOLVb) reported a smaller-than-forecast decline in fourth-quarter operating profit, but the Swedish truckmaker cut its overall annual dividend payment by more than expected.

Swiss contract drugmaker Lonza (SIX:LONN) projected 2026 sales growth of 11%-12% in constant exchange rates with core EBITDA margins expanding above 32%, maintaining strong momentum despite foreign exchange headwinds.

Wacker Chemie (ETR:WCHG) reported fourth-quarter earnings below expectations and the German chemicals maker provided limited details on a €300 million cost-cutting program.

Late Tuesday, LVMH (EPA:LVMH), the world’s largest luxury group, beat fourth-quarter sales forecasts, boosting hopes of a luxury sector rebound even as trade tensions, a weaker dollar and high gold prices squeezed margins.

There are also some major companies reporting on Wall Street, with tech giants Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META), Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) all set to release quarterly earnings after the close.

U.S. winter storm in spotlight

Oil prices moved slightly higher on Wednesday, as traders reacted to the severe winter storm in the U.S.. 

Brent futures gained 0.2% to $66.71 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 0.3% to $62.58 a barrel.

Both benchmarks surged about 3% on Tuesday, after closing at the end of last week at their highest points since January 14. 

Estimates suggest U.S. producers lost up to 2 million barrels per day, or roughly 15% of national output, as the storm disrupted energy infrastructure and power grids.