Regulators, contracts and earnings drive Thursday’s moves

Saudi Arabia’s Insurance Authority (IA) has suspended United Cooperative Assurance Co. (UCA) from issuing or renewing all motor insurance policies, including comprehensive cover, effective February 19, 2026. The regulator cited the company’s failure to exercise sufficient diligence in correcting its situation, which it said has affected services to policyholders and beneficiaries.

The IA stressed that the suspension does not relieve UCA of obligations arising from active policies or related claims, and ordered the company to take all necessary steps to protect customers and beneficiaries. The authority said the ban will remain until UCA demonstrates that it has rectified its position and complies with supervisory standards.

Policyholders and other parties with claims against UCA were advised to contact the company directly, or file through the IA’s website if they receive no response. The authority framed the move as part of its broader mandate to support stability and oversight in the insurance sector and protect the rights of stakeholders.

The action follows an earlier IA decision in October 2025 that barred UCA from issuing or renewing mandatory health, vehicle and domestic worker insurance policies from October 27, 2025, after monitoring several violations of supervisory and regulatory requirements.

Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. (AWPT) has signed a SAR 57.28 million (excluding VAT) contract with National Water Co. (NWC) to operate and maintain water and wastewater networks in Hafer Al‑Batin, Saudi Arabia. The contract runs for 36 months.

AWPT said it expects the financial impact of the deal to begin appearing in its first‑quarter 2026 results. The company noted that no related parties are involved and that it received the fully executed contract on February 19, 2026. The award was originally announced on December 14, 2025.

Insurtech Lemonade reported strong fourth‑quarter 2025 growth, with in‑force premium up 31% year on year to $1.24 billion, revenue up 53% to $228 million, and gross profit up 73% to $111 million. Its net loss per share narrowed from $0.42 to $0.29, beating average analyst expectations for a $0.39 loss on about $216 million of revenue. The company also generated $37 million in free cash flow, up from $27 million a year earlier, guided next‑quarter revenue above consensus and set a breakeven target for fiscal 2027.

Despite the operational beat, Lemonade’s shares swung sharply: they opened 13.9% higher on Thursday before reversing to trade down intraday as investors focused on elevated valuation multiples. The stock had been trading at 8.9 times trailing sales before the report, well above both peer averages and the next‑highest price‑to‑sales ratio cited in its property and casualty peer group.

In aerospace, Intuitive Machines disclosed that CEO Stephen J. Altemus sold 86,803 shares for approximately $1.39 million on February 13, 2026, according to a Form 4 filing. The sale reduced his direct holdings by 6.87% to 1,176,246 shares, representing a 1.0964% stake. The transaction was below the median sell size observed for the CEO between February 2025 and February 2026, and no indirect or derivative holdings were reported.

Environmental services group Enviri saw one institutional holder exit its position after a strong share‑price run. Vision One Management Partners sold its entire 436,911‑share stake during the fourth quarter for an estimated $5.54 million. As of February 18, 2026, Enviri shares traded at $19.20, up about 120% over 12 months, while the company continues to work through mixed operating trends and lowered 2025 guidance.

Engineering and construction firm Fluor’s stock has rallied strongly in 2026 after the company secured $1.35 billion in proceeds from the sale of 71 million shares in nuclear power start‑up NuScale Power, on top of $605 million in 2025. Fluor plans to monetize its remaining 40 million NuScale shares in the second quarter and has used part of the cash to repurchase nearly 17 million of its own shares since the start of the fourth quarter of 2025, spending more than $700 million.

Precious‑metals producer Coeur Mining also posted a significant earnings surprise, with fourth‑quarter 2025 revenue up 121% year over year to $678.8 million and full‑year revenue up 96% to $2.1 billion. The company reported Q4 GAAP earnings of $0.29 per share, up 93%, and full‑year profit of $0.95 per share, supported by record production of 419,046 ounces of gold and 17.9 million ounces of silver.

Minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee’s January 2026 meeting indicated that several Federal Reserve officials discussed the possibility of raising interest rates again if inflation remains above target, even after three successive 25‑basis‑point cuts in late 2025 and a January pause. The benchmark federal funds rate currently stands at 3.50% to 3.75%.

The minutes highlighted that “several participants” would have supported language explicitly acknowledging a two‑sided path for future moves, including potential hikes if inflation proves persistent. Two governors dissented in favor of another cut in January due to signs of labor‑market softening.

At the same time, U.S. borrowing costs for households are easing. Freddie Mac data showed the average 30‑year fixed mortgage rate at 6.01% as of February 19, the lowest level since September 2022. Freddie Mac’s chief economist noted that falling mortgage rates could help improve affordability and have already contributed to a rise in refinance activity, though pending home sales data for January showed existing‑home transactions unexpectedly declining amid continued buyer caution.

Looking ahead, TransUnion forecasts that mortgage originations will keep rising through 2026, led by purchase loans as lower rates gradually improve affordability, while also flagging rising mortgage delinquencies as a risk that may require disciplined underwriting.