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BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WHOOP, the human performance company, today announced that the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has granted a motion by WHOOP for a preliminary injunction against Shenzhen Lexqi Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. (Lexqi). The injunction, issued in a trade dress infringement lawsuit brought by WHOOP, orders Lexqi to immediately stop selling its infringing wearable product in the United States while the litigation proceeds. WHOOP filed the lawsuit to pro

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #CorrespondentLending--Luxury Mortgage expands leadership to drive growth and strengthen its correspondent lending platform nationwide.

NEW YORK CITY & NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (“KSF”) are investigating the proposed sale of Peakstone Realty Trust (NYSE: PKST) to Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM). Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of Peakstone will receive $21.00 in cash for each share of Peakstone that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideration and the process th

NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (“KSF”) are investigating the proposed merger of Northfield Bancorp, Inc. (NasdaqGS: NFBK) and Columbia Financial, Inc. (NasdaqGS: CLBK). Under the terms of the proposed transaction, each Northfield share will be converted into either stock or cash, at the holder’s election, with consideration tied to the final independent valuation: from 1.425–1.465 holdi

NEW YORK CITY & NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (“KSF”) are investigating the proposed sale of Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE: CTRA) to Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE: DVN). Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of Coterra will receive 0.70 share of Devon common stock for each share of Coterra that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideration and the pr

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “aa-” (Superior) of MLMIC Insurance Company (MLMIC) (Albany, NY). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect MLMIC’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings benefit from the

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The February issue of Best’s Review examines the state of insurance education: “Learning Curve: Our Readers Identify Gaps in Insurance Education” features insight from industry professionals on how academic institutions can better prepare tomorrow’s insurance workforce. “Survey Said…” shares perspectives from Best’s Review readers on how to move the industry forward. “Academics Say Future of Insurance Education Is Interactive, Collaborative” details how professor

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BMG Money today announced its latest strategic partnership with Sqwire, the #1 financial wellness platform for work and school, marking a major milestone in the company's mission to deliver comprehensive financial empowerment. The platform will be available to BMG Money's employees as well as employer partners and direct customers nationwide. This partnership underscores BMG Money's unwavering commitment to employee financial wellness. By integrating Sqwire's cutting-edg

New York, NY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--USA TODAY, part of USA TODAY Co., Inc. (NYSE: TDAY), launched the 38th annual Ad Meter competition, the industry’s leading opinion tool for gauging public sentiment about Super Bowl commercials. Since its debut in 1989, USA TODAY Ad Meter has remained a leading authority on Super Bowl advertising, addressing how the brands and spots drive sentiment and conversations related to sports, pop culture and the world of entertainment. Presented by State Farm®, the 2026 A

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #creditratingagency--KBRA announces the assignment of preliminary ratings to seven classes of LBTY 2026-225L, a CMBS single-borrower securitization. The collateral for the transaction will be a $800.0 million fixed rate, interest-only mortgage loan. The loan is expected to have an initial five-year term and will require monthly interest-only payments. The loan will be secured by the borrower’s leasehold interest in 225 Liberty, a 44-story, Class-A, LEED Gold certified office tower contain

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MSCI Inc. (“MSCI” or the “Company”) (NYSE: MSCI) announced today that Andrew Wiechmann, Chief Financial Officer, will be participating in fireside chats at the following investor conferences: UBS Financial Services Conference on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 9:40AM Eastern Time Raymond James Annual Institutional Investors Conference on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 8:40AM Eastern Time A live webcast and replay of these events will be available on the events and presentation

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Under the leadership of President and Partner Rich Bursek, Certuity, a multi-family office serving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, has announced four strategic additions to its team. These appointments reflect Certuity’s commitment to investing in human capital to support its most recent growth, assist in the analysis and execution of future growth opportunities and its dedication to technology to expand brand reach and

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Attentive® released findings from two new surveys revealing Q1 as a critical window for brands to engage new shoppers.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--System1, the Creative Effectiveness Platform, has revealed which Big Game ads U.S. audiences love most so far and which have the greatest potential to drive long-term growth and profit. Early audience testing reveals ads from the NFL, Budweiser, Ring, Dove, and Pepsi ranking highest, sparking strong positive emotional responses. The top-performing campaigns share common creative strengths, including stories rooted in pop culture, recognizable music, exaggerated humor

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Timber Bay Partners (“Timber Bay”), a private equity firm focused on GP-led secondary transactions, today announced the final closing of Timber Bay Fund III (the “Fund”), its third flagship fund, with $281 million in total capital commitments. “Our team has been investing in this space since 2008, and as the opportunity set continues to broaden, we remain committed to a disciplined, highly selective investment approach,” said founder and managing partner Joe Woods.

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #BuilderShow--Hyphen Solutions, the leading provider of residential construction software powering 1 in 3 new homes build in America, will exhibit at the 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Attendees are invited to visit Booth S4049 to experience Hyphen’s connected construction network and test their skills on the putting green for a chance to win a Scotty Cameron® putter. Built around the theme “We Have a S

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Turn, the AI-native workforce screening and compliance infrastructure company, today announced that it has been selected by Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF), a leading global cannabis operator, to support background screening across Curaleaf’s workforce. Under the agreement, Turn will support Curaleaf’s pre-hire background screening and ongoing workforce compliance across its retail, cultivation, manufacturing, and corporate operations. The partnershi

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 2026-2027 Payments Innovation Alliance Advisory Committee is now official. Payments Innovation Alliance Participating Members have been elected to the five committees which, combined, form the Advisory Committee. “I am excited to have our new leadership helping to chart the course of the Alliance,” said Jennifer West, AAP, AFPP, APRP, Nacha Senior Director, Payments Innovation Alliance, Education and Accreditation. “These talented professionals will create a di

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Bump, a leading pregnancy and parenting technology platform, today announced an updated registry experience available on The Bump app and TheBump.com, designed to make it easier for expecting parents to involve family, discover trusted products, and plan collaboratively as they prepare for a new baby. The updated registry is designed to address the overwhelming decision fatigue many expecting parents experience by simplifying how they discover, organize, and trust

Small businesses today face intense financial pressure from multiple directions. Rising costs, unpredictable cash flow, and tighter credit standards can turn an otherwise healthy business into a constant struggle to stay afloat.

Rising costs and shrinking margins

Inflation and higher operating costs are pushing up expenses for rent, utilities, materials, and wages faster than many small businesses can safely raise prices. This squeezes profit margins and leaves little room for error. On top of that, customers may resist price increases, forcing owners to absorb costs or risk losing business.

To manage rising costs and protect margins, small businesses can:

• Review pricing regularly and make smaller, incremental increases instead of large, infrequent jumps.
• Analyze product and service profitability to phase out low-margin offerings and focus on the most profitable ones.
• Renegotiate contracts with landlords, vendors, and service providers or seek competitive bids.
• Invest in efficiency (automation, process improvements, or training) to reduce waste and labor hours.

Cash flow gaps and late payments

Many small businesses are profitable on paper but constantly short on cash. Long payment terms, late-paying customers, and mismatched timing between expenses and revenue create cash flow gaps. When cash is tight, owners may delay paying their own bills, stretch payroll, or rely heavily on personal funds.

To strengthen cash flow and reduce stress:

• Tighten credit policies: require deposits, partial prepayments, or shorter payment terms for new or high-risk customers.
• Offer small discounts for early payment and enforce late fees consistently.
• Use simple cash flow forecasting to anticipate shortfalls a few weeks or months ahead.
• Separate personal and business finances, and avoid plugging recurring gaps with personal credit cards.

Access to credit and rising interest rates

As lending standards tighten and interest rates rise, borrowing becomes more expensive and harder to obtain. Small businesses may be denied traditional bank loans or offered only high-cost credit, making it risky to finance growth, inventory, or equipment. Existing variable-rate debts can also become more burdensome as payments increase.

To navigate financing challenges more safely:

• Build and maintain strong financial records (accurate bookkeeping, up-to-date financial statements, and tax filings).
• Nurture relationships with local banks, credit unions, and community lenders before funding is urgently needed.
• Explore diverse financing options such as lines of credit, equipment financing, and government-backed programs rather than relying on a single source.
• Prioritize paying down the highest-interest debt first to free up cash and reduce risk.

Tax, compliance, and unexpected expenses

Taxes, regulatory changes, insurance premiums, and surprise expenses (equipment failure, legal issues, or sudden repairs) can strain limited budgets. Without planning, these costs can trigger a cascade of late fees, penalties, or emergency borrowing.

To reduce the impact of these financial shocks:

• Set aside a percentage of monthly revenue in separate reserve accounts for taxes and emergencies.
• Work with a qualified accountant or tax professional to optimize deductions and stay compliant.
• Review insurance coverage regularly to ensure key risks are covered without overpaying for unnecessary policies.
• Create a simple annual budget that anticipates major recurring costs and scheduled investments.

Owner burnout and underpricing

Many small business owners underpay themselves or underprice their products to win business or “be fair” to customers. Over time, this leads to burnout, resentment, and an unsustainable business model that cannot fund growth, hiring, or proper systems.

To address underpricing and owner strain:

• Benchmark prices against competitors and adjust to reflect the true value delivered, including expertise and service.
• Factor all costs into pricing: labor, overhead, materials, taxes, and a reasonable profit margin.
• Gradually shift away from unprofitable customers or projects that consistently drain time and cash.
• Build a basic compensation plan for the owner that is treated as a non-negotiable business expense.

Building financial resilience

No small business can eliminate financial pressure, but it can build resilience. Clear numbers, intentional pricing, and disciplined cash management turn guesswork into informed decisions. Over time, that stability becomes a competitive edge—allowing the business to survive downturns, invest in growth, and provide more security for the owner and employees.

Key practices that strengthen resilience include:

• Maintaining timely, accurate financial reports and reviewing them monthly.
• Keeping a modest emergency fund to cover at least one to three months of critical expenses.
• Planning ahead for big investments instead of reacting in crisis.
• Seeking advice from financial professionals, mentors, or peer groups to identify blind spots and opportunities.

With clear numbers, smart pricing, and steady cash habits, even today’s financial pressures can become a launchpad—helping your small business grow stronger, more resilient, and more profitable than ever.