Deal day lifts sentiment: Danaher agreed to buy Masimo for $180 per share in cash (~$9.9B EV), sending MASI sharply higher while DHR slipped on deal math. ([investors.danaher.com](https://investors.danaher.com/2026-02-17-Danaher-To-Acquire-Masimo-Corporation?utm_source=openai))
Global shipping consolidation: Hapag‑Lloyd signed a merger agreement to acquire ZIM for $35 per share (~$4.2B), sparking a big rally in ZIM. ([hapag-lloyd.com](https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/company/press/releases/2026/02/hapag-lloyd-signs-merger-agreement-with-zim.html?utm_source=openai))
Activism in travel: Elliott Investment Management disclosed a >10% stake in Norwegian Cruise Line and published a turnaround blueprint; NCLH jumped on the news. ([prnewswire.com](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elliott-sends-letter-and-presentation-to-board-of-directors-of-norwegian-cruise-line-holdings-ltd-302689540.html?utm_source=openai))
Airline pivot rewarded: Southwest Airlines rose after a UBS upgrade to Buy and a higher target, citing earnings upside from assigned seating and new bag/seat fees. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/ubs-upgrades-southwest-sees-earnings-boost-from-seating-and-bag-fee-initiatives-4508609?utm_source=openai))
Packaged‑food weakness: General Mills cut its FY2026 outlook (softer demand), knocking GIS and peers. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/general-mills-cuts-annual-sales-and-profit-forecast-4508282?utm_source=openai))
Backdrop as of mid‑afternoon ET: Major U.S. indexes reversed early losses and turned modestly higher; traders looked ahead to FOMC minutes due Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026 (2:00 p.m. ET). ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/us-stock-futures-steady-with-fed-minutes-econ-data-in-focus-4507837?utm_source=openai))