My name is Porter Stansberry.
I’m the founder of one of the largest financial research firms in the world. Over the last 26 years we’ve helped investors navigate almost every major economic cycle.
We’ve also been on the forefront of every big financial story from the rise of Bitcoin and MRNA vaccines to robotics and artificial intelligence – just to name a few.
But today, I’m breaking the biggest story of my career…
An economic story the likes of which we’ve not seen in centuries. In fact, the last – and only time – this happened was in 1776. But now, on the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, it’s happening again.
And as you’ll discover today, the aftershock of this event could “reset” not just your personal wealth, but the entire U.S. economic system:
How you work, how you vote, how you protect and build your wealth… it’s all being turned upside down by what one famous Stanford economist says is:
“The biggest change ever… bigger than electricity… bigger than the steam engine.”
Yet almost nobody is prepared for it. So, if you’ve been watching the chaos of the past year unfold, struggling to understand what it all means… you’re about to get many - if not all - of the answers you’ve been searching for.
And, most importantly, what it all means for you, your money, and your investment portfolio in the months ahead
Because as you’ll discover, everything from the government taking stakes in companies like Intel, Lithium Americas, and MP Materials.
To Trump’s strike on Venezuela… his deal with Greenland… his seemingly never-ending slew of executive orders… and increasingly centralized grip over the economy…
All the way to the surging popularity of radical socialist politicians like Bernie Sanders, AOC, and Zohran Mamdani…
It’s all deeply and inexorably intertwined in what is, without a doubt, the most consequential story of the year.
A turning point that one Nobel Prize winner says is dividing not just the economy but our entire society.
And, as my guest and I explain, the financial decisions you make in the face of this New 1776 Moment… they could dictate whether you’re enriched, left stuck in the past, or potentially even impoverished by the seismic changes barreling down upon America.
The stocks to buy… the stocks to sell… and the three money moves to ensure you and your loved ones end up on the winning side of this new economic reality.
It’s all laid out here for you…
Good investing,
Porter Stansberry
REITs Set for a 2026 Rebound? 7 Top Picks as Rate Cuts Approach
Submitted by Bridget Bennett. First Published: 2/19/2026.
Key Points
- REITs could be setting up for a 2026 comeback as falling rates flip the macro backdrop that crushed the sector in 2025, with Brad Thomas saying the “REIT rally [is] finally underway in 2026.”
- Five “sleep well at night” picks—Realty Income, Equinix, Public Storage, Equity LifeStyle, and EastGroup—combine durable moats, solid balance sheets, and sector-specific tailwinds.
- Two higher-risk ideas, Americold and Healthpeak, offer deep-value upside tied to execution and catalysts like cost resets, activism, and a planned senior-housing spin-off.
- Special Report: [Sponsorship-Ad-6-Format3]
Real Estate Investment Trusts—or REITs—were left for dead in 2025. After two straight years of underperformance, the group became one of the market's most widely avoided corners, largely because rising interest rates are kryptonite for a sector built on leverage and access to capital.
In a recent conversation with Brad Thomas of Wide Moat Research, the tone was noticeably different: the setup for 2026 is starting to look like the mirror image of what punished REIT investors in 2024 and 2025.
Have $500? Invest in Elon's AI Masterplan (Ad)
What if you could claim a stake in what's set to be the biggest IPO ever… starting with just $500?
Everyone is talking about Elon Musk's SpaceX IPO.
As Thomas put it, "So now that we're seeing this rates decline… we're seeing the REIT rally finally underway in 2026."
That shift is already showing up on the scoreboard. Certain property sectors are leading early in the year—farmland REITs are up roughly 24% year to date, data centers around 22%, net lease about 15%, and self-storage about 14%. The point isn't that everything is back; it's that a rotation is starting, and investors who wait for an "all clear" often wind up paying higher multiples for the same cash flows.
Thomas shared seven REITs he likes most for 2026. The first five fall into the "sleep well at night" bucket—steady businesses with durable moats. The final two are higher-risk ideas with bigger rebound potential if their catalysts play out.
Realty Income: The Monthly Dividend Machine With Scale to Spare
Realty Income (NYSE: O) is one of the most recognizable names in REITland, and for Thomas it's a foundational holding in net lease.
The company owns more than 15,500 freestanding properties across all 50 states and Europe, and it collects rent from roughly 1,600 customers across 92 industries. Tenants include familiar brands like 7-Eleven, Dollar General (NYSE: DG), Walgreens and FedEx (NYSE: FDX), which reinforces the stability investors seek in a core REIT position.
Scale matters, but so does balance-sheet strength. Realty Income carries an A credit rating and has increased its dividend for 27 consecutive years, making it a Dividend Aristocrat. That streak spans the Global Financial Crisis and COVID-19.
Even after a strong start to 2026, Thomas still sees value. Shares trade near 15.3x price-to-AFFO (adjusted funds from operations), below the company's longer-term average of about 17x, with a dividend yield near 4.9%.
Equinix: The Data Center REIT Where the Network Is the Moat
When the conversation shifted to growth, Thomas pointed to data centers—specifically Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX), one of the sector's dominant global operators.
Equinix operates 273 data centers across 36 countries and 77 markets. But the advantage isn't just the real estate; it's the ecosystem.
"The real moat is not the building… it's the network inside of that building," Thomas said.
That network effect creates stickiness: moving equipment is expensive, and connectivity relationships aren't easily replicated. It also supports pricing power in major metro markets where demand remains intense. Equinix recently delivered a 10% dividend increase and is guiding to strong AI-fueled growth.
The balance sheet is solid (BBB+), leverage remains manageable, and the shares trade around 24x AFFO—slightly below the company's typical range. The yield is lower at roughly 2.6%, but the growth runway is longer.
Public Storage: The Sticky Self-Storage Giant With Pricing Power
Self-storage is one of those property types that tends to surprise investors until they've used it. Thomas described the sector as "sticky," and it's easy to see why.
Public Storage (NYSE: PSA) is the category leader with approximately 3,500 U.S. facilities and a 35% stake in European operator Shurgard. The industry remains fragmented, giving Public Storage ample room to consolidate over time.
The company's edge isn't just scale. Technology has become a competitive weapon in self-storage, and Public Storage's digital operating platform helps optimize pricing and operations at the local level.
Financially, it's built to endure: A-rated credit, strong liquidity, and substantial retained cash flow. Shares trade near 19x AFFO versus the historical average of 22x.
The yield sits around 4%, and declining rates could improve the broader return profile.
Equity LifeStyle Properties: A "Silver Tsunami" Play in Manufactured Housing and RV Resorts
Equity LifeStyle Properties (NYSE: ELS) isn't the first real estate name many investors think of—part of what makes it interesting.
The company owns and operates 455 properties across 35 states and Canada, focused on manufactured housing communities, RV resorts, campgrounds and marinas. Many are in retirement and vacation destinations, and a large portion of its manufactured housing portfolio is age-qualified.
Thomas framed ELS as a beneficiary of the "silver tsunami"—the demographic wave created as baby boomers age into retirement.
With demand rising and supply constrained in key Sunbelt markets, ELS has been able to lean into pricing power and occupancy durability.
The company recently raised its dividend by 5.3% and has increased payouts for 22 straight years. The dividend yield is around 3.2%, and the setup implies mid-teen total return potential if growth and valuation cooperate.
EastGroup Properties: Sunbelt Flex Warehouses Built for Growth
Industrial real estate has been a market favorite for years, but EastGroup Properties (NYSE: EGP) plays a slightly different game than the mega-warehouse landlords.
EastGroup targets "flex" distribution properties—typically 20,000 to 100,000 square feet—in fast-growing Sunbelt markets such as Texas, Florida, Arizona and North Carolina. That niche serves expanding regional businesses that may need to scale space over time.
Operational metrics have been strong: occupancy around 96.5%, solid same-store NOI growth, and funds from operations up 8.8% in the latest quarter. Leverage is low, with debt to total market cap around 14.7%.
Shares trade near 27x AFFO versus a historical norm of about 30x.
With analysts projecting growth to accelerate into 2027 and 2028, EastGroup offers a blend of quality and upside that fits squarely in a "SWAN" (Sleep Well At Night) framework.
Americold Realty Trust: A Deep-Value Cold Storage Turnaround With a Big Yield
After covering the high-quality core names, Thomas pivoted to two beaten-down ideas where the payoff depends more on execution and catalysts.
Americold Realty Trust (NYSE: COLD) is a cold storage REIT operating temperature-controlled warehouses across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and South America. The company has about 230 facilities and roughly 1.5 billion refrigerated cubic feet of storage capacity.
Its customer list includes Walmart, Conagra (NYSE: CAG), Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ: KHC), General Mills (NYSE: GIS) and Smithfield (NASDAQ: SFD). In other words: demand isn't the issue.
Shares have fallen amid skepticism about cyclicality and the service-heavy aspects of the business.
Now the story is shifting. A new CEO is in place, an activist investor has pushed for a review of strategic alternatives, and management is evaluating asset sales and cost reductions. Thomas pointed to potential SG&A and indirect cost savings in 2026.
The valuation reflects that skepticism: shares trade around 8.9x AFFO versus a historical multiple above 25x, and the dividend yield is roughly 6.65% with a payout ratio near 65%. It's not risk-free—but if execution improves, the rebound potential is meaningful.
Healthpeak Properties: A Healthcare REIT Catalyst With a Spin-Off on Deck
Healthpeak Properties (NYSE: DOC) is the other higher-risk idea Thomas highlighted, and its catalyst is more corporate-structure than macro.
Healthpeak owns a mix of outpatient medical office buildings, life science properties and senior housing.
The company recently announced plans to spin off its senior housing assets into a new REIT (Janus Living), with Healthpeak retaining a majority ownership stake and the remaining shares expected to trade publicly.
The logic is straightforward: pure-play senior housing REITs have commanded premium multiples, while Healthpeak's blended portfolio has not. A spinoff could help the market value each segment more appropriately. The complication is life science.
Industry overbuilding coming out of COVID and reduced venture capital funding have pressured life-science occupancy.
Healthpeak did see life-science occupancy decline in the most recent quarter, but management expects leasing momentum to improve later in 2026, with a meaningful pipeline being marketed.
Shares trade around 8.9x AFFO and yield roughly 7.2%, signaling that plenty of risk is already priced in. If the spin-off unlocks value and life science stabilizes, the upside case becomes easier to underwrite.
The 2026 REIT Playbook From Brad Thomas
Thomas' list isn't built around chasing what's already run the most. It's built around a simple premise: when the rate environment changes, REIT leadership changes with it—and investors can either position early or compete later at higher valuations.
The five core names offer stability, balance-sheet strength and durable moats. The final two are discounted for a reason but come with identifiable catalysts that could reshape their return profiles if management delivers.
If the rate-cut cycle continues to unfold, REITs may not remain a "forgotten" sector for long.
Ondas Jumps on German Police and NATO Wins—Can the Rally Hold Into Earnings?
Author: Jeffrey Neal Johnson. Date Posted: 2/19/2026.
Key Points
- The company recently secured multiple major contracts with European government entities to deploy its advanced counter-drone technology for public safety.
- Management has strengthened the balance sheet to support aggressive expansion plans and future strategic acquisitions in the autonomous systems sector.
- Strategic acquisitions have expanded the corporate portfolio to include both soft-kill and hard-kill drone defense solutions for government customers.
- Special Report: [Sponsorship-Ad-6-Format3]
In the first half of February, the defense technology sector saw a notable move. Shares of Ondas Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS) climbed more than 15%, pushing past the psychological $11-per-share level. Trading volume was heavy, topping 100 million shares multiple times, which suggests strong interest from both retail investors and institutional buyers.
The most immediate catalyst was a widely reported announcement: the company's subsidiary, Sentrycs, secured a contract with the German State Police. The deal calls for deploying advanced counter-drone systems to protect the airspace over German cities and critical infrastructure.
Have $500? Invest in Elon's AI Masterplan (Ad)
What if you could claim a stake in what's set to be the biggest IPO ever… starting with just $500?
Everyone is talking about Elon Musk's SpaceX IPO.
For investors, the contract is a validation. When a major European government agency adopts a new public-safety technology, it signals the product is reliable, field-tested and ready for broader deployment. But viewing this deal in isolation would be a mistake: the agreement with German law enforcement caps a breakout month for Ondas, marking its shift from a development-stage tech firm to a global defense contractor.
From Israel to NATO: A Month of Wins
February 2026 has been transformational for Ondas. In less than three weeks the company announced major wins across three geographies — the United Kingdom, Israel and the broader NATO alliance — painting a picture of a company firing on all cylinders.
The German Police Deal (Feb. 17)
The most recent award covers delivery of Sentrycs Scout units: portable, man‑packable systems built for mobile police teams. As drones are increasingly used for surveillance and criminal activity, police need ways to neutralize them quickly and safely. This contract confirms Ondas has a solution European agencies want.
The NATO Interceptor Order (Feb. 13)
A few days earlier, the company's Airobotics subsidiary received a multi‑million dollar order from a NATO member nation. The order was for the Iron Drone Raider, a system designed to physically intercept and disable hostile drones. The specific country was not disclosed for security reasons, but a NATO contract typically eases access to other allied customers.
The $30 Million Demining Contract (Feb. 9)
Earlier in the month, Ondas' 4M Defense subsidiary won a $30 million multi‑year contract for demining operations in Israel. Covering about 741 acres along the Syrian border, the project uses autonomous robots to clear hazardous terrain — a reminder that Ondas' autonomous technologies work on the ground as well as in the air.
The Rotron Acquisition (Feb. 2)
To start the month, Ondas acquired Rotron Aero, a U.K. specialist in heavy‑lift and long‑range unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The purchase fills a gap in Ondas' product lineup by adding long‑range strike and heavy‑lift capabilities that are attractive to military customers.
Cash Is King: Ondas Can Afford to Grow Fast
For small‑cap tech firms, cash is often the most important metric. Many promising companies fail not because their technology is poor, but because they run out of money before they can scale. Ondas separates itself by having a substantial balance sheet.
Following strategic equity raises in late 2025, the company reported a pro forma cash position of approximately $840 million.
For a company with a market capitalization near $4.6 billion, holding roughly $840 million in cash is an advantage. That war chest serves two key purposes for investors:
- Risk mitigation: It provides a safety buffer. Even if the global economy slows, Ondas has enough cash to fund operations for years without immediately raising more capital or diluting shareholders further.
- Agility: It enables aggressive growth. If management identifies an attractive acquisition or a new technology to develop, they have the liquidity to act quickly.
Revenue growth supports the bullish case. In its third‑quarter report for 2025, Ondas reported $10.1 million in revenue, a 582% year‑over‑year increase. Management also raised its full‑year 2026 revenue target to $110 million. When you combine rapid top‑line growth with a strong balance sheet, the company's risk profile improves materially.
Soft Kill vs. Hard Kill: A Complete Defense
So why are these contracts landing with Ondas instead of competitors? The answer is its System‑of‑Systems approach. Many defense firms focus on a single capability — either detecting drones or destroying them. Ondas has assembled a portfolio that does both.
Recent wins illustrate that breadth:
- Soft kill (German police): The Sentrycs system uses Cyber‑over‑RF technology to disrupt the communication link between a drone and its operator, take control of the drone and land it safely. That soft‑kill capability is ideal in crowded urban environments where shooting a drone down could endanger civilians or property.
- Hard kill (NATO): The Iron Drone Raider employs a physical interceptor — ramming, netting or otherwise disabling hostile drones. Hard‑kill systems are necessary to protect facilities where the threat must be neutralized with the highest possible certainty, such as nuclear plants, airports or military bases.
Owning both soft‑kill and hard‑kill technologies lets Ondas be a one‑stop provider for government customers: city police (Sentrycs), border security (Iron Drone Raider) and long‑range surveillance or strike (Rotron). That integration helps create a competitive moat.
Execution Drives Value
The market has clearly noticed: the stock is up more than 570% over the past year. Even after that run, Wall Street analysts generally see more upside.
The consensus rating for Ondas remains a Moderate Buy, with an average price target of $17.29. From a current price near $11.08, that implies potential upside of about 56%.
February 2026 may be remembered as the month Ondas came of age. The company has shown its acquisition strategy can work — integrating businesses like Rotron and Sentrycs and converting them quickly into contract wins. With a backlog exceeding $40 million, roughly $840 million in cash, and validation from the German government and NATO, Ondas heads into the rest of the year with clear momentum.
Investors will want to watch the next earnings report on March 11 to see how these headline contracts translate into recognized revenue. For now, however, the bulls appear firmly in control.
This email is a paid advertisement sent on behalf of Porter & Company, a third-party advertiser of Earnings360 and MarketBeat.
If you need help with your newsletter, feel free to email MarketBeat's U.S. based support team at contact@marketbeat.com.
If you no longer wish to receive email from Earnings360, you can unsubscribe.
© 2006-2026 MarketBeat Media, LLC. All rights protected.
345 N Reid Place #620, Sioux Falls, S.D. 57103. U.S.A..