UK-founded legaltech business Lawhive has raised $60 million (£47m) in Series B funding as it accelerates its expansion across the US consumer legal market and doubles down on its AI-driven operating model.
The round was led by Mitch Rales, co-founder of Danaher Corporation, one of the world’s most successful public companies. Existing and new backers participating in the round include TQ Ventures, GV, Balderton Capital, Jigsaw, Anton Levy and LTS.
The raise comes less than a year after Lawhive secured $40 million in Series A funding and caps a period of rapid growth for the company. Lawhive has now surpassed $35 million in annualised revenue, having grown sevenfold over the past 12 months, and is operating in 35 US states, with plans to expand nationwide.
Founded to tackle inefficiencies in consumer legal services, Lawhive is targeting one of the largest and most fragmented markets in the US. Consumer legal services generate an estimated $200 billion in annual revenue, yet industry research suggests up to $1 trillion in legal needs go unmet each year due to high costs, slow processes and heavy reliance on manual workflows.
Everyday legal matters such as family law, landlord and tenant disputes and employment claims remain expensive and unpredictable for consumers, while lawyers are constrained by legacy systems and administrative overheads. Lawhive’s response has been to build what it describes as the world’s first AI-native consumer law firm, powered by its proprietary AI operating system.
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The platform automates large parts of the legal workflow, including document drafting, legal research, case management, client onboarding and payments. Its AI paralegal, Lawrence, works alongside lawyers and support teams, enabling cases to be handled more quickly, consistently and at lower cost. The model now supports more than 450 lawyers across the US and UK.
Lawhive entered the US market in mid-2025 and has seen rapid adoption, making it the company’s fastest-growing region. Alongside its existing Austin base, the business is opening a New York office to support the next phase of growth.
Pierre Proner, co-founder and CEO of Lawhive, said the pace of growth reflects the scale of the problem the company is addressing. “Everyday legal matters remain costly and unpredictable for millions of people, while lawyers are held back by manual processes that limit their ability to scale. AI is finally making it possible to deliver consumer legal services with the speed and consistency people expect. Demand in the US has been exceptionally strong, and this funding allows us to build on that momentum.”
In the UK, Lawhive expanded its footprint last year through the acquisition of Woodstock Legal Services, and the company now plans to replicate its vertically integrated model across the US, where the market is dominated by thousands of small firms lacking modern infrastructure.
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Investors say Lawhive stands out for combining strong technology with an operating model designed to scale. Mitch Rales said the business was “democratising legal services” by widening access to transparent, high-quality legal support. “We share a long-term mindset and are building Lawhive for the decades ahead,” he added.
Amy Ingham
Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.
Perth-based junior Manhattan Gold Corporation has announced a series of management changes, as it places additional focus on its Hook Lake gold exploration project in Canada.
| Revenue of $24.19B (22.56% Y/Y) misses by $7.44B
MetLife, Inc. (MET) Q4 2025 Earnings Call February 5, 2026 9:00 AM EST
Company Participants
John Hall – Senior VP, Head of Investor Relations & Executive VP and Treasurer Michel Khalaf – CEO, President & Director John McCallion – Executive VP, CFO & Head of Investment Management Ramy Tadros – Regional President of U.S. Business & Head of MetLife Holdings Lyndon Oliver – Regional President of Asia
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Conference Call Participants
Jamminder Bhullar – JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division Thomas Gallagher – Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division Joel Hurwitz – Dowling & Partners Securities, LLC Suneet Kamath – Jefferies LLC, Research Division Wesley Carmichael – Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division Taylor Scott – Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
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Presentation
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by. Welcome to the MetLife Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Earnings and Outlook Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. Before we get started, I refer you to the cautionary note about forward-looking statements in yesterday’s earnings release and to risk factors discussed in MetLife’s SEC filings.
With that, I will turn the call over to John Hall, Global Head of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.
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John Hall Senior VP, Head of Investor Relations & Executive VP and Treasurer
Thank you, operator, and good morning, everyone. We appreciate you joining us for MetLife fourth quarter 2025 earnings and near-term outlook call. Before we begin, I’d point you to the information on non-GAAP measures on the Investor Relations portion of metlife.com, in our earnings release and in our quarterly financial supplements, which you should review.
On the call this morning are Michel Khalaf, President and Chief Executive Officer; and John McCallion, Chief Financial Officer and Head of MetLife Investment Management. Also available to participate in the discussion are other members of senior management. Last night, we released an earnings
Fanatics Betting & Gaming CEO Matt King discusses Superbowl bets, a commercial collaboration with Kendall Jenner and more on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
Football fans were left furious after a major sports apparel brand came under fire for multiple Super Bowl merchandising issues ahead of the big game this weekend.
Fanatics released a statement on Tuesday responding to recent backlash on social media over low stock and complaints about the quality of its Super Bowl LX jerseys for the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.
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“NFL fans, we’ve seen your jersey feedback, and we take it very seriously,” the company’s official X statement read. “We’ve let Patriots and Seahawks fans down with product availability, we own that, and we are sorry.”
Fanatics logo embroidered on an NHL Buffalo Sabres jersey. (Fanatics)
“This Super Bowl matchup has created unprecedented challenges for us because of the massive surge in demand we saw from Patriots and Seahawks fans,” the message continued. “Both teams went from missing the playoffs last season to being in the Super Bowl, an incredibly rare occurrence that led to these two fanbases buying nearly 400% more jerseys since Thanksgiving vs. last year.”
“Even though we ordered substantially more jerseys for these teams than ever before, we’ve struggled to meet the overwhelming demand to keep team color jerseys in stock, which we know is your expectation. As sports fans, we understand your frustration, and we will work tirelessly to be better.”
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People online also criticized the quality of alternate team jersey options being offered by the company, with some using colorful language to voice their displeasure.
“The Fanatics merch slop monopoly must be annihilated,” one X user posted. Another said, “It cannot be overstated enough just how much Fanatics has destroyed sports merchandise…”
One user argued that NFL jerseys were better before Fanatics’ domination of the sports merchandising market. The user wrote, “Insane that the only Patriots Super Bowl uniform you can get at the team store is a design the team doesn’t wear on the field and sells for $160. You used to be able to buy Reebok uniforms with painted numbers for $30 at Marshall’s… what happens when Fanatics has a monopoly.”
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Fanatics Fine Art jersey made for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. (Fanatics)
Fanatics also responded to criticism of jersey quality in the press release, defending its products and noting that it is ordering more team-color jerseys and alternate options for consumers as complaints are addressed.
“We’ve heard questions about the quality of these alternate jerseys and can assure you that, despite some unflattering photos, these jerseys are identical to the standard Nike replica ‘Game’ jersey,” the statement said.
The sportswear giant advised buyers that any product that does not meet their expectations can be returned “free of charge” using the Fanatics app.
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Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, left, Tom Brady and Travis Scott onstage at Fanatics Fest at Javits Center on June 20, 2025, in New York City. (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
Fanatics is in the midst of a 10-year partnership with the NFL that began in 2020. It became the exclusive distributor of Nike’s adult-sized jerseys and other apparel, boosting its prominence as a dominant player in the online sportswear industry.
The brand has also made recent forays into hosting conventions and the content creation business. The annual Fanatics Fest, featuring some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, takes place at the Javits Center in New York City, and CEO Michael Rubin recently announced the launch of Fanatics Studios, a new production company that is a joint venture between the brand and OBB Media.
In total, the Bank reckons two out of five residential borrowers, close to four million, will face a similar situation in the next few years, with an average 8% rise in repayment costs. (Although it also points out one in three are likely to see lower repayments during this time).
Julian Phillips is on the move again. The Minnesota Timberwolves have acquired the 22-year-old forward from the Chicago Bulls as part of a blockbuster trade that also sends guard Ayo Dosunmu to Minnesota while Chicago receives rookie guard Rob Dillingham, forward Leonard Miller and four second-round draft picks.
Phillips, who has been sidelined with a wrist injury, spent the past three seasons in Chicago without ever establishing a consistent NBA role. Across 154 career regular-season appearances, he averaged just 11.6 minutes per game, often shuttling between the Bulls’ rotation and the G League.
Timberwolves Acquire Julian Phillips in Multi-Player Deal With Bulls
Bulls continue aggressive roster teardown
The trade marks another significant step in Chicago’s ongoing rebuild, as the front office has aggressively flipped veterans for youth and draft capital ahead of the February deadline. Including this deal, reports indicate the Bulls have accumulated nine second-round picks and nine new players through recent transactions.
Dosunmu, 26, was enjoying a breakout fifth NBA season in his hometown, averaging career highs of 15 points, 3.6 assists and 3 rebounds while shooting over 51 percent from the field and 45 percent from three. Selected by Chicago in the 2021 second round after starring at Illinois, he earned All-Rookie honors but now heads to Minnesota as a key piece for their Western Conference push.
For the Bulls, parting with Dosunmu’s production in exchange for high-upside prospects like Dillingham—who Minnesota selected with an unprotected 2031 first-round pick—and Miller represents a clear bet on the future. Dillingham showed rookie flashes but struggled for consistent minutes behind Minnesota’s established backcourt, while Miller offers size and athleticism as Chicago’s tallest rotation option.
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Phillips’ journeyman path to Minnesota
Phillips enters the league as the 35th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft after a promising one-and-done freshman season at Tennessee, where he averaged 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds while earning Battle 4 Atlantis All-Tournament honors. A consensus five-star recruit originally committed to LSU, Phillips decommitted after a coaching change and chose the Volunteers over South Carolina and Auburn.
In Chicago, the 6-foot-8 forward was viewed as a defensive prospect with high upside but never translated that potential into steady NBA minutes. Limited by injuries—including his current wrist issue—and a crowded wing rotation, Phillips bounced between the Bulls and their G League affiliate, appearing in just 154 games over three seasons. Fantasy analysts consistently described him as a “depth piece” with bleak production outlook due to minute restrictions.
Now in Minnesota, Phillips faces similar challenges on a deep, contending roster. He is listed as questionable for a potential debut Friday against the Pelicans, pending wrist recovery and coach Chris Finch’s rotation decisions. With established wings like Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson and others ahead of him, consistent minutes appear unlikely in the short term.
Timberwolves reinforce depth for playoff run
Minnesota’s motivation in the deal centers on Dosunmu, who fills a critical need at backup point guard following the recent trade of Mike Conley. The Timberwolves have lacked reliable lead ball-handling off the bench this season, and Dosunmu’s scoring efficiency, defensive versatility and Chicago breakout make him an immediate fit alongside Bones Hyland and Jaylen Clark.
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Including Phillips provides additional frontcourt depth, though his role will likely remain situational. The cost—Dillingham, Miller and four second-rounders—is significant but preserves Minnesota’s first-round picks while adding a low-risk, high-ceiling wing prospect. Reports emphasize that Phillips “won’t benefit much from a change of scenery” given the Wolves’ crowded depth chart, positioning him as organizational depth rather than rotation staple.
Fantasy impact muted across the board
Fantasy basketball analysts have downplayed the deal’s immediate relevance. Phillips’ outlook “remains bleak” due to Minnesota’s minutes crunch, while Dillingham joins a loaded Chicago guard room without a clear path. Miller could see rotation opportunities as the Bulls’ tallest player but lacks standard-league appeal. Dosunmu stands to gain the most, potentially as Minnesota’s primary bench lead guard.
Broader implications for both franchises
For Chicago, the transaction accelerates a rebuild that has already seen departures of Nikola Vučević, Coby White and others. With nine second-round picks and a youth movement underway, the Bulls are prioritizing flexibility over Eastern Conference mediocrity. Dillingham’s upside and Miller’s physical tools headline the return, potentially forming cornerstones if they develop behind Chicago’s crowded backcourt.
Minnesota, twice a Western Conference Finals participant, doubles down on win-now depth. Dosunmu addresses backcourt turnover concerns, while Phillips offers injury insurance without long-term salary commitment. The price tag reflects confidence in the current core’s championship ceiling, even as it mortgages some future assets.
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Phillips’ NBA journey continues in a familiar depth role, but the fresh scenery in Minnesota—combined with his youth and defensive tools—keeps developmental intrigue alive. Whether he carves a niche on a contender or emerges as a trade chip remains the key storyline.
| Revenue of $24.51M (11.62% Y/Y) misses by $198.33K
Gladstone Capital (GLAD) Q1 2026 Earnings Call February 5, 2026 8:30 AM EST
Company Participants
David Gladstone – Founder, Chairman & CEO Catherine Gerkis – Director of Investor Relations & ESG Robert Marcotte – President Nicole Schaltenbrand – CFO & Treasurer
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Conference Call Participants
Erik Zwick – Lucid Capital Markets, LLC, Research Division Christopher Nolan – Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Research Division Robert Dodd – Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Research Division Sean-Paul Adams – B. Riley Securities, Inc., Research Division
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Presentation
Operator
Greetings. Welcome to Gladstone Capital Corporation First Quarter Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions] Please note, this conference is being recorded. I will now turn the conference over to Mr. David Gladstone, Chief Executive Officer. Thank you, sir. You may begin.
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David Gladstone Founder, Chairman & CEO
Thank you, Sherry. That was nice, and this is Gladstone Capital’s quarter ending December 31, 2025, call, and thank you all for calling in. We’re always happy to talk to our shareholders and analysts and welcome the opportunity to provide updates on our company and answer any questions. Before we get to this quarter’s results, Catherine Gerkis, our Director of Investor Relations and ESG will provide a brief disclosure regarding certain regulatory matters that we have to adhere to. Go ahead, Catherine.
Catherine Gerkis Director of Investor Relations & ESG
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Good morning. Today’s call may include forward-looking statements, which are based on management’s estimates, assumptions and projections. There are no guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements due to various uncertainties, including the risk factors set forth in our SEC filings, which you can find on the Investors page of our website, gladstonecapital.com. We assume no obligation to update any of these statements unless required by law.
I analyze securities based on value investing, an owner’s mindset, and a long-term horizon. I don’t write sell articles, as those are considered short theses, and I never recommend shorting.I was initially interested in a career in politics, but after reaching a dead-end in 2019 and seeing the financial drain this posed, I choose a path that would make my money work for me and protect me from more setbacks. This brought me to study value investing, in order to grow wealth with risk management in mind.From 2020 to 2022, I worked in a sales role at a law firm. As the top-grossing salesman, I eventually managed a team and contributed to our sales strategy. I spent much of my free time reading books and annual reports, steadily building my vault of knowledge about public companies. This period has since been useful in helping me assess a company’s prospects by its sales strategy. I particularly get excited when the product seems to sell itself.From 2022 to 2023, I worked as an investment advisory rep with Fidelity, primarily with 401K planning. My personal study before that allowed me to pass my Series exams two weeks ahead of schedule, and I once again found myself excelling at the job. I learned a few useful things from this more formal setting, but my main frustration was that I was still a value investor, and Fidelity’s 401K planning was based on modern portfolio theory. Lacking a way to change positions internally, I chose to walk away after a year.I gave writing for Seeking Alpha a try in November of 2023, and I’ve been here since. As I spent those years saving aggressively and building up my base of capital, I also actively invest now. My articles are how I share the opportunities that I seek for myself, and my readers are effectively walking this road alongside me.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
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The Bob’s Discount Furniture logo is seen above the entrance to its store at the Paxton Town Center near Harrisburg.
Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images
Bob’s Discount Furniture will start trading on the New York Stock Exchange Thursday after pricing its initial public offering at $17 per share.
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That price came in within Bob’s expected range of $17 to $19 per share.
The Manchester, Conn.-based company, which was founded in 1991, has grown to 206 showrooms across 26 states, as of Sept. 28, according to its S-1 filing. It plans to more than double that store count to more than 500 locations by 2035, the filing said.
Bob’s is known for selling lower-priced couches, rugs, dining room tables and other furniture. It has an average order value of about $1,400 per transaction, excluding sales at its outlets, according to its S-1 filing. The retailer estimates its prices are on average about 10% lower than its value-focused furniture competitors’ lowest promoted prices or about 20% to 25% below their listed prices.
To keep prices low, the company said it relies on a “curated merchandising strategy, longstanding sourcing relationships and efficient supply chain,” according to the filing. It carries roughly one-third fewer items than value-oriented competitors, but orders in larger quantities, the filing said.
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It’s also tried to stand apart from other furniture retailers with quicker deliveries. Instead of customers waiting for weeks or months, most purchases can be delivered in as few as three days, the company said in the filing.
The stock will trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol BOBS.
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