Communications-services ticked down as traders retreated from risky sectors.

Shares of both Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery rose after the companies said they would recommence deal talks, setting the stage for a bidding war between Paramount and Warner's preferred suitor Netflix. Warner Bros. said a Paramount representative indicated the company was willing to increase its offer to $31 per Warner share from $30. Netflix shares were more or less flat.

Cellphone infrastructure firm IHS Towers agreed to be acquired by South African carrier MTN Group for $6.2 billion in cash.

CBS "The Late Show" presenter Stephen Colbert said the network had blocked his interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico because it was worried of running afoul of the Federal Communications Commission's equal-time rules, from which late-night talk shows were traditionally exempt.

Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 17, 2026 18:32 ET (23:32 GMT)

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