Daily Point
_ Dow Jones 51,839.26 (-1.26%)
_ S&P 500 7,443.28 (-0.96%)
_ Nasdaq 25,508.07 (-1.41%)
_ Bitcoin 66,250.78 (+3.68%)
Topline Signals
- Hyperscaler Infrastructure: Aggregate capital expenditure projections for AI infrastructure are forecast to exceed $1 trillion by 2027.
- TSMC: The company has committed an additional $100 billion to its Arizona manufacturing footprint, raising its total investment pipeline to $265 billion.
- Bitcoin ETFs: U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded five consecutive days of net inflows, totaling approximately $727.3 million as of July 20, 2026.
Good day.
The current market volatility, characterized by a sharp rotation out of semiconductor hardware and into defensive staples, is a classic feature of a maturing capital cycle. While the headlines focus on the 1.41% decline in the Nasdaq or the sector-specific sell-offs in IT consulting, the astute investor recognizes that we are witnessing a necessary consolidation of leverage rather than a fundamental breakdown of the AI investment thesis. The $63 billion unwind in leveraged semiconductor ETFs is a healthy, albeit painful, purging of speculative excess that clears the path for long-term capital allocation.
As we look toward the remainder of the week, the earnings schedule is dense with critical data points. We have the upcoming reports from Alphabet, Microsoft, and Texas Instruments, which will serve as the true litmus test for the sustainability of the $1 trillion AI infrastructure build-out. My focus remains on the conversion of remaining performance obligations into high-margin revenue. When you see companies like Amazon and Microsoft aggressively expanding their data center footprints despite short-term pressure on free cash flow, you are observing the "land grab" phase of a multi-year industrial transformation. Do not be distracted by the noise of quarterly margin compression; the winners in this cycle are those building the physical nervous system of the future economy.
Simultaneously, the stabilization of Bitcoin, supported by five consecutive days of institutional ETF inflows, suggests that digital assets are increasingly functioning as a distinct macro hedge. As central banks grapple with sticky inflation and the potential for further rate hikes—a scenario currently being debated by Fed watchers—the decoupling of Bitcoin from traditional tech-heavy indices is a signal you should monitor closely. The sovereign adoption and institutional integration of crypto are not short-term trades; they are structural shifts in global liquidity.
For your personal balance sheet, the lesson today is one of patience and structural alignment. Avoid the temptation to chase the daily volatility in the chip sector. Instead, focus on the companies that own the "toll booths" of the digital age—the foundries, the power providers, and the cloud infrastructure giants. Ensure your liquidity is sufficient to withstand these drawdowns, and remember that the most significant wealth is built by holding high-quality assets through the periods when the market is most confused. Stay disciplined, keep your leverage low, and remain focused on the 2026 horizon.
Weekly Schedule
21 Jul (Tuesday)
Danaher Earnings Call
Charles Schwab Earnings Call
22 Jul (Wednesday)
Alphabet Earnings Call
IBM Earnings Call
ServiceNow Earnings Call
Philip Morris International Earnings Call
AT&T Earnings Call
Tesla Earnings Call
Texas Instruments Earnings Call
23 Jul (Thursday)
Blackstone Earnings Call
Comcast Earnings Call
Freeport-McMoRan Earnings Call
Honeywell Earnings Call
Intel Earnings Call
Lockheed Martin Earnings Call
RTX Corporation Earnings Call
Union Pacific Earnings Call
24 Jul (Friday)
American Express Earnings Call
NextEra Energy Earnings Call
Schlumberger Earnings Call
Verizon Earnings Call
ExxonMobil Earnings Call
25 Jul (Saturday)
26 Jul (Sunday)
27 Jul (Monday)
General
Mortgage and refinance rates today, Monday, July 20, 2026: Purchase rates move higher than refi rates
According to average mortgage rates from the Zillow lender marketplace, the current 30-year fixed rate fell by 4 basis points to 6.48%, the 15-year fixed rate fell by 5 basis points to 5.90%, and the 5/1 ARM fell by 29 basis points to 6.46%.
HELOC and home equity loan rates today, Monday, July 20, 2026: Rates are incredibly close
The average HELOC adjustable rate is 7.23%, according to real estate data analytics company Curinos. The national average rate on a fixed-rate home equity loan is 7.36%, up from its 2026 low of 7.31% in late June. Rates vary significantly from one lender to the next. You may see rates from nearly 6% to as much as 18%. It really depends on your creditworthiness and how diligent you are as a shopper. The national average for a HELOC is 7.23%, and 7.36% for a home equity loan. Those can serve as a guide when shopping rates from second mortgage lenders. For homeowners with low primary mortgage rates and significant equity in their homes, it's likely a good idea to consider a HELOC or a home equity loan now. First off, rates are the lowest in years. And you don't give up that great primary mortgage rate that you earned when you bought your house. You can use cash drawn from your equity for home improvements, repairs, and upgrades. Or virtually anything else. If you withdraw the full $50,000 from a home equity line of credit and pay a 7.25% interest rate, for example, your monthly payment during the 10-year HELOC draw period would be about $302.
He Needs $40,000 for a New Roof. Pulling It From His IRA Would Tax His Social Security and Spike His Medicare. Borrowing Against the House Wouldn’t.
A $40,000 traditional IRA distribution is ordinary income. It stacks on top of Social Security and triggers two problems the withdrawal slip never mentions. The first is the taxation of benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses "provisional income", half of your benefits plus other taxable income, to decide how much of the check is taxable. For a single filer, once provisional income clears $34,000, up to 85% of Social Security becomes taxable. A $40,000 IRA draw all but guarantees hitting that ceiling. The IRS details the same worksheet in Publication 915. The second is Medicare's Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, known as IRMAA. Part B and Part D premiums step up in tiers based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) from two tax years back. In 2026, a single filer with MAGI above $109,000 pays an extra $81.20 per month for Part B on top of the standard $202.90 premium, plus a Part D surcharge of $14.50. One tier up, Part B climbs to $405.80. CMS publishes the full table. A $40,000 spike can push a middle-income retiree into a higher IRMAA bracket for a full year, and because of the two-year lookback, the bill lands in 2028 for a 2026 withdrawal. Loan proceeds don't trigger any of this. A HELOC draw or cash-out refinance is not taxable income. It doesn't count toward provisional income and doesn't touch MAGI. Social Security taxation stays flat, and IRMAA doesn't move. The average 30-year fixed rate is about 6.55% as of July 2026. The Fed funds rate has held at 3.50%-3.75% since December, and the 10-year Treasury is around 4.5%, near the top of its 12-month range. HELOC rates track prime, so both borrowing options sit well above the mortgage rates most current homeowners locked in. If the existing first mortgage is at 3%, a full cash-out refi at 6.55%, or somewhat higher given the cash-out premium, to net $40,000 is usually a losing move. A HELOC or second lien keeps the cheap first mortgage intact and only charges today's rate on the money borrowed. The real comparison is the interest paid over a realistic payoff period against the combined cost of the IRA route: federal tax on the withdrawal, new tax on Social Security, and one year of higher Medicare premiums. Two funding sources beat both options when they exist. Roth IRA withdrawals are tax-free and don't touch provisional income or MAGI. Taxable brokerage accounts can be tapped with only the gain portion counting as income, since basis comes out tax-free. Either can pay for the roof without triggering the tax torpedo or the IRMAA cliff. Home equity borrowing becomes the answer when those buckets are thin or when preserving them for later matters more than avoiding interest. What Actually Matters Before Signing Anything Two considerations deserve time at the kitchen table: Model the IRMAA lookback before any large taxable event. A single year with $40,000 of extra income can boost Medicare premiums two years later and hold them there for a full year. Retirees miss this constantly because the bill doesn't arrive until 2028 for a 2026 event. Match the funding source to the tax character of the expense. Roof repairs, as common as they are, on a primary residence aren't deductible for most retirees. Paying with tax-free dollars, whether that's Roth, taxable-account basis, or loan proceeds, is usually cheaper than paying with fully taxable IRA dollars, even after interest. Every case has its own moving parts: the rate on the existing mortgage, state taxes, the size of Roth and taxable balances, and how long the retiree plans to stay in the home. With the 2026 COLA at 2.8% and IRMAA tiers only lightly indexed, small differences in any of those can flip the answer. Running your own numbers, or handing them to someone who does this work daily, is worth the time.
Gas Tops $4 Again, Oil Hits $82. Here’s Why the Fed Has a Big Problem
According to AAA, the national average price for gasoline climbed to more than $4.00 per gallon from $3.87 just one week earlier, while West Texas Intermediate crude has risen above $82 per barrel after trading around $79 last week. Higher fuel costs force the Fed to balance sticky inflation against recession risk, as energy ripples through trucking, manufacturing, and household budgets. That leaves Fed policymakers balancing two competing risks:
NY Fed survey finds highest credit application rate in nearly five years
The average likelihood of applying for a new credit card, auto loan, higher credit card limit or mortgage refinance declined somewhat, while the likelihood of applying for a mortgage rose slightly. The New York Fed also said that in its June survey respondents said that the likelihood of needing to come up with $2,000 for an unexpected expense ticked up to 34%, up slightly from the last finding in February, but under the 36% reported in June a year ago.
Inflation Slowed in June, but These 4 Words From Kevin Warsh Suggest Interest Rate Hikes Are Still a Possibility This Year
The Consumer Price Index report that recently came out for the month of June indicated that the annual inflation rate had fallen from 4.2% to 3.5%. According to the FedWatch Tool from the CME Group, interest rates are likely to rise this year. Although for the next Fed meeting, rates are expected to remain the same, by the December meeting, the probability they'll remain unchanged is just 17%, and it's really a question of whether there will be just a single rate hike or more.
Wharton Economist: “The Worst of the Inflation Is Behind Us,” but AI Could Face an Overbuild in 3-4 Years
The Worst of the Inflation Is Behind Us El-Erian said, "I'm not into the 'we need three rate hikes.' I don't think we're going to get any rate hikes. I think the worst of the inflation is behind us." He broke the case into components: "If you look at the tariff inflation, that's behind us. Most of the oil inflation is behind us. The AI-related inflation is inflation that I can live with because I truly believe there's a productivity gain coming on that." The Fed has kept its target range upper bound at 3.75% since mid-December 2025, after cutting from a peak of 4.50% in September 2025. WTI crude, a key channel for the "oil inflation" El-Erian references, traded at $81.50 per barrel on July 20, 2026, well off the 12-month high of $114.58 hit on April 7, 2026. The 10-year Treasury yield at 4.57% on July 16, 2026, keeps discount rates elevated but no longer rising as they did during the initial inflation shock. El-Erian endorsed the AI capex thesis while warning investors to expect the cycle to overshoot. "So there's likely to be an overbuild because every innovation tends to overdo it in the initial phases," he said, invoking the historical parallel of fiber buildouts. Asked when the reckoning arrives, he said, "Probably in 3 to 4 years. However, if this can go, this can run for quite a while."
One overlooked bond is offering rare yield on inflation
The 10-year TIPS real yield recently stood at about 2.1%, more than double the 10-year average of 0.9%, MarketWatch reported. The one-year real yield has been even more striking at 2.2%, compared with a decade average of just 0.3%, the report noted. A 30-year TIPS ladder now produces a guaranteed inflation-adjusted withdrawal rate of about 4.9% per year, with a real yield of 2.7% annualized, MarketWatch reported. The Cleveland Fed's inflation expectations model draws on Treasury yields, Consumer Price Index data, inflation swaps, and survey-based measures to project inflation over horizons from one to 30 years, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland explained. The Cleveland Fed's own Survey of Firms' Inflation Expectations found that chief executives expected Consumer Price Index inflation of 3.7% over the following 12 months as of the second quarter of 2026, up from 3.1% in the first quarter, the Cleveland Fed reported.
From Gold to Bitcoin: How Crypto Exchanges Are Reshaping Global Macro Investing
The US dollar share of global central bank reserves has fallen from over 60% at its peak to approximately 40% today. Gold's share moved in the opposite direction, tripling from its lows to nearly 30%. Data from CoinDesk Research shows commodities accounted for $83 billion, or 81%, of total traditional finance perpetual volume in April 2026 on the two leading exchanges. This year the precious metal rose 65% in its best annual performance since 1979. The dollar's share of allocated currency reserves fell to almost 57% as of Q4 2025.
Kevin Warsh's Inflation Testimony Came as Traders Priced an 86% Chance of a Fed Rate Hold
During his testimony, Warsh discussed the importance of bringing down the inflation rate. He also affirmed the central bank's commitment to a 2% inflation goal. Among the 18 bank presidents and board of governors who provided interest rate projections, eight expect to keep short-term interest rates steady this year. Another nine project higher rates. Looking ahead to the next Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, which ends on July 29, traders placed an 86% probability that the central bank will leave short-term rates unchanged, according to CME FedWatch. Drivers paid an average price of about $4 a gallon as of July 20, up from $3.87 a week ago, according to AAA.
Claude AI Bought This Overlooked Stock. Here’s Why You Should Pay Attention
The latest CPI data shows inflation cooled. LPL's client cash balance fell to $59.1 billion in the first quarter — just 2.5% of total assets, a new low.
Kevin Warsh Made His First Big Move as Fed Chair, and the Bond Market Has Taken Action -- but Most Investors Missed It
During his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee on April 21, he criticized the central bank's bloated balance sheet, insinuating that a deleveraging would get the Fed "out of the fiscal business." Fed Chair Warsh has also been hypercritical of how policymakers think about inflation. He views price stability as "a change in prices such that no one's talking about it." Altering the very definition of inflation could afford the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) more flexibility in adjusting monetary policy, but also remove the transparency that Wall Street has become accustomed to over several decades. The removal of forward-looking guidance by Kevin Warsh introduces a degree of speculation that simply hasn't existed for much of this century.
Dollar softens as investors weigh Middle East jitters against inflation data
The U.S. dollar ticked lower on Tuesday as markets balanced conflicting signals from the Middle East against lingering optimism from softer inflation data last week. Traders expect at least one rate hike by the Federal Reserve this year, according to data compiled by LSEG. "A sustained depreciation of the U.S. dollar looks more like a 2027 story. We expect the dollar to remain firm over the next few months until the inflation picture becomes clearer," said Jimmy Jean, chief economist and strategist at Desjardins. The U.S. dollar index, which measures the currency against a basket of six peers, dipped 0.05% to 100.9 after hitting its highest since July 15 in the previous session.
Bitcoin
Crypto market slips even as equities advance. Pump surges on social-media chatter
Derivatives positioning Churn over conviction: Crypto futures are characterized by churning rather than new position establishment. While trading volume surged 81% to $127 billion in the past 24 hours, open interest (OI) remained flat at approximately $111 billion. Leverage demand stalls: Bitcoin BTC$64,179.43 futures OI growth stalled near 750K BTC, failing to gain traction despite a recent swing that took the price above $64,000. This stagnation indicates that demand for leverage remains low and is a clear sign investors are not comfortable increasing their risk exposure. A similar pattern of caution is evident in ether (ETH) and XRP futures. Solana capital outflow: Solana (SOL) is seeing a distinct trend of contraction, with futures OI declining to 62 million tokens, the least since early May. This represents a significant drop from the June 24 peak of over 76 million, signaling substantial position unwinding and capital outflows from the SOL market. Bitcoin cash outlier: BCH$213.03 stands out as today's exception. OI in BCH futures has surged by 20% to 1.73 million tokens, matching the record high set on June 21. This build-up increases the likelihood of volatile price action ahead, particularly as the token has slipped 3% to $213 over the past 24 hours. Bearish market delta: Broadly speaking, bears appear to be driving the price action across most top-tier tokens. This is reflected in negative 24-hour cumulative volume delta (CVD) readings for most major coins, including bitcoin and ether. Notably, the privacy-focused ZEC has posted the most negative CVD in the market. Volatility fear gauge alert: Traders should stay alert for potential market turbulence. Bitcoin’s 30-day implied volatility index (BVIV) is nearing the 36% mark. This level has served as a floor in recent years; previous instances of the index hitting this threshold have often preceded major volatility booms and sharp bitcoin price slides. Options sentiment divergence: On the Deribit options exchange, persistent downside caution is keeping BTC and ETH puts priced higher than calls. However, 24-hour volume figures reveal a tactical bias toward the upside: the $70,000 Bitcoin call has emerged as the most-traded contract, while the $2,450 call is leading the rankings for ether. CEX trading volumes rose for the first time in five months in June, with spot climbing 15.3% to $1.11T and RWA perpetual volumes surging to a record $311B.
Capital B approves 10-for-1 reverse stock split to broaden investor base
Last month, shareholders approved up to 105 billion euros in financing capacity to support the company’s Bitcoin acquisition strategy. Capital B holds 3,139 Bitcoin at the time of writing. Germany’s Bitcoin Group SE holds the most among European companies, with 3,605 BTC, according to Bitcoin Treasuries.
Grayscale plans regular cash payouts from ETH, SOL staking rewards
ETHE ended the week with $1.22 billion in net assets, while GSOL had $101.13 million, Yahoo Finance data showed. The Ethereum fund’s gross staking rewards were 2.67%, as of July 17, while the Solana fund’s gross staking rewards were 6.10%, according to the fund’s home pages.
The Fed May Hike Again — Bitcoin Lost 65% Last Time
During that last cycle, across 2022 and 2023, the Fed lifted rates from near zero to 5.5%, and Bitcoin sank from about $45,000 to a $15,500 cycle low on November 22, 2022, a drop near 65%.
A bitcoin 'volmageddon' may be brewing, key indicator suggests
For now, bitcoin continues to trade just above $64,000, maintaining the range-bound price action that has persisted since last Wednesday. While some analysts have noted two consecutive weeks of spot ETF inflows, the capital movement is tiny compared with the billions yanked from the market during the preceding eight-week outflow streak. CEX trading volumes rose for the first time in five months in June, with spot climbing 15.3% to $1.11T and RWA perpetual volumes surging to a record $311B.
Strategy (MSTR) Sells $263.5 Million in MSTR Shares, Skips Bitcoin Purchase as USD Reserve Tops $3.2 Billion
Strategy sold about $263.5 million worth of MSTR shares last week and made no bitcoin purchases, according to an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday. The company’s bitcoin stack holds at 843,775 BTC, a position worth around $54.7 billion at current prices.
Standard Chartered Renews Call for $100,000 Bitcoin by End of 2026. Here's the Most Likely Scenario
Strategy's Bitcoin sales might be more than noise I wouldn't be too quick to hand-wave away Strategy's recent moves. For years, Chairman Michael Saylor's mantra was "never sell your Bitcoin," and Strategy is the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin by a wide margin, holding over 840,000 BTC. MARA Holdings is second with less than 40,000, according to recent research by The Motley Fool. Don't expect Bitcoin to hit $100,000 this year After peaking at $126,198 last October, Bitcoin lost over half its value by the end of June.
Tom Lee's Bitmine slowed ether purchases as it bought back $86 million in stock.
The company added just 7,430 ETH, worth about $14 million, last week as it nears its goal to corner 5% of Ethereum's supply. Bitmine repurchased approximately 5.5 million shares at an average price of $15.62 and continues to generate projected annualized staking revenue of about $247 million from 4.92 million staked ETH. The firm now holds about 5.78 million ETH, or roughly 4.8% of Ethereum’s circulating supply, and is nearing its goal of controlling 5% of the token’s supply. CEX trading volumes rose for the first time in five months in June, with spot climbing 15.3% to $1.11T and RWA perpetual volumes surging to a record $311B.
Strategy Leaves Bitcoin Holdings Unchanged For Second Week
Strategy (NASDAQ: $MSTR) has left its holdings of Bitcoin (CRYPTO: $BTC) unchanged for a second consecutive week as it continues to build-up its cash reserves. The world's largest corporate owner of Bitcoin raised its cash reserves by $225 million U.S. over the past week after selling some common stock, bolstering its liquidity. Strategy's U.S. dollar reserves now stand at $3.23 billion U.S. while the company's Bitcoin stack remains steady at 843,775 BTC worth $54.5 billion U.S. at current prices. The company led by Chairman Michael Saylor sold more than 2.7 million shares for $263.5 million U.S. in proceeds as part of its at-the-market equity program. Strategy has pivoted to focus on building up its cash reserve after its financing model and dividend-paying preferred stock (NASDAQ: $STRC) came under pressure from the crypto winter that began last October. At the start of July, Strategy sold $216 million U.S. worth of Bitcoin, its first significant sale after years of near-continuous accumulation. The company's board of directors recently approved a new Bitcoin monetization program that includes selling up to $1.25 billion U.S. of BTC for cash reserves and dividend payments.
Hut 8 surges on $9.8 billion AI data-center lease, lifting compute sector
Hut 8 shares jumped as much as 14% Monday after the company signed a $9.8 billion, 15-year lease for the second phase of its Beacon Point AI data center campus in Texas. The deal, with the same investment-grade tenant as the first phase, adds 352 megawatts of Nvidia-based AI capacity and fully commercializes the 1-gigawatt site, bringing the tenant’s total commitment to 704 megawatts and the campus’ base contract value to $19.6 billion. CEX trading volumes rose for the first time in five months in June, with spot climbing 15.3% to $1.11T and RWA perpetual volumes surging to a record $311B. CEX trading volumes rose for the first time in five months in June, with spot climbing 15.3% to $1.11T and RWA perpetual volumes surging to a record $311B.
Bitmine expands Ethereum treasury to 5.78 million ETH, repurchases 5.5 million shares
Bitmine expanded its ether treasury to 5.78 million ETH and repurchased 5.5 million shares under its $4 billion buyback program.
Strategy stock rises after the company raises $263 million without selling bitcoin
Strategy did not buy or sell any bitcoin over the same period, according to the regulatory filing. Strategy hasn't sold any of its bitcoin in the past two weeks. However, it did sell 2,225 bitcoin at the beginning of July. Late last year, it established a cash reserve to cover interest and dividend payments. But Strategy's move to sell bitcoin came as a significant reversal for the midcap business software firm that rebuilt its identity around accumulating bitcoin beginning in August 2020. Executive chair Michael Saylor promoted the philosophy for years, declaring in February last year on X, "Never sell your bitcoin."
Hut 8 Jumps 10% on $9.8B AI Data Center Lease; MARA, Riot Platforms Rally in Sympathy
Hut 8 signed a second 15-year, $9.8 billion lease that fully commercializes its 1-gigawatt Beacon Point AI data center campus in Nueces County, Texas. The total contracted portfolio value across Beacon Point and River Bend now reaches $26.6 billion, with expected average annual net operating income above $1.75 billion.
Bitcoin dropped 2% then rebounded after Trump said he's 'a big crypto guy' — here are experts takes on buying the dip
On July 6, Bitcoin dropped more than 2% after Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) — a corporate buyer of Bitcoin — disclosed in a regulatory filing (1) that it had sold about $216 million worth of the cryptocurrency. That's the second time this year the company has sold some of its Bitcoin reserves — a complete reversal of its former "never sell" approach. Strategy posted a $12.54 billion net loss (2) in the first quarter of this year as the price of Bitcoin slumped. Later that day, Bitcoin rebounded 1.8% (3) after President Donald Trump said that he's "become a big crypto guy" when responding to a reporter's question about whether Bitcoin might be included in Trump Accounts (4) — the tax-advantaged 503A accounts that launched over the July 4th holiday weekend. Over the past 12 months, Bitcoin's price changed by -45.3% (6). It's sitting around $65,000 as of July 17, down from $125,000 last October. Despite a slight bounce after an endorsement from President Trump, Bitcoin is still down over 32% for the year as of July 20 (10). With prices still roughly 52% below their previous highs and inflation continuing to cloud the economic outlook, many analysts believe crypto volatility could persist for some time.
Why Is XRP (Ripple) Underperforming the Crypto Market?
They pulled in $1.3 billion in their first 50 days, went more than a month without a single day of outflows, and became the second-fastest crypto ETF ever to cross a billion dollars. The CLARITY Act is the crypto market structure bill that would write XRP's status as a commodity into federal law, turning the SEC and CFTC's March ruling into something permanent that a future administration couldn't undo.
Bitcoin price hits $65K wall as stocks battle ‘record’ institutional tech sell-off
Hedge funds have sold information technology stocks in 6 of the last 8 weeks. This brings total 8-week sales to the largest in at least 10 years," it said in a post on X, citing Goldman Sachs data.
BlackRock’s Larry Fink Says Crypto Washout Is Over: Is Bitcoin Stabilizing?
Days later, US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows turned positive after their worst month since the products launched. Fink's optimism is not disinterested, however. BlackRock's record second-quarter results showed $15.34 trillion in assets under management, driven by the iShares business that houses IBIT.
Hut 8, IREN deals lift AI-focused Bitcoin mining stocks
IREN now expects its AI cloud business to generate more than $4 billion in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2026. The index rose 1.4% on Monday and is up more than 12% over the past week. Blocksbridge estimates the industry will require another $50 billion to realize its AI ambitions, with IREN facing the largest funding gap at roughly $21.1 billion.
Coinbase Executive Says Clarity Act Has ‘Tremendous Momentum’ in the Senate
The Clarity Act has gained “tremendous momentum” in the Senate. Across the board, the Democrats have obtained meaningful concessions to make what was already a strong consumer protection bill that much stronger. He said the bill would not change how crypto is classified as a commodity or a security in a fundamental sense, and would preserve the registration, examination, and surveillance structure from the House version. That convergence has played out in public, and in conflict. JPMorgan and Coinbase announced a partnership to widen crypto access, and the bank has moved to accept bitcoin as loan collateral and to let clients trade it. He argued that no one building a financial system today would recreate the infrastructure of the past century. He cited Citadel Securities, which he said made another large investment in the crypto economy last week, as a sign that major institutions are trending the same course. I'm not here to tell you it's the wrong technology,” he said. He acknowledged open questions, including whether crypto accounts should carry interest or loyalty rewards, a debate that bankers have raised and that the law will settle as “a blunt instrument.”
$12 Trillion Asset Manager Vanguard Is Finally Embracing Digital Assets. Here's What That Could Mean for Crypto Investors.
Most major asset managers have adopted cryptocurrency in some form by now, with several offering their own crypto ETFs. Vanguard, which has about $12 trillion in assets under management (AUM), had been the last holdout. In December 2025, Vanguard began allowing clients to buy and sell third-party crypto ETFs and mutual funds through their brokerage accounts.
Bitcoin-Treasury Capital B Plans 10-for-1 Reverse Stock Split for September
The number of outstanding shares from 300,650,632 to 30,065,063. Capital B holds 3,139 BTC, a figure that ranks it as the second-largest listed corporate bitcoin holder in Europe, according to BitcoinTreasuries.net.
Bitcoin defies recent tech stocks sell-off. Are bulls eyeing a $70K rally?
Bitcoin (BTC) showed relative strength over the past week, despite failing to break above $65,500. More importantly, the cryptocurrency has decoupled from traditional markets as investors took profits in memory-chip makers amid fears of excessive valuations in the artificial intelligence sector. The Bitcoin perpetual futures annualized funding rate stood at a neutral 8% mark on Monday, flat from one week prior. Excessive demand for bullish leverage drives the indicator above the 12% level, which last occurred on July 10. Strategy announced a successful raise of $263 million in cash by selling common stock during the prior week, easing concerns of potential Bitcoin sell pressure. The Bitcoin 30-day options delta skew stood at 13% on Monday, meaning puts (sell) traded at a premium relative to calls (buy). Under neutral conditions, the indicator should range from -6% to +6%.
Strategy (MSTR) Says Corporate Bitcoin Adoption Is Essential For Bitcoin To Succeed
For investors following Strategy, Saylor's remarks connect the company's Bitcoin focused treasury approach with a broader corporate role in digital assets. The company has positioned its balance sheet and brand around Bitcoin exposure, which makes leadership commentary on corporate adoption especially relevant to how you think about its long term narrative.
Bitcoin, Dogecoin Flat; Ethereum, XRP Gain as US-Iran Hostilities Continue: Analyst Says Short-term Gains Can Invite 'Faster Selloffs' If…
More than $245 million in cryptocurrency positions were liquidated over the past 24 hours, with bearish shorts taking the heaviest losses, according to Coinglass data. Bitcoin's open interest rose 2.20% over the last 24 hours. The global cryptocurrency market capitalization stood at $2.30 trillion, representing a 0.66% increase over the last 24 hours.
Bitcoin hits a two-week high near $65,500 as the chip trade turns back into a tailwind
Bitcoin climbed to a two-week high around $65,500 as a rebound in Asian semiconductor stocks fueled a broader risk rally, with ether and several major tokens also advancing. The move has been supported by five straight days of inflows into U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs totaling more than $600 million, marking the strongest stretch of institutional buying since mid-July. Two other supports lined up behind the move. U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs have now drawn inflows for five straight sessions totaling more than $600 million, the most sustained institutional buying since mid-July and a reversal of the eight-week outflow run that ran through late June. CEX trading volumes rose for the first time in five months in June, with spot climbing 15.3% to $1.11T and RWA perpetual volumes surging to a record $311B.
Live markets: Bitcoin ETFs post a fifth straight day of inflows in a first since April
U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs took in about $227 million on July 20, a fifth consecutive day of net inflows for the first time since late April, per SoSoValue data. Total bitcoin ETF assets have climbed back to about $79 billion from a July low near $75 billion. BlackRock's ETHA drove the ether side with about $34 million.
Bitcoin ETFs post five-day inflow streak, longest since May
US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $227 million in inflows as BTC climbed above $65,000, extending their longest winning streak since early May. US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) posted their fifth consecutive day of net inflows, marking their longest winning streak in nearly three months. Bitcoin ETFs attracted $226.9 million in net inflows on Monday, the strongest daily inflows since July 6, bringing total net inflows over the five-day streak to about $727.3 million, according to data provider SoSoValue. Monday’s inflows reduced year-to-date net outflows for US spot Bitcoin ETFs to below $5 billion.
2 Cryptocurrencies Tom Lee Expects to Deliver Massive Gains
His rationale is that October 2025's flash crash, which coincided with Bitcoin's most recent all-time high of around $126,000, reset the market's positioning, and also that a bull run for gold (like what's happened over the last couple of years) has historically been a phenomenon that preceded big Bitcoin growth. Lee's position in August 2025 was for Bitcoin to be above $200,000 by the end of the year, but that didn't happen. Standard Chartered has cut its 2026 Bitcoin target from $300,000 to $100,000 across two revisions since December, citing weaker corporate buying and outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs.
Semiconductor
Chipmakers head for big profit gains, but will it be enough?
Earnings for S&P 500 semiconductors and semi equipment companies are forecast to rise 133% for the second quarter from a year ago, with the group expected to contribute about 44% of overall S&P 500 company earnings gains, according to Tajinder Dhillon, head of earnings research at LSEG. Earnings for S&P 500 companies overall are expected to have increased 26% in the second quarter from a year ago, based on LSEG data as of Friday.
Micron Says Memory Chip Supply Will Remain Tight Beyond 2027. That's Investors' Cue to Load Up on Shares Now.
Micron informed investors during its latest earnings call that it expects "tightness" in the memory chip market to last beyond 2027, which should ease some fears. It isn't done there, either. Wall Street expects 81% revenue growth in the company's next fiscal year.
TSMC: Unfolding CapEx Boom
Resilient demand for AI-optimized chips across the nanometer spectrum led Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM) to report record results for its second fiscal quarter last week: revenues reached an all-time record of $40.2 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company delivered record Q2 revenues of $40.2 billion, driven by surging AI-optimized chip demand. I maintain a 'Strong Buy' rating on TSM due to its dominant foundry market share and pivotal role in the AI semiconductor value chain.
ASML Has Terrific News for Intel Investors That Could Send the Stock Soaring After July 23
Intel expects Q2 revenue of $14.3 billion and non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.20. The top line will grow by 11% year over year, while the bottom line points toward a major turnaround from last year's loss of $0.10 per share. Intel is using ASML's advanced equipment for the mass production of cutting-edge chips ASML noted in a press release on July 15 that Intel Foundry is now using its high-NA extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines to mass-produce Panther Lake client processors based on the Intel 18A process node.
AI sell-off is maturing and earnings will provide a floor, says leading US bank
Semiconductors in particular should soon find a bid, it said, as meaningful supply additions are not due before 2028, making it too early to price in a cyclical inflexion.
TSMC is accelerating Arizona factory build-out to capitalize on AI 'megatrend,' CFO says
TSMC, or Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., is scaling up its mega investment in Arizona by committing an additional $100 billion to aggressively expand its U.S. chipmaking footprint amid a surging multi-year structural demand for AI. The fresh commitment raises TSMC's total investment pipeline in Arizona to $265 billion, underscoring a massive AI-driven capacity build-out that also fueled an upward revision to the company's full-year capital expenditure to between $60 billion and $64 billion.
AMD launches Helios, its first rack AI system to rival Nvidia, adding Microsoft as newest buyer
In the first quarter of 2026, data centers made up the majority of AMD's revenue, up 57% year over year. AMD told CNBC that it plans to book tens of billions in data center AI revenue starting in 2027, the majority coming from Helios. Nvidia controls more than 95% of the data center GPU market, according to the Futurum Group.
AMD, Micron, SK Hynix lead chip stock recovery
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM) last week guided to higher-than-anticipated capital expenditures, in part due to higher tool prices.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) Jumped as Market Favored AI Capex Winners
TSMC contributed more than 2.0% to the Fund's returns (measured in A$). Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM), and to a lesser extent Nvidia, benefitted from the market favouring AI capex winners. Our valuation of both businesses continues to increase. Nvidia and TSMC are currently top 5 holdings in the Fund. In Q1 2026, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited's (NYSE:TSM) revenue increased 6.4% (in U.S. dollar terms) sequentially to $35.9 billion, exceeding the guidance.
Chip giant ASML to offer €20,000 bonus to retain staff through 2030
ASML stated that details of the conditional stock grant, set to begin on January 1, 2027, are still under development. The company said the grant would be available to "all eligible employees." The retention bonus represents ASML's response to a broader industry challenge. Other major semiconductor companies, including Samsung Electronics, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, and SK Hynix, have also increased worker compensation packages as the sector faces a shortage of skilled labor during a period of strong financial performance. ASML holds the title of Europe's most valuable company by market capitalization. Earlier this month, the company reported net income of €2.92 billion and announced that its primary line of lithography tools for printing circuitry is almost completely sold out through 2027.
Boeing takes the right approach on new planes. Plus, a word of caution this earnings season
Intel reports earnings after the close on Thursday, with investors watching for updates on the company's central processing unit (CPU) business, third-party foundry operations, and advanced packaging initiatives. Portfolio director Jeff Marks pointed to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s recent post-earnings decline as an example of how investors have been selling chip stocks despite upbeat fundamentals.
IREN Lifts Revenue Target on $2.8 Billion Contract Haul
IREN (NASDAQ:IREN), a data center operator that rents GPU computing capacity to AI developers, rose 9.31% intraday after announcing $2.8 billion in new multi-year cloud services contracts and raising its year-end 2026 AI Cloud annualized run-rate revenue target to more than $4 billion, up from $3.7 billion. About 85% of that revised target is now under contract. IREN said interest from hyperscalers, enterprises and frontier labs continues to exceed both available and planned capacity, and that it is in discussions across its entire 2026 and 2027 expansion program.
AMD stock rises on price target bumps, Microsoft deal
That should help offset some of the softness in the company's Gaming segment, which is expected to see revenue decline 25% this year. Client revenue is expected to rise 11%.
5 Semiconductor Stocks Poised to Outperform This Summer
Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) remains the engine of the entire AI trade. Its new Vera Rubin platform has ramped into full production, its data center revenue recently grew more than 90% from a year earlier, and management says it has demand visibility of roughly $1 trillion through 2027. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) is the company that physically builds nearly every advanced AI chip, including Nvidia's. Its leadership called AI demand "extremely robust" and raised its growth outlook above 30% while pouring another $100 billion into its Arizona campus and ramping up cutting-edge 2-nanometer production. ASML Holding (NASDAQ: ASML) is the ultimate pick-and-shovel bet. It holds a near-monopoly on the advanced lithography machines required to make cutting-edge chips, so every fab that Taiwan Semiconductor, Samsung, or Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) builds needs its equipment. The company just posted record bookings driven by AI demand and raised its full-year forecast. Its next-generation High-NA machines, which sell for close to €400 million (roughly $457.5 million USD) each, are now being used in high-volume production. Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) is the other giant of AI silicon, and it wins in two ways. It designs the custom chips that big tech names use to build their own AI systems, and it dominates the networking gear that connects thousands of those chips inside a data center. Management has pointed to a path toward $100 billion in annual AI revenue, and its large software business adds ballast. Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) is the memory play and the boldest pick on this list. AI accelerators are useless without high-bandwidth memory sitting beside them, and that memory has been in short supply, a squeeze analysts expect to last into 2027.
Broadcom’s AI Mix Shift: How AVGO’s Booming AI Chip Business Changes the Investment Thesis
During Q2 FY2026, AI semiconductor revenue soared 143% year-over-year, representing 49% of the total revenue. Broadcom's revenue visibility for the next two years is clear with long-term deals with Google through 2031 and a multi-generation MTIA XPU partnership with Meta until 2028. Moreover, the OpenAI and Anthropic contracts for 2027 are visible in the anticipated $100 billion AI revenue for FY2027. The company is targeting revenue of $56 billion in FY2026 and to cross $100 billion in FY2027. For Q3, the management projects the AI semiconductor revenue to reach $16 billion, implying more than 200% year-over-year growth.
Got $1,000 to Invest? Here Are 2 Magnificent Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Down 12% to 30% to Buy Hand Over Fist Before July Is Over
Micron's stock has had a banner year, and the company has also done incredibly well. Thanks to a shortage of supply in the memory chip market, prices are soaring, which boosts Micron's earnings and profits. This tailwind is far from slackening: Wall Street expects the memory company to deliver 80% growth in its fiscal 2027 (which begins in September). Nvidia informed investors it expects that hyperscalers' data center capital expenditures will rise to $1 trillion in 2027, up from $650 billion in 2026.
Price Prediction: Will Nvidia Hit $300 This Year?
NVDA trades at a forward P/E of 23, which is far cheaper than AMD's 69, while delivering 85% revenue growth that dwarfs both rivals. The pullback follows a blowout Q1 FY27 report: revenue of $81.61 billion beat estimates by 3.16% and grew 85.2% year over year, with Data Center revenue of $75.25 billion up 92%.
Micron Jumps 5%, SanDisk Rises 6%, Western Digital Climbs 4% as Memory Stocks Rebound With Chips
Micron’s fiscal Q3 2026 revenue hit $41.5 billion, up 346% year over year (YoY) year-over-year, with CEO Sanjay Mehrotra saying results reflect “the strategic value of memory in the AI era.”
Broadcom Stock Has Jumped Just 7% in 2026. This Move by Meta Platforms Could Supercharge the Stock in the Second Half
$125 billion to $145 billion from the prior range of $115 billion to $135 billion.
Claude AI Says Michael Burry’s Micron (MU) Warning “Deserves Respect”
The Catalyst That Actually Tests Both Sides Bulls point to Micron's incredible strengths. The company has signed 16 strategic customer agreements running through 2030, locking in about 20% of DRAM and 33% of NAND capacity, backed by roughly $18 billion in customer deposits collected upfront.This converts Micron from a cyclical hardware seller into something closer to an infrastructure operator with recurring, SaaS-like revenue, justifying a re-rate from a forward multiple in the high single digits toward the high teens.
Is Ultralytics’ OpenVINO Boost a Quiet Step Toward Intel’s (INTC) Edge AI Foundry Ambitions?
Intel's narrative projects $74.6 billion revenue and $10.5 billion earnings by 2029. This requires 11.6% yearly revenue growth and a $13.7 billion earnings increase from -$3.2 billion.
After A Steep Run And A Sharp Drop, Is Marvell Technology Stock A Bet On The AI Buildout?
The company expects its data center business to grow approximately 50% in fiscal 27 and to accelerate again to 55% growth in fiscal 28. This business comprises a suite of high-demand components, not a single product line. Management projects its interconnect business will grow more than 70% this year, while its custom silicon business is forecast to “more than double year over year.” The company is so confident in this trajectory that it has a target for its custom business to deliver “over $10 billion in revenue in fiscal 29.”
MU, SNDK Shake Off 3-Day Memory Slump: Retail Says Demand Narrative Is Intact
Micron stock gained 2%, while SanDisk and Western Digital rose 2.7% and 2.1%, respectively – all three stocks climbed between 2% and 2.7% in the overnight session. On Monday, UBS said Micron could repurchase more than 40% of its shares by the end of 2028 once its buyback restriction expires in December 2026. The firm expects the memory chip company to generate over $400 billion in free cash flow through 2028, which could fund the repurchases at current prices. “Price action over the last month is maybe the worst I've seen in any sector over 1 month period,” a trader commented. “Market makers have us scared that future earnings are about to evaporate but the CEO's of memory companies say demand will out pace supply for the foreseeable future. It will be an interesting earnings season, I think it'll be clear that memory is in the driver's seat for the next 5 years and we make all time highs.”
Chipmaker IQE raises annual sales growth forecast on AI, data centre demand
IQE upgraded its 2026 revenue growth forecast to above 30%, from 20% previously and said core profit would reach the low-teens millions of pounds.
Nvidia (NVDA) After New Cloud Partner News And A Big Fair Value Debate
Nvidia will hit $400b annual revenue in 5 years time. ~90% of revenue will come from data centre customers. This equates to $90b per quarter, or equivalent to 30,000 Blackwell racks (at approximately $3m per rack).
AI / Robotics / EV
Got $1,000? 2 Stocks to Own Before the Anthropic IPO.
Anthropic's revenue run rate has rocketed past $30 billion, and it's spending staggering sums on chips and computing power. Broadcom designs the Tensor Processing Units, or TPUs, that Google offers in its cloud, and Anthropic has committed to an enormous amount of that capacity: roughly 1 gigawatt coming online in 2026 and about 3.5 gigawatts more starting in 2027. To put that in perspective, analysts at Mizuho estimated Broadcom could collect around $21 billion of AI revenue tied to Anthropic in 2026 and roughly $42 billion in 2027. That single relationship helps explain why Broadcom's leadership sees its custom AI chip business topping $100 billion in annual revenue by 2027.
Tesla at $380: Wall Street Says It’s a Buy But Here’s 3 Strong Reasons to Sell
Q1 2026 looked strong. Automotive gross margin expanded to 21.1% from 16.2% year over year, operating income surged 135.84%, and free cash flow more than doubled to $1.44 billion. Services and Other revenue grew 42% on 1.28 million active FSD subscriptions, up 51% year over year. Bank of America reiterated a Buy with a $460 target, citing Robotaxi expansion into Miami, Dallas, and Houston. Consensus sits at $425.22 with 23 Buy, 18 Hold, and 6 Sell ratings, implying 11.6% upside. Cybercab, Tesla Semi, and Megapack 3 reach volume production in 2026, backed by $44.74 billion in cash. The stock is priced for Optimus and Robotaxi to scale within 18 months, yet the two most liquid prediction markets price them at 16% and 19% probabilities. Consensus targets have not caught up. When Wall Street targets sit above an AI model calling for downside, retail sentiment is deteriorating, and the highest-conviction July close market pins Tesla at $360, the risk/reward skews to the downside at this price.
Kraken Robotics Announces $35 Million in New Orders, Bringing 2026 Product Orders to $327 Million
Kraken Robotics secured $35 million in new orders across defense, offshore energy and ocean science markets. Total combined 2026 product orders have reached $327 million for Kraken and Covelya. Management expects product sales to account for more than 75% of consolidated revenue in 2026.
CoreWeave faces execution test as data center activation ramps up
CoreWeave currently has about 1GW of active power and is targeting 1.7GW by year end, which means a big chunk of new capacity needs to come online over the next couple of quarters. Bank of America analysts expect more of that buildout to land in the second half of the year rather than the first, and that's driving some steep revenue growth forecasts: 108% year over year in 2Q26, climbing to 150% in 3Q26 and 186% in 4Q26. The FY26 capex estimate has been raised to $34 billion, up from $29 billion, reflecting how fast the market is moving and the cost of key hardware components.
DeepSeek Raises $7.4 Billion, Targets 2027 IPO as AI Price War Intensifies
DeepSeek, a three-year-old Chinese startup developing low-cost open-source artificial intelligence models, has raised $7.4 billion in the largest private AI financing in Chinese history, valuing the company at more than $50 billion. Artificial Analysis estimated that completing a standardized intelligence task with DeepSeek's V4 Flash model costs about 2 cents, compared with $2.75 using Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 model. Companies are already shifting workloads toward cheaper Chinese models. Lindy AI, a San Francisco-based company using AI services, moved from Anthropic's Claude Sonnet to DeepSeek after a six-week evaluation and is now paying approximately 10% of its previous cost, reportedly saving millions of dollars each year. Chinese open-source providers have accounted for more than 30% of activity on the AI aggregation platform OpenRouter during some weeks this year, compared with less than 2% in 2024.
Alpha Compute Moves to Revenue Generation; $21-23 Million Run Rate – Quarterly Update Report
$16.1 million of annual contracted revenue versus approximately $30,000 of quarterly compute revenue before the contract. Management's $21 million-$23 million annualized revenue run-rate outlook and $200+ million qualified pipeline support visible near-term scale-up and contract-conversion potential. ALP operates as a GPU infrastructure landlord, financing or leasing hardware, securing data-center capacity and power, and then contracting dedicated compute capacity to customers under two- to five-year agreements. Pricing is generally based on an hourly compute rate, but customers commit to reserved capacity and guaranteed uptime, resulting in recurring monthly revenue irrespective of whether the GPUs are used at 100% throughout the period. ALP's work on Telegram's Cocoon confidential-inference network provided an early reference architecture and generated inquiries from enterprises and developers seeking similar privacy-focused deployments. The company has since expanded business development toward regulated industries, government customers, sovereign entities, and AI research laboratories where data protection, compliance, and model confidentiality represent material barriers to using shared-cloud infrastructure. ALP's bare-metal deployment model also provides customers with dedicated infrastructure and greater control over data residency and privacy, although additional enterprise contracts will be required to demonstrate that confidential-compute functionality consistently supports higher pricing, stronger margins, or longer contract terms. Management cited approximately $650 billion-$725 billion of annual AI-infrastructure spending by large hyperscalers, with power and GPU availability increasingly constraining supply. At the same time, implementation of frameworks including the EU AI Act is raising compliance requirements around sensitive data and AI workloads, supporting demand for hardware-level privacy and independently verifiable attestation. ALP paid $3.5 million of upfront consideration, comprising $1.5 million of cash and $2.0 million of equity, and is required to purchase $2.0 million of GMEE tokens within 90 days of closing. Additional year-one and year-two consideration is linked to GAMEE reaching EBITDA thresholds of $1.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively, bringing total potential consideration to as much as $11 million. Management's $21 million-$23 million annualized revenue run-rate outlook establishes the first meaningful forward financial benchmark for the new business. The estimate is based primarily on the $16.1 million ALPHA-01 annual contract and GAMEE's acquired revenue base and represents a substantial increase from approximately $30,000 of quarterly compute revenue before the anchor customer went live. The company projects approximately $25 million of cash flow needs between July 13, 2026 and fiscal year-end March 2027, which it expects to address through contracted compute revenue, additional customer agreements, project financing, and capital-market flexibility.
Elon Musk's Tesla Delivered 480,126 Vehicles in Its Best Quarter in 2 Years
480,126 deliveries. Tesla recorded 480,126 deliveries. That was 25% higher than the prior-year quarter and significantly above the consensus Wall Street estimate of around 406,000. The company said it would start ramping up production of its Optimus 3 in late July or early August.
TSLA Stock Falls Behind MSFT To Become Mag 7’s Worst Performer Ahead Of Q2 Earnings — But Retail Is Betting On A Musk Surprise
Tesla reports after Wednesday’s closing bell, with Wall Street expecting a sharp sequential improvement in revenue and earnings. Yet with TSLA carrying the group’s richest valuation, solid numbers alone may not be enough. Investors want fresh evidence that Robotaxi, Cybercab and Optimus can become Tesla’s next major growth engines. Analysts expect Tesla to report $26.36 billion in revenue, up 18% from the previous quarter, according to Koyfin. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) are projected to rise 31% to $0.54, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) is expected to increase 8% to $3.97 billion. The forecast should support “higher automotive gross profit margins,” Morningstar said, with margins excluding regulatory credits expected in the high teens. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated its ‘Overweight’ rating, saying: “We continue to expect TSLA will have the ability to scale rapidly following commercialization… and capture meaningful market share.”
Tesla (TSLA) Reports Q2: Everything You Need To Know Ahead Of Earnings
Tesla beat analysts' revenue expectations last quarter, reporting revenues of $22.39 billion, up 15.8% year on year. This quarter, the market is expecting Tesla's revenue to grow 18.6% year on year, a reversal from the 11.8% decrease it recorded in the same quarter last year.
Power / Grid
Fidra Energy secures funding for 500MW West Burton C project
Fidra Energy has reached financial close on its 500MW/1.1GW-hour (GWh) West Burton C battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Nottinghamshire, England. The European BESS developer, headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, and supported by EIG and the National Wealth Fund (NWF), announced the milestone as part of its growing UK infrastructure pipeline, which now exceeds 4GW. According to Fidra, once completed, the battery installation is expected to be able to supply electricity to approximately 300,000 homes during peak demand periods. The project secured the UK Government's 15-year capacity market award in March 2025, which is set to commence in October 2028. The UK Government's Clean Power 2030 Action Plan has highlighted the role of short-duration battery storage, with an operational target of 22–27GW by 2030.
NexGen Energy Ltd. (NXE) Fell Due to Risk-Off Sentiment in the Commodity Market
NexGen Energy Ltd. (NYSE:NXE) posted a one-month return of -15.79%, while its shares gained 28.28% over the past 52 weeks. A key stock detractor for the June quarter was: NexGen Energy Ltd. (NYSE:NXE) (Long -17%) declined alongside the broad uranium complex, driven by general risk-off sentiment in the commodities space. Despite the equity volatility, spot uranium prices increased modestly (+1.5%). NexGen is preparing to develop the world's largest undeveloped uranium deposit, Arrow, located in Saskatchewan, Canada, which will be a new major strategic Western source of uranium to address the looming market deficit. The company received final regulatory approvals in March 2026 and is preparing to commence full-scale project construction, with an estimated 4-year construction timeline. Once developed, Arrow has the potential to generate ~C$2.8b of EBITDA annually, assuming a US$80/lb uranium price (below current spot prices). We believe this is a highly compelling proposition given NexGen's current market cap of only ~C$8.8b.
Hut 8 signs $9.8 billion AI data center lease in Texas
Hut 8 signed a second 15-year lease worth $9.8 billion on Monday, covering 352 megawatts of IT capacity at its Beacon Point campus in Texas and completing the commercialization of the 1-gigawatt site. The new agreement is with an existing unnamed investment-grade tenant, bringing that customer's total contracted footprint at the campus to 704 MW — twice its prior commitment. Campus-level base-term contract value reaches $19.6 billion, with renewal options raising that figure to as much as $50.2 billion, the company said. Across Hut 8's broader AI data center portfolio, total contracted capacity has risen to 949 MW, backed by 1,330 MW of utility capacity. Aggregate base-term contract value across the portfolio stands at $26.6 billion, with average annual net operating income of more than $1.75 billion.
NextEra Energy (NEE) And New York's Data Center Pause Put Power Limits In Focus
New York has introduced a first in the nation moratorium on new large data centers, citing limits in current power infrastructure. Utilities such as NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) are coming into focus as investors look at who could supply and manage this rising load. That puts more attention on which utilities, including NextEra Energy, can line up generation, storage and grid upgrades in regions where regulators are willing to back long duration investment plans.
Nextpower finalises Prevalon acquisition to expand into energy storage
According to company figures, Prevalon Energy has deployed more than 6GW-hours (GWh) of energy storage systems worldwide. Nextpower has raised its fiscal year 2027 outlook and now expects revenue of around $4bn–4.4bn, compared to a previous forecast of $3.8bn–4.1bn.
Exus Renewables secures $356m for Pennsylvania wind farms
The Cambria Wind Farm, a 61.6MW repowered project currently under construction in Adams Township, is expected to begin commercial operations in autumn 2026. These developments will increase Exus Renewables North America's wind energy capacity in Pennsylvania, where it already owns more than 306.9MW, including the operational Twin Ridges Wind Farm in Somerset County with a capacity of 139.4MW. Exus owns, develops and operates utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects across the US. The company's portfolio includes more than 6GW, with in excess of 700MW currently operating or under construction.
Software
Is Microsoft Stock Too Cheap to Ignore?
Cloud revenue grew 29% in the third quarter of its fiscal year 2026, and Azure's commercial RPOs (remaining performance obligations) surged 99% to $627 billion. Analysts estimate that Microsoft will grow its earnings by an average of 17% annually over the next three to five years.
Billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller Dumped Google Parent Alphabet in Favor of the Hottest Stock in the Benchmark S&P 500
According to Duquesne Family Office's mid-May-filed 13F, billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller sent all 385,000 shares of Alphabet (the Class A shares, GOOGL) to the chopping block. Alphabet also isn't the screaming bargain it once was. Its forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 24 represents a 15% premium to its average forward P/E over the trailing five years.
Moody's Trades at 37 Times Earnings Ahead of Its July 22 Report. Is the Wide-Moat Ratings Giant Worth the Premium?
Moody's expects its revenue to grow by the high single digits, its adjusted operating margin to expand from 51.1% in 2025 to 52%-53%, and for its adjusted EPS to rise 10%-14%. It also aims to allocate most of its free cash flow (FCF) of $2.8-$3.0 billion toward $2.5 billion in buybacks (equivalent to nearly 3% of its market cap of $89.2 billion).
Plug Power vs. FuelCell: Both Are Hot in 2026, but Only One Is Worth Buying Now
FuelCell's stock has seen explosive growth this year and, despite a recent drop, has risen more than 150% so far. This is largely the result of surging data center demand. The company's sales pipeline grew 267% to 4 gigawatts in the second quarter, and it announced an important strategic collaboration with Siemens. The partnership will help the company scale and deploy its fuel cells more quickly. FuelCell's financials still reflect the business's riskiness. The company's latest quarter saw revenue actually fall 5% year over year, while the backlog also dropped considerably to about $1.1 billion. Plug Power is a turnaround story. So far this year, the company's stock has risen about 30%. Revenue in the first quarter of 2026 rose 22% year over year, and gross margins improved dramatically.
Meta Platforms: Multiple Paths To Ride AI Boom
Even modest external AI cloud deals could provide significant EPS upside, with $20 billion in AI cloud revenue equating to a $5+ EPS boost.
AI Is Creating More Businesses, but Is It Creating More Jobs?
According to Bloomberg, citing data from Guillermo Gallacher and the U.S. Census Bureau, business creation in AI-related industries has accelerated since ChatGPT launched in November 2022. Professional, scientific, and technical services -- sectors where AI tools are quickly becoming part of everyday operations -- have seen new business formation climb 45%.
Should You Buy Amazon Stock, Even Though It Has Badly Underperformed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 Since Jeff Bezos Stepped Down as CEO?
Amazon's cloud market share was about 33%, but now it's down to about 28%. Meanwhile, Microsoft and Alphabet's Google have gained market share.
Netflix: Concerns Are Being Priced In
Netflix's shares have fallen 28% in a quarter, now trading at a more attractive low-20s earnings multiple. NFLX maintains financial discipline, increasing original content spend to $20 billion and avoiding risky large-scale M&A like the Warner Bros. deal. Revenue growth is slowing to 11% in Q3, with margin pressure, but pricing power and modest leverage support the investment case.
IREN Soars 17%; Applied Digital, TeraWulf, Core Scientific Surge in a Data Center Rebound
IREN’s Q3 FY2026 revenue came in at $144.8 million, well short of the roughly $219.3 million analyst estimate, with a net loss of $247.8 million. Applied Digital told a different story. Its Q3 FY2026 revenue rose 139% year over year to $126.6 million, with adjusted EBITDA of $44.1 million. TeraWulf’s HPC lease revenue reached $21 million in Q1 FY2026, over 60% of total revenue, backed by anchor tenants including an Alphabet‘s (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google credit-supported financing package. Core Scientific posted 45% year-over-year revenue growth to $115.2 million, with high-density colocation surging 9x YoY. The bull case rests on a 5-year, $3.4 billion AI Cloud contract with NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA | NVDA Price Prediction) and a target of 150,000 deployed GPUs by end of CY2026.
Forget SPY. Its Momentum Cousin Is Crushing the Index With 26% Returns This Year, for Only 0.13%
SPMO has surged 26% year to date versus SPY's 10%, and over 10 years it has more than doubled SPY's 247% total return. The expense ratio is 0.13%, which works out to about $13 per $10,000 invested, versus roughly $9.45 for the flagship fund. SPMO is up 26.03% year-to-date through July 13, 2026, compared with SPY's 9.86%.
Down More Than 60% From Its High, Has Oracle Stock Become a Bargain Buy?
For the fiscal year ending May 31, Oracle's capital expenditures totaled $55.7 billion, easily more than double what it spent a year ago -- $21.2 billion. It also reported long-term liabilities of $176.9 billion, up from $114.7 billion in the prior-year period. The company continues to invest heavily in AI cloud infrastructure, with it projecting to raise $40 billion for the current fiscal year, through a combination of debt and equity. This aggressive spending on AI has been a concern in the tech sector lately, and it has weighed heavily on Oracle's stock, particularly after the company signed a $300 billion cloud deal with OpenAI last year.
AI Stocks Are Hot, but Smart Investors Are Quickly and Quietly Cutting Their Risk
According to Goldman Sachs data, a major leverage unwind is underway in semiconductor ETFs. Investors are not abandoning AI — they are reducing the amount of borrowed risk they are using to chase the opportunity. Assets under management in U.S. leveraged semiconductor ETFs have fallen $63 billion from their June peak, declining to $100 billion. That represents a 39% drawdown and the lowest level since late April. It is also the largest decline since April 2025, when assets in these funds fell by more than half from their previous August high. The semiconductor unwind accounts for most of the broader decline across leveraged ETFs: To put a finer point on it, between the final week of March and the June peak, leveraged semiconductor ETF assets nearly tripled as investors rushed into AI-related trades. Now they are pulling back. Leverage Can Magnify Losses During Market Stress The recent pullback highlights why leveraged ETFs require caution. Unlike traditional ETFs that track an index, leveraged ETFs are built for short-term trading. Their daily reset structure means long-term returns can differ sharply from the underlying asset, especially during periods of volatility. Investors who held these funds during strong AI rallies benefited from amplified gains. But the same mechanism can accelerate losses when momentum reverses. Goldman Sachs has noted that the roughly $200 billion leveraged ETF market could amplify future market declines if investors rush to unwind positions at the same time. That risk has grown as technology and semiconductor-focused leveraged products have attracted more capital. Granted, cutting leverage does not mean investors have turned bearish on artificial intelligence. It means many are recognizing that even the strongest investment trends experience setbacks. AI may reshape the economy, but that does not mean every AI-related trade will move higher in a straight line. The $63 billion decline in leveraged semiconductor ETF assets shows investors are reducing exposure to the most aggressive part of the AI trade after months of heavy positioning.
Apple Sidesteps AI Spend Bubble So I Keep Buying
Apple beat EPS estimates for the 8th straight quarter, authorized a fresh $100B buyback, and limits capex to $12.7B while AI peers burn through cash. AI hyperscalers are projected to spend $2.1 trillion on capex through 2027, consuming roughly 95% of operating cash flows and pushing some into debt markets. Those are the two names a reader reaches for first when they think "AI winner." Both sit inside the hyperscaler capex curve I want to avoid. Vanguard's 2026 outlook projects AI scalers will spend roughly $2.1 trillion on capital investment from Q1 2025 through Q4 2027. Goldman Sachs' 2026 outlook flags that hyperscaler capex plus buybacks and dividends have consumed ~95% of operating cash flows over the last 12 months vs ~80% in 2019, forcing some of them into credit markets to keep the machine running.
Braiden Shaw says AI is this generation's 'one window' to build wealth — but warns time to capitalize is running out
The evidence that something is happening Shaw's case starts with what he thinks people misread last time. The internet didn't make people rich because they used the websites. It made the people who understood the physical infrastructure being built underneath it rich. He says AI has the same shape — most people see a chatbot they type into, but the money goes into data centers, semiconductors, cooling systems, transmission lines and the power to run all of it. He's right about the scale and he points to Morgan Stanley to prove it. In October 2025, the firm's Global Investment Committee said that the market has become so concentrated in the "Magnificent 7" tech giants and the data center ecosystem around them, that this bull run now rests largely on AI spending. The buildout Shaw is pointing at is holding up the whole market. The timing is where it gets tricky. That same note said the boom "may be closer to the seventh inning than the first or second," which is a way of saying this big spending wave is already well underway, not just starting. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Chief Investment Officer Lisa Shalett told Fortune that people confuse AI adoption, which she puts in the first inning, with the buildout itself — which has "been going full-out since 2022." Shaw doesn't hide from that. He cites the seventh-inning line in his own video and says it doesn't mean the opportunity is over, just that the easy phase (buy anything connected to AI and watch it run) is running out. what story is strong enough to pull capital for the next 5 to 10 years and how a regular person can get in. He sums it up in a line that's worth keeping: "Narrative is the engine. Liquidity is the fuel." His five moves start relatively safe and get riskier as you go. First, keep dollar-cost averaging into broad index funds — the foundation everything else sits on. Then add more targeted AI infrastructure: Chips, hyperscalers, grid and energy names. After that comes Bitcoin. Then tax strategy, to free up more cash you can put to work. And finally, private markets, on the logic that good companies stay private longer now, so public investors see less of the upside than they did 20 years ago. Shaw says he keeps buying Bitcoin, but he warns in the same breath that it "can draw down hard and fast." Bitcoin dropped to a 21-month low in late June and is still down roughly half from its October 2025 record high above $126,000.
Meta’s AI Ambitions Keep Expanding. Is META Stock Keeping Up?
Q1 2026 delivered revenue of $56.31 billion growing 33.08% year over year and EPS of $10.44 beating consensus by 56.79%, the fifth straight beat. Reality Labs bled $4 billion in Q1 operating losses, yet even the bear case projects META reaching $765, which would represent an 18% gain. Our bull case pegs META at $1,015.75, a 57.23% return. FY25 capex hit $72.22 billion and 2026 guidance stretches to $145 billion.
CRM Stock: A Cash Gusher At A Marked-Down Price
Salesforce (CRM), the application software firm whose stock trades around $171 a share, generates a free cash flow yield of 9.9%, while the median S&P 500 company sits at just 4.1%. The company generated $42.83 billion in revenue over the last twelve months, a figure that grew 11.0% year-over-year. This new demand is translating into real money, with its Agentforce products now generating an annual recurring revenue run-rate "greater than $1 billion."
I Keep Buying Amazon Before This Inflection Point Skyrockets Prices
AWS grew 28% to $38B in Q1, and a 2027 free cash flow inflection should start converting Amazon's $364B enterprise backlog into high-margin revenue. Amazon trades at 29x forward earnings versus Microsoft while owning custom silicon that reduces NVIDIA dependence and protects AWS margins as AI workloads scale. Jassy's $200B capex collapsed TTM free cash flow 95%, but Amazon's record $140B operating cash flow funds the entire AI build without outside financing. AWS is re-accelerating on a base most companies would kill for. Q1 2026 revenue hit $37.59 billion, up 28% year over year, the fastest growth in 15 quarters, at a 37.7% operating margin.
Just a Handful of AI Stocks Are Carrying Everything. History Says It Doesn’t Have to End Badly
48% of Nasdaq 100 stocks sit in correction territory, yet 64% still hold above their 200-day moving average, signaling narrow but not broken leadership. During the 2022 bear market, roughly 80% of Nasdaq 100 stocks fell 20%-plus, making today's 48% reading elevated but far from collapse.
Will Anthropic Boost Alphabet’s Earnings to the Stratosphere?
Last quarter set a high bar. Alphabet posted an EPS beat of 94.1%, with $5.11 versus $2.63 expected, while revenue climbed 21.79% YoY to $109.9 billion. Google Cloud grew 63% to $20 billion, and backlog nearly doubled to $462 billion. Bank of America estimates the markup will drive roughly $80 billion in unrealized gains this quarter, prompting the firm to forecast EPS of $8.38, well above the Street. Any acceleration off the $20 billion base tells you TPU capacity is catching up. The $462 billion cloud backlog nearly doubled QoQ, and management expects just over 50% to convert to revenue within 24 months. Alphabet already raised 2026 capex to $180 to $190 billion and flagged 2027 will “significantly increase”.
Undervalued and Winning the AI Hyperscaler War: 3 Reasons Amazon is a No-Brainer Right Now
AMZN trades near a decade-low P/E of 29 while AWS compounds at 28% on a $150 billion base, implying 23% upside to analyst consensus. Trainium chips carry over $225 billion in revenue commitments and deliver 30% better price performance than GPUs, locking in long-term margin advantages. Free cash flow collapsed 95% to $1.2 billion as Amazon nearly doubled long-term debt funding a capex cycle prediction markets peg at $190 billion. AWS delivered 28% year-over-year growth in Q1 2026, the fastest pace in 15 quarters, on a $150 billion annualized base. The market prices this like a mature retailer, while the underlying business mix is a growth compounder. Capex land grab: Prediction markets assign a 96.7% probability that 2026 capex clears $190 billion. That spend locks in multi-gigawatt commitments from OpenAI (2 GW of Trainium), Anthropic (up to 5 GW), and Meta. AWS backlog stands at $364 billion, excluding Anthropic's $100 billion deal. Bedrock as enterprise nervous system: It serves over 125,000 customers, nearly 80% of the Fortune 100, and processed more tokens in Q1 than all prior years combined. Customer spend grew 170% quarter over quarter. Trailing free cash flow collapsed 95% to $1.2 billion. Long-term debt jumped to $119.1 billion from $65.6 billion, and Amazon is tapping the bond market for at least $25 billion more.
Arm receives higher price target from Jefferies on stronger AI-driven demand outlook
$18 billion in fiscal 2031, above the company's guidance of $15 billion. The total addressable market for CPUs could reach $200 billion by 2030, up from an earlier estimate of more than $100 billion. Jefferies expects Arm's AI CPUs to capture at least a 15% share of that market, with Meta projected to become the company's largest customer, followed by OpenAI, Oracle and ByteDance. The firm wrote that royalties from such products could exceed $7,000 per chip given the high average selling prices of GPUs, although volumes remain difficult to predict.
What's More Important For Intuitive Surgical: Today's Robots Or Tomorrow's Growth?
Revenue of $2.89 billion and earnings per share of $2.80 both topped Wall Street’s forecasts. The company placed 468 da Vinci systems, an 18% increase from last year, driven by strong demand for the new da Vinci 5 platform. Starting in the first half of 2027, an extended use program will “increase the number of uses on a subset of EndoWrist instruments to reduce costs for hospitals.
Raymond Dalio’s 3 Favorite Stocks: Buy, Sell or Hold?
Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN | AMZN Price Prediction) screens attractively on fundamentals. Q1 FY2026 delivered EPS of $2.78 versus a $1.73 consensus, a 60.69% beat, with revenue up 16.6% year over year to $181.52 billion. AWS reaccelerated to 28% growth, its fastest pace in 15 quarters, at a 37.7% operating margin. The custom chips franchise (Graviton, Trainium, Nitro) is now above a $20 billion revenue run rate with triple-digit growth. NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) continues to screen well on growth and returns. Q1 FY2027 revenue reached $81.6 billion, up 85.2% YoY, with Data Center at $75.25 billion (+92%) and Networking up 199%. Non-GAAP gross margin held at 75%, and free cash flow hit $48.55 billion. The stock trades at a forward P/E of 23 with a PEG of 1, remarkable for a business generating a 65.6% operating margin.
Microsoft earnings to spotlight Azure growth, AI spending
Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT)'s fiscal fourth quarter results will be a key test of the company's AI execution, with Azure growth, AI infrastructure spending and Microsoft 365 Copilot adoption expected to be the main focus when the software giant reports, according to Bank of America analysts. The analysts highlighted that Azure remains the key metric for investors, with Microsoft previously guiding for 39% to 40% year-over-year growth in constant currency. They wrote that demand continues to outpace capacity, while the company's first Fairwater data center facility in Wisconsin is now fully operational, supporting the conversion of commercial remaining performance obligations (RPO) into revenue. The analysts highlighted Microsoft's $627 billion commercial RPO balance reported last quarter and noted that management expects about 25% of that amount to be recognized over the next 12 months, which they said could help validate Microsoft's AI investment strategy. Bank of America estimates Q4 capital expenditures, including finance leases, will total about $42 billion, up 32% from the prior quarter and 74% from a year earlier, as Microsoft continues expanding AI compute capacity. The analysts expect the higher spending to pressure free cash flow in the near term and wrote that Azure growth at or above the company's 39% to 40% outlook is likely needed to support the stock, while a weaker result could raise concerns about returns on AI investments. They expect both metrics to continue growing as AI capacity expands.
Meta Platforms expected to top earnings estimates as ad growth remains healthy, says BofA
Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META, XETRA:FB2A, SIX:FB) is expected to deliver second quarter results above Wall Street expectations when it reports earnings on July 29, according to Bank of America analysts, who believe that healthy advertising demand and AI-driven improvements should support revenue and earnings despite foreign exchange headwinds. Bank of America revised its estimates and now expects Meta to report Q2 revenue of $60.6 billion and earnings per share of $7.50, above the consensus estimates of $60.2 billion and $7.18, respectively. The analysts wrote that their channel checks indicate healthy ad growth during the quarter and expect upside to earnings following Meta's workforce reductions in May. Looking ahead, Bank of America expects Meta to guide Q3 revenue to between $60.5 billion and $63.5 billion, representing growth of roughly 18% to 24% year over year. The firm estimates Q3 revenue of $63.5 billion and earnings per share of $7.22, compared with consensus expectations of $63 billion and $7.03. Bank of America also raised its longer-term forecasts, adding $5 billion in estimated 2027 revenue to reflect potential AI capacity benefits following reports of a possible compute agreement with Anthropic. The firm now estimates 2027 revenue of $316 billion and earnings per share of $35.00, while also increasing its 2028 revenue forecast. It wrote that Meta's valuation does not fully reflect the potential benefits of expanding AI capacity and identified growing visibility into new revenue streams, advertising gains from large language model integration, continued AI model improvements and chip advances as potential drivers of future sentiment.
Why Apple Stock Dropped Today
Heading into the Q3 2026 report due out July 30, the analyst warns that rising component costs will subtract 190 basis points from quarterly gross margin, which will average 36.8%. Next quarter's numbers could look even worse, with Q4 gross margins falling further to 34.1%.
Should You Buy ServiceNow (NOW) Before Earnings?
In Q1, revenue rose 22% year over year, despite a 75 basis point headwind from delayed deal closings amid Middle East conflict. For 2026, the company expects subscription revenue growth of about 20.5% to 21%. Backlog rose 23.5% to $27.7 billion.
Prediction: Salesforce Stock Will Reclaim $250 by 2028. Here's the Math.
Current Remaining Performance Obligations, a window into contracted future revenue, climbed 14% year over year to $33.6 billion. The fast-growing part of the story is AI. Salesforce said its Agentforce and Data 360 products reached nearly $3.4 billion in annual recurring revenue in the first quarter, up more than 200% year over year. Salesforce entered into a $25 billion accelerated share repurchase program this year, with the initial delivery retiring about 11% of shares outstanding.
ServiceNow Is Down 51% as Wall Street Bets AI Will Gut Its Business. July 22 Will Show Who's Right.
First-quarter subscription revenue rose 22% year over year to $3.67 billion, or 19% on a constant-currency basis, beating the high end of management's guidance. Current remaining performance obligations (cRPO), which represent contract revenue the company expects to recognize over the next 12 months, climbed 22.5% year over year to $12.64 billion. Also worth noting: Total remaining performance obligations, which capture all of ServiceNow's contracted revenue including amounts beyond the next 12 months, rose 25% year over year to $27.7 billion, growing faster than the current portion. Management's own targets make the scorecard simple. Guidance calls for second-quarter subscription revenue of $3.815 billion to $3.82 billion, or about 22.5% year-over-year growth.
CrowdStrike Stock Has Its Own Story
Over the last five years, CrowdStrike’s correlation to the S&P 500 is 0.54. A reading of 1.0 would mean it moves in perfect lockstep with the market; a 0 would mean no relationship at all. At 0.54, CRWD lives in a valuable middle ground: it’s influenced by the market’s general direction but absolutely maintains a mind of its own. The company reported a record Q1 net new ARR of $256 million, up 32% year over year.
AI capex to Pass $1 trillion by 2027: Strategist
North of a trillion? North of a trillion dollars because a lot of these companies are monetizing. They are monetizing the dollars they're spending. You're seeing rapid growth of the cloud businesses. And when you actually listen to what management teams are saying, Josh, most of them are saying the only reason we maybe didn't beat our numbers is because we're capacity constrained. So they have to make these investments. And so you're going to spend, you know, $2 trillion dollars to be able or, you know, you'll spend a trillion dollars to capitalize on a $2 trillion dollar backlog of cloud service agreements. That to me seems like money well spent.
Are ServiceNow’s New AI Integrations Quietly Redefining Its Platform Moat for Investors in NOW?
ServiceNow Investment Narrative Recap To own ServiceNow today, you need to believe that its AI Platform becomes core plumbing for enterprise workflows, supporting durable subscription growth despite sharp share price declines and AI disruption worries. Among the recent announcements, the Hitachi Digital Services partnership looks especially relevant. By feeding real time infrastructure monitoring data into the ServiceNow AI Platform and Workflow Data Fabric, it extends ServiceNow from IT help desks into mission critical physical operations. ServiceNow's narrative projects $23.6 billion revenue and $4.0 billion earnings by 2029. This requires 19.1% yearly revenue growth and a $2.2 billion earnings increase from $1.8 billion.
Salesforce (CRM) Lands Broad Air Force Role Managing A Global Military Vehicle Fleet
Managing a US$13,500 million fleet of more than 84,000 vehicles across 389 locations, with 7,300 personnel on an IL5 authorized platform, underlines Salesforce's ability to handle high security, high scale workloads.
CleanSpark (CLSK) Soars on Fresh Multi-Billion AI Investments
On Monday, its counterpart, Hut 8 Corp., clinched a new $9.8-billion leasing deal with an existing high-investment-grade company, boosting its total lease to 704 MW. IREN's customer base now includes Microsoft, NVIDIA, Perplexity, Figure AI, Together AI, Fluidstack, Fireworks AI, Fal AI, Hume AI, and a new leading AI developer, across both bare metal and managed cloud services. The agreement also covers the option to extend the lease for two five-year periods, which, if exercised, could boost its total leasing revenues to $11.6 billion. Institutional investors have grown increasingly bullish on CleanSpark Inc. (NASDAQ:CLSK) amid the rosy growth prospects from the artificial intelligence industry. Data from Insider Monkey showed that 37 hedge funds held positions in the company as of the first quarter of the year, up from 32 in the quarter prior.
Better "Magnificent Seven" Stock: Alphabet vs. Microsoft
Alphabet dominates the consumer-facing landscape, while Microsoft enjoys deep-rooted relationships with enterprises worldwide. Growth is accelerating across Alphabet, with revenue up 22% in the first quarter of 2026, compared with 12% a year ago. AI features, such as its AI overviews, are driving engagement in Google Search. Google's ad revenue increased 19% in the first quarter of 2026, versus 10% the prior year. Growth accelerated even more in Google Cloud, with revenue soaring 63% versus 28% a year ago, and operating profit more than tripling to $6.6 billion. Commercial remaining performance obligations doubled to a whopping $627 billion. Wall Street analysts estimate that both companies will grow earnings by about 16% to 17% annually over the next three to five years.
Is Amazon.com (AMZN) Undervalued Following Its $200b AI Infrastructure Push?
Against this backdrop, Amazon.com's share price return of 10.37% year to date and three year total shareholder return of 94.09% suggest momentum has been rebuilding as investors weigh its AI driven capex plans and AWS commitments against ongoing retail restructuring. Amazon delivered a powerhouse Q1 2026 performance, reporting its highest-ever operating margin and a significant re-acceleration in its cloud business. However, the report also underscored the staggering price of staying competitive in the AI arms race, sparking a complex reaction in its valuation. The stock trades on a 29.6x P/E, richer than both the global Multiline Retail industry at 19.8x and its peer average of 28.7x, yet still below a fair ratio of 44.1x.
2 Reason(s) to Buy Warren Buffett's Favorite Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock and Never Sell
AI is turbo-charging Alphabet's existing businesses Unlike most companies that pour capital into AI and hope the profits will follow, Alphabet is seeing immediate returns on its investments. Alphabet's core business, Google Search, grew revenue by 19.1% in the first quarter of 2026 versus 9.8% the year-ago quarter. Google Search now generates AI overviews, which management has noted is driving higher traffic. AI is also funneling significant business to Google Cloud. Cloud revenue grew by 63% in the first quarter to $20 billion, a sharp acceleration from 28% a year ago. Google Cloud is also emerging as a major profit center for the company, which has historically depended on digital ads for its profits. Operating income has more than tripled from a year ago, reaching nearly $6.6 billion in the first quarter. Google Cloud could add tens of billions of dollars to Alphabet's bottom line as Cloud continues to grow alongside rising AI adoption. The company has also successfully leveraged its ecosystem to compete in the AI space. By weaving Gemini into Chrome, Android, Google, Gmail, and other products, Alphabet has become a genuine threat to OpenAI and Anthropic. Gemini currently has an estimated 750 million active users.
Companies cutting entry-level jobs for AI risk losing future managers
Young workers just starting their careers are concentrated in the routine tasks AI already handles well. That group has been losing ground steadily since 2022, and the erosion has widened every month for close to four years. Erik Brynjolfsson, a Stanford economist who runs the university's Digital Economy Lab, wanted to know whether anecdotes about the junior tech job implosion held up against real payroll data. His team pulled millions of ADP records, and after adjusting for shocks specific to individual companies, it found that workers between 22 and 25 in the jobs AI reaches first had lost 16% of their employment relative to older colleagues doing the same work. Brynjolfsson hasn't stopped watching. He teamed up with ADP Research to build a live dashboard tracking the same cohorts through April, and the decline for the most exposed 22-to-25 group has sharpened to nearly 4% a year, up from under 3% after the first 12 months. Occupations where AI mostly replaces what a person used to do show the steepest losses among young workers. Occupations where AI helps a person do more without eliminating the role show stable or growing employment for the same age group. Entry-level work sits overwhelmingly in the first category. Most of a junior job is drafting a first version of a report, reconciling routine transactions, or summarizing a call. That's exactly the material AI has gotten good at fast. Companies are also hiring fewer junior people rather than cutting the pay of the ones they keep. So the person affected most, at least financially, is the young applicant who can't get through the door. The same jobs surface problems nobody assigned anyone to look for. Junior employees sit closer to the friction points than anyone above them, and they tend to notice what's broken before management does. Cutting these roles at scale doesn't just reshape a hiring plan. It changes what a large number of 22-year-olds do with their time, and history hasn't been kind to economies that leave large numbers of young adults without anywhere meaningful to go. A similar shift shows up wherever a company bothers to redesign the role instead of just automating it. Job descriptions become less about performing a task and more about checking whether the AI did it correctly, from producing a first draft to catching what the draft got wrong.
Should You Buy Alphabet Stock Before July 22? Wall Street Has a Clear Answer.
Revenue increased 22% to $109.8 billion, the fourth straight acceleration, driven by particularly strong sales growth in the cloud segment, which itself was due to insatiable demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. Meanwhile, net income increased 82% to $5.11 per diluted share, but that figure was inflated by unrealized investment gains, primarily from Alphabet's stake in SpaceX. Operating earnings, which excludes those investment gains, increased 29% to $39.6 billion. Alphabet didn't provide guidance for the second quarter. But the Wall Street consensus estimate says revenue will increase 21% to $116.8 billion and earnings (excluding the impact of unrealized investment gains) will increase 25% to $2.89 per diluted share. Investors should review management's commentary about capital expenditures (capex), meaning what the company plans to spend on property, plants, and equipment this year. During the first-quarter earnings call, management said capex would total $180 billion to $190 billion in 2026, slightly higher than what it projected earlier in the year. Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak estimates TPUs will account for 25% of Google Cloud revenue by 2028, up from about 5% today. In turn, he expects Google Cloud revenue to grow at 75% annually over that period, bringing Alphabet's companywide earnings per share to $19 in 2028.
Philip Morris (PM) Q2 Earnings: What To Expect
Philip Morris beat analysts' revenue expectations last quarter, reporting revenues of $10.15 billion, up 9.1% year on year. This quarter, the market is expecting Philip Morris's revenue to grow 4.6% year on year, slowing from the 7.1% increase it recorded in the same quarter last year. Philip Morris rarely misses Wall Street's revenue estimates.
Aerospace
3 Defense Stocks Poised to Benefit From Rising Global Military Budgets
Global military spending reached a record $2.9 trillion in 2025, NATO's combined defense budgets topped $1.5 trillion for the first time in 2026, and members have committed to a path toward spending 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. General Dynamics finished its most recent quarter with about $3.7 billion in cash, and net debt fell to roughly $4.4 billion from $5.7 billion at the end of 2025, meaning the company is paying down borrowings while still investing. Its total order backlog hit a record near $131 billion, with total potential contract value closer to $188 billion. Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) sits at the center of the highest-priority programs in defense, including the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, space systems, and missile defense, all areas that swell when threats rise. Its order backlog stands at a record of roughly $96 billion, giving it years of visible work. Curtiss-Wright carries roughly $958 million in total debt against about $371 million in cash and short-term investments, and its net debt sits at a conservative level relative to its equity. Just as important, it converts more than 105% of its earnings into free cash flow, and it recently raised its cash flow outlook toward the $580 million to $600 million range. New orders climbed 16%, and its order backlog reached about $4.3 billion, with roughly 90% of that expected to turn into revenue during the next three years.
AI rocket engine startup LegendSpace raises $29.5 million angel round
The angel round is notably as large as some early stage rounds for launch vehicle startups, and follows the company’s appearance in People’s Daily reports and the recent successful capture and recovery of the first stage of the Long March 10B rocket. A 2.5-ton-thrust liquid engine is currently in 3D-printed trial production, according to the announcement.
SpaceX vs. Archer Aviation: Which Aerospace Stock Is a High Flyer for 2026?
$18.7 billion, an increase of approximately 33% from the $14 billion reported in the previous year. $5 billion for the fiscal year. approximately 1.4x, indicating the company maintains sufficient short-term assets to cover its immediate liabilities. about negative $14 billion in FY 2025. roughly 28.7% of operating cash flow, inflating reported cash generation, since SBC is a non-cash expense added back in the cash flow statement. $300,000. approximately $618.2 million. roughly 0.1x. negative at $511.7 million, representing the cash remaining after operating and capital spending are covered. SpaceX operates in a technically complex environment where launch failures or mission delays can result in significant financial setbacks. The company faces stiff competition from established aerospace giants like The Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT). Rapidly evolving regulations regarding satellite constellations and space debris also pose potential hurdles for its Starlink division. Archer Aviation faces significant regulatory and certification risks, as it must secure final approvals from the FAA before launching commercial flights. The company has incurred over $2.3 billion in losses since its inception and requires substantial capital to scale its manufacturing and infrastructure. It also faces intense competition from Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY) and must navigate ongoing legal proceedings regarding trade secrets. Neither is projected to make a profit in the coming 12 months, while Space Exploration Technologies maintains a lower valuation relative to its current sales. Sector benchmark uses the SPDR XLI sector ETF. Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers. Expectations are that scaling up quickly will happen, with Wall Street analysts projecting $39 billion in sales for fiscal 2026 with a much lower net loss, around $1.6 billion, and move into profitability in 2027. The lack of free cash flow appears to be crushing; however, projections indicate free cash flow will be negative $28 billion this year, then jump to negative $67 billion in 2027. $85.7 billion this year. A lot still has to happen for Archer's aircraft to get into the skies, but the notion that the nation's airspace is being regulated in a way that is holding back growth is one that has found favor. Archer is taking steps to refurbish a small Los Angeles airport for use as its testing grounds and is working to scale up its manufacturing capabilities to eventually reach capacity for 50 planes a year. Management has an initial plan to focus on military and cargo uses for its plane, which would be an easier path to early revenue.
Airbus Secures $17.8 Billion China Jet Orders Before Farnborough Air Show
Airbus (EADSY), the European planemaker, has secured aircraft orders from Air China, a Chinese airline, and Hainan Airlines, another Chinese carrier, with a combined transaction value of about $17.8 billion. Late last year, state-owned Air China purchased 60 Airbus jets in a transaction valued at $9.53 billion. During the same month, Spring Airlines and Juneyao Airlines, two privately owned Chinese carriers, signed Airbus aircraft deals worth a combined $8.2 billion. Boeing has been working to end a lengthy period without a major Chinese order. During U.S. President Donald Trump's May visit to China, Trump said the country had agreed to order 200 large Boeing aircraft, although the specific jets covered by that agreement remain unclear.
Archer stock rips 18% higher as company unveils military craft with Anduril
Archer Aviation CEO Adam Goldstein said the company is laser-focused on getting its air taxis certified and flying by the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Archer on Monday unveiled its Thunder autonomous vertical takeoff and landing defense craft with Anduril, designed to accompany crewed aircraft and helicopters. The companies first joined forces in 2024. Goldstein called defense applications a "huge market" for Archer amid rising geopolitical tensions abroad.
GE Aerospace CEO: $210B Backlog and Historic Transatlantic Flight Proves Hybrid-Electric Aviation Is Coming
GE Aerospace beat Q2 estimates with adjusted EPS of $2.02, raised full-year EPS guidance, and holds a $210 billion engine and services backlog. Boeing's 737 running at 42 per month and its $695 billion commercial backlog directly fuel demand for GE's LEAP and GEnx engine programs. Management lifted full-year 2026 guidance to adjusted EPS of $7.65 to $7.85, operating profit of $10.55 to $10.75 billion, and free cash flow of $8.90 to $9.20 billion. The demand signal driving those numbers is a backlog Culp put at $210 billion between new engines and aftermarket services.
Lockheed Martin Faces Hypersonic Missile Delays as $50 Billion Program Hits Production Issues
At least $50 billion remains earmarked for the Army program and the Navy's related Conventional Prompt Strike weapon, according to the Government Accountability Office. The agency said quality and production problems have delayed testing and deliveries, while the current production rate for the Navy's missile remains well below its target of 12 rounds per year.
Should You Buy Rocket Lab Stock Below $70?
Combined, this aggressive push to vertically integrate space economy services has led to $680 million in trailing 12-month revenue, up over 1,000% in the last five years. Rocket Lab trades at a price-to-sales ratio (P/S) of 55, which is an extreme multiple rarely seen in the stock market.
Boeing, Airbus Delivery Delays May Persist Another Five Years, BA Warns
Boeing was required to limit production of its bestselling narrowbody aircraft following a near-catastrophic incident involving a 737 Max in early 2024, while Airbus has faced shortages involving parts and aircraft interior components.
Should You Buy SpaceX Stock 11% Below Its IPO Price?
SpaceX spent $7.7 billion in capex for its AI business, representing an annual run rate of $30.8 billion. The company's losses could get even worse as it continues to invest small fortunes within its artificial intelligence (AI) segment, where it sees a massive $26.5 trillion opportunity.
IHI explores Kuva hyperspectral satellites for Japan’s multi-sensor constellation
According to Kuva, around 20 Hyperfield-2 satellites would be enough to provide daily coverage of about 20 million square kilometers across Japan, neighboring countries and surrounding ocean areas. The Japanese group, which deployed a hyperspectral demonstrator last year that was built by Lithuania’s Kongsberg NanoAvionics, has been evaluating data and analytics from Kuva’s Hyperfield-1 spacecraft since November.
Boeing and MSC Air Cargo Announce Order for 777-8 Freighters
The 777-8 Freighter offers the highest payload and the lowest fuel use, emissions and operating cost per tonne of any large freighter.
BOC Aviation confirms order for up to 220 engines from RTX's Pratt & Whitney
Over 2,800 GTF-powered aircraft are operated globally by more than 90 customers, and the order backlog of over 8,000 GTF engines reflects strong market demand for its proven benefits.
Bio
Biohaven to Present New Clinical Data at ESMO Congress on BHV-1530, a Novel FGFR3-Directed ADC With a Proprietary Topoisomerase I (TopoIx) Payload
Early clinical activity observed: Phase 1 dose-escalation data show early tumor reductions in patients with Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR)3-altered and wild-type overexpressing tumors. Signal activity including confirmed partial responses in heavily pretreated patients in multiple tumor types. Differentiated safety profile: No dose-limiting toxicities and no FGFR inhibitor-class toxicities observed, supporting a potentially broader therapeutic index than approved FGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Potential to expand the addressable FGFR3 population: Unlike FGFR TKIs, which are restricted to the ~15–20% of metastatic urothelial cancer patients with FGFR3 alterations, BHV-1530 is designed to target FGFR3 regardless of alteration status, including wild-type overexpression seen in approximately 50% of metastatic urothelial cancer cases as well as other tumor types that overexpress FGFR3. 1019P - Phase 1 study of BHV-1530, a first-in-class FGFR3 ADC in Advanced Tumors October 23, 2026: 15:15 - 16:00 The new Phase 1 data planned for ESMO will provide a clinically meaningful update to the early Phase 1 data initially disclosed at Biohaven's R&D Day on May 27, 2026. The new data will include signals of clinical activity demonstrated in the ongoing Phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation study of BHV-1530 in patients with advanced solid tumors. This included a heavily pretreated patient with FGFR3-TACC3 fusion–positive metastatic urothelial cancer who had progressed on four prior lines of therapy, including Padcev (a nectin-4-directed ADC), pembrolizumab, and two FGFR-targeting small molecules. This patient has tolerated BHV-1530 with no FGFR-related toxicity. The data has shown a favorable safety profile, with no dose-limiting toxicities and no FGFR inhibitor–class toxicities, such as hyperphosphatemia, nail disorders, stomatitis, or retinopathy, that commonly constrain dosing and duration of approved FGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
OKYO Pharma files annual report, highlights cash position and Phase 3 trial plans
OKYO Pharma Ltd (NASDAQ:OKYO) announced on Monday that it has filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, while outlining its financial position and progress toward a planned Phase 3 clinical trial for its lead drug candidate. The company reported cash and cash equivalents of approximately $20.6 million as of the end of March 2026, which it said is expected to fund operations through completion of the planned global Phase 3 pivotal trial for urcosimod, its investigational treatment for neuropathic corneal pain. OKYO plans to begin the Phase 3 NEPTUNE trial in the second half of 2026. The study is expected to enroll about 111 patients across the US and Europe, with participants randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either 0.05% urcosimod or placebo in a single-dose regimen
Dyne gains FDA acceptance of z-rostudirsen BLA for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
The US FDA has accepted Dyne Therapeutics' (DYN) BLA for its Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment, zeleciment rostudirsen (z-rostudirsen). The asset also has priority review and an action date of January 21, 2027.
Cathie Wood Is Buying This Up-and-Coming Biotech Stock. Should You Follow Her Lead?
Updated phase 1/2 data showed that a single treatment produced substantial increases in functional alpha-1 antitrypsin protein. The company has selected its optimal dose and expects to begin a global clinical trial in the second half of 2026. Beam is also developing ristoglogene autogetemcel (risto-cel), a potential one-time treatment for sickle cell disease. So far, clinical results have been encouraging, showing that the therapy can restore healthy function to red blood cells by increasing production of fetal hemoglobin. This is a key protein that helps prevent the painful complications caused by the disease. The company expects to file for approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the end of 2026. If approved, risto-cel would become Beam's first commercial product, transforming it from a company focused solely on research into one capable of generating product revenue. Beam also plans to seek FDA approval to begin human testing of BEAM-304, a potential treatment for phenylketonuria (PKU). This rare inherited disorder prevents the body from properly breaking down the amino acid phenylalanine. Left untreated, the condition can lead to serious neurological problems. At the end of the first quarter, the company reported $1.21 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities. Management believes that its cash, combined with a financing deal it has with specialty finance firm Sixth Street, is sufficient to fund operations through mid-2029.
Reading Between The Lines Of JNJ Stock's Latest Call
When a company raises guidance, it’s a clear signal of confidence. But the first analyst question on the call politely challenged management to look under the hood of its $400 million revenue guidance boost. The real question was whether powerful pharmaceutical growth was simply masking new weakness in medical devices. The CFO’s response was telling: he called that a “fair characterization.” The confidence, he explained, comes from the torrid pace of new drug launches and the stunning 71% growth of immunology drug TREMFYA. But he also conceded that the company has “tempered expectations” for its Abiomed heart pump business. The answer was direct, confirming the guidance raise is real, but that it relies heavily on one side of the house to outperform. The source of that caution is the MedTech division, where results were admittedly “not to our standards.” The Abiomed business saw sales decline 2% this quarter, a jarring reversal for a key growth asset. Analysts pressed hard on whether this was a JNJ-specific problem or the beginning of a broader slowdown in hospital procedures that could hit the entire sector. Management’s answer was that they are “not seeing evidence of a broad-based slowdown” in demand. They framed the issues as specific and contained: an inventory adjustment in China for the electrophysiology business and, more importantly, physician caution following a “neutral clinical trial” related to Abiomed’s Impella pumps. The One Thing to Watch Ultimately, management’s message was to trust the pharma engine. New launches like ICOTYDE are off to a fast start, with 11,000 patients already on therapy, and the core portfolio is firing on all cylinders. They are betting this momentum is more than enough to hit their raised targets, even with a temporary MedTech stumble. Pair Sharp Questions With Real Diversification Pressing on the questions management would rather skip is how good investors avoid nasty surprises. But it is a single-stock exercise, and even a sector ETF only widens the bet to a single theme.
Claude AI Disagrees With President Trump on Eli Lilly (LLY)
The Pill Losing the Prescription War: Eli Lilly Vs Novo Nordisk Claude's "losing share" claim checks out. Novo Nordisk's (NYSE: NVO) oral Wegovy pill has pushed new-to-brand prescriptions for the Wegovy franchise back above Eli Lilly's tirzepatide (Zepbound/Mounjaro) in the US, and Eli Lilly's own oral entrant, Foundayo (orforglipron), has underperformed the Wegovy pill's launch curve so far, according to third-party tracking data. Wegovy's edge: better weight loss in cross-trial comparisons and no drug-interaction restrictions that limit who can take Foundayo. Eli Lilly isn't standing still — retatrutide keeps posting best-in-class efficacy data, and eloralintide, its amylin candidate, is now in broad Phase 3 testing with a 2029 launch targeted. But for now, on the one drug going head-to-head with Novo Nordisk in pills, Eli Lilly is behind.
Consumer / Retail
Domino’s Pizza revenue tops forecasts despite second-quarter earnings miss
Revenue rose to $1.19 billion, ahead of the consensus estimate of $1.18 billion and up 4.3% from $1.15 billion in the same quarter last year. Domino's reported U.S. same-store sales growth of 0.1%, while international same-store sales, excluding foreign exchange effects, declined 0.1%. Global retail sales increased 3.0% on the same basis. Operating income increased 3.1% to $232.0 million, compared with $225.0 million a year earlier. Excluding a $1.1 million favourable foreign exchange impact, operating income rose 2.6%. The company's leverage ratio improved to 4.3 times from 4.7 times in the corresponding period last year. Domino's also reported an improvement in supply chain profitability, with gross margin increasing by 0.2 percentage points to 12.0%, supported by procurement efficiencies despite higher food costs.
Americans Have A New ‘Magic Number’ to Retire. But 1 in 3 Have More Credit Card Debt Than Savings.
According to Schroders' 2026 U.S. Retirement Survey, released July 15, 2026, workplace retirement plan participants now say they need $1.2 million to retire comfortably. The target keeps rising, while the ability to reach it keeps shrinking, and credit card debt is the wedge driving the two apart. Schroders found participants pegging their comfortable-retirement figure at $1.2 million. For context on how much these estimates vary and how fast they are climbing, Northwestern Mutual's 2026 Planning & Progress Study, published in April, put the number even higher, at $1.46 million, up roughly 15% from the year before. The Schroders survey found that one in three Americans carry more credit card debt than they hold in retirement savings. With credit card APRs sitting at 20.94% as of May 2026, near record territory, high-interest debt outweighs long-term savings and the math of retirement stops working before it even begins. A striking 81% of participants say they are at least somewhat worried about running out of money in retirement. More than half, 51%, expect to retire with less than $500,000 saved, less than half of the very number they say they need. Only 30% believe they will ever hit the $1 million mark at all. Nearly seven in ten participants cite rising healthcare, housing, insurance, and utility costs as pushing retirement further out of reach. The U.S. personal savings rate has slid from 6.2% in the first quarter of 2024 to 3.9% in the first quarter of 2026. According to Schroders, 27% of participants have cut their workplace retirement contributions, and 70% of those cuts happened in just the past two years. Another 27% have borrowed directly from their retirement accounts, most often to pay down credit card debt or cover an emergency.
Ryanair Q1 profit falls 34% on Iran war fuel costs, lower fares
Ryanair reported first-quarter profit after tax of €538 million for the three months through June 30, down 34% from €820 million a year earlier, as the Iran war pushed unhedged jet fuel prices above $150 a barrel and prompted travelers to delay bookings, forcing the airline to cut fares. The company reported an 11% increase in operating costs to €3.81 billion, the company said. Passenger fares fell 6% year-on-year, and total revenue rose just 1% to €4.38 billion despite a 6% increase in traffic to 61.3 million passengers. Ryanair declined to give a full-year profit forecast, saying it was too early to do so given limited visibility into second-half bookings. Chief financial officer Neil Sorahan said weaker airlines face mounting pressure. "I wouldn't be surprised to see some casualties from some of the weaker guys this year," Sorahan told Reuters, noting his expectation that European aviation would shed meaningful capacity heading into winter in a shift he believes would support higher ticket prices.
Volvo Cars posts Q2 profit as US shows signs of recovery, China remains weak
Skr5bn ($517.6m) in targeted full-year cost savings had been delivered, six months earlier than planned. Quarterly revenue came in at Skr77.67bn, down from Skr93.49bn in the same period of 2025, a figure that included a Skr4bn one-off positive effect. Net income for the quarter was Skr417m, compared with a net loss of Skr8.10bn a year earlier. Operating income (EBIT) stood at Skr826m, against a loss of Skr9.95bn in Q2 2025. Fully electric vehicles made up 25% of sales, up from 21% a year earlier, while electrified models – including plug-in hybrids – accounted for 52%, up from 44%. Overall volumes fell 5.6% year-on-year (YoY) in the quarter, although they rose compared with the first quarter of 2026. Battery-electric vehicle sales across the region, including Türkiye, climbed 23% YoY. The Skr5bn in indirect and variable cost reductions achieved so far this year follows Skr8bn in savings delivered in 2025. Volvo Cars attributed the progress to structural changes, including a headcount reduction of around 3,000 roles compared with the first half of 2025. Looking ahead, the company said it anticipates markedly stronger sales in the second half of the year relative to the first, driven by growth in Europe and ongoing recovery in the US, even as conditions in China remain difficult.
At 50, she quit her career to retire to Mexico — then spent 'year one' making endless mistakes. Here's what she learned
More than 460,000 Americans claim retired worker Social Security benefits from foreign countries, according to the Social Security Administration (2). A 2024 poll found that 17% of Americans age 55 and older would like to settle in another country (3).
How The American Dream Became A High-Stakes Gamble
49% of adults under the age of 30 living with a parent in 2025, up by 6 percentage points since 2022, and up 12 percentage points since 2019.
Domino's Pizza Q2 2026 earnings: revenue beats, profit misses
Domino's Pizza reported second-quarter revenue of $1.19 billion on Monday, up 4.3% from a year ago and ahead of analyst estimates, though earnings per share fell short of expectations as soft consumer spending weighed on restaurant demand. Diluted EPS came in at $4.07, missing analyst expectations of $4.17 per share, according to CNBC. Revenue of $1.19 billion edged past the consensus estimate of $1.18 billion. Supply-chain revenue climbed 6.5% to $731.7 million, reflecting stronger store ordering activity and a 2.2% uptick in food-basket pricing. U.S. same-store sales edged up just 0.1% for the period ended June 14, the weakest quarterly showing in more than a year. Analysts had forecast a 0.62% gain. International same-store sales, excluding foreign currency effects, declined 0.1%, while analysts had expected a 0.5% increase, according to CNBC. Operating income reached $232.0 million, a 3.1% improvement over the prior-year quarter. Net income rose to $135.8 million, a 3.6% year-over-year gain, aided in part by a favorable $3.6 million swing in unrealized and realized losses tied to the company's investment in DPC Dash Ltd, the company said. Global retail sales, excluding foreign currency impact, grew 3.0%.
NN secures firearms component manufacturing contracts, sending shares higher
During the past three years, the company has secured more than 20 new programmes with an estimated annual value of between $30 million and $35 million. The Defence & Electronics segment currently generates almost $60 million in annual revenue, with management targeting $100 million over the next five years.
National Marketing, Unit-Level Support Drive Sales at Tropical Smoothie
Tropical Smoothie opened its 1,700th location in April, which is roughly 330 more than when Blackstone bought the brand in 2024 at a $2 billion valuation. It's set to open store No. 1,800 by the end of the year and has more than 900 stores in the pipeline. CEO Max Wetzel, who was appointed in 2024 after Charles Watson stepped down, said the brand consolidated its media efforts last year. National marketing campaigns have increased brand awareness by 19 percent year over year, according to the company, and the number of loyalty members is at 12 million, a 25 percent increase since this time last year. Franchisees pay a 5 percent national marketing fee, on top of the 6 percent royalty fee.
CMG in Integration Mode as Multi-Brand Franchisee Also Adds Arby’s, Dunkin’ to Portfolio
Today, the group has 160 stores with both KFC and Taco Bell, along with 271 Sonic units, 61 Little Caesars restaurants, 40 Ace Hardware outlets and seven Valvoline Instant Oil Change shops. CMG also added Arby's and Dunkin' to its system, acquiring 121 units with the former and developing a pipeline of new coffee shops with the latter. Established 25 years ago, CMG Companies operates more than 600 units across the aforementioned brands, along with other concepts.
2 Goldman Sachs July Conviction List Additions Have Huge Double-Digit Upside Potential
Analyst Bonnie Herzog sees Estee Lauder (EL) hitting $100 on an innovation-driven revenue inflection and 450 basis points of margin expansion over three years. Nextpower (NXT) is evolving from a pure solar tracker into a power technology platform, with Goldman Sachs projecting a 10% EPS CAGR through 2029. Goldman Sachs analyst Brian Lee said this: NXT's business model is evolving from a pure-play utility-scale solar-tracking company into a power technology platform built around a solar core, with the potential to sustain long-term growth and a premium valuation vs. peers in the space. Over time, look for tracking revenue to fall to two-thirds of total revenue, while other, value-added, and margin-enhancing services, including electrical work, batteries, and software solutions, grow to a third of total revenue, driving a ~10% non-GAAP EPS CAGR through FY 2029 (ended March). Goldman Sachs analyst Richard Ramsden provided this: WFC continues to shift from defense to offense, as it is in the midst of a balance sheet expansion initiative while simultaneously benefiting from a very strong capital markets backdrop and strength in its credit card business. Look for a supportive US economy, a constructive environment, and concerted efforts to control costs to help drive 300bp+ of margin expansion, helping to fuel a 17.6% ROTCE by 2028. The Goldman Sachs price target is $100, which would be a 22% gain from current levels. The Goldman Sachs target price of $168 would represent a 63% gain. The $93 Goldman Sachs price target would represent a 6% gain, so this is more of a total return idea.
Costco opens first standalone gas station in Southern California
Costco reported record gasoline volumes during its fiscal third quarter, with the five weeks ending in mid-May producing the highest gas-sales weeks in company history.
Costco Is a No-Brainer Buy for Retirement Investors Right Now
Costco posted Q3 FY2026 revenue of $70.53 billion, up 11.58% year over year, with net income climbing 15.19% to $2.19 billion. Membership fees alone reached $1.37 billion, up 10.7%, with a worldwide renewal rate of 89.7% and 75.0% executive-tier penetration. Cash and equivalents jumped to $18.95 billion, a 36.93% year-over-year gain, while shareholders’ equity expanded 23.54%. Walmart’s quarterly revenue grew just 7.3% versus Costco’s 11.58%, and quarterly earnings growth was 19.4% against Costco’s 15.19% off a much larger base. Retail sales hit a high of $763.7 billion in May, a 90.9th percentile reading.
The 0.50% Fee Question: Active CLO Management or Cheap Alternatives
The Federal Reserve has held the target rate at 3.75% for roughly seven months following three 25-basis-point cuts since September 2025. Credit conditions remain cooperative. Card delinquencies drifted from 2.98% in July 2025 to 2.92% in January 2026, still in what the Fed calls the normalizing zone. CLOZ pays monthly with a trailing 12-month total of $1.93 per share and a yield near 7.3%. Total return over the past year runs about 6%, including reinvested distributions. Since its inception in early 2023, annualized returns have been roughly 10%. Distributions have softened as rates fell, with monthly payouts sliding from $0.17 in March 2026 to roughly $0.14 in July. JAAA returned nearly 5% over the past year on a price basis. That is roughly a point behind CLOZ, reflecting the extra yield potential that comes from moving lower in the capital stack.
AMC Entertainment Q2 2026 earnings: record revenue, surprise profit
Total domestic revenues grew 13% year over year, outpacing the broader domestic box office, which rose 10.7% to approximately $2.99 billion — the largest box office quarter in seven years, the company said. Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded from 13.6% in the same period last year to 20.1% in the second quarter. For the first six months of 2026, AMC's revenues are up 16.9% compared with the same period a year earlier, the company said. Adjusted EBITDA for the first half of the year reached $359.7 million, up from $131.8 million in the first half of 2025. AMC is the largest movie theater operator in the United States and globally, with approximately 850 theaters and 9,500 screens worldwide, the company said.
FedEx spreads shipping fees to EU, more zip codes
The biggest takeaway is not just that FedEx is raising rates on a continual basis, but how those increases have been distributed. Many shippers now see accessorial charges in the high-30% to low-40% range as a share of spend, with some exceeding 50%, LJM said in an article on its website. The constant micro-adjustments mean businesses should review their contracts more than once a year, it added. For delivery area surcharges, the move from extended to remote represents an increase of $11.20 per package for commercial shipments and $7.95 per package for residential shipments. Lower tiers received more modest increases. For pickup area surcharges, the extended-to-remote promotion adds $7.20 per stop. The inbound processing fee is a flat, per-shipment fee FedEx charges to cover the administrative work of customers clearance, on top of mandatory government import charges. Because it's charged per shipment rather than as a percentage of value, the processing fee behaves very differently across shippers. A company sending a small number of high-value B2B shipments will barely feel the impact, but high-volume shippers of individual parcels will face a large bill, experts say. FedEx on Monday also raised its disbursement fee, a charge for advancing duties and taxes on a customer's behalf from the greater of $15 or 2% of duty, tax and merchandise processing charges to the greater of $17.50 or 2.5%.
Will Lincoln Educational Services (LINC) Benefit from Reskilling Amid AI Adoption?
One-month return of Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (NASDAQ:LINC) was -11.90%, and its shares gained 90.53% over the past 52 weeks. LINC and UTI are the two largest technical colleges in the US. I expect them to continue opening new campuses and growing student counts. Based on management guidance, they're both quite cheap looking out a few years, net of startup costs for new campuses.
UK retailers issue five profit warnings in Q2 amid Middle East conflict
Across the first half of 2026 overall, FTSE retailers issued eight profit warnings in total, two more than the six recorded over the equivalent period last year. Policy shifts and geopolitical instability were identified as a key driver behind 53% of these warnings, the highest proportion attributed to this factor in more than 25 years of the report's history. The report also notes that 18% of all UK-listed companies, nearly one in five, have issued at least one profit warning in the past year.
Should You Be Bullish on Universal Technical Institute (UTI)?
One-month return of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) was 0.27%, and its shares gained 25.17% over the past 52 weeks. LINC and UTI are the two largest technical colleges in the US. I expect them to continue opening new campuses and growing student counts.
Walmart Bets vs Procter & Gamble: Two Consumer Titans, Two Strategies, One Winner
Walmart's eCommerce jumped 26% and marketplace sales nearly 50% while P&G faces a $400M annual tariff hit with only 3% organic growth. Walmart's capex surged 34% to $6.7B, temporarily pushing free cash flow negative while funding the ad and marketplace flywheel behind its 21% one-year gain. Omnichannel Momentum Meets Beauty-Led Defense Walmart's Q1 FY27 landed on May 21, 2026 with revenue of $175.68 billion, up 6.08% year over year, and adjusted EPS of $0.66. The real story sits underneath: global eCommerce grew 26% and now represents 23% of total net sales, marketplace sales jumped nearly 50%, and global advertising climbed 37%. New CEO John Furner emphasized "better shopping experiences, a broader assortment, and faster delivery", and it shows in 4.1% U.S. comp growth powered by upper-income households. P&G reported Q3 FY26 on April 24, 2026 with net sales of $21.235 billion, up 7.4%, and core EPS of $1.59. Organic growth was a steadier 3%, with Beauty leading at 7% organic behind Hair Care, Personal Care, and Skin Care.
Domino’s Pizza shares rise as quarterly revenue tops estimates
Revenue increased 4.3% year over year to $1.19 billion, slightly ahead of expectations of $1.18 billion. Global retail sales, excluding foreign currency impacts, rose 3.0% from a year earlier. U.S. same-store sales increased 0.1%, while international same-store sales, excluding foreign currency effects, declined 0.1%. Domino's added a net 209 stores during the quarter, including 26 in the United States and 183 internationally, bringing its global store count to 22,531. Income from operations increased 3.1% to $232.0 million, while net income rose 3.6% to $135.8 million. Diluted earnings per share increased 6.8% from $3.81 a year earlier, aided by share repurchases that reduced the weighted average share count. Domino's CEO Russell Weiner said the company delivered meaningful order count growth despite ongoing pressure on consumer demand across the U.S. quick-service restaurant industry.
Price Prediction: Cisco Stock Will Double on This Date
Shares are up 47.42% year to date, and CEO Chuck Robbins raised the AI order target for fiscal 2026 to $9 billion from $5 billion. The analyst target is $130.23, backed by 4 Strong Buy, 13 Buy, 8 Hold, 0 Sell, and 1 Strong Sell ratings, with 65% bullish sentiment. Our model puts the 12-month base case at $133.49 for a 19.25% upside, with a bull scenario of $139.62 and confidence rated at 90%.
I'd Buy More Chipotle Mexican Grill Before the Market Figures Out What It's Missing
First-quarter same-store sales (comps) increased a tepid 0.5%, and management expects flat comps for the year. Increased visits contributed 0.6 percentage points, indicating people still like going to the fast-casual restaurant chain. Spending subtracted 0.1 percentage points from comps as customers ordered lower-priced menu items. Its first-quarter operating income dropped 17.1% year over year to $397.1 million. The company expects to open 350 to 370 locations this year. Over the past year, through July 16, the share price lost nearly 36%.
The Real Risk Inside UnitedHealth Stock
While investors celebrate strength in government-sponsored plans, UnitedHealth’s commercial business is struggling with what executives call “stubbornly high” costs. Medical cost trends in this segment are now running “modestly above 11%,” according to the company, an acceleration from previous levels. This isn’t a temporary blip. Management now says the “sticky nature of the persistent and elevated trend is extending the timeframe for full margin recovery past 2027.”
Why Dan Ives Maintains His Sky High Target on IBM After Its Largest Crash Ever
IBM plunged more than 26% in one week after management preannounced Q2 results well below consensus. The reaction was severe. IBM had beaten estimates for four consecutive quarters, and trailing free cash flow for Q1 2026 had softened to $2.22 billion, down 44.15% year over year. Fundamentals support this view. IBM Z mainframe revenue grew 51% year over year in Q1 2026, and the generative AI book of business crossed $12.5 billion inception-to-date by Q4 2025. Management reaffirmed FY2026 guidance for more than 5% constant currency revenue growth and roughly $1 billion of free cash flow improvement. IBM trades at a forward P/E of 17 with a 3% dividend yield, but Polymarket prices an 83% probability of another earnings miss on July 22. Consensus $273.75 target across 23 analysts implies about 29% upside, while Ives' $350 print target pushes that to roughly 65%.
The Real Cost of Retiring in Margaritaville, America’s Most Laid-Back Retirement Community
$17,000 housing line within a decade, silently gutting the lifestyle budget. That $80,000 delivers what the brochure promises. It exceeds the $78,535 average annual household expenditure the BLS reported for 2024, which makes sense, because you are buying an amenity-heavy lifestyle in a warm-weather state where Florida's cost of living index sits at 103.4, above the national average. The Social Security line in national personal income data ran $1,630.3 billion in the first quarter of 2026, and the average retired worker benefit is close to $1,980 a month. A couple where both claim at full retirement age can reasonably expect about $52,000 combined. With the 2026 COLA finalized at 2.8%, that base holds pace with inflation. Budget of $80,000 minus $52,000 of Social Security leaves a $28,000 annual gap to fund from the portfolio. At a 4% withdrawal rate, that requires $700,000 invested. At a more conservative 3.5%, which suits a 30-year horizon and Florida insurance uncertainty, you need $800,000. That $800,000 assumes the house is paid for. If you finance $300,000 at current mortgage rates, add roughly $22,000 yearly in principal and interest and your portfolio target moves toward $1.4 million. The paid-off house is the pivot point. Florida homeowners premiums have roughly doubled over five years in many zip codes.
3 Dividend Stocks That Pass Buffett’s Test: Buy, Sell or Hold?
Comparable sales rose 9.8% and digital comps jumped 21.5%, and management is on track for roughly 940 warehouses by fiscal year end. The dividend has climbed from $1.02 in early 2024 to $1.47 today, with periodic specials layered on top. Q2 revenue of $2.39 billion, up 14.74%, and EPS of $0.33. Contract customer daily sales grew 17.6%, now 75.8% of revenue, and June sales surged 20.5%. Returns are elite, with return on equity of 34.3% and a 1.97% dividend yield. Q1 FY2026 net revenue rose 14.6% to $10.90 billion, payments volume grew 8% in constant dollars, and processed transactions hit 69.4 billion. Operating margin is 67.3% and return on equity is 60.4%.
Winmark's 2026 Outlook: Why the Stock Has Stalled Since 2023 Despite Rising Royalties
Revenue has expanded at a low-to-mid single-digit CAGR in recent years, reflecting a business that is effectively saturated within its existing retail niches. Royalty growth of 6% reflects steady optimization after the company exited its leasing business. The company maintained a 98% franchise renewal rate and gross margins consistently exceeding 96%. Operating cash flow increased 7% in 2025 to $45 million, supporting robust liquidity. Return on assets consistently exceeded 125% throughout the 2021-2025 period. Just last week, the firm reported that second-quarter royalties rose 7.8% to $20.1 million, and first-half revenue crept up to $42.8 million from $42.3 million, respectable numbers for a franchisor with 1,383 stores and a 98% renewal rate, but nowhere near what a 35 times earnings multiple demands. The firm also reported that earnings per share fell year over year to $2.81 last quarter from $2.89 one year prior, adding to a performance gap that seems to be precisely why shares have gone roughly nowhere since the 2023 run-up, rising just 3% this past year. Royalties should compound at mid-to-high single digits, cash flow should stay heavy, and the dividend, now $1.02 quarterly, should keep climbing.
Domino's Pizza Q2 Earnings Call Highlights
U.S. order counts stayed strong in Q2, but same-store sales came in softer than expected because average ticket weakened and the prior-year Stuffed Crust launch created a tough comparison. Domino's announced a leadership transition: incoming CEO Joe Jordan will take over in October, while current CEO Russell Weiner moves to executive chairman next year. The company kept its full-year outlook mostly intact, including low-single-digit U.S. and international same-store sales growth, while slightly trimming its U.S. new-store target to about 175 as macro pressure weighed on franchisee pipeline growth. Domino's Pizza (NASDAQ:DPZ) executives said second-quarter U.S. demand remained strong in terms of order counts, but a weaker-than-expected ticket dragged on same-store sales as the company lapped last year's Stuffed Crust Pizza launch. On the company's rescheduled second-quarter 2026 earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Russell Weiner said the company grew order counts "meaningfully" across both delivery and carryout, even as the broader quick-service restaurant industry faced pressure from macroeconomic uncertainty and heightened competition. However, he said same-store sales fell short of expectations because the company's premium series and Slice Sauce promotion did not resonate with customers enough to offset the prior-year benefit from Stuffed Crust. Global retail sales rose 3% excluding foreign currency, supported by nearly 1,000 net new stores over the past 12 months. U.S. retail sales increased 1.9%, driven primarily by net store growth, including 26 net new U.S. stores during the quarter. U.S. same-store sales rose 0.1%, with carryout comps up 1.1% and delivery comps down 0.7%. Pricing was up 0.2%. Reddy said the U.S. comp reflected strong order count growth in the core business and continued growth through aggregator channels, offset by lower average ticket. The company said it believes QSR industry order counts were flat during the quarter, while Domino's grew orders in total and separately in delivery and carryout. Weiner said the company's order count growth is central to its strategy because orders bring customers into its loyalty program and support the company's supply chain business. He said Domino's has more than doubled U.S. system orders since he joined the company at the end of 2008, contributing to market share gains, additional retail sales, net new stores and higher franchisee store-level EBITDA. Domino's maintained its expectation for U.S. same-store sales to increase in the low single digits for 2026, excluding the impact of a 53rd week. The company also continues to expect international same-store sales growth in the low single digits, including the benefit of the recently concluded World Cup soccer tournament. The company adjusted its U.S. net store outlook to approximately 175 stores from its prior expectation of 175-plus, citing some pressure on the pipeline from macro conditions and a challenging start to the year that affected franchisee profitability. Domino's continues to expect approximately 800 net new international stores and mid-single-digit global retail sales growth for the year. Domino's also maintained its expectation for mid- to high-single-digit operating income growth, excluding foreign currency, refranchising gains and the gain on the sale of its corporate aircraft. Through the second quarter, Domino's repurchased about 632,000 shares for $231 million year to date. Reddy said the company had approximately $1.23 billion remaining on its share repurchase authorization at quarter end and continues to expect to return meaningful cash to shareholders in 2026 and beyond.
AMC Entertainment (AMC) Rockets 25.8% on Record Revenue in 106-Year History
AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. (NYSE:AMC) said that it grew its revenues by 14 percent to $1.597 billion from $1.398 billion in the same period last year—its largest jump by far, bringing its first half tally to $2.64 billion, or a 17-percent increase from $2.26 billion in the comparable period. In the second quarter of 2026, AMC reported higher quarterly revenue and higher quarterly Adjusted EBITDA than in any quarter in more than a century," he said, adding that the performance was a reflection of the inherent operating leverage in its business model at a time of rising revenues, the power of its market leading position, the appeal of its theaters, and the increasing number of premium offers, among others.
IREN Ltd (IREN) Ends 7-Day Losing Streak as Firm Hikes ARR Target to $4B
IREN Ltd. snapped a seven-day losing streak on Monday, surging as much as 21 percent in intra-day trading to $40.77, as investors drew excitement from its higher annualized run-rate revenue (ARR) target of $4 billion. Initially targeted at $3.7 billion, IREN Ltd. (NASDAQ:IREN) said that the increase followed the bagging of $2.8 billion worth of multi-year cloud services contracts with leading AI developers, including Microsoft, Nvidia, Perplexity, Figure AI, Together AI, Fluidstack, Fireworks AI, Fal AI, Hume AI, and a new leading AI developer across both bare metal and managed cloud services. This year alone, the company is targeting to deliver 480 MW of capacity, and ramp up the figure to 1.2 GW by next year. These compare with only 3 MW of self-built capacity in July 2025. Data from Insider Monkey showed that 53 hedge funds held stakes in the company as of the first quarter of the year, up from 36 in the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Delta Air Lines Stock Will Prove Wall Street Right and Hit $100 by 2028
Delta Air Lines and cyclicality Starting with valuations, management expects to generate $3 billion to $4 billion in free cash flow (FCF) in 2026. Taking the midpoint of that and applying a back-of-the-envelope valuation for a mature industrial stock at about a 20x multiple yields a market cap of $70 billion, equivalent to a share price of about $106. These income streams and ongoing strength in end demand helped Delta partially absorb a whopping $1.9 billion year-over-year increase in adjusted fuel costs in the second quarter, so that adjusted operating income declined by only $501 million year over year. Nevertheless, Delta still generated $1.56 billion in adjusted operating income. It's an excellent result in a very difficult cost environment, and given that oil costs have moderated from the $100-a-barrel levels they were at for much of Q2, it's reasonable to expect more favorable conditions going forward. Moreover, Delta has already baked a $4 billion increase in fuel costs for 2026 into its guidance, and it still expects $3 billion to $4 billion in free cash flow.
McDonald's: Consistency Deserves A Better Multiple (Rating Upgrade)
McDonald's has underperformed the market, declining 10% versus a 14% benchmark rally since my last coverage. Recent catalysts and compressed earnings multiples now make MCD attractive, prompting my rating upgrade from Hold to Buy. Top and bottom-line growth has accelerated, with recent quarters suggesting a potential turnaround in business performance. Consistency in growth supports the case for multiple expansion, and I see the outlook for MCD as improved.
Average retirement savings by state: Where are Americans saving the most — and least?
$120,000 The cost of living in this state is 5% higher than the national average. It has a higher median home price of $448,407 — nearly $50,000 higher than the national average, according to Redfin. The top marginal tax rate is 5.75%. New Jersey came in as the 4th state with the highest retirement account savings at $134,000. The cost of living in this state is almost 10% higher than the national average. It has a higher median home price of $563,000, according to Redfin. This state also has one of the highest top marginal tax rates at 10.75%. In Washington, the median retirement savings balance is $143,400 — the third highest in the country. Cost of living is the sixth highest in the US at 7% higher than the national average. The median home price in Washington is a staggering $612,823 and the top marginal tax rate is 7%. Hawaii's median retirement savings account balance is $149,000. Along with ranking highly in terms of retirement savings, it also has the second-highest cost of living out of all U.S. states. Median home prices in Hawaii hover just over $722,000 and the top marginal tax rate is 11%. The state with the highest median retirement savings is Massachusetts at $150,000. Fortunately for retirees in this state, the average cost of living doesn't even make the top 5. The cost of living in Massachusetts is 5.8% higher than the national average. The median home price in Massachusetts is $667,628 and the top marginal tax rate is 9%. In Louisiana, the median retirement savings balance is $50,000. However, it also has one of the lowest costs of living in the country at 11.8% below the national average, as well as one of the lowest average median home prices in the nation at $259,977 according to data from Redfin. That's compared to the national average of $398,771. Louisiana also has a top marginal tax rate of 3%. In New Mexico, the median retirement savings balance is $50,000. Cost of living in this state sits at 7.8% below the national average. New Mexico's average median home price is $357,729 according to data from Redfin. This state has a top marginal tax rate of 5.9%. The state of Alabama has a median retirement account savings of $46,000. The cost of living in this state is 11.2% below the national average. Alabama's median home price is $307,408 according to data from Redfin. This state has a top marginal tax rate of 5%. Oklahoma's median retirement account savings sits at $39,450, the second-lowest of all U.S. states. The cost of living in this state is 12.2% below the national average. Oklahoma's median home price is $264,062 according to data from Redfin. This state has a top marginal tax rate of 4.75%. Mississippi took the spot for the lowest retirement savings balance of all states with a median of $35,000. The cost of living in this state is 13% below the national average. Mississippi's average median home price is $281,002 according to data from Redfin. This state has a top marginal tax rate of 4.4%.
Netflix quietly reveals what AI did to 300 of its programs
Netflix reported second-quarter revenue of $12.56 billion, up about 13% year over year, with earnings of 80 cents per share. The stock still fell as much as 9% after hours. Revenue growth has slid from 16% in the first quarter to 13% in the second, with roughly 12% guided for the third, according to Fortune. Content spending is set to rise about 10% in 2026 even with those savings, according to Deadline. That budget is heading toward about $20 billion this year, up from $17.1 billion in 2025 and $16.2 billion in 2024, according to Fortune. Netflix's operating margin, already above 30%, starts pulling away from its content spend in the third quarter, which is the quarter analysts setting price targets will be scoring.
McDonald's: Time Abroad Tells Me This Is Still A Champion
MCD's latest earnings beat expectations: revenue was up 11%, operating income was up 12%, and same-store sales were up 3.8%.
LOW Stock: A Discount With An Asterisk
Revenue over the last twelve months grew 6.2%, and management recently reported a fourth consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales. The company’s operating cash flow margin is a healthy 11.1%, and its free cash flow yield sits at a strong 6.5%. This is not a business in distress. Revenue over the last twelve months grew 6.2%, and management recently reported a fourth consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales. The company’s strategic focus on professional contractors, online sales, and home services appears to be gaining traction, with online sales growing 15.5% in the most recent quarter. Management has put a precise number on that execution. They are guiding for a full-year adjusted operating margin in a range of 11.6% to 11.8%.
Costco (COST) Brings Laifen Hair Dryer To Stores In Its Biggest US Retail Push
The rollout marks Laifen's largest U.S. retail expansion so far and expands Costco's premium health and beauty lineup. For Costco Wholesale (NasdaqGS:COST), the Laifen launch adds another premium product to a membership model that already attracts a wide range of shoppers. The stock last closed at $935.8, with a 3 year return of 72.7% and a 5 year return of 133.4%. Those figures help explain why many investors keep Costco on their watchlists when new partnerships and product categories show up in warehouses. Watch how frequently Costco highlights new premium brands, any changes in membership trends, and whether high ticket health and beauty categories gain more shelf space.
NFLX Stock Has Fallen 44% Over The Past Year — Why Jim Cramer Says It's Time To Take Another Look
Despite the recent sell-off, CNBC’s Jim Cramer said the stock’s pullback has created a more attractive opportunity for long-term investors. Cramer said Netflix’s around 44% decline over the past 12 months has made the streaming giant worth another look. “It’s not often that you get one of the best companies on sale. That said, you can afford to take your time with this one,” Cramer said, according to a CNBC report. Netflix also repurchased $4.7 billion of stock during the second quarter, its largest quarterly buyback ever, and still has roughly $27 billion remaining under its buyback authorization. “I think there's a reason why these guys are buying back stock at the fastest pace in history,” Cramer said. Separately, Phillip Securities also upgraded Netflix to 'Buy' from 'Accumulate,’ saying the recent share-price weakness has created a more attractive entry point. The brokerage maintained its $110 price target, implying nearly 60% upside from the stock’s Monday’s closing price.
A Ransomware Attack Just Halted Coca-Cola's Fairlife Production and Knocked the Stock Down 4%. Should Dividend Investors Care?
Fairlife matters more than a dairy brand might suggest. Its ultra-filtered milk and Core Power protein shakes have grown into a business that generated about $4 billion in retail sales in 2024, making it one of Coca-Cola's biggest growth stories of the past decade. But scale is the key context here. Coca-Cola generated $12.5 billion of revenue in the first quarter alone. Even if U.S. Fairlife production stays offline for several weeks, the direct hit to Coca-Cola would be a small fraction of one quarter's revenue. The dividend, meanwhile, rests on a much wider base. Coca-Cola raised its payout for a 64th consecutive year in February, lifting the quarterly dividend about 4% to $0.53 per share, and it paid shareholders $8.8 billion in dividends in 2025. At the current share price, the dividend stock yields about 2.6%. And the company generates the cash to back the payout -- management expects about $12.2 billion of free cash flow this year. The business also entered this mess with momentum. First-quarter organic revenue grew 10% year over year, and comparable earnings per share climbed 18% to $0.86.
IREN Stock Extends Rally After $2.8B AI Contracts Disclosure: Goldman Sachs Lauds Customer Diversification, Keeps ‘Neutral’ Rating
IREN announced that it signed $2.8 billion in new multiyear cloud service contracts with multiple leading artificial intelligence developers and raised its year-end annualized run-rate revenue target for its AI cloud business to $4 billion, up from $3.7 billion previously. “Our vertically integrated AI Cloud platform is scaling at pace. In the past 12 months we have expanded from approximately 3MW of self-built AI Cloud capacity to 480MW being delivered this year, with 1.2GW targeted for 2027, broadening our customer base across hyperscalers, enterprises and AI developers,” CEO Daniel Roberts said in a statement. IREN's customer base now includes Microsoft, Nvidia, Perplexity, Figure AI, Together AI, Fluidstack, Fireworks AI, Fal AI, Hume AI, and a new leading AI developer, it said in a statement on Monday.
Nubank pursues Brazilian banking licence with Banco Porto Real deal
The company also said it would invest R$45bn ($8.84bn) in the domestic market this year, almost twice the amount allocated over the previous two years. "Nubank pursues Brazilian banking licence with Banco Porto Real deal " was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.
Costco expands pharmacy, prescription services for members
During Costco's third-quarter 2026 earnings call, CFO Gary Millerchip highlighted pharmacy as one of the company's strongest-performing ancillary businesses. "Pharmacy led the way and saw significant market share gains in the quarter," Millerchip said. These include increased GLP-1 demand, and inclusion of Wegovy and Ozempic in our Member Prescription Program, great value on pet medications, acceptance of Medicare D over-the-counter flex cards, and expansion of our mail order and specialty pharmacy offerings," Millerchip said. Demand for GLP-1 medications continues to climb, with the percentage of U.S. adults who currently take GLP-1 medications for weight loss rising from 3% in 2024 to 11% in 2026, according to Gallup. A 2025 JD Power survey found that customers were more satisfied with mail order pharmacy services than in-store service, Pharmacy Times reported.
Mony Group H1 Earnings Call Highlights
Mony Group reported stronger first-half 2026 results, with like-for-like revenue up 6% to GBP 227 million and adjusted EBITDA up 3% to GBP 76 million. The company also said it helped consumers save an estimated GBP 1.5 billion during the period. Growth was led by Insurance, Money and Home Services, while cashback revenue fell as consumer spending and marketing budgets stayed weak. Insurance trends improved, Money revenue rose 9%, and Home Services jumped 30% year over year. The company is leaning further into AI and digital products, including upgraded apps, new investment and insurance offerings, and a business banking launch. It also expects to return more than GBP 90 million to shareholders in 2026 through dividends and buybacks, and reiterated confidence in meeting full-year EBITDA consensus. Mony Group (LON:MONY) reported higher first-half revenue and adjusted earnings for 2026, as Chief Executive Officer Peter Duffy said the company benefited from the breadth of its brands, products and markets while U.K. households continued to face financial pressure. Duffy said the group helped consumers save an estimated GBP 1.5 billion during the first half. On a like-for-like basis, revenue rose 6% to GBP 227 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased 3% to GBP 76 million. Adjusted basic earnings per share grew 5% to GBP 0.097. The company said it plans to return more than GBP 90 million to shareholders in 2026 through its progressive dividend and an ongoing GBP 25 million share buyback. Chief Financial Officer Niall McBride said the interim dividend was increased by 1%, and that more than GBP 19 million of the buyback had been completed to date. Insurance revenue rose 4% to GBP 122 million, improving from a 2% decline reported at the 2025 half year. McBride said car insurance headwinds continued to ease, with average premiums down 5% year over year, compared with a 9% decline in the previous half. He cited AI-enabled journey enhancements, including Price Optimiser, which he said has helped more than 200,000 customers save an additional GBP 25 on average. Home insurance followed a similar pattern, with premium declines moderating to 3% year over year from 6% in the previous half. McBride also pointed to newer revenue streams, including MSE Travel Compare Plus and B2B partnerships with Which? and Blue Light Card. The Money segment delivered revenue of GBP 58 million, up 9% year over year. McBride said banking led the growth, with current accounts performing well, supported by provider partnerships and market-leading deals. In borrowing, loans growth was helped by increased customer relationship management activity and AI-enabled enhancements such as personalized pre-approval information. Home Services revenue increased 30% to GBP 28 million, with energy the main driver. McBride said wholesale prices and the price cap had risen since year-end, but the company used MoneySavingExpert's editorial reach, provider relationships and exclusive deals to continue offering competitive options. Broadband also performed well, supported by deal availability, tenancy improvements and Altnet expansion. SuperSaveClub membership rises Mony said SuperSaveClub now has more than 2.5 million members, after adding 1 million over the past year. McBride said one in five members are new to the group, indicating that the club is widening the company's acquisition funnel. SuperSaveClub represented 19% of total revenue, up from 16% earlier in the year. Engagement also increased. McBride said app downloads rose by more than 50% after the company moved to app-only redemption for club rewards, while monthly app users increased by one-third year over year. Cross-channel inquiry rates for members were 44%, which McBride said was double the group level. McBride said SuperSaveClub members generate stronger economics than non-members. Average revenue per user for members was GBP 35, compared with group ARPU of GBP 21. Incremental gross margin for members was 77%, versus 63% for the group. He said members purchase a second product at more than double the rate of non-members and return directly rather than through paid channels at almost double the rate. AI-enabled products broaden the platform Duffy emphasized the company's investment in technology and data, saying revenue per employee has increased by more than 60% over the last five years. He said the group has relaunched the MoneySuperMarket iOS and Android app with AI-powered features, in addition to a MoneySuperMarket app launched on ChatGPT earlier in the year. Duffy described the relaunched app as a single destination to compare, switch, save, invest, earn cashback, receive rewards and manage financial activity. He said the app uses proprietary AI tooling to provide reminders and suggestions, including renewal dates and better deals. The company has also launched Investments by MoneySuperMarket, initially as a funds supermarket where customers can invest from GBP 1 with zero trading fees and low management charges. Duffy said the offering starts with about 40 funds and ETFs and represents an AUM-based revenue stream. Mony is also introducing SuperSaveClub Insurance, an AI-enabled digital broker beginning with motor insurance. McBride said the proposition will let members compare, buy, manage and renew insurance in the app, with AI guidance throughout the journey. He said members will be able to pay monthly at no extra cost compared with annual products, which he described as a first for a mainstream brand offered widely. Duffy also said MoneySuperMarket Business Banking has opened a waitlist ahead of an August launch. The proposition is aimed at the U.K.'s 5.5 million small businesses and will combine a business current account with AI-powered tax and accounting tools and FSCS-protected banking. Costs, cash flow and outlook Gross profit rose 1% to GBP 142 million on a like-for-like basis, while gross margin fell 3 percentage points to 63%. McBride attributed the decline mainly to sustained pay-per-click cost inflation, though he said PPC inflation was running at about 8% exiting the half, compared with more than 20% last year. Operating costs were 2% lower year over year. Distribution expenses fell 7% on a like-for-like basis, while administrative expenses were flat. McBride said closing headcount was down 9% and people costs were 6% lower, reflecting resource efficiencies supported by automation and AI. Operating cash flow was GBP 36 million, down 17% year over year, due to higher working capital outflows linked to strong late-half revenue growth and a mix shift toward energy, where cash takes longer to convert. McBride said cash conversion is expected to improve in the second half. Looking ahead, McBride said recent trading, the breadth of the portfolio and disciplined cost management give the board confidence that adjusted EBITDA for 2026 will be delivered within the company's current published consensus.
Luckin Coffee (OTCPK:LKNC.Y) Enters New York, Is The Stock Still Cheap?
The rapid pace of store expansion, especially growth in both high-tier and lower-tier Chinese cities, combined with persistent urbanization and rising middle-class incomes in China, is likely to continue driving strong top-line revenue growth as Luckin increases its retail footprint and captures a still-untapped market. Curious what kind of revenue curve, earnings step up, and future profit multiple are needed to back that valuation gap? The widely followed narrative spells out a detailed path for growth, margin expansion, and share count that has to hold together for $45.70 to make sense. However, that upside story for Luckin Coffee still depends on tight execution, with rapid store expansion and heavier delivery use both carrying clear margin and productivity risks.
Others
Netflix: I Welcome The Post-Q2 Earnings Dip As A Buying Opportunity
Netflix is evolving into a global consumer-tech platform with software-like economics, pricing power, and low direct AI disruption risk. NFLX demonstrates rare low-teens revenue growth and 30%+ operating margins at scale, supported by pricing, ads, and international expansion. Advertising and pricing power are expanding NFLX’s monetization ceiling, enabling growth beyond subscriber additions and enhancing free cash flow prospects.
Brookfield and CPP Investments to Buy LXP Industrial for $5.2 Billion
Brookfield Asset Management and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board have agreed to buy LXP Industrial Trust in an all-cash deal valued at about $5.2 billion, adding a portfolio of modern warehouse and logistics facilities to their holdings.
ALADIN project aims to advance circular textile production in Europe
Coordinated by the German Institutes for Textile and Fibre Research Denkendorf (DITF), the ALADIN initiative is supported by the EU under the Horizon Europe programme, with €5m ($5.7m) in funding. The project began activities in May 2026 and focuses on integrating digital platforms, new business models and advanced recycling methods with the goal of establishing circular textile manufacturing systems at scale. Long-term objectives of the project include the establishment of a Europe-wide network of microfactories, increased employment opportunities, a higher share of sustainable materials in textile production, reduced waste and strengthened regional economies.
U.S. gas prices hit $4 a gallon as U.S.-Iran war resumes
Gas prices in the United States climbed back to $4 a gallon on Monday, according to AAA, as the U.S. and Iran resumed attacks and the threat of prolonged disruptions to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz intensified. AAA data put the national average at $4.003 per gallon, a jump of about 13 cents versus seven days prior and more than 86 cents above the same date last year. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, rose above $90 a barrel on Monday. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, was around $84 a barrel. Diesel has followed regular gasoline upward, hitting $5.11 a gallon by Monday, a gain of about 23 cents over the prior week, according to the New York Times. The single national figure conceals sharp regional variation. Motorists across much of the South are paying closer to $3.60, while those in California contend with prices near $5.50 a gallon, according to the New York Times. As prices fell below $4 a gallon in mid-June after the U.S. and Iran signed a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt hostilities, analysts warned that depleted global fuel stockpiles and elevated summer driving demand could push prices higher again. That interim agreement did not hold. Washington this week reimposed a naval blockade around Iranian ports in the strait — through which a large share of the world's seaborne oil and gas transits — effectively shutting down most vessel traffic and driving energy prices higher, according to the New York Times.
BrainsWay makes $3M minority investment in Radial Health
BrainsWay (BWAY) on Monday announced a $3M minority equity investment in Radial Health, a management services organization supporting a network of Brain Medicine clinics across the country.
James Hardie Industries plc (JHX) Recovered Following Easing Middle East Conflict and Strong Outlook
James Hardie Industries plc (NYSE:JHX) closed at $25.82 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $14.98 billion. "James Hardie Industries plc (NYSE:JHX) (+46%) shares recovered over the quarter following easing Middle East tensions and on management's release of a constructive FY27 outlook, which included a pathway to return the core North American fibre cement business to volume growth, despite a subdued U.S. housing market."
Weekly Stock List
In the first half of 2026, the S&P 500 popped 9%. The upside was realized in the second quarter, with a gain of 15% after a loss of 4% in 1Q. Driving the market was 29% growth in earnings for S&P 500 companies.
Kalaris appoints Liisa Bayko as CFO
Kalaris Therapeutics (KLRS) has appointed Liisa Bayko as chief financial officer, the company said on Monday. Bayko brings more than two decades of experience in biotechnology finance, strategy, and capital markets. She most recently served as managing director and senior biotechnology analyst at Evercore ISI. KLRS -5.25% to $4.15 pre-market.
Bank of America Expands AI Leadership Team
The bank said it plans to invest billions of dollars in technology that can help staff work quicker and boost revenue growth. The test will be practical in the immediate future. Investors will look for signs that the new structure is improving efficiency, lowering operational costs and boosting performance in the bank's markets division.
Around 70% of debt lawsuits end in default judgments as collectors flood courts — and most Americans don't even show up
Around 70% of debt lawsuits end in default judgments as collectors flood courts — and most Americans don't even show up American households are almost $19 trillion dollars in debt — and debt collectors are going to great lengths to get that money back (1). A recent report from the Pew Charitable Trusts found that more debt holders are suing debtors in court to get their money back (2). Debt lawsuits dropped in number during the pandemic, but have been climbing rapidly since. Pew tracked eight states' debt filings from 2019 to 2025. Of those, only Virginia had fewer filings last year than in 2019. Missouri had the highest spike since 2019 — with cases nearly tripling in 2025. It's not a coincidence that debt lawsuits have gone up along with credit card delinquencies and living costs (3). But these lawsuits tend to be hard for consumers to navigate — and can come with hefty consequences for failing to do so. Lester Bird, senior manager at the Pew Charitable Trusts and lead author of the report, said that around 70% of debt lawsuits end in a default judgement on behalf of the creditor. Not all default judgements are due to a borrower not showing up in court, but many of them are. "We know that people rarely engage in these cases, and when they don't the consequences are severe," Bird told the Wall Street Journal (4). "They can have their wages garnished and bank accounts wiped to zero." When your wages are garnished, the debt collector can automatically take a percentage of your paycheck away whenever you're paid. How much they can take depends on how much you make. For example, if you make more than $1,256.66 per month, they can take up to 25% of your paycheck (5). The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says debt collectors can also put a lien on your property if they get a default judgement (6). Even fewer borrowers get the help of a lawyer when they're sued by debt collectors, even though they probably should. The Debt Collection lab found that hiring legal help was associated with over a 90% decrease in likelihood of a default judgement (7). But less than 10% of defendants in debt cases have legal counsel (8).
Here’s Why This Fund Divested CDW Corporation (CDW)
CDW Corporation (NASDAQ:CDW) has a market capitalization of $17.02 billion. We divested CDW to fund larger investments in several high-quality businesses that are not AI sensitive and trading below our assessed fair value, thus offering a compelling investment opportunity particularly for investors who are less driven by short term momentum and have a longer-term investment horizon. Examples include American Express, Apollo Group, Danaher, HCA and ICE.
Nomad Foods steers to second-quarter sales decline, flat EBITDA
Nomad Foods is "evaluating" its EPS guidance on the back of a refinancing exercise as the frozen food group pointed to another quarter of declining sales. Alongside a trading update today (20 July), New York-listed Nomad Foods said it plans to sell €800m ($914.7m) in debt due in 2033 to replace its existing notes for the same amount maturing in 2028. In what CEO Dominic Brisby described as a "transition year" when he discussed the 2025 results in February, sales revenue is still expected to decline over the full 12 months and to fall by 2.5% to 3.5% in the second quarter in both reported and organic terms. Second-quarter adjusted EBITDA is predicted to be relatively flat with the same three months of last year, projected in the range of €120m to €126m, compared to €129m in the year-earlier quarter, when the metric dropped 7.2%. "The company is evaluating its full-year EPS guidance as a result of anticipated debt refinancing activities and the associated impact of such activities on the company's anticipated interest expense and adjusted net income," Nomad Foods said in the trading update. Sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 had dropped 0.8% to €747m and were down 1.1% on an organic basis. Volumes fell 1%. Adjusted EPS declined 9.1% to €0.40. At the first-quarter stage in May, management had said adjusted EPS for the full year was expected at €1.47-€1.62, versus its prior guidance of €1.45-€1.60, due to "incremental share repurchase activity during the first quarter". Elsewhere, Nomad Foods stuck with its 2026 outlook, anticipating a 2% to 5% decline in organic revenue and a 5-10% drop in adjusted EBITDA. Discussing the 2025 results in February, Brisby said market share was retained for the Birds Eye and Findus brand owner but value share was lost.
Tempus AI to acquire Personalis in $1.5B deal; expands MRD cancer testing
Tempus AI (TEM) announced on Monday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Personalis (PSNL) to expand its cancer testing and patient monitoring business. The company will acquire Personalis for $16.25 per share, valuing the deal at $1.5B (net of Tempus' existing
Replenish Nutrients lands $15 million strategic investment, carbonatite supply deal
Replenish Nutrients Holding Corp (CSE:ERTH, OTC:VVIVF, FRA:7KE) has secured a $15 million strategic investment from SRC Agrominerals to expand its Beiseker fertilizer facility and lock in a long-term supply of carbonatite, a mineral-rich input for its regenerative fertilizer products. Under the agreement, SRC will invest $7.5 million through the purchase of 50 million units at $0.15 per unit, giving it an initial 19.9% stake in Replenish on a non-diluted basis. The expansion is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2028 and is expected to carry gross margins of 25% to 35%. As part of the deal, Replenish and SRC will enter a 10-year supply agreement under which Replenish will purchase a minimum annual quantity of carbonatite, a calcium, phosphorus and trace-mineral-rich resource used for its soil-enhancing properties, for incorporation into its fertilizer products.
Southern Company announces quarterly dividend
Southern Company today announced a regular quarterly dividend of 76 cents per share on the company's common stock, payable September 8, 2026, to shareholders of record as of August 17, 2026. Every quarter for 79 consecutive years, Southern Company has paid a dividend to its shareholders that is equal to or greater than the previous quarter.
Lightwave Logic Appoints Fred Graffam as Chief Financial Officer
Lightwave Logic (NASDAQ:LWLG) has appointed veteran finance executive Fred Graffam as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, adding more than two decades of public company financial leadership as the company continues executing its long-term growth strategy. Graffam brings more than 20 years of finance leadership, including multiple public company CFO roles. As CFO, Graffam will oversee the company's financial operations, reporting, capital allocation and investor relations while supporting its long-term growth strategy.
Roche Appoints Dan Malarek as CEO of Roche Diagnostics North America
Roche (USOTC:RHHBY) has appointed Dan Malarek as President and CEO of Roche Diagnostics North America, effective August 1, 2026, as part of a broader leadership transition that also includes the creation of a new Chief Commercial Officer role for the U.S. diagnostics business. Roche (USOTC:RHHBY) said the leadership changes are intended to support continued growth across its North American diagnostics business. Malarek brings nearly two decades of experience within the Roche Group, having held leadership roles across diabetes care, molecular diagnostics, marketing, customer insights and international operations before leading Foundation Medicine.
Hackers stole ‘significant’ amount of data from tech firm relied on by thousands of US hospitals and pharmacies
The company said the hackers appear to have been expelled from its systems, but its investigation into the breach is ongoing, according to a statement filed with the London Stock Exchange. Craneware's flagship accounting and billing software is used by thousands of clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies across the United States. When it bought Florida-based pharmacy software maker Sentry in 2021, Craneware said it gained access to the company's 147 million patient records that had been collected over two decades. In March, healthcare revenue tech firm TriZetto confirmed hackers stole more than 3.4 million people's personal and health data from its systems during an earlier cyberattack. Last July, medical billing company Episource began notifying at least 5.4 million people that their information had been stolen by hackers. The largest ever breach of U.S. medical and healthcare data occurred in 2024, when a Russian-speaking ransomware gang hacked UnitedHealth-owned Change Healthcare. The hackers stole the medical and patient records of at least 192 million people, which the company conceded affected a "substantial proportion" of people in America.
Magnolia to Buy WildFire in $4.1 Billion Deal to Expand Eagle Ford Position
Magnolia Oil & Gas has agreed to acquire privately held WildFire Energy in a transaction valued at approximately $4.06 billion, a move that more than doubles its acreage in the Giddings area of South Texas and creates one of the region's largest Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk positions. The acquisition adds approximately 810,000 net acres to Magnolia's existing holdings, bringing its total Giddings position to more than 1.25 million net acres. The combined portfolio provides exposure to multiple productive formations, including the Austin Chalk, Eagle Ford and Woodbine, while strengthening the company's presence near premium Gulf Coast markets. Magnolia said the acquired assets currently produce around 53,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, with roughly 70% of output consisting of oil. The company expects the transaction to immediately increase cash flow, free cash flow and earnings per share while lowering its corporate reinvestment rate. The company also expects to generate more than $100 million in annual synergies through operational efficiencies, infrastructure integration and lower corporate costs. Included in the acquisition are a sand mine that supplies most of Magnolia's completion sand needs and more than 500 miles of gas gathering pipelines in Giddings. Separately, Magnolia reported second-quarter production of 106,100 barrels of oil equivalent per day, including 41,900 barrels per day of oil, and raised its standalone 2026 production growth forecast to 6%, up from 5%.
Netflix Launches Bond Sale After 46% Stock Drop
Netflix plans to use the proceeds to repay roughly $1 billion of debt maturing later this year and support other corporate expenses, according to a company filing. The offering follows Netflix's first investment-grade bond sale in 2024, when the company raised $1.8 billion and received demand exceeding 10 times the amount offered.
Dow Drops 300 Points, S&P 500 Reverses Gains
Stocks were mixed ahead of Monday's closing bell after all three major indexes opened the session in the green. The Dow was down 0.6% or 300 points and the S&P 500 wavered at the flatline. Both indexes erased gains from the morning. Stocks were mixed ahead of Monday's closing bell after all three major indexes opened the session in the green. The Dow was down 0.6% or 300 points and the S&P 500 wavered at the flatline. Both indexes erased gains from the morning.
Netflix Taps Debt Market After 2 Years
Netflix plans to sell investment-grade notes due in 2036. Netflix runs one of the world's largest streaming platforms, generating revenue from subscriptions, advertising and a growing lineup of live programming. The company plans to use part of the proceeds to repay about $1 billion of debt maturing later this year.
AdaptHealth to sell its Diabetes Health unit to Cardinal Health for $235M cash
AdaptHealth (AHCO) announced on Monday that it will sell its Diabetes Health business to Cardinal Health for $235M in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments.
Karyopharm drops 21% following disclosure of executive cash retention plan
Karyopharm Pharmaceuticals (KPTI) closed Monday down ~21% after disclosing a "2026 Leadership Cash Retention Program" for some of its top executives.
Why IMAX Stock Got Mashed on Monday
On Monday, a judge's ruling that affected a peer company of IMAX (IMAX 1.66%) put pressure on the big-screen film exhibitor and technology specialist. Investors were skittish about buying entertainment stocks, and IMAX closed the day nearly 2% down in price. The situation affects IMAX because the major studios are the indispensable sources of content for its exhibition business. Paramount Skydance has pledged to produce 30 significant films annually if the Warner deal goes through, which would certainly keep IMAX theaters busy. Even though IMAX makes coin with other activities, such as technology licensing, the exhibition business is a crucial one for the company. Yet while Monday's investor reaction was understandable, both Paramount and Warner Bros. will continue to depend on the company's large screens for their tentpole releases, no matter what the fate of their courtship. "This merger is lawful, pro-competitive, and will benefit consumers, creators, workers, and the entertainment industry," the company wrote. "We will continue to vigorously defend the transaction and will look forward to the hearings on the substance of the state AGs' action."
Netflix Has Plummeted Over the Past Year and Just Dropped Again on Earnings. At 22 Times Profits, Is It a Buy?
Revenue rose 13% year over year to $12.6 billion, matching management's forecast, and operating margin came in slightly ahead of plan. Operating income rose 11% year over year to $4.2 billion, though the company's operating margin of 33.4% narrowed slightly from 34.1% in the second quarter of 2025. And earnings per share climbed 11% year over year to $0.80. Management narrowed its 2026 revenue forecast to a range of $51.0 billion to $51.4 billion, representing 13% to 14% growth, and it kept its operating margin target of 31.5%, up from 29.5% in 2025. That forecast implies operating income growth of more than 20% this year. Netflix also still expects a rough doubling of its advertising revenue in 2026, to about $3 billion. Netflix repurchased $4.7 billion of its stock in the second quarter (its largest quarter of buybacks ever), and it still has $27.1 billion of repurchase capacity after its board added $25 billion to the program in April.
AI infrastructure stock surges after landing massive $2.8B win
IREN Limited (IREN) was trading up more than 21% to $40.57 as of July 20 midday, according to Yahoo Finance.
Netflix just made its slowdown harder to measure
Netflix (NFLX) investors did not punish the streaming giant for delivering a disappointing quarter. Instead, NFLX is facing criticism for making the next phase of growth harder to measure. Shares plunged more than 10% on Friday, July 17, before closing near $68.95, down about 7.2%, according to ...
American Tower (AMT) Faces A Valuation Test, Is It Undervalued?
American Tower (AMT) has been drawing attention after recent share price pressure, with the stock down over the past month and past 3 months, prompting investors to reassess the tower REIT's current valuation and fundamentals. At the latest share price of US$167.06, American Tower's recent 1 month share price return of 5.11% and year to date share price return of 4.43% sit against a 1 year total shareholder return decline of 23.39%. This indicates that momentum has faded while investors reassess long term risks and growth potential. On a P/E of 26.8x at a share price of $167.06, American Tower is screening as undervalued compared with several benchmarks, even after its recent share price weakness. Those gaps suggest the market is pricing American Tower's earnings at a discount to both its closest peers and the fair ratio level indicated by the valuation model, while analysts still forecast earnings to grow around 7.4% per year.
Sintana Energy says Uruguay exploration timetable has been extended
Sintana Energy Inc (TSX-V:SEI, OTCQB:SEUSF, FRA:3ZX1, AIM:SEI) said the exploration timetable for its offshore Uruguay interests has been extended by a year, while an Argentine offshore licensing opportunity moved towards a formal international tender. Uruguay’s state-owned energy company and regulator ANCAP agreed to suspend the initial exploration period for the AREA OFF-1 block, pushing its expiry date to 23 August 2027.
Does Morgan Stanley’s GPN Upgrade Reveal a Deeper Shift in Global Payments’ Core Platform Narrative?
Morgan Stanley recently upgraded Global Payments to Overweight, citing improving execution, stronger share repurchase capacity, and constructive feedback on its Genius and Worldpay payment platforms. The most relevant recent announcement is the US$2.5 billion share repurchase authorization and subsequent buyback activity, which ties directly to Morgan Stanley's focus on capital returns. Global Payments' narrative projects $13.9 billion revenue and $2.3 billion earnings by 2029. This requires 16.2% yearly revenue growth and about a $1.7 billion earnings increase from $630.2 million today. Some of the most optimistic analysts were assuming revenue could reach about US$14.9 billion and earnings about US$5.6 billion by 2029, which is far more upbeat than consensus and leans heavily on synergy outperformance and capital returns, so you should weigh that against the highlighted execution and integration risks and consider how this latest upgrade might shift those assumptions over time.
BlackRock® Canada Announces July Cash Distributions for the iShares® ETFs
TORONTO, July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited ("BlackRock Canada"), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the July 2026 cash distributions for the iShares ETFs listed on the TSX or Cboe Canada which pay on a monthly basis.