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Veeva DQS Processes Data From More Than 1 Million Clinical Trial Subjects Veeva Systems (NYSE: VEEV) said its Data Quality

Veeva Systems (NYSE: VEEV) said its Data Quality System has now aggregated and cleaned clinical trial data for more than 1 million subjects across...

10-06-26

Xcel Energy to Sell Michigan Utility Operations to SEMCO and UPPCO Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) announced an agreement to sell

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) announced an agreement to sell its Michigan natural gas operations to SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company and its electric operations to...

10-06-26

Agilent Expands Oligonucleotide Manufacturing Capacity With New Boulder Lab Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) announced the opening of additional laboratory space

Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) announced the opening of additional laboratory space in Boulder, Colorado, to expand its oligonucleotide manufacturing capabilities and support emerging production...

10-06-26

McKesson and CD&R to Acquire Option Care Health in $5.8 Billion Deal McKesson (NYSE: MCK) and private investment firm CD&R

McKesson (NYSE: MCK) and private investment firm CD&R agreed to acquire Option Care Health (Nasdaq: OPCH) for $32.05 per share in cash, valuing the...

10-06-26

Aon Selects Vanguard to Expand $7.7 Billion Pooled Employer Plan Aon (NYSE: AON) has selected Vanguard as recordkeeper and trustee

Aon (NYSE: AON) has selected Vanguard as recordkeeper and trustee for the Aon Pooled Employer Plan, while also planning to expand the availability of...

10-06-26

Lockheed Martin Completes First Flight of Morocco’s First F-16 Block 72 Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced the successful first flight

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced the successful first flight of the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s first F-16 Block 72 aircraft, marking a major milestone...

10-06-26

Uber to Acquire ezCater for $2.3 Billion, Expanding Uber Eats Into Catering Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER) agreed to acquire ezCater

Uber Technologies (NYSE: UBER) agreed to acquire ezCater in an all-cash transaction valued at $2.3 billion, expanding Uber Eats further into workplace meals and...

10-06-26

CrowdStrike, AWS and NVIDIA Expand Cybersecurity Startup Accelerator for the Agentic AI Era CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) has launched the fourth

CrowdStrike (NASDAQ: CRWD) has launched the fourth annual edition of its global Cybersecurity Startup Accelerator in collaboration with Amazon Web Services and NVIDIA, expanding...

10-06-26

First Citizens Launches Innovation Banking Brand, Replacing Silicon Valley Bank Technology & Healthcare Division First Citizens Bank, a unit of

First Citizens Bank, a unit of First Citizens BancShares (NASDAQ: FCNCA), has officially launched First Citizens Innovation Banking, its new brand focused on serving...

10-06-26

Keysight Brings Agentic AI to RF Design Software With ADS 2027 Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS) is adding agentic AI capabilities

Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS) is adding agentic AI capabilities to its engineering software, allowing users to connect AI agents and large language models directly...

10-06-26

Pfizer Declares $0.43 Fourth-Quarter Dividend, Extending Long-Running Payout Streak Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) said its board of directors approved a fourth-quarter

Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) said its board of directors approved a fourth-quarter 2026 cash dividend of $0.43 per share. The dividend will be payable on...

10-06-26

Applied Materials and Intel Expand Collaboration to Accelerate AI Chip Manufacturing Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) announced

Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) announced an expanded collaboration aimed at accelerating development of next-generation semiconductor technologies for AI computing. The...

10-06-26

US

### U.S. 3-Year Treasury Auction Yield Jumps to 4.932%

The U.S. Treasury’s latest 3-year note auction cleared at a yield of 4.932%, sharply above the 4.474% yield at the previous auction.

The higher yield indicates investors demanded significantly more compensation to hold short- to intermediate-term government debt, reflecting renewed upward pressure on Treasury borrowing costs.

The result may reinforce market concerns that interest rates could remain elevated for longer, particularly as investors continue to assess inflation, labor-market resilience and the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.

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The Investor 10-06-26

U.S. Trade Deficit Widens Sharply in August; Atlanta Fed GDPNow Holds at 3.7%

The U.S. trade deficit widened significantly in August to $105.6 billion, exceeding expectations for a $100.8 billion shortfall and deteriorating from the previous month’s $92.8 billion deficit.

Separately, the Atlanta Federal Reserve’s GDPNow model continued to estimate third-quarter U.S. economic growth at an annualized 3.7%, unchanged from both the previous estimate and market expectations.

The unchanged GDPNow reading suggests that, despite the weaker trade balance, incoming economic data have not materially altered the model’s overall assessment of third-quarter growth.

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The Investor 10-06-26

Wall Street Opens Higher as ADP Weekly Employment Growth Strengthens

U.S. stocks opened higher on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 rising 0.79% to 7,835.09, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 0.75% to 51,652.43 and the Nasdaq advancing 0.77% to 27,687.76.

The positive start came alongside a firmer reading from ADP’s weekly employment estimate. U.S. private-sector employment increased by 23,800, up from 22,500 in the previous reading, suggesting that labor demand remains relatively resilient.

The data added to the latest evidence that the U.S. labor market is continuing to expand, even as investors assess whether employment conditions are cooling enough to influence the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.

Equities moved broadly higher at the open, with gains across all three major indexes. Markets are now likely to remain sensitive to upcoming labor, inflation and economic-growth data as investors reassess the timing and pace of any future changes in U.S. interest rates.

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The Investor 10-06-26

U.S. Stocks Mostly Higher as Services Activity Remains Strong but Price Pressures Rise

U.S. stocks traded mostly higher on Monday as services-sector data continued to point to solid economic growth. The S&P 500 gained 0.43% to 7,755.84 and the Nasdaq rose 0.73% to 27,388.08, while the Dow Jones slipped 0.17% to 51,092.08.

The S&P Global Services PMI came in at 58.8 in September, slightly above the 58.7 consensus, while the Composite PMI held at 58.4. Both readings indicate robust expansion in U.S. private-sector activity.

The ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI was somewhat softer, declining to 54.9 from 55.4 and missing expectations of 55.1. However, the employment component improved to 50.1 from 47.8, moving back into expansion territory and signaling better hiring conditions within the services sector.

Inflation pressures were the main concern. The ISM Non-Manufacturing Prices Index climbed to 74.0 from 72.6, indicating that service-sector input costs remain elevated.

The market reaction suggests investors are balancing resilient economic growth against persistent inflation pressures. Strong activity is supportive for earnings expectations, particularly for growth stocks, but the rise in the prices index could limit expectations for aggressive Federal Reserve rate cuts.

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WS Investor 10-05-26

Why is Consumer Sentiment so Low? - A Wealth of Common Sense

Why you can't trust sentiment surveys anymore.

(awealthofcommonsense.com)

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The Investor 10-04-26

El-Erian issues an important reminder about the Fed and the US economy

The Fed can't solve this economic crisis alone.

(finance.yahoo.com)

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WS News 10-03-26

The Iran war is driving inflation higher — and it's not just because of oil

US spending on the war in Iran is putting upward pressure on bond yields already at multi-decade highs, says Macquarie.

(finance.yahoo.com)

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WS News 10-03-26

U.S. Stocks Rally as Weak Jobs Report Boosts Rate-Cut Expectations

U.S. stocks moved sharply higher on Friday after September employment data showed a much weaker labor market than expected, increasing expectations that the Federal Reserve could adopt a more accommodative policy stance.

Nonfarm payrolls rose by just 29,000 in September, far below the 89,000 consensus and down sharply from 133,000 previously. Private payrolls increased by 46,000, also missing the 85,000 forecast and slowing from 89,000.

The unemployment rate climbed to 4.2% from 4.1%, while average hourly earnings growth slowed to 3.0% year over year from 3.1%, below the 3.2% consensus. Together, the figures point to cooling labor demand and easing wage pressures.

Equity markets reacted positively. The S&P 500 rose 0.80%, the Dow gained 0.52%, and the Nasdaq climbed 1.24%, with technology stocks outperforming.

The market reaction suggests investors are focusing on the prospect that weaker employment conditions could reduce pressure on the Fed to keep policy restrictive. Softer wage growth also helps ease inflation concerns, creating a particularly supportive backdrop for growth and technology shares.

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WS News 10-02-26

U.S. Stocks Trade Mixed as Strong Jobless Claims Data Clash With Hot Manufacturing Prices

U.S. stocks traded mixed on Thursday as investors weighed resilient labor-market data against renewed inflation concerns from the manufacturing sector. The S&P 500 slipped 0.11% to 7,642.86, while the Dow Jones fell 0.35%. The Nasdaq was nearly flat, edging 0.05% higher.

Initial jobless claims fell to 197,000, below the 201,000 expected and down slightly from 198,000 previously. Continuing claims also declined to 1.701 million, better than the 1.730 million consensus and 1.712 million prior reading. The figures suggest layoffs remain limited and the labor market continues to show resilience.

Manufacturing activity remained firmly in expansion territory. The ISM Manufacturing PMI came in at 54.5 in September, just below the 54.8 forecast and roughly unchanged from 54.6 previously.

The more significant surprise came from prices. The ISM Manufacturing Prices Index jumped to 77.9 from 71.1, far above expectations of 72.9. The sharp increase points to stronger input-cost pressures and could revive concerns that inflation may remain sticky.

For equities, the data create a mixed backdrop: solid employment and manufacturing activity support the economic outlook, but the sharp rise in manufacturing prices may keep Treasury yields and interest-rate expectations elevated, helping explain the more cautious performance in the broader market.

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European Investor 10-01-26

U.S. Crude Inventories Rise as Atlanta Fed GDPNow Estimate Drops to 3.7%

U.S. crude oil inventories increased by 922,000 barrels in the latest weekly report, contrary to expectations for a 700,000-barrel decline. The previous reading showed a much larger 2.969 million-barrel build.

Inventories at Cushing, Oklahoma, also rose by 553,000 barrels after increasing by 2.266 million barrels previously, adding to signs of a looser near-term crude supply balance.

Separately, the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow estimate for third-quarter U.S. economic growth fell sharply to 3.7% from 5.0%. The previous estimate had also stood at 5.0%.

For markets, the inventory build is a negative signal for crude prices because it suggests supply exceeded expectations during the week. At the same time, the lower GDPNow estimate points to softer expected economic growth, which could further weigh on oil demand expectations while supporting expectations for a less restrictive Federal Reserve stance.

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Global Finance News 09-30-26

10-06-26The Investor

10-05-26European Investor

10-02-26WS News

Canada

Canada Posts Larger Trade Surplus While Ivey PMI Signals Slower Growth

Canada’s trade surplus widened sharply to C$4.20 billion in August, well above expectations for C$1.50 billion and up from C$0.79 billion in the previous month.

The stronger-than-expected trade balance suggests net exports provided a more favorable contribution to economic activity during the month, with the surplus expanding substantially beyond market forecasts.

Separately, Canada’s Ivey PMI fell to 58.2 in September from 64.3 in August and missed expectations for 65.2.

Despite the decline, the index remained comfortably above the 50 level that separates expansion from contraction, indicating that Canadian business activity continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace.

Taken together, the data present a mixed picture: external trade improved materially in August, while the September PMI suggests some moderation in domestic economic momentum.

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The Investor 10-06-26

Canada GDP Stalls in July, August Estimate Points to Modest Rebound

Canada’s economy was unchanged in July, with monthly GDP growth at 0.0%, matching market expectations but slowing from a 0.3% increase previously.

The flat reading suggests economic momentum weakened at the start of the third quarter, with overall activity failing to expand during the month.

An early estimate for August was more encouraging, however, pointing to 0.2% monthly growth. If confirmed, that would suggest the economy regained some momentum after July’s pause.

For markets, the mixed picture may keep expectations for Bank of Canada policy balanced. The weak July reading supports the case for easier policy, while the August rebound estimate suggests the economy is not deteriorating sharply.

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WS Investor 09-29-26

Canada Wholesale Sales Fall 1.5% in August

Canada’s wholesale sales declined 1.5% month over month in August, reversing the previous month’s 0.3% increase.

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WS News 09-25-26

Canada Retail Sales Fall in July, but August Estimate Points to Strong Rebound

Canadian retail sales declined 0.7% month over month in July, slightly better than the 0.8% contraction expected but reversing the previous month’s 0.6% increase.

Core retail sales, which exclude some volatile components, also fell 0.7%, missing expectations for a 0.5% decline and weakening from a 0.5% gain previously.

The July figures point to softer household spending momentum, but an early estimate for August showed retail sales rebounding 1.3% month over month.

The mixed data suggest consumer demand weakened in July but may have recovered quickly in August. For markets, the stronger August estimate partly offsets the softer July report and may limit the extent to which the data reinforce expectations for easier Bank of Canada policy.

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European Investor 09-24-26

Canada New Housing Prices Fall 0.1% in August

Canada’s New Housing Price Index declined 0.1% month over month in August, matching the previous month’s decrease.

The reading suggests that pricing conditions in the new-home market remained soft, with builders facing continued affordability constraints and cautious buyer demand.

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The Investor 09-17-26

Canada Housing Data Weakens as Building Permits Plunge 17.3%

Canada’s housing sector showed renewed weakness, with housing starts coming in at an annualized 229,000 units in August, below expectations of 243,000 and little changed from the previous month.

Building permits delivered a much larger downside surprise, plunging 17.3% month over month in July compared with expectations for a 4.7% decline, reversing the previous month’s strong 18.3% increase.

The figures add to signs of cooling in Canada’s housing market. Overall, the sharp decline in permits and softer construction activity suggest that residential investment could remain under pressure in the coming months, particularly if borrowing costs stay elevated.

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WS Investor 09-16-26

Canada Wholesale Sales Rise 0.3% in July, Beating Expectations

Canadian wholesale sales unexpectedly increased in July, providing a more resilient signal for economic activity at the start of the third quarter.

Wholesale sales rose 0.3% month over month to C$93.1 billion, beating expectations for a 0.5% decline, though growth slowed sharply from June’s 2.8% increase.

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The Investor 09-15-26

Canada Inflation Cools in August as Monthly CPI Falls 0.1%

Canada’s inflation data showed easing monthly price pressures in August, with headline CPI falling 0.1% month over month, matching market expectations and reversing the previous 0.5% increase.

Core CPI increased just 0.1% on a monthly basis, below the 0.2% forecast and the previous 0.2% reading. On an annual basis, however, core inflation edged higher to 2.4% from 2.3%.

The figures present a mixed inflation picture: short-term price momentum weakened noticeably, while underlying annual inflation remained somewhat sticky.

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WS Investor 09-14-26

Chrétien Tells U.S. ‘We Bow to No One’ as Canada–Trump Trade War Deepens - Hashtag Investing

Former prime minister Jean Chrétien chose one of the most emotionally charged places in the Canada–U.S. relationship to deliver one of the bluntest Canadian

(hashtaginvesting.com)

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The Investor 09-12-26

U.S. Consumer Sentiment Improves in September, While Confidence Weakens in Canada and Mexico

Consumer sentiment across North America diverged in September, according to the latest Thomson Reuters/Ipsos Primary Consumer Sentiment Index readings.

In the United States, the PCSI rose to 50.45 from 49.38 in August, indicating an improvement in household sentiment after the previous month’s decline. The index measures consumers’ views on economic conditions, personal finances, purchasing comfort, job security and expectations.

Canada moved in the opposite direction, with the index falling to 47.35 from 48.19. Canadian households have remained cautious amid affordability pressures, trade uncertainty and concerns about inflation and the broader economic outlook.

Mexico’s PCSI also weakened, declining to 50.84 from 52.77 in August.

The September figures therefore point to improving consumer confidence in the U.S., while sentiment deteriorated in both Canada and Mexico.

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WS Investor 09-09-26

10-06-26Global Finance News

09-17-26WS News

09-09-26European Investor

09-07-26WS News

08-24-26The Investor

NYSE:KEYS

Keysight Brings Agentic AI to RF Design Software With ADS 2027

Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS) is adding agentic AI capabilities to its engineering software, allowing users to connect AI agents and large language models directly to radio-frequency design workflows.

The new functionality is available in Advanced Design System 2027 and RF Circuit Simulation Professional. Engineers can issue natural-language instructions, while AI agents handle tasks such as circuit generation, simulation, verification and optimization.

Keysight said the system uses Model Context Protocol servers to connect AI agents with documented RF design tools and workflows. Engineers can also record macros that capture expert design methods, allowing both colleagues and AI agents to reuse those processes across teams.

A key part of the approach is validation. After an AI agent performs a task, Keysight simulation software checks the resulting design, helping reduce variability associated with probabilistic AI outputs.

The company said the technology could allow engineering teams to test more design alternatives in the same development period, automate repetitive setup work and preserve engineering knowledge across organizations.

Keysight’s move reflects a broader push to bring agentic AI into highly specialized technical fields where traditional LLMs have struggled to interpret graphical engineering workflows consistently.

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The Investor 10-06-26

Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS) has partnered with the University of Glasgow, the UK’s National Physical Laboratory and MPI Corporation to develop a new broadband testing method for next-generation semiconductor devices.

The collaboration demonstrated continuous on-wafer characterization of indium phosphide high-electron-mobility transistors, or InP HEMTs, from near DC to 250 GHz in a single sweep. The approach uses Keysight’s PNA-X Vector Network Analyzer, 250 GHz Frequency Extender and Precision Source/Measure Unit alongside MPI probing technology and NPL calibration expertise.

The new methodology allows engineers to collect consistent broadband S-parameter measurements with a single probe touchdown, reducing the need for multiple measurement setups and calibrations.

Keysight said the approach could simplify characterization of semiconductor devices designed for millimeter-wave and sub-terahertz applications, helping researchers generate more consistent data and accelerate development of technologies used in areas such as advanced communications and high-frequency electronics.

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Global Finance News 10-06-26

Keysight Expands Satellite Direct-to-Device Testing Coverage for NR-NTN

Keysight Technologies expanded its certification-ready testing portfolio for 5G non-terrestrial networks after securing new Radio Resource Management validations at the Global Certification Forum’s latest Certification Agreement Group meeting.

The newly approved Release 17 validations broaden Keysight’s NR-NTN device acceptance coverage across radio frequency, performance and RRM testing. The company now holds 113 validated NR-NTN conformance test cases under 3GPP specifications 38.521-5 and 38.533.

The expansion is aimed at chipset makers, device manufacturers, operators and certification laboratories preparing for satellite direct-to-device services. As non-geostationary satellite constellations move closer to supporting standard smartphones and connected devices, manufacturers need standardized testing to verify interoperability and performance before commercialization.

Keysight achieved the validations using its Wireless Network Emulation Solutions. The company said its broader NR-NTN portfolio also supports development work tied to Release 18 and Release 19 requirements.

The update strengthens Keysight’s position in satellite-enabled 5G testing as terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks increasingly converge, while also giving the company exposure to longer-term 6G development and certification demand.

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Global Finance News 09-22-26

Keysight Highlights 280 Gbps Sub-THz Breakthrough for Future 6G Networks

Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS), NTT and NTT Innovative Devices have achieved a record 280 Gbps wireless data rate using sub-terahertz technology, demonstrating the potential for ultra-high-speed wireless backhaul in future 6G networks.

The test operated in the J-band around 220–325 GHz and used a new wideband amplifier based on Indium Phosphide technology. The amplifier enabled substantially higher signal power, while Keysight’s test equipment generated and analyzed 35 GBaud 256-QAM signals to reach the 280 Gbps throughput.

Keysight also used advanced digital predistortion technology to compensate for signal distortion at high frequencies and power levels, improving signal integrity. The achievement addresses key technical challenges associated with moving wireless communications beyond 100 Gbps.

The technology could become increasingly important as 5G and eventually 6G networks require higher-capacity connections between base stations. Sub-THz wireless backhaul could complement fiber, particularly in dense urban areas and locations where installing fiber infrastructure is expensive or difficult.

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WS Investor 09-16-26

Keysight Technologies Stock Rises 2.6% After Record Q3 and Strong Q4 Outlook

Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS) shares are up 2.6% in premarket trading Wednesday after the electronic design and test equipment company reported record fiscal third-quarter results and issued a strong outlook for the fourth quarter.

Keysight reported Q3 revenue of $1.85 billion, up 37% from $1.35 billion a year earlier. GAAP net income more than doubled to $397 million, while GAAP diluted EPS increased to $2.30 from $1.10.

On an adjusted basis, earnings were even stronger. Non-GAAP EPS jumped 78% year-over-year to $3.07, compared with $1.72 in the prior-year period.

AI, Communications and Semiconductor Demand Drive Growth

Keysight's Communications Solutions Group was the major growth engine, with revenue surging 43% to $1.345 billion. Commercial communications revenue increased 56%, while aerospace, defense and government revenue grew 14%.

The Electronic Industrial Solutions Group also performed strongly, with revenue rising 21% to $501 million on growth across semiconductor, general electronics, automotive and energy markets.

Keysight is strategically positioned within the semiconductor and AI infrastructure ecosystem. Its electronic design, simulation and testing technologies are used in areas including high-speed data centers, advanced semiconductors and next-generation communications. Increasing complexity in AI computing and high-speed networking creates additional testing and validation requirements, providing a structural demand driver for Keysight's equipment and software.

Orders exceeded $2 billion for the second consecutive quarter, highlighting continued demand beyond the reported revenue growth.

Keysight Raises Outlook as Momentum Continues

Management also provided a strong fiscal fourth-quarter forecast. Revenue is expected between $1.93 billion and $1.95 billion, with the midpoint representing approximately 37% year-over-year growth.

Non-GAAP EPS is projected between $3.34 and $3.40, indicating another substantial increase from the third quarter's $3.07.

Strong revenue and earnings growth, record orders and an improved full-year outlook provide several fundamental reasons for KEYS' 2.6% premarket advance. The results also reinforce Keysight's position as an important picks-and-shovels beneficiary of investment across AI infrastructure, semiconductors, communications and advanced electronics.

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WS Investor 08-19-26

Keysight Technologies Edges Up 1% in Premarket After Strongest Quarter in Company History

Keysight Technologies nudged 1% higher in premarket trading today after the electronic measurement company reported what CEO Satish Dhanasekaran described as the strongest quarter in the company's history, with all-time highs across orders, revenue, earnings per share and free cash flow.

Second quarter revenue came in at $1.72 billion, up 31% from $1.31 billion in the same period last year, surpassing $2 billion in orders for the first time. GAAP net income rose to $349 million, or $2.02 per diluted share, from $257 million, or $1.49 per share a year ago. Non-GAAP EPS jumped to $2.87 from $1.70. Free cash flow reached $472 million, and the company ended the quarter with $2.43 billion in cash.

Both reporting segments performed strongly. The Communications Solutions Group grew revenue 35% to $1.23 billion, driven by 40% growth in commercial communications and 24% growth in aerospace, defense and government. The Electronic Industrial Solutions Group grew 24% to $486 million, with double-digit growth across automotive, semiconductor and general electronics end markets.

The results also included a $100 million receivable recorded in the quarter related to IEEPA tariff refunds following a February 2026 Supreme Court ruling that certain tariffs were not authorized by law, partially offset by a $40 million liability for tariff surcharges previously collected from customers.

For Q3, Keysight guided for revenue of $1.730 billion to $1.750 billion, implying roughly 29% year-over-year growth at the midpoint, with non-GAAP EPS of $2.43 to $2.49. The company raised its full-year outlook.

The muted 1% premarket gain likely reflects a market that had already anticipated strong results given the broader momentum in AI infrastructure spending, rather than any disappointment with numbers that were objectively exceptional.

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European Investor 05-20-26

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) will release financial results for the second quarter ending April 30, 2026, after the close of the stock market on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

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The Investor 04-28-26

Keysight Technologies, Inc. and Sateliot have won the European Space Agency and GSMA Foundry Innovation Challenge for their joint 6G-related project.

The award recognizes their work on a blockchain-enabled, AI-driven solution designed to improve reliability and anomaly detection in hybrid satellite-terrestrial networks. The project aims to support the development of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), a key component of future 5G and 6G connectivity.

The companies said the solution enhances network integrity, enables real-time performance monitoring, and supports seamless integration between satellite and ground-based systems.

The recognition highlights growing industry efforts to advance secure, resilient communications infrastructure as part of next-generation global connectivity.

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WS Investor 04-07-26

Keysight Technologies has introduced a new simulation solution aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing costly production errors.

The company unveiled “Keysight Assembly,” a virtual process simulation tool that allows engineers to model real-world assembly workflows—such as part positioning, clamping, and joining—without requiring specialized finite element modeling expertise. The solution is designed to detect issues like distortion and dimensional risks earlier in the development cycle.

By integrating with Keysight’s existing stamping simulation software, the platform connects multiple stages of manufacturing into a unified workflow, enabling better validation before physical prototyping. The approach is expected to reduce trial-and-error processes, shorten development timelines, and improve overall build accuracy.

Keysight said the solution addresses a major challenge in industries such as automotive and industrial manufacturing, where late-stage defects can lead to costly recalls and delays.

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Global Finance News 04-03-26

Keysight launches semiconductor teaching labs to support industry-ready graduates

March 24, 2026 — Keysight Technologies introduced three new semiconductor teaching lab solutions aimed at helping universities train students for careers in the rapidly growing chip industry.

The solutions—covering basic design and measurement, parametric and on-wafer testing, and photonic IC measurement—provide hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and workflows used in semiconductor research and manufacturing.

Keysight said the labs are designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering structured training modules that mirror real-world engineering processes and improve job readiness.

The company highlighted growing demand for skilled semiconductor professionals, noting that practical training is becoming essential as the industry expands globally.

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WS Investor 03-25-26

NASDAQ:NVDA

NVIDIA Launches Isaac ROS 5.0 With Agentic AI Tools for Robotics Development

NVIDIA released Isaac ROS 5.0, expanding its open-source robotics platform with new agentic AI capabilities designed to help developers build, customize and deploy robotics applications faster.

The release adds support for ROS Lyrical and Ubuntu 24.04 while introducing reusable AI-agent skills for setup, manipulation and perception tasks. NVIDIA said new agent-ready documentation and workflows can help AI agents translate developer intent into working robotics applications more efficiently.

One of the key upgrades is FoundationPose, which now includes an agent-ready inference library that can track object position and orientation up to 5.5 times faster. NVIDIA also added a standalone pick-and-place skill combining detection, depth estimation and pose output for robotics developers.

The broader ecosystem is also expanding. RealSense, Intrinsic, Magna, Flexiv, Universal Robots, Mentee Robotics and others are using Isaac ROS across applications ranging from industrial automation and machine tending to humanoid robotics and autonomous manipulation.

Isaac ROS 5.0 supports hardware ranging from Jetson Orin Nano to Jetson Thor, allowing developers to move from development to on-device deployment as robotics workloads grow more complex. The software is available now as a free and open-source release.

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Global Finance News 09-22-26

NVIDIA Launches DSX Ready Program for AI Factory Power and Cooling Systems

NVIDIA introduced DSX Ready, a new qualification program designed to help AI factory builders identify power, cooling and infrastructure products that meet applicable NVIDIA DSX reference-design requirements.

The program launches with two initial categories: battery energy storage systems and cooling distribution units. Qualified BESS products include solutions from Hitachi Energy, LG Energy Solution and Tesla, while qualified CDU providers include LG Electronics, LiquidStack and Vertiv.

DSX Ready is intended to reduce integration risk as AI data centers face increasingly tight power, cooling, water and grid constraints. NVIDIA said the broader DSX platform is designed to treat compute, networking, power, cooling, facilities and software as a single coordinated system rather than separate infrastructure layers.

For battery systems, suppliers complete qualification testing and submit supporting data for NVIDIA review. Cooling providers use a self-qualification suite to determine whether specific CDU products meet NVIDIA’s functional requirements. The company emphasized that qualification does not replace site-level engineering.

NVIDIA plans to add more infrastructure and software categories over time. The initiative reflects the growing importance of power delivery and liquid cooling as AI factories scale to support increasingly dense computing systems.

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European Investor 09-21-26

NVIDIA, Google and Emerald AI Launch Alliance to Tackle AI Data Center Power Constraints

NVIDIA, Google and Emerald AI have launched the AI Energy Management Alliance, a new coalition aimed at making large AI data centers more flexible in how they consume electricity and accelerating their connection to power grids.

Power availability has become a major constraint on the expansion of U.S. AI infrastructure. The alliance is developing a framework that would allow AI data centers to adjust electricity consumption according to grid conditions by shifting computing workloads, using energy storage or paired generation, and reducing demand during periods of system stress.

The approach could allow utilities to connect large AI facilities more quickly while reducing the need for costly grid upgrades. AEMA plans to establish standardized performance requirements covering response times, power curtailment, emergency operations and data sharing between data centers and grid operators.

The initiative brings together AI companies, data center operators, power producers, utilities and grid operators. For NVIDIA and the broader AI industry, addressing electricity constraints is becoming increasingly important as rapidly expanding AI computing capacity requires substantially more power infrastructure.

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WS Investor 09-16-26

NVIDIA Brings Perplexity’s Local AI Agent to Windows RTX PCs

NVIDIA said Perplexity Portable Computer is now available on compatible Windows PCs powered by GeForce RTX and RTX PRO GPUs, expanding access to AI agents that can perform complex tasks locally rather than relying entirely on cloud computing.

Portable Computer is a local version of Perplexity Computer designed to plan and execute multistep tasks. NVIDIA GPUs accelerate local models that can analyze data, work across files and handle recurring tasks while keeping sensitive information on the device. Tasks completed locally also do not consume Perplexity Computer cloud credits.

The platform combines local and cloud AI. For more demanding reasoning tasks, the agent can determine that cloud processing is needed and ask for permission before sending information off-device. It can also connect with services including Microsoft Outlook, OneDrive, Word, Google Drive, Gmail, Slack and GitHub.

The development highlights NVIDIA’s push to expand AI computing beyond data centers and into personal computers. Running increasingly capable AI agents directly on RTX hardware could create another source of demand for high-memory GPUs as agentic AI becomes more integrated into everyday professional workflows.

Portable Computer requires a GeForce RTX or RTX PRO GPU with at least 24GB of VRAM, while support for NVIDIA DGX Station is expected later.

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WS Investor 09-14-26

NVIDIA Says Its AI Platform Is Powering the Global Robotaxi Expansion

NVIDIA is expanding its role in autonomous transportation as robotaxi developers, mobility platforms and automakers increasingly adopt the company’s computing technologies to train, simulate and operate driverless vehicles. NVIDIA says every major robotaxi program currently operating at commercial scale uses at least part of its modular technology stack.

The platform combines three major computing layers: NVIDIA DGX systems for AI model training, Omniverse and Cosmos running on RTX PRO servers for simulation and validation, and DRIVE Hyperion with DRIVE AGX Thor for in-vehicle computing. DRIVE Hyperion 10 uses dual Blackwell-based DRIVE AGX Thor chips alongside cameras, radar, lidar and ultrasonic sensors to provide 360-degree perception and redundant computing.

NVIDIA’s ecosystem now spans many of the biggest names in autonomous mobility. Uber plans to scale NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion-based robotaxis to 28 cities by 2028 and is working with companies including Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, Nuro, Pony*ai, Wayve and WeRide. Lyft, Bolt, May Mobility and Waymo are also using or working with NVIDIA technologies.

Automakers including Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Hyundai, Kia, Geely and Zeekr are also integrating NVIDIA technology into autonomous-driving programs, while Tesla uses NVIDIA supercomputers to train its autonomous-driving neural networks.

The expansion positions NVIDIA to capture computing demand beyond data centers as physical AI moves toward commercial deployment in transportation.

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Global Finance News 09-11-26

US Justice Department probes Nvidia's licensing deal with Groq amid antitrust concerns | Noah Intelligence

The US Department of Justice is examining whether Nvidia's licensing agreement with AI startup Groq was structured to evade antitrust scrutiny, signalling intensified regulation of AI industry mergers.The US Department...

(noah-news.com)

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WS News 09-11-26

NVIDIA and Palantir Partner to Bring Sovereign AI to Critical Supply Chains

NVIDIA and Palantir Technologies announced a new collaboration Thursday to develop a sovereign AI stack designed to optimize complex supply chains, with the technology initially being deployed across NVIDIA’s own operations.

The platform combines NVIDIA’s Nemotron open AI models with Palantir Foundry and its Artificial Intelligence Platform, or AIP. Grounded in Palantir’s Ontology, the system is designed to identify supply constraints, improve visibility and help organizations make operational decisions while maintaining control of proprietary data.

NVIDIA is using the technology to manage one of the semiconductor industry’s most complicated supply chains. The company said each Vera Rubin rack requires about 1.3 million parts, with production dependent on coordinated supplies of compute, memory, networking, power, cooling and mechanical components.

The companies plan to extend the technology beyond NVIDIA to industries including manufacturing, energy, healthcare, automotive and aerospace. Customers will be able to deploy the AI stack on-premises, in colocation facilities or in the cloud while retaining ownership and control of their models and operational data.

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The Investor 09-10-26

Nvidia Gains 2.5% as Rosenblatt and Needham Reiterate Buy Ratings

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) shares rose about 2.5% as two Wall Street firms reiterated bullish ratings on the AI chip leader.

Rosenblatt Securities analyst Kevin Cassidy maintained a Buy rating on Nvidia with a $390 price target, implying substantial upside from the stock’s current price of $234.07.

Needham & Company analyst N. Quinn Bolton also reiterated a Buy rating, setting a $300 price target.

AI Leadership Supports Bullish Sentiment

The positive analyst calls reinforce Wall Street confidence in Nvidia’s position at the center of the artificial intelligence infrastructure market. The company remains the dominant supplier of GPUs used to train and run advanced AI models, while its broader ecosystem spanning networking, software and accelerated computing strengthens its competitive position.

The two price targets indicate different expectations for Nvidia’s upside, but both firms remain bullish on the stock. Rosenblatt’s $390 target is particularly aggressive, representing roughly 67% upside from the indicated price, while Needham’s $300 target implies about 28% upside.

Nvidia’s 2.5% gain suggests the reiterated Buy ratings are adding to positive sentiment around the AI semiconductor leader.

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Global Finance News 09-04-26

NVIDIA to Acquire Hugging Face for $12.93 Billion, Expanding Its Reach Across the AI Ecosystem

NVIDIA has agreed to acquire Hugging Face for approximately $12.93 billion, bringing one of the world’s largest open artificial intelligence developer platforms under the AI chip leader as it expands its influence beyond computing hardware and deeper into the software and model ecosystem.

Hugging Face has become a central hub for open-source and open-weight AI development. According to NVIDIA, more than 18 million developers, researchers and creators use the platform, which hosts over 3 million models, 500,000 datasets and 1 million applications. More than 200,000 companies use Hugging Face to discover, evaluate, customize and deploy AI models.

Importantly, NVIDIA said Hugging Face will remain an open platform rather than becoming tied exclusively to NVIDIA hardware. Developers will continue to be able to choose their preferred models, frameworks, cloud providers, inference services and computing platforms, and NVIDIA compute will not be required to use Hugging Face. The platform will also continue supporting models from competing developers and multi-cloud and multi-accelerator deployments.

The acquisition could significantly expand NVIDIA’s position across the AI technology stack. NVIDIA already dominates the market for accelerators used to train and run advanced AI models, while Hugging Face provides a major distribution and collaboration layer connecting model developers with enterprises and researchers. NVIDIA said it has already published more than 500 models and over 250 open datasets on Hugging Face and describes itself as the platform’s largest contributor of open models and data.

NVIDIA plans to use its infrastructure, engineering capabilities and global reach to improve Hugging Face’s reliability, model evaluation, safety, inference and deployment capabilities while preserving its open ecosystem.

The $12.93 billion deal represents another major strategic expansion for NVIDIA as competition increasingly moves beyond GPUs toward complete AI platforms encompassing chips, networking, software, models and deployment. Owning Hugging Face could give NVIDIA a much broader role in how millions of developers build and deploy AI while maintaining the platform as a hardware-neutral gateway to the wider AI ecosystem.

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European Investor 09-03-26

Nvidia's next act is bigger than selling AI chips: Chart of the Day

CEO Jensen Huang wants Nvidia to become the architecture of AI, not merely its dominant chipmaker.

(finance.yahoo.com)

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WS News 09-02-26

10-06-26The Investor

10-03-26WS News

10-02-26WS News

US Bonds

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The Investor 10-06-26

The deeper reason behind the relentless rise in bond yields

Ignore hysteria calls on rising bond yields.

(finance.yahoo.com)

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WS News 09-28-26

U.S. 7-Year Treasury Auction Yield Jumps to 5.085%

The U.S. Treasury’s latest 7-year note auction cleared at a yield of 5.085%, sharply above the previous auction’s 4.512%.

The roughly 57-basis-point increase signals a materially higher yield environment for intermediate-term U.S. government debt and may reflect investors demanding greater compensation amid persistent inflation, resilient economic data and uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s rate path.

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WS Investor 09-24-26

10-year Treasury yield hits highest level since 2007 as market prices in another Fed rate hike

The 10-year Treasury yield rose to its highest level since 2007 on Wednesday.

(finance.yahoo.com)

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WS News 09-23-26

Treasury Yields Are Climbing. Can Stocks Hold Their Ground?

Rising Treasury yields, persistent inflation, and weakening small caps put pressure on stocks. Here's what investors should watch next.

(articles.stockcharts.com)

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The Investor 09-12-26

U.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield Nears 5% as Inflation and Oil Keep Bond Markets Under Pressure

U.S. Treasury yields remained near multi-year highs Friday, with the benchmark 10-year yield trading around 4.94%, just below the psychologically important 5% level. The yield briefly reached about 4.97% earlier as a global bond selloff continued.

The sharp rise in yields has been driven by renewed inflation concerns and expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates next week. U.S. producer prices rose 0.4% in August and 5.4% year-over-year, while the surge in oil prices above $100 a barrel has increased concerns that energy costs could keep inflation elevated. Markets are currently pricing roughly a 70% chance of a 25-basis-point Fed hike. (Reuters)

Pressure has also emerged from the supply side of the Treasury market. The government bought back $5.2 billion of longer-dated bonds in its latest operation, below the $6 billion maximum and well below the $10.5 billion offered by investors. Concerns about heavy government borrowing are adding to the premium investors demand for holding longer-term debt. (Reuters)

Attention now turns to Friday’s U.S. CPI report. A hotter-than-expected inflation reading could push the 10-year yield through 5%, while softer inflation could provide some relief to the bond market ahead of the Fed’s September 15–16 meeting.

Graph: cnbc*com

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European Investor 09-11-26

U.S. 10-Year Treasury Yield Surges Above 4.92% as Oil and Inflation Revive Rate-Hike Fears

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.922% on Thursday, rising about 8 basis points and reaching its highest level since 2023 as escalating Middle East tensions, surging oil prices and persistent U.S. inflation fueled a sharp bond-market selloff.

Geopolitical developments remain a major driver. The U.S.-Iran conflict has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, while attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure have intensified supply concerns.

The resulting oil rally is feeding directly into inflation expectations. Brent crude has climbed above $104 a barrel, while WTI briefly crossed $100 on Thursday. Higher energy costs raise the risk that inflation remains elevated, reducing the likelihood that the Federal Reserve can ease monetary policy and increasing the possibility of another rate hike.

Thursday’s macro data reinforced those concerns. U.S. producer prices rose 0.4% month over month in August, while annual PPI accelerated to 5.4% from 4.8%, slightly exceeding the 5.3% forecast. Traders subsequently raised the probability of at least a 25-basis-point Fed rate hike next week to nearly 70%. (Reuters)

The 10-year yield has now risen sharply from around 4.75% over the past five sessions. With oil prices elevated and Friday’s U.S. CPI report still ahead, the 5% level is increasingly coming into focus as the next major threshold for the Treasury market.

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The Investor 09-10-26

Apple event live updates: First foldable, the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, watches, and more

Apple is hosting its annual fall event at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters.

(finance.yahoo.com)

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WS Investor 09-09-26

U.S. 10-Year Treasury Auction Yield Jumps to 4.834% as Oil Fuels Inflation Concerns

The U.S. Treasury’s 10-year note auction cleared at 4.834% on Wednesday, sharply above the 4.683% yield at the previous auction, reflecting the broader rise in long-term U.S. borrowing costs.

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WS Investor 09-09-26

US Stocks Rise as Treasury Bond-Market Support Eases Yield Pressure

U.S. stocks were mostly higher Wednesday as the Treasury Department’s expanded bond-buyback operations continued to support sentiment by easing pressure in the government debt market.

The S&P 500 was up 0.37% at 7,719.85, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.46% to 53,588.62. The Nasdaq Composite, however, slipped 0.05% to 26,277.81, giving back its earlier gains as technology stocks lagged the broader market.

Treasury Intervention Brings Relief to Bonds and Stocks

The main catalyst supporting risk sentiment was Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s move to bolster liquidity in the Treasury market. The department said it would at least double the maximum size of liquidity-support buybacks for longer-dated Treasury securities, increasing operations from $2 billion to at least $4 billion and targeting the 10- to 30-year portion of the curve.

Bond yields dropped sharply following the announcement. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield fell about 6 basis points to around 4.65%, while the 30-year yield declined roughly 9 basis points to around 5.20%. Treasury prices and yields move inversely.

The action has provided some relief after the recent surge in long-term borrowing costs became a major headwind for equities. The 30-year Treasury yield had climbed to around 5.34% on Tuesday, its highest level in nearly two decades, amid concerns over government borrowing, inflation, the U.S.-Iran conflict and elevated energy prices.

Dow Leads While Nasdaq Loses Momentum

The latest market action shows a divergence beneath the headline indexes. The Dow is now outperforming with a 0.46% gain, while the S&P 500 remains moderately higher. The Nasdaq has reversed its earlier advance and is trading slightly lower.

The reversal suggests that lower Treasury yields have not been enough to sustain the initial rebound in technology stocks. Growth and technology shares remain particularly sensitive to changes in long-term rates because higher yields reduce the present value of expected future earnings.

For the broader market, however, Treasury intervention has eased one of Wall Street’s most immediate concerns and helped stabilize financial conditions.

Investors will continue to monitor the Treasury market, oil prices and developments surrounding the U.S.-Iran conflict. The Federal Reserve’s July meeting minutes are also in focus for additional clues about the outlook for monetary policy, inflation and interest rates.

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Global Finance News 08-19-26

10-06-26The Investor

10-04-26The Investor

10-03-26WS News

10-02-26WS News

NASDAQ:AMD

AMD Gains as Citi Lifts Price Target to $800, Mizuho Raises Target to $705

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) shares rose about 2.7% on Tuesday after analysts issued bullish updates tied to the company’s expanding role in AI infrastructure and server CPUs.

Citi analyst Atif Malik reiterated a Buy rating on AMD and raised his price target to $800 from $575. Malik said Meta’s newly launched Muse AI agent could significantly increase compute demand and strengthen AMD’s position in the server CPU market.

Citi now estimates the CPU total addressable market could grow from $29 billion in 2025 to $300 billion by 2030, implying a roughly 60% compound annual growth rate.

Malik expects AMD to be the primary beneficiary of what he described as a “CPU renaissance,” with Meta viewed as one of AMD’s largest server customers. He also argued that agentic AI could require orders of magnitude more computing power than traditional chatbot workloads (yahoofinance).

Mizuho also became more bullish on AMD, with analyst Vijay Rakesh raising the firm’s price target to $705 from $580 while maintaining an Outperform rating.

The analyst optimism follows a strong run of fundamental catalysts for AMD. The company recently reported record second-quarter revenue of $11.5 billion, up 50% year over year, while Data Center revenue more than doubled to $6.7 billion on strong demand for EPYC server processors and Instinct AI accelerators (yahoofinance).

AMD is also preparing its next generation of AI hardware, including the Instinct MI450 GPUs, 6th Gen EPYC Venice CPUs and Helios rack-scale AI systems.

The combination of higher analyst price targets, expectations for rapidly expanding AI-driven CPU demand and continued strength in AMD’s data center business appears to be supporting the stock’s latest move higher.

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The Investor 10-06-26

AMD Rose 2.2% After Piper Sandler Initiated Coverage With $600 Target

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) shares rose 2.2% yesterday after Piper Sandler initiated coverage of the chipmaker with an Overweight rating and a $600 price target.

AMD has built a strong position in the rapidly expanding AI and data-center market through its Instinct accelerators, EPYC server processors and increasingly complete rack-scale AI infrastructure. Data Center revenue more than doubled year over year to $6.7 billion in the second quarter, driven by strong demand for EPYC processors and Instinct MI350-series GPUs.

The company is also expanding its position in large-scale AI infrastructure. Its latest portfolio includes the MI400-series accelerators, sixth-generation EPYC CPUs and Helios rack-scale systems, giving AMD exposure across AI training, inference and agentic workloads. Major AI and cloud customers working with AMD technology include OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft and Anthropic.

AMD’s combination of accelerating data-center growth, a broader AI product portfolio and expanding hyperscale deployments provides a strong fundamental backdrop as the company competes for a larger share of global AI infrastructure spending.

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European Investor 09-16-26

AMD Stock Rises 3.5% as CLSA Reiterates Outperform Rating With $710 Price Target

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) shares rose 3.5% to $523.37 on Wednesday as CLSA reiterated its Outperform rating on the semiconductor company.

CLSA maintained a $710 price target on AMD, implying approximately 36% upside from the stock price shown.

The reiterated bullish rating comes as AMD remains a major beneficiary of growing investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure, with investors closely watching the company’s ability to expand its position in the AI accelerator market.

AMD shares have attracted strong investor attention as the company competes for a larger share of AI computing demand while continuing to expand its data center processor business.

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WS Investor 09-09-26

AMD, Cisco and HUMAIN Expand Saudi AI Infrastructure With Instinct GPUs

AMD (NASDAQ: AMD), Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) and Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN announced Monday that their first AMD-powered AI infrastructure is now operational in the Kingdom, marking a major step in their plans to build large-scale sovereign AI capacity.

The production system uses AMD Instinct MI355X GPUs and EPYC CPUs alongside Cisco Silicon One networking and 800G optics. HUMAIN is already using the infrastructure to provide GPU-as-a-service for AI workloads ranging from model training to inference.

The companies also announced the next major phase of the project. Beginning in 2027, they plan to deploy up to 250 megawatts of additional AI infrastructure based on AMD Instinct MI400 Series GPUs, EPYC processors and ROCm software, combined with Cisco networking technology. Capacity is expected to begin coming online in the second half of 2027.

The expansion forms part of the previously announced AMD-Cisco-HUMAIN joint venture, which remains on track to deploy up to 1 gigawatt of AI infrastructure by 2030. The companies said strong customer demand is supporting the buildout.

The project is particularly significant for AMD as it expands the footprint of its Instinct accelerators in large-scale AI data centers, competing for a greater share of a market currently dominated by NVIDIA. For Cisco, the project provides another major opportunity for its high-speed networking technology as AI clusters become larger and more demanding.

The partnership also supports Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a major global AI infrastructure hub, with locally operated computing capacity designed to give governments and enterprises greater control over their data, models and AI systems.

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The Investor 08-31-26

AMD Upgraded to Strong Buy at Raymond James as Price Target Jumps to $641

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) received a bullish analyst upgrade Tuesday, with Raymond James raising its rating to Strong Buy from Outperform and lifting its price target to $641 from $565.

Analyst Simon Leopold's new target represents substantial upside from AMD's recent price of about $477.14.

Why the Upgrade Matters

The upgrade reinforces optimism around AMD's position in the rapidly expanding AI and data-center semiconductor market.

AMD has become one of the most important challengers to Nvidia in AI accelerators, while also maintaining a strong presence in server CPUs through its EPYC product line. The company's growing exposure to hyperscale data centers, enterprise AI infrastructure and next-generation computing gives it significant leverage to continued AI capital spending.

The higher price target suggests Raymond James sees stronger long-term earnings potential as AMD expands its AI product portfolio and competes for a larger share of accelerator and data-center spending.

The shift from Outperform to Strong Buy is also notable because it signals increased conviction rather than simply maintaining an already-positive stance.

Investors will now focus on AMD's AI accelerator shipments, data-center revenue growth, margins and its ability to gain market share as the global AI infrastructure buildout continues.

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WS Investor 08-25-26

MD Acquires Taalas to Strengthen AI Inference Chip Portfolio

AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) has agreed to acquire Taalas, a Toronto-based developer of specialized AI inference silicon, as the chipmaker expands its technology portfolio for the rapidly growing AI inference market.

Founded in 2023, Taalas develops technology designed specifically to optimize AI inference dataflows, reducing compute and memory bottlenecks associated with more general-purpose architectures. AMD said the technology could provide significant improvements in inference performance and efficiency.

The acquisition is intended to complement AMD's broader full-stack AI platform, which includes Instinct GPUs, EPYC CPUs, ROCm software and Helios rack-scale systems.

## AMD Targets Growing AI Inference Demand

AMD plans to integrate Taalas' technology into its accelerator roadmap and combine it with Instinct GPUs to develop system-level AI solutions.

The strategy reflects the industry's increasing focus on inference — the process of running trained AI models — as artificial intelligence moves into high-volume, real-time applications. More specialized silicon can potentially lower the computing, memory and energy requirements associated with deploying increasingly large AI models.

AMD said Taalas' engineering team will also strengthen its AI capabilities while expanding the company's existing semiconductor and AI presence in Canada.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

The deal represents another step in AMD's effort to build a broader AI computing platform and compete across multiple layers of the AI infrastructure market, with Taalas adding specialized inference technology alongside AMD's existing GPU-based accelerator portfolio.

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Global Finance News 08-07-26

## AMD Stock Falls 10% After Hours Despite Record Revenue as Investors Focus on AI Expectations

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) shares fell 10% in after-hours trading Tuesday, despite reporting record second-quarter revenue and earnings, as investors appeared to take profits following high expectations for the company's AI business.

AMD delivered record second-quarter revenue of $11.5 billion, up 50% year over year, while non-GAAP earnings per share surged 246% to $1.66. Gross margin expanded to 56%, and operating income climbed to $3.1 billion, reflecting strong profitability as AI demand continued to accelerate.

The Data Center business remained AMD's primary growth engine. Segment revenue more than doubled, rising 107% year over year to $6.7 billion, driven by robust demand for EPYC server processors and Instinct AI accelerators. The segment accounted for approximately 58% of total company revenue during the quarter. Meanwhile, the Client business continued to perform well with Ryzen processor demand driving 23% growth, although Gaming revenue declined 31% due to weaker semi-custom sales.

Management highlighted a series of major AI announcements during the quarter, including the launch of the Helios AI rackscale platform, the new Instinct MI400 GPU family, sixth-generation EPYC processors, and expanded partnerships with leading AI companies including OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta, Anthropic, Oracle, and others. AMD also announced new collaborations designed to accelerate AI infrastructure deployments and broaden adoption of its hardware and software ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the company forecast third-quarter revenue of approximately $13.0 billion, representing roughly 41% year-over-year growth and another sequential acceleration, while maintaining an expected non-GAAP gross margin of approximately 56%.

Despite the strong financial performance and optimistic outlook, the stock declined after hours as investors appeared to have anticipated another exceptional quarter following AMD's strong rally and elevated expectations surrounding AI infrastructure spending. While the earnings reinforced AMD's growing position in AI computing, the market reaction suggests investors are demanding increasingly larger upside surprises from leading semiconductor companies.

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WS Investor 08-04-26

Semiconductor Stocks Fall as China's Chip Breakthrough Pressures Nvidia and the AI Sector

Semiconductor stocks came under pressure on Monday, dragging the Nasdaq lower as investors weighed China's rapidly advancing semiconductor industry against the latest developments in the global AI infrastructure race. Nvidia led the sector's decline, falling more than 4%, while weakness spread across AI and memory chipmakers.

The latest catalyst on the AI front came after reports that Nvidia is in talks to provide roughly $250 billion in financing guarantees for OpenAI's massive AI data center project in Ohio. The proposed 10-gigawatt facility would rank among the world's largest AI infrastructure projects, underscoring the enormous capital being committed to artificial intelligence. While the news reinforces long-term demand for AI hardware, it also highlights the rapidly evolving competitive landscape and the unprecedented scale of investment required across the industry.

Investor sentiment was also weighed down by developments in China. ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), China's largest memory chipmaker, surged more than 400% in its Shanghai trading debut following Asia's largest IPO of 2026. The emergence of another major Chinese chipmaker renewed concerns that global competition in memory and AI-related semiconductors will intensify. Those concerns were particularly significant for Nvidia, whose growth opportunities in China have already been constrained by U.S. export restrictions.

The weakness extended across the broader semiconductor sector. Memory-related companies including Sandisk, Micron Technology, Western Digital, and SK Hynix posted notable declines, while ASML, AMD, Intel, Marvell Technology, Super Micro Computer, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) also traded lower as investors reassessed the industry's competitive outlook.

Despite Monday's selloff, the semiconductor industry's long-term fundamentals remain supported by accelerating AI adoption and record investment in data center infrastructure. However, the combination of elevated valuations, China's rapid technological progress, and an increasingly competitive global landscape prompted investors to lock in profits following the sector's strong rally.

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European Investor 07-27-26

AMD Stock Rises 3.8% as China AI Chip Approval News and Analyst Price Target Increases Lift Sentiment

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) shares climbed 3.8% on Tuesday after receiving fresh support from Wall Street analysts and a Reuters report that another Chinese company has obtained U.S. approval to purchase AMD's advanced AI chips.

Bank of America raised its price target on AMD to $620 from $550 while maintaining a Buy rating. Meanwhile, KeyBanc increased its target price to $725 from $530 and reiterated its Overweight rating, reflecting growing confidence in AMD's long-term AI growth prospects.

According to Reuters, the U.S. government approved Zhuhai Hengqin Yunxiang Zhisheng Network Technology to purchase certain AMD AI accelerators that compete with Nvidia's H200 chips. The report added that ZTE Kangxun Telecom and server maker Maginfra also received approval to purchase Nvidia's H200 processors. These approvals follow similar authorizations granted in May to major Chinese technology companies, including Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance, and JD*com, suggesting Washington may be selectively easing restrictions on advanced AI chip exports to China.

The Reuters report was viewed as a positive development for AMD, as China remains an important long-term market for AI infrastructure despite ongoing export controls. The latest approvals could allow AMD to capture additional demand from Chinese cloud providers and enterprise customers while expanding its presence in one of the world's largest AI markets.

The broader semiconductor sector also traded higher, supported by expectations of sustained AI infrastructure spending and easing inflation data that reinforced hopes for lower U.S. interest rates. The combination of improving policy developments, stronger access to the Chinese market, and renewed analyst optimism helped lift AMD shares alongside other AI chipmakers.

Investors will continue watching for further developments in U.S. export policy, enterprise AI spending trends, and AMD's execution in the increasingly competitive AI accelerator market, where it continues to challenge Nvidia for market share.

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The Investor 07-14-26

AMD Stock Jumps as Goldman Sachs Raises Price Target to $640

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD) surged nearly 9% on Monday after Goldman Sachs reaffirmed its Buy rating and sharply increased its price target on the semiconductor giant to $640 from $450.

The sizable price target increase comes as optimism surrounding artificial intelligence infrastructure spending continues to strengthen. AMD has been gaining traction in the AI accelerator market with its Instinct GPU lineup, while growing demand for high-performance computing chips has fueled expectations for sustained revenue growth.

The bullish analyst update also reflects confidence that AMD is well positioned to benefit from expanding enterprise AI adoption and continued investment in data center infrastructure. Investors have increasingly viewed the company as one of the leading beneficiaries of the global AI spending cycle alongside other major semiconductor firms.

The rating action helped accelerate buying interest, pushing AMD shares to fresh highs during Monday's session and making the stock one of the strongest performers in the semiconductor sector.

The move highlights continued investor enthusiasm for AI-related chipmakers, with analysts remaining optimistic that strong demand for AI hardware and cloud infrastructure will support AMD's long-term growth trajectory.

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WS Investor 07-06-26

10-06-26The Investor

09-25-26WS News

09-25-26Global Finance News

NASDAQ:ZS

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) announced a collaboration with IBM and Red Hat aimed at protecting private applications during the critical period between vulnerability disclosure and patch deployment.

The partnership combines Zscaler’s Autonomous Application Shield with Lightwell from IBM and Red Hat, allowing organizations to block exploit attempts in real time while validated software fixes are prepared and deployed. Zscaler said the approach is designed to address a growing cybersecurity challenge as AI accelerates the speed at which newly disclosed vulnerabilities can be exploited.

Operating through the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange, the system continuously assesses private applications for exposure and applies application-specific protections when new vulnerabilities emerge. Lightwell then provides validated source-level remediation for affected open-source software.

The companies said the integrated approach will support exposure discovery, machine-speed threat response and targeted remediation, reducing reliance on traditional patching cycles alone.

Zscaler’s Autonomous Application Shield is currently available through an Early Access Program.

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Global Finance News 10-06-26

Zscaler Stock Rises 3.1%, Extends Gains Premarket as Bernstein Raises Target to $298

Zscaler shares closed Thursday at $197.47, up 3.07%, and were trading another 0.67% higher at $198.80 in Friday premarket trading.

The move came as Sanford C. Bernstein raised its price target on Zscaler to $298 from $224 while maintaining an Outperform rating. The new target implies roughly 51% upside from Thursday’s closing price.

Broader probable reasons behind the positive sentiment include continued strength in cybersecurity spending, growing adoption of zero-trust security architectures, and rising enterprise demand for secure access across cloud and AI-driven environments.

Zscaler is also positioned to benefit from companies consolidating security tools onto fewer platforms, particularly as organizations look to protect cloud applications, remote users and machine identities.

The sharp target increase from Bernstein adds to that constructive backdrop, while Friday’s premarket gain suggests positive momentum has carried over into the next session.

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European Investor 09-18-26

Zscaler Launches Agentic SOC With OpenAI and Anthropic Models to Combat AI-Driven Cyber Threats

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) launched Agentic SOC, a new AI-first security operations platform designed to detect, investigate and contain cyber threats at machine speed. The platform combines Zscaler’s security telemetry with specialized autonomous AI agents and automated remediation capabilities.

Zscaler said it partnered with frontier AI companies OpenAI and Anthropic to power Agentic SOC. Their models are integrated with Zscaler’s proprietary threat intelligence and zero-trust telemetry, allowing AI agents to perform deeper threat analysis while improving accuracy and explainability.

The platform draws on data generated across roughly 750 billion daily zero-trust transactions. Specialized agents can handle tasks including alert triage, root-cause investigations, threat verdicts and automated response workflows. Zscaler’s controls can also isolate compromised users, block command-and-control communications and prevent lateral movement within networks.

Agentic SOC also integrates with third-party security tools and combines AI-driven threat hunting with support from Zscaler and Red Canary security experts. The platform is available globally starting Wednesday.

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WS Investor 09-09-26

Zscaler Stock Falls 3.3% Premarket as FY2027 Outlook Points to Slower Growth

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) shares fell about 3.3% in premarket trading Friday despite reporting strong fiscal fourth-quarter results, as investors focused on guidance pointing to slower growth in fiscal 2027.

Fourth-quarter revenue rose 25% year over year to $898.2 million, while annual recurring revenue (ARR) increased 25% to $3.77 billion. Excluding the Red Canary acquisition, ARR grew 20%.

Profitability also improved. Non-GAAP operating income reached $218.4 million, producing a record 24% operating margin, while adjusted EPS increased to $1.19 from $0.89 a year earlier.

One weaker area was cash generation. Quarterly free cash flow dropped to $60.8 million from $171.9 million a year earlier, largely reflecting higher capital expenditures and internal-use software investment.

FY2027 Growth Outlook Weighs on Shares

The stock's decline appears primarily tied to Zscaler's forward outlook. For fiscal 2027, the company expects revenue of $3.91 billion to $3.94 billion, representing growth of 16.6% to 17.5%. ARR is projected to increase by roughly 16.6% to 17.4%.

That represents a substantial deceleration from the 25% headline revenue and ARR growth reported for fiscal 2026.

Zscaler nevertheless remains strongly positioned within the cloud cybersecurity and Zero Trust market. Management sees artificial intelligence as a major growth opportunity, with investments spanning Zero Trust SASE, Agentic SecOps, data security and security for AI.

The 3.3% premarket decline therefore appears less about weak quarterly execution and more about expectations for slower growth ahead. Investors will be watching whether Zscaler's expanding AI-security portfolio can sustain growth while the company continues improving profitability.

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WS Investor 09-04-26

Zscaler Expands Carahsoft Partnership to Target SMB and Mid-Market Cybersecurity Demand

Zscaler (NASDAQ: ZS) announced an expanded partnership with Carahsoft Technology on Tuesday aimed at bringing its enterprise-grade Zero Trust security platform to more small and medium-sized businesses and mid-market customers in the U.S.

The partnership will extend the reach of Zscaler’s Zero Trust Exchange through Carahsoft’s reseller and distribution network, with simplified pricing, standardized security packages and faster deployment designed specifically for smaller organizations.

Zscaler Targets an Underserved Cybersecurity Market

The initiative represents an effort by Zscaler to expand beyond its traditional large-enterprise customer base. SMB and mid-market companies increasingly face ransomware, phishing and identity-based attacks similar to those targeting large corporations, but typically operate with smaller cybersecurity teams and tighter IT budgets.

Under the expanded partnership, Zscaler will offer curated Zero Trust Exchange bundles and deployment accelerators intended to reduce implementation complexity. Pricing and packaging will also be adjusted to provide more predictable costs, while Carahsoft's reseller ecosystem will support procurement and deployment.

The companies will additionally provide partners with standardized onboarding processes, reference architectures and co-selling programs designed to accelerate customer acquisition.

Expanding the Addressable Market for Zero Trust

For Zscaler, the partnership could broaden the addressable market for its cloud security platform by making its technology more accessible to organizations that may previously have considered enterprise Zero Trust deployments too complex or expensive.

Zscaler's cloud-native Zero Trust Exchange replaces traditional appliance-based security architectures by connecting users, devices and applications without relying on implicit network trust. The platform currently operates across more than 160 public exchanges globally, alongside thousands of private exchanges at the edge.

The expanded Carahsoft relationship is therefore primarily a distribution and market-expansion initiative rather than a new product launch. By simplifying deployment and pricing while leveraging an established reseller network, Zscaler is seeking to capture cybersecurity spending from the large SMB and mid-market segment as demand for cloud-based security continues to grow.

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European Investor 08-18-26

ZS plunged nearly 31% after investors reacted harshly to the company’s fiscal third-quarter 2026 earnings report, despite the cybersecurity firm delivering strong headline growth and raising full-year guidance.

The sharp selloff appeared driven not by weak current results, but by concerns over slowing free cash flow margins, rising infrastructure spending and investor fears that expectations for the AI cybersecurity leader had become too elevated following its massive rally over the past year.

Zscaler reported third-quarter revenue of $850.5 million, up 25% year over year, while annual recurring revenue (ARR) also climbed 25% to $3.53 billion. The company highlighted record profitability, with non-GAAP operating margin reaching an all-time high of 23%. Non-GAAP earnings per share rose to $1.08 from $0.84 a year earlier.

Management emphasized that demand remains strong as enterprises increasingly adopt AI-driven security architectures. CEO Jay Chaudhry said Zscaler’s Zero Trust platform is “ideally positioned as the cybersecurity platform for the AI era,” while the company announced multiple AI-related initiatives, including partnerships with OpenAI, Anthropic and Singtel, alongside the planned acquisition of Symmetry Systems to strengthen AI agent security capabilities.

However, investors focused on several softer aspects beneath the strong top-line numbers. Operating cash flow declined year over year to $198 million from $211 million, while the company sharply lowered its full-year free cash flow margin forecast to 22.8%-23.3%, down from previous guidance of 26.5%-27%. Management said the reduction reflects rising capital expenditures tied to infrastructure expansion and long-term AI investments.

The market may also have reacted negatively to decelerating organic ARR growth. Excluding the Red Canary acquisition, ARR growth was 21%, below the reported 25% figure, potentially reinforcing concerns that underlying growth momentum is moderating as the company scales.

Despite the dramatic decline, Zscaler actually raised nearly every major full-year forecast metric. The company increased revenue guidance to as much as $3.3325 billion, lifted operating income expectations and boosted projected earnings per share to $4.10-$4.11.

The selloff suggests investors are reassessing valuation levels and future profitability assumptions rather than reacting to operational weakness. With AI-related cybersecurity spending becoming increasingly competitive and infrastructure-intensive, the market appears concerned that Zscaler’s next phase of growth may come with lower cash generation and higher execution risks than previously expected.

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Global Finance News 05-27-26

Zscaler announced a major expansion of its data sovereignty capabilities through its Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange, aimed at helping global organizations comply with local data regulations while maintaining secure cross-border operations.

The expansion includes new regional deployments and enhanced local control planes that allow enterprises to manage sensitive data within specific jurisdictions without sacrificing performance or security. Zscaler currently operates more than 160 data centers worldwide and uses a decentralized architecture separating control, data and logging planes to ensure that sensitive information remains within required geographic boundaries.

New features include in-region SSL inspection and malware analysis, enabling encrypted traffic to be inspected locally without transferring sensitive data outside the country. The company also introduced certified on-premises deployment options through Private Service Edges and regional support teams to assist organizations with national regulatory requirements.

Zscaler said the platform also supports stronger compliance capabilities such as customer-controlled encryption keys using hardware security modules, flexible regional logging options and a unified compliance framework designed to help organizations meet regulations including General Data Protection Regulation and NIS2 Directive.

The company added that its security cloud infrastructure is fully owned and operated by Zscaler, helping ensure service resilience and reducing the risk that outages at individual data centers could disrupt global operations.
Globe Newswire

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European Investor 03-12-26

Zscaler, Inc. reported strong second-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with revenue rising 26% year over year to $815.8 million and annual recurring revenue (ARR) increasing 25% to $3.36 billion, exceeding the high end of guidance.

Operating cash flow grew 14% to $204.1 million, while free cash flow rose 18% to $169.1 million. Non-GAAP operating income reached $181.0 million, or 22% of revenue, and non-GAAP net income per share climbed to $1.01 from $0.78 a year earlier. GAAP net loss totaled $34.3 million. ARR growth was 21% excluding contributions from the Red Canary acquisition.

The company raised its full-year fiscal 2026 ARR guidance to growth of 24%, now expected at $3.73 billion to $3.75 billion, and increased its revenue and profitability outlook. Zscaler highlighted continued demand across AI Security, Zero Trust Everywhere and Data Security, alongside recent acquisitions and global infrastructure expansion.

Source: Globe Newswire, February 26, 2026.

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Global Finance News 02-28-26

Zscaler, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZS) will release second quarter fiscal year 2026 earnings after the market closes on Thursday, February 26, 2026. The company will host an investor conference call at 1:30 p.m. Pacific time.

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WS Investor 02-06-26

Zscaler announced a series of new AI security innovations designed to help enterprises securely adopt generative and agentic AI at scale. The new Zscaler AI Security Suite aims to provide organizations with full visibility, control and governance across AI applications, models, agents and infrastructure, addressing growing risks such as data loss and cyberattacks that traditional security tools cannot manage.

The company said the new capabilities enable enterprises to inventory their AI footprint, securely control access to sanctioned AI services using Zero Trust principles, and protect AI infrastructure throughout the development lifecycle. Zscaler also highlighted new governance support aligned with frameworks such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework and the EU AI Act, alongside integrations with major AI and cloud providers to accelerate secure AI adoption.

Source: GlobeNewswire

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WS Investor 01-27-26

10-06-26The Investor

09-04-26WS News

09-03-26European Investor

09-01-26European Investor

05-29-26WS News

NYSE:LMT

Lockheed Martin Completes First Flight of Morocco’s First F-16 Block 72

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced the successful first flight of the Royal Moroccan Air Force’s first F-16 Block 72 aircraft, marking a major milestone ahead of initial delivery.

The F-16 Block 72 is the latest and most advanced version of the Fighting Falcon, featuring upgraded avionics, advanced sensors, improved mission systems and enhanced safety and reliability capabilities.

Lockheed Martin said the aircraft will now continue through flight testing as Morocco advances its F-16 modernization program. The company described the program as an important step in strengthening the country’s future airpower and regional defense capabilities.

The milestone also builds on a defense relationship between Lockheed Martin and Morocco that spans more than five decades. Morocco currently operates Lockheed Martin platforms including F-16s, C-130s, radar systems and Black Hawks, and is also set to receive HIMARS systems.

Lockheed is also expanding its industrial footprint in Morocco through initiatives including a new maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Benslimane, which is initially designed to support C-130 aircraft and could later expand to the F-16 platform.

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The Investor 10-06-26

Boeing (NYSE: BA) has received an approximately $14.7 billion contract action from Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) to expand production and deliver PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement seekers.

The seven-year framework is designed to triple Boeing’s PAC-3 MSE seeker production. The seekers are used in advanced Patriot interceptors to identify, track and engage threats including aircraft, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons.

Boeing has already invested in expanding its PAC-3 seeker manufacturing capacity, modernizing facilities and strengthening its supplier network. The production ramp-up is also expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs in the Huntsville, Alabama, area.

The contract supports a broader U.S. effort to accelerate production and delivery of key defense systems.

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Global Finance News 10-06-26

Lockheed Martin and U.S. Army Reach Flexible Black Hawk Production Agreement

Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky unit and the U.S. Army reached a new production agreement for Black Hawk helicopters designed to accelerate deliveries for both U.S. and allied customers.

The initial agreement covers 16 aircraft for the U.S. Army, with the total expected to increase by more than 100 helicopters in coming years as requirements develop and foreign military sales cases mature. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028.

The structure gives the Army flexibility to add aircraft as demand emerges while maintaining uninterrupted production across Sikorsky and its 230-supplier industrial base spanning 43 states.

Funding for the first 16 helicopters will come from fiscal 2025 and 2026 congressional appropriations as well as proceeds from the Black Hawk Exchange and Sales Transaction program, which allows the Army to reinvest revenue from divested older aircraft into new purchases.

Sikorsky is also continuing to modernize the Black Hawk platform with upgrades including more powerful engines, increased payload capacity, longer range, launched effects, autonomy and a Modular Open Systems Approach digital backbone.

More than 5,000 Black Hawk helicopters have been delivered to over 36 allied nations, accumulating more than 15 million flight hours. The agreement is intended to sustain the production base while giving the Army and international partners a faster path to new aircraft.

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The Investor 09-30-26

Avio USA Breaks Ground on Virginia Solid Rocket Motor Facility to Expand U.S. Defense Capacity

Avio USA has broken ground on its first U.S. manufacturing facility, a roughly 900,000-square-foot solid rocket motor plant in Hurt, Virginia, aimed at expanding domestic missile and munitions production capacity.

The facility is expected to produce thousands of solid rocket motors annually for U.S. tactical missile programs and create around 1,500 technical jobs in Southern Virginia. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2028, with production beginning in early 2029.

Avio USA, a subsidiary of Italy-based Avio, plans to operate as an independent supplier to multiple U.S. defense customers and prime contractors. The company said the facility will add capacity, increase competition and improve resilience in the U.S. solid rocket motor supply chain.

The plant is being developed to support requirements across the U.S. defense industry, including programs for Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Lockheed Martin said the project should help diversify and strengthen the supply base for solid rocket motors that are critical to missile production.

HITT Contracting is serving as general contractor for the project.

The investment reflects the broader effort by defense contractors and suppliers to expand U.S. manufacturing capacity for missiles and energetics, particularly in areas where limited supplier capacity has become a constraint on production growth.

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WS Investor 09-29-26

Lockheed Martin and GM Defense Accelerate PAC-3 MSE Component Production

Lockheed Martin said GM Defense delivered the first mission-critical components for the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor just 22 days after the companies signed a formal contract, highlighting efforts to accelerate U.S. munitions production.

The agreement was signed on August 6, with the first batch of PAC-3 MSE housing components delivered on August 28. Lockheed Martin said components of this type can traditionally take months or even years to produce, making the rapid turnaround a notable example of applying commercial manufacturing practices to defense production.

GM Defense used its advanced casting and machining capabilities to meet military specifications, while Lockheed Martin said the partnership demonstrates how commercial manufacturing capacity can help expand the defense industrial base and improve missile production speed.

The effort comes as Lockheed Martin invests between $8 billion and $9 billion to expand munitions production across the U.S. The company said planned expansions will increase its production and warehousing space for munitions by nearly 50% and support programs including PAC-3 MSE, THAAD and Precision Strike Missile.

Lockheed Martin and GM Defense said they plan to expand the partnership further, applying commercial manufacturing practices across additional munitions and future defense programs.

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The Investor 09-17-26

Lockheed Martin Demonstrates Networked Legion Sensor System on F-16s

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) successfully demonstrated a new pod-to-pod data link for its Legion sensor system during F-16 flight tests with the U.S. Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Test Center.

Two F-16s equipped with Legion pods connected through L3Harris’ HiveLink data link and shared sensor information in flight, improving target-track accuracy. The capability allows pilots to establish near-instantaneous engagement solutions against multiple airborne targets, particularly in contested or radar-denied environments.

Legion is a passive infrared search-and-track system, meaning aircraft can detect and track airborne targets without relying on active radar emissions. Connecting multiple Legion-equipped aircraft allows their sensor data to be combined, providing more accurate range and positioning information while reducing pilot workload and shortening engagement timelines.

Lockheed Martin is continuing F-16 flight testing and plans further development involving software-defined radios, multi-waveform gateways and manned-unmanned teaming. Legion is already in production for the U.S. Air Force and can operate across F-15 and F-16 platforms, with its open architecture supporting integration into additional fighter and unmanned aircraft.

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WS Investor 09-16-26

IBM and Lockheed Martin Launch Swiss Quantum Innovation Hub at ETH Zurich

IBM and Lockheed Martin have established a new quantum innovation hub at ETH Zurich that will host Switzerland’s first IBM Quantum System Two, expanding access to advanced quantum computing for Swiss universities, industries and startups.

The system will be installed at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre in Lugano and operated by IBM. It will use IBM’s Quantum Nighthawk processor, while ETH Zurich will provide expertise and resources to support research, workforce development and new industrial applications. Deployment is expected by the end of 2026.

Organizations participating in the hub will initially gain access to IBM’s existing quantum computers through the cloud before receiving access to the dedicated Swiss system. Potential applications include chemistry, materials science, optimization and financial services.

The initiative also expands the existing IBM-Lockheed Martin partnership. The companies plan joint research projects exploring quantum sensing for navigation and the use of advanced technologies to improve additive manufacturing of metallic alloys, with potential applications in aerospace and defense.

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The Investor 09-10-26

Lockheed Martin and Saildrone Demonstrate Armed Autonomous Vessel at RIMPAC 2026

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Saildrone successfully demonstrated a weapon-equipped unmanned surface vessel during the U.S. Navy’s RIMPAC 2026 exercise near Hawaii, highlighting growing military use of autonomous maritime systems.

The companies launched two rounds from a Saildrone Surveyor integrated with Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) Dual Launcher and the Navy’s ARES fire-control system. The unmanned vessel acted on targeting data for a simulated high-speed surface threat.

Autonomous Naval Warfare Expands

The demonstration progressed from concept to live testing in just six months and also included passive electronic-warfare capabilities. The Saildrone detected and identified a simulated threat radar while operating alongside an MH-60S helicopter.

The partnership plans additional tests, including integration with Saildrone’s larger Spectre-class platform. Future configurations could carry Lockheed Martin’s Mk 70 launcher and other containerized naval systems.

For Lockheed Martin, the demonstration expands the potential market for existing missiles, sensors and combat systems by integrating them with lower-cost autonomous platforms. It also reflects a broader U.S. Navy strategy of combining traditional warships with distributed unmanned systems, potentially increasing fleet reach and firepower without requiring additional crewed vessels.

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WS Investor 08-20-26

Lockheed Martin, Verizon and NVIDIA Demonstrate AI-Powered Drone Detection Using 5G Networks

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Verizon, NVIDIA, Keysight Technologies, ODC and Astris AI have successfully demonstrated a new AI-powered system designed to detect and track drones using existing 5G infrastructure.

The NetSense Airspace Awareness-as-a-Service system uses AI to analyze radio-frequency disturbances across cellular networks, allowing it to identify, track and monitor unmanned aircraft without requiring major changes to existing 5G infrastructure. During a July demonstration in Miami, the technology successfully detected drones and maintained tracking throughout their flights.

The platform combines Lockheed Martin's tracking technology with Verizon's 5G spectrum, NVIDIA AI Aerial, ODC's AI-native radio-access-network software and Keysight's RF simulation technology. Potential applications include airports, power plants, hospitals, schools, stadiums and other critical infrastructure.

An important advantage is scalability. NetSense can operate using existing cellular deployments, potentially providing a faster and more cost-effective alternative to dedicated drone-detection infrastructure. It also has a roadmap toward future 6G networks.

Pilot deployments are planned for the second half of 2026 and early 2027, with broader commercial availability targeted for 2027. The system will be offered as a subscription integrated with customers' existing security operations.

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WS Investor 08-12-26

Lockheed Martin announced that Peru has selected its F-16 Block 70 fighter jets to modernize the country’s air force and strengthen defense capabilities. The advanced multi-role aircraft is designed to enhance operational readiness, air sovereignty, and regional security through improved radar, weapons systems, and extended service life.

The deal marks a significant step in Peru’s military modernization and reinforces its strategic partnership with the United States. The aircraft will be produced at Lockheed Martin’s facility in South Carolina, joining a global fleet operated by 29 countries.

Source: Lockheed Martin

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The Investor 04-24-26

09-05-26European Investor

01-09-26WS Investor

12-19-25Global Finance News

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09-15-25WS News

NYSE:ACN

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has completed its acquisition of Danish technology company Mjølner Informatics from Norlys, expanding its software engineering and digital development capabilities in Denmark.

The deal adds approximately 400 Mjølner professionals to Accenture and strengthens the company’s expertise in complex software, embedded systems and digital engineering, particularly for energy, utilities and manufacturing clients.

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Aarhus, Mjølner operates across Denmark as well as Madrid and provides end-to-end digital solutions to clients, with a strong presence in Western Denmark.

The acquisition also deepens Accenture’s strategic relationship with Norlys. Accenture will continue providing digital development and IT services to support Norlys’ broader business and technology transformation.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

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Global Finance News 10-06-26

Accenture Stock Jumps 23% After Strong Q4 Results and Solid FY2027 Outlook

Accenture shares surged 23% on Thursday after the company reported fourth-quarter revenue above the high end of its guidance range, alongside strong earnings, cash flow and shareholder returns.

Fourth-quarter revenue rose 6% to $18.7 billion, or 7% in local currency, while new bookings increased 4% to $22.2 billion. GAAP diluted EPS climbed 46% to $3.29, and operating margin improved sharply to 15.3%.

For the full fiscal year, revenue reached $74.2 billion, up 6%, while adjusted EPS increased 8% to $13.97. Free cash flow totaled $11.6 billion, giving Accenture significant capacity for capital returns.

The company returned a record $11.5 billion to shareholders during fiscal 2026, including $7.5 billion through share repurchases and redemptions. Accenture also highlighted a record 141 quarterly client bookings valued at $100 million or more.

For fiscal 2027, Accenture expects local-currency revenue growth of 3% to 6% and GAAP EPS of $14.39 to $14.81, representing growth of 6% to 9%. The company also plans to return at least $9.5 billion to shareholders.

The sharp stock reaction appears to reflect a combination of stronger-than-expected quarterly execution, broad-based demand, improving profitability, robust cash generation and a reassuring FY2027 outlook.

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European Investor 10-01-26

Accenture Invests in Within to Accelerate Enterprise AI and Agent Deployment

Accenture has made a strategic investment in Within through Accenture Ventures and formed a new partnership aimed at helping companies move more quickly from process discovery to AI-agent deployment.

Within’s platform captures how employees actually work across applications, including undocumented handoffs, exceptions and offline interactions. It organizes that information into a continuously updated “Work Brain,” giving AI agents the operational context needed to automate workflows and improve processes across areas such as finance, HR, sales, customer service, IT, supply chain and procurement.

The partnership addresses a major challenge in enterprise AI adoption: companies are spending more on AI but often struggle to generate sustained value because real-world workflows are poorly documented. Accenture cited survey data showing 82% of C-suite leaders are increasing AI investment, while only 23% say they are achieving widespread, sustained business value from the technology.

Accenture plans to combine its AI delivery capabilities and industry expertise with Within’s work-to-agent platform to help clients identify automation opportunities, deploy agents and redesign operating models faster. Within’s architecture is also designed for privacy-sensitive and regulated environments.

The investment terms were not disclosed.

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The Investor 09-23-26

Accenture and Google Cloud Team With Volvo Cars on AI-Powered Automotive Software Platform

Accenture and Google Cloud said Volvo Cars has become the lead industry partner for Horizon, an open-source software development platform designed to help automakers build, test and deploy Android Automotive OS software faster.

Volvo Cars is migrating its global AAOS development environment to Horizon, which combines cloud-native development tools, virtual testing environments and AI-assisted workflows. The platform is intended to shorten development cycles and give engineering teams more time to focus on in-car digital experiences.

Accenture and Google Cloud said Horizon can deliver up to 9x faster software testing using virtual Android Automotive environments, reduce infotainment feature development costs by up to 40%, and cut build feedback times from as much as two hours to minutes. The platform also supports remote access to virtual and physical device farms and faster onboarding through virtual workbenches.

The companies said insights from the Volvo collaboration will help refine Horizon and expand its generative AI capabilities for other automakers and industrial manufacturers. Accenture, Google Cloud and Volvo are already working to extend the platform to additional organizations and markets.

The partnership highlights the growing shift toward software-defined vehicles, where faster development, virtual validation and AI-assisted engineering are becoming increasingly important competitive capabilities.

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Global Finance News 09-22-26

Accenture Edge and AWS Launch Six AI and Cloud Offerings for Mid-Market Companies

Accenture and Amazon Web Services expanded their collaboration with six ready-to-deploy offerings aimed at helping mid-market companies adopt AI, modernize cloud infrastructure and strengthen cybersecurity.

The initiative is being delivered through Accenture Edge, a business focused on companies with annual revenue between $300 million and $3 billion. AWS is serving as a foundational partner, providing cloud, security and AI capabilities alongside Accenture’s industry and implementation expertise.

The six offerings include Agentic Data Discovery, AI-Powered Instance Migration, Connected Customer Experience Innovation Services, Optimization Health Check, RAI Red Teaming and Secure Cloud Foundation. They are available through the Accenture AWS Marketplace Storefront and are designed to address data migration, cloud modernization, contact-center AI, cost optimization and AI security.

Accenture and AWS also pointed to work with 407 ETR, where a cloud-based contact-center platform built on Amazon Connect helped support more than 250 employees while achieving 99.9% platform reliability and keeping call and chat abandonment rates at 5% or less.

The collaboration broadens Accenture’s AI and cloud push into the mid-market, where companies often need more standardized and lower-complexity solutions than large enterprises.

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Global Finance News 09-22-26

Accenture Stock Falls 3.4% as Guggenheim Downgrades Shares to Neutral

Accenture shares fell 3.4% to $183.84 after Guggenheim downgraded the stock to Neutral from Buy.

The downgrade added pressure to a stock already facing concerns around the pace of enterprise IT spending and the potential impact of generative AI on traditional consulting and outsourcing models.

Broader probable reasons behind the weakness include investor uncertainty over whether AI will accelerate demand for Accenture’s transformation services or reduce spending on more labor-intensive consulting work. The company is investing heavily in AI capabilities, but markets remain focused on how quickly those investments translate into stronger revenue growth and margins.

Accenture also remains exposed to cautious corporate technology budgets, particularly when clients delay large transformation projects or prioritize shorter-term efficiency initiatives.

The 3.4% decline suggests investors are taking a more cautious view of the near-term risk-reward profile following Guggenheim’s downgrade.

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WS Investor 09-18-26

Accenture and Google Cloud Deepen AI Partnership With New Gemini Enterprise Business Group

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and Google Cloud are expanding their artificial intelligence partnership with the launch of the Accenture Gemini Enterprise Business Group, aimed at helping companies deploy and scale agentic AI across their operations.

The new group will combine Accenture’s industry expertise with Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise technology and AI infrastructure. A major part of the initiative will be the creation of a 1,000-person forward deployed engineer workforce focused on helping enterprises move AI projects from experimentation into production.

The initiative builds on Accenture’s nearly 50,000 Google Cloud-skilled professionals. The companies plan to expand Gemini Enterprise training and certification while developing reusable industry-specific AI solutions, implementation frameworks and dedicated capability centers.

Accenture and Google Cloud highlighted YouTube as an example of their existing collaboration. During periods of high demand for NFL Sunday Ticket, a Gemini Enterprise agent helped improve customer sentiment by 11% while reducing average customer-service handling time by 37%.

The new business group reflects growing enterprise demand for agentic AI systems capable of performing complex tasks and integrating with corporate data and workflows.

For Accenture, the initiative strengthens its position as a major implementation and consulting partner for enterprise AI. For Google Cloud, it expands the delivery capacity available to organizations adopting Gemini Enterprise, potentially accelerating broader commercial adoption of its AI platform.

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The Investor 09-08-26

Accenture to Acquire COMWARE to Expand AI and Digital Services in Japan

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has agreed to acquire Tokyo-based COMWARE, strengthening its push into Japan’s mid-market technology sector. Financial terms were not disclosed.

COMWARE provides end-to-end IT services and has particular expertise in SAP, CRM and enterprise systems. The company will add more than 180 professionals to Accenture and become part of Accenture Edge, the business launched in June 2026 to help mid-sized companies adopt AI and modernize their operations.

Expanding Accenture’s AI Strategy

The acquisition will strengthen Accenture’s ability to deliver AI-, data- and cloud-powered digital transformation services, particularly to Japanese manufacturers. COMWARE brings experience across discrete manufacturing, chemicals and food industries, along with more than 25 years as an SAP Japan partner.

For Accenture, the deal expands its local talent base and client relationships while supporting its strategy of using acquisitions to accelerate AI-driven digital transformation. The transaction also highlights growing demand among mid-market companies for modernization of core business systems as AI adoption accelerates.

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Global Finance News 08-27-26

Accenture to Acquire McCoy to Expand SAP and AI Capabilities in European Mid-Market

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has agreed to acquire Dutch SAP transformation specialist McCoy, strengthening its SAP modernization and artificial intelligence capabilities for mid-sized companies across Europe. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Why the McCoy Acquisition Matters

McCoy specializes in SAP solutions spanning ERP, data, enterprise integration, managed services and business applications. The company is a SAP Gold Partner with operations in the Netherlands, Spain and the Philippines and serves industries including manufacturing, high technology, utilities, retail and the public sector.

Following completion, McCoy will become part of Accenture Edge, Accenture's recently launched business targeting mid-market companies with annual revenue between $300 million and $3 billion. The deal is intended to strengthen Accenture Edge's position in the growing EMEA mid-market and expand its SAP modernization capabilities in the Netherlands.

The acquisition will also add more than 380 specialized professionals and McCoy's proprietary SAP accelerators, designed to simplify implementations and accelerate enterprise transformation.

SAP and AI Strategy Converge

A key strategic element is the integration of AI into customers' core SAP environments. Accenture said the combination will help mid-market clients modernize SAP systems faster, integrate AI into business processes and scale new capabilities with less complexity.

For Accenture, the transaction expands its position at the intersection of enterprise AI, cloud and SAP transformation while strengthening its push into the European mid-market. The acquisition remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

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WS Investor 08-25-26

Accenture Plunges 15% Despite Strong Earnings as Investors Focus on Slower Growth Outlook

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) shares tumbled 15% on Thursday despite reporting solid third-quarter fiscal 2026 results, as investors focused on slowing organic growth, softer bookings, and concerns surrounding the company's exposure to U.S. federal government spending.

The consulting and technology services giant reported third-quarter revenue of $18.7 billion, up 6% year-over-year in U.S. dollars and 3% in local currency. Diluted earnings per share rose 9% to $3.80, while operating margin expanded 20 basis points to 17.0%. The company also generated $3.6 billion in free cash flow and returned $2.2 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the quarter.

While the headline results exceeded many expectations, investors appeared disappointed by several underlying trends. New bookings totaled $19.3 billion, slightly below the $19.7 billion reported a year earlier, raising concerns about future revenue growth in an environment where consulting clients remain cautious about discretionary spending.

The market's reaction also reflected concerns about Accenture's revised full-year outlook. The company now expects fiscal 2026 revenue growth of 3% to 4% in local currency. Although management noted that growth would be 4% to 5% excluding an estimated 1% impact from its U.S. federal business, investors remain worried about the potential effects of reduced government spending and contract activity.

Accenture's federal business has increasingly become a focus for investors following recent efforts by the U.S. government to review spending programs and improve efficiency across federal agencies. The acknowledgment that federal contracts are weighing on growth reinforced concerns that government-related demand could remain a headwind in the coming quarters.

At the same time, investors may have been expecting stronger benefits from the ongoing artificial intelligence investment cycle. While CEO Julie Sweet highlighted growing demand for large-scale AI transformation projects and noted that the company has recorded 104 client bookings worth more than $100 million year-to-date, the overall revenue growth rate remained relatively modest compared with some technology and AI-focused peers.

Management attempted to emphasize long-term opportunities by announcing cybersecurity acquisitions, including deals involving Dragos, runZero, and NetRise. The company believes these transactions will expand its addressable market and strengthen its position in operational technology security, one of the fastest-growing segments of enterprise cybersecurity.

Despite Thursday's sharp selloff, Accenture continues to generate strong profitability, substantial cash flow, and industry-leading margins. However, investors appear to be demanding faster growth and clearer evidence that AI-related demand can translate into stronger revenue acceleration.

The stock's decline highlights the market's increasingly high expectations for large technology and consulting firms. Even with earnings growth, margin expansion, and strong shareholder returns, concerns about bookings, federal spending exposure, and moderate growth guidance were enough to overshadow an otherwise solid quarterly performance.

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Global Finance News 06-18-26

07-06-26WS Investor

06-19-26The Investor

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06-11-26European Investor

05-30-26The Investor

NYSE:LHX

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) has received a contract from the Commonwealth of Australia to provide an integrated Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) solution under the LAND 4111 protected mobility vehicle modernization program.

Under the three-year program, L3Harris will design, integrate and install advanced communications systems on selected Command and Troop variants of Australia’s Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle. The work will be carried out at the company’s Indo-Pacific Regional Support Centre in Pinkenba, Queensland.

The upgrade is intended to improve connectivity, interoperability and mission effectiveness for the Australian Defence Force by equipping the vehicles with resilient communications and command-and-control capabilities.

L3Harris said the LAND 4111 contract strengthens its long-standing role in supplying sovereign, mission-critical communications and integrated platform solutions to Australia’s military.

Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

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Global Finance News 10-06-26

L3Harris Highlights Advanced Manufacturing Behind WESCAM MX-Series EO/IR Systems

L3Harris Technologies highlighted the manufacturing processes behind its WESCAM MX-Series electro-optical and infrared systems, emphasizing precision, scalability and mission-specific configuration for defense and security customers.

The company said WESCAM manufacturing brings together engineering, production and operations teams throughout the product lifecycle, from component integration and calibration to testing and final acceptance. Digital engineering, streamlined workflows and continuous process improvements are used to support faster delivery while maintaining consistent quality.

A key feature of the MX-Series is its modular architecture, which allows customers to tailor sensor configurations to specific operational requirements and add new capabilities over time without replacing entire systems.

The systems are designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting missions across airborne, land and maritime platforms. L3Harris said its approach is informed not only by engineering and manufacturing expertise but also by personnel with experience operating the systems in the field.

The company is continuing to invest in manufacturing capabilities and workforce development as it seeks to scale production of advanced EO/IR systems while maintaining performance and reliability standards.

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WS Investor 10-01-26

L3Harris Wins $6 Billion THAAD Propulsion Contract to Expand Missile Defense Production

L3Harris Technologies has received an undefinitized contract from Lockheed Martin valued at more than $6 billion over seven years to significantly expand propulsion production for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.

The award follows an earlier framework agreement with the U.S. Department of War to quadruple THAAD propulsion production. L3Harris said the contract, together with its recently announced PAC-3 MSE propulsion award, is consistent with previously stated expectations for both programs.

To support the expansion, L3Harris plans to build a new facility dedicated to THAAD Solid Rocket Boost Motor production and increase capacity for Liquid Divert and Attitude Control systems.

THAAD is designed to intercept short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats both inside and outside the atmosphere. L3Harris said the system has maintained a 100% intercept success rate in flight testing since production began.

The contract adds another major long-term propulsion program to L3Harris’ missile portfolio and supports a broader effort to increase U.S. missile defense manufacturing capacity.

The scale of the award also reinforces the company’s role as a key propulsion supplier to Lockheed Martin and the wider U.S. missile defense industrial base.

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WS Investor 09-29-26

L3Harris Completes Design Review for SDA Tranche 3 Missile Tracking Satellites

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) completed the Preliminary Design Review for the Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer Tranche 3 program, advancing development of its next-generation space-based missile warning and tracking system.

The review confirms the baseline design for L3Harris’ Tranche 3 mission solution, which includes satellites, ground systems, networking, communications and infrared payloads. The system is designed to provide infrared sensing, advanced on-orbit data processing and real-time threat detection, supporting near-continuous global tracking of missile threats once deployed.

L3Harris received the SDA contract in December 2025 to design and build 18 spacecraft for the Tranche 3 Tracking Layer. The company said it now has more than 70 missile tracking and defense satellites on order for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

The satellites will operate as part of the SDA’s broader layered missile defense architecture and are intended to strengthen detection and tracking of advanced ballistic and hypersonic threats.

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Global Finance News 09-25-26

L3Harris Highlights Expanding Role in Australia’s Maritime Defense

L3Harris Technologies is highlighting its growing role in Australia’s maritime defense strategy as the country faces increasing security demands across the Indo-Pacific.

The company said it has a long history of working with the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Border Force and local industry partners to support maritime operations. Its portfolio in the country includes sonar and underwater systems, communications, electronic warfare and surveillance technologies.

L3Harris emphasized that many of these capabilities are being co-developed with Australian partners rather than simply imported from overseas programs. The systems are intended to support missions ranging from border protection and constabulary operations to high-intensity conflict.

The company is also positioning its local partnerships as part of Australia’s broader effort to strengthen its sovereign defense industrial base. L3Harris said its work is aligned with the country’s Defence Industry Development Strategy and is intended to build longer-term domestic capability.

The focus on Australia reflects broader defense demand for undersea warfare, electronic warfare, secure communications and maritime surveillance as governments increase investment in Indo-Pacific security.

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The Investor 09-23-26

L3Harris Expands Modular Electronic Warfare Architecture With AI-Enabled DiSCO

L3Harris is advancing a new modular electronic warfare architecture designed to connect distributed sensors, effectors and platforms across air, ground, maritime and unmanned systems.

The company said its approach moves away from traditional single-function, platform-specific electronic warfare systems toward software-defined, multifunctional systems built on commercial off-the-shelf hardware and open architecture. Capabilities can be updated, swapped or reconfigured in the field, allowing the same system to support defensive operations, offensive missions or intelligence collection.

At the center of the architecture is L3Harris’ Distributed Spectrum Collaboration Operations, or DiSCO, an electromagnetic battle management system developed with cloud providers. DiSCO combines battlefield sensors, data links and communications into a single network and uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to reduce the time required to identify unknown signals from months to minutes.

The company is also deploying its Deceptor electronic warfare payload on unmanned platforms and air-launched effects, extending non-kinetic capabilities to smaller and potentially expendable systems.

The broader strategy reflects growing demand for electronic warfare systems that can be updated quickly, operate across multiple domains and avoid dependence on a single vendor or platform.

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The Investor 09-17-26

L3Harris Pushes KC-135 Avionics Modernization as Tanker Fleet Heads Beyond 2050

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) is highlighting its avionics modernization solution for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-135 aerial refueling fleet, which is expected to remain in service beyond 2050. The company says targeted upgrades can extend the aircraft’s operational life while maintaining global mission readiness.

L3Harris’ approach replaces aging flight-deck instrumentation with modern digital technology, aiming to reduce maintenance risk, sustainment costs and aircrew workload. The system uses a government-owned architecture and an established C-135 baseline, providing an open platform for future upgrades while limiting integration risk.

The modernization effort also addresses declining availability of parts for the decades-old aircraft. L3Harris uses commercially proven components and industry-standard interfaces, which the company says can reduce dependence on individual vendors and provide greater flexibility for future upgrades.

L3Harris has previously completed mission-system upgrades for C-135 variants operated by both the U.S. Air Force and the U.K. Royal Air Force, positioning the company to benefit from continued investment in extending the service life of existing military aircraft fleets.

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The Investor 09-15-26

L3Harris Wins $60 Million U.S. Air Force Contract for Proximity Sensors

L3Harris Technologies has received an approximately $60 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to continue production of its DSU-43/B Cockpit Selectable Height of Burst Sensors, or C-HOBS.

The technology allows aircrews to select the precise altitude at which a munition detonates, enabling its effects to be adjusted for different targets and mission environments. The sensors provide radar-guided performance as well as manual and cockpit-selectable burst-height capabilities.

L3Harris said it is increasing production capacity for proximity fuzes and sensors as the U.S. military seeks greater supplies of proven and cost-effective counter-threat technologies. Production of the C-HOBS systems will take place at the company’s Cincinnati facility.

The contract adds to L3Harris’ recent momentum in missile and weapons systems as the company expands manufacturing capacity to meet higher U.S. defense demand. The award also reinforces the role of its Missile Solutions business in supplying critical components for modern munitions.

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WS Investor 09-14-26

L3Harris Advances GPS Protection With Anti-Jam and Anti-Spoofing Technology

L3Harris Technologies is advancing its military navigation capabilities with TruNav AJ, a GPS protection system designed to counter both signal jamming and spoofing in increasingly contested operating environments.

Traditional GPS protection has focused largely on preventing jamming, which disrupts access to positioning, navigation and timing signals. Spoofing creates a different threat by transmitting false signals that can provide military systems with incorrect positioning or timing information. L3Harris says modern navigation systems increasingly need protection against both threats.

TruNav AJ combines multichannel digital antenna electronics with anti-jam, anti-spoofing and jammer situational-awareness capabilities. When paired with the company’s TruTrak-M military GPS receiver, the system can perform anti-jam-assisted anti-spoofing while detecting and mitigating surrounding jamming threats.

L3Harris has also designed the technology for integration across military platforms with different size, weight, power and cost requirements. The company supports the navigation portfolio with modeling, simulation, testing and systems engineering capabilities.

The technology reflects the growing importance of resilient positioning and navigation as electronic warfare increasingly targets the GPS signals used by aircraft and other military systems.

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The Investor 09-11-26

L3Harris Selected by U.S. Navy to Deliver VAMPIRE Counter-Drone Systems

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) has been selected by the U.S. Navy to supply its VAMPIRE counter-unmanned systems, expanding the defense contractor’s role in the U.S. military’s growing counter-drone architecture.

The VAMPIRE system is a self-contained weapons platform designed to provide reconnaissance and precision-strike capabilities against drones and remotely piloted systems. For the Navy deployment, L3Harris is adapting and ruggedizing the platform to withstand maritime conditions and support littoral counter-drone defense missions.

The award comes as the U.S. military increases investment in systems capable of detecting and defeating relatively inexpensive unmanned aerial threats. L3Harris is also delivering VAMPIRE systems to the U.S. Army, broadening the platform’s deployment across multiple military services.

L3Harris has additionally developed Wraith Shield software, which uses radios as sensors to detect and counter small drones. The technology can be integrated with VAMPIRE and the company’s Drone Guardian systems to create a layered defense architecture against unmanned threats.

The Navy selection strengthens L3Harris’ position in the rapidly expanding counter-unmanned systems market, where demand is being driven by the increasing role of drones in modern warfare and the need for scalable defenses across land and maritime environments.

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The Investor 09-08-26

03-20-26The Investor

03-12-26Global Finance News

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