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Lowe’s Launches Drone Delivery With DoorDash and Wing Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW) launched a drone delivery pilot in Matthews, North Carolina,

Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW) launched a drone delivery pilot in Matthews, North Carolina, becoming the first home improvement retailer to offer the service. Customers can...

09-24-26

IBM Acquires Logiq Consulting to Expand UK Cybersecurity and Secure Digital Transformation Capabilities IBM (NYSE: IBM) acquired Logiq Consulting, a

IBM (NYSE: IBM) acquired Logiq Consulting, a UK cybersecurity consultancy with expertise across defence, critical national infrastructure, government and other highly regulated sectors. The...

09-24-26

Microchip Launches New 65V Digital Power Monitors for 48V AI, Automotive and Industrial Systems Microchip Technology (NASDAQ: MCHP) introduced its

Microchip Technology (NASDAQ: MCHP) introduced its new PAC1761 and PAC1861 families of 65V energy-aware digital power monitors, targeting growing demand for 48V power architectures...

09-24-26

Workday Launches AI-Powered Total Benefits Platform for Employee Benefits Management Workday (NASDAQ: WDAY) launched Workday Total Benefits, a new AI-powered

Workday (NASDAQ: WDAY) launched Workday Total Benefits, a new AI-powered solution designed to bring employee health, wealth and wellbeing benefits into a single experience...

09-24-26

RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Delivers First GTF Advantage-Powered Aircraft to United Airlines RTX’s (NYSE: RTX) Pratt & Whitney marked the

RTX’s (NYSE: RTX) Pratt & Whitney marked the delivery of the first aircraft powered by its new GTF Advantage engine, an Airbus A321XLR, to...

09-24-26

Welltower Rises as JPMorgan Upgrades Stock to Overweight Welltower (NYSE: WELL) shares rose about 2.1% after JPMorgan upgraded the healthcare

Welltower (NYSE: WELL) shares rose about 2.1% after JPMorgan upgraded the healthcare REIT to Overweight from Neutral while maintaining a $260 price target. Analyst...

09-24-26

VICI Properties Falls as JPMorgan Downgrades Stock, Scotiabank Cuts Price Target VICI Properties (NYSE: VICI) shares fell about 1.8% after

VICI Properties (NYSE: VICI) shares fell about 1.8% after JPMorgan downgraded the gaming and hospitality REIT to Neutral from Overweight, while Scotiabank lowered its...

09-24-26

United Therapeutics Falls as Goldman Sachs Starts Coverage With Sell Rating United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR) shares fell about 4.1% after

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR) shares fell about 4.1% after Goldman Sachs initiated coverage of the biotechnology company with a Sell rating and a $321...

09-24-26

SailPoint Gains as Truist Raises Price Target to $27 SailPoint (NASDAQ: SAIL) shares rose about 3.5% after Truist Financial raised

SailPoint (NASDAQ: SAIL) shares rose about 3.5% after Truist Financial raised its price target on the identity security software company to $27 from $23...

09-24-26

Royal Caribbean Rises as JPMorgan Raises Price Target to $394 Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE: RCL) shares rose about 4.1% after

Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE: RCL) shares rose about 4.1% after JPMorgan raised its price target on the cruise operator to $394 from $345 while...

09-24-26

CoreWeave Gains as JPMorgan Upgrades CRWV to Overweight, Raises Target to $125 CoreWeave (NASDAQ: CRWV) shares rose about 4% Thursday

CoreWeave (NASDAQ: CRWV) shares rose about 4% Thursday after JPMorgan upgraded the AI infrastructure company to Overweight from Neutral and raised its December 2027...

09-24-26

Mexico Holds Interest Rate at 6.50% in September Banco de México kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 6.50% in

Banco de México kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 6.50% in September, matching market expectations and leaving policy steady from the previous meeting.

09-24-26

US

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

U.S. Stocks Edge Lower as Jobless Claims Stay Low and Home Sales Beat Expectations

U.S. stocks traded modestly lower on Thursday, with the S&P 500 down 0.18% at 7,692.30, the Dow Jones falling 0.25% to 51,381.27 and the Nasdaq declining 0.53% to 26,792.15.

Fresh economic data pointed to continued resilience in parts of the U.S. economy. Initial jobless claims came in at 197,000, below the 201,000 expected and slightly below the previous 198,000, suggesting layoffs remain relatively contained. Continuing claims were 1.719 million, also below the 1.750 million forecast.

Housing data were also stronger than expected. August building permits were revised to 1.403 million from an earlier 1.394 million estimate, while new home sales reached 684,000, well above the 615,000 consensus and up from 643,000 previously.

The relatively firm labor and housing figures may be limiting expectations for faster Federal Reserve easing, putting some pressure on equities and particularly rate-sensitive technology shares. The Nasdaq was the weakest of the three major indexes in early trading.

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European 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

U.S. Stocks Fall as Strong September PMI Data Revives Rate Concerns

U.S. stocks traded lower Tuesday as stronger-than-expected September business activity data raised concerns that resilient economic growth could keep interest rates elevated for longer.

The S&P 500 fell 0.37% to 7,736.24, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.34% to 51,687.57. The Nasdaq underperformed with a 0.54% drop to 27,095.84.

S&P Global’s U.S. Manufacturing PMI jumped to 57.0 in September from 53.9, well above the 53.6 forecast. Services PMI also strengthened to 58.7 from 56.5, beating expectations of 55.8, while the Composite PMI climbed to 58.4 from 56.0.

The readings point to strong momentum across both manufacturing and services. While that supports the economic outlook, investors may also see the data as reducing the urgency for additional monetary easing and potentially keeping Treasury yields under upward pressure.

Technology stocks were among the weaker areas of the market, contributing to the Nasdaq’s larger decline. Investors will now watch upcoming inflation, labor-market and Federal Reserve signals for further clues on the path of interest rates.

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WS News 09-23-26

U.S. Stocks Mixed as Tech Gains Offset Dow Weakness, ADP Data Shows Firmer Hiring

U.S. stocks traded mixed Tuesday, with technology shares outperforming while the Dow Jones remained under pressure.

The S&P 500 was nearly flat, up 0.08% at 7,770.63. The Nasdaq gained 0.55% to 27,270.74, supported by strength in technology and growth stocks, while the Dow Jones fell 0.41% to 51,837.62.

Fresh labor-market data added a somewhat firmer signal to the session. ADP’s weekly employment estimate showed private-sector employment increased by 20,000, up from 16,300 previously. The improvement suggests hiring momentum remained positive, even as other recent indicators have pointed to some moderation in broader economic activity.

Investors are still balancing the Federal Reserve’s recent 25-basis-point rate increase against signs of softer growth. Flat August industrial production and a decline in the U.S. Leading Index have raised concerns about economic momentum, while the stronger ADP reading points to continued resilience in the labor market.

Lower oil prices are also helping ease inflation concerns, with Brent crude trading below $100 as Middle East supply fears moderate. That backdrop is supporting rate-sensitive growth stocks, particularly technology, while more cyclical Dow components remain weaker.

For now, the market is showing a clear divergence: technology shares continue to lead, while investors weigh resilient employment against tighter monetary policy and softer industrial indicators.

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WS Investor 09-22-26

U.S. Stocks Rally as AI Shares Surge and Falling Oil Prices Ease Inflation Fears

U.S. stocks traded sharply higher Monday, led by technology shares as falling oil prices and lower Treasury yields improved risk sentiment.

The S&P 500 rose 0.95% to 7,723.01, while the Dow Jones gained 0.43% to 51,903.85. The Nasdaq outperformed with a 1.53% advance to 26,927.20.

Technology and AI-related stocks were the main drivers of the rally. Chipmakers including AMD, Intel and Micron posted strong gains, while Meta also advanced as investors returned to AI-related names after last week’s concerns over the pace of artificial-intelligence development eased.

The broader market also benefited from a sharp decline in crude oil prices. Brent fell back toward $100 a barrel as concerns over Middle East supply disruptions eased, helping reduce inflation pressure and pushing the 10-year Treasury yield below 5%.

Improving U.S.-China sentiment added to the positive backdrop, with investors looking ahead to high-level discussions covering trade, technology and AI.

For now, the combination of lower energy prices, easing bond yields and renewed enthusiasm for AI is supporting a broad risk-on move, with the Nasdaq clearly leading the major U.S. indexes.

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The Investor 09-21-26

U.S. Stocks Slip as Weak Industrial Data and Higher Yields Offset Fed-Driven Optimism

U.S. stocks traded modestly lower Friday as investors weighed softer economic data against lingering confidence in the Federal Reserve’s inflation-fighting stance.

The S&P 500 fell 0.20% to 7,622.67, while the Dow Jones declined 0.34% to 51,602.07. The Nasdaq was down 0.13% at 26,383.07, giving back part of its earlier gains.

The session followed Thursday’s rally, when falling oil prices and lower long-term Treasury yields helped investors respond positively to the Fed’s 25-basis-point rate increase. The central bank raised its benchmark range to 3.75%–4.00%, and Chair Kevin Warsh emphasized that inflation remains too high, reinforcing confidence that the Fed is prepared to act against persistent price pressures.

Friday’s economic data were less supportive. U.S. industrial production was unchanged in August, missing expectations for a 0.3% increase, while manufacturing output fell 0.3% after seven consecutive monthly gains. The U.S. Leading Index also declined 0.1%, pointing to some moderation in near-term economic momentum.

At the same time, Treasury yields remained an important headwind. The 10-year yield has recently traded near 5%, keeping pressure on equity valuations, particularly in growth-sensitive sectors. Brent crude’s retreat below $100 has helped ease some inflation concerns, but investors remain focused on whether the Fed will deliver another rate increase later this year.

For now, Wall Street appears caught between confidence in the Fed’s inflation response and concern that tighter monetary policy, high yields and slowing industrial momentum could weigh on growth.

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WS Investor 09-18-26

U.S. Pending Home Sales Rise 0.3% in August as GDPNow Holds at 5.1%

U.S. pending home sales rose 0.3% month over month in August, beating expectations for a 0.2% decline and rebounding from a 2.6% drop in the previous month.

The stronger reading suggests some stabilization in housing demand despite elevated mortgage rates and ongoing affordability pressures. Pending home sales track signed contracts and are often viewed as a leading indicator for future existing-home sales.

Separately, the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model kept its estimate for third-quarter U.S. economic growth unchanged at 5.1%.

Together, the data point to continued resilience in the U.S. economy. Housing demand showed a modest improvement, while the GDPNow estimate continued to signal strong overall growth momentum in the third quarter.

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The Investor 09-17-26

U.S. Stocks Rally as Fed Rate Hike Boosts Confidence in Inflation Fight

U.S. stocks opened sharply higher Thursday, with investors responding positively to the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decision and signs that policymakers remain committed to bringing inflation under control.

The S&P 500 rose 0.93% to 7,621.95, while the Dow Jones gained 0.52% to 51,730.65. The Nasdaq led the advance, climbing 1.28% to 26,312.06 as technology shares attracted renewed buying.

The gains followed Wednesday’s Federal Reserve decision to raise its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to a 3.75%–4.00% range. Although the move was widely expected, the unanimous decision under Fed Chair Kevin Warsh appeared to strengthen investor confidence that the central bank is prepared to address persistent inflation pressures.

Sentiment was also supported by a pullback in oil prices, easing some concerns that high energy costs could add further inflation pressure. Reuters reported that U.S. stock futures had already moved higher before the opening bell as lower crude prices reinforced the positive reaction to the Fed decision.

Still, the Fed maintained a hawkish stance, with most policymakers indicating that another rate increase could be appropriate before the end of the year. For now, however, markets appear to be focusing on the credibility of the Fed’s inflation response.

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WS News 09-17-26

U.S. Housing Starts Fall in August While Philadelphia Manufacturing Beats Forecast

U.S. housing activity weakened in August, with housing starts falling 2.6% month over month to an annualized 1.275 million units. The headline figure came below the 1.320 million market forecast, pointing to continued pressure on residential construction.

Building permits, a forward-looking indicator for future construction, came in at 1.394 million, slightly below expectations of 1.400 million.

At the same time, manufacturing data were stronger. The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index registered 37.8 in September, beating the 31.3 consensus estimate, although it slowed from 47.4 previously.

The data present a mixed picture for the U.S. economy: housing remains under pressure from elevated borrowing costs and affordability constraints, while regional manufacturing activity continues to show relatively strong expansion.

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WS News 09-17-26

09-24-26WS News

09-23-26WS News

US Bonds

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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

U.S. Stocks Fall as Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices and Treasury Yields Pressure Markets

U.S. stocks traded lower Tuesday as the continuing U.S.-Iran conflict pushed oil prices higher and intensified concerns about inflation and interest rates, with technology stocks leading the decline.

The Nasdaq Composite fell 1.3% to 26,301, underperforming the broader market. The S&P 500 declined 0.49% to 7,707, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.06% at 53,429.

The risk-off move comes as hopes for a lasting resolution to the U.S.-Iran conflict fade. Iran has shifted toward a more offensive military posture after efforts to negotiate a permanent end to the conflict stalled, while Washington declined to extend the temporary ceasefire.

Oil and Bond Yields Add Pressure

Energy markets remain one of the main channels through which the conflict is affecting U.S. equities. Brent crude rose for a third consecutive session Tuesday, trading around $91 per barrel and reaching its highest level in nearly three weeks as continued restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns about global oil supplies.

Higher oil prices are feeding concerns that energy costs could keep inflation elevated, complicating the outlook for monetary policy.

Those concerns have spilled into the bond market. The U.S. 30-year Treasury yield climbed as high as 5.327%, its highest level since 2007, while the benchmark 10-year yield was also around 4.73%. The rise in long-term yields reflects a combination of inflation concerns related to the conflict and oil prices, alongside broader worries about U.S. borrowing and debt issuance.

The combination of higher energy prices and rising bond yields is particularly challenging for growth and technology stocks, helping explain the Nasdaq's sharper decline.

Latest U.S. Data Point to Softer Economic Momentum

Tuesday's economic releases added another layer of uncertainty.

U.S. housing starts dropped 12.4% month-over-month in July to an annualized 1.239 million units, well below expectations of 1.340 million and down sharply from 1.415 million previously.

Industrial production increased just 0.2% month-over-month in July, below the 0.3% forecast and previous reading. On a year-over-year basis, production growth slowed to 1.08% from 1.29%.

The labor market offered a somewhat stronger signal. Weekly ADP employment growth came in at 9,500 jobs, up from 8,300 previously.

Taken together, the data point to uneven economic momentum: employment continues to expand, but housing activity weakened sharply and industrial production grew more slowly than expected.

For Wall Street, however, geopolitics remains the dominant driver Tuesday. As long as the U.S.-Iran conflict keeps Brent crude elevated and pushes longer-term Treasury yields higher, pressure on equity valuations — particularly in the technology sector — is likely to remain a central market risk.

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The Investor 08-18-26

Inflation is increasingly in focus for the US bond market and the Fed, says Mike Mitchell, head of US Treasury and Inflation Trading at Goldman Sachs.

(goldmansachs.com)

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European Investor 08-15-26

09-24-26WS News

09-18-26WS Investor

09-18-26European Investor

NASDAQ:META

Meta Stock Rises 2% as Analysts Raise Targets and Muse App Gains Momentum

Meta Platforms shares rose 2% to $751.36 after multiple analysts issued positive updates on the stock, while the company’s newly launched Muse AI app continued to strengthen investor enthusiasm around Meta’s broader AI strategy.

Cantor Fitzgerald raised its price target to $860 from $680 while maintaining an Overweight rating. KeyCorp also kept an Overweight rating and lifted its target to $900 from $780. UBS reiterated its Overweight rating.

The analyst optimism comes as Meta’s Muse personal AI agent gains early traction. Muse can perform tasks such as sending emails, booking travel and working across connected apps, rather than functioning only as a conversational chatbot. Meta launched the service earlier this month, and the app quickly climbed U.S. download rankings.

Muse has become increasingly relevant to the investment case because it gives Meta a consumer-facing AI product beyond its traditional social-media platforms. Reuters reported that Muse has surpassed 2.5 million downloads, while Meta is continuing to test additional capabilities such as phone calls performed on users’ behalf. (Reuters)

Other reasons behind the stock’s strength include continued digital-advertising growth, AI-driven improvements in recommendations and ad targeting, and growing confidence that Meta can eventually monetize its large AI investments through products such as Muse.

The 2% gain suggests higher analyst targets and the strong early reception for Muse are reinforcing optimism around Meta’s AI strategy.

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The Investor 09-23-26

Meta Muse AI may throw gas on the labor displacement problem — but it's not all doom and gloom

Monthly jobs reports will take on greater weight as AI displaces workers.

(finance.yahoo.com)

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Global Finance News 09-22-26

Meta Expands Threads Parental Supervision Across Asia-Pacific

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) is rolling out parental supervision tools for Threads across Asia-Pacific, expanding its efforts to give parents greater visibility and control over how teenagers use its social-media platforms.

Through Meta’s Family Center, parents will be able to monitor how much time their teens spend on Threads, establish daily usage limits and block access during selected hours. Parents can also adjust sleep mode, control who can tag their teen and manage certain privacy and sensitive-content settings.

The new controls build on Threads’ existing Teen Accounts, which automatically provide protections including private accounts and restrictions on the content shown to younger users. For teens under 16, parents can determine whether those default protections can be relaxed.

The expansion brings Threads more closely in line with Meta’s broader parental-control framework across its apps as the company continues investing in teen safety and family-management tools.

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WS Investor 09-16-26

Meta Launches Meta One Subscription Service With Expanded AI Features

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) has launched Meta One, a new subscription service spanning Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Meta AI, creating another potential revenue stream beyond the company’s core advertising business. Meta said more than 50 features are available at launch, while its subscription products have already accumulated 15 million subscriptions and trials.

Meta One combines premium social-media features with higher usage limits for the company’s increasingly compute-intensive AI tools. Subscribers can generate and edit more images and videos with Meta AI, access additional Instagram AI features and choose between individual app subscriptions and broader Core and Premium bundles. Meta said its basic apps and everyday Meta AI experience will remain free.

The company is also targeting creators and businesses with professional tools, including enhanced profiles, audience-growth features and greater access to Meta Business Agent for automated customer interactions. Meta plans to expand these capabilities with additional AI agents, content-creation tools and business automation features.

Pricing starts at $2.99 per month for individual products and $7.99 for consumer bundles, while creator and business packages begin at $14.99 and extend to as much as $499 per month for the highest-tier plan. The rollout gives Meta another way to monetize its enormous user base and growing AI ecosystem through recurring subscription revenue alongside advertising.

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WS Investor 09-16-26

Meta and Applied Materials Declare Quarterly Cash Dividends

Meta Platforms and Applied Materials announced quarterly cash dividends on September 10, continuing shareholder capital returns at two of the largest U.S. technology companies.

Meta’s board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.525 per share for both Class A and Class B common stock. The dividend will be paid on September 28 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 21.

Applied Materials separately declared a quarterly dividend of $0.53 per share, payable December 10 to shareholders of record on November 19. The semiconductor equipment company increased its quarterly dividend by 15% earlier this year, from $0.46 to $0.53, marking its ninth consecutive annual dividend increase.

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Global Finance News 09-11-26

Meta Expands WhatsApp Payments in India With New Bill-Pay Feature

Meta is expanding WhatsApp’s role in India’s digital payments market with the launch of a new feature allowing users to pay household and utility bills directly within the messaging app.

The service, powered by India’s Bharat Connect (BBPS) network, provides access to 22,722 billers across 30 categories, including electricity, gas, water, insurance, credit cards, FASTag and loan repayments.

Users can access the service through the ₹ icon in WhatsApp, view upcoming and previous bills, manage multiple accounts and make payments using UPI, debit cards or credit cards. The feature is being rolled out gradually to Android and iOS users across India.

WhatsApp Pushes Deeper Into India’s Digital Economy

The launch expands WhatsApp beyond messaging and commerce into another high-frequency financial activity. The platform already supports services in India such as mobile recharges, metro-ticket purchases and access to government services.

For Meta, integrating recurring payments could increase engagement with WhatsApp’s payments ecosystem and strengthen the app’s position as an everyday digital platform in one of its most important global markets.

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The Investor 09-04-26

Meta Stock Falls 9% Premarket Despite Strong Revenue Growth as Profit Margins Shrink on AI Spending

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) shares dropped 9% in premarket trading on Thursday after the social media giant reported second-quarter results that highlighted the growing cost of its aggressive artificial intelligence investments, overshadowing another quarter of strong revenue growth.

Revenue increased 28% year-over-year to $60.8 billion, driven by continued strength in digital advertising. Ad impressions rose 14%, while the average price per ad increased 12%. Family Daily Active People (DAP) reached 3.60 billion, up 3% from a year earlier, demonstrating continued user engagement across Meta's platforms.

## AI Investment Weighs on Profitability

Despite the robust top-line growth, investors focused on a sharp deterioration in profitability. Total costs and expenses surged 55% to $42.0 billion, reflecting massive AI infrastructure investments, $2.4 billion in legal-related charges and $1.18 billion in severance costs following the company's May workforce reduction.

As a result, operating income declined 8% to $18.8 billion, while operating margin contracted to 31% from 43% a year ago. Net income fell 14% to $15.8 billion, and diluted earnings per share decreased 13% to $6.18.

Meta also spent $31.1 billion on capital expenditures during the quarter and narrowed its full-year capital expenditure guidance to $130-145 billion, reinforcing expectations that AI infrastructure spending will remain elevated.

## Guidance Offers Limited Relief

For the third quarter, Meta expects revenue between $61 billion and $64 billion, while raising the lower end of its full-year expense guidance to $165-169 billion. The company maintained its expectation that full-year operating income will exceed 2025 levels, but investors appeared more concerned about the pace of spending than the revenue outlook.

## What to Watch

The sharp premarket decline suggests investors are becoming increasingly sensitive to profitability as large technology companies continue investing heavily in AI. Going forward, the market will closely monitor whether Meta can translate its record AI spending into stronger earnings growth while preserving operating margins.

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European Investor 07-30-26

Meta Beats Q1 Estimates, But Surging AI Capex Spooks Investors

Meta Platforms delivered a strong Q1 2026, yet shares slid after hours as Wall Street fixated on a massive spending hike.

Revenue climbed 33% year-over-year to $56.31 billion — the fastest growth since 2021 — beating estimates of $55.45 billion. Adjusted EPS came in at $7.31, topping the $6.79 consensus. Ad impressions jumped 19% year-over-year, while average price per ad rose 12%.

The trouble? AI spending. Meta raised its full-year 2026 capex guidance to $125–$145 billion, up from $115–$135 billion, citing higher component pricing and additional data center costs — and that single line item drove a ~6% after-hours decline.

META shares were trading at $613.00 in pre-market, down 8.39%.

Zuckerberg's AI investments have yet to produce new revenue streams but have strengthened the core advertising business. For now, markets want proof the bet will pay off (CNBC).

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WS Investor 04-30-26

Meta Posts 33% Revenue Growth in Q1 2026, Hits $56.3 Billion

Meta Platforms reported first-quarter revenues of $56.3 billion, up 33% year over year, with operating income rising 30% to $22.9 billion at a 41% margin. Net income surged 61% to $26.8 billion, though results were boosted by an $8 billion one-time tax benefit. Daily active users across Meta's family of apps averaged 3.56 billion in March, up 4% from a year ago. Ad impressions grew 19% and average ad prices rose 12%. Capital expenditures reached $19.8 billion for the quarter, with full-year capex guidance raised to $125-145 billion, reflecting higher component costs and expanded data center investment. For Q2, Meta guided revenues of $58-61 billion.

Source: Meta Platforms, Inc. Press Release, April 29, 2026

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Global Finance News 04-29-26

Meta has signed a major agreement with Amazon Web Services to deploy AWS Graviton processors at scale, supporting its next-generation AI infrastructure. The rollout will begin with tens of millions of Graviton cores, with capacity expected to expand as demand grows.

The partnership reflects increasing demand for CPU-intensive workloads driven by “agentic AI,” including real-time reasoning, code generation, and multi-step task orchestration. While GPUs remain key for training models, Graviton chips are positioned to handle large-scale operational AI processes more efficiently.

The deal strengthens Meta’s long-standing relationship with AWS and supports its broader AI strategy, leveraging Amazon’s cloud infrastructure and services to manage billions of AI-driven interactions.
Business Wire

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The Investor 04-26-26

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COINBASE:BTCUSD

Gold and Bitcoin Rise as Investors Seek Safety and Risk Exposure After Fed Decision

Gold and Bitcoin moved higher Friday, with both assets benefiting from shifting expectations around inflation, interest rates and broader market risk sentiment.

December gold futures rose 0.60% to about $4,426 an ounce, extending gains as investors continued to assess the Federal Reserve’s latest rate increase and the outlook for inflation. Gold remained supported by demand for defensive assets, even as oil prices retreated and some immediate geopolitical supply concerns eased.

Bitcoin climbed 2.13% to around $78,019, recovering further from recent weakness. The cryptocurrency moved steadily higher through the session and briefly approached $78,500 as risk appetite improved.

The moves reflect different parts of the same macro environment. Gold is benefiting from continued demand for inflation protection and safe-haven exposure, while Bitcoin is drawing support from stronger appetite for higher-risk assets and renewed interest in crypto after the Fed’s policy decision reduced some uncertainty around the near-term rate outlook.

For both markets, the next major drivers are likely to be U.S. inflation data, Treasury yields, the dollar and any further signals from Federal Reserve officials about the possibility of additional rate increases.

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European Investor 09-18-26

Bitcoin Falls Below $76,000 After CLARITY Act Fails to Advance in Senate

Bitcoin fell 1.5% to around $75,794 on Wednesday, extending losses after the U.S. Senate failed to advance the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act, dealing a setback to hopes for a comprehensive U.S. regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies.

The legislation failed to clear the Senate’s 60-vote procedural threshold on Tuesday. The vote was 50-49 in favor before a procedural switch, with opposition centered partly on ethics provisions and other unresolved regulatory issues. The bill was designed to establish clearer rules for digital-asset issuance and trading and clarify regulatory responsibilities between the SEC and CFTC. [Reuters)

The regulatory disappointment is being compounded by a difficult macro backdrop. Investors are awaiting Wednesday’s Federal Reserve decision, while elevated U.S. Treasury yields and expectations for a potential rate increase are supporting the dollar and pressuring risk assets including cryptocurrencies.

For Bitcoin, the combination of delayed U.S. regulatory clarity and tighter monetary-policy expectations has weakened momentum after the cryptocurrency recently traded above $80,000.

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European Investor 09-16-26

Gold and Bitcoin End Volatile Week Lower as Fed Rate-Hike Expectations Rise

Gold and Bitcoin came under pressure this week as surging Treasury yields, persistent U.S. inflation and sharply higher oil prices strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates at its September meeting.

Gold December futures finished Friday at $4,408.90 per ounce, nearly unchanged on the day but down about 1.8% over five sessions. Spot gold lost roughly 1.5% for the week, marking a third consecutive weekly decline. Rising bond yields were the main headwind, with the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield approaching 5% as investors repriced the interest-rate outlook. (Reuters)

Inflation remained central to the selloff. August CPI rose 0.4% month over month and 3.4% annually, while core prices increased 0.3%. Markets ended the week pricing an approximately 87% probability of a Fed rate increase next week. Gold nevertheless attracted dip-buying on Friday, while geopolitical uncertainty continued to provide some safe-haven support. (Reuters)

Bitcoin followed a similar risk-off pattern, falling about 2.3% over five days to around $77,300. The cryptocurrency briefly approached $80,000 before retreating toward $77,000 as higher yields reduced investor appetite for non-yielding and higher-risk assets.

Oil added another layer of pressure. Brent gained more than 8% for the week despite retreating Friday to $104.61, as Middle East supply disruptions kept inflation concerns elevated.

Next week’s Federal Reserve decision is therefore the key catalyst for both assets. A rate hike accompanied by a hawkish outlook could keep gold and Bitcoin under pressure, while a less aggressive Fed message and a retreat in Treasury yields could provide room for a rebound.

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The Investor 09-12-26

Gold, Silver and Bitcoin Fall as Higher Yields Keep Pressure on Alternative Assets

Gold, silver and Bitcoin traded lower Friday as elevated Treasury yields and persistent uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate outlook continued to weigh on non-yielding and risk-sensitive assets.

December gold futures fell 0.51% to $4,384.70 an ounce, although prices recovered substantially from an intraday low near $4,350. December silver declined 0.66% to $64.50 an ounce after also rebounding from earlier losses.

Bitcoin was down 1.04% over the past 24 hours at around $77,151. The cryptocurrency briefly fell toward $76,500 before recovering, but remained well below the $78,000 area seen earlier in the period.

The moves come after Thursday’s stronger-than-expected U.S. producer inflation data pushed Treasury yields sharply higher and revived concerns that the Fed could maintain a tighter policy stance. Meanwhile, oil prices remain above $100 a barrel despite Friday’s pullback, keeping energy-driven inflation risks in focus.

Investors are now turning their attention to Friday’s U.S. consumer inflation data, which could provide the next major signal for Treasury yields, the dollar, precious metals and Bitcoin ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve meeting.

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European Investor 09-11-26

Gold, Silver and Bitcoin Slide as Surging Treasury Yields Trigger Broad Selloff

Gold, silver and Bitcoin fell sharply Thursday as rising U.S. Treasury yields and renewed inflation concerns pressured both precious metals and cryptocurrencies.

December gold futures dropped 1.23% to $4,405.70 an ounce, while December silver futures plunged 4.98% to $65.23. Bitcoin fell 2.71% over 24 hours to around $77,016, briefly approaching $76,700.

The selloff came as the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yield surged to around 4.92%, its highest level since late 2023. Higher yields increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets such as gold and silver and can also tighten financial conditions for risk assets including Bitcoin.

Inflation concerns intensified after August U.S. producer prices rose 0.4% month over month and 5.4% year over year, slightly above the 5.3% annual forecast. At the same time, Brent crude surged above $104 a barrel as supply disruptions and a sharp decline in Saudi production heightened fears that energy costs could keep inflation elevated.

Silver significantly underperformed gold, reflecting its greater volatility and sensitivity to both investment flows and industrial demand. Bitcoin also came under pressure as higher bond yields reduced investors’ appetite for risk.

Markets now turn to Friday’s U.S. CPI report. Another strong inflation reading could reinforce expectations for tighter Federal Reserve policy and keep upward pressure on Treasury yields, creating further headwinds for precious metals and cryptocurrencies.

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WS News 09-10-26

Gold and Bitcoin Rise as Middle East Tensions Drive Volatility Across Markets

Gold and Bitcoin moved higher Wednesday as escalating Middle East tensions, oil prices above $100 and renewed inflation concerns drove volatility across global markets.

December gold futures rose 0.77% to $4,473.10 per ounce, extending an intraday rebound as investors sought traditional safe-haven assets. Spot gold was also higher on the day as global equities declined.

Geopolitical risk remains a major catalyst. Brent crude climbed above $100 per barrel for the first time since July as renewed U.S.-Iran attacks, strikes on tankers and attacks on Saudi energy facilities intensified concerns over Middle East oil supplies. Brent reached an intraday high of $100.90, while flows through the Strait of Hormuz have fallen sharply.

Bitcoin also advanced, rising 1.76% over the past 24 hours to around $79,303 after trading below $78,000 earlier in the period. The cryptocurrency’s recovery came despite pressure on U.S. equities and rising Treasury yields, suggesting some improvement in crypto risk appetite.

However, higher oil prices create a competing risk for both assets. The energy surge is increasing inflation concerns and strengthening the case for tighter monetary policy. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield was around 4.81%, near a three-year high, as markets await producer and consumer inflation reports later this week.

Gold is currently benefiting more directly from safe-haven demand, while Bitcoin remains sensitive to the outlook for interest rates and broader risk sentiment. Upcoming U.S. inflation data could therefore be the next major catalyst for both markets.

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WS Investor 09-09-26

Bitcoin Falls Below $79,000 as Fed Rate-Hike Bets and U.S.-Iran Conflict Weigh

Bitcoin extended its decline on Monday, falling below $79,000 as stronger U.S. interest-rate expectations and escalating tensions between the United States and Iran pressured risk appetite.

Bitcoin was trading at $78,866.34, down 1.02% over 24 hours. The cryptocurrency briefly traded above $80,000 earlier in the period before falling toward an intraday low near $78,500.

The decline follows Friday’s stronger-than-expected U.S. employment report. The economy added 162,000 jobs in August versus expectations of roughly 55,000, pushing the probability of a September Federal Reserve rate hike back toward 60%. Higher Treasury yields and tighter financial conditions tend to weigh on speculative assets including cryptocurrencies and gold.

Geopolitical risks are adding another layer of pressure. The U.S.-Iran conflict escalated over the weekend, driving Brent crude toward $97 as investors assessed the risk of further disruptions to Middle Eastern energy supplies. Higher oil prices could reinforce inflation pressures and make it harder for the Fed to adopt a more accommodative stance.

Bitcoin had climbed above $82,000 last week, but the combination of rising rate expectations, higher oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty has reversed part of that rally.

Attention now shifts to this week’s U.S. inflation data. A stronger-than-expected reading could reinforce expectations for a September rate hike and put further pressure on Bitcoin, while softer inflation could help restore risk appetite.

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WS Investor 09-07-26

Bitcoin Holds Near $80,000 After Strong U.S. Jobs Report Triggers Sharp Reversal

Bitcoin traded near $79,641 on Saturday, up 0.24%, after recovering from a sharp selloff triggered by stronger-than-expected U.S. employment data.

Bitcoin had climbed above $82,000 before the August jobs report, supported partly by Fed Governor Christopher Waller’s comments favoring unchanged rates if inflation continued to cool. The rally reversed after nonfarm payrolls increased by 162,000, far above expectations, while unemployment remained at 4.1%.

The strong labor data pushed Treasury yields higher and increased expectations for a Federal Reserve rate hike in September, pressuring rate-sensitive assets including cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin subsequently fell below $79,000 before recovering toward $80,000.

Despite the volatility, Bitcoin remains up about 1.4% over the five-day period shown in the chart. Attention now turns to the September 11 U.S. CPI report, which could play a major role in determining the Fed’s next move and Bitcoin’s near-term direction.

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WS Investor 09-05-26

Bitcoin Jumps Above $81,000 as Fed Fears Ease; Strategy and Coinbase Rally

Bitcoin climbed above $81,000 on Friday as easing Federal Reserve rate-hike expectations, lower U.S. Treasury yields and improving regulatory sentiment boosted demand for crypto assets.

Bitcoin traded around $81,089, up 4.2% over 24 hours, after briefly topping $82,000 and reaching its highest level in nearly four months.

Fed Shift Fuels Crypto Rally

The rally accelerated after Fed Governor Christopher Waller signaled support for keeping rates unchanged in September if inflation continues to moderate. The comments pushed Treasury yields lower and reduced expectations for another rate hike.

Crypto-related stocks rallied even more sharply. Strategy (NASDAQ: MSTR) surged roughly 18% Thursday, while Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) gained around 10%, benefiting from Bitcoin's rebound and expectations for stronger crypto trading activity.

Regulatory optimism also helped sentiment, with investors watching potential progress on U.S. crypto legislation.

Attention now turns to Friday's U.S. jobs report. Softer employment data could further reduce Fed rate-hike expectations and support Bitcoin, while a stronger report could push Treasury yields higher and challenge the rebound.

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WS Investor 09-04-26

Gold Jumps 2.2% Above $4,500 as Iran Conflict, Lower Yields and Weaker Dollar Fuel Safe-Haven Demand

Gold surged Thursday, with December COMEX futures climbing 2.24% to $4,513.60 an ounce, as renewed U.S.-Iran hostilities combined with falling Treasury yields and a weaker dollar to trigger a sharp rebound in precious metals. Bitcoin also rallied, rising 3.02% to $79,342, as demand strengthened across alternative stores of value.

Gold’s move represents a significant reversal from earlier this week, when rising Treasury yields and expectations for another Federal Reserve rate increase pressured the non-yielding metal. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield has since retreated toward 4.75%, while the dollar has weakened, reducing two important headwinds for bullion. Spot gold was already advancing before the U.S. session, supported by the pullback in both yields and the dollar.

Geopolitical demand has added another layer of support. The renewed U.S.-Iran conflict has pushed Brent crude back toward $100 a barrel and raised concerns over energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has indicated that the latest U.S. military operations may not last long, which has provided some hope that the conflict could be contained, but continued attacks and retaliation have kept uncertainty high. (Reuters)

Gold is therefore benefiting from two competing consequences of the conflict. The immediate geopolitical uncertainty increases demand for safe-haven assets, while the recent retreat in bond yields makes holding gold more attractive. At the same time, oil-driven inflation remains a major risk: persistent energy inflation could force the Fed to maintain a more hawkish stance and eventually send yields higher again.

Bitcoin’s simultaneous 3% advance is also notable. BTC has recently benefited from improving technical momentum after a roughly 30% rally, while the U.S. Treasury’s expansion of long-duration debt buybacks has contributed to the move.

Attention now shifts to Friday’s U.S. employment report. A weak payrolls number could reduce expectations for a September Fed rate hike, potentially extending the decline in yields and providing another catalyst for both gold and Bitcoin. Conversely, a strong jobs report could revive rate-hike expectations and test Thursday’s rally, particularly for gold, which remains highly sensitive to real interest rates.

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European Investor 09-03-26

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European Investor 09-24-26

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WS News 09-23-26

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WS Investor 09-22-26

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The Investor 09-21-26

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WS Investor 09-18-26

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WS News 09-17-26

U.S. Stocks Rise as Tech Gains Offset Fed Rate Concerns After Strong Retail Sales

U.S. stocks traded mostly higher Wednesday, with the S&P 500 up 0.37% to 7,613.62 and the Nasdaq gaining 0.69% to 26,160.05. The Dow Jones was nearly flat, slipping 0.08% to 52,048.87, as technology stocks led the market higher ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision.

Fresh economic data showed that U.S. consumers remain surprisingly resilient. Retail sales jumped 1.2% month over month in August, beating the 0.8% forecast and reversing July’s 0.5% decline. Core retail sales were even stronger, rising 1.4% versus the 0.6% expected. The data adds to evidence that the U.S. economy continues to carry solid momentum.

The strength of consumer spending also complicates the interest-rate outlook. Markets are pricing a roughly 90% probability that the Fed will raise rates by 25 basis points later Wednesday, as policymakers confront persistent inflation and the inflationary impact of higher energy prices. The 10-year Treasury yield, which recently crossed 5% and reached its highest level since 2007, eased to around 4.97%, providing some relief for growth and technology stocks.

Oil prices also pulled back after their recent surge, with Brent falling around 1.5% today.

Investors are now focused on the Fed decision and Chair Kevin Warsh’s comments for clues on whether an expected rate increase represents a one-time response to renewed inflation pressures or the beginning of a broader tightening cycle.

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WS Investor 09-16-26

U.S. Stocks Fall as 10-Year Yield Hits 5% and Oil Fuels Fed Hike Fears

U.S. stocks traded lower Tuesday as surging Treasury yields, elevated oil prices and renewed geopolitical tensions outweighed signs of continued job creation.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.96%, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.58% and the S&P 500 lost 0.44%. The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yield climbed above 5%, reaching its highest level since 2007 as investors prepared for Wednesday’s Federal Reserve decision. Markets are pricing a roughly 90% probability of a 25-basis-point rate hike.

Economic data offered a mixed picture. Weekly ADP employment growth accelerated to 16,300 from 12,000, suggesting the labor market continues to add jobs. However, the New York Empire State Manufacturing Index dropped to 7.6 in September from 20.6, well below the 14.8 forecast.

Geopolitical risks remain another major headwind. Oil prices have stayed above $100 as renewed attacks involving Iran-aligned Houthis and Saudi Arabia increased concerns over Middle East supply disruptions. Higher energy prices are reinforcing inflation fears.

With bond yields around 5% increasing the relative attractiveness of fixed-income assets and putting pressure on equity valuations, investors are likely to remain cautious ahead of the Fed decision and its guidance on whether additional rate hikes could follow.

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The Investor 09-15-26

U.S. Stocks Fall as Oil Surge, Inflation Fears and AI Selloff Pressure Wall Street

U.S. stocks opened lower on Monday as a renewed surge in oil prices intensified inflation concerns while a selloff in artificial intelligence stocks weighed heavily on the technology sector.

The S&P 500 fell 0.49% to 7,619.13, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.23% to 52,454.22. The tech-heavy Nasdaq underperformed, dropping 0.73% to 26,140.28.

Brent crude jumped more than 4% to around $109 a barrel, adding to concerns that elevated energy costs could keep inflation higher for longer. Those worries are particularly important ahead of this week’s Federal Reserve decision, with markets pricing a high probability of another rate increase after recent inflation data.

Technology shares faced an additional headwind from a reassessment of the AI boom. AI-linked stocks came under pressure after leading industry executives called for slowing the development of increasingly powerful AI models over safety concerns. Nvidia and several semiconductor stocks fell, helping explain the Nasdaq’s sharper decline.

The combination of higher oil prices, renewed inflation risks and uncertainty over the pace of AI investment is putting pressure on equity valuations, particularly high-growth technology stocks.

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WS Investor 09-14-26

U.S. Stock Futures Jump After CPI Data as Oracle Rally and Oil Pullback Lift Sentiment

U.S. stock futures moved sharply higher Friday after August inflation data came broadly in line with expectations, while a pullback in oil prices and strong Oracle earnings helped improve sentiment. S&P 500 futures rose 0.92%, Dow futures gained 0.94%, and Nasdaq futures advanced 1.06%.

Headline CPI increased 0.4% month-over-month in August, matching expectations but accelerating from 0.1% in July. Annual inflation held at 3.4%. Core CPI rose 0.3% on the month, slightly above the 0.2% forecast, while the annual core rate eased to 2.4% from 2.5%. The mixed report leaves inflation concerns alive ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve meeting, particularly after Thursday’s hotter producer-price data.

Energy markets provided some relief. Brent crude fell about 3% to around $104 a barrel after briefly approaching $110, although it remains up strongly for the week. Reports of diplomatic efforts to establish temporary shipping arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz helped cool prices. However, geopolitical risks remain elevated as the U.S.-Iran conflict and attacks on regional shipping continue to restrict oil flows.

Technology stocks were also supported by Oracle, which jumped about 6% in premarket trading after reporting a 30% increase in Q1 revenue to $19.3 billion. Cloud infrastructure revenue surged 121% to $7.4 billion, while remaining performance obligations reached $664 billion amid strong AI demand.

Despite the equity rebound, bond yields remain a key risk. The 10-year Treasury yield is hovering near 4.94%, leaving markets sensitive to inflation, oil prices and changing expectations for the Fed’s September decision.

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WS Investor 09-11-26

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NYSE:IBM

IBM Acquires Logiq Consulting to Expand UK Cybersecurity and Secure Digital Transformation Capabilities

IBM (NYSE: IBM) acquired Logiq Consulting, a UK cybersecurity consultancy with expertise across defence, critical national infrastructure, government and other highly regulated sectors. The deal expands IBM Consulting’s cybersecurity and sovereign technology capabilities in the UK.

Logiq Consulting brings capabilities in cybersecurity assurance, Secure by Design, secure systems engineering, digital transformation and managed services. IBM said the acquisition will complement its existing SiXworks business and support its broader hybrid cloud, AI and digital sovereignty strategy, particularly for clients that need tighter control over sensitive data and technology environments.

The transaction also adds Logiq’s DISX platform, a managed sovereign collaboration system used to help government suppliers securely exchange sensitive information with UK government and defence organizations. IBM said the acquisition should strengthen its ability to help clients manage cyber risk, protect critical services and adopt AI securely.

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WS Investor 09-24-26

IBM’s Anderon Finalizes $1 Billion U.S. CHIPS Award for Quantum Foundry

IBM (NYSE: IBM) subsidiary Anderon has finalized a $1 billion CHIPS and Science Act award with the U.S. Department of Commerce to accelerate research and development for quantum wafer manufacturing in the United States. The agreement follows the $1 billion proposed award announced in May.

Anderon operates a 300-millimeter pure-play quantum wafer foundry in Albany, New York, supported by an additional $1 billion investment from IBM. The facility is designed to manufacture specialized wafers for superconducting qubit arrays, quantum input/output signaling and readout components, with plans to support additional quantum technologies over time.

The company has already begun running its first quantum wafers through the facility, marking an early step toward production-scale manufacturing. The foundry is intended to serve IBM as well as other quantum technology companies, potentially expanding the domestic supply chain for quantum hardware.

The investment also supports IBM’s broader quantum strategy. IBM has committed more than $10 billion to quantum computing over five years and is working toward large-scale fault-tolerant quantum systems, making scalable wafer manufacturing an important part of its long-term technology roadmap.

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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

IBM Completes HRL Laboratories Acquisition to Strengthen Quantum Computing Roadmap

IBM (NYSE: IBM) has completed its acquisition of HRL Laboratories, bringing additional expertise in quantum computing, quantum sensing, materials science and advanced semiconductor technologies into IBM’s expanding quantum ecosystem.

The deal combines IBM’s leadership in superconducting quantum computing with HRL’s expertise in silicon-spin qubits, giving IBM exposure to complementary approaches to quantum hardware as it works toward large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum systems.

HRL Adds New Capabilities to IBM’s Quantum Platform

HRL Laboratories brings research capabilities spanning silicon-spin qubits, quantum sensing, quantum materials, cryogenics, control electronics, advanced packaging and interconnect technologies.

The silicon-spin expertise is particularly notable because IBM’s current quantum systems are primarily based on superconducting qubits. Adding HRL therefore broadens IBM’s technical capabilities rather than simply expanding its existing architecture.

HRL’s work in cryogenics, electronics and packaging could also contribute to solving some of the engineering challenges involved in scaling quantum computers from experimental systems toward commercially useful machines.

Acquisition Supports IBM’s Fault-Tolerant Quantum Roadmap

The transaction comes as IBM pushes toward its planned IBM Quantum Starling system, a fault-tolerant quantum computer targeted for 2029. IBM expects Starling to perform 100 million quantum operations, representing a major increase in computational capability compared with current systems.

Starling is expected to be followed by Blue Jay, IBM’s next-generation fault-tolerant system targeted for the mid-2030s.

HRL’s technology could support that roadmap across several layers of the quantum stack, particularly hardware design, materials, control systems and manufacturing.

The acquisition also complements IBM’s investment in quantum manufacturing. HRL’s silicon-based quantum technologies could eventually work alongside Anderon, IBM’s pure-play quantum wafer foundry, potentially allowing IBM to accelerate development and manufacturing across multiple quantum-computing architectures.

Why the Acquisition Matters for IBM

The deal reinforces IBM’s position as one of the major companies pursuing commercially viable quantum computing. More importantly, IBM is expanding beyond a single technological approach by combining its superconducting-qubit expertise with HRL’s silicon-spin capabilities.

That diversification could become strategically important because the industry has not yet established which qubit architecture — or combination of architectures — will ultimately provide the best path toward scalable fault-tolerant quantum computing.

The acquisition also preserves important industrial relationships. Boeing and General Motors, HRL’s former owners, will continue working with IBM and HRL on quantum applications and advanced technology development.

For IBM, the transaction is therefore more than an expansion of its research organization. It adds complementary quantum technologies, specialized engineering expertise and industrial partnerships as the company works toward its ambitious 2029 fault-tolerant quantum computing target.

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The Investor 08-26-26

IBM Unveils First Dual-Architecture Mainframe Processor, Bringing Arm to IBM Z and LinuxONE

IBM (NYSE: IBM) unveiled a next-generation processor designed to run both IBM and Arm architectures natively, marking a significant expansion of the company's mainframe strategy as enterprises increasingly deploy cloud-native and AI workloads.

Announced at the Hot Chips conference, the processor is being developed for future IBM Z and LinuxONE systems and represents the first major processor milestone from IBM's collaboration with Arm, established in April 2026.

IBM brings Arm ecosystem to the mainframe

The key innovation is that IBM is not simply placing separate Arm and IBM cores on the same chip. Each processor core is designed to execute Arm and IBM Z—or Arm and LinuxONE—instructions natively and concurrently.

That could allow customers to run Arm-native Linux environments alongside traditional z/OS and Linux workloads on IBM's enterprise systems.

The strategy gives IBM access to Arm's large software ecosystem, which includes more than 22 million developers and an expanding range of cloud-native and AI applications. For enterprises, it could reduce barriers to bringing newer applications onto infrastructure traditionally associated with mission-critical transaction processing.

2nm processor targets AI and high-performance workloads

IBM said the processor is being built on a 2-nanometer process and will feature 11 high-performance cores operating above 5.7 GHz.

It will also incorporate AI inference accelerators capable of supporting applications such as real-time fraud detection during transactions, along with a dedicated on-chip data processing unit for I/O acceleration and a large cache architecture.

The combination is particularly relevant to IBM's position in banking, insurance, government and other highly regulated industries, where customers increasingly want to integrate AI into core workloads without moving sensitive applications away from highly secure enterprise infrastructure.

Why it matters for IBM

The announcement strengthens IBM's effort to modernize its mainframe franchise rather than treating it as a legacy computing business. Native Arm compatibility potentially broadens the pool of applications that can run on IBM Z and LinuxONE while preserving the security, encryption, reliability and scalability that differentiate those systems.

It could also make IBM's infrastructure more relevant to the AI ecosystem. Arm architecture has expanded rapidly across cloud and AI computing, and combining that ecosystem with IBM's enterprise installed base could create additional opportunities for application modernization and AI deployment.

The processor remains a future technology rather than an immediate revenue catalyst, but strategically it represents an important architectural shift for IBM. By opening Z and LinuxONE to Arm-native applications, IBM is positioning its flagship enterprise systems to participate more directly in the convergence of traditional mission-critical computing, cloud-native software and AI.

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European Investor 08-24-26

IBM Connects Modular Cryogenic Systems in Step Toward Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing

IBM has reached a major engineering milestone in its quantum computing roadmap by successfully connecting and cooling two modular cryogenic systems designed to support increasingly large networks of quantum processors.

The connected modules reached temperatures below 15 millikelvin, more than 180 times colder than deep space. Each module also provides up to 12 times more wiring space than IBM’s most widely used quantum systems, enabling substantially more connections between quantum chips.

The architecture is designed to work with IBM’s L-coupler technology, which connects separate quantum processors so they can communicate and operate as part of a larger system. IBM plans to use this approach to build a quantum computer with at least 1,000 programmable qubits by 2027 and will install its Nighthawk processors in the new cryogenic modules later this year for additional testing.

The development is another step toward IBM Quantum Starling, which IBM plans to deliver in 2029 as the world’s first large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer. Fault tolerance is considered a critical requirement for commercially useful quantum computing because it allows systems to detect and correct errors while performing complex calculations.

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Global Finance News 08-19-26

# IBM Partners With OpenAI to Expand Enterprise AI Deployment

IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI aimed at accelerating secure AI adoption across large enterprises and highly regulated industries.

The collaboration will integrate OpenAI frontier models, including GPT-5.6, along with Codex and ChatGPT Work, into IBM Consulting Advantage. The companies will jointly target areas including financial services, government, telecommunications and retail.

## IBM Expands Its Enterprise AI Position

IBM is also launching a dedicated OpenAI Practice, with thousands of consultants and engineers expected to receive advanced OpenAI Partner Network certifications. Specialized teams will work directly with customers to modernize legacy applications and integrate AI into finance, procurement, customer operations and HR workflows.

Cybersecurity is another major component. IBM and OpenAI plan to combine frontier AI capabilities with IBM Autonomous Security to address cyber threats, AI model risks and governance challenges.

The partnership strengthens IBM’s position as an enterprise AI implementation and consulting provider, combining OpenAI’s models with IBM’s established presence in large organizations, legacy systems and regulated industries. It could also support growing demand for IBM Consulting as enterprises move from experimental AI projects toward large-scale production deployments.

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European Investor 08-13-26

IBM Expands AI Infrastructure Push With $240 Million Together AI Agreement

IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced a multi-year $240 million agreement with Together AI to deploy a large-scale artificial intelligence inference cluster on IBM Cloud, further expanding the company’s exposure to growing enterprise AI infrastructure demand.

Under the agreement, IBM plans to deploy NVIDIA HGX B300 systems combined with NVIDIA Spectrum-X Ethernet networking. The cluster, expected to become available in the first quarter of 2027, will be used by Together AI to provide production-scale inference for open-source AI models.

The deployment will be IBM Cloud’s first dedicated large-scale inference cluster based on HGX B300 systems. NVIDIA says the architecture can deliver as much as 30 times greater AI factory output compared with previous generations.

Together AI has been scaling rapidly as demand for open-source AI models grows. The company says its inference platform currently processes around 400 trillion tokens per month and recently raised $800 million at an $8.3 billion valuation.

For IBM, the agreement strengthens its position as an infrastructure provider for increasingly compute-intensive AI workloads. It also deepens IBM’s existing relationship with NVIDIA, spanning GPUs, networking, cloud infrastructure and enterprise AI software.

The $240 million multi-year commitment provides IBM with another significant AI infrastructure customer while demonstrating demand for its GPU-based cloud capacity. The companies expect the platform to help enterprises run open-source AI models with improved performance and lower inference costs.

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The Investor 08-11-26

# IBM Launches Apptio AI Value & ROI to Help Enterprises Measure Returns on AI Spending

IBM (NYSE: IBM) has introduced Apptio AI Value & ROI, a new set of capabilities designed to help enterprises connect their growing artificial intelligence spending with measurable business outcomes.

The platform gives technology and finance executives a centralized view of AI initiatives, including token consumption and other costs, while tracking their impact across areas such as revenue, productivity, operating costs, speed and risk.

## IBM Targets Growing AI ROI Challenge

IBM is positioning the product around a major challenge facing companies investing heavily in artificial intelligence: determining whether that spending is actually producing sufficient financial and operational returns.

Apptio AI Value & ROI allows organizations to assign specific business metrics to individual AI projects, including cost savings, conversion rates, cycle times and incident volumes. Companies can then compare baseline, target and actual results to determine whether expected value is being realized.

The platform integrates with IBM Cloudability and Apptio AI TCO & Usage, allowing customers to incorporate token spending, technology infrastructure, usage and labor costs into their calculations.

This provides enterprises with a more complete view of both the total cost of an AI initiative and the business value it generates.

IBM cited Gartner research indicating that 84% of finance leaders have been unable to measure the return on investment from AI initiatives, highlighting the growing need for tools that connect AI adoption with financial accountability.

IBM Apptio AI Value & ROI is currently available in public preview for Apptio Costing Standard and Apptio AI TCO & Usage customers. General availability is planned for the third quarter of 2026.

The launch expands IBM's enterprise AI management portfolio at a time when companies are increasingly shifting their focus from simply adopting AI technologies toward demonstrating measurable returns from those investments.

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Global Finance News 08-07-26

IBM Stock Plunges 25% After Preliminary Results Reveal Infrastructure Weakness

IBM (NYSE: IBM) shares tumbled roughly 25% in Tuesday trading after the company released preliminary second-quarter results that fell short of investor expectations, citing weaker-than-expected mainframe performance and delayed customer spending.

IBM reported second-quarter revenue of $17.2 billion, up 1% year over year. Software revenue increased 5%, while Consulting revenue was flat, or up 1% in constant currency. However, Infrastructure revenue declined 7%, significantly weighing on overall results.

Management attributed the weakness primarily to disappointing IBM Z mainframe sales and the associated transaction processing software business. CEO Arvind Krishna said many customers redirected capital spending toward servers, storage, and memory purchases to secure supply-constrained infrastructure ahead of expected price increases. The company also cited rapidly evolving cybersecurity concerns that delayed several large customer deals during the final weeks of June.

Profitability also weakened during the quarter. Gross margin declined to 57.7% from 58.8% a year earlier, while GAAP diluted EPS fell 2% to $2.27. Despite the disappointing quarter, operating (non-GAAP) EPS increased 5% to $2.93, and IBM generated $4.8 billion in free cash flow during the first six months of 2026.

Management emphasized that several parts of the business continued to perform well. Red Hat revenue accelerated to 11% growth, recent acquisitions including HashiCorp and Confluent delivered strong results, and Distributed Infrastructure revenue surged 37%. IBM also highlighted its recently announced Lightwell AI platform and ongoing investments in quantum computing as key long-term growth drivers.

Nevertheless, investors focused on the weaker Infrastructure performance and management's admission that several large deals failed to close as expected. The preliminary results raised concerns about IBM's near-term execution and growth outlook, triggering one of the stock's sharpest single-day declines in recent years. Investors will look for additional details when IBM reports its full second-quarter results and updates its full-year guidance on July 22.

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The Investor 07-14-26

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Germany

German Business Sentiment Improves in September as Ifo Index Beats Expectations

Germany’s Ifo Business Climate Index rose to 89.9 in September from 88.8, coming in above the 89.1 consensus estimate and pointing to a modest improvement in business sentiment.

The current assessment index increased to 89.5 from 88.5, also beating expectations of 89.0. More notably, business expectations climbed to 90.4 from 89.0, above the 89.3 forecast.

The data suggest German companies became more confident about both present conditions and the months ahead. The stronger expectations component is particularly encouraging, as it indicates businesses see some improvement in the economic outlook despite still-soft overall activity.

For markets, the figures provide a modestly positive signal for the euro-area growth picture and may ease concerns about deeper weakness in Europe’s largest economy.

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WS News 09-24-26

Eurozone Growth Momentum Strengthens in September as Services Lead

Eurozone business activity improved more than expected in September, led by stronger services growth across the region.

The Eurozone Composite PMI rose to 53.1 from 52.0, beating the 51.7 consensus and signaling a faster pace of overall private-sector expansion. Services PMI increased to 53.0 from 51.6, also well above the 51.4 forecast, while manufacturing PMI held at 52.7, slightly above expectations of 52.6.

Germany showed a similar pattern. Manufacturing PMI eased to 53.8 from 54.3 and missed the 54.1 forecast, but services PMI jumped to 52.9 from 49.7, comfortably above the 49.9 consensus and returning to expansion territory.

France also improved on the services side. Services PMI climbed to 51.4 from 48.0, sharply above the 48.3 forecast, while manufacturing PMI slipped to 50.3 from 51.1 and came in below expectations.

Overall, the data suggest Eurozone growth momentum strengthened in September, with services more than offsetting some moderation in manufacturing. The stronger composite reading points to a more resilient regional economy heading into the final quarter.

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WS News 09-23-26

German Producer Prices Rise 1.1% in August, Beating Forecast

German producer prices increased 1.1% month over month in August, exceeding the 0.6% market forecast and matching the previous month’s pace.

The stronger-than-expected reading suggests cost pressures at the producer level remained elevated, even as broader inflation trends across Europe have shown signs of moderation.

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European Investor 09-18-26

Eurozone Inflation Rises to 3.2% in August as Core CPI Eases

Eurozone annual inflation accelerated to 3.2% in August from 2.9% previously, though the reading came slightly below the 3.3% market forecast.

Core inflation, which excludes more volatile components, eased to 2.4% year over year from 2.5% and matched expectations. The decline suggests underlying price pressures moderated slightly even as headline inflation moved higher.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.4% in August, up from a 0.2% increase in the previous month.

The mixed inflation picture leaves the European Central Bank facing competing signals: headline inflation has moved further above its 2% target, while core inflation continues to cool gradually. The data could reinforce a cautious approach to further monetary-policy changes as officials assess whether the latest increase in headline prices proves persistent.

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WS News 09-17-26

Eurozone Industrial Production Falls 0.1% in July, Slightly Better Than Expected

Eurozone industrial production declined 0.1% month over month in July, slightly outperforming market expectations for a 0.2% contraction.

The reading was unchanged from the previous month’s 0.1% decline, indicating that industrial activity remained subdued at the start of the third quarter.

While the smaller-than-expected drop offers some relief, the continued contraction suggests the euro-area manufacturing sector is still struggling to build meaningful momentum amid weak demand and broader economic uncertainty.

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European Investor 09-16-26

Eurozone Trade Surplus Jumps in July as Investor Sentiment Weakens

Eurozone economic data sent mixed signals on Tuesday, with the trade balance strengthening sharply while investor confidence deteriorated.

The trade surplus widened to €14.2 billion in July, well above the €3.7 billion forecast and up from €7.2 billion previously.

However, the Eurozone ZEW Economic Sentiment Index fell to 25.8 in September from 31.4, significantly below the 39.2 expected.

Overall, stronger trade provides a positive signal for economic activity, but deteriorating expectations suggest investors remain cautious about the Eurozone outlook.

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The Investor 09-15-26

German Current Conditions Improve Sharply, but ZEW Sentiment Misses Forecast

Germany’s economic outlook remained mixed in September, with current conditions improving significantly while investor expectations rose less than anticipated.

The ZEW Current Conditions Index jumped to -47.1 from -61.1, comfortably beating the -53.0 forecast. Meanwhile, the Economic Sentiment Index edged up to 34.7 from 34.2 but fell short of expectations for a stronger increase.

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The Investor 09-15-26

German Inflation Accelerates to 2.9% in August as Energy Costs Rise

Germany’s inflation rate accelerated in August, with consumer prices rising 2.9% year over year, matching expectations and up from 2.8% in July. On a monthly basis, CPI increased 0.2%, also in line with forecasts, following a much stronger 0.8% increase in July. The latest figures confirm the preliminary August inflation estimate.

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Global Finance News 09-10-26

German Trade Surplus Jumps to €21.3 Billion, Beating Forecasts

Germany’s trade surplus widened sharply in July, significantly exceeding market expectations as imports fell much faster than exports.

The trade surplus rose to €21.3 billion, up from €15.4 billion in June and well above the €16.0 billion forecast.

Exports declined 0.8% month over month to €138.2 billion, marking their first monthly drop in six months. Imports fell much more sharply, declining 5.7% to €116.9 billion, which drove the larger trade surplus.

While the larger-than-expected surplus is positive for Germany’s external balance, the decline in exports provides a more cautious signal for the country’s export-dependent industrial economy.

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Global Finance News 09-08-26

Eurozone Economy Expands 0.6% in Q2, Beating Quarterly Forecast

The eurozone economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter, although annual growth remained weaker than economists had forecast.

GDP expanded 0.6% quarter over quarter in Q2, beating expectations for 0.4% growth and rebounding from a 0.2% contraction in the previous quarter.

On an annual basis, GDP increased 0.5%, improving from 0.3% previously but falling short of the 1.0% consensus estimate.

The figures present a mixed picture for the eurozone economy. The strong quarterly rebound suggests economic activity regained momentum in Q2, while subdued year-over-year growth indicates that the broader recovery remains relatively weak.

For the European Central Bank, the data could reduce immediate concerns about recession risks, although the softer annual growth rate leaves the economic outlook dependent on inflation, consumer demand and industrial activity.

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European Investor 09-07-26

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NASDAQ:UTHR

United Therapeutics Falls as Goldman Sachs Starts Coverage With Sell Rating

United Therapeutics (NASDAQ: UTHR) shares fell about 4.1% after Goldman Sachs initiated coverage of the biotechnology company with a Sell rating and a $321 price target.

Analyst Andrea Newkirk’s cautious view reflects concerns about valuation and the company’s longer-term growth outlook. Goldman noted that United Therapeutics trades at roughly 17–18 times earnings, above its 10-year median of about 13 times, despite pressure on its existing business. The firm also sees the commercial opportunity for nebulized Tyvaso in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as more challenging than the market expects, citing dosing frequency and tolerability as potential constraints on patient uptake and adherence. Goldman forecasts peak Tyvaso IPF sales below consensus expectations and also sees execution risks around the future Jenraldi launch in pulmonary arterial hypertension (Investing*com)

United Therapeutics shares were trading around $469.47, down roughly 4.1%. Goldman Sachs’ $321 target sits well below the current share price.

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WS Investor 09-24-26

United Therapeutics Q1 2025 Earnings

Revenue and Profit
- Total revenue: $794.4 million, up 17 percent from $677.7 million in Q1 2024
- Net income: $322.2 million, up 5 percent from $306.6 million
- Diluted earnings per share: $6.63, up 7 percent
- Operating income: $382.8 million
- Effective tax rate: 24 percent

Key Product Sales
- Total Tyvaso (Tyvaso DPI and Nebulized Tyvaso): $466.3 million, up 25 percent
- Tyvaso DPI: $302.5 million, up 33 percent
- Nebulized Tyvaso: $163.8 million, up 13 percent
- Remodulin: $138.2 million, up 8 percent
- Orenitram: $120.7 million, up 14 percent
- Unituxin: $58.2 million, flat
- Adcirca: $6.0 million, down 6 percent

Revenue by Region
- U.S.: $749.6 million
- Rest of World: $44.8 million

Expenses
- Cost of sales: $92.5 million, up 27 percent
- Research and development: $149.0 million, up 43 percent (due to milestone and licensing payments)
- Selling, general, and administrative: $170.1 million, up 18 percent
- Share-based compensation: $31.8 million, up 24 percent

Cash and Balance Sheet
- Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable investments: $5.03 billion
- Total assets: $7.74 billion
- Total liabilities: $936.7 million
- Total stockholders' equity: $6.81 billion

Notable Developments
- Record quarterly revenue driven by continued growth of Tyvaso DPI
- Advancement in pipeline with expected TETON 2 readout (IPF), first-in-human UKidney trial, and IND filings for UHeart and UThymoKidney
- Medicare Part D redesign contributed to increased product utilization

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WS Investor 05-01-25

United Therapeutics Corporation reported record financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024, driven by strong sales growth across its product portfolio.

Key Financial Highlights
For the full year, revenue increased by 24% to $2.88 billion, compared to $2.33 billion in 2023. Net income rose 21% to $1.2 billion, with diluted earnings per share (EPS) at $24.64, up from $19.81 in 2023.

For the fourth quarter, revenue grew 20% year-over-year to $735.9 million, while net income surged 39% to $301.3 million. Diluted EPS for the quarter was $6.19, compared to $4.36 in Q4 2023.

Revenue Breakdown
The company's flagship Tyvaso franchise, used for pulmonary hypertension, continued its strong growth:
- Tyvaso DPI (inhaled dry powder) revenue grew 41% to $1.03 billion for the full year.
- Nebulized Tyvaso sales rose 17% to $586.8 million.
- Total Tyvaso sales increased 31% to $1.62 billion.

Other key products also saw robust performance:
- Remodulin, used for pulmonary arterial hypertension, grew 9% to $538.1 million.
- Orenitram, an oral prostacyclin analogue, increased 21% to $434.3 million.
- Unituxin, a pediatric neuroblastoma treatment, rose 20% to $238.7 million.

The company's U.S. market remains dominant, contributing $2.74 billion in revenue, while international markets brought in $137.7 million.

Operational Updates
- Research and development expenses totaled $481 million in 2024, up 18%, reflecting investments in TETON clinical trials for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and UKidney xenotransplantation studies.
- The company recorded a $71.1 million accrual for ongoing litigation with Sandoz Inc.
- United Therapeutics repurchased 3.5 million shares for $1 billion, reducing outstanding shares and supporting EPS growth.

Looking Ahead to 2025
CEO Martine Rothblatt highlighted an ambitious pipeline, including:
- TETON trial results for Tyvaso in pulmonary fibrosis, expected in the second half of 2025.
- Ralinepag, a once-daily prostacyclin agonist, with clinical data expected in 2026, positioned as a potential best-in-class treatment for pulmonary hypertension.
- FDA clearance for the first xenotransplantation study using UKidney, a potential breakthrough in organ transplantation.

United Therapeutics continues to deliver strong financial results, powered by record-breaking sales of Tyvaso and other core products. The company's strategic investments in research, clinical trials, and new treatment modalities position it for continued growth and innovation in 2025. A webcast discussing results will be held on February 26, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. ET.

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WS Investor 02-26-25

NYSE:SAIL

SailPoint Gains as Truist Raises Price Target to $27

SailPoint (NASDAQ: SAIL) shares rose about 3.5% after Truist Financial raised its price target on the identity security software company to $27 from $23 while maintaining a Buy rating.

Analyst Junaid Siddiqui kept a positive view on SailPoint, with the higher target reflecting increased confidence in the company’s growth outlook and valuation.

SailPoint shares were trading around $22.16, up roughly 3.5%. Truist’s new $27 target implies additional upside from current levels.

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WS Investor 09-24-26

SailPoint Stock Slips 0.7% Despite 25% ARR Growth as GAAP Loss Widens

SailPoint (NASDAQ: SAIL) shares fell about 0.7% Wednesday despite reporting strong fiscal second-quarter growth, as a wider GAAP operating loss and expectations for moderating ARR growth offset solid SaaS and AI momentum.

Total annual recurring revenue increased 25% year over year to $1.231 billion, while SaaS ARR jumped 36% to $847 million. SaaS accounted for 97% of net new ARR, highlighting the company’s continued cloud transition.

Second-quarter revenue rose 17% to $309 million, including subscription revenue of $295 million, up 19%. Adjusted operating income increased to $63 million from $54 million, maintaining a 20% adjusted operating margin. However, the GAAP operating loss widened to $59 million from $41 million, with the GAAP operating margin deteriorating to negative 19% from negative 15%.

AI remained a major growth driver. AI-related ARR exceeded $70 million and represented more than 30% of net new ARR during the quarter. Remaining performance obligations also increased 30% to $1.9 billion, while SailPoint generated $37 million in free cash flow.

For fiscal 2027, SailPoint expects ARR of $1.375 billion to $1.385 billion, representing 22% to 23% growth, and revenue of $1.265 billion to $1.275 billion, up 18% to 19%. Adjusted operating income is projected at $239 million to $244 million.

The modest decline suggests investors are balancing strong SaaS and AI adoption against the widening GAAP loss and an outlook that implies some moderation in ARR growth from the 25% pace recorded in Q2.

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WS Investor 09-09-26

SailPoint Falls 9% Despite Strong Growth as Investors Focus on Slowing Outlook

Shares of SailPoint (SAIL) fell 9% despite the identity security company reporting strong fiscal first-quarter 2027 results, as investors appeared concerned about slowing growth rates and lofty expectations following the stock's recent performance.

The company delivered an impressive quarter, with annual recurring revenue (ARR) rising 26% year over year to $1.16 billion and SaaS ARR surging 36% to $781 million. Total revenue increased 22% to $280 million, while subscription revenue climbed 23% to $266 million, highlighting continued demand for SailPoint's identity security platform.

Profitability also improved significantly. Adjusted operating income rose to $38 million from $24 million a year earlier, while adjusted operating margin expanded to 14% from 10%. The company generated $38 million in operating cash flow and $33 million in free cash flow during the quarter.

However, investors focused on management's guidance, which points to a gradual deceleration in growth. SailPoint expects fiscal 2027 ARR growth of 21% to 22%, below the 26% growth reported in the first quarter, while revenue is projected to increase 18% to 19% for the full year. Although those growth rates remain strong by software industry standards, they may have fallen short of the market's elevated expectations.

The selloff likely reflects valuation concerns rather than operational weakness. SailPoint continues to benefit from growing demand for identity security, cloud protection, and AI-related security solutions, but investors appear to be reassessing how much future growth is already reflected in the stock price. Despite the sharp decline, the company's results demonstrated healthy execution, accelerating SaaS adoption, expanding margins, and strong recurring revenue momentum.

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Global Finance News 06-09-26

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