The Trump administration’s $20.9 billion buying spree for equity stakes in private-sector companies is the biggest such push into strategic industries since the Second World War, according to research by the Council on Foreign Relations . Since Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, the US government has announced 15 deals to invest in companies in an expedited drive to shore up supply c...
The Trump administration’s $20.9 billion buying spree for equity stakes in private-sector companies is the biggest such push into strategic industries since the Second World War, according to research by the Council on Foreign Relations . Since Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, the US government has announced 15 deals to invest in companies in an expedited drive to shore up supply chains for rare earth minerals, semiconductors and other sectors, CFR found in research shared with Bloomberg. Companies involved range from Intel Corp. — the biggest single commitment – to Westinghouse Electric Co. and MP Materials Corp , which runs the US’s only rare earths mine. The deals are part of an effort to urgently address vulnerabilities that the national security community has warned about for decades. It took on new urgency following China’s threats to cut off US access to rare earths and the war in Iran. The Pentagon accounts for the largest share of the deals tracked by CFR, followed by the Commerce Department. “These deals represent the highest volume of equity transactions across strategic sectors by the US government since World War II,” said Jonathan Hillman , senior fellow for geoeconomics at CFR. The tracker offers the most detailed accounting yet of what’s become a major priority for the Trump administration. Read More: Trump Team Eyes Wall Street Tool to Add Clout in Vital Minerals The dealmaking extends beyond strategic sectors. The Trump administration is nearing a $500 million rescue package for Spirit Airlines that could give the US government the option to own as much as 90% of the carrier once it emerges from bankruptcy, according to people familiar with the matter. Some of the deals give the government sweeping power over corporate decision-making, including a “golden share” at US Steel Corp that the administration used last year to block the company from closing a plant, and the ability to force Westinghouse to conduct an initial public offerin...
Earnings Call Insights: Weatherford International plc (WFRD) Q1 2026 Management View "To summarize our Q1 2026 performance, we delivered revenue of $1.152 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $233 million at a 20.2% margin and adjusted free cash flow of $85 million." (President, CEO & Director Girish Saligram) "I would also like to highlight our announcement during the quarter of a proposal to re-domestica...
Earnings Call Insights: Weatherford International plc (WFRD) Q1 2026 Management View "To summarize our Q1 2026 performance, we delivered revenue of $1.152 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $233 million at a 20.2% margin and adjusted free cash flow of $85 million." (President, CEO & Director Girish Saligram) "I would also like to highlight our announcement during the quarter of a proposal to re-domesticate from Ireland to the United States, specifically Texas, which we believe will simplify our corporate structure, enhance capital management flexibility and support long-term shareholder value creation." (President, CEO & Director Saligram) "Since the start of the recent Iran conflict...our priority has been the safety and security of our employees and ensuring business continuity to the extent it was feasible." (President, CEO & Director Saligram) "We are also taking further actions to fine-tune our portfolio through a series of small noncore divestitures." (President, CEO & Director Saligram) "In the first quarter, we generated $85 million of adjusted free cash flow, representing a 36.5% adjusted free cash flow conversion." (Executive VP & CFO Anuj Dhruv) Outlook "Turning to second quarter 2026 guidance...we expect revenues to be in the range of $1.017 billion to $1.110 billion and adjusted EBITDA to be between $195 million and $220 million." (Executive VP & CFO Dhruv) "For the full year 2026...Revenues are now expected to be in the range of $4.5 billion to $4.95 billion, and adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $945 million to $1.075 billion." (Executive VP & CFO Dhruv) "Adjusted free cash flow conversion is now expected to be in the mid-40% range" and "our effective tax rate is expected to be in the low to mid-20% range for 2026." (Executive VP & CFO Dhruv) "We believe the conflict would result in about $30 million to $50 million profit impact over the first half of the year." (President, CEO & Director Saligram) Compared with the prior quarter’s full-year ...
Earnings Call Insights: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB) Q1 2026 Management View “The team delivered a strong first quarter with operational results ahead of our expectations,” and “sales were $3 billion, which was up 13% and adjusted EPS was up 19% from the year ago quarter,” with “total cash flow from operations for the quarter…$199 million,” according to (CEO Rafael Santana). “Backlog ...
Earnings Call Insights: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WAB) Q1 2026 Management View “The team delivered a strong first quarter with operational results ahead of our expectations,” and “sales were $3 billion, which was up 13% and adjusted EPS was up 19% from the year ago quarter,” with “total cash flow from operations for the quarter…$199 million,” according to (CEO Rafael Santana). “Backlog remains a key strength,” including “12-month backlog…up 13% from the prior year,” and “the multiyear backlog exceeded $30 billion, up 38%,” (CEO Santana) said, adding that the company “secured a multibillion-dollar multiyear mining order,” a “$210 million multiyear modernization with MBTA,” and “a $54 million brake and couplers order with Kawasaki for the New York City Transit.” “This performance included the impact of an exit from a low-margin Digital project, which was fully reflected in the quarter,” and “sales for the first quarter were $2.95 billion,” while “adjusted operating margin for Q1 was 21.9%,” (CFO John Olin) said. Outlook “We are increasing our previous adjusted EPS midpoint guidance, and we now expect adjusted EPS to be in the range of $10.25 to $10.65,” while “our revenue guidance remains unchanged,” (CEO Rafael Santana) said. “Any tariffs that have been announced up to this point are included in the guidance,” and “we’re not seeing any impact with regards to revenues,” (CEO Santana) said; (CFO John Olin) added that for Section 232, “there is no difference. We’re largely indifferent between that from a financial standpoint.” Financial Results (CFO John Olin) said “GAAP earnings per diluted share was $2.12,” and “adjusted earnings per diluted share was $2.71,” while “we had net pretax charges of $41 million for purchase accounting adjustments and transaction costs…as well as restructuring costs.” (CFO Olin) said “equipment sales were up 52.5%,” “services sales were down 17.3%,” “component sales were down 6.3%,” and “Digital Intelligence sales were up 75.7%,”...
(RTTNews) - Following the weakness seen over the two previous sessions, stocks have shown a strong move back to the upside during trading on Wednesday. The tech-heavy Nasdaq has led the way higher, more than offsetting the two-day pullback to reach a new record intraday high.
(RTTNews) - Following the weakness seen over the two previous sessions, stocks have shown a strong move back to the upside during trading on Wednesday. The tech-heavy Nasdaq has led the way higher, more than offsetting the two-day pullback to reach a new record intraday high.
jotily/iStock via Getty Images GE Vernova Inc. ( GEV ) soared 8% in the premarket on Wednesday, April 22, following its Q1 2026 earnings report. The double-beat-and-raise was welcome news to AI investors and the market writ large. I was bullish on GEV back in early March . While that was not even two months ago, the stock is up 27% since my previous analysis, blowing past even my optimistic price ...
jotily/iStock via Getty Images GE Vernova Inc. ( GEV ) soared 8% in the premarket on Wednesday, April 22, following its Q1 2026 earnings report. The double-beat-and-raise was welcome news to AI investors and the market writ large. I was bullish on GEV back in early March . While that was not even two months ago, the stock is up 27% since my previous analysis, blowing past even my optimistic price objective then. Today, with new numbers in hand, I am raising my fundamental price target and sticking with a buy rating. I’ll also provide a fresh look at the technicals. GEV +217% YoY Coming Into The Q1 Print StockCharts.com In April, GEV reported a stunning set of quarterly results. Q1 GAAP EPS of $17.44 topped the Wall Street consensus forecast by $15.44, while revenue of $9.3 billion, up more than 16% from the same period a year earlier, was a $90 million beat. The company hiked its revenue guidance slightly compared to what was served up in January, but its free cash flow forecast increased markedly. Shares soared 8% later in the morning after the numbers hit the tape. If it holds to the close, the post-earnings gain would be the best since last July. The options market had implied just a 5.2% earnings-related stock price swing based on the at-the-money straddle expiring soonest after Wednesday’s release. Implied volatility of 55% should retreat toward 40% if history is a guide. Short interest on the stock, meanwhile, is low at 2.7%. Looking back on the quarter that was, GE Vernova delivered a record-breaking first quarter in 2026, highlighted by a massive beat-and-raise driven by surging demand for electrification and data center infrastructure. The company reported 7% organic top-line growth and a big increase in net income to $4.75 billion. To be clear, the bottom line was significantly boosted by a $3.99 billion pre-tax gain from the Prolec GE acquisition. Color On Quarter GEV But big picture, profitability was robust across the portfolio, with adjusted EBITDA tag...
AvigatorPhotographer/iStock via Getty Images I previously reiterated my Hold rating for Star Bulk Carriers Corp. ( SBLK ) in December 2025, given the notably lower dividend yields. In this article, I shall discuss why I am upgrading SBLK as a Buy, thanks to the macro tailwinds and the updated dividend policy. SBLK Enjoys New Tailwinds Entering FY2026 SBLK 1Y Stock Price (Trading View) For now, the...
AvigatorPhotographer/iStock via Getty Images I previously reiterated my Hold rating for Star Bulk Carriers Corp. ( SBLK ) in December 2025, given the notably lower dividend yields. In this article, I shall discuss why I am upgrading SBLK as a Buy, thanks to the macro tailwinds and the updated dividend policy. SBLK Enjoys New Tailwinds Entering FY2026 SBLK 1Y Stock Price (Trading View) For now, the bulls have proven my Hold thesis wrong indeed, with SBLK enjoying a double digits rally to retest the prior pandemic stock price highs of $24s at the time of writing. Post pandemic consolidation, as: SBLK merges with Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc in 2024, CMB.Tech (NYSE: CMBT ) acquires Golden Ocean (NASDAQ: GOGL ) in 2025, Diana Shipping ( DSX ) attempts to takeover Genco Shipping ( GNK ) in 2026, and Hapag-Lloyd ( HPGLY ) ( HLAGF ) acquires ZIM Integrated Shipping ( ZIM ) in 2026 (container sector), it is apparent that some of their capacity expansion efforts are paying off, as the shipping market enters another turbulent and likely to be highly profitable 2026 year. 1. Rising Spot Prices Baltic Exchange Dry Index (Bloomberg) As a result of: the " Red Sea transit " risks and the " higher costs " linked to the Cape of Good Hope route, along with the Iran conflict and the impacted Hormuz passage , the Baltic Exchange Dry Index has risen to $2,567 as of April 17, 2026, against the bottom of $735 observed in January 31, 2025 and the average of ~$1,200 in 2019. Higher Spot Prices (Hellenic Shipping News, SBLK) The same has been observed in the notably higher spot prices for: Panamax/Kamsarmax at an average of $20K for short charter, and Supramax/Ultramax at an average of $18K as of April 15, 2026, compared to SBLK's: FQ1'26 contracted rates guidance of $15.39K, page 14, ( +51% YoY ) and $15.57K (+47% YoY), along with FY2025 rates at $12.59K and $13.14K, FY2019 rates at $11.18K and $10.17K, respectively. These two vessel types are important indeed, since they comprise 115 units or t...
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that many Persian Gulf allies along with a number of Asian nations have requested foreign exchange swap lines with the US, and pointed to the potential for such arrangements to support dollar-denominated lending overseas. “Many of our Gulf allies have requested swap lines,” Bessent said in answering questions at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee, ...
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that many Persian Gulf allies along with a number of Asian nations have requested foreign exchange swap lines with the US, and pointed to the potential for such arrangements to support dollar-denominated lending overseas. “Many of our Gulf allies have requested swap lines,” Bessent said in answering questions at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee, a day after President Donald Trump confirmed that a currency swap with the United Arab Emirates was under consideration . “Numerous other countries, including some of our Asian allies, have also requested them.” Swap lines have traditionally been set up between central banks, and the Federal Reserve maintains open lines with the European Central Bank, Bank of Japan and a handful of other peers. Bessent last year pioneered using a Treasury fund to provide a swap line of dollars to Argentina to help Buenos Aires prop up its currency. “Swap lines, whether it’s from the Federal Reserve or the Treasury, are to maintain order in the dollar funding markets and to prevent the sale of the US assets in a disorderly way,” Bessent said.
The search for connection persists but it’s seen as a task to be completed rather than a story waiting to unfold When I first researched dating apps and intimacy almost a decade ago, participants would regularly reach for romantic comedies to describe the kind of love they were hoping for. Eyes meeting across a crowded room, accidental encounters in parks, coffee spilled on strangers who would lat...
The search for connection persists but it’s seen as a task to be completed rather than a story waiting to unfold When I first researched dating apps and intimacy almost a decade ago, participants would regularly reach for romantic comedies to describe the kind of love they were hoping for. Eyes meeting across a crowded room, accidental encounters in parks, coffee spilled on strangers who would later become soulmates … the standard tropes. The references were remarkably consistent; Meet Joe Black, 10 Things I Hate About You, Bridget Jones’s Diary. Participants would even name actors as shorthand for the kind of luminous, serendipitous romance they imagined for themselves – and Jennifer Lopez was somehow always in the mix. Then came the reality check; these encounters only happen if you look like Lopez. For everyone else romance took place somewhere far less cinematic, the dating app. By comparison it’s a sterile interface, a place framed as the domain of the romantically ordinary. One participant summed it up bluntly: “Rom-com love is for hot people. The dating apps are for the rest of us.” Continue reading...
In feat hailed as milestone in robotics, Sony AI’s Ace wins three out of five matches played under official rules An AI-powered robot has beaten elite players at table tennis in a landmark achievement for a machine faced with a human athlete in a real-world competitive sport. Named Ace, the robotic system developed by Sony AI, won three out of five matches against elite players, but lost the two i...
In feat hailed as milestone in robotics, Sony AI’s Ace wins three out of five matches played under official rules An AI-powered robot has beaten elite players at table tennis in a landmark achievement for a machine faced with a human athlete in a real-world competitive sport. Named Ace, the robotic system developed by Sony AI, won three out of five matches against elite players, but lost the two it played against professionals, clawing back only one game in the seven contests. Continue reading...
da-kuk/E+ via Getty Images Earnings revisions have broken from a long-standing seasonal pattern in 2026, with S&P 500 ( SP500 ) EPS estimates rising rather than falling in the first quarter, JPMorgan said. The Daily Chartbook posted the chart on X. "Over the past 15 years, [analysts have] revised their EPS estimates down by an average of 2% between January and April … 2026 is a different story," J...
da-kuk/E+ via Getty Images Earnings revisions have broken from a long-standing seasonal pattern in 2026, with S&P 500 ( SP500 ) EPS estimates rising rather than falling in the first quarter, JPMorgan said. The Daily Chartbook posted the chart on X. "Over the past 15 years, [analysts have] revised their EPS estimates down by an average of 2% between January and April … 2026 is a different story," JPM said. This reflects a well-established pattern of conservative corporate guidance and early-year estimate resets. In contrast, 2026 has seen steady upward revisions, marking a clear deviation from historical norms. JPMorgan’s indexed data shows EPS estimates climbing above 103 by April, compared with the typical drift toward the high-90s range seen in prior years. The strength suggests more resilient corporate performance and potentially improved visibility around margins and demand conditions. The shift carries important implications for equities. Rising earnings expectations can support higher valuations and reinforce market gains, particularly if revisions remain broad-based. However, the durability of this trend will depend on how companies navigate macro pressures, including interest rates and geopolitical risks. Here is the chart: JPM More on markets Stocks Still Overvalued Based On CAPE Ratio, But Broader Context Allows For Debate March Retail Surge Hides Warning Signs For Consumers Stocks Shook Off The March Dip: Now Q1 Earnings And April Data Take Center Stage Citadel Securities spotlights Magnificent Seven trade ideas U.S. stocks rise as Trump extends ceasefire deadline with Iran
The on-again, off-again US-Iran peace talks are casting doubt on whether Donald Trump will make his planned visit to Beijing in a few weeks, though the war could raise the diplomatic stakes of the trip if it does go ahead, Chinese observers say. Hours before a two-week ceasefire was set to end, the US president announced on Tuesday that he was prolonging the fragile truce with Iran. That came afte...
The on-again, off-again US-Iran peace talks are casting doubt on whether Donald Trump will make his planned visit to Beijing in a few weeks, though the war could raise the diplomatic stakes of the trip if it does go ahead, Chinese observers say. Hours before a two-week ceasefire was set to end, the US president announced on Tuesday that he was prolonging the fragile truce with Iran. That came after Vice-President J.D. Vance’s trip to Pakistan for a second round of peace negotiations was first...
hapabapa Moderna ( MRNA ) announced on Wednesday that the company has initiated dosing in a Phase 3 trial designed to evaluate its messenger RNA-based bird flu vaccine candidate, mRNA-1018, in the U.S. and U.K. The trial is backed by funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global partnership supporting vaccine studies in preparation for potential epidemic and pan...
hapabapa Moderna ( MRNA ) announced on Wednesday that the company has initiated dosing in a Phase 3 trial designed to evaluate its messenger RNA-based bird flu vaccine candidate, mRNA-1018, in the U.S. and U.K. The trial is backed by funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global partnership supporting vaccine studies in preparation for potential epidemic and pandemic threats. "H5 influenza, or bird flu, remains a pandemic threat,” Moderna ( MRNA ) CEO Stéphane Bancel remarked. “The start of our Phase 3 trial for an H5 influenza vaccine marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to strengthen global pandemic preparedness," he added. The trial targeting nearly 4,000 healthy adults aged 18 years and older is designed to support global regulatory submissions for mRNA-1018. In December, CEPI agreed to invest up to $54.3M to support a Phase 3 pivotal trial for mRNA-1018. The decision came after the Trump administration ended a $766M contract awarded to Moderna ( MRNA ) that supported studies for a vaccine against pandemic influenza viruses, including bird flu. More on Moderna Moderna: The Case For Staying On The Sidelines Moderna: Speculative Buy For Aggressive Investors Betting On mRNA's Future Moderna: Pipeline Hope Won't Pay The Bills Moderna granted EU nod for combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine Trump nominates Erica Schwartz to lead CDC, ending months-long search
Nvidia Corp.-backed Vast Data Inc. , which makes software for storing data for artificial intelligence tasks, said it has raised about $1 billion and more than tripled its valuation to $30 billion. The funds are divided between primary and secondary capital, in which employees and early investors can sell their shares, giving Vast Data flexibility as to whether and when to take the steps toward an...
Nvidia Corp.-backed Vast Data Inc. , which makes software for storing data for artificial intelligence tasks, said it has raised about $1 billion and more than tripled its valuation to $30 billion. The funds are divided between primary and secondary capital, in which employees and early investors can sell their shares, giving Vast Data flexibility as to whether and when to take the steps toward an initial public offering, Renen Hallak , the company’s co-founder and chief executive officer, said in an interview. The round was coled by Drive Capital and Access Industries, and included participation from existing investors like Nvidia , Fidelity and NEA. Vast Data, which counts JPMorgan Chase & Co., Elon Musk’s xAI and CoreWeave Inc. as customers, last raised funds in 2023, valuing the company at $9.1 billion . Vast Data is profitable on an operating basis and has generated $4 billion in bookings since its founding a decade ago, most of that in the past year, Hallak said. The company is considering using the new money for acquisitions and investments in other firms in the AI ecosystem, he said. The company sells software and appliances that aim to replace more traditional storage and database products to better enable customers to access their information for use in training and running AI programs. Vast Data is trying to win over more and larger business customers to add to a list that’s currently more populated by AI clients. The company also is partnering with funds in the United Arab Emirates and Singapore to help expand its presence in those regions. Vast offers “world-changing technology coupled with the right timing and a very attractive business model,” said Chris Olsen , co-founder of Drive Capital. The challenge is getting people to switch from their existing technology. “The reality is none of those systems are broken. They work really well.” But if you sell Vast as a way to set up AI workloads, it’s a successful pitch, he said. The company hired Chief Finan...
Researchers say a gene therapy allowed deaf children and adults as old as 32 to hear for the first time. The benefits have persisted for more than two years for some patients.
Researchers say a gene therapy allowed deaf children and adults as old as 32 to hear for the first time. The benefits have persisted for more than two years for some patients.
Key PointsAaron Wealth Advisors LLC bought 1,098,176 shares of MBX Biosciences; estimated transaction value $37.35 million based on quarterly average pricing
Key PointsAaron Wealth Advisors LLC bought 1,098,176 shares of MBX Biosciences; estimated transaction value $37.35 million based on quarterly average pricing
Twilio will outperform as it embraces artificial intelligence, so investors should start adding the stock to their portfolios, according to Bank of America. The bank's research arm double upgraded the messaging software name to buy from underperform. It also raised its price target on shares to $190 from $110, implying 30.8% upside from Tuesday's close. "We see positive inflections in its strategi...
Twilio will outperform as it embraces artificial intelligence, so investors should start adding the stock to their portfolios, according to Bank of America. The bank's research arm double upgraded the messaging software name to buy from underperform. It also raised its price target on shares to $190 from $110, implying 30.8% upside from Tuesday's close. "We see positive inflections in its strategic positioning in AI and its fundamentals," analyst Koji Ikeda said in a note to clients. "Twilio will prove to be one of the key infrastructure layers for AI-driven voice and messaging uses cases, where scale and reliability are critical." TWLO YTD mountain TWLO year to date Twilio has built several products that seem poised to form the "backbone of many future AI digital experiences," Ikeda said. Those include ConversationRelay, which aims to generate human-like speech that connects to large-language models like ChatGPT, as well as a product called Conversational Intelligence. The latter offers AI-based transcription and language analysis services for phone calls. "Twilio's products … are designed to create voice AI experiences that many companies will need in the future," Ikeda wrote. "While there are competitors in every Twilio product category (messaging, email, customer data platform, etc.), our industry checks suggests that no competitor can deliver a similar level of service at enterprise volume scale." The analyst added that Twilio can further bolster those capabilities through its partnerships with leading startups in AI, including Sierra and ElevenLabs. Those opportunities should boost Twilio's gross profit dollar growth — a key metric for the software firm. Bank of America expects gross profits to grow 10% year-over-year for fiscal 2028. The bank's call falls in line with consensus on Wall Street. Of the 30 analysts covering Twilio, 23 have a strong buy or buy on the stock, per LSEG. Shares have risen more than 5% this year.