wildpixel/iStock via Getty Images All the major asset classes are posting year-to-date gains as of Friday’s close. But a lot can happen over one weekend. The US-Israel military strike on Iran is ongoing and appears set to continue for days, possibly weeks. No one knows how this will play out in markets beyond the immediate future, but it’s reasonable to assume that the bullish sentiment, which was...
wildpixel/iStock via Getty Images All the major asset classes are posting year-to-date gains as of Friday’s close. But a lot can happen over one weekend. The US-Israel military strike on Iran is ongoing and appears set to continue for days, possibly weeks. No one knows how this will play out in markets beyond the immediate future, but it’s reasonable to assume that the bullish sentiment, which was already showing signs of fatigue in some corners, could become collateral damage to the Middle East conflict. Foreign stocks and commodities are the performance leaders in 2026 through Friday’s close (Feb. 27), based on a set of ETFs. But last week’s assumptions about the future suddenly look like ancient history. The crucial question: How vulnerable is the world economy? The short answer: blowback risk will increase the longer the war lasts. At the moment, the odds appear low for a quick cessation of hostilities as the war widens across the Middle East, which includes Iran’s attack on oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. “The attack on Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery marks a significant escalation, with Gulf energy infrastructure now squarely in Iran’s sights,” said Torbjorn Soltvedt, an analyst at the risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft. “An extended period of uncertainty lies ahead as Iran seeks to impose a heavy economic cost by putting tankers, regional energy infrastructure, trade routes and U.S. security partners in the crosshairs.” The economic costs for the global economy could be significant if the conflict lingers and oil prices stay elevated. Roughly 31% of all seaborne oil flowed through the Strait of Hormuz in 2025, according to analysis by Kpler , a data analytics firm. Those flows are vulnerable due to Iran’s strategic location, which allows it to disrupt, if not halt, shipping through the waterway. “The implications of this conflict for the world economy depend on the flow of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz,” said Norbert Rücker, head of...
The massive US military strikes on Iran could add a new layer of uncertainty to President Donald Trump’s high-stakes trip to China at the end of the month, observers warn. They said that while the visit was expected to go ahead as planned, the escalating conflict in the Middle East could fuel fresh concerns in Beijing over Washington’s global assertiveness and ambitions. Large-scale US and Israeli...
The massive US military strikes on Iran could add a new layer of uncertainty to President Donald Trump’s high-stakes trip to China at the end of the month, observers warn. They said that while the visit was expected to go ahead as planned, the escalating conflict in the Middle East could fuel fresh concerns in Beijing over Washington’s global assertiveness and ambitions. Large-scale US and Israeli strikes on Iran since Saturday have killed senior Iranian figures including the supreme leader,...
As expected, Apple has announced a mild update for the iPad family's middle child today. The new iPad Air is a lot like the old one, but it replaces the Apple M3 chip with an M4. That M4 also comes with a less-expected upgrade: a jump from 8GB of RAM to 12GB, which should be helpful for those using iPadOS 26's multi-window multitasking features. The iPad Air still comes in 11-inch and 13-inch vers...
As expected, Apple has announced a mild update for the iPad family's middle child today. The new iPad Air is a lot like the old one, but it replaces the Apple M3 chip with an M4. That M4 also comes with a less-expected upgrade: a jump from 8GB of RAM to 12GB, which should be helpful for those using iPadOS 26's multi-window multitasking features. The iPad Air still comes in 11-inch and 13-inch versions that start at $599 and $799, respectively; the only disappointment is that these entry-level models still come with 128GB of storage. A 256GB storage upgrade will run you $100, and 512GB (+$300) and 1TB (+$500) versions are also available. Preorders go live on March 4, and the tablet will be available on March 11. The M4 iPad Air uses the same design as the M2 version from 2024 and the M3 version from last year. The M2 version of the Air was a gently tweaked version of the M1 iPad Air, but it was different enough not to be compatible with all the same accessories; most notably, the M2-and-later Airs use the Apple Pencil Pro accessory and aren’t compatible with the second-generation Pencil. Read full article Comments
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Marvell Technology, Inc. ( MRVL ) is set to report its earnings this week on March 5th , and I think that we are likely to see another strong quarter from this semiconductor company with expanding AI exposure. The stock is down by almost 9% since my previous bullish call , but it is likely explained by the weak market sentiment rather than because of som...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Marvell Technology, Inc. ( MRVL ) is set to report its earnings this week on March 5th , and I think that we are likely to see another strong quarter from this semiconductor company with expanding AI exposure. The stock is down by almost 9% since my previous bullish call , but it is likely explained by the weak market sentiment rather than because of some fundamental reasons. I am confident because MRVL's management continues to work on improving the company's positioning in the AI era, and the growth strategy is multifaceted. Moreover, AI tailwinds remain strong, which is another positive structural company for MRVL. Finally, the stock is very attractive at the moment, meaning that I reiterate a buy rating for MRVL. Recent developments and earnings preview Marvell released its FQ3 2026 earnings on December 2, delivering another dual beat against consensus estimates. Revenue increased by an impressive 37.8% on a YoY basis, while the adjusted EPS expanded from $0.43 to $0.76. This was a quality EPS growth as it was achieved thanks to expanding profitability ratios . The company's Q3 operating margin skyrocketed from 0.8% to 17.7% on a YoY basis, pointing to a solid economies of scale effect. Seeking Alpha The company's powerful earnings growth momentum is a huge fundamental tailwind, especially considering the fact that Marvell's FQ4 2026 earnings are around the corner. Wall Street analysts forecast FQ4 revenue to be $2.21 billion, which means a 21% YoY increase compared to the same quarter of last year. The operating leverage is expected to maintain robust momentum as analysts expect adjusted EPS growth to outpace revenue with a 32% forecasted increase . Seeking Alpha Wall Street analysts are quite confident that Marvell will deliver strong earnings, as there have been far more upward EPS revisions over the last 90 days than negative ones. This is a solid bullish signal, as it indicates that the company is likely to comfor...
American manufacturers grew in February for the second month in a row for the first time in a year, but rising metal prices tied to U.S. tariffs are weighing on business and sapping customer demand.
American manufacturers grew in February for the second month in a row for the first time in a year, but rising metal prices tied to U.S. tariffs are weighing on business and sapping customer demand.
Brentford FC , the West London Premier League team, has secured backing from two new minority investors: Lucian Grainge , the head of Universal Music Group , and Prakash Melwani , a senior executive at Blackstone Inc. Matthew Benham, a former Bank of America employee and founder of Smartodds, a statistical research company for professional gamblers, remains the majority owner of the club, a positi...
Brentford FC , the West London Premier League team, has secured backing from two new minority investors: Lucian Grainge , the head of Universal Music Group , and Prakash Melwani , a senior executive at Blackstone Inc. Matthew Benham, a former Bank of America employee and founder of Smartodds, a statistical research company for professional gamblers, remains the majority owner of the club, a position he has held since taking control in 2012. Grainge and Melwani will join the board of Best Intentions Analytics Limited , the holding company for Brentford FC and its Spanish team, Merida AD, according to a statement Monday. Existing minority investors, the philanthropist Gary Lubner and filmmaker Matthew Vaughn , have also increased their shareholdings in Best Intention Analytics. Brentford is having a successful season and, for the first time in club history, remains in contention for a place in a UEFA cup competition next season. With 10 matches left to play, the team sits in seventh place. Grainge, a British record executive, has been the chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group since 2010. Melwani is a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone and is chairman of the firm’s international private equity business. Brentford’s success in one of football’s most challenging competitions is largely attributed to its data-focused strategy. Read More: Big Data Model Helps Local London Team Win Soccer’s Richest Game Bloomberg first reported in 2023 that Benham was considering offers for a stake in the team. Brentford relocated from its long-time home, Griffin Park, in 2020 to the GTech Community Stadium, which has a capacity of 17,000. Sign up for Bloomberg’s Business of Sports newsletter for the context you need on the collision of power, money and sports, from the latest deals to the newest stakeholders. Delivered weekly.
The situation in Iran continues to worsen, with countries throughout the region getting hit by missiles and drones. Eyewitness footage from across the Middle East shows the scene on the ground.
The situation in Iran continues to worsen, with countries throughout the region getting hit by missiles and drones. Eyewitness footage from across the Middle East shows the scene on the ground.
PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY: NICOLE NGUYEN Apple just announced the budget-focused iPhone 17e. Similar to last year’s 16e, it’s a scaled-back edition of the current flagship, aimed at people who don’t care as much about cameras and battery life.
PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY: NICOLE NGUYEN Apple just announced the budget-focused iPhone 17e. Similar to last year’s 16e, it’s a scaled-back edition of the current flagship, aimed at people who don’t care as much about cameras and battery life.