da-kuk/E+ via Getty Images While the war in the Middle East continues unabated, a new war of words broke out this week between President Trump and the Iranian officials with whom he says he is negotiating. This war is over markets. Trump wants lower oil prices ( CL1:COM ) and higher stock prices ( SPY ) for obvious reasons. Iran wants higher oil prices and lower stock prices to exact a punishing e...
da-kuk/E+ via Getty Images While the war in the Middle East continues unabated, a new war of words broke out this week between President Trump and the Iranian officials with whom he says he is negotiating. This war is over markets. Trump wants lower oil prices ( CL1:COM ) and higher stock prices ( SPY ) for obvious reasons. Iran wants higher oil prices and lower stock prices to exact a punishing economic toll on the President in hopes that it will force him to retreat on their terms. Trump wants the conflict to end quickly, which he now defines as four to six weeks, while Iran wants to stretch it out as long as possible. The longer it lasts, the more economic pain for the U.S. economy. Stock index charts (Finviz) This is why early Monday morning the President posted on his social media account that good and productive conversations with the Iranians were ongoing regarding ending the conflict. Whether that was true or not, stock prices soared and oil plunged more than $10, which was clearly the immediate objective. The Iranians countered in this war of words by denying any negotiations had occurred. Oil edged higher, and stocks gave back some of the gains the following day. Optimism in markets returned yesterday after news that the President’s 15-point plan to end the war was presented to Iranian officials through a Pakistani intermediary. Oil price surge chart (Bloomberg) Yesterday’s optimism is waning again, with stock futures lower and oil higher, as the President’s proposal was dismissed and countered with five conditions that need to be met before Iran will agree to end the war. These include payment for war damages, mechanisms to ensure future attacks do not happen, a halt to all U.S. military operations, including in Israel and other Arab nations, and recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. The good news is that these proposals do constitute a form of negotiation. The bad news is that neither side is likely to get the entirety of their wis...
watch now VIDEO 1:05 01:05 Tom Brady on potential NFL comeback: 'Very happily retired' CNBC Sport Tom Brady may not be returning to the NFL — but he has explored if it's possible. The legendary New England Patriots quarterback, a frequent subject of un-retirement rumors, told CNBC Sport this week that he has asked the NFL about its policy around returning to the league as a player while maintainin...
watch now VIDEO 1:05 01:05 Tom Brady on potential NFL comeback: 'Very happily retired' CNBC Sport Tom Brady may not be returning to the NFL — but he has explored if it's possible. The legendary New England Patriots quarterback, a frequent subject of un-retirement rumors, told CNBC Sport this week that he has asked the NFL about its policy around returning to the league as a player while maintaining his status as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders — but he has no plans to return. "I actually have inquired, and they don't like that idea very much," Brady said in an interview promoting his World Cup ad campaign with Ferrero. "We explored a lot of different things, and I'm very happily retired. Let me just say that, too." An NFL spokesperson said if Brady were to pursue a return to the league, he would first need to divest his ownership stake in the Raiders, citing a 2023 policy that prohibits players or team employees from taking equity in a club. "In addition, there would be salary cap issues involving a player/owner," the spokesperson added . Brady last week participated in a Fanatics flag football game and threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs. While Brady acknowledged he loved being back on the field, he said, "if anything, that game reconfirmed to me that I'm very happy in my retirement." Get the CNBC Sport newsletter directly to your inbox The CNBC Sport newsletter with Alex Sherman brings you the biggest news and exclusive interviews from the worlds of sports business and media, delivered weekly to your inbox. Subscribe here to get access today . Brady said since taking a minority stake in the Raiders, he's helped the front office make personnel and coaching decisions in what he called a "strategic advisory role." "I'm a minority owner. So, when you're that, there's really no job description. I don't have really a daily role," he said. "You know, my phone call is always available to everybody who needs it. I want to see everyone succeed, be...
European Commission says social messaging app is exposing children to grooming and sexual exploitation Brussels has opened an investigation into Snapchat over concerns that the social messaging app is exposing children to grooming, sexual exploitation and other criminality. In a separate decision on Thursday, the European Commission also said four pornographic websites were failing to prevent mino...
European Commission says social messaging app is exposing children to grooming and sexual exploitation Brussels has opened an investigation into Snapchat over concerns that the social messaging app is exposing children to grooming, sexual exploitation and other criminality. In a separate decision on Thursday, the European Commission also said four pornographic websites were failing to prevent minors seeing adult content. Continue reading...
ismagilov/iStock via Getty Images KORE Group Holdings, Inc. ( KORE ) is a small-cap IoT (Internet of Things) provider that makes most of its revenues (83%) from providing the actual cellular and satellite links that keep devices online (the IoT Connectivity segment), while the remaining 17% comes from end-to-end device lifecycle management (the IoT Solutions segment). KORE's investor's materials [...
ismagilov/iStock via Getty Images KORE Group Holdings, Inc. ( KORE ) is a small-cap IoT (Internet of Things) provider that makes most of its revenues (83%) from providing the actual cellular and satellite links that keep devices online (the IoT Connectivity segment), while the remaining 17% comes from end-to-end device lifecycle management (the IoT Solutions segment). KORE's investor's materials [ Investor Relations presentation ] The KORE stock surged by ~80% in late February on the news of two private equity firms – Searchlight Capital and Abry Partners – striking a buyout deal at a premium. Based on the terms, KORE shareholders should receive $9.25 per share in cash: Under the terms of the agreement, Searchlight and Abry will acquire all issued and outstanding shares of KORE common stock not already owned by them at an all-cash price of $9.25 per share. The purchase price represents a 691% premium to KORE’s closing share price on Dec. 18, 2024, and a 132% premium to its closing price on Nov. 3, 2025, the last trading days before Searchlight signaled increased investment interest and before it and Abry proposed a $5.00-per-share acquisition, respectively. Source: From Seeking Alpha News The new buyout price per share came in as a major surprise to the market and even some special situations experts: Did not expect an 85% bump to the original $5/shr bid. Over 100% total return since Nov'25. Remaining spread to the $9.25/share bid is just ~3%. One of the most unexpected M&A outcomes I've seen. Source: Dalius [special situations/even-driven analyst] on X As I'm writing these lines, KORE is trading at exactly $9.00 per share, so there's only 2.77% left for those who believe that the firm will be bought out in Q2 or Q3 2026. TrendSpider Software, KORE daily, notes added But why did the PE firms decide to pay so much for KORE? Let's take a look at the company's financials first. In Q3 2025, the latest earnings results report I could find, KORE showed $68.7 million in re...
In this podcast, Motley Fool retirement expert Robert Brokamp and contributor Matt Frankel discuss The Motley Fool’s recent “Best Places to Retire” report as well as: To catch full episodes of all The Motley Fool's free podcasts, check out our podcast center . A full transcript is below. Continue reading
In this podcast, Motley Fool retirement expert Robert Brokamp and contributor Matt Frankel discuss The Motley Fool’s recent “Best Places to Retire” report as well as: To catch full episodes of all The Motley Fool's free podcasts, check out our podcast center . A full transcript is below. Continue reading