French authorities have arrested five suspects after a magistrate and her mother were held captive last week for about 30 hours in a cryptocurrency ransom plot, prosecutors said on Sunday. The arrests of four men and one woman followed the discovery on Friday of the 35-year-old magistrate and her 67-year-old mother, found injured in a garage in the south-eastern Drôme department, the Lyon public p...
French authorities have arrested five suspects after a magistrate and her mother were held captive last week for about 30 hours in a cryptocurrency ransom plot, prosecutors said on Sunday. The arrests of four men and one woman followed the discovery on Friday of the 35-year-old magistrate and her 67-year-old mother, found injured in a garage in the south-eastern Drôme department, the Lyon public prosecutor’s office said. During a press conference later on Friday, the Lyon prosecutor Thierry Dran said the magistrate’s partner – who was not home when the pair were abducted overnight Wednesday to Thursday – had a leading position in a cryptocurrency startup. A massive police search involving 160 officers was launched after he received a message and a photo of his partner from the kidnappers demanding a ransom to be paid in cryptocurrency. The captors threatened to mutilate their victims if the transfer was not made quickly, Dran told reporters, declining to specify the amount demanded. The two women managed to free themselves and raise the alarm. They were rescued on Friday morning in Bourg-lès-Valence without any ransom being paid, according to the prosecutor. French authorities have been dealing with a string of kidnappings and extortion attempts targeting the families of wealthy individuals dealing in cryptocurrencies. In January 2025, kidnappers seized the French crypto boss David Balland and his partner. Balland co-founded a crypto firm called Ledger, valued at the time at more than $1bn. The kidnappers cut off his finger and demanded a hefty ransom. He was freed the next day, and his partner was found tied up in the boot of a car outside Paris. In May, the father of a man who ran a Malta-based cryptocurrency company was kidnapped by four hooded men in Paris. The victim, whose finger was also severed by the kidnappers and for whom a ransom of several million euros was demanded, was released 58 hours later in a raid by the security forces.
There's probably nothing that stops AMD from releasing FSR 4 for non-RDNA 4 GPUs, but it just keeps avoiding it. It has been proven multiple times that AMD's latest FSR 4 upscaler works on older RDNA GPUs such as RDNA 2 and RDNA 3. This isn't something new, as we have been seeing users finding workarounds to turn on FSR 4 on RX 6000 and RX 7000 GPUs using the leaked files. When AMD accidentally re...
There's probably nothing that stops AMD from releasing FSR 4 for non-RDNA 4 GPUs, but it just keeps avoiding it. It has been proven multiple times that AMD's latest FSR 4 upscaler works on older RDNA GPUs such as RDNA 2 and RDNA 3. This isn't something new, as we have been seeing users finding workarounds to turn on FSR 4 on RX 6000 and RX 7000 GPUs using the leaked files. When AMD accidentally released the INT8 DLL file for FSR 4 last year, it was quickly downloaded and used for enabling the latest upscaler on older RDNA GPUs. It was clear from the comparisons made between FSR 3.1 and FSR 4.0 on RDNA 2/3 GPUs that FSR 4.0 is doing an excellent job in improving the visual quality drastically. Even though the INT8 version of FSR 4 introduced some significant performance regressions, users could use the FSR 4 Performance mode to achieve the FSR 3.1 Quality performance while having better visuals. Hardware Unboxed reached out to AMD to know about the current status of INT8 FSR 4 for previous-gen RDNA GPUs, since it has been nearly a year since FSR 4 came out exclusively for RDNA 4 GPUs. Unfortunately, AMD hasn't confirmed its release. It simply said, No Updates to Share at this time. - AMD to HUB We don't know if AMD even planned to release it later or is simply ignoring the release, as it doesn't seem FSR 4 is fit for older-gen GPUs. Of course, the performance overhead is quite noticeable, but so is DLSS 4.5's impact on RTX 20 and 30 series. However, NVIDIA decided to release DLSS 4.5 for older RTX GPUs and left it up to users to choose between DLSS 4.5 and previous DLSS versions.It is already known that RDNA 2 and RDNA 3 GPUs lack native FP8 instructions required to support the FP8 version of FSR 4, but when AMD has made an INT8 version itself, why not just release it? This is doing nothing but making a lot of gamers avoid AMD GPUs, as modern tech becomes limited only to modern hardware. NVIDIA, on the other hand, has kept its newer upscaling technologies open for mu...
Key Points Azure is Microsoft's fastest-growing segment. Microsoft doesn't give out a ton of information about Azure's finances. 10 stocks we like better than Microsoft › Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) hasn't had a great start to 2026. Its stock recently was down 11% for the year, with the bulk of that fall coming after its second-quarter fiscal year 2026 earnings report, when it declined 10% in a singl...
Key Points Azure is Microsoft's fastest-growing segment. Microsoft doesn't give out a ton of information about Azure's finances. 10 stocks we like better than Microsoft › Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) hasn't had a great start to 2026. Its stock recently was down 11% for the year, with the bulk of that fall coming after its second-quarter fiscal year 2026 earnings report, when it declined 10% in a single day. This decline will make it difficult to outperform the market in 2026, as the stock doesn't get the benefit of starting at its current low price tag. It must make up the ground it has lost. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is up a mere 1%, so it doesn't have a ton to make up. Still, it won't be easy for Microsoft. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » However, I think there's one clear reason why Microsoft can still outperform the market in 2026, and it all revolves around Azure. Cloud computing is the key to AI Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing division. Cloud computing plays a huge role in AI, as upstarts and developers cannot afford to build a massive data center filled with the necessary computing equipment to train and run an AI model properly. Instead, big tech companies like Microsoft are building excess computing capacity, then renting it to their clients. As long as Microsoft can build the data centers, buy the expensive computing units, and then operate them for less than what they charge, it's a huge opportunity for Microsoft. Unfortunately, we don't know what the economics of Azure's business are, because Microsoft doesn't individually break out its profits by division. However, two of Azure's competitors, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Alphabet's Google Cloud, do. During the first quarter, AWS delivered a 35% operating margin. Google Cloud's operating margins were 24% during th...
Humanoid Robots Get "Brains" As Dual-Use Fears Mount Chinese humanoid robotics firms are laser-focused on advancing "robot brains" for next-gen platforms already entering series production and headed to factory floors this year. Once these intelligent models push beyond scripted video stunts - we've all seen in promotional videos - into real-world autonomy, the systems become battlefield-ready, du...
Humanoid Robots Get "Brains" As Dual-Use Fears Mount Chinese humanoid robotics firms are laser-focused on advancing "robot brains" for next-gen platforms already entering series production and headed to factory floors this year. Once these intelligent models push beyond scripted video stunts - we've all seen in promotional videos - into real-world autonomy, the systems become battlefield-ready, dual-use robots. The Shanghai Morning Post reports that China-based robotics firm Dobot has developed Dobot-VLA, a vision-language-action model that allows its full-size humanoid Atom robot to "see through" clusters of tasks, "understand" ambiguous instructions, and make autonomous decisions to "get the job done." "[This] ability to adapt autonomously based on an understanding of the environment is the starting point for humanoid robots to create value in industrial applications," the company told SCMP. Rival UBTech open-sourced its humanoid-focused multimodal model, "Thinker," on GitHub and Hugging Face, aiming to address common embodied-robot issues such as lag and spatial inaccuracies. UBTech claims strong benchmark results against Nvidia and ByteDance models and reports near-perfect performance (99.9%) on certain factory-floor tasks, such as moving boxes and sorting parts, with its "Walker S2" humanoid robot. SCMP pointed out, "China's robotics industry is accelerating a shift from physical stunts that rely on preprogrammed routines to sophisticated abilities that require learning and adapting in the real world, seen as essential for mass commercial adoption in manufacturing and other scenarios." The broader theme is that humanoid robot brains are being developed at hyperspeed, suggesting these robots will be marching on factory floors in the very near term, not just in China but also across the Western world, starting later this year. We've warned readers that "Humanoid Robots Begin March on Assembly Lines and Beyond," meaning some of these systems could be dual-use and ...
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) hasn't had a great start to 2026. Its stock recently was down 11% for the year, with the bulk of that fall coming after its second-quarter fiscal year 2026 earnings report, when it declined 10% in a single day. This decline will make it difficult to outperform the market in 2026, as the stock doesn't get the benefit of starting at its current low price tag. It must make up...
Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) hasn't had a great start to 2026. Its stock recently was down 11% for the year, with the bulk of that fall coming after its second-quarter fiscal year 2026 earnings report, when it declined 10% in a single day. This decline will make it difficult to outperform the market in 2026, as the stock doesn't get the benefit of starting at its current low price tag. It must make up the ground it has lost. The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is up a mere 1%, so it doesn't have a ton to make up. Still, it won't be easy for Microsoft. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » However, I think there's one clear reason why Microsoft can still outperform the market in 2026, and it all revolves around Azure. Image source: Getty Images. Cloud computing is the key to AI Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing division. Cloud computing plays a huge role in AI, as upstarts and developers cannot afford to build a massive data center filled with the necessary computing equipment to train and run an AI model properly. Instead, big tech companies like Microsoft are building excess computing capacity, then renting it to their clients. As long as Microsoft can build the data centers, buy the expensive computing units, and then operate them for less than what they charge, it's a huge opportunity for Microsoft. Unfortunately, we don't know what the economics of Azure's business are, because Microsoft doesn't individually break out its profits by division. However, two of Azure's competitors, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Alphabet's Google Cloud, do. During the first quarter, AWS delivered a 35% operating margin. Google Cloud's operating margins were 24% during the same period. So I think it's safe to assume that Azure's operating margins are likely within 25% to 35%. Compared to Microsoft's overall operating margin of around 47%, this means that Azure ...
In a growing number of workplaces, the soundtrack of the lunch break is no longer the rustle of sandwiches at a desk, but the quiet hum of bees – housed just outside the office window. Employers from Manchester to Milton Keynes are working with professional beekeepers to install hives on rooftops, in courtyards and car parks – positioning beekeeping not as a novelty but as a way to ease stress, bu...
In a growing number of workplaces, the soundtrack of the lunch break is no longer the rustle of sandwiches at a desk, but the quiet hum of bees – housed just outside the office window. Employers from Manchester to Milton Keynes are working with professional beekeepers to install hives on rooftops, in courtyards and car parks – positioning beekeeping not as a novelty but as a way to ease stress, build community and reconnect workers with nature in an era of hybrid work and burnout. “There’s something very special – almost spiritual – about enabling your employees to take time away from work to see how nature has created the greatest example of how every business should run,” said Chris Payne, a co-founder of Green Folk Recruitment. “If every organisation ran like a beehive – with shared, purpose-driven goals, decentralised decision-making where individuals act autonomously for the collective good, and honest communication – it would be a very successful business indeed,” he added. Twice a year, Payne takes his employees on a four-hour round trip to Buckley’s Bees in Crewe, where they learn beekeeping and how to construct hives. “When we’re qualified, we’ll bring the hives we’ve built back to our offices,” he said. “It will be a magical moment.” Emma Buckley, the chief executive of Buckley’s Bees, has about 24 UK clients and more than 10 international ones. Business has grown so quickly that she is now recruiting additional staff. View image in fullscreen While the trend of office apiaries is growing, beekeeping providers say they are also conscious of the potential impact on local biodiversity. Photograph: Allan Bentley “Our motivation is improving people’s mental health, which employers increasingly understand is closely linked to nature,” she said. “It’s amazing to see the engagement on people’s faces as soon as we start talking about bees: they get completely lost in the world of bees and forget all about their troubles.” Buckley runs lunchtime workshops for emplo...
Whether you want foreign exposure to your portfolio or want to become more climate-change conscious, these two ETFs offer unique investment opportunities. The State Street SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZAC +2.01%) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA +2.22%) are popular options for investors seeking diversified international exposure, but their approaches and underlying holdings diffe...
Whether you want foreign exposure to your portfolio or want to become more climate-change conscious, these two ETFs offer unique investment opportunities. The State Street SPDR MSCI ACWI Climate Paris Aligned ETF (NZAC +2.01%) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA +2.22%) are popular options for investors seeking diversified international exposure, but their approaches and underlying holdings differ materially. This comparison explores whether the broad, climate-focused NZAC or the developed-market, cost-efficient IEFA makes more sense for a given portfolio. Snapshot (cost & size) Metric NZAC IEFA Issuer SPDR IShares Expense ratio 0.12% 0.07% 1-yr return (as of Feb. 7, 2026) 15.11% 28.70% Dividend yield 1.88% 3.32% Beta 1.05 0.79 AUM $182.12 million $171.77 billion Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months. IEFA looks more affordable, charging 0.07% annually versus NZAC’s 0.12%, and delivers a higher dividend yield at 3.4% compared to NZAC’s 1.9%, a notable gap for income-focused investors. Performance & risk comparison Metric NZAC IEFA Max drawdown (5 y) -28.29% -30.41% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $1,499 $1,353 What's inside IEFA tracks developed markets outside the U.S. and Canada, offering access to 2,589 holdings, with financial services (22%), industrials (20%), and healthcare (11%) as the top sectors. Its largest positions include ASML Holding N.V. (AMS:ASML.AS), Roche Holding AG (SIX:ROG.SW), and HSBC Holdings Plc (LSE:HSBA.L). With a 13-year track record, its international focus tends to lean towards companies in Europe and Asia. NZAC targets companies that meet climate-aligned criteria, providing investors with exposure to efforts to reduce climate risks. It holds 729 stocks, with technology accounting for 32% of assets, followed by financial services at 16%, and industrials at 10%. Key holdings such as Nvidia(NVDA +8.01%), Ap...
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) has filed new trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its awaited Roadster. New Trademark Filings The filings, dated Feb 3, were filed by Tesla with the agency and describe the wordmark "Roadster" in a stylized format, while the second filing details "a triangle design consisting of three flowing, curved lines," the filing said...
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) has filed new trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its awaited Roadster. New Trademark Filings The filings, dated Feb 3, were filed by Tesla with the agency and describe the wordmark "Roadster" in a stylized format, while the second filing details "a triangle design consisting of three flowing, curved lines," the filing said. The design showcases what could possibly be the Roadster silhouette. NEWS: Tesla has filed new trademark applications for its next-generation Roadster, hinting that the unveil is drawing closer. The first application includes a stylized "Roadster" wordmark, while the second includes what seems to be the Roadster's new design. USPTO filings… pic.twitter.com/WJ7gkO7i8z Don't Miss: Missed Nvidia and Tesla? RAD Intel Could Be the Next AI Powerhouse — Just $0.85 a Share Deloitte's #1 Fastest-Growing Software Company Lets Users Earn Money Just by Scrolling — Accredited Investors Can Still Get In at $0.50/Share. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had earlier shared that the company could look for other names for the Cybercab because Tesla was "not allowed to use the word cab or taxi" in some states, adding that the company could call it "Cybercar" and "Cybervehicle" instead, which was followed by trademark filings from Tesla. Tesla's Roadster Built For Performance Musk had earlier shared that the Roadster, which has been teased on several occasions, would be tailored for performance, much like hypercars from the likes of Ferrari. The CEO also shared that with the Roadster, safety was "not the main goal" for Tesla. See Also: Blue-chip art has historically outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, and fractional investing is now opening this institutional asset class to everyday investors. Earlier patent applications also showcased that Tesla was working on an active aerodynamic system that would direct airflow through a series of fans to generate downforce in the Roadster. The filing also mentioned that...
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) has filed new trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its awaited Roadster. New Trademark Filings The filings, dated Feb 3, were filed by Tesla with the agency and describe the wordmark "Roadster" in a stylized format, while the second filing details "a triangle design consisting of three flowing, curved lines," the filing said...
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) has filed new trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its awaited Roadster. New Trademark Filings The filings, dated Feb 3, were filed by Tesla with the agency and describe the wordmark "Roadster" in a stylized format, while the second filing details "a triangle design consisting of three flowing, curved lines," the filing said. The design showcases what could possibly be the Roadster silhouette. NEWS: Tesla has filed new trademark applications for its next-generation Roadster, hinting that the unveil is drawing closer. The first application includes a stylized "Roadster" wordmark, while the second includes what seems to be the Roadster's new design. USPTO filings… pic.twitter.com/WJ7gkO7i8z Don't Miss: Missed Nvidia and Tesla? RAD Intel Could Be the Next AI Powerhouse — Just $0.85 a Share Deloitte's #1 Fastest-Growing Software Company Lets Users Earn Money Just by Scrolling — Accredited Investors Can Still Get In at $0.50/Share. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had earlier shared that the company could look for other names for the Cybercab because Tesla was "not allowed to use the word cab or taxi" in some states, adding that the company could call it "Cybercar" and "Cybervehicle" instead, which was followed by trademark filings from Tesla. Tesla's Roadster Built For Performance Musk had earlier shared that the Roadster, which has been teased on several occasions, would be tailored for performance, much like hypercars from the likes of Ferrari. The CEO also shared that with the Roadster, safety was "not the main goal" for Tesla. See Also: Blue-chip art has historically outpaced the S&P 500 since 1995, and fractional investing is now opening this institutional asset class to everyday investors. Earlier patent applications also showcased that Tesla was working on an active aerodynamic system that would direct airflow through a series of fans to generate downforce in the Roadster. The filing also mentioned that...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Super Micro Computer ( SMCI ) offers us an intriguing look into the economic dynamics of the AI boom. For those who have been following SMCI for the past few years, I believe you have also seen for yourself how the incredible surge was followed by the dramatic collapse in market sentiments as they quickly shifted out from the AI hardware providers. A qui...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Super Micro Computer ( SMCI ) offers us an intriguing look into the economic dynamics of the AI boom. For those who have been following SMCI for the past few years, I believe you have also seen for yourself how the incredible surge was followed by the dramatic collapse in market sentiments as they quickly shifted out from the AI hardware providers. A quick recap: I was actually quite optimistic about SMCI back in my last update. However, the situation doesn't seem to have improved much despite the post-earnings rise that saw Super Micro Computer managing to rein in some of the inventory issues, as they have improved since then. Also, the revenue visibility appears to have remained robust, although challenges leading to the volatility in its profit margins have not gone away. And that's the quandary I believe is afflicting these systems solution providers, even as AI racks become more complex. The expectation is that we should ultimately see margins on leading assemblers like SMCI increase as they scale Blackwell. Yet it still doesn't seem to be the case, suggesting that the supply chain economics doesn't seem to be benefiting SMCI as much as I had anticipated. Now, why is that so? Some of you may ask, shouldn't SMCI be benefiting from the increasing AI capital expenditures outlay? More so since the hyperscalers and big tech companies have raised their capital expenditure outlook to almost 700 billion dollars for 2026. And yet we find SMCI still hovering well below its 2025 highs. The lack of urgency in lifting SMCI's sentiments is somewhat perplexing from the looks of it. So what could be the main reason behind this reticence in investors giving SMCI the benefit of the doubt? Well, I don't think there is a simple answer to solving for the market's lack of interest. However, I think a possible way out of this enigma could be alluded to by the lack of bargaining power for SMCI, as it finds itself squeezed between suppliers a...
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently concluded his four-day visit to China, during which he met President Xi Jinping . He was accompanied by a sizeable delegation of prominent British business leaders across finance, pharmaceuticals, clean energy and aviation. Starmer met Chery chairman Yin Tongyue, who announced his intention to open the carmaker’s European headquarters in Liverpool. Sepa...
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently concluded his four-day visit to China, during which he met President Xi Jinping . He was accompanied by a sizeable delegation of prominent British business leaders across finance, pharmaceuticals, clean energy and aviation. Starmer met Chery chairman Yin Tongyue, who announced his intention to open the carmaker’s European headquarters in Liverpool. Separately, AstraZeneca also announced a US$15 billion investment in China over the next five years. , though questions inevitably remain over the extent to which they materialise. Beijing agreed to extend 30-day The government said it has secured market access valued at £2.3 billion (US$3.1 billion) and £2.2 billion in export dealsthough questions inevitably remain over the extent to which they materialise. Beijing agreed to extend 30-day visa-free access to British citizens as well as to lower tariffs on British whisky from 10 per cent to 5 per cent. Advertisement As a Hongkonger who benefited greatly from nearly a decade’s worth of British education , I found Starmer’s visit refreshing for two reasons. First, it was the first visit by a British prime minister to China in eight years, hopefully marking an end to the deep freeze in Sino-British bilateral relations after what was termed a “ golden era ”. Second, Starmer highlighted the role of Hong Kong as a “unique and important bridge between the UK and China”. This is a view I have long advocated, given our city’s distinctive and rich cultural, institutional and interpersonal ties with the UK. Advertisement As Washington continues to pull back from global public goods provision, both Beijing and London appear eager to fill the resultant vacuum in global governance. Xi and Starmer have made ameliorating the effects of climate change and governing the impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) policy priorities.
piranka/iStock via Getty Images Introduction In recent months, I have increasingly discussed the new world order. Note that I’m not capitalizing it, as I am not referring to the conspiracy theory that there’s one big shadow government ruling the world, but the phenomenon that the global political order is changing. Here’s the difference: Google Search The most recent article I wrote on this topic ...
piranka/iStock via Getty Images Introduction In recent months, I have increasingly discussed the new world order. Note that I’m not capitalizing it, as I am not referring to the conspiracy theory that there’s one big shadow government ruling the world, but the phenomenon that the global political order is changing. Here’s the difference: Google Search The most recent article I wrote on this topic was published less than a month ago, when I discussed the situation surrounding President Trump looking to acquire Greenland, the comments from Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney when it comes to shifting power, and other developments that hint at new power dynamics. While I admit that discussing the new world order truly makes for catchy titles, I am not here to entertain but to help you make more educated investment decisions—food for thought, so to speak. To me, this is one of the most important topics in global politics. See, this isn’t about telling you who to vote for, explaining what the best economic model is, or what I think is best, but about covering geopolitical developments that have a big impact on markets, supply chains, and, on a long-term basis, even our daily lives. Hence, I’m going to do things a bit differently. Today, we’ll look specifically at the situation between China and the United States. We will discuss what is changing and, more importantly, how we can benefit from that. So, as we have a lot to discuss, let’s get right to it! A “Messy Divorce” That Requires Our Attention “Messy Divorce” wasn’t something I came up with. That was part of a recent Wall Street Journal title about this very topic. However, just like the content of that article, I thought it was the perfect description of a very serious economic/political development. In order to understand what is going on and why that matters to us, we need to take a few steps back. Essentially, both China and the U.S. are now mainly acting based on national security interests. Neither China nor th...
Key Points Intuitive Surgical is the world’s No. 1 robotic surgery company. This medical device player has steadily increased earnings over time. 10 stocks we like better than Intuitive Surgical › You may have come in close contact with Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG) if you've ever had hernia repair, gallbladder surgery, or other minimally invasive surgeries. The company's flagship Da Vinci sur...
Key Points Intuitive Surgical is the world’s No. 1 robotic surgery company. This medical device player has steadily increased earnings over time. 10 stocks we like better than Intuitive Surgical › You may have come in close contact with Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG) if you've ever had hernia repair, gallbladder surgery, or other minimally invasive surgeries. The company's flagship Da Vinci surgical robot helps surgeons perform many procedures across the general surgery spectrum and extends into specialty areas -- from gynecology to urology. Intuitive Surgical is the worldwide leader in robotic surgery, and this has helped the company build a long track record of earnings growth and stock market performance. This is great -- but there is one reason in particular I'd buy Intuitive Surgical stock and never sell. Let's check it out. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » Several Da Vinci options First, though, a quick look at this robotic surgery specialist's path so far. The company offers surgeons four versions of the Da Vinci, ranging from the value-focused Da Vinci X to the latest release, the Da Vinci 5. This newest offering features more than 150 design innovations and allows for greater surgeon autonomy and improvements in workflows. The company has a solid moat, or competitive advantage: Most surgeons train on the Da Vinci, so it's very likely they will continue favoring this platform that they know well. On top of this, hospitals, after investing often millions of dollars in a surgical robot, aim to amortize the investment. So they, too, probably won't search for opportunities to switch. As mentioned, Intuitive Surgical has proven its strength over time, with gains in earnings and growth in the placement of systems. In the most recent quarter, the momentum continued as the company grew its installed base of systems by 12% to mor...
Vertigo3d/E+ via Getty Images Hercules Capital's ( HTGC ) April liberation day-like collapse last week represents another rare moment in time when the business development company's stock price becomes detached from its fundamentals to represent a material buying opportunity. The stock has realized a fully vertical dip close to its 52-week low, a move that represents full-blown market panic over t...
Vertigo3d/E+ via Getty Images Hercules Capital's ( HTGC ) April liberation day-like collapse last week represents another rare moment in time when the business development company's stock price becomes detached from its fundamentals to represent a material buying opportunity. The stock has realized a fully vertical dip close to its 52-week low, a move that represents full-blown market panic over the potential of AI to disrupt software companies. This new zeitgeist would see software-backed credit witness material non-accrual rate rises in the years ahead as the companies that were once eating the world become themselves consumed by the potential of the mass-commoditization of software from AI. The panic is that AI-written code will radically erode the structural moats previously surrounding software companies, rapidly catalyzing the spread of new competitors or enterprise customers building their own in-house products. This would reduce the overall total-addressable market of software companies, with the selloff in software-linked stocks, or SaaSpocalypse, reflective of this. The pace of the collapse means an update since my last coverage . Data by YCharts HTGC is a venture-focused debt lender with $4.07 billion in debt investments at cost as of the end of its most recent quarter, with total investments at $4.29 billion. The credit portfolio had two portfolio companies on nonaccrual at the end of its fiscal 2025 third quarter, with a respective investment cost and fair value of approximately $52.2 million and $47.2 million. This was 1.2% of HTGC's total investment portfolio at cost, and 1.1% at fair value, to remain below the broader BDC average of 2.5% nonaccrual at cost. The BDC's $0.47 per share quarterly dividend yield, annualized at $1.88 per share, now forms an 11.4% dividend yield for common shareholders against a HTGC trading hands for $16.45 per share. BDC investors now have to navigate interest rate risk, albeit with only 50 basis points of rate cuts expec...
Lindsey Vonn’s fifth and final Olympics ended in the one way she dreaded most of all. Moments into her run in the women’s downhill, Vonn’s legs failed her as she came over a roll after passing the third gate. She twisted and crashed sideways to the ground, and after a first stunned burst of shouts and screams, the atmosphere around the Olimpia delle Tofane course fell deadly quiet while the medica...
Lindsey Vonn’s fifth and final Olympics ended in the one way she dreaded most of all. Moments into her run in the women’s downhill, Vonn’s legs failed her as she came over a roll after passing the third gate. She twisted and crashed sideways to the ground, and after a first stunned burst of shouts and screams, the atmosphere around the Olimpia delle Tofane course fell deadly quiet while the medical team gathered around her. Fifteen minutes later, Vonn was airlifted from the mountain to hospital for treatment. Vonn’s friend and teammate Breezy Johnson, who won the gold, was watching from the leader’s seat at the time, and covered her eyes because she couldn’t bring herself to watch. “It’s tragic, but it’s ski racing I’m afraid,’ said Johan Eliasch, chairman of the international skiing federation. “I can only say thank you for what she [Vonn] has done for our sport, because this race has been the talk of the Games.” As the helicopter carrying Vonn flew overhead, the crowd around the mountain broke into applause for her, but the disruption to the race was difficult for the competitors lining up behind her – including the home favourite, Sofia Goggia. View image in fullscreen Lindsey Vonn crashes early in her run down the Olimpia delle Tofane piste. Photograph: Jacquelyn Martin/AP The interruption lasted half an hour, and after it was over, no one else was able to get within half-a-second of Johnson’s winning time of 1min 36.10sec. Goggia won the bronze, and Germany’s Emma Aichner won the silver. The mood on the mountain changed in the moments after Vonn crashed, and two more bad accidents followed, involving Austria’s Nina Ortleib and Andorra’s Cande Moreno. At the age of 41, Vonn had become the first forty-something to ever start an Olympic downhill race, and was competing here even after she had ruptured the ACL in her left knee while racing in Switzerland last week. “There’s still a chance,” she said earlier this week, “and as long as there is a chance I will try”. ...
A poster of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi displayed at the Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. Photographer: Toru Hanai/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has likely strengthened its majority in the country's Lower House, with the LDP capturing between 274 and 328 in the 465 seat cham...
A poster of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi displayed at the Liberal Democratic Party's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. Photographer: Toru Hanai/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party has likely strengthened its majority in the country's Lower House, with the LDP capturing between 274 and 328 in the 465 seat chamber, according to an early projection by broadcaster NHK. This was broadly in line with what polls had suggested, with Nikkei and Asahi Shimbun predicting that the LDP and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party would secure more then 300 seats in the Lower House. People trudged through heavy snow in several parts of the country to cast their votes. Before parliament was dissolved, the LDP-JIP coalition held a combined 230 seats, and with three independents voting with the LDP, this effectively gave the ruling coalition a one seat majority in the chamber. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved the Lower House on Jan. 23, a move that was seen as an attempt to quickly strengthen the ruling coalition's position in the chamber by capitalizing on her high public approval ratings. Polls compiled by Japanese media outlet Nippon.com showed that Takaichi remains popular heading into the election, although her support has slipped slightly in the recent weeks. The outlet reported that just one domestic poll in January indicated more than 70% support, compared to three in December, while six polls showed support in the 60% range, up from four in the previous month. The election comes amid heightened tensions between Japan and China, as well as persistent concerns over the yen's weakness and inflation in the country. Japan has endured inflation above the Bank of Japan's target for 45 consecutive months, declining real wages and persistent yen weakness. The most recent inflation reading stood at 2.1%, while full-year inflation reached 3.2%. Real wages fell for 11 consecutive m...
An Uzbek man was jailed in January for the 2024 killing of another general, Igor Kirillov, in an explosion outside a block of flats in Moscow. Sources in Ukraine's SBU intelligence said at the time it was behind the attack.
An Uzbek man was jailed in January for the 2024 killing of another general, Igor Kirillov, in an explosion outside a block of flats in Moscow. Sources in Ukraine's SBU intelligence said at the time it was behind the attack.
SmileStudioAP/iStock via Getty Images There are two kinds of businesses: The first earns 12%, and you can take it out at the end of the year. The second earns 12%, but all the excess cash must be reinvested, there's never any cash. It reminds me of the guy who looks at all of his equipment and says, 'There’s all of my profit.' We hate that kind of business. - Charlie Munger Most businesses need to...
SmileStudioAP/iStock via Getty Images There are two kinds of businesses: The first earns 12%, and you can take it out at the end of the year. The second earns 12%, but all the excess cash must be reinvested, there's never any cash. It reminds me of the guy who looks at all of his equipment and says, 'There’s all of my profit.' We hate that kind of business. - Charlie Munger Most businesses need to reinvest at least part of their profits in order to grow earnings. It is very rare to find a company where shareholders can be paid almost all the profits and still see meaningful earnings growth. One of these rare businesses is Brookfield Asset Management ( BAM ), which has a target of growing earnings per share ( EPS ) at a 15% rate while distributing ~95% of its net income to shareholders. There are a few reasons why this is possible, including its asset-light business model, as well as the fact that it earns fees on assets under management ( AUM ). If they do a good job growing the value of clients' assets, earnings grow with the natural increase in the value of the investments. Adding more customers or having them increase their allocations to BAM's strategies further boosts its earnings. Then there is earned carry when BAM meets or exceeds certain return thresholds, which can further boost profits. Charlie Munger hated businesses where all profits had to be constantly reinvested and preferred quality businesses with intangibles, like See's Candies and its strong brand and pricing power. BAM is very close to the opposite of the type of business Charlie hated. However, the market does not appear to share the same fondness, at least not in recent weeks. Where BAM shares have been sold by investors worried about private equity's exposure to software businesses. While BAM does have some software investments, in general it is well positioned to benefit from increased AI adoption. In particular in its infrastructure and renewable power strategies. Year-to-date BAM has outpe...
Plato Investment Management Ltd boosted its stake in Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA - Free Report) by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 63,412 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock after acquiring an additional 2,316 shares during the period. Tesla accounts for approxim...
Plato Investment Management Ltd boosted its stake in Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA - Free Report) by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 63,412 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock after acquiring an additional 2,316 shares during the period. Tesla accounts for approximately 1.9% of Plato Investment Management Ltd's holdings, making the stock its 9th biggest holding. Plato Investment Management Ltd's holdings in Tesla were worth $27,986,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC raised its stake in Tesla by 11.8% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 87,929 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock worth $35,509,000 after buying an additional 9,293 shares in the last quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Tesla by 21.2% in the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,317 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock worth $2,147,000 after acquiring an additional 931 shares in the last quarter. Bison Wealth LLC lifted its stake in shares of Tesla by 52.2% in the 4th quarter. Bison Wealth LLC now owns 10,368 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock valued at $4,187,000 after purchasing an additional 3,558 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Tesla by 9.1% during the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 12,135 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock valued at $3,855,000 after purchasing an additional 1,011 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AGP Franklin LLC grew its stake in Tesla by 21.2% in the second quarter. AGP Franklin LLC now owns 4,861 shares of the electric vehicle producer's stock worth $1,544,000 after purchasing an additional 851 shares during the period. 66.20% of the stock is cu...