TLDR Mount Pleasant’s village board unanimously approved Microsoft’s plans for 15 additional data centers in Wisconsin on Monday The two proposed lots will add almost 9 million square feet of building area with a taxable value exceeding $13 billion Construction jobs at the project are expected to last around 10 years according to village board president David DeGroot The data centers will be built...
TLDR Mount Pleasant’s village board unanimously approved Microsoft’s plans for 15 additional data centers in Wisconsin on Monday The two proposed lots will add almost 9 million square feet of building area with a taxable value exceeding $13 billion Construction jobs at the project are expected to last around 10 years according to village board president David DeGroot The data centers will be built on land originally purchased for a failed Foxconn manufacturing plant that left the village owing over $250 million Microsoft will not require additional water beyond the 8.4 million gallons annually from the city of Racine 💥 Find the Next KnockoutStock! Get live prices, charts, and KO Scores from KnockoutStocks.com , the data-driven platform ranking every stock by quality and breakout potential. Mount Pleasant’s village board gave Microsoft the green light Monday evening. The unanimous vote approved plans for 15 new data centers near an existing facility. Microsoft Corporation, MSFT The expansion comes as Microsoft races against Amazon, Google, and Oracle to build computing capacity. These companies need data centers packed with Nvidia chips to train and run AI models. Microsoft bought land for the project from the village and private owners in 2023 and 2024. The two lots sit just northwest of the company’s current site. The plans call for almost 9 million square feet of building area. Three new substations will support the facilities. The taxable value tops $13 billion. This makes it one of the largest development projects in the area’s history. Mount Pleasant’s village board president David DeGroot pushed back against criticism about temporary jobs. He told union workers at the meeting they would be on site for the next decade. “I don’t see anything temporary in 10 years,” DeGroot said during the Monday meeting. From Foxconn Failure to Microsoft Success The land tells an interesting story. In 2017, Foxconn promised a $10 billion plant that would create 13,000 jobs. Pres...
The new models from two of China’s leading AI developers mark the first major Chinese model releases of this year, as industry observers continue to closely monitor the gap between the US and China in developing cutting-edge foundational models. Alibaba Cloud announced its biggest-ever model, Qwen3-Max-Thinking, on Monday, which it said boasted stronger agentic and tool use capabilities. The model...
The new models from two of China’s leading AI developers mark the first major Chinese model releases of this year, as industry observers continue to closely monitor the gap between the US and China in developing cutting-edge foundational models. Alibaba Cloud announced its biggest-ever model, Qwen3-Max-Thinking, on Monday, which it said boasted stronger agentic and tool use capabilities. The model was released on Alibaba’s official cloud-services platform and chatbot website, with the model set to be available on its new consumer Qwen app “soon”, it said. Advertisement Alibaba Cloud is the AI and cloud computing unit of Alibaba Group Holding, which owns the Post. “This is our best model so far,” said Zheng Chujie, an Alibaba researcher, on social media. “We have … put massive efforts [into] improving real-world user experience.” Advertisement
Samsung SDI inks first battery supply deal with Hyundai Samsung SDI's sixth-generation prismatic batteries on display at IAA Mobility 2023 Samsung SDI Co. said on Monday it has signed its first supply agreement with Hyundai Motor Co. to become the South Korean carmaker’s third domestic battery supplier after LG Energy Solution Ltd. and SK On C
Samsung SDI inks first battery supply deal with Hyundai Samsung SDI's sixth-generation prismatic batteries on display at IAA Mobility 2023 Samsung SDI Co. said on Monday it has signed its first supply agreement with Hyundai Motor Co. to become the South Korean carmaker’s third domestic battery supplier after LG Energy Solution Ltd. and SK On C
Amentum ( AMTM ) has secured a series of new contracts from Électricité de France (EDF) valued at up to $730M (£540M), expanding its role in supporting the U.K.’s existing nuclear reactors as well as the construction of a new gigawatt power station at Hinkley Point. Amentum has worked with EDF under a lifetime enterprise agreement signed in 2015, providing technical services across EDF’s U.K. nucl...
Amentum ( AMTM ) has secured a series of new contracts from Électricité de France (EDF) valued at up to $730M (£540M), expanding its role in supporting the U.K.’s existing nuclear reactors as well as the construction of a new gigawatt power station at Hinkley Point. Amentum has worked with EDF under a lifetime enterprise agreement signed in 2015, providing technical services across EDF’s U.K. nuclear fleet. This work has enabled EDF to achieve an aggregate 38 years of life extension across the seven advanced gas-cooled reactor stations. The newly awarded contracts comprise 10-year professional services agreement frameworks with Hinkley Point C nuclear power station; EDF Nuclear Operations and EDF Nuclear Services to support the Hinkley Point C new build program, operating stations, and their engineering capability hub; and a five-year project management resources framework to support station operations, life extension, and preparation for decommissioning. AMTM +1.5% premarket to $35.42 Source: Press Release More on Amentum Holdings Amentum: Post-Merger Integration Makes This A Show-Me Story Amentum: A Fine Close To The Year, With Favorable Prospects Ahead (Rating Upgrade) Amentum Holdings, Inc. 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation Amentum-led Consortium secures $207M contract from Dutch government Rolls-Royce, Amentum partner to deploy small modular reactors in U.K., Czech Republic
Amazon (AMZN) shares came under pressure on Monday as the company is about to begin what it calls its “Phase 2” workforce reduction, eliminating approximately 16,000 roles, reportedly starting from January 27-28, 2026. Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) closed at $238.42, down $0.74 or 0.31%, at 4:00:01 p.m. EST. The move brings Amazon’s total restructuring target to 30,000 job cuts, marking the largest sing...
Amazon (AMZN) shares came under pressure on Monday as the company is about to begin what it calls its “Phase 2” workforce reduction, eliminating approximately 16,000 roles, reportedly starting from January 27-28, 2026. Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) closed at $238.42, down $0.74 or 0.31%, at 4:00:01 p.m. EST. The move brings Amazon’s total restructuring target to 30,000 job cuts, marking the largest single reduction period in the company’s history and pushing AMZN stock lower in early trading. Amazon’s stock fall reflects investor unease over near-term execution risks, even as leadership positions the layoffs as a long-term efficiency reset tied to Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption. On the other hand, Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) closed at $333.59, up $5.15 or 1.57%. According to the latest filing, Nancy Pelosi acquired Alphabet stocks. The “Phase 2” Milestone: Amazon’s Largest Workforce Reduction The latest cuts follow 14,000 layoffs in 2025, underscoring a multi-year restructuring effort led by CEO Andy Jassy. Management has consistently highlighted the need to “flatten” middle management layers and streamline decision-making across Amazon’s sprawling corporate structure. The 2026 layoffs are primarily focused on corporate functions rather than fulfillment or warehouse operations. Internal communications indicate that teams within AWS (Amazon Web Services), People Experience and Technology (PXT), and other administrative units are disproportionately affected. Analysts describe the move as part of a broader trend of AI-enabled redundancy, where automation replaces routine knowledge work rather than frontline labor. AI and the Push to Flatten Middle Management Amazon is reportedly accelerating the deployment of AI agents capable of handling internal reporting, approvals, scheduling, and workflow management. This shift has fueled what some market watchers label “AI redundancy washing,” where layoffs are framed as technological progress rather than cost containment. While the m...
For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – January 27, 2026 – Today, Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights Meta Platforms META and Microsoft MSFT. Hyperscaler Earnings Preview: Microsoft & Meta Platforms A major week of earnings results is upon us, with several hyperscalers – Meta Platforms and Microsoft – on the docket. Both stocks have underperformed the S&P 500 by a notable margin over the last th...
For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – January 27, 2026 – Today, Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights Meta Platforms META and Microsoft MSFT. Hyperscaler Earnings Preview: Microsoft & Meta Platforms A major week of earnings results is upon us, with several hyperscalers – Meta Platforms and Microsoft – on the docket. Both stocks have underperformed the S&P 500 by a notable margin over the last three months. While the performance has been visibly weak, some of the downside can likely be attributed to scrutiny of all the AI spend, which has exploded for both over the past year. Expect both companies to spend the majority of their calls discussing the AI outlook, a theme we won’t be getting away from anytime soon. Are Analysts Bullish? Both EPS and sales revisions for META and MSFT haven’t budged much over the last few months, largely reflecting stability. Both are still forecasted to see growth, with META’s earnings expected to be up 1.6% and MSFT expected to see a much stronger 20% growth rate. Concerning sales, MSFT is expected to see 15% higher revenues, whereas META’s revenues are expected to grow 20.7% year-over-year. While analysts haven’t raised their expectations in a clear bullish way, the stability of both EPS and sales revisions for the duo remains a positive takeaway. Negative revisions heading into the release would warrant some caution, which we just haven’t seen over recent months. Keep in mind that MSFT is also currently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), with positive revisions for other periods keeping its overall earnings outlook strong. Watch These Metrics Advertising results are generally the major metric investors watch heavily for META, accounting for the bulk of the tech titan’s revenue. AI implementations have enabled the company to deliver more relevant ads to consumers, boosting performance significantly over recent periods. We expect Meta Platforms to post $56.8 billion in ad revenue, reflecting a sizable 21% jump year-over-year. The company has regul...
Micron Technology, Inc. broke ground today on an advanced wafer fabrication facility located within the company's existing NAND manufacturing complex in Singapore. This new facility represents a planned investment of approximately US $24 billion (SG $31 billion) over 10 years and is designed to ultimately provide 700,000 square feet of cleanroom space. Wafer output is scheduled to begin in the sec...
Micron Technology, Inc. broke ground today on an advanced wafer fabrication facility located within the company's existing NAND manufacturing complex in Singapore. This new facility represents a planned investment of approximately US $24 billion (SG $31 billion) over 10 years and is designed to ultimately provide 700,000 square feet of cleanroom space. Wafer output is scheduled to begin in the second half of calendar 2028, helping Micron address growing market demand for NAND technology driven by the rapid expansion of AI and data-centric applications.The groundbreaking ceremony for this facility, Singapore's first double-story wafer manufacturing fab, was marked by the attendance of Gan Kim Yong, deputy prime minister and minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore, Dr Beh Swan Gin, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Jermaine Loy, managing director of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Jacqueline Poh, CEO of JTC Corporation."Micron's leadership in advanced memory and storage is enabling the AI-driven transformation reshaping the global economy," said Manish Bhatia, executive vice president of global operations at Micron Technology. "We are grateful for the longstanding support and successful partnership with the Singapore government, including EDB and JTC. This investment underscores Micron's long-term commitment to Singapore as an important hub in our global manufacturing network, enhancing supply chain resiliency and fostering a vibrant ecosystem for innovation."This new fab will become an integral part of Micron's NAND Center of Excellence in Singapore. The facility provides the essential capacity to support continued technology transitions, positioning Micron to meet long-term demand for advanced storage solutions. Additionally, co-locating R&D with manufacturing improves efficiencies, accelerates time-to-market and deepens research partnerships between industry and academia.Micron's previously announced high-bandwidth m...
Apple (AAPL) Shares in Apple rose in pre-market trading ahead of the company’s first-quarter earnings report, due on Thursday after the US market close, as investors recalibrated expectations for the iPhone maker. As the technology group prepares to publish its first-quarter 2026 results, investor attention is centred on whether iPhone strength will be sufficient to offset margin pressure and risi...
Apple (AAPL) Shares in Apple rose in pre-market trading ahead of the company’s first-quarter earnings report, due on Thursday after the US market close, as investors recalibrated expectations for the iPhone maker. As the technology group prepares to publish its first-quarter 2026 results, investor attention is centred on whether iPhone strength will be sufficient to offset margin pressure and rising operating costs. Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring reiterated an overweight rating and maintained his price target of $315, but warned that Apple shares could “trade sideways to modestly lower after earnings”. The bank expects Apple to exceed market expectations, supported by stronger and more sustained iPhone demand. Woodring forecasts December-quarter revenue of about $80bn (£58.51bn), around 4% above consensus, and March-quarter revenue of $55.4bn, roughly 8% ahead of estimates, citing supply chain checks and shipment data. Read more: FTSE 100 LIVE: Stocks mixed as India and EU strike landmark trade deal “IPhone 17’s strength remains under-appreciated by the Street,” he said. Wall Street consensus forecasts Apple to report about $138.4bn in revenue for the December quarter, with both Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and non-GAAP earnings per share of roughly $2.67. Those estimates imply at least 11% year on year growth in revenue and earnings, though analysts have begun to trim margin forecasts despite solid iPhone demand and progress on AI initiatives. CoreWeave (CRWV) Shares in CoreWeave rose more than 2% in premarket trading, after closing almost 6% higher in the previous session, following Nvidia’s (NVDA) announcement of a $2bn investment in the AI infrastructure provider. The two companies said on Monday the deal would help CoreWeave accelerate the construction of specialised data centres, which Nvidia refers to as “AI factories”, by 2030. “CoreWeave’s deep AI factory expertise, platform software and unmatched execution velocity are recognised a...
Intel US4581401001 Despite reporting robust quarterly results, Intel Corporation faced a severe sell-off from investors this week. The semiconductor giant finds itself in a difficult position: order books are full, but its manufacturing operations cannot keep pace. Instead of fueling growth optimism, serious internal bottlenecks are now the dominant concern, threatening to hamper the company and w...
Intel US4581401001 Despite reporting robust quarterly results, Intel Corporation faced a severe sell-off from investors this week. The semiconductor giant finds itself in a difficult position: order books are full, but its manufacturing operations cannot keep pace. Instead of fueling growth optimism, serious internal bottlenecks are now the dominant concern, threatening to hamper the company and weigh on its annual forecast. The mood on Wall Street shifted abruptly. As recently as January 22, 2026, Intel's stock hit a 52-week high above $54. However, news of these operational constraints triggered a sharp correction, dragging the share price down by approximately 22% in just a few days. Monday's Closing Price: $42.56 $42.56 7-Day Change: -12.08% -12.08% Distance from 52-Week High: -21.61% In the near term, these production limits are dictating the stock's trajectory. Analyst confidence is likely to remain subdued until Intel can resolve its manufacturing issues. Capacity Limits Force a Downgraded Outlook The primary driver behind the significant price drop was the guidance for the first quarter of 2026. Although Intel exceeded expectations for Q4, its revenue forecast for the current period disappointed the market. Chief Financial Officer David Zinsner openly cited "acute internal supply constraints" as the cause. The company's fabrication plants are running at nearly 100% capacity yet remain unable to handle the current order volume. This situation is forcing Intel to leave potential revenue on the table. Its projected revenue range of $11.7 to $12.7 billion fell notably short of the market's estimate of approximately $12.5 billion. This inability to fully meet the high demand for server and AI chips is currently acting as a cap on the stock's potential. Analysts Highlight Structural Concerns Financial institutions were quick to respond. Market experts express growing worry over execution risks in Intel's production pipeline. DZ Bank reaffirmed its sell recommendat...
Guidance on how to implement the landmark supreme court ruling on gender is being adapted to lessen its impact on businesses and to ensure it tries to balance single-sex spaces with the lives of transgender people, the Guardian has been told. Lawyers from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) are understood to be in discussions with government lawyers over the practicalities of guiding b...
Guidance on how to implement the landmark supreme court ruling on gender is being adapted to lessen its impact on businesses and to ensure it tries to balance single-sex spaces with the lives of transgender people, the Guardian has been told. Lawyers from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) are understood to be in discussions with government lawyers over the practicalities of guiding businesses and other institutions about last year’s ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex only. While talks have been going on since the EHRC’s guidance was sent to ministers in September, there has been what is viewed as a change in approach from the equalities watchdog since its new chair, Mary-Ann Stephenson, took over late last year. Under law, the EHRC cannot unilaterally change a code it has submitted – this can happen only if ministers reject the draft and request amendments. But Stephenson is viewed as more open to listening to concerns about its implementation than her predecessor, Kishwer Falkner. Falkner oversaw interim advice from the EHRC on implementing the new legal landscape, which prompted alarm that it could effectively exclude trans people from the public realm, saying they should not be allowed to use toilets meant for the gender they live as, and that in some cases they could not use toilets consistent with their birth sex either. View image in fullscreen Demonstrators outside the UK parliament in London in April after the supreme court’s ruling. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA That advice was withdrawn by the watchdog in October. Falkner repeatedly criticised ministers for not implementing the subsequent code of practice rapidly, despite worries among officials and some MPs about its potential impact. “We have to get this right, and this takes time,” one government source said. “But it is fair to say that we are finding the EHRC more constructive under the new chair than the old one.” Any changes will not water down what the g...
Palantir Technologies (NasdaqGS:PLTR) has expanded its multi year partnership with South Korea's HD Hyundai to deploy its AI platforms more broadly across industrial operations. The company is also working with Sovereign AI and Accenture on AI data centers across EMEA, aimed at supporting large scale commercial and government use cases. These agreements extend Palantir's role in industrial, nation...
Palantir Technologies (NasdaqGS:PLTR) has expanded its multi year partnership with South Korea's HD Hyundai to deploy its AI platforms more broadly across industrial operations. The company is also working with Sovereign AI and Accenture on AI data centers across EMEA, aimed at supporting large scale commercial and government use cases. These agreements extend Palantir's role in industrial, national security and sovereign AI infrastructure outside the U.S. For investors tracking NasdaqGS:PLTR, these new partnerships come as the stock trades around $167.47, with a 1 year return of 122.0%. Over 3 years the return is described as very large, and around 4x over 5 years, which underscores how closely the market has tied Palantir to the build out of AI and data infrastructure. These developments point to deeper integration of Palantir's software in critical systems across multiple regions and sectors. If you are assessing Palantir, the scale, duration and counterparties of these agreements may be key factors in how you think about the company’s role in global AI deployment. Stay updated on the most important news stories for by adding it to your or . Alternatively, explore our to discover new perspectives on Palantir Technologies. NasdaqGS:PLTR Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Jan 2026 Advertisement Quick Assessment ❌ Price vs Analyst Target : At $167.47, the share price sits below the US$190.25 analyst target, but the target range from US$50 to US$255 shows wide disagreement. : At $167.47, the share price sits below the US$190.25 analyst target, but the target range from US$50 to US$255 shows wide disagreement. ❌ Simply Wall St Valuation : Shares are described as trading 75.6% above estimated fair value, which flags an overvalued status. : Shares are described as trading 75.6% above estimated fair value, which flags an overvalued status. ❌ Recent Momentum: The 30 day return of an 11.26% decline contrasts with the strong 1 year gain, so short term sentiment has cooled. Che...