Actor best known for his charismatic portrayal of Xander Harris, the heroine’s insecure sidekick, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer As the lovable high school student Xander Harris, who just happens to be best friends with a superhuman vampire killer and a powerful witch in the cult American TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Nicholas Brendon portrayed a flawed everyman that fans could relate to. “I la...
Actor best known for his charismatic portrayal of Xander Harris, the heroine’s insecure sidekick, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer As the lovable high school student Xander Harris, who just happens to be best friends with a superhuman vampire killer and a powerful witch in the cult American TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Nicholas Brendon portrayed a flawed everyman that fans could relate to. “I laugh in the face of danger. Then I hide until it goes away,” Xander told his friends in a characteristic wisecrack, early in the first season of the show. Brendon, who has died aged 54, appeared in all but one of the 144 episodes of the seven-series show, which aired from 1997 to 2003. He saw his charismatic portrayal of Xander’s ordinariness in comparison with Sarah Michelle Gellar ’s titular character as one of his biggest achievements. “His power was not having power,” he said in a 2017 interview . Continue reading...
The fitness tracking startup just closed a $575 million Series G with Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James among its investors. The obvious question looming over a round of this size at this valuation: Is an IPO coming?
The fitness tracking startup just closed a $575 million Series G with Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James among its investors. The obvious question looming over a round of this size at this valuation: Is an IPO coming?
HubSpot ( HUBS ) was in focus on Tuesday as Bank of America restarted coverage on the marketing software company with a Buy rating and a $300 price target, citing “underappreciated AI durability.” “HubSpot shares are down 71% from their 2025 highs, reflecting waning investor confidence in [long-term] growth and cash flow visibility amid sharply declining software development costs and rapid advanc...
HubSpot ( HUBS ) was in focus on Tuesday as Bank of America restarted coverage on the marketing software company with a Buy rating and a $300 price target, citing “underappreciated AI durability.” “HubSpot shares are down 71% from their 2025 highs, reflecting waning investor confidence in [long-term] growth and cash flow visibility amid sharply declining software development costs and rapid advances by frontier model providers,” analyst Matthew Bullock wrote in a note to clients. “At current levels, however, we see a particularly attractive entry point. We think HubSpot – which helps small and medium sized businesses find, win, and retain customers – is positioned to reaccelerate growth to 20% this year (up from 18% over the last 4 quarters). While many of the existential AI bear cases embedded in HUBS’ valuation (e.g., disruption risk from frontier model providers) are unlikely to be fully resolved in the near term, we think accelerating growth will go a long way toward reassuring investors that HubSpot’s can defend its category leadership in an agentic AI world.” Bullock also noted that HubSpot looks well positioned “to win” in a world where agentic artificial intelligence aids small and medium-sized businesses. “SMBs value simplicity and platforms, not cobbled‑together AI point solutions, and HubSpot is well positioned with the workflows, data, and distribution to put AI agents in front of its nearly 300k customers,” Bullock explained. More on HubSpot HubSpot: Believe The Transition, But Wait For Confirmation HubSpot: Finally A Bargain HubSpot: Panic Selling Is Senseless, Buy The Dip HubSpot targets $3.7B revenue in 2026 as AI adoption accelerates and share repurchase signals confidence HubSpot Non-GAAP EPS of $3.10 beats by $0.11, revenue of $846.75M beats by $15.94M
Douglas Rissing Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, reportedly reiterated that the Middle Eastern country is ready to end the war but would need guarantees. The country expects certain requirements to be met, “especially the essential guarantees to prevent the recurrence of aggression,” Pezeshkian told the President of the EU Council, António Costa, in a call Monday, Bloomberg reported. The state...
Douglas Rissing Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, reportedly reiterated that the Middle Eastern country is ready to end the war but would need guarantees. The country expects certain requirements to be met, “especially the essential guarantees to prevent the recurrence of aggression,” Pezeshkian told the President of the EU Council, António Costa, in a call Monday, Bloomberg reported. The statement comes after President Donald Trump said he was prepared to wind down the military campaign against the country within weeks. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told aides he is willing to end hostilities on a four-to-six-week timeline, prioritizing the degradation of Iran’s navy and missile stocks over the more complex mission of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The Iran conflict started at the end of February, when the U.S. and Israel hit the country and also killed the then Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei. Iran had then launched retaliatory strikes on different regions in the Middle East, including Qatar and the UAE. On Monday, Trump said that the U.S. is in talks with a "new and more reasonable regime" of Iran to end their military operations in the Middle Eastern country. The president had originally given Iran 48 hours to comply and then last week—just hours before that window closed—announced a five-day delay, pointing to what he described as constructive discussions. Still, Tehran has denied it is in direct talks with the U.S. Last week, the U.S. had reportedly sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war in the Middle East, delivered through Pakistani intermediaries, according to two officials briefed on the diplomacy. The plan was said to address Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs, as well as maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has effectively blocked most Western ships, cutting global oil and natural gas supplies and sending prices soaring. Wall Street’s major market averages surged on the news, while oil prices ...
The US is already churning out record amounts of jet fuel and has little capacity to increase exports despite President Donald Trump ’s call for nations to buy more from American refiners as the Iran war squeezes supplies. The president chided US allies in a social media post Tuesday, saying countries that can’t get enough jet fuel as Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz should learn to defend themsel...
The US is already churning out record amounts of jet fuel and has little capacity to increase exports despite President Donald Trump ’s call for nations to buy more from American refiners as the Iran war squeezes supplies. The president chided US allies in a social media post Tuesday, saying countries that can’t get enough jet fuel as Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz should learn to defend themselves and buy from the US. “We have plenty,” Trump wrote. Read More: Trump Tells Allies to Fight for Jet Fuel or Buy From the US While US refiners are producing unprecedented amounts of the fuel for this time of year — 1.9 million barrels daily in the last week alone — it’s almost all being sold within the 50 states. Airlines nationwide consumed about 1.6 million barrels a day so far this year, leaving only about 300,000 daily barrels left over for exports, according to US government data. Most heads to Canada, the UK, Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America. To make more jet fuel, US refiners would need to increase overall production or shift their output mix. American fuel-makers are already processing the most oil on a seasonal basis since 2018, so there’s little room to ramp up. If they shifted their operations to make more jet fuel, that would likely dial back production of diesel, which is also in short supply because of the war. Even if they did maximize jet production, a boost in American output would pale in comparison to the nearly 8 million barrels a day of the fuel the world consumes. The US jet fuel market may be poised to grow ever tighter. Jet fuel demand is seasonal, with travel ramping up in the summer months as people take to skies for vacations. That could further limit how much fuel US refiners have to spare.
Scott Olson/Getty Images News Hershey ( HSY ) is building a foundation for “Next Generation Snacking” and set ambitious financial goals for the next three years by focusing on “better-for-you” options, capitalizing on the strength of its iconic brands, and accelerating growth in its salty and “functional snacking” categories. “The strategy is clear. The team is ready. The next chapter of growth an...
Scott Olson/Getty Images News Hershey ( HSY ) is building a foundation for “Next Generation Snacking” and set ambitious financial goals for the next three years by focusing on “better-for-you” options, capitalizing on the strength of its iconic brands, and accelerating growth in its salty and “functional snacking” categories. “The strategy is clear. The team is ready. The next chapter of growth and leading performance starts now,” said Hershey CEO Kirk Tanner at the company’s Investor Day presentation. To achieve these goals, the company will combine its sweet and salty businesses into a “One Hershey” entity that will drive portfolio growth, expand distribution, and sharpen execution at retail. Operationally, Hershey ( HSY ) plans to improve its supply chain with automation and technology to include AI-enabled decision-making. By achieving this, the company expects 2026 net sales to increase by 4% to 5% and organic net sales to grow by 2.5% and 3.5%, driving a 30% to 35% increase in adjusted earnings. For 2027, Hershey ( HSY ) sees organic net sales growth of 2% to 4% and adjusted EPS growth of 15% to 20%, based on the assumption that cocoa costs will come down further and the competitive environment remains “stable.” For 2028, organic net sales are seen increasing 2% to 4% and adjusted EPS growth of 6% to 8%. These targets were based on the assumptions of a normalized macro environment, stable raw material inflation, a consistent competitive environment, and balanced revenue contribution. The candy company also identified growth opportunities that will drive results, such as increased exposure towards Gen Z through social and influencer marketing and developing more $1B brands. Shares have not responded to Hershey’s ( HSY ) outlook and are drifting lower, with the stock last trading down by more than 2% to an eight-week low. More on Hershey The Hershey Company (HSY) Analyst/Investor Day - Slideshow Hershey: Improving Prospects From Falling Cocoa Prices Already Bake...
matejmo/iStock via Getty Images Umbrella As the world watched bombs fall in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz be closed off in March 2026 and oil prices soar past $100 per barrel, many investors were shocked to see the ultimate safe-haven suffer a significant decline (greater than 15%) as they had come to view gold as their insurance policy from geopolitical uncertainty. It's a real paradox...
matejmo/iStock via Getty Images Umbrella As the world watched bombs fall in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz be closed off in March 2026 and oil prices soar past $100 per barrel, many investors were shocked to see the ultimate safe-haven suffer a significant decline (greater than 15%) as they had come to view gold as their insurance policy from geopolitical uncertainty. It's a real paradox for many investors, who believe the yellow metal behaved like an "umbrella" in case of rain. But there are many different types of "rain," and I believe the underlying structure of the global financial system needs to be properly explained, clearly, objectively, and far removed from opinion. Agar Capital, Bloomberg Terminal Gold has not failed, it is the investor's expectations that are wrongfully being driven by an incorrect model. Gold does not always protect investors during war-driven liquidity shocks; it tends to protect better against monetary debasement and a loss of confidence in fiat regimes. The type of inflation being created in this war is a type of inflation that comes from the supply side (and not the demand side, like the post-Covid period), triggering a market reaction that is unfavorable to gold. This article presents three key explanations for why there was a sell-off of gold during this time period, the difference between monetary devaluation and inflation, the nature of liquidation, and how high real yields and opportunity cost damage gold. Monetary Debasement To understand why Gold is down heading into War, we need to first understand how to tell the difference between a Devaluation of Currency (a deliberate reduction in the real value of money, often associated with monetary expansion or debasement), versus inflation. It has been easy for many people to confuse inflation with devaluation. A debasement, in theory, is a method that reduces the value of the currency by design. That occurs when a country's government cannot meet its financial obligations ...
The S&P 500 Index ($SPX ) (SPY ) today is up +1.02%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI ) (DIA ) is up +0.67%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX ) (QQQ ) is up +1.10%. June E-mini S&P futures (ESM26 ) are up +1.10%, and June E-mini Nasdaq futures...
The S&P 500 Index ($SPX ) (SPY ) today is up +1.02%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI ) (DIA ) is up +0.67%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX ) (QQQ ) is up +1.10%. June E-mini S&P futures (ESM26 ) are up +1.10%, and June E-mini Nasdaq futures...
After getting hammered last month, analysts believe it's only up from here for a cohort of stocks including Carnival and Micron Technology . March was characterized by a sharp uptick in volatility, as tensions between the United States and Iran ramped up. The Cboe Volatility Index , Wall Street's fear gauge, spiked above 30. Of the 11 S & P 500 sectors, only energy is pacing to finish the month hi...
After getting hammered last month, analysts believe it's only up from here for a cohort of stocks including Carnival and Micron Technology . March was characterized by a sharp uptick in volatility, as tensions between the United States and Iran ramped up. The Cboe Volatility Index , Wall Street's fear gauge, spiked above 30. Of the 11 S & P 500 sectors, only energy is pacing to finish the month higher, propelled by surging oil prices due to the Middle East conflict. Some stocks have been harder hit by the sell-off. CNBC scoured the market to identify ones that Wall Street believes have the highest chance of making a comeback. To be included in the table below, stocks had to meet the following criteria: Be a member of the S & P 500 . Pulled back at least 20% in March. Assigned a buy rating by at least 51% of analysts covering the name. Have an average price target offering upside of at least 35%. One name on the list was cruise line operator Carnival, down 24% this month. In the face of higher oil prices, the broader cruise industry has been hit especially hard since the Iran conflict began. But Carnival's average price target implies that shares could rise 45% from here, and 74% of analysts covering the name have adopted a bullish outlook. On Friday, HSBC upgraded the stock to a buy rating from hold, saying that Carnival's risk-reward now skews to the upside. "We acknowledge greater near-term earnings uncertainty versus peers, like RCL, which benefit from derivative protection; however, aligning our new estimates with the HSBC House view which suggests a meaningful near-term, albeit transitory impact to oil prices, CCL shares are trading at a notable discount to historical multiples," wrote analyst Meredith Prichard Jensen. Jensen's updated share price of $30.10, trimmed from $33.60, implies that Carnival stock could rise 26% from here. Semiconductor manufacturer Micron also made the list, with a 22% month-to-date slide. The average price target implies an upside of...
Poulssen/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Listen below or on the go on Apple Podcasts and Spotify McCormick agrees to combine with Unilever foods. (0:15) Nvidia invests $2B in Marvell , expanding AI partnership. (1:36) JetBlue raises checked bag fees to offset rising fuel costs. (2:08) This is an abridged transcript of the podcast: Out top story so far, hot sauce meets mayo. McCormick ( MKC ) con...
Poulssen/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Listen below or on the go on Apple Podcasts and Spotify McCormick agrees to combine with Unilever foods. (0:15) Nvidia invests $2B in Marvell , expanding AI partnership. (1:36) JetBlue raises checked bag fees to offset rising fuel costs. (2:08) This is an abridged transcript of the podcast: Out top story so far, hot sauce meets mayo. McCormick ( MKC ) confirmed that it entered into an agreement to combine with Unilever's ( UL ) foods business, excluding India and other excluded businesses. The company said the deal will create a global flavor leader in attractive and high-growth categories, with about $20B in combined FY25 revenue. Under the terms of the agreement, Unilever ( UL ) and its shareholders are expected to receive shares equating to 65% of the fully diluted combined-company outstanding equity, equivalent to $29.1 billion based on McCormick's ( MKC ) one-month volume-weighted average price. Unilever ( UL ) will also receive $15.7B in cash, subject to certain closing adjustments. Those terms imply a deal enterprise value for Unilever Foods of approximately $44.8B, or about 13.8X fiscal year 2025 EBITDA. Upon closing of the transaction, Unilever shareholders are expected to own 55.1%, McCormick shareholders will own 35%, and Unilever is expected to own 9.9% of the fully diluted combined company's outstanding equity. Unilever Foods has a global portfolio of flavoring and cooking aids, condiments, sauces, and other food products, led by iconic brands Knorr and Hellmann's, which make up about 70% of sales. McCormick's portfolio of iconic brands, which include French's, Frank's RedHot, Cholula, Stubb's and Old Bay. Also in deal news, eye drug developer Apellis Pharmaceuticals ( APLS ) is more than doubling after the company agreed to be acquired by Biogen ( BIIB ) for $41 per share in a deal worth $5.6B. The acquisition will add Apellis’ commercial products, Empaveli and Syfovre, to Biogen’s portfolio, which generated $...
The UK’s plan to write off as much as £500 million in unpaid household energy bills has been paused, even as debt reaches a record high. Government officials want to determine how any relief would fit into a broader support package being developed in response to soaring energy prices driven by the war in Iran, according to a person familiar with the matter. While energy regulator Ofgem is still pr...
The UK’s plan to write off as much as £500 million in unpaid household energy bills has been paused, even as debt reaches a record high. Government officials want to determine how any relief would fit into a broader support package being developed in response to soaring energy prices driven by the war in Iran, according to a person familiar with the matter. While energy regulator Ofgem is still preparing measures to tackle rising arrears, the specific write-off proposal is on hold as officials assess next steps, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public. Energy debt and arrears reached almost £4.6 billion ($6.1 billion) by the end of 2025, Ofgem said Tuesday. “Tackling the affordability crisis is our number one priority,” said a spokesperson for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, pointing to a new price cap taking effect this week that will cut average bills by about £150. The UK is under pressure to shield consumers from rising energy costs that are fueling inflation and set to push bills higher again this summer. Despite prices falling from the peaks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, debt has continued to climb, and a fresh surge in wholesale costs driven by the Iran war is expected to feed through to households. The energy price cap is forecast to increase about 18% this summer, according to consultancy Cornwall Insight Ltd. “A rise in July is pretty much unavoidable, but how high prices go remains to be seen,” said Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insight. Read More: UK Household Energy Debt Could Top £7 Billion and Push Up Bills Energy UK has forecast that debt could climb to about £7 billion this year. Its measure includes balances more than 30 days overdue, rather than the 90-day threshold used by Ofgem. Energy debt is spread across all bills, adding about £50 a year to a typical household’s costs, according to Energy UK. That figure is expected to rise.
Economic and market damage from the weekslong war in Iran has been enough to curb potential gains for US stocks this year, according to Wells Fargo Securities LLC. The bank downgraded its year-end target for the S&P 500 Index to 7,300 from 7,800, which would see a less than 7% gain for 2026 compared to the double-digit climb previously projected for the US equity benchmark. The cut comes as Presid...
Economic and market damage from the weekslong war in Iran has been enough to curb potential gains for US stocks this year, according to Wells Fargo Securities LLC. The bank downgraded its year-end target for the S&P 500 Index to 7,300 from 7,800, which would see a less than 7% gain for 2026 compared to the double-digit climb previously projected for the US equity benchmark. The cut comes as President Donald Trump signaled a desire to end US military operations in the Middle East. The new figure still implies a roughly 12% rally from where the gauge is currently trading after five-straight weeks of losses spurred by geopolitical turmoil. While Wells Fargo remains structurally bullish, “we’re incorporating the emerging risk that wasn’t our base case heading into the year,” said chief equity strategist Ohsung Kwon in a note to clients published late Monday. He noted that inflation remains a key risk in the second half of the year. Major US equity benchmarks rallied on Tuesday following a Wall Street Journal report that the president hinted to aides a desire to end the war, even as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed. Before the rebound, the S&P 500 on Monday teetered on the brink of a technical correction, defined as a drop of at least 10% from a recent high reached on Jan. 27. What the White House intended to be a swift intervention in a longstanding Middle East conflict has now dragged on for over a month, driving the biggest oil supply shock in history . That’s stoked fears of a pronounced energy crisis that could choke off economic growth and reignite inflation, though Wall Street pros have remained levelheaded thus far, expecting that Trump will prevent a longer conflict. Strategists have mostly held off on significant changes to their expectations for US equities. Wells Fargo joins JPMorgan Chase & Co. in tempering its projections but both firms have so far just trimmed their forecasts modestly. Meantime, Morgan Stanley’s Mike Wilson said earlier this wee...