Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) has bounced sharply off its lows, but a debt load of over $124 billion, revenue concentration in a single customer, and a valuation demanding near-perfection make this an uncomfortable entry point for new buyers. Oracle sells cloud infrastructure, database software, and SaaS applications to enterprises across every major industry. When AI infrastructure demand ... Buy, Sell, or ...
Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) has bounced sharply off its lows, but a debt load of over $124 billion, revenue concentration in a single customer, and a valuation demanding near-perfection make this an uncomfortable entry point for new buyers. Oracle sells cloud infrastructure, database software, and SaaS applications to enterprises across every major industry. When AI infrastructure demand ... Buy, Sell, or Hold Oracle at $170?
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images News Listen below or on the go on Apple Podcasts and Spotify IEA head warns on largest energy crisis ever . (0:15) Taiwan Semi raises 2026 outlook on strong AI chip demand . (1:50) Microcap stocks surge after adding AI to their names . (2:19) This is an abridged transcript of the podcast: Our top story so far, Europe may have “maybe six weeks or so” of jet fuel remaining...
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images News Listen below or on the go on Apple Podcasts and Spotify IEA head warns on largest energy crisis ever . (0:15) Taiwan Semi raises 2026 outlook on strong AI chip demand . (1:50) Microcap stocks surge after adding AI to their names . (2:19) This is an abridged transcript of the podcast: Our top story so far, Europe may have “maybe six weeks or so” of jet fuel remaining , International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol told the Associated Press, warning of what he called “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced” following the near-shutdown of oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The impact would mean “higher petrol prices, higher gas prices, high electricity prices,” and potential flight cancellations “soon,” Birol said. The economic strain would hit unevenly, with countries including Japan, Korea, India, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh on the front line, along with poorer nations across Asia, Africa and Latin America. “Then it will come to Europe and the Americas,” he added. “If the Strait is not reopened,” Birol warned, “soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be canceled as a result of lack of jet fuel” in Europe. Meanwhile, a senior Chevron executive told consumers facing high energy prices they may just want to “try to drive less” and turn out the lights. “We should always be conserving energy, whether it's your light switch or the miles you drive or what kind of car you buy,” Andy Walz, Chevron’s president of downstream, midstream and chemicals, told CBS. “I would encourage everybody to try to conserve, hang in there and hopefully prices will be coming down soon.” Among active stocks, PepsiCo ( PEP ) reported improved Q1 results in its convenient foods segment after pledging price reductions in December. The company said its brand refresh efforts, innovation pipeline and affordability initiatives are gaining traction. For the full year, Pepsi expects organic revenue g...
The defense secretary said his prayer drew on Ezekiel, but wording closely matches Quentin Tarantino dialogue It was perhaps inevitable that a braggadocious Christian nationalist defense secretary elevated from his role as a weekend Fox News television host would pluck a fake Bible verse from a violent Hollywood blockbuster and present it at a Pentagon prayer session to rally the troops for the “ ...
The defense secretary said his prayer drew on Ezekiel, but wording closely matches Quentin Tarantino dialogue It was perhaps inevitable that a braggadocious Christian nationalist defense secretary elevated from his role as a weekend Fox News television host would pluck a fake Bible verse from a violent Hollywood blockbuster and present it at a Pentagon prayer session to rally the troops for the “ holy war ” in Iran. Certainly among a glut of stories swirling around Pete Hegseth this week, including articles of impeachment brought against him by a group of ambitious Democratic lawmakers, the bizarre allegation that the Bible-thumping Hegseth was passing off a fire-and-brimstone script by Quentin Tarantino, an Oscar-winning director, as the word of the Lord was far too compelling to ignore. Continue reading...
Sundry Photography/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Seagate Technology ( STX ) was placed on J.P. Morgan's "Positive Catalyst Watch" list as it is well positioned in the HDD industry to benefit from strong demand related to data center demand and pricing tailwinds. The financial firm also increased its price target on the stock to $600 from $525. "STX is ahead in terms of technology transition an...
Sundry Photography/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Seagate Technology ( STX ) was placed on J.P. Morgan's "Positive Catalyst Watch" list as it is well positioned in the HDD industry to benefit from strong demand related to data center demand and pricing tailwinds. The financial firm also increased its price target on the stock to $600 from $525. "STX is ahead in terms of technology transition and is already shipping next-generation HAMR-based solutions to data center customers," said J.P. Morgan analysts, led by Samik Chatterjee, in a Thursday investor report. "Near- and medium-term fundamentals continue to improve as the industry is being disciplined in adding new capacity and focusing on profitable growth." "Downside risks to our rating and price target include a slowdown in cloud capex spending on AI infrastructure, which could present risk to demand growth forecasts for the HDD industry despite the current robust pipeline of investment announcements," he added. Seagate is scheduled to release its third quarter fiscal 2026 earnings report post-market on April 28. A consensus estimate expects adjusted EPS of $3.48 and GAAP EPS of $3.19 on revenue of $2.95B. During the third quarter of fiscal 2025, Seagate reported adjusted EPS of $1.90 and revenue of $2.16B. More on Seagate Technology Seagate: HAMR Has Matured Into A Supply Story Seagate: Good Company, But I Don't Trust The Story At This Price Seagate's HDDs Face AI Headwinds, But Not From Alphabet's New Algorithms Investors prioritize data center components in short supply, such as memory, and optical: BNP Ibiden is the top performing foreign IT stock YTD
Ongoing conflicts and global geopolitical tensions are threatening the future of the world’s developing countries, according to European Central Bank Governing Council member Fabio Panetta . “Years of progress in development and poverty reduction are at risk of reversal,” Panetta said in a statement at a meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s Development Committee taking place...
Ongoing conflicts and global geopolitical tensions are threatening the future of the world’s developing countries, according to European Central Bank Governing Council member Fabio Panetta . “Years of progress in development and poverty reduction are at risk of reversal,” Panetta said in a statement at a meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s Development Committee taking place Thursday in Washington. “Developing countries are particularly exposed, with high debt and limited fiscal space, while the poorest are least able to absorb new shocks.” The IMF this week cut its global economic growth forecast to 3.1% in the most optimistic scenario, in which the Iran war and related disruptions are relatively short-lived and oil prices average $82 a barrel. In the most severe scenario, in which energy infrastructure suffers far more damage, global growth would fall to less than 2%. Panetta — who heads Italy’s central bank — said the World Bank must “focus on balancing immediate support with medium-to-long-term development goals.” “Sound macroeconomic management, secure land and collateral rights, effective payment systems, and strong financial regulation,” are among factors needed to unlock potential, he said. IMF Slashes Growth Outlook for Gulf Oil States on Iran War Shock Gulf Economies at Risk of Worst Slump Since ‘90s on Iran War IMF Warns of Global Economic Downturn If War in Iran Lasts
Worawith Ounpeng/iStock via Getty Images Arxis Inc. ( ARXS ) made a strong entrance into public markets Thursday, with shares climbing 36% in their first day of trading after the company raised $1.13 billion in an expanded initial public offering. The Bloomfield, Connecticut-based manufacturer, backed by Arcline Investment Management, began trading at $38 per share on the Nasdaq Global Select Mark...
Worawith Ounpeng/iStock via Getty Images Arxis Inc. ( ARXS ) made a strong entrance into public markets Thursday, with shares climbing 36% in their first day of trading after the company raised $1.13 billion in an expanded initial public offering. The Bloomfield, Connecticut-based manufacturer, backed by Arcline Investment Management, began trading at $38 per share on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, well above its IPO price of $28. Based on its outstanding shares, the debut values the aerospace and defense components supplier at roughly $15.4 billion. Arxis increased the size of its offering to 40.5 million shares, up from the 37.7 million originally planned, pricing at the top end of its $25 to $28 target range—an indication of strong investor demand. The company’s listing comes as rising global defense spending continues to attract investor attention. In the U.S., expectations that policymakers will prioritize expanding and modernizing missile systems have added momentum to companies tied to military supply chains. Defense and space applications represent Arxis’ ( ARXS ) largest business segment, accounting for about 47% of projected 2025 revenue, according to regulatory filings. Commercial aerospace makes up another 23%, underscoring the company’s exposure to both military and civil aviation markets. Arxis joins ( ARXS ) a growing pipeline of industrial companies tapping equity markets. Aevex Corp., backed by Madison Dearborn Partners, is pursuing a listing that could raise up to $336 million, while nuclear developer X-Energy Inc. is targeting as much as $814 million. Meanwhile, Madison Air Solutions ( MAIR ) recently completed a $2.23 billion offering, marking one of the largest U.S. industrial IPOs in decades. More on Arxis, Inc. Aerospace Components Supplier Arxis Files For IPO To Pay Down Debt Aerospace parts maker Arxis prices $1.13B IPO at $28 per share Defense-tech IPO wave gains momentum as Arxis eyes $11B valuation Financial information for Arxis, Inc.
Earnings Call Insights: The Travelers Companies (TRV) Q1 2026 Management View “We’re pleased to report an excellent start to 2026 with strong underwriting performance across all 3 segments and a strong result from our investment portfolio,” said (Chairman & CEO Alan Schnitzer), reporting “core income of $1.7 billion or $7.71 per diluted share” and “core return on equity of 19.7%.” Schnitzer highli...
Earnings Call Insights: The Travelers Companies (TRV) Q1 2026 Management View “We’re pleased to report an excellent start to 2026 with strong underwriting performance across all 3 segments and a strong result from our investment portfolio,” said (Chairman & CEO Alan Schnitzer), reporting “core income of $1.7 billion or $7.71 per diluted share” and “core return on equity of 19.7%.” Schnitzer highlighted capital actions and shareholder returns: “we return[ed] more than $2.2 billion of excess capital to shareholders during the quarter, including approximately $2 billion of share repurchases,” and said the Board declared “a 14% increase in our quarterly cash dividend to $1.25 per diluted share.” On premium and competitive execution, Schnitzer said net written premiums were $10.3 billion, including Business Insurance net written premiums of $5.8 billion; he described property premium pressure as “a large account dynamic,” while emphasizing retention and new business: “Retention increased a point… to a very strong 86%,” and “New business in this segment was a record $775 million.” (Executive VP & CFO Daniel Frey) attributed earnings to underwriting, investment income, and reserve development: “First quarter earnings were driven by yet another very strong quarter of underlying underwriting income… $1.2 billion after tax,” plus “net favorable prior year reserve development of $325 million after tax,” and “Net investment income of more than $800 million after tax.” On segment-level operating focus, (Executive VP & President of Business Insurance Greg Toczydlowski) said the new commercial auto product “TCAP… is now live in 47 states,” and added “BOP 2.0 is now fully deployed nationwide.” Outlook Frey reiterated fixed income investment income expectations by quarter: “expecting roughly $810 million after tax in the second quarter, growing to approximately $840 million in the third quarter and then to around $870 million in the fourth quarter.” Frey cautioned on alternative inv...
Dr. Michael Burry of The Big Short fame doesn’t seem to be willing to back down as a bear in the epic tug-of-war with Palantir (NASDAQ:PLTR) shareholders and the great CEO Alex Karp. Undoubtedly, Burry seemed to have been getting his way, with shares of Palantir plunging viciously into a bear market amid one of ... Michael Burry Thinks Anthropic is Eating the Lunch of Palantir — Is He Right?
Dr. Michael Burry of The Big Short fame doesn’t seem to be willing to back down as a bear in the epic tug-of-war with Palantir (NASDAQ:PLTR) shareholders and the great CEO Alex Karp. Undoubtedly, Burry seemed to have been getting his way, with shares of Palantir plunging viciously into a bear market amid one of ... Michael Burry Thinks Anthropic is Eating the Lunch of Palantir — Is He Right?
A common bit of advice for beginning investors is to "just buy an S&P 500 index fund." But there's more than one way to do this. A variety of S&P 500 ETFs make it possible to buy all the stocks of the 500 largest publicly traded U.S. companies, often at low fees. If you want to get more aggressive with your investing, you could choose a leveraged S&P 500 ETF that lets you buy stocks with borrowed ...
A common bit of advice for beginning investors is to "just buy an S&P 500 index fund." But there's more than one way to do this. A variety of S&P 500 ETFs make it possible to buy all the stocks of the 500 largest publicly traded U.S. companies, often at low fees. If you want to get more aggressive with your investing, you could choose a leveraged S&P 500 ETF that lets you buy stocks with borrowed money. Let's look at two popular funds that let you buy the S&P 500. The State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: SPYM) is a straightforward low-cost index fund that tracks the S&P 500 -- whatever return the index delivers, this fund will pass on to you with minimal expenses. But if you are open to a higher level of risk and volatility, the SSO Ultra S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: SSO) is another choice -- this is a leveraged ETF designed to double the daily performance of the S&P 500. Over the past 10 years, SSO has delivered average annual returns (by net asset value) of 21.2%, while the non-leveraged SPYM has generated 14.2% per year. But choosing the best ETF isn't just about past performance. Here's a quick breakdown for how investors can choose between SSO vs. SPYM. Continue reading
jetcityimage/iStock Editorial via Getty Images On Thursday morning, Abbott Labs ( ABT ) reported first quarter results, presenting investors with a modest revenue beat on the top-line and in-line earnings. However, the stock traded 4-5% lower in the pre-market as sellers were disappointed in earnings guidance. At issue were costs from the recent acquisition of Exact Sciences, with the $21B deal im...
jetcityimage/iStock Editorial via Getty Images On Thursday morning, Abbott Labs ( ABT ) reported first quarter results, presenting investors with a modest revenue beat on the top-line and in-line earnings. However, the stock traded 4-5% lower in the pre-market as sellers were disappointed in earnings guidance. At issue were costs from the recent acquisition of Exact Sciences, with the $21B deal impacting full year profits by approximately $0.20/share over the course of 2026. The acquisition, which closed on March 23rd, has been taken as a negative by the market and is the primary reason shares are down over 20% so far in 2026. Investors willing to look past acquisition-related weakness can find many optimistic factors in the Q1 report . Profits and sales grew by mid-single digits in Q1 (~6-7%), with steady growth seen for the remainder of 2026. While Abbott's $2B nutrition segment continues to underperform (-6% YoY), the acquisition presents TTM sales of $3.2B in the oncology diagnostics market, adding a new high-growth vertical equivalent to 7% of revenues. As medicine moves toward a personalized experience, particularly in oncology, this positions Abbott to capitalize on a major secular growth trend. In addition, Abbott has rarely been this cheap. 2017 marked the 10-year nadir of valuation, with shares trading as low as 15.3x, however, the company has rarely traded below 20x. Presently, the midpoint of 2026 earnings guidance is $5.48/share, putting the price around 17.7x forward earnings, more or less the cheapest in 10 years. The company's price relative to sales and cash flow paints a similar picture, hinting that the market's dour sentiment may be close to bottoming. Abbott Labs is also a Dividend King, having raised its annual dividend for 52 consecutive years . Shares yield 2.6% with 5-year annualized growth of 8.5%, offering a good starting yield with significant growth ahead. For dividend growth investors, Abbott's strong history, low valuation, secular gro...