Hong Kong’s fire services chief has acknowledged that better communication with building authorities is needed after an independent committee earlier revealed that his officers had taken no action against possible safety breaches during renovations at Wang Fuk Court, where 168 people were killed in last year’s inferno. But Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung Yan-kin insisted on Friday that author...
Hong Kong’s fire services chief has acknowledged that better communication with building authorities is needed after an independent committee earlier revealed that his officers had taken no action against possible safety breaches during renovations at Wang Fuk Court, where 168 people were killed in last year’s inferno. But Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung Yan-kin insisted on Friday that authorities had clear divisions of work when it came to the supervision of renovation projects, even as...
PDD Holdings Inc. Sponsored ADR (PDD) has been one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com users lately. So, it is worth exploring what lies ahead for the stock.
PDD Holdings Inc. Sponsored ADR (PDD) has been one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com users lately. So, it is worth exploring what lies ahead for the stock.
Zacks.com users have recently been watching Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) quite a bit. Thus, it is worth knowing the facts that could determine the stock's prospects.
Zacks.com users have recently been watching Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) quite a bit. Thus, it is worth knowing the facts that could determine the stock's prospects.
Welcome to the Brussels Edition. I’m Suzanne Lynch, Bloomberg’s Brussels bureau chief, bringing you the latest from the EU each weekday. Make sure you’re signed up . EU leaders meeting in Cyprus received a stark warning from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: rising energy prices will lead to lasting effects on the economic growth and inflation, if the Strait of Hormuz doesn’t open soon. W...
Welcome to the Brussels Edition. I’m Suzanne Lynch, Bloomberg’s Brussels bureau chief, bringing you the latest from the EU each weekday. Make sure you’re signed up . EU leaders meeting in Cyprus received a stark warning from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen: rising energy prices will lead to lasting effects on the economic growth and inflation, if the Strait of Hormuz doesn’t open soon. With leaders from the Gulf region joining today’s meeting, the war in the Middle East and the resulting energy squeeze is looming over the summit. Several countries expressed dissatisfaction with the Commission’s energy package unveiled on Wednesday, calling on Brussels to do more. “Europe must have a lot more courage,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said as she arrived yesterday. While she welcomed the proposals — which include cutting energy taxes and optimizing jet fuel distribution — they were “not enough of a step forward.” Spain’s Pedro Sanchez also weighed in, repeating his call for taxes on windfall profits of energy companies and extending the Covid-era Next Generation funding program by at least six months and linking it to electrification and clean-energy investment. “That is what will make us more resilient,” he said. The Spanish prime minister also echoed Italy’s calls for flexibility on the EU’s debt and deficit rules to take account of the energy crisis, arguing that debate is needed to begin “making fiscal rules more flexible for investment in energy transformation and electrification.” While various member states have introduced policies to help cushion the blow of rising energy prices, the EU has warned that any measures should not breach the bloc’s fiscal rules and instead must be targeted and temporary. EU finance ministers have been tasked with coming up with new energy-related proposals at their two scheduled meetings in May, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said. The Latest The project between France and Germany to build a next-generation...
winhorse/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images I previously reiterated XPeng Inc. (NYSE: XPEV ) as a Buy in January 2026, thanks to the near-term break even prospects. In this article, I shall discuss why XPEV remains a Great Buy, thanks to the robust monetization avenues beyond EVs to flying cars, robotaxi, and humanoid robots. XPEV Faces Numerous Headwinds & Tailwinds Entering FY2026 XPEV 1Y Stock ...
winhorse/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images I previously reiterated XPeng Inc. (NYSE: XPEV ) as a Buy in January 2026, thanks to the near-term break even prospects. In this article, I shall discuss why XPEV remains a Great Buy, thanks to the robust monetization avenues beyond EVs to flying cars, robotaxi, and humanoid robots. XPEV Faces Numerous Headwinds & Tailwinds Entering FY2026 XPEV 1Y Stock Price (Trading View) Since my last Buy rating, XPEV has unfortunately breached the established 2025 trading floor of $18s to trade sideways along the $15/$16s since February 2026, with a similar correction also observed in its Chinese automaker peers in varying degrees. 1. Changing Regulations Trigger Delivery Headwinds Given the ongoing policy shift across tax exemption and trade-in subsidies from 2026 onwards, it is unsurprising that the robust EV sales in 2025 has given way to the softer YTD numbers . The same has been observed in XPEV through the Q1'26 delivery numbers of 62,682 (-44.6% QoQ, October / November / December 2025 and -33.3% YoY ), aside from NIO ( NIO ) at +98.3% YoY delivery growth and Li Auto ( LI ) at +3.2% YoY ( January / February / March 2026 / Q1'25 ). Given the impacted delivery trends against some of its outperforming peers, it is unsurprising that XPEV has mostly traded sideways at the new lows of $15/$16s, as the market discounts its automotive prospects at a time of mixed EV demand. 2. FQ1'26 Preview With XPEV set to report their FQ1'26 performance on May 18, 2026 (Pre-Market) , I urge readers to temper their expectations entering the earnings call. This is because the management has offered a notably lower total FQ1'26 revenue guidance of RMB 12.74B (-42.7% QoQ/-19.4% YoY), with it apparent that the softer domestic demand has yet to be well balanced by the supposedly robust international exports. For reference, XPEV previously delivered 45K vehicles in overseas market (+96% YoY), comprising 10.4% (-1.6 points YoY) of its overall deliveries at 42...
Getty Images After taking some time off, I'm back with my monthly series of top 10 Dividend Growth Stocks. My dividend growth [DG] watchlist contains more than 700 stocks with dividend increase streaks of at least 5 years. With so many stocks, we need ways to screen them and focus on the most relevant candidates. That's where this article series comes in. I assess the quality of DG stocks using a ...
Getty Images After taking some time off, I'm back with my monthly series of top 10 Dividend Growth Stocks. My dividend growth [DG] watchlist contains more than 700 stocks with dividend increase streaks of at least 5 years. With so many stocks, we need ways to screen them and focus on the most relevant candidates. That's where this article series comes in. I assess the quality of DG stocks using a new quality scoring system , 9F Quality Scores, that rates them on a 10-point scale across 9 weighted factors. Each factor blends qualitative expert assessments from independent sources with quantitative financial metrics, including payout ratios, growth rates, and leverage measures. In previous articles, I used the average dividend yield method and several fair value estimates and price targets to estimate a stock's fair value [FV]. Now I use an expanded valuation system that adds calculated estimates and rigorous statistical analysis to arrive at a consensus FV. Since this is a monthly article series with an established format, certain parts and process descriptions are repeated. This Month's Feature Screen This month, I decided to focus on stocks with forward yields above the current Consumer Price Index [CPI] of 3.3%. The CPI tracks inflation, measuring the average change over time in prices paid by consumers for a representative "basket" of goods and services, such as food, rent, transportation, and medical care. The feature screen produces 209 candidates. Quality Assessment 9F Quality Scores is my new 10-point scale quality scoring system that blends expert qualitative measures and derived quantitative metrics across nine distinct factors: Dividend Safety Dividend Track Record Financial Strength Earnings & Revenue Growth Profitability & Earnings Quality Risk-Adjusted Returns Credit Rating & Capital Structure Moat & Competitive Advantage Governance & ESG I assign different weights to each factor, prioritizing those that impact long-term returns the most: dividend safet...
NongAsimo/iStock via Getty Images A monthly paycheck in retirement by Black Rock When individuals retire, especially if they plan to begin frequent travel or find themselves not as attentive to the portfolio any longer, they may look for income strategies . The goal is to not touch the principal and avoid mistakes. They may have been invested in common index funds ( SPY )( DIA )( QQQ ), but have s...
NongAsimo/iStock via Getty Images A monthly paycheck in retirement by Black Rock When individuals retire, especially if they plan to begin frequent travel or find themselves not as attentive to the portfolio any longer, they may look for income strategies . The goal is to not touch the principal and avoid mistakes. They may have been invested in common index funds ( SPY )( DIA )( QQQ ), but have started moving into preservation and distribution strategies after years in the accumulation phase, where growth was the top priority. Today I'm looking at all 32 closed end funds by BlackRock . These are all monthly payers and heavily leaning toward fixed income strategies. This will be based on a hypothetical $1,000,000 portfolio. Like an annuity where you still own your principal The core idea with these strategies is not to beat the market. The idea is to have a reliable paycheck with tolerable portfolio standard deviation. The main reason retirees like annuities is because they provide that Social Security like income without the visibility of a rising and falling portfolio . The guarantee of the insurance company to backstop you is comforting. In essence, they are just taking your money and putting it into the same cash generating products you can assemble yourself and taking a cut. If the world falls apart, you don't see it, but they do. The advisor gets a big commission check as well. I've discussed this dichotomy with even pre-40 year old friends buying annuities linked to the S&P 500 for their kids with a cap and a floor. The principal is locked away forever, but they feel safer with the insurance company guarantee. Often times arguing this point with the convinced investor is futile. In these income strategies, we have to assume that beating the market is not the primary goal; it's creating a livable wage with a portfolio that can at least grow at the rate of inflation. If we can achieve those two items, then we have effectively created our own annuity product, an...
Eighty-five percent of enterprises are running AI agent pilots, but only 5% have moved those agents into production. In an exclusive interview at RSA Conference 2026 , Cisco President and Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel said that the gap comes down to one thing: trust — and that closing it separates market dominance from bankruptcy. He also disclosed a mandate that will reshape Cisco's 90,000-pe...
Eighty-five percent of enterprises are running AI agent pilots, but only 5% have moved those agents into production. In an exclusive interview at RSA Conference 2026 , Cisco President and Chief Product Officer Jeetu Patel said that the gap comes down to one thing: trust — and that closing it separates market dominance from bankruptcy. He also disclosed a mandate that will reshape Cisco's 90,000-person engineering organization. The problem is not rogue agents. The problem is the absence of a trust architecture. The trust deficit behind a 5% production rate A recent Cisco survey of major enterprise customers found that 85% have AI agent pilot programs underway. Only 5% moved those agents into production. That 80-point gap defines the security problem the entire industry is trying to close. It is not closing. "The biggest impediment to scaled adoption in enterprises for business-critical tasks is establishing a sufficient amount of trust," Patel told VentureBeat. "Delegating versus trusted delegating of tasks to agents. The difference between those two, one leads to bankruptcy and the other leads to market dominance." He compared agents to teenagers. "They're supremely intelligent, but they have no fear of consequence. They're pretty immature. And they can be easily sidetracked or influenced," Patel said. "What you have to do is make sure that you have guardrails around them and you need some parenting on the agents." The comparison carries weight because it captures the precise failure mode security teams face. Three years ago, a chatbot that gave the wrong answer was an embarrassment. An agent that takes the wrong action can trigger an irreversible outcome. Patel pointed to a case he cited in his keynote where an AI coding agent deleted a live production database during a code freeze, tried to cover its tracks with fake data, and then apologized. "An apology is not a guardrail," Patel said in his keynote blog . The shift from information risk to action risk is the co...
It would add protections for many states, but also likely strip some from others. | Image: The Verge, Getty Images Congress is once again attempting to pass a national data privacy law. But while it would introduce new protections in some states, it would weaken privacy rights in others - and it's missing several elements that privacy advocates deem necessary. The SECURE Data Act is the product of...
It would add protections for many states, but also likely strip some from others. | Image: The Verge, Getty Images Congress is once again attempting to pass a national data privacy law. But while it would introduce new protections in some states, it would weaken privacy rights in others - and it's missing several elements that privacy advocates deem necessary. The SECURE Data Act is the product of a Republican data privacy working group led by Rep. John Joyce (R-PA), who introduced the bill alongside House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY). The proposal would require companies to collect only the user data they really need to perform the tasks they promise, let users see what information websites have on them and request its delet … Read the full story at The Verge.
Social Security has been on shaky financial ground for years, and it could potentially lead to benefit cuts in the next decade if lawmakers don't find a solution soon. Experts have proposed several potential solutions, such as taxing higher earners, raising the full retirement age, and increasing the payroll tax itself. All of these proposals have benefits and drawbacks, and nothing is concrete ye...
Social Security has been on shaky financial ground for years, and it could potentially lead to benefit cuts in the next decade if lawmakers don't find a solution soon. Experts have proposed several potential solutions, such as taxing higher earners, raising the full retirement age, and increasing the payroll tax itself. All of these proposals have benefits and drawbacks, and nothing is concrete yet. A new potential solution could help resolve some of Social Security's cash problems, but it comes at a cost for some retirees. Continue reading
Welcome to Bloomberg’s Retail Monitor . Every Friday we’ll deliver you clear insights on industry trends, headwinds and emerging opportunities. Sign up now if you’re not already on the list. The food business is chaotic for companies, but it’s a delicious smorgasbord for diners. Spark it up! A government decision could drive marijuana sales . Lululemon and Best Buy are getting new CEOs, coffee is ...
Welcome to Bloomberg’s Retail Monitor . Every Friday we’ll deliver you clear insights on industry trends, headwinds and emerging opportunities. Sign up now if you’re not already on the list. The food business is chaotic for companies, but it’s a delicious smorgasbord for diners. Spark it up! A government decision could drive marijuana sales . Lululemon and Best Buy are getting new CEOs, coffee is getting pricier and OpenTable is getting in good with restaurants . Grab a bite! It’s time for your consumer news roundup. — Tonya Garcia Market Snapshot Lululemon Athletica Inc $141.66 -13% L'Oreal SA $376.70 +0.2% Brown-Forman Corp $28.40 -0.5% Best Buy Co Inc $61.50 -3.2% Nestle SA $80.94 +1.2% Market data as of 08:55 AM ET. Data is subject to provider delays. Big food under pressure The former head of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, David Stever, has been announced as the new CEO of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams . Never heard of Jeni’s Splendid? You probably will soon. The company reported $150 million in revenue in 2025 and Stever will be leading Jeni’s Splendid as it expands through franchising. Jeni’s previous CEO was Stacy Peterson, who left the company to join Jersey Mike’s. Ever had a Jersey Mike’s sub sandwich? You’ll probably be munching on one soon, too. Jersey Mike’s has submitted a confidential IPO filing and has already started the process of adding shops overseas. There have been nonstop changes in the food world over recent months as big, well-known companies reassess their portfolios to compete with up-and-comers like these two companies. Diners are willing to try new flavors and break away from established brands to give new ones a try and the old guard firms are scrambling to rejigger the way they do business to keep up. Conagra, the Slim Jim owner, has named a new CEO after a yearslong stock slide . PepsiCo is rethinking its pricing after expensive Doritos broke people’s grocery budgets. Kraft Heinz is putting protein in a bunch of stuff. The company behind Dunk...
zhengzaishuru/iStock via Getty Images Itron ( ITRI ) said that on April 13 it was notified that an unauthorized third party gained access to certain of its systems. The company said in a regulatory filing that it took action to remove the unauthorized activity and has not seen any further unauthorized activity within its corporate systems. The company noted that it launched an investigation with t...
zhengzaishuru/iStock via Getty Images Itron ( ITRI ) said that on April 13 it was notified that an unauthorized third party gained access to certain of its systems. The company said in a regulatory filing that it took action to remove the unauthorized activity and has not seen any further unauthorized activity within its corporate systems. The company noted that it launched an investigation with the support of external advisors and had also informed law enforcement. Itron added that no unauthorized activity was seen in the customer hosted portion of its systems. Itron noted that its operations have continued in all material respects. The company said that it currently expects that a significant portion of its direct costs incurred related to the incident will be reimbursed by its insurers. Itron does not currently believe the incident has had or is likely to have a material impact on the company. In addition, the company said that it is evaluating what legal filings and regulatory notifications may be required because of this incident and intends to take appropriate action. Shares of Itron — which provides technology solutions that help manage energy, water, and smart city operations — rose about 3% premarket on Friday. More on Itron Itron: Acquisitions Come At A Price Itron: Despite A Cheap Relative Valuation, Shares Don't Justify An Upgrade Now Itron: Staying Bullish On Q4 Beat And Strategic M&A Itron started with Sell-equivalent rating at Raymond James as metering deployments moderate Itron announces $600 million convertible senior notes offering due 2032
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers at the Beijing auto show are shifting their focus to overseas markets, banking on opportunities from the Middle East crisis to boost profitability amid weak sales at home. “Going global has become a top choice for Chinese EV builders as they struggle to break even,” said Phate Zhang, founder of Shanghai-based data provider CnEVPost. “The Middle East crisis is a...
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers at the Beijing auto show are shifting their focus to overseas markets, banking on opportunities from the Middle East crisis to boost profitability amid weak sales at home. “Going global has become a top choice for Chinese EV builders as they struggle to break even,” said Phate Zhang, founder of Shanghai-based data provider CnEVPost. “The Middle East crisis is acting as a strong catalyst to bolster their overseas deliveries.” Nearly all major EV assemblers...
On March 25, 2026, we sent thousands of investors an email titled “Is Intel The Must-Own Stock for 2026?” The argument was simple: agentic AI was about to shift the bottleneck from GPUs to CPUs, CPU lead times had stretched from 1-2 weeks to 6 months, and Intel and AMD were raising prices into that ... These Investors Made 78% on Intel in One Month. Here’s How They Saw It Coming
On March 25, 2026, we sent thousands of investors an email titled “Is Intel The Must-Own Stock for 2026?” The argument was simple: agentic AI was about to shift the bottleneck from GPUs to CPUs, CPU lead times had stretched from 1-2 weeks to 6 months, and Intel and AMD were raising prices into that ... These Investors Made 78% on Intel in One Month. Here’s How They Saw It Coming
Cathay Pacific Airways has raised HK$2.08 billion (US$265.4 million) by selling Hong Kong dollar-denominated bonds to boost its working capital, tapping the public bond market for the first time. Hong Kong’s flag carrier said on Friday that the bond issuance was the biggest of its kind by a locally based, non-public sector company. The three-year bonds, which carried a fixed interest rate of 3.78 ...
Cathay Pacific Airways has raised HK$2.08 billion (US$265.4 million) by selling Hong Kong dollar-denominated bonds to boost its working capital, tapping the public bond market for the first time. Hong Kong’s flag carrier said on Friday that the bond issuance was the biggest of its kind by a locally based, non-public sector company. The three-year bonds, which carried a fixed interest rate of 3.78 per cent, were sold mainly to professional investors such as asset managers, banks and private...