Thawatchai Chawong/iStock via Getty Images Market Review Equity performance was broadly negative across developed and emerging markets. Heightened geopolitical tensions involving Iran, and the subsequent spike in oil prices, weighed on risk sentiment despite resilient, albeit slowing, global growth and moderating inflation. The S&P 500® Index declined 4.33% for the quarter. Within the index, 6 of ...
Thawatchai Chawong/iStock via Getty Images Market Review Equity performance was broadly negative across developed and emerging markets. Heightened geopolitical tensions involving Iran, and the subsequent spike in oil prices, weighed on risk sentiment despite resilient, albeit slowing, global growth and moderating inflation. The S&P 500® Index declined 4.33% for the quarter. Within the index, 6 of the 11 Global Industry Classification Standard ((GICS®)) equity sectors finished in positive territory, led by energy and materials. Value stocks outperformed growth stocks. Among other major equity benchmarks, the MSCI EAFE Index, a measure of developed markets excluding the U.S. and Canada, decreased by 1.24%, while the MSCI Emerging Markets Index decreased by 0.17%. Fixed-income market performance in developed markets was generally weaker in the first quarter. During the period, the Bloomberg® U.S. Aggregate Index, Bloomberg Global Aggregate Hedged Index, and Bloomberg Global Aggregate Unhedged Index returned -0.05%, -0.15%, and -1.07%, respectively. In the U.S. , equity markets delivered negative returns during the quarter, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average® declining 3.19% and the NASDAQ 100 Index® falling 5.82%. U.S. fixed-income markets were broadly flat over the period. Geopolitical developments in the Middle East, including the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, contributed to heightened market volatility and increased downside risks later in the quarter. Against this backdrop, the U.S. economy remained relatively resilient. The Federal Reserve (Fed) held rates steady as inflation eased from 2.7% year over year in December to 2.2% in February. Labor markets remained solid, with payroll growth rebounding following a weaker December reading and unemployment edging down to 4.2%. Consumer data were mixed: sentiment fell to a multi-year low in January before improving through March, while retail spending softened and then stabilized. Meanwhile, manufacturing...
Stock prices started to decline as May drew to a close, but then quickly turned around and moved higher. At this point, the S&P 500 index (^GSPC +0.61%) is hovering near all-time highs. It could be that the old saying that the market climbs a wall of worry is being played out, or it could just be that investors aren't paying enough attention to the market's underlying risks. What should you take a...
Stock prices started to decline as May drew to a close, but then quickly turned around and moved higher. At this point, the S&P 500 index (^GSPC +0.61%) is hovering near all-time highs. It could be that the old saying that the market climbs a wall of worry is being played out, or it could just be that investors aren't paying enough attention to the market's underlying risks. What should you take away from the market's seemingly resilient performance in the face of uncertainty? For most investors, it is probably best to err on the side of caution right now. Here's why. The market is expensive Vanguard S&P 500 Index ETF (VOO +0.65%) is a low-cost and easy way to buy the market. The S&P 500 index is well constructed, comprising roughly 500 large, economically important stocks. A market-cap-weighted approach means that the most important businesses are those driving the broader index's returns. Even Warren Buffett, the former CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA 0.57%)(BRKB 0.49%), has suggested it as a good choice for most investors. He's worth listening to, since his long-term investment success earned him the nickname the Oracle of Omaha. But there's an interesting twist here that long-term investors should consider. Before Buffett retired at the end of 2025, he was letting cash pile up on Berkshire Hathaway's balance sheet. His successor, trained in Buffett's investment approach, has allowed the cash balance to grow even larger, reaching nearly $400 billion. Pretty clearly, both Buffett and successor Greg Abel aren't seeing anything exciting to buy in the market right now, which is usually the case when stocks are expensive. Expand NYSEMKT : VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF Today's Change ( 0.65 %) $ 4.46 Current Price $ 690.01 Key Data Points Day's Range $ 688.08 - $ 691.51 52wk Range $ 536.16 - $ 691.51 Volume 6.6M To back that view up, the S&P 500 index has a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.4x, while the index's average P/E is historically closer to 19x. That's particularly wor...
Investors are racing to find the next generational leader in the quantum computing market. Quantum systems are designed to handle complex calculations that classical computers find impossible. Deciding between D-Wave Quantum (NYSE:QBTS) and IonQ (NYSE:IONQ) depends on which technical approach you believe will scale first. D-Wave focuses on annealing technology to solve complex optimization problem...
Investors are racing to find the next generational leader in the quantum computing market. Quantum systems are designed to handle complex calculations that classical computers find impossible. Deciding between D-Wave Quantum (NYSE:QBTS) and IonQ (NYSE:IONQ) depends on which technical approach you believe will scale first. D-Wave focuses on annealing technology to solve complex optimization problems, while IonQ utilizes trapped-ion systems for general-purpose computing. Both companies are in early growth stages, prioritizing market share and technical breakthroughs over current profitability as they compete for dominance in this emerging field. D-Wave Quantum positions itself as a dual-platform provider, offering both annealing and gate-model quantum systems. The company targets commercial, government, and research sectors, providing hardware and cloud-based software services. Its customer list includes global organizations like Mastercard and Pfizer . These partnerships allow businesses to explore quantum applications in logistics and materials science. Continue reading
Astellas Pharma Inc. shares fell to the lowest in about four months after the Tokyo-based drugmaker’s five-year plan offered few surprises. Shares fell as much as 5.9% Wednesday morning, to the lowest since January 29, after the Japanese company said it will lean on its high-margin strategic brands to double sales by fiscal 2030. It also forecast pipeline revenue of approximately ¥1 trillion ($6.3...
Astellas Pharma Inc. shares fell to the lowest in about four months after the Tokyo-based drugmaker’s five-year plan offered few surprises. Shares fell as much as 5.9% Wednesday morning, to the lowest since January 29, after the Japanese company said it will lean on its high-margin strategic brands to double sales by fiscal 2030. It also forecast pipeline revenue of approximately ¥1 trillion ($6.3 billion) by the mid-2030s. Investors have gradually begun taking profits since April’s fourth-quarter results, Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities Co. analysts Shinichiro Muraoka and Jaeheon Lee wrote in a note. The trend is likely to continue for now as there were no major surprises in the five-year mid-term plan announcement, they said. The plan’s announcement comes as Astellas seeks growth opportunities beyond its blockbuster prostate cancer drug Xtandi, which it co-markets with Pfizer Inc. and is about to face growing competition from generics. Read More: Astellas Says Newer Drugs Set to Drive Profit Growth by 2030 Astellas will continue to increase its annual dividend per share by at least ¥2, and plans to put at least ¥750 billion toward shareholder returns over five years. While that marks a shift from a year ago — when investors were worried about possible dividend cuts from fiscal 2028 — the reassurance may already be reflected in the share price after its recent gains, Muraoka and Lee wrote. The stock has risen about 1.4% this year, trailing the broader Topix Index’s 16% gain.
European companies’ confidence in the Chinese market is showing signs of rebounding for the first time since 2022, as Beijing is increasingly perceived as a “champion” of stability amid rising global volatility, according to a survey released on Wednesday. After years of spiralling pessimism, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China found that “the intensity of the deterioration in confiden...
European companies’ confidence in the Chinese market is showing signs of rebounding for the first time since 2022, as Beijing is increasingly perceived as a “champion” of stability amid rising global volatility, according to a survey released on Wednesday. After years of spiralling pessimism, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China found that “the intensity of the deterioration in confidence in China’s business environment has eased” among its members over the past year. Advertisement In the group’s annual Business Confidence Survey – which polled more than 500 European firms operating in China – less than half of respondents said China’s business environment had become more politicised, down from 52 per cent a year earlier. While 68 per cent of the companies surveyed said business conditions had become more difficult in China, that represented an improvement from last year, when a record 73 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement. Meanwhile, firms reported feeling more upbeat about their expectations for growth and profitability in the coming months. The EU chamber conducted the survey between January and February, just before the outbreak of the US-Israel war on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz Advertisement “Some of these gains could be attributed to the fact that, in a year of intense global volatility, China has demonstrated itself to be a relatively stable manufacturing, sourcing and investment destination,” the chamber said in the report.
undefined European companies operating in China are seeing tentative signs of improvement after several difficult years, but business confidence remains fragile and will require deeper reforms to meaningfully recover, according to the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China’s (EUCCC) latest survey. Several key indicators, including profitability and growth outlook, rebounded from last year’s h...
undefined European companies operating in China are seeing tentative signs of improvement after several difficult years, but business confidence remains fragile and will require deeper reforms to meaningfully recover, according to the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China’s (EUCCC) latest survey. Several key indicators, including profitability and growth outlook, rebounded from last year’s historic lows, the EUCCC said in a report published Wednesday. Still, most respondents said operating in China had become harder, and many are still grappling with the country’s economic slowdown, intense competition, regulatory uncertainty and barriers to market access.
Astera Labs will showcase advanced AI connectivity solutions and products at Computex 2026, including live demonstrations and technical talks. Quiver AI Summary Astera Labs, Inc., a leader in semiconductor connectivity solutions for AI infrastructure, will showcase its latest technologies and collaborations at Computex 2026 from June 2-5 in Taipei. The event will feature demonstrations of its conn...
Astera Labs will showcase advanced AI connectivity solutions and products at Computex 2026, including live demonstrations and technical talks. Quiver AI Summary Astera Labs, Inc., a leader in semiconductor connectivity solutions for AI infrastructure, will showcase its latest technologies and collaborations at Computex 2026 from June 2-5 in Taipei. The event will feature demonstrations of its connectivity portfolio, including the Scorpio X-Series 320 Lane Smart Fabric Switch, and innovations in optical connectivity and rack-level validation systems. Key sessions include a press conference on June 3 featuring industry insights from Thad Omura, and technical discussions on various topics related to AI systems and connectivity. This program aims to provide media and analysts with direct access to Astera Labs' leadership and explore advancements that enhance AI infrastructure deployment. Potential Positives Astera Labs will showcase its latest technologies and innovations at Computex 2026, enhancing visibility and engagement with industry leaders and analysts. The public demonstration of the Scorpio™ X-Series 320 Lane Smart Fabric Switch highlights Astera Labs' commitment to delivering cutting-edge connectivity solutions for AI infrastructure. The event will feature technical talks discussing significant advancements such as next-gen retimers for AI systems and 200G/lane Ethernet, showcasing Astera Labs' leadership in technology innovation. Collaboration with leading AI platform providers and Taiwan system and manufacturing partners indicates strong industry partnerships that could lead to future growth opportunities. Potential Negatives The press release includes numerous forward-looking statements that carry inherent risks and uncertainties, indicating a potential lack of confidence in achieving its stated objectives and product features. The mention of various risks, including delays, disruptions, and inability to meet anticipated market opportunities, raises concern...
European firms in China are turning more upbeat about their business outlook, a new survey found, just as Brussels appears poised to take action against a swelling trade imbalance with Beijing. About 35% of respondents reported being optimistic about their industry growing in China over the next two years, up from a record low of 29% in 2025. The annual poll, published on Wednesday by the European...
European firms in China are turning more upbeat about their business outlook, a new survey found, just as Brussels appears poised to take action against a swelling trade imbalance with Beijing. About 35% of respondents reported being optimistic about their industry growing in China over the next two years, up from a record low of 29% in 2025. The annual poll, published on Wednesday by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China , also showed that 47% of companies said the local business environment had become more politicized in the last year, the lowest share since at least 2023. Part of the improvement in sentiment can be attributed to “crisis fatigue,” said Denis Depoux , global managing director at Germany’s Roland Berger, a consultancy that helped carry out the survey. It was conducted between January and February and covered 549 respondents. European firms have “adjusted in many different ways, they got used to the situation, and expectations of headquarters have adjusted as well,” said Depoux. “This is still pretty low business confidence, but the members of the chamber are getting slightly used to it.” The recovery in sentiment stands out against the backdrop of worsening tensions between Beijing and Brussels. EU officials are preparing the ground for possible new tools to counter China’s export surge, which they partly blame on insufficient domestic demand, an undervalued currency and generous subsidies. The European Commission is expected to have an internal debate on tougher trade measures against China on Friday, Bloomberg reported earlier. The commerce ministry in Beijing has already pledged countermeasures if the EU presses ahead with new restrictions on Chinese imports. EU Plans Tougher Trade Measures to Rebuff Chinese Export Surge China Lobbies Spain to Sink EU Plans to Boost Its Companies Germany Urged to Back EU Push Against Worsening China Shock China Forces Reckoning in Europe as Trade Turns Existential Last year, European firms were most pes...
UBS Group and Barclays significantly raised their price targets for Micron Technology and SanDisk, reigniting Wall Street's enthusiasm for memory stocks, with Micron's market capitalization surpassing $1 trillion. 富途牛牛
UBS Group and Barclays significantly raised their price targets for Micron Technology and SanDisk, reigniting Wall Street's enthusiasm for memory stocks, with Micron's market capitalization surpassing $1 trillion. 富途牛牛
UBS Group AG ’s Asia Pacific President Iqbal Khan said artificial intelligence will free up capacity and improve productivity but also have an impact on jobs. “If we can use that capacity to serve our clients better, gain more share of the wallet, grow faster, grow more, then the impact on costs and jobs is going to be less,” said Khan in an interview with Bloomberg Television. “Now if we cannot, ...
UBS Group AG ’s Asia Pacific President Iqbal Khan said artificial intelligence will free up capacity and improve productivity but also have an impact on jobs. “If we can use that capacity to serve our clients better, gain more share of the wallet, grow faster, grow more, then the impact on costs and jobs is going to be less,” said Khan in an interview with Bloomberg Television. “Now if we cannot, and this in an industrywide topic, then of course it will have ramifications and implications on costs and jobs.” Khan’s comments contribute to the broader debate surrounding artificial intelligence. Standard Chartered Chief Executive Officer Bill Winters has also warned that an increased focus on AI could lead to the elimination of roles, as the bank replaces what he described as “lower-value human capital” with technology — a term he later apologized for. Earlier this month, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer John Waldron described his firm’s traditional operations as a “ human assembly line ” ripe for automation. Khan said that AI has risks but also the potential to improve efficiency and productivity across the business. “This is the biggest transformation we’re going to see and it’s more about up-skilling our people and us learning,” said Khan.
vikarus/iStock via Getty Images This article is part of a series that provides an ongoing analysis of the changes made to David Tepper’s 13F portfolio on a quarterly basis. It is based on Appaloosa Management’s regulatory 13F Form filed on 05/15/2026. Please visit our Tracking David Tepper’s Appaloosa Management Portfolio series to get an idea of his investment philosophy and our previous update f...
vikarus/iStock via Getty Images This article is part of a series that provides an ongoing analysis of the changes made to David Tepper’s 13F portfolio on a quarterly basis. It is based on Appaloosa Management’s regulatory 13F Form filed on 05/15/2026. Please visit our Tracking David Tepper’s Appaloosa Management Portfolio series to get an idea of his investment philosophy and our previous update for the fund’s moves during Q4 2025. This quarter, Tepper’s 13F portfolio value decreased from ~$6.95B to ~$5.93B. The number of holdings decreased from 38 to 31. The top five positions are Amazon.com, Micron Technology, Alphabet, Uber Technologies, and Taiwan Semi. They add up to ~48% of the portfolio. New Stakes: Sandisk Corp ( SNDK ): SNDK is a ~3% of the portfolio stake established this quarter at prices between ~$244 and ~$778. The stock currently trades close to double the high end of that range at ~$1590. Stake Disposals: American Airlines ( AAL ): The 3.13% AAL position was purchased during Q3 2025 at prices between ~$11 and ~$14. The last quarter saw a ~53% stake increase at prices between ~$11 and ~$16. The disposal this quarter was at prices between ~$10 and ~$16.50. The stock is now at $14.85. Delta Air Lines ( DAL ), Goodyear Tire & Rubber ( GT ), iShares China Large Cap ETF ( FXI ), IQVIA Holdings ( IQV ), Mohawk Industries ( MHK ), Owens Corning ( OC ), and United Airlines ( UAL ): These positions were disposed of during the quarter. Stake Increases: Amazon.com ( AMZN ) : The ~15% AMZN position is currently their largest 13F stake. It was purchased during Q1 2019 at prices between ~$75 and ~$91. The position has wavered. Recent activity follows. Q4 2024 saw a ~20% selling at prices between ~$181 and ~$233. That was followed by a ~13% trimming during the last quarter at prices between ~$211 and ~$259. This quarter saw the position almost double at prices between ~$196 and ~$249. The stock currently trades at ~$265. Uber Technologies ( UBER ) : UBER is now at 7....
Getty Images The negative sentiment around lululemon athletica ( LULU ) has presented a compelling buying opportunity. While there are risks around the proxy battle, a management team in transition, and market saturation concerns in the Americas market, I believe the current risk/reward profile presents patient investors with a great opportunity. Lulu's vertical distribution capabilities, fortress...
Getty Images The negative sentiment around lululemon athletica ( LULU ) has presented a compelling buying opportunity. While there are risks around the proxy battle, a management team in transition, and market saturation concerns in the Americas market, I believe the current risk/reward profile presents patient investors with a great opportunity. Lulu's vertical distribution capabilities, fortress balance sheet, international growth, and depressed stock price warrant a Strong Buy rating from me. I have a conservatively calculated valuation of $229/share, representing an 83% upside at the time of this writing. Business Overview lululemon athletica is a Vancouver, Canada-based company specializing in the design, distribution, and retailing of technical athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories for men and women. FY 2026 10K The company operates globally, reporting revenues based on the geographies shown above. The Americas account for the Canadian, U.S., and Mexican markets. China Mainland is self-explanatory, and RoW consists of EMEA and APAC countries. The Americas is the largest market by far, despite the 4% revenue share decline, accounting for 71% of 2025 net revenues. FY 2026 10K The majority of their sales comes from the women's apparel category, which was 63% of total revenues and grew 3%. Men's apparel is 24% of revenues and grew roughly 4%. Accessories account for 13% of revenues and grew at 7%. The company commands superior gross and operating margins compared to other athleisure players like NIKE and Adidas. (Other core athleisure competitors like Alo and Vuori are private). As of this writing, Lulu's gross margin is 56%, 5% higher than Adidas, and 13% higher than Nike. TIKR TIKR LULU is able to maintain these impressive margins because of two main factors: their brand and their vertically integrated distribution capabilities. Brand and Vertical Integration The lululemon brand is recognized around the world as the number one in women's athleisure for "pr...