BalkansCat/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Introduction The last time I covered HP Inc. ( HPQ ), I reiterated their Strong Buy rating, highlighting their compelling valuation, nearly 14% combined dividend and buyback yield, and ongoing cost-saving initiatives as they navigate a tough environment and a CEO transition. Despite the stock returning about 33% since last covering them in March, I stil...
BalkansCat/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Introduction The last time I covered HP Inc. ( HPQ ), I reiterated their Strong Buy rating, highlighting their compelling valuation, nearly 14% combined dividend and buyback yield, and ongoing cost-saving initiatives as they navigate a tough environment and a CEO transition. Despite the stock returning about 33% since last covering them in March, I still believe HPQ offers a great opportunity, with the current valuation still representing a significant discount even from conservative fair value estimates, while a potential macro recovery and new CEO can support a re-rating. Solid Quarter Boosts Optimism HP Inc. IR HPQ posted a strong Q2’FY26 report, beating the market’s EPS and revenue estimates significantly, with the weak 1.1% growth in net revenue in the Americas being offset by the 13.2% YoY increase in EMEA and 18% in APJ (both still solid even in constant currency), with a 14.1% YoY increase in commercial and 10.4% in consumer, while their Free Cash Flow reached a solid $780 million, causing the stock to grow well on earnings day - which is on top of the ~14% surge it saw following Lenovo’s report that boosted the AI enthusiasm in the industry (Dell ( DELL ) also jumped ~15% on that day). HP Inc. IR As mentioned before, HPQ is now undergoing a CEO transition since their previous leader went to PayPal ( PYPL ) a few months ago, which adds an extra layer of uncertainty during an already tough macro setting, albeit this doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing despite losing an overall good CEO that helped them navigate this tough environment. Similar to Nokia ( NOK ), which is up ~150% since I last rated them a Strong Buy back in January , I’ll mention that the new CEO can also give them a “spin” towards a direction that’s more liked by the market, such as focusing even more on AI and what Dell is doing, so there’s certainly some untapped potential to keep an eye on. Just like Nokia, note that they’re already talkin...
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is a key player in the computer industry. The company develops and supports software, services, devices and solutions. With a market cap of $3.1 trillion, Microsoft offers applications, extra cloud storage, and advanced security solutions serving customers worldwide. Companies worth $200 billion or more are generally described as “mega-cap sto...
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is a key player in the computer industry. The company develops and supports software, services, devices and solutions. With a market cap of $3.1 trillion, Microsoft offers applications, extra cloud storage, and advanced security solutions serving customers worldwide. Companies worth $200 billion or more are generally described as “mega-cap stocks,” and MSFT definitely fits that description, with its market cap exceeding this threshold, reflecting its substantial size, influence, and dominance within the software - infrastructure industry. Microsoft’s edge lies in diversification that hedges market volatility and creates economies of scope across segments. Strong brand equity supports pricing power across software, Xbox, and LinkedIn, while heavy R&D fuels leadership in AI, cloud, and quantum. Under Nadella’s growth mindset, a more empowered, agile culture is helping Microsoft attract and retain top talent. Despite its notable strength, MSFT slipped 25.7% from its 52-week high of $555.45, achieved on Jul. 31, 2025. Over the past three months, MSFT stock has gained 5.7%, underperforming the State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF’s (XLK) 32.9% gains during the same time frame. Shares of MSFT fell 14.1% on a YTD basis and dipped 9.2% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming XLK’s YTD gains of 28.1% and 58.9% returns over the last year. To confirm the bullish trend, Microsoft has been trading above its 50-day moving average since late April, with slight fluctuations. The stock is trading above its 200-day moving average since early May. On Apr. 29, MSFT shares closed down more than 1% after reporting its Q3 results. Its EPS of $4.27 surpassed Wall Street expectations of $4.07. The company’s revenue was $82.9 billion, beating Wall Street forecasts of $81.4 billion. In the competitive arena of software - infrastructure, Oracle Corporation (ORCL) has taken the lead over MSFT, showing resilience with a marginal do...
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is a key player in the computer industry. The company develops and supports software, services, devices and solutions. With a market cap of $3.1 trillion, Microsoft offers applications, extra cloud storage, and advanced security solutions serving customers worldwide. Companies worth $200 billion or more are generally described as “mega-cap sto...
Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is a key player in the computer industry. The company develops and supports software, services, devices and solutions. With a market cap of $3.1 trillion, Microsoft offers applications, extra cloud storage, and advanced security solutions serving customers worldwide. Companies worth $200 billion or more are generally described as “mega-cap stocks,” and MSFT definitely fits that description, with its market cap exceeding this threshold, reflecting its substantial size, influence, and dominance within the software - infrastructure industry. Microsoft’s edge lies in diversification that hedges market volatility and creates economies of scope across segments. Strong brand equity supports pricing power across software, Xbox, and LinkedIn, while heavy R&D fuels leadership in AI, cloud, and quantum. Under Nadella’s growth mindset, a more empowered, agile culture is helping Microsoft attract and retain top talent. Despite its notable strength, MSFT slipped 25.7% from its 52-week high of $555.45, achieved on Jul. 31, 2025. Over the past three months, MSFT stock has gained 5.7%, underperforming the State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF’s (XLK) 32.9% gains during the same time frame. Shares of MSFT fell 14.1% on a YTD basis and dipped 9.2% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming XLK’s YTD gains of 28.1% and 58.9% returns over the last year. To confirm the bullish trend, Microsoft has been trading above its 50-day moving average since late April, with slight fluctuations. The stock is trading above its 200-day moving average since early May. On Apr. 29, MSFT shares closed down more than 1% after reporting its Q3 results. Its EPS of $4.27 surpassed Wall Street expectations of $4.07. The company’s revenue was $82.9 billion, beating Wall Street forecasts of $81.4 billion. In the competitive arena of software - infrastructure, Oracle Corporation (ORCL) has taken the lead over MSFT, showing resilience with a marginal do...
Andrew Brookes/Cultura via Getty Images Teladoc Health ( TDOC ) announced on Thursday that its virtual care services are now available through Walmart’s ( WMT ) Better Care Services platform, marking its latest collaboration to expand access to care. The New York-based Health Tech added that Walmart ( WMT ) customers, both insured and noninsured, can access its services, including 24/7 care, derma...
Andrew Brookes/Cultura via Getty Images Teladoc Health ( TDOC ) announced on Thursday that its virtual care services are now available through Walmart’s ( WMT ) Better Care Services platform, marking its latest collaboration to expand access to care. The New York-based Health Tech added that Walmart ( WMT ) customers, both insured and noninsured, can access its services, including 24/7 care, dermatology, and nutrition offerings, under the new collaboration. For cash-paying customers, services will be available for $89 per visit. "Walmart is where millions of Americans already go for everyday needs, and now, getting care from Teladoc Health can be part of that same experience," said Kelly Bliss, president of Teladoc's ( TDOC ) U.S. Group Health. The partnership builds on the launch of the company’s BetterHelp mental health offering on Walmart’s Better Care Services platform in January. The telehealth provider has signed a series of collaborations with retailers and online platforms in recent years to widen its service availability. In 2025, the company partnered with Amazon ( AMZN ) to offer its diabetes, hypertension, pre-diabetes, and weight-loss programs on the e-commerce giant’s virtual care platform, Health Benefits Connector. More on Teladoc Health, Walmart Walmart: The Valuation Basis Keeps Getting Worse Wall Street Likes Walmart, But I Don't - Reiterate Sell Walmart Inc. (WMT) Q1 2027 Earnings Call Transcript Inflation relief may start with tariffs and Walmart Walmart tries cost-cutting supply chain model as stock stays in red zone
The smart money on Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) is sending a quieter signal than the financial press typically rewards: institutional analysts are constructive, insiders are not transacting in size in either direction, and the dividend yield is doing the heavy lifting. With shares at $26.21 and a Wall Street consensus target of $29.19, the absence of ... Insiders Aren’t Buying Pfizer Stock at $26 and That’s...
The smart money on Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) is sending a quieter signal than the financial press typically rewards: institutional analysts are constructive, insiders are not transacting in size in either direction, and the dividend yield is doing the heavy lifting. With shares at $26.21 and a Wall Street consensus target of $29.19, the absence of ... Insiders Aren’t Buying Pfizer Stock at $26 and That’s Actually a Good Thing
If the Federal Reserve hikes rates this year, bank stocks could be the one sector that really benefits. Most investors might choose the State Street Financials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF 0.08%) to add exposure. I believe the Invesco KBW Bank ETF (KBWB +0.02%) is the better exchange-traded fund (ETF) to buy. The U.S. inflation rate hit 3.8% in April, the highest annualized reading since May 2023. ...
If the Federal Reserve hikes rates this year, bank stocks could be the one sector that really benefits. Most investors might choose the State Street Financials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF 0.08%) to add exposure. I believe the Invesco KBW Bank ETF (KBWB +0.02%) is the better exchange-traded fund (ETF) to buy. The U.S. inflation rate hit 3.8% in April, the highest annualized reading since May 2023. Brent crude oil prices are up more than 60% year to date. Oil is back below $100 a barrel for now, but any further geopolitical tensions could send it back to triple-digits. December rate hike odds have climbed to roughly 50% as expectations for cuts have essentially disappeared. This inflation cycle is unusual. Because inflation is concentrated mostly in the energy sector, rate hikes may or may not lower inflation rates. They may end up just slowing the economy. But they do widen the spread between what banks earn on loans and what they pay on deposits. That margin expansion can happen whether rate hikes cool inflation or not. Right now, gross domestic product (GDP) remains positive and corporate earnings growth is strong. That means the economy can absorb a hike or two without significant damage. That creates a positive setup for bank stocks. KBWB vs. XLF: Investing in banks versus financials When investors want financials exposure ahead of a rate hike, most go with a broad financial sector ETF. That'll give you exposure to the entire sector, not just banking. The State Street Financials Select Sector SPDR ETF can invest in financial services, insurance, capital markets, consumer finance, and even mortgage real estate investment trusts (REITs) in addition to banks. Banks, in fact, only account for about 27% of the fund. Its top holding, Berkshire Hathaway, is a conglomerate whose earnings have no connection to spreads. Another big holding, Visa, gets its revenue from spending volumes, not interest rates. The exposure is very different. The Invesco KBW Bank ETF tracks a co...
Key Points Big bank stocks have performed well over the past year as inflation and geopolitical risks have risen. Banks can benefit in the current environment as the rates on loans begin to drift higher. The Invesco KBW Bank ETF offers the best way to play a rate-hiking cycle with its focus on big banks. 10 stocks we like better than Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II - Invesco Kbw Bank ETF › I...
Key Points Big bank stocks have performed well over the past year as inflation and geopolitical risks have risen. Banks can benefit in the current environment as the rates on loans begin to drift higher. The Invesco KBW Bank ETF offers the best way to play a rate-hiking cycle with its focus on big banks. 10 stocks we like better than Invesco Exchange-Traded Fund Trust II - Invesco Kbw Bank ETF › If the Federal Reserve hikes rates this year, bank stocks could be the one sector that really benefits. Most investors might choose the State Street Financials Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEMKT: XLF) to add exposure. I believe the Invesco KBW Bank ETF (NASDAQ: KBWB) is the better exchange-traded fund (ETF) to buy. The U.S. inflation rate hit 3.8% in April, the highest annualized reading since May 2023. Brent crude oil prices are up more than 60% year to date. Oil is back below $100 a barrel for now, but any further geopolitical tensions could send it back to triple-digits. December rate hike odds have climbed to roughly 50% as expectations for cuts have essentially disappeared. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue » This inflation cycle is unusual. Because inflation is concentrated mostly in the energy sector, rate hikes may or may not lower inflation rates. They may end up just slowing the economy. But they do widen the spread between what banks earn on loans and what they pay on deposits. That margin expansion can happen whether rate hikes cool inflation or not. Right now, gross domestic product (GDP) remains positive and corporate earnings growth is strong. That means the economy can absorb a hike or two without significant damage. That creates a positive setup for bank stocks. KBWB vs. XLF: Investing in banks versus financials When investors want financials exposure ahead of a rate hike, most go...
The raging semiconductor rally received another boost this week when UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri raised his price target on Micron Technology Inc. NASDAQ: MU to a stunning $1625, nearly triple its previous target. The stock was trading under $800 at the time of the upgrade, so the new target represented an upside of more than 100% and a company valuation of over $1.8 trillion. Get Micron Technology...
The raging semiconductor rally received another boost this week when UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri raised his price target on Micron Technology Inc. NASDAQ: MU to a stunning $1625, nearly triple its previous target. The stock was trading under $800 at the time of the upgrade, so the new target represented an upside of more than 100% and a company valuation of over $1.8 trillion. Get Micron Technology alerts: Sign Up MU shares rallied nearly 20% the following day, and the entire industry seemed to join in, as the iShares PHLX Semiconductor ETF NASDAQ: SOXX accelerated 6%. When the entire industry seems to rally every day, it's easy for undeserving companies to get caught in the wave and soar to new all-time highs. But it's also crucial to remember Warren Buffett's quote about what happens when the wave recedes: you find out who’s been swimming without proper attire. Why UBS Boosted Their MU Price Target by 200% Arcuri’s May 26 MU price target boost reflected his view that high-bandwidth memory (HBM) is undergoing a fundamental shift from a cyclical semiconductor business to one driven by long-term AI infrastructure demand. Instead of a cyclical manufacturing industry, HBM now has structural growth tailwinds led by two key factors: Long-term Revenue Visibility: AI hyperscalers are running into HBM backlogs and are more willing to lock in long-term agreements for supply and access to next-gen products. Micron already has agreements in place for its entire 2026 HBM supply. Concentrated Supply Chain: Producing HBM products at a large scale is a capability currently possessed by only three companies: Micron, Samsung Electronics Ltd. OTCMKTS: SSNLF, and SK Hynix. In its Q1 2026 earnings report, Micron projects that data center demand for HBM will exceed $100 billion by 2028, more than three times the $35 billion in HBM sales to data centers in 2025. Given these secure, long-term agreements and heavy supply concentration, Arcuri argues that MU shares are worth a valuation simi...
wavemovies Wix.com ( WIX ) CEO Avishai Abrahami took to X on Thursday to confirm the technology company is letting go of 20% of its workforce, with the reduction stemming from currency fluctuations and artificial intelligence. Wix shares rose 1% in early trading on Thursday. “In the past few quarters the exchange rate between the Shekel and the US dollar has shifted significantly as the Israeli Sh...
wavemovies Wix.com ( WIX ) CEO Avishai Abrahami took to X on Thursday to confirm the technology company is letting go of 20% of its workforce, with the reduction stemming from currency fluctuations and artificial intelligence. Wix shares rose 1% in early trading on Thursday. “In the past few quarters the exchange rate between the Shekel and the US dollar has shifted significantly as the Israeli Shekel strengthens against the US Dollar almost every day,” Abrahami wrote in a post on X . “As the majority of our teams are Israel-based, a very meaningful portion of our costs are shekel-denominated, while our revenue is largely dollar-denominated. This creates a structural pressure on our ability to operate at our current scale. It is a reality that directly shapes what is sustainable for our company.” Abrahami also said that AI is fast evolving, and Wix has seen “the most significant shift” in how companies are built since the 1970s. “We are moving to a structure with fewer levels between any member of our leadership and the most junior person on the team,” Abrahami added. “Fewer layers means faster decisions, clearer ownership, and less distance between the people setting direction and the people building the product—but it also means a smaller number of people. It is clear to us that in this new era, companies need to make this change in order to lead and compete or risk falling behind. We are choosing to compete. It is a painful change, a change that touches the lives of many, but I truly believe we have no other choice—we must evolve.” Multiple Israeli news outlets reported earlier this month that Wix was planning to ax around 1,000 jobs in the not-too-distant future. The website-building company recently reported first-quarter results that missed estimates by a significant margin, which led to its shares losing a third of their value in the subsequent session. Shares are down nearly 50% since the beginning of the year amid growing fears of the so-called SaaSpocalyps...
The number of people in England struck by salmonella poisoning after eating contaminated food has reached its highest level for a decade. There were 10,406 laboratory-confirmed cases last year of non-typhoidal salmonella, the type of the bacteria that is caused by contaminated foods such as meat, poultry and eggs. That was 26% up on the 8,242 cases in 2016 and just above the 10,389 in 2024. The ra...
The number of people in England struck by salmonella poisoning after eating contaminated food has reached its highest level for a decade. There were 10,406 laboratory-confirmed cases last year of non-typhoidal salmonella, the type of the bacteria that is caused by contaminated foods such as meat, poultry and eggs. That was 26% up on the 8,242 cases in 2016 and just above the 10,389 in 2024. The rate of salmonella infection has also increased over that time from 14.9 per 100,000 people in 2016 to 17.8 per 100,000 in 2025. The UK Health Security Agency, which released the figures, highlighted the consistently high numbers of people with food poisoning caused by salmonella and campylobacter, another bacteria. The agency urged people to practise good hygiene habits to reduce their risk of suffering the debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhoea and vomiting as well as a high temperature, caused by bacteria in contaminated food. Although the number of cases of campylobacter infections fell year-on-year from 70,392 to 69,394, the UKHSA said they remained stubbornly high. Dr Gauri Godbole, the UKHSA’s deputy director for gastrointestinal infections, said: “We are seeing consistently high levels of gastrointestinal infections in England. These infections spread in many ways – through contaminated food or water, contact with an infected person or contact with infected animals or their environment. “Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet, handling raw meat, eating, and contact with animals or farms, can help prevent infection.” Foodborne outbreak data that the agency published today show that outbreaks of 13 types of salmonella bacteria during 2025 left 269 people unwell. Thirty-three needed to be admitted to hospital for treatment but none died. Four of the outbreaks occurred across England as a whole. The sources of the other outbreaks included four restaurants, a takeaway, a hospital, a nursery and a prison, all of ...
(RTTNews) - A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rose by slightly more than expected in the week ended May 23rd. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims climbed to 215,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level of 210,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to rise to 213,000 from the 209,00...
(RTTNews) - A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits rose by slightly more than expected in the week ended May 23rd. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims climbed to 215,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level of 210,000. Economists had expected jobless claims to rise to 213,000 from the 209,000 originally reported for the previous week. "The latest jobless claims figures are largely consistent with other labor market indicators showing a stable-to-improving job market, allowing the Fed to keep policy steady while it focuses on the inflation side of its dual mandate," said Nancy Vanden Houten, Lead US Economist at Oxford Economics. She added, "However, nothing in the labor market data suggests conditions are tightening enough to justify a rate hike." The report said the less volatile four-week moving average also rose to 209,000, an increase of 6,250 from the previous week's revised average of 202,750. Continuing claims, a reading on the number of people receiving ongoing unemployment assistance, also climbed by 15,000 to 1.786 million in the week ended May 16th. The four-week moving average of continuing claims also crept up to 1,772,750, an increase of 2,500 from the previous week's revised average of 1,770,250. The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
Quick Read Intel (INTC) posted Q1 revenue of $13.6B (up 7.2% YoY) with Data Center AI revenue jumping 22% to $5.052B, but reported a $3.728B GAAP net loss tied to Mobileye goodwill impairment. AMD (AMD) delivered $10.253B revenue (up 37.9% YoY) with Data Center surging 57% to $5.775B, non-GAAP EPS of $1.37 beating estimates, and free cash flow exploding 252% to $2.566B. AMD is converting TSMC capa...
Quick Read Intel (INTC) posted Q1 revenue of $13.6B (up 7.2% YoY) with Data Center AI revenue jumping 22% to $5.052B, but reported a $3.728B GAAP net loss tied to Mobileye goodwill impairment. AMD (AMD) delivered $10.253B revenue (up 37.9% YoY) with Data Center surging 57% to $5.775B, non-GAAP EPS of $1.37 beating estimates, and free cash flow exploding 252% to $2.566B. AMD is converting TSMC capacity directly into operating leverage with 55% gross margins and signed multi-gigawatt AI accelerator deals, while Intel remains in turnaround mode spending heavily on foundry buildout with uncertain profitability. Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and AMD didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today. Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) and AMD (NASDAQ:AMD) both reported Q1 2026 earnings in the past month, and the results tell two very different stories about how x86 chipmakers are riding the AI buildout. Intel is mid-turnaround under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, leaning on foundry ambitions and CPU partnerships. AMD is already cashing checks on AI accelerators, with Data Center now its profit engine. Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and AMD didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today. Restructuring Pain at Intel, Pure Acceleration at AMD Intel posted revenue of $13.6 billion, up 7.2% YoY, with Data Center and AI jumping 22% YoY to $5.052 billion. The headline ugly was a $3.728 billion GAAP net loss tied to a $4.07 billion Mobileye goodwill impairment. Lip-Bu Tan framed it as deliberate, saying the quarter marked a "sixth consecutive quarter of revenue above our expectations." Non-GAAP gross margin came in at 41%, up 1.8 percentage points, which is progress but still a long way from competitive. AMD looked like a different species. Revenue hit $10.253 billion, growing 37.9% YoY, with Data Center surging 57% to $5.775 billion. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.37 beat the $1.29 estimate, and free cash flow exploded ...
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) and AMD (NASDAQ:AMD) both reported Q1 2026 earnings in the past month, and the results tell two very different stories about how x86 chipmakers are riding the AI buildout. Intel is mid-turnaround under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, leaning on foundry ambitions and CPU partnerships. AMD is already cashing checks on AI accelerators, with ... Intel vs AMD: The Ideal Long-Term Investment
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) and AMD (NASDAQ:AMD) both reported Q1 2026 earnings in the past month, and the results tell two very different stories about how x86 chipmakers are riding the AI buildout. Intel is mid-turnaround under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, leaning on foundry ambitions and CPU partnerships. AMD is already cashing checks on AI accelerators, with ... Intel vs AMD: The Ideal Long-Term Investment
PM Images New home sales declined 6.2% M/M to 622K, falling short of the 662K consensus, from the prior month's 663K (revised from 682K), according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday. Year-over-year, the April level is down 11.3% from 701K. New houses for sale at the end of April were 489K (+1.7% from March's estimate of 481K). Year-over-year, the estimate is down 2.2%. Median ...
PM Images New home sales declined 6.2% M/M to 622K, falling short of the 662K consensus, from the prior month's 663K (revised from 682K), according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday. Year-over-year, the April level is down 11.3% from 701K. New houses for sale at the end of April were 489K (+1.7% from March's estimate of 481K). Year-over-year, the estimate is down 2.2%. Median sales price of new houses sold was $422.5K, up 8.0% month-over-month. The average sales price was $508.8K, 0.7% higher than in March. More on Housing Housing demand remains strong even with rate volatility - analyst Homebuilding stocks surge after House passes amended housing bill Lowe's seen capitalizing on aging housing market, demand for professional renos -- analysts