imaginima/iStock via Getty Images Thesis AeroVironment ( AVAV ) gets a hold at current levels, near $158. The company occupies the nexus of a generational shift in warfare away from costly legacy systems and toward cheap, disposable, AI-enabled drones, but near-term margin volatility, program uncertainty around the SCAR contract, and aggressive valuation keep me from upgrading to buy at these leve...
imaginima/iStock via Getty Images Thesis AeroVironment ( AVAV ) gets a hold at current levels, near $158. The company occupies the nexus of a generational shift in warfare away from costly legacy systems and toward cheap, disposable, AI-enabled drones, but near-term margin volatility, program uncertainty around the SCAR contract, and aggressive valuation keep me from upgrading to buy at these levels. I would be a buyer at $150–$152 and would sell if operating margins declined below 14% for two consecutive quarters. YCharts Company Overview AeroVironment, based in Arlington, Virginia, is another small drone business with a long history of designing and producing small unmanned aircraft systems for information gathering and target acquisition. Recently, the company has shown growing interest in counter-drone and directed-energy technologies. AeroVironment's most well-known recent technology is its line of Switchblade tube-launched loitering munitions. The Switchblade system's three variants include the 300, which is designed to knock out “softer targets”; the 600, which is designed to engage armored vehicles; and the 400, which can be used for medium-range anti-armor missions. AeroVironment produces other reconnaissance platforms, including the JUMP 20-X and VAPOR. Since the BlueHalo merger, AeroVironment has expanded into space, cyber, and directed-energy technology fields. The operational environment is simple: the current battlefields in Ukraine and the Middle East have shown that a low-cost, disposable drone system and loitering weapons can force an attrition against legacy air defenses. It is not a distant future scenario; it's happening already. AeroVironment stands to gain from that spending trend with battle-proven products already in combat. YCharts Financial Picture The latest quarter resulted in revenues of $454.7 million. This is a very positive revenue growth trend from the year-ago quarter and reflects that the topline story continues to be firmly on tra...
The first phase of the current artificial intelligence (AI) boom was all about training the foundational large language models (LLMs) needed to help answer queries and perform tasks. Training these AI models required a ton of processing power, which is where Nvidia (NVDA +1.76%) and its graphics processing units (GPUs) shone. Not only are Nvidia's GPUs powerful, but the company also smartly seeded...
The first phase of the current artificial intelligence (AI) boom was all about training the foundational large language models (LLMs) needed to help answer queries and perform tasks. Training these AI models required a ton of processing power, which is where Nvidia (NVDA +1.76%) and its graphics processing units (GPUs) shone. Not only are Nvidia's GPUs powerful, but the company also smartly seeded its CUDA software platform in places where early AI research was being done. This led to most early foundational code being written on its software and optimized for its chips, giving it a huge moat and making it the biggest AI winner. While AI model training remains important, this AI-focused market is starting to shift toward inference and agentic AI. New winners will emerge as factors such as memory, central processing units (CPUs), and cost per inference become more important. Let's look at three AI stocks that could become the next big AI winners. AMD: An agentic AI and inference winner The shift toward agentic AI and inference plays to Advanced Micro Devices' (AMD +7.61%) strengths. First, both require much higher CPU-to-GPU ratios: training at about 1:8, inference at around 1:4, and agentic AI at 1:1. AMD is the leader in the high-performance data center CPU market, so this is a huge tailwind for the company. On top of that, data center CPU prices should also be on the rise, as agentic AI needs more cores (sort of like individual workplaces with the chips), which should raise prices. Expand NASDAQ : AMD Advanced Micro Devices Today's Change ( 7.61 %) $ 31.50 Current Price $ 445.55 Key Data Points Market Cap $675B Day's Range $ 426.75 - $ 448.72 52wk Range $ 107.67 - $ 469.21 Volume 744K Avg Vol 39M Gross Margin 47.09 % AMD's chiplet GPUs, meanwhile, pack in more memory, which makes them ideal for inference, which tends to be more memory-bound than processing-bound. With large GPU inference deals in place, the company is set to be a winner in inference and agentic AI...
Investors in MediaAlpha, Inc. MAX need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Aug 21, 2026 $17.50 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today. What is Implied Volatility? Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility sugges...
Investors in MediaAlpha, Inc. MAX need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Aug 21, 2026 $17.50 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today. What is Implied Volatility? Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell-off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy. What do the Analysts Think? Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for MediaAlpha shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, MediaAlpha is a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) in the Technology Services industry that ranks in the Bottom 30% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter has moved from 24 cents per share to 23 cents in that period. Given the way analysts feel about MediaAlpha right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Oftentimes, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected. Looking to Trade Options? Check out the simple yet high-powered approach that Zacks Executive VP Kevin Matras has used to close recent double and triple-digit winners. In addition to impressive profit potential, these trades can actually reduce your risk. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) : Fr...
Torsten Asmus U.S. Treasury yields retreated sharply on Wednesday, reversing part of the previous session’s surge that had pushed long-dated borrowing costs to multi-decade highs as investors moved back into bonds amid easing geopolitical concerns. The benchmark U.S. 10-Year Treasury yield ( US10Y ) fell nine basis points to 4.58%, while the rate-sensitive U.S. 2-Year Treasury yield ( US2Y ) decli...
Torsten Asmus U.S. Treasury yields retreated sharply on Wednesday, reversing part of the previous session’s surge that had pushed long-dated borrowing costs to multi-decade highs as investors moved back into bonds amid easing geopolitical concerns. The benchmark U.S. 10-Year Treasury yield ( US10Y ) fell nine basis points to 4.58%, while the rate-sensitive U.S. 2-Year Treasury yield ( US2Y ) declined seven basis points to 4.05%. Meanwhile, the longer-end U.S. 30-Year Treasury yield ( US30Y ) slipped six basis points to 5.11%, backing away from levels that earlier in the week marked its highest point in roughly 19 years. Bond prices strengthened after comments from U.S. President Donald Trump suggested progress in diplomatic negotiations with Iran. According to a White House report, Trump said the United States is in the “final stages” of talks with Iran, helping improve investor sentiment and fueling demand for safer assets such as Treasurys. The move lower in yields follows Tuesday’s sharp climb across the curve, when concerns surrounding inflation, government debt levels, and fiscal uncertainty pressured fixed-income markets. Fixed Income ETFs: ( TLT ), ( TLH ), ( IEF ), ( IEI ), ( SHY ), ( SGOV ), ( SCHO ), ( BIL ), ( AGG ), ( BND ), ( VCIT ), ( MUB ), ( MBB ), ( JNK ), ( LQD ), ( HYG ), ( VTIP ), ( TIP ), ( SCHP ), ( STIP ), ( TIPX ), ( SPIP ), ( WIP ), ( GTIP ), ( LQDI ), and ( RINF ). More on markets Oil, yields, and the dollar form a triple threat against gold prices Only two sectors are driving the S&P 500 bull market higher since 2022 Fed hike fears grow as swaps signal over 80% chance of tightening by end of 2026 Value or Growth? These 20 stocks offer both as markets hover near record highs Magnificent Seven poised for technical breakout despite Dow struggles, Oppenheimer says
PPL Corporation’s PPL shares have gained 1% in the past six months compared with the Zacks Utility-Electric Power industry’s rise of 17.6%. The company also underperformed the Zacks Utilities sector in the same time frame. PPL Corporation has delivered an average negative earnings surprise of 2.07% over the past four quarters, while increasing competition in the transmission business could continu...
PPL Corporation’s PPL shares have gained 1% in the past six months compared with the Zacks Utility-Electric Power industry’s rise of 17.6%. The company also underperformed the Zacks Utilities sector in the same time frame. PPL Corporation has delivered an average negative earnings surprise of 2.07% over the past four quarters, while increasing competition in the transmission business could continue to pressure its operations. Yet, the company stands to benefit from growing data center demand, especially in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, where such facilities require substantial electricity consumption. Price Performance (One Year) Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Another operator in the same space, FirstEnergy Corp. FE, is making a substantial investment to strengthen its infrastructure to provide reliable services to customers. The company’s earnings surpassed estimates in three out of the past four reporting quarters and its shares have gained 5.5% in the past year. Should investors consider adding PPL to their portfolio based on the current softness in price movements? Let us delve deeper and find out the factors that can help investors decide whether it is a good entry point to add PPL stock to their portfolios. Factors Strengthening PPL Corporation’s Outlook PPL is also benefiting from economic growth and rising data center demand across its service territories. In Pennsylvania, advanced-stage data center demand has increased to nearly 28.3 gigawatt (“GW”) from 25.2 GW, while Kentucky’s economic development pipeline now indicates potential load growth of 12.9 GW through 2032, up from the earlier estimate of 8.5 GW. PPL Corporation plans to invest nearly $23 billion between 2026 and 2029, targeting an average annual rate base growth of around 10.3% through 2029. The company’s focus on generation, transmission and distribution projects, along with ongoing infrastructure upgrades, has helped improve service reliability and reduce customer outages. More than 60%...
Digital payments continue to gain share in global commerce as consumers and businesses increasingly shift toward card-based and embedded payment solutions. At the same time, rising cross-border spending, the expansion of digital wallets and continued fintech adoption are reshaping the competitive landscape for payment network operators, placing greater focus on transaction volumes, international e...
Digital payments continue to gain share in global commerce as consumers and businesses increasingly shift toward card-based and embedded payment solutions. At the same time, rising cross-border spending, the expansion of digital wallets and continued fintech adoption are reshaping the competitive landscape for payment network operators, placing greater focus on transaction volumes, international exposure and technology investments. Visa Inc. V and Mastercard Incorporated MA remain two of the largest players in the global payments ecosystem, benefiting from scalable network models and broad acceptance across markets. While both companies operate asset-light businesses tied to electronic payment growth, they differ in areas such as geographic mix, partnership strategy, value-added services and exposure to cross-border transactions. Let’s dive deep and closely compare the fundamentals of the two stocks to determine which stock is more attractive now. The Case for Visa Visa continues to benefit from strong momentum across consumer payments, commercial payments and money movement solutions. The company reported solid growth in Visa Direct transactions, commercial payment volumes and cross-border eCommerce activity during the quarter, supported by expanding partnerships with fintechs, digital wallets and global financial institutions. Visa is also broadening its ecosystem through products such as Visa Flex Credential and Visa as a Service, helping it capture both carded and non-carded payment flows. In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, payments volume rose 8% year over year, along with 12% and 9% growth in cross-border volume and processed transactions, respectively. This network effect, combined with broad acceptance and issuer relationships, underpins a highly scalable, asset-light model with strong operating leverage. It beat earnings in each of the past four quarters with an average surprise of 3.2%. Visa Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Visa Inc. price-consens...
伊朗局勢｜稱與伊談判踏最後階段 特朗普：願意多等待數天 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】美國總統特朗普稱跟伊朗的談判進入最後階段，願意花多數天等待伊朗回覆停火方案。 特朗普在海岸防衛隊學院畢業禮致辭...
伊朗局勢｜稱與伊談判踏最後階段 特朗普：願意多等待數天 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 【有線新聞】美國總統特朗普稱跟伊朗的談判進入最後階段，願意花多數天等待伊朗回覆停火方案。 特朗普在海岸防衛隊學院畢業禮致辭時，稱美軍已剷除伊朗空軍及海軍，聲稱雙方正處於恢復戰鬥或達成協議的邊緣，強調美國要得到伊朗正確答覆，否則會很快採取行動。 美媒報道卡塔爾及巴基斯坦近期向美伊提出修訂版停火備忘錄，目的是收窄雙方分歧。伊朗外交部指正審視美國新提出的停火建議，革命衛隊則警告若美國再侵略伊朗，戰事將蔓延至區外。
A sharp drop in volatility in the US dollar is pushing traders in the $9.5-trillion-a-day currency market toward carry wagers and bets on relative value in search of profits. Even as the war in Iran and surging oil prices sends global bond markets tumbling, the world’s reserve currency is trading about flat against its major peers this year. One aggregated measure of currency swings, the JPMorgan ...
A sharp drop in volatility in the US dollar is pushing traders in the $9.5-trillion-a-day currency market toward carry wagers and bets on relative value in search of profits. Even as the war in Iran and surging oil prices sends global bond markets tumbling, the world’s reserve currency is trading about flat against its major peers this year. One aggregated measure of currency swings, the JPMorgan Global FX Volatility Index, is near its lowest level since 2024. That’s pushing traders to embrace bets — like carry and relative-value trades — that profit from small spreads or yield differentials, which are more likely to persist when major currencies are holding steady. “You just have to be nimble and trade in smaller size,” said Leah Traub , a portfolio manager and head of the currency team at Lord Abbett & Co, which manages some $250 billion in assets. The current environment is ideal for “active, relative-value currency management,” said Jörn Kleinhans, a tax and investment strategist at Scorpio Tax Management who previously worked in fixed income at Pimco and Invesco. Relative value strategies look to capture mispricings across exchange rates and other fundamental factors on the view that they will eventually return to normal. That could involve playing two emerging-market currencies off against each other, or a pair of currencies in the same region that have similar economic profiles but different foreign-exchange valuations. “With the dollar caught between cyclical support and structural headwinds, relative value trades offer far better opportunities than outright dollar calls,” Rohit Arora , head of Asia FX and rates strategy at UBS AG, wrote in a note last week. At Wells Fargo, Alvaro Vivanco and his team recommend traders buy the South African rand versus the Mexican peso. The rand is attractive, he said, given that it offers both exposure to higher commodity prices and a hawkish Reserve Bank relative to the Banco de México ’s more dovish stance. Meanwhile, lon...
The memory industry has mostly remained cyclical. However, now artificial intelligence (AI) is consuming memory at a pace that might be difficult to sustain for years. Advanced AI systems require significantly larger memory to function, and memory-chip companies like Micron (MU) are capitalizing on this. Micron Technology designs and manufactures the chips that store, move, and process data inside...
The memory industry has mostly remained cyclical. However, now artificial intelligence (AI) is consuming memory at a pace that might be difficult to sustain for years. Advanced AI systems require significantly larger memory to function, and memory-chip companies like Micron (MU) are capitalizing on this. Micron Technology designs and manufactures the chips that store, move, and process data inside devices. Its products include DRAM memory, NAND flash storage, and high-bandwidth memory (HBM). Micron shares have surged an eye-popping 153% year-to-date, and 637% over the past year. But its fiscal Q2 earnings implies this rally may just be the beginning. I believe the stock still does not fully reflect how dramatically the memory market is changing. The HBM Opportunity Could Be Huge In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Micron reported a 196% year-over-year increase in revenue to $23.9 billion. The quarter also marked the largest sequential increase of 75%, with sales rising by $10.2 billion in just one quarter. DRAM contributed 79% to total revenue, generating a record $18.8 billion in sales. NAND also generated $5 billion in sales. But the most drastic improvement was in profitability. Adjusted earnings-per-share climbed to $12.20 per share from $1.56 in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin also expanded to 75%, nearly doubling from the prior-year quarter. Micron’s HBM is its prized jewel. These are ultra-fast stacked memory chips used in advanced AI accelerators and GPUs from companies like Nvidia (NVDA). HBM helps AI systems rapidly process massive datasets during training and inference workloads. At Nvidia’s GTC (GPU Technology Conference), Micron announced that it had begun mass shipments of its HBM4 36GB 12-Hi memory solution built for NVIDIA’s Vera Rubin platform. One of the reasons why I like Micron is how quickly the company is progressing generations of HBM. The company stated that volume production for HBM4E is expected to begin in 2027. Micron Is Preparing fo...
The memory industry has mostly remained cyclical. However, now artificial intelligence (AI) is consuming memory at a pace that might be difficult to sustain for years. Advanced AI systems require significantly larger memory to function, and memory-chip companies like Micron (MU) are capitalizing on this. Micron Technology designs and manufactures the chips that store, move, and process data inside...
The memory industry has mostly remained cyclical. However, now artificial intelligence (AI) is consuming memory at a pace that might be difficult to sustain for years. Advanced AI systems require significantly larger memory to function, and memory-chip companies like Micron (MU) are capitalizing on this. Micron Technology designs and manufactures the chips that store, move, and process data inside devices. Its products include DRAM memory, NAND flash storage, and high-bandwidth memory (HBM). Micron shares have surged an eye-popping 153% year-to-date, and 637% over the past year. But its fiscal Q2 earnings implies this rally may just be the beginning. I believe the stock still does not fully reflect how dramatically the memory market is changing. The HBM Opportunity Could Be Huge In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Micron reported a 196% year-over-year increase in revenue to $23.9 billion. The quarter also marked the largest sequential increase of 75%, with sales rising by $10.2 billion in just one quarter. DRAM contributed 79% to total revenue, generating a record $18.8 billion in sales. NAND also generated $5 billion in sales. But the most drastic improvement was in profitability. Adjusted earnings-per-share climbed to $12.20 per share from $1.56 in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin also expanded to 75%, nearly doubling from the prior-year quarter. Micron’s HBM is its prized jewel. These are ultra-fast stacked memory chips used in advanced AI accelerators and GPUs from companies like Nvidia (NVDA). HBM helps AI systems rapidly process massive datasets during training and inference workloads. At Nvidia’s GTC (GPU Technology Conference), Micron announced that it had begun mass shipments of its HBM4 36GB 12-Hi memory solution built for NVIDIA’s Vera Rubin platform. One of the reasons why I like Micron is how quickly the company is progressing generations of HBM. The company stated that volume production for HBM4E is expected to begin in 2027. Micron Is Preparing fo...
If you attach a GPS tracker to a “widely recyclable” plastic Starbucks cup and drop it in an in-store recycling bin, you might expect it to end up in a recycling plant, but environmental watchdog organization Beyond Plastics says that’s not the case in a new report. Starbucks announced that their plastic cups were now considered “widely recyclable” earlier this year, according to How2Recycle, a gr...
If you attach a GPS tracker to a “widely recyclable” plastic Starbucks cup and drop it in an in-store recycling bin, you might expect it to end up in a recycling plant, but environmental watchdog organization Beyond Plastics says that’s not the case in a new report. Starbucks announced that their plastic cups were now considered “widely recyclable” earlier this year, according to How2Recycle, a group affiliated with the consumer packaging industry that helps private companies label their packaging with recycling options. The coffee giant touted the achievement as a “big milestone, with huge impact”. In response, researchers and volunteers with Beyond Plastics, whose mission is to “end plastic pollution everywhere”, conducted an investigation between January and March 2026 to determine whether the plastic Starbucks to-go cups for cold drinks were actually being recycled. “I used Bluetooth-enabled trackers,” said study lead Susan Keefe. “And I glued them into the cups using Gorilla Glue and dropped them into the actual custom-labeled recycling bins in the Starbucks stores. And then you can follow them on your phone.” Keefe and a group of volunteers tracked 53 polypropylene plastic cups starting in recycling bins at Starbucks locations across nine states and Washington DC. Each recycling bin had signs clearly indicating these specific cups could be recycled. The results were stunning: not one cup ended up at a recycling facility. Of the 36 trackers that reached a final destination intact, none were located at a recycling facility. Instead, Beyond Plastics said 16 trackers pinged from landfills, nine from incinerators, eight at waste-transfer stations (a stop on the way to a landfill or incinerator), and three to a materials recovery facility (which bales but not recycles plastics). The plastic cup with the longest journey traveled from a Williamsburg, Brooklyn, location all the way to a landfill in Amsterdam, Ohio. “To come out and just say: ‘Oh, these cups are widely ...
The Avantis International Large Cap Value ETF is seeing unusually high volume in afternoon trading Wednesday, with over 1.3 million shares traded versus three month average volume of about 117,000. Shares of AVIV were up about 1.2% on the day. Components of that ETF with the highest volume on Wednesday were Carnival, trading up about 8% with over 26.8 million shares changing hands so far this sess...
The Avantis International Large Cap Value ETF is seeing unusually high volume in afternoon trading Wednesday, with over 1.3 million shares traded versus three month average volume of about 117,000. Shares of AVIV were up about 1.2% on the day. Components of that ETF with the highest volume on Wednesday were Carnival, trading up about 8% with over 26.8 million shares changing hands so far this session, and Lloyds Banking Group, up about 5.1% on volume of over 13.4 million shares. Equinor is lagging other components of the Avantis International Large Cap Value ETF Wednesday, trading lower by about 3.4%. VIDEO: Wednesday's ETF with Unusual Volume: AVIV The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
He told MPs the Labour Party was "in the fight of its life" against Reform UK and against Nigel Farage's aim of "dismantling the NHS", before attacking the "nationalist" parties now in control in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, saying Labour was in a fight "for the soul of the country".
He told MPs the Labour Party was "in the fight of its life" against Reform UK and against Nigel Farage's aim of "dismantling the NHS", before attacking the "nationalist" parties now in control in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, saying Labour was in a fight "for the soul of the country".
President Prabowo delivers an economic speech during a plenary session at the parliament building in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 20, 2026. Photo: VCG Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced Wednesday that the government will centralize the export of key commodities, including palm oil and coal, through a single state-owned enterprise to seize global pricing power and boost state revenues. T...
President Prabowo delivers an economic speech during a plenary session at the parliament building in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 20, 2026. Photo: VCG Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced Wednesday that the government will centralize the export of key commodities, including palm oil and coal, through a single state-owned enterprise to seize global pricing power and boost state revenues. The sweeping trade overhaul highlights Jakarta’s increasingly aggressive resource nationalism as it battles a historic currency slump and mounting fiscal pressures, a strategy that is already triggering intense backlash from major foreign investors.
A 67-year-old retiree comparing core bond funds usually meets two pitches: PIMCO’s actively managed lineup, or the Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NASDAQ:BND). BND sounds boring next to a star manager promising credit selection and tactical duration calls, yet it owns roughly 11,000 individual bonds across the investment-grade U.S. market for 0.03% a year. On ... Vanguard’s 0.07% BND Bond ETF Is O...
A 67-year-old retiree comparing core bond funds usually meets two pitches: PIMCO’s actively managed lineup, or the Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NASDAQ:BND). BND sounds boring next to a star manager promising credit selection and tactical duration calls, yet it owns roughly 11,000 individual bonds across the investment-grade U.S. market for 0.03% a year. On ... Vanguard’s 0.07% BND Bond ETF Is Outperforming Active Pimco at One Tenth the Cost
StanChart CEO Scrambles Into Damage Control After "Lower-Value Human Capital" Comment Triggers Backlash Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters and his team spent Wednesday in damage-control mode after the head of the London-based international bank told investors on Tuesday that artificial intelligence would be used to replace "lower-value human capital," sparking a backlash online. "Many of you will...
StanChart CEO Scrambles Into Damage Control After "Lower-Value Human Capital" Comment Triggers Backlash Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters and his team spent Wednesday in damage-control mode after the head of the London-based international bank told investors on Tuesday that artificial intelligence would be used to replace "lower-value human capital," sparking a backlash online. "Many of you will have seen media coverage following the Investor Event in Hong Kong, particularly the reporting around automation, AI, and workforce changes," Winters wrote in an internal memo to employees on Wednesday that was seen by Bloomberg . He continued, "I know this may be unsettling when reduced to simple headlines or a quote out of context." The outrage stems from STAN's Tuesday announcement to cut 15% of its corporate roles (about 7,800 jobs) by 2030 as part of a broader efficiency push amid the adoption of AI. During the investor event, Winters said, "It's not cost-cutting, it's replacing low-value human capital with financial and investment capital." The substitution of workers in favor of machines "will accelerate as we go forward into AI." Bloomberg noted that Winters' memo sent to workers earlier today "adopted a more empathetic tone, emphasizing the bank's commitment to supporting its workforce during the transition." That memo read, "We will continue to invest in technology, platforms, and automation to improve how we operate, serve clients and position the Bank for long-term growth. I want to be absolutely clear that the future of Standard Chartered depends on the talent, judgment, relationships, and commitment of you, our colleagues." “It’s not cost cutting; it’s replacing in some cases lower-value human capital” Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters delivered a blunt message on the future of the bank’s workforce. @aishagani explains the growing trend among finance leaders acknowledging the realities of AI… pic.twitter.com/j55u4uPdZR — Bloomberg (@business) May 19, 2026 S...
Fidelity National Information Services Inc. FIS is accelerating its cloud transformation strategy with the launch of Enterprise Risk Suite on Amazon Web Services (AWS). The new offering introduces a cloud-native risk management platform designed to help financial institutions access the latest software capabilities without the disruption of traditional upgrade cycles. As market volatility and regu...
Fidelity National Information Services Inc. FIS is accelerating its cloud transformation strategy with the launch of Enterprise Risk Suite on Amazon Web Services (AWS). The new offering introduces a cloud-native risk management platform designed to help financial institutions access the latest software capabilities without the disruption of traditional upgrade cycles. As market volatility and regulatory scrutiny intensify globally, the ability to run uninterrupted risk operations is becoming a critical requirement for banks, insurers and capital market firms. The platform operates through a continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) framework, allowing institutions to automatically access the latest software version without lengthy upgrade processes or system disruptions. This approach modernizes how enterprise risk systems are deployed and maintained, replacing traditional upgrade cycles that often required additional time, resources and operational adjustments. Built on a microservices-based cloud architecture, the suite enables firms to scale computing capacity according to workload demands. Financial institutions can run larger and more complex calculations while accessing additional processing power during periods of elevated market activity. The cloud-based structure also reduces dependence on costly on-premise infrastructure. The launch further strengthens FIS’ standing in enterprise risk technology following its recognition as a Category Leader in the Chartis Credit Risk Management Systems report. The broader financial services industry is rapidly adopting cloud-based infrastructure to improve operational resilience and real-time analytics. Partnerships between fintech providers and cloud companies such as AWS are becoming increasingly central to modernization strategies across banking and capital markets. The AWS deployment could support stronger recurring revenue growth for FIS over the long term as clients increasingly transition toward subscr...
Samsung Electronics Co. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google unveiled the designs of smart glasses co-developed with eyewear partners Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, set for release in the fall. The products, entering a category that’s so far been led by Meta Platforms Inc., are the first in a series of artificial intelligence-powered glasses that will let consumers interact with Google Gemini through voic...
Samsung Electronics Co. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google unveiled the designs of smart glasses co-developed with eyewear partners Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, set for release in the fall. The products, entering a category that’s so far been led by Meta Platforms Inc., are the first in a series of artificial intelligence-powered glasses that will let consumers interact with Google Gemini through voice commands — similar to the way Meta AI runs on Ray-Ban smart glasses. Models with built-in displays are in the works and set for release in 2027, but the Warby Parker and Gentle Monster hardware will predominantly be based on audio, with integrated cameras for Gemini. With the glasses, users will be able to ask for directions, play music, take voice calls, listen to notification summaries, add calendar appointments and request Gemini’s help for real-time translation, among other features. Data from the camera makes it possible to ask for details about any given object that a user is looking at. The glasses can also capture photos and video with a button press or through voice commands, with an LED lighting up to alert people nearby that the camera is active. Advertisement “We have to raise the bar and design for privacy from the ground up,” Shahram Izadi, vice president and general manager of Android XR at Google, said in an interview ahead of the design reveal. Google and Samsung plan to share more specifics around privacy safeguards over the coming months. Pricing and a specific release date for the glasses, which are a collaborative effort between the tech giants and eyewear makers, haven’t yet been revealed. Google is also working with smart glasses pioneer Xreal Inc. on a set of standalone augmented reality glasses, codenamed Project Aura, that can run its Android XR software platform without requiring a connected smartphone to power everything. That device is on track for release this year. Advertisement An updated Project Aura prototype being demonstrated this week ...