XtockImages/iStock via Getty Images I'm turning " Neutral" on Korea Electric Power Corporation ( KEP ), also known as KEPCO. My rating change balances the company's short-term margin downside against the international nuclear segment's long-run growth potential. KEP's previously favorable financial and stockholder return prospects were the focus of my January 6, 2026, update . Geopolitical And Pol...
XtockImages/iStock via Getty Images I'm turning " Neutral" on Korea Electric Power Corporation ( KEP ), also known as KEPCO. My rating change balances the company's short-term margin downside against the international nuclear segment's long-run growth potential. KEP's previously favorable financial and stockholder return prospects were the focus of my January 6, 2026, update . Geopolitical And Policy Developments Pose A Drag On Profitability I noted in the prior early-2026 write-up that "fuel and purchased power accounted for about four-fifths of KEP's 3Q25 operating expenses." My take is that these will be on an uptrend in the near future. A late-May SA News report cited research from "Capital Economics" projecting that "energy markets are unlikely to fully rebalance until well into 2027, even if [Middle East] tensions ease." This has a negative read-across for the firm. At the 1Q26 analyst briefing (S&P Capital IQ transcript) on May 13, the company acknowledged "the possibility of rising costs due to the recent Iran conflict is high." KEP's fuel-related expenses usually reflect actual crude pricing with a delay of between a quarter and half a year, according to management. It's reasonable for me to infer that the ongoing "oil shock" beginning in March will hit the group's earnings for the remainder of '26. Separately, its policy-related burden has gotten heavier too. The "Renewable Portfolio Standard" or "RPS" expenditures for KEP jumped 54% YoY to ₩1.2 trillion in the first three months of this year. This represents the investments associated with regulatory requirements to buy a specific portion of electricity from non-fossil sources. Its higher RPS-related cost was attributable to the authorities' lifting of the mandatory green power purchase ratio by 100bps to 15% for 2026. To make things worse, the Korean policymakers are unlikely to let KEP raise utility charges, in my opinion. Economists from ING are forecasting the nation's "inflation to rise further despi...
Gemini Co-founders Tyler Winklevoss and Cameron Winklevoss attend the company's IPO at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York City, U.S., Sept. 12, 2025. Jeenah Moon | Reuters The move by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to vacate a consent order against the cryptocurrency exchange company Gemini Trust is "very unusual," a former CFTC chair told CNBC's " Squawk on the Street " on Thursday. Tim ...
Gemini Co-founders Tyler Winklevoss and Cameron Winklevoss attend the company's IPO at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York City, U.S., Sept. 12, 2025. Jeenah Moon | Reuters The move by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to vacate a consent order against the cryptocurrency exchange company Gemini Trust is "very unusual," a former CFTC chair told CNBC's " Squawk on the Street " on Thursday. Tim Massad , the former chair, also said he did not know details of the CFTC's case against Gemini, which was founded by the Winklevoss twins , because it came after his tenure at the agency, but noted that during his tenure the CFTC's staff "only brought cases that were strong." The CFTC on Wednesday asked a New York federal court judge to vacate the January 2025 order against Gemini, which included a $5 million penalty and an injunction that barred the company from making false statements to the agency. The order was implemented in the final weeks of President Joe Biden 's administration. The CFTC is now run by Michael Selig , an appointee of President Donald Trump , whose 2024 election campaign received donations from the twins, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss . Read more CNBC politics coverage Judge tosses Kilmar Abrego Garcia charges, calls prosecution 'vindictive' Trump skipping wedding of son Donald Jr. to Bettina Anderson Tulsi Gabbard resigning as Trump's intelligence chief Kevin Warsh sworn in as Fed chair as Trump seeks interest rate cuts New lawsuits against Trump's DOJ 'lawfare' fund "What I will say is that it's very unusual for the CFTC to do this, to basically seek to vacate the judgment in a case that you brought," Massad told CNBC. "And the second thing I would say is, in my experience, the CFTC enforcement division was very professional and acted with integrity and care," he said. "There were a lot of people who were terrific public servants who made decisions based on the law and the facts, and they only brought cases that were strong on the merits." Avi Perry,...
Alistair Berg Lumentum Holdings ( LITE ) and Texas Instruments ( TXN ) received upgrades as Seeking Alpha analysts point to surging demand tied to AI infrastructure and improved financial positioning. Meanwhile, concerns about valuation and structural growth challenges have prompted downgrades for Nvidia ( NVDA ) and Zscaler ( ZS ). Upgrades Lumentum Holdings ( LITE ): Upgrade by Hunting Alphas . ...
Alistair Berg Lumentum Holdings ( LITE ) and Texas Instruments ( TXN ) received upgrades as Seeking Alpha analysts point to surging demand tied to AI infrastructure and improved financial positioning. Meanwhile, concerns about valuation and structural growth challenges have prompted downgrades for Nvidia ( NVDA ) and Zscaler ( ZS ). Upgrades Lumentum Holdings ( LITE ): Upgrade by Hunting Alphas . The analyst cites a massive surge in purchase obligations and improved liquidity following a $2B investment from Nvidia, signaling strong revenue acceleration for the second half of 2026. “We see that the valuation multiple has contracted, but the stock's underlying fundamentals have improved as the earnings index has continued rising. This is very good to see, as it means the stock's performance has been driven by a genuine improvement in the business as opposed to mere sentiment-driven multiple expansion.” Texas Instruments ( TXN ): Upgrade to Buy by The Alpha Analyst . The upgrade is supported by a 90% year-over-year surge in data center revenue and improving operating leverage as manufacturing investments begin to pay off. “After years of underperformance, Texas Instruments ( TXN ) joins that potential group. With early signs of demand revival both from traditional demand sources and more from AI data center needs, this now becomes an opportunity for investors trying to identify the next Micron ( MU ), Lumentum ( LITE ), or Intel ( INTC ).” Downgrades Nvidia ( NVDA ): Downgrade Buy to Hold by Oliver Rodzianko . While the company remains a strong compounder, rising valuation risks and crowded market positioning suggest a more cautious approach is warranted. “NVDA is priced for flawless AI capex continuation, though, and even while execution remains elite, the AI factory thesis is intact, and networking growth broadens the moat, valuation risk is rising as expectations compound.” Zscaler ( ZS ): Downgrade to Sell by Amrita Roy . Stagnating organic revenue growth and press...
Alistair Berg Lumentum Holdings ( LITE ) and Texas Instruments ( TXN ) received upgrades as Seeking Alpha analysts point to surging demand tied to AI infrastructure and improved financial positioning. Meanwhile, concerns about valuation and structural growth challenges have prompted downgrades for Nvidia ( NVDA ) and Zscaler ( ZS ). Upgrades Lumentum Holdings ( LITE ): Upgrade to Buy by Hunting Al...
Alistair Berg Lumentum Holdings ( LITE ) and Texas Instruments ( TXN ) received upgrades as Seeking Alpha analysts point to surging demand tied to AI infrastructure and improved financial positioning. Meanwhile, concerns about valuation and structural growth challenges have prompted downgrades for Nvidia ( NVDA ) and Zscaler ( ZS ). Upgrades Lumentum Holdings ( LITE ): Upgrade to Buy by Hunting Alphas . The analyst cites a massive surge in purchase obligations and improved liquidity following a $2B investment from Nvidia, signaling strong revenue acceleration for the second half of 2026. “We see that the valuation multiple has contracted, but the stock's underlying fundamentals have improved as the earnings index has continued rising. This is very good to see, as it means the stock's performance has been driven by a genuine improvement in the business as opposed to mere sentiment-driven multiple expansion.” Texas Instruments ( TXN ): Upgrade to Buy by The Alpha Analyst . The upgrade is supported by a 90% year-over-year surge in data center revenue and improving operating leverage as manufacturing investments begin to pay off. “After years of underperformance, Texas Instruments ( TXN ) joins that potential group. With early signs of demand revival both from traditional demand sources and more from AI data center needs, this now becomes an opportunity for investors trying to identify the next Micron ( MU ), Lumentum ( LITE ), or Intel ( INTC ).” Downgrades Nvidia ( NVDA ): Downgrade Buy to Hold by Oliver Rodzianko . While the company remains a strong compounder, rising valuation risks and crowded market positioning suggest a more cautious approach is warranted. “NVDA is priced for flawless AI capex continuation, though, and even while execution remains elite, the AI factory thesis is intact, and networking growth broadens the moat, valuation risk is rising as expectations compound.” Zscaler ( ZS ): Downgrade to Sell by Amrita Roy . Stagnating organic revenue growth an...
Super Micro stated that the collaboration also helped prevent the smuggling of 50 of the company's servers into China. In this photo illustration, the Supermicro (Super Micro Computer) logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... L...
Super Micro stated that the collaboration also helped prevent the smuggling of 50 of the company's servers into China. In this photo illustration, the Supermicro (Super Micro Computer) logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Super Micro stated that these servers were deceptively acquired after being sold to an authorized reseller. The company said it had followed a rigorous vetting and review process that exceeded applicable regulatory requirements. Super Micro’s update comes days after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang urged the company to tighten up its compliance processes. Super Micro Computer Inc. (SMCI) announced on Thursday that its collaboration with Taiwanese authorities has led to the arrest of three suspects in a case involving the smuggling of AI servers into China. Super Micro stated that the collaboration also helped prevent the smuggling of 50 of its servers into China and that these servers were deceptively acquired after being sold to an authorized reseller. The company had followed a rigorous vetting and review process that exceeded applicable regulatory requirements. Read Next Loading... Loading... Super Micro shares were up more than 11% in Thursday morning’s trade. SMCI was among the top trending tickers on Stocktwits at the time of writing. Source: TradingView Jensen Huang’s Advice To SMCI Super Micro’s update comes days after Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang urged the company to tighten up its compliance processes, according to a report by Bloomberg. “Ultimately Super Micro has to run their own company. I hope that they will enhance and improve their regulation compliance and avoid that from happening in the future,” he told reporters in Taipei. Super Micro builds servers powered by Nvidia AI...
A tentative agreement has been reached in the ongoing negotiations with Iran, US sources confirmed, though they stressed that the deal has not yet been finalised and remains subject to formal approval by US President Donald Trump. Earlier, Axios reported that Trump has asked for a couple of days to consider the proposal before making a decision. The development comes amid a fragile ceasefire first...
A tentative agreement has been reached in the ongoing negotiations with Iran, US sources confirmed, though they stressed that the deal has not yet been finalised and remains subject to formal approval by US President Donald Trump. Earlier, Axios reported that Trump has asked for a couple of days to consider the proposal before making a decision. The development comes amid a fragile ceasefire first set in April. On Wednesday, the US military launched targeted strikes against Iran. Advertisement In immediate retaliation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired a ballistic missile targeting a US military base in Kuwait. More to follow...
wildpixel/iStock via Getty Images Thesis Summary AI profitability is in the spotlight again, as companies and markets begin to question the efficiency of their AI spend. As a result, we’ve seen GPU prices take a dive over the last few days. With companies like Anthropic and OpenAI looking to IPO soon, inflation heating up, and AI coming under scrutiny, I believe we could see an AI meltdown over th...
wildpixel/iStock via Getty Images Thesis Summary AI profitability is in the spotlight again, as companies and markets begin to question the efficiency of their AI spend. As a result, we’ve seen GPU prices take a dive over the last few days. With companies like Anthropic and OpenAI looking to IPO soon, inflation heating up, and AI coming under scrutiny, I believe we could see an AI meltdown over the coming months. AI has become the economy, and the S&P 500, so where do we hide now? We wrap up the article by discussing three potential AI hedges that could help you weather the storm while staying invested. GPU Price Crash First and foremost, we must address the elephant in the room. H200 rental prices (X) After rallying strongly since May, we have finally seen GPU prices begin to cool. H200 rental prices, as shown above, have come down over 30% in the last couple of weeks, and that’s certainly quite telling. This shows that demand for AI inference may be slowing down, and it actually lines up quite well with recent remarks from tech managers. AI Profitability In Question Notably, the Uber ( UBER ) COO recently said in an interview that the company had blown through its entire AI budget in the first quarter. While by itself this could be interpreted as a sign that AI has become an irreplaceable and effective tool, that’s not exactly what Uber has seen. The COO instead pointed out that it's hard to quantify the effect AI is having on the bottom line. Macdonald points out that while some internal numbers show more code is being written using Anthropic's Claude Code—the company's top AI budget item—it's unclear whether that code is making a difference on either side of the Uber experience. Source: Yahoo Finance This highlights some challenges that the market may have overlooked before, and it’s only one of many issues we are finding as AI actually becomes widespread across businesses. % of AI spend (X) A recent report found that 44% of AI token spend was used on fixing AI-...
The fibre-optic drones used by Hezbollah – also known as First-Person View or FPVs – are much harder to detect than the rockets and mortars this town is used to. The drones are loaded with explosives and fly low, without a radio signal that can be jammed by Israel's military. They are connected to their operators by a thin optical wire, which allow them to see and chase targets on the ground. It's...
The fibre-optic drones used by Hezbollah – also known as First-Person View or FPVs – are much harder to detect than the rockets and mortars this town is used to. The drones are loaded with explosives and fly low, without a radio signal that can be jammed by Israel's military. They are connected to their operators by a thin optical wire, which allow them to see and chase targets on the ground. It's a tactic learned from the war in Ukraine.
(RTTNews) - Drugmaker GSK plc (GSK) on Tuesday announced positive Phase III trial results for investigational hepatitis B treatment bepirovirsen. Pooled data from the Phase III B-Well 1 and B-Well 2 trials showed that 19% of patients receiving bepirovirsen achieved a functional cure, compared with 0% in the placebo group. Among patients with lower baseline viral activity, defined as hepatitis B su...
(RTTNews) - Drugmaker GSK plc (GSK) on Tuesday announced positive Phase III trial results for investigational hepatitis B treatment bepirovirsen. Pooled data from the Phase III B-Well 1 and B-Well 2 trials showed that 19% of patients receiving bepirovirsen achieved a functional cure, compared with 0% in the placebo group. Among patients with lower baseline viral activity, defined as hepatitis B surface antigen levels of 1,000 IU/mL or less, the functional cure rate increased to 26%, also versus 0% for placebo. GSK said current standard therapies typically require lifelong treatment and achieve functional cure rates in less than 1% of patients. The company also reported that 23% of all bepirovirsen-treated patients achieved sustained viral suppression at week 72 after stopping therapy, compared with none in the placebo group. The trials enrolled more than 1,800 participants globally and demonstrated a safety profile consistent with previous studies. The most common side effects included injection site reactions and temporary increases in liver enzyme levels. Bepirovirsen is currently under priority review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is also under regulatory review in Europe, Japan, and China. GSK said it expects the first regulatory decisions in the third quarter of 2026. The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
watch now VIDEO 5:48 05:48 LA mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt says his message focuses on local, common-sense issues Squawk on the Street Spencer Pratt's campaign for Los Angeles mayor began as a celebrity long shot. Days before Tuesday's primary, the former MTV reality star is threatening to force incumbent Mayor Karen Bass into a November runoff. Pratt, best known for " The Hills ," is polling a...
watch now VIDEO 5:48 05:48 LA mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt says his message focuses on local, common-sense issues Squawk on the Street Spencer Pratt's campaign for Los Angeles mayor began as a celebrity long shot. Days before Tuesday's primary, the former MTV reality star is threatening to force incumbent Mayor Karen Bass into a November runoff. Pratt, best known for " The Hills ," is polling at 22% among likely voters in a new UC Berkeley-Los Angeles Times poll , just behind Bass at 26% and City Councilmember Nithya Raman at 25%. Pratt and Raman each gained eight percentage points since March, according to the poll. Los Angeles mayoral elections are nonpartisan. If no candidate wins more than 50% in Tuesday's primary, the top two finishers advance to a November runoff. In a crowded field, that means Pratt does not need to win outright to upend the race — he only needs to finish ahead of Raman. Although the race is nonpartisan, Pratt is a registered Republican and has drawn attention from conservative media and Trump -aligned figures. He has rejected the " MAGA Republican" label and framed his campaign as a referendum on City Hall competence after the Pacific Palisades fire destroyed his home and his parents' home. "I only got into the race because nobody else was going to run," Pratt said Thursday on CNBC's " Squawk on the Street ." "I had to step up for my community and for Los Angeles." Pratt has lambasted the city's challenges with homelessness , drug addiction, crime , fire preparedness and the cost of doing business. He has accused Bass , a former Democratic U.S. House member, of failing to keep residents safe and prepare Los Angeles for disasters. "I don't do national politics. I don't do party politics," Pratt said. "I do a nonpartisan race." LA Mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt hosts a campaign "block party" event on 10th Ave. in Los Angeles, CA on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Robert Gauthier | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images Pratt also rejected Bass' argumen...
A view of a terminal at Shanghai Port. Photo: VCG Chinese researchers and policy advisers are calling for targeted cuts to export tax rebates after the country’s trade surplus reached a record $1.2 trillion in 2025, arguing the fiscal savings could be redirected to households and rural incomes. The proposals highlight a growing debate over whether China should continue using broad-based tax relief...
A view of a terminal at Shanghai Port. Photo: VCG Chinese researchers and policy advisers are calling for targeted cuts to export tax rebates after the country’s trade surplus reached a record $1.2 trillion in 2025, arguing the fiscal savings could be redirected to households and rural incomes. The proposals highlight a growing debate over whether China should continue using broad-based tax relief to support exporters as the country’s manufacturing competitiveness strengthens, export rebate costs rise and trade tensions intensify.
A landmark government-backed report has warned that the UK risks a ‘lost generation’ of young people, as new figures show that more than 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK were not in education, employment or training. The former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn said youth disengagement was a mounting economic risk to the country, and urged a fundamental reset of policy covering schools, ...
A landmark government-backed report has warned that the UK risks a ‘lost generation’ of young people, as new figures show that more than 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK were not in education, employment or training. The former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn said youth disengagement was a mounting economic risk to the country, and urged a fundamental reset of policy covering schools, the health service and the welfare state. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s senior economics correspondent, Richard Partington Continue reading...
Key Points The Procter & Gamble dominates global markets with a diverse portfolio and consistent net margin of 19.0%. The Clorox offers a more focused brand list and a lower entry price based on future earnings estimates. Which consumer staples giant is the better addition to your long-term portfolio in 2026? 10 stocks we like better than Procter & Gamble › Are you seeking stability or value in th...
Key Points The Procter & Gamble dominates global markets with a diverse portfolio and consistent net margin of 19.0%. The Clorox offers a more focused brand list and a lower entry price based on future earnings estimates. Which consumer staples giant is the better addition to your long-term portfolio in 2026? 10 stocks we like better than Procter & Gamble › Are you seeking stability or value in the household goods market? Comparing Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) and Clorox (NYSE:CLX) reveals two distinct paths for conservative investors today. Procter & Gamble is a global behemoth with a massive portfolio of diverse household brands, while Clorox focuses on specialized cleaning and wellness products with a smaller footprint. Both are defensive stalwarts, yet their scale and balance sheet health vary significantly. The case for Procter & Gamble Procter & Gamble operates through ten distinct categories, including grooming, health care, and beauty. Its products reach consumers in over 180 countries, making it one of the largest consumer staples companies by market cap. While its global reach is wide, the company depends heavily on Walmart for approximately 16% of its sales. Customer concentration like this adds a layer of risk to the business, as any change in shelf space or pricing terms could impact results. In its 2025 fiscal year, ended June 30, revenue reached $84.3 billion, representing a slight growth of 0.3% compared to the prior year. Net income for the period was $15.7 billion, yielding a net margin of 19%. This margin, which measures the percentage of revenue remaining after all expenses are paid, indicates how much profit is generated from each dollar of sales. As of the June 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was 0.7x. This metric compares total debt to shareholder equity, indicating how much of the company is funded by lenders versus owners. The current ratio, which measures the ability to pay short-term debts with liquid assets, was 0.7x. Free cash...
Image source: The Motley Fool. Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 2 p.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS Chief Executive Officer — Ujjaval Desai Chief Financial Officer — Daniel Steven Fabian TAKEAWAYS Net Investment Income (NII) -- $7 million or $0.34 per share, below distributions paid and reflecting ongoing spread tightening and weaker arbitrage. -- $7 million or $0.34 per share, below distributions paid and refl...
Image source: The Motley Fool. Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 2 p.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS Chief Executive Officer — Ujjaval Desai Chief Financial Officer — Daniel Steven Fabian TAKEAWAYS Net Investment Income (NII) -- $7 million or $0.34 per share, below distributions paid and reflecting ongoing spread tightening and weaker arbitrage. -- $7 million or $0.34 per share, below distributions paid and reflecting ongoing spread tightening and weaker arbitrage. Net Realized and Unrealized Losses -- Net realized loss of $4.1 million and unrealized loss of $77.6 million, primarily attributed to exited positions with downside risk and market-driven revaluations. -- Net realized loss of $4.1 million and unrealized loss of $77.6 million, primarily attributed to exited positions with downside risk and market-driven revaluations. Net Asset Value (NAV) Per Share -- $9.63 at quarter end, down from $14.02, with the decline linked to lower CLO equity valuations, underlying loan market weakness, and decreased projected equity cash flows. -- $9.63 at quarter end, down from $14.02, with the decline linked to lower CLO equity valuations, underlying loan market weakness, and decreased projected equity cash flows. Distribution -- $0.75 per share distributed during the quarter; monthly distribution of $0.20 per share remains unchanged for calendar 2026. -- $0.75 per share distributed during the quarter; monthly distribution of $0.20 per share remains unchanged for calendar 2026. CLO Equity Weighted Average GAAP Yield -- 9.1% versus 11% in the prior quarter, driven by higher model default rates following a sell-off in software loans. -- 9.1% versus 11% in the prior quarter, driven by higher model default rates following a sell-off in software loans. Portfolio Diversification -- Investments span 98 CLOs managed by 29 firms, providing exposure to over 1,500 loans across more than 30 industries. -- Investments span 98 CLOs managed by 29 firms, providing exposure to over 1,500 loans across more than...
What do you get for beating the world champions? An even tougher test a few days later. England started their T20 World Cup build-up with a 2-1 series win over the holders New Zealand; now they face the 50-over world champions, India, in an intriguing three-match series that begins at a sweltering Chelmsford. Most people have India as second favourites behind Australia to win the World Cup, so thi...
What do you get for beating the world champions? An even tougher test a few days later. England started their T20 World Cup build-up with a 2-1 series win over the holders New Zealand; now they face the 50-over world champions, India, in an intriguing three-match series that begins at a sweltering Chelmsford. Most people have India as second favourites behind Australia to win the World Cup, so this is a litmus test for both teams. But while neither team will want to go into the World Cup on the back of a series defeat, winning and losing is only part of the story. Cricket is an individual game within a team sport, and there are places up for grabs in both teams. By the time the series finishes at Taunton on Tuesday, Charlotte Edwards and Amol Muzumdar should know their XIs to start the World Cup. Tonight’s match begins at 6.30pm.
Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) claimed the title of the world’s most valuable company in July 2025, becoming the first to break both the $4 trillion and $5 trillion barriers. Nvidia currently sits at a market capitalization of $5.15 trillion, holding the top position on the global rankings. Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) occupies second place, with a market cap of $4.67 trillion, narrowly ahead of Apple’s $4.55 t...
Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) claimed the title of the world’s most valuable company in July 2025, becoming the first to break both the $4 trillion and $5 trillion barriers. Nvidia currently sits at a market capitalization of $5.15 trillion, holding the top position on the global rankings. Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) occupies second place, with a market cap of $4.67 trillion, narrowly ahead of Apple’s $4.55 trillion. Alphabet owns Google, YouTube, Waymo, and Gemini, giving it one of the most expansive product ecosystems of any company in the world. Google commands a 92% market share in the global search industry, according to some sources, though it remains unclear whether that figure includes Russia and China. YouTube accounts for 9.7% of total TV viewership time among American viewers, placing it ahead of Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX), which holds second place at 7.6%. YouTube visitors watch five billion individual videos per day, and no other video platform comes close to matching that volume. In its most recent quarter, Alphabet posted total revenue of $109.8 billion, with Google Search generating $60.3 billion and YouTube contributing $9.9 billion. Gmail is the most widely used free email platform in the world, with 1.8 billion users, while Google Maps controls 68% of the world’s map software market. Android holds a 70% share of the global mobile operating system market, compared to Apple’s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iOS at 29%, giving Alphabet significant reach for distributing its software products on smartphones. Rather than being undermined by the rise of artificial intelligence, Alphabet integrated its Gemini AI product directly into Google Search, with AI Overview now appearing as the first result for many queries. By some measures, Gemini holds second place among AI platforms by download market share, while other measures place it first, meaning the contest for dominance in AI is still unresolved. Alphabet’s interconnected suite of products has created what business school professors ...
Image source: The Motley Fool. Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer — Victor Mendelson Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer — Eric Mendelson Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer — Carlos Macau Need a quote from a Motley Fool analyst? Email [email protected] TAKEAWAYS Net Income -- $233.8 million, up 49%, with diluted...
Image source: The Motley Fool. Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 9 a.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer — Victor Mendelson Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer — Eric Mendelson Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer — Carlos Macau Need a quote from a Motley Fool analyst? Email [email protected] TAKEAWAYS Net Income -- $233.8 million, up 49%, with diluted EPS of $1.66, compared to $156.8 million and EPS of $1.12. -- $233.8 million, up 49%, with diluted EPS of $1.66, compared to $156.8 million and EPS of $1.12. Net Sales -- Increased 25% to a record level, driven by both segments and recent acquisitions. -- Increased 25% to a record level, driven by both segments and recent acquisitions. Operating Income -- Grew 41%, setting a new quarterly record. -- Grew 41%, setting a new quarterly record. Consolidated EBITDA -- $408.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, up 37% from $297.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2025. -- $408.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, up 37% from $297.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2025. Cash Flow from Operations -- $292 million, marking a 43% rise year over year in the second quarter of fiscal 2026. -- $292 million, marking a 43% rise year over year in the second quarter of fiscal 2026. Flight Support Group Net Sales -- $929.4 million, up 21% in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, with 19% organic growth attributed to robust demand across product lines and 2026 acquisitions. -- $929.4 million, up 21% in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, with 19% organic growth attributed to robust demand across product lines and 2026 acquisitions. Flight Support Group Operating Income -- $243.1 million, increasing 31% in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, supported by improved gross margin and SG&A efficiencies. -- $243.1 million, increasing 31% in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, supported by improved gross margin and SG&A efficiencies. Flight Support Group Operating Margin -- ...
US orders for defense capital goods surged in April to the second-highest level on record, adding to signs that the Iran war is boosting demand for military hardware. Defense orders rose 7% last month to $22.2 billion following a 26% increase in March, according to Census Bureau figures published Thursday. The numbers aren’t adjusted for inflation. The defense share of total capital goods orders o...
US orders for defense capital goods surged in April to the second-highest level on record, adding to signs that the Iran war is boosting demand for military hardware. Defense orders rose 7% last month to $22.2 billion following a 26% increase in March, according to Census Bureau figures published Thursday. The numbers aren’t adjusted for inflation. The defense share of total capital goods orders over the last 12 months rose to 15%, according to figures compiled by Bloomberg. That share is rivaled in three decades of data only by the aftermath of the Great Recession, 2019 and the onset of the Covid pandemic, when overall orders slumped. The figures underscore the increasing prominence of defense production as a key support for the US economy this year alongside the data-center boom. At the same time, consumer spending and the housing market — two traditional pillars of economic activity — are increasingly under pressure from elevated inflation and interest rates and uneven hiring trends. Orders for defense equipment are “likely to continue to be strong as the US military replenishes munitions deployed in Iran, and potentially boosts sales of equipment to NATO allies and others,” Thomas Simons , the chief US economist at Jefferies, said in a note. Some 20% of the Pentagon’s prewar inventory of MQ-9 Reaper drones, representing nearly $1 billion of hardware, have been destroyed in the war with Iran, Bloomberg reported . The US has also burned through thousands of high-end munitions, including Tomahawk and JASSM-ER cruise missiles. Separate figures on US industrial production, published by the Federal Reserve on May 15, showed output of defense and space equipment advanced in April for a fifth straight month.
The Vanguard Value ETF (NYSEARCA:VTV) is up 11% year to date, a lead that only looks small next to the 9.4% return on the Vanguard Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:VUG) over the same stretch. That is the actual shape of the so-called Great Rotation so far in 2026. Value is ahead of growth on the year, and ... Vanguard’s Value ETF May Soon Outperform Your Tech Holdings as “The Great Migration” Accelerates
The Vanguard Value ETF (NYSEARCA:VTV) is up 11% year to date, a lead that only looks small next to the 9.4% return on the Vanguard Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:VUG) over the same stretch. That is the actual shape of the so-called Great Rotation so far in 2026. Value is ahead of growth on the year, and ... Vanguard’s Value ETF May Soon Outperform Your Tech Holdings as “The Great Migration” Accelerates
European Commission officials are planning to meet with Anthropic PBC to seek more information on the company’s Mythos model and request making the groundbreaking artificial intelligence tool available to the bloc, according to people familiar with the matter. Officials from the commission were set to visit San Francisco on Thursday for meetings with representatives from the AI startup to learn mo...
European Commission officials are planning to meet with Anthropic PBC to seek more information on the company’s Mythos model and request making the groundbreaking artificial intelligence tool available to the bloc, according to people familiar with the matter. Officials from the commission were set to visit San Francisco on Thursday for meetings with representatives from the AI startup to learn more about Mythos’s capabilities, according to one of the people, all of whom asked not to be identified because the plans are still taking shape. Any final decision on Mythos access for the EU would likely require approval from the US government, according to one of the people. For now, there’s no confirmed date for a meeting between representatives from the bloc and Trump administration officials, the person said. The European Union has been pushing for access to Mythos since Anthropic disclosed last month that the new model was extraordinarily adept at finding network vulnerabilities and could pose a major cybersecurity risk. Anthropic has limited its availability to a handful of large tech and Wall Street companies through an initiative known as Project Glasswing, amid broader global alarm about the new threats Mythos could pose to critical systems. Read More: EU-Anthropic Talks Over Mythos Concerns Are Stalled, Spain Says The meetings in San Francisco would mark the latest step in weeks of negotiations between Anthropic and the bloc over Mythos that so far have failed to yield a breakthrough . In those discussions, the EU has received “extensive information” from the company on the risks that the model could pose, commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said Thursday at a press briefing in Brussels. A spokesperson for the commission didn’t respond to questions on the meeting plans but said that the EU generally is seeking to ramp up discussions with the US on advanced AI models. An Anthropic spokesperson said the visit is part of the company’s ongoing engagement with the ...
The headline-grabbing battle in the pharmaceutical sector today pits Eli Lilly (LLY +3.75%) against Novo Nordisk (NVO +2.45%). The battlefield is GLP-1 weight loss drugs. This is a new type of drug that has been something of a miracle for people who have long struggled with weight loss. And the long-term opportunity is huge. Right now, Eli Lilly is in the clear lead, with its highly successful Mou...
The headline-grabbing battle in the pharmaceutical sector today pits Eli Lilly (LLY +3.75%) against Novo Nordisk (NVO +2.45%). The battlefield is GLP-1 weight loss drugs. This is a new type of drug that has been something of a miracle for people who have long struggled with weight loss. And the long-term opportunity is huge. Right now, Eli Lilly is in the clear lead, with its highly successful Mounjaro and Zepbound. But Novo Nordisk hasn't given up; it recently released a pill version of Wegovy. The contrarian view of this contest is that investors are giving Eli Lilly too much credit and Novo Nordisk too little. Here's why dividend investors should go with Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk has its work cut out for it Novo Nordisk was the first to market with a GLP-1 drug. That head start didn't last long, as the company struggled to meet demand. This fact allowed compounders to make generic versions of Wegovy in the important U.S. market. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound proved more effective and quickly gained market share. The performance difference between the two companies in the weight loss space is material. In the first quarter of 2026, Novo Nordisk's obesity care business, its Wegovy franchise, grew 22%. Eli Lilly saw sales of Mounjaro and Zepbound increase 125% and 80%, respectively, in the same quarter. That said, the Wegovy pill appears to be more effective than Eli Lilly's GLP-1 pill offering, which is a different drug from its highly successful Mounjaro and Zepbound. Importantly, Novo Nordisk's pill appears to be attracting new customers to the GLP-1 space, as many people don't like taking shots. The big takeaway here is that the pharmaceutical industry is intensely competitive and Eli Lilly doesn't have a lock on the GLP-1 market. Or, to put that another way, Novo Nordisk is behind, but it isn't out of the race. Expand NYSE : LLY Eli Lilly Today's Change ( 3.75 %) $ 40.56 Current Price $ 1123.48 Key Data Points Market Cap $1.0T Day's Range $ 1092...
Key Points Eli Lilly is performing very well as a business right now, which should please shareholders. Novo Nordisk has fallen behind Eli Lilly in the GLP-1 space and has warned that 2026 will be a difficult year. Novo Nordisk is the more attractive stock right now, particularly for dividend investors. 10 stocks we like better than Novo Nordisk › The headline-grabbing battle in the pharmaceutical...
Key Points Eli Lilly is performing very well as a business right now, which should please shareholders. Novo Nordisk has fallen behind Eli Lilly in the GLP-1 space and has warned that 2026 will be a difficult year. Novo Nordisk is the more attractive stock right now, particularly for dividend investors. 10 stocks we like better than Novo Nordisk › The headline-grabbing battle in the pharmaceutical sector today pits Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) against Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO). The battlefield is GLP-1 weight loss drugs. This is a new type of drug that has been something of a miracle for people who have long struggled with weight loss. And the long-term opportunity is huge. Right now, Eli Lilly is in the clear lead, with its highly successful Mounjaro and Zepbound. But Novo Nordisk hasn't given up; it recently released a pill version of Wegovy. The contrarian view of this contest is that investors are giving Eli Lilly too much credit and Novo Nordisk too little. Here's why dividend investors should go with Novo Nordisk. 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 » Novo Nordisk has its work cut out for it Novo Nordisk was the first to market with a GLP-1 drug. That head start didn't last long, as the company struggled to meet demand. This fact allowed compounders to make generic versions of Wegovy in the important U.S. market. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound proved more effective and quickly gained market share. The performance difference between the two companies in the weight loss space is material. In the first quarter of 2026, Novo Nordisk's obesity care business, its Wegovy franchise, grew 22%. Eli Lilly saw sales of Mounjaro and Zepbound increase 125% and 80%, respectively, in the same quarter. That said, the Wegovy pill appears to be more effective than Eli Lilly's GLP-1 pill offerin...
Getty Images The U.S. new home market has largely recovered from the disruption of January 2026's blizzards . Unfortunately, rising mortgage rates combined with an uptick in the average sale price of new homes to reduce the quantity of sales. This combination of factors resulted in the total valuation of new homes sold in April 2026 to decline below the levels recorded a month earlier. Political C...
Getty Images The U.S. new home market has largely recovered from the disruption of January 2026's blizzards . Unfortunately, rising mortgage rates combined with an uptick in the average sale price of new homes to reduce the quantity of sales. This combination of factors resulted in the total valuation of new homes sold in April 2026 to decline below the levels recorded a month earlier. Political Calculations' initial estimate of the total value of new home sales in the United States during April 2026 is $28.30 billion. This value is slightly higher than the initial estimate of $28.24 billion for March 2026, but has declined from a revised value of $28.43 billion for the month. The number of new home sales continues to hold relatively steady. The initial estimate of the annualized trailing twelve-month average of the total number of new home sales for April 2026 is 665,000. This value falls below the range of 671,000 and 684,000 that had held since January 2024. The initial estimate of the trailing twelve-month average of a new home sold in April 2026 is $521,300. New home prices have generally risen since bottoming at $502,525 in September 2024. The average remains below the peak of $529,692 recorded for June 2022 at the height of the high inflation. All these figures represent time-shifted, partial trailing twelve-month averages for each data series, which will be subject to revision for the next ten months before being finalized. The following charts present the U.S. new home market capitalization , the number of new home sales , and their average sale prices as measured by their time-shifted, trailing twelve-month averages from January 1976 through April 2026. Declining trend for new home sales: Rising trend for new home prices: New home sales were reported to have surged in March as prices fell to a five-year low, but much of this boost in sales may represent a springback from the impact of blizzards in much of the U.S. in January 2026 that shrank sales far belo...