This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is lowering the fees it collects from app developers in China, a move that could ease tensions in one of the company's most important markets after discussions with local regulators. The iPhone maker said its standard commission on purchases in the mainland China App Store will fall to 25% from 30%, with the change taking effect March 1...
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is lowering the fees it collects from app developers in China, a move that could ease tensions in one of the company's most important markets after discussions with local regulators. The iPhone maker said its standard commission on purchases in the mainland China App Store will fall to 25% from 30%, with the change taking effect March 15 and applying to apps distributed on both iOS and iPadOS. The company is also adjusting fees tied to China's rapidly expanding mini-app ecosystem, the lightweight programs that run inside platforms such as Tencent's WeChat. Apple said the commission on those transactions will drop to 12% from 15%, while developers generating less than $1 million in revenue during the previous year will qualify for the same rate. Tencent said the adjustment could help create a more open and mutually beneficial platform environment, which may support innovation, while Jefferies analysts estimate the lower fees could add a low-single-digit percentage gain to Tencent's earnings in 2026. The change follows years of friction between Apple and Chinese internet groups such as Tencent and ByteDance, whose super-apps host large ecosystems of third-party developers. China's antitrust watchdog, the State Administration for Market Regulation, has been examining Apple's App Store fees, with discussions between regulators, Apple executives, and developers dating back to 2024. Apple also reached a separate agreement in November with developers including Tencent (TCEHY) covering payments in mini games and apps, an area where transactions had often been routed through payment methods outside Apple's system.
In his article on nature protections (How can we really protect Britain’s environment?, 8 March), Sam Dumitriu of Britain Remade celebrates habitat recovery and calls for more focus on such efforts and less on legal protections for nature. But legal protections are the only thing protecting the habitats we have left. Over the past 100 years, the amount of healthy natural habitat in England has shr...
In his article on nature protections (How can we really protect Britain’s environment?, 8 March), Sam Dumitriu of Britain Remade celebrates habitat recovery and calls for more focus on such efforts and less on legal protections for nature. But legal protections are the only thing protecting the habitats we have left. Over the past 100 years, the amount of healthy natural habitat in England has shrunk: 99.7% of fens, 97% of species‑rich grasslands, 80% of lowland heathlands, up to 70% of ancient woodlands and up to 85% of saltmarshes have been lost. Attempting to restore natural habitats while trashing those we have left is akin to building a house while simultaneously robbing the foundations. Mr Dumitriu also claims that legal protections for nature “block the green building we desperately need”. This will come as a surprise to those working on thousands of projects where vital climate infrastructure is being delivered alongside nature mitigations. Healthy, carbon-storing natural habitats are a prerequisite for achieving net zero; climate infrastructure and nature recovery measures go hand‑in-hand. Mr Dumitriu’s approach would undermine the very objectives he seeks. Joan Edwards Director of policy and public affairs at The Wildlife Trusts Kevin Austin Director of policy and advocacy at RSPB Ali Plummer Director of policy and advocacy at Wildlife and Countryside Link Abi Bunker Director of nature recovery at the Woodland Trust Asking a pro-growth lobby group what they think of environmental regulations is like asking Tony Blair about an illegal war in the Middle East – you’re going to get the wrong answer. Sam Dumitriu’s article suggests that we can somehow protect Britain’s environment by watering down environmental legislation. Many ecologists, conservationists and indeed displaced wildlife would be surprised by his statement that the UK doesn’t, and almost certainly never will, build enough to drive nature loss. Development poses a severe threat to biodiversity, d...
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR) shares have pulled back from recent highs but analysts say strong demand for its artificial intelligence software platform may support further growth. The data analytics firm's stock has fallen about 26% from its 52-week peak as investors reassessed high valuations and shifted capital within the technology sector. Despit...
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR) shares have pulled back from recent highs but analysts say strong demand for its artificial intelligence software platform may support further growth. The data analytics firm's stock has fallen about 26% from its 52-week peak as investors reassessed high valuations and shifted capital within the technology sector. Despite the decline, demand for Palantir's Artificial Intelligence Platform, or AIP, appears to remain strong, supporting the company's long-term outlook. Palantir Stock Falls From Record Highs -- Why Analysts Still See Big Upside Management expects revenue between $7.182 billion and $7.198 billion for 2026, representing about 61% year-over-year growth. That would mark an acceleration from roughly 56% growth recorded in 2025, suggesting continued adoption of the company's AI-driven software tools across commercial and government clients. Growth has been particularly strong in the U.S. market. The company said its U.S. business expanded 93% year over year in the fourth quarter, while U.S. commercial revenue climbed 137%. Contract activity also strengthened, with total contract value reaching a record $4.3 billion during the quarter. Government demand remains another potential driver. Palantir's U.S. government segment grew 66% in the fourth quarter as agencies increased spending on analytics and intelligence software amid rising geopolitical tensions. Analysts have grown more bullish on Palantir Technologies Inc in 2026, with upgrades from Mizuho and Citi and higher targets $195$235, while UBS raised its outlook to $180. Wall Street sees robust AI and government demand but warns valuation remains elevated, implying execution must match near-term expectations closely. Overall, Analysts maintain a Outperform consensus rating, with the highest price target of $260 implying more than 25% potential upside from recent levels.
The rugby Gods know what they're doing. Scotland's last barrier to glory is in the home of the team that has caused them the most pain. It's almost like a movie script - Scotland trying to defeat their great nemesis. Rocky in rugby boots. There are a million things that Scotland must get right, but it can all be narrowed down to physicality. Ireland have had too much of it in the past and Scotland...
The rugby Gods know what they're doing. Scotland's last barrier to glory is in the home of the team that has caused them the most pain. It's almost like a movie script - Scotland trying to defeat their great nemesis. Rocky in rugby boots. There are a million things that Scotland must get right, but it can all be narrowed down to physicality. Ireland have had too much of it in the past and Scotland have had too little. You can make rugby as complex as you like but one simple truth remains and Sione Tuipulotu, Scotland's deeply impressive captain, delivered it on Friday. "I think that's the game, to be honest," he said of the need to win the physical confrontations. "In Test rugby you go through all these things of game planning and all the intricacies around the lineout, scrum or even kick strategy, but I feel like Test rugby is pretty simple, you win the collisions, you win the game. "The collisions are the breakdown, the collisions are the target, the collisions are the defence. If you can win those three - I haven't seen many people lose when they win those three. "The breakdown is going to be a big part of it. Definitely [Ireland] have picked some guys that are pretty notorious as breakdown pests. That's the part of the game that we need to control in order to get our game out there. That's no secret." Scotland have been reluctant to show emotion in their public utterances this week. Townsend was particularly deadpan on Thursday and no wonder. Keeping a lid on that stuff is sensible. Going overboard on the momentous nature of this contest is not a smart play. Tuipulotu went close, though. There is such power in so much of what he says and that was the case again on Friday at Aviva Stadium when he was asked about his father Fohe, who was in the Murrayfield crowd last weekend to watch his son captaining Scotland for the first time. "My dad doesn't speak much," he said. "He's been coming to all my rugby games since I was a kid but he doesn't have much to say after a...
Dave Lawley recalls his father’s involvement with the Argyle Library Egg It was sad to read the saga of the Argyle Library Egg ( My dad made the biggest jewelled egg in the world. The obsession would destroy his marriage, family and fortune, 7 March ) and of the untimely death of Paul Kutchinsky. But repeated references to the egg that he made is akin to crediting Elon Musk with devising the Tesla...
Dave Lawley recalls his father’s involvement with the Argyle Library Egg It was sad to read the saga of the Argyle Library Egg ( My dad made the biggest jewelled egg in the world. The obsession would destroy his marriage, family and fortune, 7 March ) and of the untimely death of Paul Kutchinsky. But repeated references to the egg that he made is akin to crediting Elon Musk with devising the Tesla car. There were six master craftsmen who worked 7,000 hours to create the egg. My father, Geoff Lawley, made all the intricate furniture mounted on the three 120-degree vistas inside the egg. When the egg could not be sold, my father and the other craftsmen were made redundant by the De Vroomen Alexander workshop. He never worked again, but I’m pleased to report he is alive and well and celebrated his 95th birthday this week, although his memories of his part in the creation of this masterpiece are now fading. Dave Lawley Buckland, Hertfordshire Continue reading...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images There are a number of ways to make the bull case for Comcast Corporation ( CMCSA ) stock here. Shares have already bounced 26% from a 10-year low reached in late October, but on a consolidated basis they remain cheap relative to earnings and cash flow. The core Residential & Connectivity Platforms segment, which drove ~two-thirds of Adjusted EBITDA in 20...
JHVEPhoto/iStock Editorial via Getty Images There are a number of ways to make the bull case for Comcast Corporation ( CMCSA ) stock here. Shares have already bounced 26% from a 10-year low reached in late October, but on a consolidated basis they remain cheap relative to earnings and cash flow. The core Residential & Connectivity Platforms segment, which drove ~two-thirds of Adjusted EBITDA in 2025, offers a turnaround case. Comcast is revamping its go-to-market strategy and pricing in a bid to recapture customers lost to competition. In the remaining part of the business, there are potential "hidden asset" arguments for assets like Universal Studios and the theme park business, both of which ostensibly should receive far higher valuations than does Comcast as a whole. That in turn might suggest a "sum of the parts" case, which too argues for solid upside for Comcast on paper. And ostensibly, the arguments for the two sides of the business should work together: a scenario where sentiment improves toward the core broadband offering should see investors also give greater focus to (and have stronger confidence in) the rest of the portfolio. It's a tempting case, certainly. But that's almost part of the problem. The history of the past 15 years or so shows that these tempting cases so rarely play out. Consumer-facing businesses dealing with secular challenges have seen their valuations come in and thus seem to provide opportunities, particularly relative to historical valuation. That trend has held across multiple industries: packaged food, alcoholic beverages, legacy media, and retail, to name just a few. Very few of those cases have actually worked out. Most legacy businesses that manage secular change, unsurprisingly, have not been able to navigate well. It's possible Comcast is an exception to the trend, but at least for now it seems a bit too early to bet aggressively that it will be. The Comcast Turnaround Looking to 2025 results , Comcast stock looks exceptional...
Amkor Technology AMKR is lining up for a pivotal second half of 2026 as structural artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) demand accelerates advanced packaging activity. The company’s setup includes two CPU programs nearing launch and a wave of AI personal computer-related devices ramping earlier in 2026. For the first quarter of 2026, Amkor guided sales to $1.60-$1.70 b...
Amkor Technology AMKR is lining up for a pivotal second half of 2026 as structural artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) demand accelerates advanced packaging activity. The company’s setup includes two CPU programs nearing launch and a wave of AI personal computer-related devices ramping earlier in 2026. For the first quarter of 2026, Amkor guided sales to $1.60-$1.70 billion (midpoint up ~25% year over year). The story for the back half of 2026 is less about a single quarter and more about whether qualification milestones, supply availability and capacity expansions converge on schedule. Amkor Technology, Inc. Revenue (TTM) Amkor Technology, Inc. revenue-ttm | Amkor Technology, Inc. Quote AMKR’s AI Packaging Surge in 2026 Computing is expected to grow more than 20% year over year in 2026, an important anchor for Amkor’s AI and HPC exposure. That end-market lift matters because it typically carries higher-value packaging and test content than mainstream work. The key operating signal to watch is the expectation that advanced packaging platforms, specifically 2.5D and High-Density Fan-Out (HDFO), are expected to nearly triple over the course of 2026. If that ramp materializes, it sets up a meaningful mix shift, especially after advanced products dominated sales in the fourth quarter of 2025. Amkor’s CPU Program Launch Catalysts Two CPU HDFO programs are in final qualification and targeted to launch into high-volume production in the second half of 2026. Qualification timing is central because it defines the usable production window for second-half revenue capture and the pace of utilization improvement. Amkor has also indicated that one of these CPU programs may not reach full volume by year-end. This implies the second half can still show meaningful progress without every program achieving peak run-rate before the calendar turns, which can shift the shape of revenue and margin benefits into later periods. AMKR’s Constraints That Could Del...
Prof Liv Nilsson Stutz and Prof Sarah Tarlow respond to an article on ethical questions about remains from overseas in UK museums Regarding your article on “overseas” human remains in British museums ( Vast scale of overseas human remains held in UK museums decried by MPs and experts, 7 March ), while the public may be surprised, the issue of human remains in museums has been central to archaeolog...
Prof Liv Nilsson Stutz and Prof Sarah Tarlow respond to an article on ethical questions about remains from overseas in UK museums Regarding your article on “overseas” human remains in British museums ( Vast scale of overseas human remains held in UK museums decried by MPs and experts, 7 March ), while the public may be surprised, the issue of human remains in museums has been central to archaeologists, anthropologists and museum professionals for decades. The question for us is not whether it is acceptable that human remains can be found in “sacrilegious” conditions (clearly not), but how can we best care for human remains in museum collections? What we find both counterproductive and incorrect is the suggestion that collection managers and museums are unmoved by the ethical challenges posed by the remains in their care. We recently concluded a large research project examining the ethical treatment of human remains in European institutions. Our survey clearly shows that collection managers, often with very scarce resources, are deeply concerned with the human remains in their care, and overwhelmingly demonstrate empathy and concern for them. Moreover, human remains from colonial contexts tend to receive more, not less, ethical attention than human remains from local or archaeological contexts. Continue reading...
Fintech startup Ramp is looking to crack open the European market with the acquisition of UK and Swedish-based payments platform Billhop. Ramp CEO Eric Glyman discusses the deal with Ed Ludlow on “Bloomberg Tech.” (Source: Bloomberg)
Fintech startup Ramp is looking to crack open the European market with the acquisition of UK and Swedish-based payments platform Billhop. Ramp CEO Eric Glyman discusses the deal with Ed Ludlow on “Bloomberg Tech.” (Source: Bloomberg)
Key Points Customer concentration is the headline risk; Roughly 80% of Credo's revenue comes from just two hyperscalers. Credo’s ultra-reliable AEC cables, plus new products like ZeroFlap optics, PCIe retimers, and optical DSPs, are expanding the company's market. 10 stocks we like better than Credo Technology Group › Credo Technology Group (NASDAQ: CRDO) just posted its latest quarterly results, ...
Key Points Customer concentration is the headline risk; Roughly 80% of Credo's revenue comes from just two hyperscalers. Credo’s ultra-reliable AEC cables, plus new products like ZeroFlap optics, PCIe retimers, and optical DSPs, are expanding the company's market. 10 stocks we like better than Credo Technology Group › Credo Technology Group (NASDAQ: CRDO) just posted its latest quarterly results, highlighting $407 million in revenue -- a 201% year-over-year increase. Its gross margin sits at 68.5%, and it has $1.3 billion in cash. Its non-GAAP (adjusted) net income hit $208.8 million in a single quarter. All are metrics that suggest very positive results. So what's the problem that seems to have investors still hesitant about Credo? Two customers account for roughly 80% of that revenue. 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 » That kind of concentration makes portfolio managers nervous, and it should. When your business is built on the spending cycles of a handful of hyperscalers, one delayed AI build-out or one inventory digestion quarter can crater the stock overnight. Concentration is a risk, but one that is easing Just such a cratering happened in early 2023, when Credo's largest buyer cut demand forecasts, and the company's growth flatlined for two quarters. But that was then; here's what matters about concentration risk at Credo going forward: The customer base is diversifying. In fiscal 2024, Credo had two hyperscalers above the 10% revenue threshold. By Q1 of fiscal 2026, that number was three, with a fourth approaching the mark. These customers aren't being lured with discounts. They're coming to Credo because no one else makes what it makes at this level of reliability. Credo's core product is its Active Electrical Cable (AEC), which connects GPUs inside data centers. In clusters ...
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) shares slipped 2% on Friday morning after a report said the company's latest artificial intelligence model has not matched the performance of rival systems. The New York Times reported that Meta's new foundational AI model, code-named Avocado, lagged leading models from Alphabet's Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL), as well as systems devel...
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) shares slipped 2% on Friday morning after a report said the company's latest artificial intelligence model has not matched the performance of rival systems. The New York Times reported that Meta's new foundational AI model, code-named Avocado, lagged leading models from Alphabet's Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL), as well as systems developed by OpenAI and Anthropic, in internal testing for reasoning, coding, and writing capabilities. People familiar with the matter said the model performed better than Meta's earlier AI system and also surpassed Google's Gemini 2.5 model released in March. However, it did not match the capabilities of Gemini 3.0, which was introduced in November, the report said. As a result, Meta has delayed the release of the Avocado model to at least May, rather than launching it this month. Executives within the company's AI division have also discussed the possibility of temporarily licensing Google's Gemini technology to support some of Meta's AI products, though no final decision has been made. Meta has been investing heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure, hiring researchers and committing large sums toward data-center expansion to support the development of advanced AI systems.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Lucid Group (NASDAQ:LCID) shares climbed about 3% on Friday morning after the electric vehicle maker outlined plans for a new midsize platform and broader product strategy during its Investor Day. The company said the upcoming platform will support three new electric vehicles targeting the mainstream EV segment, with a starting price of roughly $50,000. Th...
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Lucid Group (NASDAQ:LCID) shares climbed about 3% on Friday morning after the electric vehicle maker outlined plans for a new midsize platform and broader product strategy during its Investor Day. The company said the upcoming platform will support three new electric vehicles targeting the mainstream EV segment, with a starting price of roughly $50,000. The vehicles are expected to compete with models such as Tesla's (NASDAQ:TSLA) Model 3 and Model Y as Lucid looks to expand beyond its premium lineup. Management also indicated it sees a potential path to reaching positive cash flow by the end of the decade as production volumes increase and the company broadens its market reach. The strategy appears focused on moving into higher-volume segments of the U.S. auto market. Analysts offered mixed views on the plan. RBC Capital Markets said the company's move into midsize vehicles could help address challenges Lucid has faced selling premium cars against established luxury brands. The firm maintained a Sector Perform rating. Morgan Stanley said the platform may support the company's long-term goal of becoming free cash flow positive, particularly if partnerships related to autonomous technology help diversify revenue streams. However, the bank noted that softer EV demand and execution risks in a competitive market could weigh on near-term progress.
Key Points 13D Management acquired 52,000 shares; estimated transaction value of $4.49 million based on quarterly average pricing. The Workiva position represents 5.34% of 13D Management LLC's reportable assets under management. Post-trade stake: 52,000 shares valued at $4.49 million as of December 31, 2025. 10 stocks we like better than Workiva › What happened According to a Securities and Exchan...
Key Points 13D Management acquired 52,000 shares; estimated transaction value of $4.49 million based on quarterly average pricing. The Workiva position represents 5.34% of 13D Management LLC's reportable assets under management. Post-trade stake: 52,000 shares valued at $4.49 million as of December 31, 2025. 10 stocks we like better than Workiva › What happened According to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing dated February 17, 2026, 13D Management LLC reported opening a new position in Workiva (NYSE:WK) by purchasing 52,000 shares. The estimated transaction value was $4.49 million, calculated using the quarter's average share price. The position's value at quarter end was $4.49 million, reflecting both the purchase and price movement during the period. What else to know This is a new position; the $4.49 million stake represents 5.34% of the fund's $84.05 million in reportable U.S. equity assets as of December 31, 2025. Top holdings after the filing: NYSE:TWLO: $8.64 million (10.3% of AUM) NASDAQ:MRCY: $7.58 million (9.0% of AUM) NASDAQ:VSAT: $6.95 million (8.3% of AUM) NYSE:ALV: $6.63 million (7.9% of AUM) NYSE:PSO: $6.44 million (7.7% of AUM) As of February 16, 2026, shares of Workiva were priced at $61.93, down 32.55% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 44.34 percentage points. Company Overview Metric Value Revenue (TTM) $884.57 million Net Income (TTM) ($26.17 million) Market Capitalization $3.48 billion Price (as of market close February 13, 2026) $61.93 Company Snapshot Workiva offers a cloud-based platform for compliance, regulatory reporting, data integration, and collaboration as its core product. Its business model centers on providing enterprise software solutions for organizations with complex reporting and compliance needs. The company serves public and private corporations, government agencies, and higher-education institutions seeking robust reporting and data management solutions. Workiva operates as a leading provider of...
Eric Allan, who has died aged 85, was a prolific character actor best known for playing country folk, on radio as the gentle, poetry-loving farmhand Bert Fry in The Archers and on television as the blacksmith Frank Blakey in the early days of Emmerdale Farm (later retitled Emmerdale). He previously had a starring role in Mike Leigh’s first feature film, Bleak Moments (1971), playing a socially awk...
Eric Allan, who has died aged 85, was a prolific character actor best known for playing country folk, on radio as the gentle, poetry-loving farmhand Bert Fry in The Archers and on television as the blacksmith Frank Blakey in the early days of Emmerdale Farm (later retitled Emmerdale). He previously had a starring role in Mike Leigh’s first feature film, Bleak Moments (1971), playing a socially awkward teacher, Peter, who is attracted to Sylvia, an office worker and the carer of her learning-disabled sister. In one scene he fulfilled Leigh’s ambition to portray “a couple kissing the way it happens and not the way people always kiss in movies”. Allan joined Emmerdale Farm in December 1972, just two months after ITV launched the soap revolving around the Sugden family in the Yorkshire Dales. Frank rented the village forge and, when he married Janie Harker (played by Diane Grayson) in 1973, gave the serial its first wedding, with Jack Sugden (Andrew Burt) as best man. But Frank was unpopular with some locals for his opposition to hunting. When he was threatened with eviction, the programme’s fictional Hotten Courier ran a story with the headline: “Anti-blood sport blacksmith victimised by landlord.” In 1974, Frank left for Essex with Janie after being offered a teaching post. More than two decades later, in 1997, Allan took over the role of Bert in The Archers from Roger Hume, who had died the previous year. Bert worked for Phil Archer (Norman Painting) at Brookfield Farm, which was later taken over by Phil’s son, David (Timothy Bentinck), and daughter-in-law, Ruth (Felicity Finch). With a love for old-fashioned country values, Bert took part in local events such as ploughing contests. He also wrote poetry and recited folklore, both entertaining and sometimes infuriating villagers in the fictional Ambridge. “He’s the character the production team tend to turn to if the storylines are getting too depressing and a bit of light relief is called for,” said Allan. “But peopl...
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) said it will reduce the commission fees it collects from developers through its App Store in mainland China, lowering the rate on certain transactions as it adjusts its policies following discussions with regulators. The iPhone maker said the commission on standard in-app purchases and paid app downloads will fall to 25% from the previo...
This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) said it will reduce the commission fees it collects from developers through its App Store in mainland China, lowering the rate on certain transactions as it adjusts its policies following discussions with regulators. The iPhone maker said the commission on standard in-app purchases and paid app downloads will fall to 25% from the previous 30% starting Sunday. The change applies to developers distributing apps in China through Apple's digital marketplace. Apple added that developers participating in its App Store Small Business Program and Mini Apps Partner Program will see commission rates reduced to 12% from 15%. The lower rate will also apply to automatic subscription renewals after the first year under Apple's in-app purchase system. The company said it aims to maintain terms that it views as consistent and competitive for developers operating in China, while continuing to support its broader ecosystem of apps and digital services. Apple's commission structure, often referred to by critics as the Apple tax, has drawn regulatory attention in several regions. In 2024, the company introduced lower commission tiers in the European Union following regulatory pressure related to digital marketplace competition. Shares of APPL remained 0.2% up at the time of writing.
Torsten Asmus/iStock via Getty Images The S&P 500 has experienced a challenging two-week period marked by escalating geopolitical tensions, sector rotation into defensives, and technical deterioration. In light of this, b elow is a list of the top 10 S&P Materials holdings arranged according to their growth factor grade. T he list is topped by Freeport-McMoRan ( FCX ) and Newmont Corporation ( NEM...
Torsten Asmus/iStock via Getty Images The S&P 500 has experienced a challenging two-week period marked by escalating geopolitical tensions, sector rotation into defensives, and technical deterioration. In light of this, b elow is a list of the top 10 S&P Materials holdings arranged according to their growth factor grade. T he list is topped by Freeport-McMoRan ( FCX ) and Newmont Corporation ( NEM ), both sharing the highest growth grade of A-. These two companies represent the leading growth prospects within the top Materials holdings, with both also earning Strong Buy quant ratings. T he middle and lower portions of the list show considerably weaker growth characteristics. Nucor ( NUE ) and Ecolab ( ECL ) each carry C- grades, while several holdings including Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. ( MLM ), Corteva, Inc. ( CTVA ), CRH plc ( CRH ), and Linde plc ( LIN ) display D grades. Air Products and Chemical ( APD ) and Sherwin-Williams round out the bottom with a D- growth grade each. T he growth factor grade is a quantitative assessment used in stock analysis to evaluate a company’s growth prospects and expansion trajectory. This metric systematically analyzes multiple growth-related indicators to determine how effectively a company is scaling its business operations. Growth factor grades are typically expressed on a letter scale (A+ through F), where higher grades indicate stronger growth characteristics relative to sector peers. An A+ grade represents exceptional growth potential, while lower grades suggest more moderate expansion or potential headwinds. H ere is the list: F reeport-McMoRan ( FCX ), Growth grade: A- N ewmont ( NEM ), Growth grade: A- N ucor ( NUE ), Growth grade: C- E colab ( ECL ), Growth grade: C- M artin Marietta Materials ( MLM ), Growth grade: D C orteva ( CTVA ), Growth grade: D C RH ( CRH ), Growth grade: D L inde ( LIN ), Growth grade: D A ir Products and Chemicals ( APD ), Growth grade: D- T he Sherwin-Williams Company ( SHW ), Growth gra...
Two weeks in, it’s increasingly clear that the US-led war has taken every problem it aimed to solve – and made it worse It’s not easy, but let’s try to look at this war in the best, most charitable light. Let’s try to see the US-Israel conflict with Iran as its prosecutors and advocates would want us to see it. They would say that it has two aims, both legitimate. The first is to weaken if not rem...
Two weeks in, it’s increasingly clear that the US-led war has taken every problem it aimed to solve – and made it worse It’s not easy, but let’s try to look at this war in the best, most charitable light. Let’s try to see the US-Israel conflict with Iran as its prosecutors and advocates would want us to see it. They would say that it has two aims, both legitimate. The first is to weaken if not remove a regime that has done terrible evil to its own people. Who could mourn the supreme leader of a government that, according to one report, gunned down 30,000 of its citizens on the streets in just two days on 8 and 9 January? Listen to those Iranians who long ago reached the glum conclusion that the only way they could be rid of their tormentors was through external military action. As one exiled Iranian put it to me this week: “The Iranian people have been begging the world for help for so many years. They tried voting for change in 2009; they were killed. They tried protesting in 2019, 2022 and this year; they were massacred in the tens of thousands … They were out of all other options.” Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...
watch now VIDEO 4:00 04:00 U.S. Trade Rep. says American companies should give Trump tariff refunds to workers, customers Squawk Box American companies that end up getting up to $ 165 billion or so in refunds for President Donald Trump 's newly voided reciprocal tariffs should give that money to their workers as bonuses or raises, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Friday. Greer's sugge...
watch now VIDEO 4:00 04:00 U.S. Trade Rep. says American companies should give Trump tariff refunds to workers, customers Squawk Box American companies that end up getting up to $ 165 billion or so in refunds for President Donald Trump 's newly voided reciprocal tariffs should give that money to their workers as bonuses or raises, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Friday. Greer's suggestion, made in an interview with CNBC's " Squawk Box," comes as hundreds of American importers, including Costco and FedEx , have filed lawsuits seeking refunds for the money they paid in tariffs that were ruled illegal by the Supreme Court in a 6-3 vote on Feb. 20 . A U.S. Customs and Border Protection official told a Court of International Trade judge in a filing on Thursday that development of an online system that will process refund claim requests is 70% completed. While that system remains under development, the judge's prior order that CPB begin refunding the tariffs with interest remains suspended. "If I were these companies, and somehow they get this windfall, the most important thing and the smartest thing they should do is give it as bonuses to their workers," Greer told CNBC on Friday. Jamieson Greer, US trade representative, during a Bloomberg Television interview outside the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. Stefani Reynolds | Bloomberg | Getty Images "The whole reason the president imposed these tariffs was to try to reshore, affect our massive imbalance in trade that we've experienced over many years because of China, Vietnam, the EU, and others," Greer said. "If the companies are going to get this windfall, they should pass it along to their workers as a bonus or a raise, because that's the purpose of the program. It's always been the purpose of the program. And the American people should get it, and the company should give it to their workers." Read more CNBC politics coverage Housing affordability bill clears Senate as investor ...