According to research from The Motley Fool, China accounts for roughly 70% of rare-earth extraction and 90% of rare-earth processing. Given its dominant position in these key materials, the U.S. is proactively seeking alternative sources. Earlier this year, the U.S. took a bold step toward securing critical minerals with the launch of Project Vault, a $12 billion initiative to create a strategic r...
According to research from The Motley Fool, China accounts for roughly 70% of rare-earth extraction and 90% of rare-earth processing. Given its dominant position in these key materials, the U.S. is proactively seeking alternative sources. Earlier this year, the U.S. took a bold step toward securing critical minerals with the launch of Project Vault, a $12 billion initiative to create a strategic reserve of over 60 essential materials. One company that could benefit from this initiative is Critical Metals Corp. (CRML 4.91%). Critical Metals' Tanbreez project is rich in crucial rare-earth elements Critical Metals is an early-stage company developing one of the world's largest rare-earth deposits and could be a key player as the U.S. and others push to secure these critical minerals. Its future success hinges on the development of the Tanbreez project in Greenland, which is rich in rare-earth and other crucial metals, including gallium, hafnium, cerium, and yttrium. These minerals and other rare-earth elements are crucial to next-generation technologies in the defense, communications, and automotive industries. For example, gallium is essential for high-speed microchips and radar systems. Yttrium is a heavy rare-earth element critical for camera lenses, laser-guided munitions, and superconducting materials. One major advantage of the Tanbreez project is its lower radioactivity compared to other rare-earth element deposits. The minerals at Tanbreez are hosted in eudialyte, which has low uranium and thorium content, making it easier to permit and safer to process. Not only that, but the project is strategically located in Greenland with access to direct shipping routes to North American and European refineries. Expand NASDAQ : CRML Critical Metals Today's Change ( -4.91 %) $ -0.45 Current Price $ 8.72 Key Data Points Market Cap $1.1B Day's Range $ 8.71 - $ 8.99 52wk Range $ 1.23 - $ 32.15 Volume 45K Avg Vol 16M Here's what's next for Critical Metals in the next couple of...
Ratana21/iStock via Getty Images The following segment was excerpted from Royce Capital Fund-Micro-Cap Portfolio FY 2025 Commentary. Seven of the portfolio’s 10 equity sectors made a positive impact on calendar year performance, led by Industrials, Financials, and Information Technology. The largest negative impacts came from Consumer Discretionary, Real Estate, and Health Care. At the industry le...
Ratana21/iStock via Getty Images The following segment was excerpted from Royce Capital Fund-Micro-Cap Portfolio FY 2025 Commentary. Seven of the portfolio’s 10 equity sectors made a positive impact on calendar year performance, led by Industrials, Financials, and Information Technology. The largest negative impacts came from Consumer Discretionary, Real Estate, and Health Care. At the industry level, electronic equipment, instruments & components (Information Technology), banks (Financials), and aerospace & defense (Industrials) contributed most for the calendar year period, while professional services (Industrials), life sciences tools & services (Health Care), and software (Information Technology) were the largest detractors. Our top contributor was nLIGHT ( LASR ) , which designs, manufactures, and sells a range of high-power semiconductor and fiber lasers that are typically integrated into laser systems or tools built by its manufacturing customers. The company also provides components and integrated solutions to high-energy laser systems for directed energy and laser sensing systems used in a wide range of defense applications. nLIGHT differentiates its business by its vertical integration, domain knowledge, and manufacturing capabilities to combine dedicated resources and facilities with deep technical expertise to deliver cutting-edge solutions, increasingly to government and defense organizations. Its shares have outperformed due to upward revisions to the outlook for its aerospace & defense customers. We remain constructive on the prospects for addressable market-expanding product launches and a recovery in manufacturing-driven end markets. LightPath Technologies ( LPTH ) produces optical assemblies, modules, and integrated camera systems for the defense, public safety, and industrial end-markets. Its stock price rose as LightPath continued to deliver record backlog at record quarterly run-rate revenues amid a broad-based demand environment for components ...
Key Points Critical Metals Corp. is developing the Tanbreez project in Greenland. The project is rich in rare-earth elements and is strategically located for North American and European markets. The company is still in the advanced exploration stage, with a definitive feasibility study not expected until late 2026. 10 stocks we like better than Critical Metals › According to research from The Motl...
Key Points Critical Metals Corp. is developing the Tanbreez project in Greenland. The project is rich in rare-earth elements and is strategically located for North American and European markets. The company is still in the advanced exploration stage, with a definitive feasibility study not expected until late 2026. 10 stocks we like better than Critical Metals › According to research from The Motley Fool, China accounts for roughly 70% of rare-earth extraction and 90% of rare-earth processing. Given its dominant position in these key materials, the U.S. is proactively seeking alternative sources. Earlier this year, the U.S. took a bold step toward securing critical minerals with the launch of Project Vault, a $12 billion initiative to create a strategic reserve of over 60 essential materials. One company that could benefit from this initiative is Critical Metals Corp. (NASDAQ: CRML). 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 » Critical Metals' Tanbreez project is rich in crucial rare-earth elements Critical Metals is an early-stage company developing one of the world's largest rare-earth deposits and could be a key player as the U.S. and others push to secure these critical minerals. Its future success hinges on the development of the Tanbreez project in Greenland, which is rich in rare-earth and other crucial metals, including gallium, hafnium, cerium, and yttrium. These minerals and other rare-earth elements are crucial to next-generation technologies in the defense, communications, and automotive industries. For example, gallium is essential for high-speed microchips and radar systems. Yttrium is a heavy rare-earth element critical for camera lenses, laser-guided munitions, and superconducting materials. One major advantage of the Tanbreez project is its lower radioactivity compared to othe...
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. ISRG is still expanding the reach of its da Vinci surgical system. This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) is expected to grow earnings in the double digits in 2026 and 2027. Intuitive is a leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery. Its technologies include the da Vinci surgical system and the Ion endoluminal system. It sells several models of t...
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. ISRG is still expanding the reach of its da Vinci surgical system. This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) is expected to grow earnings in the double digits in 2026 and 2027. Intuitive is a leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery. Its technologies include the da Vinci surgical system and the Ion endoluminal system. It sells several models of the da Vinci surgical system. It offers surgeons high-definition 3D vision, a magnified view, and robotic and computer assistance. As of Dec 31, 2025, more than 20 million patients worldwide had been operated on using da Vinci surgical systems. Intuitive Expands Direct Operations in Southern Europe On Mar 2, 2026, Intuitive announced that it had completed the acquisition of the da Vinci and Ion distribution business operated by ab medica, Abex, Excelencia Robótica, and their affiliates. This business is in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta, San Marino and associated territories. There is a combined installed base of more than 470 da Vinci surgical systems in Italy, Spain, and Portugal as of Dec 31, 2025. The Ion endoluminal system was recently launched in Italy and Spain. It will add 250 employees to the Intuitive team. The acquisition will provide more agile customer service and can bring the systems to more patients across Southern Europe. Another Earnings Beat for Intuitive Surgical in Q4 2025 On Jan 22, 2026, Intuitive Surgical reported its fourth quarter 2025 earnings and it beat on the Zacks Consensus for the twelfth quarter in a row. Earnings were $2.53 compared to the Zacks Consensus of $2.25, for a beat of $0.28. It’s last miss was all the way back in 2023. Intuitive has only missed twice in the last 5 years. Worldwide procedures of both da Vinci and Ion grew about 18% year-over-year. Da Vinci procedures rose 17% and Ion procedures grew 44%. The company placed 532 da Vinci surgical systems in the quarter, up from 493 in the fourth quarter of 2024. It’s da Vinci surgical...
Monica Schipper/Getty Images Entertainment Introduction With shares of IMAX Corporation ( IMAX ) up 54% in the past twelve months, IMAX put up a strong 2025 that was driven by strong content performance and continued growth globally. With record revenue, the company's performance has been helped by a surge in blockbuster local-language films and a growing network of theater systems across develope...
Monica Schipper/Getty Images Entertainment Introduction With shares of IMAX Corporation ( IMAX ) up 54% in the past twelve months, IMAX put up a strong 2025 that was driven by strong content performance and continued growth globally. With record revenue, the company's performance has been helped by a surge in blockbuster local-language films and a growing network of theater systems across developed and emerging markets. In this article, I'll dissect the latest quarter, recap the prior year, and provide my outlook on how I'm thinking about 2026 for the company. Recent Results 2025 was a strong year for IMAX, and the company delivered a Q4 that beat on both the top and bottom lines to close out the year. For the full year, revenues came in at a record $410 million , up 16% from last year, with the global box office up 40% to $1.28 billion and capturing an all-time high 3.8% share of the worldwide box office, 700 bps year-over-year. For the quarter, revenues of $125.2 million were $4.8 million above consensus estimates, and EPS of $0.58 came in 11 cents ahead of sell-side expectations. Seeking Alpha When looking at what drove the Q4 results, IMAX generated $336 million at the box office, up 16% from last year, with quarterly revenue that was 35% higher than the prior year period. Content Solutions revenue (money IMAX makes from putting movies on screen) surged 50% in Q4 to $38 million, thanks to a successful slate of movies that produced a record $405 million from local language films across 67 releases from 14 countries, including standouts like Ne Zha 2 and Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle . In Technology Products and Services (revenue generated from selling and fixing the actual cameras and projectors), revenues were up 32% for the quarter and 16% for the year. Driving this growth were 160 system installations (including a record 118 in rest-of-world markets) and 166 new or upgraded system agreements. Importantly, the company expanded its exhibition partner base to 257...
Xu An. Xu An, a former president of Hong Kong-listed Bank of Guizhou Co. Ltd., has been given a suspended death sentence for taking more than 168 million yuan ($2.4 million) in bribes, marking another high-profile case in China’s crackdown on financial-sector corruption. A court in Guizhou on Wednesday also convicted Xu of embezzlement and money laundering, ordering the confiscation of all persona...
Xu An. Xu An, a former president of Hong Kong-listed Bank of Guizhou Co. Ltd., has been given a suspended death sentence for taking more than 168 million yuan ($2.4 million) in bribes, marking another high-profile case in China’s crackdown on financial-sector corruption. A court in Guizhou on Wednesday also convicted Xu of embezzlement and money laundering, ordering the confiscation of all personal assets and stripping him of political rights for life.
ZKH Group press release ( ZKH ): Q4 GAAP EPADS of $0.00. Revenue of $365.68M (+12.6% Y/Y). More on ZKH Group Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating on ZKH Group Historical earnings data for ZKH Group Financial information for ZKH Group
ZKH Group press release ( ZKH ): Q4 GAAP EPADS of $0.00. Revenue of $365.68M (+12.6% Y/Y). More on ZKH Group Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating on ZKH Group Historical earnings data for ZKH Group Financial information for ZKH Group
China's smartphone sales fell 4% year over year in the first nine weeks of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research's China Weekly Smartphone Sell-Out Tracker. The decline reflects soft consumer demand and underwhelming Lunar New Year promotions. Government subsidies introduced early in the year have had limited impact so far. While February promotions lifted sales from January levels, rising memo...
China's smartphone sales fell 4% year over year in the first nine weeks of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research's China Weekly Smartphone Sell-Out Tracker. The decline reflects soft consumer demand and underwhelming Lunar New Year promotions. Government subsidies introduced early in the year have had limited impact so far. While February promotions lifted sales from January levels, rising memory prices constrained discounts. As a result, sales during the holiday period and the preceding three weeks were still down 2% year over year. Rising Memory Costs Drive Pricing Pressure Higher memory costs are increasingly being passed through the supply chain. In response, OPPO and vivo have announced price increases for select existing models, effective March. The move also serves as a test of market sensitivity ahead of upcoming launches and will help guide pricing for next-generation devices. If demand weakens further, adjustments are expected. Apple And Huawei Positioned To Gain Share Huawei may also benefit. Its reliance on domestic suppliers offers a cost advantage, as local memory sourcing is typically cheaper than international alternatives. This positions Huawei to capture share, particularly in the low- to mid-end segment. Outlook: Pressure To Continue Through Midyear Looking ahead, China's smartphone market is expected to remain under pressure from March through May. A potential recovery could emerge in early June, driven by 618 shopping promotions. However, elevated memory prices are likely to persist throughout 2026, forcing OEMs to balance margins, pricing and shipment targets. AAPL Price Action: Apple shares were up 0.52% at $251.25 during premarket trading on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data. Photo by Top_CNX via Shutterstock
Optiscaler delivers improved FSR 4 version for AMD RDNA 2 GPU users The Optiscaler community has done what AMD couldn’t: bring FSR 4 to RDNA 2 The Optiscaler Community has come together to create an improved version of AMD’s leaked FSR 4 INT8 version. With this new version, FSR 4.0.2b, users of RDNA 2 graphics cards can now use AMD’s improved upscaler with significantly less ghosting. Furthermore,...
Optiscaler delivers improved FSR 4 version for AMD RDNA 2 GPU users The Optiscaler community has done what AMD couldn’t: bring FSR 4 to RDNA 2 The Optiscaler Community has come together to create an improved version of AMD’s leaked FSR 4 INT8 version. With this new version, FSR 4.0.2b, users of RDNA 2 graphics cards can now use AMD’s improved upscaler with significantly less ghosting. Furthermore, this version now works on AMD’s newest RDNA 2 GPU drivers. Right now, AMD’s FSR 4 technology is exclusive to the company’s Radeon RDNA 4 graphics cards. These GPUs use hardware-accelerated FP8 math to perform their AI upscaling. This hardware acceleration is not available on older Radeon GPU architectures. That said, AMD’s leaked INT8 version of FSR 4 could work on older GPUs, with gamers successfully testing it on RDNA 3 and RDNA 2 GPUs. While these leaked upscaler versions aren’t as good as AMD’s RDNA 4/FP8 veriant, they deliver much higher levels of image quality than FSR 3. Optiscaler is better at supporting older AMD hardware than AMD themselves… With their new 4.0.2b version of FSR 4’s INT8 version, the Optiscaler community has given RDNA 2 GPU owners a welcome upgrade. When asked about FSR 4’s INT8 version, AMD’s official statement is that they have “no updates to share at this time.” That statement was from February 2026. While Nvidia had delivered its newest FSR 4.5 upscaler to all of its RTX series GPUs (which date back to 2018), AMD has refused to bring FSR 4 to anything predating its 2025 RDNA 4 graphics architecture. This has caused anger among longtime AMD fans, as users of AMD’s relatively recent RDNA 2 and RDNA 3 graphics architectures have been left behind. (Source – Optiscaler Discord) AMD, just do it already… When the INT8 version of FSR 4 leaked, the cat was out of the bag. AMD has proved that FSR 4 support is possible for its RDNA 2 and RDNA 3 graphics cards. The only thing stopping official FSR 4 support is AMD, and their refusal to finalise their INT...
Lumentum LITE shares rallied 7.9% in the last trading session to close at $700.81. This move can be attributable to notable volume with a higher number of shares being traded than in a typical session. This compares to the stock's 8.2% gain over the past four weeks. Lumentum benefits from AI-driven demand surge, strong OCS Momentum, CPO growth and large orders and transition to higher-speed networ...
Lumentum LITE shares rallied 7.9% in the last trading session to close at $700.81. This move can be attributable to notable volume with a higher number of shares being traded than in a typical session. This compares to the stock's 8.2% gain over the past four weeks. Lumentum benefits from AI-driven demand surge, strong OCS Momentum, CPO growth and large orders and transition to higher-speed networks. This optical networking products maker is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.25 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +294.7%. Revenues are expected to be $805.39 million, up 89.4% from the year-ago quarter. While earnings and revenue growth expectations are important in evaluating the potential strength in a stock, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. For Lumentum, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. And a stock's price usually doesn't keep moving higher in the absence of any trend in earnings estimate revisions. So, make sure to keep an eye on LITE going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> Lumentum is a member of the Zacks Communication - Components industry. One other stock in the same industry, Viav Solutions VIAV, finished the last trading session 5.2% higher at $32.44. VIAV has returned 17.3% over the past month. Viav Solutions' consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming report has remained unchanged over the past month at $0.22. Compared to the company's year-ago EPS, this represents a change of +46.7%. Viav Solutions currently boasts a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Quantum Computing Stocks Set To Soar Artificial intelligence has already reshaped the investment landscape, and its convergence with quant...
Japan’s cities and villages are starting to experience fuel shortages affecting everything from public transport to farming, as disruptions from the Iran war seep deeper into daily life. The import-dependent nation relies on the Middle East for nearly all of its oil, and has been hit particularly hard by the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Major refiner Idemitsu Kosan Co. this week start...
Japan’s cities and villages are starting to experience fuel shortages affecting everything from public transport to farming, as disruptions from the Iran war seep deeper into daily life. The import-dependent nation relies on the Middle East for nearly all of its oil, and has been hit particularly hard by the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Major refiner Idemitsu Kosan Co. this week started cutting supply to customers, and the nation’s gasoline prices surged 18% in the past week to the highest level in records dating back 36 years. Some farmers have reported struggles to secure diesel for tractors and other equipment ahead of planting season, which typically starts in April, with distributors limiting sales and hunting for alternative supplies. “My biggest concern is not being able to supply the diesel” that farmers need, said Masato Sannohmaru, fuel station manager at an agricultural cooperative in Ohgata, a village in the northern Akita Prefecture. Multiple suppliers have said they have no inventory to deliver, he added. Read More: Oil and Gas Prices Jump as Strikes on Gulf Facilities Escalate Transportation authorities in major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto are also having trouble procuring fuel. The Kyoto City transportation bureau earlier this week failed to award a tender for bus fuel for April-May, according to a city official. Tokyo’s Metropolitan Government reported a similar failure for an April-June tender. City officials said fuel suppliers have been reluctant to participate in tenders because the estimated price set by authorities before the start of the war is now far lower than market prices.
Earning outstanding returns in equity markets sometimes requires a contrarian mindset and the ability to identify stocks that, despite significant challenges, can recover and perform well over the long run. Does that description fit Fiverr (FVRR 4.09%)? The company has lost substantial market value over the past five years, but if Fiverr can bounce back from recent woes and benefit from industrywi...
Earning outstanding returns in equity markets sometimes requires a contrarian mindset and the ability to identify stocks that, despite significant challenges, can recover and perform well over the long run. Does that description fit Fiverr (FVRR 4.09%)? The company has lost substantial market value over the past five years, but if Fiverr can bounce back from recent woes and benefit from industrywide tailwinds, it might deliver superior returns to patient investors. However, does it have what it takes to turn average investors into millionaires? Let's find out. The gig economy is expanding Fiverr is a platform that helps freelancers promote themselves, market their skills, and connect with businesses seeking their services. For freelancers, Fiverr is a quick, easy way to get started without building a website from scratch, and companies can also hire workers quickly on a freelance or contract basis. Fiverr earns money primarily by taking a cut of the total amount for each transaction it facilitates on its platform. So, as more people join the gig economy -- be it on a full-time or part-time basis to earn some extra cash -- and as more businesses look for such services, Fiverr's addressable market will expand. According to some estimates, the gig economy will grow at a compound annual rate of 15.79% through 2035. Expand NYSE : FVRR Fiverr International Today's Change ( -4.09 %) $ -0.45 Current Price $ 10.54 Key Data Points Market Cap $389M Day's Range $ 10.53 - $ 11.12 52wk Range $ 10.15 - $ 34.13 Volume 50 Avg Vol 1.4M Gross Margin 80.70 % How much will Fiverr benefit from that? The company has a recognizable brand name in the field and an existing, deep ecosystem of buyers and sellers, which arguably grants it a network effect. Fiverr is also profiting from the increased demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-related services. If the AI industry maintains its momentum, Fiverr could ride that wave for a while. That said, the company faces headwinds. Here are two of ...
Key Points Fiverr could tap into the growing gig economy. But there is plenty of uncertainty ahead for the company. Turning investors into multimillionaires will be a tall order. 10 stocks we like better than Fiverr International › Earning outstanding returns in equity markets sometimes requires a contrarian mindset and the ability to identify stocks that, despite significant challenges, can recov...
Key Points Fiverr could tap into the growing gig economy. But there is plenty of uncertainty ahead for the company. Turning investors into multimillionaires will be a tall order. 10 stocks we like better than Fiverr International › Earning outstanding returns in equity markets sometimes requires a contrarian mindset and the ability to identify stocks that, despite significant challenges, can recover and perform well over the long run. Does that description fit Fiverr (NYSE: FVRR)? The company has lost substantial market value over the past five years, but if Fiverr can bounce back from recent woes and benefit from industrywide tailwinds, it might deliver superior returns to patient investors. However, does it have what it takes to turn average investors into millionaires? Let's find out. 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 » The gig economy is expanding Fiverr is a platform that helps freelancers promote themselves, market their skills, and connect with businesses seeking their services. For freelancers, Fiverr is a quick, easy way to get started without building a website from scratch, and companies can also hire workers quickly on a freelance or contract basis. Fiverr earns money primarily by taking a cut of the total amount for each transaction it facilitates on its platform. So, as more people join the gig economy -- be it on a full-time or part-time basis to earn some extra cash -- and as more businesses look for such services, Fiverr's addressable market will expand. According to some estimates, the gig economy will grow at a compound annual rate of 15.79% through 2035. How much will Fiverr benefit from that? The company has a recognizable brand name in the field and an existing, deep ecosystem of buyers and sellers, which arguably grants it a network effect. Fiverr is also profiti...
Google Will Win AI In The West On Thursday, Musk, in a response to user Bindu Reddy on X, who complained of issues with Google’s Gemini 3.0 model, made his predictions. “Google will win the AI race in the West, China on Earth and SpaceX in space,” he said in his response, positioning his company as the leader in the tech sector’s orbital data center push. Google’s AI arm, DeepMind, has accelerated...
Google Will Win AI In The West On Thursday, Musk, in a response to user Bindu Reddy on X, who complained of issues with Google’s Gemini 3.0 model, made his predictions. “Google will win the AI race in the West, China on Earth and SpaceX in space,” he said in his response, positioning his company as the leader in the tech sector’s orbital data center push. Google’s AI arm, DeepMind, has accelerated its development efforts, bringing in Jasjeet Sekhon as chief strategy officer. Sekhon was previously the chief scientist and head of AI at Bridgewater Associates. Elon Musk On Chip Production The CEO also outlined the challenges that artificial intelligence currently faces when responding to a user, who predicted that the price of AI hardware and compute will rise due to linear supply and an increase in demand. “The limiting factor will shift from chips to energy on Earth,” he said, predicting that AI’s power demand would present challenges for the energy sector. However, Musk then shared that the limiting factor for the technology would revert “back to chips when space solar (star) power is unlocked.” Nvidia’s Orbital Datacenter Goal, Tesla’s Terafab Check out more of Benzinga’s Future Of Mobility coverage by following this link. Photo courtesy: Shutterstock