Market Signal Briefing

Amid potential near-term volatility, global growth concerns and a complex geopolitical environment, investors are likely to become more risk-averse with time, turning their attention to more stable investment strategies like value investing.

Value investing focuses on purchasing stocks that are undervalued, based on some fundamental analysis, relative to their intrinsic value. Value investors actively seek out stocks currently overlooked by the market and aim to profit by purchasing them at a discount compared to their intrinsic value.

By purchasing and holding these undervalued stocks for the long term, value investors rely on the expectation that the market will eventually recognize their true value, allowing them to reap significant rewards.

Value stocks aim to exploit market inefficiencies, investor sentiment and short-term fluctuations, offering the potential for higher returns with lower volatility than growth stocks.

The Case for Value InvestingWall Street is likely to face added economic uncertainty, as legal uncertainties around tariffs and the Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling could weigh on sentiment and trigger a negative market reaction. In this environment, value investing stands out as an attractive strategy for investor portfolios.

With Fed Chair Jerome Powell cautioning that equities appear overvalued, value investing could offer a timely and strategic advantage. Even a comment hinting at caution or challenging market expectations can trigger investor panic, leading to widespread sell-offs, ultimately hurting the market. Even so, the possibility of a downturn is enough to push risk-averse investors toward value investing.

According to CNBC, the S&P 500 took a breather from its recent rally as investors questioned the sustainability of the AI boom and whether the top AI firms have enough energy to fuel their growth plans. Rising concerns regarding the sustainability of the AI boom highlight the sector’s concentration risks and potential systemic vulnerabilities.

Investing heavily in the technology sector to capitalize on AI’s growth potential comes with increased concentration risks. If the AI-driven stock market bubble bursts, heavily tech-reliant investor portfolios may suffer significant losses. Adopting a value investing approach serves as a strong diversification option for investors seeking to safeguard their portfolios.

Value Investing Made Simple With ETFsValue investing demands patience and discipline, as determining a stock’s intrinsic value involves careful financial analysis and judgment, making the process often complex and time-intensive.

Value investing through ETFs offers investors an easy and accessible way to follow this strategy. Using Value ETFs may present an appealing alternative, simplifying the implementation of the strategy for investors.

Such ETFs focus on stocks characterized by strong fundamentals and robust financial health, which trade below their intrinsic value, representing undervaluation. They offer the potential for higher, more stable returns and lower volatility than growth and blend stocks.

Value funds act as a cushion against market volatility. Additionally, Value ETFs can serve as a source of income through dividends. Investors with a medium to long-term investment horizon are better positioned to benefit from this strategy, making it particularly suited for those focused on long-term investing.

Below, we have highlighted a few value ETFs for investors looking to implement a value investing strategy.

Investors can consider Vanguard Value ETF (VTV - Free Report) , JPMorgan Active Value ETF (JAVA - Free Report) , Avantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF (AVLV - Free Report) , iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS - Free Report) and Vanguard Small Cap Value ETF (VBR - Free Report) .

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in FOUR over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

By Reuters

September 30, 20254:06 PM UTCUpdated ago

A man walks past a branch of the BBVA bank, with a poster referring to the Spanish lender's takeover bid for smaller rival Sabadell, in Bilbao, Spain, March 24, 2025. REUTERS/Vincent West Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

MADRID, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The board of Spanish lender Sabadell

(SABE.MC), opens new tab on Tuesday advised its shareholders to reject BBVA's

(BBVA.MC), opens new tab improved hostile takeover bid, stating that the offer still significantly undervalued the bank, it said.

However, David Martinez, the largest shareholder on Sabadell's board with a 3.86% holding through Fintech Europe, said he would accept BBVA's recent sweetener. The bid is currently worth around 16.97 billion euros ($19.91 billion).

Sign up here.

($1 = 0.8524 euros)

Reporting by Jesús Aguado

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Image: Bigstock

Read MoreHide Full Article

Key Takeaways RCL achieved a 110% load factor in Q2, with demand boosted by new ships and close-in bookings.The fleet pipeline includes Celebrity Xcel in 2025 and seven more ships scheduled through 2028.
RCL faces rising fuel expenses and higher operating costs, pressuring profitability and margins.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL - Free Report) is capitalizing on strong demand and robust booking trends, supported by strategic innovations and the launch of segment-leading new ships. The company has emphasized strategic investments in digital platforms, fleet expansion, private destinations and enhanced guest experiences — all of which have contributed to positive customer sentiment.

Other industry players that share space with RCL, including Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL - Free Report) , Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH - Free Report) and OneSpaWorld Holdings Limited (OSW - Free Report) , are also benefiting from favorable market conditions and sustained demand for discretionary spending. The sector is currently experiencing heightened consumer enthusiasm, reflected in stronger booking patterns and a clear shift toward premium offerings.

However, Royal Caribbean’s prospects are somewhat hindered by the increased fuel costs and uncertain macroeconomic environment.

What Makes RCL Stock Attractive?Robust Demand: Royal Caribbean continues to benefit from extraordinarily high demand. Since the last earnings report, bookings have increased, especially for close-in sailings, which reflects consumers' rising demand for leisure travel. In the second quarter, the company achieved a load factor of 110% — two percentage points higher than last year — driven by contributions from new ships as well as like-for-like improvements across existing itineraries, reinforcing the sustained strength of demand for its brands.

Additionally, onboard spending and pre-cruise purchases continue to outpace prior years, supported by strong digital channel performance. Consumer intent remains resilient, with 75% of travelers planning to maintain or increase leisure spending over the next year and more than half booking closer to departure. Younger demographics, particularly millennials and Gen Z — now comprising over half of the customer base — are increasingly choosing cruises for milestone celebrations, reinforcing sustained demand momentum.

New Ship Addition: Royal Caribbean’s expanding fleet continues to be a key growth driver. In the near term, the company will launch Celebrity Xcel in the fourth quarter of 2025, following the recent delivery of Star of the Seas.

Looking ahead, RCL maintains a robust pipeline of seven new ships scheduled for delivery through 2028, ensuring sustained momentum and moderate capacity growth. This includes Legend of the Seas in 2026, the Icon 4, the launch of the first Celebrity River cruise ship in 2027, and finally, the seventh Oasis 7 and the next-generation Celebrity Edge-class vessel Edge 6 in 2028. These new builds are designed to lead in innovation, elevate guest experiences and align with evolving customer preferences.

Strategic Expansion of Destination: Royal Caribbean is strategically expanding its portfolio of exclusive, high-yield destinations to elevate guest experiences and further differentiate its brand offerings. The company plans to launch its Bahamas-based Royal Beach Club in late 2025, followed by Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026 and the large-scale Perfect Day Mexico in 2027. In addition, Royal Caribbean has strengthened its destination footprint through the completed acquisition of the Port of Costa Maya and begun development. These prime, purpose-built destinations are designed to deliver consistent long-term returns, strong yields and exceptional guest appeal.

Factors Hindering GrowthHigh Costs & Expenses: Amid ongoing market uncertainties, Royal Caribbean continues to operate with an elevated cost structure, posing risks to profitability and future earnings growth. In the second quarter of 2025, net cruise costs excluding fuel increased 2.1% year over year. While this was below prior guidance — due to the deferral of certain expenses into the second half — the financial impact remains, merely postponed. Management has confirmed that approximately 230 basis points of cost growth in the third quarter will be driven by the timing of Star of the Seas delivery and the carryover of deferred second-quarter expenses.

Looking ahead, net cruise costs excluding fuel are expected to rise by 6% to 6.5% in the third quarter, with further inflationary pressure anticipated from investments in new private destinations such as Royal Beach Club Paradise Island and the recently acquired Costa Maya port. Additionally, the company projects full-year fuel expenses of $1.14 billion, adding to overall cost challenges.

A Brief Review of Other PlayersCarnival Corporation: The company is benefiting from resilient travel demand, stronger booking trends, higher onboard spending, and disciplined cost management. Carnival is also prioritizing fleet optimization, new ship launches and targeted marketing investments to capture rising global demand. It surpassed its 2026 SEA Change financial targets 18 months ahead of schedule, with adjusted EBITDA per Average lower berth day (ALBD) growing 52% and adjusted return on invested capital (ROIC)  increasing more than 12.5% in less than two years.

Norwegian Cruise Line: The company’s prospects are supported by strong consumer demand, solid onboard spending and benefits realized from strategic growth initiatives. Bookings were strong across all three brands, driving advance ticket sales to a record $4 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2025. Also, the company's focus on fleet management strategy, including new ship additions and existing fleet enhancements, is encouraging for its long-term prospects. NCLH is investing in systems to support top-line growth.

OneSpaWorld: Strong customer demand, high onboard spending and the company's ongoing expansion of its health and wellness offerings are all contributing to its growth prospects. By extending medi-spa services, IV Therapy and Acupuncture, and next-generation treatments like Thermage FLX and CoolSculpting Elite, as well as by adding new cruise line partnerships and renewing important alliances, OSW expanded its fleet strategy and achieved over 20% growth in these areas. In the second quarter of 2025, revenues rose 7% year over year, and adjusted EBITDA was up 13% with continued strong and predictable cash flow generation.

Published in consumer-discretionary

Safety is boring—but boring can be the smartest play when markets are stretched thin. With the S&P 500 trading near record highs and the Federal Reserve cutting rates, investors should reconsider the assumption that this cycle will play out like the last. During COVID-19, rate cuts were purely stimulative, aimed at preventing deflation. Today, with inflation still hovering around 3%, the dynamics are very different.

Chewy Today

$40.19 +0.25 (+0.62%)

As of 12:13 PM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Polygon.io. Learn more.

52-Week Range$26.28▼

$48.62P/E Ratio114.69

Price Target$45.84

That’s why stable, cash-generating businesses may become a preferred option for investors seeking shelter from volatility. Enter Chewy NYSE: CHWY. Its subscription-based model offers predictability, and its loyal customer base provides a foundation for consistent revenue. These are the kinds of traits that tend to shine in uncertain markets.

Get Chewy alerts:

It’s also why some analysts have already moved to raise their price targets, aiming to get ahead of a potential upside move. If Chewy ends up outperforming both its sector and the broader market, they’ll be able to say they saw it coming.

Why Wall Street Likes Chewy Stock
Within the consumer staples sector, few names are as recession-resistant as Chewy. Whether the economy is booming or shrinking, or inflation is weighing on consumer wallets, pet spending tends to hold steady. Families consistently make room in their budgets for their pets, which gives Chewy a durable revenue base.

Chewy Stock Forecast Today12-Month Stock Price Forecast:
$45.84
14.36% Upside

Moderate Buy
Based on 26 Analyst Ratings

Current Price$40.09High Forecast$52.00Average Forecast$45.84Low Forecast$40.00Chewy Stock Forecast Details

That reliability is part of the reason analysts and investors are growing more confident. The consensus price target for Chewy stock is now $45.84, implying about 16% upside from current levels. But some are even more bullish. Analyst Michael Morton from Moffett Nathanson recently issued a Buy rating with a $48 price target, suggesting a 21% upside and putting the stock within striking distance of its 52-week high.

Beyond sentiment, the numbers support the story. Chewy currently boasts a gross profit margin of 29.5% and a return on invested capital (ROIC) of 15.7%. ROIC is particularly important because it tends to correlate closely with long-term stock performance and is a key metric for evaluating how efficiently a company reinvests profits to create value.

Investors are clearly paying attention. Despite its high price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 113.3x—a steep premium compared to the retail sector average of 20.2x—buyers are still stepping in. That kind of premium reflects expectations of future growth, and a willingness to pay for a business with durable earnings potential. For more context, you can compare Chewy with its industry competitors.

Institutional Optimism Builds
It’s not just analysts or market multiples sending a signal—institutional capital is following suit. In August 2025, Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in Chewy by 34.7%, bringing its position to $306.3 million, or 1.7% ownership of the entire company.

While some might point to selling from BC Partners during the same period, that move is more reflective of portfolio rebalancing than waning conviction—especially after Chewy gained 18.4% year-to-date, outperforming the S&P 500 by nearly five percentage points.

This type of rebalancing is common when a large position grows oversized following a strong run. What’s more telling is what Chewy did next: the company repurchased the $500 million stake (roughly 3% of its market cap) directly from BC Partners.

Rather than simply walking away with cash, management reinvested in the business—an action that signals strong insider confidence in Chewy’s long-term value. It also supports the idea that the stock is still undervalued, reinforcing analysts' decision to raise their targets.

Should You Invest $1,000 in Chewy Right Now?Before you consider Chewy, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Chewy wasn't on the list.

While Chewy currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here

Learn the basics of options trading and how to use them to boost returns and manage risk with this free report from MarketBeat. Click the link below to get your free copy.

Get This Free Report

Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE, ETR:PFE) shares jumped 3.5% after Donald Trump said the drugmaker would be the first company offering lower prices on its prescription drugs.

Under a new agreement with the White House, the company will offer "major discounts" under the "most favoured nation" drug pricing order established earlier this year. 

The President said in a video address that Pfizer would offer discounts "across the board", with between 50% and 100% off the former price sold in the country, "some cases more than that". 

Medicines will be available for direct purchase on a US government website. It was reported that Pfizer will begin selling its medications directly to consumers through a newly branded TrumpRx website.

Trump said the administration was working with other major pharmaceutical countries on similar agreements. 

The deal is aimed at aligning US drug prices with those in other wealthy countries. 

Pfizer is the first major drugmaker to publicly agree to the plan outlined in a May executive order signed by President Trump.

In addition to the pricing commitment, the company is expected to announce a $70 billion investment in US research, development and manufacturing. 

Key Takeaways NKE reports quarterly results after the close on September 30th. Shares have struggled over recent years due to muted growth. An inability to capture consumers' wants post-COVID has weighed heavily.
NIKE (NKE - Free Report) shares have experienced suboptimal price action over recent years, underperforming significantly on the back of quarterly results that have shown muted growth.

Tariff exposure has not helped sentiment either in 2025. In addition, the company has largely been unable to capture consumers’ wants, helping further explain NKE’s recent struggles.

But with the company on deck to reveal quarterly results this week – can we expect a positive showing? Let’s take a closer look.

Can Nike Shares Bounce?Weak quarterly results have been a major thorn in NKE’s side for multiple periods now, regularly dragging down sentiment. An inability to capture consumers’ wants post-COVID has been a big red flag, also attributing big to the weak sales growth.

Below is a chart illustrating the company’s sales on a quarterly basis.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Positive commentary surrounding upcoming periods was enough for the stock to enjoy a nice post-earnings rise following its latest release, but results were primarily soft. Sales of $11.1 billion throughout the period fell 12% YoY, whereas its gross margin contracted to 40.3% vs. 44.7% in the same period last year.

Below is a chart illustrating the company’s margins on a quarterly basis. Please note that the values are calculated on a trailing twelve-month basis.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Headwinds that are expected to moderate in the coming periods, according to CEO Matthew Friend, help explain the surge post-earnings, perhaps indicating that the ‘worst’ may be over. EPS revisions for the quarter have been stable, with the current $0.60 Zacks Consensus EPS estimate reflecting a 60% year-over-year decline.

Revenue revisions have actually shown a nice chunk of positivity, with the $11.0 billion expected getting revised 0.5% higher over the last several months. Sales are expected to decline 5% year-over-year, reflecting another period of soft sales.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Still, it’s worth noting that while the YoY sales growth rate is expected to be negative, the forecasted decline is vastly improved relative to other recent periods of -12%, -9.3%, and -7.7% across its last three periods, respectively.

And the stock certainly doesn’t reflect a strong value proposition right now, further reinforced by its Style Score of ‘D’ for Value. Shares presently trade at a 35.1X forward 12-month earnings multiple, well above the 30.8X five-year median and reflecting a 50% premium relative to the S&P 500.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Bottom Line

NIKE (NKE - Free Report) has found itself in a tough position post-COVID, struggling to capture consumers’ wants and facing declining sales as a result. The stock is currently a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), warranting deserved caution.

It currently seems that investors would be better off staying away from shares until we see positive guidance, which could come following its release this week. But over recent years, the company has struggled to right the ship.

-

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating whether the merger of Barinthus Biotherapeutics plc (NASDAQ: BRNS) and Clywedog Therapeutics, Inc. is fair to Barinthus shareholders. Under the terms of the agreement, Barinthus shareholders will receive one share of common stock in the new combined company for each American Depositary Share or ordinary share owned, and Clywedog shareholders will receive 4.358932 shares of common stock in the new combined company for each common or preferred share owned.

Halper Sadeh encourages Barinthus shareholders to click here to learn more about their legal rights and options or contact Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or [email protected] or [email protected].

The investigation concerns whether Barinthus and its board violated the federal securities laws and/or breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders by failing to, among other things: (1) obtain the best possible consideration for Barinthus shareholders; and (2) disclose all material information necessary for Barinthus shareholders to adequately assess and value the merger consideration.

On behalf of Barinthus shareholders, Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits. We would handle the action on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses.

Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

More News From Halper Sadeh LLC

Back to Newsroom

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

PLTR Gotham fuses AI, security and real-time analytics to transform decision-making across defense, finance, and healthcare.

Key Takeaways Paychex Q1 earnings rose 5.2% y/y to $1.22 per share, beating estimates.Revenues climbed 16.8% to $1.5B, boosted by Management Solutions and client gains.EBITDA rose 12% to $656.3M, while the operating margin fell 630 basis points to 35.2%.
Paychex, Inc. (PAYX - Free Report) has reported impressive first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, wherein earnings and revenues beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

PAYX’s fiscal first-quarter earnings of $1.22 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a slight margin and increased 5.2% from the year-ago quarter. Total revenues of $1.5 billion surpassed the consensus estimate marginally and rose 16.8% from the year-ago quarter.

The company’s shares have declined 8.7% in a year compared with the 35.4% and 18.9% respective rallies of the industry and the Zacks S&P 500 composite.

PAYX’s Quarterly PerformanceRevenues from the Management Solutions segment improved 21% year over year to $1.2 billion, meeting our estimate. An increase in the number of clients served, fueled by the Paycor buyout and the addition of client worksite employees for Human Resources Solutions, benefited this segment. The segment received an additional boost from higher revenues per client on the acquired company’s upmarket client base, price realization and product penetration.

Professional employer organization (“PEO”) and Insurance Solutions’ revenues were $329.1 million, up 3% from the year-ago quarter. The figure beat our estimate of $339 million. The rising number of average PEO worksite employees and PEO insurance revenues fueled this segment.

Service revenues gained 17% year over year to $1.5 billion, meeting our projected $1.5 billion. Interest on funds held for clients rose 27% from the year-ago quarter to $47.6 million, missing our estimation of $41.2 million.

EBITDA of $656.3 million increased 12% from the year-ago quarter, surpassing our estimate of $631.4 million. Operating income dipped 1% year over year to $541.9 million, missing our projection of $589.9 million. The operating margin was 35.2%, down 630 basis points from the year-ago quarter. The reported figure missed our estimate of 38.4%.

Balance Sheet & Cash Flow of PaychexThe company exited the first quarter of fiscal 2026 with cash and cash equivalents of $809 million compared with $1.6 billion in the preceding quarter. The long-term debt totaled $4.6 billion compared with $4.5 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.

Cash generated from operating activities amounted to $718.4 million, while the capital expenditure totaled $55.9 million.

PAYX’S FY26 GuidancePaychex expects revenues to grow 16.5-18.5%. Management expects $190-$200 million in interest on funds held for clients.

The company carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at present.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Earnings SnapshotsAccenture plc (ACN - Free Report) reported impressive fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results.

ACN’s earnings were $3.03 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.7%. The metric increased 8.6% from the year-ago quarter. Total revenues of $17.6 billion beat the consensus estimate by 1.6% and rose 7.3% on a year-over-year basis.

FactSet (FDS - Free Report) posted mixed results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.

FDS’s earnings per share of $4.05 missed the consensus mark by 2.4% but increased 8.3% from the year-ago quarter. Revenues of $596.9 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a slight margin and 6.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Amazon on Tuesday unveiled a slew of new smart speakers and voice-activated displays that are revamped with Alexa+, its personal assistant that's powered by generative artificial intelligence.

The company debuted the Echo Dot Max, a revamped version of its compact smart speaker, which costs $99.99. There's also a new version of the Echo Studio, its larger model with a more powerful speaker, priced at $219.99.

Amazon also unveiled a new Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11, priced at $179.99 and $219.99, respectively.

This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.

NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TechTarget, Inc. (Nasdaq: TTGT), (“Informa TechTarget”), a leading growth accelerator for the B2B Technology sector, today announced that it has once again been recognized as a Leader in Account-Based Marketing (ABM) by QKS Group (formerly Quadrant Knowledge Solutions), a leading independent global analyst and consulting firm. Informa TechTarget is ranked among 12 global ABM vendors, underscoring the company’s comprehensive products and services, actionable insights and expansive global ABM customer base.

QKS Group’s SPARK Matrix™: Account Based Marketing (ABM) Platforms, Q3 2025 report includes a detailed analysis of the global market regarding short-term and long-term growth opportunities, emerging technology trends, market dynamics, and outlook. This research provides strategic information for technology vendors looking to better understand the existing market, support growth strategies, and for users to evaluate vendors’ capabilities, competitive differentiation, and market position.

Informa TechTarget is recognized in the report for several key strengths, including:

Comprehensive ABM platform capabilities the unify data, analytics, and activation to support full-funnel ABM execution

Robust and recently expanded market-leading intent data sourced from first-party engagements, enabling more precise signals across several thousand topics and more than 200 market segments

Precise and scalable go-to-market program enablement

Managed services such as custom content creation, campaign orchestration and GTM support

Continued growth in the global ABM market

“We are proud to once again be recognized as a Leader in the SPARK Matrix,” said Gary Nugent, CEO at Informa TechTarget. “This recognition underscores the power of our proprietary intent data and our ability to help customers drive measurable business results across the entire product lifecycle. As ABM has consistently grown increasingly central to global go-to-market strategies, we remain committed to empowering marketing and sales teams to achieve deeper engagement to drive more revenue.”

The SPARK Matrix specifically notes the power and expanded capabilities of Informa TechTarget formed through the December 2024 combination of the digital properties of Informa Tech and TechTarget. The report specifically highlights Informa TechTarget’s ability to deliver end-to-end ABM value, including high-quality first-party intent data, flexible self-service and managed service options, and a global customer base across company sizes and regions. With its proven mix of data, technology, and expertise, Informa TechTarget continues to help B2B organizations worldwide optimize engagement and accelerate pipeline impact.

According to the report, “The merger between TechTarget and Informa unlocks an exciting opportunity to create a more powerful, unified data ecosystem. By combining TechTarget’s real-time behavioral intent data with Informa’s rich industry research, the merged entity will offer unmatched depth and breadth in audience insights…Additional initiatives such as launching new vertical segments, mining offline intent, AI-driven content recommendations, and expanding strategic partnerships demonstrate new avenues to strengthen all technology and service offerings by Informa TechTarget holistically.”

To view the full report, visit: https://www.informatechtarget.com/research-analysis/spark-matrix-for-account-based-marketing-platforms-2025/

About QKS Group

QKS Group is a global analyst and advisory firm helping enterprises, technology vendors, and investors make trusted, data-driven decisions. Our portfolio spans the flagship SPARK Matrix™ evaluation framework, SPARK Plus™ analyst advisory platform, QKS Intelligence™ for market and competitive tracking, and QKS Community™ for CXO leaders and practitioners. All offerings are powered by a Human-Intelligence–driven framework and QKS’s closed-loop research methodology - integrating expert-led insights, quantitative modelling, and continuous validation to deliver credible, outcome-focused intelligence.

For more available research, please visit https://qksgroup.com/

About Informa TechTarget

Informa TechTarget informs, influences and connects the world’s technology buyers and sellers, helping accelerate growth from R&D to ROI. With a vast reach of over 220 highly targeted technology-specific websites and over 50 million permissioned first-party audience members, Informa TechTarget has a unique understanding of and insight into the technology market.

Underpinned by those audiences and their intent data, we offer expert-led, data-driven, and digitally enabled services that deliver significant impact and measurable outcomes to our clients.

Informa TechTarget is headquartered in Boston, MA and has offices in 19 global locations. For more information, visit informatechtarget.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

© 2025 TechTarget, Inc. d/b/a Informa TechTarget. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

More News From TechTarget, Inc.

SummaryFidelity High Dividend ETF offers a balanced blend of high yield and dividend growth, with a 3.1% yield and strong capital appreciation potential.FDVV's portfolio is skewed toward large-cap stocks, including NVDA, MSFT, and AAPL, providing both stability and growth exposure.FDVV has outperformed SCHD and major indices in total returns over the past five years, aided by its tech exposure and low turnover.Rated as a "Buy" for its attractive yield, growth tilt, low fees, and ability to outperform while trading below the market multiple. PM Images/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Introduction ETF time today. The reason is simple. As some know, I run a public portfolio on eToro that can be copied and tracked. This summer, I increased my cash position to around 30% for two reasons: I wanted to have some dry powder to deploy opportunistically; cash

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in FDVV over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Recommended For You

Loveland to Lead Customer Success and Value Initiatives

, /PRNewswire/ -- Procare Solutions, a leader in child care management software, announced the appointment of Sam Loveland as Chief Customer Officer. In this role, Loveland will be responsible for advancing the customer experience and enabling early childhood education providers to maximize the benefits of Procare.

Sam Loveland will be responsible for advancing the customer experience and enabling early childhood education providers to maximize the benefits of Procare.

Loveland brings extensive experience in building world-class customer organizations at leading software-as-a-service companies. Most recently, she served as Chief Customer Officer at Salesloft, where she oversaw customer success and renewals, professional services, alliances, support and training. Before Salesloft, she led ServiceNow's Customer Success organization, managing a 500-member global team focused on driving product adoption and customer value.

"Procare stands at the heart of the child care ecosystem, reshaping how centers operate and thrive. I'm excited to help our customers fully harness the power of Procare to help them achieve maximum value while delivering an outstanding customer experience."

Throughout her career, Loveland has held leadership positions at market-leading companies including Salesforce, Yammer (Microsoft) and FinancialForce, where she managed critical functions such as professional services, customer success, renewals, support and training. She also spent more than eight years at Deloitte Consulting, specializing in customer relationship management strategy and processes. Her career began as a software developer for large, global financial institutions.

"We are thrilled to welcome Sam as our Chief Customer Officer," said Joe Gomes, CEO of Procare Solutions. "Her customer-focused mindset aligns with our commitment to deliver solutions that strengthen connections between center directors, staff and families. With her proven expertise in building customer success programs, Sam will play a key role in supporting our expanding community of early childhood educators across the nation."

Loveland's appointment comes as Procare Solutions continues to grow its presence in the child care industry by helping child care leaders streamline operations, enhance family communication and maintain regulatory compliance.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in quantitative economics from the University of California San Diego and an MBA from Columbia University.

About Procare Solutions 

For over 30 years, Procare Solutions has been dedicated to empowering early childhood educators by providing products and services that enable them to focus on the care, safety and education of children. 

We recognize the responsibility that comes with nurturing and educating children, which is why our child care management solutions are designed to automate business processes, help ensure safety and compliance, communicate with families and provide educational resources and training to help teachers and children thrive. 

Over 40,000 satisfied customers have chosen Procare Solutions as their trusted partner in providing exceptional care for young minds.

Procare Solutions is a business unit of Roper Technologies (Nasdaq: ROP), a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500 and Fortune 1000. For more information, please visit ProcareSolutions.com.

SOURCE Procare Solutions

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+

Newsrooms &

Influencers

9k+

Digital Media

Outlets

270k+

Journalists

Opted In

COLM fuels growth with its ACCELERATE plan, brand innovation and global expansion initiatives.

Image: Bigstock

Read MoreHide Full Article

Key Takeaways C3.ai's Q1 fiscal 2026 revenues fell 19% to $70.3M, hurt by softer license demand and leadership shifts.About 60 large-scale engagements and its Agentic AI platform highlight C3.ai's generative AI positioning.A new Strategic Integrator Program aims to expand adoption through systems integrators and OEM partners.
C3.ai, Inc.’s (AI - Free Report) first-quarter fiscal 2026 results may not have inspired confidence on the surface, but its positioning in the generative AI race tells a more nuanced story. During the quarter, revenues declined year over year by 19% to $70.3 million, reflecting softer demand for demonstration licenses and disruption caused by organizational changes and leadership transitions.

However, the company did not get discouraged from the weak start to its fiscal 2026; rather, it remains optimistic about the robust trends across the globe for AI-based solutions. At the end of the fiscal first quarter, C3.ai was involved with about 60 large-scale customer engagements in state and local government, in defense, intelligence and manufacturing. The company shares optimism about its success rate on LLM projects, thanks to its integrated offering of generative AI with the C3 Agentic AI platform. This amalgamated product offering allows it to look into and solve several issues related to generative AI-based solutions, including data exfiltration, cybersecurity risk, hallucination, the inability to enforce data access controls and the inability to take advantage of omni-modal integration.

Moreover, the company’s new Strategic Integrator Program further extends its platform into the hands of systems integrators and OEMs, potentially accelerating adoption at scale. This initiative enables partners to design and deliver industry-specific applications, extending the reach of C3.ai’s technology into defense, intelligence and commercial sectors. Early response to the program has been positive, positioning it as a potential growth channel.

If C3.ai’s technology and partnerships translate into consistent growth, the company could emerge as a long-term winner in the global generative AI landscape.

Does C3.ai Face Competition in the Generative AI Market Space?C3.ai faces substantial competition in the generative AI space from key market peers, including BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (BBAI - Free Report) and Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR - Free Report) .

C3.ai has doubled down on industry-specific, production-ready AI applications and a deep strategic alliance with Microsoft, which accelerates go-to-market and integration into large enterprise stacks.

On the other hand, BigBear.ai occupies the narrower end of the spectrum, highlighting highly mission-oriented AI solutions aimed at defense and national-security customers, where domain specialization and government contracting relationships are primary advantages. Palantir leverages a platform-first approach, Foundry and its services-led model to unify jumbled, high-value datasets and embed AI into complex operational decision flows. Through this platform strength, Palantir wins large government and industrial deals and recent strategic partnerships underscore its scale and defense/critical-infrastructure traction.

Thus, C3.ai is well-positioned for broad enterprise generative-AI adoption thanks to partners and packaged offerings, but it does not enjoy a one-size-fits-all dominance over Palantir’s platform moat or BigBear.ai’s defense specialization.

Published in artificial-intelligence tech-stocks

Key Takeaways Flex launched a rack-level Cooling Distribution Unit through its liquid cooling arm JetCool.The modular CDU scales from 600 kW to 1.8 MW while reducing energy waste and operating costs.Flex targets $6.5B in data center revenue, up 35% year over year, despite macro and tariff headwinds.
Flex Ltd. ((FLEX - Free Report) ) recently unveiled its Modular Rack-Level Cooling Distribution Unit (CDU), developed by its liquid cooling subsidiary, JetCool. This new solution is available immediately and represents the latest addition to Flex’s expanding cooling portfolio. Also, it underscores Flex’s broader strategy to provide comprehensive, vertically integrated cooling infrastructure for next-generation data center needs. Moreover, Flex plans to release a dedicated in-row CDU by April 2026, showcasing its long-term commitment to offering a complete range of scalable cooling solutions.

A key feature of Flex’s new CDU is its modular architecture. With the advent of AI, HPC and hyperscale workloads, data centers require cooling systems that scale efficiently without driving up costs or wasting energy. Its features directly address the core issues of today’s data center operators: scalability, efficiency, flexibility and ease of integration.

Key Features of Flex’s Modular Rack-Level CDUThe state-of-the-art CDU supports configurations of 2 to 6 CDUs per rack, ranging from 600 kW to 1.8 MW of cooling and operates at 1–1.5 LPM/kW. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of hardware and workload intensities, preserving valuable rack space to maximize compute density per floor tile. In addition, it allows mixed configurations of CDUs, servers and storage, all managed with intelligent manifolding and matches cooling output to real-time demand, reducing waste and cutting operating costs.

Another differentiator is its vertically integrated approach to liquid cooling. Flex’s liquid cooling portfolio is designed for seamless scalability and ease of operation, offering a complete end-to-end solution tailored to modern data center needs. By standardizing design elements across its CDU range and producing them in-house, Flex streamlines vendor management, shortens deployment timelines and guarantees uniform quality.

This vertical integration also streamlines procurement and maintenance, enabling operators to roll out high-performance cooling more quickly and with reduced risk. FLEX anchors its integrated approach with robust warranty coverage and worldwide support. By designing, testing and manufacturing every component in-house, the company streamlines deployment and reduces vendor dependencies, enabling customers to transition from planning to implementation more quickly and with greater confidence.

Flex Targets Rapid Growth in Data Center MarketFlex is expanding aggressively into the high-growth data center market. In the cloud, it delivers vertically integrated IT hardware and infrastructure solutions, including metal fabrication, custom rack assembly and advanced direct-to-chip liquid cooling. In power, its portfolio spans the full stack, from board-level power modules that regulate chip-level performance to facility-scale modular power pods.

Recently, FLEX’s subsidiary, FLEX Power Modules, announced a partnership with Renesas to develop next-generation board-mounted power management solutions. Flex Power Modules, a global leader in advanced power conversion solutions, brings scalable data center manufacturing capabilities, innovative power and cooling products, and end-to-end lifecycle services.

It remains on track to generate approximately $6.5 billion in revenues from data centers, indicating year-over-year growth of at least 35% and accounting for 25% of its total revenues.

Macro Turbulence Pose ConcernsFlex faces headwinds from an uncertain macroeconomic environment and shifting trade policies. The company expects to incur tariff-related costs from sourcing raw materials in China and other impacted regions, which it plans to pass on to customers. Nevertheless, these tariffs could affect cash flow timing and put slight pressure on margins. While Flex is implementing proactive pricing measures to offset these impacts, tariffs remain a notable challenge to overall performance.

For fiscal 2026, the company expects most tariff costs to be passed through, backed by strong contractual protections. In the Agility Solutions segment, indirect tariff exposure in the Lifestyle unit could influence consumer sentiment. It also faces intensifying competition, which can negatively impact contract wins and hurt top-line growth.

How FLEX’s Peers are Placed in the Broader Tech SpaceSt. Petersburg, FL-based Jabil Inc. ((JBL - Free Report) ) is one of the largest global suppliers of electronic manufacturing services. Jabil’s revenue is poised to gain from robust demand in AI data center infrastructure, capital equipment and warehouse automation markets. Over the long term, the company stands to benefit from the widespread adoption of 5G and cloud computing. Strong demand across key end markets, coupled with efficient operations and effective supply chain management, is supporting growth. Jabil’s diverse portfolio across multiple business sectors also provides resilience against macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties.

However, Jabil faces headwinds from softness in several end markets. Increased competition in the electronics manufacturing services sector and reliance on concentrated customers remain key challenges.

Ontario, Canada-based Celestica ((CLS - Free Report) ) is one of the largest electronics manufacturing services companies in the world, primarily serving original equipment manufacturers, cloud-based and other service providers and enterprises from several industries.

The growing proliferation of AI-based applications and generative AI tools across industries presents a solid growth opportunity for Celestica. Its focus on product diversification and increasing its presence in high-value markets is positive. CLS’ strong liquidity better positions it to navigate economic downturns and capitalize on emerging growth opportunities in the electronics manufacturing service industry. Backed by robust demand for networking products and growing AI-driven data center investments across industries, Celestica presented a bullish outlook for 2025. It currently anticipates 2025 revenues to be approximately $11.55 billion, up from the previous projection of $10.85 billion. Non-GAAP adjusted earnings are expected to be $5.50 per share, up from the previous view of $5.00.

However, Celestica faces stiff competition from industry giants like Foxconn, Jabil, Flex Ltd. and Sanmina Corporation. Apart from this, several smaller companies operating at a regional level also intensify competition. Persistent weakness in the ATS segment over the past few quarters is an added concern.

Olathe, Kansas-based Garmin, Ltd. ((GRMN - Free Report) ) is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of navigation and communication equipment that incorporates the global positioning system (GPS)-based technology. Garmin is seeing robust growth in both its Fitness and Auto OEM segments. The Fitness segment is fueled by strong demand for advanced wearables, while Auto OEM revenue benefits from higher shipments of domain controllers. Additional growth in the Aviation, Marine and Outdoor segments adds further upside. Rising demand in the Americas and EMEA regions also supports performance. Garmin’s ongoing emphasis on innovation, diversification and market expansion across all business lines is notable.

However, macro headwinds, a slowing economy, increasing competition and pricing pressures continue to hurt on its performance.

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

AGCO Corporation (AGCO - Free Report) is set to highlight some of the latest innovation in precision agriculture technology during its sixth annual Tech Day in Markt Indersdorf, Germany. The event centers on AGCO’s “Farmer-First” approach innovations, which emphasizes on solutions that can work seamlessly throughout the crop cycle and can integrate with any farming equipment, irrespective of brand or age. 

Promising enhanced yields and higher profitability for farmers, and the ability to service any equipment will expand AGCO’s total addressable market. With this vision, AGCO believes it can attain the target of $2 billion in precision agricultural sales by 2029.

At the event, AGCO will demonstrate how high-performance equipment can be paired with retrofit or factory-fit precision agricultural technology solutions that integrate across different brands to deliver better outcomes for farmers. This will clearly give the company an edge compared with solutions that are brand specific or require a specific age criteria for the equipment.  Many of these solutions are powered by AGCO’s newest precision agriculture brand, PTx, which extends across every stage of the farm operation.

PTx FarmENGAGE, that was launched in August, is the next generation of farm operations management software. It is the agricultural industry's only digital platform that has the ability to manage farmers' entire operations of equipment, irrespective of brand or model year. It provides real-time information needed to more effectively run farming operations and maximize efficiency.

AGCO's Efforts to Bring Autonomy For the Whole Crop CyclePTx Trimble's Outrun autonomous technology, which is already in use for grain handling during harvest, is now being used in fertilization and tillage applications on two Fendt 900 Vario tractors. The retrofit kits, also available for competitive equipment, enable farmers to boost efficiency and address labor shortages. 

Harvesting solutions such as IDEALharvest, HarvestPlus, TI Headland Turn Assist, IDEALdrive and Task Doc Pro offer sophisticated automation solutions that utilize innovative sensors and intelligent AI control algorithms to simplify harvesting operations.

In the weed control operations, Precision Planting's SymphonyVision, an AI-based targeted spraying system, can differentiate weeds from crops enabling targeted spraying. This can reduce chemical usage up to 70%. AGCO will be highlighting RowPilot, an AI-guided system for mechanical weeding, which promises to improve a farmer's precision application while minimizing crop damage.

AGCO’s suite of Precision Planting technologies such as 20|20 SeedSense, vSet, vDrive, SpeedTube, WaveVision and DeltaForce offer automated planting. These solutions detect issues instantly, optimize seed placement and ensure consistent seed planting depth across variable field conditions. This helps in reducing operator workload while improving results.

All of these technologies are either commercially available now or will be released soon. AGCO’s progress in these areas is the testament to its progress on its goal to deliver autonomous solutions for the entire crop cycle by 2030.

AGCO and its peers Deere & Company (DE - Free Report) , CNH Industrial N.V (CNH - Free Report) and Komatsu (KMTUY - Free Report) from Zacks Manufacturing - Farm Equipment industry are investing heavily in precision agriculture.

Deere continues to invest in the development and production of advanced technology through integrated agricultural solutions and precision technologies across its portfolio of equipment. Deere’s advanced telematics systems provide real-time alerts and information about equipment location, utilization, performance and maintenance to improve productivity and efficiency, as well as to monitor the job. The company is also increasing efforts to offer autonomous machines. 

CNH Industrial is leaning heavily on Artificial Intelligence capabilities to create the best user experience for customers. CNH Industrial plans to invest heavily in new product launches, updates to existing product lines and integrated digital technologies across its equipment lineup. 

Komatsu’s machinery is highly durable and comes with a variety of attachments designed to improve productivity and reduce labor. Komatsu’s Smart Construction platform leverages ICT (Information and Communication Technology) to visualize operations from start to finish, aiming to ease labor shortages and boost productivity through smarter resource allocation.

SBI Ripple Asia is partnering with Tobu Top Tours to build closed-loop payment ecosystems. The venture will mint unique tokens for destinations and brands, tethering spending power to digital fan engagement and localized travel experiences.

Summary

SBI Ripple Asia and Tobu Top Tours signed an MOU to launch tokenized payment platform
Proprietary tokens on the XRP Ledger seek to support travel, retail, and fan economies
Service launch targeted for the first half of 2026

According to an announcement on Sept. 30, the two Japanese firms have inked a memorandum of understanding to build a new payment platform. Under the agreement, SBI Ripple Asia will issue proprietary tokens on the XRP Ledger, each tailored for partner companies and organizations.

Tobu Top Tours, a major travel and tourism operator, will leverage its industry clout to onboard partners, build out a network of affiliated stores, and develop marketing initiatives using NFTs functionally linked to these new tokens. The companies are targeting a service launch in the first half of 2026.

Tourism, fan economies, and other use cases
The memorandum outlines various use cases that move beyond theoretical applications. In tourism, the platform would issue tokens geographically locked to specific destinations, functioning as a digital currency for an entire town or shopping district.

SBI Ripple Asia said this would streamline the cashless experience for travelers and keep tourist spending circulating within the local economy. Notably, transactions could be paired with NFTs functioning as digital souvenirs or discount vouchers, creating a link between one-time visits and repeat engagement.

The model also proposes a new approach to disaster relief and regional aid. According to the companies, donations could be issued as tokens that are only spendable within the affected area, ensuring financial support goes directly to local businesses like restaurants and shops. This prevents aid from leaking out to national chains or online retailers, offering a transparent and targeted method to fuel grassroots economic recovery.

Additionally, the platform is engineered for the fan economy. Sports teams, artists, and cultural institutions could launch their own branded tokens. These would be used for merchandise and concessions, while NFTs act as programmable membership cards. The system could unlock special experiences or rewards based on a fan’s spending, creating a dynamic new revenue stream and deepening loyalty.

Stablecoin Market Surges on U.S. Regulation, With Circle's USDC Gaining Ground: JPMorgan The bank's analysts said the GENIUS Act has fueled a 42% jump in stablecoin growth this year, with Circle’s USDC chipping away at Tether’s dominance. Sep 30, 2025, 1:32 p.m.

JPMorgan analysts said the stablecoin market has pulled ahead of the broader crypto ecosystem this year, fueled in part by the passage of the U.S. GENIUS Act.

At nearly $300 billion, the market has grown 42% year-to-date, nearly double the 21% growth of crypto overall, according to a report published Tuesday.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The report notes that stablecoins now make up about 7.5% of the $3.8 trillion total crypto market cap and roughly 1.3% of the U.S. M2 money supply, up 35 basis points since the start of the year.

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies whose value is tied to another asset, such as the U.S. dollar or gold. They play a major role in cryptocurrency markets, providing among other things a payment infrastructure, and are also used to transfer money internationally.

Since the GENIUS Act was signed on July 18, the stablecoin market cap has climbed 19%, underscoring how regulation has accelerated adoption, according to the bank.

The biggest beneficiary appears to be Circle's (CRCL) USDC. JPMorgan analysts noted that after stagnating earlier in the year, its market cap has surged in the third quarter, rising from $61.5 billion at the end of June to $73.7 billion by late September, giving it a 25.5% share of the stablecoin market, up about 400 basis points in 2025.

Tether, meanwhile, has seen its dominance shrink, dropping from 67.5% at the start of the year to 60.4%, the bank said. Ethena’s synthetic stablecoin USDe has also gained ground, growing to $14.4 billion in circulation and securing a 5% share.

For years, USDT and USDC have defined a duopoly in the dollar stablecoin market, but that balance is shifting. JPMorgan said USDC has steadily eaten into Tether’s lead, now commanding nearly 30% of the two coins’ combined share, up from 24% at the start of the year.

The GENIUS Act may be tilting momentum further toward Circle, the analysts said, though a more fragmented market could ultimately benefit platforms like Bullish (BLSH) that provide liquidity services for a growing roster of stablecoin issuers.

Bullish is the owner of CoinDesk.

Read more: U.S. Stablecoin Battle Could Be Zero-Sum Game: JPMorgan

AI Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.

More For You

Total Crypto Trading Volume Hits Yearly High of $9.72T

Sep 9, 2025

Combined spot and derivatives trading on centralized exchanges surged 7.58% to $9.72 trillion in August, marking the highest monthly volume of 2025

What to know:

Combined spot and derivatives trading on centralized exchanges surged 7.58% to $9.72 trillion in August, marking the highest monthly volume of 2025Gate exchange emerged as major player with 98.9% volume surge to $746 billion, overtaking Bitget to become fourth-largest platformOpen interest across centralized derivatives exchanges rose 4.92% to $187 billionView Full Report

More For You

CoreWeave Jumps 8% Pre-Market on Meta AI Deal, Core Scientific Merger Looms

16 minutes ago

CoreWeave secures $14.2 billion dollar Meta contract, draws bullish analyst coverage, and awaits Core Scientific merger vote.

What to know:

CoreWeave signs $14.2 billion dollar agreement to supply Meta with Nvidia’s latest GB300 systems.Evercore ISI initiates coverage with an “outperform” rating and a $175 target, implying 43% upside.Core Scientific shareholders set to vote Oct. 30 on a $9 billion all-stock merger that would make the bitcoin miner a CoreWeave subsidiary.Read full story

Tether may become the world's most profitable company if the stablecoin issuer continues its explosive growth trajectory according to Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan, who suggests Tether could surpass Saudi Aramco's record-breaking $120 billion profit from 2024 by reaching $3 trillion in assets representing approximately 3% of global money supply.

Bitcoin bulls are in a battle to flip three moving averages back to support at the start of the week, according to the latest BTC price analysis. This comes amid a US shutdown that could halt key economic data releases and slow regulatory processes, potentially delaying the approval of crypto ETFs.

After a FUD-filled week that saw prices across the crypto market retreat from local highs, Bitcoin and altcoins appear to be rallying back. Whether this is simply a relief rally, an exit rally, or the start of the next leg up, the last quarter of 2025 will be tricky for markets.

Bitcoin’s potentially volatile monthly close
With Bitcoin and the dollar in a state of flux, volatility catalysts are as crucial as ever. Discussing the current market structure, one X trader points to a cluster of simple moving averages that have merged into a small area.

The 21-day, 50-day, and 100-day SMAs are now all in the same place, and that is where the spot price is now acting. “They’re all really closely wound right now,” he said during a video update uploaded to X.

Bitcoin’s price movements are minimal today, with small gains and slight losses. A raft of US macroeconomic data is due throughout the week, with almost all of it about employment.

Bitcoin’s price movement. Source: TradingView

Bitcoin price may also perform well, as it mirrors the performance of gold, which has jumped to a record high this year amid strong demand from institutions.

US government shutdown and NFP data ahead 
The next significant catalyst for Bitcoin price will be the potential US government shutdown, scheduled to begin on October 1. Hedge assets, such as Bitcoin, gold, and silver, have continued to rally today. 

The US is currently on the edge of a government shutdown as Republicans and Democrats clash over healthcare and federal spending. Polymarket data shows that the odds of the shutdown have surged to 85%.

Republicans have advocated for a clean spending bill, while Democrats want to use their leverage to implement certain policies related to health and Medicaid. A shutdown would trigger a data blackout, halting the release of key economic reports, including jobs and CPI. 

This could further prevent the Federal Reserve from making fresh inputs for policy decisions. Regulatory agencies, such as the SEC and CFTC, would also operate with reduced staff, potentially delaying IPOs, approvals, and reviews of crypto ETF applications.

Crypto market analysts warn of a short-term dip in both US equities and cryptocurrencies. Hence, high-beta assets, such as BTC, ETH, and altcoins, could potentially experience heightened volatility. 

Last week alone, crypto market liquidations soared to over $1 billion on two separate occasions. Historical data shows that the US shutdown has triggered short-term pain before triggering an upside rally.

During the US government shutdown from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019, Bitcoin price experienced a decline. However, shortly after the shutdown ended, the crypto began a notable price recovery.

In a press briefing on Monday, US Vice President JD Vance said, “I think we are headed for a shutdown.” Soon after, the odds of a US shutdown on the decentralized platform Polymarket surged to 85%, up 60% from the previous level.

According to market analysts, there are two possible outcomes. The first is that the market may react with a sharp decline, potentially offering a buy-the-dip opportunity. On the other hand, the market could remain largely unmoved, focusing instead on corporate earnings scheduled to begin mid-October.

Want your project in front of crypto’s top minds? Feature it in our next industry report, where data meets impact.