I keep buying NVIDIA because every bearish argument I hear collapses the moment I open the earnings report. The fashionable one, that NVIDIA is either hoarding cash or bleeding out from China restrictions, is the loudest and the wrongest, and it keeps handing me chances to add to a position I plan to hold deep into retirement.
NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA | NVDA Price Prediction) trades today at $207.40, and the analyst target sits at $301.62. My conviction comes from the numbers underneath that gap.
The China Narrative Bears Cannot Let Go Of In Q1 FY2027, NVIDIA shipped zero H20 compute products to China, down from $4.6 billion a year earlier. Revenue still came in at $81.615 billion, up 85.23% year over year, beating estimates by 3.16%. Data Center revenue alone was $75.246 billion, up 92%. Networking, the piece most people ignore, hit $14.800 billion, up 199%. Management then guided Q2 to $91.0 billion, again assuming no China Data Center compute revenue. A company that can absorb a multi-billion-dollar customer loss and still print those numbers does not have a demand problem.
The Cash Hoarding Claim Falls Apart NVIDIA returned roughly $20.0 billion to shareholders in a single quarter through repurchases and dividends. The board added $80.0 billion in fresh buyback authorization on May 18, 2026, on top of $38.5 billion already remaining under the prior plan. Management told analysts they plan to return roughly 50% of free cash flow to shareholders in 2027. The quarterly dividend was raised from $0.01 to $0.25. FY2026 returns totaled $41.1 billion. This is not a company sitting on its wallet.
Why NVIDIA And Not The Obvious Alternatives The efficiency numbers explain why I want NVIDIA reinvesting first and returning second. ROIC of 92.2%. Return on equity of 101.5%. Operating margin of 60.4%. Non-GAAP gross margin of 75.0%. Debt-to-equity of 0.073 and interest coverage above 500x. Free cash flow of $48.554 billion in one quarter.
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Now compare the alternatives a bull on AI chips would reach for. Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) trades at a trailing P/E of 179 and forward P/E of 76, with a return on equity of just 8.06%. Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) is worse on the fundamentals: trailing EPS of -0.6, return on equity of -2.91%, forward P/E of 118, and quarterly earnings down 71.7% year over year. NVIDIA trades at a forward P/E of 23. I am paying less for the future earnings of the category leader than I would for either challenger, and I get the ROIC gap on top.
The Real Risk China export restrictions could tighten further, and NVIDIA has $119.0 billion in supply-related commitments plus $30.0 billion in multi-year cloud service commitments locked in. If AI demand ever softens, that inventory becomes a problem quickly. Reliance on TSMC for manufacture, assembly, packaging, and testing sits underneath everything.
What Keeps The Buy Button Active Jensen Huang told analysts on the May 20, 2026 call that visibility into Blackwell and Rubin revenue reaches $1 trillion from 2025 through calendar 2027, with hyperscale CapEx forecast to exceed $1 trillion by 2027. OpenAI committed to 10 gigawatts of NVIDIA systems. Meta signed on for millions of Blackwell and Rubin GPUs on a multi-year basis. Huang called it “the largest infrastructure expansion in human history.”
Every quarter the bear thesis needs a fresh coat of paint. My conviction only needs the receipts.
Don't wait: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just revealed his top 10 AI stocks. See the full list FREE now.
Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) executives said the company remains on track for its 2026 financial plan, pointing to continued subscription growth, pricing gains, rising advertising revenue and a broadening content strategy during the company’s second-quarter earnings interview.
CFO Spence Neumann said Netflix is guiding for 12% reported revenue growth in the third quarter and 11% growth on a foreign-exchange-neutral basis. He said the drivers are “very similar to Q2,” led primarily by subscription revenue growth from membership gains and pricing, along with higher advertising revenue.
“We continue to see healthy acquisition and retention trends on the membership side, and our recent price adjustments are going well on the pricing side,” Neumann said.
For the full year, Neumann said Netflix expects 13% to 14% top-line growth, or roughly 12% on an FX-neutral basis, representing about $6 billion of incremental revenue year over year. He also emphasized that management is focused on the full year rather than quarter-to-quarter fluctuations.
Neumann said Netflix believes it still has significant room to grow, estimating the company is less than 45% penetrated into about 800 million addressable households globally, has captured about 7% of an addressable revenue market of approximately $670 billion, and accounts for about 5% of global TV viewing share.
Engagement Metrics Remain a Focus Co-CEO Greg Peters addressed investor questions about viewing hours and engagement, saying there is not a direct linear relationship between raw viewing hours and revenue or profit. He cited live programming as an example, noting that live content is expected to account for about 5% of Netflix’s content budget this year but only about 1% of view hours. However, Peters said six of Netflix’s top 10 new member sign-up days over the past five years have come from live events.
By contrast, Peters said kids and family animation series are also expected to represent about 5% of content spending but about 8% of view hours. He said Netflix evaluates engagement across quality, variety and quantity, rather than relying only on total hours viewed.
On the quantity side, Peters said viewing hours grew 2% in the first half of 2026, an incremental 1.5 billion hours compared with the same period last year. He said that was a slight acceleration from 1.5% growth in 2025.
“It’s combined quality, variety, and quantity of engagement that translates into satisfaction and value for members,” Peters said, adding that Netflix continues to see “industry-leading retention,” increased willingness to pay and strong advertiser demand.
Content Spending and Slate Performance Co-CEO Ted Sarandos said most of Netflix’s programming spending continues to go toward core TV series and films, where he said the company has a long track record of generating member value and business returns. Sarandos said Netflix is forecasting content expense to rise about 10% this year, above the 8% average over the last five years but below the 14% average over the past decade.
Sarandos pointed to several second-quarter releases as evidence of the slate’s performance, including “I Will Find You,” which he said was Netflix’s biggest original series launch this year, and “Swapped,” which he said is on track to become the company’s second-biggest original animated film behind “K-Pop: Demon Hunters.”
He also highlighted regional programming, including the South Korean show “Teach You a Lesson,” which he said is on track to become the second-most-watched South Korean show globally on Netflix and the company’s biggest series in South Korea. Sarandos also cited “The Polygamist,” adapted from a Zimbabwean novel for South Africa, and “Rosario Tijeras” in Latin America.
Asked about concerns over second-season viewership declines, Sarandos said Netflix is not seeing a material change in aggregate second-season viewing compared with first seasons. He said second seasons are performing within expectations and that second-season falloff has “slightly improved” this year compared with last year. He also said there are no changes to Netflix’s release strategy.
Live Events, Partnerships and New Formats Sarandos said live programming is playing an important role in driving acquisition, accelerating advertising revenue and generating conversation. He cited the World Baseball Classic in Japan, which he said became Netflix’s most-watched program ever in Japan and the biggest baseball streaming event ever.
While Sarandos said such live events can show slightly higher churn because they drive disproportionate sign-ups, he said results were in line with expectations and Netflix plans to continue expanding its global live event calendar, including regional live events.
Peters also discussed Netflix’s partnership with TF1 in France, saying the integration is still early at four weeks but that the company is pleased with the performance so far. He said the arrangement adds local French programming for members while maintaining a distinct product experience for TF1’s brand.
Asked about a potential free ad-supported streaming television, or FAST, offering, Peters said a free option could make sense in some markets, but Netflix must be thoughtful about cannibalization of paid tiers and would need an effective scaled advertising business in the relevant country. He said Netflix has no near-term plans to launch such an offering.
Sarandos said Netflix is encouraged by early progress in vertical clips and video podcasts, saying podcasts are driving incremental viewing, particularly during daytime hours and on mobile. He cited partnerships with publishers including Condé Nast, Hearst and People, as well as programming involving creators and brands such as Martha Stewart, “The Breakfast Club,” the official “Bridgerton” podcast, Bill Simmons, Pete Davidson and Brian Williams.
Advertising, Pricing and Games Peters said Netflix manages its advertising business for total revenue growth and sees an opportunity to narrow the gap between average revenue per membership on the ad tier and the standard ad-free tier. He said Netflix has expanded demand sources, continued building its own ad technology stack, added products and measurement tools, and made it easier for advertisers to transact with the company.
On pricing, Peters said recent increases in markets including the U.S., Mexico and Spain have gone well and are consistent with prior price changes and expectations. He said Netflix evaluates whether it has delivered sufficient member value before raising prices.
Peters also discussed Netflix’s video game strategy, saying the gaming market represents about $150 billion in consumer spending excluding China and Russia and not including advertising revenue. He said cloud-based TV games are showing positive signs, with FIFA and Unhinged becoming Netflix’s two most successful cloud game debuts. Since scaling the cloud initiative last October, Peters said monthly active players for cloud games have increased 11 times.
AI, M&A and Capital Allocation Sarandos said generative AI is beginning to affect hundreds of Netflix productions, with workflows used in roughly 300 titles, especially in post-production. He said the tools are helping with complex shots and sequences, including crowd enhancements and historical battle scenes, while allowing some work to be completed faster and more efficiently.
Sarandos cited the documentary series “The American Experiment,” which he said includes 17 minutes of AI-enhanced footage produced twice as fast and at half the cost of prior options. He said any cost savings are likely to be reinvested into more content.
Asked about media consolidation and speculation around acquisitions, Sarandos said Netflix would not comment on market speculation and reiterated that the company is “primarily builders, not buyers.” Neumann said there is no change to Netflix’s capital allocation philosophy, which includes investing in the business, maintaining liquidity and a healthy balance sheet, and returning excess cash through share repurchases.
Neumann said Netflix repurchased $4.7 billion of shares in the second quarter, its largest quarterly repurchase in company history, and still has about $27 billion of capacity remaining under its authorizations.
About Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) Netflix, Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX) is a global entertainment company that provides subscription-based streaming of films, television series, documentaries and other video content. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph and headquartered in Los Gatos, California, the company began as a DVD-by-mail rental service and introduced streaming video in 2007. Netflix later expanded into producing and distributing original programming, beginning notable original hits in the 2010s, and now operates a content production and distribution ecosystem alongside its licensing activity.
The company’s primary product is its on-demand streaming service, which can be accessed on a wide range of internet-connected devices and delivered through a suite of apps and web platforms.
Shares of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-seven analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-one have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $63.7708.
A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $58.00 to $63.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on Bank of America from $59.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday. Barclays lifted their price target on Bank of America from $71.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. UBS Group boosted their price target on Bank of America from $63.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Bank of America from $67.00 to $69.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday.
Get Our Latest Research Report on Bank of America
Insider Activity at Bank of America In other news, insider Geoffrey S. Greener sold 126,756 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.01, for a total value of $6,719,335.56. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 1,373,397 shares in the company, valued at approximately $72,803,774.97. This trade represents a 8.45% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.27% of the company’s stock.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bank of America Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BAC. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 651,076,825 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $35,809,225,000 after acquiring an additional 23,351,183 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Bank of America during the 4th quarter worth $4,774,210,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in Bank of America by 5.4% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 57,619,317 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $3,169,062,000 after purchasing an additional 2,929,779 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Bank of America by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 53,783,821 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,958,110,000 after purchasing an additional 1,105,833 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG raised its position in Bank of America by 5.9% in the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 47,172,503 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $2,594,488,000 after purchasing an additional 2,611,776 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.71% of the company’s stock.
Bank of America Stock Down 0.5% NYSE BAC opened at $61.18 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23. Bank of America has a 1-year low of $44.75 and a 1-year high of $62.12. The company has a 50 day moving average of $55.30 and a 200-day moving average of $53.15. The company has a market cap of $434.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.03, a PEG ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.17.
Bank of America (NYSE:BAC – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.13 by $0.08. Bank of America had a net margin of 17.56% and a return on equity of 12.20%. The business had revenue of $8.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $30.78 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.89 earnings per share. Bank of America’s revenue was up 19.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Bank of America will post 4.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Bank of America Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 5th were paid a dividend of $0.28 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 5th. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. Bank of America’s payout ratio is presently 27.72%.
Key Stories Impacting Bank of America Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of America this week:
Positive Sentiment: Bank of America declared regular cash dividends on multiple preferred stock series, reinforcing its continued capital return to shareholders. Bank of America Declares Preferred Stock Dividends Payable in August and September 2026 Positive Sentiment: Multiple firms lifted their outlooks on BAC, including higher earnings estimates for FY2026 and FY2027, suggesting improving expectations for profitability. Bank of America stock page Positive Sentiment: Bank of America’s recent Q2 results were broadly strong, with the company topping estimates and benefiting from robust trading and deal activity, which has helped support investor confidence in the stock. BofA rides market whiplash to trading records, deal activity shines Neutral Sentiment: Bank of America also announced internal AI leadership appointments to accelerate AI adoption in its global markets business, a strategic move that could improve efficiency over time but is not an immediate earnings driver. BofA names senior executives to drive AI adoption in global markets-memo Bank of America Company Profile (Get Free Report)
Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets.
Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels.
Read More Five stocks we like better than Bank of America AST SpaceMobile Stock Sinks as SpaceX Fallout Rattles Space Sector Aehr Test Systems Stock Soars on Earnings, Eyes Over 150% Revenue Growth TSMC Just Gave AI Chip Bulls Another Reason to Stay Confident GE Aerospace Faces a Prove-It Moment in Q2 Earnings
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Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lessened its position in Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC – Free Report) by 25.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,419,819 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 844,426 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC’s holdings in Bank of America were worth $119,224,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Bank of America in the fourth quarter worth about $4,774,210,000. Capital International Investors purchased a new stake in Bank of America in the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,357,461,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its holdings in Bank of America by 640.5% in the 3rd quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 46,516,728 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,399,798,000 after buying an additional 40,235,201 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Bank of America by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 651,076,825 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $35,809,225,000 after buying an additional 23,351,183 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cardano Risk Management B.V. increased its stake in shares of Bank of America by 914.5% during the fourth quarter. Cardano Risk Management B.V. now owns 25,095,260 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,380,239,000 after buying an additional 22,621,546 shares during the period. 70.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Bank of America Trading Down 0.5% Bank of America stock opened at $61.18 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.81. Bank of America Corporation has a one year low of $44.75 and a one year high of $62.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $434.16 billion, a PE ratio of 14.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.17. The business’s fifty day moving average is $55.30 and its 200 day moving average is $53.15.
Bank of America (NYSE:BAC – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.13 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $8.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $30.78 billion. Bank of America had a return on equity of 12.20% and a net margin of 17.56%.Bank of America’s revenue was up 19.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.89 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Bank of America Corporation will post 4.64 EPS for the current year.
Bank of America Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 26th. Investors of record on Friday, June 5th were given a dividend of $0.28 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 5th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. Bank of America’s dividend payout ratio is 27.72%.
Insider Transactions at Bank of America In other Bank of America news, insider Geoffrey S. Greener sold 126,756 shares of Bank of America stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.01, for a total value of $6,719,335.56. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 1,373,397 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $72,803,774.97. The trade was a 8.45% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.27% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently commented on BAC shares. HSBC upped their target price on Bank of America from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $67.00 to $69.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $75.00 price objective on shares of Bank of America in a report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Bank of America in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Bank of America from $58.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Twenty-one research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $63.77.
View Our Latest Stock Report on BAC
Key Stories Impacting Bank of America Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of America this week:
Positive Sentiment: Bank of America declared regular cash dividends on multiple preferred stock series, reinforcing its continued capital return to shareholders. Bank of America Declares Preferred Stock Dividends Payable in August and September 2026 Positive Sentiment: Multiple firms lifted their outlooks on BAC, including higher earnings estimates for FY2026 and FY2027, suggesting improving expectations for profitability. Bank of America stock page Positive Sentiment: Bank of America’s recent Q2 results were broadly strong, with the company topping estimates and benefiting from robust trading and deal activity, which has helped support investor confidence in the stock. BofA rides market whiplash to trading records, deal activity shines Neutral Sentiment: Bank of America also announced internal AI leadership appointments to accelerate AI adoption in its global markets business, a strategic move that could improve efficiency over time but is not an immediate earnings driver. BofA names senior executives to drive AI adoption in global markets-memo Bank of America Profile (Free Report)
Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets.
Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels.
Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Bank of America AST SpaceMobile Stock Sinks as SpaceX Fallout Rattles Space Sector Aehr Test Systems Stock Soars on Earnings, Eyes Over 150% Revenue Growth TSMC Just Gave AI Chip Bulls Another Reason to Stay Confident GE Aerospace Faces a Prove-It Moment in Q2 Earnings
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A whale transferred 19,235 ETH to Binance, worth approximately $35.34 million.
According to YuEmber monitoring, geministar.eth transferred 19,235 ETH (worth approximately $35.34 million) to Binance 15 minutes ago.
7 minutes ago
Robinhood addresses controversy: Its support for Trump’s account is aimed at inclusive finance, not to encourage gambling-style trading.
According to The New York Times, as Robinhood integrates prediction markets into its app, external concerns have grown over the platform’s potential to exploit young, inexperienced investors. Additionally, many still associate Robinhood with the meme stock craze that swept markets years ago, and the firm was a key driver of that phenomenon. Today, Robinhood aims to be seen as more than those labels. The company has become one of the entities operating the Trump Accounts program, which gives Robinhood the chance to build closer ties with the next generation of investors while further strengthening its relationship with Washington’s political establishment. Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev responded that the move is not to encourage speculation, but to expand financial inclusion and help more U.S. households participate in long-term investing. Currently, Robinhood has adjusted some product designs and is working to transition from a “speculative trading platform” to a broader financial services firm.
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Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister: Iran has ceased implementing the Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding
According to Iranian media reports on the 18th, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Garibabadi stated that Iran has ceased implementing the Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding after the United States violated its commitments.
7 minutes ago
BONK treasury attacker transfers approximately $1.19 million worth of tokens to Binance.
According to Yu Jian Monitoring, the address that previously drained the BONK treasury via a governance attack transferred 400 billion BONK tokens (valued at roughly $1.19 million) to Binance 20 minutes ago. The address spent approximately $4.4 million 10 days ago to purchase enough BONK tokens to meet the governance voting threshold, then submitted a governance proposal that was forcibly passed, siphoning 4.426 trillion BONK tokens from the BONK treasury, worth around $21.2 million.
7 minutes ago
Consensys unwittingly hired North Korean developers for software development work, and has launched a full investigation.
Blockchain firm Consensys unknowingly granted a North Korea-linked software developer access to some of its internal systems for roughly a month. Earlier this year, Consensys hired a software consultant operating under the alias Tyler Knapp, who was later found to have ties to North Korea. The incident prompted Consensys to temporarily pause product releases and launch an internal investigation. Consensys General Counsel Matt Corva stated: "'Knapp' was introduced to the company via its partnership with a reputable third-party service provider, serving as a consultant (he was never a full-time Consensys employee). We detected this security threat shortly after his onboarding, immediately terminated all his access permissions in line with security protocols, and initiated a full investigation. The probe confirmed no assets or data were misappropriated, no malicious code was deployed, and there was no impact on user security or assets."
7 minutes ago
Kevin Kelly: If Token costs become critical in the future, China’s open-source models will hold a significant advantage.
Famous futurist and "Father of Silicon Valley Spirit" Kevin Kelly told media in an interview at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference that if the day comes when everyone starts paying attention to token costs, China’s AI will hold an advantage thanks to the existence of open-source models. Kelly noted that token consumption costs are growing increasingly important, though currently the industry seems not to prioritize them. “But I think when we are consuming such massive amounts of tokens all the time, people will start caring about [costs]. If you can offer costs that are one-tenth of Anthropic’s, that will disrupt the entire landscape.” However, Kelly also warned that open-source models require sufficient funding to sustain operations, as they are not as profitable as closed-source models. “Building these large models requires massive capital.”
Hyperliquid co-founder Jeff Yan has warned that crypto’s failure to attract enough top entrepreneurs has become one of the industry’s biggest obstacles as young talent moves toward artificial intelligence.
Summary
Jeff Yan says crypto is struggling to attract top young entrepreneurs. AI’s prestige and rapid growth are pulling talented founders away from on-chain finance. George Noble warns heavy AI spending could create serious financial risks. The VALR podcast featured Yan’s comments on how the AI boom and the social status attached to the technology have influenced career choices among young founders. According to Yan, many talented people remain unsure which field would allow them to create the most value, leaving relatively few to pursue work in cryptocurrency and fintech.
Yan argued that rebuilding the financial system from first principles offers young entrepreneurs a chance to solve difficult real-world problems. In his view, the work involves turning academic ideas into market designs that can operate reliably at scale.
Rather than judging industries by their surface appeal, Yan urged prospective founders to study the problems each sector is trying to solve. He identified on-chain finance as an area where entrepreneurs can help develop new financial systems and market structures.
AI is drawing young founders away from crypto Yan’s concern comes as Chinese AI developers gain attention for their progress in global model rankings. China’s Kimi K3 recently reached first place on the Frontend Code Arena, a result that prompted former White House crypto czar David Sacks to raise concerns about America’s position in the AI race.
Sacks described Kimi K3’s performance as troubling because the model also ranked close to leading systems across several other evaluations. He argued that rules covering data centers, state-level requirements and proposed federal reviews could slow US developers while Chinese companies continue improving their models.
“This is how you lose the AI race,” Sacks wrote.
Drawing a comparison with the early internet, Sacks argued that the United States became a technology leader by allowing companies to build products without first seeking government permission. He called for Washington to take a similar approach to AI while using focused regulations to address specific safety concerns.
The competition described by Sacks helps explain why AI has become attractive to ambitious young developers and founders. Yan, however, believes crypto still offers meaningful technical work because building on-chain financial markets requires both entrepreneurial judgment and knowledge of economic design.
Heavy AI spending carries a separate market risk While AI companies compete for talent and capital, former Fidelity fund manager George Noble has warned that the investment boom could create severe financial risks. Noble estimated that an AI bubble collapse could cause 17 times more damage than the dot-com crash, which erased about $5 trillion from the Nasdaq.
Noble linked that forecast to the large amount of money being directed toward AI infrastructure. If those investments fail to produce the returns expected by investors, he argued, the losses could spread beyond technology companies and affect other parts of the financial system.
“The fallout from this could really be much more significant,” Noble said while discussing the rise in AI capital spending.
Yan did not frame AI’s expansion only as a financial threat to crypto. His warning focused on the people entering the sector, with the Hyperliquid co-founder arguing that on-chain finance will need more capable entrepreneurs if it is to turn complex theories into financial markets that can serve users at scale.
Absher Wealth Management LLC decreased its position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 3.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 103,218 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 3,891 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. comprises approximately 3.6% of Absher Wealth Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 13th largest holding. Absher Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $30,363,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Timmons Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC acquired a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Osbon Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the fourth quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the third quarter worth $35,000. Institutional investors own 71.55% of the company’s stock.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Down 0.5% Shares of JPM opened at $341.60 on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 52 week low of $279.10 and a 52 week high of $351.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $915.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.64, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.85. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $319.11 and a 200-day moving average of $310.31.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 14th. The financial services provider reported $5.94 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.50 by $0.44. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 18.23% and a net margin of 21.86%.The business had revenue of $50.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $48.30 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $5.07 EPS. JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s quarterly revenue was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 23.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Investors of record on Monday, July 6th will be given a dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 25.71%.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting JPMorgan Chase & Co. this week:
Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan’s blowout Q2 earnings are driving bullish sentiment, with the bank reporting record profits, 41% higher net income, strong trading and investment banking activity, and higher full-year net interest income guidance. JPMorgan Just Reported $21.2 Billion in Q2 Net Income — Up 41% — and CEO Jamie Dimon Said the Economy Is “Close to as Good as It Gets.” Positive Sentiment: Analysts have been raising expectations after the results, including multiple higher price targets and upgraded earnings forecasts, signaling confidence that JPMorgan can continue to outperform. JPMorgan Price Target Raised to $380 on Strong Q2 Results, Upgraded Outlook and Capital Strength Positive Sentiment: The stock is also benefiting from expectations that JPMorgan may raise its quarterly dividend by 10% after passing the Federal Reserve stress test, reinforcing the bank’s capital strength and shareholder-return story. JPM Stock Just Staged a Record Bull Run. 1 Analyst Thinks It Can Still Soar to $420. Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan was added to several “Strong Buy” and momentum/income stock lists, which adds to positive sentiment but is less directly impactful than earnings or guidance. New Strong Buy Stocks for July 17th Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan also drew attention for major financing activity and a $24 million Philadelphia shipbuilding investment, highlighting ongoing business expansion and capital deployment. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) Puts $24 Million Into Philadelphia Shipbuilding And Defense Negative Sentiment: Late-day sector weakness in financial stocks may be limiting JPMorgan’s upside even as company-specific fundamentals remain strong. Sector Update: Financial Stocks Decline Friday Afternoon Insider Buying and Selling In other news, General Counsel Stacey Friedman sold 5,468 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $300.27, for a total transaction of $1,641,876.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel directly owned 46,428 shares in the company, valued at $13,940,935.56. This trade represents a 10.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, COO Jennifer Piepszak sold 4,919 shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $309.42, for a total value of $1,522,036.98. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 85,082 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,326,072.44. This represents a 5.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 18,876 shares of company stock valued at $5,907,051 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.41% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Ratings Changes JPM has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Argus increased their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $340.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. Daiwa Securities Group dropped their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $340.00 to $328.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $360.00 target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Monday, July 6th. DZ Bank reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $375.00 to $384.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and thirteen have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $354.92.
Get Our Latest Analysis on JPM
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Company Profile (Free Report)
JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) is a diversified global financial services firm headquartered in New York City. The company provides a wide range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, small businesses, corporations, governments and institutional investors worldwide. Its operations span retail banking, commercial lending, investment banking, asset management, payments and card services, and treasury and securities services.
The firm’s principal business activities are organized across several core lines: Consumer & Community Banking, which offers deposit accounts, mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and branch and digital banking under the Chase brand; Corporate & Investment Banking, which provides capital markets, advisory, underwriting, trading and risk management services; Commercial Banking, delivering lending, treasury and capital solutions to middle-market and corporate clients; and Asset & Wealth Management, which offers investment management, private banking and retirement services to institutions and high-net-worth individuals.
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AMF Tjanstepension AB lifted its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 1.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 853,194 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 12,219 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. makes up about 1.7% of AMF Tjanstepension AB’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest holding. AMF Tjanstepension AB’s holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $250,976,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in JPM. Timmons Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC acquired a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. Osbon Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the fourth quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the third quarter valued at about $35,000. 71.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Key JPMorgan Chase & Co. News Here are the key news stories impacting JPMorgan Chase & Co. this week:
Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan’s blowout Q2 earnings are driving bullish sentiment, with the bank reporting record profits, 41% higher net income, strong trading and investment banking activity, and higher full-year net interest income guidance. JPMorgan Just Reported $21.2 Billion in Q2 Net Income — Up 41% — and CEO Jamie Dimon Said the Economy Is “Close to as Good as It Gets.” Positive Sentiment: Analysts have been raising expectations after the results, including multiple higher price targets and upgraded earnings forecasts, signaling confidence that JPMorgan can continue to outperform. JPMorgan Price Target Raised to $380 on Strong Q2 Results, Upgraded Outlook and Capital Strength Positive Sentiment: The stock is also benefiting from expectations that JPMorgan may raise its quarterly dividend by 10% after passing the Federal Reserve stress test, reinforcing the bank’s capital strength and shareholder-return story. JPM Stock Just Staged a Record Bull Run. 1 Analyst Thinks It Can Still Soar to $420. Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan was added to several “Strong Buy” and momentum/income stock lists, which adds to positive sentiment but is less directly impactful than earnings or guidance. New Strong Buy Stocks for July 17th Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan also drew attention for major financing activity and a $24 million Philadelphia shipbuilding investment, highlighting ongoing business expansion and capital deployment. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) Puts $24 Million Into Philadelphia Shipbuilding And Defense Negative Sentiment: Late-day sector weakness in financial stocks may be limiting JPMorgan’s upside even as company-specific fundamentals remain strong. Sector Update: Financial Stocks Decline Friday Afternoon Insider Transactions at JPMorgan Chase & Co. In related news, CFO Jeremy Barnum sold 3,022 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $309.41, for a total value of $935,037.02. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 32,438 shares in the company, valued at $10,036,641.58. This trade represents a 8.52% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, COO Jennifer Piepszak sold 4,919 shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $309.42, for a total transaction of $1,522,036.98. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 85,082 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,326,072.44. This represents a 5.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 18,876 shares of company stock worth $5,907,051. Insiders own 0.41% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. HSBC upped their target price on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $288.00 to $312.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $325.00 to $345.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b+)” rating in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $360.00 price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $295.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and thirteen have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $354.92.
Read Our Latest Research Report on JPM
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Performance NYSE JPM opened at $341.60 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $319.11 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $310.31. The stock has a market cap of $915.33 billion, a PE ratio of 14.64, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.99. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a fifty-two week low of $279.10 and a fifty-two week high of $351.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.85.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 14th. The financial services provider reported $5.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.50 by $0.44. The company had revenue of $50.54 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $48.30 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 18.23% and a net margin of 21.86%.JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $5.07 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 23.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 6th will be paid a dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.71%.
About JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Free Report)
JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) is a diversified global financial services firm headquartered in New York City. The company provides a wide range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, small businesses, corporations, governments and institutional investors worldwide. Its operations span retail banking, commercial lending, investment banking, asset management, payments and card services, and treasury and securities services.
The firm’s principal business activities are organized across several core lines: Consumer & Community Banking, which offers deposit accounts, mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and branch and digital banking under the Chase brand; Corporate & Investment Banking, which provides capital markets, advisory, underwriting, trading and risk management services; Commercial Banking, delivering lending, treasury and capital solutions to middle-market and corporate clients; and Asset & Wealth Management, which offers investment management, private banking and retirement services to institutions and high-net-worth individuals.
See Also Five stocks we like better than JPMorgan Chase & Co. AST SpaceMobile Stock Sinks as SpaceX Fallout Rattles Space Sector Aehr Test Systems Stock Soars on Earnings, Eyes Over 150% Revenue Growth TSMC Just Gave AI Chip Bulls Another Reason to Stay Confident GE Aerospace Faces a Prove-It Moment in Q2 Earnings Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JPM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM – Free Report).
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July tests investor conviction. From the 2011 debt-ceiling standoff to the 2022 inflation shock, summer volatility has separated durable businesses from cyclical hopefuls. Three consumer staples and healthcare giants have paid and raised dividends through Black Monday 1987, the dot-com crash, the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 shutdown and the 2022 bear market. Each is a Dividend King with a decades-long streak, and each delivered a beat-and-raise quarter heading into the back half of 2026.
This is the crisis-resilience watchlist for July 2026: three names that keep writing checks when the market stops working.
Coca-Cola (KO) Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO | KO Price Prediction) enters summer with momentum, with the stock up around 20% year to date as of July 17 along with a market cap near $361.09 billion. Q1 2026 reported April 28 delivering EPS of 86 cents versus the estimated 81 cents on revenue of $12.47 billion, up 12.1% year over year. That was the fourth consecutive EPS beat, with organic revenue up 10%, global unit case volume up 3% and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar volume up 13%. Operating margin expanded to 35.0% from 32.9%.
The bull case: pricing power, scale, and cash return. Management guided 2026 to 4-5% organic revenue growth, 8% to 9% comparable EPS growth, and roughly $12.2 billion in free cash flow. Coca-Cola paid $8.8 billion in dividends in 2025 and has raised the payout for 63 consecutive years. The quarterly dividend stepped to 53 cents in 2026 from 51 cents in 2025. KO raised its quarterly payout to 41 cents in 2009 from 38 cents in 2008, straight through the financial crisis. CEO Henrique Braun said: “We’ve had a strong start to the year. Our performance this quarter reflects our unwavering focus on staying close to the consumer, executing locally and managing complexity.”
Risk to watch for: the pending Coca-Cola Beverages Africa sale, ongoing IRS tax litigation and a roughly 4% headwind from acquisitions and divestitures. Shares trade at a P/E of 28, not cheap for a mid-single-digit growth business.
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has been one of the year’s biggest large-cap surprises, up 22.41% year to date and 55.74% over the past year. Q1 2026 reported April 14 posting adjusted EPS of $2.70 versus $2.68 expected on revenue of $24.06 billion, up 9.9% year over year. Innovative Medicine came in at $15.43 billion, up 11.2%, with DARZALEX at $3.96 billion (+22.5%), TREMFYA at $1.61 billion (+68.3%) and CARVYKTI at $597 million (+62.1%).
The dividend track record is the point. JNJ raised its Q2 2026 dividend 3.1% to $1.34 per share, extending the streak to 64 consecutive years of increases. The company kept raising the payout through the COVID-19 crash, moving from $0.95 in Q1 2020 to $1.01 in Q2 2020. Management raised 2026 guidance to revenue of $100.3 billion to $101.3 billion and adjusted EPS of $11.45 to $11.65. CEO Joaquin Duato said: “Johnson & Johnson had a strong start to 2026 and is delivering on its promise for a year of accelerated growth and impact.” Composite prediction-market sentiment sits at 60.67, bullish with medium confidence.
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Risk to watch for: STELARA biosimilar erosion drove that franchise down 59.7% to $656 million in Q1, litigation charges added $330 million in the quarter, and the planned Orthopaedics separation introduces execution risk. For income investors weighing multi-decade streaks, our 10 Dividend Kings research walks through how these compounders behave across full market cycles.
Procter & Gamble (PG) Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) is the least exciting name on this list, and that is the point. Fiscal Q3 2026 reported April 24 producing core EPS of $1.59 versus $1.56 estimated on net sales of $21.24 billion, up 7.4% year over year. Organic sales rose 3%, Beauty jumped 7% organic and growth was broad across all five segments. That makes four straight quarters of top- and bottom-line beats.
The dividend streak stands at 70 consecutive annual increases and 136 consecutive years of dividend payments since incorporation in 1890. The Q2 2026 payout was raised to $1.0885 per quarter from $1.0568. FY2026 plans include roughly $10 billion in dividends and about $5 billion in share repurchases. Beta of 0.38 makes PG one of the lowest-volatility large caps in the S&P 500. Reddit sentiment reads bullish at 72, with a composite score of 67.15. CEO Shailesh Jejurikar said the quarter delivered “a solid acceleration in top-line results in our fiscal third quarter, with broad-based growth across product categories and regions.”
Risk to watch for: P&G expects FY2026 core EPS to land toward the lower end of its $6.83 to $7.09 range due to roughly $400 million in after-tax tariff costs and a $150 million commodity headwind. Core gross margin slipped 100 basis points. Shares are up just 5.03% year to date, but that muted move is what defensive investors want when volatility strikes.
What to Watch Next All three cleared Q1 with beats, raised dividends in 2026, and carry crisis track records predating most current Wall Street portfolio managers. If July delivers another volatility shock, keep an eye on these three: History says the checks keep clearing regardless of headlines.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Johnson & Johnson didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
Airline stocks’ sensitivity to jet fuel prices is tested whenever fuel spikes. In 2026, fuel costs are testing every airline's balance sheet. This quarter, both Delta Air Lines NYSE: DAL and United Airlines NYSE: UAL passed the test on paper. But they passed it in very different ways—and the difference matters more than the headline numbers.
Delta's adjusted fuel price rose to $3.93 a gallon, up 75% year over year. United's was worse: $4.19 a gallon, up nearly 80%. Neither number is small. United took a significant year-over-year hit to adjusted earnings per share (EPS) and now expects almost $6 billion in incremental fuel expense for full-year 2026, up from its original budget.
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That's real data that investors shouldn’t dismiss as quarterly noise. The question becomes which airline has the structural tools to keep passing that cost through to ticket prices without losing the traveler?
How Higher Jet Fuel Costs Are Impacting Delta and UnitedAs noted above, United's adjusted EPS fell 48.6% year-over-year, from $3.87 to $1.99. Delta's adjusted EPS fell 26%, from $2.12 to $1.56. The same pattern was evident in margin compression. United's adjusted pre-tax margin fell just over six points, from 11% to 4.8%. Delta fell four points, from 11.7% to 7.7%. Delta's earnings base shrank by a smaller proportion, even though both carriers faced comparable fuel inflation.
To be fair, not all of the weakness in United’s EPS and margin numbers was due to fuel costs. The company absorbed $184 million in one-time labor contract charges this quarter, versus $561 million a year ago.
Delta's Fuel Hedging Strategy Vs. United's Liquidity ApproachAt the crux of the "built for higher fuel costs" question is the strategy of fuel hedging. Most U.S. major airlines walked away from large-scale fuel hedging years ago. Unlike European carriers such as Air France-KLM OTCMKTS: AFLYY or Ryanair NASDAQ: RYAAY, which routinely lock in 70%–90% of fuel needs through derivative contracts extending a year or more out, U.S. legacy carriers have largely stopped using the strategy.
Delta Air Lines Today
DAL
Delta Air Lines
$84.15 -2.55 (-2.94%)
As of 07/17/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$50.44▼
$95.68Dividend Yield1.02%
P/E Ratio13.96
Price Target$100.40
Industry reporting has pegged the impact of that exposure, and it explains the problem well. A 1-cent move in jet fuel can cost a major U.S. carrier roughly $50 million a year, with no derivative book absorbing the blow.
Delta is the partial exception because it owns Monroe Energy, a Trainer, Pennsylvania refinery that supplies a meaningful share of its jet fuel needs. Third-party refinery sales hit $2.09 billion this quarter, up 83% year-over-year, and Delta credits the refinery with an 11-cents-per-gallon benefit this quarter (including a 5-cent hit from a temporary outage).
Delta's earnings report showed $301 million in mark-to-market hedge adjustments and settlements this quarter alone. That's not the 80%+ coverage ratios you see at Ryanair or Air France-KLM, but it's meaningfully more structural protection than a pure spot-market buyer.
United Airlines Today
UAL
United Airlines
$115.41 -3.40 (-2.86%)
As of 07/17/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
52-Week Range$82.42▼
$138.77P/E Ratio10.80
Price Target$154.26
United's approach is based on liquidity.
Management raised $3.7 billion in new liquidity through private bank transactions this quarter, explicitly described as "low-cost insurance" against a further oil spike.
Per sources, United has also secured select fuel supply contracts that limit some exposure—But these reportedly fall well short of the large-scale, derivative-based hedging programs that European carriers or Delta's refinery model provide.
Can Delta and United Pass Higher Fuel Costs to Travelers?Rising jet fuel costs only matter if passengers aren’t willing to pay. So far, that hasn’t been the case. United grew capacity 3.5% year-over-year while still pushing adjusted unit revenue (TRASM) up 12.1%. Delta grew capacity roughly 1% while pushing TRASM up 12.4%.
Delta is generating comparable unit-revenue growth on a fraction of United's capacity growth—a tighter, lower-risk version of the same pricing story. United is growing into demand harder, which raises the ceiling if travel stays strong, and the downside if it doesn't.
Why Travel Demand Remains Strong Despite Higher AirfaresBoth United and Delta cited increases in premium and economy/main-cabin demand. United's Basic Economy revenue rose 11%, and its overall economy-cabin unit revenue rose 12%. That was the airline’s second consecutive quarter of positive economy growth after a long soft patch. Delta's main cabin ticket revenue rose 8%, also its second straight quarter of positive main-cabin growth, while premium ticket revenue rose 17%.
At first glance, that pattern looks contradictory. The broader travel narrative through 2025 and into 2026 has been a "K-shaped" split: strong premium demand alongside a documented pullback in budget-conscious leisure travel, with ultra-low-cost carriers absorbing the brunt of that softness. If the price-sensitive traveler is genuinely pulling back across the industry, why are Delta and United both showing their cheapest cabins turning positive at the same time?
It may come down to a share shift rather than a demand surge. Neither Delta nor United built its brand around the price-sensitive flyer, but both have spent recent years building lower-tier fare products. United’s Basic Economy and Delta's comparable main-cabin fares are designed to compete for that traveler when needed.
As ultra-low-cost carriers cut capacity or struggle with their own economics, some of that traffic doesn't vanish. It shifts, "below the line," to a legacy carrier's cheapest available seat. That would reconcile positive economy-cabin growth at Delta and United with a well-documented pullback at the dedicated budget carriers.
Which Airline Is Better Positioned for Higher Fuel Costs?Warren Buffett has been one of the most outspoken critics of airline stocks. Buffett’s argument comes down to high operating costs outweighing travel demand, which can be fickle. But every rule has occasional exceptions. In 2026, the airline industry is having a moment where, for now, math is working in its favor.
That doesn’t mean this time is different. It just means that there’s an opportunity for growth despite higher jet fuel prices. That is, as long as travelers are willing to absorb the higher costs.
If stock price growth is the only consideration, both UAL and DAL are attractive targets. In fact, an argument could be made that United has more short-term upside. But for an investor looking for long-term growth, Delta’s hedging strategy should do a better job of protecting its margins. Plus, DAL's dividend increased about 15% (from $0.1875 to $0.2150 per share), and will be paid on July 30, 2026, to shareholders of record as of July 9.
Should You Invest $1,000 in Delta Air Lines Right Now?Before you consider Delta Air Lines, you'll want to hear this.
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Aire Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS – Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 550 shares of the investment management company’s stock, valued at approximately $465,000.
A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $2,515,830,000. Corient Private Wealth LLC grew its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,657.7% in the fourth quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 2,596,487 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $2,282,312,000 after acquiring an additional 2,448,767 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 1st quarter worth $2,024,921,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 428.4% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 556,254 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $488,947,000 after purchasing an additional 450,984 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Diamant Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 84,499.0% during the 1st quarter. Diamant Asset Management Inc. now owns 422,995 shares of the investment management company’s stock valued at $35,785,000 after purchasing an additional 422,495 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.21% of the company’s stock.
The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Down 2.7% GS stock opened at $1,066.28 on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $691.88 and a fifty-two week high of $1,153.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $314.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.83, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.63. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $1,035.20 and a 200 day moving average price of $945.44.
The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 14th. The investment management company reported $20.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $14.47 by $6.51. The firm had revenue of $20.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.22 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 15.53% and a return on equity of 18.59%. The Goldman Sachs Group’s revenue was up 39.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $10.91 EPS. Analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 64.34 EPS for the current fiscal year.
The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be issued a dividend of $5.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $20.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. This is an increase from The Goldman Sachs Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $4.50. The Goldman Sachs Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.78%.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Rothschild & Co Redburn lifted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $870.00 to $920.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $900.00 to $955.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $1,050.00 to $1,130.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. BNP Paribas Exane reduced their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $970.00 to $940.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Oppenheimer lowered shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from a “market perform” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $1,061.43.
View Our Latest Research Report on The Goldman Sachs Group
The Goldman Sachs Group News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting The Goldman Sachs Group this week:
Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs was added to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list, reinforcing bullish sentiment around the stock after its strong quarterly results. Positive Sentiment: The bank also made Zacks’ Strong Buy income stocks list, reflecting investor interest in Goldman Sachs as a dividend and total-return play. Positive Sentiment: Bank of America raised its price target on Goldman Sachs to $1,300 from $1,150 and kept a buy rating, implying additional upside from current levels. Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan and other commentary highlighted Goldman Sachs’ strong first-half M&A performance, along with record Q2 results and a 25% dividend increase plus a $4 billion share repurchase program. Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs’ equity underwriting revenue jumped sharply, helped by renewed capital markets activity and AI-related deal flow, which supports optimism for future investment banking revenue. Neutral Sentiment: Separately, Goldman Sachs disclosed a 3.5% voting interest in Qiagen, a portfolio-related filing that is not clearly material to Goldman’s own earnings outlook. Insider Transactions at The Goldman Sachs Group In other news, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 6,857 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $973.55, for a total value of $6,675,632.35. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 31,070 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $30,248,198.50. This trade represents a 18.08% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 14,292 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $939.07, for a total transaction of $13,421,188.44. Following the sale, the insider owned 15,657 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $14,703,018.99. This represents a 47.72% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 32,566 shares of company stock valued at $30,712,978. 0.55% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
About The Goldman Sachs Group (Free Report)
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc is a global investment banking and financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1869 as a commercial paper business, the company has grown into a diversified financial institution that provides a broad range of services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. The firm is led by Chief Executive Officer David M. Solomon and operates across major financial centers worldwide.
Goldman Sachs’ core businesses include investment banking, global markets, asset and wealth management, and consumer banking.
Read More Five stocks we like better than The Goldman Sachs Group AST SpaceMobile Stock Sinks as SpaceX Fallout Rattles Space Sector Aehr Test Systems Stock Soars on Earnings, Eyes Over 150% Revenue Growth TSMC Just Gave AI Chip Bulls Another Reason to Stay Confident GE Aerospace Faces a Prove-It Moment in Q2 Earnings Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS – Free Report).
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Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS – Free Report) by 58.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 90,848 shares of the investment management company’s stock after purchasing an additional 33,619 shares during the quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC’s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $78,149,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of GS. Dagco Inc. bought a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Garton & Associates Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 287.5% in the fourth quarter. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC now owns 31 shares of the investment management company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Steph & Co. bought a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. purchased a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. 71.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Dbs Bank increased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $890.00 to $1,050.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 7th. HSBC raised their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $729.00 to $765.00 in a report on Monday, May 4th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $1,050.00 to $1,130.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings cut The Goldman Sachs Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $940.00 to $1,120.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $1,061.43.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on The Goldman Sachs Group
The Goldman Sachs Group News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting The Goldman Sachs Group this week:
Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs was added to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list, reinforcing bullish sentiment around the stock after its strong quarterly results. Positive Sentiment: The bank also made Zacks’ Strong Buy income stocks list, reflecting investor interest in Goldman Sachs as a dividend and total-return play. Positive Sentiment: Bank of America raised its price target on Goldman Sachs to $1,300 from $1,150 and kept a buy rating, implying additional upside from current levels. Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan and other commentary highlighted Goldman Sachs’ strong first-half M&A performance, along with record Q2 results and a 25% dividend increase plus a $4 billion share repurchase program. Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs’ equity underwriting revenue jumped sharply, helped by renewed capital markets activity and AI-related deal flow, which supports optimism for future investment banking revenue. Neutral Sentiment: Separately, Goldman Sachs disclosed a 3.5% voting interest in Qiagen, a portfolio-related filing that is not clearly material to Goldman’s own earnings outlook. Insider Transactions at The Goldman Sachs Group In other news, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 14,292 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $939.07, for a total value of $13,421,188.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 15,657 shares in the company, valued at $14,703,018.99. This trade represents a 47.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Denis P. Coleman sold 6,857 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $973.55, for a total value of $6,675,632.35. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 31,070 shares in the company, valued at $30,248,198.50. This trade represents a 18.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 32,566 shares of company stock valued at $30,712,978 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.55% of the company’s stock.
The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance Shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock opened at $1,066.28 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $1,035.20 and a 200 day moving average of $945.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.83, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $314.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.30. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $691.88 and a 12 month high of $1,153.99.
The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 14th. The investment management company reported $20.98 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $14.47 by $6.51. The company had revenue of $20.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.22 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 18.59% and a net margin of 15.53%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 39.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $10.91 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 64.34 earnings per share for the current year.
The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be paid a dividend of $5.00 per share. This is an increase from The Goldman Sachs Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $4.50. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $20.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The Goldman Sachs Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 27.78%.
About The Goldman Sachs Group (Free Report)
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc is a global investment banking and financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1869 as a commercial paper business, the company has grown into a diversified financial institution that provides a broad range of services to corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. The firm is led by Chief Executive Officer David M. Solomon and operates across major financial centers worldwide.
Goldman Sachs’ core businesses include investment banking, global markets, asset and wealth management, and consumer banking.
Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than The Goldman Sachs Group AST SpaceMobile Stock Sinks as SpaceX Fallout Rattles Space Sector Aehr Test Systems Stock Soars on Earnings, Eyes Over 150% Revenue Growth TSMC Just Gave AI Chip Bulls Another Reason to Stay Confident GE Aerospace Faces a Prove-It Moment in Q2 Earnings
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« PREVIOUS HEADLINEAire Advisors LLC Acquires New Position in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. $GS
The 130-year-old Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI 0.77%) is one of the oldest and most iconic stock market indexes. And with just 30 components, it is far more selective than the S&P 500 or the thousands of companies listed on the Nasdaq Composite.
And while the Dow is getting more tech-focused -- most notably with its addition of Alphabet in June -- no component holds more weight than Goldman Sachs (GS 2.67%).
Here's why Goldman Sachs is so large that it can single-handedly move the index, and why a stock split could be in the cards before the end of the year.
Image source: Getty Images.
A Goldman Sachs stock split is coming The Dow is a price-weighted index. So, companies are weighted by their stock prices rather than by market cap. Modern market mechanics make it easy to weight an index like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq in real time using market cap. But back in 1896, when Charles Dow published the index, it was more convenient to simply add up the stock prices of the components and divide by the number of components to get the average.
Goldman Sachs has never issued a stock split since going public in 1999. But the stock has been on an absolute tear -- tripling over the last five years and rising 9% on July 14 to an all-time high closing price of $1,140 per share.
Goldman Sachs is the only Dow stock trading above $1,000 per share and accounts for 12.9% of the index. For context, the median-priced Dow stock is closer to $250 per share.
Goldman Sachs' high share price is reason alone for it to issue a 4-for-1 stock split. But what makes the argument even more compelling is that the financial sector accounts for such a large share of the Dow.
The financial stocks in the Dow are all within striking distance of all-time highs, and none have issued stock splits for over a decade.
GS data by YCharts.
Goldman Sachs, Visa, American Express, JPMorgan Chase, and Travelers Companies are all top-10 components in the Dow and make up a combined 28.6% of the index -- by far the most of any sector. For context, financials make up just 11.8% of the S&P 500.
Even if Goldman Sachs issued a 4-for-1 stock split, financials would still be highest weighted sector in the Dow.
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Goldman Sachs exposes a glaring flaw in the Dow Even if you're not interested in investing in Goldman Sachs directly, its high share price and inclusion in the Dow illustrate just how influential a single stock can be on the storied index.
These market dynamics are worth paying attention to, as an up day in the Dow under its current structure could just mean Goldman Sachs and the financial sector are going up, rather than the broader market.
Until Goldman Sachs issues a stock split or the financial sector's weighting declines, investors are better off using the S&P 500 as a benchmark because it better reflects the most valuable U.S. companies.
JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. American Express is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Daniel Foelber has positions in American Express. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, American Express, Goldman Sachs Group, JPMorgan Chase, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) executives said the asset manager delivered record second-quarter results and its strongest first half on record, driven by broad-based client inflows, higher markets, acquisitions and continued demand for ETFs, private markets and technology offerings.
Chief Financial Officer Martin S. Small said BlackRock generated second-quarter revenue of $7.1 billion, up 31% from a year earlier, while adjusted operating income rose 39% to $2.9 billion. Adjusted earnings per share were $13.91, up 15% year over year. Small said all three measures reached quarterly records.
The firm reported $192 billion of total net inflows in the quarter, contributing to $868 billion of net inflows over the last 12 months. Small said those flows represented 8% organic base fee growth in the second quarter and 10% organic base fee growth over the past year.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Laurence D. Fink said BlackRock’s assets under management reached a record $15.3 trillion after increasing by more than $1 trillion so far in 2026. “Clients are turning to BlackRock for insight and opportunities, as evident in our results this quarter,” Fink said.
Margins Expand as Revenue Hits Record Small said BlackRock’s adjusted operating margin was 45.9% in the quarter, up 260 basis points from a year ago and the highest level in nearly five years. Excluding performance fees and related compensation, he said the adjusted operating margin would have been 46.5%, also up 260 basis points year over year.
Base fee and securities lending revenue was $5.7 billion, up 29% year over year, reflecting market gains, organic base fee growth and approximately $230 million in base fees from HPS. Performance fees rose to $305 million, including $115 million from HPS, and technology services and subscription revenue increased 13%. Annual contract value, or ACV, rose 15% from a year earlier.
Expenses increased 25% year over year. Small attributed the rise to higher compensation tied to operating income and performance fees, higher headcount from HPS, increased distribution and servicing costs, direct fund expenses and general and administrative expenses related to the acquisition.
BlackRock also raised its planned share repurchase pace. Small said the company repurchased $450 million of shares in the second quarter and now expects to repurchase at least $550 million per quarter going forward, subject to market and other conditions. Fink said BlackRock expects to return more than $5.7 billion to shareholders this year through dividends and buybacks, a 16% increase over 2025.
ETF Inflows Lead the Quarter BlackRock’s iShares ETF platform generated $178 billion of net inflows in the quarter, led by $85 billion in core equity ETFs and $61 billion in index bond ETFs. Small said active ETFs added $20 billion, while “precision” ETFs, including international and sector equity products, added $15 billion.
Fink said iShares now has more than $6 trillion in assets under management globally and is benefiting from increased adoption and category innovation. He said iShares has raised $80 billion year to date in Europe, bringing European AUM to $1.5 trillion. In Asia Pacific, locally domiciled iShares crossed $100 billion in assets during the quarter.
Fink also highlighted growth in active ETFs, saying BlackRock has gathered more than $70 billion in active ETF net inflows over the past year and is leading the industry in active flows in 2026. “In just the last three years, we’ve gone from the seventh largest active ETF manager to the third largest,” Fink said.
Retail net inflows were $19 billion, led by active fixed income, Aperio and liquid alternative funds. Institutional active net inflows totaled $44 billion, driven by private markets, fixed income, systematic strategies, outsourced chief investment officer offerings and target date products. Institutional index strategies saw $41 billion of net outflows, concentrated in low-fee index equities.
Private Markets and Acquisitions Gain Traction Executives said BlackRock’s acquisitions of Global Infrastructure Partners, HPS and Preqin are performing ahead of plan and supporting the company’s 2030 ambitions. Fink said the combined platform is helping accelerate opportunities across public and private markets, particularly in infrastructure, private credit and technology.
Small said private markets saw an aggregate $15 billion of net inflows in the second quarter. He said that included $6 billion from private credit deployment, $5 billion from a mix of infrastructure fundraising and deployment, and $3 billion from partial funding of a private equity solutions outsourcing mandate with a client in Latin America.
Fink said BlackRock has closed about $10 billion in high-grade and infrastructure debt mandates for insurance companies so far in 2026. He said insurers globally are increasingly seeking private markets exposure to earn higher yields, and that collaboration between HPS and GIP is building a pipeline of joint opportunities, particularly in digital infrastructure.
Fink also pointed to the expected close of Aligned Data Centers in the coming weeks, describing it as “the largest data center infrastructure transaction ever announced.” He said the transaction brought together AIP, GIP and MGX.
Technology, Tokenization and Customization Remain Priorities BlackRock executives emphasized technology as a key growth driver. Small said Aladdin, eFront and Preqin are benefiting from client demand for integrated technology, data and analytics across public and private markets. He said regulatory and market developments are increasing the need for private markets transparency and benchmarking.
Fink said creating a seamless analytical platform across public and private markets is “one of the key priorities for BlackRock over the coming year.” He said the company is not yet fully there, but sees strong demand from retail and institutional clients for tools that help them understand risk across entire portfolios.
On digital assets and tokenization, Small said BlackRock has about $110 billion in AUM connected to digital assets and aims, as part of its 2030 plan, to make digital assets a $500 million revenue business. He said the company is working to tokenize long-term investment products, including Treasury funds, iShares ETFs and potentially private markets over time.
Small said BlackRock has filed two registration statements with the SEC for tokenized money market funds. He also said the firm manages $60 billion of reserves for Circle, representing about a quarter of the $300 billion stablecoin market, and wants to be the stablecoin reserve manager of choice.
Executives Point to Structural Growth Themes Fink said he remains optimistic about global markets, citing broadening returns outside the U.S., higher corporate margins and earnings momentum supported by new technology. He said BlackRock benefits directly from capital market expansion because of its scale and client relationships around the world.
The company also highlighted growth in retirement and personalized wealth solutions. Fink said LifePath Paycheck has grown to $30 billion in AUM as plan sponsors focus on retirement income. He said Aperio’s AUM is approaching $200 billion, up more than fourfold since BlackRock acquired the business five years ago, while SpiderRock AUM has nearly tripled to $13 billion since its acquisition two years ago.
Small said Aperio generated $7 billion of net inflows in the second quarter, split roughly evenly between long-only and long-short strategies. He said 2026 Aperio flows of about $20 billion have already surpassed 2025’s record flows of $15 billion.
Fink closed the call by saying BlackRock’s first-half performance represented “the strongest start to a year in our history” and that investments in the platform are showing up in results. “I believe the best of BlackRock is still ahead,” he said.
About BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) BlackRock, Inc is a global investment management firm that provides a broad range of products and services to institutional, intermediary and individual investors. Its core activities include portfolio management across active and index strategies, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) under the iShares brand, fixed income, equity and multi-asset solutions, as well as alternatives such as private equity, real estate and infrastructure. The firm also offers cash management and liquidity solutions and retirement-focused products designed for defined contribution and defined benefit investors.
In addition to traditional investment management, BlackRock is known for its technology and risk management capabilities, most prominently its Aladdin platform, which combines portfolio management, trading and risk analytics and is used both internally and licensed to external clients.
I have a lot of short conversations about dividend stocks. They go something like this:
“Oh, your specialty is dividend stocks? What do you think about XYZ?”
It’s almost always a stock that yields 2% or less. If I know a little about the company, I’ll start by saying something positive before I say, “Ah, well, I don’t really cover that one because I believe we deserve at least 3.5% dividend yield.”
I have a lot of great dividend ideas I’m more than happy to share with others, but the conversation usually ends there.
Today, I want to talk about three of those dividend-paying stocks that I frequently get asked about. None of them have a high enough yield for me to mark them a buy. But all are household names that I’m watching right now for an entirely different reason.
Consumer Spending Trickles Through By now, you’ve probably heard the buzz phrase the “K-shaped economy” or “K-shaped recovery.”
The idea first appeared on Twitter back in 2020 and was popularized by economist Peter Atwater. Now it’s used in every article talking about the current state of the economy.
Although the term is probably overused, it paints an accurate picture of our current economic condition: two distinct groups moving in two completely different directions.
Wealthier Americans and capital-intensive businesses are the upper arm of the K and moving upwards… while lower-income households and traditional businesses are the lower arm and struggling.
According to Moody’s Analytics, the top10% of earners account for 49.2% of all consumer spending. This statistic is quite eerie. In the run-up to the internet bubble, the richest 20% of Americans made up 50% of spending.
As someone wildly interested in economic theory and following the numbers, I am concerned about what this means for the economy. And I’m really curious about how such divergent spending patterns will affect corporate profits and potentially put the squeeze on dividend payments, especially for consumer discretionary companies.
Maximize Profit or Alienate Consumers There are a couple ways this could play out.
Companies could simply focus on the more affluent consumer and price the lower- and middle-income spenders out of their product completely. We know that’s the strategy of luxury and status goods.
There’s also the option of product differentiation for both ends of the market at drastically different price points. Or maybe this is where dynamic pricing comes into play.
Here are three companies I’ve been watching to see if consumers will in fact change their preferences due to price sensitivity.
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) The company is in the headlines for exactly that. It recently rolled out three new “basic” fares in the premium cabins: First Basic, Delta Premium Select, and Basic Business.
You’ll get to sit in those cabins and experience all the in-flight benefits. The trade-off is seat assignment after check-in, fewer reward miles, reduced bag allowance, and not eligible for upgrades.
Time will tell if there is a market for these stripped-down versions of the “luxury” experience. I don’t fly Delta, but I talked to a friend that almost accidentally booked this class ticket through his company travel platform. His response: “absolutely not.”
CEO Ed Bastian also made headlines by saying that even if energy prices drop, fares will not. He admits that low-cost carriers are unable to compete, so Delta won’t worry about competing with those prices.
Last week, the company reported record quarterly revenue of $17.7 billion. This was up 14% and at the high end of management expectations. I’ll definitely be circling back in three months to hear management comments on the success of these new fares.
Delta shares are up 25% year to date, but its $0.215 quarterly dividend equals a yield of just 1%.
Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) On a recent WSJ podcast, CEO Brian Niccol described going to Starbucks as a $9 premium experience. He said that whether the customer sees that as a splurge or affordable, the company must meet customer expectations. This was in response to the interviewer specifically asking about the K-shaped economy.
It’s clear that Niccol is sticking with his “Back to Starbucks” strategy in this economy. Some key changes are bringing back self-serve condiments, handwritten cup notes, and reducing wait times to four minutes or less.
He’s leaning into the “premium experience” to justify the price and it’s been working. Last quarter beat Wall Street expectations with global same store sales rising 6.2% year over year and consolidated revenue up 9%.
SBUX is also reportedly developing in-house software that uses AI to reduce the $400 million a year it currently pays to vendors for various software. Shares of the company are up 27% year to date, but its quarterly dividend of $0.62 is an annual yield of just 2.3%.
The Walt Disney Company (DIS) This one is a little different due to product variations.
Approximately 46% of DIS revenue is experiences: parks, resorts, cruises, and consumer products. Yes, consumer products seem the opposite of experiences, but this includes all the items sold in its parks, resorts, and branded stores.
As a share of revenue, direct-to consumer streaming like Disney+ and Hulu is 41% and traditional cable and broadcast networks are 12%. The rest is content sales like theatrical film releases and licensing. I’ve been specifically looking at the experiences segment.
A day at Disney World will quickly reveal the strategy: offer different experiences to consumers. Those with the means will opt for Premier passes or VIP experiences to skip the lines. Those on a budget will suffer through triple-digit wait times for popular rides. I’m talking 105 or even 120 minutes stuck in the queue!
Last quarter, experiences revenue was up 7%, and total operating income modestly exceeded management’s guidance. Shares, however, are down 14% year to date as analysts worry about the headwinds faced by both the theme parks and direct-to-consumer streaming.
Even with the drop in shares, DIS semiannual payment of $0.75 equals a yield of just 1.5%.
I would not add any of these companies to my portfolio right now. But I will keep watching them as a way to follow the consumer dollar as the economy keeps traveling in two separate directions.
For more income, now and in the future,
Kelly Green
Originally published July 15, 2026
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Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lessened its position in Shopify Inc. (NASDAQ:SHOP – Free Report) (TSE:SHOP) by 2.9% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 771,069 shares of the software maker’s stock after selling 22,656 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned about 0.06% of Shopify worth $91,387,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Kingdom Financial Group LLC. bought a new position in Shopify during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Curio Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Shopify in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Shopify in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Shopify in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Lodestone Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Shopify during the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. 69.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Analyst Ratings Changes SHOP has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings lowered Shopify from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $170.00 price target on shares of Shopify in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Shopify from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Susquehanna assumed coverage on shares of Shopify in a research report on Friday, July 10th. They issued a “neutral” rating on the stock. Finally, Citigroup cut shares of Shopify from a “market outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-two have given a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $157.58.
Get Our Latest Stock Report on Shopify
Shopify Trading Down 1.2% Shares of NASDAQ SHOP opened at $123.56 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $160.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 122.34, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 2.58. Shopify Inc. has a 12 month low of $94.00 and a 12 month high of $182.19. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $112.47 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $123.66.
Shopify Company Profile (Free Report)
Shopify is a Canadian commerce technology company that provides a cloud-based platform for businesses to create, manage and scale online and physical retail stores. Its core offering is a software-as-a-service e-commerce platform that enables merchants to build customizable storefronts, manage product catalogs, process orders, and handle inventory. Shopify also supports omnichannel selling through integrated point-of-sale (POS) systems for in-person transactions.
Beyond storefront software, Shopify offers a range of merchant services and tools designed to simplify commerce operations.
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The big reason to buy Pfizer (PFE 0.22%) right now is its huge 7% dividend yield. To put that into perspective, the S&P 500 index (^GSPC 1.01%) yields a tiny 1%, and the average pharmaceutical stock yields 1.5%. The big risk with buying Pfizer for its outsize yield is that the dividend could be cut. Here's a look at the problem.
Pfizer's spending a lot of cash on its dividend In 2025, Pfizer paid roughly $9.8 billion in dividends. Through the first half of 2026, it paid roughly $4.8 billion. That's a total of $14.6 billion in dividends over the last six quarters. It is a lot of money going out the door at a time when the company needs cash to pay for other things.
Image source: Getty Images.
The most notable other thing this pharmaceutical giant is paying for right now is the research and development of new drugs. To be fair, drug companies are always spending on R&D. New drugs are granted time-limited patent protection, so there's a constant need to develop new drugs to replace older ones that are losing patent protection. When a patent expires, generic drugs enter the market and revenues from branded drugs tend to decline sharply.
Pfizer's problem is that several of its large drugs are set to lose patent protection. Oncology drug Ibrance loses patent protection in 2027, with cardiovascular drugs Eliquis and Vyndaqel set to lose patent protection in 2028. And Pfizer doesn't have any big new drugs lined up to replace them just yet. To be fair, patent expirations happen on a set schedule, but R&D does not. So this isn't a shocking development. Still, investors have to consider the risk posed to the dividend if new drugs don't arrive in time to offset the revenue hit from generic competition. Meanwhile, the company had a very public setback when it had to drop a GLP-1 drug candidate in 2025.
Pfizer has options and says the dividend is a priority Pfizer's trailing 12-month dividend payout ratio was over 130% at the end of the first quarter of 2026. That's a level that would worry most dividend investors. However, the financial impact of dividends isn't reported on the income statement; it is reported on the cash flow statement. If you compare dividends to cash flow using the cash dividend payout ratio, the figure is slightly more reassuring: 103%.
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It is important to note that companies can access cash in different ways. For example, Pfizer ended the first quarter with $1.7 billion in cash on its balance sheet and $11.3 billion in short-term investments. Put those two together, and Pfizer can support its dividend just from that for a few quarters. But it could also elect to take on additional debt, using the cash it raises to support the dividend. In other words, Pfizer has options.
The dividend, meanwhile, is paid at the discretion of the board of directors. Management has made it very clear that the dividend is a priority, stating in the first quarter slide deck that "maintain dividend" is a key long-term goal. Management wouldn't likely have said that if the board was seriously considering a dividend cut.
Pfizer: No dividend guarantees Pfizer's yield is so high because investors are worried about the safety of the dividend. Given the healthcare company's backdrop, that concern makes complete sense. From a business perspective, Pfizer's long and successful history suggests it will muddle through this rough patch in relative stride. For example, it quickly pivoted in the GLP-1 space and bought a company with a more promising drug candidate. Still, it isn't 100% clear that the dividend will survive.
Given the facts around the dividend, however, it seems likely that more aggressive dividend investors could end up big winners if they take on the risk of a dividend cut. Meanwhile, a realistic worst-case scenario would probably be a 50% dividend reduction. That would still leave the stock with an above-average yield, and such a cut appears to be already priced in. All in, the risk/reward balance may not be as bad as the out size yield suggests.
Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) is set to pay its next quarterly dividend on July 22, 2026, providing shareholders with another cash distribution as the networking giant continues to benefit from strong AI-driven demand and enterprise infrastructure spending.
According to the dividend data, Cisco’s upcoming dividend payment is $0.42 per share, unchanged from the previous quarter.
Cisco dividend payment date. Source: Dividend.com The company currently offers a forward annual dividend of $1.68 per share and a dividend yield of approximately 1.53%.
Cisco dividend details. Source: Dividend.com For investors holding 100 shares of CSCO stock, the upcoming dividend payment will amount to $42 before applicable taxes.
On an annualized basis, an investor holding 100 Cisco shares would generate about $168 in dividend income, assuming the company maintains its current payout rate of $1.68 per share annually.
Notably, Cisco has increased its dividend for 14 consecutive years, highlighting its commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
The company pays dividends every quarter and currently maintains a forward payout ratio of 35.11%, leaving room for continued shareholder distributions while funding growth initiatives.
Cisco stock fundamentals The latest CSCO dividend payout comes as Cisco continues to post strong operational performance in 2026.
The company reported fiscal third-quarter revenue of $15.84 billion, up 12% year-over-year, while non-GAAP earnings per share reached $1.06.
AI infrastructure has emerged as a major growth driver for Cisco, with the company reporting $5.3 billion in AI-related orders year-to-date and raising its fiscal 2026 AI order target to $9 billion.
Despite concerns about valuation following a strong rally earlier in the year, analysts continue to view Cisco as a key beneficiary of ongoing investments in AI networking, data center infrastructure, and enterprise technology upgrades.
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Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC trimmed its position in International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM – Free Report) by 15.5% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 292,200 shares of the technology company’s stock after selling 53,665 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC’s holdings in International Business Machines were worth $71,046,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Family CFO Inc acquired a new stake in shares of International Business Machines during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Basepoint Wealth LLC purchased a new position in International Business Machines during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Portus Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in International Business Machines in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Joseph Group Capital Management purchased a new stake in International Business Machines in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in International Business Machines in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Institutional investors own 58.96% of the company’s stock.
Key Headlines Impacting International Business Machines Here are the key news stories impacting International Business Machines this week:
Positive Sentiment: IBM launched new Power server products aimed at automation, app modernization, and local AI inferencing, which could support its enterprise AI push over time. Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan kept an overweight rating on IBM even after cutting its price target to $250, indicating Wall Street still sees upside from current levels. Positive Sentiment: Some analysts say the stock’s sharp decline may have pushed it into oversold territory, which could attract bargain hunters if sentiment stabilizes. Neutral Sentiment: IBM heads into its July 22 earnings report with investors focused on whether the company can validate its AI and cloud momentum after the warning. Neutral Sentiment: Analysts at Zacks and others are debating whether the selloff is an opportunity or a sign to wait, reflecting uncertainty rather than a clear fundamental shift. Negative Sentiment: IBM’s preliminary Q2 miss and weak near-term outlook are the main reasons the stock is falling, as they suggest slower growth and margin pressure. Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms have announced securities-fraud investigations after the plunge, which can keep negative headlines around the stock. Negative Sentiment: Analyst sentiment is turning more cautious, with some estimate reductions and technical warnings reinforcing bearish momentum. International Business Machines Trading Down 3.0% Shares of IBM opened at $212.54 on Friday. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $263.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $263.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $199.76 billion, a PE ratio of 18.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.68. International Business Machines Corporation has a 12-month low of $204.44 and a 12-month high of $332.46. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75.
International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 22nd. The technology company reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.81 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $15.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.60 billion. International Business Machines had a net margin of 15.61% and a return on equity of 37.23%. International Business Machines’s revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.60 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that International Business Machines Corporation will post 12.33 earnings per share for the current year.
International Business Machines Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 8th were issued a dividend of $1.69 per share. This is a boost from International Business Machines’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.68. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 8th. This represents a $6.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. International Business Machines’s dividend payout ratio is currently 59.77%.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently commented on IBM shares. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a “market perform” rating on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Thursday. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $375.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus set a $290.00 price objective on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Friday, May 22nd. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $267.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Wedbush set a $350.00 price target on International Business Machines in a research report on Tuesday, June 2nd. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $292.89.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on IBM
About International Business Machines (Free Report)
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM.
IBM’s principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development.
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International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM – Get Free Report) dropped 3% during mid-day trading on Friday after Wall Street Zen downgraded the stock from a hold rating to a sell rating. The company traded as low as $210.22 and last traded at $212.54. 13,070,110 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 62% from the average session volume of 8,048,274 shares. The stock had previously closed at $219.05.
Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on IBM. Citigroup dropped their target price on International Business Machines from $375.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. DZ Bank upgraded International Business Machines from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $295.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, April 24th. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on International Business Machines in a research report on Tuesday, June 23rd. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Wedbush set a $350.00 price target on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Tuesday, June 2nd. Finally, HSBC set a $175.00 price target on shares of International Business Machines and gave the company a “reduce” rating in a report on Thursday. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $292.89.
Read Our Latest Stock Report on International Business Machines
More International Business Machines News Here are the key news stories impacting International Business Machines this week:
Positive Sentiment: IBM launched new Power server products aimed at automation, app modernization, and local AI inferencing, which could support its enterprise AI push over time. Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan kept an overweight rating on IBM even after cutting its price target to $250, indicating Wall Street still sees upside from current levels. Positive Sentiment: Some analysts say the stock’s sharp decline may have pushed it into oversold territory, which could attract bargain hunters if sentiment stabilizes. Neutral Sentiment: IBM heads into its July 22 earnings report with investors focused on whether the company can validate its AI and cloud momentum after the warning. Neutral Sentiment: Analysts at Zacks and others are debating whether the selloff is an opportunity or a sign to wait, reflecting uncertainty rather than a clear fundamental shift. Negative Sentiment: IBM’s preliminary Q2 miss and weak near-term outlook are the main reasons the stock is falling, as they suggest slower growth and margin pressure. Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms have announced securities-fraud investigations after the plunge, which can keep negative headlines around the stock. Negative Sentiment: Analyst sentiment is turning more cautious, with some estimate reductions and technical warnings reinforcing bearish momentum. Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Business Machines Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in IBM. Family CFO Inc acquired a new stake in International Business Machines during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Basepoint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Business Machines in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Portus Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of International Business Machines in the first quarter worth about $26,000. Joseph Group Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of International Business Machines during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Business Machines during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. 58.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
International Business Machines Trading Down 3.0% The stock has a 50-day moving average of $263.84 and a 200 day moving average of $263.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75. The stock has a market cap of $199.76 billion, a PE ratio of 18.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.68.
International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 22nd. The technology company reported $1.91 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.81 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $15.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $15.60 billion. International Business Machines had a net margin of 15.61% and a return on equity of 37.23%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.60 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that International Business Machines Corporation will post 12.33 earnings per share for the current year.
International Business Machines Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 8th were given a dividend of $1.69 per share. This is a boost from International Business Machines’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.68. This represents a $6.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 8th. International Business Machines’s payout ratio is presently 59.77%.
About International Business Machines (Get Free Report)
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM.
IBM’s principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development.
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Last week, International Business Machines (IBM 2.98%), better known as IBM, pre-announced its second-quarter revenue and earnings. To put it mildly, it was not well received by investors.
On the day of the earnings pre-announcement, IBM shares fell by 25%. That's its worst single-day performance since Black Monday in 1987.
To be fair, IBM's announcement was certainly bad news from a short-term perspective. But it doesn't dramatically change my long-term thesis with the stock, and I'm planning to use this opportunity to add to my position. Here's exactly what IBM revealed from its second quarter numbers, what we don't know yet, and why I'm buying more shares on the dip.
Image source: Getty Images.
The numbers were ugly I won't sugar-coat it. IBM's preliminary third-quarter numbers were pretty bad. The company said revenue would come in at $17.2 billion, versus nearly $17.9 billion that analysts had expected. On the bottom line, adjusted EPS of $2.93 also fell short of the $3.02 consensus estimate.
Now. Those numbers were bad, but not enough to warrant a 25% decline on their own. The real story is how CEO Arvind Krishna explained it. He said that in the last couple of weeks of June, IBM's enterprise customers quickly redirected spending toward memory chips, servers, and other hardware in anticipation of price increases and supply constraints. This caused budgets for IBM's software and consulting to drop sharply. IBM's infrastructure, consulting, and software revenue all came in weaker than expected.
On one hand, this frames IBM's products and services as somewhat discretionary. But on the other hand, there's a big difference between falling demand and "customers are delaying their spending with us." Demand didn't vanish -- it simply got reprioritized due to the memory chip shortage.
Krishna said that IBM didn't do a great job in anticipating the shift, and he's right. But IBM's disappointing software and consulting revenue should come back in later quarters as the supply and demand dynamics in memory and other hardware start to come back to equilibrium.
Why I'm buying more To be sure, there's a lot we don't know. IBM didn't pre-release its entire earnings report, just a few key numbers and an explanation. We don't yet know IBM's bookings, which are indicative of future revenue. Optimism about IBM's stock price has been fueled more by the growing AI business book than by current realized revenue.
After the decline, IBM's stock is trading for about 17 times earnings, and it has a 3.2% dividend yield that is well-covered by the company's cash flow. The AI tailwinds that have caused bookings to grow exponentially in recent quarters haven't changed -- only spending priorities have, and temporarily. IBM's early leadership in quantum computing and the future potential of that side of the business are still intact.
In a nutshell, everything I liked about IBM from the perspective of a 5+ year time horizon still applies. And now I can buy shares at a discount.
Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC reduced its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK – Free Report) by 25.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 672,535 shares of the company’s stock after selling 229,771 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC’s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $81,269,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the fourth quarter worth $3,997,933,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 14.8% in the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 86,435,458 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,098,196,000 after buying an additional 11,156,354 shares during the period. Cardano Risk Management B.V. bought a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the fourth quarter valued at about $1,012,530,000. Jennison Associates LLC bought a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the fourth quarter valued at about $585,192,000. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 37.9% during the fourth quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 18,753,390 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,973,983,000 after buying an additional 5,152,069 shares in the last quarter. 76.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts recently commented on MRK shares. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $112.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $130.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, April 13th. CICC Research started coverage on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Wednesday, June 24th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $138.00 price objective for the company. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $135.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $130.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $133.94.
Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on MRK
Merck & Co., Inc. Price Performance MRK opened at $127.47 on Friday. Merck & Co., Inc. has a one year low of $76.66 and a one year high of $131.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.06. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $120.11 and its 200-day simple moving average is $116.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $314.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.40 and a beta of 0.19.
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported ($1.28) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of ($1.47) by $0.19. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 13.59% and a return on equity of 27.55%. The company had revenue of $16.29 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.85 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.22 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.040-5.160 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 3.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 15th were issued a dividend of $0.85 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 15th. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. Merck & Co., Inc.’s payout ratio is currently 95.77%.
Merck & Co., Inc. News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Merck & Co., Inc. this week:
Positive Sentiment: The FDA approval of LIPFENDRA gives Merck its first oral PCSK9 inhibitor, opening a new revenue stream in cardiovascular care and strengthening its non-oncology portfolio. Reuters article on FDA approval Positive Sentiment: Analysts highlighted continued oncology pipeline progress, including FDA acceptance of multiple regulatory filings and Merck’s broader effort to offset the eventual 2028 Keytruda patent cliff. Seeking Alpha article on pipeline expansion Neutral Sentiment: Coverage also noted that Lipfendra’s launch is expected soon and that the drug could become a major product over time, though sales will depend on uptake, pricing, and competition from existing cholesterol therapies. Zacks article on Lipfendra launch Neutral Sentiment: There was also a rumor that Merck may be in a takeover battle for genomics company Personalis, but this appears speculative and is not confirmed. Yahoo Finance article on Personalis rumor Merck & Co., Inc. Profile (Free Report)
Merck & Co, Inc is a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products. Its portfolio spans multiple therapeutic areas with a particular emphasis on oncology, vaccines and infectious disease, as well as therapies for metabolic and chronic conditions. Among its well-known products are the cancer immunotherapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and the human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil; the company also markets a range of medicines and vaccines for veterinary use through Merck Animal Health.
Founded in the late 19th century as the U.S.
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Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD – Free Report) by 1.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 734,416 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 7,250 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned approximately 1.30% of Chord Energy worth $100,586,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Chord Energy by 22.2% during the first quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 463 shares of the company’s stock valued at $66,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in Chord Energy by 16.5% in the fourth quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 797 shares of the company’s stock valued at $74,000 after acquiring an additional 113 shares during the period. WealthCollab LLC boosted its position in Chord Energy by 90.6% in the second quarter. WealthCollab LLC now owns 305 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC boosted its position in Chord Energy by 178.6% in the first quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 234 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Madison Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Chord Energy by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Madison Asset Management LLC now owns 24,950 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,313,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the period. 97.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Insider Buying and Selling at Chord Energy In related news, COO Darrin J. Henke sold 1,276 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.97, for a total transaction of $186,257.72. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 21,157 shares in the company, valued at $3,088,287.29. This represents a 5.69% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Douglas E. Brooks sold 3,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $136.71, for a total value of $478,485.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 20,205 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,762,225.55. The trade was a 14.76% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders sold 9,276 shares of company stock valued at $1,285,968. Corporate insiders own 0.79% of the company’s stock.
Chord Energy Price Performance Shares of CHRD stock opened at $128.10 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $7.21 billion, a P/E ratio of -113.36 and a beta of 0.49. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $130.12 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $120.85. Chord Energy Corporation has a one year low of $84.25 and a one year high of $151.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 0.96.
Chord Energy (NASDAQ:CHRD – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 5th. The company reported $4.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.51 by $1.05. Chord Energy had a positive return on equity of 7.06% and a negative net margin of 1.25%.The business had revenue of $1.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.21 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $4.04 EPS. Chord Energy’s revenue was up 37.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Chord Energy Corporation will post 18.32 EPS for the current year.
Chord Energy Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 5th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 20th were issued a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 20th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.1%. Chord Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -460.18%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages recently issued reports on CHRD. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Chord Energy from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, June 27th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Chord Energy in a research note on Monday, June 29th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Chord Energy from $164.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Citigroup decreased their target price on Chord Energy from $155.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Chord Energy from $175.00 to $169.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, June 29th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $152.38.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Chord Energy
About Chord Energy (Free Report)
Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ: CHRD), formerly known as Oasis Petroleum Inc, is an independent exploration and production company focused on the acquisition, development and production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Chord Energy emerged from financial restructuring in early 2021 and rebranded in October 2022 to reflect its renewed strategic vision.
The company’s core operations are concentrated in two prolific U.S. resource plays: the Williston Basin across North Dakota and Montana, and the Delaware Basin spanning parts of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico.
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Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM – Free Report) (TSE:AEM) by 2.3% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 538,236 shares of the mining company’s stock after acquiring an additional 12,157 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned about 0.11% of Agnico Eagle Mines worth $110,509,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of AEM. Acumen Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Agnico Eagle Mines in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Abound Wealth Management raised its holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines by 99.0% during the fourth quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 209 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. Lodestone Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Jessup Wealth Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Bangor Savings Bank bought a new stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines during the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.34% of the company’s stock.
Agnico Eagle Mines Trading Down 0.3% Shares of AEM opened at $136.89 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 2.18 and a current ratio of 3.15. The company has a market cap of $69.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.87, a PEG ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.60. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $165.41 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $191.42. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a 52-week low of $117.65 and a 52-week high of $255.24.
Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM – Get Free Report) (TSE:AEM) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The mining company reported $3.40 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.19 by $0.21. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 39.46% and a return on equity of 21.09%. The firm had revenue of $4 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.96 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.53 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 66.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 12.39 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have recently commented on AEM shares. Bank of America lowered their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from $302.00 to $240.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Agnico Eagle Mines from $220.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Agnico Eagle Mines from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, July 12th. Scotiabank dropped their price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $278.00 to $260.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce set a $285.00 price objective on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Thursday. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Agnico Eagle Mines has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $233.62.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Agnico Eagle Mines
Agnico Eagle Mines Company Profile (Free Report)
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) is a Canadian-based senior gold producer headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. The company is principally engaged in the exploration, development, production and reclamation of gold-bearing properties. Agnico Eagle pursues both greenfield and brownfield exploration to expand its resource base and operates a portfolio of producing mines and development projects to generate long-life gold production.
Its core business activities span the full mining lifecycle: grassroots and advanced-stage exploration, prefeasibility and feasibility studies, mine construction, underground and open-pit mining, ore processing and metal recovery, and post-mining reclamation and closure.
Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than Agnico Eagle Mines AST SpaceMobile Stock Sinks as SpaceX Fallout Rattles Space Sector Aehr Test Systems Stock Soars on Earnings, Eyes Over 150% Revenue Growth TSMC Just Gave AI Chip Bulls Another Reason to Stay Confident GE Aerospace Faces a Prove-It Moment in Q2 Earnings Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM – Free Report) (TSE:AEM).
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Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its stake in shares of Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE:KGC – Free Report) (TSE:K) by 3.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,882,483 shares of the mining company’s stock after buying an additional 97,000 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned 0.24% of Kinross Gold worth $88,143,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Kinross Gold by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 50,887,386 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $1,433,345,000 after buying an additional 148,845 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners increased its stake in shares of Kinross Gold by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 45,120,345 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $1,133,463,000 after buying an additional 707,498 shares during the period. FIL Ltd raised its position in shares of Kinross Gold by 4.8% during the fourth quarter. FIL Ltd now owns 29,146,959 shares of the mining company’s stock worth $820,969,000 after acquiring an additional 1,326,833 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Kinross Gold during the fourth quarter worth $518,656,000. Finally, Man Group plc lifted its stake in shares of Kinross Gold by 47.8% during the second quarter. Man Group plc now owns 16,739,969 shares of the mining company’s stock valued at $261,646,000 after acquiring an additional 5,411,491 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 63.69% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have weighed in on KGC. Weiss Ratings cut Kinross Gold from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on shares of Kinross Gold from $41.00 to $38.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Scotiabank dropped their price target on shares of Kinross Gold from $45.00 to $41.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. ATB Cormark Capital Markets upgraded shares of Kinross Gold from a “hold” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Kinross Gold from $38.00 to $30.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $37.31.
Read Our Latest Research Report on KGC
Kinross Gold Price Performance NYSE KGC opened at $22.61 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $26.47 and its 200-day moving average is $30.34. The company has a quick ratio of 1.83, a current ratio of 2.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The company has a market capitalization of $26.82 billion, a PE ratio of 9.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 0.78. Kinross Gold Corporation has a 12-month low of $15.29 and a 12-month high of $39.11.
Kinross Gold (NYSE:KGC – Get Free Report) (TSE:K) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The mining company reported $0.71 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.03. Kinross Gold had a net margin of 35.99% and a return on equity of 32.47%. The business had revenue of $2.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.38 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.30 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 60.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Kinross Gold Corporation will post 2.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Kinross Gold Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 21st were given a dividend of $0.04 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 21st. This represents a $0.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. Kinross Gold’s dividend payout ratio is 6.78%.
Kinross Gold Company Profile (Free Report)
Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE: KGC) is a Toronto-based precious metals mining company primarily focused on the exploration, development and production of gold, with silver recovered as a by-product at some operations. The company’s activities span the full mining lifecycle, including discovery and resource delineation, mine construction and operation, ore processing, and eventual site reclamation and closure. Kinross sells refined gold produced at its processing facilities and manages associated logistics and processing arrangements to deliver metal to market.
Kinross operates a portfolio of producing mines and development projects across multiple regions, with a significant presence in the Americas and West Africa.
Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Kinross Gold AST SpaceMobile Stock Sinks as SpaceX Fallout Rattles Space Sector Aehr Test Systems Stock Soars on Earnings, Eyes Over 150% Revenue Growth TSMC Just Gave AI Chip Bulls Another Reason to Stay Confident GE Aerospace Faces a Prove-It Moment in Q2 Earnings
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NextEra Energy (NEE 0.62%) is already a very large company, with a market cap of $185 billion. With its planned acquisition of Dominion Energy (D 0.91%), a $60 billion market cap competitor, NextEra is looking to get even bigger. The increased scale should help NextEra compete as electricity demand rises, thanks to new technologies such as artificial intelligence, data centers, and electric cars. Here's why the combined company's $59 billion in capital spending will be a big growth driver.
The electricity market is changing in a big way Between 2005 and 2025, electricity demand increased by 10%. Between 2025 and 2045, however, demand is expected to increase by 60%. That's a step change in an industry historically known for slow growth. NextEra, already one of the world's largest utilities, sees an opportunity to leverage scale.
Image source: Getty Images.
Acquiring Dominion will give it greater access to capital markets and provide a more diverse set of investment opportunities by expanding NextEra's regulated utility reach well beyond its home state of Florida. Dominion operates in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Notably, Virginia is home to one of the world's most important data center markets, allowing NextEra to lean into this key growth sector.
NextEra has two ways to benefit NextEra's regulated utilities must have their capital spending plans and rates approved by the government. So slow and steady is the norm, but given the expected increase in electricity demand, growth is likely to speed up. Meanwhile, NextEra also operates one of the world's largest contract solar and wind power businesses. That business sells power at market rates, providing an additional growth boost and operating outside the regulated framework. Dominion will increase the company's scale on both sides of the equation, with capital spending across the entire business expected to hit a massive $59 billion per year.
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That spending is expected to support annualized earnings growth of around 9% or more. Without the transaction, NextEra was projecting earnings growth of 8%. A one percentage point increase in growth may not seem material, but it represents an over 12% increase in the growth rate. That's a notable uptick.
Paying dividends in more ways than one Basically, NextEra Energy's bold new capital investment plans, if they work out as hoped, will clearly pay dividends for investors on the growth front. And those plans will also allow the company to maintain its decades-long streak of annual dividend increases. If you are a dividend growth investor, NextEra's 2.7% yield and plan for annual dividend growth of around 6% should probably put this industry giant on your radar.
Deere & Company (NYSE:DE – Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-three ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $642.9750.
Several equities research analysts have recently commented on DE shares. Barclays upped their target price on Deere & Company from $530.00 to $640.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Deere & Company from an “underperform” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $550.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 8th. Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Deere & Company from $759.00 to $812.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $752.00 target price on shares of Deere & Company in a report on Monday, June 1st. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $575.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on DE
Deere & Company Stock Down 0.2% DE stock opened at $597.56 on Friday. Deere & Company has a 12 month low of $433.00 and a 12 month high of $674.19. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $582.55 and a 200 day simple moving average of $571.31. The firm has a market cap of $161.31 billion, a PE ratio of 33.86, a P/E/G ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 2.18 and a quick ratio of 1.95.
Deere & Company (NYSE:DE – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 21st. The industrial products company reported $6.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.70 by $0.85. The business had revenue of $13.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.55 billion. Deere & Company had a return on equity of 18.25% and a net margin of 10.09%.The company’s revenue was up 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $6.64 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Deere & Company will post 18.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Deere & Company Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be paid a $1.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 30th. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Deere & Company’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 36.71%.
Institutional Trading of Deere & Company Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Portus Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Deere & Company during the first quarter valued at $32,000. Key Capital Management INC purchased a new stake in Deere & Company in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Timmons Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Deere & Company during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC acquired a new stake in Deere & Company during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Wealth Watch Advisors INC purchased a new position in Deere & Company during the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. 68.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Deere & Company News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Deere & Company this week:
Positive Sentiment: DA Davidson reiterated a buy rating on Deere & Company and lifted its price target to $685, signaling continued analyst confidence in upside potential. Benzinga Neutral Sentiment: Deere was highlighted in broader agriculture and industrial stock roundups, keeping investor attention on the company as a key name in the farm equipment sector. Best Agriculture Stocks To Watch Now – July 14th Neutral Sentiment: Erste Group Bank slightly lowered its FY2027 EPS forecast for Deere, which is a minor cautionary note but not a major change to longer-term earnings expectations. MarketBeat report on Deere EPS estimate cut Negative Sentiment: Deere also remains tied to a broader industrial-sector backdrop that has lagged the market recently, which can weigh on sentiment toward cyclical names. 1 Industrials Stock to Target This Week and 2 We Find Risky Deere & Company Company Profile (Get Free Report)
Deere & Company, commonly known by its brand John Deere, is a global manufacturer of agricultural, construction and forestry machinery, as well as turf care equipment and power systems. Founded in 1837 by blacksmith John Deere—who developed a polished steel plow to improve tillage in tough prairie soils—the company is headquartered in Moline, Illinois, and has grown into one of the largest and most recognizable names in equipment manufacturing worldwide.
The company’s principal businesses include a broad portfolio of agricultural equipment such as tractors, combines, planters, sprayers, harvesters and tillage implements, complemented by precision agriculture technologies and telematics that support farm management, yield optimization and equipment connectivity.
See Also Five stocks we like better than Deere & Company AST SpaceMobile Stock Sinks as SpaceX Fallout Rattles Space Sector Aehr Test Systems Stock Soars on Earnings, Eyes Over 150% Revenue Growth TSMC Just Gave AI Chip Bulls Another Reason to Stay Confident GE Aerospace Faces a Prove-It Moment in Q2 Earnings
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Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT +0.53%) is the only real estate investment trust (REIT) that's a Dividend King, which means it has raised its dividend annually for at least 50 years. It's an exclusive cadre of stocks that are hyper reliable.
The REIT just raised its dividend for the 58th time consecutively. If you invest $10,000 in the stock, how much can you actually make in passive income annually?
Image source: Getty Images.
Federal Realty is one of the oldest REITs on the market, and with 58 years of consecutive dividend increases, it has a proven track record of providing passive income for investors. The company owns 102 mixed-use properties focused on retail in affluent areas, and it generates growth through higher lease rates and new properties.
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At the current price, the dividend yields a high 3.7%, which is very attractive, especially for a Dividend King. Dividend Kings are prized for their dependable passive income, but their yields aren't always high.
A $10,000 investment gets investors 81 shares at the current price, and Federal Realty's dividend pays $1.13 per share quarterly, or $4.52 per share annually. That's only $366.12 in annual dividend payouts, which underscores why it's so important to save and invest over time. Ten thousand dollars invested in a dividend stock isn't anywhere near enough to support a retiree, but an investment in Federal Realty Trust can be an excellent component of a larger retirement portfolio.
Jennifer Saibil has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
I'm a dividend investor with a value bias, so I prefer to buy historically well-run companies while they are out of favor on Wall Street. Buying stocks that everybody seems to love isn't something I usually do. Which is why I would buy United Parcel Services (UPS +0.46%) over Caterpillar (CAT +0.35%) today. Here's a deeper dive into my thinking.
What's wrong with UPS? United Parcel Services is one of a small number of large package delivery companies. This is a capital-intensive business that requires a vast distribution network and impressive logistics skills. It would be difficult for a new competitor to simply start from scratch. For example, Amazon (AMZN 0.91%) has been building out its own distribution business for years, yet it still uses UPS' services.
Image source: Getty Images.
That said, UPS has been around for a long time. The industrial giant needed to modernize its operations to incorporate the latest technology and trim inefficiencies that had accumulated over the years. This is exactly what it has been doing, while, at the same time, refocusing on the company's most profitable business lines. The process basically involved high up-front costs while revenues were falling, because the company was moving away from high-volume, low-profit-margin business (such as delivering packages for Amazon).
However, signs of progress are apparent. The company's revenue per piece in the U.S. market has been improving even as overall U.S. revenue has been falling. That is management's goal, and management believes 2026 will be the inflection point for the business, with the second half expected to be stronger than the first.
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But Wall Street is in a show-me mood, with the stock still offering a historically high 5.8% yield and the price-to-sales and price-to-book value ratios below their five-year averages. The price-to-earnings ratio is above the five-year average, but earnings are being depressed by the turnaround right now, so that doesn't worry me. UPS looks like an attractive, high-yield value, with the turnaround effort nearing completion.
Caterpillar is doing great and priced for perfection Catperillar's earth-moving equipment and power products are hot commodities today. First-quarter 2026 revenue rose 22% year over year, while adjusted earnings increased 30%. The company's backlog is at record levels. It is hitting on all cylinders.
However, there's a small problem: valuation. The stock's 0.7% dividend yield is near historical lows. And its P/S, P/E, and P/B ratios are all more than twice their five-year averages. The stock is very expensive right now and, arguably, is priced for perfection. If the business were to slow down, fickle investors would likely dump the stock.
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Part of the problem is that Caterpillar has gotten caught up in the hype around artificial intelligence infrastructure. Cat certainly has a place in the AI discussion, with its machinery needed for construction and its power products offering off-grid power. But given the lofty share price, it would be hard for me, an income investor with a value bias, to justify buying the stock at this price.
Long-term investors have to stick to their plan Caterpillar is a great company that is executing very well today. I'm not trying to knock the business in any way. But paying too much for a great company can turn it into a bad investment. A $1,000 investment today would only get you one share of Cat's stock.
UPS, on the other hand, has a strong industry position and a great history. It is also nearing the end of an important business overhaul, yet it seems to me that Wall Street isn't giving it enough credit for its success. If you think long-term, you can pick up eight shares for $1k, getting an attractive yield while you wait for investors to catch on to the unfolding turnaround story.
Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its stake in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST – Free Report) by 25.8% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 103,141 shares of the retailer’s stock after purchasing an additional 21,150 shares during the quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC’s holdings in Costco Wholesale were worth $102,787,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of COST. Gunpowder Capital Management LLC dba Oliver Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Lifetime Wealth Management P.C. purchased a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Entrust Financial LLC bought a new position in Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Joseph Group Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Costco Wholesale in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. 68.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. DA Davidson reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $1,000.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Thursday, June 4th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Costco Wholesale from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 23rd. BTIG Research reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $1,125.00 price target on shares of Costco Wholesale in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Telsey Advisory Group upped their price target on shares of Costco Wholesale from $1,125.00 to $1,135.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Costco Wholesale from $1,110.00 to $1,100.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Twenty-two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Costco Wholesale presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,059.07.
Get Our Latest Stock Report on Costco Wholesale
Costco Wholesale Stock Down 0.5% COST opened at $940.87 on Friday. Costco Wholesale Corporation has a 1-year low of $844.06 and a 1-year high of $1,096.50. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $975.73 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $977.54. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The company has a market capitalization of $417.26 billion, a PE ratio of 47.33, a PEG ratio of 4.58 and a beta of 0.88.
Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 28th. The retailer reported $4.93 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.94 by ($0.01). Costco Wholesale had a net margin of 3.01% and a return on equity of 28.04%. The firm had revenue of $70.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $70.12 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.28 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Costco Wholesale Corporation will post 20.39 EPS for the current year.
Costco Wholesale Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 24th will be issued a $1.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 24th. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Costco Wholesale’s payout ratio is 29.58%.
Insider Buying and Selling at Costco Wholesale In other news, Director Kenneth D. Denman sold 885 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $957.45, for a total value of $847,343.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 4,779 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,575,653.55. This trade represents a 15.62% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.
Costco Wholesale News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Costco Wholesale this week:
Positive Sentiment: Erste Group Bank raised its FY2026 EPS estimate for Costco to $20.52 from $20.49, slightly above the Street consensus of $20.38, suggesting analysts still see modest earnings upside. Earnings forecast boost article Positive Sentiment: Costco remains a favorite dividend name, with its next ex-dividend date set for July 24, which may attract income-focused investors ahead of the payout. Dividend article Neutral Sentiment: A profile of a longtime Costco cashier who became a millionaire highlights the company’s employee retention and compensation culture, but it is unlikely to materially affect near-term fundamentals. Employee profile article Neutral Sentiment: Several local news items about new warehouses, gas stations, and remodels point to ongoing store expansion and reinvestment, but they are not major stock-moving catalysts by themselves. Negative Sentiment: MarketBeat said Costco’s June sales showed cooling comparable sales and weak international results, keeping the stock in “neutral” territory despite its premium valuation. Cooling comp sales article Negative Sentiment: Additional commentary from Zacks and Yahoo Finance argued Costco shares still look expensive after a strong multi-year run, reinforcing valuation concerns that can weigh on the stock. Valuation debate article Costco Wholesale Profile (Free Report)
Costco Wholesale Corporation operates a global chain of membership-only warehouse clubs that sell a wide array of merchandise in bulk at discounted prices. The company’s product mix includes groceries, fresh and frozen food, household goods, electronics, apparel, and seasonal items, augmented by its prominent private-label brand, Kirkland Signature. Costco’s business model centers on annual membership fees and high-volume, low-margin sales, designed to drive repeat purchasing and strong customer loyalty among both consumers and small-business buyers.
Beyond merchandise, Costco provides a range of ancillary services that complement its warehouses, including gasoline stations, pharmacy and optical services, hearing aid centers, photo services, and travel and insurance products.
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Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV – Free Report) by 0.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 441,647 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,169 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC’s holdings in AbbVie were worth $94,945,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Litman Gregory Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AbbVie in the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Imprint Wealth LLC grew its position in AbbVie by 56.2% during the fourth quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC now owns 125 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Westend Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in AbbVie during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. acquired a new position in AbbVie in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID lifted its position in AbbVie by 115.9% in the 4th quarter. Legacy Wealth Managment LLC ID now owns 136 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.23% of the company’s stock.
AbbVie Price Performance AbbVie stock opened at $254.53 on Friday. AbbVie Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $184.63 and a fifty-two week high of $261.64. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $229.80 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $221.94. The firm has a market cap of $449.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 125.38, a P/E/G ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 0.30.
AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.59 by $0.06. AbbVie had a negative return on equity of 576.45% and a net margin of 5.79%.The company had revenue of $15 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.72 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.46 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 12.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that AbbVie Inc. will post 14.16 earnings per share for the current year.
AbbVie Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.73 per share. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 15th. AbbVie’s dividend payout ratio is presently 340.89%.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ABBV has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price target on shares of AbbVie from $240.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. Citigroup increased their price objective on AbbVie from $230.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price objective on AbbVie from $265.00 to $273.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Bank of America boosted their target price on AbbVie from $234.00 to $276.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 10th. Finally, HSBC reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $300.00 target price on shares of AbbVie in a research report on Monday, July 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $267.67.
Get Our Latest Report on AbbVie
AbbVie News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting AbbVie this week:
Positive Sentiment: AbbVie’s Allergan Aesthetics unit won European Commission approval for Boey® (trenibotulinumtoxinE), a new facial injectable for glabellar lines. The approval gives AbbVie a differentiated aesthetics product in all 30 EEA countries and could add another growth driver to offset Humira-related declines. Article Title Positive Sentiment: Investors are also focusing on AbbVie’s neuroscience franchise and other newer product catalysts, with analysts expecting solid Q2 growth and continued momentum from brands such as Vyalev, RINVOQ, and SKYRIZI ahead of earnings. Article Title Positive Sentiment: Brokerage sentiment remains constructive, with recent coverage showing a “Moderate Buy” consensus and multiple price-target increases in July, reinforcing confidence in AbbVie’s long-term pipeline and earnings outlook. Article Title Neutral Sentiment: Erste Group slightly lowered its FY2026 EPS estimate for AbbVie to $14.08 from $14.23, though the new estimate remains close to the consensus of $14.18 and is not a major deviation. Article Title AbbVie Profile (Free Report)
AbbVie is a global, research-driven biopharmaceutical company that was created as a spin-off from Abbott Laboratories in 2013 and is headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois. The company focuses on discovering, developing and commercializing therapies for complex and often chronic medical conditions. Its operations span research and development, manufacturing, regulatory affairs and commercialization, with an emphasis on bringing specialty medicines to market across multiple therapeutic areas.
AbbVie’s product portfolio and pipeline cover several major therapeutic categories, including immunology, oncology, neuroscience, virology and women’s health.
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David Hunter, Chief Strategist at Contrarian Macro Advisors, known for his analysis of global markets, made striking statements of great interest to Bitcoin and cryptocurrency investors.
Responding to Natalie Brunell’s questions, Hunter indicated that technically downward pressure on Bitcoin could continue, pointing to a sharp correction wave.
David Hunter, recalling that he shared a technical chart analysis when the Bitcoin price was above $100,000, said that the downtrend could deepen. Stating that technical momentum, rather than fundamental factors, determines decisions in the market, the renowned analyst summarized his short- and medium-term goals for Bitcoin with the following words:
“When Bitcoin was above $100,000, I made a technical analysis and said the price could initially drop to $75,000. Now I predict the next step could be $50,000.”
Hunter stated that the biggest psychological factor behind the declines was retail investors who entered the market at high prices (between $100,000 and $120,000) with the “desire to catch the peak.” He noted that these investors are now at a loss and have started selling in a panic.
The macro analyst stated that negative momentum in bear markets is self-reinforcing, but pointed out that the real big risk lies in corporate debt and leverage usage.
“Just like in the silver market, momentum begets momentum in Bitcoin. Those who joined the upward rally at the last minute are now at a loss and giving up. But the real danger is that players like Michael Saylor, who held positions with high leverage, will be cornered by this negative pressure.”
Hunter argues that the Fed will have to print a massive amount of money, perhaps $20 trillion, to rescue markets in the future, and predicts that one of the biggest global collapses in history will occur just before this process.
While Bitcoin supporters see it as the “ultimate financial safe haven,” Hunter, maintaining a cautious stance, said that whether Bitcoin is a real asset can only be proven by this major crisis.
“I’ve always said to people in the Bitcoin world: I want to see how Bitcoin will fare during this global downturn. After watching how BTC survives during this major crisis, we’ll be able to definitively understand whether it’s a ‘real and resilient’ asset as everyone claims.”
*This is not investment advice.
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Bitcoin may finally be entering the last stage of its bear market. CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost has identified a rare on chain signal that has appeared before every major Bitcoin rally.
With Bitcoin staying above key support even after heavy selling, investors are now watching for the next big breakout.
CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost says Bitcoin has flashed a rare end of bear market signal, indicating that the market is entering its final bearish phase before a possible trend reversal.
The signal appeared after Bitcoin’s Short Term Holder (STH) cost basis crossed below the Long Term Holder (LTH) cost basis, with a required three day confirmation window now completed.
Historically, this has marked the beginning of the final phase of a Bitcoin bear market before a new bull cycle starts.
But Darkfost says that, “This doesn’t mean the bear market ends the moment the signal fires”, “It simply shows we are entering its final phase.”
Meanwhile,this is the best opportunity for investors who use a Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) strategy.
Signal Indicate Next Bull Run is Likely to Begin According to Darkfost analysis, short term holders (STH) are investors who bought Bitcoin within the last six months, while long-term holders (LTH) have held their coins for more than six months.
During the recent price drop, newer investors kept buying Bitcoin, which lowered their average buying price.
Because of this, the STH cost basis dropped from about $112,500 to around $69,000, moving below the active long-term holders’ cost basis and triggering the rare market signal.
According to Darkfost, the next bull run is likely to begin when new investors start buying Bitcoin at higher prices than long-term holders. In the past, this has often been a sign that strong market momentum is returning.
Bitcoin Holds Above $60K Despite Selling Pressure Nearly three weeks ago, Bitcoin recovered from a low of $57,747 and has continued moving higher.
Even after Michael Saylor’s Strategy sold 3,588 BTC worth about $216 million to fund dividend payments, Bitcoin did not fall below $60,000. This suggests buyers are strongly defending that price level.
Now, analysts are closely watching $67,248, which is the next major resistance. If Bitcoin breaks above this level, it could strengthen the case for a bigger bullish move.
As of now, bitcoin is trading around $63,947 relfecitng a jumpe o 1.4% seen in the last 24 hours.
Story Ends Here
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Bitcoin may continue to sweep liquidity throughout its established range, with price fluctuations anticipated between the $67,000 and $76,000 levels. However, market analysis signals the potential for both a significant breakout and a sudden correction, possibly sending BTC toward $55,000 or even the low $50,000s before a more robust recovery unfolds.
Midterm Election Cycle Sets the Stage for Bitcoin’s Next MovesCastillo Trading, a technical analysis provider known for tracking cyclical trends in digital assets, projects that Bitcoin could enter a rally leading up to the U.S. midterm elections in 2026. The firm suggests this move would fit historical election-related patterns, though there are no guarantees these developments will repeat precisely.
Their analysis positions BTC below the midpoint of its broader range, identifying support close to $60,000 and a median value near $70,000. Should the price manage to reclaim $65,683, it may open a path toward $70,000 to $71,365 in the near term.
Momentum extending beyond those levels could draw Bitcoin into what Castillo Trading describes as the “premium zone” between $74,492 and $76,696. Notably, this region includes the 2025 yearly opening price alongside several technical resistance levels based on previous trading activity.
Anticipation of heavy seller pressure in this zone remains high, with analysts pointing to the risk of rapid reversals if large-volume participants choose to exit positions at these highs.
Following the midterm elections, Castillo Trading’s charting suggests a sharp correction could emerge, potentially pulling BTC beneath $60,000 and down toward the $51,000 to $56,000 range. Such a move would likely force recent buyers into losses and clear out liquidity beneath the current trading range before a potential new cycle of gains begins.
Bitcoin faces significant hurdles at key technical zones. Sustained trading above $70,000 could decrease the likelihood of a steep decline, while falling below $60,000 would make the bearish scenario more probable based on historical patterns.
The analysis emphasizes the importance of key support and resistance levels. If the $70,000 barrier is breached and BTC manages to stay above the premium region, downside risks could lessen, challenging the possibility of a deep correction.
Liquidity Traps and Critical Levels in the Current RangeTechnical charts show that Bitcoin is oscillating between principal liquidity pockets, with market participants watching for moves beyond either end of the established range. The current outlook suggests BTC may first descend to around $61,300 before rebounding toward $67,300. Another corrective move could follow if resistance holds.
This pattern has played out in recent sessions, with Bitcoin sweeping liquidity above $64,700 before retreating. A push below $61,300 would potentially activate another wave toward $59,300, where a substantial liquidity pool awaits.
Quick recoveries from those lower zones might provide BTC the foundation for a countertrend move up to $64,700 and, eventually, $67,300. However, if $67,300 fails to give way to further advances, the wider trading range could remain intact—opening the door for potential declines toward $55,000. Analyst Justin Bennett continues to cite $44,000 as a possible long-term target, though current trading activity does not yet confirm this outlook.
For now, sharper liquidity movements in both directions appear more likely than a clear, sustained trend, unless Bitcoin can break and hold above $67,300.
Mini dictionary: Castillo Trading, a technical analysis and trading research group focusing on identifying cyclical price patterns, support and resistance zones, and volume dynamics across major cryptocurrencies.
Key LevelsAction/Implication$65,683Initial breakout target$70,000-$71,365Median/short-term resistance$74,492-$76,696Premium zone, resistance and potential sell pressure$61,300First support/liquidity target$55,000-$56,000Potential correction zone$51,000Major support area after correction$44,000Long-term bearish scenario targetDisclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Polymarket traders are pricing in a high probability that the Federal Reserve holds rates steady at its July meeting, with odds rising to 94% after softer inflation data improved the market’s macro mood.
That matters for Bitcoin because rate expectations remain one of the most important forces shaping risk appetite. When inflation cools, traders usually become more confident that the Fed can avoid further tightening. That can support equities, crypto, and other risk assets because the market starts looking ahead to easier liquidity conditions.
Bitcoin has spent much of this cycle trading at the intersection of macro expectations and crypto-native demand. ETF flows, institutional access, and on-chain activity all matter, but inflation and interest-rate expectations still set the tone for how aggressively investors are willing to take risk.
The latest Polymarket move shows how quickly that macro sentiment can shift.
Reference: Polymarket
TL;DR Polymarket odds for a July Fed rate hold climbed to 94%. The move followed softer US inflation data. Bitcoin sentiment improved alongside renewed ETF inflows and a better risk backdrop. Why Fed Odds Matter For Bitcoin Bitcoin is often described as a hedge against monetary instability, but in practice it also trades like a high-beta liquidity asset.
When traders expect higher rates, the market usually becomes more cautious. Cash yields become more attractive, leverage becomes more expensive, and speculative assets can come under pressure. When traders expect the Fed to pause or eventually cut rates, risk appetite often improves.
That is why prediction-market odds matter.
Polymarket is not the Federal Reserve. It does not decide policy. But it gives a live view of how traders are pricing the probability of different outcomes. A 94% probability of a hold tells the market that traders see further tightening as unlikely in the immediate term.
That can make Bitcoin more attractive, especially if investors believe the worst of the inflation pressure is passing.
The supporting inflation backdrop is important here. The available source material points to July 14 CPI data showing annual inflation falling to 3.5%, down from 4.2% in May. A softer inflation reading gives the Fed more room to stay patient.
ETF Flows Add A Crypto-Native Layer The macro story becomes more important when it lines up with crypto-specific flows.
The repaired pack notes that spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded net inflows of $132.3 million on July 17, led by BlackRock’s IBIT. If that flow picture holds, it suggests Bitcoin is not only benefiting from a better macro tone but also seeing renewed demand through regulated investment products.
That combination is powerful.
Macro improves the environment. ETF flows show whether investors are actually allocating. Bitcoin tends to respond best when both line up. A better inflation print without follow-through buying can fade quickly. ETF inflows during a hostile macro period can still struggle. Together, they give traders a stronger reason to pay attention.
That said, one day of flows is not enough to declare a new trend. ETF data can be volatile, and Polymarket odds can move as new economic data or Fed commentary arrives. The useful point is that the immediate setup has improved from where it was during the outflow-heavy period.
For Bitcoin bulls, the question is whether this becomes a sustained shift or just a short-term relief move.
The Fed Still Has The Final Word A 94% prediction-market probability is a strong signal, but the Fed still sets policy based on its own data and mandate.
Officials will be watching inflation, labour-market conditions, financial conditions, and whether price pressure is cooling fast enough to justify a more relaxed stance. A single CPI reading helps, but it does not eliminate the risk of sticky inflation or hawkish guidance.
That is why Bitcoin traders need to treat the Polymarket move as a sentiment signal, not a guarantee.
If the Fed holds and its language is softer, Bitcoin could benefit from a cleaner risk-on setup. If the Fed holds but sounds cautious, the market reaction may be more muted. If future inflation data surprises higher, current odds can unwind quickly.
For now, the market is leaning toward a pause, and Bitcoin is reflecting that improved mood.
The bigger takeaway is that prediction markets are becoming part of the crypto macro toolkit. Traders no longer wait only for Fed statements or analyst notes. They watch live odds, ETF flows, CPI data, and price action together.
That creates a more dynamic market, but also a faster-moving one. Bitcoin can reprice quickly when macro probability shifts. Right now, that shift is working in its favour.
This article is based on Polymarket, BLS inflation data, and Bitcoin ETF flow data.
This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has purchased $136.5 million worth of Bitcoin through its iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), as institutional participation in Bitcoin funds continues despite recent market volatility.
BlackRock’s ETF purchase and institutional activityThe substantial Bitcoin purchase by BlackRock was highlighted by market commentator That Martini Guy, who emphasized the scale of the investment and characterized it as clear evidence of ongoing institutional accumulation, rather than retail-driven demand.
While much of the public focuses on short-term Bitcoin price movements, large scale investors are continuing to accumulate significant Bitcoin positions through funds like IBIT, according to That Martini Guy.
IBIT offers regulated Bitcoin exposure by tracking the price of Bitcoin through a publicly traded product, allowing investors to buy shares in the fund via standard brokerage accounts. This structure provides a convenient alternative to direct ownership, reducing operational complexities such as wallet management and private key security.
BlackRock, headquartered in New York City, manages trillions in assets across global markets and has accelerated ETF product offerings in the digital asset sector over the past year.
Mini dictionary: IBIT is the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF, a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund offered by BlackRock. It seeks to mirror the price of Bitcoin by holding the digital asset directly, giving investors exposure without needing to buy, store, or secure Bitcoin themselves.
Cumulative flows reflect slowing momentumSince their launch, US spot Bitcoin ETFs have drawn strong long-term inflows. Cumulative ETF data indicates that total inflows reached the $80 billion to $85 billion range, based on Farside data. At the same time, net flows—a key measure for new money entering these funds—peaked at nearly $63 billion before stabilizing around $50 billion to $52 billion.
Despite the positive long-term trend, recent figures show a slowdown in net flows compared to earlier peaks. Cumulative outflows now sit near $28 billion, partially offsetting the newly invested funds. Nevertheless, inflows remain substantially higher than outflows, underscoring continued institutional interest.
MetricPeak ValueRecent ValueCumulative ETF Inflows$85 billion$80 billionNet Flows$63 billion$50-$52 billionCumulative Outflows–$28 billionKey support zones for ETF flowsAnalysts currently monitor the $50 billion level as a vital support zone for net cumulative ETF flows. Maintaining net flows above this threshold would suggest demand remains steady. A rebound from the current level could signal a strengthening in institutional inflows and potentially lead to a retest of the $55 billion and $60 billion marks. These zones serve as reference points for market participants tracking institutional sentiment in $BTC.
If net flows decrease below $50 billion, the next support areas are expected around $45 billion and $40 billion, respectively. In the near term, BlackRock’s continued purchases are helping keep ETF activity and flows closely watched by the market.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Bitcoin has lost roughly half its value since peaking above $126K in October 2025, sliding to prices not seen since September 2024. And the strangest part about this particular downturn isn’t the magnitude. It’s the mood.
According to Bloomberg’s analysis published on July 17, 2026, this slump looks fundamentally different from the crypto crashes that investors have grown accustomed to. There are no spectacular blowups, no exchange collapses, no fraud revelations triggering forced liquidations. Instead, the market is watching something arguably more troubling: a slow, steady erosion of investor interest with no obvious catalyst to reverse it.
Death by a thousand yawns No major industry scandals have surfaced in the preceding months. No forced liquidations have ripped through leveraged positions in the spectacular fashion that defined earlier downturns. The selling pressure has been persistent but orderly, which in some ways makes it harder to trade around.
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As of early July 2026, Bitcoin was trading below its 200-week moving average. For the uninitiated, that’s a technical indicator that long-term trend followers treat as the dividing line between bull and bear territory. Trading below it signals that the asset’s price is weaker than its average over nearly four years, which tends to make institutional allocators nervous.
Macro headwinds meet regulatory limbo The backdrop isn’t helping. Rising oil prices have reignited inflation concerns, creating exactly the kind of macroeconomic environment where risk assets struggle.
Meanwhile, the US Senate Banking Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee are both engaged in discussions about crypto-related legislation. The Clarity Act and various tax reform proposals are on the table, potentially creating a more structured regulatory environment for digital assets. With midterm elections approaching, the window for passing meaningful legislation is narrowing, and timing pressures are mounting on both committees.
Many market participants expected 2026 to be the year that regulatory clarity would finally arrive and provide a tailwind for crypto prices. That thesis hasn’t exactly played out.
What this means for investors The 200-week moving average breach adds a technical layer of concern. Historically, Bitcoin spending extended time below this level has coincided with the deepest phases of bear markets. Whether that pattern holds or breaks this cycle will likely depend on two variables that are largely outside crypto’s control: the trajectory of inflation and the pace of regulatory progress in Congress.
For traders monitoring macro conditions, oil prices and Federal Reserve commentary deserve close attention. If inflation concerns continue to build, risk assets broadly, not just crypto, will face sustained pressure.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.
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Iran has launched strikes against Saudi Arabia for the first time in months, reigniting a conflict that has kept energy markets on edge since fighting broke out in late February.
What happened and why it matters right now The 2026 Iran war, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, has gone through several escalation phases. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting critical oil infrastructure including the Ras Tanura refinery, one of the world’s largest crude processing facilities.
Saudi Arabia quietly escalated in late March, conducting what are now understood to be the first-ever direct Saudi airstrikes on Iranian soil. That was a significant departure from Riyadh’s traditional posture of fighting proxy conflicts rather than engaging Iran head-on.
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Adding fuel to an already volatile situation, Iran-aligned Houthi forces have increased their attacks on Saudi targets as of July 2026.
Oil spikes, Bitcoin dips, and the macro mess Oil prices have surged between 3% and 7% following each major escalation in this conflict.
Bitcoin has shown a pattern during this conflict where oil spikes on escalation news correlate with Bitcoin dips. At various points during the conflict, Bitcoin has fallen below $62K in direct response to geopolitical flare-ups. Bitcoin is not behaving like digital gold during this crisis — it’s behaving like a risk asset, with traders selling crypto to raise cash or rotate into traditional safe havens like gold and US Treasuries.
DeFi platforms are picking up the slack Hyperliquid, a decentralized perpetuals exchange, saw trading volumes for oil-linked contracts reach roughly $200M in a single day during one of the conflict’s escalation phases. When traditional markets close overnight or on weekends, geopolitical events don’t stop happening — traders can position around breaking news on 24/7 crypto platforms when futures exchanges are closed.
What this means for investors Saudi Arabia’s willingness to strike Iranian soil directly — something that was unthinkable even a year ago — suggests this conflict has crossed thresholds that make de-escalation harder. Sustained oil price increases feed directly into inflation expectations, which complicate the interest rate environment for every asset class including crypto.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team has uncovered a malware operation called GitVenom that weaponizes one of the most trusted platforms in software development: GitHub. The campaign planted more than 200 fake repositories disguised as legitimate open-source projects, targeting developers and cryptocurrency investors with a cocktail of info-stealers, remote access trojans, and clipboard hijackers designed to redirect crypto transactions.
How GitVenom actually works The campaign, detailed in a Kaspersky report dated February 24, 2025, has been active since at least 2023. Its operators created repositories that looked convincingly real, complete with AI-generated README files, inflated commit histories, and code written across multiple programming languages. The goal was simple: look like a busy, credible open-source project so developers would clone the repo without a second thought.
Once a developer downloaded and built one of these projects, hidden malicious scripts would execute. The malware payloads varied but included Node.js-based info-stealers capable of harvesting personal data, browser credentials, and banking information. More advanced variants deployed open-source remote access tools like Quasar and AsyncRAT, giving attackers persistent backdoor access to infected machines.
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The most directly dangerous component for crypto holders was the clipboard clipper. This relatively simple but devastatingly effective tool monitors a user’s clipboard for cryptocurrency wallet addresses. When it detects one, it silently swaps in the attacker’s address instead. The victim copies what they think is their own wallet address, pastes it into a transaction, and sends funds straight to the thieves.
The damage so far GitVenom’s operators have already pocketed meaningful sums. Kaspersky flagged a single transaction in November 2024 where approximately 5 BTC, worth around $485,000 at the time, was transferred to a wallet controlled by the attackers. Infections have been detected globally, with notable concentrations in Russia, Brazil, and Turkey.
Why this matters for crypto investors For individual crypto investors, the immediate lesson is straightforward: always verify wallet addresses character by character before confirming a transaction. Clipboard manipulation is invisible unless you’re actively looking for it. A hardware wallet that displays the destination address on its own screen provides an additional layer of verification that software alone cannot match.
For developers working on crypto-related projects, supply chain attacks like GitVenom exploit dependency on third-party code by hiding malicious functionality inside seemingly useful libraries or tools.
Kaspersky’s researchers noted that as long as open-source code sharing remains a cornerstone of development, threat actors will continue to use it as a distribution channel. The incentive structure is simply too attractive: high trust, low friction, global reach, and victims who self-select as people with access to cryptocurrency wallets and developer credentials.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
The Coinbase Bitcoin Premium Index has been negative for 60 days in a row since the 19th of May, which has put a lot of pressure on Bitcoin right now.
As per CoinGlass’s most recent reading, the index has experienced the longest streak on record, reaching -0.1025%. This indicates that Bitcoin has been trading at a lower price on Coinbase than on Binance for the past two months.
What does this mean for Bitcoin? Such a long streak was last seen between the 16th of January and the 24th of February, which lasted approximately 40 days. That was followed by a notable 30-day period around the market crash on the 11th of October.
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Source: CoinGlass That said, such prolonged negative readings are concerning as they have historically corresponded with times when ETF outflows have occurred.
This comes as the price of Bitcoin increased by 1.8% over the previous day, trading at $63,935.02 at press time.
However, the drop from $76,954 last seen on 19th May raises concerns. The RSI and MACD indicators further suggested that despite the hike, the bulls were not strong enough.
Source: Trading View In contrast, during the same time period, the Bitcoin ETF saw maximum outflows. However, with net inflows of $197 million from 6th to 10th July, the ETFs managed to end the eight-week outflow trend.
Source: SoSo Value Bitcoin’s risk index provides an interesting nuance Meanwhile, this year, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) and the Bitcoin Risk Index have been very similar. With less appetite for risky assets and tighter liquidity, Bitcoin entered a risk-off phase as the dollar gained strength.
The only significant rebound of the year occurred when the DXY declined, resulting in a more advantageous environment. Naturally, one of the main macro headwinds for Bitcoin may be abating now that the dollar is losing ground and the Bitcoin Risk Index is cooling.
Source: Swissblock However, analysts predict that the cycle bottom will form over the next few months rather than right away.
Source: Ted/X Similar to this, another analyst says that Bitcoin’s failure to hold the $64,000 support level validates their prediction of additional declines.
Source: Layah Heilpern/X Is $100k possible? Nonetheless, Kalshi traders gave Bitcoin a 10% chance of reaching $100,000 before year-end.
This marked the event’s lowest implied probability on record. It suggested traders saw only a one-in-ten chance of that outcome.
Source: Kalshi At the same time, Fidelity Research analyst Zack Wainwright believes that a larger portion of the circulating supply is being held by investors with strong convictions rather than active traders.
However, over 40% of this supply of long-term holders is underwater, which means that they were purchased at prices higher than the current market value of Bitcoin and are now sitting at unrealized losses.
Final Summary Though Bitcoin has seen a hike in the past 24 hours, it has dropped from $76k to $63k from 19th May to press time. Many analysts believe that Bitcoin is starting to form a bottom, and further declines are expected.
Key Takeaways BTC recovered to approximately $63,972 on Saturday following mid-week losses Moonshot AI, a Beijing-based company, unveiled Kimi K3, surpassing leading models from OpenAI and Anthropic Technology and cryptocurrency markets experienced turbulence as the AI breakthrough challenged assumptions about costly infrastructure requirements Mining operations with AI and high-performance computing agreements may face reduced profitability from cost-efficient alternatives Market watchers predict potential movement toward $74,000–$76,000, though downside risk to the low $50,000 range persists Bitcoin staged a recovery approaching $64,000 on Saturday following several challenging days triggered by an unexpected Chinese artificial intelligence announcement and diminishing prospects for United States cryptocurrency regulatory reform.
Bitcoin (BTC) Price Trading at $63,972 during early Saturday hours, BTC climbed from its weekly bottom of $62,505. The cryptocurrency had earlier approached $65,000 following the release of softer inflation figures from the United States.
Market sentiment shifted when Moonshot AI, headquartered in Beijing, introduced Kimi K3, an open-weight artificial intelligence system. The model achieved a score of 1,679 on a prominent frontend coding evaluation, surpassing Anthropic’s Claude Fable 5 at 1,631 and OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 at 1,618.
Featuring 2.8 trillion parameters, the system employs a mixture-of-experts architecture that selectively activates portions of its framework for specific tasks. Complete model weights will become publicly available on July 27.
This development unsettled financial markets by suggesting that advanced AI capabilities need not remain scarce or prohibitively expensive. Bitcoin’s price movements have increasingly mirrored semiconductor equities due to strengthening connections with the AI investment landscape.
Mining Operations Face New Challenges Publicly traded Bitcoin mining companies that have pivoted capacity toward artificial intelligence and high-performance computing applications face particular vulnerability. Should efficient systems like Kimi K3 diminish requirements for premium data center infrastructure, the financial viability of existing agreements could deteriorate.
Market analyst Daan Crypto Trades observed that BTC struggled to breach its local trading boundary, with the 4-hour 200 EMA temporarily holding before experiencing a bearish retest. He characterized recent trading patterns as “very choppy” and consistent with typical summer market dynamics.
Analyst Ted Pillows emphasized that Bitcoin must successfully reclaim the $65,000 threshold before substantial upward momentum can materialize.
Technical Outlook and Price Projections Castillo Trading forecasts Bitcoin may advance toward the $74,492–$76,696 range before a post-midterm correction drives prices toward $51,000–$56,000. This target zone encompasses the 2025 yearly opening price and multiple volume-based resistance thresholds.
How are we feeling about something like this into Midterms 2026?
The last two midterms $BTC has endured, we have seen a small rally leading into a short lived drop directly after, followed by ATHs. Will this time we different?#Bitcoin pic.twitter.com/2lP2ha537h
— Castillo Trading (@CastilloTrading) July 17, 2026
Justin Bennett’s liquidity analysis suggests BTC could initially retreat toward $61,300, rebound to $67,300, then experience another downward movement. A decisive break above $67,300 with sustained holding would signal improved market conditions.
Bitcoin currently trades within a range bounded by $60,000 support and $70,000 resistance, with the median positioned near $70,000. Recapturing $65,683 represents the initial milestone toward reaching that upper boundary.
Key Takeaways Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao argued on X that Bitcoin offers inflation protection unlike artificial intelligence The cryptocurrency’s capped supply of 21 million coins contrasts sharply with AI firms’ unlimited share dilution potential Zhao previously projected Bitcoin could reach $1 million by 2033 based on historical growth patterns BTC surged past $65,000 following softer-than-expected US producer price index data Upcoming AI company IPOs like OpenAI and Anthropic could temporarily divert investment away from cryptocurrency markets Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao ignited discussion across crypto circles this week with a succinct post on X that garnered 1.3 million impressions. His message was brief and pointed: “AI is great, but it does not protect you against inflation. Bitcoin does.” The statement stood alone without further elaboration or supporting thread.
AI is great, but it does not protect you against inflation.
Bitcoin does.
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) July 16, 2026
The comment resonated widely because it established a distinct boundary between two dominant investment narratives defining the current market cycle. Market participants have increasingly found themselves choosing between Bitcoin and AI equities as both assets vie for speculative investment dollars.
The Significance of Bitcoin’s Supply Cap Zhao’s position hinges on the concept of scarcity. Bitcoin operates with an immutable ceiling of 21 million coins. This quantity remains permanently fixed regardless of central bank policies or government monetary expansion programs.
Artificial intelligence corporations face no comparable constraint. These companies maintain the ability to dilute existing shareholders through new equity issuance, accumulate debt, and scale operations without limitation. While such expansion can benefit shareholders financially, it fails to provide equivalent safeguards against monetary devaluation.
Traditional fiat currencies depreciate approximately 6 to 7 percent each year according to various economic analyses. Government bonds have generated negative inflation-adjusted returns throughout much of the recent decade. AI-focused equities have delivered strong nominal gains, yet strong performance differs fundamentally from inflation hedging capability.
Current Bitcoin Valuation and Economic Context Bitcoin currently trades around the $63,000 level, representing approximately a 50 percent decline from its record peak. Most market observers classify this as bear market conditions.
However, the cryptocurrency recently climbed above $65,000 after United States producer price data registered below market consensus. The weaker inflation print diminished speculation regarding additional Federal Reserve interest rate increases.
Ethereum similarly benefited from the macroeconomic development, pushing back above the $1,900 threshold in the same timeframe. These price movements demonstrated that Bitcoin remains highly responsive to monetary policy expectations and global liquidity dynamics.
Zhao maintains his bullish long-term perspective. Earlier this month, he presented a scenario projecting Bitcoin could reach $1 million by 2033 across two market cycles, utilizing historical growth multipliers ranging from three to five times per cycle. He noted the previous cycle generated weaker returns around 2x, attributing this partially to AI companies capturing capital that might otherwise have flowed into digital assets.
Potential Capital Competition from AI Public Offerings Anticipated initial public offerings from OpenAI and Anthropic have generated renewed concerns about capital allocation strategies. Substantial IPOs typically force institutional investors to liquidate existing holdings in order to finance new equity positions.
Several former cryptocurrency mining operations have pivoted toward AI-focused infrastructure. TeraWulf currently pursues financing for an artificial intelligence data facility tied to a two-decade partnership with Anthropic, representing a strategic shift from its original mining operations.
Zhao has publicly expressed preference for AI infrastructure plays including data centers and computational hardware. Nevertheless, his conviction regarding Bitcoin remains unchanged. He views these asset classes as fulfilling distinct investment objectives.
Bitcoin represents the inflation protection vehicle. Artificial intelligence represents the growth opportunity. In Zhao’s framework, investors must recognize this fundamental distinction.
The SEC has approved a NYSE Arca rule change that raises position and exercise limits for options on BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, giving institutional traders more room to hedge and express larger views around the spot Bitcoin ETF market.
The change increases limits for IBIT options from 250,000 contracts to 1,000,000 contracts, according to the SEC release. That is a fourfold increase, and it reflects how quickly Bitcoin ETF options have become part of the market’s trading infrastructure.
This is not the kind of update that grabs attention like a new ETF launch. But for market structure, it matters.
Options limits decide how large positions can become. Larger limits can support deeper institutional trading, more complex hedging, and better liquidity around ETF-linked Bitcoin exposure.
Reference: SEC
TL;DR The SEC approved a NYSE Arca rule change raising IBIT options limits. Position and exercise limits move from 250,000 to 1,000,000 contracts. The change gives larger traders more room to hedge Bitcoin ETF exposure. Bitcoin ETFs Are Becoming Trading Infrastructure The first phase of the spot Bitcoin ETF story was access.
Investors wanted to know whether they could buy Bitcoin exposure through ordinary brokerage accounts. Asset managers wanted products that could fit inside existing portfolios. Advisers wanted a structure that did not involve exchanges, wallets, private keys, or direct custody.
That phase is now maturing.
The next phase is market structure. Once an ETF becomes liquid, traders want options, hedging tools, arbitrage routes, and larger position limits. Those pieces make the product more useful for institutions that manage risk actively rather than simply buying and holding.
IBIT has become one of the most important Bitcoin ETF products in the market, so options activity around it matters. If traders can hold larger options positions, they can manage larger underlying exposures, hedge portfolio risk more efficiently, or build more sophisticated volatility strategies.
That does not mean the change is automatically bullish for Bitcoin. Options can be used for bullish, bearish, and neutral strategies. But it does mean the market around Bitcoin ETFs is becoming deeper.
Why Position Limits Matter Position limits exist to prevent excessive concentration and reduce market-manipulation risk.
If limits are too low, large institutions may find the product less useful. If limits are too high, regulators may worry about market integrity. Raising the limit suggests the exchange and regulator believe the product can support larger activity without creating unacceptable risk.
For IBIT options, moving from 250,000 to 1,000,000 contracts is a meaningful shift.
It allows larger traders to operate with more flexibility. A fund with substantial Bitcoin ETF exposure may need options to hedge downside. A market maker may need room to support liquidity. A volatility trader may want to build positions that were previously constrained by the lower cap.
The result can be a more efficient options market.
Better options liquidity can also improve the underlying ETF market because traders have more ways to manage risk. In mature asset classes, options are a normal part of the ecosystem. Bitcoin ETFs are now moving closer to that model.
A Sign Of Institutional Normalisation The larger point is that Bitcoin is increasingly being absorbed into traditional market infrastructure.
Spot ETFs brought Bitcoin into regulated fund wrappers. Options brought a derivatives layer around those wrappers. Higher position limits now give larger institutions more operational room.
This is exactly how financial markets mature. First comes access, then liquidity, then hedging, then more complex institutional strategies.
For Bitcoin, that is a major shift from earlier cycles, when much of the market was concentrated on offshore exchanges, spot exchanges, and crypto-native derivatives venues. Those venues still matter, but the ETF market has changed the balance.
More regulated options activity could also affect volatility. In some cases, deeper options markets help smooth risk because traders can hedge more efficiently. In other cases, options positioning can create sharp moves around expiries, strikes, and dealer hedging flows.
Either way, Bitcoin traders will increasingly need to watch ETF options data alongside spot flows.
The SEC approval does not guarantee higher Bitcoin prices. It does not remove volatility. It does not change the underlying supply schedule. But it does make the institutional Bitcoin market more functional.
That may be the most important takeaway. Bitcoin ETFs are no longer just products people buy for exposure. They are becoming part of a larger trading and risk-management system.
This article is based on SEC release SR-NYSEARCA-2026-76 and Federal Register materials.
This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.
Kuwait has formally condemned a series of Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting its critical infrastructure, calling them a “blatant breach of international law.” The attacks, which hit power generation plants, water desalination facilities, oil infrastructure operated by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, and even Kuwait International Airport, represent a sharp escalation in Gulf tensions.
No casualties have been reported from the strikes, but the material damage has been significant. Some periods saw as many as seven attacks in under ten hours.
What’s happening on the ground The strikes, occurring as recently as mid-July 2026, reflect Iran’s broader retaliatory posture against nations it views as aligned with US military interests in the region. Kuwait, which hosts US military installations and has long maintained close defense ties with Washington, appears to have become a target precisely because of that relationship.
The attacks on Kuwait Petroleum Corporation assets add another dimension. Any disruption to Gulf oil production has cascading effects on global energy markets, which in turn influence everything from inflation expectations to central bank policy.
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The crypto fallout has been brutal The early phases of the broader conflict triggered Bitcoin liquidations exceeding $700 million, with BTC briefly dropping below $100,000.
As US-Iran tensions continued escalating, an additional roughly $350 million in liquidations followed, with Bitcoin’s price plummeting toward $62,000.
Trading volatility surged across multiple asset classes within crypto, not just Bitcoin. USDT trading volumes spiked as traders scrambled for stablecoin safety. Gold-backed tokens and oil-related tokens also saw significant volume increases.
US Treasury goes after Iran’s crypto infrastructure The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on Iranian crypto exchanges, freezing $130 million in assets and citing ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iran’s domestic digital asset ecosystem is valued at over $7.8 billion. Reports indicate that Iran has used digital assets for activities including toll collection in the Strait of Hormuz.
What this means for investors Combined liquidations exceeding $1 billion demonstrate that leveraged positions in Bitcoin and other major tokens are extremely vulnerable to geopolitical headlines.
As the US Treasury expands sanctions to encompass crypto exchanges and digital asset flows connected to Iran, any token or protocol that has even indirect exposure to sanctioned entities faces potential legal jeopardy. $130 million in frozen assets proves regulators are willing to act and have the tools to do so.
Bitcoin traded like a risk asset, not a safe haven, dropping dramatically as tensions escalated. The gold-backed token activity suggests some crypto-native capital is looking for safer ground within the digital asset ecosystem rather than treating Bitcoin itself as that safe ground.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
On-chain analytics company CryptoQuant stated that Strategy’s recently announced new capital management framework significantly alleviates the company’s immediate liquidity concerns, but a more disciplined model for Bitcoin buying and selling is needed.
In a report he published, CryptoQuant Research Director Julio Moreno assessed Strategy’s new plan, called the “Digital Credit Capital Framework,” as a significant shift in direction.
Moreno stated, “The Digital Credit Capital Framework is a real course correction. However, for this change to be complete, Strategy needs to clarify two more issues: a systematic model for timing Bitcoin purchases and a disciplined framework for selling during bullish periods.”
Strategy announced its five-part digital credit capital management framework on June 29. As part of the plan, the company created a US dollar reserve that can only be used for preferred stock dividends and interest payments.
The company has set a coverage target to meet at least 12 months of payment obligations for this reserve. Additionally, the dividend rate for STRC preferred shares has been increased to 12%, subject to monthly review. This step aims to bring the STRC price closer to its nominal value of $100.
The new framework also allows for the repurchase of up to $1 billion worth of preferred shares if company management deems the repurchase to be a value-enhancing activity. STRC shares are planned to be given first priority under this program.
Strategy will also be able to repurchase up to $1 billion worth of common shares of MSTR during periods when it believes the company’s shares are undervalued.
A separate Bitcoin cash-out program created as part of the plan authorizes the company to sell up to $1.25 billion worth of Bitcoin. The funds raised can be used to strengthen dollar reserves, finance dividend and interest payments, and fund share buybacks.
The company also announced that it will issue shares more cautiously when its mNAV indicator, known as the market value/net asset value ratio, approaches the 1 level.
Strategy’s new plan was announced just days after CryptoQuant released its recommendations for the company.
CryptoQuant had previously urged Strategy to pause Bitcoin purchases until its cash reserves and dividend coverage ratio were strengthened. The company also suggested developing a systematic model for timing future Bitcoin purchases and preparing a plan for selling a portion of its assets during bull markets.
According to Moreno, Strategy has largely followed the first of these recommendations.
Between June 29 and July 5, the company sold approximately 3,588 Bitcoin, generating around $216 million in revenue. These funds were used to pay preferred stock dividends and strengthen the dollar reserve.
Strategy raised $466.7 million from the sale of MSTR shares between July 6 and 12. The company did not make any new Bitcoin purchases or sales during this period.
Following these steps, Strategy’s dollar reserves increased from $1.44 billion to $3 billion. The company’s dividend coverage period also extended from approximately 14 months to 29 months.
Strategy’s Bitcoin holdings remained unchanged at 843,775 BTC, and the company has yet to conduct any preferred or common share buybacks.
STRC shares had fallen to a historical low of around $75 at the end of June. Following the announcement of the new framework and the increase in the dividend rate, the share price rose to approximately $88.
Despite this, STRC continues to trade below its nominal value of $100.
Moreno said the discount indicated that investors wanted to see Strategy sustainably implement its new financial discipline.
Moreno said, “The sustained discount indicates that the market wants to see the reserve strengthened and the new discipline maintained before fully repricing the security.”
According to CryptoQuant, two key questions remain unanswered in Strategy’s Bitcoin strategy.
The first is when the company will resume Bitcoin purchases.
Moreno stated that pausing Bitcoin purchases offered a solution to the short-term liquidity problem, but the new framework lacked a model-based rule for when accumulation should resume.
Strategy’s announced equity issuance policy, which it will implement when its mNAV ratio approaches 1, defines how the company will raise capital. However, according to Moreno, this rule does not explain when capital should be invested in Bitcoin.
Moreno stated, “Without a clear and valuation-focused model, the company risks repeating its tendency to buy Bitcoin at consistently local peaks whenever market conditions improve.”
The second point CryptoQuant highlights is whether Strategy will sell Bitcoin in the next bull market and under what rules those sales will be conducted.
Moreno stated that the current Bitcoin cash-out program has a defensive structure. The program allows Bitcoin sales to be used to finance dividends, interest, and share buybacks.
However, according to CryptoQuant, this plan does not offer a strategy for staggered selling or hedging positions as the market cycle approaches its peak.
Moreno said that such a sales framework could help the company reduce its debt, create value for shareholders, and build up cash reserves to repurchase Bitcoin during periods when the price falls to lower levels.
Moreno stated, “The disciplined selling approach throughout the market cycle, which constitutes the other half of active capital management, is still not defined.”
*This is not investment advice.
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Changpeng Zhao, the founder and former CEO of Binance, sparked discussion in the cryptocurrency community this week after making a pointed statement on X. Posting to his 2.5 million followers, Zhao wrote, “AI is great, but it does not protect you against inflation. Bitcoin does.” The message, delivered without further explanation, quickly attracted significant attention, registering over 1.3 million impressions.
Bitcoin’s scarcity vs. AI company dilutionZhao’s comparison drew a sharp distinction between Bitcoin, the world’s leading digital asset, and rapidly growing artificial intelligence stocks. He emphasized that Bitcoin’s fixed supply of 21 million coins offers unique scarcity, making it inherently resistant to inflationary forces caused by monetary expansion.
AI companies, in contrast, face no such cap. Firms in the artificial intelligence sector frequently issue new shares to raise capital, potentially diluting existing shareholders’ stakes. Such dilution, as well as the ability to accumulate debt and expand without limit, means AI equities can outpace inflation in nominal returns but may not shield investors from currency devaluation as effectively as Bitcoin.
Economic data suggests that traditional fiat currencies depreciate by approximately 6% to 7% annually. Meanwhile, government bonds have delivered negative inflation-adjusted returns during much of the past decade. AI-focused stocks have posted notable gains, but these gains reflect growth rather than protection against inflation.
Zhao outlined his perspective by stating that, while artificial intelligence offers significant technological and financial growth potential, Bitcoin alone provides explicit protection from inflation due to its capped supply.
Mini dictionary: Binance is one of the largest global cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume, founded by Changpeng Zhao in 2017. The platform offers digital asset trading, futures, and various blockchain services to millions of users worldwide.
Recent price movements and market contextBitcoin is currently valued near $63,000, representing roughly a 50% decline from its all-time high. Following the release of softer-than-expected US producer price index figures, Bitcoin rebounded to above $65,000 as speculation around further Federal Reserve interest rate hikes diminished. Ethereum also benefited from the same macroeconomic environment, trading back above $1,900 during the same period.
AssetCurrent PriceAll-Time HighDrawdown (%)Bitcoin (BTC)$63,000$126,00050%Ethereum (ETH)$1,900$4,20055%Earlier this month, Zhao projected that Bitcoin may reach $1 million by 2033, citing historical growth patterns across market cycles. He noted that the previous cycle yielded a weaker return of about 2x, attributing this slowdown in part to capital flows shifting toward AI-related investments. Despite that competition, Zhao remains confident in Bitcoin’s long-term prospects as a store of value.
AI IPOs and shifting institutional capitalInvestor attention is also focusing on upcoming initial public offerings from major artificial intelligence companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic. These IPOs could prompt institutions to rotate capital from current holdings, such as cryptocurrency, into new AI equity positions. This competitive dynamic has raised questions about how investment flows between the two sectors may evolve.
Some cryptocurrency mining firms have begun shifting strategy to capitalize on the demand for AI computing infrastructure. TeraWulf, for example, is seeking funding for an AI-focused data center in collaboration with Anthropic, representing a significant move away from traditional crypto mining operations. Zhao has expressed interest in AI infrastructure and data center investments but continues to emphasize Bitcoin’s role in mitigating inflation risk.
Zhao maintains a clear distinction: Bitcoin is designed to resist inflation, while artificial intelligence represents a growth-oriented investment opportunity. He argues that investors should recognize these assets as fundamentally different vehicles in a diversified portfolio.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
Bitcoin rebounded to nearly $64,000 on Saturday, regaining ground after a challenging week that saw losses triggered by a major advance in Chinese artificial intelligence and fading hopes for swift US crypto regulation.
Chinese AI milestone shifts market moodBTC traded at $63,972 in early Saturday trading, up from a weekly low of $62,505. Earlier in the week, Bitcoin had approached $65,000 following softer US inflation data that initially boosted sentiment across risk assets.
The mood changed sharply when Moonshot AI, a leading Beijing-based artificial intelligence company, introduced its Kimi K3 model—a large, open-weight AI system. In recent testing, Kimi K3 scored 1,679 points on a key frontend coding benchmark, overtaking Anthropic’s Claude Fable 5, which logged 1,631 points, and OpenAI’s GPT-5.6 at 1,618.
Mini dictionary: Moonshot AI is a technology firm based in Beijing that focuses on developing advanced open-weight artificial intelligence models. Its Kimi K3 system is positioned as a leading competitor in AI-driven coding tasks.
Kimi K3 features 2.8 trillion parameters and employs a mixture-of-experts architecture, activating targeted sections for specific tasks. Full model weights are due for public release on July 27. The development signaled to markets that advanced AI models could become more accessible and less resource-intensive, challenging the prevailing view that top-tier AI requires expensive infrastructure.
Moonshot AI’s Kimi K3 leapt to the top spot in the Frontend Code Arena with 1,679 points, surpassing previous leaders and highlighting rapid progress in China’s AI sector.
The influence of AI developments has been increasingly visible in financial markets. Bitcoin’s trading has shown a growing correlation with semiconductor and AI-related equities as both sectors attract substantial capital flows.
AI’s impact on Bitcoin mining operationsThe AI breakthrough presents fresh challenges for public Bitcoin mining firms that have shifted toward providing data center infrastructure for AI and high-performance computing. If AI models become more resource-efficient, the profitability of large-scale infrastructure deals may deteriorate, raising new questions for these firms’ strategies.
Market analyst Daan Crypto Trades pointed out that Bitcoin has so far failed to break above its recent trading range, with the 4-hour 200 EMA offering only temporary support before a bearish retest. He described the current pattern as “very choppy,” consistent with the quieter conditions often seen during summer months.
Ted Pillows emphasized the need for Bitcoin to reclaim the $65,000 level before a more convincing bullish move can emerge.
Technical outlook: Key levels and analyst forecastsTrading firm Castillo Trading projects that Bitcoin may target the $74,492 to $76,696 region in the next leg up, followed by a possible correction toward the $51,000 to $56,000 area. This upper target includes the 2025 yearly opening price and matches major volume-based resistance bands.
TargetPrice RangeShort-term resistance$74,492 – $76,696Potential correction zone$51,000 – $56,000Key support$60,000Key resistance$70,000Analyst Justin Bennett stated that liquidity models suggest Bitcoin might dip to $61,300, rally up toward $67,300, then see another short-term pullback unless it can decisively hold above $67,300.
Currently, Bitcoin trades in a channel with $60,000 as support and $70,000 as resistance, with the median near the higher end. Regaining $65,683 would be a significant milestone for buyers aiming for further gains in the months ahead.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.
