Jim Cramer believes forced selling is creating opportunities, but investors should resist buying too early. During his July 17, 2026, Mad Money Lightning Round, he recommended two defensive dividend stocks while urging patience on semiconductors and highly speculative names. His message was simple: “The speculative hands are being margined out. They’re going to get rid of them, and you’ll get a better price if you want to buy.“
Wait to Buy Semiconductors Until the Margin Sellers Are Gone On a caller’s semiconductor question, Cramer advised being patient: “It’s a semiconductor and all semiconductor stocks are going down. May I suggest that you wait a few more days until we get rid of all the margin players, and you’re going to find a bottom. I don’t see it yet.”
NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA | NVDA Price Prediction) fundamentals remain intact. Q1 FY2027 delivered $81.61B in revenue, up 85.2% YoY, with Data Center revenue of $75.25B. But Polymarket assigns only a 60.5% probability that NVDA closes above $200 by end of July and just 37% above $210. Reddit sentiment fell into bearish territory (scores 32 to 46) July 7 through 9 on DeepSeek chip news and server delay reports.
Cramer Warns Nebius Is “Not Done Going Down” Cramer’s sharpest warning targeted Nebius Group (NASDAQ:NBIS): “It is at the nexus of the craziness right now. There are a lot of hedge funds that own it, and I think they’re in a lot of trouble. This stock is not done going down. There’ll be another time to buy it, but that time is not now.”
Shares fell 35.21% over the past month and 20.55% in the past week, closing at $171.77 on July 16. Fundamentals are strong (Q2 revenue of $399M, up 279.6% YoY, an NVIDIA $2B pre-funded warrant investment, and a $12B Meta contract), but shares trade at 57.7x sales and 68x forward earnings.
Cramer Says Clorox’s 5% Yield Is Finally Worth Buying Cramer’s headline call was on Clorox (NYSE:CLX). “I read my first positive note about Clorox in a great deal of time today. That was a price target increase that made me say 5% yield. You know what? We want to buy it.“
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Clorox pays $1.24 quarterly, or $4.96 annualized, translating to a 5.12% yield. Shares closed at $98.71 on July 16, down 18.67% over the past year. The stock trades at 15x forward earnings with a 0.53 beta, making it a classic defensive setup Cramer wants against margin-driven volatility.
Fiscal Q3 delivered mixed signals. Adjusted EPS came in at $1.64, beating the $1.55 estimate, though management sharply lowered FY2026 guidance to $5.45-$5.65 in adjusted EPS, citing ERP transition, inventory normalization, and GOJO integration dilution as drivers of organic sales declines. CEO Linda Rendle called results “mixed, with continued momentum in some parts of our portfolio and slower-than-anticipated market share recovery in others.”
Why Cramer Prefers Coca-Cola Over Its Largest Bottler Asked about the bottlers, Cramer chose the parent: “I would go for Coke. I think that’s a better stock.” Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) is up 23.1% year to date, delivered Q1 EPS of $0.86 on 12.1% revenue growth, and pays $0.53 quarterly. Coca-Cola Consolidated posted a 70 bps gross margin contraction due to aluminum tariff costs and yields materially less on its $0.25 quarterly payout.
Quanta’s $48.5 Billion Backlog Makes This Selloff Worth Watching Quality cyclicals aren’t immune. Quanta Services (NYSE:PWR) has come down from $788 to $630, retracing 12.26% in a month even after posting a record $48.5B backlog. Cramer’s advising for investors to let leveraged sellers finish selling, then step into names where cash flow, dividends, and backlog do the heavy lifting.
Key Takeaways Cramer sees Clorox and Coca-Cola as dependable defensive holdings, while semiconductors may become attractive once forced selling subsides. More speculative names such as Nebius could have further to fall. The opportunity, in Cramer’s view, will come after leveraged sellers have been cleared out and strong businesses can be purchased at more attractive prices.
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Key Takeaways D-Wave Quantum has fallen 29.4% in July amid profit-taking, valuation concerns and macro headwinds.QBTS plans a Nasdaq listing transfer and expanded quantum research with an NSF-backed subsidiary grant.QBTS faces weak technical signals as investors await second-quarter earnings and further execution updates. The sharp pullback in D-Wave Quantum (QBTS - Free Report) this month has shifted investor attention from the quantum computing sector's long-term promise to its near-term execution risks. After delivering substantial gains earlier this year, the stock has fallen 29.4% month to date, underperforming the Computer and Technology sector's 1.4% decline and the S&P 500's 1.2% gain.
The weakness reflects a combination of profit-taking after the stock's outsized gains earlier this year, valuation concerns across high-growth quantum names and a macroeconomic backdrop marked by elevated U.S. Treasury yields and expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer. These conditions have weighed disproportionately on speculative technology stocks despite continued enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
During the same period, QBTS' pure-play quantum computing peers, IonQ (IONQ - Free Report) and Rigetti Computing (RGTI - Free Report) , also witnessed sharp share price declines of 34.1% and 27%, respectively.
Month-to-Date Share Price Comparison
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Will July Catalysts Change QBTS' Trajectory?D-Wave Quantum will report its second-quarter earnings in early August. While the stock has remained under pressure amid a broader selloff of speculative growth companies, the company's strategic execution continues to advance. Most notably, D-Wave announced plans to transfer its listing from the NYSE to the Nasdaq later this month, a move expected to enhance its visibility among technology-focused investors and potentially broaden its shareholder base. The company also disclosed that its Quantum Circuits subsidiary received a U.S. National Science Foundation grant to support research in fault-tolerant quantum computing, further strengthening D-Wave's expansion beyond quantum annealing into gate-model quantum systems.
The broader industry backdrop also remains constructive. NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) recently introduced an open-source AI decoder that significantly improves quantum error-correction performance, while IBM reaffirmed plans to invest more than $10 billion in quantum technologies over the coming years. Meanwhile, governments across the United States and Europe continue to expand funding for quantum research and commercialization. These developments strengthen the long-term growth opportunity for the sector, although they are yet to offset near-term concerns surrounding elevated valuations, higher Treasury yields and a "higher-for-longer" interest-rate environment that continues to put pressure on pre-profit technology companies.
What Do the Estimates Say?The earnings estimate chart indicates that D-Wave is expected to report a second-quarter loss of 8 cents per share, representing an 85.5% improvement from the year-ago quarter. For full-year 2026, the consensus estimate calls for a loss of 25 cents per share, reflecting a 77.5% improvement from 2025. Despite the broader market selloff, the absence of estimate revisions suggests that analysts have adopted a wait-and-see stance ahead of the company's second-quarter earnings release.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Technical Pressure RemainsThe technical picture remains weak. As the chart shows, QBTS is trading well below both its 50-day SMA and 200-day SMA, indicating sustained bearish momentum. While the sharp correction reflects deteriorating near-term sentiment, upcoming catalysts, including the Nasdaq listing transition and second-quarter earnings, could determine whether the stock stabilizes or extends its decline.
QBTS 50-&-200-Day SMAs
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Our TakeDespite near-term macro headwinds and a weak technical setup, D-Wave's strengthening fundamentals and strategic execution support a constructive long-term outlook. The planned Nasdaq listing, continued expansion into gate-model quantum computing and strong earnings expectations position the company favorably ahead of its second-quarter results. Consistent with its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), we believe the recent pullback offers a buying opportunity for investors willing to look beyond near-term volatility, while recognizing that technical weakness may persist until fresh business catalysts emerge. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
NEW YORK, July 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kuehn Law, PLLC, a shareholder litigation law firm, is investigating whether certain officers and directors of Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SMMT) breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders. The investigation concerns potential self-dealing. Shareholders may be entitled to damages and corporate governance reforms.
If you are a long-term SMMT stockholder please contact Justin Kuehn, Esq. by email at [email protected] or call (833) 672-0814. The consultation and case are free with no obligation to you. Kuehn Law pays all case costs and does not charge its investor clients. Shareholders should contact the firm immediately as there may be limited time to enforce your rights.
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As a shareholder your voice matters, and by getting involved, you contribute to the integrity and fairness of the financial markets. Your investment. Your voice. Your future.™
NEW YORK, July 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Immuneering Corporation (Nasdaq: IMRX), a late-stage clinical oncology company focused on keeping cancer patients alive and helping them thrive, previously announced on June 15, 2026, that Andrew Gengos was named Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective as of July 16, 2026 (the “Start Date”). In connection with the commencement of Mr. Gengos’s employment, on July 16, 2026, Mr. Gengos was granted an option to purchase 650,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (“Common Stock”) with a per share exercise price of $4.78, the closing trading price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on July 16, 2026 (the “Closing Price”). The stock option was granted pursuant to the Company’s 2025 Employment Inducement Award Plan (the “Inducement Plan”) and was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The stock option has a ten-year term and vests (subject to Mr. Gengos’s continued service to the Company through the applicable vesting dates) as follows: 8.33333% of the initial shares underlying the option shall vest on each of the first, second and third monthly anniversary of the Start Date; 1.6667% of the initial shares underlying the option shall vest on the fourth monthly anniversary of the Start Date and on each monthly anniversary thereafter until the one-year anniversary of the Start Date; 3.33333% of the initial shares underlying the option shall vest on each monthly anniversary following the one-year anniversary of the Start Date until the second anniversary of the Start Date; and 0.833333% of the of the initial shares underlying the option shall vest on each monthly anniversary following the second anniversary of the Start Date until the fourth anniversary of the Start Date, such that the stock option shall be fully vested and exercisable on the fourth anniversary of the Start Date. The stock option was granted under Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules (the “Nasdaq Rules”) as an inducement material to Mr. Gengos entering into employment with the Company.
Additionally, in connection with the commencement of employment of a non-executive employee, also on July 16, 2026, such employee was granted an option to purchase 32,400 shares of Common Stock with a per share exercise price equal to the Closing Price. The stock option was granted pursuant to the Inducement Plan and was approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The stock option has a ten-year term and vests (subject to the employee’s continued service to the Company through the applicable vesting dates) 25% on July 16, 2027 and the remaining 75% in substantially equal monthly installments over the three years thereafter, such that the stock option shall be fully vested and exercisable on July 16, 2030. The stock option was granted under the Nasdaq Rules as an inducement material to the employee entering into employment with the Company.
About Immuneering Corporation
Immuneering is a late-stage clinical oncology company dedicated to keeping cancer patients alive and helping them thrive, with an initial focus on patients with RAS, RAF, and other MAPK-driven cancers. The Company is developing an entirely new category of cancer medicines, Deep Cyclic Inhibitors, designed to improve overall survival by three mechanisms: shrinking tumors durably with less resistance, preserving body mass by countering cachexia, and minimizing side effects to maximize performance status and combinability. Immuneering’s lead product candidate, atebimetinib, is an investigational, oral, once-daily Deep Cyclic Inhibitor of MEK, designed to improve survival across many cancer indications. The company is conducting a global randomized pivotal trial, MAPKeeper 301, evaluating atebimetinib in combination with chemotherapy in first-line pancreatic cancer patients. The Company’s development pipeline also includes additional combination opportunities and preclinical stage programs. For more information, please visit www.immuneering.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding: Immuneering’s plans to develop, and the treatment potential of, its product candidates.
These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the risks inherent in oncology drug research and development, including target discovery, target validation, lead compound identification, and lead compound optimization; we have incurred significant losses, are not currently profitable and may never become profitable; our projected cash runway; our need for additional funding; our unproven approach to therapeutic intervention; our ability to address regulatory questions and the uncertainties relating to regulatory filings, reviews and approvals; the lengthy, expensive, and uncertain process of clinical drug development, including potential delays in activating trial sites or enrolling trial participants, or failure to obtain regulatory approvals; our reliance on third parties and collaborators to conduct our clinical trials, manufacture our product candidates, and develop and commercialize our product candidates, if approved; failure to compete successfully against other drug companies; protection of our proprietary technology and the confidentiality of our trade secrets; potential lawsuits for, or claims of, infringement of third-party intellectual property or challenges to the ownership of our intellectual property; our patents being found invalid or unenforceable; costs and resources of operating as a public company; and unfavorable or no analyst research or reports.
These and other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2026, and our other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
New York, New York and New Orleans, Louisiana--(Newsfile Corp. - July 17, 2026) - Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have until August 25, 2026 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Futu Holdings Limited ("Futu" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: FUTU), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between May 24, 2023 and May 27, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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What You May Do
If you purchased securities of Futu as above and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgm-futu/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by August 25, 2026.
>>>CLICK HERE for more information
About the Lawsuit
Futu and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.
The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the Company was not in compliance with the requirements of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, including because it continued to conduct securities business, public fund sales business and futures business in mainland China without obtaining the requisite licenses or approval; (ii) as a result, the Company was reasonably likely to face regulatory penalties, including the disgorgement of ill-gotten gains and other penalties; (iii) as a result of the foregoing, the Company's financial results were overstated; and (iv) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
The case is Tang v. Futu Holdings Limited, et al, 26-cv-05453.
>>>To Learn More, Click HERE
About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.
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To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.
>>>For More Information about the case, Click HERE
Contact:
Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner [email protected]
1-877-515-1850
1100 Poydras St., Suite 960
New Orleans, LA 70163
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 17, 2026) - Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Futu Holdings Limited ("Futu" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: FUTU) on behalf of investors that purchased or otherwise acquired Futu shares between May 24, 2023 and May 27, 2026 (the "Class Period").
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CASE
If you are an investor in Futu and have suffered losses, you may CLICK HERE to contact us. You may also contact Kaplan Fox by emailing [email protected] or by calling (646) 315-9003.
DEADLINE REMINDER: If you are a member of the proposed Class, you may move the court no later than August 25, 2026 to serve as a lead plaintiff for the purported class. If you have losses we encourage you to contact us to learn more about the lead plaintiff process. You need not seek to become a lead plaintiff in order to share in any possible recovery.
According to the complaint, on May 22, 2026, before the market opened, Reuters published an article reporting that the China Securities Regulatory Commission ("CSRC"), along with seven other government agencies including the central bank, had launched a crackdown aimed at "brokers it accused of illegally moving money to foreign markets" including "overseas firms and their local partners operating without approval." The article allegedly reported that online brokers including Futu "would be penalised for soliciting business in China without an onshore licence, the securities regulator said."
Also on May 22, 2026, Futu disclosed in a press release that it had received a Notification Letter from the CSRC. The Company reported the letter states "certain Futu entities in mainland China and Hong Kong (the "Related Companies") without obtaining the requisite licenses or approval, conducted securities business, public fund sales business and futures business in mainland China." The press release further states that the CSRC "proposes to order the Related Companies to rectify or cease such activities, confiscate illegal gains, and impose fines, with the total proposed penalty amounting to approximately RMB1.85 billion (approximately USD271 million)."
On May 22, 2026, the price of Futu shares fell $34.10 per share, or 27.5%, to close at $89.76 per share.
Then, on May 28, 2026, before the market opened, Futu announced in a press releasee financial results for the first quarter of 2026. According to the complaint, the Company reported net income of HK$831.0 million (US$106.0 million) after giving effect to the proposed penalties comprised of: "(i) confiscation of illegal gains of approximately RMB470 million [approximately $69.21 million USD], and (ii) imposition of fines of approximately RMB1.38 billion, [approximately $20 billion USD] in an aggregate amount of approximately RMB1.85 billion."
On May 28, 2026, the price of Futu shares fell $5.31 per share, or 4.8%, to close at $104.91 per share.
The complaint alleges, among other things, that throughout the Class Period, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that (1) Futu was not in compliance with the requirements of the CSRC, including because the Company continued to conduct securities business, public fund sales business and futures business in mainland China without obtaining the requisite licenses or approval; (2) as a result, Futu was reasonably likely to face regulatory penalties, including the disgorgement of ill-gotten gains and other penalties; and (3) as a result of the foregoing, Futu's financial results were overstated.
WHY CONTACT KAPLAN FOX?
Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP is a nationally recognized law firm focused on complex litigation, with offices in New York, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New Jersey. Founded in 1956, the firm has spent more than 50 years prosecuting securities, antitrust, and consumer protection actions in federal and state courts nationwide, recovering more than $10 billion for clients and the classes it has represented.
Kaplan Fox is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier plaintiffs' securities litigation firms and has received recognition from Chambers and Partners, Benchmark Litigation, Super Lawyers, and Lawdragon. Serving as lead or co-lead counsel in many landmark cases, the firm has secured some of the largest recoveries in the history of securities litigation, including a $2.425 billion recovery on behalf of Bank of America shareholders in In re Bank of America-the largest recovery ever obtained for claims under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act-$800 million recovered for the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and other pension funds in ATRS v. Allianz Global Investors, and a $475 million settlement in In re Merrill Lynch.
For decades, Kaplan Fox has represented public pension funds, institutional investors, businesses, and individuals in high-stakes litigation. Through its successful advocacy and precedent-setting victories, the firm has helped shape important areas of securities and corporate law while advancing accountability and protecting investor interests.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
If you have any questions about this Notice, your rights, or your interests, please contact:
Contacting or submitting information to Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor an obligation on the part of Kaplan Fox to retain you as a client.
NEW YORK, July 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kuehn Law, PLLC, a shareholder litigation law firm, is investigating whether certain officers and directors of SailPoint, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIL) breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders. The investigation concerns potential self-dealing. Shareholders may be entitled to damages and corporate governance reforms.
If you are a long-term SAIL stockholder please contact Justin Kuehn, Esq. by email at [email protected] or call (833) 672-0814. The consultation and case are free with no obligation to you. Kuehn Law pays all case costs and does not charge its investor clients. Shareholders should contact the firm immediately as there may be limited time to enforce your rights.
Why Your Participation Matters:
As a shareholder your voice matters, and by getting involved, you contribute to the integrity and fairness of the financial markets. Your investment. Your voice. Your future.™
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 17, 2026) - Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP is investigating potential securities violations against Cerebras Systems Inc. ("Cerebras" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: CBRS).
CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INVESTIGATION
If you are a Cerebras investor and have suffered losses, or if you have information that could assist in the Cerebras investigation, you may CLICK HERE to contact us. You may also contact Kaplan Fox by emailing [email protected] or by calling (212) 329-8571.
Cerebras is an artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure company that designs and manufactures AI compute platforms including processors and data centers. On or around May 14, 2026, Cerebras conducted an initial public offering ("IPO"), selling 30 million shares of Class A common stock at an offer price of $185 per share.
On June 23, 2026, after market close, Cerebras announced in a press release financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 and outlook for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. During the subsequent earnings call, the Chief Financial Officer stated that "[f]or the rest of 2026, in order to accelerate our ability to service the significant near-term demand in our contracted backlog, we've chosen to make more capacity available sooner by temporarily renting our own systems back from an existing customer while we aggressively build out and deploy our own data center capacity. The additional cost of renting third-party capacity will depress core cloud and other services margin temporarily from current levels. We expect the impact to be a decrease of 10 to 15 margin points based on the volumes we are now anticipating before beginning to [ramp back] towards our target margin of 60% plus as we transition away from our rented systems."
Following this news, the price of Cerebras stock declined from a closing price on June 23, 2026 of $226.72 to close at $182.26 per share on June 24, 2026, a decline of $44.26 per share, or by 19.61%.
WHY CONTACT KAPLAN FOX?
Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP is a nationally recognized law firm focused on complex litigation, with offices in New York, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New Jersey. Founded in 1956, the firm has spent more than 50 years prosecuting securities, antitrust, and consumer protection actions in federal and state courts nationwide, recovering more than $10 billion for clients and the classes it has represented.
Kaplan Fox is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier plaintiffs' securities litigation firms and has received recognition from Chambers and Partners, Benchmark Litigation, Super Lawyers, and Lawdragon. Serving as lead or co-lead counsel in many landmark cases, the firm has secured some of the largest recoveries in the history of securities litigation, including a $2.425 billion recovery on behalf of Bank of America shareholders in In re Bank of America-the largest recovery ever obtained for claims under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act-$800 million recovered for the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and other pension funds in ATRS v. Allianz Global Investors, and a $475 million settlement in In re Merrill Lynch.
For decades, Kaplan Fox has represented public pension funds, institutional investors, businesses, and individuals in high-stakes litigation. Through its successful advocacy and precedent-setting victories, the firm has helped shape important areas of securities and corporate law while advancing accountability and protecting investor interests.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
If you have any questions about this investigation, please contact:
Contacting or submitting information to Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor an obligation on the part of Kaplan Fox to retain you as a client.
Key Takeaways Starship's launch abort weighed on SpaceX shares but appears linked to an engine issue, not a design flaw.Starlink's expanding subscriber base continues to provide a strong recurring revenue stream for SpaceX.Despite testing risks, SpaceX's launch and satellite leadership support its long-term investment thesis. Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SPCX - Free Report) shares came under pressure after Starship's 13th test flight scheduled on Thursday was aborted moments before take-off. The stock’s price fell below the IPO price on Thursday following this incident. After raising a record-breaking $75 billion through its June initial public offering, SpaceX has remained one of the market's most closely watched growth stories.
With the leading-edge designing, manufacturing and rocket launching capabilities, SpaceX has gained solid market traction over the past few years. However, are the recent developments a worrying sign for investors, and does it change SpaceX’s long-term investment case?
Starship Remains Vital to SpaceX’s Growth InitiativesSpaceX’s launch franchise is the foundation of the investment case. The company has completed about 650 orbital launches and has launched more than 80% of global mass to orbit since 2023, supported by Falcon reusability and high cadence. While Falcon 9 currently serves as SpaceX's primary launch vehicle, Starship represents the company's next-generation fully reusable launch system. Engineered as one of the world’s largest and most powerful reusable launch vehicles, Starship is expected to significantly reduce the cost while carrying a substantially higher payload.
The Starship project has a significant execution risk owing to its high complexity. This risk is not limited to the Space segment because the Connectivity and AI segment also relies on future launch throughput to reach its planned scale. The company faces competition from Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB - Free Report) . Rocket Lab has been steadily extending its commercial launch capabilities through its Electron rocket and the upcoming Neutron launch vehicle. Electron achieved 21 launches in 2025 with 100% mission success, reinforcing reliability and customer retention.
SpaceX has repeatedly adopted a gradual development approach over the years. In each test flight, regardless of success or not, the company gathers valuable engineering data that helps improve the system. Given the high complexity of the process in developing reusable launch systems, temporary setbacks are not uncommon. Despite Rocket Lab’s growing prowess in commercial launch, SpaceX remains the leader in the industry, backed by its launch cadence, payload capability and reusable rocket technology.
Starlink Remains a Major Growth EngineBeyond Starship, Starlink remains one of SpaceX's strongest long-term growth drivers. As of March 31, 2026, the company boasts a subscriber base of around 10.3 million. With approximately 9,600 satellites in orbit, Starlink service is available in 164 countries and markets. Solid subscriber addition, expanding global coverage and continuous improvement in networking capacity are major driving factors. The company has also developed one of the largest satellite-to-mobile constellations and provides direct-to-device voice, messaging and data services. Expanding the Starlink business is providing the company with better earnings visibility and a diversified revenue mix. Strong recurring revenue from this segment will continue to support overall revenue growth and enable SpaceX to go through the development challenges of Starship.
However, it is to be noted that Starlink’s business faces competition from Viasat, Inc. (VSAT - Free Report) in the satellite-based broadband internet space. Viasat has built a strong presence in aviation, enterprise and government communications. It has completed the next-generation global ViaSat-3 constellation with the successful launch of ViaSat-3 Flight 3 on April 29, 2026, targeted to the Asia-Pacific region. Starlink’s rapidly expanding low-Earth-orbit constellation and a strong focus on technology upgrades are expected to give a competitive edge in the long run.
Should Investors Worry?The launch hiccup may impact investors’ sentiment in the near term. However, some key things to take into account are that the launch was aborted automatically, indicating that engine monitoring, safety systems and software worked. The company is proceeding with corrective action. It will replace two raptor engine and is aiming to complete the launch early next week.
However, SpaceX is scaling several capital-intensive platforms simultaneously. Despite SpaceX's strong long-term growth prospects, execution remains critical. Capital expenditures increased to $20.7 billion in 2025 as the company continued investing heavily in Starship development and Starlink expansion. While occasional testing setbacks are expected, prolonged delays could also delay commercialization and revenue-generating opportunities.
SpaceX currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The two sides are discussing an arrangement in which SpaceX would provide computing capacity to the department at a cost of up to several billion dollars, people familiar with the matter said.
The satellite race is intensifying as Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX 5.41%) and AST SpaceMobile (ASTS +5.25%) seek to connect the world from orbit, leaving investors to decide which pioneer offers better long-term potential.
Space Exploration Technologies — SpaceX — provides high-speed internet through its Starlink constellation and dominates the global rocket launch market. AST SpaceMobile focuses on a direct-to-device cellular network, eliminating the need for specialized ground equipment. Both companies aim to bridge the global digital divide, but their business models and financial health vary significantly.
The case for SpaceXSpace Exploration Technologies provides rocket launch services to commercial and government agencies while scaling its Starlink broadband business. As of March 31, 2026, Starlink reported approximately 10.3 million subscribers across 164 distinct markets. The company leverages its reusable rocket technology to deploy its own satellite constellations at a significantly lower cost than traditional aerospace firms.
In FY 2025, revenue reached nearly $18.7 billion, an increase of approximately 33% from the $14 billion reported in the previous year. Despite this top-line growth, the company reported a net loss of nearly $5 billion for the fiscal year. This performance reflects the massive capital requirements for building out the global Starlink network and developing next-generation heavy-lift rockets.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the current ratio is approximately 1.4x, indicating the company maintains sufficient short-term assets to cover its immediate liabilities. Free cash flow, calculated as cash flow from operations minus capital expenditures, was about negative $14 billion in FY 2025. Note that stock-based compensation (SBC) accounted for roughly 28.7% of operating cash flow, inflating reported cash generation, since SBC is a non-cash expense added back in the cash flow statement.
The case for AST SpaceMobileAST SpaceMobile is building a space-based cellular network designed to connect standard, unmodified smartphones directly to satellites. The company has established partnerships with approximately 60 mobile network operators, including AT&T (T 0.77%) and Verizon (VZ 0.71%), targeting nearly 3 billion potential subscribers. This business model focuses on a revenue-sharing agreement within the communication stocks space rather than selling direct hardware to consumers.
In FY 2025, revenue reached approximately $70.9 million, a substantial jump from the $4.4 million reported in the prior fiscal year. The company reported a net loss of nearly $342 million for the period. While revenue growth is accelerating as the company begins its commercial rollout, profitability remains a distant goal during this build-out phase.
The current debt-to-equity ratio is roughly 1.2x, showing the company relies more on debt than equity to fund its operations. Free cash flow, which is cash flow from operations minus capital expenditures, was more than negative $1.1 billion for FY 2025, reflecting heavy investment in its satellite constellation.
Risk profile comparisonSpace Exploration Technologies faces significant risks associated with the high cost and technical complexity of its satellite and rocket programs. Any delays in launch schedules or mission failures could disrupt the expansion of the Starlink network and impact customer trust. Additionally, the company must navigate evolving international regulations regarding orbital debris and spectrum allocation that could limit its growth in certain regions.
AST SpaceMobile deals with financial strain, having recently issued $1 billion in convertible notes that could dilute existing shareholders. The business success depends on the unproven Block 2 satellites and proprietary ASIC chips, which face potential delays and cost overruns. The company also competes against better-funded rivals like Space Exploration Technologies and must maintain complex regulatory approvals from the FCC to operate its network.
Valuation comparisonSpace Exploration Technologies carries a lower P/S ratio than AST SpaceMobile, although both are high relative to the sector.
MetricSpace Exploration TechnologiesAST SpaceMobileSector BenchmarkForward P/En/an/a240.6xP/S ratio88.9177xSector benchmark uses the SPDR XLI sector ETF.
Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.
Which stock would I buy in 2026?The success of Tesla (TSLA 2.47%) has made founder Elon Musk the richest man in the world and given him the expectation that he can make an even greater fortune out of SpaceX, as Space Exploration Technologies Corp is known. The business certainly has market support behind it, raising the world’s largest IPO, $85.7 billion.
SpaceX's various businesses intend to leverage the company's core launch capabilities, done with reusable rockets. The ability to reuse boosters significantly lowers per-launch costs and spreads fixed manufacturing costs across multiple missions. Expectations are that scaling up quickly will happen, with Wall Street analysts projecting $39 billion in sales for fiscal 2026 with a much lower net loss, around $1.6 billion, and move into profitability in 2027.
The lack of free cash flow looks to be crushing; however, projections indicate free cash flow will be negative $28 billion this year, jumping to negative $67 billion in 2027.
AST SpaceMobile doesn’t have the grand ideas of SpaceX (no Mars colonies planned here), but the organization expects its space-based network to give it a significant business in a few years. Essentially, AST SpaceMobile is a direct-to-device play to provide full mobile phone compatibility for major carriers without the need for specialized equipment. Many of its potential clients are also equity holders in the company, including AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone (VOD +0.74%), Alphabet (GOOGL 2.05%), American Tower (AMT +0.68%), Bell Canada, Telus (TU 1.79%), and Rakuten in Japan.
By the end of the year, the company should have 45 satellites, which will allow it to fully service the U.S., and that should start to supercharge revenue growth. For fiscal 2026, Wall Street sees $149 million in sales, jumping to $725 million the following year, when the company is projected to turn its first modest profit. Free cash flow looks to be much more manageable, with analysts expecting positive free cash flow in 2029.
While SpaceX has the hype from its high-profile founder and its extravagant projections about far-off businesses, it, too, is mainly a network provider right now. Given AST SpaceMobile appears more focused on its business plan and will probably be the earlier of the two to turn a profit, it’s the space stock to buy in 2026.
The artificial intelligence (AI) boom continues to grab the lion's share of the market's attention. Businesses that have jumped into the trend with both feet have seen their shares perform well as investors gravitated to this trade.
Apple (AAPL +0.26%) has largely sat on the sidelines in this race, however, avoiding the massive spending activity of its peers. That doesn't mean it has been a slouch in terms of share price performance, though. The Magnificent Seven stock is up 22% in 2026 (as of July 16), and it has skyrocketed by 1,250% over the past 10 years.
Few companies can match Apple's incredible profitability. And the market fully appreciates how incredibly sound this dominant consumer technology business is from a financial perspective.
The company has raked in a remarkable amount of cash over the years, and the options it had for putting that money to work were almost limitless. However, over the course of his tenure as CEO, Tim Cook committed $851 billion of it to one specific priority, and that choice has benefited Apple shareholders tremendously.
Image source: The Motley Fool.
The best investment is in the mirror In 2012, Apple's board of directors instituted a new capital allocation policy, authorizing a $10 billion share repurchase program, set to start in its fiscal 2013. This decision, which was certainly supported by the business's notable success at that point, came after Cook took the top job at Apple.
The company has continued to regularly put funds into its stock buybacks in the years since. In fact, in just the last two reported quarters, Apple spent $36 billion on stock buybacks. Clearly, the pace of those repurchases has increased dramatically over the years.
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Not all businesses can do this. Apple sells some of the most popular consumer hardware and software out there, supporting a robust ecosystem that powers its brand recognition. It booked $71.7 billion in net income in the last six months.
Since it started the program more than 14 years ago, Apple's stock repurchase activity has totaled a mind-boggling $851 billion. With that much money (or a fraction of it), it could have paid cash to acquire any one of 486 companies in the S&P 500 index, based on their current market capitalizations. That's a long list of large caps that includes many high-quality names.
Instead, Apple essentially chose to invest in itself and in rewarding its shareholders. Companies that repurchase their own shares do so at the expense of other uses of capital such as investing in growth opportunities and infrastructure, acquisitions, paying down debt, or paying dividends. Apple engages in all of these behaviors, too, but its board apparently believes that share repurchases are one of the best uses for its cash.
Certainly the business has prospered. From its fiscal 2012 to fiscal 2025, Apple's net income soared 169%. But thanks to stock buybacks that drastically reduced the outstanding share count by more than 40%, the company's diluted earnings per share were up an impressive 373% during that 13-year period.
Looking ahead, investors should expect this capital allocation policy to remain intact, even after John Ternus replaces Tim Cook as CEO in September.
I keep hitting the buy button on Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL | AAPL Price Prediction) because the company treats shareholders like partners, and the receipts stack up quarter after quarter.
The pull is simple. Apple monetizes a sticky global footprint and routes almost every dollar of the resulting cash back to owners. In fiscal 2025, the company generated $111.5B in operating cash flow and returned $106.1B to shareholders through buybacks and dividends. That is a promise being kept in real dollars, every ninety days.
The Cash Return Case Three numbers keep me adding. The board authorized a fresh $100 billion buyback program alongside a 4% dividend increase to $0.27 per quarter. FY25 buybacks alone hit $90.7B, on top of a $15.4B dividend payout, and Q1 FY26 operating cash flow ran $53.9B. Q2 FY26 revenue reached $111.18 billion, up 16.6% year over year, with diluted EPS of $2.01, an eighth consecutive quarter beating expectations. Add in the $24.7B repurchased in Q1 FY26 alone and the buyback pace is accelerating.
The Services engine is why the cash keeps compounding. While bears constantly fret over incremental iPhone upgrade metrics, Apple has quietly shifted its core profit engine and turned an installed base of over 2.5 billion active devices into a high-margin subscription business through the App Store, iCloud, Apple Music, and Apple TV+. Services hit an all-time record of $30.98 billion in Q2 FY26. Recurring revenue at that scale is why Apple posts a 46.9% gross margin, a 32.0% operating margin, and a 171.4% return on equity. iPhone still delivered a March-quarter record $56.99 billion, Greater China reached $20.50 billion, and double-digit growth appeared across every geographic segment.
Why Apple, Not the Obvious Alternatives I own other mega-cap tech, but Apple is where I keep adding. Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) are locked in a hyper-aggressive, speculative arms race, collectively incinerating hundreds of billions of dollars on data centers and advanced GPU hardware. Apple is playing a different, disciplined game. FY25 capex ran $12.7B against $111.5B of operating cash flow, which lets management push the bulk of the cash back to owners rather than sink it into build-outs whose payoffs are still unproven. Tim Cook framed the quarter this way: “Today Apple is proud to report our best March quarter ever, with revenue of $111.2 billion and double-digit growth across every geographic segment.”
The Risk I Carry Valuation is the argument I have to answer. Shares trade at a P/E of 43, a P/B of 65, and a P/FCF of 49. The dividend yield sits at just 0.32%, and Greater China exposure plus reliance on third-party manufacturing are real risks I carry. My response: earnings growth is doing the compounding work. Net income rose 19.36% in Q2 FY26 to $29.58 billion, and Q1 FY26 net income of $42.10 billion was up 15.87%. When a business converts earnings to cash near dollar-for-dollar and shrinks its share count every quarter, a rich multiple gets absorbed by the compounding.
Forward Conviction The buy button stays active because Apple keeps doing the boring, powerful thing: printing cash, returning it to owners, and letting a 2.5-billion-device installed base compound on top. The stock is up 129.49% over five years and 1,356.46% over ten, which is what happens when a cash machine is allowed to run undisturbed. That is the discipline I want anchoring a retirement account, and it is why my next paycheck goes to the same ticker.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Apple didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
A US judge on Friday rejected a bid by 26 employees of Meta Platforms to block the tech giant from laying them off while they pursue claims that they were targeted for job cuts by the company’s AI-powered tools because they have disabilities or took medical leave.
District Judge William Orrick in Oakland, Calif., in a written order said he would not stop Meta from carrying out the layoffs beginning July 22 while the merits of the workers’ novel legal claims are decided in private arbitration.
The judge said the workers could not show that losing their jobs amounted to the “irreparable harm” required for him to issue an emergency order blocking the layoffs.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta is allowed to carry out the layoffs beginning July 22 while the merits of the workers’ novel legal claims are decided in private arbitration. REUTERS A Meta spokesperson declined to comment. The company has denied wrongdoing and said that decisions involving the layoffs were made by humans.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs in a joint statement said that while Orrick denied their request, he also recognized that the lawsuit raises “serious questions” about Meta’s conduct.
“The Court expressly stated that it may reconsider its determinations ‘based on any additional evidence the parties provide regarding whether and how AI was used’ in the reduction in force,” they said.
Meta in May notified nearly 8,000 employees, or about 10% of its global workforce, that they were losing their jobs as the company doubles down on its investments in AI.
The lawsuit filed on Monday claims that in selecting jobs to cut, Meta relied on AI tools that measured productivity and AI token usage, disadvantaging people who missed work because of medical conditions or to care for family members. The company also relied on performance reviews based in part on employees’ adoption of AI, the plaintiffs said.
The case appears to be the first against a major US company to challenge the alleged use of AI in conducting layoffs.
‘No do-over’ The plaintiffs had asked Orrick for a temporary restraining order blocking Meta from completing its layoffs while they pursue their claims in private arbitration. Their motion for a preliminary injunction, a longer-lasting temporary order, is pending. Orrick on Friday suggested that he could change his mind once he has more information about the layoffs.
Meta in May notified nearly 8,000 employees, or about 10% of its global workforce, that they were losing their jobs as the company doubles down on its investments in AI. maurice norbert – stock.adobe.com Lawyers for the plaintiffs said during a hearing on Thursday that along with their jobs and salaries, the workers stood to lose valuable stock options and their health insurance, imperiling their medical care for pregnancies and other conditions.
“There’s no do-over for bonding with a new baby or giving birth or having active medical treatment,” one of the lawyers, Barbara Cowan, told Orrick.
Erin Connell, who represents Meta, countered that the workers were losing only employer-subsidized insurance, and not their coverage altogether. Those are the typical kinds of damages that can be recouped later on if the plaintiffs win their cases in arbitration, Connell said.
The workers say Meta’s agreements require employees to arbitrate workplace disputes individually, but do not apply to requests for temporary relief.
Most workers at large companies sign arbitration agreements, which generally require employees to pursue workplace claims individually rather than through class actions in court. Companies say arbitration can provide a faster, cheaper alternative to litigation, while critics say it often favors employers and discourages workers from bringing claims.
The lawsuit filed on Monday claims that in selecting jobs to cut, Meta relied on AI tools that measured productivity and AI token usage, disadvantaging people who missed work because of medical conditions or to care for family members. REUTERS Exceptions in arbitration agreements for temporary relief are common, but they are typically invoked in cases involving the alleged theft of trade secrets or the solicitation of clients or employees, and not layoffs of at-will employees.
The plaintiffs, who filed the lawsuit anonymously, include engineers, managers, researchers and designers. They were notified in May of the layoffs, which are scheduled to be finalized on July 22 for many workers and later in July or August for others, according to court filings.
Laid-off workers remain on the payroll but lost access to Meta systems on May 20 and have not performed work for the company since, Meta said in court filings.
They claim that Meta used a number of internal AI-assisted systems to score and rank employees on a termination list. Those included a large language model assistant known as “Metamate,” an employee-trained “second brain” that tracked workers’ communications and documents, and a productivity score drawn from scanning keystrokes, screen content, emails and browser history, according to the lawsuit.
Meta did not pause these systems while employees were on vacations and legally protected leave periods, and their AI adoption scores used as inputs for layoff selection dropped as a result, the plaintiffs said.
Meta Platforms (META 2.79%) is a $1.7 trillion company. Its family of apps counts 3.56 billion daily active users. And it arguably benefits from the most powerful network effects on the face of the planet. All signs point to it being an elite business.
However, there are deep questions about how it will fare in the coming years. That's because it's also a hyperscaler, and forecasts it will spend $125 billion to $145 billion on AI data center capital expenditures in 2026 alone. Analysts expect even bigger outlays from it in 2027.
But whether there will be a profitable payoff on these colossal expenditures is a huge point of uncertainty.
Here's what Meta shareholders should be thinking about.
Image source: Getty Images.
There's no clear line of sight On Meta's first-quarter earnings call, an analyst asked founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg what the return on invested capital would be over the coming 12 to 24 months from its AI-related spending spree.
"That's a very technical question," the tech mogul replied, and went on to explain that the company's philosophy rests on building great products and experiences first, then scaling and monetizing them afterward.
It's understandable if Meta bulls want to give its management team the benefit of the doubt. This is one of the world's most dominant and successful companies. Investors could be forgiven for trusting Zuckerberg's capital allocation decisions.
On the other hand, this is an unprecedented level of spending. Analysts' consensus view is that Meta will report $145 billion in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) in 2026. Its capex plans will soak up nearly all of that.
Spending on that scale should be paired with the ability to give investors a more insightful response about expected ROI than the one Zuckerberg gave on the most recent earnings call. Investors would have more confidence in the company's direction if they had some insight into what metrics management is tracking to gauge the success of its AI spending spree, or timelines for when to expect adequate returns.
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It's getting cloudy Because virtually all of Meta's revenue comes from ad sales, an obvious reason for all this spending would be to bolster its digital advertising capabilities through better targeting and monetization techniques, and to improve user engagement. This segment is firing on all cylinders, with sales soaring 33% year over year in the first quarter.
Meta's latest move, however, indicates it has overbuilt capacity and is spending too much. As part of the Meta Compute initiative, the company recently announced it is forming a new cloud segment to lease excess compute resources to external customers. The good news is that this can generate revenue quickly, as data center demand globally is substantially outstripping supply.
However, investors should still be more critical of Meta than they have been, as hundreds of billions of dollars are now at stake.
The firm notes that Tesla has added Miami as its fifth robotaxi market and is scaling its Texas fleet at the fastest pace among operators it tracks. The combination matters because it shifts Tesla’s story from promise to visible expansion, even if the network is still early and uneven.
TSLA stock is moving. See the chart and price action here. Tesla Adds Robotaxi Markets and VehiclesTesla’s Texas fleet now stands at 175 vehicles, up by more than 100 in the past month, according to the note. That kind of growth gives Tesla a stronger case that its robotaxi effort is more than a demo. It is building an actual operating footprint.
Bank of America also points out that Tesla now has four additional markets in preparation, which suggests the company is still pushing toward the original goal of nine cities by the first half of 2026. Miami’s launch adds another proof point that Tesla wants to expand quickly while interest in autonomous driving remains high.
The robotaxi push is only one part of the bull case. Tesla’s second-quarter deliveries came in around 480,000, far above Street expectation. BofA also says the company likely gained global battery-electric vehicle share which helps offset worries that the core auto business is slowing.
The TakeawayBank of America kept its Buy rating and $460 price target on TSLA. The firm views Tesla as trying to turn autonomy into a real business while the EV business still supports the base case.
For now, the most important question is whether the company can keep adding markets, vehicles and usage fast enough to justify its robotaxi ambition.
TSLA Stock Price Activity: Tesla stock was down 2.32% at $381.98 at the time of publication Friday, according to data from Benzinga Pro.
Over the past month, TSLA has declined about 5.0% versus a 0.9% decline in the S&P 500 and is down roughly 17% year-to-date compared to the index’s 8.5% gain.
Photo: Shutterstock
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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Agility Robotics is opening a 60,000-square-foot facility to train its humanoid robots in Fremont, California, just up the highway from the factory where Tesla is expected to start manufacturing its Optimus robots this year.
Tesla has increasingly bet on Optimus. Elon Musk recently said he expects it to be “the biggest product ever” once it’s “useful outside of Tesla sometime next year.”
While Agility doesn’t have Tesla’s capital, it does have a robot, Digit, that is already useful in the real world. The robot is already generating revenue, carrying totes and bins in manufacturing and warehouse settings for customers like Amazon, GXO, Schaeffler, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada. The company says it has secured $300 million in contract orders for its robots.
“It’s great to have [Tesla] in the same area as us, because really, for a long time Agility was out there alone, and it’s good to have others in the humanoid space,” CEO Peggy Johnson told TechCrunch. “We have commercialized. We now know what it takes to walk into these facilities and meet their safety bars, their regulatory bars, compliance, plug into their IT infrastructure, plug into their warehouse management system.”
Agility hasn’t disclosed how many Digits that it has built or deployed, but outside observers estimate that dozens have worked in pilot or revenue-generating deployments. The company has said, for example, that Digits have moved 100,000 totes at a GXO logistics facility.
Johnson is currently leading Agility through a reverse-merger that is expected to make it the first pure-play humanoid robot company on the public markets later this year. Founded in 2015 by a group of researchers who developed new techniques that allow robots to safely walk on two legs, Agility is trying to capitalize on its lead over a newer generation of AI-inspired robotic startups like Figure, 1X, the Bot Company, or Sunday Robotics.
While the arrival of transformer-based neural networks that helped give rise to LLMs also promises major advancements in robotic behavior, Agility is taking a practical approach to autonomy.
“When you think about self-driving cars, you know, as a non-humanoid example, you really don’t want the anti-lock brake controller under AI control,” Agility co-founder and chairman Damion Shelton told TechCrunch. “The analog with humanoids is all the safety stuff needs to go through a path that’s not generative AI, right? You don’t want to get creative with your safety stack.”
What AI does do, however, is deliver on the promise of scale.
“One of the first times [Bruce Leak, the Quicktime inventor who serves on Agility’s board] asked us how we were going to go about coding applications for the robot, we didn’t really have a good answer,” Shelton said. “The number of things you can imagine a robot doing is far larger than the number of engineers who can program robots. And generative AI answers that question definitively.”
The new facility is designed to accelerate the company’s robotic deployments. Johnson says more than 30 customers are in talks with the company about deploying Digit, and the new facility will be where the six-foot-tall robot learns new skills in environments similar to those it will experience in the field.
Unlike many of the newer entrants to the humanoid space, Agility isn’t planning to offer in-home humanoid robots anytime soon. It’s a view that jibes with that of most independent robotics experts, who believe today’s most powerful robots aren’t safe enough for consumer use. Digit operates in a human-free space right now, but the version 5, expected to be unveiled this fall, will have the ability to sense humans and won’t need to be kept in a robot-only zone.
Co-founder and chief robot officer Jonathan Hurst said there is plenty of work to keep Agility busy in manufacturing and logistics alone.
“Let’s start with the bins and the totes, and then let’s do the picking and the kitting,” Hurst told TechCrunch. “And then let’s like start working on cardboard, which is really hard, and loading and unloading tractor trailers and things like that. Okay, now we’re at 100 million robots, you know? A trillion-dollar company.”
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Tim Fernholz is a journalist who writes about technology, finance and public policy. He has closely covered the rise of the private space industry and is the author of Rocket Billionaires: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and the New Space Race. Formerly, he was a senior reporter at Quartz, the global business news site, for more than a decade, and began his career as a political reporter in Washington, D.C. You can contact or verify outreach from Tim by emailing [email protected] or via an encrypted message to tim_fernholz.21 on Signal.
The city of San Francisco has ordered Apple and Google to remove dozens of “nudify” apps — — software programs that can digitally alter pictures to unclothe the people in them — from their app stores.
California law criminalizes any activity that “knowingly facilitates” or “recklessly aids or abets” the creation of non-consensual deepfake pornography. In 2025, California also passed a law that allows victims to pursue civil actions against third-party facilitators of such material. The city says that, despite these well-known regulations, both tech companies have continued to host and make money from such programs.
“Apple and Google are profiting off apps that exploit women and girls by generating nonconsensual intimate deepfakes,” San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu said in an emailed statement to TechCrunch. “While the companies cut ties with some problematic apps, Apple and Google have a responsibility to be proactive and vigilant to prevent sexual abuse.”
Letters sent to Google and Apple by Chiu’s office, which were viewed by TechCrunch, note that the companies have “been on notice” for their role in “processing payments for illegal purchases for almost a year” but have, nevertheless, continued to do so.
According to the letters, both companies have been repeatedly warned that they are hosting these apps. In January and again in April, the Tech Transparency Project issued reports and sent letters to both companies noting that there were “dozens of apps” within their app stores that “sold deepfake NCII [non-consensual intimate images] in exchange for payments” from processed by the firms.
TTP’s report from April said that Google and Apple had intentionally “steered” users towards such apps and called both companies “key participants in the spread of AI tools that can turn real people into sexualized images.”
Additionally, Chiu told Wired that both companies had likely made “millions of dollars in fees” from apps that offered such services.
The letters from Chiu’s office warn that Apple and Google could face civil penalties for violating the law and request that they contact the city within 28 days.
TechCrunch reached out to Apple and Google for comment.
Deepfake pornography has largely been a problem for female celebrities, although nudify apps make it possible for anyone with a publicly available photo to be targeted.
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Lucas is a senior writer at TechCrunch, where he covers artificial intelligence, consumer tech, and startups. He previously covered AI and cybersecurity at Gizmodo. You can contact Lucas by emailing [email protected].
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP, a leading national shareholder rights law firm, continues its investigation on behalf of Alphabet Inc. (“Alphabet” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GOOG) investors concerning the Company's possible violations of the federal securities laws. IF YOU ARE AN INVESTOR WHO LOST MONEY ON ALPHABET INC. (GOOG), CLICK HERE TO INQUIRE ABOUT POTENTIALLY PURSUING CLAIMS TO RECOVER YOUR LOSS. What Happened? On July 16, 2026, Bloomberg news report.
Microsoft NASDAQ:MSFT shares fell 1.5% on Friday, extending a difficult year for the software giant as investors continued to weigh heavy artificial intelligence spending against the company's long-term growth prospects.
The stock has declined more than 20% in 2026 and nearly 23% over the past year, even as Microsoft has continued investing aggressively in AI infrastructure and Azure cloud services.
Several Wall Street firms revised their price targets this week ahead of Microsoft's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report on July 29, while largely maintaining bullish ratings on the stock.
Wall Street lowers targets but maintains bullish ratingsCiti reduced its price target on Microsoft to $570 from $620 while maintaining a Buy rating.
According to reports, the firm said the lower target reflected broader valuation compression across software stocks rather than any deterioration in Microsoft's business fundamentals.
The bank said its channel checks remained positive, highlighting healthy adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot and the company's positioning as enterprises increasingly optimize AI spending.
Citi expects Microsoft to deliver a strong fiscal fourth-quarter report but believes investors will focus closely on management's outlook for fiscal 2027, particularly regarding operating margins and capital expenditure.
Other brokerages also adjusted their targets.
Mizuho analyst Gregg Moskowitz lowered his price target to $490 from $515 while maintaining an Outperform rating.
"SaaS (software-as-a-service) continues to be resilient, although multiples continue to be plagued by investor concerns about AI-led disruption," Moskowitz said in a research report on software stocks.
He added that Microsoft continues to see improvement in its Azure cloud computing and Microsoft 365 Copilot businesses despite broader concerns surrounding AI-native competitors and infrastructure spending.
Wells Fargo also lowered its price target to $625 from $650 while maintaining its Overweight rating, citing questions around cloud market share and the pace of capital expenditure.
Evercore ISI moved in the opposite direction, raising its price target to $525 from $510 while maintaining an Outperform rating.
Microsoft is scheduled to report fiscal fourth-quarter results after the market closes on July 29.
Consensus estimates compiled by Fiscal AI and Koyfin call for earnings of $4.24 per share on revenue of $86.66 billion.
Analysts expect Azure growth and operating margin guidance to be the primary focus during the earnings release.
While Citi expects the fourth-quarter results to be solid, the firm believes management's commentary on fiscal 2027 could prove more important for investors as Microsoft continues expanding its AI infrastructure.
Heavy AI investments remain under scrutinyMicrosoft's aggressive capital spending remains one of the biggest concerns for investors.
The company spent $30.88 billion on capital expenditures during its fiscal third quarter, up 84.4% from a year earlier.
According to Forbes estimates, Microsoft's total fiscal 2026 capital expenditure could reach approximately $190 billion as the company continues investing in AI data centers, Azure infrastructure and computing capacity.
The elevated spending has pressured margins and free cash flow, contributing to the stock's underperformance despite continued business growth.
At the same time, analysts note that enterprise demand for AI remains healthy.
Bernstein's mid-year CIO survey pointed to strong IT budget growth in 2026, supporting Azure demand, although investors continue to monitor whether Microsoft can translate that investment into market share gains and stronger financial returns.
Pershing Square's five-stock book is quietly beating the market while four of those names bleed red year to date, and one just dropped a $14.8 billion takeover bid this week. Here is whether Ackman's conviction holds up or leaves you holding the bag.
Major stock indexes fell Friday to wrap up a losing week, with shares of chipmakers plunging on mounting AI threats from China and renewed fighting in the Middle East.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 380 points, or 0.7%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq plunged 1% and 1.4%, respectively, as all three benchmarks ended the week in the red.
Apple on Friday briefly surpassed Nvidia as the most valuable US company as the iPhone maker’s stock rose 0.1% while the chipmaker fell 2.2%. The market cap of Jensen Huang’s Nvidia stood at $4.908 trillion compared to $4.902 trillion for Apple, led by CEO Tim Cook.
Major stock indexes fell Friday to wrap up a losing week. REUTERS Tesla founder Elon Musk lost his trillionaire status this week – down to a net worth of $807.1 billion, according to Forbes – as shares of SpaceX were hammered, sinking more than 13%.
Mounting concerns over massive AI spending and the potential to create an “AI bubble” have fueled weeks of choppy tech stock trading – but the sell-off intensified Friday on reports that China is catching up to the US in the AI race.
Fresh rounds of air strikes between the US and Iran near the Persian Gulf also sent stocks on the decline this week, after President Trump said the ceasefire with Tehran was “over.”
Brent crude oil prices jumped 3.9% Friday to $87.44 a barrel while West Texas Intermediate crude rose 3.8% to $81.92.
Mounting concerns over massive AI spending have fueled weeks of choppy tech stock trading. REUTERS Kuwait said Friday that Iran attacked a power and water plant, while US Central Command said it had completed its sixth consecutive evening of strikes against Iran.
Iran also said Friday that it targeted US military forces in Syria and Bahrain.
Analysts have warned that it could take many months for US gasoline prices to drop below the $3 level – and that’s only if a permanent peace deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is reached.
Fresh rounds of air strikes between the US and Iran also sent stocks on the decline this week. REUTERS Chinese AI firm Moonshot on Friday unveiled a new open-source model with capabilities that it says rival those of American firms Anthropic and OpenAI.
“Whatever gap existed between American and Chinese frontier AI just got a lot smaller, and it happened on the exact morning Wall Street was busy convincing itself AI economics don’t add up,” Mark Malek, chief investment officer at Siebert Financial, said in a note Friday.
Just two weeks ago, Chinese startup Z.ai released an AI model that is nearly as advanced as Anthropic’s ultra-powerful Fable and Mythos – and it has already landed on a leaderboard of the world’s 10 most popular bots.
As The Post has reported, experts have been sounding the alarms over the threat cheap Chinese AI models pose to US labs known for charging top dollar for the “tokens” needed to power their chatbots.
Shares in major chipmakers including Samsung, TSMC, AMD and Broadcom plummeted 8.8%, 2.8%, 1.1% and 0.5%, respectively.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Nvidia's (NVDA 1.97%) next-generation Vera Rubin processors and chip systems will be one of the most important product releases in the company's history, so a report about a potential delay in the rollout of the chip giant's upcoming platform is something that investors won't want to see right now.
KeyBanc Capital Markets analyst John Vinh and research firm SemiAnalysis recently noted that thermal issues, problems with the qualification of high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and manufacturing problems with networking components could delay the launch of the Rubin systems. However, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang quickly quashed such reports, noting that the company is on track to deliver huge volumes of Vera Rubin systems this year.
Here's what he said.
Image source: Nvidia Corporation.
Nvidia is on track to produce Vera Rubin systems in "giant" volumes Bloomberg points out that the reports of a delay in Vera Rubin's rollout are "not true," according to Huang. The Nvidia CEO further said -- "Vera Rubin is already in production. Giant amounts of production incoming."
These comments indicate that Nvidia is on track to meet the incredible demand for its Vera Rubin systems. A potential delay could have slowed down the company's incredible growth trajectory, which is set to improve due to the Rubin systems. After all, the company is anticipating a gigantic $1 trillion in revenue from sales of Vera Rubin and Blackwell processors in 2026 and 2027.
Today's Change
(
-1.97
%) $
-4.09
Current Price
$
203.31
That's double the $500 billion revenue the company was anticipating from these two chip architectures in 2025 and 2026. Clearly, Nvidia sees Vera Rubin as a key driver of its top line for the next couple of years, and Huang's comments suggest that it is indeed on track to deliver an uptick in growth. One of the most important reasons why Vera Rubin will supercharge Nvidia's growth is that it can significantly reduce artificial intelligence (AI) inference costs.
Moreover, Nvidia dominates the AI inference market despite rising competition, and Vera Rubin should ideally help it cement its leadership. As such, it is easy to see why analysts are bullish about Nvidia and expect this AI stock to deliver impressive gains over the coming year.
Wall Street expects Nvidia stock to jump higher, but it could do better Nvidia's 12-month median price target of $300 points to a potential jump of 45%. What's more, 62 of the 66 analysts covering Nvidia stock rate it as a buy. However, Nvidia could soar past the median price target.
Nvidia's earnings-per-share growth is poised to accelerate in fiscal 2027 to 88%, well above last year's 60% growth. The forecast for the next couple of years points toward a sustained improvement in its bottom line.
Data by YCharts
If Nvidia trades at 25.5 times earnings (in line with the Nasdaq-100 index) at the end of fiscal 2029 and its earnings per share reach $16.06, its stock price will reach $409. That's double Nvidia's current stock price, indicating that this tech bellwether remains a solid investment, as the impending arrival of Vera Rubin can give its growth and stock price a nice shot in the arm.
Apple briefly passed Nvidia to become the world's most valuable company on Friday as the tech titans jostled for the top spot as investors reconsider the outlook for investments in AI.
Apple's market cap topped Nvidia's early Friday as the latter saw shares slide along with other chipmaker stocks as investors continue to evaluate whether tech firms' rapid buildout of AI tools and the data centers needed to support them will yield near-term profits.
The consumer tech giant saw its market cap rise to more than $4.91 trillion, above Nvidia's $4.9 trillion at the time.
Shares in the iPhone-maker pulled back some of their earlier gains, which allowed Nvidia to regain the top spot before the closing bell as shares in the world's leading AI chip designer pared their losses and lifted the firm's valuation.
APPLE TO INVEST $30 BILLION IN US CHIP MANUFACTURING
Apple briefly topped Nvidia as the world's largest company by market cap during Friday's trading session. (Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
As of Friday's closing bell, Nvidia's market cap reclaimed the title of the world's largest at $4.92 trillion, narrowly topping Apple's $4.89 trillion. Apple shares rose 0.14% while Nvidia's fell 2.21% during the trading session.
The shifts in the pecking order of tech leaders in the so-called Magnificent 7 stocks comes as investors are looking at stocks beyond the obvious winners of the AI race like Nvidia, which has held the title of largest market cap for nearly a year. Apple's move on Friday briefly made it the leader for the first time since April 2025.
Investors are considering the costs and benefits of companies spending to build AI models and data centers used to power them, as well as the means at their disposal to turn AI tools into meaningful revenue drivers.
APPLE TO WORK WITH INTEL ON US CHIP DESIGN AND PRODUCTION, TRUMP SAYS
Ticker Security Last Change Change % AAPL APPLE INC. 333.74 +0.48 +0.14% NVDA NVIDIA CORP. 202.81 -4.59 -2.21% "Apple was seen as a laggard in the AI race because it wasn't spending to develop models, but now sentiment has changed," said Toni Meadows, head of investment at BRI Wealth Management.
"Apple is less exposed to capex intensity and better positioned to monetize AI via services, ecosystem lock-in, and hardware upgrades. The re-rating reflects confidence in earnings durability rather than speculative AI upside," Meadows added.
The market is expected to see more options in the AI space become available for investors this year, with the anticipated IPOs of Anthropic and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.
JENSEN HUANG SAYS NVIDIA'S NEW RTX SPARK CHIP WILL REINVENT THE PC
Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down from his role in September. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
South Korea's SK Hynix also listed on the Nasdaq earlier this month, bringing another memory chipmaker into the consideration of investors evaluating the AI space.
Hynix's move followed the success Micron has enjoyed this year that lifted the chipmaker above $1 trillion in market cap.
"The new entrants to the market could spread out the focus away from the pure Magnificent Seven names into a wider number of names," said Benjamin Hall, VP of alpha research at Segal Macro Advisors.
Key Takeaways AT&T reports Q2 earnings on July 22, with the model indicating a likely earnings beat.T expanded enterprise connectivity, connected car services and flexible consumer wireless offerings.AT&T is investing in fiber expansion, but intense telecom remain a challenge. AT&T Inc. (T - Free Report) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 22, before the opening bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues and earnings is pegged at $32.04 billion and 59 cents per share, respectively. The earnings estimate for AT&T for 2026 has increased 0.43% to $2.32 per share over the past 60 days, while the same for 2027 has increased 0.79% to $2.55 per share.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings Surprise HistoryThe communications service provider delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 5.19%, on average.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Earnings WhispersOur proven model predicts a likely earnings beat for AT&T for the second quarter. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. This is exactly the case here. AT&T currently has an ESP of +4.83% and a Zacks Rank #3.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Factors Shaping the Upcoming ResultsDuring the quarter, AT&T strengthened its enterprise connectivity portfolio with several strategic initiatives. The company launched North America's first Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)-enabled Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) service in collaboration with Cisco. The solution is designed to help enterprises protect sensitive data against emerging quantum computing-related cyber threats.
The company also expanded its connected vehicle ecosystem by extending its collaboration with Cisco and LiveOne. The enhanced Connected Car platform integrates in-vehicle connectivity with digital entertainment services. Such innovative product launches are expected to have a positive impact on upcoming results.
In the to be reported quarter, the company continued to expand its consumer connectivity offerings by introducing the Unlimited Day Pass for eligible iPad users. The on-demand service provides flexible wireless connectivity without requiring a long-term subscription.
AT&T also reaffirmed its long-term commitment to fiber and wireless expansion by announcing a $19 billion investment in California through 2030. The initiative aims to extend fiber connectivity to more than 4 million additional households and businesses.
However, AT&T continues to face intense competition in the U.S. telecom market from Verizon Communications, Inc. (VZ - Free Report) and Charter Communications (CHTR - Free Report) . This could limit subscriber additions and weigh on revenue growth.
Price PerformanceOver the past year, AT&T has declined 17.5% against the industry’s growth of 83.2%, outperforming its peers like Charter but underperforming Verizon. Charter has declined 65%, while Verizon has improved 8.8% during this period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Key Valuation MetricFrom a valuation standpoint, AT&T appears to be trading relatively cheaper than the industry and below its mean. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company shares currently trade at 9.03 forward earnings, lower than 44.18 for the industry and the stock’s mean of 11.4
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Investment ConsiderationsAT&T is aggressively expanding its fiber footprint. The company has reached more than 37 million fiber locations, the highest in America. It is aiming to expand this footprint to more than 60 million locations by the end of the decade. Fiber is emerging as a critical component for AI native connectivity, cloud applications, streaming, gaming, enterprise workloads and next-generation digital experiences. Amid this backdrop, AT&T’s continuous investment in developing a robust fiber architecture nationwide will likely bring long-term benefits.
However, the U.S. telecom market is highly competitive. Major rivals like Verizon and Charter are also aggressively investing in fiber, fixed wireless access, and customer acquisition. T must continue offering attractive pricing, bundled services and network improvements to maintain subscriber growth. In the wireless domain, T-Mobile is also rapidly expanding its 5G network. This could pose a threat to AT&T’s wireless subscriber growth.
It has been implementing several initiatives to drive customer retention over the past several quarters. Its convergence strategy has become one of the central pillars of these retention efforts. The company is focused on increasing the number of households that subscribe to both AT&T wireless and broadband services, including AT&T Fiber and AT&T Internet Air.
When customers get dependent on multiple services from a single vendor, it becomes difficult for them to change service providers. From a user’s point of view, opting for fiber and wireless services from a single vendor reduces complexity for them as well. This trend improves customer retention, lowers churn and increases long-term customer value.
AT&T continues to experience steep declines in legacy wireline and copper-based services as customers migrate to newer technologies. The company's long-term growth story relies on massive investments in fiber and wireless infrastructure. It is accelerating fiber deployment, investing $19 billion in California alone through 2030, which places pressure on free cash flow.
End NoteAT&T continues to invest in fiber and 5G to expand advanced Internet reach and drive more households to buy wireless and home Internet together. Management expects fiber reach to grow by about 8 million locations in 2026, including over 4 million locations acquired from Lumen, and remains on track to reach over 40 million total fiber locations by the end of 2026. The effort of portfolio expansion and venture into new high-growth markets, such as network security and automotive, is a positive.
However, the U.S. wireless market remains saturated. This makes the market highly price sensitive and limits average revenue per user growth. Amid stiff competition from other major players, the company has to continuously invest in network upgrades and improve customer experience to maintain its market share, which impacts profitability. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), AT&T appears to be treading in the middle of the road, and new investors could be better off if they trade with caution.
U.S. stocks fell as a deepening selloff in semiconductor shares and a sharp drop in Netflix extended a bruising week for technology investors, while oil prices surged on escalating U.S.-Iran tensions.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America Corporation today announced the Board of Directors has authorized regular cash dividends on the outstanding shares or depositary shares of the following series of preferred stock:
Series of Preferred Stock
Dividend per Share
or Depositary Share1
Record Date
Payment Date
Floating Rate Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series E
$0.27234
July 31
August 17
Floating Rate Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series F
$1,105.52311
August 31
September 15
Adjustable Rate Non-
Cumulative Preferred Stock,
Series G
$1,105.52311
August 31
September 15
Floating Rate Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series 1
$0.29213
August 15
August 28
Floating Rate Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series 2
$0.29223
August 15
August 28
Floating Rate Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series 4
$0.29862
August 15
August 28
Floating Rate Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series 5
$0.28128
August 1
August 21
Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-
Cumulative Preferred Stock,
Series FF
$29.37500
September 1
September 15
6.000% Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series GG
$0.3750000
August 1
August 17
5.375% Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series KK
$0.3359375
September 1
September 25
5.000% Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series LL
$0.3125000
September 1
September 17
4.250% Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series QQ
$0.2656250
August 1
August 17
4.750% Non-Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series SS
$0.2968750
August 1
August 17
1 Each series of preferred stock, other than Series F and Series G, is represented by depositary shares.
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving nearly 70 million clients with approximately 3,500 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 60 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. As the #1 small business lender in the United States (FDIC), Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries and/or jurisdictions. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Investors May Contact:
Lee McEntire, Bank of America
Phone: 1.980.388.6780
[email protected]
Jonathan G. Blum, Bank of America (Fixed Income)
Phone: 1.212.449.3112
[email protected]
Reporters May Contact:
Jocelyn Seidenfeld, Bank of America
Phone: 1.646.743.3356
[email protected]
Legacy infrastructure, not the models themselves, is what's actually slowing AI agents down. That was the shared conclusion of three infrastructure leaders — from LinkedIn, Walmart, and Zendesk — at VB Transform 2026.
, /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP) today declared a quarterly dividend of $1.48 per share of PepsiCo common stock, a 4 percent increase versus the comparable year-earlier period. Today's action is consistent with PepsiCo's previously announced increase in its annualized dividend to $5.92 per share from $5.69 per share, which began with the June 2026 payment. This dividend is payable on September 30, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 4, 2026. PepsiCo has paid consecutive quarterly cash dividends since 1965, and 2026 marked the company's 54th consecutive annual dividend increase.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $94 billion in net revenue in 2025, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.
Cautionary Statement
Statements in this release that are "forward-looking statements" are based on currently available information, operating plans and projections about future events and trends. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties. For information on certain factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from our expectations, please see PepsiCo's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. PepsiCo undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) declared a quarterly dividend on the company's 3.550% Fixed Rate Reset Noncumulative Preferred Shares, Series D, of $9,072.22 per share (which is equivalent to $9.07222 per related Depositary Share). The dividend is payable on September 15, 2026 to shareholders of record on September 1, 2026. ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS American Express (NYSE: AXP) is a global payments and premium lifestyle brand powered by tec.
SummaryMerck & Co., Inc. maintains a Strong Buy rating, driven by robust oncology expansion and the launch of LIPFENDRA, the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor for hypercholesterolemia.The company's oncology pipeline advances with FDA acceptance of four regulatory filings, including ifinatamab deruxtecan, and strategic acquisitions like Terns to counter KEYTRUDA's 2028 patent expiry.LIPFENDRA targets statin-treated patients needing further LDL-C reduction, with peak sales potential estimated at $5 billion by 2034, strengthening MRK's cardiometabolic portfolio.Q1 2026 revenues grew 5% to $16.3B, led by Oncology and Animal Health, but risks remain around KEYTRUDA patent loss, new product launches, and regulatory outcomes.Looking for a portfolio of ideas like this one? Members of Biotech Analysis Central get exclusive access to our subscriber-only portfolios. Learn More » SawitreeLyaon/iStock via Getty Images
The last time I spoke about Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK), it was with a Seeking Alpha article entitled "Merck: 'Strong Buy' - Terns Acquisition And Ability To Counter Keytruda Patent Loss
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Space Exploration Technologies maintains a dominant lead in reusable rocket technology and expanding global satellite broadband via its Starlink constellation. Caterpillar leverages a massive global dealer network and a diverse portfolio of heavy machinery to generate consistent profitability and cash flow.
Take-Two Interactive Software Inc (NASDAQ:TTWO) is expected to deliver a largely in-line fiscal first quarter performance, with investor attention likely to remain focused on management commentary around the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI, according to Jefferies analysts.
Jefferies wrote that Wall Street expectations for the quarter remain muted, with bookings forecast to decline about 4% year over year, largely reflecting weakness in the company’s mobile business as several key titles slow. The analysts noted that the stock’s reaction is likely to depend more on updates around GTA VI than on the quarter itself, with potential discussion points including pre-orders and the timing of GTA VI Online.
The analysts expect limited new information on GTA VI during the earnings call, writing that disclosure of pre-order figures is unlikely and that Take-Two is unlikely to adjust its fiscal 2027 outlook.
The analysts highlighted that mobile trends weakened during the quarter, based on Sensor Tower in-app purchase data, including softness across the company’s three largest mobile titles. Jefferies wrote that the company’s first-quarter mobile revenue guidance already reflects much of this pressure, with Street expectations calling for a mid-single-digit percentage decline year over year.
The analysts added that mobile advertising trends and shifts toward web-based payments are unlikely to provide a meaningful offset, and said they would look for commentary on whether the slowdown reflects reduced marketing investment or broader demand issues.
Take-Two’s NBA 2K franchise is expected to perform in line with expectations despite a challenging comparison period, Jefferies wrote. The analysts noted that the company’s guidance for high-single-digit revenue growth in the segment is supported by early engagement trends, including Steam concurrent users during the NBA playoffs that were significantly higher than at the game’s launch last year.
Meanwhile, Jefferies expects Grand Theft Auto Online revenue to face pressure in the first quarter due to timing differences around major content updates. The analysts wrote that the large summer GTA Online update arrived in July this year compared with June last year, creating a difficult year-over-year comparison, though engagement trends remain stable heading into GTA VI.
“Overall trends appear stable into GTA VI,” Jefferies wrote, noting that Steam concurrent users for GTA Online increased significantly following the latest update, while anticipation around the next installment continues to build.
The analysts maintained that expectations remain for GTA VI to generate a strong initial launch, with more than 40 million units forecast for fiscal 2027. Jefferies identified the timing and scope of GTA VI Online as the biggest outstanding question, noting that a delay into calendar 2027 could weigh on long-term player retention.
Jefferies also pointed to broader industry shifts as supportive of Take-Two’s strategy, highlighting changes across gaming platforms toward fewer, larger content releases. The analysts wrote that PlayStation’s move away from physical discs and Xbox’s shift away from subscription-focused models toward a “fewer, bigger, better” content approach align with Take-Two’s long-term strategy.
The analysts maintained their ‘Buy’ rating and $300 price target, above current levels of about $238, noting that they expect the stock to continue trading higher into the game’s release.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 17, 2026) - Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against First Solar, Inc. ("First Solar" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: FSLR) on behalf of investors that purchased or otherwise acquired First Solar securities between February 26, 2025 and February 24, 2026 (the "Class Period").
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CASE
If you are an investor in First Solar and have suffered losses, you may CLICK HERE to contact us. You may also contact Kaplan Fox by emailing [email protected] or by calling (646) 315-9003.
DEADLINE REMINDER: If you are a member of the proposed Class, you may move the court no later than August 24, 2026 to serve as a lead plaintiff for the purported class. If you have losses we encourage you to contact us to learn more about the lead plaintiff process. You need not seek to become a lead plaintiff in order to share in any possible recovery.
On January 7, 2026, according to the complaint, "Jefferies downgraded First Solar to Hold from Buy, noting that during 2025, First Solar had lowered guidance, faced significant de-bookings and experienced margin compression through 2025."
Following this news, the price of First Solar stock fell $27.67 per share, about 10.3%, to close at $241.11 per share on January 7, 2026.
Then, on February 24, 2026, after markets closed, according to the complaint First Solar announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025 "that missed expectations by a wide margin and issued lower-than expected FY 2026 revenue guidance, citing customer headwinds such as permitting delays under the Trump administration."
Following this news, the price of First Solar stock fell $33.09 per share, about 13.6%, to close at $210.12 per share.
The complaint alleges, among other things, that throughout the Class Period, (i) Defendants overstated First Solar's capacity to manage the impact of U.S. tariff policy on the Company's business; (ii) Defendants understated the extent to which its responses to U.S. tariff policy, including the intentional underutilization of production facilities in Malaysia and Vietnam, and attempted relocation of production to the U.S., were likely to negatively impact First Solar's projected performance in the 2026 fiscal year; and (iii) as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.
WHY CONTACT KAPLAN FOX - Kaplan Fox is a leading national law firm focusing on complex litigation with offices in New York, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago and New Jersey. With over 50 years of experience in securities litigation, Kaplan Fox offers the professional experience and track record that clients demand. Through prosecuting cases on the federal and state levels, Kaplan Fox has successfully shaped the law through winning many important decisions on behalf of our clients. For more information about Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP, you may visit our website at www.kaplanfox.com.
This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
If you have any questions about this Notice, your rights, or your interests, please contact:
Contacting or submitting information to Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor an obligation on the part of Kaplan Fox to retain you as a client.
Benjamin Silbermann, a Director at Pinterest, Inc. (PINS +0.37%) who was also its co-founder and former CEO, sold shares of Class A Common Stock on July 14, 2026 and July 15, 2026. SEC Form 4 filing
Transaction summaryMetricValueTransaction value$2.1 millionShares sold (indirectly held)93,750Post-transaction shares (directly held)13,996Post-transaction value$331,425.28Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($22.64); post-transaction value based on July 15, 2026 market close ($23.68).
Key questionsWhat structural mechanism facilitated this transaction?
The sale followed the conversion of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock. Under the company's certificate of incorporation, Class B shares are convertible at any time and automatically convert upon transfer, as was the case with this disposition executed by the Silbermann 2012 Irrevocable Trust.How does this sale align with the director's total equity exposure?
While this transaction liquidated the reported indirect position of Class A shares, Silbermann maintains a significant interest in the company through 13,996 directly held shares and approximately 1.2 million direct and 79.0 million indirect derivative securities, including options and RSUs.What was the market context at the time of the sale?
The stock was priced at $22.61 as of the July 14, 2026 market close, amidst a period where shares have seen a one-year return of -35% as of the transaction date. The use of a Rule 10b5-1 plan indicates the trade was scheduled months in advance to provide liquidity regardless of short-term price fluctuations.Does the firm maintain a substantial workforce or market presence?
As of the latest data, San Francisco-based Pinterest operates in the communication services sector with 5,265 full-time employees and a market capitalization of $15.7 billion. The company reported trailing twelve-month revenue of $4.4 billion and net income of $334.3 million.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-07-14)$22.61Market Capitalization$13.0 billionRevenue (TTM)$4.4 billionNet Income (TTM)$334.3 millionCompany SnapshotPinterest operates a visual discovery platform that generates revenue primarily through advertising, allowing brands and merchants to reach users through sponsored content, product recommendations, and targeted promotional campaigns.The company's business model centers on leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms to deliver personalized visual content recommendations, creating a high-engagement platform that attracts advertisers seeking access to users across diverse lifestyle categories including home decor, fashion, food, and DIY projects.Pinterest's primary customers consist of individual users seeking inspiration and discovery across lifestyle and consumer categories, as well as advertisers and merchants targeting these engaged audiences through the platform's advertising and commerce solutions.Pinterest operates as a global visual discovery platform with a user base spanning multiple continents, generating $4.4 billion in TTM revenue with a net profit margin of 7.59%. The company differentiates itself through proprietary visual search and machine learning capabilities that enable highly personalized content recommendations, positioning it as a distinct player in the social media and digital advertising landscape. With 5,265 employees and a market capitalization of $15.7 billion, Pinterest continues to expand its commerce and advertising offerings while maintaining its core mission of connecting users with inspiration across lifestyle domains.
What this transaction means for investorsAlthough companies do not typically reveal why an insider sells stock, insider trading rules appear to explain this move. As previously mentioned, Silbermann sold his shares under Rule 10b5-1, meaning it was a planned sale, most likely to provide liquidity.
Nonetheless, the size of the sale indicates Silbermann had other reasons to sell. He sold 87% of his shares, which could point to a lack of confidence in the stock.
Moreover, a pullback in advertising driven by advertisers in business heavily affected by tariffs has also weighed on Pinterest stock. That caused the stock’s value to fall by just over 35% over the last year.
Today's Change
(
0.37
%) $
0.09
Current Price
$
23.18
Admittedly, he holds 1.2 million direct and 79 million indirect derivative securities in the communication stock, so much of his wealth continues to depend on the performance of Pinterest.
Moreover, revenue grew by 18% yearly in the first quarter of 2026 and by 16% in 2025. Also, even with the 47 P/E ratio, the prospects for improved profit numbers take its forward earnings multiple to 12.
However, between the size of Silbermann’s share sale and the struggles Pinterest has faced to stay competitive, investors may understandably feel hesitant to make any aggressive moves into this stock.
Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options: https://bit.ly/2v9tH6D. Micron's (MU) dependence on the AI buildout is something Kevin Hincks attributes as a bullish and bearish narrative for the stock.
Launched on Wednesday, the ETF targets companies across the memory ecosystem that are expected to benefit from rising demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and high-performance computing.
• XFUNDS Memory Income ETF stock is showing downward bias. What’s ahead for DRMY stock?
The launch comes as memory chips remain a key investment theme amid accelerating AI adoption, with demand for technologies such as high-bandwidth memory and advanced storage solutions continuing to rise.
According to XFUNDS CEO David Nicholas, memory has become a critical layer of AI infrastructure, extending investment opportunities beyond chip manufacturers to the broader ecosystem. He said DRMY was designed to give investors access to that growth while also pursuing current income through an actively managed options overlay that seeks to deliver weekly cash distributions.
Key features of XFUNDS Memory Income ETF (DRMY):–Investment objective: Seeks capital appreciation from memory semiconductor companies while generating income through an options-based strategy
–Expense Ratio: 1.01%
–Portfolio focus: Companies involved in the development, manufacturing and enablement of memory technologies
–Memory segments covered: High-bandwidth memory (HBM), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), NAND flash memory, solid-state drives (SSD), NOR flash memory, hard disk drives (HDD), and specialty, application-specific or embedded memory products
–Stock selection: Uses a proprietary process to identify companies positioned to benefit from AI- and high-performance computing-driven memory demand
–Income strategy: Employs options on individual portfolio holdings, including synthetic covered calls and credit calls, and put spreads
–Distribution goal: Aims to provide weekly cash distributions
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Key Takeaways ISRG beat Q2 EPS and revenue estimates, yet shares fell 10.8% after hours on slower procedure growth.Worldwide da Vinci and Ion procedures rose about 16%, while recurring revenues reached 85% of total sales.ISRG kept its 2026 procedure growth outlook at 13.5-15.5% and raised its adjusted gross margin forecast. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.80, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.48 by 12.9%. The bottom line increased 27.9% from $2.19 in the year-ago quarter.
GAAP EPS was $2.28 versus $1.92 a year ago.
Revenue DetailsRevenues rose 18.5% year over year to $2.89 billion and surpassed the consensus estimate of $2.81 billion by 3.1%. Growth reflected higher procedure volumes, system leasing revenues and expansion of the installed base. Worldwide da Vinci and Ion procedures increased about 16%.
Recurring revenues reached $2.47 billion and represented about 85% of total quarterly revenues, highlighting the importance of procedure-driven instruments, accessories, leasing and service sales.
Despite this robust quarterly performance, the stock was down 10.8% during after-hours trading on July 16, likely due to weaker sequential procedure growth.
Instruments and accessories revenues increased 17.7% year over year to $1.73 billion. Growth was driven by higher da Vinci and Ion procedure volumes, along with a favorable mix of da Vinci 5 and single-port procedures.
Worldwide da Vinci procedure volume increased roughly 15% year over year, while Ion procedures climbed approximately 36%. U.S. da Vinci procedures rose 12%, led by general surgery, while procedures outside the United States advanced 20%.
Management noted some moderation in deferrable U.S. procedures, partly reflecting patient coverage and premium dynamics. Bariatric procedures also declined in the high-single digits amid increased use of GLP-1 obesity drugs. International growth remained strong, particularly in India, Italy, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
Da Vinci instruments and accessories revenue per procedure was approximately $1,830, up from $1,800 a year earlier. Higher adoption of Force Feedback instruments and newer platforms supported the metric, while customer ordering patterns, increased cholecystectomy procedures and lower bariatric volumes limited growth.
ISRG System Placements Gain on da Vinci 5
Systems revenues totaled $685 million, up 19.2% from the prior-year quarter’s level. Intuitive Surgical placed 468 da Vinci systems, an 18.5% increase from 395 systems a year ago. The total included 246 da Vinci 5 systems compared with 180 in the second quarter of 2025.
The company also placed 55 Ion systems compared with 54 a year earlier. Da Vinci placements included 254 systems under operating lease arrangements, of which 131 were usage-based leases. Leasing represented 54% of total da Vinci placements and continued to offer customers greater capital flexibility.
The global da Vinci installed base increased 11.7% year over year to 11,710 systems. The Ion installed base grew 21.1% to 1,096 systems.
Services
Service revenues improved 20.8% to $472.4 million, supported by the larger installed base and higher service revenue per da Vinci system.
ISRG Margins Benefit From Tariff RefundsAdjusted gross profit rose to $2.02 billion from $1.66 billion a year earlier. The adjusted gross margin expanded to 70% from 67.9%. Excluding a $36 million pretax benefit related to refunds of previously paid tariffs, the margin would have been 68.7%.
Adjusted operating income increased 28.7% to $1.22 billion. The adjusted operating margin was approximately 42.1% compared with 38.8% in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted operating expenses rose 13%, reflecting higher headcount, variable compensation and facility costs as Intuitive Surgical continued investing in research and development.
ISRG Strengthens Cash Through OperationsIntuitive Surgical ended the quarter with $8.63 billion in cash, cash equivalents and investments, up $650 million sequentially. Cash generation from operations more than offset common-stock repurchases during the period.
Total assets increased to $20.88 billion from $20.11 billion in the first quarter of 2026.
The company repurchased 0.9 million shares for $379 million at an average price of $439 per share. Capital expenditures totaled $112 million, while free cash flow for the first six months of 2026 increased 71% year over year to $1.8 billion.
ISRG Maintains Procedure Growth OutlookIntuitive Surgical maintained its 2026 worldwide da Vinci procedure growth forecast of 13.5% to 15.5% and expects results to be closer to the midpoint. The outlook incorporates uncertainty surrounding U.S. patient behavior, China tender activity, competition and capital constraints in parts of Europe.
The company raised its adjusted gross margin outlook to 68-69% from 67.5-68.5%. The range includes an estimated tariff impact equal to 1% of revenues. Adjusted operating expense growth is now projected to be 11-13% compared with the earlier expectation of 11-14%.
Our TakeISRG ended the second quarter on a strong note, with earnings and revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Shares of Intuitive Surgical have lost 29% so far this year compared with the industry’s 14.2% decline. The S&P 500 Index has increased 10.9% during the same time frame.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Intuitive Surgical's shares fell sharply after earnings release as investors likely focused on signs of moderating procedure growth rather than the headline beat. U.S. da Vinci procedure growth slowed to 12% in the second quarter from 14% in the first quarter, with management acknowledging that growth in elective procedures weakened amid uncertainty surrounding changes to Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies.
The company also highlighted that bariatric procedures continued to decline at a high-single-digit rate due to increasing adoption of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. While management maintained its full-year procedure growth outlook, it refrained from raising guidance despite a strong first half and cautioned about tougher comparisons in the second half. Investors were also unsettled by the planned 2027 extension of instrument life, which could pressure recurring Instruments & Accessories revenues, even though management believes it will support broader adoption over time.
Nevertheless, Intuitive Surgical's long-term outlook remains compelling. Strong adoption of da Vinci 5, accelerating SP and Ion procedure growth, expanding ambulatory surgery center penetration through XiR, and continued software, AI and product innovations position the company for sustained growth. International opportunities, particularly in Japan and India, together with new clinical applications in cardiac, lung and gastrointestinal procedures, provide additional avenues for expansion beyond 2026.
Zacks Rank & Key Picks
Intuitive Surgical currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Some better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Alcon (ALC - Free Report) , West Pharmaceutical Services (WST - Free Report) and Cardinal Health (CAH - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Alcon reported first-quarter 2026 earnings per share of 85 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.3%. Revenues of $2.69 billion surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.3%.
Alcon has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 11.5%. ALC’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, the average surprise being 3.66%.
West Pharma reported first-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.13, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 26.8%. Revenues of $845 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.6%.
West Pharma has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 14.4%. WST’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 19.4%.
Cardinal Health reported a third-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS of $3.17, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 13.2%. Revenues of $60.94 billion missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.3%.
Cardinal Health has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 17%. CAH’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 10.3%.
New York, New York and New Orleans, Louisiana--(Newsfile Corp. - July 17, 2026) - Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have until August 10, 2026 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZG) (NASDAQ: Z) ("Zillow" or the "Company"), if they purchased or otherwise acquired Zillow Class A or Class C common stock between February 11, 2025 and May 7, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.
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What You May Do
If you purchased shares of Zillow as described above and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-zg-z/?prs=nf to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by August 10, 2026.
CLICK HERE for more information
About the Lawsuit
Zillow and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.
The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) Zillow's agreement with Redfin was not a "partnership," but rather an acquisition of Redfin's business; (ii) as a result of the Redfin Agreement, Zillow faced a materially heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny and liability under federal antitrust laws; (iii) upon the filing of an antitrust lawsuit, Zillow continued to downplay its legal exposure; and (iv) as a result, Defendants' statements about Zillow's business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
The case is Breidert v. Zillow Group, Inc., et al., 26-cv-02016.
To Learn More, Click HERE
About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors, in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.
TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action Services
To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.
Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Litigation Partner Brandon Walker Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Regeneron (REGN) To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options
If you are a long-term stockholder in Regeneron common stock between August 1, 2025, and May 15, 2026 and would like to discuss your legal rights, contact Bragar Eagel & Squire partners Brandon Walker or Melissa Fortunato by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 355-4648.
Click here to participate in the action.
NEW YORK, July 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
What’s Happening:
Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm, is investigating potential claims against Regeneron Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:REGN) on behalf of long-term stockholders following a class action complaint that was filed against Regeneron on July 16, 2026 with a Class Period from August 1, 2025, and May 15, 2026. Our investigation concerns whether the board of directors of Regeneron have breached their fiduciary duties to the company.
Details:
The complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose the true state of Regeneron's Phase III Fianlimab-Libtayo Study; notably, that its preliminary statistical assumptions were fundamentally flawed, that the active treatment arm was failing to achieve meaningful clinical differentiation over standard therapies, and that the trial would ultimately fail to reach statistical significance on its primary endpoint even without overperformance of the control arm.
Plaintiff alleges that April 29, 2026, during Regeneron's first quarter earnings call, defendants disclosed the Phase III Fianlimab-Libtayo Study had been altered, expanding the number of patients in the study eligible for "analysis of progression-free survival." On this news, the price of Regeneron's common stock declined from a closing market price of $731.77 per share on April 28, 2026, to $686.36 per share on April 29, 2026, a decline of about 6.2% in the span of just a single day. Then, after-market on May 15, 2026, Regeneron announced that the "Phase 3 Trial of Fianlimab . . . did not reach statistical significance for the primary endpoint of improvement in progression-free survival (PFS)." On this news, the price of Regeneron's common stock declined from $698.25 per share on May 15, 2026, to $629.68 per share on May 18, 2026, a decline of about 9.8% in the span of one day.
Next Steps:
If you are a long-term stockholder of Regeneron, have information, would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Brandon Walker or Melissa Fortunato by email at [email protected], by telephone at (212) 355-4648, or by filling out this contact form. There is no cost or obligation to you.
About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.:
Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York, South Carolina, and California. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in securities, derivative, and commercial litigation as well as individuals in consumer protection and data privacy litigation. The firm has a nationwide practice and routinely handles cases in both federal and state courts. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn and Facebook, and keep up with other news by following Brandon Walker, Esq. on LinkedIn.
Key Takeaways Micron posted strong Q3 FY2026 growth and guided for higher Q4 revenues on AI memory demand. TSMC reported rising Q2 profit and revenues, with another quarter of sequential revenue growth expected. Micron offers lower debt, higher ROE and a lower forward P/E than TSMC, supporting its appeal. Micron Technology, Inc. (MU - Free Report) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM - Free Report) , better known as TSMC, have both benefited from the artificial intelligence (AI) boom and have delivered impressive revenue growth and profitability in their latest quarterly results. However, if investors had to choose one stock, which should it be? Let’s see in detail –
The Bullish Case for Micron StockMicron is no longer considered a cyclical memory stock; instead, it has emerged as a vital supplier of AI infrastructure, having delivered strong quarterly results in recent times and boasting a strong outlook, fueled by robust AI memory demand.
In the fiscal third quarter of 2026, Micron reported revenues of $41.46 billion, up 74% sequentially, and expects even greater revenue growth in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026, to $50 billion, according to investors.micron.com. This robust growth indicates that demand for Micron’s high-bandwidth memory chips, which are used in AI servers, remains strong.
Micron’s profitability improved as a result of an increase in demand for its memory products, along with strong pricing power. The company reported a gross margin of 84.6% in the fiscal third quarter, up from 37.7% a year ago. Additionally, a strong operating cash flow of $25.39 billion in the quarter has given Micron the much-needed financial flexibility to support further growth.
The Bullish Case for TSMC StockTSMC is known worldwide for manufacturing state-of-the-art semiconductor chips, supplying to tech behemoths like NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA - Free Report) , Broadcom Inc. (AVGO - Free Report) and Intel Corporation (INTC - Free Report) , to name a few. Being the leader in producing advanced chips has positioned TSMC at the center of the rapidly expanding AI ecosystem, supporting sustained future growth.
TSMC’s profits are growing much faster than revenues. The company reported net income of NT$706.56 billion in the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, up 77.4% year over year and 23.4% sequentially, according to investor.tsmc.com. The contract-chipmaker reported revenues of NT$1.27 trillion in the second quarter, up 36% year over year and 12% quarter over quarter. The strong results reflect stable demand for TSMC’s advanced chips, which continues to drive growth despite the company’s massive scale.
TSMC’s management expects another quarter of double-digit sequential revenue growth in the third quarter. Meanwhile, TSMC’s net margin of 55.6% in the second quarter is very high relative to semiconductor peers, indicating strong pricing power, operational efficiency and limited competition.
Micron Has the Edge: Why It’s a Better AI Buy Than TSMC NowBoth Micron and TSMC are well-poised to make the most of the AI boom, fueled by incessant demand for cutting-edge memory and semiconductor chips. Both companies continue to exhibit healthy profitability, expanding margins, and optimistic revenue guidance.
However, TSMC’s debt-to-equity ratio of 15.8% far exceeds Micron’s 5.1%, suggesting greater financial risk and potentially higher downside risk during economic slowdowns.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Additionally, Micron remains more efficient in generating shareholder returns than TSMC. This is because Micron’s return on equity (ROE) of 72.5% exceeds TSMC’s ROE of 40.9%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Finally, Micron appears more attractively valued than TSMC. Per the price/earnings ratio, MU trades at 11.55 forward earnings compared with TSM’s forward earnings multiple of 26.62.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Therefore, despite both companies remaining leading AI beneficiaries with strong growth prospects, Micron stands out as the better buy due to lower debt, higher returns and a reasonable valuation compared to TSMC. Micron has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
NEW YORK & NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (“KSF”) are investigating the proposed sale of AtaiBeckley Inc. (NasdaqGM: ATAI) to Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY). Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of AtaiBeckley will receive $6.75 per share in cash, plus up to $2.50 per share in the form of a Contingent Value Right entitling the holder to additional cash payments u.
Key Takeaways Lockheed Martin signed U.S. agreements to expand Patriot PAC-3, THAAD and PrSM production capacity.LMT expects these agreements to lift production rates by roughly three to four times over the coming years.Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control sales rose 8.2% on higher missile defense production. Lockheed Martin (LMT - Free Report) appears well positioned to benefit from one of the fastest-growing areas of global defense spending — air and missile defense. With a broad portfolio spanning Patriot PAC-3 interceptors, THAAD, Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) and other advanced missile systems, Lockheed Martin is positioned to capitalize on the long-term modernization cycle.
During the first quarter of 2026, the company signed several long-term framework agreements with the U.S. government to accelerate production of Patriot PAC-3, THAAD and PrSM systems. These agreements provide greater demand visibility and are expected to support investments in production facilities, supplier capacity and workforce expansion. Management expects these initiatives to drive a threefold to fourfold increase in production rates over the coming years.
Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business reported an 8.2% year-over-year increase in sales, driven primarily by higher production on integrated air and missile defense programs, including PAC-3, as well as tactical missile programs such as JASSM, LRASM and PrSM. The growth demonstrates that increasing customer demand is already translating into stronger operating performance.
The broader defense spending environment also remains supportive. The United States and allied nations continue prioritizing integrated air and missile defense as a core national security objective. Increased investments in layered defense architectures, precision strike capabilities and advanced interceptors are expected to remain a key component of defense budgets for years to come. These structural trends could support sustained demand across Lockheed Martin's missile portfolio.
Defense Companies Benefiting From Rising Missile DemandAlong with Lockheed Martin, several other defense companies are also positioned to benefit from growing investments in missile defense and precision weapons, as discussed below:
RTX Corporation (RTX - Free Report) continues to benefit through its role in the Patriot air and missile defense system and its expanding portfolio of advanced missile technologies.
Northrop Grumman (NOC - Free Report) is strengthening its position through missile defense sensors, strategic deterrence programs and next-generation hypersonic technologies.
LMT Stock’s Earnings EstimatesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year improvement of 29.5% and 8.02%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
LMT Stock Trades at a DiscountIn terms of valuation, LMT’s forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) is 1.47X, a discount to the industry’s average of 2.54X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
LMT Stock’s Price PerformanceIn the past six months, the company’s shares have lost 11.8% compared with the industry’s 11.4% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
LMT’s Zacks RankThe company currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Spot gold weekly chart shows long-term trend. Source: TradingView Mixed Signals Create a Critical Decision Point The combination of a break below a rising trendline and consistent confirmed resistance at the 20-day moving average, shows long-term and short-term alignment. Although this adds to downward pressure, the reluctance of selling pressure to increase noticeably since last week’s lower swing high, leaves open the possibility for a relatively quick recovery of the two trending indicators. The 20-day moving average is now near $4,071 and Wednesday’s high of $4,081 can be used as a proxy for the indicator.
Lower Support Levels Come into Focus If the current trend low of $3,942 is broken to the downside, the higher swing low of $3,886 becomes a target, and it is at risk of failure as well. A decisive break below that initial target leads to a possible eventual test of support in a range from around $3,702 to $3,650, consisting of the 50% retracement of a prior upswing and the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement of a larger previous upswing.
A Reversal Requires Stronger Confirmation Despite the signs of strength indicated by a reclaim of the 20-day moving average, a bullish reversal of structure above last week’s high would be needed for a more reliable sign of a bullish reversal. However, the next upside target is at the falling 50-day moving average at $4,291 and it is rapidly falling towards last week’s high.
If you’d like to know more about how to trade gold and silver, please visit our educational area.
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Roblox To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options
If you purchased or acquired securities in Roblox between October 30, 2025 and April 30, 2026 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).
[You may also click here for additional information]
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 17, 2026) - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Roblox Corporation ("Roblox" or the "Company") (NYSE: RBLX) and reminds investors of the August 7, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.
Watch our latest video highlighting the key allegations: https://youtu.be/rFoJC-j0rW0
Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.
According to the complaint, defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Roblox's organic growth potential; notably, that Roblox would see a significant slowdown in its growth rates as enrollment in the age verification rollout would quickly taper, compounding the resulting slowdown in on-platform communication, resulting in app store rating reductions and a swift reduction in organic growth. Such statements absent these material facts caused Plaintiff and other shareholders to purchase Roblox's securities at artificially inflated prices.
On April 30, 2026, Roblox announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Management slashed bookings growth guidance down to 8-12% and a corresponding decline to margin expectations. Defendants disclosed the age verification rollout had caused much more significant impacts engagement and organic growth than management had previously suggested and age check adoption had only increased to 51% global daily active users, from 45% at the end of the previous quarter.
Investors and analysts reacted immediately to Roblox's revelation. The price of Roblox's common stock declined dramatically. From a closing market price of $55.26 per share on April 30, 2026, Roblox's stock price fell to $45.13 per share on May 1, 2026, a decline of about 18.33% in the span of just a single day.
The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Roblox's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.
To learn more about the Verra class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/RBLX or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Investors Regarding the Roblox Corporation Securities Class Action Lawsuit:
What is the Roblox Corporation securities fraud lawsuit about?
The Roblox Corporation securities fraud lawsuit is a federal securities class action alleging that Roblox Corporation (NYSE: RBLX) and its executives made false and misleading statements to investors by concealing that the Company's age verification rollout would cause a significant slowdown in growth rates, reduce on-platform communication, lead to app store rating reductions, and materially impair Roblox's organic growth potential. As the truth emerged on April 30, 2026 - when Roblox announced Q1 fiscal 2026 results, slashed bookings growth guidance to just 8-12%, disclosed margin deterioration, and revealed that age verification adoption had only reached 51% of global daily active users (up from just 45% the prior quarter), signaling far greater engagement impacts than management had previously suggested - RBLX's stock price fell from $55.26 to $45.13 per share, a decline of approximately 18.33% in a single day, causing significant losses for investors.
Who may be eligible to participate in the Roblox Corporation class action lawsuit?
Investors who purchased or acquired Roblox Corporation (RBLX) securities between October 30, 2025 and April 30, 2026 - the Class Period - and suffered financial losses may be eligible to participate in the Roblox securities class action. Participation as a class member does not require taking any affirmative legal action; eligible investors may recover losses simply by remaining members of the class. Whistleblowers, former Roblox employees, and others with relevant information about the Company's conduct are also encouraged to come forward.
What is a lead plaintiff, and how can I seek appointment in the Roblox Corporation lawsuit?
A lead plaintiff in the Roblox Corporation class action is a court-appointed investor - typically the one with the largest financial interest in the case - who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of all class members. Any Roblox investor who purchased RBLX securities during the Class Period may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice. The deadline to seek lead plaintiff appointment is August 7, 2026. Importantly, choosing not to seek the lead plaintiff role does not affect an investor's ability to share in any recovery obtained for the class.
What should investors do if they purchased Roblox Corporation stock during the Class Period?
Investors who purchased Roblox Corporation (RBLX) securities between October 30, 2025 and April 30, 2026 and suffered losses should contact Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP immediately to discuss their legal rights. The deadline to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Roblox Corporation securities class action is August 7, 2026. To speak directly with securities litigation partner Josh Wilson, call 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310), or visit www.faruqilaw.com/RBLX for more information.
Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/305472
Source: Faruqi & Faruqi LLP
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Gaming platform Roblox says it will let users vibe-code a new game through their phones. Hannah Peters/Getty Images Roblox wants you to make your next video game from your phone.
On Thursday, the gaming platform company introduced Build, its AI-powered tool that can turn a written prompt into a basic playable game. The tool is housed inside the Roblox mobile app.
The update pushes vibe coding — the practice of describing software in plain language and letting AI generate much of the underlying code — deeper into the video game industry. Other tech companies have built similar tools, like Google's Genie 3 and Microsoft's WHAM.
Build could also give younger players a way to make and play their own games without buying expensive new video game releases or learning traditional software development tools.
"A creator can type 'Let's make a cozy adventure game set in a dense forest with environmental obstacles,'" the company said in a statement. "Build will then automatically generate a starting point for the creator to iterate on, playtest, and share with friends or publish to Roblox."
Since its 2006 release, Roblox has defined itself as a platform more than a single game. There are millions of games made by its users, built in Roblox Studio.
Build moves a simplified version of that process into the same mobile app people already use to play Roblox.
The company plans to begin testing the feature in New Zealand on July 28. It will initially be available to age-verified users aged 9 or older — published, verified games will be available to age-checked users aged 16 or older.
A basic version will be free, while Roblox plans paid options with more advanced capabilities.
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Ben Shimkus You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email.
Ben Shimkus is a reporter for the Business News desk. He writes about cars, transportation, retail, and jobs. Ben's reporting has appeared in Rolling Stone, The Verge, Automotive News, USA Today, AutoBody News, LGBTQ Nation, TopSpeed, and Out Magazine. He's also held staff writing positions at The U.S. Sun and the Daily Mail. He graduated from NYU with a Master's in journalism in 2024. Email Ben at [email protected] or message him privately on Signal at bshimkus.41.
