Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

In the latest close session, Kraft Heinz (KHC - Free Report) was down 1.5% at $24.92. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily loss of 0.28%. At the same time, the Dow lost 1.09%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.2%.

The stock of processed food company with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Chicago has risen by 7.98% in the past month, leading the Consumer Staples sector's gain of 4% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.64%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Kraft Heinz in its upcoming release. The company is expected to report EPS of $0.53, down 23.19% from the prior-year quarter. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $6.14 billion, showing a 3.37% drop compared to the year-ago quarter.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $2.07 per share and revenue of $24.43 billion, which would represent changes of -20.38% and -2.04%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Kraft Heinz. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.08% increase. Kraft Heinz currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Valuation is also important, so investors should note that Kraft Heinz has a Forward P/E ratio of 12.24 right now. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 13.03, which means Kraft Heinz is trading at a discount to the group.

The Food - Miscellaneous industry is part of the Consumer Staples sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 198, which puts it in the bottom 20% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.

Roku (ROKU - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $139.25, moving -1.39% from the previous trading session. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.28%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 1.09%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq increased by 0.2%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the video streaming company had gained 16.79% outpaced the Consumer Discretionary sector's gain of 1.44% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.64%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Roku in its upcoming release. On that day, Roku is projected to report earnings of $0.61 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 771.43%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $1.3 billion, up 16.98% from the prior-year quarter.

In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $2.41 per share and a revenue of $5.55 billion, indicating changes of +308.47% and +17.23%, respectively, from the former year.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Roku. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.

Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Roku is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

Looking at valuation, Roku is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 58.57. This represents a premium compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 13.73.

The Broadcast Radio and Television industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 112, finds itself in the top 46% echelons of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

Micron (MU +1.24%) shares are down over 20% from its all-time high.

*Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of July 6, 2026. The video was published on July 8, 2026.

Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Micron Technology. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

For the most part, stock analysts tend to be cautious professionals. When they make a change in their coverage of a company, it tends to be incremental, like adding a few dollars to a price target. On the relatively rare occasions they change a stock recommendation, it tends to be up or down one peg.

That wasn't the case on Wednesday with Occidental Petroleum (OXY +3.60%), which was the beneficiary of not only a recommendation upgrade but a double upgrade from a pundit tracking its fortunes. Largely because of this action, Occidental's shares closed that trading session nearly 4% higher.

Doubling down The upgrading party was Evercore ISI's Stephen Richardson, who moved his rating on Occidental from underperform (sell, in other words) to outperform (buy), skipping the usual stop of neutral. The analyst also raised his price target to $65 per share from $58.

Image source: Getty Images.

According to reports, Richardson's new -- and very different -- take on Occidental is based on what he describes as the company's "materially de-levered balance sheet." The company's recent and significant debt reduction has notably improved its financials. This should result in higher free cash flow (FCF), and better returns for investors.

And while Richardson doesn't believe Occidental's FCF growth will hit the double-digit rates expected for some large oil industry rivals, the company's comparatively low valuations make its stock a bargain just now.

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Fuel for a rally I'd also say that the jumped-up oil price, largely driven by the Iran war, looks as if it'll remain lofty. At this point, the start-then-stop moves toward peace (or at least a genuine ceasefire) in the conflict aren't bringing it to a resolution, and I don't see that changing soon. For this and the reasons Richardson cited in his update, I'd say Occidental looks attractive for oil sector bulls.

Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Occidental Petroleum. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Honeywell logo is seen in this illustration taken July 26, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

July 8 (Reuters) - Automation firm Honeywell Technologies (HON.O), opens new tab on Wednesday raised ​its second-half and full-year profit ‌targets for 2026 after completing a one-for-two reverse stock split.

The company, ​formerly Honeywell, proceeded with ​the split after spinning off and ⁠listing its aerospace arm, ​Honeywell Aerospace (HONA.O), opens new tab, late last month.

The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. Sign up here.

Honeywell Technologies ​expects second-half adjusted earnings per share in the range of $4.40 to $4.70, ​compared with $2.20 to $2.35 earlier.

For the full ​year, it raised its adjusted EPS ‌target ⁠to $7.90 to $8.30, compared with an earlier forecast of $3.95 to $4.15.

Its second-half and full-year sales and ​segment margin ​targets ⁠remained unchanged.

Honeywell's three-way split into Honeywell Technologies, ​Solstice Advanced Materials (SOLS.O), opens new tab ​and ⁠Honeywell Aerospace was announced last year, amid pressure ⁠from ​activist investor Elliott ​Investment Management.

Reporting by Nandan Mandayam in ​Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda

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

In the latest close session, Morgan Stanley (MS - Free Report) was down 1.79% at $218.07. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.28%. At the same time, the Dow lost 1.09%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.2%.

The stock of investment bank has risen by 5.61% in the past month, leading the Finance sector's gain of 5.35% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.64%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Morgan Stanley in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on July 15, 2026. On that day, Morgan Stanley is projected to report earnings of $2.8 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 31.46%. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $19.02 billion, up 13.25% from the year-ago period.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $11.87 per share and revenue of $77.67 billion, indicating changes of +16.26% and +9.94%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Morgan Stanley. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.2% higher. At present, Morgan Stanley boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Investors should also note Morgan Stanley's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 18.7. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 14.86.

We can also see that MS currently has a PEG ratio of 1.7. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Financial - Investment Bank industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.17.

The Financial - Investment Bank industry is part of the Finance sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 95, this industry ranks in the top 39% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

The last few weeks haven't been kind to Nvidia (NVDA +3.74%) and Broadcom (AVGO +5.00%) shareholders. Both stocks have slumped from their recent highs, with Nvidia down around 18.5% and Broadcom down 24.4%. These two are among the biggest names in artificial intelligence (AI) investing, and have been great investments to purchase when they're down around 20% from their all-time highs.

So, is now the perfect time to load up on shares? Or is there something else going on this time around? Let's take a look.

Image source: Getty Images.

The market is losing sight of the big picture again Both Broadcom and Nvidia are expected to be great investments due to the massive investment in AI computing infrastructure. Nvidia makes GPUs (graphics processing units) and several products to support their usage in a data center, and its products are by far the most popular to use for AI computing right now. GPUs are general-purpose computing units that can handle nearly any workload thrown at them, but sometimes a GPU only sees one type of work its entire service life, and that flexibility is wasted.

Instead, some AI hyperscalers are partnering with Broadcom to design custom AI chips. Custom AI chips excel in only one application, but in that specific application, they deliver better cost-performance. This avenue is becoming more popular with AI hyperscalers, and several customers are expected to ramp up their spending this year and next.

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Both solutions will be popular in the future, so declaring Nvidia or Broadcom an outright winner will be impossible. Instead, I think investors should view these two as great AI investment partners, as each allows them to capitalize on the truly massive sums the AI hyperscalers are spending.

But if that's the case, then why are the stocks down?

The market goes through hype cycles where it's excited about AI, then bearish on it. We're in a bearish sentiment cycle right now, as concerns grow about the amount of money being spent on AI data centers. However, many investors are forgetting that the AI hyperscalers have repeatedly told investors that the risk of underspending is far greater than that of overspending. Spending is expected to increase again in 2027.

Broadcom has already given guidance that AI semiconductor revenue will exceed $100 billion by 2027. Wall Street analysts estimate Broadcom's total revenue will reach $172 billion next year, rising 62% from this year's totals.

Nvidia has made similarly bullish calls, with it estimating that AI hyperscalers' capital expenditures will top $1 trillion next year, up from $650 billion in 2026. Those are some strong calls, and with many of Nvidia and Broadcom's clients working on multi-year build-out schedules, these two have high visibility into what's coming over the next few years.

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They're clearly bullish on the future, and I think investors should be too, since each is trading at a great price.

Both stocks look pretty attractive Because Broadcom and Nvidia are growing so fast, using the forward price-to-earnings ratio is the best way to value them. I think it's also wise to look at their valuations from a 2027 perspective, since each is expected to put up strong growth again. From these standpoints, both stocks look attractively priced.

Data by YCharts.

Buying opportunities for Nvidia and Broadcom don't come around all that often, and now is a great time to scoop up shares. As more earnings roll out and AI hyperscalers confirm their spending plans, it will be a positive catalyst for each stock and could send them soaring.

A new memecoin, CASHCAT, has pumped more than 1100% within 24 hours after Robinhood CEO’s endorsement for memecoins. It has tapped a market cap of over $150 million and a price of more than $0.15 in just 1 day after launch.

It launched as the mascot of the Robinhood app, but it has now become the first major memecoin story on Robinhood since the chain’s launch on July 1st.

Robinhood Chain started with real-world assets, on-chain finance, and analytics. Later it also launched Trump Accounts for retail.  Memecoins were not on the list. Then, the Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev made a public post saying, “Robinhood Chain will be the best chain for RWA, but it’s great for memes as well” and also followed CASHCAT’s official X account.

That one catalyst changed the direction of the memecoin.

One Trader Made $1.6M From an $86 Investment A crazy move in a single CASHCAT trade was captured by LookOnChain. Before the surge a wallet, known as 0xeee2, purchased 17.5 million CASHCAT tokens for just $86.

Later, the trader sold 3.6M $CASHCAT for $390.5K and still holds 13.8M $CASHCAT ($1.24M). It made headlines and helped to continue the momentum that had been rolling since Tenev’s tweet.

The market capitalization tells the full story. CASHCAT tapped a $150 million market cap but saw a drop back to about $120 million. The current consolidation around a $124 million market cap indicates neutral momentum, with some analysts targeting a $1 billion market cap if buying continues.

CASHCAT Memecoin – CoinMarketCap Where CASHCAT Is Actually Trading CASHCAT is currently available to buy on Uniswap V3, via Robinhood, MEXC, Hibt, PancakeSwap, and Meteora DAMM.

Pump.fun also announced that Robinhood tokens are now available to trade on the Pumpfun app, just a day after Tenev’s post. The update eliminates friction for new investors and gives access without bridging.

What CASHCAT’s Surge Means for Memecoin Market CASHCAT isn’t a native Robinhood launch. It is a memecoin that has taken Robinhood’s brand and received endorsement by the CEO.

The question of whether CASHCAT’s meme coin will hold its market cap or will retrace dramatically is insignificant when compared to what this week has shown: Robinhood Chain can push memecoin momentum, and this breakout story can lead to more volume coming into Solana memecoins.

If you want to find projects early, take a look at our best crypto presales page. 

Booking Holdings (BKNG - Free Report) closed at $174.29 in the latest trading session, marking a -4.21% move from the prior day. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.28%. At the same time, the Dow lost 1.09%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.2%.

Heading into today, shares of the online booking service had gained 10.95% over the past month, outpacing the Retail-Wholesale sector's gain of 0.18% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.64%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Booking Holdings in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on August 4, 2026. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $2.47, signifying a 11.26% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $7.19 billion, showing a 5.74% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $10.44 per share and revenue of $29.4 billion, which would represent changes of +14.47% and +9.23%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Booking Holdings. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. Right now, Booking Holdings possesses a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Looking at valuation, Booking Holdings is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 17.43. This valuation marks no noticeable deviation compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 17.43.

Also, we should mention that BKNG has a PEG ratio of 1.09. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. As of the close of trade yesterday, the Internet - Commerce industry held an average PEG ratio of 1.09.

The Internet - Commerce industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 181, placing it within the bottom 27% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow BKNG in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

Palo Alto Networks (PANW 4.72%) stock closed down 4.9% on Wednesday -- which is kind of surprising, because according to one Wall Street analyst, the stock should go up as much as 30% over the next year.

Image source: Getty Images.

Evercore loves Palo Alto Networks This morning, you see, Evercore ISI analyst Peter Levine raised his price target on Palo Alto Networks from $320 to $415. Instead of rising, however, Palo Alto stock fell... to almost precisely $320!

This probably wasn't the reaction Levine was expecting -- but why did he raise his price target past $320 in the first place?

Well, according to the analyst, "cyber channel checks" confirm Palo Alto is "at the center of identity, observability, and AI-powered SecOps," and likely to benefit from consolidation in the cybersecurity industry, leading to improved free cash flow. Levine believes Palo Alto, which generated $3.5 billion in free cash flow last year and $3.8 billion over the past 12 months, will continue to grow into 2027, and is worth 52 times next year's projected FCF.

That works out to about $338 billion, or $415 per share.

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Valuing Palo Alto stock Is this reasonable? It appears to imply that Levine is forecasting a positive cash profit of $6.5 billion next year -- quite an increase year over year and significantly higher than the consensus estimate on Wall Street, which, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data, puts Palo Alto at $5.2 billion in 2027.

If Palo Alto achieves such a result next year, it's going to surprise a lot of investors, me among them. If Palo Alto fails to grow as fast as Levine is projecting, though, 52x FCF is going to look like an awfully high price to pay for this stock.

Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Palo Alto Networks. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The crypto-linked equities are having another rough session midday Wednesday, and the year-to-date scoreboard tells a clear story about which treasury strategy has held up best. Bitmine Immersion Technologies (NYSE: BMNR) is down 46% year to date (YTD) and down slightly today at $14.73, extending a brutal stretch for the Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) treasury proxy. The Ethereum-treasury... Bitmine Immersion Technologies Stock Is Down 46% This Year: Is It Time to Switch to Strategy or Circle Internet Group?

AGNC Investment (AGNC - Free Report) closed at $10.94 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.62% move from the prior day. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.28% loss on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 1.09%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.2%.

The real estate investment trust's stock has climbed by 7.86% in the past month, exceeding the Finance sector's gain of 5.35% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.64%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of AGNC Investment in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on July 20, 2026. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $0.38, showcasing no movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $361.52 million, indicating a 123.16% upward movement from the same quarter last year.

In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $1.56 per share and a revenue of $1.47 billion, indicating changes of +4% and +117.14%, respectively, from the former year.

Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for AGNC Investment. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged. AGNC Investment is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

Looking at its valuation, AGNC Investment is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 7.12. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 8.95, so one might conclude that AGNC Investment is trading at a discount comparatively.

The REIT and Equity Trust industry is part of the Finance sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 209, placing it within the bottom 16% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow AGNC in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

Southern Copper (SCCO - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $167.21, moving -1.5% from the previous trading session. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.28% loss on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 1.09%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.2%.

Heading into today, shares of the miner had lost 3.09% over the past month, lagging the Basic Materials sector's loss of 3.01% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.64%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Southern Copper in its upcoming earnings disclosure. In that report, analysts expect Southern Copper to post earnings of $1.9 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 55.74%. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $4.26 billion, up 39.64% from the year-ago period.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $7.62 per share and revenue of $16.69 billion, indicating changes of +45.42% and +24.4%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Southern Copper. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 5% higher. As of now, Southern Copper holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Investors should also note Southern Copper's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 22.29. This denotes a discount relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 22.58.

It is also worth noting that SCCO currently has a PEG ratio of 1.52. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The Mining - Non Ferrous industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 1.29 as of yesterday's close.

The Mining - Non Ferrous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 169, positioning it in the bottom 32% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.

In the latest trading session, Coupang, Inc. (CPNG - Free Report) closed at $19.00, marking a +2.54% move from the previous day. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily loss of 0.28%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 1.09%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.2%.

Coming into today, shares of the company had gained 16.47% in the past month. In that same time, the Retail-Wholesale sector gained 0.18%, while the S&P 500 gained 1.64%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Coupang, Inc. in its upcoming earnings disclosure. On that day, Coupang, Inc. is projected to report earnings of -$0.26 per share, which would represent a year-over-year decline of 1400%. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $8.86 billion, indicating a 3.97% upward movement from the same quarter last year.

For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of -$0.33 per share and a revenue of $37.65 billion, signifying shifts of -375% and +9.01%, respectively, from the last year.

It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Coupang, Inc. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 94.12% fall in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Coupang, Inc. presently features a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

The Internet - Commerce industry is part of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 181, which puts it in the bottom 27% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.

In the latest trading session, Devon Energy (DVN - Free Report) closed at $43.31, marking a +2.12% move from the previous day. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.28% for the day. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a drop of 1.09%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 0.2%.

Shares of the oil and gas exploration company witnessed a loss of 3.77% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Oils-Energy sector with its loss of 4.3%, and underperforming the S&P 500's gain of 1.64%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Devon Energy in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is scheduled to release its earnings on August 4, 2026. On that day, Devon Energy is projected to report earnings of $1.3 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 54.76%. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $6.25 billion, up 45.85% from the year-ago period.

DVN's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $4.81 per share and revenue of $24.59 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +22.7% and +43.09%, respectively.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Devon Energy. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 12.9% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. At present, Devon Energy boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

In terms of valuation, Devon Energy is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 8.82. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 9.28.

The Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 177, finds itself in the bottom 29% echelons of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow DVN in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

Flutter's logo is pictured on a smartphone in this illustration taken, December 4, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

CompaniesJuly 8 (Reuters) - Michael Burry, the investor famed for predicting and profiting from the 2008 U.S. housing market collapse, has bought shares ​of sports-betting platforms Flutter Entertainment (FLTRF.L), opens new tab and DraftKings (DKNG.O), opens new tab, wagering regulatory scrutiny ‌will eventually curb the threat posed by prediction markets.

Burry said on Wednesday he bought Flutter at about $107 a share and DraftKings "in the low $26s." Together, the investments ​make up a full-sized position weighted roughly 60/40 toward ​Flutter, though the investor said he may make each a full ⁠position in the future.

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Prediction markets are the main threat ​facing the two companies, Burry said in a post on his website, ​because their event contracts can be offered nationwide under Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight while avoiding state gaming taxes.

Prediction markets let traders buy and ​sell contracts tied to the outcome of events, including sports, ​elections and economic data.

Burry said these platforms operate in a loophole alongside a ‌heavily ⁠regulated and taxed gambling industry. "I believe that the political climate will not tolerate this," he wrote, adding that he expects prediction markets to eventually be brought under regulation and taxation.

Shares of Flutter, ​down 50% this ​year as ⁠of last close, remain attractive because the company is a strong business with significant scale despite ​past capital misallocation, while DraftKings, whose shares are ​down 21%, is ⁠inflecting as an operating business, the investor said.

Meanwhile, Burry also said he bought more JD.com shares at $27.58, calling it one of his top ⁠three ​positions, and that he expects Hong Kong and ​Chinese stocks to benefit as AI and memory-chip enthusiasm unwinds in South Korea ​and Japan.

Reporting by Pragyan Kalita in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda

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New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 8, 2026) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Zoetis Inc. (NYSE: ZTS) between January 14, 2025 and May 6, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important July 27, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Zoetis securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Zoetis class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/cases/zoetis-inc/join or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 27, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered billions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and touted growing market share, strong veterinarian adoption, and accelerating sales growth across Zoetis' flagship Companion Animal products and/or failed to disclose that: (1) veterinarian prescription growth and adoption of Zoetis' Librela, a canine pain treatment, were sharply weakening as clinicians became more cautious following FDA safety warnings concerning serious neurological complications in dogs; (2) Zoetis' Simparica Trio was losing significant market share to a lower priced competing canine parasiticide with broader indicated use in a slowing overall market; and (3) Zoetis' dermatology products, Apoquel and Cytopoint, were losing substantial market share to a newly launched competing canine treatment. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Zoetis class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/cases/zoetis-inc/join or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

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

-------------------------------

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/304471

Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA

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Item 1 of 3 The Warner Bros. Water Tower is pictured at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, U.S. February 27, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Cole/File Photo

[1/3]The Warner Bros. Water Tower is pictured at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, U.S. February 27, 2026. REUTERS/Daniel Cole/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

CompaniesJuly 8 (Reuters) - Paramount has ​said it will not close ‌its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros before July 22, the ​Oregon attorney general's office ​said, pushing out the timeline ⁠for the deal's closure by ​an additional week.

Oregon Attorney General ​Dan Rayfield's office is asking a court in Multnomah County on ​Wednesday to order the ​company to hand over records and delay the ‌deal ⁠by 60 days so the state can review them.

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Paramount had previously told Oregon that ​it ​would not ⁠close the deal before July 16, Rayfield's ​office said. At a ​preliminary ⁠hearing on the state's request on Wednesday, the company ⁠amended ​that timeline, his ​office said.

Reporting by Jody Godoy; Editing by ​Nia Williams and Edmund Klamann

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Jody Godoy reports on tech policy and antitrust enforcement, including how regulators are responding to the rise of AI. Reach her at [email protected]

July 08, 2026 17:49 ET  | Source: Mercator Acquisition Corp.

NORWALK, CT , July 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mercator Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”), a blank check company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses, announced today that it has priced its initial public offering of 15,000,000 units at $10.00 per unit. Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant. The units will be listed on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) and will begin trading tomorrow, July 9, 2026, under the ticker symbol “MRCOU." Each whole warrant is exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share of the Company at a price of $11.50 per share. Only whole warrants are exercisable and will trade. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and warrants are expected to be listed on the Nasdaq under the symbols “MRCO” and “MRCOW,” respectively.

Clear Street is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,250,000 units at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments, if any.

The Company intends to focus on technology and software infrastructure companies whose products and services target financial services, real estate and asset management companies. The Company is led by Shawn Matthews, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Steve Bischoff, Chief Financial Officer, and Shawn Matthews Jr., President.

The public offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. When available, copies of the prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from: Clear Street LLC, 4 World Trade Center, 150 Greenwich St., Floor 45, New York, NY 10007, or by e-mail at [email protected].

A registration statement relating to the securities was filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on July 8, 2026. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” including with respect to the proposed initial public offering and search for an initial business combination. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company's registration statement filed with the SEC and the preliminary prospectus included therein. Copies of these documents are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

About Mercator Acquisition Corp.

Mercator Acquisition Corp. is a newly organized blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company intends to focus on technology and software infrastructure companies whose products and services target financial services, real estate and asset management companies.

Media Contact:
Steve Bischoff
[email protected]

In the latest trading session, Zscaler (ZS - Free Report) closed at $143.55, marking a -3.98% move from the previous day. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.28% loss on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 1.09%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.2%.

The stock of cloud-based information security provider has risen by 18.8% in the past month, leading the Computer and Technology sector's loss of 1.22% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.64%.

Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Zscaler in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $1.09, showcasing a 22.47% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $877.19 million, indicating a 21.96% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.

ZS's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $4.14 per share and revenue of $3.33 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +26.22% and +24.57%, respectively.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Zscaler. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 9.1% higher within the past month. At present, Zscaler boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Looking at its valuation, Zscaler is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 36.14. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 50.32, which means Zscaler is trading at a discount to the group.

It is also worth noting that ZS currently has a PEG ratio of 2.47. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. ZS's industry had an average PEG ratio of 3.31 as of yesterday's close.

The Security industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 169, this industry ranks in the bottom 32% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Don't forget to use Zacks.com to keep track of all these stock-moving metrics, and others, in the upcoming trading sessions.

Veeva Systems (VEEV - Free Report) closed at $188.17 in the latest trading session, marking a -2.15% move from the prior day. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.28%. At the same time, the Dow lost 1.09%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.2%.

Heading into today, shares of the provider of cloud-based software services for the life sciences industry had gained 14.68% over the past month, outpacing the Medical sector's gain of 7.8% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.64%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Veeva Systems in its upcoming release. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $2.22, signifying a 11.56% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $904.07 million, up 14.57% from the year-ago period.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $9.05 per share and revenue of $3.64 billion, indicating changes of +11.73% and +13.96%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Veeva Systems. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been no change in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Veeva Systems is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

Investors should also note Veeva Systems's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 21.26. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 27.43 of its industry.

It's also important to note that VEEV currently trades at a PEG ratio of 0.61. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Medical Info Systems industry had an average PEG ratio of 3.2.

The Medical Info Systems industry is part of the Medical sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 160, putting it in the bottom 35% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.

Michael Saylor: Concerns over Bitcoin block space shortage are gradually easing, while global transfers still maintain low fees.

MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor published an article noting that after a decade of concerns over insufficient block space and controversies surrounding non-monetary use cases, Bitcoin still has no so-called "spam transaction problem." Currently, Bitcoin network fees stand at approximately 1 sat/vB, enabling anyone to quickly transfer any amount of Bitcoin globally for roughly $0.3. Free market mechanisms have been consistently resolving the challenges facing Bitcoin's block space.

7 hours ago

Sources: Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz if the US launches an attack.

According to CCTV News, sources from Iran’s security department stated that if the U.S. launches any attack on Iran, Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz and retaliate against enemy targets with a response at least twice the scale of the strike it receives. U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 8th while attending the NATO summit in Turkey that he is very unhappy with Iran, the U.S. military “could strike Iran hard again tonight” and may also reimpose a naval blockade on Iran.

7 hours ago

BNP Paribas: Merger between Tesla and SpaceX is far from imminent

BNP Paribas analysts have expressed doubt over the recent possibility of a merger between Tesla and SpaceX. "The massive cash burn and significant regulatory risks of both companies complicate a potential merger between SpaceX and Tesla," they stated. The investor sentiment for Tesla, which has improved amid merger speculation, may be overly optimistic, and the analysts maintained their "underperform" rating and $280 target price for the firm. "We are concerned that Tesla will face daunting KPIs in its robotaxi and Optimus businesses over the next two years, which will pose downside risks to its core operations before any SpaceX merger is actually realized."

7 hours ago

Trump: Will See If He Can Continue Keeping Oil Prices Low, Notes That Oil Prices Should Remain Low

US President Trump said, "We will see if we can continue to push oil prices lower. We should maintain low oil prices."

7 hours ago

A whale has aggregated approximately $5.85 million worth of HYPE and LIT assets into the same wallet.

According to monitoring by Onchain Lens, a crypto whale has transferred approximately $5.85 million worth of HYPE and LIT assets into a single wallet, with the funds likely accumulated through Galaxy Digital. The transferred assets consist of 78,100 HYPE tokens (valued at around $5.25 million) and 263,700 LIT tokens (worth approximately $601,000).

7 hours ago

Senior Iranian official: We have unused options at our disposal, including blocking the Strait of Mandeb.

According to Iranian media outlet Fars News, Rezaei, spokesperson for Iran's Parliamentary National Security Commission, stated: "In future confrontations, the enemy will face a comprehensive and sudden strike from Iran. Iran has numerous options that have not been deployed during the 40-day war, including withdrawing from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), revising its 'nuclear strategic doctrine', and blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait outside the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal to withdraw from the NPT is already pending review in parliament; should Iran face an existential threat, revising the 'nuclear strategic doctrine' can also be put on the agenda."

7 hours ago

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Thursday, July 30, 2026, Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) will host a conference call to review second quarter 2026 financial results. The earnings report will be released prior to the market open on the same date.The call will begin at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. To participate in the conference call, please dial in at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start and follow the operator's instructions.U.S. Toll-Free Dial-In: 1-800-715-9871U.S. / International Toll Dial-In.

@worldlibertyfi's payments arm, AI Financial, is in talks to offload its core business to Tokyo-based blockchain firm Perpetuals.com for up to $15 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. The development marks a sharp reversal for a company that was once promoted as the foundation of an international payments network powered by World Liberty Financial's USD1 stablecoin.

From $750 Million to $15 Million The problems began after World Liberty acquired a controlling stake in AI Financial in August 2025 by paying with its own $WLFI cryptocurrency. AI Financial then raised an additional $750 million from outside investors to purchase more WLFI tokens, leaving the company heavily exposed to the Trump-backed digital asset.

Under the reported deal terms, Perpetuals.com would pay $5 million upfront in stock, with an additional $10 million contingent on future revenue targets, while also assuming certain liabilities tied to the payments unit. Perpetuals.com confirmed the discussions in a press release on July 7, saying it had signed a non-binding term sheet to explore the acquisition of Alt5 Sigma Canada Inc., with its Chief Strategy Officer noting the company is currently conducting due diligence and that no final decision has been made.

The unit generated roughly $25 million in revenue last year and is AI Financial's sole revenue-generating business. According to the Journal, no USD1 stablecoin transactions have ever been processed through AI Financial's payments platform.

Investors Burned, Trumps Profit $WLFI has slid roughly 70% since the deal was announced, and AI Financial's stock has cratered more than 90% from highs near $9.76, with shares now trading around $0.53. AI Financial posted a $271.5 million net loss for Q1 2026, driven by a $348.3 million unrealised loss on its WLFI holdings, and management has flagged substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern within 12 months.

The Trump family is entitled to 75% of the proceeds from World Liberty's crypto token sales, putting their direct gains from the August transaction at roughly $500 million after fees and other expenses. Trump's crypto-related income for 2025 included about $515 million from the sale of tokens released by World Liberty Financial, and $65 million from sales of equity in the holding company.

As part of the broader arrangement, Perpetuals.com has also agreed to explore offering World Liberty Financial's USD1 stablecoin in Europe and to license its trading technology to AI Financial. Both World Liberty Financial and AI Financial declined to comment on the reported sale talks.

Sources:
International Business Times: Trump Family Pockets Half A Billion As Trump-Backed Crypto Firm Moves To Sell Only Revenue-Generating Business
CNBC: Trump family got about $500M from crypto venture as investors saw steep losses
The Crypto Times: Trump-Linked WLFI Treasury Firm to Sell Core Unit for $15M After Token Crash

(Kitco News) – While Q2 was the worst quarter for gold in 12 years, with spiking energy prices raising inflation expectations and introducing the possibility of rate hikes, central bank demand will help gold finish the year on a positive note, according to the new quarterly gold outlook from Invesco.

“The gold price fell by 14.1% in Q2, more than erasing its gains from Q1 and leaving it over $1,500 an ounce off the all-time intraday high set in late-January this year,” wrote Sam Whitehead, Head of Alternative and ESG ETF Product Strategy, Benjamin Jones, Global Head of Research, and David Scales, Senior ETF Investment Editor. “Volatility picked up in April, but most of the decline in the gold price occurred over the following two months. On 24 June, the yellow metal dipped just below $4,000 an ounce for the first time since November 2025. Gold spent the following days bouncing around that psychologically relevant level and ended the quarter at $4,008.”

The authors said this constituted the worst quarter for gold since Q2 2013, when the price fell by 22.7%, but pointed out that these kinds of pullbacks “are not uncommon when any market has risen so strongly for a sustained period, and this latest price correction might prove healthy given gold is still up by 21.3% over the past 12 months.”

They warned, however, that downside risks to the gold price remain. “The next few months could be pivotal for gold, as we watch to see how the Fed reacts to inflation – and whether inflation is sticky or comes down with lower oil prices – and if the US Dollar firms further versus other major currencies,” they said. “Higher interest rates and a stronger USD are generally negative for gold, as the former increases the opportunity cost of holding a non-yielding asset and the latter makes gold more expensive for international (non-US) investors.”

The authors wrote that several headwinds drove the gold price lower during the quarter. “Inflation emerged as a threat that could potentially linger beyond what was previously being priced in, which means interest rates could stay higher for longer,” they said. “The US Dollar strengthened, though only a little, partly in reply to the revised interest rate outlook and, lastly, some of the geopolitical risk premia was removed from the perceived ‘haven’ asset as the market seemed convinced that negotiations between the US and Iran were progressing towards a satisfactory outcome.”

They noted that the conflict’s impact on energy prices resulted in a market focused on inflation. “The longer the conflict continues, the more lasting the impact on inflation not just on oil prices but knock-on effects more broadly,” they said. “WTI Crude ended the quarter at $70/barrel, an indication the market expects supply to resume.”

The authors said easing inflation expectations indicate that the broader market believes the recent inflation will be brought under control. “The question is whether the market is being overly optimistic, given recent actual inflation readings and with the US-Iran situation still potentially volatile.”

They pointed out that PCE inflation hit 4.1% in May, the highest level since April 2023, driven mainly by elevated energy prices, but core PCE, which excludes food and energy, also reached 3.4%, the highest reading since October 2023. “The FOMC, under new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, had sounded a warning to the market in the minutes following the committee’s April meeting, saying it would “deliver price stability” after inflation has remained above the target 2% rate for five years running.”

The Invesco analysts said the recent gold price correction could be seen as a reasonable response “to the rise in inflation expectations, the Fed’s more hawkish view on interest rates and the recent strength in the US Dollar.”

“The USD eased at the beginning of the quarter but spent most of the period gaining against its major trading partners,” they said. “A stronger USD makes gold more expensive for international (non-US) investors and consumers, which tends to reduce demand from those important segments.”

The authors noted that after a general expectation of further rate cuts, interest rates are now forecast to rise in 2026.

“Earlier this year, the futures market had been predicting Fed rate cuts in 2026, with the only question being how many,” they said. “The CME FedWatch tool was showing practically no chance of a rate hike this year. The inflation pressures mentioned above then shifted the market’s expectations, with the Fed under new Chair Warsh seemingly more committed to addressing the persistence of above-target inflation, with hikes firmly on the table.”

By the end of May the market was pricing in virtually no chance of a cut in 2026, and began entertaining the possibility of rate hikes. 

“When the quarter ended, the market was placing a 33.7% probability of a 25 basis-point increase at the end of July and at least one rate hike (67% chance) by the time the FOMC concludes its September meeting,” they wrote. “The CME FedWatch shows an 83% probability that interest rates will be higher than they are now by the end of the year. Higher interest rates are negative for gold, as it increases the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding gold asset.”

But despite the rise in inflation expectations, the potential for rate hikes, and the yellow metal’s recent weakness, Invesco maintains a constructive outlook for gold in the second half of 2026.

“[W]e believe much of the structural support for gold remains largely intact,” the authors said. “Central banks look set to continue buying gold to diversify their reserves. The World Gold Council (WGC) reported that a record 45% of central bankers responding to its latest survey said they expected to increase their gold reserves in the next 12 months, while 89% expect gold central bank reserves to increase globally over the coming year.”

They noted that this structural support was reflected in their recent Global Sovereign Asset Management Study, “in which a majority of central banks reported increasing gold allocations over the past three years, with concern over global volatility, inflation protection, and geopolitical uncertainty now among the leading drivers of ongoing gold purchases.”

But while central bank demand is largely price-insensitive, they said, investment demand is sensitive to price momentum. “Rising prices may attract flows into an asset, but falling prices can sometimes encourage selling, particularly when an investor can lock in a profit and needs to access liquidity to reallocate elsewhere,” the authors wrote. “Retail purchases of coins and small gold bars were a strong source of demand throughout the long-term gold rally, and it will be important to see how they respond to the correction.”

“For retail and professional investors, the case for including gold in a portfolio is not based on a single consideration, such as using it only to hedge geopolitical risk, although historically gold has performed this role relatively well,” the Invesco analysts concluded. “Rather, gold can be a useful diversifier as it tends to have low correlation to most assets, especially equities. Gold is a unique asset as it has no issuer, no credit risk, and a long history as a store of value when confidence in currencies, institutions, or market plumbing is questioned.”

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.