Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

On June 29, 2026, Martin Marietta Materials Inc (MLM) shares fell 5.7% today, closing at $581.23. The stock has experienced a 52-week range between $525.38 and

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OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gulfport Energy Corporation (NYSE: GPOR) (“Gulfport” or the “Company”) today announced the successful acquisition of approximately 4,700 net undeveloped acres in the core of the Ohio Utica in Belmont County, Ohio, through the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission State Land Lease Sale for a total purchase price of approximately $83.0 million.

Key Highlights

Large, contiguous acquisition of approximately 4,700 net undeveloped acres secured in a highly competitive lease sale environment, adjacent to existing operations and recently acquired discretionary acreage High-quality core acreage position expected to drive development efficiency, unlock operational synergies and maximize utilization of existing infrastructure and midstream capacity Located in the highly productive, liquids-rich Utica wet gas window and represents a core, top-tier area of Gulfport’s acreage Adds approximately 16 net locations (normalized to 15,000’ laterals), with locations concentrated in the highest-return tier of our development opportunities Development expected to commence in 2027, with forecasted returns at the top end of our portfolio, highlighting the strong economic profile and immediate actionability of the acquired acreage Total purchase price of approximately $83.0 million equates to approximately $17,500 per net acre or $5.1 million per net location (normalized to 15,000’ laterals) Strong financial position supports the acquisition, funded through cash on hand and available capacity under Gulfport’s revolving credit facility Nick Dell’Osso, Gulfport’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The Ohio state land lease acquisition represents a highly strategic bolt-on to our core Utica position, adding a large, contiguous block of acreage adjacent to our existing best-in-class Utica gas inventory, further underscoring the strategic nature of this investment. The position lies in the fairway of the highly productive, liquids-rich Utica wet gas window and offers the highest-return opportunities in our portfolio, extending our liquids runway while enhancing the depth and flexibility of our development program across commodity cycles.”

“As Gulfport has consistently demonstrated, we are focused on disciplined capital allocation and investing in opportunities that drive value creation. Our strong balance sheet enables us to execute this acquisition while maintaining financial strength and we are committed to continuing to build net asset value and delivering durable, long-term returns for our shareholders,” Dell’Osso concluded.

About Gulfport
Gulfport is an independent natural gas-weighted exploration and production company focused on the exploration, acquisition and production of natural gas, crude oil and NGL in the United States with primary focus in the Appalachia and Anadarko basins. Our principal properties are located in eastern Ohio targeting the Utica and Marcellus formations and in central Oklahoma targeting the SCOOP Woodford and SCOOP Springer formations.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are statements other than statements of historical fact. They include statements regarding Gulfport’s current expectations, management's outlook guidance or forecasts of future events, projected cash flow and liquidity, inflation, share repurchases and other return of capital plans, its ability to enhance cash flow and financial flexibility, future production and commodity mix, plans and objectives for future operations, the ability of our employees, portfolio strength and operational leadership to create long-term value and the assumptions on which such statements are based. Gulfport believes the expectations and forecasts reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Gulfport can give no assurance they will prove to have been correct. They can be affected by inaccurate or changed assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Important risks, assumptions and other important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are described under "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Gulfport’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and any updates to those factors set forth in Gulfport's subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K (available at https://www.gulfportenergy.com/investors/sec-filings). Gulfport undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements, to report events or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investors should note that Gulfport announces financial information in SEC filings, press releases and public conference calls. Gulfport may use the Investors section of its website (www.gulfportenergy.com) to communicate with investors. It is possible that the financial and other information posted there could be deemed to be material information. The information on Gulfport’s website is not part of this filing.

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More than 35% of Shake Shack's U.S. company-owned restaurants are within 30 miles of World Cup venues—a draw for more customers.

The restaurant industry is shifting rapidly as delivery technology and evolving consumer habits redefine value. Choosing between Domino's Pizza (DPZ 1.39%) and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (RRGB +3.74%) requires weighing stable dominance against a high-stakes turnaround.

Domino's has long defined the delivery-first model, leveraging its massive scale and proprietary technology to own the pizza market. Meanwhile, Red Robin is undergoing a significant transformation by selling company-owned locations to franchisees to improve its financial health. Both represent distinct paths within the retail-stocks landscape, appealing to different risk tolerances.

The case for Domino's PizzaDomino's Pizza is a leader among retail stocks, operating a global pizza delivery model. It sells delivery and carryout pizzas through more than 22,100 locations across roughly 90 international markets. The business relies heavily on its proprietary technology and partnerships with aggregators like Uber Technologies and DoorDash to reach its customer base.

In 2025, the company generated revenue of nearly $4.9 billion, representing approximately 5% growth over the previous year. This performance resulted in net income of close to $602 million. These results reflect a net margin of roughly 12.2%, the percentage of revenue retained as profit.

The company holds some debt, with a debt-to-equity ratio of -1.3x as of its December 2025 balance sheet. It maintained a current ratio of roughly 1.7x, which indicates its ability to cover short-term debts with assets such as cash and inventory. For the same period, free cash flow reached nearly $672 million, which is the cash remaining after paying for operations and capital projects.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers operates a chain of casual dining restaurants specializing in gourmet burgers and appetizers. As of late 2025, the company managed roughly 475 restaurants across the United States and Canada. The company is currently shifting toward a more franchise-heavy model, having recently divested 116 company-owned locations to generate cash for debt reduction.

For 2025, Red Robin reported revenue of approximately $1.2 billion, a 3% decline from the prior year. The company recorded a net loss of roughly $23 million — an improvement from the larger loss reported in 2024. This performance resulted in a net margin of approximately -1.9%, indicating that total expenses exceeded sales for the year.

As of its December 2025 balance sheet, Red Robin carried a debt-to-equity ratio of -4.4x. The current ratio stands at approximately 0.4x, suggesting the company may face challenges meeting its short-term financial obligations with its existing assets. However, it generated a positive free cash flow of $6 million during 2025.

Risk profile comparisonCompetition in the pizza market is intense, with Domino's facing pressure from national brands like Yum! Brands and Papa John's International. The company also relies on single suppliers for key ingredients like cheese and meat, which creates potential for supply chain disruptions. Furthermore, its debt of roughly $4.8 billion requires significant cash flow for servicing and restricts its financial flexibility.

Red Robin faces risks related to its substantial debt and the complex execution of its 'First Choice' transformation plan. Profitability is also sensitive to fluctuations in beef and poultry costs, as well as rising labor expenses, which can impair net margins. Additionally, the chain must compete with lower-priced alternatives while managing its aging physical restaurant locations and shifting consumer preferences.

Valuation comparisonWhile Red Robin looks cheaper based on its P/S ratio, Domino's offers a more attractive valuation relative to future earnings estimates, as reflected in the Forward P/E.

MetricDomino's PizzaRed Robin Gourmet BurgersSector BenchmarkForward P/E15.5x71.8x28.6xP/S ratio2.0x0.1xSector benchmark uses the SPDR XLY sector ETF.
Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.

Which stock would I buy in 2026?While Red Robin is trying to execute a turnaround that could lift its stock, long-term investors should consider buying Domino’s instead. It has delivered consistent, profitable growth for several years, indicating a solid competitive advantage in the fast-food industry.

Dominos has delivered superior shareholder returns, with its stock more than doubling over the past decade despite the recent fall. Red Robin stock has fallen 84% from its level 10 years ago, a decline attributable to inconsistent revenue growth.

Domino’s has demonstrated more consistent financial results, which speaks to its competitive position. It has a massive location footprint, giving the business significant scale and global reach. Its same-store sales growth is consistent, even amid macroeconomic headwinds over the past few years, reflecting its focus on value.

Importantly, Domino’s has steadily grown its earnings per share despite its focus on offering value, demonstrating a profitable growth strategy and a strong brand. By comparison, Red Robin has delivered several years of negative earnings without showing a steady upward trend.

Domino’s anticipates more sales, profits, and store openings to drive further growth through 2028. Analysts are not projecting a profitable year for Red Robin anytime soon. This positive outlook and competitive position makes Dominos a better investment.

Intuitive Machines (LUNR +5.84%) stock hit $46.75 in late May. It trades near $18.70 today. That is a 60% collapse in roughly four weeks, and investors deserve a clear explanation of what actually happened -- because the business didn't fall 60%.

The first factor was SpaceX. When Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX +7.15%) went public at a $1.75 trillion valuation, institutional money rotated directly into it. Smaller, publicly traded space names absorbed the exit pressure. Intuitive Machines was the most liquid of those names, so it absorbed the most selling.

Image source: Getty Images.

The second issue is dilution. On June 3, Intuitive Machines announced a $500 million at-the-market equity offering, its second significant capital raise in less than six months, following a $175 million private placement in February. That ATM structure allows continuous share issuance at prevailing market prices, managed by 10 financial institutions. The market doesn't like that kind of persistent overhang, and it repriced the stock immediately.

Third, NASA picked other companies. In late May, NASA awarded lunar rover and lander contracts for its base-building initiative to Astrolab and Lunar Outpost, not Intuitive Machines. For a company whose entire identity is lunar infrastructure, missing a contract that high-profile is going to move shares.

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What investors should think about None of this means the underlying company is broken. In first-quarter 2026, revenue nearly tripled year over year to $187 million. Full-year guidance holds at $900 million or more. The contract backlog stands at $1.1 billion. In March, NASA awarded Intuitive Machines a $180.4 million CLPS contract to deliver payloads to the lunar south pole -- its fifth delivery mission and a direct continuation of its Artemis relationship. In May, it was awarded two prime contracts to operate NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera and ShadowCam instruments. Those aren't consolation prizes. They are the foundation of a long-term lunar infrastructure position.

The ATM offering poses a real dilution risk, and it shouldn't be dismissed. Continuous share issuance is a real cost to existing shareholders, and the overhang isn't going away overnight. However, this is a company that has tripled revenue year over year, holds over a billion dollars in backlog, and is currently operating NASA instruments on the lunar surface. The stock got caught in a rotation, was hit by dilution fears, and missed a contract that made headlines. All three things happened at once, and the market reacted the way markets do -- it sold first and asked questions later.

Investors who can separate a stock event from a business event may find that this stock trading at $18 is pricing in a level of failure the underlying business hasn't come close to delivering.

For more details, visit the official Cryptobriefing platform.

TL;DR The Cardano Foundation has urged Stake Pool Operators to actively vote on governance actions. The foundation advised SPOs not to rely on automatic abstention. The issue matters because Cardano’s governance model depends on visible, accountable participation. Cardano Foundation Pushes For Active Governance The Cardano Foundation has urged Stake Pool Operators, or SPOs, to vote on upcoming governance actions rather than allowing automatic abstention to stand in for a decision.

It is not the kind of update that moves like a meme coin headline, but it matters for Cardano’s long-term structure. Governance systems only work if the people with responsibility actually participate. If too many operators default to abstaining, the network may still have rules on paper, but the decision-making process becomes weaker in practice.

For readers who do not live inside Cardano governance, SPOs are important because they help operate the network and represent a meaningful part of its decentralized infrastructure. Their voting behavior can shape whether proposals receive real scrutiny or simply pass through a system where too many participants stay on the sidelines.

Why Auto-Abstaining Is A Problem Automatic abstention may sound neutral, but in governance it can create a quiet accountability gap.

A vote is a signal. It tells the network where participants stand, what they support, what they reject, and what they are willing to defend publicly. Abstention can be valid when an operator genuinely lacks enough information or has a conflict. But if abstention becomes the default, the system loses some of its transparency.

That is likely why the Cardano Foundation is pushing SPOs toward active participation. Decentralized governance is not just about having many participants. It is about those participants doing the work: reading proposals, forming views, and voting in a way that users can evaluate.

The message is especially relevant as Cardano continues to develop its governance framework. A decentralized system can still become passive if the people inside it treat governance as background noise.

The Bigger Cardano Takeaway For ADA holders, this is not a price prediction story. It is a network-health story.

Strong governance does not guarantee stronger price action, but weak governance can become a long-term risk. If major decisions are made with limited engagement, users may start questioning how decentralized or accountable the process really is.

The foundation’s call also highlights a broader issue across crypto. Many networks talk about decentralization, but participation is hard. Voting takes time. Proposals can be technical. Incentives are not always clear. That is why governance often needs repeated reminders and social pressure, not just software.

Cardano has built much of its identity around formal governance and decentralization. For that identity to hold up, SPOs need to show up. The foundation’s message is essentially that abstention should be a considered choice, not a default setting.

For readers, the useful approach is to treat this as a signal to monitor rather than a standalone trading call, because confirmation still has to come from follow-through in price, flows, and broader market behavior.

—

This article was written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.

June 29, 2026 16:30 ET  | Source: Rogers Communications, Inc.

TORONTO, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) (NYSE: RCI) plans to release its second quarter 2026 financial results on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, before North American financial markets open. The results will be distributed by newswire and posted at about.rogers.com/investor-relations. Rogers management will host its quarterly teleconference with the investment community to discuss the results and outlook at 8:00 a.m. ET.

A live webcast of the teleconference will be available on the Investor Relations section of Rogers’ website at about.rogers.com/investor-relations. Alternatively, the teleconference can be accessed by dialing 647-361-2258 (1-844-282-4459 toll free Canada/USA). When prompted, callers are required to enter passcode 3793238# for admittance to the call.

An archive of the presentation will be available at this same website following the teleconference. In addition, a telephonic re-broadcast will be available for two weeks following the teleconference by dialing 1-855-669-9658 (toll free Canada/USA) and providing access code 3207624#.

About Rogers:
Rogers is Canada’s communications, sports and entertainment company and its shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For more information, please visit rogers.com or about.rogers.com/investor-relations.

For further Information:
Investor Relations
1-844-801-4792
[email protected]

[url="]Faruqi and Faruqi, LLP[/url], a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Futu Holdings Limited (“Futu” or the â€

After plunging more than 29% last week, Cerebras (CBRS +19.04%) stock is off to a bullish start this week. The semiconductor specialist that designs chips for artificial intelligence (AI) applications had no news to report. Yet, investors are taking note of a well-known growth investor's recent purchase of Cerebras stock.

As of 3:14 p.m. ET, shares of Cerebras are up 18.6%.

Image source: Getty Images.

Cathie Wood sees the sell-off as a buying opportunity On Friday, Ark Invest -- led by Cathie Wood -- reported that two of its exchange-traded funds acquired shares of Cerebras during the day's trading session.

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The Ark Innovation ETF picked up 16,352 shares, while the Ark Next Generation Internet ETF bought 4,130 shares.

Friday's buying activity complements Ark Invest's purchases from the middle of the week. Last Wednesday, The Ark Innovation and the Ark Next Generation Internet ETF bought 79,174 and 19,980 shares, respectively.

As of Monday afternoon, Cerebras has a 1.5% weighting in the Ark Innovation ETF and a 1.6% weighting in the Ark Next Generation Internet ETF.

Cerebras stock isn't for the faint of heart Although some investors are drawn to stocks that have recently completed initial public offerings, others keep their distance for exactly the reason we're seeing today: the significant swings IPO stocks often experience.

While Cathie Wood's endorsement of Cerebras stock is notable, investors must remember the risk in blindly following other investors' buying and selling activity. For investors who are interested in Cerebras stock but averse to volatility, an AI exchange-traded fund (ETF) that includes Cerebras among its holdings is a better option right now.

Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX +7.18%) went public early this month with a record-setting debut. The company raised $85.7 billion in all and ended its first day of trading at a record market cap of $2.1 trillion, the highest-ever for a company just out of the starting gate. The stock has been volatile since its historic debut and currently trades near the roughly $161 price it commanded at the end of its first day of trading.

Investors have a new reason to be bullish. After the market close on Friday, Nasdaq announced that SpaceX would be added to the Nasdaq-100 beginning on July 7, marking one of the quickest ever additions to the high-profile index. This follows changes to the inclusion criteria, which were updated just last month. The Nasdaq-100 tracks the performance of the roughly 100 largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

News of its inclusion has shareholders wondering anew what the stock could be worth in six months. History offers some compelling clues.

Image source: Getty Images.

A vote of confidence?Being added to the Nasdaq-100 is certainly a momentous development for SpaceX, and some might even see it as a vote of confidence for the company. Its inclusion will increase demand for the stock, as index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the index will buy shares to reflect the index's changing composition.

That said, any increased demand -- and resulting boost to the stock price -- will be short-lived. Once the obligatory purchases are made, investor attention will return to SpaceX's prospects and financial performance. In all likelihood, the stock's volatility will continue for the foreseeable future.

It's all about the BenjaminsTo be clear, SpaceX's future performance will depend on the company's financial performance, which has yet to live up to the hype. In 2025, the company reported revenue of $18.7 billion, up 33% year over year, but posted a net loss of $4.9 billion under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The results are slightly better on an adjusted basis, with adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $6.6 billion -- so the company has yet to generate a profit.

However, SpaceX has been making progress on that front. The company's artificial intelligence (AI) segment, xAI, has inked several notable deals, signing agreements with Anthropic, Alphabet, and AI start-up Reflection AI, totaling $27.8 billion in annual revenue -- so SpaceX is already on track to surpass last year's performance.

History is the best teacherWhile the company's recent deals and inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 are certainly positive developments, investors are curious to see how SpaceX will fare by the end of the year, and history offers some tantalizing clues.

Truist equity analyst Sam Grelck compiled data from the 30 largest IPOs over the past 15 years. More than half of these newly minted stocks were underwater by the end of the first week. Within six months of the IPO, 17 of 30 stocks were in the red. For context, SpaceX stock has already fallen below its IPO price of $150 and is trading only slightly higher now.

CoreWeave had the best track record of the bunch, up 217% after six months, but was down as much as 65% during the year. Rivian Automotive was the worst-performing stock of the bunch, down 77% in the first six months after falling as much as 88% before the first year came to a close. The full data is illustrated in the chart below.

Image Source: Truist.

It's clear that the range of possible outcomes is vast. If SpaceX follows the example set by CoreWeave, for example, a $10,000 investment could be worth as much as $31,700. However, if it follows the road that Rivian took, that same $10,000 investment could be worth as little as $2,300.

One factor weighing against SpaceX is the stock's pricey valuation. The company currently has a market cap of $2.1 trillion. Using its 2025 revenue, the stock is selling for 112 times sales. Adding the new deals highlighted above to the company's first-quarter 2026 sales of $4.7 billion, SpaceX is on track to generate $38.6 billion in revenue this year, so it's still selling at roughly 54 times forward sales. It has a long way to go before its valuation could be considered reasonable.

For context, Palantir Technologies, which is often bashed for its high valuation, sells at 37 times forward sales, highlighting the growth expectations for SpaceX.

As the above data shows, newly public companies -- particularly high-profile issues -- tend to lose altitude during their first year. While SpaceX could be the exception that proves the rule, I wouldn't bet my hard-earned money on it.

There's been a fair bit of volatility around Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX +7.18%) within just its first few weeks of trading. The stock, also known as just SpaceX, briefly reached astronomical levels that put its valuation higher than Microsoft's, as it approached $3 trillion in market cap. It ended up retreating back to around the level it was at on its first day of trading, as there have already been big swings thus far.

There could be even more volatility ahead, as the Nasdaq has recently loosened rules around which stocks can join the Nasdaq-100. SpaceX could be eligible to join the index after just 15 trading days, and that means it could be part of the index as early as next week.

Image source: Getty Images.

Why this could lead to a surge in SpaceX's stock The Nasdaq-100 rebalances regularly to reflect changing valuations. The index is comprised of the 100 most valuable non-financial stocks on the Nasdaq exchange, based on market cap. With SpaceX already at $2 trillion and among the most valuable companies in the world, it's a lock to join the index. And now with the Nasdaq making it easier to do so, it's simply a matter of time before it happens.

The day that it joins the index is expected to be July 7. Once that happens, many portfolios will have exposure to SpaceX simply by owning exchange-traded funds that track the Nasdaq-100, including the highly popular Invesco QQQ Trust. This creates forced buying, which can have significant upward pressure on the space stock, pushing it to new heights.

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SpaceX's stock may get a bump up from getting added to the Nasdaq-100, but that doesn't mean the rally is going to last. This is still a fairly expensive stock to own, with tremendous downside risk given that the company isn't profitable and it's spending heavily on artificial intelligence and space. Investors who invest in funds that track the index may also be tempted to sell them in an effort to reduce risk. It's by no means a slam dunk that SpaceX's stock is going to take off next week.

Plus, what's ultimately most important when investing is looking at the big picture, which includes not only a company's growth prospects but also its fundamentals and valuation. SpaceX isn't an attractive buy due to both its lack of profitability and extremely high valuation. It still has a lot to prove, which is why I'd tread carefully with it; taking a wait-and-see approach may be best.

David Jagielski, CPA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends Nasdaq. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Apple (AAPL) is back in focus as Wall Street and Washington react to reports that the company is seeking clearance to buy memory chips from China's CXMT.Loop Ca

Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) shares are rallying Monday and there are multiple potential drivers. Here’s what you need to know.

Tesla stock is showing exceptional strength. What’s fueling TSLA momentum? What’s Moving TSLAAnalyst commentary is adding fuel ahead of Tesla’s delivery numbers later this week. JPMorgan has argued Tesla is being deliberate rather than lagging on robotaxis, saying software readiness matters more than fleet size right now and highlighting continued gains in FSD performance.

Safety Probe ClosureU.S. safety regulators also closed their investigation into power steering loss in about 376,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles from the 2023 model year. The probe ended after Tesla’s recall and over-the-air fix, removing a possible overhang that had been hanging over the name, Reuters stated.

That kind of regulatory cleanup does not always create a huge move by itself, but it can help sentiment when the stock already has other bullish catalysts in play. In a market trading on narratives, fewer headline risks can matter.

Critical Levels To Watch For TSLA StockTesla has pushed back above several short term trend markers, including the 20‑day simple moving average at $400.21, the 50‑day at $405.17, and the 100‑day at $397.80. Even with that improvement, the stock still sits 2.2% under the 200‑day simple moving average at $418.27. That combination usually signals a recovery phase inside a broader repair process rather than a fully established long term uptrend.

Momentum is best captured through RSI, which is currently at 52.94. This level is neutral and fits a stock that is trying to rebuild direction after a volatile stretch. RSI helps identify whether buying or selling pressure has become excessive, and in this case it shows that TSLA is not stretched despite Monday’s strength.

The larger technical obstacle remains the death cross that appeared in April, when the 50‑day simple moving average slipped below the 200‑day. That pattern often keeps longer term sellers active during rallies. The April swing low and the May swing high also show that TSLA has been trading inside a wide consolidation zone rather than trending cleanly.

Key Resistance: $453.00 — A nearby round number and pivot area where rebounds have stalled before, and where sellers may try to slow momentum as the stock approaches the 52‑week high region. Key Support: $393.50 — A close support zone near the 100‑day simple moving average where buyers have recently stepped in to defend the trend. TSLA Shares Are SoaringTSLA Price Action: Tesla shares were up 7.95% at $409.91 at the time of publication on Monday, according to Benzinga Pro.

Image: Shutterstock

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Tesla (TSLA +8.49%) is still one of the most important automakers in the world, even though investors are currently focused on Elon Musk's other public company, Space Exploration and Technologies Corp (SPCX +7.18%). That said, Tesla's stock has been holding up fairly well over the past year, rising around 17% as of this writing, just shy of the 18% gain for the S&P 500 index (^GSPC +1.18%).

Most investors expect the market to return 10% a year, on average, so it is hard to complain about 17%. Still, GE Vernova's (GEV +5.37%) stock price has doubled over the past 12 months as of this writing. And Caterpillar (CAT +3.58%) shares have risen by more than 150%. Can these two industrial giants, which aren't nearly as headline-grabbing as Tesla, keep up the outperformance?

Image source: Getty Images.

Cat and GE Vernova have huge backlogs Caterpillar makes massive earth-moving equipment and generators for creating energy in remote areas. GE Vernova makes the turbines used to generate power, along with other vital energy-producing and storing systems. They are both massive industrial businesses, with Cat supporting a $450 billion market cap and GE Vernova supporting a $280 billion market cap.

That said, the products these companies make take a long time to build. So customer orders are usually placed well in advance. At the end of the first quarter of 2026, Cat had a record backlog of $63 billion. That was up 79% year over year. GE Vernova's backlog stood at $163 billion at the end of the first quarter. While backlog orders can end up being canceled if business activity slows down during a recession, the huge backlogs these two companies have speak to a very strong operating environment.

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From a business perspective, there's no particular reason to believe either company will suddenly face severe hardship. Moreover, both lean into the significant demand for power driven by technologies such as artificial intelligence and electric vehicles. Caterpillar's earth-moving equipment is needed to build data centers and power plants, while its generators can provide power directly to data centers. GE Vernova sells turbines that utilities use to generate power, among other products. With electricity demand expected to increase by 60% between 2025 and 2045, these businesses are well-positioned for success.

Stock prices and business fundamentals don't always align The problem here is that, sometimes, Wall Street gets too excited about a company's business prospects. When that happens, shares are bid up to levels that discount the good news. Basically, the price already assumes all of the good news, even if it hasn't happened yet. And that can create material risk for shareholders. With GE Vernova up 100% in a year and Cat up 150%, you need to consider both the business and the valuation before buying.

The big problem here is Caterpillar, which has a price-to-sales ratio of 6.6x versus a five-year average of 2.5x. The price-to-earnings ratio is roughly 50x compared to a longer-term average of about 19x. It looks rather expensive right now. If you don't own it, you may want to keep it on your wishlist. During the next bear market, the price is likely to be far more compelling than it is today.

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GE Vernova is a bit more difficult to value because it has been a stand-alone business for only a few years. Its P/S ratio is 7.2x, and its P/E ratio is 30x. Neither of those figures is low on an absolute basis, so it would be hard to call the stock cheap. And management just increased its full-year guidance after just a single quarter, so the business is operating very strongly. Still, most investors should probably tread with a little caution. If Wall Street's mood shifts in a negative direction, this high flyer is likely to get caught in the downdraft.

One to watch and one to consider As businesses, both Cat and GE Vernova are likely to remain strong performers over the long term. But Wall Street doesn't always get price and value right over the short term. Between Cat and GE Vernova, GE Vernova is probably the more appealing choice right now. But given the lofty valuation on an absolute basis, it would be advisable to build a position over time rather than jumping in with both feet. Cat is probably best kept on the wishlist for now.

Since hitting a fresh all-time high in May, Alphabet (GOOGL +4.79%) (GOOG +4.94%) shares have traded 15% lower (as of June 25). However, they have still more than doubled in the past 12 months.

At this point, investors probably don't need much convincing to buy this "Magnificent Seven" stock. It's a dominant force in the internet economy. And it's in a great position to benefit from the artificial intelligence (AI) boom.

While there are numerous data points that can help investors gauge the company's performance, here's the most important metric to follow right now.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Investors' heads are in the clouds Because of Google Cloud, Alphabet is considered a hyperscaler. The segment builds data centers and delivers computing, storage, and networking solutions to enterprise clients. Its success has been notable in recent years. The cloud platform is becoming a bigger contributor to the company's overall financial success.

During the first quarter, Google Cloud's revenue soared 63% year over year to $20 billion, marking a notable acceleration compared to the 48% increase in Q4 2025 and 28% rise in the first quarter of 2025. Q1 operating income jumped 203%.

But the most important number investors should keep tabs on is Google Cloud's backlog, which almost doubled quarter over quarter to $462 billion. That's almost six times greater than the $80 billion in annualized revenue for the entire segment. It's obvious that the AI tools and infrastructure that Google Cloud is able to offer have incredible demand from enterprise customers.

"We expect to recognize just over 50% of the backlog as revenue over the next 24 months," CFO Anat Ashkenazi said on the Q1 2026 earnings call.

Investors should look at the details. Data from August 2023 revealed that 70% of generative AI unicorns (valuations of at least $1 billion) were customers, whose business models are probably unproven. However, Google Cloud's roster also includes established non-tech leaders like Home Depot, Wells Fargo, and Unilever, raising the quality of the customer base.

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What is the market thinking about? Google Cloud's first-quarter revenue and operating income represented 18.2% and 16.6%, respectively, of Alphabet's total. These figures are small today, but they have climbed dramatically. In my view, this segment is what the market is most focused on these days. Consequently, Google Cloud's performance likely has a huge impact on Alphabet's stock valuation.

This is precisely why it's critical to pay attention to how the segment's backlog changes in the future. If it continues to grow, it's a clear signal that Alphabet's enormous capital expenditures, set to total $185 billion (at the midpoint) this year and expected to increase meaningfully in 2027, are justified.

If the backlog shrinks or growth starts to moderate, the market will get jittery. And this could quickly hit the stock price. Investors will begin to wonder if all the AI-related spending will produce an adequate return.

Microsoft (MSFT 1.13%) has not been a highly valued stock by the market lately. While the majority of the market has notched new all-time highs within the past year, Microsoft has floundered. It's now 35% down from its all-time high, making it look like a potentially great stock to buy on the dip.

However, just because a stock is on sale doesn't mean that it's cheap. Let's take a look at Microsoft's stock price and see if you should consider buying its shares now.

Image source: Getty Images.

Microsoft rarely gets this cheap Microsoft is a massive tech conglomerate best known for its business productivity software. However, its business is much broader than that, as it owns LinkedIn, runs a thriving cloud computing service, and owns a video game company. But as with every company in today's market, everyone wants to know what Microsoft is doing with artificial intelligence (AI).

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Fortunately, Microsoft has an AI strategy that appears to be working out.

It has incorporated AI productivity tools into its various applications through Copilot, which has reached a $37 billion annual run rate and is growing at a 123% pace. Microsoft Azure has also become a popular platform for building AI applications. In fact, many of OpenAI's (the makers of ChatGPT) models are trained and run on Azure. During the third quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2026 (ending March 31), Azure's growth rate was 40%. Despite these strong business units, the market isn't in love with Microsoft's stock, which has deeply sold off. But I think that's a mistake.

Microsoft's stock is unbelievably cheap from many viewpoints, and now is the perfect time to pounce. From an earnings standpoint, this is the cheapest Microsoft has been over the past decade.

MSFT PE Ratio data by YCharts

Microsoft has a healthy earnings growth rate (its diluted earnings per share (EPS) rose 23% in its most recent quarter), so if Microsoft's stock price stays flat, the stock will continue to get cheaper.

Sometimes earnings can be skewed due to one-time events, but cash flow metrics are normally a bit more stable. From an operating cash flow perspective, Microsoft isn't quite at decade lows, but it's very close.

MSFT Price to CFO Per Share (TTM) data by YCharts

Microsoft clearly doesn't get this cheap all that often, and with the strong success its business is seeing, I think it's a no-brainer buy today. Smart investors like billionaire Bill Ackman took a $2 billion position during the first quarter of the calendar year, and the stock is now cheaper than at any point in that quarter. I think this clearly marks Microsoft as a smart buy, and long-term investors will be happy they bought shares today.

I keep hitting the buy button on Nike (NYSE:NKE | NKE Price Prediction), and every fresh leg down only makes the case stronger to me. The stock is down 33.33% year to date and down 30.03% over the past year, sitting at $41.82 while the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:SPY) and Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ) keep printing fresh highs. Wall Street has walked away. I have done the opposite.

My thesis is simple. This is a global athletic utility, not a struggling retailer, and the bear case is fixated on a self-inflicted wound. Management is deliberately throttling product shipments to purge older inventory and end the aggressive retail discounting that cheapened the brand, while core high-margin categories like Running and Global Football quietly post double-digit growth. A company still pulling in $11.28 billion of quarterly revenue does not break because one geography wobbles for a few quarters.

Three Reasons I Keep Adding First, the dividend. Nike just declared a $0.41 quarterly payout, extending what the company itself calls its 24th consecutive year of increasing dividend payouts. The Alpha Vantage record actually shows uninterrupted growth running back through 1999, a streak that survived 2008 and 2020 without a flinch. Layer that on top of an $18 billion buyback authorization approved in June 2022, with roughly $12.1 billion deployed and 124.4 million shares retired through August 31, 2025, and the capital return engine is doing the heavy lifting while I wait.

Second, the earnings are quietly compounding past the doom narrative. Nike has now beaten Wall Street estimates four quarters in a row. Q3 FY26 produced EPS of $0.35 against a $0.28 estimate, a 24.25% surprise. The “Win Now” strategy is visible in the segment data: NIKE Wholesale grew 5% to $6.5 billion and North America revenue rose 3% to $5.03 billion. CEO Elliott Hill told shareholders, “NIKE is in the middle innings of our comeback.”

Third, the insiders are voting with their wallets. Hill personally bought 47,320 shares on April 13, 2026 at roughly $42.27, a price almost identical to today’s. Directors Tim Cook, John Rogers, and Robert Swan also bought in the same window, clustered between $42.27 and $43.34. When the operator and the board buy at my cost basis, I pay attention.

The Risk I Refuse To Dismiss Greater China is the real bruise. Revenue there fell 7% reported and 10% currency-neutral, and tariffs in North America have compressed gross margin by 130 basis points in Q3 alone. CFO Matthew Friend has flagged that these pressures will keep weighing on results through the rest of the calendar year. That is real. It is also priced in. The stock trades at a P/E near 28 against a five-year drawdown of 70.57%, and Polymarket is currently pricing an 88.5% probability that Nike beats the next quarter. Smart money is not pricing in extinction.

Analyst consensus still sits at $58.72 against today’s $41.82, with 16 buy ratings versus only 2 sells. I am collecting a rising dividend on the most valuable swoosh on earth while the CEO buys alongside me. That is why the buy button stays warm, and why I plan to keep pressing it until the rest of the market remembers what it is looking at.

Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Nike didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Over the last five years, Nvidia (NVDA +1.30%) has been the quintessential millionaire-maker stock -- returning roughly 950% compared to the S&P 500's relatively modest gain of 74%. The company's powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) are the workhorses of the generative artificial intelligence (AI) industry. And its advantages in scale and technology have helped it stay ahead of the competition.

That said, Nvidia's stock price growth is beginning to stall as investors balk at its huge size and pivot to other sides of the AI infrastructure opportunity. Let's dig deeper to see if the company has what it takes to break out of its slump and continue generating market-beating returns.

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Business is still booming The generative AI megatrend shows no signs of slowing anytime soon. In fact, it may be heating up. Analysts at Evercore and Bank of America expect big tech's AI-related capital spending to exceed $1 trillion in 2027 -- up from around $800 billion to $900 billion this year. Most of this money is going to advanced hardware needed to run massive data centers.

Nvidia's chips remain highly relevant, which is reflected in the company's first-quarter earnings results. Revenue jumped 85% year over year to $81.6 billion, which is an incredible number for a business that is already so large. And as in previous quarters, overall growth was driven by growth in the company's data center segment, which recently announced exciting new offerings such as the Vera Rubin Platform, designed to facilitate the rise of agentic AI by removing processing bottlenecks.

Many industry watchers believe agentic AI represents the next phase of the technology. Unlike earlier AI systems, it is designed to independently plan and make decisions with limited human oversight, making it ideal for helping automate a variety of industries. And if the technology takes off as expected, it could help Nvidia maintain its elevated growth rate.

Management is returning value to shareholders Nvidia's success isn't limited to its top line. The company's technological edge gives it strong pricing power and operating leverage. Net income soared 211% year over year to $58.3 billion, and management is getting increasingly serious about returning much of it directly to shareholders.

As of May, Nvidia has increased its cash dividend from just $0.01 per share to $0.25 per share (a yield of around 0.5%). More importantly, management authorized an additional $80 billion in stock repurchases on top of the $38.5 billion remaining from its previous program.

Image source: Getty Images.

Investors tend to love buybacks because they reduce the number of a company's shares outstanding, giving every investor a higher claim on the company's future earnings and cash flow. They tend to encourage stock price growth and, unlike dividends, they aren't taxed as regular income, which can make a tremendous difference over the long term.

Nvidia's huge push toward buybacks marks a sharp divergence from other technology giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Micron Technology, which are instead plowing cash back into AI-related capital expenditures like data centers or expanded production capacity. Nvidia's strategy is arguably less risky because it relies on internally generated cash instead of debt or dilution like some of the alternatives in the tech industry.

With a market cap of $4.72 trillion, Nvidia isn't a millionaire-maker stock anymore because, even in the best-case scenario, rapid multibagger growth seems unrealistic from such a high level. The company's sky-high margins will also eventually come down as customers substitute in-house solutions for Nvidia products and rivals catch up technologically.

That said, with a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of just 22.7, most of these challenges are already priced into Nvidia's valuation. And management's aggressive buyback policy will benefit shareholders over the long haul. Investors should view Nvidia stock as a value-oriented pick in the AI industry instead of a big growth opportunity.

AT&T (T) fell 3.65% intraday, touching a 52-week low of $21.28, after SpaceX (SPCX) President Gwynne Shotwell told IPO roadshow investors the company intends to

If you only listened to the headlines, you’d think Netflix’s future has already been decided.

Gaming.

Advertising.

AI.

A growing ecosystem. Etc.

The narrative is pretty straightforward: Netflix is evolving beyond streaming, therefore the stock should go higher.

But it is markets that price risk, not narratives.

And after dissecting Netflix’s options flow, I came away with a very different conclusion.

The options market isn’t celebrating Netflix’s future.

It is instead questioning it.

Exhibit A: Volatility Is Expensive

Netflix’s implied volatility sits near the 96th percentile.

That’s one of the first clues.

When sophisticated traders become convinced a stock is headed in one direction, they don’t typically demand unusually expensive insurance against uncertainty.

Instead, Netflix’s options market is effectively saying:

"We don’t know what’s coming, but whatever it is, it’s important enough to charge a premium for taking the other side."

This is more so uncertainty than it is conviction.

Exhibit B: Someone Sold the Upside

One of the largest trades of the day wasn’t an aggressive call purchase.

It was the sale of 4,800 August $90 calls.

Could this have been part of a covered call strategy?

Absolutely.

Could it have been part of a larger spread?

Also possible.

But regardless of the broader structure, one thing is clear: this wasn’t an options trader paying up for unlimited upside exposure.

Even more interesting, the $90 strike sits remarkably close to the chart’s Point of Control: the price where the largest amount of stock changed hands over the past year.

That’s where the market previously agreed on value.

Whether by design or coincidence, the largest call sale occurred near one of the most significant price levels on the chart.

Exhibit C: The Million-Dollar Put Trade

Then came the trade that caught my attention.

An institution bought 12,935 August $70 puts while simultaneously selling 12,935 November $60 puts.

At first glance, buying puts looks bearish.

Until you notice the second leg.

This wasn’t someone screaming that Netflix was going to collapse.

It looked far more like a trader purchasing near-term protection while financing part of that protection by accepting lower-probability downside risk later in the year.

This appears to be risk engineering.

Professional traders rarely think in terms of "bullish" or "bearish."

They think more in terms of probability distributions.

The Difference Between Headlines and Markets

The media asks:

"Will Netflix’s gaming strategy succeed?"

The options market asks:

"How wrong could everyone be?"

These are fundamentally different questions.

One is a business thesis.

The other is an investment thesis.

A company can execute brilliantly while its stock disappoints if investors were already expecting even more.

That’s why stories alone don’t move stocks.

Expectations do.

The Verdict

Taken together, the options flow doesn’t read like an institutional stamp of approval on the prevailing bullish narrative.

It reads like disciplined uncertainty.

Expensive volatility.

Near-term downside protection.

Upside exposure that appears to be capped around a historically important price region.

In other words, the smartest money in the room doesn’t appear to be saying, "Netflix is going to the moon."

Instead, it appears to be saying something much more sophisticated:

"The future is uncertain. Price your risk accordingly."

And that may be the most important lesson retail investors can learn.

The bullish headlines are selling certainty.

The options market is selling insurance.

image credit: Author

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Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) shares climbed about 5% on Monday after the company officially joined the Dow Jones Industrial Average, replacing Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ, XETRA:BAC) in a change that reflects the index's increasing exposure to large-cap technology and artificial intelligence companies.

The change took effect before the opening bell, with Alphabet becoming the latest technology heavyweight in the 30-stock benchmark alongside Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and Nvidia.

Verizon, meanwhile, fell about 6% after being removed from the Dow following a 22-year presence in the blue-chip index.

The reshuffle marks another shift in the composition of the Dow, which is periodically adjusted to better reflect changes in the US economy and stock market. Alphabet's addition increases the benchmark's representation of technology and AI-related companies, while Verizon's removal reduces its exposure to the telecommunications sector.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is maintained by S&P Dow Jones Indices, which periodically updates its constituents to ensure the index continues to represent leading US companies across major industries.

MIAMI, June 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Norwegian Cruise Line®, the innovator in global cruise travel, announced today the appointment of Lee D. Applbaum as Chief Marketing Officer beginning July 6, 2026.

With more than 25 years of experience building and transforming some of the world’s most recognized consumer brands, Applbaum will lead the company’s global marketing organization, driving brand strategy, guest engagement and demand generation while fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture across the team.

Applbaum brings extensive global marketing experience across premium consumer brands. He served as global chief marketing officer at Patrón Spirits International and later Bacardi, leading the Tequila Patrón portfolio before expanding his scope to include Grey Goose. In these roles, he oversaw integrated marketing and innovation efforts across more than 150 countries, preparing him to later cofound a privately held venture focused on the development of disruptive and scalable spirits brands. Applbaum also served as a board advisor and later chief marketing officer at Wheels Up, the on-demand private aviation provider, where he played a key role in the company’s 2021 public listing. He has also held various marketing leadership roles across a number of iconic retail and consumer packaged goods brands over his career.

Known for combining bold creativity with analytical rigor, Applbaum has a strong track record of driving culturally resonant brands, leading high-performing teams, building integrated global campaigns and influencing cross-functional stakeholders.

“Lee is a visionary marketing leader with a proven track record of building brands that resonate with consumers and drive meaningful growth,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Equally important, he is known for building strong, high-performance cultures that empower teams to do their best work. His ability to blend creativity with data-driven insight will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our brand, generate high yielding demand and inspire even more guests to experience everything Norwegian Cruise Line has to offer.”

“I am honored to join Norwegian Cruise Line at such an exciting time for the brand and the broader cruise industry,” said Applbaum, newly appointed chief marketing officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “The brand has a strong legacy of innovation and a passion for delivering unforgettable vacation experiences. I look forward to working alongside this talented team to further elevate the brand, deepen guest connections and loyalty for NCL, while continuing to build a dynamic culture that inspires creativity, collaboration and demand for the brand.”

Applbaum joins Norwegian Cruise Line at a pivotal moment of growth, with seven ships on order through 2037, destination-driven itineraries designed to offer guests more choice, flexibility and ease in creating memorable vacations, and major investments underway to elevate the guest experience. His global marketing expertise will help fuel excitement and demand for NCL’s expanding fleet while bringing a thoughtful, technology-enabled approach to marketing that ensures the company is efficient with its investments and delivers the right message to the right guest at the right stage of the cruise journey. He will drive the continued momentum to position Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island in the Bahamas, as a leading guest experience following the highly anticipated debut of Great Tides Waterpark this summer, which includes 19 waterslides, the industry’s first cliff jumps, a Wandering River, a dedicated kids area designed for aquatic adventures and more.

For more information about the Company's award-winning fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

As the innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line® has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 59 years. Its tagline, "It’s Different Out HereTM" reflects the emotional connection guests experience aboard and pays tribute to the company’s history of pioneering the cruise experience. Most notably, NCL revolutionized the industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, the company continues to deliver curated, effortless experiences that cater to every type of traveler – from seasoned cruisers to families of every size. With award-winning entertainment, globally inspired dining and thoughtfully designed accommodations, including solo staterooms, Club Balcony Suites and The Haven by Norwegian®, the company’s exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept, NCL ensures every guest enjoys a seamless and personalized journey that allows them to enjoy the moment and connect with those who matter most. To further deliver guests with more value, the company’s signature Free at Sea™ package provides added benefits and inclusions such as unlimited open bar; specialty dining credits; high-speed Wi-Fi; shore excursions credits; and with select sailings guests can enjoy free airfare as well as third and fourth guests sail free (terms and conditions apply). NCL guests sailing to the Caribbean can also enjoy exclusive experiences at Harvest Caye, the company's resort destination in Belize, along with new and enhanced experiences at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s expanded private island in the Bahamas. NCL sails to nearly 350 of the world's most desirable destinations with its fleet of 21 contemporary ships.

For additional information or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com. For the latest news and exclusive content, visit the NCL Newsroom and follow Norwegian Cruise Line on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @NorwegianCruiseLine; and Twitter @CruiseNorwegian.

Norwegian Cruise Line is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
[email protected] 

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/24cf3a38-4690-4d49-ba88-4bc2794095a0

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE NAMES LEE D. APPLBAUM AS CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE NAMES LEE D. APPLBAUM AS CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

SpaceX fades just as the data predicted… the political flood accelerating toward your portfolio… the Fed’s first hike call and what it means for AI investors Almost three weeks ago, we urged readers to stay away from the SpaceX IPO.

From our 6/11 Digest:

Don’t you do it – don’t you buy the SpaceX (SPCX) IPO tomorrow. Or, if you insist, at least do so with your eyes open.

Behind the warning was 45 years of U.S. IPO history – more than 9,300 offerings, compiled and analyzed by University of Florida professor Jay Ritter, who is the world’s foremost academic authority on IPOs.

In short, the average investor wasn’t going to be able to buy SPCX at its initial IPO price. By the time they could get in, the stock would already be trading at an inflated first-day price (history shows an average 19% first-day bump).

The data suggested that after its initial surge, the stock would experience a meaningful pullback, leaving average buyers underwater.

History likes to repeat itself – in more ways than one The first historical repeat?

SPCX popped 19.2% on its first trading day – matching the 45-year historical average almost exactly.

The second repeat?

The average investor who bought at the tail end of that Day 1 surge or shortly thereafter and is still holding is already sitting on a loss.

According to CNBC on June 18, the five-day volume-weighted average price sat around $182. With SPCX’s price hovering near that level, CNBC’s conclusion at that time was:

The average investor who bought SpaceX shares in the open market after its debut has seen nearly all of their gains disappear…

The average post-IPO buyer is now approximately breaking even.

As I write on Monday, with SPCX shares trading roughly 21% below that June 18 level, that average post-IPO buyer is now sitting on a double-digit loss – just as history predicted.

Let’s jump to legendary investor Louis Navellier from last week’s Accelerated Profits June issue:

Some investors learned a tough lesson recently…

During the frenzy around the IPO, folks forgot one important fact: SpaceX will not be profitable until at least 2028.

Too many investors chase companies without earnings growth, such as SpaceX. Not a smart strategy, in my opinion.

Louis has built his career – and his track record – on the opposite philosophy His approach centers on finding companies with accelerating earnings and strong fundamental grades, the kind of businesses that don’t need a hype cycle to justify their price. When earnings drive the story, the math works in your favor from the start.

Here’s Louis with where the math is working today as he looks ahead to the start of Q2 earnings season:

If you want to make money, you have to invest in companies with earnings – e.g., technology stocks.

According to our friends at FactSet, the Information Technology sector had its earnings estimates revised more than 7% higher since the start of the second quarter.

This sector is now expected to achieve 59.6% average earnings growth in the second quarter, up from estimates of 48.7% at the end of the first quarter.

Can we quantify this earnings strength and turn it into an expected return for the tech sector?

Yes – FactSet has already done it for us. It shows that, based on earnings forecasts, analysts predict the Information Technology sector will climb 26.5% over the next 12 months.

Meanwhile, the earnings strength across the tech sector is remarkable. Here’s FactSet with the data:

Overall, 62 of the 74 companies (84%) in the Information Technology sector have seen an increase in their mean EPS estimate [since March 31].

Of these 62 companies, 23 have recorded an increase in their mean EPS estimate of more than 10%.

FactSet flags Intel (INTC), Sandisk (SNDK), Micron (MU), and Nvidia (NVDA), among others, as EPS increase leaders.

Those names aren’t likely to surprise anyone who’s been following the AI trade… This is the exact point that Louis makes in his latest research package.

When 50 million investors are working from the same tools and arriving at the same conclusions, the most obvious winners can get crowded fast.

The smart money – what Louis calls “the elephants” – tends to move on before that crowding peaks, quietly positioning themselves in the next opportunity while everyone is still celebrating the last one.

That’s the thesis behind his Precursor Intelligence system, and he just recorded a free presentation walking viewers through where institutional “elephant” money is moving right now. You can watch it here.

Coming full circle on SPCX, tech earnings, and where to have money now, I’ll give Louis the final word:

Our AI and data center stocks have a three-year order backlog. Thanks to accelerating earnings growth, these stocks should deliver spectacular performance through 2029.

Simply put, the AI and data center boom cannot be stopped!

Investors who understand this reality and align their portfolios accordingly stand to profit handsomely in the upcoming months (and years!).

Perhaps not if a growing chorus of politicians in Washington get their way…

At the start of the year, as our analysts were unveiling their 2026 market predictions, I made a call of my own This year will bring a wave of new, controversial legislative proposals aimed at investment wealth – proposals that may not pass immediately, but will introduce a new layer of policy risk investors will have to price in.

That prediction has been validating in stages all year.

For example, in January, California’s Billionaire Tax Act began collecting signatures. It’s now headed for the November ballot (I’ll note that the bill contains language that critics – including the Wall Street Journal – say allows the legislature to expand eligibility without voter approval).

Then, at the start of the month, Senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., published an op-ed in Time calling for new taxes on AI and higher capital gains rates.

And now, for the biggest one yet…

Just over a week ago, Senator Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., introduced the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act. It would impose a one-time 50% tax on the equity of every major AI company with annual revenues of more than $200 million, with those shares going into a government-managed fund.

To be clear, this isn’t a 50% tax on profits – it’s a 50% tax on equity.

I feel like “tax” isn’t the right word to use there…

Recognize the direction Now, let’s be realistic: This bill won’t pass under the current Congress.

But my prediction back in January was never about passage. It was about political trajectory – and where that trajectory is pointing.

Last week, three Democratic Socialists swept their New York primary races, all backed by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whom we flagged back in January as a signal worth watching.

One of those NYC winners – Darializa Avila Chevalier – had a 2019 social media post calling to “seize the means of production.” She won anyway.

None of this requires you to have a political opinion. What it requires is that you follow the trajectory – from California wealth taxes, to Warren’s op-ed, to Sanders’ equity seizure proposal, to three Democratic Socialists of America candidates headed to Congress (their districts are overwhelmingly blue) – and ask yourself…

What does the political landscape look like heading into the 2026 midterm and 2028 presidential election cycles? And what does that mean for your investment plan?

There are no right or wrong answers. No political commentary. Just a recognition of the shifting social/political landscape to navigate.

Bottom line: My 2026 January prediction was for a legislative wave. But only six months into the year, we’re already watching a flood.

The first Fed official to call for a rate hike just put his name on it This past Friday, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari delivered a notable statement at the Aspen Ideas Festival:

In March, I had penciled in one rate cut by the end of the year.

In June, I’ve changed that to one rate hike by the end of the year.

He’s the first voting FOMC member to say that publicly, and by name – though he’s not alone.

The Fed’s June dot plot showed nine of 18 officials already expect at least one hike this year. So, the hawkish view has already been growing inside the building – Kashkari just walked it outside.

His reasoning goes beyond the Middle East…

Yes, he cited oil prices and the Strait of Hormuz disruption. But he also flagged something worth noting for anyone invested in the AI trade:

…hundreds of billions of dollars a year into data centers and all of the associated infrastructure that goes with that – anything that touches those sectors, the prices are skyrocketing.

In other words, the AI capex boom isn’t just an investment story. It’s now showing up as an inflationary pressure that a voting Fed member is explicitly citing as a reason to raise rates.

Set that against what we covered last Thursday… Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s preferred inflation measure – the trimmed mean PCE – has sat in a remarkably narrow band of 2.3% to 2.4% for six straight months.

This is the analytical tension at the heart of Fed policy right now: Kashkari is reading the headline noise; Warsh is trying to strip it out.

This is the fault line dividing the wider FOMC today…

For example, New York Fed President John Williams thinks current policy is well-positioned. But Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee has expressed concern about inflation while declining to speculate on the Fed’s next move.

Bottom line: The FOMC is no longer of one mind.

So, what does this mean for investors?

Well, the next two or three inflation reports will carry more weight than usual. And the range of outcomes – hike, hold, or eventual cut – is genuinely open.

Given that Wall Street hates uncertainty, it might make for a bumpy run.

We’ll keep you updated.

Have a good evening,

Jeff Remsburg

(Disclaimer: I own MU)

, /PRNewswire/ -- W. P. Carey Inc. (NYSE: WPC, the "Company") announced today that it has priced an underwritten public offering of $350 million aggregate principal amount of 5.200% Senior Notes due 2036 (the "Notes"). The Notes were offered at 99.015% of the principal amount.

Interest on the Notes will be paid semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2027. The offering of the Notes is expected to settle on July 2, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay the $350 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding of its 4.250% Senior Notes due October 2026 and for other general corporate purposes, including to fund potential future investments and to repay certain other indebtedness, including amounts outstanding under its unsecured revolving credit facility.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. and BBVA Securities Inc. acted as joint book-running managers for the Notes offering.

A registration statement relating to the Notes has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and has become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The offering is being made by means of a prospectus supplement and prospectus. Before making an investment in the Notes, potential investors should read the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for more complete information about the Company and the offering. Potential investors may obtain these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, potential investors may obtain copies, when available, by contacting: Wells Fargo Securities, LLC toll-free at 1-800-645-3751, RBC Capital Markets, LLC toll-free at 1-866-375-6829 or U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. toll free at 1-877-558-2607.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Any offer or sale of the Notes will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement relating to the offering and the accompanying prospectus.

W. P. Carey Inc.

W. P. Carey ranks among the largest net lease REITs with a well-diversified portfolio of high-quality, operationally critical commercial real estate, which includes 1,703 net lease properties covering approximately 185 million square feet as of March 31, 2026. With offices in New York, London, Amsterdam and Dallas, the company remains focused on investing primarily in single-tenant industrial, warehouse and retail properties located in the U.S. and Europe, under long-term net leases with built-in rent escalations.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the matters discussed in this communication constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, both as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding: expectations regarding the use of proceeds of this offering and the settlement date. Forward looking statements are generally identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "should," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "opportunities," "possibility," "strategy," "plan," "maintain" or the negative version of these words and other comparable terms. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that are not historical facts.

These statements are based on the current expectations of the Company's management, and it is important to note that the Company's actual results could be materially different from those projected in such forward-looking statements. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable risks or uncertainties which include, among others, the risks related to fluctuating interest rates, the impact of inflation and tariffs on our tenants and us, the effects of pandemics and global outbreaks of contagious diseases, and domestic or geopolitical crises (such as terrorism, military conflict, war or the perception that hostilities may be imminent), political instability or civil unrest, or other conflict, and those additional risk factors discussed in reports that we have filed with the SEC, could also have material adverse effects on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, and prospects. You should exercise caution in relying on forward-looking statements as they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may materially affect our future results, performance, achievements, or transactions. Information on factors that could impact actual results and cause them to differ from what is anticipated in the forward-looking statements contained herein is included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2026, as filed with the SEC on April 29, 2026, as well as in the Company's filings with the SEC, including but not limited to those described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC on February 11, 2026. Moreover, because the Company operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment, new risks are likely to emerge from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, potential investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a prediction of future results, which speak only as of the date of this communication, unless noted otherwise. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this communication or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Institutional Investors:
Peter Sands
212-492-1110
[email protected]

Press Contact:
Amanda Woodward
212-492-1171
[email protected]

SOURCE W. P. Carey Inc.

MRK weekly chart shows potential for new trend highs Fibonacci Structure Points Toward Higher Resistance Zones The above technical evidence suggests strong underlying demand for MRK and the potential for an eventual breakout above the June 2024 high of $134.63, if bullish confirmation continues. Since MRK is coming off a solid support zone, there is a healthy chance for the bull trend to persist. There are several Fibonacci extension levels shown as potential new high targets on the chart, but the bull pennant measured move should also be considered.

Measured Move Projection and Upside Extension If the pole portion of the pattern, which measures the sharp advance that preceded the consolidation portion of the pattern, begins near the reclaim of the 50-day moving average, the pattern points to a potential upside move to around $162. That would match the $38.33 sharp rise used to calculate the pole. Of course, this analysis only provides a possible price target, and subsequent price behavior following the pennant breakout will need to continue if MRK is going to have a chance at that higher target.

Pullback Behavior and Risk Considerations Traders will be watching the characteristics of the first pullback carefully for clues about supply and demand and attractive setups. Despite the potential for upside, a drop back into the pennant triangle pattern would be a sign of short-term weakening that could further develop. Key support is near the lower boundary line of the pennant pattern. Overall, the bullish breakout structure in MRK suggests that momentum is rebuilding from a strong consolidation base.

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