Market Signal Briefing

This is no reason to panic.

Eli Lilly (LLY 0.41%) has been firing on all cylinders over the past two years and recently became the first healthcare company to hit $1 trillion in market value. The drugmaker owes much of that performance to tirzepatide, a medicine marketed as Zepbound for weight loss. Sales of this drug have been growing incredibly rapidly, enabling Eli Lilly to post excellent financial results.

However, the drugmaker recently announced that it was cutting the price of Zepbound, and the stock dropped as a result. Should investors buy the dip? Or does this news make Eli Lilly's shares less attractive?

The rationale behind the move
On Dec. 1, Eli Lilly announced that it was decreasing the prices of Zepbound single-dose vials for out-of-pocket patients who have received valid prescriptions for the medicine. The cost will now range from $299 to $449 per month, compared to the previous range of $349 to $499. Eli Lilly will offer the drug at these prices through its own online health platform.

Image source: Getty Images.

Notably, this follows successful efforts by the Trump Administration that inked deals with Eli Lilly to lower the price of Zepbound for eligible Medicare and Medicaid patients. There are likely several reasons the pharmaceutical giant made this decision.

First, price has been a significant deterrent for patients seeking access to this drug. Its efficacy has never been in question, but for those who don't have insurance coverage for Zepbound for weight loss, paying out of pocket is a challenge. By lowering the price of the therapy, Eli Lilly will expand its access. And the increased sales volume might somewhat offset the lower cost.

Second, Eli Lilly's only noteworthy competitor in the weight management space, Novo Nordisk, has also recently cut the price of its popular anti-obesity drug, Wegovy. Although Eli Lilly's Zepbound has been winning market share, cash-paying patients may gravitate more toward Wegovy if it costs them significantly less money. Eli Lilly is countering that possibility by lowering the price of Zepbound.

Is it time to buy the stock?
Some investors may be concerned that Zepbound's pace will slow, given the medicine's new lower prices for cash-paying patients. And considering Eli Lilly's shares aren't cheap -- the stock trades at 33.3 times forward earnings, versus an average of 18.2 for the healthcare industry -- any perceived threat to its most important growth driver is almost always going to sink its share price.

Today's Change

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1010.31

That said, not much has changed for Eli Lilly's long-term prospects. Consider the company's pipeline progress that could help it strengthen its hold in weight management. Eli Lilly is racing toward approval for orforglipron, an oral weight loss medicine that will further expand access to this category of drugs, since pills are cheaper and faster to manufacture.

Orforglipron isn't as effective as Zepbound, but it should attract a meaningful number of patients, especially those who don't have insurance coverage and prefer pills over needles. Eli Lilly is also inching closer to releasing results from pivotal clinical trials for another highly promising weight loss medicine: Retatrutide.

This therapy, which mimics the actions of three separate gut hormones (Zepbound does two), resulted in weight loss comparable to that seen with bariatric surgery in a phase 2 study. Retatrutide could be a good option for patients with a very high Body Mass Index who need aggressive weight loss and aren't eligible for (or prefer not to undergo) surgeries. Eli Lilly plans to share topline data from an ongoing trial for retatrutide before the year closes.

These and other candidates should help solidify Eli Lilly's leadership in this niche. In the meantime, sales and earnings will continue to grow at a steady pace. Eli Lilly posted revenue of $17.6 billion in the third quarter, up 54% compared to the year-ago period. Adjusted earnings per share soared 495% year over year to $7.02.

With results like these, Eli Lilly is well worth a hefty premium, especially when considering the company's significant pipeline progress in areas beyond diabetes and obesity, its investments in artificial intelligence, and its efforts to bolster its local manufacturing capacity to mitigate the impact of tariffs.

All these factors make Eli Lilly's shares very attractive despite the recent Zepbound-related developments.

December 06, 2025 5:13 PM EST | Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - December 6, 2025) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Perrigo Company plc (NYSE: PRGO) between February 27, 2023 and November 4, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 16, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Perrigo 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 Perrigo. class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48085 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 January 16, 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 litigate 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 achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. 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 hundreds of millions 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, defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and or failed to disclose that: (1) the infant formula business acquired from Nestlé suffered from significant underinvestment in maintenance; (2) Perrigo needed to make substantial capital and operational expenditures above Perrigo's outwardly stated cost estimates to remediate the infant formula business; (3) there were significant manufacturing deficiencies in the facility for Perrigo's infant formula business; (4) as a result of the foregoing, Perrigo's financial results, including earnings and cash flow, were overstated; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Perrigo's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Perrigo class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48085 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.

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

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
[email protected]
www.rosenlegal.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277188

This is a promising stock to ride the artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure boom, but it won't be a smooth ride for investors.

Navitas Semiconductor (NVTS +0.32%) could be about to experience incredible growth in the next five years. The stock has skyrocketed in 2025, rising 165% at the time of writing, as investor enthusiasm builds for its prospects of selling its power control chips to the booming artificial intelligence (AI) data center market. Still, it could be a bumpy ride, as the company is in the process of transforming its product strategy to capitalize on this opportunity, which is expected to take a few years.

Let's examine why investors may or may not be interested in buying the stock at this time.

Image source: Getty Images.

Navitas is positioning for long-term growth
The reason to buy the stock is straightforward: There is a massive shortage of power for AI data centers. This is prompting hyperscalers to seek efficient solutions to maximize the value of their infrastructure, and this could ultimately drive more sales of Navitas' power control technologies.

Navitas is shifting its semiconductor business from low-margin markets, such as chip products for consumer devices, to the AI opportunity, where its market-leading gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) products are expected to generate high-margin growth. As a result of this strategic move, management anticipates a substantial impact on its revenue and profits over the long term.

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0.03

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9.48

However, this transition won't happen overnight and will cause weakness to its near-term financials. Analysts forecast the company's revenue to decline by 45% in 2025 to $45 million, followed by a further 21% decrease in 2026 to $36 million.

It's short-term pain for long-term gain. The company is not expected to benefit from AI data center demand until 2027. Analysts currently expect the company's revenue to rebound to $66 million in 2027, before increasing by 96% to $130 million in 2028.

So is Navitas a buy?
Navitas is a promising stock to consider for its growth potential in the AI infrastructure boom. Still, it's only suitable for investors who have the patience to hold for several years. The revenue declines expected next year may cause volatility in the share price before things turn for the better.

John Ballard 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.

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

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

December 06, 2025 5:32 PM EST | Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - December 6, 2025) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Primo Water Corporation (NYSE: PRMW) between June 17, 2024 and November 8, 2024, both dates inclusive, and/or (ii) purchasers of common stock of Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE: PRMB) between November 11, 2024 and November 6, 2025 (the "Class Period"), of the important January 12, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Primo Brands 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 Primo Brands class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=47890 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 January 12, 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 litigate 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, at that time, 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 hundreds of millions 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, Primo Brands formed following the November 8, 2024 merger between Primo Water and BlueTriton Brands, is a branded beverage company that offers beverage products across a variety of formats, channels, and price points. According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants misrepresented and failed to disclose key facts about the merger between Primo Water and BlueTriton Brands, including facts regarding the progress of the merger integration. Defendants issued a series of materially false and misleading statements that led investors to believe the merger would accelerate growth, generate transformative operational efficiencies, achieve meaningful synergies, and deliver strong financial results, and that the merger integration was proceeding "flawlessly." When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Primo Brands class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=47890 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.

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

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
[email protected]
www.rosenlegal.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277189

, /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: TLX) between February 21, 2025 and August 28, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 9, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm.

So what: If you purchased Telix 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 Telix class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=43778  mailto: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 January 9, 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 litigate 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, at that time, 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 hundreds of millions 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, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) defendants materially overstated the progress Telix had made with regard to prostate cancer therapeutic candidates; (2) defendants materially overstated the quality of Telix's supply chain and partners; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about Telix's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. 

To join the Telix class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=43778   or mailto: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 or 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.

Contact Information:

      Laurence Rosen, Esq.
      Phillip Kim, Esq.
      The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
      275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
      New York, NY  10016
      Tel: (212) 686-1060
      Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
      Fax: (212) 202-3827
      [email protected]
      www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.

December 06, 2025 5:37 PM EST | Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - December 6, 2025) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces a class action on behalf of purchasers of securities and sellers of put options of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ: SFM) between June 4, 2025 and October 29, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 26, 2026.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Sprouts Farmers Market securities and/or sold put options 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 Sprouts Farmers Market class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48630 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 January 26, 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. 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 achieved, at that time, 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 hundreds of millions 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, defendants provided investors with material information concerning Sprouts Farmers Market's growth potential for the fiscal year 2025. Defendants' statements included, among other things, confidence in Sprouts' customer base to remain resilient to macroeconomic pressures and that Sprouts Farmers Market would instead benefit from the perceived tailwinds from a more cautious consumer. Defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Sprouts Farmers Market's growth potential; notably, that a more cautious consumer could result in significant slowdown in sales growth and the purported tailwinds would be unable to dampen the slowdown or would otherwise fail to manifest entirely. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Sprouts Farmers Market class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48630 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.

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

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
[email protected]
www.rosenlegal.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277191

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

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

Management's strategy could drive higher revenue next year.

Shares of Lululemon Athletica (LULU +3.50%) have given investors a wild ride in recent years. This was a high-performing athletic apparel brand until macroeconomic headwinds caught up with it in the last few years. However, this is also why investors can currently buy shares at a modest valuation that could set up great returns from here.

Image source: Getty Images.

Why Lululemon could rebound in the new year
Total revenue grew by just 6.5% year over year in the recent quarter, significantly below its 20% average quarterly top-line growth over the last decade. But all that is well-priced into the stock at this point. Easing inflation and lower interest rates could serve as catalysts for rising demand over the next few years.

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190.02

A near-term catalyst is management's focus on introducing new styles in the spring, which aims to address inventory staleness and stimulate increased demand.

As investors focus on brighter days ahead, the stock seems to be finding a bottom below $200. The valuation is attractive, with a forward (one-year) price-to-earnings multiple of 14. This is a bargain for a premium brand that generates above-average margins and still has ample international growth potential.

Lululemon stock is a compelling buy for 2026, particularly for investors who are already heavily invested in highly valued growth stocks and are looking to add potentially undervalued stocks to their investment portfolio.

John Ballard has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Lululemon Athletica Inc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Target has had a few rough years, but the shopping cart is coming together for a rebound in the year ahead.

As a Target (TGT +0.69%) shareholder, I feel like I've been wearing the mass-market retailer's signature bullseye logo in recent years. Target stock has lost a third of its value in 2025, cut nearly in half over the past five years.

The stock's slide isn't a pricing error by a checkout scanner. Target's downticks check out. It's losing market share, wrapping up its third consecutive fiscal year of declining same-store sales. It has fumbled merchandising, politics, and protecting shopper security data.

Things don't have to stay that way in 2026. I'm not still a Target investor because I'm a glutton for "cheap chic" punishment. Let's go over some of the things that will be critical for Target to get right if it wants to bounce back in the coming year.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. It keeps wearing the Dividend King crown
One benefit for patient income investors is that Target has continued to raise its quarterly distributions, even as the stock goes the other way. Target is currently yielding a beefy 5%. It has now boosted its payouts for 55 years, landing it in an elite field of companies known as Dividend Kings for coming through with at least 50 years of dividend hikes.

Given Target's growth challenges and corporate-level layoffs, its reign as a Dividend King isn't a lock. Thankfully, analysts expect the retailer to earn more than enough to cover a dividend boost. Stretching the streak to 56 years this year is important. If the stock heads lower, it means the yield will be much higher than 5% by the end of 2026.

Today's Change

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0.69

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0.63

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$

92.22

2. The new CEO hits the ground running
Nothing rattles a boardroom more than a downward-sloping stock chart. Target has been a downhill skier over the past few years. Change is coming at the top. Michael Fiddelke will be the chain's new CEO in February.

He's not some savvy outsider. He has been at Target for 22 years, since arriving as a finance intern.

Fiddelke is currently the discount department store's COO. An internal hire for CEO often indicates a company will stay on the same course as before, but that's unlikely to happen here. Target needs to nail a turnaround strategy, and Fiddelke will need to make well-received signature moves out of the gate.

3. Comps turn positive in 2026
Analysts are surprisingly hopeful for the retail stock. They expect a 2% increase in net sales, with a 5% step higher on earnings per share. Wall Street pros have been optimistic before, only to be burned by reality. Target can't fall into that trap again.

Layoffs and other cost-saving moves should help the bottom line, but that's not a long-term solution. Target needs to resonate again with shoppers. After three years of negative comps, it needs to gain ground at the store level in 2026 for investors to believe in Target again.

Buffett might be worried about the valuations of stocks today.

Warren Buffett has been sounding the alarm bell for quite some time now. Twelve quarters to be exact. That's the number of consecutive quarters that the billionaire has been a net seller of stocks, meaning his selling has outweighed his buying. On top of this, Buffett, as chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, has been building cash to reach record levels -- in the third quarter, cash topped $381 billion.

The famous investor hasn't explained the reason for his moves, but we can gather clues from comments he's made in the past and from what we know about his investment strategy. For example, in his letter to shareholders last year, Buffett explained that buying opportunities aren't generally abundant. "Often, nothing looks compelling," he wrote. And, over time, Buffett has emphasized the importance of buying stocks for reasonable valuations -- and not overpaying for a stock just because it's popular.

Considering all of this, Buffett may be worried about the rising valuations of stocks -- and that's why his warning to Wall Street has reached deafening levels. With this in mind, here are three things you should do before 2026.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

1. Favor diversification
As mentioned, S&P 500 valuations have climbed, with the S&P 500 Shiller CAPE ratio reaching 40, a level it's only reached once before. This is an inflation-adjusted measure of stock prices in relation to earnings, and it suggests that stocks today are at one of their priciest levels ever.

And investors have worried most specifically about the prices of artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. Some market participants have even said an AI bubble might be forming, though AI companies' earnings reports may suggest otherwise -- showing growth and ongoing demand.

It's impossible to predict with 100% accuracy whether a bubble is on the way or if AI stocks will continue to climb well into the future. But, in either situation, you may win if your portfolio is well diversified across stocks and industries. This way, even if one of those stocks or sectors falters, others may compensate.

Now, as you consider your holdings and strategy heading into a new year, it's a great time to evaluate your portfolio -- and if you lack diversification and have the cash to put to work, tackle the problem. If high valuations lead to a dip in the stock market, a diversified portfolio may help you weather the storm.

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$

6870.40

2. Seize opportunities
Though stocks have advanced quite a bit in recent years, this doesn't mean that buying opportunities don't exist. Even though Buffett has primarily sold stocks for several quarters, he's also found some great deals -- in the third quarter, for example, he opened a position in Alphabet, one of the cheapest of the Magnificent Seven tech stocks.

So, it's always important to be on the lookout for a good buy, even at times when the market is difficult or stocks seem expensive. You might pick up shares of a stock that's soared but recently has pulled back, offering a fresh buying opportunity -- CoreWeave comes to mind, particularly if you're an aggressive investor. Or you may turn to a potential recovery story like UnitedHealth Group -- Buffett opened a position in the health insurance giant in the second quarter.

3. Set aside cash
Finally, when possible, it's always a smart idea to set aside some cash that you might dig into when new buying opportunities arise. As Buffett's moves from quarter to quarter show, even at times when he isn't a major buyer of stocks, he still has managed to pick up some good deals. It's important to be prepared so you won't miss out.

The level of cash you set aside depends on your budget, and the good news is that any amount can help you along the path to wealth. So, you don't have to set aside thousands of dollars -- or billions like Buffett -- to start investing or add to your current positions. You can accomplish a lot with $100 or even less if you invest wisely and regularly. Over time, you might add to that cash pile and progressively invest it as needed.

So, if your budget allows, before the New Year, follow in Buffett's footsteps by setting aside even a small amount of cash to deploy at just the right moment in 2026.

3 mins mins

Key Points:

Challenge on Jupiter Lend vault independence over rehypothecation risks.Public criticism arises, claiming interconnected risks.Solana community urges clarity on risk separation claims.
The independence of Jupiter Lend’s vaults has been challenged by Solana ecosystem figures, including Fluid and Kamino co-founders, due to concerns over asset rehypothecation and risk exposure.

This controversy highlights critical transparency issues in DeFi, potentially affecting Jupiter Lend’s credibility and user trust, amid concerns of risk disclosure discrepancies within Solana’s ecosystem.

Rehypothecation Risks and Call for Transparency Intensify
The independence of vaults at Jupiter Lend, part of the Solana ecosystem, is under scrutiny. Fluid’s co-founder Samyak Jain said rehypothecation was used for capital efficiency, meaning collateral isn’t completely isolated across vaults. Kamino co-founder Marius also joined the dialogue, signaling that the migration tool to Jupiter Lend was blocked due to misleading design claims and risk underestimations, prompting concerns over user exposure to recursive strategies.

Potential shifts in capital allocation are seen as community players reassess their positions in light of these revelations. Kamino and Fluid have pointed to misrepresentations in Jupiter’s messaging, calling the supposed risk separation and vault independence claims misleading. The public critique encompasses how recursive borrowing—such as using SOL—exposes lenders to unintended risks linked with rehypothecating collateral into other assets.

“Vaults use rehypothecation for capital efficiency and are therefore not fully isolated in practice.”The Solana community, amid these allegations, echoes a desire for a definitive response from Jupiter. While Jupiter has emphasized 95% LTV and supposed innovation, critics argue that this masks underlying asset correlation risks. As of yet, Jupiter hasn’t provided a formal rebuttal to these cross-asset exposure concerns.

Historical Context, Price Data, and Expert Insights
Did you know? Controversy around Jupiter Lend’s vaults signals a recurring concern in DeFi over transparency and risk communication.

From CoinMarketCap data, Solana’s (SOL) price stands at $132.13, with a market cap of 73.99 billion. These figures highlight a 2.43% market dominance but reflect a price decrease of 0.41% in 24 hours. The trading volume dropped significantly by 53.37%, as recorded on December 6, 2025.

Solana(SOL), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 19:59 UTC on December 6, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap

Insights from the Coincu research team suggest that continuing leverage and rehypothecation strategies could amplify systemic exposure, highlighting the need for clearer protocols on risk management. While Solana aims to maintain its DeFi leadership, addressing concerns around vault design is crucial for preserving ecosystem integrity.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.

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Florida appeals court allows $80M Bitcoin theft lawsuit against Binance to proceed, overturning prior dismissal decision.

A Florida man who lost $80 million in Bitcoin to scammers will get another chance to pursue legal action against Binance in state court.

This follows a Wednesday appeal in which a court overturned a previous dismissal.

Florida Ruling Revives Binance Lawsuit
A Bloomberg report reveals that a judge has determined that the crypto exchange can be sued locally for allegedly failing to prevent the stolen funds from being transferred.

The plaintiff, Jonny Chen, says he fell victim to a 2022 scam that drained 1,000 Bitcoin from his account. He further claims that he immediately notified Binance at the time and requested that the platform freeze the assets, but alleges the company did not act quickly enough, allowing the money to disappear.

The victim had initially filed a negligence lawsuit in Florida, but the trial court dismissed the case on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction because Binance is headquartered overseas. However, the recent appeal has now reopened the door for it to proceed.

The decision said that Binance’s digital presence and business activity in Florida, including marketing to local users and offering services through its platform, were sufficient to establish legal jurisdiction.

The court wrote that Chen “will have a fresh opportunity to show he can sue Binance Holdings Inc. in state court over an alleged theft of eighty million dollars’ worth of Bitcoin.” It also said the lower tribunal had made an error when it decided it could not hear the case.

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Jurisdiction Disputes
This is not the first time a crypto company has delayed or contested legal action by raising jurisdictional challenges.

Several large platforms have postponed or escaped litigation by arguing that regulators lacked authority over them due to their overseas registration.

For instance, in the case of BitMEX, American investors had accused the firm of market manipulation and operating without proper licensing. However, the company countered that it was beyond U.S. reach because it was incorporated in the Seychelles and had no physical footprint in the country, which led to delays and partial dismissals in the proceedings.

KuCoin, another foreign-based operator, faced action in New York for allegedly offering unregistered securities. The company had initially disputed the case by insisting it had no major ties to the United States. Despite this, New York’s Attorney General later relied on the Martin Act to move forward despite the firm’s objections.

Bitfinex and its affiliate Tether have also dealt with multiple claims involving alleged market manipulation and transparency shortcomings, with the two initially challenging U.S. authority, citing foreign incorporation. Despite this, some litigation eventually moved forward and resulted in settlements.

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On December 6, 2025, Litecoin, a prominent cryptocurrency, is grappling with volatile market dynamics as its price movement piques the interest of traders and analysts. Currently valued at approximately $150, Litecoin is under scrutiny for its potential to surge to $500, a target that has caught the eye of many investors. The current excitement surrounding Litecoin is driven largely by bullish momentum, as traders closely monitor technical indicators and market trends for signs of an impending rally.

Litecoin, launched in 2011, is often described as the silver to Bitcoin’s gold, owing to its faster transaction times and lower fees. Over the years, it has carved out a niche for itself in the digital currency ecosystem, appealing to those who seek a more efficient alternative to Bitcoin. The cryptocurrency’s performance is often seen as a barometer for the market’s overall health. With a market capitalization exceeding $10 billion, Litecoin remains one of the top players despite increased competition.

The potential for Litecoin’s value to reach $500 serves as a beacon for investors seeking returns in a sluggish market. The cryptocurrency’s resilience in the face of economic uncertainty is underscored by a series of strategic upgrades and community-driven initiatives, including the MimbleWimble extension block, which aims to enhance transaction privacy and scalability. These developments have contributed to the bullish sentiment that currently surrounds Litecoin.

However, Litecoin’s path to $500 is fraught with challenges. The cryptocurrency market is notorious for its unpredictability, and Litecoin is no exception. Unforeseen regulatory changes or technological setbacks could hinder its progress. Furthermore, the rise of new rivals poses a threat to Litecoin’s market position. In particular, Remittix, an emerging digital asset, is capturing the attention of investors. Known for its innovative approach to cross-border payments, Remittix is marketed as offering greater upside potential.

The appeal of Remittix lies in its pioneering technology, which enables near-instantaneous transactions with minimal fees—a significant advantage in the remittance sector where traditional methods are often slow and costly. This has drawn interest from both individual and institutional investors who are eager to capitalize on its projected growth. With a market that sees billions of dollars transferred across borders each year, the potential for disruption is substantial, positioning Remittix as a formidable competitor to established cryptocurrencies like Litecoin.

In the broader context, the cryptocurrency market is undergoing a period of transformation. As governments worldwide grapple with regulatory frameworks, digital currencies are steadily gaining mainstream acceptance. This shift is evident in the growing number of businesses that accept cryptocurrency payments and the increasing interest from financial institutions in blockchain technology. The landscape is evolving, and with it, the strategies of cryptocurrency projects aiming to remain relevant.

While Litecoin’s legacy in the crypto sphere is well-established, its future is not guaranteed. The landscape is increasingly competitive, with new technologies emerging that promise to address some of the inefficiencies of older systems. For Litecoin to reach the $500 mark, it must not only maintain its current momentum but also innovate and adapt to the changing environment. The implementation of new features that improve usability and security will be crucial in attracting both new and existing users.

In contrast, Bitcoin—the original cryptocurrency—continues to dominate market discussions. Its influence is undeniable, setting trends that other cryptocurrencies often follow. However, as Bitcoin’s market matures, investors are diversifying their portfolios, seeking opportunities in alternative assets like Litecoin and newer entrants. This shift underscores the need for established cryptocurrencies to differentiate themselves to maintain their market share.

One counterpoint to the optimism surrounding Litecoin is the potential impact of macroeconomic factors. Global economic instability, driven by geopolitical tensions or financial crises, could have a ripple effect on digital currencies. In such scenarios, investors might retreat to traditional safe havens like gold, reducing demand for riskier assets like cryptocurrencies. Additionally, market manipulation remains a concern, with large holders potentially influencing price movements.

Nevertheless, market analysts remain optimistic about Litecoin’s prospects, citing its strong community support and historical performance as indicators of long-term growth potential. The cryptocurrency’s ability to adapt and evolve in response to market demands will ultimately determine its success. As the industry matures, Litecoin must navigate the fine line between innovation and stability to maintain its relevance.

In conclusion, while Litecoin’s journey to a $500 valuation is plausible, it is not without its hurdles. The rapidly evolving market demands agility and forward-thinking from all participants. For Litecoin, this means continuing to build on its strengths while addressing the competitive pressures posed by new entrants like Remittix. As the digital currency landscape shifts, investors will be closely watching to see how Litecoin positions itself in this dynamic environment. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Litecoin can capitalize on its current momentum and chart a course toward sustained growth.

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XRP has declined by nearly 60% in its burn metric amid the unexpected price reversal that has seen the price record notable daily declines.

Cover image via U.Today

Amid the declining crypto market trend, the XRP network activity has also taken a sharp turn from the decently high levels it has seen in recent days to a very low level.

As of Saturday, Dec. 6, data from XRPSCAN shows that the total number of XRP burned as fees has dropped from 462 XRP on Dec. 5 to just 186 XRP today.

Notably, this marks a massive 59.7% decline in the XRP daily burn volume, suggesting significantly reduced network activity amid the broad crypto market uncertainty.

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Is XRP rebound still possible?Although the XRP burn metric has not proven to be a key determinant of its potential price action, the massive slowdown in the metric shows an overall downtrend in XRP’s on-chain movements, which shows that the demand for the asset for payments has been relatively low over the last day.

Historically, slowdowns like this fee-driven burn activity have often come at a time when the broader crypto market is slipping into another pullback phase.

Thus, XRP might be entering another correction phase despite the short-lived resurgence witnessed earlier in the week. Amid this negative trend, all major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, are trading lower than previous levels over the past 24 hours.

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Data from CoinMarketCap shows that XRP has declined by nearly 2% over the last day, trading at around $2.03 as of writing time.

While the decline in the burn metric may not be used to predict what the next XRP price action will be, it hints at cooling momentum despite the recent XRP ETF hopes, reflecting a drop in payment transactions from institutions and retailers and also a drop in network movement.

Despite these negative on-chain metrics, investors have remained optimistic about a potential breakout for XRP, with many expressing belief that the leading altcoin could still reclaim the crucial $3 level before the end of the year.

This resilience portrayed by the XRP community is driven by the rapidly growing inflows pulled in by the existing XRP ETFs that have continued to show strong daily performance.

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Ethereum is gaining momentum, and several technical signals suggest that a significant move could be on the way. With key support levels holding and bullish patterns forming, the market may be setting up for a notable upside.

Golden Pocket Rejection: Confirming The High-Risk Scenario
In a recent update on X, analyst Luca referenced his recent market commentary, noting that Ethereum price action unfolded exactly as he had anticipated, with the price tapping into the lost high-timeframe support range. This range aligned with the golden pocket between the 0.5 and 0.618 Fibonacci retracement levels, and the price rejected there, confirming the high-risk scenario he had highlighted in advance.

Since that rejection, the price has broken below the key 0.618 Fibonacci Point of Interest (POI). However, the asset is still managing to hold above the crucial 1-Day Bull Market Support Band. Luca stressed that this band has historically served as a strong reversal spot over the last couple of months. Thus, he believes the current low-timeframe market structure is not yet fully invalidated.

ETH gearing up for major upward moves | Source: Chart from Luca on X
Despite this technical hold, the analyst reiterated his cautious approach, stating that until he sees clear signs of strength on the low-timeframes, signs that can durably confirm the bottom is in and that key support levels are properly reclaimed, he won’t scale out of his edges.

Luca concluded that until that concrete bullish confirmation materializes, the most likely outcome for the immediate future remains further consolidation. The market needs time to absorb the recent volatility and build a new base before a more durable reversal to the upside can take hold.

ETH/BTC Trendline Breakout: Market Risk Appetite Returns
Crypto analyst Paramatik outlined that a major structural event has occurred on the ETH/BTC charts: a falling trend breakout. This is a highly significant development, although Paramatik suggests that a retest of this broken trendline may occur before the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting.

The analyst provided clarity on what this breakout means for the broader market. First and foremost, this situation is interpreted as a strengthening signal for Ethereum. When ETH begins to gain value relative to Bitcoin, it typically indicates that the market’s overall risk appetite is returning, as investors shift capital from BTC to ETH.

Secondly, the gained strength in Ethereum is often the key trigger for the start of the much-anticipated altcoin season. This is because investors first shift funds from BTC to ETH, and then move capital into the riskier, smaller altcoins in hopes of achieving higher returns.

Paramatik summarized his findings by stating that this breakout in the ETH/BTC pair is not merely a technical line break; it is a harbinger of a market direction change. The analyst concluded with an analogy that the market has reached a state where every external event, even humorously irrelevant ones, could affect crypto prices.

ETH trading at $3,037 on the 1D chart | Source: ETHUSDT on Tradingview.com
Featured image from Freepik, chart from Tradingview.com

December 06, 2025 2:45 PM EST | Source: The Rosen Law Firm PA
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - December 6, 2025) - WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Synopsys, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNPS) between December 4, 2024 and September 9, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important December 30, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Synopsys 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 Synopsys class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44981 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 December 30, 2025. 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 litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. 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, at that time, 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 hundreds of millions 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, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about Synopsys' business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) the extent to which Synopsys' increased focus on artificial intelligence customers, which require additional customization, was deteriorating the economics of its Design IP business; (2) that, as a result, "certain road map and resource decisions" were unlikely to "yield their intended results,"; (3) that the foregoing had a material negative impact on financial results; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Synopsys' business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Synopsys class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44981 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.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277121

Mark Thompson, chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, speaks onstage in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery)

Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery

CNN wasn’t included in Netflix’s $82.7 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery—a move that, at first, might look like a glaring snub. After all, it leaves the WBD-owned news brand, one of the most recognizable in the world, out of Hollywood’s biggest deal in years. But look closer at the Netflix deal, and a different picture emerges.

There’s also a glass-half-full view, in that the Netflix–WBD deal may have spared CNN from a corporate parent that’s committed to protecting its foothold in foreign markets, even when that means agreeing to remove sensitive content.

Why Netflix didn’t buy CNNNetflix is now the world’s dominant streaming service, operating in more than 190 countries. To do that, it’s occasionally acquiesced to local censorship—removing everything from a Hasan Minhaj segment critical of Saudi Arabia to films banned in countries like Singapore and Vietnam. “We’re not trying to do ‘truth to power,’” Netflix’s chairman Reed Hastings said at the New York Times DealBook conference in 2019, when pressed specifically about the Minhaj decision.

That stance, it should go without saying, is literally the opposite of the mandate a news organization abides by.

If Netflix had absorbed CNN, imagine its reporters trying to cover the Saudi crown prince or digital surveillance in India, all while its parent company is negotiating access in those same markets. Staff would have been right to feel leery.

Which is why, in a counterintuitive way, CNN may have gotten something better by being left out of the Netflix-WBD deal. And that’s before factoring in the political landmines associated with Netflix’s other rival bidder: Paramount’s offer reportedly included investment from Saudi Arabia, while Paramount’s owner himself is close to President Trump—an entirely different set of concerns for CNN, had Paramount won the bid for WBD and gone on to combine CNN and CBS under the editorial leadership of CBS’s new EIC, Bari Weiss.

“I’ve been asked by many of you what today’s news means for us,” CNN chairman Mark Thompson wrote Friday in an internal memo, per The New York Times. “And the answer is that it will enable us to continue to roll out our strategy to secure a great future for CNN by successfully navigating our digital transition.”

Thompson said CNN will keep working closely with Discovery Global’s eventual CEO Gunnar Wiedenfels, noting that a 2026 budget for CNN with “increased investment” is already in place.

How CNN’s ownership turmoil led to this momentIt’s not hard to see why CNN staffers are probably breathing a sigh of relief.

In less than a decade, the network has already been passed from one owner to the next. In 2016, Time Warner agreed to sell the company to AT&T. AT&T rebranded the media assets as WarnerMedia, with Jeff Zucker staying on as CNN’s president. It then spun off WarnerMedia in 2022 via a $43 billion merger with Discovery, creating Warner Bros. Discovery under CEO David Zaslav.

Zucker, popular among CNN’s rank-and-file, exited in early 2022, followed by Chris Licht’s turbulent 13-month tenure, before former New York Times CEO Mark Thompson was named chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide in August 2023.

When WBD in 2026 finishes spinning out Discovery Global, CNN will be a high-cost asset inside a business that’s in secular decline. And, for better or worse, it won’t have a Big Media parent company behind it.

Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison speaks during the Bloomberg Screentime conference in Los Angeles on October 9, 2025. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Will Paramount try to buy CNN?This is where things could get interesting.

Paramount CEO David Ellison reportedly wanted to buy all of WBD, compared to Netflix’s interest only in the streaming and film businesses. And while Netflix’s snub may have preserved CNN’s independence today, it also leaves open a clean path to some sort of Paramount–CNN deal later at a price the Ellisons would welcome.

To that latter point about price: When a global entertainment giant like Netflix takes a pass, it arguably makes the company that owns CNN more attractive for a buyer looking for a strategic bargain (not unlike a real-estate price correction triggered by lack of demand). What’s more, a Netflix–CNN tie-up would almost certainly have led to congressional hearings, not to mention objections from foreign regulators already skittish about Western news brands.

Open X today, and you’ll also encounter plenty of tweets from users convinced from the get-go that Netflix is going to “woke-ify” their favorite shows on HBO, so there’s also that.

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For Paramount, there’s a case to be made that CNN is now a simpler asset to buy. A CBS News–CNN merger would instantly create one of the most powerful news operations in the country. The regulatory hurdles aren’t as high as they used to be, either, since both are national networks, and the FCC has shown flexibility as cable declines.

Long story short, CNN might have dodged the complications of a Netflix deal. But what happens if Paramount decides that it now wants to buy the 24/7 news network is still very much a live question.

About Angela Harmantas
Angela Harmantas is an Editor at Proactive. She has over 15 years of experience covering the equity markets in North America, with a particular focus on junior resource stocks. Angela has reported from numerous countries around the world, including Canada, the US, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, and South Africa for leading trade publications. Previously, she worked in investor relations and led the foreign direct investment program in Canada for the Swedish government. She earned a Bachelor of... Read more

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SoundHound AI is delivering monstrous growth right now.

SoundHound AI (SOUN 0.16%) is a popular AI stock due to its growth rate and size. It's a relatively small company at a $5 billion market cap, but its revenue is rising at over 50% year over year. Despite this, its stock has sold off heavily over the past few weeks and has fallen nearly 40% from its all-time high. That's a deep sell-off, and it may have many investors wondering if now is the time to buy the stock.

What matters for a company's stock price is the future, and SoundHound AI's looks bright. I think its stock price could be much higher by 2030, and if it goes right for SoundHound AI, it's a must-buy at these levels.

Image source: Getty Images.

SoundHound AI must appeal to the consumer
SoundHound AI integrates audio recognition technology with generative AI. This isn't a new technology, as digital assistants like Siri and Alexa have utilized artificial intelligence for some time to perform tasks similar to those of SoundHound AI's product. The difference is that SoundHound AI's platform is more accurate in certain tasks, such as drive-thru ordering at a fast food restaurant.

That's just one application for SoundHound AI's software, and it's a fairly limited one. However, if its technology is deployed across every drive-thru at every fast-food restaurant in the U.S., that's a sizable market opportunity. Other areas SoundHound AI is attempting to break into are financial services, healthcare, and insurance. These industries have sizable customer service teams to handle issues and claims. If generative AI-powered agents from SoundHound AI can replace the humans who normally staff these roles, SoundHound AI could capture a massive market opportunity.

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There's just one problem: SoundHound AI isn't human. If consumers overwhelmingly reject AI replacing humans in some of these daily interactions, then SoundHound AI's software has a relatively limited application. The key is for consumers to accept AI integration, which may not occur for a few years. Technology is often rejected when it first rolls out. Many consumers initially hesitated to use credit cards online due to concerns about their information being stolen, but now, most don't think twice about making online purchases. I could see voice AI integration going the same way, as it may seem odd at first, but eventually it becomes normal and a part of daily life.

That's the bull case for SoundHound AI integration, as the bear case could be outright rejection, and its business fails for factors outside of its control. However, if you examine SoundHound AI's growth rates, it's clear that the company is performing well.

SoundHound AI's stock price could soar over the next few years
In Q3, SoundHound AI's revenue rose 68% year over year to $42 million. In Q2, management stated that it has visibility to 50% organic growth rates for the "foreseeable future." Q3 results backed that statement up, but what will SoundHound AI's stock price look like by 2030 if it can sustain that growth through 2030?

Over the past 12 months, SoundHound AI's revenue totaled $148 million. Should SoundHound AI sustain that growth rate through the end of 2030, its revenue would total $1.24 billion. SoundHound AI's stock would deserve a premium valuation for a software stock if it can deliver that level of growth for five years, so I'll price the stock at 20 times sales. That would give SoundHound AI a market cap of nearly $25 billion -- about a 400% rise.

SOUN Revenue (TTM) data by YCharts

At nearly $12 per share now, that would price the stock at about $60 per share. That's a huge rise and would make it a must-buy stock. But remember, its success is tied to consumer adoption. If the consumer accepts AI integration, then I could see this stock price coming to fruition. If they reject it, don't be surprised if SoundHound AI's stock is a market loser.

U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to take government equity stakes in strategic industries doesn't apply to major defense firms, the head of Boeing's defense unit said on Saturday, in contrast to previous comments by a senior government official.

Selective Treg modulator gotistobart (BNT316/ONC-392) showed a reduction in the risk of death by more than half compared to standard of care chemotherapy and a manageable safety profile in the first of two stages of the global Phase 3 trial PRESERVE-003 in patients with squamous non-small cell lung cancer (“sqNSCLC”) who have progressed on prior immunotherapy plus chemotherapyMedian OS with gotistobart has not been reached at almost 15 months of follow-up, compared to a median OS of 10 months observed with chemotherapyAs a chemotherapy-free monotherapy, gotistobart has the potential to become an alternative to traditional cytotoxic treatment for a patient population with high unmet medical needGotistobart was granted Fast Track Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose disease progressed on prior anti-PD-(L)1 therapy MAINZ, Germany, and ROCKVILLE, USA, December 6, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX, “BioNTech”) and OncoC4, Inc. (“OncoC4”) today presented data from the non-pivotal dose-confirmation stage of the global randomized Phase 3 trial PRESERVE-003 (NCT05671510) for gotistobart (also known as BNT316 or ONC-392), a tumor microenvironment-selective regulatory T cell (“Treg”) depletion candidate, targeting CTLA-4 in patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC). Gotistobart demonstrated a clinically meaningful overall survival (“OS”) benefit compared to standard-of-care chemotherapy and a manageable safety profile in sqNSCLC patients whose disease had progressed following anti-PD-(L)1 therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy. Data from the non-pivotal stage of the trial are being presented today in an oral presentation at the IASLC ASCO 2025 North America Conference on Lung Cancer, hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

“With a median survival of less than a year, advanced squamous NSCLC remains an aggressive and difficult-to-treat lung cancer1,2. Survival outcomes have improved in recent years due to advances in immunotherapy and combination regimens. However, patients who progress on anti-PD-(L)1 inhibitor treatment face a poor prognosis, leaving them only with the option of chemotherapy or palliative care,” said Byoung Chul Cho, M.D., Ph.D., Lead Investigator and Professor at the Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Seoul. “We are encouraged by the median overall survival still not being reached for patients treated with gotistobart at almost 15 months of follow-up, and we are excited to continue to investigate the candidate’s potential in the ongoing pivotal stage of the trial.”

The analysis from the non-pivotal stage of the global Phase 3 trial included 45 metastatic sqNSCLC patients who received gotistobart as monotherapy, compared with 42 metastatic sqNSCLC patients who received chemotherapy (docetaxel) as second or later line of systemic therapy. At the data cut-off on August 8, 2025, 87 patients with sqNSCLC had been randomized to either gotistobart 6 mg/kg with two 10 mg/kg loading doses (N=45) or docetaxel 75 mg/m2 (N=42). The OS rate at 12 months was 63.1% for gotistobart compared to 30.3% for docetaxel. At a median follow-up of 14.5 months, patients in the gotistobart treatment arm had not yet reached the median OS, while the docetaxel treatment arm achieved a median OS of 10 months. The data showed that the gotistobart arm reduced the risk of death by 54% compared to the docetaxel treatment arm (HR=0.46, 95% CI: 0.25–0.84; nominal p-value 0.0102). The safety profile of gotistobart was consistent with previously established data and remained manageable. Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (“AEs”) were reported in 19/45 (42.2%) patients in the gotistobart treatment arm versus 20/41 (48.8%) patients in docetaxel treatment arm. The pivotal stage of the Phase 3 trial is ongoing in more than 160 sites globally.

“Gotistobart is designed to selectively deplete tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells within the tumor microenvironment. The data presented today showed encouraging signals for our approach to translating our deep understanding of the immune system into meaningful survival benefits for patients with squamous NSCLC,” said Prof. Özlem Türeci, M.D., Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer at BioNTech. “With its unique mode of action, we are investigating gotistobart both as a monotherapy and in synergistic combinations with other modalities. Our goal is to deliver transformative treatment options that provide meaningful and durable benefits for patients.”

“Gotistobart represents a step forward in our goal of offering a chemotherapy-free treatment option for patients with advanced squamous NSCLC, a population with limited therapeutic choices and a lack of actionable biomarkers to guide treatment,” said Pan Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder at OncoC4. “The encouraging data presented today underscore the potential of gotistobart to address the unmet medical needs. We look forward to continuing to jointly explore the potential of the novel mechanism of action and advance clinical development for patients who have not benefited from currently approved immunotherapy.”

About the PRESERVE-003 trial
PRESERVE-003 (NCT05671510) is a two-stage, open-label Phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of gotistobart as monotherapy compared to the standard-of-care chemotherapy (docetaxel) in sqNSCLC patients, who have progressed on PD-(L)1 inhibitors and platinum-based chemotherapy. The non-pivotal stage of the trial originally included all NSCLC patients. The ongoing pivotal stage is currently enrolling patients with sqNSCLC. During the ongoing pivotal stage, approximately 500 patients are planned to be enrolled at clinical sites in various countries and regions, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States. The primary endpoint is overall survival. Secondary endpoints include overall response rate, progression-free survival and safety profile.

About gotistobart (BNT316/ONC-392)
Gotistobart (BNT316/ONC-392) is a tumor microenvironment-selective Treg depletion candidate developed jointly by BioNTech and OncoC4. As a pH-sensitive monoclonal antibody, gotistobart is designed to enable CTLA-4 protein recycling. After binding to the CTLA-4 receptor on the cell surface, the complex is internalized, and the pH change causes the antibody to unbind, allowing CTLA-4 to return to the surface to preserve the immune checkpoint function at peripheral organs and to enhance anti-tumor immunity in the tumor microenvironment3. Gotistobart is currently in late-stage clinical development as monotherapy and as a component of combination therapy in various cancer indications. Gotistobart has received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) in 2022 for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose disease progressed on prior anti-PD-(L)1 therapy and Breakthrough Therapy Designation from China’s National Medical Products Administration (“NMPA”) in 2025.

Multiple trials are ongoing, including a pivotal Phase 3 trial (PRESERVE-003; NCT05671510) in patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC, a Phase 2 trial (PRESERVE-004; NCT05446298) in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, a Phase 2 trial (PRESERVE-006; NCT05682443) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and a Phase 1/2 open-label dose escalation trial (PRESERVE-001; NCT04140526) in patients with advanced solid tumors. BioNTech also evaluates gotistobart in combination with its mRNA cancer immunotherapy candidate BNT116 in a signal seeking cohort of the ongoing Phase 1 trial (LuCa-MERIT-1; NCT05142189).

About NSCLC
Non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”) covers all epithelial lung cancers other than small cell lung cancer and includes squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma of the lung. It is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for up to 85% of cases4, with risk factors ranging from smoking to asbestos exposure and pulmonary fibrosis5. Around 25% of all lung cancer cases are attributed to the subtype squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)6. With a 5-year relative survival rate of 15% and a median overall survival of 11 months in the United States (2000-2017), sqNSCLC is a devastating disease with limited treatment options7. Current standard-of-care includes surgery and radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy8. Treatment options for second-line therapy after first-line immunotherapy and chemotherapy are limited to chemotherapy or palliative therapy in advanced/metastatic sqNSCLC, and remain more limited than for non-squamous NSCLC5.

About BioNTech
Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) is a global next generation immunotherapy company pioneering novel investigative therapies for cancer and other serious diseases. BioNTech exploits a wide array of computational discovery and therapeutic modalities with the intent of rapid development of novel biopharmaceuticals. Its diversified portfolio of oncology product candidates aiming to address the full continuum of cancer includes mRNA cancer immunotherapies, next-generation immunomodulators and targeted therapies such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and innovative chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. Based on its deep expertise in mRNA development and in-house manufacturing capabilities, BioNTech and its collaborators are researching and developing multiple mRNA vaccine candidates for a range of infectious diseases alongside its diverse oncology pipeline. BioNTech has established a broad set of relationships with multiple global and specialized pharmaceutical collaborators, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Duality Biologics, Fosun Pharma, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Genmab, MediLink, OncoC4, Pfizer and Regeneron.

For more information, please visit www.BioNTech.com.

BioNTech Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, but not limited to, statements concerning: the collaboration with OncoC4; BioNTech and OncoC4’s ability to successfully co-develop and co-commercialize gotistobart (also known as BNT316 or ONC-392), if approved; the rate and degree of market acceptance of gotistobart, if approved; the initiation, timing, progress, and results of BioNTech’s research and development programs, including data from the non-pivotal dose-confirmation stage of the global randomized Phase 3 trial PRESERVE-003 and statements regarding the expected timing of initiation, enrollment, and completion of trials and related preparatory work and the availability of results, and the timing and outcome of applications for regulatory approvals and marketing authorizations, including expectations regarding the potential indications in which gotistobart may be approved, if at all; the targeted timing and number of additional potentially registrational trials, and the registrational potential of any trial BioNTech may initiate; and discussions with regulatory agencies. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on BioNTech’s current expectations and beliefs of future events and are neither promises nor guarantees. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond BioNTech’s control and which could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, regulatory approval dates and/or launch dates, as well as risks associated with clinical data, and including the possibility of unfavorable new preclinical, clinical or safety data and further analyses of existing preclinical, clinical or safety data; the nature of clinical data, which is subject to ongoing peer review, regulatory review and market interpretation; the impact of tariffs and escalations in trade policy; competition related to BioNTech’s product candidates; the timing of and BioNTech’s ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval for its product candidates; BioNTech’s ability to identify research opportunities and discover and develop investigational medicines; the ability and willingness of BioNTech’s third-party collaborators to continue research and development activities relating to BioNTech’s development candidates and investigational medicines; unforeseen safety issues and potential claims that are alleged to arise from the use of products and product candidates developed or manufactured by BioNTech; BioNTech’s and its collaborators’ ability to commercialize and market its product candidates, if approved; BioNTech’s ability to manage its development and related expenses; regulatory and political developments in the United States and other countries; BioNTech’s ability to effectively scale its production capabilities and manufacture its products and product candidates; and other factors not known to BioNTech at this time.

You should review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in BioNTech’s Report on Form 6-K for the period ended September 30, 2025 and in subsequent filings made by BioNTech with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, BioNTech disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this press release in the event of new information, future developments or otherwise.

About OncoC4
Based in Rockville, Maryland, OncoC4 is a privately held, late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is actively engaged in the discovery and development of novel biologicals for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases. OncoC4’s pipeline features assets with first-in-class and best-in-class potential targeting both novel and well validated targets across oncology and immunological diseases. Among them, AI-081 is a fully owned bispecific antibody candidate targeting PD-1 and VEGF. ONC-841 is a first-in-class anti-SIGLEC10 antibody currently in a Phase 2 trial for oncology indications and being explored for neurodegenerative diseases. OncoC4 has a strategic collaboration with BioNTech to co-develop gotistobart (BNT316/ONC-392), a tumor microenvironment-selective Treg depletion candidate targeting CTLA-4, in multiple solid tumor indications, including an ongoing pivotal clinical trial in squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

More information: www.oncoc4.com.

CONTACTS

BioNTech:

Investor Relations
Douglas Maffei, Ph.D.
[email protected]

Media Relations
Jasmina Alatovic
[email protected]

Media Relations
Helen Schiltz
[email protected]

1 Paz-Ares L, et al. (2018) Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy for squamous non-small-cell lung cancer. N Eng J Med. 379:2040-2051.
2 Zhou, Caicun et al. (2024) A global phase 3 study of serplulimab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (ASTRUM-004), Cancer Cell, Volume 42, Issue 2, 198 - 208.e3

3 Zhang Y et al. (2019) Hijacking antibody-induced CTLA-4 lysosomal degradation for safer and more effective cancer immunotherapy. Cell Res. 29:609-627.
4 Sung H. et al. (2021) Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 71(3):209-249
5 National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health (2025) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, online at:  https://www.cancer.gov/types/lung/hp/non-small-cell-lung-treatment-pdq#_37_toc
6 Zhang Y. et al. (2023) Global variations in lung cancer incidence by histological subtype in 2020: a population-based study. Lancet Oncol. 24(11):1206-1218.
7 Hu, Sheng et al. (2021) Prognosis and Survival Analysis of 922,217 Lung Cancer Patients from the US Based on the Most Recent Data from the SEER Database (April 15, 2021), International Journal of General Medicine, Volume 14, 9567-9588.
8 American Cancer Society (2025) Treatment Choices for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer, by Stage, online at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/treating-non-small-cell/by-stage.html

Discovering why Broadcom became such a hot stock makes it easier to find the next opportunity.

Broadcom (AVGO +2.28%) has been one of the best stocks to hold over the past decade. It has rallied by almost 4,000% during that stretch, including a return of 10x over the past five years.

Investors can't expect those types of returns from Broadcom over the next decade. The artificial intelligence (AI) chipmaker's market cap would exceed the annual U.S. GDP if the stock soared by almost 4,000%.

That's why investors look for the next Broadcom. They want to be on the ground floor before a stock rallies by 4,000% over the past decade.

Some investors refer to these types of gains as "generational returns," but such opportunities occur far more frequently than once in a generation. The jaw-dropping rallies for Tesla and Palantir Technologies are only separated by a few years.

Broadcom shares several key factors in common with other high-growth stocks that have delivered what many investors would consider generational returns. Knowing what made Broadcom into the company it is today can help you identify the next long-term winner.

Image source: Getty Images.

Broadcom solves an important problem
The biggest companies solve incredible problems, and Broadcom is no exception. The company has been producing semiconductor chips long before the advent of AI, and Broadcom chips were once found in every iPhone. Its tech forms the foundation that allows other companies to solve big problems.

Broadcom chips are in many computers, wireless routers, video game consoles, and other devices. Those products have significant consumer demand, but they also require chips to operate. Broadcom isn't the only chipmaker, but it is a leader in the industry. Computers and other critical products cannot function without chips.

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AI has increased the demand for advanced chips, and it's been a boon for Broadcom. The technology can revolutionize the world far more than the internet in its best-case scenario.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently shared on X that AI can solve hunger, disease, and poverty. Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and its parent company, Alphabet, also said that AI is "more important than fire or electricity."

If AI is that important, then chipmakers like Broadcom are that important, by extension. Broadcom powers the technology that business leaders have said can solve hunger and is more important than electricity. Very few companies are solving that type of problem, and that's why Broadcom is one of the largest corporations on the planet.

Considering which companies are solving problems that can become consequential may lead to the next Broadcom.

The chipmaker serves large customers
There are two ways to grow a business. You can either focus on serving a few high-paying customers or offer products or services to a large customer base. While Walmart does a good job of attracting millions of people to its stores each day, Broadcom doesn't have as many customers.

The company also works with smaller enterprises, but most of its revenue comes from large corporations, especially tech giants that want chips. Broadcom has a deep partnership with Google that includes designing custom AI chips, and that got Meta Platforms' attention. Facebook's parent company is discussing a multibillion-dollar deal for Google's chips, which bodes well for Broadcom.

When Broadcom signs a new customer, it can result in a multibillion-dollar deal, and such transactions can significantly boost the stock price. Investors saw that play out recently, with Broadcom soaring by more than 10% on news that Meta Platforms was in talks to buy Google's AI chips.

Examining how the largest companies allocate their resources can reveal promising growth stocks, especially when they are just starting to gain momentum.

The company has used acquisitions to fill in gaps
Broadcom has made several acquisitions over the years that prepared it for the AI boom. Ironically, one of the biggest acquisitions was when Avago acquired Broadcom for $37 billion and rebranded as Broadcom. That's why Broadcom trades under the ticker AVGO instead of a symbol that more closely resembles Broadcom's spelling.

That decision made Broadcom more competitive against other chipmakers and significantly helped in attracting large customers. The firm also acquired semiconductor firm LSI Corporation for $6.6 billion in 2013. More recently, Broadcom acquired VMware to expand its software business.

Other tech giants have acquired their way to more market share. Google bought YouTube to get an early start in video content, Amazon bought Whole Foods to boost its grocery store footprint, and Meta Platforms bought Instagram to capitalize on a high-engagement social network.

Each of those companies has made additional acquisitions and investments. It's part of becoming a corporate giant like Broadcom.

This AI stock checks the boxes to become the next Broadcom
Broadcom has long-term customers and offers essential technology, and Iren (IREN 3.55%) also checks those boxes. Instead of creating AI chips, Iren creates AI data centers at scale and just signed a five-year, $9.7 billion deal with Microsoft. It also supplies energy, which is currently the major bottleneck in AI development.

Iren already has multiple gigawatts and AI data centers to support additional deals, and co-CEO Dan Roberts recently told CNBC that the company "can't meet demand fast enough." That's a good bullish indicator, especially since most AI demand is coming from tech giants with lots of money to spend.

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Iren's data centers are optimized for the rigorous energy demands of AI tools and software. Regular data centers aren't good enough for this new tech boom because they can't handle AI workloads. Iren is still a small company with a market cap below $15 billion, but it's solving the same exact problems as Broadcom.

As Iren grows, expect the AI data center provider to acquire smaller companies to increase its market share. That will further put it on the path to becoming the next Broadcom.

Robinhood's financials have been picking up steam in recent quarters.

When it comes to investing, Robinhood (HOOD 3.74%) has positioned itself as the easy-to-use, "cool" option. It has become the go-to investing platform for many Gen-Z and millennial investors. It hasn't been all smooth sailing for Robinhood since its July 2021 initial public offering (IPO), but this past year has been a much-appreciated bounce back.

In the past year (through Dec. 3), Robinhood's stock is up nearly 246%, meaning a $1,000 investment then would be worth close to $3,460 today.

HOOD data by YCharts

Much of Robinhood's recent impressive stock performance can be attributed to its impressive financial performance. In the third quarter (Q3), its revenue increased 100% year over year to $1.27 billion, and its net income (a profit measure) increased 271% to $556 million.

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Robinhood's recent financial performance shows it isn't just a speculative growth company anymore. It's a profitable company that's showing signs of sustainability. Just two years ago, in Q3 2023, it lost $85 million, so this has been a fairly quick turnaround.

The company has also been expanding its business beyond stock buying. It now has its hand in prediction markets (though it faces legal pushback) and runs a cryptocurrency exchange called Bitstamp. Its stock platform will remain its bread and butter, but it's good to see it trying to diversify its business a bit.

Stefon Walters 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.

The Trump administration said it will forgive the last $11 million of a civil fine against Southwest Airlines that stems from the carrier's 2022 holiday meltdown that stranded some 2 million passengers after nearly 17,000 flights were canceled.

The Transportation Department under the Biden administration in late 2023 fined the Dallas-based airline $140 million, though the agency then credited the airline with all but $35 million of that amount because of its compensation to customers.

In an order filed Friday, the Transportation Department cited Southwest's more than $1 billion investments in its technology and operation since the holiday meltdown as reason for the additional credit. Southwest was due to make the last payment next month.

"Southwest Airlines is grateful to [Transportation] Secretary [Sean] Duffy and the DOT Team for recognizing Southwest's significant investments in modernizing our operations," Southwest said Saturday. "During the last two years, Southwest successfully completed an operational turnaround that directly benefits our Customers with industry leading on-time performance and percentage of completed flights without cancellations."

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