Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Key Takeaways Seagate is positioned to benefit as AI drives rapid growth in data creation and storage needs.Seagate's Mozaic 4 platform delivers up to 44TB per drive with more than 30% higher capacity.Seagate targets mid-20% annual data-center exabyte growth through areal-density innovation. AI is reshaping the technology landscape, driving an unprecedented surge in data creation from generative AI, autonomous systems, enterprise analytics and edge computing. Among the companies positioned to capitalize on this transformation, Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX - Free Report) stands out as a major player whose long-term growth prospects are increasingly tied to the expanding demand for data storage.

AI is now at the forefront of customer demand, prompting a shift from periodic model training to inference-intensive workloads that continuously produce large volumes of data. Billions of daily AI chatbot interactions, along with the growth of agentic AI, are fueling an increase in data generation, storage requirements and long-term retention needs. Demand is also expanding beyond data centers as AI enhances video platforms, autonomous vehicles, robotics and industrial systems. These applications generate massive data streams.

The rise of AI-driven inference workloads is increasing demand for both cloud and edge storage, with growing interest from sovereign and neo-cloud data centers in Seagate’s enterprise nearline drives and storage systems. As data volumes surge, hard drives remain a critical component of modern storage architectures, providing the scalability, energy efficiency and cost advantages necessary for high-capacity storage.

Seagate is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend through its focus on areal-density innovation rather than unit-volume growth. Its HAMR-based Mozaic platform exemplifies this strategy, with the second-generation Mozaic 4+ delivering up to 44TB per drive—more than 30% higher capacity than the first generation—while maintaining a highly efficient manufacturing profile. Enhanced by Seagate’s proprietary laser and integrated photonics technology, the platform improves storage density, cost efficiency and scalability, supporting the company’s targeted mid-20% annual data-center exabyte growth. The AI revolution is establishing a multi-year growth runway that could strengthen Seagate's revenue, profitability and competitive position.

Can STX Stay Ahead of Rivals in the AI Storage Race?Western Digital Corporation (WDC - Free Report) is gaining from strength across end markets, riding on AI-led storage needs and multi-year agreements extending through 2028-29. With AI generating unprecedented volumes of data, WD introduced a customer-centric roadmap designed to deliver scalable capacity, higher performance, improved power efficiency and faster deployment—all while maintaining the economics that make hard drives indispensable at scale. It reaffirmed its dual-path leadership in ePMR and HAMR, with the 40TB UltraSMR ePMR HDD now in qualification at two hyperscalers and volume production targeted for the second half of fiscal 2026, while HAMR drives are also being qualified, with ramp expected in 2027.

Micron Technology (MU - Free Report) is benefiting from the rapidly expanding AI-driven memory and storage markets. Micron is capitalizing on the AI boom with its HBM solutions, which are increasingly being adopted by major hyperscalers and enterprise customers. HBM portfolio is generating multi-billion-dollar quarterly revenues. MU is poised to be the key beneficiary of surging AI-related infrastructure spending, as companies continue to build out GPU clusters and AI data centers that require advanced memory solutions. It is also strengthening partnerships with hyperscalers and AI leaders such as NVIDIA, AMD and Intel, positioning itself to capture growing demand from AI and data center infrastructure.

STX’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesIn the past year, STX shares have skyrocketed 711.9%, outperforming the Computer Integrated Systems industry’s growth of 244.8%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

In terms of forward price/earnings, STX’s shares are trading at 41.6X, higher than the industry’s 18.34X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

STX is currently witnessing an uptrend in estimate revisions. Earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 have increased 15.5% to $14.93 over the past 60 days, while the same for fiscal 2027 has gone up 37.8% to $27.2.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

STX currently boasts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

WDC daily chart shows resistance near a 261.8% Fibonacci extension after channel breakout Daily Reversal Signal and Technical Confluence The daily chart from Friday generated a potentially bearish shooting star candlestick pattern on high volume. Daily volume reached its highest level since January 30. The low for the day was $739.11. There are several indicators suggesting a resistance zone near the high from around $787.41 to $812.21, derived from a 900% projected target for a large rising ABCD pattern and a 1200% extension of the large bearish correction that followed the 2014 peak. Also within that price zone is a target from a shorter measurement. The 261.8% Fibonacci retracement of the prior downswing is at $799.40.

Momentum vs Exhaustion at a Critical Inflection Taken together, the strong upside momentum, record participation, and extended monthly advance highlight WDC’s leadership in the current market cycle, while emerging resistance signals and potential exhaustion patterns suggest the trend is now approaching a critical decision zone where continuation or reversal pressure may begin to define the next phase.

If you’d like to know more about technical analysis and how traders use it, please visit our educational area.

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Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU | MU Price Prediction) stock is up about 6% in Monday morning trading to around $1,199, leading a broad memory and storage rally into the company’s Wednesday earnings report. Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) stock is also up by about 6% to around $788, while SanDisk (NASDAQ:SNDK) stock is up 5% to around $2,294.

The group is resisting worries about renewed U.S.-Iran tensions, including fresh strike threats and concerns over the Strait of Hormuz.

That memory and storage are catching a bid despite the geopolitical backdrop underscores how much conviction has built around the so-called memory supercycle. The memory/storage complex hit record highs last Thursday, with Friday, June 19, closed for Juneteenth.

Needham’s $1,550 Micron Target Lights the Fuse The freshest catalyst is a major Wall Street endorsement. Needham raised its price target on Micron stock to $1,550, up from $500, and maintained a Buy rating ahead of Wednesday’s report.

The firm argued that the memory market has continued to strengthen over the past 90 days, with fundamentals “stronger for longer” thanks to robust demand, a firm pricing environment, and limited capacity additions. Needham also believes long-term agreements being signed across the industry are giving suppliers, including Micron, better demand visibility that extends over multiple years.

Micron stock has been a freight train into the earnings report. The shares are up 298% year to date (YTD) through June 18, with last quarter’s results showing revenue of $23.86 billion and a guide for fiscal Q3 2026 revenue of $33.5 billion plus or minus $750 million.

Storage Peers Get Their Own Upgrades The bullish analyst drumbeat isn’t isolated to Micron. JPMorgan raised its Western Digital price target to $650 from $530 (Overweight) on June 12, citing a more positive pricing view and accelerating year-over-year price increases for HDD makers. Wells Fargo raised its Western Digital stock price target to $575 from $500 (Overweight) on June 1.

Micron stock also received price target upgrades last week from Wedbush, Rosenblatt, and Stifel. Adding to the demand-side narrative, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) CEO Tim Cook’s recent comments that memory and storage cost increases are making Apple price hikes “unavoidable” helped fuel the sector’s bullish momentum last week.

SanDisk stock, the NAND-focused spinoff, has ridden the same wave. Last quarter, SanDisk reported revenue of $5.95 billion with gross margin of 78%, validating the AI-storage thesis.

Bubble or Supercycle? The Debate Heats Up Not everyone is convinced that the move can continue without a pause. Technical readings are flashing yellow across the group, with RSI readings of 66.4 for Micron, 70.9 for SanDisk, 74 for Seagate, and 78 for Western Digital, with 70-plus generally considered overbought.

The crowd is also split. Retail sentiment on StockTwits has been bearish for SanDisk and Micron even amid the rally, even as the Polymarket contract for Micron’s Wednesday report is pricing in a 97% probability of a non-GAAP EPS beat above the $19.66 consensus. The analyst consensus target on Micron stock sits at $945.6, well below the current price, reflecting how far the tape has run ahead of Street models.

What to Watch The next pivot is Wednesday, June 24, after the close, when Micron reports its fiscal Q3 2026 results. Investors can watch for whether management’s guidance validates the “stronger for longer” thesis or gives the overbought tape a reason to cool.

Until then, the memory complex looks willing to ignore the macro noise. Keep an eye on whether Micron stock can hold above the $1,200 level, and whether Western Digital stock and SanDisk stock track it tick for tick.

Western Digital (WDC - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.

Over the past month, shares of this maker of hard drives for businesses and personal computers have returned +54.1%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2% change. During this period, the Zacks Computer- Storage Devices industry, which Western Digital falls in, has gained 55.6%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Western Digital is expected to post earnings of $3.32 per share, indicating a change of +100% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +1.9% over the last 30 days.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $10.05 points to a change of +103.9% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +0.4%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $18.32 indicates a change of +82.3% from what Western Digital is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +6.6%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) for Western Digital.

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Projected Revenue GrowthWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

For Western Digital, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $3.7 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +42.2%. For the current and next fiscal years, $12.88 billion and $17.78 billion estimates indicate -3% and +38.1% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryWestern Digital reported revenues of $3.34 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +45.5%. EPS of $2.72 for the same period compares with $1.36 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.24 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +3.12%. The EPS surprise was +12.86%.

The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.

As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Western Digital is graded F on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Western Digital. However, its Zacks Rank #1 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.

Western Digital (WDC - Free Report) closed at $732.95 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.78% move from the prior day. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.37%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.29%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 1.33%.

Shares of the maker of hard drives for businesses and personal computers witnessed a gain of 54.09% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Computer and Technology sector with its gain of 4.52%, and the S&P 500's gain of 2.02%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Western Digital in its upcoming release. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $3.32, reflecting a 100% increase from the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $3.7 billion, up 42.21% from the year-ago period.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of $10.05 per share and a revenue of $12.88 billion, demonstrating changes of +103.85% and -3.02%, respectively, from the preceding year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Western Digital. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.

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

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.37% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Western Digital currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

In terms of valuation, Western Digital is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 74.25. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 25.63.

The Computer- Storage Devices industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 5, this industry ranks in the top 3% of all industries, numbering over 250.

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

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

Shares of SanDisk (NASDAQ:SNDK | SNDK Price Prediction) are leading a sharp memory-chip selloff Tuesday morning session, with SanDisk stock down 11% to $2,027.50. The decline comes one day after the stock closed at a record high, capping a stunning run higher.

Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) stock is sliding alongside it, off 10% to $1,085, while Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC) shares are down 10% to $658. The triple-digit moves are arriving directly off Monday’s record-setting close.

The catalyst is broader than memory itself. A global risk-off wave started in Asia overnight and rolled into U.S. memory names that had run up vertically on AI-driven data-center demand.

Korean Market Crash Triggers the Reversal South Korea’s Kospi closed 10% lower on Tuesday, with memory giants SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics both sliding more than 12%. Trading was briefly suspended for about 20 minutes to slow the cascade, and AI-linked stocks fell across Japan and Europe.

Because SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron are among the top holdings of the Roundhill Memory ETF (NYSEARCA:DRAM), the contagion was immediate. The DRAM ETF is down 14% pre-market, crashing despite SanDisk and Western Digital’s HDD/NAND mix differing from pure DRAM exposure.

This looks more like sell-the-news profit-taking after an extreme rally than a memory-specific fundamental break. SanDisk stock had gained 858% year to date (YTD), Micron stock was up 325% YTD, and Western Digital stock had climbed 326% YTD prior to the Tuesday morning sell-off. Names that move like that tend to reverse hard on any wobble in confidence.

Fundamentals Still Look Strong The fundamentals remain solid across the group. SanDisk’s most recent Q3 FY2026 report showed revenue of $5.95 billion against a $4.73 billion consensus, with the Datacenter segment up 645% year over year (YoY) and gross margin expanding to 78%.

SanDisk CEO David Goeckeler described the quarter as “a fundamental inflection point” driven by mix shift toward datacenter customers. Micron’s last report showed revenue of $23.86 billion with gross margin at 74%, and the company guided Q3 FY2026 revenue to $33.5 billion plus or minus $750 million.

That tension, robust fundamentals running into a parabolic chart, is exactly what split sentiment overnight. The debate playing out is whether this is a temporary blip or the start of a real correction after these names surged enormously over the past year on AI-driven data-center demand.

Retail Sentiment Cools Into Micron’s Report Reddit chatter has cooled noticeably. Micron’s aggregate sentiment slipped from 81 (Very Bullish) early Monday to 56 (Neutral) by Tuesday morning. A top r/options thread, “Micron earnings Tuesday and the bar feels insanely high, anyone else nervous?”, captures the pre-earnings jitters cleanly.

SanDisk’s Reddit sentiment slid from 72 (bullish) Monday to 45 (neutral) by early Tuesday. StockTwits sentiment on Micron and SanDisk also turned bearish overnight, consistent with broad de-risking across high-beta AI plays.

What to Watch Next The next defined catalyst is close. Micron is scheduled to report fiscal Q3 2026 earnings on Wednesday, June 24, after market close, and that report will likely set the tone for the entire memory complex.

Investors can watch how SanDisk, Micron, and Western Digital shares behave throughout the day and how the Roundhill Memory ETF trades. Given the volatility, investors may consider sizing their positions modestly until the dust settles.

The blip-versus-correction debate won’t resolve today. Micron’s report tomorrow is the next anticipated data point, and it arrives with high expectations.

Trey has been an editor and author at 24/7 Wall St. for more than a decade, where he has published thousands of articles analyzing corporate earnings, dividend stocks, short interest, insider buying, private equity, and market trends. His comprehensive coverage spans the full spectrum of financial markets, from blue-chip stalwarts to emerging growth companies.

Beyond 24/7 Wall St., Trey has created and edited financial content for Benzinga and AOL's BloggingStocks, contributing additional hundreds of articles to the investment community. He previously oversaw the 24/7 Climate Insights site, managing editorial operations and content strategy, and currently oversees and creates content for My Investing News.

Trey's editorial expertise extends across multiple publishing environments. He served as production editor at Dearborn Financial Publishing and development editor at Kaplan, where he helped shape financial education materials. Earlier in his career, he worked as a writer-producer at SVE. His freelance editing portfolio includes work for prestigious clients such as Sage Publications, Rand McNally, the Institute for Supply Management, the American Library Association, Eggplant Literary Productions, and Spiegel.

Outside of financial journalism, Trey writes fiction and has been an active member of the writing community for years, overseeing a long-running critique group and moderating workshop sessions at regional conventions. He lives with his family in an old house in the Midwest.

Utility-Scale Development Fully Contracted to Investment-Grade Offtaker Secures Financing from Bank Syndicate

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CIM Group’s Permanent Power Company (the “Company”), a national power platform, announced today that it has closed an approximately $600 million construction financing facility to proceed with development of its solar and energy storage project in California (“Grape”). The financing package includes an approximately $372.3 million construction-to-term loan, an approximately $166.7 million tax credit transfer bridge loan, and an approximately $61.3 million letter of credit facility. Truist serves as the administrative agent under the facility and Wells Fargo serves as the collateral agent.

Grape is a 246.4 MWac solar photovoltaic (PV) project with 150 MWac (600 MWh) of battery energy storage systems (BESS) located in Westlands Solar Park, one of the largest permitted solar parks in the U.S. encompassing more than 20,000 acres in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The Company recently signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with an investment-grade, regulated energy service provider for the entire capacity of solar generation and battery storage at Grape.

Now under construction, Grape is expected to support more than 400 construction jobs and generate enough clean energy to power over 86,000 California homes annually.

“This financing is an important milestone for Permanent Power Company that reflects the confidence our capital partners have in our ability to develop and deliver large-scale power generation and energy storage projects. Grape is particularly notable given that an investment-grade offtaker signed a long-term PPA for its full solar and storage capacity prior to completion, underscoring both the strength of the project and the approach we bring to our platform,” said Avi Shemesh, Co-Founder and Principal, CIM Group.

Upon completion, Grape will contribute to the Company’s broader portfolio, which is expected to comprise approximately 1,200 MWac of solar PV and 690 MWac (2,760 MWh) of BESS.

The Company previously secured a $400 million financing commitment from funds and accounts managed by HPS Investment Partners, part of BlackRock Private Financing Solutions, advancing the Company’s growth plan to deliver power, energy storage and transmission solutions across the U.S., with a strategic focus on assets located in Qualified Rural Opportunity Zones.

About Permanent Power Company

Permanent Power Company is a CIM-backed energy holdings platform currently held by CIM affiliates and managed accounts and formed to capitalize on long term, secular trends within the U.S. energy markets, including the continued demand for reliable, diversified power generation and related infrastructure. Permanent Power Company owns a portfolio of operating solar and storage projects, together with a development pipeline of projects that are expected to qualify for applicable solar tax credits and to generate revenue pursuant to offtaker agreements that have been executed or are in active negotiation. Permanent Power Company is expected to continue to pursue opportunities in a broader pipeline of renewable energy and non-renewable power assets over the long term, including assets located in Opportunity Zones.

Watch how Pizza Hut lost its grasp on the U.S. pizza market to Domino's, leading to its sale in two separate deals.

After experiencing underwhelming to outright poor performance recently, several big names in the consumer discretionary sector are loading up on buyback capacity. All three of these moves signal management’s confidence in their ability to turn the tide, but each also comes with a unique set of circumstances.

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Yum! Brands: Pizza Hut Is Out, Buybacks Are InYum! Brands NYSE: YUM is the owner of several well-known fast-food chains, including KFC, Taco Bell, and, until recently, Pizza Hut. In mid-June, Yum! announced the sale of Pizza Hut in a deal worth $2.7 billion. This comes as Pizza Hut has struggled relative to its top competitor, Domino’s Pizza NASDAQ: DPZ.

Yum! Brands Today

$152.58 +1.84 (+1.22%)

As of 01:11 PM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$137.33▼

$169.39Dividend Yield1.97%

P/E Ratio24.64

Price Target$176.12

In 2025, Pizza Hut saw its same-store sales fall by 1% year over year (YOY), while its operating profit dropped 9% YOY. Meanwhile, Domino’s same-store sales increased 3% YOY, while operating profit rose 8% YOY. Notably, Pizza Hut was dragging down the overall company to the point where Yum! started to provide financial measures that excluded it. Yum! shares are approximately flat in 2026.

Overall, Yum! believes that selling Pizza Hut will allow the firm to focus more on its successful franchises and create more value for shareholders. One way the company is displaying this confidence is through buybacks. In connection with this announcement, Yum! announced a very substantial $4 billion buyback authorization. This is equal to approximately 9.5% of the company’s market capitalization of around $42 billion.

With $2.4 billion in net proceeds expected from the deal, Yum! should receive a lot of the cash needed to fund its buyback plan. The next critical point to watch will be the company’s earnings call at the end of July. Here, Yum! will provide important updates on how selling Pizza Hut will affect its financial outlook.

AutoZone Adds $1.5 Billion to Buyback Capacity as Shares TankAuto parts retailer AutoZone NYSE: AZO has taken a significant tumble in 2026, down more than 10%. Notably, AutoZone has not delivered a calendar year return worse than -12% since 1994. The stock is now down over 30% from its all-time highs. Much of this decline came after the beginning of the U.S.-Iran conflict, which caused oil prices to soar.

AutoZone Today

$3,058.25 +109.19 (+3.70%)

As of 01:12 PM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$2,928.11▼

$4,388.11P/E Ratio21.08

Price Target$4,040.87

With this, some investors fear that higher gas prices will translate into lower vehicle usage, and thus less demand for auto parts. AutoZone posted a sales miss in its last earnings report, adding weight to these fears and causing shares to fall 9%.

Now, AutoZone has added $1.5 billion to its buyback authorization. Notably, the firm still had a significant $800 million in buyback capacity during its last earnings call.

At $2.3 billion, the company’s total buyback capacity is equal to a fairly large 4.8% of its market capitalization.

This gives AutoZone the ability to significantly reduce its share count. The authorization is also solidly supported by the firm’s last 12 months' free cash flow of $1.6 billion.

Additionally, as the firm had $800 million in remaining buyback capacity, it didn’t necessarily need to re-up at this time. Doing so indicates that AutoZone sees meaningful value in its share price, causing it to add more capacity to repurchase more shares than it otherwise could have.

Birkenstock Returns to the Buyback Table After $250 Million ProgramLast up is sandal maker Birkenstock NYSE: BIRK. The stock has been up and down in 2026, with shares falling more than 20% through mid-May. Shares also took a large 13% hit after the company reported its latest financial results.

Birkenstock Today

$42.76 -0.54 (-1.24%)

As of 01:12 PM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$31.12▼

$53.53P/E Ratio19.33

Price Target$53.68

This came as the firm missed estimates on both sales and earnings per share (EPS). Its sales of 618 million euros (approx. $714 million) fell well short of estimates near $717 million. Meanwhile, EPS of €0.50 (approx. 58 cents) was also far below expectations of 70 cents. The company noted tariffs and currency headwinds as key contributors to this, with currency alone representing a 640-basis-point growth headwind.

However, soon after, Birkenstock announced a $250 million accelerated share repurchase program. In this announcement, the firm said, “Short-term market dynamics have resulted in what we believe is a strong disconnect between our share price and the strength of our underlying fundamentals.” The same day, shares soared 21%, putting the stock moderately in the green for the year.

Now, Birkenstock is making another buyback move. After refinancing a large amount of debt to a lower interest rate, the firm added $500 million in buyback capacity. This is equal to a large 5.9% of its approximately $8.5 billion market capitalization. Considering the strong statements regarding its accelerated buyback, this is another signal of confidence. Still, it is important to note that the company is borrowing the funds for this buyback. While this arguably amplifies the confident signal, borrowing to buy back shares is also not the most prudent move.

Analysts Eye Rebound in AutoZone, Gas Prices FallAmong this group, analysts are taking a particularly positive outlook on AutoZone. The MarketBeat consensus price target on shares sits just above $4,000, implying more than 30% upside. With the U.S.-Iran conflict seemingly nearing its end, it is possible that oil-driven fears hurting AutoZone could ease. Notably, the national average gas price recently fell below $4 per gallon, down considerably from its $4.56 peak.

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Consumer electronics giant Best Buy (NYSE: BBY | BBY Price Prediction) just declared a $0.96 quarterly payout, pushing the annualized dividend to $3.84 per share. At a recent price of $73.10, that is a yield of roughly 5.0%, well north of the 4.43% 10-year Treasury. With Kevin Warsh signaling a more hawkish Fed posture and retiree portfolios bracing for volatility, the question I want to answer is simple: how safe is this dividend?

Dividend Snapshot Metric Value Annual Dividend $3.84 per share Dividend Yield ~5.0% Most Recent Increase 1% (March 2026) Years Paid Without Cut 20+ years Dividend Aristocrat/King No Payout Ratios Leave Real Breathing Room Best Buy generated $1.258 billion in free cash flow on $1.962 billion of operating cash flow in FY26, against roughly $820 million in dividends paid. FY26 adjusted EPS of $6.43 easily covers the $3.84 payout.

Metric TTM Assessment Earnings Payout Ratio ~60% Healthy FCF Payout Ratio ~65% Healthy OCF Coverage ~2.4x Strong FY27 guidance of $6.30 to $6.60 in adjusted EPS keeps that earnings payout ratio firmly under 65% even at the low end.

The Balance Sheet Backs the Check Metric Value Assessment Cash on Hand $1.749B Solid Buffer Shareholders’ Equity $3.083B Stable EV/EBITDA 8x Conservative Cash alone covers more than two years of dividends. With EBITDA of $2.618 billion, leverage is manageable, and management is still funding ~$300 million in FY27 buybacks on top of the dividend.

A Streak That Survived COVID Year Annual Dividend 2026 $3.84 2025 $3.80 2024 $3.76 2023 $3.68 2022 $3.52 Best Buy never cut during the pandemic and the five-year dividend CAGR runs around 6.5%. The most recent 1% bump is modest, signaling caution but not stress.

Management Is Funding the Dividend Through a CEO Handoff CEO Corie Barry, who hands the reins to Jason Bonfig on November 1, 2026, said on the Q1 FY27 call: “We also drove operating income rate expansion and EPS growth.” The board approved the raise alongside the buyback plan, which tells me capital return remains a priority through the transition.

The Verdict: Safe Dividend Safety Rating: Safe. A ~60% earnings payout, ~65% FCF payout, $1.7 billion in cash, and an unbroken 20-year payment record give me confidence. The dividend looks well-supported for income-focused investors who expect computing and gaming refresh cycles to keep comparable sales positive. The risk profile worsens if consumer sentiment (49.8) keeps sliding and appliance weakness deepens. For now, the 5% yield looks well earned.

Best Buy Co Inc (NYSE:BBY) is positioned for a new phase of growth under incoming CEO Jason Bonfig, according to Jefferies analysts, who said that recent discussions with the executive left them increasingly confident in the company’s outlook amid shifting dynamics in consumer electronics.

Jefferies sees a supportive backdrop for the retailer as replacement cycles, product innovation and category complexity converge, creating what it describes as an opportunity for higher industry growth and above-average expansion for Best Buy.

The firm highlighted potential upside drivers, including retail media, third-party marketplace growth, TV replacement demand, and share gains in appliances.

Jefferies pointed to Bonfig’s long-standing relationships with key vendors as a strategic advantage, particularly in the context of ongoing supply chain constraints such as memory chip shortages.

The analysts also highlighted his role in securing Best Buy’s early exclusivity around RGB televisions, citing it as evidence of his ability to commercialize emerging technology trends.

According to Jefferies, the launch of RGB TVs is expected imminently, with employee training completed and a broad marketing campaign set to begin later this month. The rollout will include bundled services such as delivery, installation and haul-away, which the firm said reflects a deliberate effort to target consumers who may not yet have an urgent replacement need.

On Best Buy’s advertising business, Jefferies said recent technology investments could enable more flexible and scalable campaign formats, including multiple simultaneous store “takeover” campaigns across different geographies and customer segments. The firm described this as a potential acceleration point for what is already a high-margin revenue stream.

Jefferies also compared Best Buy’s positioning in the current AI cycle to the early days of Wi-Fi adoption, arguing that new technology waves tend to benefit the retailer as consumers rely on in-store expertise to navigate complex product shifts.

In appliances, the note highlighted a strategy focused on delivery speed and fulfillment optimization, including expanded rural inventory positioning and later cutoffs for next-day delivery in urban markets. Jefferies wrote that these changes could help capture incremental demand from time-sensitive purchases.

The firm added that Best Buy’s third-party marketplace expansion is expected to scale faster in the US than it did in Canada, where Bonfig previously led similar efforts.

Jefferies concluded that Best Buy is well positioned in an “agentic commerce” environment, where automated shopping tools may increase price transparency but also surface fulfillment and service advantages such as rapid delivery and installation—areas where the retailer maintains structural strengths.

Best Buy shares traded hands at about $74 on Tuesday, up almost 11% in the year to date.

Two pioneers of design-led hospitality with a shared commitment to individuality come together in Design Hotels' largest single portfolio addition to date.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Design Hotels today announced a landmark portfolio expansion with Palisociety, the Los Angeles-based independent hospitality brand known for its design-forward hotels in key U.S. markets.  

Design Hotels has entered into agreements with the owners of 16 hotels across nine U.S. destinations operated by Palisociety to join Design Hotels' portfolio, marking the largest portfolio addition in the brand's history.

Le Petit Pali Laguna Beach With the properties it operates joining Design Hotels, Palisociety and its hotel owners become part of a global network that champions visionary ownership and original design across the world.

Representing over 1,000 total keys across the United States, the hotels set to join the Design Hotels portfolio in the coming months are:

Palihouse West Hollywood, 95 keys Palihotel Melrose, 33 keys Palihotel San Francisco, 82 keys  Palihotel Westwood Village, 54 keys Palihotel Palm Springs, 116 keys Palihotel Hollywood, 74 keys Palihotel Seattle, 96 keys Le Petit Pali Brentwood, 25 keys Le Petit Pali St. Helena, 29 keys Le Petit Pali Laguna Beach, 41 keys ARRIVE Albuquerque, 137 keys ARRIVE Palm Springs, 32 keys ARRIVE Wilmington, 34 keys ARRIVE Memphis, 62 keys Silver Lake Pool & Inn, 54 keys The Hôtel Lili Beverly Hills, 44 keys  Part of Marriott International, Design Hotels is a global collection of more than 300 independently owned, design-led hotels. Building on strong portfolio growth in 2025, Design Hotels is expected to surpass 100 hotels across the Americas this year, a historic first for the brand. These deals represent a significant alignment between Design Hotels and Palisociety, two brands united by a shared commitment to individuality, storytelling, and neighborhood-focused hospitality. Both brands have been built around the power of community, offering memorable experiences and inspiring events that foster connection, all designed to nurture the culturally curious.

"Design Hotels has always been a home for founders, visionaries, and original thinkers. Avi Brosh and Kirsten Leigh Pratt have built Palisociety with the same independent mindset that defines our global community - creating hotels with character, cultural relevance, and a genuine connection to place. The alignment between our brands was immediate. We share a belief that great hospitality is personal, distinctive, and shaped by the people behind it, making this collaboration a natural evolution for both brands," said Stijn Oyen, Managing Director of Design Hotels.

Founded in Los Angeles in 2008, Avi Brosh's Palisociety operates a collection of more than 20 hotels, residences, and restaurants with a keen focus on bespoke design, neighborhood-inspired culture and programming, signature amenities and accoutrements, and a distinctly independent point of view. The brand's portfolio comprises five sub-brands: Palihouse, Palihotel, Le Petit Pali, ARRIVE by Palisociety and an assortment of independently branded properties, all designed to feel timeless and comfortable, while remaining deeply connected to their neighborhoods and driven by inspiration and creativity. From the brand's original Palihouse West Hollywood flagship in Los Angeles to the newest Le Petit Pali St. Helena in Napa Valley, California, Brosh's steadfast vision of modern-day hospitality has led Palisociety to numerous best hotels awards, international accolades and continued growth.

"Design Hotels has long been a symbol of creativity, vision and inspired hospitality in the industry, and we are thrilled to introduce our collection of hotels into their portfolio," said Avi Brosh, Founder of Palisociety. "Palisociety has always been driven by our love of design, culture and independence, and this agreement feels like a natural extension of those shared passions that hotel enthusiasts will undoubtedly appreciate."

Palisociety's member hotels will also be able to leverage Design Hotels' services which span public relations, sales, digital marketing, web design, and content creation as well as Marriott's global distribution channels. In the coming months, all properties are also set to join Marriott's award-winning travel platform, Marriott Bonvoy®, offering guests unique benefits and unparalleled experiences.

These deals reflect the continued growth of boutique hospitality and reinforce Design Hotels' mission to support visionary hoteliers whose properties stand apart.

For more information visit: www.designhotels.com

ABOUT DESIGN HOTELS
For 30 years, Design Hotels has been at the forefront of a movement in travel, curating a handpicked portfolio of 300+ independently owned and operated hotels in over 50 countries. From cultural hubs in fast-paced cities to off-the-beaten-path escapes, each hotel reflects the vision of its pioneering owner—or "Original"—driven by a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, and thought-provoking design and architecture.

More than a collection of hotels, Design Hotels provides its member hotels with forward-thinking industry expertise—from trend forecasting and creative consultancy to PR, marketing, and global sales representation.

Design Hotels is headquartered in Berlin, with offices in London, Los Angeles, New York, and Singapore. In 2019, the company partnered with Marriott Bonvoy®, expanding the reach of its member hotels and offering its community access to one of the industry's leading loyalty programs.

ABOUT PALISOCIETY
Palisociety is a fully integrated hospitality company that acquires, designs, develops, owns and operates unique hotels and residences across the country under four distinct monikers: Palihouse, Palihotel, Le Petit Pali, ARRIVE by Palisociety and a collection of independently branded properties. The company's proprietary brands, development and operational expertise also includes specialized retail spaces, highly curated restaurants, bars and event venues. Palisociety properties have been featured on Condé Nast Traveler's Hot List, Travel + Leisure IT List, and more, with accolades from The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Wallpaper* and countless others. Avi Brosh founded Palisociety in 1998 in Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.palisociety.com or follow @palisociety.

ABOUT MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL
Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of compelling brands across luxury, premium, select, midscale, extended stay, and all-inclusive, with approximately 10,000 properties in 146 countries and territories, as of June 11, 2026. Marriott franchises, operates, and licenses hotel, residential, timeshare, yacht, outdoor, and other lodging products all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel platform. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on X and Instagram.

ABOUT MARRIOTT BONVOY
Marriott Bonvoy®, Marriott International's portfolio of more than 30 hotel brands and approximately 10,000 global destinations, offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable locations around the world. The award-winning travel program and marketplace gives members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit www.marriottbonvoy.com. To download the Marriott app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.  

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.

On June 22, 2026, Marriott International Inc MAR shares fell 3.0% to $384.19, continuing a downward trend, with the stock now approximately 4.1% lower over the past week. Over the past year, MAR has shown substantial growth, with a gain of 49.0%, but it has also experienced volatility, trading between a 52-week high of $410.98 and a low of $253.76.

GF Value™ verdict: Current price of $384.19 is 28.1% above GF Value™ of $299.96, indicating overvaluation.GF Score™ is 88/100, which is considered strong, suggesting good potential for long-term returns.Notable signal: Insider activity indicates that insiders sold $2.8 million in stock over the last three months without any buying activity. Is MAR Overvalued or Undervalued? According to the GF Value™ analysis, Marriott International Inc is currently overvalued, trading at $384.19 compared to its estimated fair value of $299.96. This results in a significant margin of safety risk for potential investors, as the stock price exceeds the fair value by 28.1%. The GF Valuation label indicates that MAR is "Modestly Overvalued," suggesting that while the company has strong fundamentals, the current market price may not justify the investment at this time.

GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary measure of intrinsic value, calculated from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates. Given its current valuation, investors should exercise caution, as the risk of a price correction may be heightened if market sentiment shifts or if the company's performance does not meet expectations.

How Does MAR's Valuation Compare to Its History? Metric Current Historical P/E (TTM) 40.3x 29.2x Forward P/E 33.1x N/A Marriott International Inc's current P/E ratio of 40.3x is significantly above its 5-year median P/E of 29.2x, indicating a premium valuation compared to its historical levels. This analysis aligns with the GF Value™ verdict of being overvalued, as the stock trades at a P/E that is 38% higher than its historical average.

What Does MAR's GF Score™ Tell Us? Metric Rating GF Score™ 88 Financial Strength 4/10 Profitability 9/10 Growth 9/10 Valuation 5/10 Momentum 10/10 The GF Score™ of 88/100 reflects a strong overall performance for Marriott International Inc, particularly in the areas of Profitability and Growth, where it scores 9/10. However, the Financial Strength rating of 4/10 indicates potential weaknesses in the company's balance sheet, which could be a concern for risk-averse investors. The Momentum score of 10/10 suggests that the stock has been performing exceptionally well in recent times, despite its current overvaluation status.

What Are Insiders Doing with MAR Stock? In recent months, insider activity has shown that insiders sold $2.8 million worth of Marriott International Inc stock without any recorded buying. This pattern may indicate a lack of confidence among insiders regarding the stock's near-term performance or valuation, which investors might consider when assessing the overall sentiment surrounding the stock.

The absence of insider buying further emphasizes the caution required when evaluating the current price point, as insiders often have a good sense of the company's future prospects.

What This Means for Investors Based on the GF Value™ assessment, Marriott International Inc is currently overvalued. The significant gap between the market price and the estimated fair value suggests that caution is warranted for those considering an investment in the company at this time.

For the complete analysis, visit the Marriott International Inc MAR stock page. You can also explore the GF Value™ page for detailed valuation methodology, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find similar opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions What is MAR's GF Score™?

MAR's GF Score™ is 88/100, indicating a strong potential for long-term returns based on the company's performance metrics.

Is MAR overvalued or undervalued?

MAR is currently overvalued, with a market price of $384.19 compared to a GF Value™ of $299.96.

What is MAR's P/E ratio?

MAR's P/E (TTM) is 40.3x, which is significantly above its 5-year median P/E of 29.2x, indicating a premium valuation compared to its historical trading levels.

This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

Together, Dove and Tori Penso will champion a message of confidence and self-esteem for girls in sports through visible support both on the field and in an exclusive social docuseries as Tori makes history at the FIFA World Cup 2026™

HOBOKEN, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / June 18, 2026 / Beauty brand Dove has announced a partnership with Tori Penso, the first American woman ever selected to serve as a Head Referee at a FIFA World Cup™ tournament. Together, Dove and Penso will take to one of the world's biggest global stages in sports to celebrate the confidence and joy that helps girls stay in the game through symbolic game day gear and an exclusive behind-the-scenes social docuseries about Tori's journey in sports. The partnership builds on "The Game Is Ours," a global sports platform under the Dove Self-Esteem Project.

Dove research shows that one in two girls who quit sports are criticized for their body type, a pressure that strips away the joy of playing, and ultimately pushes them out of the game. By teaming up with Penso, Dove is helping make confidence visible on the pitch throughout the tournament.

"We know confidence can play a powerful role in helping girls stay in the game," said Marcela Melero, Chief Growth Marketing Officer, Dove. "Tori's story is a powerful reminder of what's possible when girls stay in sports, and in a male dominated tournament, it's important for girls to see this represented on the pitch. We're proud to partner with her and celebrate the confidence, determination and love of the game that helped her make history."

This work builds on the Dove Self-Esteem Project's commitment to helping girls stay in sport through the Body Confident Sport program. Through Body Confident Sport, coaches, parents, and mentors are equipped with evidence-based tools to help girls build body confidence and continue participating in the sports they love. To date, the Dove Self-Esteem Project has reached more than 160 million young people across 150+ countries with self-esteem education, with a goal of reaching 250 million young lives globally by 2030.

Outfitting An Unshakeable Presence On The Field

Because Tori isn't just any referee, Dove is equipping her with custom game gear designed to carry her support system right out to the center circle. When Tori takes the pitch during the tournament, she will be wearing:

The Blue Whistle: A custom, Dove-blue whistle, serving as a distinct visual marker of a new era of leadership on the field.

Cheer On Cleats: Bespoke cleats featuring the names of her three daughters, alongside a message for girls everywhere: The Game is Ours.

These custom pieces serve as a reminder that keeping girls confident and in sports deserves the world's full attention.

TORI PENSO'S CUSTOM ‘THE GAME IS OURS' CLEATS AND BLUE WHISTLE.

Bringing Fans Inside the Moment: The Social Docuseries

To extend this partnership beyond the stadium lines, Dove will launch a social docuseries about Penso and her inspiring journey. This multi-episode deep dive follows what it actually takes to build a history-maker, tracking Penso's journey across three distinct chapters.

Time To Get In The Game

Behind every historic stride are the people who watched the early mornings, the endless cross-country flights and the quiet moments of sacrifice.

"Tori's drive has propelled her to the absolute pinnacle of this sport, and she has earned every single centimeter of that grass," said Chris Penso, Tori's husband and fellow Major League Soccer referee. "I had a front-row seat in the mid-2010s when she questioned whether to keep going. There have been immensely tough days alongside the good ones, but her deep joy and commitment to soccer never wavered."

Penso's path from those moments of doubt has been defined by a series of monumental historic firsts. She went on to become the first female to referee in Major League Soccer in 20 years, later serving as the first American to referee a senior World Cup Final. Now, her selection as the first American woman to serve as a head referee in a Men's World Cup cements her place in global sports history.

"By partnering with Tori to share the raw truth of her journey-the passion, the training and the camaraderie-Dove is taking fans so much deeper into the World Cup experience by letting them see the game entirely through her eyes," Chris Penso added. "Seeing that dedication day in and day out is going to create an immeasurable amount of inspiration for the next generation."

That inspiration carries an immense weight for the community of female officials who understand exactly what it takes to step onto a global stage.

"You know you are carrying the weight of every woman and young girl who is watching a group that isn't yet represented in massive numbers," says FIFA Assistant Referee, Alyssa Pennington, about the profound feeling of accomplishment in stepping onto a field of this scale. "To see Tori at the center of the action is going to bring an overwhelming mix of joy, pride and admiration for everyone who has watched her entire journey up to this milestone."

Visit Dove.com to learn how to #KeepHerConfident through the Body Confident Sport program and follow @Dove on social for more from Dove and Tori Penso during FIFA World Cup 2026™.

###

Media Contact:
Katie Walley-Wiegert
[email protected]

About the Dove Research

Dove commissioned this survey to expose the reality of girls' experience in sports and the impact it has on their confidence, as well as the drivers behind girls dropping out and potential solutions.

We asked 4,917 children of different ages, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds in Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and US to take part in a 15-minute online survey.

The study included 3,506 girls aged between 9-17 years old (approximately 500 from each country) and 1,391 boys aged 9-17 years old (approximately 200 from each country) who had the consent of a parent or legal guardian to take part.

About the Dove Self-Esteem Project

Dove is the largest self-esteem education provider in the world, offering no-cost, academically validated tools to parents, teachers, mentors, and kids for nearly two decades with the Dove Self-Esteem Project. To date, Dove has reached more than 160 million young people globally across 150+ countries with DSEP, with a goal of reaching 250M young lives by 2030.

About Dove
Dove started its life in 1957 in the US, with the launch of its iconic Beauty Bar and patented blend of mild cleansers and ¼ moisturizing cream. Dove's heritage is rooted in care - proof, not promises grew Dove from a Beauty Bar into one of the world's most beloved beauty brands.

Real women have always been our inspiration, and since the beginning, Dove has been wholly committed to providing superior care to all, and to championing real representations of beauty in our advertising, communications, and campaigns. Dove believes that beauty is for everyone, and the Dove mission is to ensure a positive experience with beauty is universally accessible to all.

For more than 65 years, Dove has been committed to broadening narrow definitions of beauty in the work we do. This includes the 'Dove Real Beauty Pledge,' and commitment to:

Portray women as they are in real life with honesty, diversity, and respect. We feature women of different ages, sizes, ethnicities, hair color, type, and style.

Represent individuals with zero digital distortion, with all images approved by the women they feature. This includes never using AI to alter or distort real people in our marketing, advertising or campaigns.

Help young people build body confidence and self-esteem through the Dove Self-Esteem Project, the biggest provider of self-esteem education in the world with a goal to educate 250 million young people by 2030. © 2026 Unilever

SOURCE: Dove

, /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Toyota anunció cambios en la plana ejecutiva de sus operaciones de fabricación, cadena de suministro y servicios financieros con el objetivo de ofrecer un mejor servicio a sus clientes, promover el crecimiento sostenido y reforzar su compromiso de fabricar en el mismo lugar donde vende. 

Jubilaciones 

Ellen Farrell, vicepresidenta del grupo y asesora ejecutiva de Toyota Financial Services (TFS), se jubilará en agosto. Durante más de 25 años, Farrell ha prestado asesoramiento jurídico que ha promovido y protegido los intereses de Toyota. Antes de su cargo actual, se desempeñó como directora jurídica, de cumplimiento normativo y administrativa de TFS, así como directora de respeto hacia las personas de TFS y Toyota Motor North America. Farrell tuvo una participación fundamental en la creación de la línea de negocio de marca propia de TFS, que impulsó el crecimiento de los servicios financieros. Sus contribuciones se extendieron mucho más allá del ámbito jurídico gracias a sus cargos como vicepresidenta de desarrollo sostenible y, posteriormente, directora de respeto hacia las personas.

Kerry Creech, vicepresidente de grupo de la Región 1 de TMNA y presidente de Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), se jubilará en julio después de una carrera de 36 años en Toyota. Durante su mandato, Creech ostentó numerosos cargos de responsabilidad en los ámbitos de fabricación, calidad e ingeniería, llegando a dirigir TMMK y a supervisar un importante crecimiento operativo y una inversión considerable. Su liderazgo contribuyó a impulsar nuevas inversiones destinadas a apoyar iniciativas de electrificación y fabricación avanzada. Asimismo, realizó importantes contribuciones al desarrollo de la fuerza laboral y a la comunidad a través de iniciativas como la 4T Academy. En 1990, él inició su carrera como miembro del equipo de producción de sistemas de propulsión en TMMK. 

Ascensos y nuevas funciones 

Fabricación 

Stephen Brennan, vicepresidente sénior de la Región 1, Operaciones de Fabricación y Operaciones Empresariales de Fabricación (MBO), será destinado a Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) como jefe de producción del Área de Tecnología Avanzada. Brennan supervisará la División de Ingeniería de Producción Avanzada, la División de Ingeniería de Producción, la División de Equipamiento para la Movilidad, la División de Logística e Ingeniería de Información para la Producción y el Departamento de Transformación Digital de la Producción. Brennan estará subordinado a Takefumi Shiga, director de operaciones de TMC, director de producción y director del grupo de Ingeniería de Producción. 

Kevin Voelkel, vicepresidente sénior de Operaciones de Fabricación, asumirá la supervisión de Fabricación de la Región 1 —TMMK Vehicle and Powertrain (vehículos y sistema de propulsión de TMMK) — y seguirá subordinado a Masahiro Seri, vicepresidente sénior y director de producción de Ingeniería de Producción y Fabricación. 

Susann Kazunas, vicepresidenta del grupo y directora ejecutiva de ingeniería, será nombrada vicepresidenta del grupo de Operaciones Empresariales de Fabricación (MBO) e Ingeniería de Producción (PE). Kazunas seguirá desempeñando sus funciones como directora ejecutiva de ingeniería y asumirá además las de directora ejecutiva de seguridad. Ella mantendrá su subordinación a Masahiro Seri.

David Fernandes, vicepresidente de grupo de la Región 6 de Fabricación y vicepresidente sénior de Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTMUS), ha sido ascendido a vicepresidente de grupo de la Región 1 de Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) y a presidente de TMMK, y estará subordinado a Kevin Voelkel, vicepresidente sénior de Operaciones de Fabricación.

Erik Skaggs, presidente de Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, ha sido nombrado vicepresidente de grupo de la Región 6 de Fabricación y vicepresidente sénior de Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. Él estará subordinado a Kevin Voelkel, vicepresidente sénior de Operaciones de Fabricación. 

Aaron Foster, director general de Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi (TMMMS), ha sido ascendido a presidente de TMMMS y estará subordinado a David Rosier, vicepresidente del grupo para Operaciones de Fabricación de la Región 5 y presidente de Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV). 

Carla Wright, vicepresidenta de fabricación de Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (TMMTX), ha sido nombrada vicepresidenta de Proyectos Especiales de Operaciones Empresariales de Fabricación (MBO) y estará subordinada a Susann Kazunas, vicepresidenta sénior de Ingeniería de Producción y Operaciones Empresariales de Fabricación. 

Juan Francisco García, presidente de Toyota Motor Manufacturing Guanajuato (TMMGT), ha sido nombrado vicepresidente de fabricación de Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (TMMTX) y estará subordinado a Frank Voss, vicepresidente del grupo para Operaciones de Fabricación de la Región 4 y presidente de TMMTX.

Eliel Cole, presidente de Toyota Autobody Company (TABC), ha sido ascendido a presidente de Toyota Motor Manufacturing Guanajuato (TMMGT) y estará subordinado a Frank Voss, vicepresidente del grupo para Operaciones de Fabricación de la Región 4 y presidente de Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas.

Zach Choate, director general de Ingeniería de Producción, ha sido adscrito al presidente de TABC y estará subordinado a Óscar Villarreal, presidente de Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Baja California (TMMBC) y presidente del consejo de administración de TABC.

Cadena de Suministro 

Kevin Austin, vicepresidente del grupo responsable de Cadena de Suministro, asumirá la responsabilidad del área de Calidad, y Tom Trisdale, vicepresidente del grupo responsable de Calidad, estará subordinado a él. Austin seguirá al frente del departamento de Estrategia y Operaciones de Cadena de Suministro y estará subordinado a Chris Nielsen, vicepresidente ejecutivo de Cadena de Suministro, director de Cadena de Suministro y director de Calidad de TMNA.

Kensuke Morita, vicepresidente del grupo para Cadena de Suministro de Vehículos, asumirá la responsabilidad de Estrategia y Planificación y Gestión de Proyectos (PPM), Gestión de la Oferta y la Demanda (DSM) y Transformación Tecnológica. Jamese Olayiwola, vicepresidente de Estrategia y Gestión de Proyectos y Programas (PPM), y Michael Schad, vicepresidente de DSM y Transformación Tecnológica, estarán subordinados a él. Morita seguirá subordinado a Kevin Austin, vicepresidente del grupo para Cadena de Suministro.

Todos los cambios entrarán en vigor el 13 de julio de 2026, salvo que se indique otra fecha.

Acerca de Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) ha sido parte del tejido cultural de EE. UU. por casi 70 años y está comprometida con el avance de la movilidad sostenible de nueva generación a través de nuestras marcas Toyota y Lexus, además de nuestros casi 1,500 concesionarios. 

Toyota emplea directamente a casi 48,000 personas en Estados Unidos, quienes han contribuido al diseño, la ingeniería y el ensamblaje de más de 35 millones de automóviles y camionetas en nuestras 11 plantas de fabricación. En la primavera de 2025, la planta de Toyota en Carolina del Norte comenzará a fabricar baterías para vehículos eléctricos. Con más vehículos eléctricos en la carretera que cualquier otro fabricante de automóviles, Toyota ofrece actualmente 32 opciones eléctricas.

Mediante su iniciativa Driving Possibilities, la Toyota USA Foundation se ha comprometido a crear programas educativos innovadores dentro de las comunidades históricamente desfavorecidas cercanas a los centros operativos de la empresa en EE. UU., y en colaboración con ellas.

Para obtener más información sobre Toyota, visite www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

FUENTE Toyota Motor North America

June 22, 2026 02:29 ET  | Source: Civinity

Civinity, a group providing building maintenance, administration and engineering solutions, has completed the first stage of its vehicle fleet renewal tender and is launching one of the largest projects of its kind in the services sector. During the first stage, the Group will acquire 150 new commercial vehicles of various specifications and capabilities from the Toyota Proace family in Lithuania and Latvia.

The first vehicles are expected to reach operational teams in September–October. The value of the first stage will amount to up to EUR 2.7 million. The total number of vehicles planned for acquisition is 350, with their integration into the Group’s more sustainable and significantly lower-emission fleet scheduled over the next three years.

The tender was won by Autotoja in Lithuania and WESS Motors Toyota in Latvia. In total, five vehicle dealerships submitted proposals. The first-stage order will be financed through leasing with the support of an external financing partner. Subsequent stages will be implemented with the same primary vehicle supplier in accordance with the schedule established by the Civinity Group.

Five vehicle dealerships submitted proposals for the tender. The evaluation process considered compliance with the tender requirements, vehicle quality and reliability standards, warranty periods, and the coverage of servicing networks across cities in Lithuania and Latvia.

A broad network of authorised dealerships and service centres was one of the key practical criteria, as Civinity’s technical teams operate in six cities and vehicle downtime directly affects service delivery to clients.

“We are pleased that the tender we announced attracted considerable interest from representatives of some of the strongest manufacturers in the commercial vehicle segment. In our business, a vehicle fleet is not merely a supporting tool. It is part of the service itself, determining the mobility of our teams, response times and day-to-day efficiency and, in Civinity’s case, it is also another step towards the implementation of our Smart Green City vision,” says Deividas Jacka, Chairman of the Board of Civinity.

The project is being implemented at a time when corporate vehicle fleets are becoming one of the key drivers of growth in the electric vehicle market. In Lithuania, companies already account for the majority of new electric vehicle purchases, while the number of electric vehicle leasing agreements concluded by legal entities has increased rapidly in recent years. This demonstrates that fleet renewal is increasingly driven not by image considerations, but by total cost of ownership, operational efficiency and regulatory developments.

Of the 150 vehicles included in the first stage, 89 will be allocated to Civinity companies operating in Lithuania and 61 to companies in Latvia. The vehicles will be used by building administration, technical maintenance and engineering teams operating in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, Panevėžys, Palanga, Kretinga, Riga, Jūrmala, Jelgava and other locations.

The new order will include Toyota Proace City, Proace Medium and Proace Max vehicles, the majority of which will be electric. A significant part of the renewal programme will focus on lower-emission transport; however, a small number of larger vans (seven vehicles) will be equipped with internal combustion engines where required due to longer travel distances, more intensive utilisation or specific technical requirements.

Alongside the fleet renewal programme, Civinity also plans to expand its charging infrastructure. Charging facilities are expected to be developed at the Group’s offices and technical premises, while agreements will be concluded with public charging network operators for day-to-day use.

Particular attention will also be paid to driver training. Employees will be introduced to the specific characteristics of electric vehicle operation, charging practices, principles of efficient use and seasonal operating considerations.

The vehicles will be centrally acquired by the Group company Civinity Rent. The company will be responsible for financing, insurance, leasing to Group companies and vehicle replacement upon completion of the designated usage period.

The fleet renewal programme will be included in the Group’s ESG reporting. Civinity intends to assess the project’s impact using greenhouse gas emissions accounting methodologies and to use the collected data when planning subsequent stages. The Group currently operates a fleet of nearly 400 vehicles which, as previously announced by Civinity, is planned to be optimised and renewed in several stages, with up to 350 vehicles in Lithuania and Latvia to be replaced by 2028.

The vehicle fleet is one of the areas where environmental impact can be reduced most rapidly. In building maintenance and administration activities, mobility is an essential component of service delivery: teams travel to client sites every day, respond to incidents, conduct inspections and perform engineering works. As a result, transport solutions have a direct impact on service quality, while the choice of green energy affects environmental performance.

“Our approach to sustainability is very straightforward: if we want to create a Smart Green City, we must start with our own everyday practices. Mobility is one of the areas where change becomes visible very quickly. This is not greenwashing; it is a practical step that helps reduce emissions and noise in residential areas where our teams operate, while supporting a gradual transition towards a lower-emission operating model,” says D. Jacka.

Person responsible for the release of information
Darius Alutis
Phone: +370 613 06 099
E–mail: [email protected]

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

CompaniesLOS ANGELES, June 17 (Reuters) - Chinese ​regulators have cleared the $110 billion merger ‌between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery, according to a source familiar with the ​decision.

The antitrust ruling comes on ​the heels of similar approvals from ⁠the U.S. Department of Justice, and a ​number of other countries, including Australia, Germany, ​France and Saudi Arabia. China, where both Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery release films, also ​needed to sign off on ​the deal.

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The European Union has yet to weigh ‌in ⁠on the combination.

China has been a diminishing source of revenue for Hollywood, as its domestic movie industry matures. Some ​films, like ​Warner ⁠Bros's 2023 film "Meg 2: The Trench," grossed $53.3 million in China ​during its opening weekend. However, ​Paramount's ⁠2022 blockbuster "Top Gun: Maverick," was never released - a casualty of heightened tensions between ⁠the ​U.S. and China.

News of ​the approval was first reported by Semafor.

Editing by ​Franklin Paul, Sanjeev Miglani and Christian Schmollinger

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

The media and entertainment sector is undergoing a terminal consolidation phase, completely altering how capital flows through the sector. Investors chasing unverified buyout rumors learned a harsh lesson when speculative chatter surrounding Lionsgate Studios Corp. NYSE: LION and Netflix, Inc. NASDAQ: NFLX collapsed overnight. Retail traders piled in on hopes of a premium buyout, only to be crushed by a swift denial from Netflix management. Speculative intellectual property hunting is a wealth hazard. Smart money is deploying capital in entirely different ways.

Trillion-dollar technology conglomerates exercise strict discipline, prioritizing margin defense over legacy studio bailouts. The unconditional Department of Justice clearance of the $110.9 billion Paramount Skydance NASDAQ: PSKY and Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. NASDAQ: WBD mega-merger, alongside the $22 billion Fox Corporation NASDAQ: FOXA buyout of Roku, Inc. NASDAQ: ROKU, establishes a new paradigm. The mergers-and-acquisitions playbook has permanently pivoted from content hoarding to distribution control and hard arbitrage.

Get Lionsgate Studios alerts:

Debt Traps and Dead Scripts: The Studio IllusionLionsgate Studios Today

LION

Lionsgate Studios

$15.22 +0.01 (+0.07%)

As of 12:33 PM Eastern

52-Week Range$5.55▼

$16.70Price Target$15.37

When options volume for Lionsgate Studios spiked to over 21,646 contracts on June 16, heavily concentrated in July 2026 $16 and $18 speculative calls, the trap was set. The swift denial instantly crushed this premium. This serves as a textbook case of retail behavior generating highly monetizable shorting opportunities for institutional desks.

Let's unpack why the buyout rumor never made fundamental sense. Acquiring intellectual property sounds strategic until you examine the underlying balance sheets. Recent 10-K filings reveal Lionsgate Studios faces an estimated $1.96 billion in debt service obligations over the next 12 months. In an environment where capital costs remain elevated, acquiring an overleveraged balance sheet severely dilutes free cash flow margins for any potential buyer.

Lionsgate Studios carries a massive forward price-to-earnings ratio of over 88, suggesting the current valuation is heavily skewed toward an artificial acquisition premium rather than fundamental earnings growth. Last quarter, Lionsgate Studios missed earnings-per-share estimates, reporting a 7-cent loss versus an expected 2-cent loss.

This lack of fundamental profitability makes the $1.96 billion debt wall even more precarious. Netflix operates with a highly disciplined capital allocation framework. Netflix refuses to function as a white knight for struggling studios just to acquire legacy film franchises.

Netflix simply does not need expensive, debt-laden acquisitions to drive top-line revenue. Netflix surpassed 250 million monthly active users on its ad-supported tier in May 2026. Coupled with aggressive live sports integration, organic average revenue per user is expanding rapidly. Net margins are robust at 28.52%. Sustainable organic growth negates the strategic necessity for margin-dilutive acquisitions.

Institutional short sellers understood this reality. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority data indicates that short interest in Lionsgate Studios surged by more than 191% over the trailing 12 months, representing roughly 9.4% of the float. Smart money bet against the standalone viability of Lionsgate Studios long before retail investors chased the intraday spike.

Digital Tollbooths: Owning the Living Room Operating SystemThe fundamental value in the entertainment sector has migrated from the content itself to the hardware and software that delivers it. Content production is highly commoditized and incredibly capital-intensive. Distribution infrastructure operates as a high-margin digital tollbooth. Fox Corporation recognized this structural dynamic and formalized an agreement to acquire Roku for $22 billion.

FOX Today

$48.66 -0.73 (-1.47%)

As of 12:52 PM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$48.55▼

$76.39Dividend Yield1.15%

P/E Ratio12.85

Price Target$74.36

This transaction is a masterclass in modern media strategy. Fox Corporation secures the connected television home screen and the invaluable first-party viewing data of over 100 million households. First-party viewing data allows Roku to charge premium rates for targeted programmatic advertising.

By controlling the interface where viewers select streaming applications, Roku extracts a toll from every media transaction on the television screen. Fox Corporation recognized that integrating this targeted advertising engine with its live broadcast network creates a monetization loop that traditional content studios simply cannot replicate.

Owning the living room operating system yields higher structural leverage than owning a mid-tier movie catalog. For investors, the optimal strategy is to accumulate equities that control these digital gateways.

Infrastructure providers operating ad-insertion software, smart television operating systems, and programmatic video ecosystems present compelling fundamentals. These infrastructure providers operate with high-margin, software-as-a-service models.

Roku and similar infrastructure providers remain completely immune to the heavy capital expenditures required to produce blockbuster films or prestige television. When legacy studios realize they cannot survive without localized distribution and targeted ad-insertion capabilities, these infrastructure stocks become the next wave of highly probable acquisition targets.

Spin-Off Scripts: Trading the Sum of the Media PartsGenerating absolute returns in the current volatile environment demands rotating out of mid-cap studio rumors and deploying capital into mathematical spreads. The Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery transaction offers a defined, hard catalyst. Warner Bros. Discovery currently trades near $27, down from a finalized $31 all-cash buyout price. That represents a roughly 14 % merger arbitrage spread.

Warner Bros. Discovery Today

WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery

$26.77 -0.18 (-0.66%)

As of 12:52 PM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$10.75▼

$30.00Price Target$27.04

Historically, media mega-mergers faced intense regulatory scrutiny, keeping arbitrage spreads wide as investors priced in the risk of deal collapse. With the Department of Justice Antitrust Division granting unconditional clearance to the $110.9 billion transaction, the regulatory risk profile is exceptionally asymmetric.

For retail and institutional investors, merger arbitrage involves purchasing Warner Bros. Discovery shares at a discount to the open market price and holding them until the acquiring company finalizes the transaction, automatically converting those shares into the $31 cash payout. Institutional capital will increasingly rotate out of volatile equities and into these high-probability, event-driven spreads to capture yield as the Paramount Skydance deal approaches its closing date.

Beyond outright acquisitions, persistent margin compression across the interactive entertainment space is forcing major corporate restructuring. Microsoft Corporation NASDAQ: MSFT is facing widespread speculation regarding the restructuring of its struggling gaming unit. Internal options reportedly include spinning off the Xbox division into a wholly owned subsidiary or an independent venture to mitigate the capital drain.

This highlights a broader structural shift toward capital efficiency. Buying Microsoft Corporation purely for a minor gaming restructuring offers diluted returns. The actionable trade involves waiting for definitive SEC S-1 filings or spin-off authorizations, then acquiring the newly separated, pure-play equity. Standalone entities unburdened by parent-company overhead typically experience immediate repricing of their sum-of-the-parts valuation. This dynamic consistently attracts aggressive institutional accumulation.

Final Cut: Directing Capital Toward Media GatewaysThe era of throwing capital at any studio with a recognizable film franchise is over. Media consolidation is entering its endgame, rewarding investors who prioritize structural leverage and definitive catalysts over unverified chatter.

Selling into rumor-driven liquidity vacuums capitalizes on retail behavior while maintaining strict institutional risk management. Capital deployment requires formalized term sheets rather than reacting to sector-wide fear of missing out. The swift 5% after-hours correction in Lionsgate Studios shares following Netflix's denial proves that legacy technology companies will not overpay for content.

Investors may want to evaluate media-sector exposure, rotating away from speculative intellectual property holders facing massive debt maturities. Accumulating connected television infrastructure companies or capturing the yield in cleared merger spreads offers a highly calculated approach to navigating the media industry's structural transformation.

Should You Invest $1,000 in Lionsgate Studios Right Now?Before you consider Lionsgate Studios, you'll want to hear this.

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Inside this report, you’ll find 10 companies positioned to benefit as artificial intelligence moves from hype to real-world deployment and becomes a core growth driver for corporate America.

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Three Democratic senators have urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to put the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger on pause over concerns about foreign investors controlling what would be one of the largest media companies in the United States.

In a joint letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, senators Cory Booker, D- N.J.; Adam Schiff, D-Calif.; and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., demanded he “must foreclose any attempt by Paramount to close this transaction” before an adequate review of the involved foreign investors is completed.

The lawmakers said the FCC must conduct this review to evaluate possible “national security threats posed by foreign government investment” in the $110 billion entity. If approved, the merger would bring CNN and CBS News under one corporate owner, further consolidating the news media landscape.

Paramount, led by CEO David Ellison, acknowledged in an April financial disclosure cited by the senators that foreign ownership in the new corporation will rise to “approximately 49.5 percent.” In that document, Paramount also said that all voting rights will be “controlled by the Ellison family through U.S. entities.”

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr speaks during the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2025 Global Aerospace Summit in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 9, 2025. REUTERS The document revealed that Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund and various entities based in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar would be equity holders.

Paramount told the FCC in April that this arrangement would not present “any national security, law enforcement, or foreign or trade policy concerns.”

The senators want a more rigorous check of what this level of foreign ownership would mean, telling Carr in their letter that he should not take the Ellison family’s statements “at face value.”

The Paramount water tower is shown on the Paramount studio lot in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 13, 2026. REUTERS They argued that the FCC should reject Paramount’s petition for preemptive approval. Under Section 310 of the 1934 Communications Act, foreign individuals, companies and governments are generally prohibited from owning more than 25% of a U.S.-based firm that has an FCC-issued broadcast license.

Booker, Schiff and Warren gave Carr a July 1 deadline to notify Paramount that the deal cannot close until the foreign investment review is completed.

The FCC’s pending approval is the largest regulatory hurdle in the way of the merger. The Department of Justice signaled last week it would not challenge Paramount’s bid to acquire Warner Bros.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks at a press conference with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) on Democrat’s plan to lower the cost of childcare, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on June 17, 2026. Nathan Posner/Shutterstock The DOJ’s antitrust division concluded after an eight-month review that “the transaction is not likely to result in harm to competition or American consumers” with regard to on-demand streaming, linear television and studio development and the production and distribution of films.

Warren criticized this decision by the DOJ and urged state attorneys general to continue fighting the transaction. California Attorney General Rob Bonta was already leading a coalition of states in preparing a lawsuit to block Paramount from adding Warner Bros. to its growing portfolio.

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More than 5,000 filmmakers and actors working in Hollywood signed an open letter in April furiously demanding that the merger be stopped. They argued that it would stifle competition and reduce job opportunities.

“Our industry is already under severe strain, in large part due to prior waves of consolidation. We have witnessed a steep decline in the number of films produced and released,” according to the petition. “We are deeply concerned by indications of support for this merger that prioritize the interests of a small group of powerful stakeholders over the broader public good.”

Ovintiv's stronger execution, cleaner balance sheet and Permian-Montney focus support its rally, but stretched expectations may warrant patience.

Key Takeaways NetApp delivered record fiscal 2026 all-flash revenues of $4.2B, up 11% year over year.NTAP recorded about 500 AI and data prep wins in Q4, exceeding 1,100 for fiscal 2026.NetApp expects higher enterprise AI activity in fiscal 2027 and guided revenues of $7.325B-$7.575B. NetApp, Inc. (NTAP - Free Report) is benefiting from the growing adoption of all-flash storage as enterprises modernize their infrastructure and expand AI deployments. The company delivered record all-flash performance for fiscal 2026, with all-flash revenue reaching $4.2 billion, an increase of 11% year over year. Fourth-quarter all-flash revenue was $1.2 billion, up 18% from the prior-year quarter, reflecting strong customer demand for high-performance storage solutions.

Management attributed this momentum to broad adoption across public cloud, all-flash and Keystone offerings as customers continue to modernize infrastructure and scale AI workloads.

AI adoption has emerged as a major driver of all-flash demand. NetApp stated that enterprises are investing in high-performance flash, capacity flash and block storage environments to ensure GPUs remain fully utilized by providing continuous access to large volumes of data. The company noted that approximately 500 AI and data preparation wins were recorded in the fourth quarter alone, bringing the fiscal 2026 total to more than 1,100. Management added that all elements of its flash portfolio performed strongly in enterprise AI deployments, while hybrid flash also gained traction in less demanding AI environments.

NetApp is strengthening its all-flash portfolio through new AI-focused innovations. In fiscal 2026, it introduced AFX and the AI Data Engine, both of which management said are seeing encouraging early customer and partner momentum. The company also enhanced the performance and capabilities of its all-flash arrays and expanded its converged AI solutions to simplify AI infrastructure, eliminate data silos and accelerate data pipelines. Early AFX deployments have secured wins in Neo cloud, financial services, hedge funds and life sciences, while AI Data Engine is helping customers organize large volumes of unstructured data for AI projects.

The company believes cyber resilience is another differentiator for its all-flash offerings. A European aerospace customer selected NetApp’s all-flash arrays in a competitive greenfield deployment, citing their high performance, ransomware protection, cyber resilience capabilities and seamless partner ecosystem integration. NetApp expects enterprise AI activity in fiscal 2027 to be higher compared with fiscal 2026 and has guided revenue in the range of $7.325 billion to $7.575 billion.

Taking a Look at NTAP’s CompetitorsSeagate Technology Holdings plc (STX - Free Report) is well poised to gain from AI-led storage demand, a robust technology roadmap anchored in Mozaic and HAMR and disciplined execution focused on converting demand into profitable growth and long-term value creation. Cloud drives most data center revenue, with Mozaic shipments reaching 75% of top cloud customers, and full qualification expected in the ongoing quarter. It expects stronger FCF throughout 2026, driven by steady demand, efficiency gains and disciplined spending. Management raised its long-term outlook, now expecting at least 20% annual revenue growth over the next few years, driven by strong cloud demand and continued hyperscaler investments in AI infrastructure, with the March quarter marking the 10th straight quarter of cloud-led revenue growth. Fiscal 2026 capex is expected to stay within 4-6% of sales.

Western Digital Corporation (WDC - Free Report) is gaining from strength across end markets, riding on AI-led storage needs and multi-year agreements extending through 2028-29. Cloud end market derives a lion’s share of its sales, fueled by strong demand for high-capacity nearline drives and favorable pricing. Higher-capacity drives and solid UltraSMR uptake that improved customer TCO are aiding margins, while strong operating leverage, lower interest costs and tax efficiency are fueling EPS growth. The company is advancing areal density and boosting performance with high-bandwidth drives. It strengthened the balance sheet by selling 5.8 million SanDisk shares, cutting debt by $3.1 billion, leaving $1.6 billion in convertible debt and ending with a $450 million net cash position. Western Digital expects fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of $3.65B, up 40% year over year at the midpoint.

NTAP Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of NetApp have gained 34.2% in the past month against the Computer- Storage Devices industry’s growth of 54%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Regarding the price/book ratio, NTAP is trading at 23.16, lower than the sector’s multiple of 23.56.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NTAP’s earnings for fiscal 2027 has been revised upwards over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

NTAP currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Investors interested in Computer- Storage Devices stocks are likely familiar with Teradata (TDC) and NetApp (NTAP). But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks?

The online used-car company presented a radical plan for its stores.

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Happy Wednesday. Before we hear from Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh at his post-decision news conference this afternoon, President Donald Trump is set to hold his own press conference at the G7 summit this morning.

S&P 500 futures are little changed this morning following a down day for the index.

Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:

1. Fed dayThe Federal Reserve will announce its latest policy decision at 2 p.m. today, its first decision under the leadership of Chairman Kevin Warsh. The central bank is widely expected to hold interest rates steady, but that doesn't mean there won't be other changes.

As CNBC's Jeff Cox reports, Fed watchers expect Warsh to not participate in the central bank's "dot plot," a quarterly update of where Fed officials see rates going. There could be many reasons why: Warsh doesn't approve of the dot plot, but he may also just not feel ready after taking over from Jerome Powell late last month. If Warsh doesn't submit a "dot," it would mark a break from the practice that's been in place for 14 years.

Follow live updates on the Fed meeting here.

2. En garde3. Lane changeCarvana is getting into new vehicles, but that doesn't mean it is going to follow the typical dealership road map.

As CNBC's Michael Wayland reports, the online used vehicle retailer plans to use its franchised dealerships as service centers and "playgrounds," where customers can test out which cars they'd like to buy on its online platforms. If Carvana's approach — which it detailed publicly for the first time this week —is successful, it could shake up the entire U.S. franchised dealership model.

Elsewhere in the auto industry: Rivian announced yesterday that it is cutting hundreds of workers. The layoffs, which affect less than 2% of the EV maker's workforce, come a week after the company launched deliveries of its new R2 SUV.

4. New framingConsumers are over their smartphone screens, according to Snap's CEO Evan Spiegel, who told CNBC yesterday that "people are ready to think about computing differently." To put that to the test, the social media company is launching augmented reality glasses.

Spiegel on Tuesday debuted "Specs," Snap's first AR device for the general public rather than developers. The price tag for the glasses, which are lighter and feature a larger display that previous versions, stands at $2,195 with a $200 deposit.

More people are "actually questioning their relationships with screens," Spiegel told CNBC. But investors don't seem sold: Snap shares dropped more than 9% in yesterday's session following the debut.

5. Building permitAn affordable housing bill that caps the number of single-family homes major investors are allowed to purchase is getting fast-tracked in Congress. After key lawmakers reached an agreement yesterday, the legislation is now expected to be signed into law before the end of the month.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Tuesday that the bill could advance through his chamber as early as this week. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., meanwhile, told CNBC that the bill is "historic," citing it limits on private equity's growth.

The legislation would limit the number of single-family homes major investors can buy at 350. But it doesn't contain a provision that would have forced investors to sell any housing units they build within seven years.

The Daily DividendA startup teamed up with CME Group to launch what could be the first futures contracts tied to AI's computational needs. Here's a look at the burgeoning futures market for this type of power:

watch now

— CNBC's Jeff Cox, Sean Conlon, Hugh Leask, Spencer Kimball, Kai Nicol-Schwarz, Annie Palmer, Oliver Renick, Michael Wayland, Michele Luhn, Jonathan Vanian, Emily Wilkins and Yun Li contributed to this report.

CJ Haddad assisted in the production of this newsletter. Josephine Rozzelle edited this edition.