Market Signal Briefing

Key Takeaways Home Depot posted 4.9% sales growth y/y to $45.3B in Q2, its strongest gain in more than two years.The SRS Distribution integration and planned GMS deal expand Home Depot's Pro reach and network.DIY activity rebounded, with 12 of 16 departments seeing growth in smaller home improvement projects.
The Home Depot, Inc. (HD - Free Report) is skillfully navigating a shifting home improvement landscape by balancing renewed momentum in do-it-yourself (DIY) projects with accelerating growth in its professional (Pro) customer base. In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, sales rose 4.9% year over year to $45.3 billion, marking the strongest performance in more than two years. This rebound reflects both resilient consumer demand for smaller-scale home improvement projects and the company’s focus on enhancing the customer experience through technology, supply chain efficiency and faster delivery capabilities.

Home Depot’s “Pro acceleration” strategy remains a key growth pillar. The integration of SRS Distribution has exceeded expectations, providing deep access to specialty trade professionals while expanding the company’s presence across roofing, landscape and pool categories. Its pending acquisition of GMS, a leader in drywall and building materials, will further enhance the company’s Pro ecosystem by adding over 1,200 distribution locations and a vast delivery network. These moves strengthen HD’s capacity to serve complex Pro projects and capitalize on a fragmented $1 trillion total addressable market.

At the same time, Home Depot is seeing a revival in DIY activity as consumers pivot to smaller, more affordable home projects amid elevated borrowing costs. Categories like storage, paint and seasonal goods posted strong gains, with 12 of 16 departments delivering positive comparable sales. This balanced performance underscores the company’s adaptability, leveraging Pro expansion to offset cyclical softness in big-ticket remodeling while reigniting DIY demand through convenience, innovation and value.

How Lowe’s and Floor & Decor Stack Up Against HDLowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW - Free Report) is sharpening its competitive edge by leaning into operational efficiency, Pro customer expansion and disciplined cost control — a strategy designed to close the gap with Home Depot. The retailer continues to streamline its product assortment and optimize inventory through its “Total Home” strategy, which emphasizes complete project solutions for both DIY and Pro customers. While the DIY segment remains soft amid higher interest rates, Lowe’s has made notable strides in the Pro space, growing sales through enhanced job-site delivery, trade credit programs and improved fulfillment capabilities.

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. (FND - Free Report) stands out as a high-growth specialist in the hard-surface flooring segment, offering a differentiated model built on value, assortment and Pro engagement. Unlike Home Depot and Lowe’s, FND operates a warehouse-style format that prioritizes direct sourcing and low prices, appealing strongly to both professional installers and value-conscious homeowners.

What the Latest Metrics Say About Home DepotHome Depot shares have declined 7% in the past year compared with the industry’s fall of 9%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Home Depot trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 2.28X, higher than the industry’s 1.62X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Home Depot’s current financial-year sales implies year-over-year growth of 2.9%, while the same for earnings per share suggests a decline of 1.4%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

CORNING, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Corning Incorporated’s (NYSE: GLW) Board of Directors today declared a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share. The dividend will be payable on December 12, 2025, to shareholders of record on November 14, 2025.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this release and related comments by management that are not historical facts or information and contain words such as “will,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “see,” “would,” “target,” “estimate,” “forecast” or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include estimates and assumptions related to economic, competitive and legislative developments. Such statements relate to future events that by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the Company’s Springboard plan, the company’s future operating performance, the company’s share of new and existing markets, the company’s revenue and earnings growth rates, the company’s ability to innovate and commercialize new products, the company’s expected capital expenditure and the company’s implementation of cost-reduction initiatives and measures to improve pricing, including the optimization of the company’s manufacturing capacity. Although the company believes that these forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions regarding, among other things, current estimates and forecasts, general economic conditions, its knowledge of its business and key performance indicators that impact the company, there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws.

Some of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: global economic trends, competition and geopolitical risks, or an escalation of sanctions, tariffs or other trade tensions between the U.S. and other countries, and related impacts on our businesses’ global supply chains and strategies; changes in macroeconomic and market conditions and market volatility, including developments and volatility arising from health crisis events, inflation, interest rates, the value of securities and other financial assets, precious metals, oil, natural gas, raw materials and other commodity prices and exchange rates (particularly between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen, South Korean won, Chinese yuan, New Taiwan dollar, Mexican peso and euro), decreases or sudden increases of consumer demand, and the impact of such changes and volatility on our financial position and businesses; the availability of or adverse changes relating to government grants, tax credits or other government incentives; the duration and severity of health crisis events, such as an epidemic or pandemic, and its impact across our businesses on demand, personnel, operations, our global supply chains and stock price; possible disruption in commercial activities or our supply chain due to terrorist activity, cyber-attack, armed conflict, political or financial instability, natural disasters, international trade disputes or major health concerns; loss of intellectual property due to theft, cyber-attack, or disruption to our information technology infrastructure; ability to enforce patents and protect intellectual property and trade secrets; disruption to Corning’s, our suppliers’ and manufacturers’ supply chain, equipment, facilities, IT systems or operations; product demand and industry capacity; competitive products and pricing; availability and costs of critical components, materials, equipment, natural resources and utilities; new product development and commercialization; order activity and demand from major customers; the amount and timing of our cash flows and earnings and other conditions, which may affect our ability to pay our quarterly dividend at the planned level or to repurchase shares at planned levels; the amount and timing of any future dividends; the effects of acquisitions, dispositions and other similar transactions; the effect of regulatory and legal developments; ability to pace capital spending to anticipated levels of customer demand; our ability to increase margins through implementation of operational changes, pricing actions and cost reduction measures; rate of technology change; adverse litigation; product and component performance issues; retention of key personnel; customer ability to maintain profitable operations and obtain financing to fund ongoing operations and manufacturing expansions and pay receivables when due; loss of significant customers; changes in tax laws, regulations and international tax standards; the impacts of audits by taxing authorities; the potential impact of legislation, government regulations, and other government action and investigations; and other risks detailed in Corning’s SEC filings.

For a complete listing of risks and other factors, please reference the risk factors and forward-looking statements described in our annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

Web Disclosure

In accordance with guidance provided by the SEC regarding the use of company websites and social media channels to disclose material information, Corning Incorporated (“Corning”) wishes to notify investors, media, and other interested parties that it uses its website (https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/about-us/news-events.html) to publish important information about the company, including information that may be deemed material to investors, or supplemental to information contained in this or other press releases. The list of websites and social media channels that the company uses may be updated on Corning’s media and website from time to time. Corning encourages investors, media, and other interested parties to review the information Corning may publish through its website and social media channels as described above, in addition to the company’s SEC filings, press releases, conference calls, and webcasts.

About Corning Incorporated

Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world’s leading innovators in materials science, with a 170-year track record of life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance people’s lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and deep, trust-based relationships with customers who are global leaders in their industries. Corning’s capabilities are versatile and synergistic, which allows the company to evolve to meet changing market needs, while also helping its customers capture new opportunities in dynamic industries. Today, Corning’s markets include optical communications, mobile consumer electronics, display, automotive, solar, semiconductors, and life sciences.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Bandwidth Inc. (NASDAQ: BAND), a leading global enterprise cloud communications company, today announced it will report its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025 before market open on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Bandwidth will offer a live webcast of the conference call on the Investor Relations section of the company's website at https://investors.bandwidth.com, where a replay will also be available shortly following the completion of the event.

Conference call details:
Date: Thursday October 30, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Dial-in number (domestic): 844-481-2707
Dial-in number (international): 412-317-0663

Replay information:
Following the completion of the call through Thursday November 6, 2025, a replay will be available by dialing (877) 344-7529 for the U.S. or (412) 317-0088 for callers outside the U.S., and entering passcode 9320253.

About Bandwidth Inc.
Bandwidth (NASDAQ: BAND) is a global cloud communications software company that helps enterprises deliver exceptional experiences through voice calling, text messaging and emergency services. Our solutions and our Communications Cloud, covering 65+ countries and over 90 percent of global GDP, are trusted by all the leaders in unified communications and cloud contact centers–including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco, Google, Microsoft, RingCentral, Zoom, Genesys and Five9–as well as Global 2000 enterprises and SaaS builders like Docusign, Uber and Yosi Health. As a founder of the cloud communications revolution, we are the first and only global Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) to offer a unique combination of composable APIs, AI capabilities, owner-operated network and broad regulatory experience. Our award-winning support teams help businesses around the world solve complex communications challenges every day. For more information, visit Bandwidth.com.

SOURCE Bandwidth Inc.

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, /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare of North Carolina (WellCare), an NC Medicaid health plan and subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), is supporting health-related resources for communities across North Carolina through over $1.6M of investments in local nonprofit organizations. This funding, which began in 2024 and will continue throughout 2025, will help support critical healthcare needs such as assisting with food and nutrition, clothing, utilities, housing, and interpersonal safety for North Carolina's most vulnerable citizens including families and children. 

Wellcare of NC (PRNewsfoto/WellCare of North Carolina)

"Through hyperlocal investment in nonprofits across our great state, we can extend care directly into the communities we serve," said Troy Hildreth, Plan President and CEO for WellCare. "Together, we are tackling challenges like food insecurity, housing stability, preventive care, and mental wellness, making a tangible difference in the lives of our neighbors."

Organizations benefiting from this initiative include:

African American Male Wellness
Anson Cooperative Extension
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
Darnell Farms
Be You Be Great
Beloved Asheville
Camp Hope America
Connections of Cumberland County
Domestic Abuse is Not Acceptable (DANA) Services
Davidson County Connect
Diaper Bank of NC
El Camino Center
El Centro Hispano
Give Back Organization
H.O.P.E. of Winston Salem
HELP Carolina Inc
Homeward Bound
Knead It or Knot
March of Dimes
Mentoring Every Neighborhood and Community (MENAC)
Myra's Angels
New Hope Community Development Group
Nourish NC Food Program
Pandemic of Love
Partnership for Children of Lincoln and Gaston Counties
Peers Family Development
Rowan Helping Ministries
Safe Space
Salvation Army of Washington
Support Educate and Engage Doulas to Serve Eastern NC (SEEDS ENC) Training Program
Share the Light/Duke Energy
SHIP Community Outreach
Southside Garden/Free Fridge Asheville
Suds of Love
The Carying Place
The Shepards House
Tia Hart Recovery & Food Pantry
Tiny Homes Community Development Inc.
Umbrella Center
UNC-Pembroke Doula Training
Equiti Foods
Women's Resource Center of Greensboro
By directly meeting the unique needs of individual communities across North Carolina, WellCare works to improve the health of its members and our state.

About WellCare of North Carolina
Headquartered in Raleigh, WellCare of North Carolina provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex needs primarily through Medicaid as one of the state's NC Medicaid Managed Care health plans (WellCare of North Carolina), Marketplace (WellCare of North Carolina by Celtic Insurance Company), Medicare Advantage (WellCare), and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (WellCare). WellCare of North Carolina is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. For more information, visit WellCareNC.com.

About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach – with local brands and local teams – to provide fully integrated, high-quality and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to nearly 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace and the TRICARE program. The Company also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide a variety of specialty services focused on treating the whole person. Centene focuses on long-term growth and value creation as well as the development of its people, systems and capabilities so that it can better serve its members, providers, local communities and government partners.  Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, investors.centene.com. 

SOURCE WellCare of North Carolina

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Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.

That's because, these stocks usually carry above-average risk and volatility. In fact, betting on a stock for which the growth story is actually over or nearing its end could lead to significant loss.

However, the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects, makes it pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks.

Watts Water (WTS - Free Report) is on the list of such stocks currently recommended by our proprietary system. In addition to a favorable Growth Score, it carries a top Zacks Rank.

Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.

Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this maker of valves for plumbing, heating and water needs a great growth pick right now.

Earnings GrowthEarnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for Watts Water is 21.2%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 11.3% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of -1.1%.

Impressive Asset Utilization RatioGrowth investors often overlook asset utilization ratio, also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio, but it is an important feature of a real growth stock. This metric shows how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.

Right now, Watts Water has an S/TA ratio of 0.92, which means that the company gets $0.92 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.78, it can be said that the company is more efficient.

While the level of efficiency in generating sales matters a lot, so does the sales growth of a company. And Watts Water looks attractive from a sales growth perspective as well. The company's sales are expected to grow 3.9% this year versus the industry average of 1.8%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

The current-year earnings estimates for Watts Water have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 0.8% over the past month.

Bottom LineWatts Water has not only earned a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above, but it also carries a Zacks Rank #2 because of the positive earnings estimate revisions.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination positions Watts Water well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.

Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.

In addition to volatility, these stocks carry above-average risk by their very nature. Also, one could end up losing from a stock whose growth story is actually over or nearing its end.

However, the task of finding cutting-edge growth stocks is made easy with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.

Our proprietary system currently recommends TJX (TJX - Free Report) as one such stock. This company not only has a favorable Growth Score, but also carries a top Zacks Rank.

Research shows that stocks carrying the best growth features consistently beat the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.

Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this parent of T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and other stores a great growth pick right now.

Earnings GrowthEarnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. For growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is highly preferable, as it is often perceived as an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.

While the historical EPS growth rate for TJX is 42.1%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 8.9% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 8.6%.

Cash Flow GrowthWhile cash is the lifeblood of any business, higher-than-average cash flow growth is more important and beneficial for growth-oriented companies than for mature companies. That's because, growth in cash flow enables these companies to expand their businesses without depending on expensive outside funds.

Right now, year-over-year cash flow growth for TJX is 12.2%, which is higher than many of its peers. In fact, the rate compares to the industry average of 10.9%.

While investors should actually consider the current cash flow growth, it's worth taking a look at the historical rate too for putting the current reading into proper perspective. The company's annualized cash flow growth rate has been 7.6% over the past 3-5 years versus the industry average of 4.6%.

Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

There have been upward revisions in current-year earnings estimates for TJX. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 1.4% over the past month.

Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made TJX a Zacks Rank #2 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of A based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above.

You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This combination indicates that TJX is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors.

Key Takeaways Oracle's multi-cloud strategy drives strong cloud demand and recurring revenue growth.Multi-cloud database services soared 1,500% year over year in Q1 FY26.Oracle plans 37 new multi-cloud data centers and targets $18B OCI revenues in FY26.
Oracle’s (ORCL - Free Report) multi-cloud strategy is fast becoming a powerful catalyst for long-term growth. By integrating Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) with hyperscalers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, the company has created a flexible and scalable environment that enables enterprises to run databases and applications seamlessly across multiple platforms. This compatibility is driving strong demand for Oracle’s infrastructure and boosting recurring cloud revenues. For the second quarter of fiscal 2026, the company expects total cloud revenues to grow from 32% to 36% in constant currency and from 33% to 37% in USD.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Oracle’s multi-cloud database services saw explosive growth, surging over 1,500% year over year. The company’s partnerships, particularly the Oracle Database@Azure initiative and a new Oracle Database@AWS launch, are expanding its reach and helping enterprises leverage the best of multiple ecosystems. This strategy is broadening Oracle’s market presence.

Looking ahead, Oracle’s upcoming Multi-Cloud AI Database is expected to further accelerate adoption. The new Oracle AI Database, set to debut at Oracle AI World, will allow customers to use large language models such as Google’s Gemini, OpenAI’s ChatGPT and xAI’s Grok directly on Oracle databases — unlocking new ways to extract value from enterprise data.

To sustain this momentum, Oracle is investing heavily by adding 37 new multi-cloud data centers and expecting OCI revenues to grow 77% year over year to $18 billion in fiscal 2026. With the Zacks model forecasting overall revenue growth of 16% in 2026 and 21% in 2027, the company’s multi-cloud expansion looks well-positioned to deliver lasting upside.

How Rivals Stack Up Against ORCL in Cloud StrategyMicrosoft (MSFT - Free Report) Azure challenges Oracle in cloud strategy through its deep integration with Microsoft products like Office 365, SQL Server and Windows. Microsoft’s hybrid-cloud dominance, $47 billion cloud revenues and bold AI expansion, highlighted by new “Fairwater” datacenters and a $30 billion U.K. investment, underscore its leadership. With advanced Copilot AI tools and unmatched enterprise reach, Microsoft Azure delivers scale, innovation and flexibility, positioning Microsoft as the clear long-term powerhouse in cloud strategy ahead of Oracle.

Alphabet’s (GOOGL - Free Report) Google Cloud Platform (GCP) rivals Oracle with its dominance in AI, data analytics and open-source innovation. GCP leverages Google’s global infrastructure, BigQuery and TensorFlow to power data-intensive workloads. With $85 billion in planned 2025 capital spending — two-thirds for AI-focused datacenters — Alphabet is scaling aggressively through custom TPUs and major deals with Meta and OpenAI. Alphabet’s AI-centric strategy, hybrid-cloud flexibility and relentless innovation firmly position GCP as a powerful, next-generation challenger to Oracle’s enterprise cloud ambitions.

ORCL’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of Oracle have surged 70% year to date, outperforming both the Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s return of 24.1% and the Zacks Computer - Software industry’s rise of 22.3%.

ORCL’s YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, ORCL appears overvalued, trading at a forward 12-month Price/Earnings ratio of 40.11x, which is higher than the industry average of 33.76x. Oracle carries a Value Score of F.

ORCL’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ORCL’s fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $6.77 per share, reflecting a 4-cent increase over the past 30 and 60 days. The earnings figure suggests 12.27% growth over the figure reported in fiscal 2025.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

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

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

Key Takeaways AI-related revenues grew at triple-digit rates for the eighth straight quarter.Alibaba unveiled new Qwen3 models and AI tools to strengthen its cloud leadership.New data centers and Nvidia collaboration expand Alibaba's global AI infrastructure.
Alibaba's (BABA - Free Report) growing commitment to artificial intelligence is shaping its growth narrative. In the first quarter of fiscal 2026, AI-related product revenues maintained triple-digit growth for the eighth consecutive quarter, highlighting strong demand and the company's strong position in AI-powered cloud services. Management reiterated that AI remains a key driver of future performance, as Alibaba is implementing its 380 billion yuan ($53 billion) investment plan through 2027 to expand AI infrastructure.

At the recent Apsara Conference in September 2025, Alibaba unveiled a major wave of AI innovation, including next-generation Qwen3 models, the trillion-parameter Qwen3-Max and the Qwen3-Next architecture, all designed to strengthen cloud AI leadership. The company also previewed Wan 2.5, its advanced visual-generation model and introduced upgraded agent development platforms to accelerate enterprise adoption. These developments further strengthen Alibaba's goal of becoming a global AI powerhouse.

Further expanding its global footprint, Alibaba is establishing new data centers in Brazil, France and the Netherlands, with additional expansion planned in Mexico and Japan. A recent collaboration with Nvidia aims to advance “Physical AI,” enabling breakthroughs in robotics and autonomous systems. Additionally, Alibaba’s Model Studio platform now offers a high-code Agent Development Kit to simplify enterprise AI deployment and monetization.

Looking ahead, the Zacks Consensus Estimate projects consolidated revenues to grow 5% in fiscal 2026 and 12% in fiscal 2027, reflecting investor confidence in Alibaba's AI-led strategy. If implementation continues at this pace, the company's robust artificial intelligence efforts could actually lead to meaningful top-line growth in the coming years.

Alibaba’s AI Challenge: Baidu & Amazon RiseBaidu (BIDU - Free Report) has intensified its AI competition with Alibaba through rapid innovation and integration. Baidu’s upgraded ERNIE 4.5 and X1 reasoning models, supported by its 4-layer AI architecture, enhance efficiency and reduce inference costs. The company’s Qianfan MaaS platform expands enterprise flexibility, while Baidu’s Kunlun P800 chips lessen reliance on Nvidia. With its growing AI Cloud revenues and autonomous driving arm Apollo, Baidu is positioning itself as China’s most comprehensive AI ecosystem, directly challenging Alibaba’s cloud and model dominance.

Amazon (AMZN - Free Report) is intensifying its AI competition with Alibaba through innovation across cloud, infrastructure and enterprise tools. Amazon's Bedrock platform integrates top models like Anthropic's Cloud with its own Nova family, while Amazon Q improves workplace automation. As AWS is a global leader, the company uses AI for logistics, recommendations and retail personalization. Custom chips like Trainium and Inferentia boost performance, reinforcing Amazon’s dominance in scalable AI solutions and positioning it as a formidable rival to Alibaba’s growing AI and cloud ambitions.

BABA’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesBABA shares have surged 113.8% in the year-to-date period, outperforming the Zacks Internet – Commerce industry and the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector’s growth of 10% and 6.8%, respectively.

BABA’s YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, BABA stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Earnings ratio of 19.61X compared with the industry’s 24.11X. BABA has a Value Score of D.

BABA’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $7.55 per share, down 2.2% over the past 30 days, implying a 16.2% year-over-year decline.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Key Takeaways VRT's orders grew 11% with a 1.2 book-to-bill ratio, and backlog rose 21% year over year to $8.5 billion.
VRT's Waylay NV acquisition enhances AI-driven monitoring and smart infrastructure capabilities.
HPE expands AI offerings with NVIDIA-powered servers and agentic AI in its Juniper Networking portfolio.

Vertiv (VRT - Free Report) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE - Free Report) are major players in the data center infrastructure market. While Vertiv offers advanced thermal and power management systems tailored for large-scale data centers, Hewlett Packard Enterprise offers integrated data center solutions through its server, storage and networking infrastructure.

Per a Grand View Research report, the data center infrastructure management market was valued at around $3.06 billion in 2024 and is expected to register a CAGR of 17.3% from 2025 to 2030. Both Vertiv and Hewlett-Packard are likely to gain from the massive growth opportunity.

So, VRT or HPE — Which of these Data Center Infrastructure stocks has the greater upside potential? Let’s find out.

The Case for VRTVertiv benefits from an extensive product portfolio that spans thermal systems, liquid cooling, UPS, switchgear, busbars, and modular solutions, which is noteworthy. In the trailing 12 months, organic orders grew approximately 11%, with a book-to-bill of 1.2 times for the second quarter of 2025, indicating a strong prospect. Backlog grew 7% sequentially and 21% year over year to $8.5 billion.

Vertiv is a leading provider of thermal and power management solutions for data centers that consume immense amounts of power. The increasing complexity of AI hardware and edge computing further increases the power demand. Vertiv’s energy-efficient power and cooling solutions play a critical role in this aspect.

Acquisitions have played an important role in further expanding Vertiv’s footprint. In August, Vertiv acquired Waylay NV, a Belgium-based company known for its hyperautomation and generative AI software. This move aims to improve its AI-driven monitoring and control technologies for power and cooling systems. The acquisition boosts Vertiv’s capacity to provide smart infrastructure solutions that optimize energy use, increase uptime and enhance operational intelligence in data centers worldwide.

Vertiv’s partnership with NVIDIA is a plus. It aims to stay one generation ahead of NVIDIA, enabling efficient and scalable power solutions for next-generation AI data centers.

The Case for HPEHewlett Packard Enterprise is expanding its footprint through HPE Cray and ProLiant servers, which are bundled with liquid-cooled solutions and high-speed interconnects.

Building on this momentum, in August, HPE announced advancements to its NVIDIA AI Computing by HPE portfolio, introducing HPE ProLiant Compute servers with NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs in a 2U form factor.

Further expanding its portfolio, HPE introduced innovations to its HPE Juniper Networking portfolio and AI-native Mist platform in August, adding agentic AI-powered troubleshooting, expanded control of autonomous actions, a generalized Large Experience Model and advanced AIOps features for data centers to simplify IT operations and enhance user experiences.

Price Performance and Valuation of VRT and HPEIn the year-to-date period, Vertiv’s shares have gained 39.8% and Hewlett-Packard’s shares have appreciated 16.7%. The outperformance in VRT can be attributed to its robust product portfolio and rich partner base, which are driving order growth.

Despite HPE’s expanding portfolio, the company is suffering from challenging macroeconomic uncertainties and rising competition.

VRT and HPE Stock Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Valuation-wise, Vertiv shares are currently overvalued, as suggested by a Value Score of D. Hewlett-Packard shares are cheap, as suggested by a Value Score of B.

In terms of trailing 12-month Price/Book, Vertiv shares are trading at 19.41X, higher than Hewlett-Packard’s 1.34X.

VRT and HPE Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

How Do Earnings Estimates Compare for VRT & HPE?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vertiv’s 2025 earnings is currently pegged at $3.83 per share, which has increased by a penny over the past 30 days and increased 34.39% year over year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hewlett-Packard’s 2025 earnings is currently pegged at $1.90 per share, which has remained unchanged over the past 30 days and represents a 4.52% year-over-year decline.

Vertiv earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 10.65%. HPE earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the trailing three quarters, while missing the same in one, delivering an average surprise of 4.39%. The average surprise of Vertiv is higher than that of Hewlett-Packard.

ConclusionWhile both Vertiv and Hewlett-Packard stand to benefit from the data center infrastructure boom, Vertiv’s stronger earnings momentum, diversified growth drivers and consistent performance suggest it may offer greater upside potential in the near term.

A softened IT spending environment amid macroeconomic headwinds and rising competition may undermine Hewlett-Packard’s near-term prospects.

Currently, Vertiv has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), making the stock a stronger pick than Hewlett-Packard, which has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

NEW YORK, Oct. 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) between February 18, 2025 and July 31, 2025, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important November 14, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.

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

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Fluor class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44864 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 14, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

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

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) costs associated with the Gordie Howe International Bridge (“Gordie Howe”), the Interstate 365 Lyndon B. Johnson (“I-635/LBJ”) and Interstate 35E (“I-35”) highways in Texas projects were growing because of, inter alia, subcontractor design errors, price increases, and scheduling delays; (2) the foregoing, as well as customer reduction in capital spending and client hesitation around economic uncertainty, was having, or was likely to have, a significant negative impact on Fluor’s business and financial results; (3) accordingly, Fluor’s financial guidance for the full year 2025 was unreliable and/or unrealistic, the effectiveness of Fluor’s risk mitigation strategy was overstated, and the impact of economic uncertainty on Fluor’s business and financial results was understated; and (4) as a result, defendants’ public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Fluor class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44864 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

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

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

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

Contact Information:

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Oct 08, 2025 at 15:50 // News

A new market report revealed that BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, aggressively expanded its crypto portfolio in the third quarter of 2025, adding a staggering $22.46 billion in digital assets, Coinidol.com reports.

This massive influx of capital boosted the firm's total cryptocurrency holdings to over $102 billion, solidifying its position as the largest institutional holder of digital assets globally.

BlackRock's ETH inflows

The most compelling detail of the report, however, was the change in internal portfolio dynamics. For the first time in the firm’s history, Ethereum (ETH) inflows outpaced Bitcoin (BTC) in quarterly growth. While Bitcoin contributed $10.99 billion in gains, Ethereum posted a more dramatic move, soaring by $11.46 billion, representing a colossal 262% increase in BlackRock's ETH exposure for the quarter, as Economic Times reported.

This significant change suggests a maturation of institutional appetite beyond just Bitcoin as a store of value. It indicates that large, regulated financial players are increasingly recognizing Ethereum's utility, smart contract ecosystem, and staking potential as critical components for portfolio diversification.

A signal of the crypto market changes

Furthermore, the momentum has continued into the start of the fourth quarter. Data up to October 8 showed BlackRock’s portfolio expanding by another $10.43 billion in the first eight days of the month, averaging over $1 billion in fresh value per day. This sustained activity underscores a fierce institutional rush into the market, suggesting that the "crypto winter" is a firmly distant memory, replaced by what analysts are calling a structural bull market driven by traditional finance giants.

As of October 8, BlackRock’s total Ethereum holdings were valued at $18.26 billion, up from $15.91 billion just one week prior, signaling a high-conviction bet on the altcoin’s future.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Der Kryptomarkt verändert sich spürbar – Kapital fließt in stabile Coins wie Bitcoin und Ethereum.
Viele Altcoins verlieren dagegen an Bedeutung, weil ihnen klare Nutzung fehlt.
Institutionelle Investoren bestimmen zunehmend, wohin das Geld fließt.

Lange Zeit galt die Krypto-Welt als Spielplatz für Spekulationen. Doch das Blatt wendet sich: Immer mehr Geld fließt in bewährte Projekte wie Bitcoin und Ethereum, während viele kleinere Coins kaum noch Beachtung finden. Der Markt scheint erwachsener zu werden – und das verändert alles.

Große Coins ziehen das Kapital an
Im aktuellen Markt konzentriert sich das meiste Geld auf die beiden Giganten: BTC und ETH. Investoren suchen Stabilität und setzen auf Projekte mit hoher Liquidität und klarer Zukunftsperspektive. Kleinere Altcoins geraten dagegen ins Hintertreffen, weil sie oft nur auf Trends und Hoffnungen basieren.

Nach Daten aus der Branche handeln derzeit nur rund 55 Prozent aller Kryptowährungen über ihrem 200-Tage-Durchschnitt. Vor wenigen Wochen waren es noch fast 80 Prozent. Das zeigt deutlich: Das Kapital wandert dorthin, wo es Sicherheit und Vertrauen gibt – zu den Marktführern.

Institutionen geben den Ton an
Der Markt wird zunehmend von großen Investoren geprägt. Pensionsfonds, Vermögensverwalter und Unternehmen investieren bevorzugt in etablierte Coins. Sie meiden Risiken und achten auf klare Regeln und Transparenz. BTC und ETH erfüllen diese Bedingungen – viele kleinere Projekte nicht.

Dadurch verändert sich die Dynamik grundlegend. Wo früher wilde Spekulationen den Kurs bestimmten, zählt heute Planung und Strategie. Der Markt wirkt ruhiger, aber auch deutlich disziplinierter. Die Tage, in denen Anleger rein aus „Gefühl“ in neue Coins investierten, scheinen vorbei zu sein.

Hier kommst du zu unserer detaillierten Prognose für Bitcoin.

Altcoins kämpfen mit schwacher Nachfrage
Viele bekannte Altcoins hinken dem Markt hinterher. Zwar konnten einige große Projekte wie BNB oder Solana zulegen, doch zahlreiche andere zeigen kaum Bewegung oder verlieren sogar an Wert. Tokens wie Cardano, Chainlink oder Dogecoin tun sich schwer, neue Käufer zu finden.

Der Grund: Vielen fehlt eine klare Rolle oder ein konkreter Nutzen. Themen wie künstliche Intelligenz oder reale Vermögenswerte tauchen zwar immer wieder auf, doch nur wenige Altcoins schaffen es, diese Trends in echte Anwendungen zu übersetzen. Anleger haben aus früheren Hypes gelernt – und sind vorsichtiger geworden.

Reifung statt Spekulation
Branchenkenner sehen diese Entwicklung als gutes Zeichen. Der Markt lernt, zwischen starken und schwachen Projekten zu unterscheiden. Statt auf bloße Versprechen achten Investoren zunehmend auf echte Leistung und greifbare Fortschritte.

Mit dem steigenden Anteil institutioneller Anleger verlieren spontane Kurssprünge an Bedeutung. Zwar gibt es immer noch einzelne Ausreißer – etwa kurzfristige Rallys kleiner Coins – doch sie bleiben Ausnahmen. Die breite Masse orientiert sich an Fakten, nicht mehr an Gerüchten.

Selektive Chancen für die Zukunft
Trotz allem ist der Markt für Altcoins nicht tot. Experten erwarten, dass bestimmte Tokens wieder an Fahrt gewinnen könnten – aber nur solche mit echtem Nutzen. Sobald BTC und ETH in eine ruhigere Phase übergehen, könnten diese Projekte vom neuen Kapital profitieren.

JUST IN: Citibank predicts the Bitcoin bull run will continue through late 2026 🐂 pic.twitter.com/31wLJ4DCFs

— Bitcoin Archive (@BTC_Archive) October 8, 2025

Die nächste Aufwärtsbewegung dürfte also anders aussehen als frühere. Statt einer allgemeinen Altcoin-Welle werden einzelne, gut aufgestellte Projekte im Mittelpunkt stehen. Das Ziel der Anleger ist klar: Qualität statt Quantität. Der Markt wird kleiner, aber stärker.

Bitcoin Hyper: Wenn Bitcoin auf Solana-Geschwindigkeit trifft
Bitcoin Hyper ist kein weiterer anonymer Altcoin – es ist die nächste Entwicklungsstufe von Bitcoin selbst. Während Bitcoin als sicherste Blockchain der Welt gilt, ist sie oft zu langsam und teuer für moderne Anwendungen. Genau hier kommt Bitcoin Hyper ins Spiel: Es bringt die Schnelligkeit und Flexibilität des Solana-Netzwerks direkt in die Bitcoin-Welt. Durch eine smarte Brücke zwischen den beiden Systemen können Transaktionen in Sekunden abgewickelt werden – mit minimalen Gebühren. So bleibt die Sicherheit von BTC erhalten, während Nutzer und Entwickler die Vorteile einer modernen, skalierbaren Blockchain erleben. Bitcoin Hyper verbindet also das Beste aus zwei Welten: Stabilität und Geschwindigkeit.

Lies hier eine langfristige Prognose für Bitcoin Hyper!

Bitcoin Hyper Presale
$HYPER: Mehr als nur ein Token – der Motor der neuen Bitcoin-Ära
Der $HYPER-Token ist weit mehr als ein reines Investment – er ist das Herzstück des gesamten Bitcoin-Hyper-Ökosystems. Mit ihm werden Transaktionen bezahlt, Staking-Belohnungen verdient und Entscheidungen im Netzwerk getroffen. Gleichzeitig öffnet $HYPER die Tür zu einer Vielzahl neuer Möglichkeiten: DeFi, Gaming, Zahlungen oder Apps, die bisher auf Bitcoin undenkbar waren. Wer $HYPER hält, unterstützt also nicht nur ein Projekt, sondern hilft, Bitcoin praktischer und nützlicher zu machen. Ziel ist es, Bitcoin aus seiner „digitalen Gold“-Rolle zu befreien und zu zeigen, dass es auch im Alltag schnell, günstig und vielseitig eingesetzt werden kann.

Jetzt rechtzeitig einsteigen und $HYPER im Presale kaufen.

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

2 mins mins

Key Points:

375ai secured a total of $10 million in funding.The funding supports the development of decentralized data networks on Solana.Market watch for Solana shows a significant 41.51% price increase over 90 days.
Solana’s 375ai secures a new $5 million funding round led by Delphi Ventures and partners, pushing its total financing to $10 million as it plans an October token launch.

The successful funding highlights growing investor confidence in decentralized data networks and marks a pivotal step for 375ai as it prepares for its forthcoming token generation event.

Key Developments, Impact, and Reactions
375ai, known for its decentralized edge data network solutions, secured significant financial backing from Delphi Ventures, Strobe Capital, and HackVC, among others. Funding total reaches $10 million, doubling their previous capital from earlier financing activities.

Immediate implications include enhanced capacity for product development and readiness for the anticipated token generation event. The focus remains on advancing Solana-based projects.

Market participants expressed positive sentiments towards 375ai’s recent funding success. Community reactions centered around potential network advancements and collaborative opportunities within the blockchain space.

“The leadership at 375ai has expressed a commitment to building decentralized edge data intelligence networks, as noted in earlier documentation.”
Solana Market Sees 41.51% Price Rise in 90 Days
Did you know? 375ai’s total funding aligns with previous successful Solana-based projects, highlighting continuous industry growth and integration of advanced data technologies within the blockchain ecosystem.

According to CoinMarketCap, Solana (SOL) trades at $221.25 with a market cap of 120,849,281,069 and a market dominance of 2.90%. Recent price fluctuations see a 41.51% rise over 90 days, indicating robust investor interest. Trading volume reached $7,306,336,059, marking a 19.32% drop.

Solana(SOL), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 15:54 UTC on October 8, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap

The Coincu research team anticipates growth stemming from 375ai’s innovations, potentially enhancing Solana’s market position. Expectations include increased developer activity and adoption driven by token releases. This growth aligns with similar advancements in AI as highlighted by Heuristic AI. Strong sentiments are bolstered by Solana holds above 205 support, indicating a stabilization in market trends.

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

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ETH drops 4% to $4,500. Analysts flag key support levels, breakout patterns, and warning zones as traders watch for next move.

Ethereum (ETH) is trading at around $4,500 after falling 4% in the past 24 hours.

Despite the dip, analysts are watching as the price returns to a zone where buyers have previously shown interest. The current 7-day change is still positive, with ETH up 5% over the week.

ETH/BTC Pullback May Offer Opportunity
Michaël van de Poppe shared a weekly ETH/BTC chart showing a strong rally earlier this year. The pair moved up more than 140% from its low, topping out near 0.038. It is now trading close to 0.0365 and approaching a support area.

Van de Poppe marked the 0.0325 to 0.03 BTC range as a possible entry point. This zone was acting as a resistance in the past, and now sits near the 10-week moving average. He also pointed to lower support levels at 0.026, 0.0232, and 0.0194. The current pullback has happened on lower volume, which could suggest less selling pressure.

In addition, Merlijn The Trader posted a separate ETH/BTC chart showing a move above a trendline that held for eight years. The breakout came after ETH bounced off long-term support near 0.020. This change in structure may suggest a shift in momentum.

The chart also includes a golden cross on both price and MACD. This is the first time in years that momentum has flipped in favor of ETH on this chart.

“Ethereum doesn’t crawl out of patterns like this. It erupts,” Merlijn said.

His chart shows a path that could take ETH/BTC toward 0.10–0.12.

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Why Ethereum (ETH) Could Be the Biggest Winner of the Global Liquidity Surge

Source: Merlijn The Trader/X
Daily Chart Shows Repeat Setup
On the daily chart, Trader Tardigrade posted a pattern that has repeated multiple times in recent months. In each case, ETH traded sideways, broke slightly below its support level, and then moved higher. These earlier setups resulted in rapid gains.

The latest move shows ETH pulling back below $4,600 before bouncing again. The pattern now suggests a possible move toward $5,800–$6,200. “Ethereum pump is ongoing,” he said, hinting that the structure may still be in play.

Key Zone Remains a Challenge
Ali Martinez has called the $4,000–$4,800 range Ethereum’s “danger zone” since 2021. His chart shows that ETH has failed at this level several times, often followed by sharp pullbacks. The past six rejections led to declines ranging from 31% to over 80%.

Source: Ali Martinez/X
ETH is now back in that same zone, trading near $4,500. The chart marks this area as one to watch. “Every touch led to a correction,” Ali noted, suggesting caution as ETH tests this resistance once again.

In brief
YZi Labs, formerly known as Binance Labs, is kickstarting a $1 billion builders fund for those looking to develop long-term on BNB Chain.
The fund will support builders in areas like trading, real-world assets, artificial intelligence, DeSCI, and DeFi.
The firm is merging its EASY Residency program with BNB Chain's incubator "MVB" to find and support eligible builders.
YZi Labs, the venture office of Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao and formerly known as Binance Labs, is creating a $1 billion fund to support long-term builders in the BNB ecosystem, the firm announced on Wednesday.

The fund will focus particularly on builders developing on BNB Chain in areas like trading, real-world assets, artificial intelligence, and decentralized science (DeSCI) and finance (DeFi).

“The $1b fund size proves YZi Labs’ commitment to support new and emerging projects building on BNB Chain," a representative for the firm told Decrypt.

"We welcome builders with all backgrounds. Even if teams haven’t previously built on BNB Chain, if YZi Labs recognizes their potential and they’re willing to build within the ecosystem, we’ll connect them with the BNB Chain core team, which provides dedicated technical support and resources to assist with onboarding, deployment, and integration."

Additionally, the firm’s builder EASY residency program, which provides product start and go-to-market support, is merging with Most Valuable Builder, BNB Chain’s flagship incubator program, starting this October. Selected builders will earn direct support from BNB Chain and YZi Labs and up to $500,000 in funding.

Builder applications are open on a rolling basis.

The firm’s announcement comes amid a surge in activity on BNB Chain in which more than 26 million transactions occurred on Tuesday, the highest mark recorded since December 2023, according to data from block explorer BSCScan.

Meme coins in particular surged on the platform, buoyed by references to Zhao or “CZ” as he’s better known among crypto participants. Multiple tokens jumped more than 1,000% on the day on hundreds of millions in trading volume.

BNB Chain’s native token—BNB—has jumped to new all-time highs this week. In the process, the asset overtook Tether’s stablecoin USDT as the third largest crypto asset by market capitalization.

BNB has risen nearly 28% on the week, outperforming Bitcoin and Ethereum, the two largest cryptocurrencies by market value. Those assets have only increased by 5.1% and 4.0%, respectively in that time. BNB is currently changing hands at $1,299, around 2.5% off its all-time high of $1,330.

Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.

Altcoin season in Uptober is pulling liquidity into tokens with fresh drivers and enough depth for follow-through. Moves are clustered rather traders chase every chart, with capital flowing where usage, listings, or technical breaks line up.Zcash, Mantle, and SPX6900 fit that filter today.

In brief
MetaMask users can trade derivatives using Hyperliquid’s infrastructure.
The self-custodial wallet plans to add support for Polymarket.
MetaMask users can earn rewards, including Linea’s native token.
Popular crypto wallet MetaMask unveiled native support for Hyperliquid on Wednesday, allowing users to more easily speculate on the price of various cryptocurrencies through the up-and-coming decentralized exchange.

In a press release, MetaMask said the integration is a direct response to the growing popularity of perpetual futures, which allow traders to make outsized bets on digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum using leverage, and unlike traditional features, don’t feature an expiration date.

Traders have traditionally turned to centralized exchanges like Binance and OKX for perpetual futures, but the Consensys-owned project underscored that trading volumes for the derivatives reached an all-time high of $765 billion in August on their decentralized competitors. (Disclaimer: Consensys is one of 22 investors in an editorially independent Decrypt.)

“Ultimately, we’re working not just to bring people on-chain, but to create the reasons users will never want to leave,” MetaMask’s Global Product Lead, Gal Eldar, said in a statement. “This marks another step in transforming MetaMask into an on-chain platform for personal finance.”

Centralized platforms for perpetual futures command a majority of volume and open interest, but decentralized alternatives are “gaining slight ground,” with Hyperliquid leading the charge, according to a March report from crypto data provider CoinGecko.

Hyperliquid’s HYPE token rose 2.4% on Wednesday to $46.12. The cryptocurrency’s price has soared 76% year-to-date from $26.19 in January.

MetaMask also said on Wednesday that it will integrate Polymarket, the prediction-market platform that just inked a $2 billion deal with the owner of the New York Stock Exchange. The crypto wallet is expected to add native support for Polymarket later this year.

Since its debut in 2016, MetaMask has added features in response to industry trends, extending its focus beyond Ethereum. That includes MetaMask's recent support of Bitcoin and Solana, as well as MetaMask's embrace of an in-wallet service for exchanging tokens in 2021.

MetaMask is planning on releasing a token, and it said a seasonal points system will dovetail with that. For the next three months, MetaMask said users can earn points to unlock rewards like native tokens for Linea, the Consensys-owned Ethereum layer-2 network.

Daily Debrief NewsletterStart every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.

Crypto expert BarriC has shared a bold view about the future of the XRP price. He believes that it could rise to $1,000 or even higher if it reaches full global use by banks and financial institutions. BarriC says the world has never seen what happens when a digital asset is used on a massive scale by traditional finance. According to him, this level of use could set XRP apart from all other cryptocurrencies.

XRP Price Poised For Historic Gains Amid Global Bank Adoption
BarriC predicts that the XRP price has the potential to reach record-breaking levels once banks and financial firms worldwide begin to adopt the cryptocurrency on a daily basis. If banks move money through XRP on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, the amount of value flowing through the network could be substantial. BarriC believes this could be in the range of millions, billions, or even trillions of dollars over time.

He explains that no other cryptocurrency has reached this level of real-world use before, which makes XRP’s case very different from past market cycles. BarriC says that when global financial institutions begin using XRP for regular transactions, it will no longer behave like most digital assets. It could then become a key part of how money moves worldwide, and such growth could naturally lead to XRP prices that surpass what the market has seen before.

BarriC’s analysis suggests that the real turning point could come from trust and utility in XRP. As more institutions rely on the network for fast and inexpensive transfers, confidence in the asset is likely to grow significantly. The demand would likely reduce selling pressure and increase the token’s value over time, which, according to BarriC, is when XRP could start to climb toward its predicted $1,000 mark.

XRP Breaking The Traditional Cycle And Entering Uncharted Territory
BarriC also believes that XRP will eventually diverge from Bitcoin’s typical four-year market cycle. He says XRP could move in its own direction once banks widely use it. In his view, the cryptocurrency would no longer need to follow Bitcoin’s ups and downs because it would have its own strong use case. This independence could allow the price to move much higher and stay stable even when other coins face downturns.

He describes this possible phase as “uncharted territory” for XRP, as it would be the first time a cryptocurrency reaches that level of adoption and the network becomes a significant part of the global payment system. BarriC expects that once this shift happens, XRP could rise far beyond previous highs, possibly reaching $100, $1,000, or more.

The overall analysis by BarriC paints a very hopeful picture for the XRP price. The digital asset may become one of the most valuable cryptocurrencies on the market if the $ 1,000 price prediction comes to fruition.

Price suffers multiple dips amid sell-offs | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com
Featured image created with Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com

Bonk (CRYPTO: BONK) is stealing the spotlight from Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) and Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) as traders position for what some call the next "Solana supercycle," with technicals and on-chain data aligning for a potential 400% breakout.

BONK Price Targets 400% Breakout

BONK Technical Analysis (Source: TradingView)

The daily chart reveals BONK pressing against a long-term descending trendline near $0.000022, with multiple failed retests since July. 

Price is consolidating just below the major EMA cluster between $0.0000207–$0.0000220, creating a dense resistance zone.

Support remains firm at $0.000018, where buyers have repeatedly stepped in during September. 

A breakout above $0.000022 would confirm a trend reversal, projecting a move toward $0.000038–$0.000040.

Wall Street-Backed Accumulation Lifts BONKSafety Shot Inc. (NASDAQ:SHOT) disclosed that its subsidiary BONK Holdings LLC now owns over 2.7% of BONK's circulating supply, with plans to increase its stake to 5% by end-2025. 

The purchase positions BONK among a small group of meme assets with publicly disclosed corporate exposure.

This move highlights BONK's growing role within the Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) ecosystem, where it operates as a low-cost, high-speed utility token. 

Whales Signal Confidence In BONK

BONK Netflows (Source: Coinglass)

According to Coinglass data, BONK saw $355,000 in exchange outflows on Oct. 8, marking a continuation of negative netflows. 

These outflows suggest that large holders are moving tokens into private wallets.

BONK's on-chain structure points to long-term holding behavior rather than short-term trading, improving the token's breakout probability.

Why It MattersIf BONK breaks above the $0.000022 resistance cluster, the next targets lie near $0.000030 and $0.000040. 

BONK's rise is not just another meme coin story. 

What makes it striking is the blend of institutional ownership, whale accumulation, and Solana integration, creating a setup that rivals DOGE and SHIB during their breakout eras. 

Safety Shot's corporate disclosure adds legitimacy, while BONK's active utility within Solana gives it a structural advantage most meme tokens lack. 

This raises a deeper question for traders: are we watching the birth of the first meme asset to transition into a real utility-backed market leader?

Read Next:

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Achieving its 10,000 BTC target by 2025 would push DDC into the top tier of publicly listed bitcoin treasuries.

TL,DR

Short-term profit-taking triggers selling pressure.
Technical failure after not breaking the $4,472 resistance.
Excessive leverage (over 70% in longs) raises the liquidation risk.

The second largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum (ETH), has experienced a recent downturn, causing concern among investors and traders. While ETH’s long-term outlook remains solidly optimistic, the current weakness is due to a combination of technical factors and short-term market pressures.

One of the fundamental reasons for understanding “why the price of Ethereum is falling” is the intense selling pressure driven by profit-taking Short-term traders, looking to secure their gains after a period of increases, have caused significant capital outflows.

Recent data highlights this behavior. In the last week, a substantial capital migration out of Ethereum was observed, with a notable movement of225 million in a single day, rotating into other assets or simply liquidating positions. This selling behavior reflects a natural pause after strong rallies.

Failure at the Key Resistance of $4,472
From a technical perspective, the price of ETH has failed to sustain a breakout above the critical resistance level of $4,472 (-3.15%). Following multiple unsuccessful attempts to consolidate gains above this mark, the bullish momentum has exhausted, signaling a bearish divergence on the short-term charts

Popular technical indicators like the MACD and KDJ have begun to show signs of exhaustion or weakness, suggesting that the buying power is temporarily fading. This technical failure is a key factor in why the price of Ethereum is falling, as it encourages opportunistic parties (sellers) to take control of the market.

Bitcoin and gold price gains are less about opportunity and more about escaping erosion. The debasement trade is unfolding in plain sight.

Summary

The debasement trade is accelerating as Bitcoin and gold price rise together, signaling a market-wide retreat from fiat and policy-driven stability.
Central banks are quietly leading the shift, boosting gold reserves while investors pour billions into Bitcoin ETFs amid weakening trust in money supply control.
The surge in Bitcoin and gold price reflects deeper unease over record global debt, shrinking real yields, and eroding credibility of fiscal systems.
What began as a hedge has turned structural. The debasement trade now defines how capital seeks value when traditional money loses its anchor.

The debasement trade gains momentum
Across markets, investors are turning away from fiat money and toward tangible or scarce assets. Gold reached a new record on Oct. 7 when its spot price crossed $4,000 per ounce for the first time. The rally of more than 50% since the beginning of the year has pushed its total market cap beyond $27 trillion.

Data from the World Gold Council shows that central bank demand has remained consistently strong throughout the year, with net purchases led mainly by emerging economies.

Equities have also recorded steady gains. The S&P 500 hit new closing highs in late September and again in October, rebounding from a correction earlier in the year. The Nasdaq and Dow Jones remained close to record territory during the same period.

S&P Dow Jones Indices described this as one of the strongest multi-quarter runs for U.S. equities in more than ten years, despite high Treasury yields and wide credit spreads.

Bitcoin (BTC) has become the third pillar of this realignment. On Oct. 6, the cryptocurrency rose above $126,000, setting a new all-time high. It was trading near $125,000 on Oct. 8, extending gains of almost 8% since the start of the month.

The rally has aligned with record inflows into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, which attracted more than $2 billion in just two days this week, led by BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust. On Oct. 6 alone, these ETFs drew nearly $1.2 billion in net inflows.

A clear change in investor psychology runs beneath these moves. Instead of turning to gold only in times of panic, markets are now allocating to gold, Bitcoin, and equities at the same time.

Analysts at JP Morgan describe this as the “debasement trade,” a strategy focused on holding assets that guard against monetary dilution, inflation risk, and the erosion of currency credibility.

History’s warning on fiat collapse
The loss of trust in fiat currencies has often marked the early stages of transition between monetary systems. 

In the third century, the Roman Empire began to unravel financially as wars intensified and political power changed hands repeatedly. The silver content of Roman coins fell from more than 90% to less than 5% within a few decades. 

As confidence collapsed, inflation soared and soldiers started demanding payment in goods instead of debased money. Commerce slowly withdrew into barter. Once money stopped preserving value, the foundations of the Roman economy began to crumble.

A similar pattern appeared in sixteenth-century Spain. Large inflows of silver from the Americas created a monetary surplus. Although the metal itself was real, its excessive use by the state drove prices higher across Europe and weakened the empire’s financial position.

Hard money remained in appearance but lost its purpose. When political control over issuance failed, even gold and silver could no longer serve as reliable anchors of stability.

During the French Revolution, the same cycle repeated through paper money. Assignats were first issued as notes backed by land but soon turned into tools of unchecked monetary expansion. 

Within a few years, their value fell by more than 95%. People began rejecting them in daily trade, and economic activity weakened. As the currency lost credibility, public faith in the revolutionary government faded just as quickly.

In the twentieth century, a more intricate system began to decay. The Bretton Woods framework, based on the dollar’s convertibility into gold, collapsed in 1971 when the U.S. ended that tie. What followed was the beginning of the modern fiat era.

From that point onward, the value of money depended not on convertibility but on the credibility of governments and central banks. Over time, that credibility has worn down. 

Mounting debt, chronic fiscal deficits, and a growing reliance on inflation to sustain growth have steadily weakened the base of the system.

Gold price rises as trust fades
The weakening credibility of fiat money is evident in the hard data of public finance, monetary expansion, and reserve allocation.

Global debt remains at extraordinary levels. According to the IMF, total debt across public and private sectors stood just above 235% of global GDP in 2025, with public borrowing still rising even as private debt eased slightly. 

The Institute of International Finance reports that worldwide debt surpassed $324 trillion in early 2025. Sovereign borrowing sits at the heart of this increase. The OECD projects that bond issuance across its member nations will reach a record $17 trillion this year, up from $14 trillion in 2023.

These figures place mounting pressure on fiscal legitimacy. Many governments now depend on rolling over debt, bearing higher interest costs, and relying on inflation to reduce real obligations. The question is how long markets will continue to view this structure as sustainable.

Central bank behavior offers one of the clearest signs of adjustment. In recent years, central banks have consistently purchased more than 1,000 tonnes of gold annually, far above the average levels of the previous decade. 

In the first quarter of 2025 alone, they added 244 tonnes, about 25% above the five-year quarterly mean. Poland accounted for 49 tonnes during the quarter, more than half its annual demand, while China added 13 tonnes. The buying trend continued into the second quarter, with another 166 tonnes acquired.

Survey data from the World Gold Council provides context. About 73% of central banks said they plan to reduce their share of U.S. dollar holdings over the next five years. The same proportion expect to raise their allocations to gold or alternative currencies.

Global official gold reserves now stand near 36,000 tonnes. At current market prices, some estimates place the notional value of these holdings close to the scale of U.S. Treasury exposure in certain cases. 

Economists at the Federal Reserve have acknowledged that central banks are building gold reserves to lower concentration risk in their portfolios.

Debt dynamics help explain this pattern. Inflation in advanced economies has eased on the surface, yet real interest rates remain compressed. Investors holding cash or government bonds often earn returns that lag behind monetary expansion, eroding their purchasing power over time. 

The same structure benefits governments. Lower real yields make it easier to fund persistent deficits without triggering immediate concerns about solvency.

In Japan, public debt is nearing 230% of GDP. Across Europe, France, Italy, and Greece each hold ratios above 110%. The endurance of these levels depends less on growth and more on the assumption that capital markets will continue to refinance them without resistance.

Each monetary signal points in the same direction. Central banks are increasing their gold exposure to reduce policy risk. Investors are buying Bitcoin as protection against currency dilution. Equities remain supported not by earnings momentum but because monetary supply continues to expand faster than real economic output.

Bitcoin emerges as neutral reserve hedge
Several systems that have long supported global liquidity and currency stability are now showing visible strain. 

Japan’s 30-year government bond yield reached 3.32% on Oct. 7. For decades, Japan maintained near-zero rates and carried out multiple rounds of quantitative easing, creating a low-cost liquidity base that helped stabilize global capital markets.

Institutions around the world borrowed cheaply in yen and invested in higher-yielding assets elsewhere, keeping volatility low and sustaining cross-border capital flows.

With Japanese yields now rising, that dynamic is starting to reverse. Foreign investors are cutting exposure, and Japanese institutions are bringing capital back home.

The consequences are broad. As one analyst noted, “Every asset class, every risk model, every ‘this time is different’ assumption priced into equities, housing, private credit, even crypto, is downstream of this invisible Japanese subsidy.” That subsidy no longer exists.

Credibility concerns are also surfacing in developed markets. Bloomberg anchor and financial columnist Lisa Abramowicz observed, “Gold’s parabolic move toward $4,000 is sending a warning signal to the traditional financial system. Developed-market nations are losing clout as being good stewards of capital.”

Gold's parabolic move toward $4,000 is sending a warning signal to the traditional financial system: developed-market nations are losing clout as being good stewards of capital. pic.twitter.com/JNExqj2jYN

— Lisa Abramowicz (@lisaabramowicz1) October 6, 2025

Her remarks align with the ongoing pattern of reserve diversification, where central banks continue to expand gold holdings and reduce long-term exposure to the U.S. dollar.

In this environment, economists at Deutsche Bank suggest that central banks could begin holding Bitcoin by 2030. Their assessment cites improving liquidity, growing regulatory clarity, lower volatility, and Bitcoin’s independence from government control as the main drivers.

The bank adds that U.S. led adoption could strengthen this shift, allowing Bitcoin to move from a speculative instrument into a recognized monetary alternative. 

In that sense, the expanding flows into spot Bitcoin ETFs and the steady pace of central bank gold accumulation are signs of how the global allocation engine is reprogramming itself for a world where money creation and debt expansion can no longer deliver trust.

Equity markets, meanwhile, continue to draw support less from corporate performance and more from liquidity supply. 

Investors are no longer deciding between risk and safety in the traditional sense. They are judging assets by a single measure, their ability to preserve purchasing power when fiscal systems depend on refinancing and inflation to stay afloat.

That same question of preservation now extends beyond portfolios to the structure of money itself. Every major signal, from bond yields and debt ratios to reserve behavior and ETF flows, points to a gradual redefinition of value. 

The world is no longer seeking growth at any cost. It is searching for a form of money that can hold trust when the promise of the state no longer does.

DeFi Dev Corp. announced a special dividend of tradable warrants, eligible for a cash purchase of $22.50 per DFDV share.