Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Meta Platforms (META) will release its Q2 in about 2 weeks. Ahead of the release, shares are trading around the middle of the 52-week pack. At about a 20x forward earnings multiple, shares command a slight discount to its own historical averages. With CAPEX set to surge, there's the possibility META will eventually see negative free cash flow. This could justify the current discount in trading multiples.

Tesla is expected to report second-quarter earnings per share of 55 cents, up from 40 cents a year ago.

Uber Technologies (UBER) is rated a strong buy as the market undervalues its robust fundamentals and growth potential amid AV-related skepticism. UBER's Q1 2026 results showed 21% YoY gross bookings growth, 42% higher non-GAAP operating income, and $2.28B in free cash flow. Management guides for 18–22% gross bookings growth and 31–38% EPS growth, with Uber One membership now exceeding 50M users.

Investors should brace themselves for intensifying AI spending in fiscal 2027, according to Citi Research.

Microsoft becomes first announced hyperscale cloud provider to deploy 3M Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) technology

3M to use Microsoft AI and digital capabilities to advance enterprise transformation across key functions

, /PRNewswire/ -- 3M (NYSE: MMM) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) today announced a strategic partnership focused on AI data center infrastructure and enterprise transformation. Microsoft's Azure Cloud and AI Infrastructure will become the first announced hyperscale cloud provider to deploy 3M's Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) technology. 3M will also use Microsoft's AI and digital platforms as part of its enterprise transformation across key business functions.

3M and Microsoft announce a strategic partnership to advance AI data center infrastructure and enterprise transformation. Together, the companies will combine Microsoft's digital and hyperscale infrastructure with 3M's materials science and precision manufacturing to accelerate AI adoption and strengthen the physical networks required for the growth of cloud and AI workloads.

Innovating datacenter infrastructure for the AI era
As Microsoft continues to advance high-performance, efficient and sustainable infrastructure for enterprise and generative AI workloads, it will deploy 3M's proprietary EBO technology in Azure data centers.

By using an expanded beam optical interface instead of the direct contact required in traditional connectors, EBO technology is designed to make fiber connections faster to install, more tolerant of contamination and easier to maintain. The technology will help Microsoft reduce the need for frequent cleaning and inspection while supporting reliable optical performance in dense, high-volume deployment environments.

Microsoft's early use of EBO technology has shown the potential to reduce network deployment timelines in certain environments. The technology has also demonstrated strong signal performance in live data center conditions, where dust exposure and routine handling are inherent to installation and maintenance.

3M is scaling production of its EBO technology to meet accelerating demand from hyperscalers and data center operators building the infrastructure required for AI. Building on decades of materials science and precision-manufacturing expertise, 3M has advanced single-mode expanded beam optical technology for high-volume data center applications, supporting disciplined commercialization and broader adoption across the data center ecosystem. 3M helped establish the EBO Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) to support standardization and broader industry adoption of EBO technology.

"At Microsoft, we're redefining the foundation of cloud and AI infrastructure — combining our own innovations with advances from partners like 3M to build datacenters that are faster to deploy, more resilient and ready for the scale of AI," said Cliff Henson, corporate vice president, Cloud Supply Chain, Microsoft. "3M's EBO solution will help unlock new levels of performance, reliability and efficiency to ensure customers can run their cloud and AI workloads on a trusted, sustainable and advanced environment."  

Enterprise AI transformation
3M will deploy Microsoft's AI and digital capabilities in key areas of its enterprise transformation roadmap, including customer service, finance, sales and marketing. These efforts will help simplify processes, improve decision-making, strengthen customer experiences and enable greater employee productivity.

A specific example involves the newly launched Microsoft Frontier Company deploying engineers to help 3M's Global Business Services team automate the way it manages customer orders. Both companies are collaborating on an AI agent-driven workflow to assist with credit checks, delinquency assessments and system updates, with human-in-the-loop controls and a custom monitoring dashboard for real-time visibility and approvals. This solution is expected to significantly reduce manual effort, improve process speed and consistency, and accelerate cash flow, freeing 3M staff for higher-value work and enabling scalable, auditable operation. 

"At 3M, we view AI as a powerful tool that can accelerate growth, improve customer experiences and help our teams work more effectively," said Jon Van Wyck, executive vice president and chief strategy officer, 3M. "Our collaboration with Microsoft supports that vision through targeted optimization opportunities for our enterprise while advancing the infrastructure needed to power the future of AI. We are excited to deepen our partnership and develop practical solutions that can create mutual value."

Building the future through science and technology
Microsoft and 3M intend to build on this partnership through continued technical collaboration, bench-to-bench engagement between engineering and commercial teams, and joint innovation opportunities across Microsoft's data center and device ecosystem, with a focus on areas where 3M's materials science, optical connectivity and manufacturing capabilities can help address evolving requirements for reliability, deployment speed, density and long-term scalability.

About 3M 
3M (NYSE: MMM) is focused on transforming industries around the world by applying science and creating innovative, customer-focused solutions. Our multi-disciplinary team is working to solve tough customer problems by leveraging diverse technology platforms, differentiated capabilities, global footprint, and operational excellence. Discover how 3M is shaping the future at 3M.com/news. 

About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. 

SOURCE 3M Company

Aurora Cannabis' shares plunge 28% in three months as a cautious fiscal 2027 outlook overshadows record medical cannabis growth and global expansion.

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images Even Nvidia isn't immune to the AI chip shortage.

The company's automotive division still has to compete internally for access to the GPUs that have made Nvidia the world's most valuable company, according to Xinzhou Wu, Nvidia's head of automotive.

"Even at Nvidia, basically we do have a limited supply of GPU for compute," Wu said in an episode of The Verge's "Decoder" podcast that aired on Monday.

As demand for Nvidia's chips continues to surge from AI companies building massive data centers, Wu said different teams across the company regularly compete for computing resources needed to train and test their own AI models.

"We have an internal priority, and I'm working with my colleagues basically almost on a weekly basis to decide how to set aside this different compute, sometimes for training, sometimes for test resources for different threads of work in the company," Wu said.

"And sometimes we need Jensen to help," Wu said of the company's CEO, Jensen Huang.

The comments offer a rare glimpse into how Nvidia allocates resources inside a company whose GPUs have become the backbone of the generative AI boom. Demand for its chips has consistently outpaced supply as companies, including OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta, xAI, and Amazon, race to build ever-larger AI models.

Wu said decisions aren't driven solely by near-term revenue.

"It's all of the above," he said when asked how those trade-offs are made. Nvidia balances current business needs with long-term strategic opportunities, including what Huang calls "the zero trillion dollar business" — entirely new markets that could eventually be worth trillions of dollars, Wu said.

One of those bets is autonomous driving.

Wu said Nvidia believes "everything that moves will be autonomous" and is investing heavily in supplying chips, software, AI models, simulation tools, and safety systems for self-driving vehicles. While the automotive business remains much smaller than Nvidia's booming data-center division, Huang continues to prioritize it.

"We are strong believers — Jensen himself as well — of the AV [autonomous vehicle] future," Wu said. "We are keeping investing basically in this technology and in this future, not only from allocating external compute but from fab capacity as well."

Wu also said that even semiconductor manufacturing capacity has become another internal battleground as demand for Nvidia's chips continues to soar.

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Thibault Spirlet You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email.

Thibault is a business reporter at Business Insider's London office.He covers the intersection of wealth, work, and technology — focusing on the global economy, AI’s impact on the workplace, job and cognitive skills, and how economic changes are affecting careers. Before moving to the trending team, Thibault covered international affairs, including the Russia-Ukraine war, tensions in the South China Sea, and Russia’s economy on the news desk.He has previously worked at the Daily Express and held internships at Agence France-Presse, Politico Europe, and Factal.Il parle français. Se habla español.Email Thibault at [email protected], connect with him on LinkedIn @ThibaultSpirlet, or follow him on X @ThibaultSpirlet and BlueSky @thibaultspirlet.bsky.social.Expertise

AI and the future of work Job and cognitive skills in the AI economyWorkforce trendsFirst-person, "as-told-to" business storiesPopular articles

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Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) could climb to $228.40 by August 1, 2026, according to a forecast generated by ChatGPT.

Based on the company’s latest fundamentals, Wall Street sentiment, and AI infrastructure demand trends, the outlook implies roughly 7.7% upside from Nvidia’s current price of $211.

NVDA one-week stock price chart. Source: Finbold The prediction comes as Nvidia remains one of the market’s most closely watched stocks, with investors assessing whether the AI giant can sustain its rapid growth following another year of record revenue and data center expansion.

Based on current market conditions, ChatGPT projects Nvidia shares will close at $228.40 on August 1, 2026, while estimating a likely trading range between $215 and $242.

ChatGPT assigned a 35% probability that Nvidia will trade between $220 and $240 by August 1, making it the most likely outcome. The model also estimates a 30% chance that shares remain between $200 and $220, a 15% probability of rising above $240, and a 20% chance of falling below $200.

NVDA stock price prediction. Source: ChatGPT The forecast is based on several factors, including strong demand for Nvidia’s Blackwell AI systems, improving access to the Chinese market, and a favorable analyst outlook ahead of the company’s next earnings report.

Nvidia stock bullish drivers  A key driver behind the forecast is continued strength in AI infrastructure spending. Nvidia generated approximately $215.9 billion in fiscal 2026 revenue, up about 65% year over year, highlighting robust demand from hyperscalers and enterprise customers.

Demand for Nvidia’s Blackwell architecture continues to outpace supply, while investors are increasingly focused on the upcoming Rubin platform, which many analysts expect to extend the company’s AI leadership into 2027.

Another catalyst emerged this week after U.S. officials confirmed Nvidia had begun limited shipments of H200 AI chips to approved customers in China. 

While the approvals remain restricted, the move signals improving access to a market previously constrained by export controls and could support future revenue growth.

Despite the favorable outlook, ChatGPT highlighted several risks. Competition is intensifying, particularly in China, where Huawei’s Ascend AI chips are gaining traction among customers seeking alternatives to Nvidia. 

While Nvidia remains the global leader, the competitive landscape is becoming more challenging.

Investors are also monitoring valuation concerns. Nvidia trades at a premium to most large-cap technology stocks, leaving shares vulnerable to any signs of slowing AI demand, margin pressure, or weaker-than-expected guidance.

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At home or on the go, AT&T delivers the fastest speeds across home internet and wireless

Key Takeaways:

New analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest® Intelligence data shows customers with AT&T Wireless & Fiber experience the fastest converged speeds in the nation. Demand for a more connected experience is growing, with a majority of customers saying they want one provider for fiber and wireless. AT&T is making that experience easier to access through simpler, more flexible options like AT&T OneConnect and Build-a-Plan. , /PRNewswire/ -- What's the News: As America's largest wireless and fiber provider1, AT&T already brings together two of the strongest connectivity assets in the industry: AT&T Fiber and wireless. Now, new analysis by Ookla of Speedtest Intelligence data shows customers who subscribe to both have the Fastest Converged Experience in the nation.2

Why it Matters: The way people experience connectivity is changing. Customers no longer evaluate their experience one product or service at a time. Instead, they expect a fast, reliable connection wherever life takes them. That shift is redefining the industry and this recognition proves AT&T is leading in this new era of converged connectivity.

Quotable: "As the lines between home internet and wireless continue to blur, we're focused on delivering the best experience to keep customers connected wherever life takes them," said Jenifer Robertson, executive vice president and general manager, AT&T Consumer. "And a majority of customers tell us in surveys that they want one provider for fiber and wireless, and Ookla's recognition proves AT&T is delivering that combo better than anyone else."

More Details: Building on this network leadership, AT&T is making converged connectivity simpler to choose, use, and manage. The AT&T Guarantee further reinforces that commitment, giving customers added confidence in both networks. These benefits come to life through options like AT&T OneConnect and Build-a-Plan.

OneConnect is the industry's first single subscription for unlimited connectivity at home and on the go, for one simple price, with taxes and fees included — helping deliver the seamless, predictable experience customers crave. Build-A-Plan is the first plan of its kind from a major carrier, giving customers the choice and flexibility to tailor their wireless plan to fit their needs and budget—now including the ability to easily add AT&T Fiber and get real savings on home internet. Together, our unmatched strength in fiber and wireless points to where AT&T is taking connectivity next: faster networks, simpler choices, and one connected experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is speed important?
Speed is the invisible ingredient behind great connected experiences. When it's there, everything just works — the call is clear, the stream is smooth, the download is quick, and the whole household can be online at once. When it's not, people notice immediately.

That's why AT&T's recognition as the Fastest Converged Experience in the U.S. is important. By bringing together wireless and fiber internet at industry-leading speeds, AT&T keeps customers connected with unbeatable performance at home, at work, and everywhere in between.

What is AT&T Fiber?
Fiber optic internet uses thin glass cables and light to send data, allowing for hyper fast speeds. 

There are several key benefits to choosing fiber internet: 

Fast speeds: Fiber internet can reach speeds that makes it ideal for streaming HD videos, online gaming, and using many devices at once. Equal upload and download speeds: Unlike most other internet types, fiber gives you the same fast speed whether you're uploading or downloading. This is great for video calls, sharing large files, and creating content online. Reliable connectivity: Fiber internet offers consistent speeds even during peak times when many people are online. This means fewer interruptions and a smoother online experience.  Fiber optic internet offers fast, reliable, and consistent service, making it one of the best choices for anyone who wants a top-quality home internet connection. 

Q: What is the AT&T Guarantee?
We value our customers, and we believe that connecting changes everything. We're committed to providing reliable connectivity with value-led pricing and customer-first care, or we'll make it right.

With the AT&T Guarantee, customers can expect:

Connectivity you depend on. In the rare event of a network outage, we'll automatically credit your bill. And, when you have AT&T Fiber with Wireless we provide Internet Backup for no extra cost. Guaranteed.3 Deals you want. Our best deals on smartphones don't require the most expensive plan.4 And no hidden fees or equipment charges with fiber. Guaranteed. Prompt, friendly service you deserve. Speak to a friendly tech expert within five minutes or schedule a callback at a time that you choose.5 Plus, same or next day technician availability. Guaranteed. 1

Largest Wireless: Compares cellular networks, excluding satellite. Largest Fiber: Based on the number of fiber to the home households using publicly available data.

2

Based on Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data, United States, 1H 2026. See https://www.ookla.com/research/reports/united-states-converged-report-h1-2026 for details. All rights reserved.

3

Credit for fiber downtime lasting 20 minutes or more; or for wireless downtime lasting 60 minutes or more caused by a single incident impacting 10 or more towers. Restrictions and exclusions apply.

4

Offers vary by device. Restrictions may apply.

5

Five minutes begins once customer is routed to technical support assistance.

About AT&T
We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends, and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 150 years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.

© 2026 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.

SOURCE AT&T

Netflix will report its second-quarter earnings on Thursday, with investors looking for signs that the streaming giant can reignite growth after its shares fell about 20% this year.

While Netflix has consistently outperformed expectations over the past few years, concerns over slowing engagement, moderating subscriber growth, and increasing competition have weighed on investor sentiment.

The company's outlook for the second half of the year is expected to be the biggest catalyst for the stock, but some analysts are also saying that with a lack of hit programs, more investors are expecting Netflix to lower its full-year numbers.

Wall Street expects NFLX to report revenue of $12.57 billion for the quarter, representing year-over-year growth of about 13%, while earnings are projected at $0.79 per share, nearly 10% higher than the corresponding period last year.

The company beat analyst estimates in the previous quarter with revenue of $12.25 billion, up 16.2% year over year.

However, weaker earnings guidance and revenue forecasts that merely matched consensus disappointed investors.

The biggest question heading into the earnings release is whether Netflix can return to faster revenue growth.

The market currently expects revenue growth of 13.5% year over year, slower than the 15.9% recorded in the same quarter last year.

Morningstar analyst Matthew Dolgin said investors would closely watch whether sales growth begins accelerating again or whether management raises its guidance for 2026.

"We believe total sales growth will likely need to return to about 15% to ease market fears that organic growth is slowing and prompt reacceleration," Dolgin said.

He added that investors would also pay close attention to the contribution from domestic and international markets.

Price increases introduced in the United States are expected to support revenue this year, but any slowdown overseas could become a larger concern.

"We believe that if international growth slows, that's a bad sign for future growth," Dolgin said.

Beyond the headline numbers, analysts expect management commentary on long-term strategy to drive investor reaction.

Netflix has increasingly diversified beyond traditional streaming, expanding into live sports, entertainment events, and advertising.

Morningstar believes investors will be looking for updates on potential acquisitions and sports rights.

"We will look for any commentary on interest in NBCUniversal being spun out from Comcast or in going after bigger sports rights (like the NFL). Netflix seems to be on the hunt for acquisitions, shifting away from how they've historically run their business in an effort to reaccelerate growth," Dolgin said.

Analysts believe such moves could help Netflix broaden its content offering while improving engagement and monetisation over the longer term.

The options market is signalling cautious optimism ahead of Netflix's earnings announcement, with traders positioning for a potential upside surprise despite the stock's 20% decline this year.

According to data from ThinkOrSwim as reported by CNBC, call option volumes outpaced puts by two-to-one during both Friday and Monday's trading sessions.

By midday on Monday, traders were buying nearly three times as many call options as puts, while one of the most actively traded strategies involved selling at-the-money puts, a position that generally reflects confidence that the stock will hold above current levels.

Technical indicators are also attracting attention.

Netflix shares, trading around $75, are hovering near the level where the company abandoned its pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery in February.

The stock is also testing key long-term support levels that some market participants believe could provide a floor.

"Netflix is now testing a rising 200-week moving average as well as the $70 prior resistance-turned-breakout level from late 2021," Todd Gordon, founder and chief investment officer at Inside Edge Capital, said.

"Should this $70 technical support hold, it may be time to consider changing the channel back to NFLX."

Options markets are currently pricing in a post-earnings move of about 7.6%, according to Cboe LiveVol data, broadly in line with the stock's average realised move of 7.4% following earnings announcements over the past year.

Netflix shares have declined after each of its last four quarterly earnings reports, following gains after the preceding three announcements, suggesting investors remain cautious despite the recent increase in bullish positioning in the options market.

Bank of America remains among the most bullish brokerages on Netflix despite the recent correction.

The firm reiterated its Buy rating and maintained a $125 price target, implying roughly 70% upside from current levels.

According to Bank of America, much of this year's decline reflects concerns over engagement trends, artificial intelligence's impact on content creation, and heightened competition following recent consolidation in the media industry.

However, the brokerage argued that Netflix has repeatedly overcome similar periods of investor pessimism.

It noted that slowing subscriber growth in 2022 pushed the stock down more than 50%, before initiatives including paid sharing and the advertising-supported tier helped restore growth.

The analysts said management has "consistently demonstrated an ability to adapt to changing market conditions, execute effectively and create long-term shareholder value."

Bank of America expects largely in-line quarterly results but believes stronger guidance or encouraging commentary on engagement and acquisitions could improve sentiment.

Engagement concerns remainMorgan Stanley has taken a more cautious stance, lowering its price target to $90 from $115 while maintaining an Overweight rating.

The brokerage expects second-quarter results and third-quarter guidance to broadly match expectations, with the company likely reaffirming its full-year outlook.

Morgan Stanley also said it hopes to see a more aggressive share buyback programme.

While credit card data suggests subscriber churn increased after recent price hikes, the firm believes Netflix retains significant long-term pricing power.

It also expects the company's growing portfolio of live events and sports programming to support engagement during the second half of the year.

Meanwhile, KeyBanc Capital Markets warned that investor expectations have become increasingly cautious.

"Given currency movement and a lack of hit programs, we believe more investors are expecting Netflix to lower full-year numbers," analyst Justin Patterson said.

"The narrative around Netflix reminds us of 2022, as concerns around engagement have evoked concerns around long-term growth and driven P/E multiple compression," he said.

"2022's challenges were addressed with an ad-tier and paid sharing. This time around, we believe levers will likely center around content and product diversification (both through TF1-type partnerships and live events) that aid perceived content quality and support better monetization per hour."

KeyBanc also reduced its price target to $92, maintaining an Overweight rating.

With expectations relatively subdued after the stock's decline this year, analysts say Thursday's earnings may matter less than management's outlook on growth, engagement and strategic priorities for the remainder of 2026.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) reported better-than-expected earnings for the second quarter on Tuesday.

The company posted quarterly earnings of $1.21 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.13 per share. The company reported quarterly sales of $31.558 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $30.746 billion.

Bank of America shares rose 04% to $60.87 in pre-market trading.

These analysts made changes to their price targets on Bank of America following earnings announcement.

Wells Fargo analyst Mike Mayo maintained the stock with an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $67 to $69. Barclays analyst Jason Goldberg maintained the stock with an Overweight rating and raised the price target from $71 to $72. Considering buying BAC stock? Here’s what analysts think:

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Item 1 of 2 Jamie Dimon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co., attends the ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the firm’s new headquarters at 270 Park Avenue, in New York City, U.S., October 21, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

[1/2]Jamie Dimon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co., attends the ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the firm’s new headquarters at 270 Park Avenue, in New York City, U.S.,... Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab Read more

CompaniesJuly 15 (Reuters) - Jamie Dimon's two decades at the helm of JPMorgan Chase (JPM.N), opens new tab have rewritten industry record books and the Wall Street giant is now within striking distance of another landmark - becoming the first bank ever ​to be valued at $1 trillion.

Crossing the milestone will put the bank in a club stacked with tech ‌heavyweights such as Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab, Meta (META.O), opens new tab and Broadcom (AVGO.O), opens new tab, while also raising investor expectations and leaving little room for missteps.

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Here are a few charts that explain the bank's rise:

THE FINAL STRETCHA stellar earnings report on Tuesday propelled JPMorgan shares to a record high. The lender, which reported the highest ​profit in history by a U.S. bank, was last valued at around $919 billion, dwarfing rivals.

With dealmaking volumes set ​to end the year near the record haul of 2021, JPMorgan could see elevated investment banking activity ⁠for the rest of 2026, which may nudge it closer to the $1 trillion mark.

CFO Jeremy Barnum said investment banking ​pipeline was robust, as "the current activity levels seem to be encouraging more activity".

NO EQUALWith a balance sheet bigger than its peers, ​the bank has leveraged its dominance in Wall Street dealmaking and Main Street lending to capture gains from both economic engines.

"The company benefits from a portfolio of leading financial services businesses, providing both diversification and durable competitive advantages," said Macrae Sykes, portfolio manager of Gabelli Financial ​Services Opportunities ETF .

THE JAMIE PREMIUMJPMorgan shares have long been viewed as carrying a "Jamie premium", which refers to the extra value ​investors attach to the bank because of its powerful CEO.

While its board has ramped up succession planning in recent years, the stock continues to ‌benefit ⁠from Dimon's influence.

Despite having underperformed the S&P 500 (.SPX), opens new tab and the S&P 500 banks (.SPXBK), opens new tab indexes this year, JPMorgan trades at 14.63 times expected earnings over the next 12 months, according to data compiled by LSEG. That compares with 13.58 for the S&P 500 banks gauge.

"There is no doubt that he has been instrumental in delivering strong shareholder returns. While the backdrop from the ​U.S. economy has been helpful, ​the bank operates in ⁠very competitive markets so execution has been key," Sykes said.

JPMorgan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

ELEVATED EXPECTATIONSA milestone such as $1 trillion in market capitalization is mostly a symbolic ​victory, but its raises expectations for future execution.

"If history is any guide, the trillion-dollar milestone ​does not ⁠guarantee a smooth path forward," said Fabien Yip, market analyst at IG, referring to Walmart's (WMT.O), opens new tab slip below $1 trillion after it hit that milestone in February.

The bank may also face skepticism about the durability of its trading strength, which benefited in the latest quarter ⁠from market ​volatility sparked by the Middle East war.

"We view shares as fairly valued," ​said Morningstar equity analyst Austin Taggart.

While both investment banking and trading had been stronger than initially estimated, expecting the current levels of activity to last ​far into the future could be premature, he said.

Reporting by Manya Saini and Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur

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

Niket Nishant reports on breaking news and the quarterly earnings of Wall Street's largest banks, card companies, financial technology upstarts and asset managers. He also covers the biggest IPOs on U.S. exchanges, and late-stage venture capital funding alongside news and regulatory developments in the cryptocurrency industry. His writing appears on the finance, business, markets and future of money sections of the website. He did his post-graduation from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM) in Bengaluru.

Manya covers the most influential U.S. financial institutions, from Wall Street’s largest banks and card networks to leading asset managers and fintech companies. She also reports on late-stage venture capital fundraises, initial public offerings on U.S. exchanges and regulatory developments shaping the cryptocurrency industry. Her work appears across the finance, markets, business and future of money sections of the Reuters website. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Delhi and a master’s in journalism from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.9 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.84 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.77 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +2.11%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this world's biggest maker of health care products would post earnings of $2.67 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.7, delivering a surprise of +1.12%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.

Johnson & Johnson, which belongs to the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry, posted revenues of $25.31 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.53%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $23.74 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Johnson & Johnson shares have added about 22.7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 10.2%.

What's Next for Johnson & Johnson?While Johnson & Johnson has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Johnson & Johnson was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $3.02 on $25.34 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $11.59 on $100.88 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Large Cap Pharmaceuticals is currently in the bottom 7% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

One other stock from the same industry, AbbVie (ABBV - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on July 31.

This drugmaker is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.68 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +23.9%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.

AbbVie's revenues are expected to be $16.81 billion, up 9% from the year-ago quarter.

Key Takeaways June CPI fell 0.4%, easing rate hike fears and lifting focus on consumer discretionary stocks.AOUT, DIS, MCFT, SHOO and LION are highlighted as picks amid cooling inflation and easing oil prices.Lower inflation may give the Fed more flexibility on rates, supporting consumer spending and the economy. Inflation fell sharply in June, bringing major relief for both consumers and the Federal Reserve. The consumer price index (CPI), a key gauge for measuring the cost of goods and services across the nation’s economy, recorded its biggest decline in more than six years, the Commerce Department reported.

The decline in inflation is likely to alleviate fears of an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve in the near term. Wall Street has remained volatile over the past few weeks, and the recent inflation reading is expected to boost investors’ confidence and bring some stability to markets.

Given this scenario, we recommend buying four consumer discretionary stocks, namely, American Outdoor Brands, Inc. (AOUT - Free Report) , The Walt Disney Company (DIS - Free Report) , MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. (MCFT - Free Report) , Steven Madden, Ltd. (SHOO - Free Report) and Lionsgate Studios Corp. (LION - Free Report) .

Inflation Finally EasesCPI fell 0.4% sequentially in June, after increasing 0.5% in May and surpassing analysts’ expectations of a decline of 0.2%. Year over year, CPI fell to 3.5% in June, beating analysts’ expectations of a reading of 3.8%. The decline follows a reading of 4.2% in May. The monthly decline in CPI was the biggest since April 2020.

Core CPI, which strips out the volatile food and energy, remained unchanged in June, which came in better than the consensus estimate of a rise of 0.2%.

On a year-over-year basis, CPI fell to 2.6% in June, following a reading of 2.9% in May. Economists had expected core CPI to stay at 2.9%.

Oil prices, which surged after the U.S.-Iran conflict started in late February, eased substantially in June, following a temporary truce between the two warring nations. The energy index fell 5.7% in June, the biggest drop since April 2020.

Other components also fell substantially. Services costs, a key gauge for the Fed to assess future inflation trends, eased in June. Services, excluding energy costs, came in flat.  Transportation services costs declined 0.3%, while apparel prices, which are directly linked to oil prices and tariffs, declined 0.6%.

The decline in inflation brings much relief to the Federal Reserve. Policymakers remained divided over whether the central bank should go ahead with a rate cut in their June policy meeting. Markets have also been bracing for a 25-basis-point rate cut by the Fed by the end of this year.

The Federal Reserve will now get more time to decide on its rate cut plans and will watch how inflation stays over the coming months. Lower interest rates will allow consumers to spend more freely and boost the economy.

5 Consumer Discretionary Stocks With UpsideAmerican Outdoor BrandsAmerican Outdoor Brands, Inc. is a provider of outdoor products and accessories, including hunting, fishing, camping, shooting and personal security and defense products, for rugged outdoor enthusiasts. AOUT produces products under the brands Caldwell, Crimson Trace, Wheeler, Tipton, Frankford Arsenal, Lockdown, BOG, Hooyman, Smith & Wesson Accessories, M&P Accessories, Thompson/Center Arms Accessories, Performance Center Accessories, Schrade, Old Timer, Uncle Henry, Imperial, BUBBA, UST, LaserLyte and MEAT!.

American Outdoor Brands’ expected earnings growth rate for the current year is more than 100%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 29.4% over the past 60 days. AOUT currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The Walt Disney CompanyThe Walt Disney Company has assets that span movies, television shows and theme parks. Revenues were $91.4 billion in fiscal 2024. DIS’ fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 results reflect growth in Disney+ subscribers and Media and Entertainment Distribution businesses. Domestic theme park and resort businesses gained due to guest spending growth attributable to increases in per capita guest spending at theme parks and cruise lines.

The Walt Disney Company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 15.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings improved 0.9% over the last 60 days. DIS presently has a Zacks Rank #2.

MasterCraft Boat HoldingsMasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets recreational powerboats through its subsidiaries. MCFT’s operating segment consists of MasterCraft and NauticStar. 

MasterCraft Boat Holdings’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 81.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 0.6% over the past 60 days. MCFT presently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

Steven MaddenSteven Madden, Ltd. designs, sources, markets and sells fashion-forward branded and private-label footwear, accessories, handbags and apparel for women, men and children across the world. SHOO offers products under its owned brands, including Steve Madden, Kurt Geiger London, Dolce Vita, Betsey Johnson, Carvela, Blondo and ATM. It also licenses footwear, handbags and other accessories for the Anne Klein brand.

Steven Madden’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 22.9%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 1.5% over the past 60 days. SHOO presently carries a Zacks Rank #1.

Lionsgate StudiosLionsgate Studios Corp. is a content company. LION brings together diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses. 

Lionsgate Studios’ expected earnings growth rate for the current year is more than 100%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has improved 69.2% over the past 60 days. LION presently carries a Zacks Rank #1.

United Airlines (UAL) has outperformed the airline space and S&P 500 (SPX) over the last year. It comes despite recent turbulence in the stock chart, as Rick Ducat shows the recent ceiling shares hit and outlines a path for the airliner to soar above the strong resistance level.

Douglas A. McIntyre is the co-founder, chief executive officer and editor in chief of 24/7 Wall St. and 24/7 Tempo. He has held these jobs since 2006.

McIntyre has written thousands of articles for 24/7 Wall St. He is an expert on corporate finance, the automotive industry, media companies and international finance. He has edited articles on national demographics, sports, personal income and travel.

His work has been quoted or mentioned in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, NBC News, Time, The New Yorker, HuffPost USA Today, Business Insider, Yahoo, AOL, MarketWatch, The Atlantic, Bloomberg, New York Post, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, The Guardian and many other major publications. McIntyre has been a guest on CNBC, the BBC and television and radio stations across the country.

A magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College, McIntyre also was president of The Harvard Advocate. Founded in 1866, the Advocate is the oldest college publication in the United States.

TheStreet.com, Comps.com and Edgar Online are some of the public companies for which McIntyre served on the board of directors. He was a Vicinity Corporation board member when the company was sold to Microsoft in 2002. He served on the audit committees of some of these companies.

McIntyre has been the CEO of FutureSource, a provider of trading terminals and news to commodities and futures traders. He was president of Switchboard, the online phone directory company. He served as chairman and CEO of On2 Technologies, the video compression company that provided video compression software for Adobe’s Flash. Google bought On2 in 2009.

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Verizon (NYSE:VZ | VZ Price Prediction) is one of the most compelling income setups on the board right now, and the July 24 earnings report is the trigger that converts a +6% yielder into a +24% total-return story. The setup favors longs into the earnings report.

The Valuation Alone Closes the Case Trading around $42.34 as of July 14, Verizon trades at a trailing P/E of 10 and a forward P/E of 8 against a PEG of 0.789. Analyst consensus target sits at $51.90, and our 247 model prints $52.47, a 24.78% upside with a 0.9 confidence score. Of 26 covering analysts, zero carry a sell rating. A beta of 0.238 means you collect that upside without stomach-churning volatility.

The Income Case Is Already Paid Up Verizon’s 6.68% dividend yield is backed by 19 consecutive years of increases. The 2026 free cash flow guide is $21.5 billion or more, growing roughly 7% off 2025, with at least $3 billion in buybacks planned ($2.5 billion already executed in Q1). That is durable coverage. For retirees comparing yield-plus-buyback shareholder return against Treasuries, the payout stack here beats duration-locked fixed income.

July 24 Is the Catalyst Verizon has beaten in 5 of its last 6 quarters with zero misses. The average earnings-day move is +3.54%, and the average 30-day post-report gain is +5.51%. Q1 2026 delivered $1.28 adjusted EPS, up 7.6% year over year, plus the first positive Q1 postpaid phone net additions since 2013. Management raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $4.95 to $4.99. Polymarket assigns an 89% probability that Q2 revenue clears $34.5 billion. T-Mobile US (NASDAQ:TMUS) is the loud comparable.

Head-to-Head: VZ Wins Against T-Mobile The head-to-head math is not close. Verizon’s forward P/E of 8 and EV/EBITDA of 7.47 are a fraction of TMUS’s growth-stock multiple (forward P/E near 21), and Verizon’s 6.49% yield dwarfs TMUS’s sub-1.5% payout. You get the same fiber-plus-5G exposure at a value multiple with a covered, growing dividend stacked on top. Add Verizon’s 10.8 million fiber broadband connections, up 41.9% YoY post-Frontier, and the growth gap narrows fast.

Verizon’s setup looks compelling ahead of the July 24 open.

Meet America's Newest $1b Unicorn (Sponsor) A US startup just passed a $1 billion private valuation, joining billion-dollar private companies like OpenAI and ByteDance. Unlike those other unicorns, you can invest in EnergyX right now; but only until July 16.

Over 50,000 people already have, along with global giants like General Motors and POSCO.

Here's why there's so much interest: EnergyX's patented tech can recover up to 3X more lithium than traditional methods. That's a big deal, as demand for lithium is expected to 5X current production levels by 2040. Become an early-stage EnergyX shareholder before the 7/16 investment deadline.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

The Home Depot is launching its 2026 Halloween collection online and on its app on July 16, 2026, followed by an in-store rollout later this August. The viral 12 FT SKELLY™ giant returns with technology upgrades including custom sounds, light and servo motor movements. The roster of giant décor expands with an 11 FT Giant-Sized Mummy and 8 FT Perilous Plant Monster. , /PRNewswire/ -- Drawing inspiration from Halloween communities and social trends, The Home Depot continues to push the limits of seasonal décor and exceed fan expectations with the reveal of its 2026 Halloween collection. Larger-than-life animatronics, immersive décor and interactive features launch on HomeDepot.com and The Home Depot app starting July 16 – perfect for giving trick-or-treaters goosebumps. Halloween products hit Home Depot store shelves starting in late August.

"We are constantly inspired by the inventive spirit of the Halloween enthusiast community, and their year-round passion motivates us to push the boundaries of innovation in our collection each year," said Aubrey Horowitz, decorative holiday merchant at The Home Depot. "This year is no different. From our realistically detailed collections to dynamic interactive technology like the upgraded SKELLY's real-time, app-controlled voice modulation, we are giving our customers the tools to create their most captivating displays yet—all at an incredible value."

This year's collection offers something for every Halloween fan, from spooky to whimsical to family friendly. Pairing exceptional value with industry-leading advancements, The Home Depot's 2026 Halloween collection makes high-impact holiday decorating more accessible, with scares for every budget. The Home Depot offers all in-store giant animatronics for less than $300.

A Cultural Phenomenon: The SKELLY Giant Returns
The viral 12 FT Giant-Sized SKELLY Halloween decoration returns with app-enabled upgrades that let owners customize head and mouth movements with servo motors, speak through the SKELLY animatronic in real time via Bluetooth®, record up to 30 sounds and choose from 20 different LCD LifeEyes™ effects. These upgrades make the original Halloween giant the ultimate piece to add to collections and wow onlookers. Customers who want the original SKELLY can find him in stores at his original price of $299.

Giant-Sized Value
For customers looking to build out their giant collections at an equally massive value, The Home Depot expands its roster of giants with the 11 FT Grave & Bones™ Giant-Sized LED Mummy, which features motion-activated LED illumination, poseable shoulders to adjust the reach and customizable wrappings, and the 8 FT Wicked Woods™ Giant-Sized Animated LED Perilous Plant Monster, which startles passersby with an intricate bone-and-vine design, motion-triggered head movements and glowing LED features.

Interactive Frights & Next-Generation Animatronics
Every seafaring pirate needs a parrot, and the 5 FT Dead Water™ Animated LED Rotwing Parrot™ keeps customers entertained with its new interactive, conversational technology. Ask this undead parrot yes or no questions and get unique responses with head and mouth animation. This bony bird keeps visitors chatting.

Introducing an impish new energy to outdoor displays, the 5.5 FT Wicked Woods™ Animated LED Evil Pixie™ brings a high-profile scare factor home with three synchronized animatronic movements complemented by three haunting sound effects and glowing red LED eyes.

The 12 FT Giant-Sized SKELLY animatronic isn't the only fan favorite getting an upgrade. The 7 FT Lethal Lily returns with app-controlled features that let homeowners customize what she says and how she moves, including six sinister, pre-recorded or custom phrases and five adjustable movements for the head, mouth, eyes, arm and hand.

Storage Solutions for Lasting Memories
To help customers keep their Halloween treasures in top condition for years to come, The Home Depot offers practical storage solutions like the Home Accents Holiday™ Décor Storage Bag and the colossal Husky™ 170-Gallon Pro Grip™ Storage Tote. This massive tote helps Halloween enthusiasts protect and preserve larger-than-life skeletons and animatronics while they rest in garages and crawl spaces until next season.

The Home Depot launches its 2026 Halloween collection online starting Thursday, July 16, while supplies last. With free delivery on over 2 million items and same-day or next-day delivery on select products, customers can start building their Halloween displays before products arrive in stores this fall.

About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the company operated a total of 2,361 retail stores and over 1,280 SRS locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The Company employs over 470,000 associates. The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index.

SOURCE The Home Depot

Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) posted upbeat earnings for the second quarter on Tuesday.

The firm reported earnings of $20.98 per share, well above the analyst consensus estimate of $14.40. Net revenue increased 39% year over year to $20.34 billion, beating the consensus estimate of $16.13 billion, driven by strength in its Global Banking & Markets business.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said the AI investment cycle is driving capital demand beyond core technology into infrastructure, energy, and data centers. He said the artificial intelligence investment cycle remains in its early stages despite helping drive the bank’s record second-quarter results.

Goldman Sachs shares rose 0.3% to $1,143.00 in pre-market trading.

These analysts made changes to their price targets on Goldman Sachs following earnings announcement.

Considering buying GS stock? Here’s what analysts think:

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Trade processor DTCC is launching a trial run with Wall Street firms to convert assets into digital tokens.

Visa’s Open USD Push Puts Circle’s Stablecoin Moat Under PressureBlackRock NYSE: BLK executives said the asset manager delivered record second-quarter results and its strongest first half on record, driven by broad-based client inflows, higher markets, acquisitions and continued demand for ETFs, private markets and technology offerings.

Chief Financial Officer Martin S. Small said BlackRock generated second-quarter revenue of $7.1 billion, up 31% from a year earlier, while adjusted operating income rose 39% to $2.9 billion. Adjusted earnings per share were $13.91, up 15% year over year. Small said all three measures reached quarterly records.

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TPG Built a Record Year, Then Lost 40%—Is the Selloff Overdone? The firm reported $192 billion of total net inflows in the quarter, contributing to $868 billion of net inflows over the last 12 months. Small said those flows represented 8% organic base fee growth in the second quarter and 10% organic base fee growth over the past year.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Laurence D. Fink said BlackRock’s assets under management reached a record $15.3 trillion after increasing by more than $1 trillion so far in 2026. “Clients are turning to BlackRock for insight and opportunities, as evident in our results this quarter,” Fink said.

Margins Expand as Revenue Hits Record 3 of the Most Highly Anticipated IPOs of 2026Small said BlackRock’s adjusted operating margin was 45.9% in the quarter, up 260 basis points from a year ago and the highest level in nearly five years. Excluding performance fees and related compensation, he said the adjusted operating margin would have been 46.5%, also up 260 basis points year over year.

Base fee and securities lending revenue was $5.7 billion, up 29% year over year, reflecting market gains, organic base fee growth and approximately $230 million in base fees from HPS. Performance fees rose to $305 million, including $115 million from HPS, and technology services and subscription revenue increased 13%. Annual contract value, or ACV, rose 15% from a year earlier.

Expenses increased 25% year over year. Small attributed the rise to higher compensation tied to operating income and performance fees, higher headcount from HPS, increased distribution and servicing costs, direct fund expenses and general and administrative expenses related to the acquisition.

BlackRock also raised its planned share repurchase pace. Small said the company repurchased $450 million of shares in the second quarter and now expects to repurchase at least $550 million per quarter going forward, subject to market and other conditions. Fink said BlackRock expects to return more than $5.7 billion to shareholders this year through dividends and buybacks, a 16% increase over 2025.

ETF Inflows Lead the Quarter BlackRock’s iShares ETF platform generated $178 billion of net inflows in the quarter, led by $85 billion in core equity ETFs and $61 billion in index bond ETFs. Small said active ETFs added $20 billion, while “precision” ETFs, including international and sector equity products, added $15 billion.

Fink said iShares now has more than $6 trillion in assets under management globally and is benefiting from increased adoption and category innovation. He said iShares has raised $80 billion year to date in Europe, bringing European AUM to $1.5 trillion. In Asia Pacific, locally domiciled iShares crossed $100 billion in assets during the quarter.

Fink also highlighted growth in active ETFs, saying BlackRock has gathered more than $70 billion in active ETF net inflows over the past year and is leading the industry in active flows in 2026. “In just the last three years, we’ve gone from the seventh largest active ETF manager to the third largest,” Fink said.

Retail net inflows were $19 billion, led by active fixed income, Aperio and liquid alternative funds. Institutional active net inflows totaled $44 billion, driven by private markets, fixed income, systematic strategies, outsourced chief investment officer offerings and target date products. Institutional index strategies saw $41 billion of net outflows, concentrated in low-fee index equities.

Private Markets and Acquisitions Gain Traction Executives said BlackRock’s acquisitions of Global Infrastructure Partners, HPS and Preqin are performing ahead of plan and supporting the company’s 2030 ambitions. Fink said the combined platform is helping accelerate opportunities across public and private markets, particularly in infrastructure, private credit and technology.

Small said private markets saw an aggregate $15 billion of net inflows in the second quarter. He said that included $6 billion from private credit deployment, $5 billion from a mix of infrastructure fundraising and deployment, and $3 billion from partial funding of a private equity solutions outsourcing mandate with a client in Latin America.

Fink said BlackRock has closed about $10 billion in high-grade and infrastructure debt mandates for insurance companies so far in 2026. He said insurers globally are increasingly seeking private markets exposure to earn higher yields, and that collaboration between HPS and GIP is building a pipeline of joint opportunities, particularly in digital infrastructure.

Fink also pointed to the expected close of Aligned Data Centers in the coming weeks, describing it as “the largest data center infrastructure transaction ever announced.” He said the transaction brought together AIP, GIP and MGX.

Technology, Tokenization and Customization Remain Priorities BlackRock executives emphasized technology as a key growth driver. Small said Aladdin, eFront and Preqin are benefiting from client demand for integrated technology, data and analytics across public and private markets. He said regulatory and market developments are increasing the need for private markets transparency and benchmarking.

Fink said creating a seamless analytical platform across public and private markets is “one of the key priorities for BlackRock over the coming year.” He said the company is not yet fully there, but sees strong demand from retail and institutional clients for tools that help them understand risk across entire portfolios.

On digital assets and tokenization, Small said BlackRock has about $110 billion in AUM connected to digital assets and aims, as part of its 2030 plan, to make digital assets a $500 million revenue business. He said the company is working to tokenize long-term investment products, including Treasury funds, iShares ETFs and potentially private markets over time.

Small said BlackRock has filed two registration statements with the SEC for tokenized money market funds. He also said the firm manages $60 billion of reserves for Circle, representing about a quarter of the $300 billion stablecoin market, and wants to be the stablecoin reserve manager of choice.

Executives Point to Structural Growth Themes Fink said he remains optimistic about global markets, citing broadening returns outside the U.S., higher corporate margins and earnings momentum supported by new technology. He said BlackRock benefits directly from capital market expansion because of its scale and client relationships around the world.

The company also highlighted growth in retirement and personalized wealth solutions. Fink said LifePath Paycheck has grown to $30 billion in AUM as plan sponsors focus on retirement income. He said Aperio’s AUM is approaching $200 billion, up more than fourfold since BlackRock acquired the business five years ago, while SpiderRock AUM has nearly tripled to $13 billion since its acquisition two years ago.

Small said Aperio generated $7 billion of net inflows in the second quarter, split roughly evenly between long-only and long-short strategies. He said 2026 Aperio flows of about $20 billion have already surpassed 2025’s record flows of $15 billion.

Fink closed the call by saying BlackRock’s first-half performance represented “the strongest start to a year in our history” and that investments in the platform are showing up in results. “I believe the best of BlackRock is still ahead,” he said.

About BlackRock NYSE: BLKBlackRock, Inc is a global investment management firm that provides a broad range of products and services to institutional, intermediary and individual investors. Its core activities include portfolio management across active and index strategies, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) under the iShares brand, fixed income, equity and multi-asset solutions, as well as alternatives such as private equity, real estate and infrastructure. The firm also offers cash management and liquidity solutions and retirement-focused products designed for defined contribution and defined benefit investors.

In addition to traditional investment management, BlackRock is known for its technology and risk management capabilities, most prominently its Aladdin platform, which combines portfolio management, trading and risk analytics and is used both internally and licensed to external clients.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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PayPal Holdings Inc (NASDAQ:PYPL) shares surged 16% in pre-market trading after reports that payments company Stripe and private equity firm Advent International had made a joint $53 billion takeover approach for the US payments group.

According to Reuters, Stripe and Advent have offered US$60.50 a share, representing a 28% premium to PayPal's closing share price on Tuesday.

The offer is said to be backed by about US$50 billion of committed bank financing.

A proposal was submitted earlier this month, the report said, following an initial approach in early April.

PayPal, which is headquartered in California, has not responded to the offer, with Stripe and Advent hoping to advance discussions in the coming weeks.

The proposed transaction would see Stripe, the Irish-American digital payments company, and Advent jointly own PayPal with equal stakes.

PayPal shares rose about 16% to $54.91 before the opening bell on Wednesday following the report, although the stock remains down 18% over the past year.

A deal would bring together two of the biggest names in digital payments. Stripe provides payment infrastructure to millions of businesses worldwide, while PayPal remains one of the largest online payments platforms despite facing intensifying competition in recent years from rivals including Stripe, Apple Pay and Block.

Reuters said it was not immediately clear why PayPal had yet to respond to the proposal. CNBC reported it had contacted PayPal, Stripe and Advent International for comment.

US stocks appeared set for a steady start on Wednesday as investors drew confidence from strong bank earnings and a softer-than-expected inflation report the day before, even as oil prices remained elevated following fresh US strikes on Iran.

Nasdaq futures were up 0.5% ahead of the opening bell, with S&P 500 futures up 0.1%, while those for the Dow Jones were little changed.

Wall Street finished mostly higher on Tuesday after June's consumer price data came in below expectations, easing concerns that the Federal Reserve may need to raise interest rates this month.

The Nasdaq climbed 0.9% to close at 26,107.01, the S&P added 0.4% to 7,543.59 and the Dow inched 10 points or 0.02% higher to 52,508.27.

European markets were weaker in Wednesday trading, however, as slower-than-expected Chinese economic growth weighed on sentiment. London's FTSE 100 was dragged lower by miners and other cyclical stocks after China GDP expanded 4.3% in the second quarter, its slowest pace since 2023 and below the government's 4.5%-5% target range. Germany's DAX was down 0.8%.

Oil prices were trading broadly sideways following the recent surge, with WTI crude up 0.5% at just under $80 a barrel. 

Investors were also watching PayPal, whose shares jumped over 18% in pre-market trading after Reuters reported that privately held Stripe had teamed up with Advent International to make a joint US$53 billion takeover approach.

Also, Nasdaq-listed ASML, the Dutch semiconductor equipment maker, is set to climb around 3.5% after raising its 2026 guidance for a second time.

Earnings from Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS), BlackRock, Progressive and BNY are also out today.

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that it will publish the Company's financial results for its third quarter of fiscal 2026 on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, after the close of the market on the Company's Investor Relations website, at https://investor.qualcomm.com/financial-information. The earnings release will also be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on a Form 8-K, which will be available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.g.

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Retirement-focused investors have a compelling setup in American Express (NYSE:AXP | AXP Price Prediction) before the July 24 earnings report, and the case is straightforward. A premium-customer franchise growing double digits, an aggressive capital return program, and a stock still trading below its December highs make this a rare setup where the fundamentals, the model, and the calendar all point the same direction.

Valuation Is the Easy Part AXP traded around at $359.94 on July 14 against management’s reaffirmed FY2026 EPS guidance of $17.30 to $17.90. That is roughly 20x forward earnings for a business that just posted 18% EPS growth and 10% FX-adjusted revenue growth in Q1. The 24/7 Wall St. model targets $390.12 with 90% confidence, and the Street’s consensus sits at $372.22 across 14 Buy ratings versus just one Sell rating. Shares are down 3.43% year-to-date, offering a cheaper entry on a stronger business.

The Income Story Retirement Investors Want Amex hiked its dividend 16% to 95 cents per share quarterly starting Q1 2026. In that single quarter the company returned $2.3 billion to shareholders, split between $0.7 billion in dividends and $1.7 billion in buybacks. Diluted share count fell to 686 million from 702 million, and Q1 ROE hit 35%. Insiders are voting with cash: 21 recent insider transactions with a net buying direction.

The July 24 Catalyst Q1 delivered the strongest spend growth in three years: Card Member spending grew 9% FX-adjusted, and Net Card Fees rose 16% FX-adjusted, extending a 30-quarter streak of double-digit net card fee growth. Younger cohorts are compounding: Gen Z spending up 38%, Millennials up 13%. The U.S. Platinum refresh drove a 6-percentage-point acceleration in Platinum spend, most of it from tenured cardholders. Polymarket bettors assign a 74.5% probability that Q2 revenue clears $19.5B. CEO Stephen Squeri summed it up: “We had a very strong start to the year, reflecting continued momentum across our premium customer base.”

Why AXP Beats the Obvious Alternative The reflex comparison is Visa (NYSE:V). Visa is a pure transaction toll-taker with no equivalent to AXP’s Net Card Fees line, the fastest-growing pillar at Amex at 16% FX-adjusted growth. AXP also owns the customer relationship through its closed-loop network, which is why over 70% of new accounts are on fee-paying products. Retirement investors get compounding fee income on top of swipe volume, and the credit book is behaving: net write-off rate improved to 2.0% from 2.1%.

The July 24 report is the near-term catalyst to watch.

Meet America's Newest $1b Unicorn (Sponsor) A US startup just passed a $1 billion private valuation, joining billion-dollar private companies like OpenAI and ByteDance. Unlike those other unicorns, you can invest in EnergyX right now; but only until July 16.

Over 50,000 people already have, along with global giants like General Motors and POSCO.

Here's why there's so much interest: EnergyX's patented tech can recover up to 3X more lithium than traditional methods. That's a big deal, as demand for lithium is expected to 5X current production levels by 2040. Become an early-stage EnergyX shareholder before the 7/16 investment deadline.

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