Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Key Takeaways MSFT unveiled 25 upcoming games as Xbox looks to return to growth in fiscal 2027.Xbox gaming revenues fell 7% to $21.8 billion in fiscal 2026 despite adding 200 million players.Sony and Nintendo offset weaker hardware with software and digital revenues, unlike Xbox. Microsoft's (MSFT - Free Report) Xbox division is leaning on an unusually dense upcoming release calendar as it works to reverse a multi-quarter sales slide, with the fiscal 2027 slate positioned as the primary lever to lift the gaming business back into growth. At gamescom 2026 in Cologne, held as part of Xbox's 25th-anniversary celebrations, the company showcased 25 upcoming titles across 140 gaming stations, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, Fable, Gears of War: E-Day, Halo: Campaign Evolved, Forza Horizon 6, Metro 2039 and Alien: Isolation 2. Fable is slated for a Feb. 23, 2027, launch, while the Gears of War: E-Day open beta began on Aug. 6, 2026, giving the portfolio a staggered rollout across the new fiscal year rather than a single release window.

The roster push follows a weak close to fiscal 2026. In the fourth quarter, ended June 30, 2026, total Xbox revenues fell 10% year over year to roughly $4.98 billion, with content and services revenues down 10% and hardware revenues down 13%, marking the segment's softest quarter in more than two years. Xbox operating income declined 14% (15% in constant currency), with margins compressing to 21% amid severance and impairment charges tied to a broader restructuring, including job cuts and the spin-out of four studios under new Xbox leadership. For the full fiscal year, gaming revenues declined 7% to approximately $21.8 billion, even as the platform added more than 200 million new players.

Management has tied the recovery explicitly to content. On the earnings call, leadership indicated the company is resetting its content portfolio, platform and operations, and expects Xbox to return to growth in fiscal 2027. Whether the newly unveiled lineup can convert the expanded player base into recovered revenues will depend on execution through the holiday quarter and into early 2027, when several flagship titles are scheduled to ship.

Sony vs. Nintendo: A Contrasting PictureMicrosoft's gaming struggles stand out against rivals Sony (SONY - Free Report) and Nintendo (NTDOY - Free Report) , both of which posted profit gains in the same April-June 2026 quarter despite softer hardware sales. Sony's PlayStation segment reported operating income up 37% to ¥202 billion, even as PS5 hardware revenues fell, while Nintendo's operating profit more than doubled to ¥142.5 billion despite Switch 2 hardware sales dropping 34.4%. Both Sony and Nintendo leaned on software and digital revenues to offset hardware weakness, whereas Xbox recorded no comparable offset, with content, services and hardware revenues all declining in the same period.

MSFT’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesMSFT shares have remained unchanged year to date (YTD). The Zacks Computer – Software industry has declined 5.9% YTD, while the Zacks Computer and Technology sector has appreciated 15.7%.

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

From a valuation standpoint, MSFT stock appears overvalued, trading at a forward 12-month price/earnings ratio of 23.99X, higher than the industry’s 22.86X. MSFT has a Value Score of D.

MSFT’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MSFT’s fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $19.59 per share. The estimate indicates 9.14% year-over-year growth.

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

CHINA - 2026/08/18: In this photo illustration, the Boeing logo is displayed on a tablet screen. (Photo Illustration by Sheldon Cooper/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

This article was written by Doug Nathman, with research by his team at Trefis.

The recovery in aircraft deliveries by the manufacturer is genuine, yet the cash it generates is still a minimal part of the yearly figure that management states is easily achievable.

Boeing (BA) provided more airplanes in the second quarter of 2026 than in any quarter since 2018, yet the stock has experienced a decline over the last year. The unsettling figure for shareholders is not a multiplicative issue. It is how minimal the cash flow from that quarter was and how significantly the full-year forecast is below the annual figure management continues to highlight.

Boeing’s 2026 Free Cash Flow Projection Is $1 Billion To $3 BillionThis is the company’s own forecast in comparison to trailing revenue of $94.0 billion. Management highlights another figure: $10 billion of annual free cash flow, which it considers very feasible, with substantial growth anticipated beyond that into the next decade. Even the peak of the 2026 range is less than one-third of that, and management refrained from detailing the pathway there, stating it wanted to conclude its planning phase first.

171 Airplanes, And $631 Million Of Total Company CashThe limiting factor is not solely volume; it is also the income generated per aircraft. According to the company, the 737 and 787 programs are operating at reduced cash margins, slightly above breakeven, and it forecasts 737 margins will only match their 2018 level by the decade’s end, with 787 margins expected to exceed their 2018 level by that time. The issue lies in the backlog: management states that the drag in pricing diminishes only as deliveries progress, with better-priced orders positioned further back in the sequence. The trailing net margin stands at 2.6% while operating margin is negative 5.4%, thus any existing profit is coming from below the operating line rather than from the production facilities. Having a delivery rate that barely covers its own expenses is less than optimal.

Rate 10 On The 787 Depends On Its Engine SupplierThe rate enhancements necessary to bridge the gap have designated limitations. Boeing is increasing the 737 production to 47 airplanes per month, with 52 being the next anticipated rate increase, and management cites that the challenges increase beyond 52 due to supply chain complexities. Regarding the 787, engine deliveries lagged in the first half of 2026, and management indicates the recovery of engine deliveries it is pursuing with GE is what will allow the program to progress to rate 10, and that GE is optimistic about meeting this plan. Deliveries will remain inconsistent throughout the rest of 2026 while seat certifications delay delivery documentation rather than production. In defense, management anticipates a full-year 2026 margin around 2.5% including a $280 million VC-25B loss, compared to 3.5% in the second quarter when excluding it.

The Risk Is The Delay, Not The Record $715 Billion BacklogDemand is not in question. The backlog is at a historic high of $715 billion. The concern lies in how many years shareholders will wait before cash starts to flow in, and thus far the operational advancements have not been reflected in the stock price: over the past year, BA has returned -4.4% compared to +20.2% for the S&P 500, and the shares are trading at approximately 85% of their 52-week peak. This indicates a level of anxiety proportional to the timeline, not to any danger to the business itself. If engines are delivered and rate 10 arrives as planned, it would change the outlook; until then, the pressing question is whether a decline of this nature has historically warranted a purchase.

The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio uses a rules-based methodology to select and systematically rebalance 30 stocks screened for operational quality and valuation metrics. This strategy evaluates companies across a broad market universe and measures its historical performance against a composite benchmark of the S&P 500, S&P Mid-Cap, and Russell 2000 indices.

NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA) shares fell more than 2% Monday as weakness in technology stocks weighed on the chipmaker ahead of its Aug. 26 earnings report.

The Nasdaq fell 0.78%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.19% and the Technology sector dropped 1.5%.

• NVIDIA shares are experiencing downward pressure. Why are NVDA shares declining?

Nvidia is entering its next phase of AI growth as Blackwell Ultra shipments rise, Vera Rubin begins its initial ramp and the company expands across compute, networking, software, infrastructure and financing.

Cantor Sees Nvidia Expanding Beyond GPUsCantor Fitzgerald analyst C.J. Muse reiterated an Overweight rating and $350 price forecast on Nvidia.

Muse believes investors underestimate Nvidia’s ability to sustain growth as it expands beyond GPUs into networking, rack-scale systems, software, infrastructure and financing. While custom silicon could pressure Nvidia’s unit share at hyperscalers, he expects the company’s broader system strategy to support more resilient revenue share.

Muse outlined stretch-case EPS of $16 to $17 in calendar 2027 and $23 to $25 in 2028. Cantor expects hyperscaler capital spending to approach $1 trillion in 2026 and potentially reach $1.5 trillion in 2027.

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He estimates Nvidia could generate about $400 billion in calendar 2026 data center revenue with roughly 80% of a $500 billion AI accelerator and networking market.

By 2030, Cantor’s scenarios imply data center revenue of about $1.05 trillion at 60% market share, $1.23 trillion at 70% and $1.4 trillion at 80%. Muse considers 60% share a bear case and estimates Nvidia could still produce $25-$30 in EPS by 2030.

JPMorgan Expects Another Beat and RaiseJPMorgan analyst Harlan Sur reiterated an Overweight rating and $280 price forecast.

Sur expects fiscal second-quarter revenue of $94 billion-$95 billion, up about 15% sequentially and ahead of the $92.1 billion Street consensus. He projects GB300 and remaining GB200 rack shipments will rise about 15% quarter over quarter to 17,000-18,000 units.

For the October quarter, Sur expects Nvidia to guide revenue to $107 billion-$108 billion, compared with the $104.5 billion consensus.

He projects rack shipments will increase another 13% to 14% to 19,000-20,000 units, including the first 1,000-2,000 Vera Rubin racks. Sur estimates Vera Rubin could lift blended average selling prices by 5% to 10% and reduce per-token platform costs by about 90% versus Blackwell Ultra.

Sur also estimates every 100,000 H200 GPUs shipped to China could add roughly $3 billion in revenue.

Competition, Margins Remain in FocusSur expects GPUs and ASIC/XPU platforms to move toward roughly equal shares of the AI compute market over the next several years, while Nvidia retains overall leadership.

He expects near-term gross margins in the mid-70% range but sees rising memory costs as a longer-term risk. Nvidia trades at roughly 17 times Street calendar 2027 EPS and 13 times 2028 EPS, according to Sur.

Earnings and Price ActionNvidia will report earnings on Aug. 26.

Wall Street expects EPS of $2.07, up from $1.04 a year earlier, on revenue of $92.03 billion versus $46.74 billion.

NVDA Price ActionNvidia shares were down 2.14% at $210.13 at the time of publication on Monday, according to Benzinga Pro data.

Photo via Shutterstock

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Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX) stock traded higher by almost a percent on Monday as buyers lean into relative strength in Communication Services even while the broader tape stays risk-off.

The Nasdaq is down 1.14% while the S&P 500 has shed 0.40%.

The streaming giant is expanding its streaming strategy as it explores third-party partnerships, faces growing limits on subscription price increases and intensifies its battle with Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) YouTube for top creators and younger viewers.

• Netflix stock is trading at depressed levels. What’s next for NFLX stock?

Netflix Explores Broader Streaming Partnerships as Competition IntensifiesNetflix executives have discussed bringing third-party streaming services such as Peacock and Fox One into the Netflix app, although no deal is imminent.

Co-CEO Greg Peters said the company is seeing "promising" results from its TF1 partnership in France and would consider similar arrangements if they benefit Netflix, its members and partners, the New York Times reported on Monday.

Pricing Pressure Tests Subscriber LimitsNetflix and other major streamers have raised subscription prices sharply in Western Europe, although Ampere Analysis senior research manager Jaanika Juntson said the size of price increases is falling as consumers approach their willingness-to-pay limits, the Guardian reported on Monday.

Netflix U.K. revenue reached 2.06 billion pounds ($2,808,624,929) last year, up 11%, while pre-tax profit rose to 72.5 million pounds ($98,847,236).

YouTube Pushes Back Against Netflix’s Creator StrategyNetflix is also pursuing popular YouTube creators to attract younger audiences and increase viewing time. In response, YouTube has discussed paying major channels for temporary exclusivity and reducing marketing support for creators who simultaneously distribute content on Netflix, highlighting intensifying competition between the two platforms, Bloomberg reported on Thursday.

Top ETF Exposure State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSE:XLC): 4.52% Weight REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ:FEPI): 6.68% Weight Monarch Blue Chips Core Index ETF (BATS:MBCE): 4.54% Weight Significance: Because Netflix carries such a heavy weight in these funds, any significant inflows or outflows for these ETFs will likely force automatic buying or selling of the stock.

NFLX Price ActionNetflix shares were up 0.74% at $80.18 at the time of publication on Monday, according to Benzinga Pro data.

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The ocean cruising industry can use a lifeboat. All three of the largest players are currently sporting double-digit percentage declines over the past year. Royal Caribbean (RCL -0.54%) -- the second-largest operator by revenue but the largest by market cap -- is faring the best with its 14% decline. The stock is also down 20% from last summer's all-time high.

The overall market is naturally higher at that time. The industry that seemed so resilient a year ago -- one of the more impressive turnaround stories in the travel sector -- is starting to take on water.

Let's take a look at the momentum reversal at Royal Caribbean and then head to the port of potential opportunity.

Image source: Getty Images.

Crashing waves Royal Caribbean led the way out of the COVID-19 crisis. After having to shut down most of its operations for more than a year -- and a gradual ramp-up of its sailings -- Royal Caribbean became the first to achieve full-year profitability in 2023. It was also the first cruise line to reinstate its quarterly dividend.

The initial surge in pent-up demand would eventually cool down. It happened to other travel stocks that didn't face the same regulatory obstacles the cruise lines did.

However, this year's war with Iran has hurt Royal Caribbean in two substantial ways. The biggest culprit is the rise in oil prices, a major cost component on sailings. Harder to quantify, a second obstacle is the rising concern about safety. The lion's share of Royal Caribbean's sailings takes place in the sunny Caribbean, far from the contentious Strait of Hormuz, but it's still a potential detriment to bookings.

Royal Caribbean's latest quarter was a mixed bag. Revenue rose a modest 6%, its second-weakest top-line growth since resuming operations five years ago. Adjusted earnings declined for the first time since returning to profitability, held back by an 11% jump in operating expenses. Higher fuel prices, as well as rising food and labor costs, led to a contraction in margins.

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Opportunity is knocking on your cabin door The quarter wasn't as bad as it could've been. Royal Caribbean actually raised its earnings guidance following the report. It did pare back its full-year revenue target, but demand remains buoyant. Bookings for next year remain ahead of historical levels.

Royal Caribbean's outlook for all of 2026 calls for revenue to climb 9%. Even after the step back on the bottom line in the second quarter, Royal Caribbean is targeting adjusted earnings per share between $17.73 and $17.87, a 14% increase at the midpoint.

The growth forecast is impressive, especially heading into the third quarter, seasonally the strongest for the industry. The business keeps growing, notching record highs even if the stock can't. Trailing revenue is up 71% from its pre-pandemic 2019 peak. Net income has more than tripled.

You can buy Royal Caribbean for 16 times the midpoint of this year's adjusted earnings guidance. The stock's dividend -- raised four times since being reinstated -- yields a respectable 1.7%. Capital appreciation remains the ultimate goal, but the quarterly distributions will help patient investors ride out the current correction storm.

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Buy AMD (AMD)

Semiconductor sell-off is being driven by positioning ahead of Nvidia, not by AMD fundamentals. AMD has clear catalysts: Helios rack-scale AI platform shipments starting in September and customer commitments (OpenAI, Meta, Anthropic). If Nvidia’s results confirm AI infrastructure demand, AMD should re-rate as the credible “alternative to Nvidia” across GPUs/CPUs/networking/racks.

Key Risk: Helios slips or fails to convert commitments into meaningful revenue, so AMD can’t capitalize on any Nvidia-driven AI demand rebound.

Sell Intel (INTC)

Intel’s stock is being hit by two thesis-damaging issues: dilution from the $20B upsized secondary equity raise (210.5M new shares) and near-term free-cash-flow pressure from >$20B foundry expansion. Even if the foundry plan is right long term, the market is punishing the next 6–18 months, and the stock is trading below the offering price.

Key Risk: Foundry spending fails to produce credible progress (cost, yields, or customer traction), forcing even more dilution or delaying returns.

Intel and AMD shares fell on Monday as semiconductor stocks came under heavy selling ahead of Nvidia's closely watched quarterly results.

The decline was concentrated in chip stocks, with the iShares Semiconductor ETF falling more sharply than broader technology funds.

The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) fell more than 3% in trading, while the iShares US Technology ETF declined about 1%.

The sharper move in semiconductors suggested that investors were reducing exposure to the sector rather than broadly selling technology stocks.

The selling came two sessions before Nvidia reports what is expected to be one of its most important quarters of the year. Investors are likely reassessing positions across the semiconductor sector ahead of the results.

Intel INTC shares were among the biggest decliners, falling as much as 5.47% to $85.14.

The stock remained below the $95 offering price of the company's recently completed $20 billion secondary equity raise.

The upsized offering involved approximately 210.5 million new shares, increasing the potential dilution for existing shareholders.

The stock's decline below the offering price has added to selling pressure as investors assess the impact of the larger share count.

Intel is also facing questions over its near-term free cash flow as it plans to spend more than $20 billion on foundry expansion.

Analysts, including UBS, have reduced their price targets to account for the expanded share count and near-term earnings outlook.

AMD shares also declined on Monday.

BMO initiated coverage of AMD with an Outperform rating and a $550 price target in the previous week. Analyst Harsh Kumar said AMD is moving beyond individual processors toward a broader AI infrastructure offering.

A key part of that strategy is Helios, AMD's rack-scale AI platform, which is expected to begin shipments in September. The platform is intended to compete with Nvidia's comparable rack-scale systems.

AMD has already secured customer commitments involving OpenAI, Meta and Anthropic.

BMO sees those relationships as a potential source of additional AI infrastructure revenue as deployments expand.

The company's broader portfolio includes GPUs, CPUs, networking and rack-level systems.

BMO expects AMD could gain additional market share in AI infrastructure as customers seek alternatives to Nvidia.

Nvidia's upcoming results remain a central focus for the semiconductor sector. The company is scheduled to report earnings on Wednesday, making Monday's selling particularly notable as investors adjust their positioning ahead of the report.

For Intel, the focus remains on the impact of its recent equity raise, dilution and heavy foundry spending.

For AMD, investors are assessing whether its expansion into rack-scale AI infrastructure can translate into additional revenue and market share.

Meanwhile, Nvidia's results could provide a fresh indication of the strength of AI-related demand and influence sentiment across the wider chip sector.

4 hours ago

Hyperliquid ecosystem project Kinetiq has announced the launch of Elysium, a new Hyperliquid L2 network designed to address key pain points including HyperEVM’s performance bottlenecks and the complexity of its dual-block architecture. Elysium will use HYPE as its native gas token, enabling seamless integration with HyperCore and HyperEVM. Deployed in close synergy with the Hyperliquid mainnet, Elysium’s initial block production performance is projected to far outpace HyperEVM levels. The network will support token issuance: projects can launch starting with a long-tail asset AMM, then gradually integrate Elysium’s PropAMM, HyperCore spot order book, and qualify for perpetual contract listings via HIP-3. For its economic model, 25% of Elysium sequencer fees will be allocated to application builders that consume block space, 25% will go to the Kinetiq treasury, and 50% will be used for programmatic purchases of KNTQ tokens on the open market. All purchased KNTQ tokens will be burned and transferred to the Hyperliquid Aid Fund.

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Key Takeaways Uber now offers fully driverless Apollo Go robotaxis to riders in select areas of Dubai. The Dubai rollout begins a multi-year partnership targeting thousands of Apollo Go vehicles worldwide. Uber's partnership-led robotaxi strategy avoids massive R&D costs of developing autonomous systems in-house. Uber Technologies (UBER - Free Report) announced that Chinese company Baidu’s (BIDU - Free Report) fully autonomous Apollo Go vehicles are available to riders through the former’s platform in Dubai, with New Horizon Luxury Transport operating the fleet. The rollout strengthens Uber’s position in the autonomous-vehicle market and represents an important step in the global expansion of driverless transportation. Dubai is the first launch location under the companies’ multi-year strategic partnership, which aims to deploy thousands of Apollo Go vehicles across Uber’s worldwide network.

Dubai riders booking an UberX or Uber Comfort trip may now be matched with a fully driverless Apollo Go vehicle. Customers can also choose the “Autonomous” option in the Uber app to improve their chances of securing a robotaxi. Initially, the service will operate in select areas of Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, with coverage expected to expand over time.

Uber’s global head of autonomous, Sarfraz Maredia, described the Dubai launch as a significant step in its efforts to expand autonomous mobility worldwide. Baidu’s vice president Nan Yang said the rollout represents an important milestone in its partnership, with Dubai serving as the starting point for the broader expansion. Dubai is also the first international market where Baidu has introduced both self-operated and partner-operated autonomous ride-hailing services.

The service uses Apollo Go’s sixth-generation RT6, a purpose-built, fully electric robotaxi developed for completely driverless operations. Each vehicle can accommodate up to three passengers and is equipped with more than 30 sensors that monitor its surroundings and process data onboard in real time.

Apollo Go has established operations across 28 cities worldwide. Its fleets have traveled more than 350 million autonomous kilometers, including over 240 million kilometers in fully driverless mode.

Uber emphasized that safety remains a central priority. Baidu’s Apollo Go vehicles, like all autonomous vehicles operating through Uber’s network, must comply with its safety guidelines before entering service.

Uber currently works with more than 30 autonomous-vehicle partners and facilitates millions of autonomous trips annually. The company is developing a hybrid transportation network in which driverless vehicles and human drivers operate alongside one another to make mobility more affordable, sustainable and accessible.

Uber aims to gain a stronghold in the robotaxi market through strategic partnerships. By adopting this approach, Uber has avoided the massive R&D costs of developing autonomous systems in-house. In 2020, Uber sold the self-driving division but retained its focus on becoming the ultimate ride-hailing super app.

In line with its partnership-driven strategy, Uber, in collaboration with another Chinese company, WeRide (WRD - Free Report) , announced earlier this year plans to introduce commercial robotaxi services in the Greater Zurich Region. This move represents their second joint deployment in Europe, coming just weeks after the announcement of a similar initiative in Madrid.

Since December 2024, WeRide and Uber have introduced robotaxi services across several Middle Eastern markets, including fully driverless commercial operations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as public services in Riyadh. These deployments provide an operational foundation for their European expansion.

UBER’s Share Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of UBER have gained in low double digits (% wise) over the past three months. Consequently, UBER’s shares outperformed the Zacks Internet-Services industry over the same time frame.

3-Month Price ComparisonImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, UBER trades at a 12-month forward price-to-sales of 2.52X. UBER trades at a discount compared with its industry.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

See how the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Uber’s earnings has been revised over the past 90 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

UBER's Zacks RankUBER 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 Globe Life's health premium revenue rose 16% in Q2 2026, led by United American and Family Heritage.Health insurance grew to 34% of total premium revenue, up from 31% a year earlier.Approved rate increases are expected to generate about $65 million of additional premium. Globe Life Inc. (GL - Free Report) is benefiting from strong momentum in its health insurance business. Rising healthcare spending, strong Medicare Supplement demand, rate increases and expanding distribution are driving growth and creating a foundation for higher earnings.

Health premium revenues increased 16% year over year in the second quarter of 2026. United American's health premiums rose 29%, while Family Heritage's increased 9%. Health insurance accounted for 34% of total premium revenues, up from 31% a year earlier, highlighting its growing contribution to Globe Life's business.

Rising healthcare spending could further support demand for supplemental health coverage. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services projects national health expenditures to grow 5.4% annually through 2034. Strong Medicare Supplement sales are supporting Globe Life's health premium growth, while approved rate increases on individual health products are expected to generate approximately $65 million of additional premium.

Globe Life's distribution network provides another growth driver. In the second quarter of 2026, Family Heritage's average producing agent count increased 7%, supporting broader customer reach and health sales.

However, medical inflation remains a challenge for Accident & Health insurers. Higher medical costs can pressure claims and underwriting margins, although Globe Life's rate increases should help offset some of this pressure.

Overall, strong demand, favorable rates and expanding distribution should support Globe Life's health business. The Health Insurance segment is becoming an important contributor to GL's premium growth, underwriting profitability and earnings momentum.

What About Its Peers?Aflac Incorporated's (AFL - Free Report) supplemental health business remains a key driver of its growth, with products designed to help customers cover expenses not fully paid by major medical insurance. The company is benefiting from demand for supplemental coverage as healthcare costs rise, while its broad distribution network supports policy sales and premium growth. Net earned premiums increased 2.3% in the second quarter of 2026.

CNO Financial Group's (CNO - Free Report) health business provides supplemental health and Medicare Supplement products to middle-income Americans. Health collected premiums increased 5.5% year over year to $432 million in the second quarter of 2026. Its health business benefits from demand for products that help customers manage healthcare expenses and financial protection needs.

GL’s Price PerformanceShares of GL have gained 22.7% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 10.9%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

GL’s Discounted ValuationThe stock is undervalued compared with its industry. It is currently trading at a price-to-earnings value multiple of 10.54, lower than the industry average of 13.13X. It has a Value Score of B.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Favorable Estimate Movement for GLThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Globe Life’s 2026 earnings per share (EPS) indicates a year-over-year increase of 8.2%. The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $6.40 billion, implying a year-over-year improvement of 6.3%.

The consensus estimate for 2027 EPS and revenues indicates an increase of 5.1% and 6.1%, respectively, from the corresponding 2026 estimates.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings moved 0.4% north, while 2027 earnings have moved 0.6% south over the last 30 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

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

Pudgy Penguins‘in PENGU tokenı son bir haftada %62,1 yükselerek 0,0095 dolar seviyesine yaklaşırken yatırımcıların gözü markanın halka arz hedefinde. CEO Luca Netz’in son paylaşımı beklentileri artırsa da ortada henüz resmi bir IPO başvurusu bulunmuyor.

PENGU son 24 saatte de yaklaşık %15 yükseldi. Tokenın piyasa değeri 598 milyon dolara yaklaşırken PENGU, kripto para piyasasında 97. sıraya çıktı.

Son rallide tek bir gelişme öne çıkmıyor. LBank’in Pudgy Penguins ile başlattığı kampanya, markanın Walmart ve Target mağazalarındaki yayılımı ve Luca Netz’in halka arzla ilişkilendirilen paylaşımı aynı döneme denk geldi.

PENGU Neden Bu Kadar Yükseldi? PENGU’daki yükselişin arkasındaki gelişmelerden biri LBank’in Ağustos ayında başlattığı Pudgy Penguins kampanyası. Programda işlem yarışmaları, ödüller ve kullanıcıların varlıklarını 30 gün boyunca kilitlemesini gerektiren kazanç ürünleri bulunuyor.

Bu ürünlerde kilitlenen PENGU’lar kampanya süresince borsa emir defterlerinde kullanılabilir durumda olmuyor. Ancak bu mekanizmanın fiyat üzerindeki etkisini tek başına ölçmek mümkün değil.

Pudgy Penguins’in fiziksel ürün satışları da aynı dönemde genişliyor. Plush oyuncaklar ve koleksiyon ürünleri Walmart ve Target mağazalarında Kuzey Amerika genelinde satılıyor. Luca Netz de hafta sonu Target dağıtımını takipçileriyle yeniden paylaştı.

Markanın büyüme stratejisi yalnızca perakende satışlarla sınırlı değil. Pudgy Penguins ocak ayında Manchester City ile NFT anlaşması yaparak spor alanındaki varlığını da genişletti. Bu hamle, NFT piyasasının genel değer kaybı yaşadığı bir dönemde markanın kullanım alanlarını çeşitlendirme çabasına işaret ediyor.

👀🐧🏢🔜

— Luca Netz 🐧✳️ (@LucaNetz) August 23, 2026

PENGU rallisinin en merak edilen kısmı Luca Netz’in son paylaşımı oldu.

Netz, göz, penguen ve bina emojilerinin ardından bir ok ve “soon” ifadesinin yer aldığı kısa bir paylaşım yaptı. Bazı yatırımcılar binayı bir borsa olarak yorumlayarak mesajı halka arz ihtimaliyle ilişkilendirdi.

Ancak Netz paylaşımında doğrudan halka arzdan söz etmedi. Bu nedenle ortada şu aşamada doğrulanmış bir IPO duyurusu bulunmuyor.

Bununla birlikte şirketin halka arz hedefi yeni değil. Netz, Ağustos 2025’te verdiği bir röportajda Pudgy Penguins’in iki yıl içinde halka açık bir şirket haline gelmemesi durumunda kendisini başarısız sayacağını söyledi. Bu hedef, 2027’yi işaret ediyor.

Aynı dönemde şirket yıllık yaklaşık 50 milyon dolarlık satış hedefinden söz ediyordu. Bu gelirin büyük bölümünü token işlemleri değil, oyuncak satışları oluşturuyordu.

Get your Pudgy Penguins available at target! 🐧 https://t.co/K7PHW8IefX

— Luca Netz 🐧✳️ (@LucaNetz) August 23, 2026

Pudgy Penguins’in Oyuncak Satışları PENGU’yu Nasıl Etkiliyor? Pudgy Penguins’in ticari büyümesinin önemli kısmı fiziksel ürünlerden geliyor. Walmart ve Target gibi büyük perakendecilerdeki dağıtımın genişlemesi, markanın NFT projesinden daha geniş bir tüketici markasına dönüşme çabasını destekliyor.

Ancak burada PENGU yatırımcıları açısından önemli bir ayrım var: Oyuncak satışlarından elde edilen şirket geliri doğrudan token sahiplerine ait değil.

Dolayısıyla markanın gelirlerinin artması, PENGU tokenının aynı oranda değer kazanacağı anlamına gelmiyor. Olası bir ABD halka arzında da şirket hissedarları şirket gelirlerine ortak olurken PENGU sahiplerinin bu gelirler üzerinde otomatik bir hakkı olmayacak.

Üstelik halka arz süreci yalnızca bir hedef açıklamasıyla tamamlanmıyor. Denetlenmiş finansal tablolar ve şirket hisseleri ile token arasında net bir hukuki ayrım gerekiyor.

PENGU Rallisi Kalıcı Olabilir mi? PENGU’nun son yükselişi güçlü olsa da token hâlâ tarihi zirvesinin oldukça altında. Token, Aralık 2024’te gördüğü 0,06845 dolarlık rekorun yaklaşık yüzde 86’sından daha düşük seviyede işlem görüyor.

PENGU şubat ayında yaklaşık 0,0053 dolara kadar geriledikten sonra toparlandı. Nisan ayında ise yaklaşık 0,0083 dolar seviyesinde uzun süren düşüş trendini kırdı. Token, sonraki aylarda analistlerin takip listesine giren meme coinler arasında da yer aldı.

Bu nedenle son haftadaki yüzde 62,1’lik yükseliş önemli olsa da daha geniş fiyat yapısı hâlâ tamamen değişmiş değil.

Piyasanın halka arz beklentisini fiyatlamaya başlaması ise ayrı bir konu. Şu ana kadar ortada ne bir kayıt başvurusu ne de seçilmiş bir yatırım bankası veya belirlenmiş bir borsa bulunuyor. Bu nedenle PENGU’daki son hareket, resmi bir IPO sürecinden çok şirketin daha önce açıkladığı hedef, son sosyal medya paylaşımı, LBank kampanyası ve markanın perakende büyümesinin aynı anda yarattığı beklentiyle şekilleniyor.

Bu içerik genel piyasa verilerine dayanır ve yatırım tavsiyesi değildir. Kendi araştırmanızı yapmanızı öneririz.

Son Dakika kripto para haberleri için hemen tıkla.

Konu ile ilgili yorumlarınızı bize yazabilirsiniz. Ayrıca, bu tarz bilgilendirici içeriklerin devamının gelmesini isterseniz, bizleri Telegram, Youtube ve Twitter kanallarımızdan takip edebilirsiniz.

Key Takeaways Dollar General's Q2 consensus sees $11.17B in revenues and $2.00 EPS, up 4.2% and 7.5% year over year.Value-seeking traffic, merchandising gains and shrink reduction may support DG's sales and margins.DG trades at 15.96 times forward earnings, below the industry, S&P 500 and its 12-month median. Dollar General Corporation (DG - Free Report) is set to report second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings results on Aug. 27, before the opening bell. Investors will closely assess the discount retailer’s ability to drive traffic and sales growth in a still-challenging consumer environment, along with signs of sustained margin improvement and its outlook for the remainder of the year.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter revenues stands at $11.17 billion, indicating a 4.2% increase from the prior-year reported figure. On the earnings front, the consensus estimate has been stable at $2.00 per share over the past 30 days and implies a year-over-year jump of 7.5%.

Dollar General has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21%, on average. In the last reported quarter, DG surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.8%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

What the Zacks Model Predicts for DGAs investors prepare for Dollar General's second-quarter announcement, the question looms regarding an earnings beat or miss. Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Dollar General this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. However, that’s not the case here. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Dollar General has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and carries a Zacks Rank #2. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Factors to Note Ahead of DG’s Q2 EarningsDollar General’s second-quarter performance is likely to have benefited from continued customer traffic and growing demand for value. The company entered the quarter with sales trends holding up, while trade-in activity from higher-income households was accelerating as inflation and elevated fuel costs encouraged consumers to seek lower-priced alternatives. Dollar General’s convenient store footprint, competitive everyday pricing and targeted promotions should have helped it attract both its core customer and shoppers trading down from other retail channels. Its emphasis on affordability and convenience is likely to have attracted customers looking to stretch household budgets.

The traffic backdrop is likely to have been reinforced by Dollar General’s merchandising and customer-experience initiatives. The company has been strengthening its entry-price-point assortment, private brands and Value Valley offering while maintaining momentum in non-consumables. At the same time, delivery has been fortifying Dollar General’s convenience proposition, as customers using the service tend to place larger orders and shop with the company more frequently. Continued investments in store remodels through Project Renovate and Project Elevate also appear positioned to improve the shopping experience and support productivity across the mature store base.

Beyond sales, ongoing gross-margin initiatives are likely to have supported profitability. Dollar General entered the quarter with momentum in shrink reduction and lower inventory damages, while category-management efforts, supply-chain productivity, non-consumables merchandising and the DG Media Network remained important margin drivers. The company also ended the first quarter of fiscal 2026 with inventory at a level it considered appropriate to support sales growth and improved in-stock availability. Together, better inventory discipline, shrink improvement and greater supply-chain efficiency may have helped offset some cost pressures and supported the earnings picture.

Even so, the operating backdrop remained challenging. Dollar General’s core customers continued to face pressure from inflation and reduced government assistance, prompting some shoppers to cut back on household spending and manage budgets more tightly. Such pressure can increase trip frequency while constraining basket size, particularly among lower-income customers. Higher promotional activity and any SG&A deleverage could have tempered the benefit from the company’s margin-improvement initiatives during the quarter.

Dollar General Stock Price PerformanceDollar General, which competes with Target Corporation (TGT - Free Report) and Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST - Free Report) , has seen its shares gain 9.9% over the past year compared with the industry’s rise of 11.5%. Shares of Target and Costco have advanced 0.7% and 70.3%, respectively.
 

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Does DG Present a Strong Case for Value Investing?Dollar General is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 15.96. This valuation reflects a discount compared to the industry’s average of 30.14 and the S&P 500's P/E of 20.43. The stock also appears undervalued compared to its 12-month median P/E level of 16.21.

Dollar General is trading at a discount to Target (with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 17.08) and Costco (42.19).

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Final Words on Dollar General StockDollar General enters its second-quarter earnings release with several encouraging fundamentals, including resilient traffic trends, growing appeal among value-seeking consumers and continued progress on merchandising, inventory and margin initiatives. However, pressure on its core customer, higher promotional activity and lingering cost headwinds warrant some caution, while the earnings setup does not provide a clear signal of a beat this time. The stock’s discounted valuation adds some support to the investment case. Current shareholders may consider holding their positions, while prospective investors could wait for the earnings release before taking a fresh position.

PDD Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:PDD) warns that Temu is facing fresh margin pressure from upcoming European Union tariffs, threatening to hike costs and slow shipping times just months after U.S. trade policy shifts disrupted its cross-border model.

Co-CEO Lei Chen said the company is now adapting its operations to a rapidly changing global regulatory environment to preserve Temu’s long-term growth. The comments, made on PDD’s second-quarter earnings call, come as Temu faces mounting trade barriers in two of its largest overseas markets.

Europe Becomes Temu’s Next Trade ChallengeResponding to a question about the EU’s new customs duties on low-value imports, Chen acknowledged that the changes will pressure Temu’s cross-border business.

“On the changes to the EU customs duties that you mentioned, our team is actively assessing and adapting to them,” Chen said.

He added that, “Drawing on the experience that we have gained over the years, we have adjusted our supply chain and we are optimizing our fulfillment processes.”

Even so, management expects the policy changes to create meaningful near-term disruption.

“In the short term, cross-border orders in the affected markets will face lower fulfillment efficiency and higher costs, which will have a considerable impact on those parts of our business,” Chen said.

The comments mark one of PDD’s clearest acknowledgments that Europe is becoming the next major regulatory hurdle for Temu after changes to U.S. trade rules forced the company to rethink parts of its cross-border shipping model.

Temu Is Changing How It OperatesRather than signaling a retreat from international markets, PDD said the latest trade headwinds are accelerating changes already underway.

Chen said the company will “continue to onboard and support more high-quality local merchants to broaden the supply of local products.”

PDD is also accelerating the build-out of local warehousing and fulfillment infrastructure, Chen added.

The goal is to reduce reliance on direct cross-border shipments while building stronger local operations that can better withstand future policy changes.

“Through these investments, we hope to integrate more deeply into every market we serve, strengthen the foundation and resilience of our supply chain, and better navigate changes and volatility in the environment,” Chen said.

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Compliance Is Becoming A Competitive PriorityManagement also made clear that adapting to global regulation involves more than logistics.

Chen said PDD will continue investing in “compliance capabilities and platform governance” alongside supply-chain improvements.

The company has also “developed systematic IP protection capabilities,” which Chen said has been reinforced by “our recent favorable ruling in the IP litigation involving an industry peer.”

According to management, those investments are intended to strengthen trust with consumers, merchants and regulators as Temu expands internationally.

A More Challenging Global Growth StoryIn addition to the fickle nature of U.S. trade policy, PDD must also contend with Europe’s introducing another layer of costs and operational complexity that could pressure the economics of cross-border e-commerce.

Still, management emphasized that the long-term strategy remains unchanged.

“We are confident in our execution capabilities and organizational resilience,” Chen said. “Short-term volatility will not change the long-term direction of our global business.”

PDD will continue advancing its investments across “supply chain, fulfillment, compliance, and consumer service,” with the goal of providing consumers around the world “with a shopping platform that remains stable over the long term and offers compelling prices and reliable quality—a platform that they can count on, trust, and enjoy using.”

Read Next

Photo via Shutterstock

© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Highlights:

New 60,000-square-foot training center, delivering hands-on technical training and semiconductor career pathwaysMicron and the U.S. Department of Commerce provide $3 million to the College of Western Idaho for educator pay, equipment and classroom spaceMicron’s registered apprenticeship program welcomes its largest cohort to date and is building toward triple-digit enrollment by the end of fiscal 2027
BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Micron Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), the only U.S.-based manufacturer of memory and storage solutions, today opened a 60,000-square-foot Micron Training Center (MTC) in Boise, a strategic investment to strengthen the skilled talent pipeline, support advanced semiconductor manufacturing and expand education and apprenticeship pathways in Idaho.

Located near Micron’s Boise campus, this unique, collaborative training facility accelerates new-hire readiness through an intensive onboarding boot camp and hands-on training in fab operations and manufacturing systems. The center also serves as a site for community college students and career seekers pursuing semiconductor pathways through the College of Western Idaho (CWI).

The MTC supports Micron’s broader commitment to invest more than $250 billion in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, building the workforce needed to support high-volume production of advanced memory technologies. Those efforts are expected to create more than 90,000 American jobs.

“Our community invests in our people, and the Micron Training Center is proof of that promise. This center is built to skill up the next generation of Idahoans, whether they’re just starting out or making a career pivot,” said Boise Mayor Lauren McLean. “With strong partners standing beside us, we’re filling today’s jobs and preparing our workforce for the future. That’s what it means to build a city where everyone has the opportunity to grow right here at home.”

Strategic collaboration and unique approach for workforce development

The MTC houses up to 20 semiconductor process tools that replicate a fab environment — the same equipment trainees will use on Micron’s fab floor. Industry partners including Applied Materials, Lam Research, SCREEN, Kokusai Electric, Tokyo Electron and others have supported the installation of equipment that will also be used for hands-on vendor training, helping both their teams and Micron’s ramp up faster on the tools that drive production.

The center also expands Micron’s long-standing partnership with CWI to bring semiconductor training directly into the education pipeline. Starting this fall, CWI will deliver its Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology (AMET) and Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (SMT) programs at the MTC, alongside its Nampa campus offerings. The MTC will serve as the new location for the technical instruction component of Micron’s Registered Apprenticeship Program, while continuing to host CWI coursework for the broader student community.

To support this partnership, Micron and the U.S. Department of Commerce have provided $3 million to CWI for educator pay, equipment and classroom space.

“CWI and Micron have built a training environment where students learn on the same equipment they’ll operate in a world-class fab,” said Gordon Jones, president of the College of Western Idaho. “This is what a decade of partnership looks like — a shared facility, tools, and commitment to building careers that matter for Idaho.”

“A strong semiconductor industry depends on a strong talent pipeline,” said April Arnzen, executive vice president and chief people officer, Micron Technology. “The Micron Training Center is a strategic investment in workforce development, helping build the skilled talent needed to support advanced manufacturing and sustain U.S. leadership in semiconductor innovation. By combining state-of-the-art facilities with degree programs, certifications, apprenticeships and clear career pathways, we are creating opportunities for Idahoans while strengthening the workforce that will power Micron’s growth and the future of the industry.”

“America’s ability to lead the world in semiconductor manufacturing depends on building a highly skilled workforce ready to support the factories and technologies of the future,” said Bill Frauenhofer, executive director of semiconductor investment & innovation at the U.S. Department of Commerce. “Micron’s new Boise training center is an example of what is possible when federal investment, private-sector leadership, and education partners work together to meet that challenge. As Micron executes on its more than $250 billion commitment to U.S. manufacturing and R&D, the CHIPS Program Office is proud to support Micron’s new training center and help build the talent pipeline needed to create meaningful pathways into essential careers, strengthen our domestic talent pipeline, and ensure this country remains at the forefront of innovation and advanced manufacturing.”

“Micron’s training center and their investment in apprenticeships and career pathways are helping keep Idaho’s workforce and economy at the forefront. This exciting announcement builds on the investments we’ve made to strengthen Idaho’s workforce, including Idaho LAUNCH. Together, we’re helping Idahoans gain the skills and training they need to succeed in high-demand careers. We challenged Idaho employers to step up and partner with us, and Micron has answered that call,” Governor Brad Little said.

At today’s event, Micron celebrated Cohort 6 of its registered apprenticeship program — its largest Boise cohort to date and is building toward triple-digit enrollment by the end of fiscal year 2027. Developed with CWI and the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance, the earn-and-learn model directly supports Gov. Brad Little’s goal to double Idaho’s registered apprentices statewide by 2029.

For more information visit: Idaho | Micron Technology Inc.

About Micron Technology, Inc.
Micron Technology, Inc. is a global leader in semiconductor memory and storage, powering AI and compute-intensive applications from cloud to edge. With a relentless focus on our customers, technology and product leadership, and manufacturing and operational excellence, Micron’s comprehensive portfolio of high-performance DRAM, NAND and NOR solutions delivers the speed, efficiency and scale today’s workloads demand, accelerating intelligence to enrich life for all. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), visit micron.com.

© 2026 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Information, products, and/or specifications are subject to change without notice. Micron, the Micron logo, and all other Micron trademarks are the property of Micron Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Micron Media Relations Contact
Mark Plungy
Micron Technology, Inc.
+1 (408) 203-2910
[email protected]

Micron Investor Relations Contact
Satya Kumar
Micron Technology, Inc.
+1 (408) 450-6199
[email protected]

Key Takeaways TDOC's BetterHelp sees insurance demand surge as users shift from paying out of pocket.More than 8,000 mental health professionals are credentialed as Teladoc expands insurance capacity.Insurance revenues hit $22 million in Q2 2026, up about $9 million sequentially. Teladoc Health, Inc.’s (TDOC - Free Report) lower revenue outlook may look alarming at first glance, but the underlying BetterHelp story is different. Demand has not disappeared; it has just shifted. Around 70% of prospective users prefer insurance over paying out of pocket, reaching as much as 80% in certain markets, creating a sharp increase in demand for covered therapy.

The problem is provider capacity. Insurance requires therapists to be credentialed with specific payers and available in the right states, making supply harder to scale than cash pay. As demand shifted faster than capacity, cash-pay revenues declined more rapidly than expected, while insurance revenues were not yet sufficient to offset the decline.

The company is prioritizing therapist recruitment, retention and credentialing, with more than 8,000 mental health professionals already credentialed. Company-wide advertising and marketing spending fell 12.2% in the first half of 2026 as resources shifted toward insurance. Meanwhile, insurance revenues reached $22 million in the second quarter of 2026, up roughly $9 million sequentially, while insurance users grew more than 70% sequentially. 

The next phase depends on how quickly Teladoc can convert this demand into completed therapy visits. The company expects the insurance business to reach an annualized revenue run rate of nearly $140 million by the end of the fourth quarter of 2026, with further growth anticipated in 2027. If capacity catches up with demand, BetterHelp could reduce its reliance on costly customer acquisition, while the insurance model could support more durable economics and make customer lifetime value more reflective of patient need.

How Are Competitors Faring?Some of Teladoc’s key peers across digital health include Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (HIMS - Free Report) and American Well Corporation (AMWL - Free Report)

Hims & Hers Health operates a consumer-centric digital healthcare model, with mental health offered alongside a broader range of cash-pay wellness and personalized treatments. By relying heavily on direct-to-consumer engagement and marketing, HIMS provides a useful benchmark for customer acquisition efficiency, digital consumer access and the economics of cash-pay healthcare.

American Well takes a more enterprise-oriented approach, partnering with employers, and health systems to deliver digital care infrastructure. With exposure to behavioral health and insurance-covered care, AMWL provides a useful reference point for payer integration, clinical network scaling, and the economics of in-network virtual care.

Teladoc Health’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of TDOC have lost 16.7% over the past year compared to the industry’s 13.3% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, TDOC trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.48X, down from the industry average of 0.54X. TDOC carries a Value Score of B.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TDOC’s 2026 loss is pegged at 89 cents per share,implying a 21.9% increase from the year-ago period’s level.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The stock 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 Philip Morris won FDA marketing authorization for 11 ZYN ULTRA nicotine pouch products in the United States.ZYN ULTRA approvals cover all 9mg variants and one 11mg Smooth variant, with more 11mg products under review.PM's smoke-free products span 109 markets and generated roughly 42% of second-quarter 2026 net revenues. Philip Morris International Inc. PM continues to advance its smoke-free transformation, with regulatory progress in the United States adding another potential growth lever. The FDA has authorized Swedish Match USA, Inc., a U.S. affiliate of Philip Morris International, to market 11 ZYN ULTRA moist oral nicotine pouch products following scientific review, broadening the company’s presence in the U.S. nicotine pouch category.

The authorizations cover all 9mg ZYN ULTRA variants and one 11mg Smooth variant, while additional 11mg products remain under FDA review. ZYN ULTRA, which has higher moisture content than the flagship ZYN range, is free of tobacco leaf. The latest action builds on earlier FDA authorizations for ZYN’s 3mg and 6mg variants and broadens Philip Morris’ portfolio of smoke-free alternatives for legal-age nicotine consumers.

The development broadens Philip Morris’ ability to serve legal-age nicotine consumers with a wider range of smoke-free alternatives. ZYN ULTRA also extends the brand into higher-strength offerings, potentially improving its reach across different consumer preferences. Philip Morris began commercializing ZYN ULTRA in June 2026 under recent FDA guidance, making the latest authorization an important regulatory step for the expanded range.

The decision adds to a series of FDA actions involving Philip Morris’ smoke-free portfolio. Earlier, 20 ZYN nicotine pouch variants received Modified Risk Tobacco Product authorizations. Versions of IQOS devices and consumables, along with General snus, have also received FDA marketing authorizations, highlighting the company’s growing regulatory footprint across smoke-free categories.

Overall, the ZYN ULTRA authorization reinforces Philip Morris’ long-term push to shift its portfolio toward smoke-free products. With the smoke-free products available across 109 markets and its smoke-free business accounting for roughly 42% of second-quarter 2026 net revenues, continued regulatory progress in the United States could support broader portfolio expansion and strengthen the company’s position in the smoke-free category.

Philip Morris’ Zacks Rank & Share Price PerformanceShares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have fallen 2.5% over the past month against the broader Consumer Staples sector and the S&P 500 index’s growth of 2.2% and 3.8%, respectively. PM has outperformed the industry’s decline of 5.2% in the same period.

PM Stock's Past Month Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Is PM a Value Play Stock?Philip Morris currently trades at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 21.22, which is up from the industry average of 15.16 and the sector average of 17.32. This valuation positions the stock at a premium relative to both its direct peers and the broader consumer staples sector.

PM P/E Ratio (Forward 12 Months)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stocks to ConsiderThe Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (CHEF - Free Report) distributes specialty food and center-of-the-plate products in the United States, the Middle East and Canada. At present, CHEF flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The consensus estimate for Chefs' Warehouse’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 10.6% and 33.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figures. Chefs' Warehouse delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 30.4%, on average.

The Vita Coco Company, Inc. (COCO - Free Report) develops, manufactures, markets and distributes coconut water products under the Vita Coco brand name in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific. COCO currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.9%, on average.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vita Coco’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 31.6% and 64.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.

Darling Ingredients Inc. (DAR - Free Report) develops, produces and sells sustainable natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients in North America, Europe, China, South America and internationally. At present, Darling Ingredients holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). DAR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 38.9%, on average.

The consensus estimate for Darling Ingredients’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 11.5% and 926.5%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.

A Two-Pool Reward Structure Running Through Year-EndAster DEX has launched the first phase of its USD1 real-world asset (RWA) rewards campaign, running through December 31, 2026. The initiative is part of a broader partnership between Aster and World Liberty Financial (@worldlibertyfi), which has been positioning ethereum:0xda5e1988097297dcdc1f90d4dfe7909e847cbef6 as the base settlement layer for RWA perpetual markets on the platform.

The campaign distributes rewards across two independent pools. The combined growth fund holds 250 million WLFI tokens from World Liberty Financial and 12.5 million USD1 contributed by Aster. Of the WLFI allocation, 125 million tokens will be distributed based on eligible open interest, while a further 6.25 million USD1 will be allocated according to eligible trading volume. Because open interest and volume are tracked independently, traders can qualify for both pools simultaneously.

Aster is also offering a 2x open interest boost for eligible USD1-denominated RWA positions. The boost applies in full when traders use USD1 exclusively as collateral through Single Asset Mode. In Multi Asset Mode, USD1 must represent more than 50% of average collateral for the boost to apply.

USD1 as the Settlement Layer for RWA PerpsAster has listed SPCXUSD1, CLUSD1, XAUUSD1, SNDKUSD1 and SKHYNIXUSD1 under its AOS-2 standard, which sets the framework for new perpetual listings on the platform. The listed markets include assets linked to SpaceX, crude oil, gold, Sandisk and SK Hynix. USD1 is now the exclusive settlement asset for all of Aster's RWA and commodity contracts.

USD1 is a US-dollar stablecoin issued by World Liberty Financial and custodied by BitGo Trust Company, backed by cash, short-duration US Treasury bills, and government money market funds. Launched on Ethereum and BNB Chain in March 2025, it had grown to a circulating supply of roughly $4 billion by mid-2026. For World Liberty Financial, the Aster arrangement drives utility for USD1 beyond transfers and lending, as every open position locks USD1 as collateral and every trade generates settlement volume.

For Aster, the commodity expansion tracks with its transformation from a crypto-only perp DEX into a multi-asset trading platform. The exchange already offers perpetuals on US equities alongside its core crypto derivatives and recently launched the genesis phase of Aster Chain, a privacy-focused Layer 1 using zero-knowledge proofs.

Sources:
CryptoNinjas: Aster Launches Five USD1 RWA Perpetual Markets
Dealroom: Aster Launches USD1-Settled RWA Perpetuals with $28M Liquidity Fund
The Defiant: Aster to Settle RWA Perps Exclusively in USD1

Strive, a US-based investment management company, increased its Bitcoin holdings by 1,110 BTC last week, bringing its total Bitcoin treasury to 21,356 BTC. The purchase, made for $81.5 million at an average price of $73,409 per coin, was disclosed in the company’s latest filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Strive’s expanding Bitcoin strategyThe acquisition took place between August 17 and August 21, during which time Strive’s cash reserves grew from $154.8 million to $171.9 million. This increase indicates that the firm continued to raise capital even as it allocated significant resources to expand its Bitcoin position. The higher cash balance also provides Strive with liquidity to support ongoing operations and potential future purchases.

To fund these acquisitions, Strive relies on a mixture of equity and preferred share offerings. Over the reporting week, Strive’s Class A shares outstanding rose by 3,646,300 to 79,890,888, while its SATA preferred shares increased by 441,313 to 8,270,815. Assuming full dilution, the total share count reached 92,949,226 by the end of the week.

This growth in outstanding shares creates a balancing act for the company. While adding more Bitcoin to the treasury may suggest higher exposure, the real impact for individual investors depends on how much Bitcoin is held per diluted share. If new Bitcoin holdings are acquired at a slower pace than shares are issued, per-share exposure can be diluted despite headline growth metrics.

MetricAugust 14August 21BTC holdings20,24621,356Cash & equivalents$154.8 million$171.9 millionClass A shares76,244,58879,890,888SATA preferred shares7,829,5028,270,815Apart from Bitcoin, Strive also holds 505,000 shares of Strategy’s STRC preferred stock, which increased in fair value by $707,000 to reach $48.57 million. This position, alongside the larger cash balance, gives the company more flexibility, but the Bitcoin treasury remains its primary draw for investors.

According to Strive, its broader operations manage nearly $3 billion in assets across exchange-traded funds and direct indexing. The company’s strategy is to use fee income to help offset costs arising from preferred stock issuance, aiming to capture the spread between financing costs and long-term potential returns from Bitcoin. If financing costs were to rise or Bitcoin’s value were to fall, this spread could shrink.

Mini dictionary: Strive, an investment management company based in the United States, manages a range of financial products including publicly traded exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and direct indexing solutions, with a particular recent focus on large-scale Bitcoin accumulation as part of its corporate treasury strategy.

Bitcoin rally supports recent acquisitionOn the day Strive disclosed its purchase, Bitcoin was trading near $79,400, giving the new 1,110 BTC holdings a market value of $88.1 million. This value exceeds the acquisition cost by roughly $6.6 million, further strengthening the company’s position. Overall, the total Bitcoin in Strive’s treasury would now be valued near $1.70 billion at those prices.

Technical analysts observed positive signals for the broader market. Ali Martinez, an independent crypto analyst, noted that Bitcoin’s price reclaimed its 1,130-day simple moving average after moving above $74,000 on August 20. Bitcoin had traded below this long-term average for nearly three months, a period associated with broader market uncertainty.

Martinez highlighted that, across past cycles, Bitcoin began new bull markets after recovering this long-term average. However, he cautioned that a sustained rally depends on further closes above this level and stable spot demand.

During the recent session, Bitcoin reached a high close to $79,934, which provided further upside to Strive’s latest purchase. This price momentum also supported the market value of the company’s Bitcoin holdings acquired in previous quarters. In January, Strive’s acquisition of Semler Scientific added approximately 5,048 BTC to its books, helping scale the treasury quickly ahead of the latest round of buying.

Investors monitoring Strive’s performance now face two key variables: whether Bitcoin’s price can maintain support above the reclaimed moving average and whether Bitcoin per diluted share can continue to grow despite higher equity issuance.

Rising BTC holdings may grab attention, but according to Strive’s latest filing, shareholder returns depend on whether treasury growth can outpace dilution caused by increasing the number of shares outstanding.

Future company disclosures will reveal if Strive’s Bitcoin accumulation strategy continues to increase actual exposure per share or if further equity raises dilute these gains.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article does not constitute investment advice. Investors should be aware that cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and therefore risk, and should conduct their own research.

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Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY | LLY Price Prediction) is trading at $1,255.40, and management has guided fiscal 2026 revenue between $85 billion and $87 billion. That puts the $100 billion revenue mark within reach.

Our 24/7 Wall St. price target for Lilly is $1,480.01, implying 17.89% upside over the next 12 months. Our recommendation is buy, with confidence level 90%.

Metric Value Current Price $1,255.40 24/7 Wall St. Price Target $1,480.01 Upside 17.89% Recommendation BUY Confidence Level 90% Why Lilly’s Stock Looks Different in August 2026 Lilly is up 6.38% over the past week, 8.1% over the past month, and 77.98% over the past year, trading just under its 52-week high of $1,292.65.

Q2 2026 drove the rerating: revenue of $22.97 billion grew 47.67% year over year and beat consensus by 11.06%. EPS of $8.38 beat by 27.27%. Mounjaro delivered $9.94 billion (+91%) and Zepbound another $4.93 billion. In May, Lilly became the first drugmaker to hit a $1 trillion market value, and it now sits above that at $1.12 trillion.

Why Bulls See a Breakout Ahead The bull case rests on three engines. First, the incretin franchise generated nearly $14.87 billion in a single quarter, with Mounjaro international sales growing 172%.

Second, orforglipron (Foundeo), the approved oral GLP-1, is rolling out globally in 2027, with prescriber adoption jumping from approximately 8,000 to 36,000.

Third, retatrutide, whose TRIUMPH-1 trial showed weight loss approaching bariatric surgery levels, is on track for a Q1 2027 BLA.

CEO David Ricks called “Lilly’s future, after 150 years, has never been brighter.” Our bull-case scenario points to $1,704.19, a 35.75% total return, consistent with 5 strong-buy and 17 buy consensus ratings.

What Could Go Wrong Realized U.S. prices fell roughly 9% ex-rebate, and Lilly took $2.78 billion in IPR&D charges from heavy M&A activity. Bulls counter that these charges reflect deliberate pipeline investment in Verve, Ataibeckley, and Kelonia, and that non-GAAP performance margin expanded to 54.8%.

Concentration is another risk: Mounjaro and Zepbound represent more than half of revenue, and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill launch will contest the oral category. Our bear case implies $1,222.27, a -2.64% return.

How Lilly Compares to Novo Nordisk and Merck Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) is the only true incretin peer, with Q1 2026 adjusted sales falling 4% at constant exchange rates as U.S. pricing eroded. Novo trades at a market cap of $156.4 billion, roughly one-seventh of Lilly’s, despite a comparable GLP-1 franchise. That valuation gap reflects the market’s premium for Lilly’s growth trajectory.

Merck (NYSE:MRK) provides the large-cap pharma valuation floor. Merck guides FY2026 non-GAAP EPS of $5.04 to $5.16 on revenue of $65.8 billion to $67 billion, roughly comparable to Lilly with a fraction of the growth.

Merck’s market cap of $376.4 billion versus Lilly’s $1.12 trillion reflects the growth premium. Against that field, Lilly’s forward P/E of 35 looks rich but defensible, and our 24/7 Wall St. price target of $1,480.01 reads as reasonable.

Eli Lilly Price Prediction 2026-2030 I’m sticking with the buy call and the 24/7 Wall St. price target of $1,480.01 at 90% confidence. The tipping factor is retatrutide readouts stacked against a raised revenue guide and margin expansion of nine percentage points.

I’d be a buyer if the Q1 2027 retatrutide BLA lands on schedule and Foundayo international launches track UAE uptake. I would stay on the sidelines if U.S. price erosion accelerates past management’s guided offset.

Here is where our model projects Lilly could trade, assuming current trajectories hold.

Year 24/7 Wall St. Price Target 2026 $1,324 2027 $1,480 2028 $1,673 2029 $1,823 2030 $1,988 These projections assume Lilly continues executing on its incretin franchise and pipeline. Meaningful upside or downside could result from retatrutide’s regulatory outcome, orforglipron’s international ramp, and U.S. GLP-1 pricing policy.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

XRP Ledger node operators are facing an important upgrade following the latest xrpld version 3.3.0 release. 

This has prompted a new alert for network participants, with node operators urged to update their nodes to stay aligned with the latest improvements and fixes. The upgrade push comes as XRPL 3.3.0 gains adoption across the network.

More than 60% of XRP Ledger nodes had already upgraded to the new xrpld version, according to a recent post by XRP Ledger Operations, an X account dedicated to sharing XRP Ledger infrastructure and software updates.

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Please update your XRPL nodes to 3.3.0!

Over 60% of $XRP Ledger nodes have already been updated to version 3.3.0.

This version includes, among other improvements, the feature amendments Batch, Dynamic MPT, Permission Delegation, Sponsor, and Confidential Transfer, as well as a… pic.twitter.com/uq5COJaVyl

— XRP Ledger Operations (@XRPLOperations) August 23, 2026 The alert for node operators remains essential to avoid amendment blocking, a security feature to protect the accuracy of XRP Ledger data.

When an amendment is enabled, servers running earlier versions of xrpld without the amendment's source code no longer understand the rules of the network. Rather than guess and misinterpret ledger data, these servers become amendment-blocked and can't determine the validity of a ledger, submit or process transactions, participate in the consensus process, or vote on future amendments.

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The XRPL 3.3.0 release introduces several new amendments alongside bug fixes and build improvements. The new amendments are BatchV1_1: Atomic batch transactions (XLS-56); ConfidentialTransfer: Privacy-preserving Multi-Purpose Token transfers (XLS-0096);  DynamicMPT: Multi-Purpose Token properties that issuers can make permanently immutable (XLS-94); PermissionDelegationV1_1: Granular account permission delegation; Sponsor: Reserve and transaction sponsoring (XLS-68); fixCleanup3_3_0, a bundle of amendment-gated bug fixes; all of these are up for voting.

fixCleanup3_3_0 hits 68% consensusThe fixCleanup3_3_0 amendment, a collection of fixes for Single Asset Vaults, the Lending Protocol, Automated Market Makers, the permissioned DEX, Checks, and pseudo-accounts, has reached 68.57% consensus, with less than 12% needed for it to reach the required 80% threshold.

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Changes in the fixCleanup3_3_0 include fixes for hybrid offers being removed from the open order book when the account that placed them loses access to the permissioned domain; fixes for Automated Market Maker liquidity being included in quality estimates for permissioned DEX order books; and additional precision and rounding fixes for Single Asset Vaults and the Lending Protocol, among others.

Ripple (XRP) surged more than 72% in less than a week, its strongest rally since July 2025, as cryptocurrency prices broadly broke out. But the move has a problem: it may have little to do with XRP itself.

The token's near-term rally appears to have been driven largely by a broader liquidity shift after the US Treasury expanded long-end bond buybacks, pulling yields lower and lifting risk assets. XRP, with more beta than Bitcoin, was one of the biggest beneficiaries.

That leaves XRP at a critical point. The token is holding near $1.50 after touching $1.70, but the rally alone doesn’t confirm that the long-awaited bottom is in. A sustained move above $2.00 would strengthen the case for a structural recovery, while failure to hold recent gains could expose XRP to another correction.

"XRP's near-term path is likely to keep tracking the broader altcoin complex rather than break out on a story of its own. This week's rally has a macro root – the Treasury's move to expand long-end bond buybacks pushed yields down and lifted risk assets broadly, and altcoins simply carry more beta to that kind of liquidity injection than Bitcoin does," Iliya Kalchev, Nexo Dispatch Analyst, highlighted in an exclusive comment to FXStreet.

Ripple ecosystem expansionRipple continues to make headlines with its global regulatory and partnership milestones, backed by the deployment of approximately $4 billion in strategic capital.

The blockchain company has strategically developed a robust ecosystem by acquiring prime brokerage capabilities, modern treasury management systems (TMS), instant stablecoin payments infrastructure, and institutional-grade custody solutions.

In late October 2025, Ripple executed a series of strategic acquisitions: Hidden Road ($1.25 billion, rebranded as Ripple Prime), GTreasury ($1 billion), and Rail ($200 million), further strengthening its institutional offering. Other acquisitions include Metaco, Palisade and Standard Custody & Rail.

Concurrently, Ripple secured more than 60 regulatory licenses and permits worldwide, achieving milestone approvals in the Europe Union’s (EU) Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), Luxembourg’s Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license approved by the country’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) as well as other compliance licenses in the Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East and Africa regions, as stated in various press releases and policy briefings.

"However, investors should stop treating every Ripple acquisition, license or partnership as automatically bullish for XRP. The token only captures value when institutions need to hold it, source liquidity through it or use it repeatedly for settlement," Ryan Kirkley, Co-founder & CEO of Global Settlement Network, said in a written comment to FXStreet.

Ripple’s expansion gives XRP more opportunities to prove its utility. It does not guarantee that utility, and it certainly does not guarantee price appreciation.

Ripple Payments and the shift to multi-asset railsRipple Payments has evolved over the years from the former On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) to a product with a worldwide presence. The platform offers institutional-grade custody, fiat and stablecoin rails and other digital assets, including Ripple USD (RLUSD) and XRP.

“Ripple’s compliance build-out is substantial and hard to replicate quickly: more than 60 regulatory licenses globally, full MiCA authorization across the entire EU economic bloc, a new Middle East and Africa hub in Dubai, and a cleared US legal case, on top of capital commitments like the $1.25 billion Hidden Road acquisition. That gives XRP a genuine structural advantage a new entrant can’t shortcut overnight,” Kalchev added.

Despite Ripple’s compliance powerhouse, partnerships and acquisition spree, experts appear to differ on whether ecosystem developments translate to utility for XRP and growth in the token’s value.

Dean Chen, Bitunix analyst, sees long-term value in XRP, suggesting partial allocation in portfolios. Still, Chen cautions investors to temper expectations and assess how much value the token can capture from Ripple’s growing ecosystem, given varying global liquidity conditions.

“Ripple’s ecosystem expansion is clearly positive for XRP, but Ripple’s commercial success and XRP’s investment value are not necessarily equivalent. Growth in cross-border payments and institutional adoption can create more use cases for XRP, but the key question is whether that activity translates into sustained demand and effective value capture for the token,” Chen told FXStreet.

Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, could steal the limelight from XRP, as it appeals to institutional investors looking to avoid crypto-related volatility while offering a regulated platform.

Ripple's ultimate test would be to create a symbiotic relationship between the expanding ecosystem and XRP to ensure long-term growth.

Shawn Young, Chief Analyst at MEXC Research, told FXStreet that “If that growth leads banks and liquidity providers to hold and use more XRP, the token has a much stronger case. If most of it runs through RLUSD, other stablecoins, or infrastructure that barely touches XRP, investors should not expect Ripple’s success to automatically show up in the token price.”

XRP outlook improves on renewed on-chain activityA closer examination of activity on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) shows renewed user participation. Addresses that transact on the protocol, either by receiving or sending value, have recently surged, peaking at roughly 305,000 on Sunday, up from around 25,000 on August 1, according to Santiment.

The surge in on-chain activity reinforces an improving fundamental outlook and raises the probability of an extended recovery as demand for XRP gains momentum.

XRP Active Addresses | Source: SantimentStill, the number of addresses joining the network has remained subdued this year. Newly created addresses on the XRPL averaged 475 on Sunday, down from roughly 4,100 on Saturday and 6,600 in late June. This suggests fewer new users are joining the protocol, which could translate to lower demand for XRP and, in turn, limit potential recovery.

XRP Network Growth | Source: SantimentThe amount of XRP balances on known exchanges has declined, averaging 2.61 billion XRP as of Sunday, from 2.63 billion XRP on Saturday. This figure falls significantly below the annual peak of 2.81 billion XRP, recorded in early March.

The correction shows XRP is gradually moving off Binance, as investors choose self-custody platforms for long-term holding. Notably, declining exchange reserves suggest reduced immediate available sell-side supply.

XRP Binance Exchange Reserve | Source: CryptoQuantUS-listed XRP spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) have also supported the bullish case, recording six consecutive weeks of inflows and lifting cumulative net inflows to $1.55 billion.

XRP derivatives market coolsThe XRP derivatives market remains significantly elevated compared to levels seen at the beginning of the year. According to CoinGlass, perpetual futures Open Interest (OI) stands at 2.5 billion XRP on Monday, up only marginally from 2.42 billion XRP the previous day. Looking back, OI averaged 1.84 billion on January 1, underscoring growing risk-on sentiment.

XRP Futures OI | Source: CoinGlassStill, investors should temper expectations, as OI has narrowed over the past few days to 2.78 billion as of August 15. A steady increase in futures OI is required to support XRP’s short to medium-term recovery.

After trading volume surged and peaked at $18.53 billion on Saturday, it has moderated to $9.32 billion at the time of writing. This could suggest that investors are gauging prevailing market conditions and whether they can sustain last week’s 72% rally from $1.00 to $1.70. 

Technical outlook: Is XRP’s bullish comeback sustainable?The remittance token's current position around $1.51 holds above notable levels including $1.50 and $1.25, underscoring renewed risk appetite. Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether that rally is sustainable or temporarily driven by liquidity and last week's US Treasury’s open-market buybacks.

The pair holds above the 200-week Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $1.37, supporting a medium-term constructive tone, but it remains capped by the 50-week EMA at $1.55 and the 100-week EMA at $1.60, keeping the near-term bias neutral as those barriers hold overhead.

At the same time, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator sits above zero with a positive reading, and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) near 57 suggests moderately bullish momentum, yet these signals only hint at upside potential that would need a weekly close above the clustered EMAs to gain traction.

XRP/USDT weekly chartImmediate resistance lies at the 50-week EMA at $1.55, followed by the 100-week EMA at $1.60, where a break higher would open the way for a more decisive bullish extension. The current price area around $1.50 acts as a pivot, with stronger structural support emerging at the 200-week EMA at $1.37 and then the SuperTrend baseline at $0.96, levels that would be expected to attract buyers on deeper pullbacks while the broader uptrend attempt remains in place.

Still, momentum is stretched, with the RSI hovering in overbought territory near 86 on the daily chart and the MACD above zero, suggesting strong but potentially overextended upside pressure.

XRP/USDT daily chartOn the downside, initial support lies at the 200-day EMA around $1.35, ahead of the SuperTrend zone near $1.25, which marks the next technical floor if a deeper correction unfolds. Below that, the 50-day and 100-day EMAs clustered between $1.14 and $1.18 hint at additional underlying demand, where buyers could look to re-enter if the pair unwinds part of its recent gains.

Ultimately, it is impossible to time a bottom; investors should closely monitor the token and watch for new trends forming from extended sideways action to steady price increases, which could help identify strong support levels. Last week's surge marked XRP's strongest week since July 2025. However, profit-taking remains an overhang risk that could trigger a short-term correction as XRP seeks liquidity before the next breakout. Looking down, the region between $1.00 and $1.25 is a critical support area that will likely continue to absorb selling pressure.

(The technical analysis of this story was written with the help of an AI tool. Know more.)

Ripple FAQs Ripple is a payments company that specializes in cross-border remittance. The company does this by leveraging blockchain technology. RippleNet is a network used for payments transfer created by Ripple Labs Inc. and is open to financial institutions worldwide. The company also leverages the XRP token.

XRP is the native token of the decentralized blockchain XRPLedger. The token is used by Ripple Labs to facilitate transactions on the XRPLedger, helping financial institutions transfer value in a borderless manner. XRP therefore facilitates trustless and instant payments on the XRPLedger chain, helping financial firms save on the cost of transacting worldwide.

XRPLedger is based on a distributed ledger technology and the blockchain using XRP to power transactions. The ledger is different from other blockchains as it has a built-in inflammatory protocol that helps fight spam and distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks. The XRPL is maintained by a peer-to-peer network known as the global XRP Ledger community.

XRP uses the interledger standard. This is a blockchain protocol that aids payments across different networks. For instance, XRP’s blockchain can connect the ledgers of two or more banks. This effectively removes intermediaries and the need for centralization in the system. XRP acts as the native token of the XRPLedger blockchain engineered by Jed McCaleb, Arthur Britto and David Schwartz.

Key Takeaways Intuit expects Q4 revenue growth of 11-12%, with non-GAAP EPS projected at $3.56-$3.62.QuickBooks, payments, payroll, Credit Karma and TurboTax Live are expected to support Q4 growth.AI expansion, mid-market efforts offer growth potential, while competition and softer tax trends pose risks. Intuit Inc. (INTU - Free Report) is set to report its fourth-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 25, after market close.

The financial technology company expects fourth-quarter revenues to increase approximately 11-12% year over year. Management projects non-GAAP earnings of $3.56-$3.62 per share, while GAAP earnings are expected in the range of 73-79 cents per share. The sharp difference between GAAP and adjusted earnings primarily reflects restructuring and other non-GAAP adjustments.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter revenues is pegged at $4.27 billion, indicating an increase of 11.5% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.

The consensus mark for earnings is pinned at $3.59 per share and remains unchanged over the past two months. It indicates growth of 30.6% from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The company’s EPS surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 6.87%. The graph below depicts this surprising history:

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Q4 Earnings Whispers for INTUOur proprietary model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Intuit this time. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is not the case here. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Intuit has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Factors Likely to Shape Intuit’s Q4 ResultsIntuit is set to report fourth-quarter results, with solid business momentum and continued progress across its consumer and small-business platforms.

Growth is likely to have been supported by continued strength in QuickBooks and the broader Online Ecosystem. Higher customer engagement, increased adoption of payments and payroll services and expansion of Intuit’s money offerings are expected to have remained key drivers.

Credit Karma and TurboTax Live are also likely to have contributed to the quarter. Strength in personal loans and insurance has supported Credit Karma, while greater adoption of assisted tax offerings continues to benefit the TurboTax franchise. However, softer tax-unit trends could have partly offset these positives.

Intuit’s AI-driven strategy and ongoing expansion into mid-market solutions is expected to have provided an additional boost. Continued adoption of AI-powered tools across its platform, along with efforts to deepen customer relationships and improve operating efficiency, may have helped support durable growth over the longer term.

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Intuit’s Global Business Solutions revenues is pegged at $3.39 billion, suggesting year-over-year growth of 12.4%. The consensus mark for Intuit’s Consumer revenues is pegged at $884.5 million, significantly up from the year-ago period.

INTU’s Price Performance & ValuationIntuit shares have gained 20.8% over the past month. The Zacks Computer Software Market industry has risen 22.6%, while the S&P 500 has gained 3.7% for the same period. Tax preparation and financial services provider like H&R Block (HRB - Free Report) and fintech like Block (XYZ - Free Report) continue to expand their tax-preparation, small-business and financial-service offerings, intensifying competition for Intuit across areas such as consumer tax, payments and broader financial management. HRB shares rallied 26.9%, while XYZ shares have gained 1.2% over the same timeframe.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, even after the stock’s recent rally, INTU shares are trading cheaply in terms of forward 12-month P/E. INTU stock is trading at 13.39X compared with the Zacks Computer Software Market industry’s 22.86X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Shares of HRB and XYZ are currently trading at P/E of 8.9X and 17.4X, respectively.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

INTU: Buy, Sell or Hold?Intuit continues to strengthen its position as a broad financial technology platform by integrating QuickBooks, TurboTax, Credit Karma and its expanding AI-powered services. Continued momentum in online accounting, payments, payroll, assisted tax offerings and consumer finance is likely to support long-term growth, while its AI-driven expert platform could deepen customer engagement across both consumer and small-business markets. However, competitive pressure, softer tax-unit trends, restructuring-related disruption and broader macroeconomic uncertainty remain key risks.

Given these growth opportunities alongside near-term execution risks, the stock is best viewed as a hold at present. Long-term investors may prefer to wait for greater clarity on fiscal 2027 growth, margin improvement and the benefits of Intuit’s restructuring before adding to positions.

Cardano has opened community review for two new proposals targeting network security and developer tooling as its 2026 upgrade roadmap continues to take shape.

Quantum-Resistant Wallet SecurityCIP-0197 proposes post-quantum zero-knowledge (ZK) signatures for hierarchical deterministic (HD) wallets. The proposal adds ZK proofs of wallet seed phrases on top of existing signatures, described as an intermediate step toward quantum security ahead of a full cryptographic migration. The design allows users to prove ownership of a wallet's recovery phrase through a zero-knowledge proof without needing to reveal the phrase itself. A separate proposal already in active community review, CPS-0030, addresses the development of a broader quantum-secure settlement layer for the network.

Shared Plutus Testing StandardsCPS-0034 outlines a shared framework for testing Plutus behavior consistently across different node types, with the goal of reducing bugs for developers building smart contracts on Cardano. The proposal follows recent work by the Plutus team, which has added new built-in functions, improved Value support in the ledger API, and broadened the conformance test suite in recent development cycles.

Three other proposals remain in active feedback rounds. CIP-0196 aims to standardize human-readable wallet handles through a Handle Provider Registry and Resolver. CIP-0178 would allow light clients and bridges to verify a transaction without downloading a full block. A fifth proposal, CPS-0033, examines concentration risk among delegated representatives in Cardano's on-chain governance system.

Together, the five proposals reflect the range of Cardano Upgrade 2026, which spans cryptographic security, smart contract tooling, and decentralized governance.

Sources
CoinGabbar: Cardano Upgrade 2026, New CIPs Target Quantum Security
Cardano Development Updates: Plutus Core Team Update, August 2026
The Crypto Basic: Charles Hoskinson Proposes Zero-Knowledge Wallet Recovery System for Cardano

Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Cardano has scored a major Japan win as its native cryptocurrency ADA and privacy-focused token NIGHT get listed on S.BLOX, a cryptocurrency exchange affiliated with Sony Group.

S.BLOX is a Japanese cryptocurrency exchange owned by Sony Group Corporation; it was acquired in August 2023 by Sony On-Chain Technologies Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation).

In a recent X post, S.BLOX announced it will begin handling Cardano (ADA) starting August 24. The crypto exchange confirms that Cardano trading is now available and has launched a campaign where users can receive up to 10,000 yen worth of ADA to celebrate the listing milestone.

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The Sony-backed crypto exchange simultaneously announced the listing of Midnight's token. In an X post, S.BLOX confirmed that NIGHT handling is now available.

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The listing marks NIGHT's first entry into Japan; S.BLOX highlighted this in its post, pointing out that NIGHT is not handled by any domestic crypto-asset exchange operators, making it the first to do so.

To celebrate the launch, S.BLOX announced a campaign where users can receive up to 14,000 yen worth of NIGHT.

Cardano founder reacts to listingIn a recent livestream, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson hailed the recent listing, especially for Midnight.

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According to Hoskinson, S.BLOX is the first Japanese exchange to list NIGHT in Japan, which marks a monumental milestone.

The significance, according to Hoskinson, is that the listing process normally takes a very long time, citing the instance of ADA. Token listings have to go through an incredibly rigorous process with the JFSA, with relatively few tokens listed.

The listing also remains significant, as no privacy coins or privacy-preserving infrastructure trading as coins were listed on the exchange until Midnight.

In March 2026, Cardano's privacy-focused sidechain Midnight officially went live, and the NIGHT token was launched in December 2025.

Chainlink is delivering continuous pricing for Coinbase Tokenized Stocks as its official oracle infrastructure, enabling millions of Base users to lend, borrow, and trade the largest publicly traded U.S. equities onchain.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Coinbase, the largest publicly traded digital asset exchange in the United States, has selected Chainlink as its official oracle infrastructure powering its newly launched Tokenized Stocks, unlocking utility and distribution across the Base DeFi ecosystem.

Through Chainlink Data Feeds, builders across the Base ecosystem have access to continuous pricing for Coinbase’s tokenized stocks, including NVDAc, METAc, AAPLc, GOOGLc, and more. Through Chainlink Data Feeds, builders across the Base ecosystem have access to continuous pricing for Coinbase's tokenized stocks, including NVDAc, METAc, AAPLc, GOOGLc, and more. This data enables leading DeFi protocols, including lending markets, decentralized exchanges, and structured product platforms, to support tokenized equities as collateral, transforming tokenized equities from standalone tokens into fully composable building blocks.

Coinbase Tokenized Stocks are real equity securities issued as standard B20 tokens on Base. Each token is backed 1:1 by an underlying share held in regulated custody with Alpaca under the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) framework. With Coinbase as the issuer, Chainlink delivers the essential market data infrastructure required to unlock onchain utility and distribution across the Base ecosystem.

Tokenized equities represent one of the fastest-growing categories of real-world assets, reaching a record $2.3 billion by mid-July 2026. However, without institutional-grade market data, the utility of tokenized equities are limited to simple transfers and swaps. By selecting Chainlink as its official oracle solution, Coinbase is unlocking advanced 24/7 collateral management use cases, enabling millions of Base users to earn yield and borrow against U.S. stocks.

"Base has built one of the most vibrant DeFi ecosystems out there, and Chainlink's oracle infra unlocks new utility for tokenized assets. With institutional-grade market data now live onchain, we're giving millions of users access to financial primitives that, until now, were locked behind traditional gatekeepers. This is the kind of move that positions Base as the go-to chain for real-world assets." — Antonio Garcia-Martinez, Head of Growth, Base.

"Tokenized assets only reach their full potential when the broader ecosystem can build with them across DeFi. We're excited to see Coinbase select Chainlink as its official oracle infrastructure for Coinbase Tokenized Stocks. With Chainlink, Coinbase leverages the secure, reliable pricing data required to unlock the utility and distribution of tokenized stocks across DeFi, while accelerating the convergence of TradFi and DeFi." — Johann Eid, Chief Business Officer, Chainlink Labs

This development marks a major milestone in the convergence of traditional capital markets and onchain finance. As one of the world's most trusted digital asset platforms bringing equities onchain at scale, Coinbase is accelerating mainstream access to the onchain economy, with Chainlink providing the critical infrastructure required to unlock utility and distribution for tokenized stocks across DeFi.

Coinbase Tokenized Stocks are only available in eligible jurisdictions outside of the U.S.

About Coinbase
Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) is on a mission to increase economic freedom in the world. The most trusted crypto platform, Coinbase stores more digital assets than any other company and is building the everything exchange — one place to access crypto, equities, derivatives, prediction markets, and more. Coinbase serves consumers through its suite of financial apps, institutions through Coinbase Prime, and developers through the Coinbase Developer Platform. Every experience runs on Coinbase's full-stack platform powering the future of finance: secure custody, deep exchange liquidity, stablecoin infrastructure, and global settlement rails — all built on a decade-plus foundation of security and compliance.

About Chainlink
Chainlink is the industry-standard oracle platform bringing the capital markets onchain and the market leader powering the majority of DeFi. The Chainlink stack provides the essential data, interoperability, compliance, and privacy standards needed to power advanced blockchain use cases for institutional tokenized assets, lending, payments, stablecoins, and more. Since inventing decentralized oracle networks, Chainlink has enabled tens of trillions in transaction value and now secures the vast majority of DeFi.

Many of the world's largest financial services institutions have also adopted Chainlink's standards and infrastructure, including Swift, Euroclear, Mastercard, Fidelity International, UBS, S&P Dow Jones Indices, FTSE Russell, WisdomTree, ANZ, and top protocols such as Aave, Polymarket, Lido, Lighter, and many others. Chainlink leverages a novel fee model where offchain and onchain revenue from enterprise adoption is converted to LINK tokens and stored in a strategic Chainlink Reserve. Learn more at chain.link.

About Base
Base is a blockchain built by Coinbase to power the global onchain economy. Designed for trading, payments, and agents, Base delivers sub-second settlement and sub-cent transaction costs at scale. It is the #1 onchain venue for BTC and ETH spot trading, the leading chain for stablecoin volume, and the dominant rail for agentic payments via the x402 standard. EVM-compatible and trusted by leading institutions, Base is used by millions of people worldwide.

SOURCE Chainlink

Key Takeaways Halliburton won a Petrobras contract to drill and complete four wells for the Sao Tome CCS pilot.The project will capture up to 100,000 metric tons of CO2 annually for three years.Halliburton gains CCS experience while strengthening its relationship with Petrobras in Brazil. Halliburton (HAL - Free Report) and Petrobras (PBR - Free Report) are expanding their long-standing relationship through a new contract focused on carbon capture and storage (“CCS”) infrastructure in Brazil. The company has won a contract from Petrobras to drill and complete four onshore wells at the Barra do Furado Station in Quissamã, Rio de Janeiro, for the São Tomé CCS Pilot Project.

The contract covers one vertical injection well and three directional monitoring wells. The project is expected to strengthen its position in Brazil while allowing the oilfield services company to participate in an emerging carbon-management market.

Halliburton to Support Petrobras' São Tomé CCS ProjectUnder the contract, Halliburton, a Houston, TX-based oil and gas equipment and services company, will provide drilling and completion services for the four wells required for the pilot project. The wells will form an important part of the infrastructure needed to inject and monitor carbon dioxide (CO2) in a saline reservoir.

According to Petrobras’  press release, it expects drilling, well completion and associated infrastructure to be finished by 2028. The company plans to begin the operational phase in 2029, followed by three years of CO2 injection and another three years of reservoir monitoring.

The pilot is designed to capture up to 100,000 metric tons of CO2 annually for three years. Petrobras said the project will test the full chain of technologies involving CO2 capture, pipeline transportation and geological storage in a saline reservoir.

The São Tomé project is particularly significant because Petrobras describes it as the first project in Latin America to integrate CO2 transport by pipeline with storage in a saline reservoir.

New Contract Adds to Halliburton's Brazil OpportunitiesThe latest award adds to Halliburton's growing activity with Petrobras. In January 2025, Halliburton announced a major three-year contract to provide integrated drilling services across several offshore fields in Brazil. The agreement includes drilling services for development and exploration wells and uses technologies such as the iCruise intelligent rotary steerable system and LOGIX automation and remote operations platform.

Petrobras also awarded Halliburton multiple deepwater contracts in 2025 for vessel stimulation, intelligent completions and safety valves in the Búzios, Séepia and Atapu fields. These contracts are expected to begin in 2026.

Halliburton has also secured a multi-year Petrobras contract for integrated well interventions and plug-and-abandonment services. The 2024 agreement covers nearly two-thirds of Petrobras' intervention and plug-and-abandonment work, further highlighting the importance of Brazil’s market to Halliburton.

CCS Could Create a New Growth AvenueThe São Tomé contract is relatively small compared with large offshore drilling and completion programs, but its strategic importance could be greater than the immediate financial contribution. The project gives Halliburton exposure to CCS infrastructure and technologies at a time when energy companies are seeking ways to reduce emissions from industrial operations.

For Halliburton, participation in the project also complements its traditional oilfield services business. The company has extensive experience with drilling, well construction, completion and reservoir-related technologies, capabilities that can be applied to emerging carbon-storage projects.

Halliburton's experience in technically challenging Brazilian operations could also support its role in the project. The company has previously highlighted its ability to integrate drilling, cementing, fluids, formation evaluation and other services to improve well-construction efficiency in Brazil.

What It Means for HAL StockThe new Petrobras contract is a positive development for Halliburton because it strengthens an established customer relationship. This also expands the company's participation in Brazil beyond conventional oil and gas activity. However, investors should not expect the four-well CCS project alone to materially change Halliburton's near-term financial results.

The bigger takeaway is the potential for Halliburton to establish an early position in carbon-storage projects. Successful execution of the São Tomé pilot could provide valuable experience in drilling, completing and monitoring wells used for CO2 storage. This may help Halliburton compete for similar projects as CCS infrastructure expands across Latin America and other markets.

At the same time, Halliburton remains heavily exposed to conventional oil and gas activity. Its financial performance will continue to depend largely on drilling and completion activity, customer capital spending and commodity-price trends.

Overall, the Petrobras award represents another positive development for Halliburton in Brazil. While the direct financial impact of the four-well project is likely to be limited, the contract strengthens Halliburton's relationship with one of the world's major energy producers and provides exposure to the growing CCS market. For investors, the project adds another potential long-term growth avenue to Halliburton's established oilfield services business.

HAL's Zacks Rank & Key PicksCurrently, HAL has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), while PBR carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Investors interested in the energy sector might consider some better-ranked stocks, such as Par Pacific (PARR - Free Report) and Delek US Holdings (DK - Free Report) , both sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Par Pacific is valued at $3.96 billion. It is a diversified energy company that owns and operates petroleum refineries, logistics assets and retail fuel businesses across the United States. Par Pacific focuses on refining, transporting and marketing fuel products while serving regional markets with reliable energy solutions.

Delek US Holdings is valued at $4.38 billion. It is a diversified downstream energy company engaged in petroleum refining, renewable fuels, asphalt production and logistics operations. Delek US Holdings operates multiple refineries in the United States and is committed to delivering safe, reliable energy while investing in cleaner energy initiatives.