Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Key Takeaways MSCI beat Q2 earnings and revenue estimates. MSCI's Index revenues increased 17.5% year over year. MSCI raised its 2026 expense and cash flow guidance. MSCI (MSCI - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $4.94 per share, up 18.5% year over year. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.82%.

Revenues increased 12.2% year over year to $867 million and surpassed the consensus mark by 0.90%. Growth reflected higher recurring subscription revenues and asset-based fees. The retention rate improved to 95.3%, while period-end AUM in ETFs linked to MSCI equity indexes reached $2.818 trillion.

Recurring subscription revenues rose 9% year over year to $613.4 million. Asset-based fees advanced 26.6% to $233.1 million, benefiting from higher AUM in ETFs and non-ETF indexed funds linked to MSCI indexes. Non-recurring revenues declined 20.5% to $20.5 million.

MSCI’s Top-Line DetailsIn second-quarter 2026, Index revenues of $511 million increased 17.5% year over year. Recurring subscriptions and asset-based fees rose 11.6% and 26.6% on a year-over-year basis, respectively. Non-recurring revenues slipped 1.3% year over year. Organically, Index’s operating revenue growth was 17.5%.

The segment’s adjusted EBITDA rose 20.5% to $397.8 million, and its margin expanded to 77.8% from 75.9%. Index run rate reached $2.027 billion, up 17.4%, supported by market-cap-weighted and custom index products across client segments and regions.

Analytics’ operating revenues of $189.4 million increased 6.6% year over year, aided by growth in Equity Analytics and Multi-Asset Class products. Recurring subscription revenues jumped 9.5% and non-recurring revenues decreased 55.7% on a year-over-year basis. Organically, Analytics’ operating revenue growth was 7%. However, adjusted EBITDA fell 5% to $88 million as expenses grew faster than revenues. The segment’s margin contracted to 46.5% from 52.1%.

Sustainability and Climate revenues rose 3.4% to $91.9 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased 12.3%. While recurring subscriptions increased 4% year over year, non-recurring revenues declined 26.3% on a year-over-year basis. Organically, Sustainability and Climate operating revenue growth was 3%. The segment’s adjusted EBITDA rose 12.3% to $35.6 million, and its margin expanded to 38.7% from 35.6%.

All Other – Private Assets operating revenues, which primarily comprise the Real Assets operating segment and the Private Capital Solutions, were $74.7 million, up 4.9% year over year. Organic operating revenue growth for All Other – Private Assets was 4.4%. However, adjusted EBITDA fell 14.1% to $17.1 million. The segment’s margin contracted to 22.9% from 28%.

MSCI's Sales Trends Highlight Index StrengthNew recurring subscription sales increased 1.9% year over year to $76.6 million. Subscription cancellations declined 7.3%, helping net new recurring subscription sales grow 8.4% to $47.5 million. Total net sales decreased 1.4% because of weaker non-recurring activity.

Index net new recurring subscription sales surged 40.5% to $28.1 million. All Other – Private Assets also delivered a 57.5% increase. These gains were partly offset by declines in Analytics and Sustainability and Climate, where net new recurring subscription sales fell 24.3% and 62%, respectively.

MSCI’s Q2 Operating DetailsTotal operating expenses increased 9.2% year over year to $379.5 million. The rise reflected higher information technology, market data, professional fees, occupancy and compensation costs. Expenses also included amounts related to the Compass, Vantager and PM Insights acquisitions.

Operating income grew 14.6% to $487.5 million. The operating margin improved 120 basis points to 56.2%, while adjusted EBITDA advanced 13.5% to $538.5 million. The adjusted EBITDA margin widened 70 basis points to 62.1%, reflecting revenue growth that outpaced adjusted costs.

MSCI’s Balance Sheet & Cash FlowAs of June 30, 2026, cash and cash equivalents stood at $356.4 million, while total principal debt was $6.4 billion. The debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio was 3.1 times.

Net cash provided by operating activities increased 10.3% year over year to $370.8 million. Free cash flow rose 8.2% to $326.4 million.

MSCI repurchased $145 million of shares during the quarter and paid about $149.2 million in dividends.

MSCI Updates Full-Year 2026 GuidanceMSCI raised its full-year operating expense outlook to $1.535-$1.575 billion from $1.490-$1.530 billion. Adjusted EBITDA expense guidance increased to $1.340-$1.370 billion from $1.305-$1.335 billion, reflecting acquisitions, stronger index-linked AUM and additional growth investments.

The company now expects net cash provided by operating activities of $1.655-$1.705 billion and free cash flow of $1.485-$1.545 billion. Interest expense is projected to be between $282 million and $286 million, while capital expenditures are anticipated to be in the range of $160-$170 million.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderAlerus Financial shares have gained 11.6% year to date. Alerus Financial is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 29.

Amerant Bancorp shares have rallied 17.9% year to date. Amerant Bancorp is set to report its second-quarter 2026 results on July 23.

Axos Financial shares have plunged 27% year to date. Axos Financial is scheduled to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results on July 30.

Calix, Inc. (CALX) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 21, 2026 8:30 AM EDT

Company Participants

Nancy Fazioli - Vice President of Investor Relations
Michael Weening - CEO, President & Director
Cory Sindelar - Chief Financial Officer

Conference Call Participants

Joseph Cardoso - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Scott Searle - ROTH Capital Partners, LLC, Research Division
Christian Schwab - Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC, Research Division
George Notter - Wolfe Research, LLC
Timothy Savageaux - Northland Capital Markets, Research Division
Michael Genovese - Rosenblatt Securities Inc., Research Division
Ryan Koontz - Needham & Company, LLC, Research Division

Presentation

Operator

Greetings, everyone, and welcome to the Calix Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Nancy Fazioli, Vice President, Investor Relations. Nancy, please go ahead.

Nancy Fazioli
Vice President of Investor Relations

Thank you, Daryl, and good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining our second quarter 2026 earnings call. Today on the call, we have President and CEO, Michael Weening; and Chief Financial Officer, Cory Sindelar. As a reminder, today, after the market closed, Calix issued a news release, which was furnished on a Form 8-K, along with our stockholder letter and was also posted in the Investor Relations section of the Calix website. Today's conference call will be available for webcast replay in the Investor Relations section of our website.

Before I turn the call over to Michael for his opening remarks, I want to remind everyone that on this call, we will refer to forward-looking statements, including all statements the company will make about its future financial and operating performance, growth strategy and market outlook, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results and trends to differ materially are set forth in

Key Takeaways Eaton's Electrical Americas data-center revenues rose about 50% year over year in first-quarter 2026.Boyd Thermal adds liquid cooling, while the NVIDIA-linked platform supports AI factory power needs.Strong demand prompted Eaton to raise its 2026 organic growth outlook to 9-11%. Eaton Corporation (ETN - Free Report) is increasingly emerging as a critical enabler of next-generation digital infrastructure amid the rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers. As hyperscalers and cloud providers build facilities capable of handling increasingly power-intensive AI workloads, dependable electrical infrastructure has become as essential as computing hardware. This shift positions Eaton to capitalize on a multi-year investment cycle extending beyond traditional industrial demand.

AI servers consume considerably more electricity and generate more heat than conventional computing systems, accelerating demand for advanced power distribution and thermal-management technologies. The transition toward high-density AI infrastructure is driving the need for integrated grid-to-chip power and cooling solutions, aligning well with Eaton’s electrical portfolio. The acquisition of Boyd Thermal further strengthens this opportunity by adding liquid-cooling capabilities.

In the first quarter of 2026, Eaton’s Electrical Americas data-center revenues increased approximately 50% year over year. Management also highlighted the Eaton Beam Rubin DSX platform, developed with NVIDIA, as an end-to-end power blueprint for AI factories. Supported by strong data-center and broader electrical-market demand, Eaton raised its 2026 organic growth outlook to 9-11%.

Eaton’s comprehensive product portfolio, expanding backlog, manufacturing-capacity investments and growing liquid-cooling presence should support sustained revenue growth while increasing its content per data-center project. Consequently, AI data centers represent a structural growth avenue rather than a short-term equipment cycle. As investment in AI infrastructure accelerates, Eaton’s role as a key provider of mission-critical electrical and cooling systems should continue to strengthen.

What About ETN’s Peers?The rapid buildout of AI data centers is unlocking substantial growth opportunities for Emerson Electric (EMR - Free Report) and Powell Industries (POWL - Free Report) . 
Emerson is benefiting from increased demand for automation, software, and control solutions that enhance cooling, energy efficiency, and operational reliability in power-intensive facilities.

Powell is gaining from rising investments in medium-voltage switchgear and power distribution systems, both essential for uninterrupted data center operations.

As hyperscalers continue expanding AI infrastructure, Emerson is reinforcing its leadership in industrial automation, while Powell is strengthening its role in resilient electrical infrastructure.

ETN Price PerformanceShares of Eaton have gained 8.8% in a year, outperforming the industry.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ETN’s Expensive ValuationEaton’s shares are trading at a premium compared with its industry. The company’s forward 12-month price-to-earnings of 27.39X is higher than its industry’s 23.24X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Estimate Movement for ETNThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for ETN’s second-quarter and third-quarter 2026 EPS has moved 1 cent north each in the past 30 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 EPS has moved 2 cents and 7 cents north, respectively, in the past 30 days. 
 

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Key Takeaways Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest divested 203,352 Shopify shares valued at $25.1 million from several ETFs The firm acquired 28,106 Meta Platforms shares for $18.2 million before the company’s July 29 quarterly report Meta shares have surged more than 15% in the last 30 days with a Strong Buy rating from analysts Analyst consensus forecasts Meta’s Q2 revenue at $60.22 billion, representing nearly 27% growth from last year Raymond James boosted Meta’s price target to $850, highlighting its expansion into AI cloud infrastructure In a significant portfolio adjustment on July 20, Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest executed two substantial transactions: offloading a sizable Shopify stake while accumulating Meta Platforms shares just ahead of the social media giant’s upcoming quarterly disclosure.

The investment firm divested 203,352 shares of Shopify distributed across ARKK, ARKW, and ARKF portfolios, generating proceeds of $25.1 million. This transaction marks a continuation of ARK’s recent Shopify divestment pattern, indicating a strategic reduction in its e-commerce holdings.

Simultaneously, ARK accumulated 28,106 shares of Meta Platforms valued at $18.2 million through its three flagship ETFs. This strategic purchase arrives mere days before Meta’s anticipated second-quarter 2026 financial results disclosure on July 29.

Meta Platforms, Inc., META

Meta’s stock price has experienced a robust rally, appreciating over 15% during the past month. Market participants have shown enthusiasm for the company’s strategic initiatives around leasing AI computational infrastructure to external enterprises and manufacturing proprietary semiconductors to optimize operational expenses.

Analysts Highlight Meta’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy Meta is preparing to commence production of its proprietary AI processor, designated “Iris,” scheduled for September launch through a collaboration with Broadcom. This initiative represents a strategic effort to minimize dependence on third-party hardware providers while expanding into AI infrastructure services.

On July 21, Raymond James analyst Josh Beck elevated his Meta price objective to $850 from $825, maintaining a Strong Buy recommendation. Beck highlighted Meta’s potential to monetize its extensive data center infrastructure by offering computational capacity to external organizations, establishing an additional revenue channel from its AI capital expenditures.

Bank of America analyst Justin Post reaffirmed a Buy rating with an $835 target on July 20. He anticipates robust advertising demand will propel Q2 performance beyond market expectations, projecting revenue of $60.6 billion alongside earnings per share of $7.50.

Post additionally observed that Meta’s May workforce reductions could enhance profitability metrics. He identifies Meta’s AI capabilities as catalysts for future advertising revenue growth and emerging income streams.

Wall Street’s Q2 Expectations for Meta BMO Capital analyst Brian Pitz maintained a Market Perform stance with a $720 price objective. He acknowledged that Meta’s recent AI product launches and cloud infrastructure plans have alleviated certain investor concerns, though he seeks greater transparency regarding investment return trajectories.

Pitz also identified potential regulatory challenges from government-mandated age-verification requirements that could impact Meta’s platform operations.

Among 40 Wall Street analysts covering Meta, the stock commands a Strong Buy consensus, comprising 35 Buy ratings and five Hold recommendations issued over the past three months. The average price target of $805.98 implies approximately 25% appreciation potential from present trading levels.

The analyst community broadly anticipates Meta will deliver Q2 EPS of $7.19, reflecting 0.8% growth versus the prior-year quarter, accompanied by revenue of $60.22 billion, marking nearly 27% year-over-year expansion.

In addition to the Meta and Shopify transactions, ARK also acquired $21.2 million in space industry company SPCX while divesting holdings in Iridium Communications, Baidu, Advanced Micro Devices, and Robinhood Markets.

Meta’s Q2 2026 earnings release scheduled for July 29 will provide critical insights into the stock’s forward trajectory.

Silver price (XAG/USD) surges over 4.50% on Tuesday, reaching five-day highs, clearing $59.00 as buyers push the white metal to test a downslope resistance trendline near the $59.65/$50.75 range, about to surpass the $60.00 mark.

XAG/USD price forecast: Technical outlookFrom a technical perspective, it seems XAG/USD is about to break a downtrend resistance line, which could open the door to a recovery. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) shows that buyers are gaining momentum, suggesting Silver could test higher levels in the near term.

If XAG/USD clears $59.75, the immediate test would be $60.00. A breach of the latter opens the path to challenge the 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) at $66.89 ahead of the June 22 daily peak at $67.17. Above, the next area of interest would be the psychological $70.00.

On the downside, Silver’s first support is the low of the day (LOD) at $56.11. Below lies $55.00, followed by the November 13. 2025 high turned support at $54.39, followed by the $55.00 milestone.

XAG/USD daily price chart

Silver daily chart Silver FAQs Silver is a precious metal highly traded among investors. It has been historically used as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Although less popular than Gold, traders may turn to Silver to diversify their investment portfolio, for its intrinsic value or as a potential hedge during high-inflation periods. Investors can buy physical Silver, in coins or in bars, or trade it through vehicles such as Exchange Traded Funds, which track its price on international markets.

Silver prices can move due to a wide range of factors. Geopolitical instability or fears of a deep recession can make Silver price escalate due to its safe-haven status, although to a lesser extent than Gold's. As a yieldless asset, Silver tends to rise with lower interest rates. Its moves also depend on how the US Dollar (USD) behaves as the asset is priced in dollars (XAG/USD). A strong Dollar tends to keep the price of Silver at bay, whereas a weaker Dollar is likely to propel prices up. Other factors such as investment demand, mining supply – Silver is much more abundant than Gold – and recycling rates can also affect prices.

Silver is widely used in industry, particularly in sectors such as electronics or solar energy, as it has one of the highest electric conductivity of all metals – more than Copper and Gold. A surge in demand can increase prices, while a decline tends to lower them. Dynamics in the US, Chinese and Indian economies can also contribute to price swings: for the US and particularly China, their big industrial sectors use Silver in various processes; in India, consumers’ demand for the precious metal for jewellery also plays a key role in setting prices.

Silver prices tend to follow Gold's moves. When Gold prices rise, Silver typically follows suit, as their status as safe-haven assets is similar. The Gold/Silver ratio, which shows the number of ounces of Silver needed to equal the value of one ounce of Gold, may help to determine the relative valuation between both metals. Some investors may consider a high ratio as an indicator that Silver is undervalued, or Gold is overvalued. On the contrary, a low ratio might suggest that Gold is undervalued relative to Silver.

Badger Meter, Inc. (BMI) Shareholders Who Lost Money Have Opportunity to Lead Securities Fraud Lawsuit PR Newswire

Magnolia Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE: MGY) shares fell about 3% on Tuesday after the company announced a definitive agreement to acquire private equity-backed WildFire Energy for approximately $4 billion.

The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by Magnolia’s board of directors, is expected to expand the company’s position in South Texas and more than double its footprint in the Giddings field.

WildFire Energy, founded in partnership with Warburg Pincus, Kayne Anderson and its management team in 2019, is an independent oil and gas producer focused on assets in the Austin Chalk, Eagle Ford and Woodbine formations.

The company currently produces about 53,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, with approximately 70% of production weighted toward oil, across roughly 810,000 net acres. WildFire has expanded through acquisitions, including the purchase of Hawkwood Energy in 2021, as well as organic development.

Magnolia said the acquisition will strengthen its position in the South Texas region by adding a large-scale asset base and increasing its development inventory.

WildFire CEO Anthony Bahr highlighted the company’s growth since its formation and said the transaction would create further opportunities for the combined business.

“We are excited for the opportunities ahead for Magnolia and believe this transaction positions the asset for continued success,” Bahr said.

Warburg Pincus Managing Director Ryan Dalton wrote that WildFire had developed into a large-scale energy platform through acquisitions and operational execution.

“WildFire represents a rare combination of high-quality underdeveloped assets, market opportunity and a strong management team with the unique capabilities to acquire, optimize and scale oil and gas assets,” Dalton said.

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter.

Key Takeaways Dave emerges as the stronger 2026 buy, while SoFi remains a prudent hold for existing shareholders.Dave's ExtraCash originations rose 37% to $2.1 billion as its 28-day past-due rate stayed at 1.69%.SoFi offers broader diversification, but Dave's focused expansion and Coastal funding deal sharpen its case. SoFi Technologies, Inc. (SOFI - Free Report) and Dave Inc. (DAVE - Free Report) may both carry the fintech label, but investors are looking at two very different business strategies. SoFi wants to become a single financial home where customers can bank, borrow, invest, use credit cards and manage nearly every part of their financial lives. Dave starts with a narrower problem, helping consumers cover short gaps between paychecks without turning to traditional overdraft services.

That difference shapes the investment debate. SoFi offers scale, a national bank charter and several ways to build deeper customer relationships. Dave offers a simpler operating model built around a clear customer need, data-based underwriting and the opportunity to turn ExtraCash users into long-term banking customers.

The choice between the stocks therefore comes down to focus versus breadth. SoFi has more products and a larger platform, but Dave may have more room to improve its business as it expands from short-term liquidity into everyday spending and payments.

The Case for SOFISoFi’s central advantage is that it can serve customers through many stages of their financial lives. A member might begin with a checking account, later refinance a loan, open an investment account or apply for a credit card without leaving the platform. This approach gives SoFi more chances to deepen each relationship. Its cross-buy rate reached 43% in the first quarter of 2026, supporting the idea that members are increasingly using more than one SoFi product.

The company is also pushing beyond its established consumer products. Small-business lending creates an opening to follow members into entrepreneurship, while Composer and SoFi Coach use artificial intelligence to support investing and broader financial decisions. SoFiUSD, crypto services and business banking could eventually connect payments, deposits and digital assets on one regulated platform. These projects give SoFi several possible growth paths, though not every new product will necessarily become a major business.

SoFi’s bank charter is another meaningful strength. Deposits provide a more direct funding source for lending, while the company’s financial-services, lending and technology operations reduce its reliance on one product. Recent results support the view that the broader strategy is working. SoFi added a record 1.1 million members in the first quarter and continued generating profits. Total products increased 39% to nearly 22.2 million. Those numbers matter mainly because they show the platform is attracting users while becoming more established financially.

The concern is that breadth can make execution harder. SoFi is developing consumer banking, lending, investing, crypto, business services and enterprise technology at the same time. Dave can concentrate on one main customer problem, while SoFi must divide attention and investment across several markets. The platform remains attractive, but investors may need more proof that its newer services can become as important as its core lending and banking products. SoFi’s overall results remain strong, but its size means future progress may be steadier rather than as sharp as Dave’s current growth.

The Case for DAVEDave’s appeal begins with a simple and common problem. Many consumers have enough income to meet their expenses but struggle with the timing of bills and paychecks. ExtraCash offers short-term access to funds for costs such as groceries, rent and fuel. Because the product addresses an urgent need, it can act as an efficient way to bring customers into Dave’s wider financial platform.

Its CashAI underwriting system is a key part of that model. Instead of relying mainly on traditional credit scores, Dave analyzes cash flow information from linked bank accounts. This can help it make faster decisions and adjust to changes in a member’s financial position. The short duration of ExtraCash advances also gives Dave frequent feedback that can be used to improve its models.

Monthly transacting members increased 18% to 2.99 million, and ExtraCash originations climbed 37% to $2.1 billion. The average 28-day past-due rate remained stable at 1.69%, compared with 1.70% a year earlier. This growth in originations, alongside a largely stable past-due rate, offers supporting evidence that the company has expanded without a clear decline in repayment performance.

Dave is trying to turn ExtraCash from a one-time service into the start of a broader customer relationship. Dave Card provides an everyday banking option, while Dave Flex is being tested as an alternative way for members to manage regular purchases. This acquire, engage and deepen strategy is more focused than SoFi’s all-in-one approach. Rather than entering many financial categories at once, Dave is building outward from the reason customers joined in the first place.

The Coastal Community Bank agreement could make that expansion easier. By having Coastal fund ExtraCash originations, Dave expects to reduce the amount of its capital tied to advances and lower funding costs. This could leave more resources for customer acquisition, product development and payment services. Dave remains more dependent than SoFi on one main product and a smaller customer base, but its sharper focus, improving funding structure and clear path into everyday banking make its growth story especially promising.

How Do Estimates Compare for SOFI & DAVE?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SoFi’s 2026 and 2027 sales implies year-over-year growth of 29.85% and 20.47%, respectively. The consensus mark for 2026 and 2027 EPS suggests a year-over-year increase of 51.28% and 34.75%, respectively. Over the past month, estimates for SOFI’s 2026 and 2027 EPS have remained unchanged.

For SoFi Technologies:

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dave’s 2026 and 2027 sales calls for year-over-year growth of 28.85% and 18.98%, respectively. The consensus estimates for both 2026 and 2027 EPS have been revised marginally upward over the past 30 days. The figures suggest a year-over-year increase of 26.10% and 26.47%, respectively.

For Dave:

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Price Performance and Valuation of SOFI & DAVEOver the past three months, Dave shares have risen 55.5%, while SoFi shares have declined 10.8%. In comparison, the S&P 500 composite has advanced 4.1% in the same time frame.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

SOFI is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales of 4.20X, which is below its one-year median of 6.86X.

Meanwhile, following the share rally, DAVE is presently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales of 7.06X, which is above its one-year median of 4.53X.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ConclusionSoFi has built a broader and more diversified financial platform. Its bank charter, growing membership and expanding product range make it a credible long-term fintech company. However, managing so many initiatives may make its next stage of growth harder to judge. For existing shareholders, it seems prudent to retain SOFI shares.

Dave carries greater concentration risk, but its strategy is easier to follow. ExtraCash solves a clear problem, CashAI supports data-driven decisions, and Dave Card and Dave Flex can deepen member relationships. Combined with its new funding arrangement, the focused expansion gives Dave the stronger investment case.

While SOFI carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), DAVE has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

By PYMNTS  |  July 21, 2026

 | 

After seeing early productivity gains from its implementation of artificial intelligence and agentic-based solutions across its internal processes, Equifax doubled its forecast of the cost savings it expects to see over the next three years, according to a presentation released Tuesday (July 21) in conjunction with the company’s second-quarter earnings call.

Equifax CEO Mark W. Begor said during the earnings call that the $150 million in run rate spending savings that the global data, analytics and technology company now expects to see from 2026 to 2028 is double the estimate it announced in February.

“The pace of adoption is ramping very quickly and delivering big productivity lifts in every corner of Equifax,” Begor said.

Equifax has implemented AI and agentic-based solutions across product development, technology, operations, and support functions such as human resources, legal and finance. It has seen these solutions drive speed, accuracy, productivity and margin expansion, according to the presentation.

The company has seen conversational AI in call centers improve customer authentication and fulfillment rates, AI-assisted processes decrease back-office dispute handling times, and AI deliver “early but big benefits” in software development, IT operations, cybersecurity and cloud cost optimization, Begor said during the call.

“We are super energized about the pace of our AI adoption inside Equifax, but we know that we are in the very early innings of our rollout,” Begor said. “We are confident there is significantly more opportunity to both grow revenue and reduce costs as AI and agentic capabilities become fully embedded across Equifax.”

Meanwhile, Equifax said in a Tuesday earnings release that its planned acquisition of Círculo de Crédito, which it described as the fastest-growing credit bureau in Mexico, for an enterprise value of $750 million is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

The company announced in a July 7 press release that it plans to acquire Círculo de Crédito, a credit information services company that is a leader in alternative data, such as gig economy transactions and utility and telecommunications payment history. Equifax signed a definitive agreement for the acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory review and approval.

“This alternative data can responsibly expand access to credit and support a more inclusive economy, critical in a country where nearly 33 million people are engaged in an informal employment, such as unregistered microbusinesses or gig employment,” Begor said during Tuesday’s earnings call.

Equifax announced in a June 30 press release that t it added 39 new global patents during the first half of the year. The patents feature innovations in explainable AI that turn complex data into transparent insights; enhanced identity verification and fraud detection; and multi-system data integration that unifies data from more than 100 siloed data sources. These new additions expanded Equifax’s portfolio of issued or pending patents to more than 750.

“Equifax is accelerating a strategy to utilize AI and agentic capabilities to improve our customers’ ability to utilize Equifax data and advanced technology to improve their decisions by incorporating more data and more effective AI-defined algorithms, using patented capabilities that deliver explainable results to our customers,” Begor said during the call.

For all PYMNTS AI coverage, subscribe to the daily AI Newsletter.

Equifax Inc. (EFX) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 21, 2026 8:30 AM EDT

Company Participants

Trevor Burns - Senior Vice President of Corporate Investor Relations
Mark Begor - CEO & Director
John Gamble - Executive VP, CFO & COO

Conference Call Participants

Jeffrey Meuler - Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division
Toni Kaplan - Morgan Stanley, Research Division
Alexander EM Hess - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Shlomo Rosenbaum - Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Research Division
Manav Patnaik - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Faiza Alwy - Deutsche Bank AG, Research Division
Andrew Nicholas - William Blair & Company L.L.C., Research Division
Ashish Sabadra - RBC Capital Markets, Research Division
Jason Haas - Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division
Kyle Peterson - Needham & Company, LLC, Research Division
Kevin McVeigh - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Surinder Thind - Jefferies LLC, Research Division
Curtis Nagle - BofA Securities, Research Division
Rayna Kumar - Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Research Division
Kelsey Zhu - Autonomous Research US LP
Scott Wurtzel - Wolfe Research, LLC
Simon Alistair Clinch - Rothschild & Co Redburn, Research Division
Ryan Griffin - BMO Capital Markets Equity Research
Keen Fai Tong - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division

Presentation

Operator

Greetings, and welcome to the Equifax Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this conference is being recorded.

I'd now like to turn the call over to your host, Mr. Trevor Burns, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations. Thank you, sir. Please go ahead.

Trevor Burns
Senior Vice President of Corporate Investor Relations

Thanks, and good morning. Welcome to today's conference call. I'm Trevor Burns. With me today are Mark Begor, Chief Executive Officer; and John Gamble, Chief Financial Officer. Today's call is being recorded. An archive of the recording will be available later today in the IR Calendar section of the News and Events tab at our Investor Relations website. During the call, we will be making reference to certain

Strike remains standalone as merger with Twenty One Capital scrapped

Key Highlights Table of Contents

Key HighlightsStrike Chooses Independence as Leadership ReshufflesTwenty One Capital Refines Bitcoin-Centric VisionContext Behind Tether’s Strategic Reconfiguration Strike withdraws from proposed merger with Twenty One Capital and Elektron Energy

Jack Mallers resigns from Twenty One Capital CEO position while maintaining Strike leadership

Elektron Energy and Twenty One Capital maintain ongoing merger discussions

Tether adjusts corporate strategy following Strike’s departure from deal

Twenty One Capital pivots direction with new leadership structure

A Tether-supported initiative to merge Twenty One Capital, Strike, and Elektron Energy has collapsed following Strike’s decision to withdraw from the arrangement. Jack Mallers is stepping away from his position at Twenty One Capital while maintaining his leadership role at Strike. Meanwhile, Twenty One Capital and Elektron Energy are exploring a potential partnership under revised management as both organizations recalibrate their strategic approaches.

Strike Chooses Independence as Leadership Reshuffles The original merger plan aimed to consolidate Bitcoin treasury management, cryptocurrency payment processing, and mining infrastructure within a single publicly-traded entity. That vision has been abandoned. Strike has opted to maintain its autonomous operations.

Jack Mallers has relinquished his chief executive position at Twenty One Capital, the role he held since the company’s inception. Despite this departure, he retains his CEO position at Strike and will continue guiding its strategic development. Raphael Zagury, previously heading Elektron Energy, has transitioned into the leadership role at Twenty One Capital.

According to a Bloomberg report, both Strike and Twenty One Capital have verified that the three-way merger has been terminated. Nevertheless, negotiations between Twenty One Capital and Elektron Energy continue to progress. Tether maintains controlling ownership positions in both entities.

Twenty One Capital Refines Bitcoin-Centric Vision Tether unveiled the merger initiative in April, aiming to consolidate three distinct cryptocurrency enterprises into one publicly-listed corporation. The framework positioned Twenty One Capital as the Bitcoin treasury arm, Strike as the payment infrastructure provider, and Elektron Energy as the mining division. The reconfigured approach now eliminates Strike from consideration.

Raphael Zagury assumes control of Twenty One Capital’s direction following his appointment as chief executive. The organization seeks to reinforce its operational infrastructure, governance protocols, and capital markets presence. Furthermore, leadership is determined to evolve beyond passive Bitcoin accumulation.

The refreshed approach encompasses acquiring operational enterprises and optimizing capital deployment. Twenty One Capital intends to establish Bitcoin-collateralized lending platforms while diversifying financing mechanisms. The firm also targets the creation of more robust and consistent revenue streams.

Context Behind Tether’s Strategic Reconfiguration Twenty One Capital debuted in 2025 with financial support from Tether, Cantor Fitzgerald, and SoftBank. Tether subsequently purchased SoftBank’s equity position, consolidating greater authority over the enterprise. The stablecoin provider has simultaneously broadened its portfolio across Bitcoin mining and digital infrastructure investments.

Previous merger proposals had garnered endorsement from Tether, which planned to approve the consolidation of these operations. The arrangement sought to establish a unified public entity encompassing treasury operations, payment systems, and mining activities. Ultimately, the parties withdrew from this comprehensive framework prior to finalization.

Strike has pursued independent expansion throughout this timeframe. The platform obtained a New York BitLicense and a money transmitter license from the New York Department of Financial Services in March. Elektron Energy maintains operational control of roughly 50 exahashes per second in Bitcoin mining power while keeping production expenses beneath current Bitcoin valuations.

Oliver Dale

Editor-in-Chief of Blockonomi and founder of Kooc Media, A UK-Based Online Media Company. Believer in Open-Source Software, Blockchain Technology & a Free and Fair Internet for all. His writing has been quoted by Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Investopedia, The New Yorker, Forbes, Techcrunch & More. Contact [email protected]

According to official announcements, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the U.S. Secret Service Washington Field Office jointly announced today that multiple investigations conducted by their joint cyber fraud task force have seized over $25 million in cryptocurrency assets. The assets are linked to an international fraud network targeting residents of the U.S. and Canada, and are part of the more than $800 million in illicit assets cumulatively recovered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Fraud Center Strike Force, which was established in 2025.

Relevant content

The Nasdaq 100 index extended its gain to 2%.

According to market data from BIT (bit.com), the Nasdaq 100 Index’s gain widened to 2%, hitting a new daily high. Its constituent stocks posted the following increases: Nebius rose 16.1%, SanDisk gained 13.2%, Teradyne climbed 13.1%, Micron advanced 13%, Western Digital increased 12.8%, Seagate Technology rose 11.5%, while Lumentum and CoreWeave each gained 9.3%.

3 hours ago

A whale transferred 16 million ENA to Binance, valued at approximately $1.37 million.

According to monitoring by Onchain Lens, a whale address withdrew 16 million ENA tokens (valued at approximately $1.37 million) from a Gnosis multi-sig wallet, then transferred the tokens to Binance, likely preparing to sell.

3 hours ago

SpaceX’s massive lock-up period is approaching, with over $100 billion worth of its stock set to become tradable.

According to Bloomberg, SpaceX has kicked off one of the largest stock lock-up expirations in capital market history, with up to $116 billion worth of shares becoming eligible for sale for the first time next month. The restriction barring insiders from selling up to 911.5 million shares will expire on August 6, two days after the rocket, satellite and artificial intelligence firm releases its first quarterly earnings report. This is just the start; billions of shares will become tradable by the end of this year.

3 hours ago

Analyst: European Central Bank expected to hold interest rates steady this week and maintain a hawkish bias.

Nuveen global investment strategist Laura Cooper said in a report that following June’s interest rate hike, the European Central Bank (ECB) will likely hold interest rates steady at this week’s meeting while maintaining a hawkish stance. Cooper noted that if renewed tensions drive energy prices higher, the ECB will remain open to further policy tightening. She added that inflation is milder than feared, the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) pricing subindex shows almost no signs of reaccelerating, and producer price data confirms upstream cost pressures are easing. “These factors provide a reason for holding steady this month,” she said. The complication is that commodity supplies are being disrupted again, which could reignite energy price pressures just as the ECB gains confidence in its inflation decline path.

3 hours ago

US crypto-related stocks rose broadly, with Coinbase surging more than 12%.

According to market data from BIT (bit.com), crypto-related stocks in the US equities market rallied across the board during intraday trading: Circle (CRCL) rose 7.28%, MARA gained 6.56%, Sharplink (SBET) climbed 2.52%, Robinhood (HOOD) advanced 8.34%, Bullish (BLSH) increased 7.71%, Coinbase (COIN) jumped 12.15%, and Strategy (MSTR) rose 4.65%.

3 hours ago

Trump: Our issues with Iran are far from over.

US President Donald Trump said: "Our situation with Iran is far from over. We will not withdraw now and have already exerted significant influence on Iran. Our agreement will not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons."

3 hours ago

Strike has officially exited a planned merger supported by Tether that aimed to combine Strike, Twenty One Capital, and Elektron Energy under a single publicly listed entity. The decision brings significant changes for all involved parties, leading to a restructuring of leadership and corporate strategies as the groups adapt to new circumstances.

Leadership changes and merger statusJack Mallers, founder and CEO of Strike, has resigned from his role as chief executive at Twenty One Capital. Mallers continues to lead Strike, ensuring the company remains focused on its original business operations. Raphael Zagury, previously the head of Elektron Energy, has stepped into the CEO position at Twenty One Capital, taking on responsibility for the firm’s strategic direction.

Strike’s choice to remain independent has resulted in the abandonment of the initial merger vision, which sought to bring together Bitcoin treasury management, payments infrastructure, and mining operations under one consolidated structure. Both Strike and Twenty One Capital have confirmed that the three-way merger has been terminated; however, Twenty One Capital and Elektron Energy are continuing discussions about a revised partnership.

Tether, which retains controlling ownership stakes in both Twenty One Capital and Elektron Energy, is now reassessing its approach following Strike’s departure from the merger framework.

Raphael Zagury’s appointment at Twenty One Capital marks a shift towards reinforcing operational infrastructure and governance, while leadership aims to expand beyond passive Bitcoin holding strategies.

Strategy update for Twenty One Capital and Elektron EnergyUnder its restructured leadership, Twenty One Capital will focus on building a robust capital markets presence, strengthening governance practices, and pursuing strategic investments and acquisitions. The company is preparing to launch Bitcoin-collateralized lending platforms and explore diversified finance mechanisms as part of broadening its revenue base.

Elektron Energy, meanwhile, continues to operate approximately 50 exahashes per second of Bitcoin mining power while maintaining production costs below prevailing market prices. The company remains in active negotiations with Twenty One Capital regarding possible future collaborations.

Industry observers note that technological advancements and market dynamics require adaptable tools for investors and companies alike. To stay ahead in this evolving landscape, solutions like CryptoAppsy, which requires no account creation hassle, combine crypto investments with real-time prices, detailed charts, and multi-currency portfolio management on a single screen. This all-in-one financial assistant allows users to instantly seize opportunities with smart price alerts, filter news by specific coins, discover newly listed altcoins as they emerge, and monitor macroeconomic data such as Fed interest rates to stay one step ahead of the market.

Tether’s investment strategy and ongoing changesTwenty One Capital entered the cryptocurrency sector in 2025, backed financially by Tether, Cantor Fitzgerald, and SoftBank. Tether later purchased SoftBank’s stake, consolidating increased control over the enterprise while maintaining a central role in shaping strategy.

Initially, the merger plan positioned Twenty One Capital as a Bitcoin treasury, Strike as the payments platform, and Elektron Energy as the mining arm. With Strike’s withdrawal, Tether has had to adjust its corporate approach, focusing on strengthening the remaining entities and exploring opportunities for further investment in mining and digital infrastructure.

During the certificate acquisition process earlier this year, Strike secured a New York BitLicense and a money transmitter license from the New York Department of Financial Services, allowing the company to continue operating as an independent payments firm and maintain momentum in the fast-changing crypto environment.

Twenty One Capital’s revised strategy emphasizes expanding capital deployment into operational businesses and launching Bitcoin-focused financial products while aiming for more reliable, consistent revenue streams.

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.

The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) industry is no longer just a collection of futuristic concepts. Several companies now have aircraft in advanced testing, regulators are actively working toward certification, and commercial launches are beginning to take shape.

Of course, that doesn't mean every eVTOL stock deserves a place in your portfolio. But if I had to choose one today, I'd buy Joby Aviation (JOBY +1.81%) and avoid Archer Aviation (ACHR 0.47%).

Buy: Joby Aviation Joby has consistently stayed ahead of nearly every competitor in the industry. To date, the company has completed more than 50,000 miles of test flights, making it one of the most tested eVTOL developers in the world. It's also steadily progressing through the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) certification process, which remains the biggest hurdle before commercial service can begin.

Earlier this year, Joby began flying its first FAA-conforming production aircraft. This is a big deal because it's built to the same standards regulators expect for commercial certification. Joby isn't just building aircraft at this point. It's actively building an operating business.

The company currently has partnerships with Delta Air Lines to launch airport shuttle services in New York and Los Angeles and with Virgin Atlantic to bring similar services to the United Kingdom. It also acquired Uber Elevate several years ago, giving it an established software platform and customer relationships that should help commercial operations.

International expansion is underway, too. Joby has completed demonstration flights in Japan and the United Arab Emirates and expects Dubai to become one of its first commercial markets.

A healthy balance sheet At the end of Q1, 2026, Joby reported approximately $1.1 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and investments. That gives management a lot of flexibility as it works toward commercialization without immediately returning to capital markets.

Yes, it's true that Joby is still losing money. Revenue remains minimal, and profitability is likely several years away. But among publicly traded eVTOL companies, Joby appears to have the strongest combination of technology, certification progress, strategic partnerships, and financial resources.

Today's Change

(

1.81

%) $

0.14

Current Price

$

7.61

Avoid: Archer Aviation Archer has made meaningful progress over the past year, but there are still some pretty serious execution risks. Indeed, the company has generated excitement through high-profile partnerships with United Airlines, Stellantis, and the U.S. military. Its Midnight aircraft continues to advance through flight testing, too.

Those are legitimate strengths, but the problem is that much of Archer's valuation already assumes successful execution. And like Joby, Archer has yet to generate meaningful commercial revenue. Its business still depends on obtaining FAA certification, scaling manufacturing, building charging infrastructure, training pilots, and convincing customers to adopt an entirely new transportation model. That's a long list of things that all have to go right.

Financially, Archer remains well funded, reporting roughly $1.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents. But scaling an aerospace manufacturing business isn't cheap. Production delays, certification setbacks, or slower-than-expected customer adoption could force additional fundraising and dilute existing shareholders.

Today's Change

(

-0.47

%) $

-0.03

Current Price

$

5.29

There's also another concern. Unlike Joby, which intends to operate much of its own air taxi network, Archer relies more heavily on partners to commercialize its aircraft. That model could ultimately work, but it also gives Archer less direct control over customer relationships and long-term operating economics.

The better long-term investment The eVTOL market has enormous potential. Morgan Stanley has estimated the industry could eventually exceed $1 trillion as urban air mobility expands into passenger transportation, cargo delivery, defense, and emergency services.

Image source: Getty Images.

But don't confuse a promising industry with guaranteed winners. Joby appears to have established an early lead where it matters most: certification progress, operational testing, international expansion, and commercial partnerships. It also has one of the strongest balance sheets in the sector, reducing the likelihood of near-term shareholder dilution.

Archer could certainly become a successful company over time. If management executes flawlessly, today's valuation may eventually prove justified. But investing isn't about identifying companies that can succeed. It's about identifying companies with the highest probability of success. Today, Joby checks more of those boxes.

If you're looking for exposure to the growing eVTOL market, I'd buy Joby Aviation and leave Archer Aviation on the watch list until it proves it can turn promising technology into a sustainable business.

Key Takeaways Knight-Swift will report Q2 results on July 22, with EPS estimated to rise 61.9% year over year. Truckload, Logistics and LTL revenues are expected to grow as freight demand and utilization improve. Higher costs, Middle East tensions and supply-chain disruptions may weigh on June-quarter results. Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (KNX - Free Report) is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 22, after market close.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KNX’s second-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 4.3% over the past 60 days to 49 cents per share. The consensus mark for earnings implies a 61.9% gain from the year-ago actuals. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for KNX's second-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $2.01 billion, indicating a 7.95% rise year over year.

Knight-Swift has a discouraging earnings surprise history. The company’s earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate once in the trailing four quarters (met once and missed the mark twice in the remaining quarters), delivering an average miss of 6.69%.

Let’s see how things have shaped up for Knight-Swift this earnings season.

Factors Likely to Have Influenced KNX’s Q2 PerformanceWe expect KNX’s performance in the to-be-reported quarter to have been bolstered by improvement in the freight market demand. Our estimate for Truckload revenues is pegged at $1.25 billion, indicating a 3% rise on a year- over-year basis and for Logistics revenues, we expect an increase of 4% year over year to $133.4 million from the second-quarter 2025 reported figure.

The uptick in asset utilization and profitability as market conditions improve, along with capacity discipline, is expected to have boosted the company’s overall performance in the June-end quarter. Our estimate for Less-Than-Truckload revenues is pegged at $405.3 million, indicating a 4.8% increase from the second-quarter 2025 reported figure.

On the contrary, rising operating expenses, along with ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and supply-chain disruptions, are likely to have adversely affected KNX’s performance in the June-end quarter.

What Our Model Says About KNXOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for Knight-Swift 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. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

KNX has an Earnings ESP of +0.66% and a Zacks Rank #1 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Highlights of Q1KNX's first-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of 9 cents per share matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate but declined 67.9% year over year. The reported figure came below the guided range of 28-32 cents.

Total revenues of $1.85 million almost came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate and grew 1.4% year over year. Revenues, excluding Truckload and LTL fuel surcharge, grew 0.3% year over year to $1.63 billion.

Other Stocks to ConsiderHere are a few stocks from the broader Zacks Transportation sector that investors may consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.

CSX Corporation (CSX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.95% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. CSX is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 22, after market close.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second-quarter 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 6.38% over the past 60 days to 50 cents per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $3.82 billion, indicating a 6.90% increase from the second-quarter 2025 actuals. 

Schneider National (SNDR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.50% and a Zacks Rank #1 at present. SNDR is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 earnings on July 30.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2026 earnings has remained flat at 22 cents over the past 60 days. SNDR’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in one of the preceding four quarters (missing the mark twice and met the mark once in the remaining three quarters). The average miss is 17.97%.

NEW YORK, July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ASTS).   Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.   

The investigation concerns whether AST and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. 

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On January 7, 2026, Scotiabank downgraded AST to Sell, citing, among other things, significant competition from SpaceX’s Starlink, slow customer adoption, and delays in launching AST’s satellites. 

Following the downgrade, AST’s stock price fell $11.76 per share, or 12.06%, to close at $85.73 per share on January 7, 2026. 

Then, on July 15, 2026, AST issued a press release “announc[ing] the pricing of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.625% convertible senior notes due 2034”.

On this news, AST’s stock price fell $11.30 per share, or 17.04%, to close at $55.01 per share on July 16, 2026.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising.  Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.    

CONTACT:
Danielle Peyton
Pomerantz LLP
[email protected]
646-581-9980 ext. 7980

Key Takeaways NU agreed to acquire a Brazilian bank license, strengthening its local operations.Nu Mexico won final bank authorization as it serves 15 million customers and adds about 12,000 daily.NU ended Q1 2026 with 135.2 million customers, while credit rose 40% and deposits climbed 22%. Nu Holdings Ltd. (NU - Free Report) , the company behind the Nubank brand, announced an agreement to acquire Banco Porto Real de Investimentos in Brazil to add a new banking license to its local operations. The deal, which remains subject to approval from Brazil’s Central Bank, will help Nubank meet regulatory requirements governing the use of bank-related names by financial institutions.

For Brazilian customers, the company said that nothing will change, as the app, products, services, brand and name will remain the same. The acquired license joins NU’s existing payment, credit, investment, financing and brokerage licenses without requiring additional capital or liquidity requirements. Brazil remains its core market, with more than 115 million customers and a planned investment of R$45 billion in 2026.

Nubank is also expanding its banking operations in Mexico. This month, Nu Mexico received final authorization to operate as a bank and must complete the transition within 30 days. It serves 15 million customers, adds about 12,000 customers daily and plans to invest $4.2 billion in the country through 2030.

The timing is backed by strong operating results. NU ended first-quarter 2026 with 135.2 million customers and generated $5.32 billion in managerial revenues. Its credit portfolio rose 40% year over year to $37.2 billion, while deposits increased 22% to $42.4 billion.

Still, investors should view the Brazil move mainly as a regulatory and strategic step rather than an overnight earnings trigger. The larger opportunity lies in deeper product adoption across Brazil’s addressable pool, which exceeds $100 billion in annual gross profit. NU estimates its share of that pool at roughly 7%, leaving room to expand lending, deposits, investments and services.

How Are SOFI & XYZ Faring?SoFi Technologies (SOFI - Free Report) is expanding beyond consumer lending by adding small-business loans, home-equity products, AI financial tools, enterprise banking and blockchain-based services. SOFI's partnerships are also bringing more funding onto its loan platform, reducing reliance on balance-sheet lending. Three agreements announced in March 2026 covered more than $3.6 billion in personal loans.

Block (XYZ - Free Report) is widening its reach through Cash App, Square, Afterpay and bitcoin products, linking consumer payments with merchant services and credit. Its tools include installment plans for peer-to-peer transfers, contactless payments and restaurant technology. Across Cash App Borrow, Afterpay and Square Loans, XYZ has provided customers with access to more than $200 billion.

NU’s Price Performance, Valuation, and EstimatesShares of NU have declined 5.1% in the past three months, underperforming the broader industry and the S&P 500 Index.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, NU trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 13.87X, well above the industry’s 11.19X. It carries a Value Score of C.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

NU’s estimates have declined a cent over the past two months. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for full-year 2026 EPS is pegged at 83 cents.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

NU stock currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

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

Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.

Disclosure. PANews may publish sponsored content, partner content, advertisements, affiliate links, event promotions, and market commentary involving Web3 projects, service providers, or financial products. PANews personnel, contributors, or affiliates may hold digital assets or other interests related to covered topics. See our Terms of Service.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA.

Key Takeaways Applied Optoelectronics posted 154% year-over-year data center revenue growth in first-quarter 2026. AAOI is expanding Texas manufacturing to boost 800G and 1.6T optical transceiver production. AAOI expects second-quarter 2026 revenues of $180M-$198M amid rising AI infrastructure demand. Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI - Free Report) is benefiting from a significant surge in demand for optical networking products, particularly driven by the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and hyperscale data centers. In the first quarter of 2026, both the data center and CATV (cable TV) businesses experienced strong momentum, with data center revenues up 154% year over year. This growth is being fueled by hyperscale customers ramping up investments in next-generation infrastructure, which requires high-speed optical transceivers such as AOI’s 400G, 800G and 1.6T products.

The company is aggressively expanding its manufacturing footprint, especially in Texas. The company’s U.S. facilities are expected to produce over 650,000 units of 800G and 1.6T products per month by the end of 2026, with further expansion to over 930,000 units monthly by the end of 2027.

Building on this momentum, in July 2026, Applied Optoelectronics began the construction of two facilities in Pearland, TX, adding nearly 400,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity. The expansion will increase production of 800G and 1.6T optical transceivers used in AI data centers.

The expansion supports rising demand for high-speed optical connectivity and strengthens AOI's ability to serve hyperscale cloud customers. The company expects the new facilities to enhance manufacturing scale, create high-quality jobs, and reinforce its position as a key supplier of advanced optical networking products for AI and cloud infrastructure markets.

AAOI’s robust demand for its next-generation data center products, particularly driven by the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and the company’s ongoing investments in manufacturing capacity, is expected to benefit the company’s top-line growth. For the second quarter of 2026, the company expects revenues in the range of $180 million to $198 million, implying continued sequential growth.

AAOI Faces Stiff CompetitionApplied Optoelectronics is facing stiff competition from Lumentum (LITE - Free Report) and Coherent (COHR - Free Report) in the optical networking market. Coherent and Lumentum’s partnerships with NVIDIA pose a significant threat to AAOI.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Coherent announced a strategic partnership with NVIDIA focused on advanced optical networking and CPO technologies for AI data centers. The agreement includes a $2 billion equity investment from NVIDIA and a multi-year supply agreement extending through the end of the decade.

In March 2026, Lumentum entered into a multi-year strategic agreement with NVIDIA to accelerate the development of advanced optical technologies for next-generation AI infrastructure. The partnership includes a multibillion-dollar purchase commitment and a $2 billion NVIDIA investment to expand Lumentum’s U.S. manufacturing capacity and R&D capabilities.

AAOI’s Share Price Performance, Valuation, and EstimatesApplied Optoelectronics shares have skyrocketed 195.5% in the year-to-date period, outperforming the Zacks Computer & Technology sector’s rise of 11.8% and the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors increase of 27.4%.

AAOI Stock’s Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Applied Optoelectronics shares are currently overvalued, as suggested by its Value Score of F. AAOI stock is trading at a premium with a trailing 12-month Price/Sales of 15.44X compared with the Electronics - Semiconductors industry’s 14.37X.

AAOI’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pegged at 80 cents per share, which has been unchanged over the past 30 days. This suggests 407.69% year-over-year growth.

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

XRP price is showing signs of a bigger move as whale selling continues to slow down. Large investors are sending fewer XRP tokens to Binance than at any time since 2025, reducing selling pressure on the market. 

Meanwhile, crypto analyst Ali Martinez says if XRP breaks above the key $1.13 level, it could start a strong rally and climb toward $1.35.

XRP Price Jumps 4% as Buying Activity SurgesXRP price rose more than 4% in the last 24 hours, climbing close to $1.13 as the overall crypto market recovered. Coinglass data shows that trader activity increased sharply, with XRP futures open interest rising nearly 10% to $2.47 billion. 

This shows that more traders are opening new positions and expecting bigger price moves. The rally also forced many traders who had bet against XRP to close their positions. 

In total, more than $3.29 million worth of XRP positions were liquidated, including nearly $2.93 million from short sellers alone. 

When short positions are liquidated, traders are forced to buy back XRP, adding more buying pressure and helping the price move even higher.

Also Read : Ripple Executive Explain Why XRPL Was Built for Speed From Day One     

Whale Selling Pressure Drops to Lowest Level Since 2025Following this surge, CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost believes XRP is entering an important stage of its recovery.

According to his Binance whale inflow chart, large investors are sending far fewer XRP tokens to the exchange than before. Whale inflows have dropped sharply from a peak of 583 million XRP (about $1.36 billion) earlier in the cycle to just 25.3 million XRP (around $23 million) now.

The longer-term trend tells the same story. The 90-day average of whale inflows has fallen from roughly $460 million in early 2025 to only $69 million today.

This suggests that many of the biggest sellers have already slowed down, reducing selling pressure while XRP continues trading near the $1 support zone. Darkfost says the next step for XRP will depend on fresh buying demand returning to the market.

Also Read : What Could 500 XRP Be Worth by the End of 2026? Three Scenarios Explained

Analysts See $1.35 as the Next TargetMeanwhile, crypto analyst Ali Martinez also sees bullish signs forming. He noted that XRP’s monthly TD Sequential indicator has flashed a buy signal, while the hourly chart is forming a symmetrical triangle. 

According to Martinez, a breakout above $1.13 could open the door for a rally of nearly 20%, pushing XRP toward $1.35.

Story Ends Here

Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

Sponsored and Advertisements:Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.

Read the Next News

(Editor’s note: The ETFs data was updated.)

U.S. stock futures advanced on Tuesday, as the Dow Jones, Nasdaq 100, and S&P 500 indices rose, following Monday’s lower close.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia on Monday, threatening to open a new front in the U.S.–Iran conflict and further endangering global trade and energy supplies beyond the Persian Gulf.

Additionally, at President Donald Trump’s direction, U.S. forces carried out a new round of strikes against Iranian military targets to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping.

The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.59%, and the two-year bond was at 4.20%. The CME Group’s FedWatch tool’s projections show markets pricing an 83.4% likelihood of the Federal Reserve leaving the current interest rates unchanged during July’s meeting.

IndexPerformance (+/-)Dow Jones0.38%S&P 5000.55%Nasdaq 1001.36%Russell 20000.88%Stocks In FocusCracker Barrel Old Country Store Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that CBRL maintains a strong price trend in the short, long, and medium terms, with a poor growth score. Steel Dynamics Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that STLD maintains a weak price trend in the short term but a strong trend in the long and medium terms, with a good quality score. Nebius Group Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that NBIS maintains a weak price trend in the short term, but a strong trend in the long and medium terms, with a poor value ranking. Archer Aviation Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR) rose 2.07% as the company unveiled its autonomous aircraft with Anduril for defense use called Thunder. Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that ACHR maintains a weak price trend in the long, short, and medium terms. IREN Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that IREN maintains a weak price trend in the short, long, and medium terms, with a poor value score. Cues From Last SessionHealth care, materials, and industrials led broad losses across the S&P 500 on Monday, while communication services and energy stocks bucked the overall trend to close higher.

Insights From AnalystsAccording to Bitunix analyst Dean Chen, global financial markets face heightening macroeconomic risks, ongoing supply chain stress, and persistent Federal Reserve policy uncertainty.

Chen emphasizes that escalating geopolitical conflicts in crucial shipping bottlenecks—such as the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Black Sea—are creating a dual energy and food supply shock. Rising oil prices risk stoking broader inflation, which complicates the Fed’s monetary path.

Addressing these crosscurrents, Chen notes that “the latest US inflation data has changed the short-term market narrative, but it has not fully resolved the debate over monetary policy direction.” Furthermore, he warns that the economic backdrop “increasingly resembles a ‘slowing growth but sticky inflation’ environment.”

Rather than anticipating a straightforward market trend, Chen observes institutional investors prioritizing liquidity to navigate multiple outcomes. In response to shifting rate expectations and global liquidity constraints, he highlights that capital is concentrating in fewer high-conviction growth themes rather than lifting all risk assets equally.

Consequently, Chen cautions that market direction will remain volatile, heavily tied to energy trends, Fed signals, and broader risk appetite.

Upcoming Economic DataHere’s what investors will be keeping an eye on.

No data is scheduled to be released on Tuesday. Commodities, Crypto, And Global Equity MarketsCrude Oil WTI futures were trading lower in the early New York session by 0.41% to hover around $82.14 per barrel.

Gold Spot US Dollar rose 1.47% to hover around $4,066.56 per ounce. The U.S. Dollar Index spot was 0.02% lower at the 100.9290 level.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) was trading 3.29% higher at $66,124.53 per coin over the last 24 hours.

Asian markets closed mixed on Tuesday, as Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and India’s Nifty 50 indices fell. China’s CSI 300, Australia’s ASX 200, South Korea’s Kospi, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 indices rose. European markets were mostly higher in early trade.

Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

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

To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.

Key Highlights Technology-focused Nasdaq advanced 0.9% on Tuesday as semiconductor stocks staged a recovery following previous week’s significant losses Nvidia (NVDA) shares increased 2% following disclosure of investment in neocloud company Nebius Asian markets surged with South Korea’s KOSPI jumping over 3% on semiconductor momentum Trump administration reveals 50% tariff plan on Canadian imports, effective in one month Market participants anticipate critical Big Tech quarterly results beginning Wednesday with Alphabet and Tesla American equity markets posted solid gains on Tuesday as semiconductor companies recovered from their steepest weekly decline in more than twelve months. The technology-weighted Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.9%, while the S&P 500 advanced approximately 0.5%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased roughly 0.4%.

E-Mini S&P 500 Sep 26 (ES=F) Tuesday’s positive momentum followed Monday’s session where major indices opened with gains but ultimately closed lower. Market analyst Dave Rosenberg from Rosenberg Research attributed the turnaround to “dip buyers and bargain hunters” entering the market following the semiconductor sector’s sharp decline in the prior week.

Nvidia shares rallied 2% after revealing an equity position in neocloud infrastructure company Nebius. This strategic investment captured market attention as traders seek indications about future AI infrastructure capital allocation trends.

Across Asian markets, South Korea’s KOSPI Composite index surged more than 3%, with chip manufacturing companies leading the advance. The broader MSCI Asia-Pacific index similarly recovered, climbing approximately 2.4%.

Paul Hickey, co-founder of Bespoke Investment Group, observed that no singular definitive catalyst drove the rally. “Earnings haven’t hurt,” he commented.

Trade Policy and International Tensions Create Market Headwinds The Trump administration announced Monday that 50% tariffs would be imposed on various Canadian products, encompassing beer, dairy, hockey equipment, and chemical products. These duties will become effective within 30 days following allegations of unfair trade practices by Canada.

Canadian petroleum exports received an exemption from these new levies. Oil prices declined slightly on Tuesday after approaching $90 per barrel for Brent crude, propelled by escalating US-Iran geopolitical tensions.

This administration policy threatens to trigger additional retaliatory trade actions between the neighboring nations.

Major Technology Company Results in Focus Several corporations released quarterly results Tuesday, including General Motors, Halliburton, and 3M. However, investor focus increasingly centers on prominent technology companies reporting later this week.

Alphabet and Tesla will announce results on Wednesday, launching what analysts anticipate will be an intensely scrutinized period of Magnificent Seven earnings releases. Market participants are particularly focused on assessing these companies’ capital expenditure levels for AI infrastructure development.

These quarterly reports will either support a broader market recovery or validate concerns that last week’s decline may continue.

By Tuesday morning trading, the Nasdaq reached approximately 25,747, the S&P 500 traded near 7,483, and the Dow stood at about 52,151.

Venice Token Breaks Out with 10% Rally. How Far Will This Altcoin Jump?

Key Highlights Table of Contents

Key HighlightsChip Sector Stages RecoveryNvidia Expands Nebius InvestmentCrude Prices Maintain Elevated LevelsGM Exceeds Expectations and Upgrades OutlookAlphabet Earnings in SpotlightGet 3 Free Stock Ebooks Chip manufacturers like Nvidia, AMD, and Micron staged a recovery following previous week’s decline Nvidia expanded its investment in Nebius Group, an AI infrastructure firm, boosting the stock Brent crude remained above the $90 mark, maintaining pressure on inflation expectations GM delivered results exceeding analyst projections and upgraded its annual profit guidance Alphabet’s imminent quarterly report represents a crucial test for AI sector confidence Chip Sector Stages Recovery Technology stocks regained ground on Monday as market participants renewed their focus on artificial intelligence investments before a packed earnings calendar.

Shares of Nvidia, AMD, and Micron climbed as purchasing activity resumed following the prior week’s downturn.

A significant number of market participants interpreted the recent decline as a temporary correction rather than evidence of weakening demand for artificial intelligence processors. Major cloud computing companies and technology leaders maintain substantial capital allocation toward AI infrastructure development.

Market observers note that sustained recovery will require robust financial results and forward-looking statements from companies.

Nvidia Expands Nebius Investment Nvidia revealed an increase in its equity position in Nebius Group, a provider of cloud infrastructure tailored for artificial intelligence applications.

Nebius specializes in developing cloud platforms optimized for AI computational requirements. Market participants interpreted this action as evidence of Nvidia’s conviction regarding sustained growth in AI infrastructure demand.

This strategic investment aligns with Nvidia’s broader approach of supporting enterprises that construct the foundational systems enabling advanced AI solutions.

Nebius experienced significant share price appreciation following the announcement.

Crude Prices Maintain Elevated Levels Brent crude sustained trading levels above $90 per barrel amid renewed geopolitical uncertainty in Middle Eastern regions.

Higher oil prices elevate expenses across transportation, production, and general business operations, compressing corporate profit margins while straining household budgets.

While recent inflation statistics from the United States indicated some progress, a prolonged elevation in petroleum prices could challenge the Federal Reserve’s strategic planning regarding monetary policy adjustments.

Energy market dynamics represent a significant concern for investors monitoring potential economic headwinds.

GM Exceeds Expectations and Upgrades Outlook General Motors unveiled quarterly financial results surpassing Wall Street estimates and elevated its full-year earnings projection.

The automaker achieved improved pricing power and enhanced operational performance despite moderating vehicle demand across North American markets.

Leadership’s optimistic outlook for remaining quarters provided reassurance to shareholders. While General Motors advances its electric vehicle and technology initiatives, market attention remains concentrated on current-period profitability metrics.

The positive results provided support for broader automotive industry sentiment.

Alphabet Earnings in Spotlight Alphabet is scheduled to release quarterly results this week in what represents one of the season’s most anticipated corporate announcements.

Market participants seek clarity on whether the company’s substantial artificial intelligence investments are translating into accelerated revenue expansion, improved profitability, and advertising growth.

Google Cloud performance, Gemini AI progress, and corporate AI adoption rates will face intense scrutiny from analysts and investors.

Given Alphabet’s prominent position within the artificial intelligence ecosystem, its financial disclosure could influence broader technology sector sentiment, impacting companies including Nvidia, Microsoft, and Amazon.

Considering elevated valuations across numerous AI-focused equities, management’s forward guidance may carry equal or greater weight than current-quarter performance metrics.