21 days ago
The $200 million in payments dwarfs previous amounts disclosed in the case.
The former CIA officer arrested after authorities discovered roughly $40 million worth of gold bars in his Virginia home pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to a single count of wire fraud, admitting he defrauded the U.S. government out of nearly $200 million for his personal benefit.
David Rush was previously described by prosecutors as a "master manipulator" who used his clandestine position to amass millions worth of gold bars and luxury watches -. though the government revealed in Tuesday's hearing the extent of his alleged deception far exceeded what was previously known to the public.
The nearly $200 million in payments to Rush, which dwarfs previous amounts disclosed as part of his case, will likely only further draw public and congressional scrutiny to the intelligence community to provide more transparency regarding its methods in doling out taxpayer dollars to agents and the oversight that follows such exchanges.
The case has drawn widespread intrigue and raised major questions regarding the intelligence community's management in overseeing the secretive systems that grant officials like Rush the ability to amass high-value ****** ets tied to their work.
#million #payments #dwarfs
The former CIA officer arrested after authorities discovered roughly $40 million worth of gold bars in his Virginia home pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to a single count of wire fraud, admitting he defrauded the U.S. government out of nearly $200 million for his personal benefit.
David Rush was previously described by prosecutors as a "master manipulator" who used his clandestine position to amass millions worth of gold bars and luxury watches -. though the government revealed in Tuesday's hearing the extent of his alleged deception far exceeded what was previously known to the public.
The nearly $200 million in payments to Rush, which dwarfs previous amounts disclosed as part of his case, will likely only further draw public and congressional scrutiny to the intelligence community to provide more transparency regarding its methods in doling out taxpayer dollars to agents and the oversight that follows such exchanges.
The case has drawn widespread intrigue and raised major questions regarding the intelligence community's management in overseeing the secretive systems that grant officials like Rush the ability to amass high-value ****** ets tied to their work.
#million #payments #dwarfs
1 month ago
On September 8, 2026, Reuters reported that NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) shareholders rejected a proposal urging greater transparency on how the company plans to meet its 2030 emissions-reduction targets, despite support from Norway's sovereign wealth fund, Nike's 11th-largest shareholder.
Nike's board had urged a "no" vote, arguing management is "best positioned to determine the targets and related disclosures that are appropriate." Shareholders separately approved the company's executive compensation proposal, including pay for CEO Elliott Hill, in a vote that had faced some opposition.
The failed climate proposal gives NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE)'s management more flexibility to focus on its operational turnaround. Shareholders rejected the request for greater disclosure on how Nike plans to meet its 2030 emissions targets. It allows CEO Elliott Hill and his team to prioritize product innovation, sales recovery, and market-share gains. Nike faces significant operational challenges. So management could benefit from directing more resources toward restoring growth and profitability.
Nike has already made measurable progress toward its environmental targets. It limits the immediate financial impact of the rejected proposal. The company reported an 11% reduction in supply-chain emissions from its 2015 baseline in fiscal 2024, while its 2030 targets call for a 65% reduction in operational emissions and a 30% reduction across its supply chain. This progress gives Nike evidence that it is chasing its climate goals even without expanding its current disclosure.
Shareholders' approval of Elliott Hill's compensation package shows support for Nike's leadership despite the difficult turnaround. Investors approved more than $36 million in total compensation for Hill for fiscal 2026, even though Norway's wealth fund and major proxy advisers opposed the package. Shareholder support gives Hill greater room to execute his strategy as Nike works to stabilize sales, rebuild its market position, and restore long-term earnings growth.
#reduction #elliott #greater
Nike's board had urged a "no" vote, arguing management is "best positioned to determine the targets and related disclosures that are appropriate." Shareholders separately approved the company's executive compensation proposal, including pay for CEO Elliott Hill, in a vote that had faced some opposition.
The failed climate proposal gives NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE)'s management more flexibility to focus on its operational turnaround. Shareholders rejected the request for greater disclosure on how Nike plans to meet its 2030 emissions targets. It allows CEO Elliott Hill and his team to prioritize product innovation, sales recovery, and market-share gains. Nike faces significant operational challenges. So management could benefit from directing more resources toward restoring growth and profitability.
Nike has already made measurable progress toward its environmental targets. It limits the immediate financial impact of the rejected proposal. The company reported an 11% reduction in supply-chain emissions from its 2015 baseline in fiscal 2024, while its 2030 targets call for a 65% reduction in operational emissions and a 30% reduction across its supply chain. This progress gives Nike evidence that it is chasing its climate goals even without expanding its current disclosure.
Shareholders' approval of Elliott Hill's compensation package shows support for Nike's leadership despite the difficult turnaround. Investors approved more than $36 million in total compensation for Hill for fiscal 2026, even though Norway's wealth fund and major proxy advisers opposed the package. Shareholder support gives Hill greater room to execute his strategy as Nike works to stabilize sales, rebuild its market position, and restore long-term earnings growth.
#reduction #elliott #greater
1 month ago
Investors continue to ask for more timely information, even as the volume available to them expands. A 2026 CFA Institute survey of 2,500 **** ysts and portfolio managers found that 62% opposed replacing quarterly reporting with semiannual reporting. Nearly 85% expressed concern about comparability if companies and investment managers could determine their own reporting frequency and format. Access remains important, while interpretation requires a separate discipline.
The demand also concerns the quality of disclosure. PwC's 2025 Global Investor Survey, covering 1,074 investment professionals across 26 countries and territories, found that only 37% believed companies disclosed enough about artificial intelligence strategies and policies. Respondents wanted greater transparency around innovation strategies, AI investment, and expected returns. These findings suggest that investors can face abundant commentary while still lacking the evidence needed to **** s a thesis.
Commercial incentives add another layer. A 2025 CFA Institute report examined continuation funds, in which a manager can oversee both the vehicle selling an **** et and the vehicle buying it. The report recognized the structure's liquidity role and identified conflicts requiring fair processes and governance. The example illustrates why informed **** ysis and aligned incentives are separate considerations.
That distinction applies beyond any single investment structure. Managers often possess valuable operational knowledge because they work directly with **** ets, tenants and financing markets. They may also be raising capital for the strategies they discuss. Their commercial interest becomes additional context for investors weighing forecasts, market narratives and recommendations alongside independently produced evidence. That context can help an investment committee separate a source's knowledge of the market from the confidence it should place in the source's preferred outcome during capital allocation.
Geoffrey Dohrmann, chairman, CEO and editor-in-chief of Institutional Real Estate, Inc., has watched those narratives develop across several market cycles. IREI is a media and market intelligence company covering institutional real estate and infrastructure through publications, research, data, events and consulting. Dohrmann explains its editorial role as independently recording where real-asset capital is moving and examining the explanations offered for those decisions.
#real #institute
The demand also concerns the quality of disclosure. PwC's 2025 Global Investor Survey, covering 1,074 investment professionals across 26 countries and territories, found that only 37% believed companies disclosed enough about artificial intelligence strategies and policies. Respondents wanted greater transparency around innovation strategies, AI investment, and expected returns. These findings suggest that investors can face abundant commentary while still lacking the evidence needed to **** s a thesis.
Commercial incentives add another layer. A 2025 CFA Institute report examined continuation funds, in which a manager can oversee both the vehicle selling an **** et and the vehicle buying it. The report recognized the structure's liquidity role and identified conflicts requiring fair processes and governance. The example illustrates why informed **** ysis and aligned incentives are separate considerations.
That distinction applies beyond any single investment structure. Managers often possess valuable operational knowledge because they work directly with **** ets, tenants and financing markets. They may also be raising capital for the strategies they discuss. Their commercial interest becomes additional context for investors weighing forecasts, market narratives and recommendations alongside independently produced evidence. That context can help an investment committee separate a source's knowledge of the market from the confidence it should place in the source's preferred outcome during capital allocation.
Geoffrey Dohrmann, chairman, CEO and editor-in-chief of Institutional Real Estate, Inc., has watched those narratives develop across several market cycles. IREI is a media and market intelligence company covering institutional real estate and infrastructure through publications, research, data, events and consulting. Dohrmann explains its editorial role as independently recording where real-asset capital is moving and examining the explanations offered for those decisions.
#real #institute
1 month ago
With a market cap of $19.4 billion, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (BR) is a global financial technology leader that provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions to banks, broker-dealers, ***** et managers, corporate issuers, and other financial institutions. Broadridge plays a critical role in enhancing transparency, efficiency, and engagement across the financial services industry.
Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally classified as "large-cap" stocks, and Broadridge Financial fits this criterion perfectly. Through its two segments: Investor Communication Solutions and Global Technology & Operations, the company delivers services ranging from regulatory and shareholder communications to front-to-back securities processing and data-driven solutions.
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#financial #broadridge
Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally classified as "large-cap" stocks, and Broadridge Financial fits this criterion perfectly. Through its two segments: Investor Communication Solutions and Global Technology & Operations, the company delivers services ranging from regulatory and shareholder communications to front-to-back securities processing and data-driven solutions.
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#financial #broadridge
1 month ago
Senate Republicans aren’t happy with the lack of progress in the Iran war and what they say is the administration’s failure to identify clear objectives to end the conflict.
The war continues to be a major drag on GOP candidates as the failure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and new threats facing oil exports from Iranian-backed Houthi militias have sent the prices to nearly $106 a barrel, while raising the national gas price average to $4.37 a gallon.
But Republicans are particularly concerned about the war’s impact on the price of diesel, which has soared to a national average of $6.31 and hit several Senate battleground states — including Alaska, Nebraska, Iowa and Maine — especially hard.
Some Republicans are now floating the idea of embargoing diesel exports produced in the United States to lower prices.
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) expressed frustration over “the lack of just transparency and information from the administration on what’s happening, what we should expect, the costs,” joining other GOP senators who have expressed similar grievances.
#senate #prices #national
The war continues to be a major drag on GOP candidates as the failure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and new threats facing oil exports from Iranian-backed Houthi militias have sent the prices to nearly $106 a barrel, while raising the national gas price average to $4.37 a gallon.
But Republicans are particularly concerned about the war’s impact on the price of diesel, which has soared to a national average of $6.31 and hit several Senate battleground states — including Alaska, Nebraska, Iowa and Maine — especially hard.
Some Republicans are now floating the idea of embargoing diesel exports produced in the United States to lower prices.
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) expressed frustration over “the lack of just transparency and information from the administration on what’s happening, what we should expect, the costs,” joining other GOP senators who have expressed similar grievances.
#senate #prices #national
1 month ago
On August 6, The RealReal (NASDAQ:REAL) reported second quarter results that beat its own outlook and pushed the resale luxury marketplace to raise its full year guidance. Gross merchandise value hit an all time high of $617 million, up 22% from a year earlier, and management pointed to four straight quarters of GMV growth above 20%. But a wider net loss sitting next to those record numbers complicates the story for anyone weighing the stock today.
The headline number is GMV of $617 million for the quarter ended June 30, up 22% year over year, with total revenue climbing 17% to $193 million. Consignment revenue grew 15% while Direct Revenue, the company's owned inventory channel, grew 26%, showing both sides of the business contributing to the acceleration. Profitability moved in the same direction. Gross margin reached 74.4%, up 10 basis points from a year ago, and Adjusted EBITDA margin jumped to 7%, a 290 basis point improvement that management called nearly 300 basis points of expansion.
The buyer base backs up the growth story rather than just the pricing. Trailing twelve-month active buyers rose 11% to 1,107,000, and average order value climbed 13% to $659, meaning existing shoppers are spending meaningfully more per transaction, not just showing up more often. That combination gave management enough confidence to raise full-year guidance to $2.54 billion to $2.57 billion in GMV and $788 million to $797 million in total revenue, alongside third-quarter Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $13.5 million to $14.5 million.
Despite the operating improvements, GAAP losses widened. Net loss came in at $27 million, or 14.1% of total revenue, compared to $11 million, or 6.9% of total revenue, a year earlier. GAAP basic net loss per share was $0.23 versus $0.10 in the prior year period, and diluted net loss per share was $0.23 versus $0.13. Much of that swing traces to a $(18.6) million non-cash adjustment tied to the change in fair value of warrant liability, a factor unrelated to how the underlying business performed. On a non-GAAP basis, basic and diluted net loss per share actually narrowed to $0.01 from $0.06, underscoring how much of the GAAP gap is accounting rather than operations.
There is also a transparency wrinkle in the guidance itself. The RealReal said it has not reconciled its forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA figures to GAAP net income or loss, citing components like payroll tax expense on employee stock transactions that it cannot predict with reasonable certainty. That leaves investors trusting a non-GAAP target without the usual bridge back to the bottom line.
#adjusted
The headline number is GMV of $617 million for the quarter ended June 30, up 22% year over year, with total revenue climbing 17% to $193 million. Consignment revenue grew 15% while Direct Revenue, the company's owned inventory channel, grew 26%, showing both sides of the business contributing to the acceleration. Profitability moved in the same direction. Gross margin reached 74.4%, up 10 basis points from a year ago, and Adjusted EBITDA margin jumped to 7%, a 290 basis point improvement that management called nearly 300 basis points of expansion.
The buyer base backs up the growth story rather than just the pricing. Trailing twelve-month active buyers rose 11% to 1,107,000, and average order value climbed 13% to $659, meaning existing shoppers are spending meaningfully more per transaction, not just showing up more often. That combination gave management enough confidence to raise full-year guidance to $2.54 billion to $2.57 billion in GMV and $788 million to $797 million in total revenue, alongside third-quarter Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $13.5 million to $14.5 million.
Despite the operating improvements, GAAP losses widened. Net loss came in at $27 million, or 14.1% of total revenue, compared to $11 million, or 6.9% of total revenue, a year earlier. GAAP basic net loss per share was $0.23 versus $0.10 in the prior year period, and diluted net loss per share was $0.23 versus $0.13. Much of that swing traces to a $(18.6) million non-cash adjustment tied to the change in fair value of warrant liability, a factor unrelated to how the underlying business performed. On a non-GAAP basis, basic and diluted net loss per share actually narrowed to $0.01 from $0.06, underscoring how much of the GAAP gap is accounting rather than operations.
There is also a transparency wrinkle in the guidance itself. The RealReal said it has not reconciled its forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA figures to GAAP net income or loss, citing components like payroll tax expense on employee stock transactions that it cannot predict with reasonable certainty. That leaves investors trusting a non-GAAP target without the usual bridge back to the bottom line.
#adjusted
1 month ago
Sydney Sweeney has been busy. A lot of it you get to see; HBO ended Euphoria with a third and final stranglehold on the timeline, and word recently hit that Netflix's live-action Gundam, which Sweeney stars in alongside Noah Centineo and an ensemble cast, wrapped filming in Australia. And while we have no doubt that you've seen her the new "Just Sports" campaign she has launched with Novig—the first campaign from the 21+ sports prediction market—what you don't see is the work that Sweeney puts into projects like this, where she isn't just the face on the brand; she's an equity partner, putting together pieces of this campaign while away in Australia filming Gundam.
"Because I've been a part of the creative conversations from the very beginning," Sweeney shared with Complex via phone, "I had built an amazing relationship with everyone involved, and I was really excited to get to set."
"It can be kind of isolating when you're away for that long," Sweeney continued, "so being able to have my entire glam team come down, and my team who I've been with for almost a decade—they're like my family—it was really exciting to be able to see them again."
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
Sweeney calls the "Just Sports" campaign "a very simple and playful idea," aimed to "really bring the concept of 'just sports' to life," and the spot really does get to the heart of what Novig is all about. Novig's vision is truly just sports, with "a marketplace designed around transparency and efficiency" that is built by sports traders, for sports traders. Sweeney says that this was a true collaboration.
#campaign
"Because I've been a part of the creative conversations from the very beginning," Sweeney shared with Complex via phone, "I had built an amazing relationship with everyone involved, and I was really excited to get to set."
"It can be kind of isolating when you're away for that long," Sweeney continued, "so being able to have my entire glam team come down, and my team who I've been with for almost a decade—they're like my family—it was really exciting to be able to see them again."
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
Sweeney calls the "Just Sports" campaign "a very simple and playful idea," aimed to "really bring the concept of 'just sports' to life," and the spot really does get to the heart of what Novig is all about. Novig's vision is truly just sports, with "a marketplace designed around transparency and efficiency" that is built by sports traders, for sports traders. Sweeney says that this was a true collaboration.
#campaign
2 months ago
Dave Ramsey told caller Hazel her secret teen payments aren't a money problem but a marriage problem requiring full financial transparency and counseling.
Secret spending makes joint wealth-building impossible. Hiding $400 monthly from a spouse means losing its compounding potential in a Roth IRA or 529.
Transparency alone flips the outcome: a joint kid-support budget lets both spouses plan together, while secret contributions force decisions based on false information.
Read More: Learn 7 ways to generate income with a $1,000,000+ portfolio (sponsor)
On the September 9 episode of The Ramsey Show, a caller named Hazel admitted she has been slipping money to her three teenagers from a prior marriage, quietly, from her own account, because her husband of almost seven years refuses to help pay for their sports and school costs. Dave Ramsey did not reach for a spreadsheet. He told her: "You don't have a combining money problem and you don't have a who pays for what problem. You have a marriage problem."
#problem #secret
Secret spending makes joint wealth-building impossible. Hiding $400 monthly from a spouse means losing its compounding potential in a Roth IRA or 529.
Transparency alone flips the outcome: a joint kid-support budget lets both spouses plan together, while secret contributions force decisions based on false information.
Read More: Learn 7 ways to generate income with a $1,000,000+ portfolio (sponsor)
On the September 9 episode of The Ramsey Show, a caller named Hazel admitted she has been slipping money to her three teenagers from a prior marriage, quietly, from her own account, because her husband of almost seven years refuses to help pay for their sports and school costs. Dave Ramsey did not reach for a spreadsheet. He told her: "You don't have a combining money problem and you don't have a who pays for what problem. You have a marriage problem."
#problem #secret
2 months ago
Sep. 11—CHAMPAIGN — The fallout from the Michigan-Western Michigan fiasco includes the Big Ten's decision to add more transparency to replay discussions.
That's a change from the earlier, when the Big Ten said it would use expanded network access on replay only for Friday games.
Now, starting Saturday, all replay reviews will be available to the networks airing the games. Duh. The Big Ten could have saved itself all sorts of trouble had replay rules been different at Michigan Stadium last Saturday night before the Wolverines avoided an upset loss, winning 13-12 on a second-chance Hail Mary.
"Ironically, last year I think it was the ACC that did live replay," Illinois coach Bret Bielema said Thursday at the Smith Center. "I know in spring meetings they told us they were going to have a camera in the Big Ten office."
Illinois has two Friday night games scheduled later in the season, so that bit of news was already on Bielema's radar.
#games #Friday #night
That's a change from the earlier, when the Big Ten said it would use expanded network access on replay only for Friday games.
Now, starting Saturday, all replay reviews will be available to the networks airing the games. Duh. The Big Ten could have saved itself all sorts of trouble had replay rules been different at Michigan Stadium last Saturday night before the Wolverines avoided an upset loss, winning 13-12 on a second-chance Hail Mary.
"Ironically, last year I think it was the ACC that did live replay," Illinois coach Bret Bielema said Thursday at the Smith Center. "I know in spring meetings they told us they were going to have a camera in the Big Ten office."
Illinois has two Friday night games scheduled later in the season, so that bit of news was already on Bielema's radar.
#games #Friday #night
2 months ago
The decision will see the planned closure of Cone Denim's Jiaxing facility in Zhejiang province, marking a major step in its ongoing strategic transformation.
Cone Denim says the withdrawal follows a "comprehensive review" of its manufacturing footprint, the global denim market and changes in customer sourcing needs.
Recent changes in global trade, evolving customer strategies, cost pressures, supply chain considerations and broader geopolitical circumstances all contributed to the determination to curtail denim production in China.
Cone Denim president Steve Maggard explained: "We are positioning Cone Denim for its next chapter of success, with a clear priority to continue delivering for our customers with the quality, innovation, reliability, and service that have defined Cone Denim for generations.
"Closing the China facility was a difficult but necessary decision as we position Cone Denim for long-term competitiveness in a changing global market. While this marks a significant change in our manufacturing network, our commitment to serving customers remains unchanged, and we are committed to supporting our customers, employees, suppliers, and local stakeholders through this transition with transparency, care, and disciplined execution."
#global #changes
Cone Denim says the withdrawal follows a "comprehensive review" of its manufacturing footprint, the global denim market and changes in customer sourcing needs.
Recent changes in global trade, evolving customer strategies, cost pressures, supply chain considerations and broader geopolitical circumstances all contributed to the determination to curtail denim production in China.
Cone Denim president Steve Maggard explained: "We are positioning Cone Denim for its next chapter of success, with a clear priority to continue delivering for our customers with the quality, innovation, reliability, and service that have defined Cone Denim for generations.
"Closing the China facility was a difficult but necessary decision as we position Cone Denim for long-term competitiveness in a changing global market. While this marks a significant change in our manufacturing network, our commitment to serving customers remains unchanged, and we are committed to supporting our customers, employees, suppliers, and local stakeholders through this transition with transparency, care, and disciplined execution."
#global #changes
2 months ago
A.B. Quintanilla, the brother of the late "Queen of Tejano Music" Selena, is responding to the statement released by his mother Marcella Quintanilla and sister Suzette Quintanilla-Arriaga — a statement that said he was making "false accusations" about his family members and damaging their reputations.
"I don't lie," A.B. wrote in his latest statement shared on Wednesday (Sept. 2). "Suzette and her lawyers were notified with the corresponding documents via certified mail and electronic mail. She was notified of a lawsuit related to her fiduciary duties, that is, her legal obligations to act with loyalty, transparency and in the best interests of those she was responsible to."
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
He continued, "She responded, but did not provide what was being requested: contracts, documentation and financial information. Those fundamental requirements were left unanswered. What she did under the excuse of using my mom for convenience. She had no idea what was really happening around her and never had any participation in anything."
A.B. says that his lawyer will speak out on Friday (Sept. 4) where "many things will be made clear."
#notified
"I don't lie," A.B. wrote in his latest statement shared on Wednesday (Sept. 2). "Suzette and her lawyers were notified with the corresponding documents via certified mail and electronic mail. She was notified of a lawsuit related to her fiduciary duties, that is, her legal obligations to act with loyalty, transparency and in the best interests of those she was responsible to."
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
He continued, "She responded, but did not provide what was being requested: contracts, documentation and financial information. Those fundamental requirements were left unanswered. What she did under the excuse of using my mom for convenience. She had no idea what was really happening around her and never had any participation in anything."
A.B. says that his lawyer will speak out on Friday (Sept. 4) where "many things will be made clear."
#notified
2 months ago
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE) is a global financial markets infrastructure company that operates exchanges, clearing networks, and data services. It provides technology, market data, indexing, and mortgage technology solutions across major **** et classes, helping improve transparency, price discovery, efficiency, and decision-making. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $89.6 billion.
Companies worth $10 billion to $200 billion are generally described as "large-cap stocks," and Intercontinental Exchange definitely fits that description. Intercontinental Exchange benefits from a diversified business model spanning exchanges, fixed income and data services, and mortgage technology. Its strong technology infrastructure, NYSE ownership, brand recognition, and recurring revenue streams strengthen customer relationships, support operational efficiency, and provide resilience across different financial market conditions.
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A Potential **** eX Deal Could Meaningfully Accelerate Growth for Technip Stock
#intercontinental #technology #financial
Companies worth $10 billion to $200 billion are generally described as "large-cap stocks," and Intercontinental Exchange definitely fits that description. Intercontinental Exchange benefits from a diversified business model spanning exchanges, fixed income and data services, and mortgage technology. Its strong technology infrastructure, NYSE ownership, brand recognition, and recurring revenue streams strengthen customer relationships, support operational efficiency, and provide resilience across different financial market conditions.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says His $3.5 Billion MediaTek Deal Is 'Not Circular' Because 'They Do Their Own Business'
Strategy's Strategy Appears to Have Failed, and the Outlook of MSTR Stock Is Unfavorable
A Potential **** eX Deal Could Meaningfully Accelerate Growth for Technip Stock
#intercontinental #technology #financial
2 months ago
After falling short of their back-to-back ambitions, the Oklahoma City Thunder are ready to get back in the saddle. Even after their offseason of cost-cutting moves, they're viewed as arguably the top **** le favorite again. That's what happens when you have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
The Thunder have everything that it takes to win the 2027 NBA championship. This group has one ring in hand — with the hopes of adding another. As long as those three are around, OKC will always be in the **** le picture.
Thunder Wire recently simulated the Thunder's upcoming season in the new NBA 2K27 video game. Thunder fans might straight-up hate the final result. Let's look at how OKC's campaign played out as it hopes to bring home a second championship.
For transparency, injuries and trades were turned off in this simulation. So all 30 NBA teams had the same rosters and rotations available throughout the entire season. It was at Hall-of-Fame difficulty. With that taken into account, let's look at how things turned out:
The Thunder make NBA history once again. They're the first seed for the fourth consecutive year. That's only the sixth time that has happened ever. They went 59-23 and had to wait until the regular-season finale to cool their jets. The Spurs and Timberwolves also had the same record. OKC had the tiebreaker over the two.
#back #championship
The Thunder have everything that it takes to win the 2027 NBA championship. This group has one ring in hand — with the hopes of adding another. As long as those three are around, OKC will always be in the **** le picture.
Thunder Wire recently simulated the Thunder's upcoming season in the new NBA 2K27 video game. Thunder fans might straight-up hate the final result. Let's look at how OKC's campaign played out as it hopes to bring home a second championship.
For transparency, injuries and trades were turned off in this simulation. So all 30 NBA teams had the same rosters and rotations available throughout the entire season. It was at Hall-of-Fame difficulty. With that taken into account, let's look at how things turned out:
The Thunder make NBA history once again. They're the first seed for the fourth consecutive year. That's only the sixth time that has happened ever. They went 59-23 and had to wait until the regular-season finale to cool their jets. The Spurs and Timberwolves also had the same record. OKC had the tiebreaker over the two.
#back #championship
2 months ago
Netflix is now eight months into its entry into the podcasting realm. Despite a lack of transparency on viewership and whether the content is driving subscriptions, the company continues to lean in. On Tuesday, Netflix announced it is renewing its entire original lineup of video podcasts while also announcing a number of deals for new podcasts, including the popular Pivot Podcast featuring Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor.
When it comes to the sports properties Netflix signed for exclusive video distribution, many of them seem to have become out of sight and out of mind months later. Video continues to become an every day way that people discover programs. Clips fill social feeds and algorithms push content to the masses, but the Netflix paywall does prevent easy access to some of the more popular ***** les. That's why with the NFL season beginning next week, could this be the final proving ground for the first wave of sports podcasts on Netflix?
Currently, 19 podcasts streaming their full video presentations on Netflix fit into the sports genre. Three come from Barstool Sports, 10 from The Ringer, two from iHeartMedia, three are Netflix originals, and The Pivot will join the lineup beginning September 8.
What we know is that the Barstool arrangement is a multiyear agreement, while the deals with iHeartMedia and Spotify, which owns The Ringer, did not include terms.
What we don't know is how viewership is trending for the sports ***** les Netflix added to its slate. In July, Netflix lumped all podcast viewing into a vague "other shows" label during its Q2 earnings call. The company also has not revealed which podcasts are driving the most subscriptions.
#podcasts
When it comes to the sports properties Netflix signed for exclusive video distribution, many of them seem to have become out of sight and out of mind months later. Video continues to become an every day way that people discover programs. Clips fill social feeds and algorithms push content to the masses, but the Netflix paywall does prevent easy access to some of the more popular ***** les. That's why with the NFL season beginning next week, could this be the final proving ground for the first wave of sports podcasts on Netflix?
Currently, 19 podcasts streaming their full video presentations on Netflix fit into the sports genre. Three come from Barstool Sports, 10 from The Ringer, two from iHeartMedia, three are Netflix originals, and The Pivot will join the lineup beginning September 8.
What we know is that the Barstool arrangement is a multiyear agreement, while the deals with iHeartMedia and Spotify, which owns The Ringer, did not include terms.
What we don't know is how viewership is trending for the sports ***** les Netflix added to its slate. In July, Netflix lumped all podcast viewing into a vague "other shows" label during its Q2 earnings call. The company also has not revealed which podcasts are driving the most subscriptions.
#podcasts
2 months ago
Credentialed access to cover professional sports teams is not a right. It's a privilege. Franchises grant media access to those who actively cover the team or league in a professional manner and have an audience to serve. They have every right to grant access, just as they have the right to pull it. Yesterday, the Tennessee ***** ans decided to pull social commentator Jared Stillman's credential, literally a day after Stillman said on his program that the organization was "not that stupid" to do so.
Whether you agree or disagree with the ***** ans' decision is irrelevant. What matters most in situations like this is transparency.
This isn't about whether Stillman should be credentialed. The ***** ans had already made that decision long ago. They granted him access after his departure from 102.5 The Game and his move to an independent platform. The question now is simple: Why specifically was Stillman's credential pulled?
Because without transparency, the result is distrust and uncertainty.
Make no mistake about it, there haven't been many great things to say about the Tennessee ***** ans over the past four seasons. Because of the team's lack of success, there also isn't much positivity surrounding the franchise at the moment. Stillman's commentary serves as Exhibit A.
#right #tennessee #credentialed #cover
Whether you agree or disagree with the ***** ans' decision is irrelevant. What matters most in situations like this is transparency.
This isn't about whether Stillman should be credentialed. The ***** ans had already made that decision long ago. They granted him access after his departure from 102.5 The Game and his move to an independent platform. The question now is simple: Why specifically was Stillman's credential pulled?
Because without transparency, the result is distrust and uncertainty.
Make no mistake about it, there haven't been many great things to say about the Tennessee ***** ans over the past four seasons. Because of the team's lack of success, there also isn't much positivity surrounding the franchise at the moment. Stillman's commentary serves as Exhibit A.
#right #tennessee #credentialed #cover
2 months ago
The San Francisco 49ers are one day - and one practice - away from boarding a flight to Melbourne, Australia, for their Sept. 10 season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams. It's still unclear if one of their two best defensive players will be making the trip.
General manager John Lynch said in a Tuesday morning interview with KNBR that defensive end Nick Bosa worked out on a side field Monday and was expected to do the same Tuesday. But the star defensive end wasn't present for either day's portion of open practice.
The lack of transparency from the 49ers surrounding Bosa's recovery is creating a bizarre situation. Perhaps he simply doesn't want to work out on the side field in front of a slew of cameras?
Bosa hasn't practiced in nearly a month. He was dealing with tendinitis in August amid his continued recovery from a torn right ACL suffered last September. According to coach Kyle Shanahan, the tendinitis isn't a concern at this point. Rather, he said the team is "just being smart" by monitoring Bosa's practice intensity on a daily basis.
Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris declined to offer specifics on the management plan for the 28-year-old superstar: "Bosa's got a plan in place. I don't want to reveal it if Kyle hasn't done it, but I'll let him do that stuff, break the news to you," Morris said. "But obviously they've got a real, legit plan … all-hands-on-deck type mentality to get him ready to go, so whatever it takes for him to get out there. I'm just going to feel good when he gets a chance to get out there and to be able to call those plays for him."
#bosa #side #recovery
General manager John Lynch said in a Tuesday morning interview with KNBR that defensive end Nick Bosa worked out on a side field Monday and was expected to do the same Tuesday. But the star defensive end wasn't present for either day's portion of open practice.
The lack of transparency from the 49ers surrounding Bosa's recovery is creating a bizarre situation. Perhaps he simply doesn't want to work out on the side field in front of a slew of cameras?
Bosa hasn't practiced in nearly a month. He was dealing with tendinitis in August amid his continued recovery from a torn right ACL suffered last September. According to coach Kyle Shanahan, the tendinitis isn't a concern at this point. Rather, he said the team is "just being smart" by monitoring Bosa's practice intensity on a daily basis.
Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris declined to offer specifics on the management plan for the 28-year-old superstar: "Bosa's got a plan in place. I don't want to reveal it if Kyle hasn't done it, but I'll let him do that stuff, break the news to you," Morris said. "But obviously they've got a real, legit plan … all-hands-on-deck type mentality to get him ready to go, so whatever it takes for him to get out there. I'm just going to feel good when he gets a chance to get out there and to be able to call those plays for him."
#bosa #side #recovery
2 months ago
Highway and Motive said in a joint statement that they have reached an agreement to restore the frequency at which Highway can access electronic logging device data belonging to Motive customers when carriers authorize that access, ending a disruption that began earlier after Motive limited the application programming interface connection between the two platforms and indicated Highway would need to compensate it for the data. The companies said they are working together to ensure uninterrupted service for the carriers and brokers that rely on both.
The statement said no action is required from carriers or brokers.
Both companies framed the resolution around carrier authorization. They said they share a commitment to giving motor carriers transparency and control over how their data is authorized and used, and that they are in discussions to update their existing agreement to more clearly reflect current use cases. The companies also said they intend to build on the relationship by identifying opportunities to improve data fidelity, reduce latency and create better experiences for carriers and brokers.
"Motive and Highway both play important roles in the freight ecosystem, and we are committed to serving customers together," said Jordan Graft, CEO of Highway. "We have a clear path forward that protects carrier choice and allows us to continue improving the experience for brokers and carriers."
Shoaib Makani, co-founder and CEO of Motive, said: "Our carriers depend on an ecosystem of partners to run their businesses. We are pleased to have reached a path forward with Highway that supports our customers and provides clarity around data use."
#carriers #brokers #customers #reached
The statement said no action is required from carriers or brokers.
Both companies framed the resolution around carrier authorization. They said they share a commitment to giving motor carriers transparency and control over how their data is authorized and used, and that they are in discussions to update their existing agreement to more clearly reflect current use cases. The companies also said they intend to build on the relationship by identifying opportunities to improve data fidelity, reduce latency and create better experiences for carriers and brokers.
"Motive and Highway both play important roles in the freight ecosystem, and we are committed to serving customers together," said Jordan Graft, CEO of Highway. "We have a clear path forward that protects carrier choice and allows us to continue improving the experience for brokers and carriers."
Shoaib Makani, co-founder and CEO of Motive, said: "Our carriers depend on an ecosystem of partners to run their businesses. We are pleased to have reached a path forward with Highway that supports our customers and provides clarity around data use."
#carriers #brokers #customers #reached
2 months ago
Sustainable Growth Advisers (SGA), an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for its "Global Growth Strategy." The letter can be downloaded here. The SGA Global Growth Portfolio returned 7.4% gross and 7.2% net, compared with 14.9% for the MSCI ACWI and 19.8% for the MSCI ACWI Growth Index. Momentum leadership and enthusiasm around AI infrastructure drove markets, with semiconductor, memory, and hardware stocks accounting for much of the gain. Although the portfolio owned AI beneficiaries, broader holdings lagged despite fundamentals, as median revenue and EPS growth reached 12% and 14% and more than 60% of the holdings beat expectations. SGA believes valuation compression reflects sentiment rather than weaker business quality, leaving the portfolio near its widest discount to the market since inception. The firm continues to favor durable compounders and expects 16% revenue growth and 20% earnings growth over three years. Also, please check the Fund's top five holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, SGA Global Growth Strategy highlighted ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW). ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) is a cloud-based software company that provides a platform for automating and managing digital workflows. On August 21, 2026, ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) closed at $128.48 per share. The one-month return of ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) was 21.64%, and its shares lost 27.04% over the past 52 weeks. ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) has a market capitalization of $132.85 billion.
SGA Global Growth Strategy stated the following regarding ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"As part of our ongoing dialogue with ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW), we met with President and Chief Legal Officer Hossein Nowbar and members of the company's legal, compensation and, human resources teams. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the company's recent acquisition activity and the importance of maintaining transparency with shareholders regarding strategic decision-making. Management disagreed with our characterization that its acquisition strategy had become more aggressive, describing the recent transactions as an unusual convergence of several deals rather than a fundamental change in approach. We emphasized that, regardless of management's intent, the lack of timely communication surrounding these transactions contributed to investor uncertainty and undermined shareholder confidence. We encouraged the company to provide clearer and more proactive disclosure around significant strategic decisions to help investors develop a better understanding of the rationale and risks ***** ociated with future acquisitions....." (Click here to read the full text)
#holdings
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, SGA Global Growth Strategy highlighted ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW). ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) is a cloud-based software company that provides a platform for automating and managing digital workflows. On August 21, 2026, ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) closed at $128.48 per share. The one-month return of ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) was 21.64%, and its shares lost 27.04% over the past 52 weeks. ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) has a market capitalization of $132.85 billion.
SGA Global Growth Strategy stated the following regarding ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"As part of our ongoing dialogue with ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW), we met with President and Chief Legal Officer Hossein Nowbar and members of the company's legal, compensation and, human resources teams. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the company's recent acquisition activity and the importance of maintaining transparency with shareholders regarding strategic decision-making. Management disagreed with our characterization that its acquisition strategy had become more aggressive, describing the recent transactions as an unusual convergence of several deals rather than a fundamental change in approach. We emphasized that, regardless of management's intent, the lack of timely communication surrounding these transactions contributed to investor uncertainty and undermined shareholder confidence. We encouraged the company to provide clearer and more proactive disclosure around significant strategic decisions to help investors develop a better understanding of the rationale and risks ***** ociated with future acquisitions....." (Click here to read the full text)
#holdings
2 months ago
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Delaware North, one of the largest and most diversified hospitality and food service companies in the world, has partnered with TipHaus to streamline and automate tip management across its portfolio of venues.
For an operator of Delaware North's scale and diversity, spanning stadiums, arenas, resorts, destination restaurants, and entertainment venues, tip management has traditionally meant a patchwork of manual, location-by-location processes, each with its own rules and reconciliation headaches. Since bringing TipHaus on board in March 2025, Delaware North has replaced that fragmented approach with a single automated system that handles hundreds of distinct tip-pooling and distribution use cases across its operations. Today, TipHaus supports more than 40 locations for Delaware North.
"Partnering with TipHaus has helped Delaware North streamline and modernize our tip management process, reducing administrative effort while improving accuracy and transparency for our leaders," said Michele Seaver, Director of Payroll and Workforce Management at Delaware North. "What used to take a full day of coordination now takes just a couple of hours to pull a single enterprise-wide export. Given the diversity and complexity of our portfolio, the flexibility of the TipHaus platform, and the collaborative partnership we have built with the TipHaus team have been extremely valuable. Their willingness to adapt solutions and get creative to meet our unique operational needs has helped us drive greater consistency across our business while supporting a better experience for all involved," Seaver said.
TipHaus integrates directly with the systems Delaware North already runs, including Oracle Simphony, Toast, and UKG Dimensions, pulling sales, shift, and labor data automatically so that tip calculations run without manual data entry from each location. Rather than forcing a rigid, one-size-fits-all model, TipHaus configures to the specific rules of each property, allowing Delaware North to standardize oversight at the enterprise level while honoring the operational realities of each individual venue.
#Delaware #location
Delaware North, one of the largest and most diversified hospitality and food service companies in the world, has partnered with TipHaus to streamline and automate tip management across its portfolio of venues.
For an operator of Delaware North's scale and diversity, spanning stadiums, arenas, resorts, destination restaurants, and entertainment venues, tip management has traditionally meant a patchwork of manual, location-by-location processes, each with its own rules and reconciliation headaches. Since bringing TipHaus on board in March 2025, Delaware North has replaced that fragmented approach with a single automated system that handles hundreds of distinct tip-pooling and distribution use cases across its operations. Today, TipHaus supports more than 40 locations for Delaware North.
"Partnering with TipHaus has helped Delaware North streamline and modernize our tip management process, reducing administrative effort while improving accuracy and transparency for our leaders," said Michele Seaver, Director of Payroll and Workforce Management at Delaware North. "What used to take a full day of coordination now takes just a couple of hours to pull a single enterprise-wide export. Given the diversity and complexity of our portfolio, the flexibility of the TipHaus platform, and the collaborative partnership we have built with the TipHaus team have been extremely valuable. Their willingness to adapt solutions and get creative to meet our unique operational needs has helped us drive greater consistency across our business while supporting a better experience for all involved," Seaver said.
TipHaus integrates directly with the systems Delaware North already runs, including Oracle Simphony, Toast, and UKG Dimensions, pulling sales, shift, and labor data automatically so that tip calculations run without manual data entry from each location. Rather than forcing a rigid, one-size-fits-all model, TipHaus configures to the specific rules of each property, allowing Delaware North to standardize oversight at the enterprise level while honoring the operational realities of each individual venue.
#Delaware #location
2 months ago
Guinness Global Innovators, an investment management company, recently released its Q2 2026 quarterly investor update for its "Guinness Global Innovators Fund". You can download the letter here. The Guinness Global Innovators Fund focuses on investing in global companies that benefit from innovation in technology, communication, globalization, and management strategies. In the second quarter of 2026, the Guinness Global Innovators Fund returned 13.8% in GBP, compared with 13.0% for the MSCI World Index and 13.1% for the IA Global sector average. Easing Middle East tensions, falling oil prices, and renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence helped reverse much of the caution seen earlier in the year, with investors rotating back toward growth stocks and AI infrastructure beneficiaries. The Fund benefited from its overweight position in the Information Technology sector, while its overweight position in Communication Services detracted. Avoiding weaker Utilities, Materials, and Energy also supported relative performance. Also, please check the Fund's top five holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Guinness Global Innovators Fund highlighted Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) as a new holding. Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) operates as a technology company that serves capital markets and other industries. On August 21, 2026, Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) closed at $98.22 per share. One-month return of Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) was 4.56% and its shares gained 4.13% over the past 52 weeks. Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) has a market capitalization of $54.9 billion.
Guinness Global Innovators Fund stated the following regarding Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) is best understood not as a traditional exchange but as a global technology, data, and ******* ytics company that happens to own a major stock exchange, a positioning it has deliberately built since its 2017 strategic pivot away from transaction-driven revenue towards higher-growth, higher-margin software and ******* ytics. Nasdaq's business is diversified across three segments. Through its Financial Technology segment, the firm is strategically positioned to benefit from a structural rise in compliance and transparency requirements as regulators demand more granular and frequent reporting from banks globally. This segment also houses Calypso, a trading and risk-management platform whose demand is underpinned by the growing complexity of trading, collateral, and risk requirements at large financial institutions. The Capital Access Platforms segment includes listing fees, market data subscriptions and index licensing on products such as the Nasdaq-100. Lastly, its exchange business, although originally the direct driver of the business, has become more of an enabler for other business segments, as trading activity generates proprietary pricing data that the company repackages and monetises, while providing the
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Guinness Global Innovators Fund highlighted Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) as a new holding. Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) operates as a technology company that serves capital markets and other industries. On August 21, 2026, Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) closed at $98.22 per share. One-month return of Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) was 4.56% and its shares gained 4.13% over the past 52 weeks. Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) has a market capitalization of $54.9 billion.
Guinness Global Innovators Fund stated the following regarding Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) is best understood not as a traditional exchange but as a global technology, data, and ******* ytics company that happens to own a major stock exchange, a positioning it has deliberately built since its 2017 strategic pivot away from transaction-driven revenue towards higher-growth, higher-margin software and ******* ytics. Nasdaq's business is diversified across three segments. Through its Financial Technology segment, the firm is strategically positioned to benefit from a structural rise in compliance and transparency requirements as regulators demand more granular and frequent reporting from banks globally. This segment also houses Calypso, a trading and risk-management platform whose demand is underpinned by the growing complexity of trading, collateral, and risk requirements at large financial institutions. The Capital Access Platforms segment includes listing fees, market data subscriptions and index licensing on products such as the Nasdaq-100. Lastly, its exchange business, although originally the direct driver of the business, has become more of an enabler for other business segments, as trading activity generates proprietary pricing data that the company repackages and monetises, while providing the
2 months ago
Sustainable Growth Advisers (SGA), an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for its "Global Growth Strategy." The letter can be downloaded here. The SGA Global Growth Portfolio returned 7.4% gross and 7.2% net, compared with 14.9% for the MSCI ACWI and 19.8% for the MSCI ACWI Growth Index. Momentum leadership and enthusiasm around AI infrastructure drove markets, with semiconductor, memory, and hardware stocks accounting for much of the gain. Although the portfolio owned AI beneficiaries, broader holdings lagged despite fundamentals, as median revenue and EPS growth reached 12% and 14% and more than 60% of the holdings beat expectations. SGA believes valuation compression reflects sentiment rather than weaker business quality, leaving the portfolio near its widest discount to the market since inception. The firm continues to favor durable compounders and expects 16% revenue growth and 20% earnings growth over three years. Also, please check the Fund's top five holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, SGA Global Growth Strategy highlighted ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW). ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) is a cloud-based software company that provides a platform for automating and managing digital workflows. On August 21, 2026, ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) closed at $128.48 per share. The one-month return of ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) was 21.64%, and its shares lost 27.04% over the past 52 weeks. ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) has a market capitalization of $132.85 billion.
SGA Global Growth Strategy stated the following regarding ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"As part of our ongoing dialogue with ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW), we met with President and Chief Legal Officer Hossein Nowbar and members of the company's legal, compensation and, human resources teams. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the company's recent acquisition activity and the importance of maintaining transparency with shareholders regarding strategic decision-making. Management disagreed with our characterization that its acquisition strategy had become more aggressive, describing the recent transactions as an unusual convergence of several deals rather than a fundamental change in approach. We emphasized that, regardless of management's intent, the lack of timely communication surrounding these transactions contributed to investor uncertainty and undermined shareholder confidence. We encouraged the company to provide clearer and more proactive disclosure around significant strategic decisions to help investors develop a better understanding of the rationale and risks ***** ociated with future acquisitions....." (Click here to read the full text)
#holdings
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, SGA Global Growth Strategy highlighted ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW). ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) is a cloud-based software company that provides a platform for automating and managing digital workflows. On August 21, 2026, ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) closed at $128.48 per share. The one-month return of ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) was 21.64%, and its shares lost 27.04% over the past 52 weeks. ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) has a market capitalization of $132.85 billion.
SGA Global Growth Strategy stated the following regarding ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"As part of our ongoing dialogue with ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW), we met with President and Chief Legal Officer Hossein Nowbar and members of the company's legal, compensation and, human resources teams. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the company's recent acquisition activity and the importance of maintaining transparency with shareholders regarding strategic decision-making. Management disagreed with our characterization that its acquisition strategy had become more aggressive, describing the recent transactions as an unusual convergence of several deals rather than a fundamental change in approach. We emphasized that, regardless of management's intent, the lack of timely communication surrounding these transactions contributed to investor uncertainty and undermined shareholder confidence. We encouraged the company to provide clearer and more proactive disclosure around significant strategic decisions to help investors develop a better understanding of the rationale and risks ***** ociated with future acquisitions....." (Click here to read the full text)
#holdings
2 months ago
Guinness Global Innovators, an investment management company, recently released its Q2 2026 quarterly investor update for its "Guinness Global Innovators Fund". You can download the letter here. The Guinness Global Innovators Fund focuses on investing in global companies that benefit from innovation in technology, communication, globalization, and management strategies. In the second quarter of 2026, the Guinness Global Innovators Fund returned 13.8% in GBP, compared with 13.0% for the MSCI World Index and 13.1% for the IA Global sector average. Easing Middle East tensions, falling oil prices, and renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence helped reverse much of the caution seen earlier in the year, with investors rotating back toward growth stocks and AI infrastructure beneficiaries. The Fund benefited from its overweight position in the Information Technology sector, while its overweight position in Communication Services detracted. Avoiding weaker Utilities, Materials, and Energy also supported relative performance. Also, please check the Fund's top five holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Guinness Global Innovators Fund highlighted Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) as a new holding. Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) operates as a technology company that serves capital markets and other industries. On August 21, 2026, Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) closed at $98.22 per share. One-month return of Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) was 4.56% and its shares gained 4.13% over the past 52 weeks. Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) has a market capitalization of $54.9 billion.
Guinness Global Innovators Fund stated the following regarding Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) is best understood not as a traditional exchange but as a global technology, data, and ****** ytics company that happens to own a major stock exchange, a positioning it has deliberately built since its 2017 strategic pivot away from transaction-driven revenue towards higher-growth, higher-margin software and ****** ytics. Nasdaq's business is diversified across three segments. Through its Financial Technology segment, the firm is strategically positioned to benefit from a structural rise in compliance and transparency requirements as regulators demand more granular and frequent reporting from banks globally. This segment also houses Calypso, a trading and risk-management platform whose demand is underpinned by the growing complexity of trading, collateral, and risk requirements at large financial institutions. The Capital Access Platforms segment includes listing fees, market data subscriptions and index licensing on products such as the Nasdaq-100. Lastly, its exchange business, although originally the direct driver of the business, has become more of an enabler for other business segments, as trading activity generates proprietary pricing data that the company repackages and monetises, while providing the f
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Guinness Global Innovators Fund highlighted Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) as a new holding. Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) operates as a technology company that serves capital markets and other industries. On August 21, 2026, Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) closed at $98.22 per share. One-month return of Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) was 4.56% and its shares gained 4.13% over the past 52 weeks. Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) has a market capitalization of $54.9 billion.
Guinness Global Innovators Fund stated the following regarding Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Nasdaq, Inc. (NASDAQ:NDAQ) is best understood not as a traditional exchange but as a global technology, data, and ****** ytics company that happens to own a major stock exchange, a positioning it has deliberately built since its 2017 strategic pivot away from transaction-driven revenue towards higher-growth, higher-margin software and ****** ytics. Nasdaq's business is diversified across three segments. Through its Financial Technology segment, the firm is strategically positioned to benefit from a structural rise in compliance and transparency requirements as regulators demand more granular and frequent reporting from banks globally. This segment also houses Calypso, a trading and risk-management platform whose demand is underpinned by the growing complexity of trading, collateral, and risk requirements at large financial institutions. The Capital Access Platforms segment includes listing fees, market data subscriptions and index licensing on products such as the Nasdaq-100. Lastly, its exchange business, although originally the direct driver of the business, has become more of an enabler for other business segments, as trading activity generates proprietary pricing data that the company repackages and monetises, while providing the f
2 months ago
Mark Ruffalo has refuted charges that he is antisemitic. According to the actor, the accusation is baseless and criticizing the Israeli prime minister is not equivalent to being antisemitic.
"The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest. Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people. This critical and necessary dialogue is then dishonestly framed as being anti-Israel. To be clear, my views come from my own political convictions and should never be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people, for whom I have deep love and respect. Everything I know about acting, activism, and humanism has been profoundly shaped by the Jewish friends, colleagues, and loved ones who have been integral and family throughout every point of my life," Ruffalo tweeted.
Ruffalo is known as a controversial figure in Hollywood who is ready to speak out, regardless of possible criticism. For example, he faced backlash from people who criticized him for opposing the proposed media merger and criticizing its executives.
"This merger has real consequences for real people, and for the entire country," Ruffalo wrote. "Scrutinizing the Ellisons, including Oracle's business built on data, surveillance technology and government contracts, and the serious threat to editorial freedom and the loss of a livelihood for thousands of families, is fair and necessary. The $111 billion deal would hand one family control over CNN, HBO and Warner Bros., backed in part by foreign money whose influence on editorial decisions has never been fully explained to the public."
These statements coincide with concerns voiced by media watchdogs and freedom-of-the-press activists, as well as problems ****** ociated with one family acquiring numerous media properties and a lack of transparency in financing such deals.
#family
"The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest. Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract, or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people. This critical and necessary dialogue is then dishonestly framed as being anti-Israel. To be clear, my views come from my own political convictions and should never be interpreted as hostility toward Jewish people, for whom I have deep love and respect. Everything I know about acting, activism, and humanism has been profoundly shaped by the Jewish friends, colleagues, and loved ones who have been integral and family throughout every point of my life," Ruffalo tweeted.
Ruffalo is known as a controversial figure in Hollywood who is ready to speak out, regardless of possible criticism. For example, he faced backlash from people who criticized him for opposing the proposed media merger and criticizing its executives.
"This merger has real consequences for real people, and for the entire country," Ruffalo wrote. "Scrutinizing the Ellisons, including Oracle's business built on data, surveillance technology and government contracts, and the serious threat to editorial freedom and the loss of a livelihood for thousands of families, is fair and necessary. The $111 billion deal would hand one family control over CNN, HBO and Warner Bros., backed in part by foreign money whose influence on editorial decisions has never been fully explained to the public."
These statements coincide with concerns voiced by media watchdogs and freedom-of-the-press activists, as well as problems ****** ociated with one family acquiring numerous media properties and a lack of transparency in financing such deals.
#family
2 months ago
Madison Investments, an investment advisor, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for the "Madison Large Cap Fund". A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the second quarter, U.S. stock market indices achieved their best performance since 2020, driven largely by a narrow group of Artificial Intelligence-related stocks. As in the pandemic's early days, investors are fixated on who will benefit from AI, reminiscent of the late 1990s internet bubble. Against this backdrop, The Madison Large Cap Fund (class I) returned 8.4% in the second quarter of 2026, compared to a 15.2% increase in the S&P 500 Index. The current market's extreme narrowness is concerning, and history suggests this won't persist. While AI is reshaping society and the economy, today's winners may not remain so, and booms could lead to busts. Additionally, factors such as a volatile federal administration, growing budget deficits, inflation, high interest rates, and strained consumer finances will significantly impact the economy and stock market in the future. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In Q2 2026, Madison Large Cap Fund added Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), a US-based financial services company that provides technology, data, and market infrastructure to financial institutions, corporations, and government entities. On August 19, 2026, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE) closed at $157.24 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $88.27 billion. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE) posted a one-month return of 9.75%, and its shares lost 12.30% over the past 52 weeks.
Madison Large Cap Fund stated the following regarding Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), an operator of leading financial exchanges and ancillary data products, reported strong results in the quarter, but its stock has been caught up in the broad sell-off in ****** et-light companies that are perceived as "AI losers".
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) operates leading financial exchanges and clearing houses, as well as provides data and software to its customers. Founder and CEO Jeff Sprecher has long characterized ICE's overarching strategy as "bringing transparency, efficiency, and standardization to markets with a mission to digitize the ****** og". We believe ICE should continue to grow revenue and profits at an attractive clip over time and could even see the rate improve if AI trading strategies proliferate, ICE expands into new markets, and the mortgage market picks up after a multiyear slumber. ICE is currently priced at a decade low valuation as investors are concerned about the potential impact of artificial intelligence technologies. We believe this sentiment is misplaced, as ICE's exchanges could actually benefit from AI trading strategies, and its data and software are regulatory-compliant, largely p
In Q2 2026, Madison Large Cap Fund added Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), a US-based financial services company that provides technology, data, and market infrastructure to financial institutions, corporations, and government entities. On August 19, 2026, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE) closed at $157.24 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $88.27 billion. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE) posted a one-month return of 9.75%, and its shares lost 12.30% over the past 52 weeks.
Madison Large Cap Fund stated the following regarding Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), an operator of leading financial exchanges and ancillary data products, reported strong results in the quarter, but its stock has been caught up in the broad sell-off in ****** et-light companies that are perceived as "AI losers".
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) operates leading financial exchanges and clearing houses, as well as provides data and software to its customers. Founder and CEO Jeff Sprecher has long characterized ICE's overarching strategy as "bringing transparency, efficiency, and standardization to markets with a mission to digitize the ****** og". We believe ICE should continue to grow revenue and profits at an attractive clip over time and could even see the rate improve if AI trading strategies proliferate, ICE expands into new markets, and the mortgage market picks up after a multiyear slumber. ICE is currently priced at a decade low valuation as investors are concerned about the potential impact of artificial intelligence technologies. We believe this sentiment is misplaced, as ICE's exchanges could actually benefit from AI trading strategies, and its data and software are regulatory-compliant, largely p
2 months ago
The price of building a college football roster continues to climb, but Florida State football is not operating near the top of the market entering a critical 2026 season.
According to roster-spending estimates compiled by CBS Sports' Chris Hummer and John Talty, Florida State sits in the $20 million to $29 million tier for its 2026 football roster. More specifically, the report described the Seminoles as sitting only slightly above the $20 million threshold, putting FSU near the bottom of that spending range.
CBS Sports surveyed more than 50 athletic directors, general managers, personnel executives, agents, cap experts and boosters with knowledge of roster spending, then cross-checked those figures with sources from the same conferences and geographic regions. Programs were separated into four tiers: more than $40 million, $30 million to $39 million, $20 million to $29 million and less than $20 million.
That methodology is important because college football still lacks the financial transparency found in professional leagues. A separate survey of general managers at the 2026 Personnel Symposium produced an average Power Four roster cost of $22.5 million, though the report noted that several major spenders were not included and some responses were believed to understate actual costs.
Within the ACC, the Miami Hurricanes stand alone in the $40 million-plus category. No conference program was placed between $30 million and $39 million.
#spending #Florida #sports
According to roster-spending estimates compiled by CBS Sports' Chris Hummer and John Talty, Florida State sits in the $20 million to $29 million tier for its 2026 football roster. More specifically, the report described the Seminoles as sitting only slightly above the $20 million threshold, putting FSU near the bottom of that spending range.
CBS Sports surveyed more than 50 athletic directors, general managers, personnel executives, agents, cap experts and boosters with knowledge of roster spending, then cross-checked those figures with sources from the same conferences and geographic regions. Programs were separated into four tiers: more than $40 million, $30 million to $39 million, $20 million to $29 million and less than $20 million.
That methodology is important because college football still lacks the financial transparency found in professional leagues. A separate survey of general managers at the 2026 Personnel Symposium produced an average Power Four roster cost of $22.5 million, though the report noted that several major spenders were not included and some responses were believed to understate actual costs.
Within the ACC, the Miami Hurricanes stand alone in the $40 million-plus category. No conference program was placed between $30 million and $39 million.
#spending #Florida #sports
2 months ago
GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A former senior adviser to infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci pleaded guilty Tuesday to plotting to conceal federal records related to research on the origins of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. David Morens is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 12 by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Greenbelt, Maryland. Morens pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government, a felony punishable by a maximum prison sentence of five years.
"By pleading guilty today, Dr. Morens has taken responsibility for what he did, and he will continue to do so," defense attorney Tim Belevetz said in a statement after the plea hearing.
Morens is accused of using his private email account to intentionally circumvent public records laws while employed at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The Justice Department alleges that he concealed or destroyed records of discussions related to COVID-19 research grants, including an effort to revive a controversial coronavirus grant.
The indictment follows a probe by House Republicans into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic that scrutinized Morens' email communications and accused him of intentionally concealing records. In congressional testimony, Morens denied attempting to evade federal transparency laws by using his personal email.
#records #guilty #infectious #pleaded
Dr. David Morens is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 12 by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Greenbelt, Maryland. Morens pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government, a felony punishable by a maximum prison sentence of five years.
"By pleading guilty today, Dr. Morens has taken responsibility for what he did, and he will continue to do so," defense attorney Tim Belevetz said in a statement after the plea hearing.
Morens is accused of using his private email account to intentionally circumvent public records laws while employed at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The Justice Department alleges that he concealed or destroyed records of discussions related to COVID-19 research grants, including an effort to revive a controversial coronavirus grant.
The indictment follows a probe by House Republicans into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic that scrutinized Morens' email communications and accused him of intentionally concealing records. In congressional testimony, Morens denied attempting to evade federal transparency laws by using his personal email.
#records #guilty #infectious #pleaded
2 months ago
The pilot, now live, features DPP data for three denim fabrics sourced from Bhaskar Savitt Industries in India.
The pilot is currently operating with three products, namely Renewed Eco, Earthbound Eco, and Bluecanopy Eco, with each displaying interactive DPP widgets on their product pages.
According to World Collective, these widgets enable stakeholders to access detailed information on fabric composition, sustainability credentials, and supplier details, according to statements from the partners.
World Collective co-founder and CEO Jeanine Ballone said: "The bottleneck in supply chain transparency has never been data availability, it's standardisation and scalable distribution. Currently, suppliers are asked to share the same information separately by dozens of brands.
"Our pilot shows that when suppliers invest in structuring their data once, in a standardised format, that information becomes infinitely more valuable. It's not just efficient; it's a competitive advantage. Suppliers with comprehensive DPP data can demonstrate their practices and capabilities directly to the market."
#pilot #World
The pilot is currently operating with three products, namely Renewed Eco, Earthbound Eco, and Bluecanopy Eco, with each displaying interactive DPP widgets on their product pages.
According to World Collective, these widgets enable stakeholders to access detailed information on fabric composition, sustainability credentials, and supplier details, according to statements from the partners.
World Collective co-founder and CEO Jeanine Ballone said: "The bottleneck in supply chain transparency has never been data availability, it's standardisation and scalable distribution. Currently, suppliers are asked to share the same information separately by dozens of brands.
"Our pilot shows that when suppliers invest in structuring their data once, in a standardised format, that information becomes infinitely more valuable. It's not just efficient; it's a competitive advantage. Suppliers with comprehensive DPP data can demonstrate their practices and capabilities directly to the market."
#pilot #World
2 months ago
EAST LANSING – While Pat Fitzgerald patrolled the football practice field Monday, Aug. 18, Michigan State had found his new boss. A little less than an hour later, after the first-year coach spoke to reporters, it became official.
Make no mistake: Dan Bartholomae's primary mission is to help get Fitzgerald's program back to competing for championships. And vice versa for the coach the Spartans' new athletic director inherits in the football-dominated new landscape of the Big Ten and college sports.
The first step in creating a relationship? From Fitzgerald's standpoint, "honesty, transparency" are essential.
"The ability to sit down and have hard conversations and create a plan," Fitzgerald said Monday before Bartholomae's hiring became official. "What does that mean? That means the next 12 months, the next 36 months, the next five years – what is our plan, where do we see our priorities? It's my job to help that person be better, in whatever that means. However they need me is what I'm gonna do.
"It's just like my ******* istant coaches to me. We have very honest, transparent conversations. And they're there to help me be the best head coach I can be. I'm here to take things off the AD's plate and make him be – or she be – the best AD possible."
#coach
Make no mistake: Dan Bartholomae's primary mission is to help get Fitzgerald's program back to competing for championships. And vice versa for the coach the Spartans' new athletic director inherits in the football-dominated new landscape of the Big Ten and college sports.
The first step in creating a relationship? From Fitzgerald's standpoint, "honesty, transparency" are essential.
"The ability to sit down and have hard conversations and create a plan," Fitzgerald said Monday before Bartholomae's hiring became official. "What does that mean? That means the next 12 months, the next 36 months, the next five years – what is our plan, where do we see our priorities? It's my job to help that person be better, in whatever that means. However they need me is what I'm gonna do.
"It's just like my ******* istant coaches to me. We have very honest, transparent conversations. And they're there to help me be the best head coach I can be. I'm here to take things off the AD's plate and make him be – or she be – the best AD possible."
#coach
2 months ago
By Bianca Flowers and Kat Stafford
CHICAGO, Aug 17 (Reuters) - The NAACP announced on Monday it had joined the legal team representing the family of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Black teen whose body was found on a Mississippi barrier island last month after a Fourth of July trip with three white friends.
The U.S. civil rights organization said its Office of General Counsel will work with the family's lawyers, including prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, to seek a comprehensive investigation and greater transparency from authorities into Wells' death.
"We're taking up this fight to search for truth and transparency surrounding the death of Nolan Wells," Kristen Clarke, general counsel of the NAACP, said in a statement.
The NAACP's involvement underscores how Wells' death has evolved from a local investigation into a case drawing national scrutiny. Although authorities have not announced final findings or alleged foul play, questions raised by family members, civil rights leaders and others about race, transparency and accountability have fueled calls for greater scrutiny.
#wells #death #nolan #counsel
CHICAGO, Aug 17 (Reuters) - The NAACP announced on Monday it had joined the legal team representing the family of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Black teen whose body was found on a Mississippi barrier island last month after a Fourth of July trip with three white friends.
The U.S. civil rights organization said its Office of General Counsel will work with the family's lawyers, including prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, to seek a comprehensive investigation and greater transparency from authorities into Wells' death.
"We're taking up this fight to search for truth and transparency surrounding the death of Nolan Wells," Kristen Clarke, general counsel of the NAACP, said in a statement.
The NAACP's involvement underscores how Wells' death has evolved from a local investigation into a case drawing national scrutiny. Although authorities have not announced final findings or alleged foul play, questions raised by family members, civil rights leaders and others about race, transparency and accountability have fueled calls for greater scrutiny.
#wells #death #nolan #counsel
2 months ago
Former Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse isn't walking away from her crown without a fight.
Days after being stripped of the **** le amid controversy over resurfaced social media posts that reportedly included repeated use of the N-word, Boltinhouse has hired a North Carolina law firm to challenge her removal. According to The New York Post, attorneys for the 27-year-old are calling the decision "wrongful and unjustified" and arguing that pageant organizers have failed to publicly identify the specific conduct that led to her dethronement.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
Patrick Mincey of Mincey Bell Rhoades said that Boltinhouse "rightfully earned and won" the Miss North Carolina USA **** le "through merit, achievement and the profound public support of millions across the world."
"The pageant organizers have persistently refused to identify any specific conduct that would justify stripping Brittany of her **** le," Mincey said, accusing organizers of abandoning "due process, fairness, and transparency."
#north #title #organizers #brittany
Days after being stripped of the **** le amid controversy over resurfaced social media posts that reportedly included repeated use of the N-word, Boltinhouse has hired a North Carolina law firm to challenge her removal. According to The New York Post, attorneys for the 27-year-old are calling the decision "wrongful and unjustified" and arguing that pageant organizers have failed to publicly identify the specific conduct that led to her dethronement.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
Patrick Mincey of Mincey Bell Rhoades said that Boltinhouse "rightfully earned and won" the Miss North Carolina USA **** le "through merit, achievement and the profound public support of millions across the world."
"The pageant organizers have persistently refused to identify any specific conduct that would justify stripping Brittany of her **** le," Mincey said, accusing organizers of abandoning "due process, fairness, and transparency."
#north #title #organizers #brittany
