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have1fly
3 days ago
This story was originally published on Marketing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Marketing Dive newsletter.
Walmart is reworking an iconic piece of pop culture history to bolster its holiday marketing and a "Who Knew?" brand platform starring Walton Goggins. The goal is to offer a unified marketing push with multigenerational appeal throughout the crucial gift-giving season.
The retailer in the past ran separate campaigns around different legs of the holiday season, such as the ramp-up to Black Friday, but has leveraged "Who Knew?" to streamline its storytelling. "Who Knew?," which launched last year, was developed to dispel misperceptions about the brand and position it as more style- and trend-forward as Walmart wins over higher-income shoppers.
"The holidays are an incredibly cluttered period of time from an advertising standpoint, and so the ability to break through is really important," Walmart CMO William White said in an interview. "Having one [theme], one campaign throughout the season allows a really quick read for customers to know it's Walmart."

#dive
BL9nkP6ll_98
23 days ago
Republicans are swamping House and Senate races with an unprecedented flood of late ad spending as the party tests whether hundreds of millions of dollars can buy it some reprieve from the eroding political environment that’s threatening longtime Republican states and districts.
Since the start of September, Republicans have made more than $700 million worth of new advertising bookings in congressional races alone, according to an NBC News ******* ysis of data from AdImpact, a political ad-tracking firm. That’s new money on top of what had already been committed to those races in ad reservations made over the summer.
By comparison, Democrats booked more than $430 million in new ad reservations across those races last month.
The disparity is greatest in the battle for the Senate majority, where almost 7 of every 10 newly booked advertising dollars are coming from Republicans. That’s led by a massive, late investment in the Senate race in Texas, where Democrat James Talarico is threatening a longtime Republican seat and the GOP has poured in almost $150 million in new ad dollars to back up its nominee, Ken Paxton.
The gap is smaller in the House, where a bit less than 6 in 10 of those new ad dollars are coming from the GOP.

#senate #dollars #House #republican
OddlY2mb3r
25 days ago
Sydney Sweeney recently found herself again at the center of a heated public conversation, this time over a provocative campaign that has divided opinions across sports and Hollywood.
What began as an advertisement for sports betting platform Novig quickly became a much bigger debate about women, sports, and the use of ***** appeal in advertising.
While some familiar names have been willing to make their feelings known, the silence of her former "Euphoria" costar, Zendaya, on the controversy has not gone unnoticed.
Image Press Agency / MEGA
As criticism continues to follow Sweeney's Novig campaign, Zendaya has chosen not to publicly join the conversation.

#sports #novig
09orbit
1 month ago
On September 9, 2026, Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) reported its first quarterly results as a public company, with total revenue up 10% year over year to $208 million and same-store sales accelerating to 2.3% growth from 1.7% in the prior quarter. It was primarily driven by transaction growth even as the restaurant industry faced weak traffic trends. Net income fell to $37 million from $59 million a year earlier. It showed non-routine expenses, advertising fund timing, and higher interest costs following the company's July initial public offering, partially offset by a $14 million gain on the sale of corporate-owned stores.
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) is gaining customers while its brand remains a major competitive advantage. The firm added 83 stores in the second quarter. It grew its customer base and increased systemwide sales 10% to $1.21 billion. Jersey Mike's also earned the No. 1 ranking among U.S. quick-service restaurant brands in the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index, surpassing Chick-fil-A after 11 consecutive years at the top. It gives the newly public company a strong foundation for continued customer and franchisee growth.
The business has substantial whitespace for long-term unit growth. Jersey Mike's ended the quarter with 3,378 locations and maintains a domestic development pipeline of more than 1,600 stores, with more than 90% of that pipeline coming from existing franchisees. Management estimates that the U.S. market could eventually support roughly 7,500 locations and sees potential to reach approximately 15,000 stores globally. It gives the business a long runway for franchise-led revenue and royalty growth.
Digital engagement and transaction growth give Jersey Mike's more avenues to increase sales. Digital sales represented 43% of systemwide sales in the second quarter, up from 41% a year earlier. Same-store sales increased 2.3% mainly because customers placed more transactions. Jersey Mike's also had more than 12.5 million active MyMike's loyalty members in 2025. It provides the company with a large customer database that it can use to increase frequency and personalize marketing as it expands.
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) still faces a significant profitability challenge despite its revenue growth. Second-quarter revenue jumped 10% to $208 million. However, net income fell 37% to $37 million from $59 million a year earlier. Management attributed part of the decline to advertising-fund timing and higher interest expense. It shows that revenue growth has not yet translated into comparable bottom-line growth for shareholders.

#million #customer
xbxazeoqeohibn
1 month ago
LifeMD, Inc. (NASDAQ:LFMD) announced an exclusive healthcare collaboration on September 15 that initially makes virtual-health membership benefits available to approximately 29 million eligible AT&T wireless and fiber customers across 11 states. Customers must be 18 or older, and some services have additional eligibility and state restrictions. A nationwide expansion planned for January 2027 would extend eligibility beyond 100 million customers.
The $19 monthly membership fee is waived, but customers must enroll. Visits, prescriptions, and other services remain separately payable. For LifeMD, Inc. (NASDAQ:LFMD), the opportunity is converting access to a large audience into recurring demand for paid care.
The partnership gives LifeMD, Inc. (NASDAQ:LFMD) a distribution channel through the website, mobile app and customer-benefits program of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). Reaching customers through an established relationship could reduce reliance on advertising and lower acquisition costs per paying patient.
Removing the membership charge also reduces the financial commitment required to try the service. Announced visit prices start at $29 for message-based care, $49 for urgent and primary care video visits, and $79 for specialty care. Customers may use insurance, Medicare, or discounted cash-pay rates for visits and prescriptions.
LifeMD, Inc. (NASDAQ:LFMD) could benefit from repeat consultations and prescription fulfillment when clinically appropriate. Primary care, chronic-condition management and other services create opportunities for continuing patient relationships. If satisfied patients return, the revenue earned over those relationships could exceed the cost of acquiring and serving them.

#Services
wildy
1 month ago
Helfstein estimates META needs 115 million paying Muse subscribers at $20/month to unlock $28 billion in AI revenue, but doubts it happens.
META's Q2 operating margin collapsed from 43% to 31%, while full-year capex guidance soared to a range of $130 billion to $145 billion.
Just released. Our ******* ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and Meta didn't make the cut. Enter your email to see the names that beat METAPLATFORMS. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut.
Jason Helfstein, Oppenheimer's Managing Director and Senior ******* yst covering the Internet sector, laid out a striking scenario in a September 2026 note: Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) would need roughly 115 million paying Muse subscribers at a $20/month price point to generate about $27.5 to $28 billion in annual AI agent revenue. His conclusion, however, was skeptical. For long-term investors, the math frames just how high the bar is for Meta stock to earn a consumer-AI premium on top of its advertising engine.
Ticker

#million
D7mN5YFOs8M
1 month ago
GDEV Inc. (NASDAQ:GDEV) saw a year-on-year drop in bookings from both its in-app purchases and advertising, during the second quarter fiscal 2026. Consequently, the quarterly revenue figure of $94 million was down 22% compared to Q2 FY25. On the flip side, SG&A expenses and costs related to platform commissions were lower relative to the corresponding period last year. Along with other factors, the lower cost base helped GDEV report $20 million in net profit, up from $17 million in the second quarter of 2025.
Copyright: artush / 123RF Stock Photo
Breaking down the expenses, selling and marketing costs came down by 38% compared to the same quarter last year, clocking in at $33 million. It reflects on management's continued focus on deploying an efficient approach for its user acquisition initiatives. The approach is based on a more targeted performance marketing across certain channels that lead to durable high-value users, instead of broader campaigns for near-term benefits.
The reported quarter marked a turnaround related to the equity accounted ******* ociates. These contributed a $2 million profit share, which was a reversal from a $2 million loss share in Q2 FY25. Most notably, cash flows from operating activities turned from negative $10 million in Q2 FY25 to positive $10 million in the reported period.
Several operating metrics weakened during the reported quarter. Monthly paying users dropped by 23% year-over-year, along with a 15% decline for the entire first half. This was the major underlying reason for a sluggish performance in bookings, which stood at $73 million and $156 million for the second quarter and first half of the year, respectively. These fell short in comparison to $92 million and $173 million recorded in the corresponding periods last year. GDEV also said the decline in first-half platform commissions was driven by lower revenues recognized from PC platforms, while PC's share of bookings fell to 36% from 39%.

#million #lower
qkwnlxedfccnhmmu
1 month ago
Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is taking another step toward monetizing artificial intelligence beyond its core advertising business. On September 9, the company acquired AI startup Stilla.ai.
The acquisition will strengthen the company's agentic AI capabilities as it moves to capitalize on growing demand for AI agents that can handle business transactions. Plans are underway to integrate Stilla.ai's team and technology into Meta Business Agent, which already helps businesses interact with customers across various platforms.
Stilla.ai's technology could help Meta's Business Agent enable more sophisticated interactions between customers and AI agents across its messaging platforms. In the long term, customers could use AI agents to inquire about products, discuss pricing, and potentially complete purchases without leaving Meta's ecosystem.
Such capabilities could result in new monetization opportunities as the company faces increasing pressure to generate returns from its substantial artificial intelligence investments. Rather than relying exclusively on AI to improve advertising efficiency, Meta could use AI to facilitate transactions and capture value from the commercial activity taking place across its platforms.
The acquisition could help the company build an AI-driven commerce layer across its massive messaging ecosystem. The company has access to billions of users across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, while millions of businesses already use its platforms to communicate with customers.

#customers #agents
moyi_wehi_qezo_wnc7
1 month ago
Meta Platforms (META) has spent most of 2026 trading near $648 while the business behind it delivered record quarterly revenue. That growing mismatch has drawn a wave of ******* ysts who believe the stock is meaningfully underpriced.
Second-quarter revenue reached $60.8 billion, up 28% year over year, with a 31% operating margin, Meta's earnings press release confirmed.
At a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 19, the stock trades below the S&P 500's approximately 22 times forward earnings.
Reaching $900 would require roughly 39% upside from current levels. Whether the target is realistic depends on how quickly Meta's artificial intelligence spending produces revenue beyond its advertising business.
Meta's advertising technology is producing gains that rival any growth story in big tech. Internal model upgrades drove an 8.3% lift in ad clicks and a 15.7% conversion gain on Facebook last quarter, 24/7 Wall St reported.

#business #year
HarDlYFro5t
1 month ago
Nearly 10 years ago, Warren Buffett told Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA) (NYSE: BRKB) investors that he had made a mistake for not buying Google when he had the opportunity many years earlier. He had become quite familiar with the business because GEICO, Berkshire's consumer insurance company, was paying $10 or $11 per click for advertising on the search engine owned by Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL). At the 2017 shareholder meeting, Buffett said he'd missed the opportunity, but he wouldn't bet against Google.
The stock climbed significantly while Buffett sat on the sidelines. He finally pulled the trigger on the stock in the third quarter of last year. Since then, he and newly appointed CEO Greg Abel have plowed tens of billions into the stock, making it one of Berkshire's biggest investments. But Buffett arguably missed out on a 9,000% gain by not buying into the stock sooner.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
It's hard to blame Buffett for not buying Alphabet, then known as Google, when it made its initial public offering (IPO) in 2004. Buffett historically avoids both IPO stocks and tech stocks.
Buffett thinks IPOs are typically overvalued, at least relative to many other stocks, because underwriters are incentivized to secure the highest possible price for the company issuing shares. An IPO like Google's also comes with a lot of hype and media attention that can drive prices higher without any fundamental basis.

#buffett #NVIDIA #years #company
zu4bynyubd
1 month ago
On September 9, 2026, Reuters reported that Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) rolled out Muse, a long-touted AI agent that can autonomously send emails, sell a car, and book travel on a person's behalf, despite internal concerns among Meta's own employees that the technology mismanages access to sensitive personal data. The agent is modeled on the open-source system OpenClaw and available initially only in the U.S. through a dedicated app or WhatsApp. It is designed to access apps across email, calendar, payments, health, shopping, and smart-home categories as the centerpiece of CEO Mark Zuckerberg's "personal superintelligence" strategy.
Muse could give Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) a new revenue stream beyond advertising by turning its massive user base into paying AI customers. The company launched Muse with a free tier and $20 and $100 monthly subscription options for heavier users. The agent can handle tasks such as sending emails, selling items, and booking travel. It gives Meta a direct way to monetize AI capabilities and diversify its revenue base.
The new AI agent could help Meta generate returns from its enormous AI infrastructure investment. Meta expects AI infrastructure spending to exceed $130 billion this year, increasing the importance of monetizing its AI capabilities. Meta can distribute Muse through WhatsApp and eventually connect it with smart glasses. It gives the company multiple ways to expand usage and build a broader consumer AI ecosystem.
Meta has strengthened Muse's safeguards before launching the product. It could support wider use. Meta delayed the launch from April to improve security and added an autonomous safety agent that monitors Muse's actions. Users can also control which apps Muse can access, while Meta plans an encrypted version. It gives the company a path to address security concerns as it expands the product.
Muse's security failures could damage consumer trust in a product that needs access to sensitive information. Internal testing uncovered an incident in which Muse exposed private iCloud photos. Employees also reported other security concerns. Such failures could discourage users from connecting email, payment, health, and other personal accounts, limiting subscription adoption and Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META)'s potential revenue from Muse.

#muse
3k3oc
1 month ago
Oddity Tech Ltd. (NASDAQ:ODD) reported second-quarter revenue of approximately $181 million on September 9, down 25% from $241 million a year earlier. Company-defined non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA fell to $13 million from $70 million. This measure excludes net financial income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, and certain unusual or nonrecurring items from net income.
Management attributed the disruption primarily to an advertising-algorithm problem affecting IL MAKIAGE. Oddity Tech Ltd. (NASDAQ:ODD) expects third-quarter revenue to decline approximately 5% year over year, with adjusted EBITDA of $18 million to $20 million. The sequential improvement describes a narrowing year-over-year revenue decline.
Management's diagnosis centers on distorted advertising signals that impair IL MAKIAGE's ability to reach suitable customers at acceptable acquisition costs. Oddity Tech Ltd. (NASDAQ:ODD) is testing changes with its largest advertising partner to retrain the algorithm. If those changes restore profitable customer acquisition, the existing brand could recover without a fundamental overhaul of its products.
Other brands provide operating evidence beyond that hypothesis. SpoiledChild delivered double-digit quarterly revenue growth, and management expects at least 35% growth for 2026, approaching $350 million in revenue. Management expects METHODIQ's first-year revenue to exceed SpoiledChild's first-year result.
These results support the argument that Oddity Tech Ltd. (NASDAQ:ODD) can build additional brands using its technology platform. A broader sales base could gradually reduce dependence on IL MAKIAGE, while successful customer retention would help recover upfront advertising spending over multiple purchases.

#revenue #NASDAQ #advertising #expects
pijaljggfpamh
1 month ago
Fox Corporation (NASDAQ:FOXA) disclosed on September 9 that the U.S. Department of Justice issued a second request for information concerning the proposed acquisition of Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROKU). Cooperation with the review continues, and the expected closing remains in the first half of 2027, according to The Wall Street Journal.
A second request extends the premerger waiting period while regulators seek additional documents and data. For investors, the question is whether Fox Corporation (NASDAQ:FOXA) can preserve the acquisition's streaming benefits through a potentially longer review and any conditions attached to clearance.
The strategic fit centers on combining content with distribution. Roku, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROKU) reaches more than 100 million households globally and would provide Fox Corporation (NASDAQ:FOXA) with an established connected-television platform, advertising technology and direct consumer relationships.
That reach could create additional opportunities to promote live news, sports and streaming services. For advertisers, a broader combination of content, audience data and campaign tools could make the combined offering more useful, provided integration improves targeting and measurement.
The commercial opportunity also extends beyond audience growth. Better advertising monetization and more efficient promotion of streaming services could improve the value generated from existing viewers. Household reach provides the starting point; advertising revenue, engagement and customer acquisition costs would determine the financial payoff.

#advertising #second #request #review
flatfLaT
1 month ago
Alphabet's (GOOGL) Search revenue grew 17% to $63B and Cloud surged 82% to $25B, even as GOOGL still trades at a market-level P/E of 15.
Alphabet's cloud is outpacing Azure's growth at a cheaper multiple than Microsoft (MSFT), while Meta (META) owns none of Alphabet's cloud, OS, or Waymo ***** ets.
Alphabet's $175B+ CapEx pushed free cash flow negative, but a $460B cloud backlog and 34% operating margin justify the infrastructure bet.
Just released. Our ***** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and Google made the cut. Enter your email to see the other nine names and why GOOGL earned its spot. The report is free. Enter your email and see the full list.
I keep adding to my position in Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) because the loudest bear case, that AI would gut Google Search and hollow out the ad engine, keeps getting louder while the numbers keep going the other way. The skeptics said generative AI would strip clicks out of the funnel. Instead, AI is actively boosting the advertising business, and my cost basis has been rising alongside the buy ***** on.

#free
ce_su7
1 month ago
Weitz Investment Management, an investment management firm, released its second-quarter Q2 2026 investor letter for the "Multi Cap Equity Fund". The letter can be downloaded here. The Multi Cap Equity Fund's Institutional Class returned 7.90% in Q2, underperforming the Bloomberg U.S. 3000 Index's 15.71% gain. Markets rose in the quarter on hopes of de-escalating Middle East tensions and easing oil flow. Investor focus shifted back to artificial intelligence, despite component shortages like processing chips affecting profits and valuations. Valuation-sensitive investors are selective within the AI sector, in contrast to valuation-agnostic indexes that adopt a more relaxed strategy. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Weitz Multi Cap Equity Fund highlighted Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) as a newly added postion. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is a leading subscription-based streaming entertainment platform. On September 15, 2026, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) closed at $77.90 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $324.37 billion. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) posted a one‑month return of -2.89%, while its shares lost 36.59% over the past 52 weeks.
Weitz Multi Cap Equity Fund stated the following regarding Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"We initiated two new positions during the second quarter. Most will be familiar with global streaming giant, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX). The company made headlines as it tried to acquire Warner Bros. from Warner Bros. Discovery before ultimately walking away from a bidding war for the company. Some investors feared its bid signaled stagnation in its streaming business. At the time of this writing, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is also captivating audiences and draining attention and engagement from Netflix's service. Despite these near-term perception headwinds, we are optimistic that Netflix's introduction of an ad-supported tier is a savvy strategy to extend its growth runway: Netflix will not only participate in the large, multi-billion-dollar global advertising market, but a lower-price ad-tier broadens its potential customer base while simultaneously enhancing the pricing power of its premium, ad free tier."
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) ranks 13 on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 121 hedge fund portfolios held Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) at the end of the second quarter, down from 144 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

#second
bluntly
1 month ago
Alluvium **** et Management, an **** et management company, released its "Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund" second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. The second quarter reflected a sharp shift from geopolitical uncertainty and oil market volatility to a powerful equity rally led by semiconductor companies. Despite the broader market strength, the Fund declined 1.4% in EUR terms, 2.2% in USD terms, and 3.9% in AUD terms. Portfolio results were mixed, with Alphabet benefiting from strong Cloud growth, while Robert Half, H&R Block and other holdings posted solid gains. However, cable businesses and several healthcare and consumer holdings weighed on performance. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund highlighted Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG). Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), the parent company of Google, offers various platforms and services, including online search and advertising, cloud solutions, and artificial intelligence. On September 15, 2026, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) closed at $341.43 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $4.2 trillion. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) posted a one-month return of -0.08%, while its shares gained 36.65% over the past 52 weeks.
Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund stated the following regarding Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) was the Fund's strongest performer over the quarter, up 24.4%. There's little to add from our last report, except that its 22% revenue growth exceeded our expectations, and it seems it can't keep up with demand, hence it has increased, yet again (and somewhat worryingly) its capital expenditure to budget (to USD 190b) and expects further increases next year."
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) ranks 7th on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 195 hedge fund portfolios held Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) at the end of the second quarter, which was 201 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

#alphabet #NASDAQ #quarter #conventum
bol0760
1 month ago
Inquiring about Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) on September 10, a caller asked if they should "keep it." Mad Money host Jim Cramer replied:
I got to tell you, this one is a short and long-term, okay? Short-term, I think I know what Walmart's doing. I think that they're letting their customers have a big break. They're not passing along all of these costs. That is going to earn them tremendous love when things get better. So the wise situation is to say this: Walmart trades at 36 times earnings. It deserves to trade lower just because of what's happening at the company now and higher what's happening at the company when this inflation bout ends. So you buy some at $106, $105, and then buy some at $95. And yes, it could trade to $95. It does not have yield support. This is not like Target, which had that yield support. Target's doing better than Walmart right now. It is.
Walmart Inc.'s (NASDAQ:WMT) second-quarter fiscal 2027 revenue rose 5.9% year over year to $187.9 billion, while global e-commerce sales increased 23%. Global advertising revenue rose 38%, and membership-fee revenue increased 17% globally. Walmart U.S. comparable sales, excluding fuel, grew 2.6%. The company is also using tariff refunds to support lower prices. It said tariff refunds increased its gross profit rate during the quarter, while price investments partially offset the benefit.
Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) has stronger recent comparable-sales momentum. Its second-quarter sales rose 5.3%, comparable sales increased 3.8%, and traffic rose 3.6%. The company also raised its full-year sales-growth outlook to approximately 5%. Its second-quarter GAAP and adjusted EPS were $4.11, including a $1.65 benefit from tariff refunds. Excluding tariff refunds, GAAP and adjusted EPS increased 20% year over year. CEO Michael Fiddelke said Target had reduced prices on more than 10,000 frequently purchased items over the past year and acknowledged that "there's still meaningful work ahead."
Walmart Inc.'s (NASDAQ:WMT) biggest risk is valuation. Its premium forward PE of 36.76 leaves the stock more exposed if U.S. comparable-sales growth remains modest while the company continues investing in prices. Walmart's 2.6% U.S. comparable-sales growth also trails Target's 3.8%.

#increased #rose
pullbasicwitty
1 month ago
If you bought Meta Platforms (META) for its advertising engine, the engine still runs: revenue rose 28% year over year in the June 2026 quarter, and its Advantage+ automated campaigns keep growing. What has changed is where the cash goes afterward. The question for a holder is whether Meta is still the business you bought.
Over the twelve months through the June 2026 quarter, capital spending took 39.1% of revenue, against 18.5% across Meta's history. That money buys servers, data centers and network infrastructure. In late July 2026, Meta also announced a venture with BlackRock to develop a 1 gigawatt data center in El Paso, Texas. The plan is to keep going: management narrowed its 2026 capital-spending range by lifting the bottom of it.
Less cash is left over. TTM free-cash-flow margin is 18.0%, against 32.8% across its history, so on each dollar of sales Meta keeps a little more than half the free cash it used to.
Borrowing fills part of the gap. Debt has risen to 25.0% of total ******* ets, against a historical 7.0%, and the CFO says Meta is adding more debt to lower its cost of capital. Meta still holds more cash and marketable securities than debt.
Together, those three readings are the most unusual combination Meta has shown in 14 years. Taken with the 2026 spending floor that management has raised, the combination reads as a change in the business rather than one quarter of noise.

#quarter #spending #bought #engine
drift_meg
1 month ago
If you bought Meta Platforms (META) for its advertising engine, the engine still runs: revenue rose 28% year over year in the June 2026 quarter, and its Advantage+ automated campaigns keep growing. What has changed is where the cash goes afterward. The question for a holder is whether Meta is still the business you bought.
Over the twelve months through the June 2026 quarter, capital spending took 39.1% of revenue, against 18.5% across Meta's history. That money buys servers, data centers and network infrastructure. In late July 2026, Meta also announced a venture with BlackRock to develop a 1 gigawatt data center in El Paso, Texas. The plan is to keep going: management narrowed its 2026 capital-spending range by lifting the bottom of it.
Less cash is left over. TTM free-cash-flow margin is 18.0%, against 32.8% across its history, so on each dollar of sales Meta keeps a little more than half the free cash it used to.
Borrowing fills part of the gap. Debt has risen to 25.0% of total **** ets, against a historical 7.0%, and the CFO says Meta is adding more debt to lower its cost of capital. Meta still holds more cash and marketable securities than debt.
Together, those three readings are the most unusual combination Meta has shown in 14 years. Taken with the 2026 spending floor that management has raised, the combination reads as a change in the business rather than one quarter of noise.

#meta #cash
bacehif
1 month ago
Weitz Investment Management, an investment management firm, released its second-quarter Q2 2026 investor letter for the "Multi Cap Equity Fund". The letter can be downloaded here. The Multi Cap Equity Fund's Institutional Class returned 7.90% in Q2, underperforming the Bloomberg U.S. 3000 Index's 15.71% gain. Markets rose in the quarter on hopes of de-escalating Middle East tensions and easing oil flow. Investor focus shifted back to artificial intelligence, despite component shortages like processing chips affecting profits and valuations. Valuation-sensitive investors are selective within the AI sector, in contrast to valuation-agnostic indexes that adopt a more relaxed strategy. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Weitz Multi Cap Equity Fund highlighted Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) as a newly added postion. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is a leading subscription-based streaming entertainment platform. On September 15, 2026, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) closed at $77.90 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $324.37 billion. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) posted a one‑month return of -2.89%, while its shares lost 36.59% over the past 52 weeks.
Weitz Multi Cap Equity Fund stated the following regarding Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"We initiated two new positions during the second quarter. Most will be familiar with global streaming giant, Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX). The company made headlines as it tried to acquire Warner Bros. from Warner Bros. Discovery before ultimately walking away from a bidding war for the company. Some investors feared its bid signaled stagnation in its streaming business. At the time of this writing, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is also captivating audiences and draining attention and engagement from Netflix's service. Despite these near-term perception headwinds, we are optimistic that Netflix's introduction of an ad-supported tier is a savvy strategy to extend its growth runway: Netflix will not only participate in the large, multi-billion-dollar global advertising market, but a lower-price ad-tier broadens its potential customer base while simultaneously enhancing the pricing power of its premium, ad free tier."
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) ranks 13 on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 121 hedge fund portfolios held Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) at the end of the second quarter, down from 144 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

#fund
fiNchCool202
1 month ago
Alluvium **** et Management, an **** et management company, released its "Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund" second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. The second quarter reflected a sharp shift from geopolitical uncertainty and oil market volatility to a powerful equity rally led by semiconductor companies. Despite the broader market strength, the Fund declined 1.4% in EUR terms, 2.2% in USD terms, and 3.9% in AUD terms. Portfolio results were mixed, with Alphabet benefiting from strong Cloud growth, while Robert Half, H&R Block and other holdings posted solid gains. However, cable businesses and several healthcare and consumer holdings weighed on performance. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund highlighted Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG). Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), the parent company of Google, offers various platforms and services, including online search and advertising, cloud solutions, and artificial intelligence. On September 15, 2026, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) closed at $341.43 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $4.2 trillion. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) posted a one-month return of -0.08%, while its shares gained 36.65% over the past 52 weeks.
Conventum – Alluvium Global Fund stated the following regarding Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) was the Fund's strongest performer over the quarter, up 24.4%. There's little to add from our last report, except that its 22% revenue growth exceeded our expectations, and it seems it can't keep up with demand, hence it has increased, yet again (and somewhat worryingly) its capital expenditure to budget (to USD 190b) and expects further increases next year."
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) ranks 7th on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 195 hedge fund portfolios held Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) at the end of the second quarter, which was 201 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

#goog #fund #conventum
Fgnqs
1 month ago
Serve Robotics (SERV) shares have tumbled roughly 20% since the autonomous delivery company lowered its 2026 revenue guidance on Aug. 6. The cut came despite quarterly revenue surging 404% year-over-year (YOY). Serve Robotics also said it may not renew its foundational partnership with Uber (UBER) after it expires in early 2027. The development follows Serve's first decline in Uber Eats delivery volume in 17 consecutive quarters. However, Serve has $240 million in cash and is intentionally expanding into DoorDash (DASH), healthcare robotics, and advertising. The debate now is whether the reset reflects deeper trouble or a strategic effort to diversify beyond a weakening partnership.
Investors should also look closely at the short interest number when it comes to SERV stock. Serve Robotics has a short percentage of float of 31.3%. That's an extremely high number for any company but also brings with it an opportunity — namely, a potential short squeeze. For that to happen, though, there needs to be some retail interest in SERV stock.
Dear ***** eX Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for September 21
How to Play IBM Stock as It Teams Up with NASA to Launch a New Open-Source Model
GF Securities Says NAND Prices May Stabilize Later This Year. What This Means for Sandisk Stock.

#company
cosmic_NRemi_5
1 month ago
On August 5, Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. (NYSE:CCO) reported second-quarter results that showed the billboard and airport advertising company accelerating just as it prepares to leave the public markets. On February 9, Clear Channel agreed to be acquired by an investor consortium advised by Mubadala Capital for $2.43 per share, a deal stockholders approved on May 12, and one expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2026. Because of the pending Merger, Clear Channel skipped its usual earnings call and offered no forward guidance.
Consolidated revenue climbed 8.7% to $438.0 million in the quarter and 10.2% to $811.9 million over the first half, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup pulling in extra advertising spend across both of Clear Channel's segments. The America division, which houses the roadside billboard and street furniture business, grew revenue 7% to $324.3 million as demand from technology advertisers in the San Francisco/Bay Area market broadened out and digital billboard revenue rose 7.2% to $122 million. Airports revenue jumped 14% to $113.6 million, helped by strong demand at San Francisco
International Airport and digital sales that climbed 15.6% to $73.4 million, with national advertisers now accounting for 57.8% of that segment's revenue. Profitability grew even faster than the top line. Adjusted EBITDA rose 11.6% to $143.4 million for the quarter and 19% to $247.3 million for the first half, while Airports Segment Adjusted EBITDA jumped 22.8% to $29.9 million. Adjusted Funds From Operations climbed 61.6% to $44.9 million in the quarter, and for the first half it went from just $5 million a year ago to $51.5 million. On August 4, Clear Channel also closed the sale of its Spain business for about $132.3 million, proceeds it plans to put toward paying down debt.
The growth did not reach the bottom line. Clear Channel posted a loss from continuing operations of $10 million in the quarter, reversing a $6.3 million profit a year earlier, and the consolidated net loss came to $5 million versus net income of $10.6 million in the same period of 2025. Over six months, the loss from continuing operations widened 21.4% to $59.4 million. Costs rose alongside revenue. Direct operating and SG&A expenses increased 5.9% for the quarter, and Airports site lease expense alone jumped 12.0% to $67.1 million on higher minimum guaranteed payments and the renewed contract with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

#channel #revenue #airports #operations
sudoja3209
1 month ago
Sydney Sweeney is facing a fresh wave of backlash from female athletes after appearing in a provocative advertisement for sports prediction platform Novig.
The actress appears largely nude in the commercial, using sports equipment to cover her body while promoting Novig's sports-only market.
Sydney Sweeney has since defended the concept as a playful celebration of sports, while the controversy has also renewed discussion about celebrity involvement in prediction-market advertising.
Confirmed: Sydney Sweeney knows ball. pic.twitter.com/EXQ4PzVZsi
— Novig (Novig) September 9, 2026

#sports #september
shiny_finch_gqk_WNgY
1 month ago
Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT) is expanding its restaurant-delivery business through a partnership with Papa John's, allowing customers in select U.S. markets to order pizzas, sides, and desserts through Walmart's app and website. The service is expected to launch this fall before expanding to thousands of participating Papa John's locations nationwide. Customers will be able to order restaurant food either separately or alongside Walmart groceries and household products, with Walmart's delivery network handling fulfillment.
The move builds on Walmart's broader push into fast delivery. The company recently reported that U.S. e-commerce sales increased 24% in its latest quarter, while fast-delivery services for groceries and general merchandise grew 48%. Walmart also said 30-minute-or-less delivery was available in 38 U.S. markets, highlighting the infrastructure it can potentially leverage for restaurant orders.
The Papa John's partnership could strengthen Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT)'s position as a broader consumer-delivery platform rather than simply a retailer. Adding restaurant meals gives shoppers another reason to open Walmart's app, while the ability to combine a pizza order with groceries and household products creates an opportunity to increase basket sizes and order frequency. This is particularly attractive because Walmart already has a large store network that increasingly functions as a last-mile fulfillment system; roughly 80% of its e-commerce orders are fulfilled from stores.
The deal could also improve the economics of Walmart's existing delivery infrastructure. Instead of building a completely separate restaurant-delivery network, Walmart can utilize its established fulfillment capabilities and Spark driver network to serve incremental demand. The Papa John's relationship also expands Walmart's restaurant offering beyond earlier partnerships, helping the company build a more comprehensive alternative to dedicated delivery platforms such as DoorDash and Uber Eats.
More importantly, restaurant delivery could become another engagement tool for Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT)'s increasingly digital customer base. With e-commerce approaching a quarter of Walmart's overall sales and growing substantially faster than traditional store sales, initiatives that increase digital traffic could support Walmart's broader ecosystem of e-commerce, memberships and advertising.

#walmart #network #fulfillment
r1v85unscg7ly4
1 month ago
Sydney Sweeney has come under fire for another advertising campaign.
The Euphoria actor has teamed up with Novig, a new platform that combines sports trading with prediction-market features and is restricted to users aged 21 and above.
But the conversation isn't about the platform, which she is the new strategic partner and equity holder for. Instead, the marketing campaign has sparked a debate about how women are represented in sports.
The minute-long ad, ****** led "Just Sports," features the Christy actress posing in nothing but strategically placed footballs, basketball hoops, hockey pads, and a pool cue. The concept is that the platform focuses on sports and nothing else.
Marissa Womack, manager of game day promotions for the Harrisburg Senators, addressed the video and its backlash in a TikTok video: "This isn't about me being jealous or insecure. It's about the fact that this is already a male-dominated field where we constantly have to prove we belong. When the only representation is ****** ualization, you see fewer and fewer young women wanting to pursue this industry."

#sports #platform #nothing
coo_madly0885
2 months ago
A pastor kicked off a recent campaign stop for Michael Whatley, the Republican nominee for Senate, with a prayer that asked God to bestow "integrity and honesty" upon the event and to right wrongs "hammered down on the conservative movement."
The prayer was hardly unusual by North Carolina political standards. What was surprising was the man who delivered it. Pastor Daimon L. King is a registered ***** offender, twice sentenced to prison for convictions involving children, according to state and court records.
The episode occurred with two months to go in a marquee Senate race that could help decide which party controls the chamber after the November elections. It risks undermining one of Whatley's central campaign arguments — that his Democratic opponent, former Gov. Roy Cooper, is soft on crime. And it could feed into an advertising blitz by Democrats that has targeted the Republican candidate's ***** ociation with another convicted ***** offender, a former GOP official.
King did not respond to messages seeking comment.
Whatley's campaign declined to make him available for an interview. In a statement, campaign spokesman DJ Griffin said Whatley did not know King and the event "was NOT planned nor organized by the Whatley campaign nor did the campaign invite any of the guests."

#king #prayer #Event
flaTPatch
2 months ago
Prosper Stars & Stripes, a long/short equity fund, recently released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. In Q2 2026, the portfolio delivered a strong net return of +30.1% compared to the Russell 2000 Index's +21.5% return and the HFRX Equity Hedge Index's +10.3% return. The long book drove performance, generating a 43.2% gross contribution, while average net exposure remained relatively modest at 47%. U.S. economic growth remained resilient despite inflation concerns, elevated energy prices, and geopolitical uncertainty. Markets rallied sharply after easing U.S.-Iran tensions pushed oil prices lower, supporting renewed risk appetite. Small-cap equities benefited significantly, with Information Technology, Industrials, and Health Care leading gains, while Energy declined as crude prices fell. Year to date, the Composite returned +23.7%, slightly ahead of the Russell 2000's +22.6% and well above the HFRI Equity Hedge Index's +9.7%. Additionally, you can review the Portfolio's top 5 holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Prosper Stars & Stripes highlighted TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) as the largest contributor to the portfolio's short book. TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) provides sales and support of purchase intent-driven advertising campaigns. On September 9, 2026, TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) closed at $3.89 per share. Over the past month, TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) returned 1.57% and its shares lost 35.17% over the past 52 weeks. TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) has a market capitalization of $281.37 million, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $3.37 to $7.15.
Prosper Stars & Stripes stated the following regarding TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) was the largest contributor to our short book during the quarter. The company monetizes the purchase research behavior of enterprise IT buyers by operating a network of websites where buyers register to consume technical content, then selling those intent signals as leads to IT vendors. We first shorted the company after it completed a value-destroying acquisition in December 2024 that led to significant impairment charges in Q1 2025 and again in Q1 2026. We believe AI is likely to dismantle search-based discovery and commoditize content, the two pillars of TechTarget's value propositions. Results have validated our concerns, with management describing its market as mature, with 2% to 3% top-line growth, and EBITDA margins that peaked in 2022 falling to 7% in Q1 2026. Notably, revenue growth began deteriorating before ChatGPT launched in November 2022, suggesting that problems run deeper than AI alone. We continue to believe generative AI will weigh on TechTarget's prospects and remain short the company."

#techtarget #NASDAQ
rbufso407
2 months ago
Pinterest's CFO resignation and slowing Q3 guidance are repricing its 54x P/E multiple, sending PINS down 21% this month while RDDT falls just 2%.
SOCL and SPY are off just 1% and 0.4%, confirming Pinterest's selloff is company-specific rather than a broad social-advertising sector rotation.
Just released. Our ***** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and Pinterest didn't make the cut. Enter your email to see the names that beat PINS. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut.
Pinterest (NYSE:PINS) stock is sliding again Wednesday afternoon, and the frustrating part for holders is that there's no fresh company headline attached to the move. Pinterest shares are down 8% to $18.59, extending a punishing stretch that has taken the stock down 21% over the past month and pushing it back near the average price where management ran its recent buyback program.
The social peers are softer but nowhere near as weak. Reddit (NYSE:RDDT) stock is down 2% to $147.04, and Snap (NYSE:SNAP) stock is off 1% to $5.36. Both names posted clean Q2 2026 beats earlier this summer, so today's fade for the peer group reflects a sentiment reset across advertising-driven names more than a fundamentals reaction.

#pinterest
quicklyhyper
2 months ago
Crypto advocates and community bankers are taking their fight over the Clarity Act to senators' home states ahead of a key vote next week.
The Senate is scheduled to hold a procedural vote on the Clarity Act⁠ on September 15. The legislation would establish federal rules for digital ******* ets and divide oversight between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
According to a report by Reuters, during the August recess, both sides targeted senators with meetings, local events, op-eds, calls, emails, and advertising.
Stand With Crypto, a Coinbase-backed advocacy group that says it has 3 million supporters, said members called or emailed Congress nearly 50,000 times in August while organizing events and placing pro-Clarity Act op-eds in local newspapers. In Georgia, chapter president Tia Williams met with staff for Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock, who voted against advancing the bill out of the Senate Banking Committee.
Crypto groups have already spent at least $190 million ahead of the November midterm elections.

#Crypto #august #ahead #vote

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