When Christmas rolls around, my wife puts out a very small tree and some stuffed ornaments we bought a few years ago at Target. That's a pretty modest approach to decorating for the holidays compared to many of our neighbors.
At the house we just moved out of, some homes added tasteful lights, others opted for religious displays, and a few opted for a whole lot of inflatables. In some cases, the spending was significant, although many of the items were reused year after year.
Decorations are a small but meaningful part of holiday spending.
Americans planned to spend an average of $1,172 on travel, $632 on gifts, $351 on entertaining, and $227 on decorations, according to a BMO survey conducted before the 2024 holiday season.
Getting those items may be more of a challenge this year, as Gordon Companies, which runs a number of Christmas-themed websites and lists Target, Kohl's, Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon, Lowe's, and Michaels as retail partners, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

#christmas #decorations #opted #items

Former President Obama on Friday slammed President Trump over his handling of how to approach artificial intelligence amid “doomsday” warnings coming from some in the tech industry about the technology’s potential existential threat to humanity.
Obama said during an interview at Colgate University in New York that the federal government must regulate AI, before referring to comments made by one Trump adviser.
“I heard one of Donald Trump’s main advisers on this make the argument that, ‘The market will take care of AI,'” the former president said. “‘These companies will solve the safety issues because they have every incentive to do so — if it turns out to be dangerous, people will just sue them, and they’re worried about financial liability.'”
“That’s not how we treat airlines,” Obama added. “Or drug companies, or food companies.”
Obama continued to say that AI could become a threat at a human level if it falls into the clutches of “bad humans” and if self-improving AI models realize they no longer need humans. He referred to Trump again in that his successor has said regulations on AI are “for losers.”

#obama #president #university

Forgent Power Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:FPS) reported fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of approximately $462 million on September 15, up 94% year over year. Bookings reached $1.503 billion, increasing 375%, while backlog stood at $3.0 billion as of June 30, 2026.
The reported 3.3 times book-to-bill ratio compares quarterly bookings with quarterly revenue. Bookings and backlog are operating measures of order activity and outstanding contractual work, respectively. Neither represents cash collected, and backlog does not guarantee the timing of future revenue.
Forgent Power Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:FPS) expects fiscal 2027 revenue of $2.4 billion to $2.6 billion, implying 76% growth at the midpoint. The question is whether factories, employees, and working capital can support that expansion while preserving cash generation.
Forgent Power Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:FPS) already has evidence of stronger production economics. Fourth-quarter operating income reached $91.9 million, compared with $8.3 million a year earlier. Operating cash flow was $74 million, exceeding the quarter's $31 million of capital expenditures.
Those results suggest that rising output is beginning to cover the costs of expansion. Management attributed stronger profitability partly to revenue growing faster than operating costs as new campuses approached target production levels.

#operating #power #solutions #NYSE

Sempra (NYSE:SRE) added a long-term customer commitment on September 14, when its infrastructure subsidiary announced a 20-year sales and purchase agreement with Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras (NYSE:PBR). The agreement covers approximately 0.8 million tonnes annually of liquefied natural gas, or LNG.
Supply will come from the subsidiary's contracted liquefaction capacity at Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 in Texas. The project is under construction, with trains 3 and 4 expected to begin commercial operations in 2030 and 2031, respectively. The agreement improves visibility into future sales, while the earnings contribution depends on delivery and contract economics.
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras (NYSE:PBR) becomes the infrastructure subsidiary's first South American LNG customer. That broadens the geographic base of buyers and establishes a commercial relationship extending over two decades.
For Sempra (NYSE:SRE), the practical benefit is an external buyer for part of the subsidiary's contracted capacity. Securing that relationship before startup could reduce the need to find buyers for the covered volumes as production approaches, while supporting longer-term supply planning.
The annual commitment equals approximately 6.2% of Phase 2's planned 13-million-tonne annual capacity. This provides a measure of scale, although it does not establish the percentage of capacity still available for sale.

#agreement #petr #supply #term

Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) fiscal 2026, which ended June 30, was arguably the strongest year in the software giant's history. Revenue grew 18% to $331.8 billion. Net income jumped 31% year over year, to $133.7 billion.
Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) is approaching that number from a different direction. The memory specialist earned $8.5 billion in its fiscal 2025.
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ***** ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
But for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026, which ended in early September, management guided to earnings of $30.73 per diluted share, plus or minus $1.00, on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis. On about 1.15 billion diluted shares, the guidance works out to about $35 billion of profit in one quarter (about four times what the whole prior fiscal year produced).
Here's my prediction: In fiscal 2027, Micron will earn more than Microsoft. That means beating the year Microsoft is now in, not the one it just reported. It's a bold call, and it relies almost entirely on the price of memory.

#Microsoft #quarter

The Illinois governor called for federal regulation of AI.
With calls to regulate AI growing, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker urged Congress to pass federal guardrails on the technology.
“You can't do this state by state. This needs to be a national effort as well as an international endeavor, especially together with our allies, because AI is not going to go away,” Pritzker told ABC “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl in an exclusive interview that aired Sunday.
Pritzker touted legislation he signed in Illinois in July requiring AI companies to conduct annual third-party audits of their safety plans and disclose safety incidents to the state. He urged Congress to make federal regulations a top priority, calling the technology “dangerous on the level of nuclear weapons.”
President Donald Trump has called AI fears a “hoax” and announced he is forming an “AI Force” to accelerate growth in the industry. Pritzker said that approach is a mistake.

#federal #urged #safety

What is the purpose of the 'pro-human' event in D.C.?
What bipartisan bill is the House planning to pass?
What is Zach Cregger's 'gameplay first' approach to 'Resident Evil'?
Full Summary
From opposite sides of the political spectrum, Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Trump administration strategist Steve Bannon will both lead what they are calling a "pro-human" rally on Tuesday, Sept. 15, in D.C. to warn of the dangers posed by artificial intelligence.

#House #full #summary #bernie

Interested in Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better.
Auvelity remains Axsome's main growth driver: It generated more than $180 million of the company's $218.4 million in second-quarter revenue, while its new Alzheimer's disease agitation indication is supported by an expanded sales force of more than 600 representatives.
The commercial portfolio is expanding: Sunosi continues to grow, and SYMBRAVO revenue increased 30% sequentially in the second quarter as Axsome expanded its migraine sales team.
Pipeline and finances are strengthening: Axsome has several late-stage programs and upcoming clinical milestones, ended the quarter with $320 million in cash, and said it is approaching cash-flow positivity.
Biotech Is Heating Up—These 2 Red-Hot Stocks Stand Out

#second

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

The tech industry is struggling to make sense of President Donald Trump's surprise announcement that he is creating an artificial intelligence task force and appointing a czar to oversee the administration's approach to the technology.
Trump, in alengthy Truth Social poston Saturday morning, said he was forming the government body and would also soon name an AI czar to lead it. He offered few details, leaving members of the tech world unsure what the task force would do, who would be involved or how it would operate.
Four representatives for the sector, who were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, told POLITICO that the industry was not widely informed of Trump's decision prior to the Truth Social post.
"Nobody knows what the idea even is," one of the people said. Another said that feedback on the idea was not widely solicited within the industry.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

#task #widely #idea #president

Claiming Social Security at 62 gives you three extra years of payments, but each monthly check is permanently smaller than it would be if you had waited until 65. Delaying benefits means giving up that early income in exchange for a larger monthly payment later. The break-even point shows when those larger checks catch up to the benefits collected by claiming early. Comparing that crossover age with your income needs, life expectancy and other retirement resources can help put the tradeoff in context.
A financial advisor can review a range of retirement strategies with you, including your optimum retirement age.
Social Security benefits can generally begin at age 62. However, starting before full retirement age (FRA) permanently reduces the monthly amount you receive. FRA depends on your birth year and ranges from 66 to 67 for workers approaching retirement today. For anyone born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67.
The Social Security Administration calculates early-claiming reductions based on how many months before FRA you begin collecting benefits. For the first 36 months before FRA, the benefit is generally reduced by 5/9 of 1% for each month. If you claim more than 36 months early, the reduction for those additional months is generally 5/12 of 1% per month.1
For a worker with an FRA of 67, claiming at 62 generally results in a 30% reduction. This means the worker receives about 70% of the benefit they would have received at FRA. Someone entitled to $2,500 per month at 67, for example, would receive approximately $1,750 per month by claiming at 62.

#Retirement

Interested in Keysight Technologies Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better.
AI data-center demand is driving strong growth in Keysight's wireline business, particularly around 1.6T and emerging 3.2T networking, silicon photonics, co-packaged optics and system-level testing.
Demand currently exceeds supply, with Keysight expanding manufacturing capacity, supplier agreements and component sourcing; revenue beyond its typical order-to-revenue window was approaching $100 million.
Keysight expects additional growth from 6G, aerospace and defense, semiconductors and software-defined vehicles. The company anticipates 6G acceleration in the first half of 2028 and plans to maintain investment while targeting incremental margins of at least 40% when growth exceeds 5%.
3 Lesser-Known Quantum Plays the Market May Be Overlooking Right Now

#exceeds #lesser

When Ray Dalio speaks, investors tend to listen, and likely for good reason. He ran Bridgewater **** ociates, the hedge fund he founded, for half a century, and over that time, he was one of the most successful investment managers in history.
In fact, he has long used history as a guide for deploying capital, and today, he believes history offers lessons for how investors should approach the AI boom. Specifically, he sees echoes of 1929 and 2000 in the current situation, and is urging investors to approach AI stocks with caution. Here is what he said and why investors may want to heed his advice.
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 »
First of all, investors should remember that Dalio has stepped down from Bridgewater. Thus, the fund's investments in AI stocks like ServiceNow and Nutanix were likely made without his input.
Given what he has said recently, he may even disagree with those purchases. When Dalio appeared on the podcast The Diary of a CEO in August, he said that AI shows "classic signs" of a bubble.

#dalio #signal #flashing #likely

During market uncertainty, cautious investors may feel compelled to sell everything while they wait for the dust to settle. But Ross Gerber believes that, to paraphrase Rudyard Kipling, if you can keep your head when everyone else is losing theirs, you'll reap even bigger rewards.
The Gerber Kawasaki CEO says that while inflation, higher bond yields, oil prices, and Federal Reserve rate hikes can pressure stocks, he does not think investors should abandon equities wholesale. Instead, he advocates for a more defensive approach.
He recommends investors trim holdings with valuations that look stretched relative to their growth, build reserves in cash and short-duration fixed income **** ets, and keep long-term positions in companies that he believes still have strong earnings support, such as Nvidia.
And for investors trying to navigate an environment where corporate earnings remain strong while macroeconomic risks pressure stock valuations, that distinction matters. Gerber's framework is less about calling the market's next move than deciding which risks a portfolio can absorb—and which positions still deserve capital.
Here is a closer look at Gerber's defensive-focused strategy.

#gerber #pressure #still

On September 10, 2026, The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ:LOVE) reported second-quarter fiscal 2027 results for the period ended August 2, 2026. Net sales rose 0.4% to $161.2 million, a record for the quarter, and the company swung to net income of $7.4 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, from a loss of $6.7 million a year earlier. Inside that $0.51 sits $0.86 of net benefit from IEEPA tariff refunds. Omni-channel comparable sales fell 1.9%.
Canaccord's Maria Ripps read the quarter as in line, with revenue and adjusted EBITDA both landing within guidance and near consensus while tariff refunds pushed gross margin and earnings above expectations; she cut the firm's target on The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ:LOVE) to $20 from $22 but held the Buy rating.
Roth Capital's Matt Koranda also called the quarter in line with consensus, though he flagged omni-channel comps trending modestly negative on soft lower-end consumer demand. He lowered the firm's target on The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ:LOVE) to $20 from $22 as well, keeping a Buy rating, and noted that management reset full-year guidance lower on a tough demand environment and modest product launch delays.
DA Davidson offered a similar interpretation of the lower guidance, arguing that the reset reflects the new CFO's approach more than a deterioration in the underlying business. The firm said the CFO, who joined during the quarter, appears to be establishing more conservative expectations that could restore a beat-and-raise pattern the stock had lacked. DA Davidson lowered its target on The Lovesac Company (NASDAQ:LOVE) to $18 from $20 while maintaining its Buy rating.
The operating case rests on the high end: configurations above $6,000 grew double digits against a tough comparison, showroom net sales rose 4.6% to $114.1 million on 14 net new locations, and Snugg helped push other products revenue up 198.2%. Lovesac ended the quarter with $68.8 million in cash and no debt.

#quarter

There are plenty of tried-and-true strategies one can follow to build wealth, like staying debt-free and investing early for retirement. But sometimes it's worth it to go off the beaten path and try quirky money habits.
Are these habits kind of unusual? Yes. Will everyone else practice them? Probably not. Do they work? Also, yes.
An episode of Smart Money Happy Hour hosted by financial experts Rachel Cruze and George Kamel took a closer look at the most unusual money habits worth trying out to get ahead financially.
Here are 10 weird habits that can help you become rich.
This approach is not likely to be popular with most people, but Kamel said working more hours every week is something you can control especially if you're trying to get out of debt.

#money #unusual #happy

Comments from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman calling for a more measured approach to frontier AI development contributed to a sharp selloff across neoclouds and data center stocks. Bernstein identified CoreWeave Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWV) as the most exposed name because of its rural footprint and focus on AI training. The concern represents a genuine structural argument. However, it marks the second time this year that the same group of stocks has faced concerns over the sustainability of AI demand. There is also an important tension within Bernstein's own note, which highlights CoreWeave's exposure while acknowledging that most of its backlog remains shielded by contracts.
Bernstein cautioned that a slowdown in AI training could weigh on data center developers. The warning followed Amodei's weekend comments urging the industry to deliberately slow the pace of frontier AI capability gains, along with similar remarks from Sam Altman. According to ****** yst Madison Rezaei, slower training activity would likely reduce demand for rural data center sites designed for latency-insensitive workloads. The ****** yst pointed out that rural and Tier 3 markets account for 70% of the industry's 488GW pipeline. CoreWeave was identified as the most exposed name in the firm's coverage. ****** yst Madison Rezaei remarked:
We estimate that 25% of their existing active U.S. power, with an additional ~74% of their contracted power, is situated in Tier 3 and Tier 4 markets.
However, there is a key counterpoint within Bernstein's own note:
The backlog is primarily comprised of take-or-pay contracts, so we do not anticipate a threat there but could see a pullback in demand for the contracted-not-yet-sold rural power if training development slows.

#training #analyst

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

Amazon raised minimum starting pay for its U.S. full-time core operations employees to $20 an hour on Wednesday, a $1-per-hour increase for front-line workers who sort, pack, and transport orders.
Amazon said the typical hourly rate for those workers climbs to nearly $24, and that when benefits are counted, total compensation comes out to more than $32 an hour. Amazon said its minimum starting pay has risen more than 17% over the past three years.
The announcement arrives as Amazon approaches the peak holiday shopping season. According to The Wall Street Journal, Amazon hired 250,000 full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers in advance of last year's holiday period.
Along with the pay increase, Amazon announced two new benefits. Beginning Oct. 1, all U.S. Amazon employees will receive a grocery discount — 10% off eligible groceries and everyday essentials on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market online, and 20% off in-store at Whole Foods. The discount can be combined with existing Prime member discounts, the company said.
Amazon also said it is launching a banking benefit called Day 1 Financial, through which qualified employees and their families can obtain a lifelong membership in First Tech Federal Credit Union. The benefit includes accounts with no overdraft fees, no monthly maintenance fees, and no account minimums, as well as access to credit cards, auto loans, and home loans for those who qualify. The company said the rollout will start in late 2026, with broad availability expected in 2027.

#time #employees #credit #starting

Galliford Try Holdings PLC (LSE:GFRD, FRA:3WC) chief financial officer Kris Hampson spoke with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the construction group's latest results, growing order book, margin progression and outlook for 2027, as well as its approach to acquisitions and shareholder returns.
Hampson said Galliford Try delivered a sixth consecutive year of growth across key metrics, supported by its building, infrastructure and specialist services operations. Adjusted profit before tax rose 24% on revenue growth of 3% to nearly £56 million, with adjusted divisional operating margin advancing from 3% to 3.5% and average cash up 21% to £216.2 million. "We make revenue, we turn it into profit, and we turn that profit into cash," Hampson said.
Looking ahead, he highlighted the £4.3 billion order book, up 5%, with more than 90% of current-year revenue already secured, alongside 60% for 2028. He said 91% of the order book sits within long-term frameworks and 95% is with government and regulated clients.
Hampson also discussed opportunities across water, highways, education and affordable housing, including growth tied to AMP8, newer frameworks on improved terms, and expects continued progression towards the group's 4% adjusted operating margin target for 2030.
On capital allocation, Galliford Try announced a £15 million share buyback alongside its results, following last year's £10 million buyback. Hampson also discussed the company's active M&A pipeline and its commitment to maintaining a dividend at 1.8 times cover based on adjusted EPS.

#million #profit

Autonomous vehicle company May Mobility is merging with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) and will become a publicly traded company. It's a deal that could raise more than $300 million for May Mobility at a valuation of $1.4 billion, the company said Wednesday.
Once the merger is complete, May Mobility said it will be the first public company in the U.S. that is focused entirely on autonomous ride-hailing vehicles. This is meant to differentiate it from a number of other public companies working on autonomy, including Tesla, Rivian, Alphabet (with Waymo), and trucking-focused Aurora and Kodiak.
The move sets up May Mobility to be a test of the stock market's appetite for pure-play robotaxi ventures.
It will also be a test of May Mobility's approach to autonomy, which it pitches as "asset-light" and "partnership-first." Instead of owning and operating the robotaxis, May Mobility's business revolves around selling its autonomous vehicles to its fleet partners over time while maintaining control of any remote supervision and software updates. In exchange, May Mobility receives either fixed fees or per-trip licensing fees.
Founded in 2017, May Mobility currently operates autonomous Toyota Siennas in three locations in the U.S. It has a partnership with Lyft in Atlanta, and offers rides in two cities — Eden Prairie and Grand Rapids — in Minnesota.

#company #autonomous #focused

On August 25, Aptiv (NYSE:APTV) said it will support NVIDIA's newly announced Jetson Orin Nano 2 processor, extending a partnership that already covers the more powerful Jetson Thor platform. The move puts Aptiv squarely inside the buildout of "physical AI," the term for machines like drones, robots, and industrial systems that need to sense and react to the real world in real time. For a company still just months removed from spinning off its electrical distribution business, betting on edge robotics is a statement about where it thinks the next decade of growth actually lives.
NVIDIA's Jetson Orin Nano 2 packs 78 TOPS of processing power into an 8GB, 8-core Arm chip that doubles the inference speed of its predecessor while cutting power draw by 40% at equivalent performance. That kind of efficiency gain matters for battery-powered devices like delivery drones and mobile robots, where every watt saved extends run time. Aptiv isn't just supplying compute support; it is layering in its PULSE surround-view camera and radar system for 360-degree sensing, its Gen 8 radar for object detection in tough conditions, and Wind River software to handle the unglamorous but essential work of long-term maintenance and security updates. That full-stack approach is the pitch: instead of stitching together sensors, chips, and software from separate vendors, customers get one partner who can carry a device from prototype to a fleet running in the field.
The timing lines up with what Aptiv reported in its second-quarter results on August 4, 2026. Revenue reached $3.3 billion, up 2%, while adjusted EBITDA climbed to $613 million from $547 million a year earlier, pushing margins to 18.7% from 17.1%. CEO Kevin Clark pointed to double-digit growth in non-automotive revenue, progress moving robotics from partnership talks to actual commercial deployments, and a major drone industry win secured in early July. North America sales rose 10% and Asia Pacific grew 6%, including 5% growth in China, giving the company some geographic momentum to lean on as it chases this new business line.
The quarter wasn't clean underneath the headline numbers. Free cash flow came in at just $12 million in the second quarter, down from $219 million a year earlier, and the first half of 2026 actually posted negative free cash flow of $196 million versus a positive $264 million a year ago. Operating cash flow from continuing operations fell to $82 million for the first half, down sharply from $531 million. Management also flagged automotive demand and customer mix as an incremental headwind, a reminder that Aptiv's legacy business still carries real weight even as it chases robotics and drones. EMEA revenue dropped 8%, and South America fell 4% in the quarter, both drags even as North America and Asia Pacific grew.

#jetson #robotics

"I am the house now," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told traders last week, as he defended the administration's increasingly interventionist approach to the bond market. He added that he had "asymmetric information" about what policymakers would do next and dared investors: "bet against me if you want."
On Wednesday, Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh might effectively take the other side of the bet.

It's been a hot American summer. Oil is hot, hovering around $110 a barrel. Bond yields are hot, too: the 10-year Treasury yield has pushed above 5%, around its highest level since 2007. Credit markets are running hot as well: U.S.-dollar debt issuance to finance AI and data-center development reached $308 billion through July. And all that borrowing is competing with U.S. national debt, which crossed $40 trillion less than a month ago. Stocks, despite a rough few days, are still up roughly 11% this year. Inflation, meanwhile, remains above 3%.
Put all that heat together, and the Federal Reserve is staring down a question it hasn't seriously confronted in three years: Is the U.S. economy actually overheating? Markets are betting the Fed thinks the answer is at least "maybe." Traders have priced a quarter-point hike Wednesday with near certainty.
But whether Wednesday amounts to a one-time course correction or the beginning of a new tightening cycle depends on what, exactly, is making the American economy hot. The last time the Fed began raising rates, in March 2022, Jerome Powell's Fed ultimately raised its benchmark rate by 525 basis points over 16 months.
Mohamed El-Erian, Wharton professor of practice and chief economic adviser at Allianz, parsed the current fervor and anxiety into four questions on X Tuesday: whether oil-supply disruptions persist, with China potentially acting as a "swing consumer"; whether Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent intervenes again to influence long-end yields; whether this week's hike proves "one and done" or the beginning of a cycle; and how markets balance AI's enormous promise against its enormous risks.

#secretary #federal #american

Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEMKT:PPA) offers a long track record and broad industrial exposure, while Global X Defense Tech ETF (NYSEMKT:SHLD) provides a lower-cost, technology-focused approach to the defense sector.
Defense spending often stays resilient throughout various economic cycles, making aerospace and defense exchange-traded funds a popular choice for investors seeking sector-specific growth. While both funds target the same broad industry, they differ in their approach to legacy hardware versus emerging technologies and software-defined systems. This comparison looks at how the veteran PPA stacks up against the newer SHLD.
Metric
SHLD
PPA

#approach

US stock futures moved higher on Wednesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. Oil prices declined following an unexpected increase in US inventories, while developments involving Meta and OpenAI remained in focus.
At 07:12 GMT, Dow futures were up 129 points, or 0.3%. S&P 500 futures gained 21 points, or 0.3%, while Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 145 points, or 0.5%.
Wall Street's main indices had declined in the previous session as US government bond yields approached two-decade highs. Higher oil prices, linked to the widening conflict in the Middle East, contributed to concerns about inflation and further monetary policy tightening.
Analysts at Vital Knowledge described a feedback mechanism in which rising oil prices push bond yields higher, affect investor sentiment and increase pressure on central banks to raise interest rates.
Markets broadly anticipated a 25-basis-point interest rate increase at the conclusion of the Federal Open Market Committee's two-day meeting.

#higher #interest #prices #rate

Britain's royal family has taken the unusual step of publicly challenging claims made by Princess Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, in his upcoming memoir.
Departing from the monarchy's traditional "never complain, never explain" approach, Buckingham Palace responded Wednesday to Spencer's recollection of a phone call between himself and King Charles, in the wake of Diana's death in 1997. According to Spencer, the call took place after Spencer objected to Prince William and Prince Harry, then 15 and 12, walking behind their mother's coffin at her funeral.
In an excerpt from the book Swan Song: Diana, My Sister published by Britain's Daily Mail, Spencer wrote, "He unleashed down the phone what I have always taken to be his pent-up contempt for Diana, and his horror that the world was so bowled over by her death. 'Rest ****** ured,' he hissed, 'we'll forget her soon enough.'"
While the palace didn't directly address whether the comment was made, the statement questioned the reliability of Spencer's recollection, saying, "While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory in ways others do not recognize, even many years after such a loss."
The statement echoes the palace's reaction to claims made by Harry and Meghan Markle during their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey that an unnamed royal had made a remark about their son's skin color before he was born and that the monarchy failed to help a suicidal Meghan. A response issued on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II at that time said that "recollections may vary."

#spencer #meghan #palace #taken

Interested in 3M Company? Here are five stocks we like better.
3M says it is ahead of its 2027 targets, citing 5.4% second-quarter organic growth, higher margins, improved execution and on-time, in-full delivery rising to about 90%.
Data centers are a major growth priority. Its expanded beam optics technology has been standardized by Microsoft Azure, is being evaluated by five other hyperscalers, and could address a market approaching $2 billion within the next two years.
Innovation and cost reductions are supporting the outlook: 3M plans more than 350 new-product launches this year, is consolidating factories, expects to offset $150 million–$175 million in oil-related costs through pricing, and is tracking above its 25% operating-margin goal for next year.
3 Stocks Whose Charts May Be Signaling the Next Big Move

#company

Oil prices spiked on Tuesday, climbing back toward recent highs as headlines from the Middle East — in particular, Saudi Arabia — intensified growing pressure on the physical market.
Futures on Brent crude (BZ=F), the international benchmark, picked up more than $2.80 to cross back over $108.50 a barrel and approach the $109 mark seen on Monday. Meanwhile, those on US benchmark WTI crude (CL=F) jumped by roughly $3.50 to trade above $104.50.
Worries about oil exports from the Persian Gulf continued to grow on Tuesday, with Saudi Arabia in focus as market watchers attempt to ****** s damage to the kingdom's oil infrastructure, critical to moving oil out of the Persian Gulf while the Strait of Hormuz remains wracked by the US-Iran conflict.
Saudi Arabia has faced a series of attacks on critical energy infrastructure from the Yemeni Houthi militia group and other Iran-backed proxy forces operating in Iraq, the most pressing of those being strikes that over the weekend forced Saudi authorities to shutter the kingdom's East-West pipeline.
The East-West line carries oil to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, where it is loaded onto tankers that can take oil south through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which runs along Yemen, or north to the Suez Canal and the adjacent SUMED pipeline to the Mediterranean Sea.

#gulf

Interested in Eli Lilly and Company? Here are five stocks we like better.
The healthcare sector offers options for investors of every age, combining high-growth drugmakers, defensive operators, and reliable dividend payers.
Eli Lilly suits younger investors with its obesity and diabetes drug pipeline driving growth, having gained nearly 34% since its April low.
UnitedHealth Group fits middle-aged investors with a turnaround story and rising dividend, while Johnson & Johnson's Dividend King status appeals to older, income-focused investors.
When it comes to investing, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Strategies vary based on numerous factors, including but not limited to investors' risk tolerance, net worth, and age. When it comes to stock-picking, that last one is important.

#comes #here #april

Auxier ******* et Management, an investment advisory firm, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. Following a strong rebound from the first-quarter decline, the S&P 500 gained 15.2% as accelerating capital spending toward artificial intelligence infrastructure drove significant gains across technology hardware companies. Semiconductor and data-center-related businesses benefited from supply constraints and strong demand, while enterprise software remained under pressure as investors reassessed AI disruption risks and compressed valuations. In the quarter, Auxier Focus Fund's Investor Class gained 8.82% and 10.70% for the six months ended June 30, 2026. Despite strong earnings growth across the broader market, Auxier highlighted concerns around rising margin debt, increased leverage, and elevated capital flows into high-growth technology areas that could amplify future volatility. The firm continues to focus on identifying enduring businesses with strong competitive advantages, resilient cash flows, and sustainable long-term growth potential. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Auxier ******* et Management highlighted UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) as a material contributor. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) is a multinational health benefits company based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. On September 14, 2026, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) closed at $383.55 per share. Over the past month, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) declined 4.38%, while its shares gained 10.86% over the past 52 weeks. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) has a market capitalization of $344.27 billion with a 52-week trading range between $255.97 and $461.62.
Auxier ******* et Management stated the following regarding UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) Leads the Way in Reshaping the Insurance Industry with AI UnitedHealth Group is among the companies that have successfully integrated AI into various parts of their operations. One of the most significant benefits has been in administrative functions, where AI has helped save tens of thousands of hours through increased automation and efficiency. As an example, automated transcription of patient encounters has contributed to lower levels of clinician burnout. Management reports that they are generating about $2 of value for every $1 spent on AI due to reductions in manual labor. We like this measured approach to implementing AI where it can provide clear operational benefits and attractive returns, which has been a key strategy of current CEO Stephen Hemsley. UnitedHealth's success in AI use highlights the technology's potential on the user side where companies can benefit without the high upfront cost of building the infrastructure. Cigna Group is projecting $200 million in