For much of the past year, the "AI trade" has been focused on infrastructure: processors, data centers, and cloud capacity. Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW)'s blowout quarter, which was reported after the market closed on September 2, provided something unique: clear evidence that AI is translating into real, incremental spending within software companies that are closer to the end customer. The reaction echoed throughout corporate software the next morning, adding to a rally that, for Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) in particular, had already begun for its own reasons.
Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW) boosted its fiscal 2027 product revenues target to $6.07 billion from $5.84 billion, following a 37% increase in second-quarter product revenue to $1.49 billion. CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy stated that the company's AI products accounted for around half of that growth acceleration, which ****** ysts took as implying that AI demand is increasing Snowflake's core data platform, instead of just adoption of standalone AI add-ons. UBS ****** yst Karl Keirstead said the figures, together with Palantir and Databricks' rapid growth, gave compelling proof of robust enterprise AI adoption.
Snowflake's beat rippled across enterprise software, with ServiceNow, Atlassian, Adobe, Intuit, and Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) all up 3.5% to 6% on the same day, while the sector-wide iShares Expanded Tech-Software ETF rose 3%.
That Snowflake-driven spike was piled on top of a much bigger adjustment made by Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) on its own. The company released its second-quarter fiscal 2027 results on August 26, a week before Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW), with revenue of $11.35 billion, up 11% year-over-year, with current remaining performance obligations up 14% to $33.5 billion and adjusted EPS of $5.90, exceeding the $3.27 consensus. Along with those results, Salesforce and Anthropic announced Claudeforce, an expanded partnership that initially brings Salesforce data, workflows and business logic directly into Claude through a plugin with 37 prebuilt sales skills. The companies plan additional integrations across Claude, Salesforce and Slack. That said, Salesforce recorded $2.61 billion in net gains on strategic investments during the quarter, which added $2.53 per share to non-GAAP EPS.
Taken together, the two events suggest that enterprise AI adoption can increase the value and consumption of established software platforms when AI is connected to existing corporate data and workflows

#billion #software #data #quarter

On September 10, IBEX Limited (NASDAQ:IBEX) held its fourth-quarter and full fiscal year 2026 earnings call, and the numbers backed up a message management has been building toward for months. The company posted record full-year revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow, all while pitching itself as a business that has flipped the AI narrative in its favor rather than becoming its next casualty. For a sector that has spent the last two years bracing for automation to gut it, that is a notable claim to back with actual client wins.
Full-year revenue hit $644.1 million, up 15.4% organically, and fourth-quarter revenue reached $164.3 million, up 11.6% from a year earlier. That marked the sixth straight quarter of double-digit growth, a streak that suggests the momentum is not a one-off. HealthTech led the charge, climbing 38.5% to $114 million for the year and blowing past the $100 million target management had set for the segment, driven largely by demand from large insurance payers. Technology grew 27.4% in the quarter, while travel and logistics added 17.8%, helped by a new AI agent partnership with Philippine Airlines.
That Philippine Airlines deal is the clearest evidence that IBEX's Sierra AI partnership, formalized in January and announced publicly in May, is more than a slide in an investor deck. During the proof of concept, the AI agent handled interactions in English, Tagalog, and Taglish, hit resolution rates above 20%, and scored a 4.7 out of 5.0 on customer satisfaction, on par with human agents. A separate deployment for BJ's Wholesale pushed resolution rates above 40% and matched that same satisfaction score, beating the marks the client's prior BPO vendor had put up with human agents alone. The company added 17 new trophy logo clients across the year, and its top five clients now make up 33% of revenue, down from 36%, a sign the business is not leaning on a shrinking handful of accounts to carry it.
Not every line moved in the right direction. Fourth quarter GAAP net income slipped to $8.7 million from $9.6 million a year earlier, and diluted EPS fell to $0.59 from $0.66. Management pointed to training costs tied to all those new client wins, a temporary hit from shifting work out of nearshore centers into offshore ones, and higher fuel prices hitting utility and transportation costs, particularly offshore. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter slipped to 12.3% from 13.9%, the same set of pressures showing up in the profitability line rather than just net income.

#revenue #fourth

Southern Company (SO) and Vistra (VST) both profited from AI power demand, yet VST shares are down 30% over the past year.
U.S. electricity prices climbed 4% over the past year, outpacing headline inflation and directly contradicting Musk's claim that AI data centers lower consumer bills.
The $180 annual savings Musk cited applies to one Georgia utility's contract; new AI-driven generation will land in rate bases all ratepayers fund.
Just released. Our ***** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and Southern Company didn't make the cut. Enter your email to see the names that beat SO. The report is free. Enter your email and see if any of your stocks made the cut.
At 10:18 a.m. ET on Monday, Elon Musk told his audience that "AI data centers resulting in lower electricity prices for consumers" and pointed to a post claiming Georgia Power's new large-load contracts, overwhelmingly data centers, will save customers nearly a billion dollars, erasing about $180 per year from their bills. The post reached more than 503,000 impressions. Twelve days earlier, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey made the same argument on CNBC, saying net electricity prices will be lower when data centers come in. It is becoming an industry talking point. It is also colliding with the price data Americans actually pay.

#data #centers #company #musk

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) is set to move the primary listing of its common and Series I preferred units from the New York Stock Exchange to the Texas Stock Exchange in early October, making it the first major company to make such a switch from the NYSE to the newly established Dallas exchange. Reuters said the companies moving to TXSE, including Energy Transfer and related energy businesses, represent nearly $100 billion in combined market value, giving the fledgling exchange an important early credibility boost.
For Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET), however, the more important question is whether the move can eventually translate into better investor visibility or valuation rather than simply giving the company a stronger Texas identity. WSJ reported that Energy Transfer is worth roughly $75 billion and that Executive Chairman Kelcy Warren is a major backer of TXSE, owning about 30% of its parent company. That relationship makes the listing particularly significant, but it also means investors may scrutinize whether the decision creates a tangible benefit for Energy Transfer unitholders rather than primarily helping establish the new exchange.
The strongest bull argument is that Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) is positioning itself ahead of a potentially important shift in the U.S. energy infrastructure market. TXSE is backed by major financial institutions including BlackRock, Citadel Securities, and Charles Schwab, and winning a roughly $75 billion company gives the exchange substantially more credibility with institutional investors. If TXSE attracts additional large energy companies, Energy Transfer could benefit from becoming one of the exchange's anchor names and gaining greater visibility among investors already focused on Texas-based energy infrastructure.
More importantly, the listing decision fits the underlying environment in which Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) operates. Reuters has highlighted continued investment in U.S. gas-fired generation, LNG infrastructure, and pipeline networks as electricity demand rises and countries seek reliable energy supplies. The U.S. is also building substantial additional LNG export capacity. That matters because Energy Transfer's extensive midstream network can benefit from higher volumes of natural gas, crude oil, and NGLs without taking the same direct commodity-price exposure as upstream producers. If rising power demand from data centers and continued LNG development drive greater demand for U.S. gas transportation, Energy Transfer could see expanding opportunities to place additional infrastructure into service and lock in long-duration cash flows.

#transfer #company #infrastructure #listing

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM) is facing a mixed outlook after GE Aerospace agreed to acquire Consolidated Precision Products (CPP) for about $11.75 billion to secure more control over critical engine castings and expand production capacity. The announcement initially hit Howmet shares, which fell about 10%, as investors worried that GE could eventually rely less on outside suppliers such as Howmet.
However, Howmet CEO John Plant said he is comfortable with the deal and remains confident in Howmet's ability to grow. The bigger issue for Howmet right now appears to be how quickly it can expand capacity to keep up with soaring demand. Commercial aircraft production, defense activity and aftermarket demand are all increasing, while Howmet is also benefiting from demand for turbine components used in data centers. Plant said the scale of the required capital expansion is itself "testing" the company.
The strongest bullish argument for Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM) is that GE's decision to spend nearly $12 billion on CPP validates how strategically valuable aerospace castings and engine components have become. The acquisition is aimed at addressing a supply bottleneck rather than signaling weak demand. GE expects airfoil demand to rise by more than 30% through 2030, while aircraft manufacturers and defense customers continue to push production higher. That creates a favorable industry backdrop for Howmet as well.
Howmet also has an opportunity to benefit from customers looking for additional capacity outside GE's newly integrated supply chain. If demand continues to exceed available casting capacity, Howmet's existing manufacturing footprint and expertise could give it significant pricing power and support further investment. Plant's comments that the company is being "tested" by the sheer scale of expansion suggest that Howmet is dealing with a capacity problem caused by strong demand, rather than a lack of orders.
Another positive is that Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM)'s exposure extends beyond commercial aircraft. Its blades and vanes are also used in gas turbines serving the rapidly expanding data-center market, providing another avenue for growth alongside aerospace. Plant has also indicated that the company intends to revisit its longer-term revenue targets, after previously saying revenue could potentially double from 2025 levels within three to five years.

#commercial

The 2026-27 season is quickly approaching for the Philadelphia 76ers as they have their eyes on ending a long ***** le drought after the big additions made in the offseason. The Sixers will field one of the more talented rosters in the league and will look to get to the mountaintop in 2027.
It's now time to look ahead to the new season and time to break down each position for the Sixers in an effort to preview what the season might look like. Sixers Wire will look at the centers now and take a look at what the Sixers bring to the table at the position:
Sure, the Sixers have some shiny new players in Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, but all of this still comes down to the health of Joel Embiid. The big fella is still a dominant player when he can get on the floor as evidenced by his 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 ***** ists he averaged in 38 games in the 2025-26 season. Embiid being able to return early from an appendectomy completely changed that Round 1 series with Boston when the Sixers rallied from a 3-1 deficit. He averaged 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.0 ***** ists in Round 1 against the Celtics as he spurred the rally for Philadelphia.
When Embiid is right, there aren't many players in the league who can slow him down. He has lost a step defensively as a result of the injuries and surgeries he's had to undergo has robbed him of a lot of speed and athleticism, but Embiid is so smart and able to find new ways to be effective on defense. He is still one of the top players in the game and should be treated as such. If he's right and healthy, the Sixers take an even bigger leap forward.
The Sixers will rely on third-year big man Adem Bona as they did in the 2025-26 season. He averaged 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks as he was able to establish himself in coach Nick Nurse's rotation. He will have competition, though, as the Sixers did add bouncy Ariel Hukporti early in free agency. Also, in his third season, Hukporti will look to find an opportunity in Philadelphia.

#look #still

It has been a rollercoaster year for the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, the name given to tech ******* ans Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Tesla, and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META). Of the group, only Meta and Tesla are in the red for the year, down 1.2% and 18.8%, respectively, through market close on Sept. 10.
Both have their fair share of issues, but Meta is a struggling stock that seems to have plenty of upside from its current level. And if history is any indication of what's possible, you may regret not investing while it's having an off year.
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 »
No single issue is dragging down Meta's stock; it's a combination of factors, with the two main ones being its AI spending and its ongoing regulatory issues.
This year, Meta is slated to spend between $130 billion and $145 billion on AI-related projects, such as building data centers and other infrastructure. In the second quarter (Q2), it spent $31 billion, which, for perspective, is more than all but 26 public companies have made in profits in their past four quarters combined.

#tesla #Stock

Sept 14 (Reuters) - Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy on Monday said they would establish a ‌Virginia supplier program worth up to $1 billion ‌annually for five years if their proposed merger is approved.
They announced merger plans in May, as rising power demand from data centers, electric vehicles and other industries drives a renewed wave of utility consolidation.
• NextEra and ‌Dominion said the ⁠new program would direct spending toward contractors, suppliers and service providers in Virginia.
• ⁠They proposed extending monthly $10 bill credits to four years from two and increasing Dominion's low-income financial ***** istance by $100 million through 2038.
• The commitments include a $100 million workforce ‌development fund, an annual energy summit in the state and maintaining the current employee headcount there for five years.

#energy #nextera #merger

Oracle disclosed in a regulatory filing that it is expanding its planned job cuts by approximately $700 million, bringing the total estimated cost of its 2026 Restructuring Plan to roughly $2.8 billion as the company presses forward with a costly AI data center buildout.
The additional costs reflect "additional actions that we expect to take," the company said. The plan, approved during fiscal 2026, encompasses severance payments, contract termination fees, and related exit costs, with a portion of the reduction linked to how Oracle is deploying AI across parts of its business.
Through August 31, Oracle had recorded roughly $2.1 billion in charges against the plan. The expansion was disclosed after the close of the company's fiscal first quarter, which ended August 31.
The restructuring push is unfolding as Oracle absorbs a steep rise in capital spending. Cash used for capital expenditures climbed to $28.5 billion in the quarter ended August 31, up from $8.5 billion in the same period a year earlier, the company said, driven by expansion of its data centers. Oracle reported negative free cash flow of $5.4 billion for the quarter.
To fund its buildout, the company said it raised $19.9 billion by selling approximately 141 million shares of common stock through an at-the-market offering program during the quarter. Oracle has said it plans to raise approximately $40 billion through a combination of debt and equity in its current fiscal year.

#plan #restructuring

Dell Technologies (DELL) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) found themselves at the top of the S&P 500 on the back of Oracle's (ORCL) forceful reminder of how much money is still flowing into AI infrastructure.
Dell's stock soared 12% on Sept. 11, while HPE was another of the index's best performers. Investors quickly saw the connection: Oracle needs plenty of servers, networking gear, and other data center hardware to keep up with surging AI demand.
Oracle's fiscal first-quarter results supported this trend. Total revenue rose 30% to $19.3 billion, while cloud infrastructure revenue surged 121% to $7.4 billion. Even more impressive, remaining performance obligations rose $209 billion to $664 billion.
That backlog presents a potential strong read-through for Dell and HPE.
But there is another side to this tale. The businesses fueling the AI boom are more and more fixated on the costs of borrowing and the next actions by the Federal Reserve as they pour unusual amounts of resources into building enough data centers to translate Oracle's contracts into income.

#infrastructure #revenue

General Motors is developing a domestic battery supply chain it expects to complete within two to three years, even as the company currently relies on some Chinese-sourced materials for its existing battery production.
Kurt Kelty, GM's vice president of battery and sustainability, told CNBC that the company's near-term goal is full domestic sourcing. "We're developing a supply chain such that, two years from now, three years from now, it will be domestic," Kelty said. "That's what we're aiming for — when we get into market, we've got a domestic source for that."
Kelty's comments center on sodium-ion battery cells that GM is developing with Denver-based startup Peak Energy for use in stationary energy storage systems for homes, businesses, and data centers. GM expects to reach commercial production of those cells around 2029, according to CNBC. A GM spokesperson confirmed to CNBC that the company would apply the same domestic sourcing priority to battery cells for future electric vehicles.
Unlike conventional lithium iron phosphate chemistry, sodium-ion cells are built around sodium from soda ash — a resource the U.S. holds in abundance — sidestepping the lithium and ferrous sulfate supply chains that China currently controls. Kelty added that sodium-ion cells handle a broader span of temperatures, which means they can function without the active thermal management that drives up the cost and complexity of stationary storage installations.
"The better thing to do is try to leapfrog, come up with a different technology that's actually better that we can actually source here," Kelty told CNBC.

#battery #supply #years #we 're

During the September 3 episode of Mad Money, Jim Cramer mentioned Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) for its unconventional approach to powering hyperscale data centers in partnership with Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX). He said:
How about Microsoft? Look, Mr. Softee is getting religion. They've realized that by giving us more disclosure on Azure, their cloud infrastructure business, we'll find more things to like. They're right. In the end, I come to praise Microsoft CFO Amy Hood, not bury her. They've been very clever getting power for the data centers, pumping it right out of the Permian. They got this deal with Chevron as a partner… 2.67 gigawatts. No one's talking about it. It's the cleanest behind the meter plan for power I have seen yet. People even, and this is not a stretch, I'm not kidding, people even like Copilot.
CFO Amy Hood provided Wall Street with a much clearer look at actual cloud demand by breaking down detailed Azure growth metrics and data center capacity constraints. At the same time, enterprise adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot is moving past initial trials, with major corporations deploying the AI ***** istant across workforce segments.
A major highlight of the company's infrastructure strategy is a twenty-year agreement with Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) for a proposed 2.67-gigawatt natural gas power plant in West Texas. Designed to supply dedicated off-grid electricity directly to a hyperscale data center in the Permian Basin, the project bypasses regional grid transmission queues to secure reliable power for continuous AI workloads. Microsoft Corporation's (NASDAQ:MSFT) president of Cloud Operations + Innovation, Noelle Walsh, commented:
Our agreement with Chevron helps ensure we'll have dedicated, large-scale power to support the evolution and reliability of advanced compute. Through this partnership, we're delighted to grow with and become a deeper part of the West Texas community.

#chevron #power #they 've

Dell Technologies (DELL) stock more than quadrupled over the past year, a 323% gain, against about 18% for the S&P 500, and even Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), up 130.6%, finished far behind. Management had described most of the drivers before the run began: customers sitting on old servers, AI orders that had outrun shipments earlier in the year, and costs falling while sales rose. Those signs could not tell you how far the stock would go.
What Was Dell Seeing In Its Customers' Data Centers?
In February 2025, management said customers still ran a very large base of Dell's 13th and 14th generation servers, ready to be replaced. AI demand, already under discussion then, was exceptionally strong by May 2025, with $12.1 billion of AI server orders in fiscal Q1 2026, more than Dell's AI server shipments for all of fiscal 2025.
In August 2025, management said over 70% of its installed base was running on 14th generation servers or older, and that one 17th generation server could replace six or seven old ones. The results were uneven. In fiscal Q2 2026, traditional server revenue rose again and international demand grew, but demand in North America, its most profitable region, was weak.
Why Were Dell's Costs Falling While Its Sales Rose?

#server

Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. (NYSE:SEI), traditionally known as an oil and gas field services and solutions company, has been increasingly shifting toward the data center market. On September 8, the company provided an update to its guidance ranges, which suggests that this shift is working.
The company lifted its adjusted EBITDA guidance for the third and fourth quarters of 2026 and provided its initial outlook for the first quarter of 2027. The company said that the updated expectations reflect stronger contributions from its core power services business, along with better-than-expected performance from recently acquired businesses. Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. (NYSE:SEI) now expects Q3 2026 adjusted EBITDA of $110 million to $130 million, up from its previous range of $90 million to $105 million. At the midpoint, that represents a 23% increase.
For Q4 2026, the company raised its guidance to $145 million to $180 million from $100 million to $120 million, a 48% increase at the midpoint. The company also provided initial Q1 2027 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $200 million to $240 million.
Investors responded positively to the update as the stock rallied following the announcement. Solaris Energy Infrastructure, Inc. (NYSE:SEI) has returned about 150% over the past 12 months. As of September 8, the stock was up more than 25% year to date, compared with a 12% gain for the S&P 500.
The guidance update follows the company's September 2 announcement of its acquisition of Omega Foundation Services, a leader in the specialized engineering, procurement and construction industry with expertise in heavy civil construction across several end markets, including large-scale data centers.

#energy #Services

Extreme weather is creating a more demanding environment for property owners, insurers, and communities. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), the United States recorded 27 confirmed billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2024, resulting in a total cost of $182.7 billion. These events spanned a wide range of extremes, including severe storm events, tropical cyclones, wildfires, drought/heat waves, and winter storm/cold wave events. Over the last decade, ***** ulative losses from these disasters have exceeded $1.4 trillion, driven significantly by population growth, material wealth, and increased development in hazard-prone areas. These figures suggest that the financial consequences of extreme events may increasingly depend on how accurately the value of exposed property is understood before a loss occurs.
That question becomes especially consequential during reconstruction. A 2026 report from Bloomberg, featured in Claims Journal, noted that surveys conducted by United Policyholders since 2007 found an average of two-thirds of wildfire survivors reporting that they were underinsured, with an average shortfall of $200,000 or more. The Insurance Information Institute has similarly estimated that two-thirds of American homeowners may be underinsured for wildfire losses, typically by about 20%, and in some cases by as much as 60%. These findings illustrate how the presence of an insurance policy can still leave a substantial difference between available coverage and the resources required to rebuild, particularly when construction costs rise after a catastrophe.
The financial implications can extend across the broader insurance ecosystem. Aon's 2026 Climate and Catastrophe Insight reported approximately $260 billion in global economic losses from natural catastrophes during 2025, compared with $127 billion in insured losses. For property stakeholders, such a figure may place greater attention on the relationship between the value ***** igned to an ***** et, the cost of restoring it, and the capital available when a loss occurs.
Frequency can add another layer to that calculation. Data from NCEI indicate that the average interval between U.S. billion-dollar disaster events was approximately 16 days during 2020–2024, compared with 82 days during the 1980s. NCEI notes that shorter intervals can leave less time and fewer resources for response, recovery, and preparation for subsequent events. As the time between major events contracts, property valuations may require more frequent attention because construction costs, labor conditions, materials, and local economic circumstances can change between policy reviews.

#property #losses #insurance #information

Interested in Intuitive Surgical, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better.
Global procedure growth remains intact despite a recent U.S. slowdown and Affordable Care Act-related uncertainty; Intuitive Surgical maintained its 13.5%–15.5% global procedure-growth outlook, expecting results near the midpoint.
Ambulatory surgery centers and international markets remain important expansion opportunities, with second-quarter system placements rising in the U.S. and abroad. However, China remains pressured by local competition and slower tenders, with improved visibility not expected until 2027.
Future growth could come from da Vinci 5 upgrades, Force Feedback instruments, new procedures and sites of care, and AI services such as Case Insights. The company also reported strong financial performance, including 21% revenue growth and operating and free-cash-flow margins above historical averages.
This AI ETF Is Missing the Biggest AI Winners

#affordable

Investors seeking exposure to artificial intelligence infrastructure must weigh the explosive growth of Astera Labs Inc (NASDAQ:ALAB) against the established scale and diverse portfolio of Marvell Technology Inc(NASDAQ:MRVL) to determine the better buy.
Both companies focus on the plumbing of the digital world, ensuring data moves quickly between processors and memory. While Astera Labs focuses on specialized connectivity for AI racks, Marvell offers a broader range of networking, storage, and custom compute solutions. This comparison explores which strategy offers more potential for long-term investors.
Astera Labs designs connectivity solutions that integrate various protocols to support rack-scale AI infrastructure, a high-growth niche among semiconductor stocks. The company serves major hyperscalers and equipment manufacturers who need to overcome data bottlenecks in massive data centers, though its revenue is highly concentrated. In 2025, one end customer -- Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) -- accounted for over 70% of revenue, which adds a significant layer of risk to the business model.
According to its latest annual report, filed for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2025, revenue reached close to $853 million, representing a significant jump of 115% compared with the prior fiscal year. This growth trajectory helped the company transition to a net income of just over $219 million after recording losses in the previous two years. The net margin for the latest year was close to 26%.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was 0.0x, meaning the company carries no debt relative to its shareholder equity, while the so-called current ratio was 10.2x. Free cash flow for the period reached nearly $282 million. Note that stock-based compensation (SBC) represented roughly 50.1% of operating cash flow, which inflates reported cash generation since SBC is a non-cash expense added back in the cash flow statement.

#company #million

High-performance computing is currently undergoing a massive generational shift. Deciding between Astera Labs Inc (NASDAQ:ALAB) and Applied Materials Inc (NASDAQ:AMAT) means choosing between a fast-growing connectivity specialist and an established ******* an of manufacturing equipment.
Astera Labs focuses on the internal plumbing of data centers, providing chips that move data between processors. Applied Materials builds the actual machines that make those chips possible. While both benefit from artificial intelligence, they occupy very different rungs on the technology ladder.
Astera Labs sells high-speed connectivity hardware and software designed for AI-heavy data centers. Its primary products include PCIe and Ethernet solutions that help hyperscale cloud providers manage massive data workloads. In its latest annual report, filed for the period ending December 31, 2025, the company noted that one end customer represented more than 70% of its revenue. Customer concentration like this adds a layer of risk to the business.
In FY 2025, revenue reached nearly $853 million, which is an increase of approximately 115% over the prior year. This growth resulted in a net income of roughly $219 million, compared to a net loss in the previous fiscal year. The company recorded a net margin of close to 26% during this period. Such expansion is notable among semiconductor stocks catering to the cloud market.
The company carries no debt, resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.0x. This metric compares total debt to shareholder equity to show how a firm finances its ******* ets. As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the so-called current ratio was nearly 10.2x, indicating a strong ability to cover short-term debts. Free cash flow was roughly $282 million. Note that stock-based compensation represented just about 50% of operating cash flow, which inflates reported cash generation since SBC is a non-cash expense added back in the cash flow statement.

#million #flow #NASDAQ

Restaurant stock Dave & Buster's Entertainment (PLAY) and healthcare name Kestra Medical Technologies (KMTS) will kick off earnings reports during a week when investors will be squarely focused on the Federal Reserve and a possible interest-rate hike Wednesday. Forgent Power Solutions (FPS) is also on the docket, with its stock trying to recover after a lengthy sell-off.
Friday's stock market rally notwithstanding, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Russell 2000 small-cap index have come under the most pressure amid surging oil prices and spiking bond yields, as investors worry about pesky inflation and escalating tension between the U.S. and Iran.
While the Dow is testing major support near 52,000, the Russell fell below its 50-day moving average in late August and has been below the support level ever since. The Nasdaq composite, meanwhile, bounced off its 50-day line with conviction Friday, helped by a tame report on consumer prices. The S&P 500 also moved off its 50-day line Friday.
Results from Lennar (LEN) are due Wednesday after the close. Lennar stock tried to break out in late June, but was turned away at its 200-day line and went into a downtrend. It tried to clear the 200-day line several times again in August but to no avail. With interest rates on the rise, heavy-volume selling has picked up the pace in recent weeks.
Forgent, which sells electrical distribution equipment to data centers, reports early Tuesday. The company priced its IPO at 27 on Feb. 4, at the midpoint of a proposed range of 25-29.

#line #forgent #august #lennar

As artificial intelligence matures, investors must decide between the high-growth niche players and the foundational giants. Choosing between Astera Labs Inc (NASDAQ:ALAB) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE:TSM) involves weighing explosive potential against established dominance.
Astera Labs provides the critical connectivity infrastructure that allows AI chips to communicate within data centers. Meanwhile, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing operates as the world's largest dedicated chip foundry, producing the actual processors for almost every major tech firm. Both companies are central to the future of semiconductor stocks.
Astera Labs specializes in connectivity solutions designed to remove bottlenecks in high-performance data centers. The company sells hardware and software that helps AI accelerators, such as those made by major chip designers, communicate efficiently across servers. Its customer base is highly concentrated, primarily consisting of the largest cloud providers and system manufacturers. In 2025, one end customer accounted for over 70% of total revenue. Customer concentration like this adds a layer of risk to the business.
In FY 2025, revenue reached more than $852.5 million, representing an impressive increase of roughly 115% compared to the prior year. This rapid growth helped the company pivot from a loss in previous years to a net income of approximately $219 million. The net margin, which measures how much of each dollar of sales remains as profit, stood at nearly 26%. This trajectory highlights the surging demand for the specialized connectivity chips required for large-scale AI deployments.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the company reported a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.0x, indicating it holds no debt relative to its shareholder equity. Its so-called current ratio, which compares short-term ******* ets to short-term liabilities, was a robust 10.2x. Free cash flow, or the cash left over after paying for operations and equipment, was approximately $282 million. Note that stock-based compensation represented roughly 50% of operating cash flow, which inflates reported cash generation since this is a non-cash expense added back in the cash flow statement.

#company

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian presidential candidate Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro is under investigation for corruption, money laundering and tax evasion for receiving millions of dollars from a disgraced banker to finance a movie about his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Brazil's top court unsealed several documents late Thursday that show Sen. Bolsonaro, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's primary opponent, is under investigation for receiving 61 million reais ($12 million) from a banker at the center of a corruption scandal to produce an unreleased movie ******* led "The Dark Horse."
The investigation, which centers on whether the Bolsonaro family misused the funds and whether the payments were properly reported to Brazilian authorities, threatens to undermine Sen. Bolsonaro's bid for the presidency. The first round of elections is slated for Oct. 4, and the senator is locked in a tight race with Lula.
The banker, Daniel Vorcaro, who was arrested in March, is accused of defrauding many of Banco Master's 800,000 clients, including several state government pension funds, out of hundreds of millions of dollars by convincing them to make questionable investments. The scandal has engulfed several high-ranking officials in Brazil.
The allegations first became public in May. Sen. Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing and said Friday during a campaign event in the Amazonian city of Manaus that he was seeking private investment for the movie.

#bolsonaro #brazilian #president #receiving

CBS Sports ******* yst Garrett Podell put together his bold predictions for Week 1 of the 2026 season, one of which centers around the Jacksonville Jaguars' run defense -- and not in a positive way.
Podell made four bold Week 1 predictions, one of which is that Cleveland Browns' running back Quinshon Judkins rushes for over 75 yards against the Jaguars' defense.
"Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins ran for 827 yards as a rookie in 2025 despite the corpse of Joe Flacco, third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel and fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders all starting at quarterback last season," wrote Podell. "He's used to facing loaded boxes and opponents going all out to take away his production."
Of course, what makes this prediction bold is that the Jaguars boasted the top run defense unit in football last season.
A second offseason in Anthony Campanile's scheme, along with no significant losses this offseason, a few new rookie additions, and second-year players BJ Green and Danny Striggow making potential jumps, are all reasons to believe that this unit can once again be quite good.

#podell #quinshon

Nyxoah SA (NASDAQ:NYXH) announced the first patient implantation in BREATHE on September 7. The prospective, single-arm U.S. post-approval study will evaluate Genio hypoglossal-nerve stimulation in adults aged 22 or older with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea for whom standard-care treatments have failed, cannot be tolerated, or are unsuitable. Plans call for up to 229 patients at up to 25 centers, with follow-up lasting up to five years.
For Nyxoah SA (NASDAQ:NYXH), the milestone begins a new phase of evidence collection following Genio's August 2025 FDA approval. The co-primary effectiveness endpoints are apnea-hypopnea-index and oxygen-desaturation-index responder rates at 12 months. Device- and procedure-related serious adverse events will be **** sed at 12 months and annually thereafter. The investment question is whether that evidence can help turn clinical credibility into sustained commercial adoption.
Nyxoah SA (NASDAQ:NYXH) has an opportunity to demonstrate how Genio performs across different physicians and treatment settings. Consistent outcomes across participating centers could give referring sleep physicians and implanting surgeons greater confidence in patient selection and treatment delivery.
The product offers a distinct approach. Genio stimulates hypoglossal nerves on both sides of the tongue, using a battery-free implant powered by an external wearable. For Nyxoah SA (NASDAQ:NYXH), documenting effectiveness and safety in routine practice could help physicians **** s how that design fits their patients' needs.
Longer follow-up could also strengthen the evidence available to payers. Nyxoah SA (NASDAQ:NYXH) could use sustained responses and safety findings to support coverage discussions, while participating centers gain practical experience with implantation and follow-up. That would make BREATHE valuable beyond a single headline response rate.

#nyxoah #NASDAQ #nyxh

XPO, Inc. (NYSE:XPO) reported that preliminary August 2026 North American less-than-truckload, or LTL, tonnage per day increased 3.7% from a year earlier. Shipments per day rose 5.7%, while average weight per shipment declined 1.8%. Final July figures showed tonnage per day increasing 5.8%, shipments per day rising 5.9%, and weight per shipment slipping 0.2%.
The two months indicate stronger shipment activity, but August's wider gap between shipment and tonnage growth points to lighter freight. The investment question is whether XPO, Inc. (NYSE:XPO) can convert additional shipments into better network density and fixed-cost absorption without allowing extra handling costs to dilute margins.
Higher shipment counts can improve the utilization of routes, service centers, dock doors, and equipment. XPO, Inc. (NYSE:XPO) operates an ****** et-based North American LTL network that moves approximately 16 billion pounds of freight annually. More shipments moving through that infrastructure can spread terminal, technology, and equipment costs across a larger revenue base.
The second quarter provides evidence that XPO, Inc. (NYSE:XPO) has recently translated volume and pricing growth into stronger economics. North American LTL revenue increased 15.2% to $1.43 billion. Fuel-surcharge revenue accounted for part of that increase, rising to $314 million from $183 million. Separately, yield excluding fuel increased 4.4%, shipments per day rose 2.8%, and tonnage per day increased 1.0%.
XPO, Inc. (NYSE:XPO) reported a company-defined non-GAAP adjusted operating ratio of 79.9%, an improvement of 300 basis points. XPO, Inc. (NYSE:XPO) calculates adjusted operating ratio as one minus adjusted operating income divided by segment revenue, using unrounded amounts. Adjusted operating income removes amortization and restructuring costs and adjusts for gains on real estate transactions. XPO, Inc. (NYSE:XPO) also reported a damage claims ratio below 0.2%.

#adjusted #north #operating

A Brazilian federal judge ordered the immediate suspension of all environmental licenses held by Sigma Mineração S.A., the operating subsidiary of Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ:SGML), for the Grota do Cirilo project. The September 4 preliminary order also halted mining activities following a civil action brought by the Federation of Quilombola Communities of Minas Gerais.
The dispute centers on whether the project lies within the area of influence of the Baú Quilombola Community and therefore required free, prior, and informed consultation. The judge cited studies placing the community's territory approximately 2.7 kilometers from the project's directly affected area, within the 8-kilometer presumptive regulatory impact radius applicable to mining projects outside Brazil's Legal Amazon under Interministerial Ordinance No. 60/2015. Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ:SGML) has argued that the project is outside the relevant impact zone.
The court ordered independent georeferencing and barred Minas Gerais and its environmental agency from issuing new licenses, amendments, or corrective approvals until the community-protection requirements are completed.
Two routes remain. If independent georeferencing supports the boundary position, Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ:SGML) could seek favorable court relief modifying or reversing the suspension. This provides an alternative to completing the consultation requirements.
If the project falls within the regulated impact area, Sigma Lithium Corporation (NASDAQ:SGML) would need Incra approval of the Quilombola Component Study, Basic Quilombola Environmental Plan and Final Execution Report, plus free, prior and informed consultation with the Baú community. Completing those requirements could preserve the project if acceptable mitigation is agreed.

#corporation #sgml #project #community

On September 2, Shell Offshore, a subsidiary of Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL), announced the acquisition of a 30% working interest in Conifer, an exploration prospect operated by BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Located offshore within Keathley Canyon near BP's Kaskida host development, Conifer represents a significant deep-water play. BP retains operatorship, with the initial exploration well expected to spud in 2027. While the deal reflects shared risk and capital efficiency in high-cost offshore basins, comparing the two giants' Q2 2026 earnings shows that Shell is currently executing from a position of superior financial strength.
Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL) delivered an exceptionally clean Q2 2026 report. Adjusted earnings reached $9.8 billion, driven by record upstream production in Brazil and record refinery utilization, which offset Middle East operational outages. Cash flow from operations (CFFO) came in at $21.4 billion, supported by higher realized prices and a $3.4 billion working capital inflow. Shell maintained strict capital discipline, reiterating its full-year capex outlook of $24 billion–$26 billion while completing $5.8 billion in structural cost reductions since 2022. Balance sheet health remains robust, with gearing at 19% and net debt at $42 billion ($12 billion excluding leases).
BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) also turned in a solid Q2 recovery, but its headline metrics lag behind Shell's scale. BP reported underlying replacement cost profit (its proxy for net income) of $5.7 billion, a 78% quarter-over-quarter rebound fueled by strong refining margins and oil trading. Operating cash flow reached $10.9 billion after absorbing a $1.0 billion working capital build. BP used strong cash generation to trim net debt down to $22.25 billion, while guiding full-year capex to $13.5 billion–$14.0 billion.
Although BP raised its quarterly dividend by 4% to 8.66 cents, Shell's cash engine allowed it to announce its 19th consecutive quarter of at least $3 billion in share buybacks, distributing 44% of CFFO over the trailing 12 months.
Shell's bull case centers on superior capital allocation, aggressive portfolio high-grading, including the ARC Resources acquisition targeting a 4% production CAGR through 2030, and consistent share buybacks. The bear case focuses on execution risks in integrated gas and LNG amid volatile market conditions, as well as the challenges of integrating large-scale acquisitions.

#cost

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) announced an expanded collaboration with Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) on September 2 to scale Oracle's global AI infrastructure using HPE Juniper Networking across Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) data centers. The partnership builds on over a decade of joint engineering, leveraging HPE's routing and switching platforms to support OCI's expanding gigawatt-scale GPU superclusters. To align long-term incentives, HPE issued stock warrants to Oracle.
Following the announcement, Wall Street delivered fast price target hikes: Barclays' Tim Long raised HPE's target by $12 to $79 (Overweight), citing server upside and robust margins, while Morgan Stanley's Sanjit Singh boosted Oracle's target by $3 to $210 (Equal Weight), noting a tactically positive setup driven by GPUaaS demand.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE) and Oracle both delivered strong results, although Oracle operates at a significantly larger scale. HPE reported record Q3 2026 revenue of $12.2 billion, up 34% year over year, driven by strong server demand and a 74.9% increase in Networking revenue to $2.9 billion. GAAP diluted EPS reached $1.06, while strong execution led management to raise full-year FY26 revenue growth guidance to 34%-37% and its free cash flow target to at least $3.75 billion.
Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL), meanwhile, ended fiscal 2026 with record Q4 revenue of $19.2 billion, up 21% year over year, and full-year revenue of $67.4 billion, up 17%. Q4 Cloud Infrastructure (IaaS) revenue surged 93% to $5.8 billion, while full-year GAAP EPS rose 34% to $5.83 and Remaining Performance Obligations (RPO) jumped 363% to $638 billion.
Overall, ORCL leads in hyper-growth and long-term backlog, reinforcing its position as the stronger software and cloud play, while HPE is demonstrating stronger near-term hardware momentum and attractive cash flow generation for value-oriented investors.

#billion #revenue #infrastructure

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) represent two sides of a historical silicon transition. A September 2 report from MacRumors highlighted a key milestone: Apple notified developers that universal Mac App Store apps requiring macOS 13 or later can now drop support for Intel-based Macs. Removing Intel binary slices simplifies app development and reduces download sizes. While symbolic, the move underscores Apple's completed transition to Apple Silicon and highlights Intel's diminishing footprint within Apple's high-margin ecosystem.
Financially, Apple is faring significantly better than Intel.
For Q3 2026 (ended June 27, 2026), Apple reported record quarterly revenue of $109.4 billion, up 16% year-over-year, driven by double-digit growth across iPhone, Mac, and Services. The company's gross margin reached 50.1%, supported by a 2 percentage point favorable impact from tariff refunds. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) surged 29% year-over-year to $2.02, which included a $0.11 favorable boost from tariff refunds. Operating cash flow and active installed base both set new June quarter records.
Intel's Q2 2026 financial results (ended June 27, 2026) delivered $16.1 billion in quarterly revenue, up 25% year-over-year, marking its fastest top-line growth in over 15 years. Intel reported a GAAP net loss of $11.0 billion (GAAP EPS of -$2.16), largely driven by non-cash charges and mark-to-market adjustments. However, on a non-GAAP basis, net income reached $2.2 billion ($0.42 diluted EPS), nearly doubling consensus expectations. Non-GAAP gross margin expanded to 41.8% (40.4% GAAP) on strong product mix and factory yields.
Apple's bull case centers on expanding Services margins, strong ecosystem lock-in, and the potential for Apple Intelligence to drive further demand and engagement across iOS and macOS devices, supporting high-margin growth. On the other hand, Apple faces risks from elevated valuation multiples, sluggish growth in Greater China, where Q3 revenue reached $14.7 billion, and ongoing global antitrust scrutiny over App Store fees.

#revenue

On August 11, Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) announced that its Medicaid plan, Humana Healthy Horizons in Indiana, is collaborating with HealthStream, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSTM). The partnership expands access to workforce training for caregivers, aiming to recruit and retain talent in rural and underserved communities. While one provides healthcare coverage and the other builds the software to train healthcare workers, both companies are capitalizing on the industry's critical focus: solving caregiving shortages and optimizing healthcare delivery.
HealthStream emerges as the operationally cleaner, higher-growth performer, while Humana continues to navigate a more complex transition marked by regulatory and profitability pressures. Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM) reported Q2 2026 GAAP EPS of $5.73 and adjusted EPS of $7.61, with an Insurance segment GAAP benefit ratio of 91.2%. The company reaffirmed its full-year adjusted EPS guidance of at least $9.00 but lowered its FY 2026 GAAP EPS forecast to at least $6.52 from $8.36, reflecting non-cash adjustments and value creation charges. Although individual Medicare Advantage membership is expected to grow approximately 25% in 2026, lower Star Ratings remain a significant drag on profitability.
HealthStream, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSTM), meanwhile, delivered record Q2 2026 results, with revenue rising 12.5% year over year to $83.7 million. Operating income increased 41.4% to $8.3 million, while net income climbed 23.8% to $6.7 million, or $0.23 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA also increased 16.9% to $20.6 million. The company's debt-free balance sheet, supported by $66.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, further strengthens its financial flexibility. While Humana operates at substantially greater scale, HealthStream is demonstrating stronger operational leverage, margin expansion, and balance sheet flexibility.
Humana's bull case is supported by strong Medicare Advantage membership growth, with the company targeting a 25% increase in 2026, alongside strategic expansion of its CenterWell primary care business and state Medicaid footprint, including its recent Illinois win. These initiatives could strengthen its long-term recovery and expand its addressable market. However, the bear case centers on elevated medical benefit ratios, which reached 91.2% in Q2, as well as regulatory pressures in Medicaid and continued Medicare Star Ratings headwinds. These factors could further squeeze margins and weigh on net earnings.

#healthcare #year

SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX) has been building its AI business at warp speed. It turns out to be much more challenging to rapidly build reliable data centers than expected. Some of its facilities ran without backup power for months. That recently led the company to make some changes, including reshuffling its leadership team to ensure it can meet a looming deadline for a $920 million-a-month compute deal with Alphabet's (NASDAQ:GOOG)(NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google.
Here's a look at what went wrong and how **** eX is racing to fix the problem.
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 »
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Engineering and reliability issues have surfaced at **** eX data center sites in Tennessee and Mississippi. According to a recent report by The Information, several sites operated without backup cooling and power systems as the company pushed to expand capacity as fast as possible. That publication has previously reported issues at **** eX data center sites, including that its Macrohand facility in Tennessee had to rely on over 100 mobile chillers and recorded uptime well below the company's 99.9% internal target. Meanwhile, the company used temporary gas turbines at its Mississippi data center longer than expected due to supply chain issues in delaying 41 permanent units. Temporary outages of the power and cooling systems have interrupted AI model training.

#company #NVIDIA #signal #power