Over the last four years, the ageless Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES:^DJI), broad-based S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC), and growth-focused Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) have been virtually unstoppable. The artificial intelligence (AI) data center build-out has fueled an investing frenzy similar to what was witnessed in the mid-to-late 1990s with the internet.
But the stock market isn't without headwinds. Arguably, the biggest obstacle to the continuity of this bull market rally is persistently elevated inflation. The bad news for investors is that the Federal Reserve's initial inflation forecast for November shows things are getting downright ugly for Wall Street.
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 16x 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 »
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and his colleagues may need to get more aggressive with rate hikes. Image source: Official Federal Reserve Photo.
Though there's no perfect inflation prediction tool, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's Inflation Nowcasting tool does an exceptional job of accounting for new economic data and adjusting inflation forecasts in real time.

#inflation #data #market #jones

Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan purchased 150,000 shares of common stock across multiple trades priced between $64.71 and $64.74.
The strategic share acquisition follows Intel's Q3 2026 earnings release, which showed $16.5 billion in revenue, but shares suffered a sharp after-hours plunge driven by conservative fourth-quarter sales forecasts.
Investors are weighing cooling artificial intelligence capital expenditure (capex) cycles following a Democratic wave in mid-term elections.
Intel's (INTC) chief executive officer and director Lip-Bu Tan acquired 150,000 shares of common stock worth $9.7 million on Nov. 2 via his family trust, according to a regulatory filing on Wednesday.
Tan bought the stock through several open-market transactions at prices ranging from $64.705 to $64.735; the total investment amounted to approximately $9.71 million. The move could be seen as a vote of confidence as the semiconductor giant navigates supply chain pressures, fabrication hurdles at its Israel facility, and shifting demand in the personal computer market.

#shares #executive #million #market

Data centers have emerged as a national issue during this midterm election cycle, and candidates for the House and Senate have seized on it in their campaigns.
But state and local officials actually have more sway over data center construction and energy infrastructure, so the winners of lower-profile races may hold the economy's future in their hands.
Hyperscalers have been spending hundreds of billions of dollars a year, with forecasts for 2027 topping $1 trillion. JPMorgan has estimated AI-related investment was responsible for about one-fifth of GDP growth over the past year. ******* ysts at ING believe AI will account for a third of growth in 2026.
With Election Day just over a week away and early voting already in full swing in many states, expectations for big Democratic gains could weigh on the stock market, which has sold off in recent days on fears the AI boom will go bust.
If there is a further stock slump, it will be because a "blue wave" at the state and local levels will usher in lawmakers opposed to data centers, Thierry Wizman, global FX and rates strategist at Macquarie, said in a note on Monday.

#local #House

I'm 67, my husband is 69, and we've been married 38 years. We've lived in the same four-bedroom colonial for 32 of those years. It's paid off and worth $1.5 million. We have another $1.8 million in retirement accounts and savings, plus Social Security and a small pension from his old job. No debt, and our kids are on their own.
So this isn't a money problem, but we can't talk about retirement anymore without it turning into a fight. He wants to buy something for $600,000 now that we are empty-nesters, and invest the rest. He has a spreadsheet. I've seen it open on the laptop at the kitchen table at 11 p.m., with property taxes, insurance and the lawn guy all in little columns.
My spouse was awarded $90,000 from my 401(k) in our divorce. How is that fair?
'She's living the dream': My stepmother said I can buy my childhood home for $850,000. Is she taking advantage of me?
Musk says ***** eX landed a $40 billion debt deal — and forecasts doom for some AI rivals

#years #Retirement

Tropical Depression Nine has formed off the coast of Mexico in the Gulf of America, and forecasts show it will be the Atlantic's first hurricane this season, making a dangerous landfall threat to the U.s.
The system is currently getting better organized, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said it is forecast to be a tropical storm on Wednesday and a hurricane on Thursday.
The NHC said the system is likely to be a Category 2 hurricane by Friday night, with estimated winds at 100 mph.
Farmers' Almanac Releases 2026-2027 Winter Forecast: What They Say To Expect For Blockbuster Winter In The Us
It will be named Isaias.

#forecast

BarriC's $750 XRP target extrapolates the token's historic 500x rally from 2017, ignoring that it implies a staggering $47 trillion market cap.
At $750, XRP's market cap would dwarf Bitcoin's entire $1.73 trillion valuation 27 times over, requiring capital inflows unprecedented in any market.
XRP must first climb 143% just to reclaim its $3.65 all-time high, making a 500x moonshot an extraordinarily remote possibility.
Building a portfolio and living off one are two completely different skills, and almost ******* ody teaches the second. This problem is what The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income helps, and it is free today. Read more here. (Sponsor)
Crypto ******* yst BarriC recently suggested that XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) could potentially reach $750 if it replicates the extraordinary 500-fold increase seen in 2017 and 2018. This prediction has gained traction in the XRP community on social media platform X, where BarriC has made bold price forecasts for years.

#market #barric #building #definitive

On August 6, Wheaton Precious Metals (NYSE:WPM) reported second-quarter net earnings of $543 million on $929 million of revenue, both records. Through the first half, net earnings rose 106% to $1.1 billion. During the quarter, the company also made net upfront cash payments of $4.5 billion relative to mineral stream interests, and it now carries $2.0 billion of total debt against $100 million of cash on hand. Here is what that trade looks like up close.
Start with what the streaming model does when prices climb. Wheaton sold 14% more gold equivalent ounces than a year ago, but the average realized gold equivalent price jumped 61% in Q2, and that higher price explains most of the revenue surge. Costs per ounce rose from $406 to $568, yet the cash operating margin per ounce still grew 65% to $3,875, faster than gold itself appreciated. Operating cash flow hit $650 million in the quarter and $1.4 billion for the half.
The second argument is that plenty of growth hasn't arrived yet. Only about 3% of this year's production comes from **** ets still in construction or ramp-up, and the company forecasts a rise of roughly 50% to 1,200,000 gold equivalent ounces by 2030. Some of that ramp has dates attached. Ivanhoe now expects commercial production at Platreef in the fourth quarter of 2026, and Montage Gold is targeting first gold at Koné in late Q4. Effective April 1, Wheaton expanded its share of silver production from Antamina from 33.75% to 67.5% through the newly acquired BHP Antamina PMPA.
Growth on this scale wasn't free. Wheaton had no bank debt at the end of 2025. On April 1, it drew $1.5 billion on a new two-year term loan to help pay for Antamina, and finance costs that were negligible a year ago now take a real bite. Net debt stands at $1.9 billion. Taxes are heavier too. Wheaton paid $109 million of global minimum tax on June 24, and another Cdn$346 million is due around March 31, 2027.
Operations also gave investors a few reasons for caution. Gold ounces produced slipped 2.6% year over year, so the 6% rise in gold equivalent production leaned heavily on the Antamina purchase. Gold output at Salobo fell 11% on lower grades. At Constancia, it fell 35% after mining at the higher-grade Pampacancha pit finished in the fourth quarter of 2025. Hemlo Mining said on July 20 that its second-quarter output fell below the first quarter's, and Rio2 said on May 15 that Fenix missed planned tonnes and grade in Q1. And because the revenue jump came mainly from price, the same leverage works in reverse if metals slip.

#wheaton

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) stock has returned about 57% over the past year, against about 17% for the S&P 500. On the earnings it has already banked, that price looks expensive. But those earnings carry STELARA, which is losing share to biosimilar competition. What looks dear on earnings already reported comes down sharply on the earnings ***** ysts expect.
At about $270 a share, Johnson & Johnson trades at about 28.3 times its trailing earnings. That figure sits on adjusted earnings: normalized net income with stock-based compensation added back, meant to sit closer to the basis ***** ysts use in their forecasts than a GAAP figure would, though the two measures are not defined identically. Measured as market value against consensus net income, the multiple on fiscal 2026 earnings is about 24.1 times, and on the earnings expected for 2027 it is about 20.9 times.
Those trailing twelve months were not a clean run. STELARA cost Johnson & Johnson about 460 basis points of operational sales growth in the second quarter of 2026. Strip it out and the company grew double digits in that quarter on the same basis, on management's own account.
The trailing multiple measures today's price against a period burdened by slowing STELARA revenue. The rest of the portfolio kept growing. Revenue over the trailing twelve months is close to $98 billion, and the company has 28 products and platforms that each sell more than $1 billion a year.
Immunology shows both sides at once. TREMFYA grew 71% in the second quarter of 2026, and it remains the fastest-growing advanced therapy in both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. STELARA is shrinking under biosimilars in that same segment.

#johnson #earnings

October Nymex natural gas (NGV26) on Friday closed up +0.011 (+0.38%).
Nat-gas prices recovered from a 1-week low on Friday and settled higher on some pre-weekend short covering. Nat-gas prices initially moved lower on Friday amid forecasts of cooler US weather, which could reduce nat-gas demand from electricity providers for air conditioning. The Commodity Weather Group said Friday that forecasts shifted cooler, with above-average temperatures now covering a smaller portion of the South and Southeast from September 23 to October 2.
JPMorgan Gives Up Forecasting Iran War Endgame as Trump Tells Reporters 'Anything Could Happen With Me'
Crude Prices Retreat on Hopes Middle East Energy Exports to Recover
Crude Prices Supported by Middle East Supply Disruptions

#prices #east #forecasts

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) are two of the biggest companies in the world. Nvidia holds the top spot, sitting at a $5.3 trillion valuation. Micron currently sits at 13th place worldwide, with a $1.1 trillion valuation. These companies are also two of the biggest beneficiaries of the artificial intelligence (AI) build-out, and with that expected to ramp up again in 2027, these two are in a prime position to benefit.
But which stock stands to benefit more? Let's take a look at these two and see which stock makes the most sense for your investment dollars.
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 »
Nvidia and Micron are partners in the AI arms race. Micron makes memory chips, including DRAM memory that's utilized inside Nvidia GPUs. Micron's DRAM chips are also utilized in several other competitors' products, and demand for these products continues to rise.
Nvidia forecasts that the big five AI hyperscalers will spend nearly $800 billion on data center capital expenditures during 2026. Next year, that figure is projected to rise to $1.3 trillion. That's a lot of GPUs from Nvidia, filled with memory chips from Micron. There is huge demand for each company's product, but there is a stark difference in the long-term demand curve for each.

#memory #demand #gpus

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG), maker of the da Vinci surgical robots, trades at about $382, some 36% below its 52-week high. Even so, you pay about 35.9 times trailing adjusted earnings. That is normalized net income with stock-based compensation added back, a basis meant to sit closer to the one ****** ysts forecast on, though the two are not defined identically. ****** ysts' forecasts run to 2027, the year Intuitive plans to start lowering what customers pay per use on some instruments.
The shares were trading about 11% lower the day after second-quarter results in July showed slower US procedure growth. US da Vinci procedures grew 12% in the second quarter, against 14% in the first. Management pointed to two likely causes, with the CFO noting that some customers say coverage changes are delaying deferrable procedures, alongside a little of the law of large numbers.
What the price still pays for is revenue growing faster than procedures. On the first-quarter call, the CFO credited that largely to da Vinci 5 and its higher pricing. More than half of the da Vinci systems Intuitive placed in the second quarter were da Vinci 5.
On ****** ysts' 2026 estimates, today's price is about 35.1 times earnings. On their 2027 estimates, it is about 31.4 times. The revenue forecast behind that looks modest: about 13.1% growth a year through 2027, against 20.7% growth over the past twelve months.
Consensus has earnings and revenue growing at a similar pace between 2026 and 2027, so margins hold roughly steady. Intuitive enters that stretch with an operating margin of 31.3% over the past twelve months, above its three-year average of 27.7%.

#intuitive #analysts #year #procedures

By Michael S. Derby
WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Federal Reserve officials expect one more interest rate increase this year after raising rates on Wednesday and expect to hold them steady in 2027, quarterly projections released after their latest policy meeting showed.
At the same ‌time, policymakers also marked up their near-term inflation outlook.
The forecasts were released as policymakers raised the target rate for fed funds by ‌a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75%-4.00%, which was widely expected. Their new forecasts see rates coming back down in 2028 and for the federal funds rate to stand at between 3.50% and 3.75% in 2029.
In June, Fed officials in their projections had penciled in one quarter-percentage-point rate rise this year and a cut of the same amount in 2027.

#federal

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point on Wednesday, the first increase since July 2023, with Fed Chair Kevin Warsh saying inflation has been "too high ... for too long."
The decision, reached by a unanimous 12-0 vote of the Federal Open Market Committee, brings the federal funds rate to a new target range of 3.75%–4%. The Fed's post-meeting statement pointed to persistent price pressures and a durable economy, declaring: "Inflation remains elevated. Today's policy action will support a timelier return to the Committee's 2 percent goal. The Committee will deliver price stability."
At a news conference following the decision, Warsh said the Fed needed to be confident "that underlying inflation is moving to our objective clearly and at sufficient speed," adding that the FOMC had determined "this standard has not been satisfied." He pointed to three converging factors — a robust labor market, inflation still running above target, and ongoing conflict in the Middle East — as driving the committee's unanimous vote.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed more than 400 points in afternoon trading following the Fed's move. The S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also slumped.
Updated economic projections released Wednesday showed FOMC participants nudged their inflation forecasts higher. The median projection for headline PCE inflation this year rose to 3.7% and core PCE to 3.4%, each up 0.1 percentage point from the June forecast, the Fed said. Officials do not expect inflation to return to the 2% target until 2029. The median unemployment rate projection for 2026 fell to 4.1%, down from 4.3% in June, while the GDP growth outlook rose to 2.3% from 2.2%.

#federal #rate #committee

Sept 16, 2026, 12:53 pm EDT
Earnings from Costco
COST
+0.02%
Wholesale next week could fall short of Wall Street forecasts, but an upcoming announcement from the retailer could be an enticement t0 investors.
COST
+0.02%
Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

#wholesale #wall #jones #company

Investors continue to ask for more timely information, even as the volume available to them expands. A 2026 CFA Institute survey of 2,500 **** ysts and portfolio managers found that 62% opposed replacing quarterly reporting with semiannual reporting. Nearly 85% expressed concern about comparability if companies and investment managers could determine their own reporting frequency and format. Access remains important, while interpretation requires a separate discipline.
The demand also concerns the quality of disclosure. PwC's 2025 Global Investor Survey, covering 1,074 investment professionals across 26 countries and territories, found that only 37% believed companies disclosed enough about artificial intelligence strategies and policies. Respondents wanted greater transparency around innovation strategies, AI investment, and expected returns. These findings suggest that investors can face abundant commentary while still lacking the evidence needed to **** s a thesis.
Commercial incentives add another layer. A 2025 CFA Institute report examined continuation funds, in which a manager can oversee both the vehicle selling an **** et and the vehicle buying it. The report recognized the structure's liquidity role and identified conflicts requiring fair processes and governance. The example illustrates why informed **** ysis and aligned incentives are separate considerations.
That distinction applies beyond any single investment structure. Managers often possess valuable operational knowledge because they work directly with **** ets, tenants and financing markets. They may also be raising capital for the strategies they discuss. Their commercial interest becomes additional context for investors weighing forecasts, market narratives and recommendations alongside independently produced evidence. That context can help an investment committee separate a source's knowledge of the market from the confidence it should place in the source's preferred outcome during capital allocation.
Geoffrey Dohrmann, chairman, CEO and editor-in-chief of Institutional Real Estate, Inc., has watched those narratives develop across several market cycles. IREI is a media and market intelligence company covering institutional real estate and infrastructure through publications, research, data, events and consulting. Dohrmann explains its editorial role as independently recording where real-asset capital is moving and examining the explanations offered for those decisions.

#real #institute

AARP projects a 3.6% Social Security COLA for 2027, adding roughly $75 monthly to the average check, while the Senior Citizens League forecasts 3.5%.
The official COLA drops October 14, but the Medicare Part B premium that offsets it won't be announced until November, leaving budgeters with incomplete data.
Hold-harmless rules protect most retirees from net payment cuts, but higher-income enrollees facing IRMAA surcharges and newly enrolled Medicare recipients get no such protection.
Read More: Learn 7 secret wealth tips high net worth investors use that most investors miss (sponsor)
The projected Social Security raise for 2027 is the biggest in years, and it is also a moving target, according to recent reports. In the same week, two of the most closely watched forecasters revised their estimates in opposite directions. Neither is official, and the actual number will not be announced until October; the Medicare premium that determines how much of the raise reaches a retiree's bank account will not be announced until November. Anyone budgeting today is working with half the picture.

#medicare #announced #november

Wolfe Research upgraded two prominent pharmaceutical companies to Outperform on August 13. The firm upgraded both Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) and AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV)'s ratings from Peer Perform, with Wolfe ***** igning them similar $300 price targets. The firm's logic in each case was based on a comparable set of factors: pipelines that the market appears to undervalue, and valuations that Wolfe believes are too low given each company's growth track.
Wolfe's thesis for Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) is mainly based on late-stage clinical programs, which it believes the stock has yet to reflect. The firm focused on two experimental therapies in particular, both of which have key late-stage clinical readouts expected over the coming year: litifilimab, which Wolfe believes could be the first biologic approved for cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and felzartamab, which the firm claims represents a bigger commercial opportunity in antibody-mediated transplant rejection than Wall Street currently thinks.
Wolfe also cited Biogen's acquisition of Apellis Pharmaceuticals as strengthening its near-term revenue base through the FDA-approved drugs Empaveli and Syfovre. That move is part of an overall pattern of Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) diversifying beyond its core neurology brand, with the company completing its acquisition of RayThera on August 6, adding another early-stage immunology platform to its pipeline.
Wolfe's Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) thesis is incomplete without valuation. The firm believes the stock is trading at a discount to the broader market, despite the company's development on Leqembi, its Alzheimer's medication, and what Wolfe described as solid commercial execution overall.
AbbVie's upgrade is based on a slightly different premise: patent strength and cash generation rather than simple clinical events. Wolfe stated that AbbVie's 2027 earnings multiple of 14.6x seemed too low for a company that forecasts high-single-digit revenue growth for the rest of the decade. AbbVie's patent position, according to Wolfe, sets the company apart from its competitors in a way that the market has yet to completely price in.

#wolfe #firm #market #clinical

Enova International Inc (NYSE:ENVA) withdrew regulatory applications for its planned Grasshopper Bancorp acquisition on Tuesday, sending shares sharply lower despite reaffirmed growth forecasts and plans for faster buybacks.
Shares fell 25% to $169.50 following the company's acquisition update.
The technology and ******* ytics company pulled applications with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve after reviewing the transaction and bank approval process.
CEO Steve Cunningham said withdrawing the applications was the best choice for Enova and its shareholders, adding that the company can keep growing without becoming a bank.
He argued that banking rules have not kept pace with the credit needs of consumers and small businesses that banks do not adequately serve.

#acquisition #bank #international

Prosper Stars & Stripes, a long/short equity fund, recently released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. In Q2 2026, the portfolio delivered a strong net return of +30.1% compared to the Russell 2000 Index's +21.5% return and the HFRX Equity Hedge Index's +10.3% return. The long book drove performance, generating a 43.2% gross contribution, while average net exposure remained relatively modest at 47%. U.S. economic growth remained resilient despite inflation concerns, elevated energy prices, and geopolitical uncertainty. Markets rallied sharply after easing U.S.-Iran tensions pushed oil prices lower, supporting renewed risk appetite. Small-cap equities benefited significantly, with Information Technology, Industrials, and Health Care leading gains, while Energy declined as crude prices fell. Year to date, the Composite returned +23.7%, slightly ahead of the Russell 2000's +22.6% and well above the HFRI Equity Hedge Index's +9.7%. Additionally, you can review the Portfolio's top 5 holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Prosper Stars & Stripes highlighted Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED). Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED) is an American technology company that develops and commercializes organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technologies and materials for use in display and solid-state lighting applications. On September 14, 2026, Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED) closed at $76.62 per share. Over the past month, Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED) declined 9.27%, and its shares lost 44.06% over the past 52 weeks. Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED) has a market capitalization of $3.52 billion, and its stock traded within a 52-week range of $76.42 to $153.38.
Prosper Stars & Stripes stated the following regarding Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"This year's market rally has pressured short returns and narrowed the windows to successfully monetize shorts, as we would expect. Certain themes and short ideas do continue to resonate, however. One theme that has had success is the ongoing pressure caused by the investment boom in AI crowding out spending in other areas. We have shorted Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED), Dolby Laboratories (DLB), and Logitech International (LOGI) on this theme. We believe cost pressures on technology components such as DRAM to result in higher prices for consumer electronics. This would have a significant impact on back-to-school and holiday spending, the key periods for these companies' end markets. We expect the forecasts that these companies are providing at this time of the year to prove optimistic, as tech cost inflation is unusual. Further, we believe the so-called K-shaped economy, where consumers have felt the pressure of rising costs of living, will continue to squeeze discretionary purchases like these. Rising prices make it nea

Prosper Stars & Stripes, a long/short equity fund, recently released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. In Q2 2026, the portfolio delivered a strong net return of +30.1% compared to the Russell 2000 Index's +21.5% return and the HFRX Equity Hedge Index's +10.3% return. The long book drove performance, generating a 43.2% gross contribution, while average net exposure remained relatively modest at 47%. U.S. economic growth remained resilient despite inflation concerns, elevated energy prices, and geopolitical uncertainty. Markets rallied sharply after easing U.S.-Iran tensions pushed oil prices lower, supporting renewed risk appetite. Small-cap equities benefited significantly, with Information Technology, Industrials, and Health Care leading gains, while Energy declined as crude prices fell. Year to date, the Composite returned +23.7%, slightly ahead of the Russell 2000's +22.6% and well above the HFRI Equity Hedge Index's +9.7%. Additionally, you can review the Portfolio's top 5 holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Prosper Stars & Stripes highlighted Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI). Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) is a Swiss technology company that designs, manufactures, and markets software-enabled hardware solutions. On September 14, 2026, Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) closed at $100.36 per share. Over the past month, Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) returned 2.09%, and its shares lost 10.65% over the past 52 weeks. Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) has a market capitalization of $14.14 billion; its stock has traded within a 52-week trading range of $83.32 to $129.66.
Prosper Stars & Stripes stated the following regarding Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"This year's market rally has pressured short returns and narrowed the windows to successfully monetize shorts, as we would expect. Certain themes and short ideas do continue to resonate, however. One theme that has had success is the ongoing pressure caused by the investment boom in AI crowding out spending in other areas. We have shorted Universal Display Corp (OLED), Dolby Laboratories (DLB), and Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) on this theme. We believe cost pressures on technology components such as DRAM to result in higher prices for consumer electronics. This would have a significant impact on back-to-school and holiday spending, the key periods for these companies' end markets. We expect the forecasts that these companies are providing at this time of the year to prove optimistic, as tech cost inflation is unusual. Further, we believe the so-called K-shaped economy, where consumers have felt the pressure of rising costs of living, will continue to squeeze discretionary purchases like these. Rising prices make it nearly impossible to use discounts to stimulate sales, compounding the pressure."

#na

Prosper Stars & Stripes, a long/short equity fund, recently released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. In Q2 2026, the portfolio delivered a strong net return of +30.1% compared to the Russell 2000 Index's +21.5% return and the HFRX Equity Hedge Index's +10.3% return. The long book drove performance, generating a 43.2% gross contribution, while average net exposure remained relatively modest at 47%. U.S. economic growth remained resilient despite inflation concerns, elevated energy prices, and geopolitical uncertainty. Markets rallied sharply after easing U.S.-Iran tensions pushed oil prices lower, supporting renewed risk appetite. Small-cap equities benefited significantly, with Information Technology, Industrials, and Health Care leading gains, while Energy declined as crude prices fell. Year to date, the Composite returned +23.7%, slightly ahead of the Russell 2000's +22.6% and well above the HFRI Equity Hedge Index's +9.7%. Additionally, you can review the Portfolio's top 5 holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Prosper Stars & Stripes highlighted Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB). Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) is a US-based technology company that designs and manufactures audio, imaging, accessibility, and other hardware and software solutions for television, broadcast, and live entertainment industries. On September 14, 2026, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) closed at $61.91 per share. Over the past month, Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) returned 1.33%, and its shares lost 14.24% over the past 52 weeks. Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) has a market capitalization of $5.79 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $48.26 and $73.01.
Prosper Stars & Stripes stated the following regarding Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"This year's market rally has pressured short returns and narrowed the windows to successfully monetize shorts, as we would expect. Certain themes and short ideas do continue to resonate, however. One theme that has had success is the ongoing pressure caused by the investment boom in AI crowding out spending in other areas. We have shorted Universal Display Corp (OLED), Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB), and Logitech International (LOGI) on this theme. We believe cost pressures on technology components such as DRAM to result in higher prices for consumer electronics. This would have a significant impact on back-to-school and holiday spending, the key periods for these companies' end markets. We expect the forecasts that these companies are providing at this time of the year to prove optimistic, as tech cost inflation is unusual. Further, we believe the so-called K-shaped economy, where consumers have felt the pressure of rising costs of living, will continue to squeeze discretionary purchases like these. Rising prices make it nearly impossible to use discounts to st

Prosper Stars & Stripes, a long/short equity fund, recently released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. In Q2 2026, the portfolio delivered a strong net return of +30.1% compared to the Russell 2000 Index's +21.5% return and the HFRX Equity Hedge Index's +10.3% return. The long book drove performance, generating a 43.2% gross contribution, while average net exposure remained relatively modest at 47%. U.S. economic growth remained resilient despite inflation concerns, elevated energy prices, and geopolitical uncertainty. Markets rallied sharply after easing U.S.-Iran tensions pushed oil prices lower, supporting renewed risk appetite. Small-cap equities benefited significantly, with Information Technology, Industrials, and Health Care leading gains, while Energy declined as crude prices fell. Year to date, the Composite returned +23.7%, slightly ahead of the Russell 2000's +22.6% and well above the HFRI Equity Hedge Index's +9.7%. Additionally, you can review the Portfolio's top 5 holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Prosper Stars & Stripes highlighted Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI). Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) is a Swiss technology company that designs, manufactures, and markets software-enabled hardware solutions. On September 14, 2026, Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) closed at $100.36 per share. Over the past month, Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) returned 2.09%, and its shares lost 10.65% over the past 52 weeks. Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) has a market capitalization of $14.14 billion; its stock has traded within a 52-week trading range of $83.32 to $129.66.
Prosper Stars & Stripes stated the following regarding Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"This year's market rally has pressured short returns and narrowed the windows to successfully monetize shorts, as we would expect. Certain themes and short ideas do continue to resonate, however. One theme that has had success is the ongoing pressure caused by the investment boom in AI crowding out spending in other areas. We have shorted Universal Display Corp (OLED), Dolby Laboratories (DLB), and Logitech International S.A. (NASDAQ:LOGI) on this theme. We believe cost pressures on technology components such as DRAM to result in higher prices for consumer electronics. This would have a significant impact on back-to-school and holiday spending, the key periods for these companies' end markets. We expect the forecasts that these companies are providing at this time of the year to prove optimistic, as tech cost inflation is unusual. Further, we believe the so-called K-shaped economy, where consumers have felt the pressure of rising costs of living, will continue to squeeze discretionary purchases like these. Rising prices make it nearly impossible to use discounts to stimulate sales, compounding the pressure."

#pr

Prosper Stars & Stripes, a long/short equity fund, recently released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. In Q2 2026, the portfolio delivered a strong net return of +30.1% compared to the Russell 2000 Index's +21.5% return and the HFRX Equity Hedge Index's +10.3% return. The long book drove performance, generating a 43.2% gross contribution, while average net exposure remained relatively modest at 47%. U.S. economic growth remained resilient despite inflation concerns, elevated energy prices, and geopolitical uncertainty. Markets rallied sharply after easing U.S.-Iran tensions pushed oil prices lower, supporting renewed risk appetite. Small-cap equities benefited significantly, with Information Technology, Industrials, and Health Care leading gains, while Energy declined as crude prices fell. Year to date, the Composite returned +23.7%, slightly ahead of the Russell 2000's +22.6% and well above the HFRI Equity Hedge Index's +9.7%. Additionally, you can review the Portfolio's top 5 holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Prosper Stars & Stripes highlighted Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED). Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED) is an American technology company that develops and commercializes organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technologies and materials for use in display and solid-state lighting applications. On September 14, 2026, Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED) closed at $76.62 per share. Over the past month, Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED) declined 9.27%, and its shares lost 44.06% over the past 52 weeks. Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED) has a market capitalization of $3.52 billion, and its stock traded within a 52-week range of $76.42 to $153.38.
Prosper Stars & Stripes stated the following regarding Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"This year's market rally has pressured short returns and narrowed the windows to successfully monetize shorts, as we would expect. Certain themes and short ideas do continue to resonate, however. One theme that has had success is the ongoing pressure caused by the investment boom in AI crowding out spending in other areas. We have shorted Universal Display Corporation (NASDAQ:OLED), Dolby Laboratories (DLB), and Logitech International (LOGI) on this theme. We believe cost pressures on technology components such as DRAM to result in higher prices for consumer electronics. This would have a significant impact on back-to-school and holiday spending, the key periods for these companies' end markets. We expect the forecasts that these companies are providing at this time of the year to prove optimistic, as tech cost inflation is unusual. Further, we believe the so-called K-shaped economy, where consumers have felt the pressure of rising costs of living, will continue to squeeze discretionary purchases like these. Rising prices make it nea

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The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) — a division of the Federal Reserve responsible for setting monetary policy — will soon meet again to evaluate the health of the economy and make key decisions regarding the federal funds rate.
These decisions impact not only how the economy functions as a whole but also everyday consumers, as they influence rates on savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and more.
Statements and forecasts released during FOMC meetings provide valuable information on the economic outlook. Knowing when the Fed meets to discuss monetary policy and make important decisions can help you get a snapshot of the economy's overall health and adjust your own financial strategy accordingly.
The FOMC holds eight regularly scheduled meetings per year. Its most recent meeting took place July 28-29, 2026. The next one is scheduled for Sept. 15-16.

#monetary #Health

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Europe's AI winners spent Monday discovering how quickly momentum can work in reverse, as investors dumped the semiconductor companies most exposed to the infrastructure boom behind increasingly powerful models.
ASML lost more than 5% while French semiconductor-materials specialist Soitec fell roughly 13%, showing that the same AI exposure that had recently justified higher forecasts and valuations can become painful when investors start questioning the pace of future spending.
The sell-off followed calls from some of the most prominent figures in artificial intelligence for a more cautious pace of frontier-model development, with concerns focused on the risks created as systems become more autonomous and capable.
That was enough to trigger a global unwind in the companies most closely ****** ociated with AI infrastructure. In Europe, ASML fell about 5.2%, ASM International dropped 8.7%, Infineon lost 7.6% and Soitec was the worst performer in the Stoxx 600 with a decline of roughly 12.6%.

#asml #investors #semiconductor #fell

The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:COO) cut its fiscal 2026 profit and revenue forecasts after weaker-than-expected demand for contact lenses weighed on its CooperVision business. The company now expects adjusted earnings of $4.51–$4.55 per share, down from its previous forecast of $4.58–$4.66, while revenue guidance was reduced to $4.23–$4.25 billion from $4.29–$4.32 billion. Third-quarter revenue came in at $1.07 billion, below Wall Street's $1.10 billion estimate, although adjusted EPS of $1.15 beat expectations.
The weakness was concentrated in CooperVision, where revenue fell to $717 million. Cooper said a reduction in U.S. channel inventory hurt results and is expected to continue affecting the fourth quarter. At the same time, the company completed its strategic review and decided to retain CooperSurgical rather than sell the business.
The biggest bullish argument is that some of the current weakness may be temporary rather than a fundamental deterioration in the contact lens market. The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:COO) specifically pointed to U.S. channel inventory reductions, meaning part of the sales pressure reflects distributors and customers working through existing stock rather than consumers permanently abandoning contact lenses. If inventories normalize, CooperVision could see a recovery in sales growth.
Cooper also continues to have a strong position in the global contact lens market. The company is investing in new products, expanding CooperVision's sales and marketing organization and improving inventory and logistics operations. Its strategic review also identified opportunities to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.
There are encouraging signs beneath the weak headline numbers. Adjusted third-quarter EPS still increased 4% year over year to $1.15, while free cash flow jumped 66% to $273 million. The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:COO) also increased its share-repurchase authorization from $2 billion to $3 billion, giving the company another way to support per-share earnings if the stock remains depressed.

#Companies #revenue #contact #coopervision

The Federal Reserve's policy committee is expected to raise its key interest rate for the first time since 2023.
Fed officials face pressure to raise rates to combat stubbornly high inflation that has run above target since 2021.
A rate hike could provoke a response from President Donald Trump, who has demanded that the central bank reduce interest rates.
Federal Reserve officials meet Wednesday to plot the next move in their campaign to keep prices stable, and fresh data shows inflation is far from vanquished.
Fed officials are widely expected to raise the central bank's fed funds rate to combat inflation, increasing it a quarter-point to a range of 3.75% to 4% in the first rate hike since 2023. Financial markets are pricing in an 86% chance of a rate hike according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool, which forecasts rate movements based on fed funds futures trading data.

#officials #federal #expected #first

(Bloomberg) -- A record jump in the price of cellular phone services helped tip a key measure of US inflation above forecasts, likely sealing the deal for a Federal Reserve interest-rate increase next week.
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October Nymex natural gas (NGV26) on Wednesday closed down -0.094 (-3.22%).
Nat-gas prices tumbled to a 2-week low on Wednesday and settled sharply lower. Nat-gas prices fell Wednesday as forecasts for warmer US weather to begin the fall season could potentially curb heating demand for nat gas. The Commodity Weather Group said Wednesday that forecasts shifted to hotter, with above-average temperatures expected across the South and Southeast through September 18.
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#prices #nymex #ngv26

Answering a caller's query about Box, Inc. (NYSE:BOX) during the lightning round of Mad Money on September 3, Jim Cramer commented:
Box is finally, after multiple years, it is finally breaking out. It has good storage. People like storage. It's got a good CEO in Aaron Levie. It's just never been exciting to people. It's finally starting to get some mojo. I think it's okay to own. It's done nothing for years.
Cramer's perspective highlights a shifting narrative for a cloud pioneer that has historically traded in a tight range. In its fiscal second-quarter 2027 report, Box, Inc. (NYSE:BOX) posted revenue of $321.1 million, marking a 9.2% year-over-year increase that topped Wall Street expectations by over $2 million. Adjusted earnings per share reached $0.40, in line with consensus forecasts, while management raised full-year revenue guidance to approximately $1.29 billion. The core demand is supported by expanding adoption of higher-tier Box Suites, which now account for 69% of revenue, along with early traction in AI-driven document tools that help enterprises modernize legacy storage workflows.
Despite recent top-line acceleration, Box, Inc. (NYSE:BOX) operates in a fiercely competitive market dominated by massive tech ecosystems like Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive, and other specialized rivals such as Dropbox. While quarterly growth has stabilized, Box's multi-year annual growth rate has historically lagged behind high-flying software peers. Furthermore, Box still needs to sustain its recent growth acceleration while investing in AI capabilities.
As per Insider Monkey's data of over 1000 hedge funds, 37 hedge funds had a stake in Box, Inc. (NYSE:BOX) in Q2 compared to 36 in Q1, highlighting steady institutional backing from long-term ***** et managers. Arrowstreet Capital remained the company's top hedge fund holder in Q2 with 4.3 million shares. Additionally, it is worth noting that another significant shareholder, Citadel Investment Group increased its position in the stock by 60% to over 3.7 million shares. The short percentage of float sits at 14.26%, which shows a notable segment of the market remains unconvinced about the sustainability of the breakout.

#NYSE #year #people