26 days ago
Bruce Willis has reportedly settled into a routine amid his struggle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a degenerative brain disease that damages the frontal and temporal lobes.
The actor retired in spring 2022 following an initial aphasia diagnosis, a disorder that affects how you communicate, which was later revealed to be FTD after they received a more specific diagnosis in 2023.
Now, sources close to Bruce Willis claim that he knows he is deeply loved and cared for, but his ability to communicate remains limited three years after his diagnosis was first shared publicly.
MEGA
According to sources close to the family, Willis has maintained a daily routine that focuses on keeping him active and in regular contact with his relatives.
#willis #according
The actor retired in spring 2022 following an initial aphasia diagnosis, a disorder that affects how you communicate, which was later revealed to be FTD after they received a more specific diagnosis in 2023.
Now, sources close to Bruce Willis claim that he knows he is deeply loved and cared for, but his ability to communicate remains limited three years after his diagnosis was first shared publicly.
MEGA
According to sources close to the family, Willis has maintained a daily routine that focuses on keeping him active and in regular contact with his relatives.
#willis #according
1 month ago
Semiconductor rivalries rarely move stock prices the way headlines suggest they should. MediaTek unveiled a new flagship smartphone processor on Tuesday, Sept. 15, built to challenge Qualcomm directly in the premium handset market.
Qualcomm Inc (QCOM)'s stock rose anyway, closing up 4.25% at $187.80.
That is not a new pattern. MediaTek's market value first surpassed Qualcomm's earlier this year, according to Reuters. The new chip was meant to widen that lead, not just defend it.
The gap is real money. MediaTek's market capitalization stood near $223 billion on Sept. 15, PitchBook noted. Even after Qualcomm's 4.25% rally that same day, its market cap reached $200.6 billion, according to CompaniesMarketCap, leaving it about $22 billion behind MediaTek.
MediaTek said the Dimensity 9600 Pro is its first mobile processor built on TSMC's 2-nanometer process. Its neural processing unit delivers 51% faster prompt handling for on-device AI models than the prior generation. That lets phones run generative AI tasks without sending data to the cloud.
#market #qualcomm #built #according
Qualcomm Inc (QCOM)'s stock rose anyway, closing up 4.25% at $187.80.
That is not a new pattern. MediaTek's market value first surpassed Qualcomm's earlier this year, according to Reuters. The new chip was meant to widen that lead, not just defend it.
The gap is real money. MediaTek's market capitalization stood near $223 billion on Sept. 15, PitchBook noted. Even after Qualcomm's 4.25% rally that same day, its market cap reached $200.6 billion, according to CompaniesMarketCap, leaving it about $22 billion behind MediaTek.
MediaTek said the Dimensity 9600 Pro is its first mobile processor built on TSMC's 2-nanometer process. Its neural processing unit delivers 51% faster prompt handling for on-device AI models than the prior generation. That lets phones run generative AI tasks without sending data to the cloud.
#market #qualcomm #built #according
1 month ago
Alphabet's (GOOGL) Search revenue grew 17% to $63B and Cloud surged 82% to $25B, even as GOOGL still trades at a market-level P/E of 15.
Alphabet's cloud is outpacing Azure's growth at a cheaper multiple than Microsoft (MSFT), while Meta (META) owns none of Alphabet's cloud, OS, or Waymo ***** ets.
Alphabet's $175B+ CapEx pushed free cash flow negative, but a $460B cloud backlog and 34% operating margin justify the infrastructure bet.
Just released. Our ***** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and Google made the cut. Enter your email to see the other nine names and why GOOGL earned its spot. The report is free. Enter your email and see the full list.
I keep adding to my position in Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) because the loudest bear case, that AI would gut Google Search and hollow out the ad engine, keeps getting louder while the numbers keep going the other way. The skeptics said generative AI would strip clicks out of the funnel. Instead, AI is actively boosting the advertising business, and my cost basis has been rising alongside the buy ***** on.
#free
Alphabet's cloud is outpacing Azure's growth at a cheaper multiple than Microsoft (MSFT), while Meta (META) owns none of Alphabet's cloud, OS, or Waymo ***** ets.
Alphabet's $175B+ CapEx pushed free cash flow negative, but a $460B cloud backlog and 34% operating margin justify the infrastructure bet.
Just released. Our ***** ysts combed the entire stock market and named the ten best stocks to buy right now, and Google made the cut. Enter your email to see the other nine names and why GOOGL earned its spot. The report is free. Enter your email and see the full list.
I keep adding to my position in Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL) because the loudest bear case, that AI would gut Google Search and hollow out the ad engine, keeps getting louder while the numbers keep going the other way. The skeptics said generative AI would strip clicks out of the funnel. Instead, AI is actively boosting the advertising business, and my cost basis has been rising alongside the buy ***** on.
#free
1 month ago
On the surface, Oracle (NYSE: ORCL) is the type of company you would expect to benefit tremendously from the generative artificial intelligence (AI) boom. It provides the computing power and data storage vital for running and training these complex algorithms. But while its stock captured some gains early in the AI era, it has more recently lagged behind other AI infrastructure stocks.
Oracle's shares are up by a relatively modest 69% over the last five years, well behind chipmakers such as Nvidia and Micron Technology, which have soared by 885% and 1,212%, respectively, in the same time frame. Let's discuss the pros and cons of Oracle, and attempt to predict what a $1,000 position could be worth by the end of the decade.
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 »
Like the leadership teams at many tech giants, Oracle's management recognized the long-term potential of the generative AI boom fairly early in the trend. They quickly moved to position the company on the pick-and-shovel side of the opportunity, providing cloud services and data center capacity to companies that were working to create and market consumer-facing large language models (LLMs). That push into the cloud infrastructure segment was underpinned by a substantial reorganization of Oracle's corporate structure.
This year, the company has already laid off 21,000 employees. That number is expected to rise with a $700 million addition to its restructuring plan (which is now worth $2.8 billion); much of the new spending is earmarked for severance payments and other exit expenses.
#NVIDIA #flashing #early
Oracle's shares are up by a relatively modest 69% over the last five years, well behind chipmakers such as Nvidia and Micron Technology, which have soared by 885% and 1,212%, respectively, in the same time frame. Let's discuss the pros and cons of Oracle, and attempt to predict what a $1,000 position could be worth by the end of the decade.
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 »
Like the leadership teams at many tech giants, Oracle's management recognized the long-term potential of the generative AI boom fairly early in the trend. They quickly moved to position the company on the pick-and-shovel side of the opportunity, providing cloud services and data center capacity to companies that were working to create and market consumer-facing large language models (LLMs). That push into the cloud infrastructure segment was underpinned by a substantial reorganization of Oracle's corporate structure.
This year, the company has already laid off 21,000 employees. That number is expected to rise with a $700 million addition to its restructuring plan (which is now worth $2.8 billion); much of the new spending is earmarked for severance payments and other exit expenses.
#NVIDIA #flashing #early
2 months ago
Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM) continues to strengthen its enterprise artificial intelligence offering as it looks to make AI a larger part of its customer relationship management ecosystem. On September 9, reports emerged that the company is prepared to spend as much as $2 billion to acquire Listen Labs, an AI-powered customer research platform.
The potential deal would extend Salesforce's aggressive M&A strategy as the company seeks to expand its generative and agentic AI capabilities. Salesforce recently completed its approximately $3.6 billion acquisition of customer service AI agent provider Fin, formerly Intercom, underscoring management's willingness to use acquisitions to accelerate its AI roadmap.
Listen Labs could add a new layer of customer intelligence to Salesforce's platform. The company uses artificial intelligence to conduct customer interviews through audio and video and ******* yze the resulting responses.
Kritchanut/Shutterstock.com
The potential acquisition could be particularly valuable for Salesforce Agentforce, the company's platform for building and deploying AI agents. Listen Labs could end up providing crucial insights into why customers behave the way they do. Customer interviews and conversations can reveal motivations, preferences, frustrations, and other qualitative information that may not be captured in traditional CRM databases.
#customer #salesforce #platform #artificial
The potential deal would extend Salesforce's aggressive M&A strategy as the company seeks to expand its generative and agentic AI capabilities. Salesforce recently completed its approximately $3.6 billion acquisition of customer service AI agent provider Fin, formerly Intercom, underscoring management's willingness to use acquisitions to accelerate its AI roadmap.
Listen Labs could add a new layer of customer intelligence to Salesforce's platform. The company uses artificial intelligence to conduct customer interviews through audio and video and ******* yze the resulting responses.
Kritchanut/Shutterstock.com
The potential acquisition could be particularly valuable for Salesforce Agentforce, the company's platform for building and deploying AI agents. Listen Labs could end up providing crucial insights into why customers behave the way they do. Customer interviews and conversations can reveal motivations, preferences, frustrations, and other qualitative information that may not be captured in traditional CRM databases.
#customer #salesforce #platform #artificial
2 months ago
Prosper Stars & Stripes, a long/short equity fund, recently released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter. The letter can be downloaded here. In Q2 2026, the portfolio delivered a strong net return of +30.1% compared to the Russell 2000 Index's +21.5% return and the HFRX Equity Hedge Index's +10.3% return. The long book drove performance, generating a 43.2% gross contribution, while average net exposure remained relatively modest at 47%. U.S. economic growth remained resilient despite inflation concerns, elevated energy prices, and geopolitical uncertainty. Markets rallied sharply after easing U.S.-Iran tensions pushed oil prices lower, supporting renewed risk appetite. Small-cap equities benefited significantly, with Information Technology, Industrials, and Health Care leading gains, while Energy declined as crude prices fell. Year to date, the Composite returned +23.7%, slightly ahead of the Russell 2000's +22.6% and well above the HFRI Equity Hedge Index's +9.7%. Additionally, you can review the Portfolio's top 5 holdings to see its best picks for 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Prosper Stars & Stripes highlighted TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) as the largest contributor to the portfolio's short book. TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) provides sales and support of purchase intent-driven advertising campaigns. On September 9, 2026, TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) closed at $3.89 per share. Over the past month, TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) returned 1.57% and its shares lost 35.17% over the past 52 weeks. TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) has a market capitalization of $281.37 million, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $3.37 to $7.15.
Prosper Stars & Stripes stated the following regarding TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) was the largest contributor to our short book during the quarter. The company monetizes the purchase research behavior of enterprise IT buyers by operating a network of websites where buyers register to consume technical content, then selling those intent signals as leads to IT vendors. We first shorted the company after it completed a value-destroying acquisition in December 2024 that led to significant impairment charges in Q1 2025 and again in Q1 2026. We believe AI is likely to dismantle search-based discovery and commoditize content, the two pillars of TechTarget's value propositions. Results have validated our concerns, with management describing its market as mature, with 2% to 3% top-line growth, and EBITDA margins that peaked in 2022 falling to 7% in Q1 2026. Notably, revenue growth began deteriorating before ChatGPT launched in November 2022, suggesting that problems run deeper than AI alone. We continue to believe generative AI will weigh on TechTarget's prospects and remain short the company."
#techtarget #NASDAQ
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Prosper Stars & Stripes highlighted TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) as the largest contributor to the portfolio's short book. TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) provides sales and support of purchase intent-driven advertising campaigns. On September 9, 2026, TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) closed at $3.89 per share. Over the past month, TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) returned 1.57% and its shares lost 35.17% over the past 52 weeks. TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) has a market capitalization of $281.37 million, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $3.37 to $7.15.
Prosper Stars & Stripes stated the following regarding TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"TechTarget, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTGT) was the largest contributor to our short book during the quarter. The company monetizes the purchase research behavior of enterprise IT buyers by operating a network of websites where buyers register to consume technical content, then selling those intent signals as leads to IT vendors. We first shorted the company after it completed a value-destroying acquisition in December 2024 that led to significant impairment charges in Q1 2025 and again in Q1 2026. We believe AI is likely to dismantle search-based discovery and commoditize content, the two pillars of TechTarget's value propositions. Results have validated our concerns, with management describing its market as mature, with 2% to 3% top-line growth, and EBITDA margins that peaked in 2022 falling to 7% in Q1 2026. Notably, revenue growth began deteriorating before ChatGPT launched in November 2022, suggesting that problems run deeper than AI alone. We continue to believe generative AI will weigh on TechTarget's prospects and remain short the company."
#techtarget #NASDAQ
2 months ago
Artificial intelligence (AI) software demand is increasing at a healthy clip, which isn't surprising considering the productivity gains this technology can deliver.
A recent survey by McKinsey revealed that 80% of respondents who use AI report higher productivity, while 50% report better decision-making. Not surprisingly, the generative AI tools offered by Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR) are in high demand, as evidenced by the company's phenomenal growth.
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 »
Palantir is one of the pioneers in AI software. The productivity gains delivered by its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) are driving solid revenue and earnings growth for Palantir by helping it land bigger deals and more customers. However, Palantir stock is expensively valued, and that's one of the reasons it has lost over 4% of its value in 2026.
But the same isn't true for Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW), another AI software company whose stock price has jumped 53% this year. Let's see why that has been the case and check whether it is too late to buy this AI software specialist.
#intelligence #flashing #demand
A recent survey by McKinsey revealed that 80% of respondents who use AI report higher productivity, while 50% report better decision-making. Not surprisingly, the generative AI tools offered by Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR) are in high demand, as evidenced by the company's phenomenal growth.
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 »
Palantir is one of the pioneers in AI software. The productivity gains delivered by its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) are driving solid revenue and earnings growth for Palantir by helping it land bigger deals and more customers. However, Palantir stock is expensively valued, and that's one of the reasons it has lost over 4% of its value in 2026.
But the same isn't true for Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW), another AI software company whose stock price has jumped 53% this year. Let's see why that has been the case and check whether it is too late to buy this AI software specialist.
#intelligence #flashing #demand
2 months ago
Some AI researchers say they think AI could hurt, or wipe out, humanity.
So we asked four of the AI models: How would you go about it?
They all said human misuse of AI is considered a more immediate risk than AI itself.
The researchers building our favorite chatbots are increasingly voicing concerns that AI could hurt — or end — humanity. So we asked four of the most-used generative AI tools what an AI doomsday could look like.
We posed the same question, in identical wording, to OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, Anthropic's Claude, and ****** eXAI's Grok.
#claude
So we asked four of the AI models: How would you go about it?
They all said human misuse of AI is considered a more immediate risk than AI itself.
The researchers building our favorite chatbots are increasingly voicing concerns that AI could hurt — or end — humanity. So we asked four of the most-used generative AI tools what an AI doomsday could look like.
We posed the same question, in identical wording, to OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, Anthropic's Claude, and ****** eXAI's Grok.
#claude
0.00$ raised of 0.00$ goal
0 donations
0.00$
to go
2 months ago
Michael J. Fox is reflecting on his 35-year journey with Parkinson's disease after receiving major recognition for his advocacy work.
The 65-year-old actor was named a recipient of the prestigious Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award (often referred to as "America's ****** els") for his tireless efforts in funding medical research. Since launching the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000, his organization has raised over $3 billion to find a cure for the neurodegenerative condition.
More from SheKnows
Sharon Stone Reveals Bizarre 'Orb' Visions Following Near-Fatal 2001 Stroke
"When we launched the Foundation, our goal was simple, yet ambitious — cure Parkinson's," Fox said in a statement following the announcement. "I am humbled to be recognized by the Lasker Foundation and jury. I accept this honor on behalf of everyone living with Parkinson's and everyone with us in our shared mission to end the disease."
#foundation
The 65-year-old actor was named a recipient of the prestigious Lasker-Bloomberg Public Service Award (often referred to as "America's ****** els") for his tireless efforts in funding medical research. Since launching the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000, his organization has raised over $3 billion to find a cure for the neurodegenerative condition.
More from SheKnows
Sharon Stone Reveals Bizarre 'Orb' Visions Following Near-Fatal 2001 Stroke
"When we launched the Foundation, our goal was simple, yet ambitious — cure Parkinson's," Fox said in a statement following the announcement. "I am humbled to be recognized by the Lasker Foundation and jury. I accept this honor on behalf of everyone living with Parkinson's and everyone with us in our shared mission to end the disease."
#foundation
0.00$ raised of 0.00$ goal
0 donations
0.00$
to go
2 months ago
Impax ****** et Management, based in London and specializing in sustainable investing, released its Q2 2026 investor letter for the "Impax US Sustainable Economy Fund". The letter can be downloaded here. The US Sustainable Economy portfolio outperformed the Russell 1000 in Q2 2026, with Institutional Class at 17.96%, Investor Class at 17.95%, and Class A at 17.92%, versus the index's 15.14%. Sector allocation and stock selection drove performance. The sustainability tools, including the Impax Sustainability Lens and Corporate Resilience framework, contributed positively. Equity markets rallied, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reaching new highs before retreating. A key trend was rotation into AI and tech stocks, supported by mega-cap earnings and data center investments (US$750bn to US$1tn). In the second half of 2026, markets may remain volatile amid debates on AI adoption pace and economic momentum. However, growth tied to energy security and efficiency remains compelling, with demand for power, grid, and resource-efficient solutions supporting companies that benefit. The team focuses on businesses with strong growth, sound management, and attractive valuations, adjusting holdings as needed. This approach aims to build well-diversified, differentiated portfolios. Also, please check the fund's top five holdings for its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Impax US Sustainable Economy Fund highlighted Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE). Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) is a multinational technology company that offers creative, digital media, and document management products. On September 04, 2026, Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) closed at $266.51 per share. Over the past month, Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) declined 2.36%, but its shares are down 25.69% over the past year. Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) has a market capitalization of $105.94 billion.
Impax US Sustainable Economy Fund stated the following regarding Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) (Application Software, Information Technology) is held for its high Sustainability Lens opportunity profile across Digital Infrastructure and Education themes and its strong Corporate Resilience score. The stock declined in the quarter following results that, while solid in absolute terms, fell short of the elevated investor expectations that had built over the prior year. Concerns about the pace of monetization from its AI-integrated creative tools, and competitive pressure from lower-cost generative AI platforms, weighed on sentiment and drove a valuation de-rating."
#letter
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Impax US Sustainable Economy Fund highlighted Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE). Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) is a multinational technology company that offers creative, digital media, and document management products. On September 04, 2026, Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) closed at $266.51 per share. Over the past month, Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) declined 2.36%, but its shares are down 25.69% over the past year. Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) has a market capitalization of $105.94 billion.
Impax US Sustainable Economy Fund stated the following regarding Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) (Application Software, Information Technology) is held for its high Sustainability Lens opportunity profile across Digital Infrastructure and Education themes and its strong Corporate Resilience score. The stock declined in the quarter following results that, while solid in absolute terms, fell short of the elevated investor expectations that had built over the prior year. Concerns about the pace of monetization from its AI-integrated creative tools, and competitive pressure from lower-cost generative AI platforms, weighed on sentiment and drove a valuation de-rating."
#letter
2 months ago
Alphabet (GOOGL) is the parent company of Google and one of the world's largest technology conglomerates. Headquartered in Mountain View, California, Alphabet operates through three primary segments: Google Services, encompassing Search, YouTube, Android, and Chrome; Google Cloud, its rapidly scaling enterprise infrastructure business; and Other Bets, which includes the Waymo autonomous vehicle unit.
Under CEO Sundar Pichai, Alphabet has aggressively expanded its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities through Gemini models, custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), and AI-powered search features, positioning itself at the forefront of the generative AI race. With dominant digital advertising market share and accelerating cloud growth, the company remains a global technology bellwether.
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Dear Adobe Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for September 10
#alphabet #technology #googl
Under CEO Sundar Pichai, Alphabet has aggressively expanded its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities through Gemini models, custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), and AI-powered search features, positioning itself at the forefront of the generative AI race. With dominant digital advertising market share and accelerating cloud growth, the company remains a global technology bellwether.
How to Play SNPS Stock as Layoffs Hit Synopsys
Micron Stock More Than Tripled in 2026. Now Taiwan Strike Threat Could Shake the AI Boom.
Dear Adobe Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for September 10
#alphabet #technology #googl
2 months ago
September 4 delivered a stark rotation. Memory, connectivity, chip-equipment, and power stocks rallied while Adobe fell 6.7% and Palantir dropped 4.5%. Adobe's decline followed news that Anil Chakravarthy will become chief executive on December 1, while Palantir faced a broader move away from richly valued software. Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) and Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) test whether investors are underestimating software monetization or correctly pricing greater disruption risk.
Adobe's bull case is embedded distribution across creative, document, and marketing workflows. Fiscal second-quarter revenue rose 13% to a record $6.62 billion, and AI-first annualized recurring revenue more than tripled to above $500 million. Chakravarthy already runs customer-experience orchestration, which could connect AI creation with enterprise activation. The bear case is that low-cost generative tools erode pricing, while its CEO and interim-CFO transitions complicate execution.
Insider Monkey counted 81 hedge funds holding Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) at June 30, down from 86 at March 31. Arrowstreet Capital, led by Peter Rathjens, Bruce Clarke, and John Campbell, disclosed 6,787,022 shares, roughly 0.1% fewer sequentially. The filing predates the leadership announcement.
Palantir's bull case is already visible in results. Second-quarter revenue grew 93% to $1.94 billion, U.S. commercial revenue rose 149%, and adjusted operating margin reached 62%. Its software can turn model output into governed operational decisions. The bear case is valuation, contract concentration, termination clauses, and the risk that current growth rates normalize as competitors improve.
Eighty-six hedge funds held Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) in Q2, down from 96 in Q1. Cathie Wood's ARK Investment Management reported 3,212,286 shares, about 3.3% more than in the prior quarter.
#revenue #chakravarthy #adbe
Adobe's bull case is embedded distribution across creative, document, and marketing workflows. Fiscal second-quarter revenue rose 13% to a record $6.62 billion, and AI-first annualized recurring revenue more than tripled to above $500 million. Chakravarthy already runs customer-experience orchestration, which could connect AI creation with enterprise activation. The bear case is that low-cost generative tools erode pricing, while its CEO and interim-CFO transitions complicate execution.
Insider Monkey counted 81 hedge funds holding Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) at June 30, down from 86 at March 31. Arrowstreet Capital, led by Peter Rathjens, Bruce Clarke, and John Campbell, disclosed 6,787,022 shares, roughly 0.1% fewer sequentially. The filing predates the leadership announcement.
Palantir's bull case is already visible in results. Second-quarter revenue grew 93% to $1.94 billion, U.S. commercial revenue rose 149%, and adjusted operating margin reached 62%. Its software can turn model output into governed operational decisions. The bear case is valuation, contract concentration, termination clauses, and the risk that current growth rates normalize as competitors improve.
Eighty-six hedge funds held Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) in Q2, down from 96 in Q1. Cathie Wood's ARK Investment Management reported 3,212,286 shares, about 3.3% more than in the prior quarter.
#revenue #chakravarthy #adbe
2 months ago
Seagate gained 6.3% and Western Digital rose 5.9% on September 4 even as the S&P 500 fell 0.4%. The pairing was consistent with investors rotating toward profitable storage infrastructure rather than making a random defensive trade. Generative AI creates enormous data sets, checkpoints, logs, and retrieval stores, so the storage layer can benefit even when investors are less willing to pay for distant software profits. Seagate Technology Holdings plc (NASDAQ:STX) and Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:WDC) represent different ways to express that demand.
Source: Seagate
Seagate is the mass-capacity hard-drive specialist. In its latest fiscal-year release, management attributed performance to robust cloud data-center demand and argued that AI-driven data creation should support durable demand for high-capacity storage. The bull case is economic density: hyperscalers still need low-cost capacity behind expensive compute. The bear case is concentration and cyclicality. A few cloud buyers can change purchasing schedules quickly, and areal-density transitions can disrupt yields or costs.
Insider Monkey's filings database counted 131 hedge funds holding Seagate Technology Holdings plc (NASDAQ:STX) at June 30, up from 93 at March 31. Palestra Capital Management, managed by Andrew Immerman and Jeremy Schiffman, reported 386,123 shares, about 31% more than the 294,000 shares disclosed in Q1. That growing cohort indicates wider professional participation, not a guarantee that managers still held the shares when they rallied.
Western Digital offers exposure to hard drives after the Sandisk separation simplified its public-company story. Its appeal is similar: higher-capacity drives can monetize the expanding archive behind AI training and inference. The bear case is that cloud customers have purchasing leverage, while rapid shifts between flash, disk, and emerging architectures can change the mix more quickly than depreciation schedules do.
#digital #data #case
Source: Seagate
Seagate is the mass-capacity hard-drive specialist. In its latest fiscal-year release, management attributed performance to robust cloud data-center demand and argued that AI-driven data creation should support durable demand for high-capacity storage. The bull case is economic density: hyperscalers still need low-cost capacity behind expensive compute. The bear case is concentration and cyclicality. A few cloud buyers can change purchasing schedules quickly, and areal-density transitions can disrupt yields or costs.
Insider Monkey's filings database counted 131 hedge funds holding Seagate Technology Holdings plc (NASDAQ:STX) at June 30, up from 93 at March 31. Palestra Capital Management, managed by Andrew Immerman and Jeremy Schiffman, reported 386,123 shares, about 31% more than the 294,000 shares disclosed in Q1. That growing cohort indicates wider professional participation, not a guarantee that managers still held the shares when they rallied.
Western Digital offers exposure to hard drives after the Sandisk separation simplified its public-company story. Its appeal is similar: higher-capacity drives can monetize the expanding archive behind AI training and inference. The bear case is that cloud customers have purchasing leverage, while rapid shifts between flash, disk, and emerging architectures can change the mix more quickly than depreciation schedules do.
#digital #data #case
2 months ago
Jefferies reiterated a Hold rating on Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE) and raised the price target to $285 from $230 on August 30, citing expectations that the company will deliver results in line with expectations. The research firm has echoed the company's long-term prospects amid heightened focus on user acquisition and engagement.
During the second-quarter earnings call, management reiterated the new focus in response to the way artificial intelligence is changing the way users discover and buy creative and productivity tools. According to CEO Shantanu Narayen, AI is accelerating customer behavior, and Adobe must respond.
Therefore, the focus is on enabling friction-free onboarding for new users through "freemium" artificial intelligence offerings, rather than pushing them into direct paid journeys. Amid the new push, Jefferies expects Adobe to reiterate its fiscal 2026 outlook for 10.2% year-over-year growth in total ending ARR. The company also expects revenue of between $26.5 billion and $26.6 billion for fiscal 2026.
Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE)'s opportunity hinges on its ability to turn Firefly, Acrobat AI, and AI-powered Creative Cloud features into monetized products, even as it focuses on attracting new users and enhancing engagement levels. The company is already seeing increasing Firefly adoption and AI-first ARR as Creative Cloud's huge installed base gives it millions of potential new AI customers.
Earlier on August 19, BofA reiterated an Underperform rating on Adobe and raised the price target to $220 from $190. BofA remains concerned that generative AI could pressure Adobe's longer-term growth as lower-cost, AI-native alternatives increase competition and Adobe's AI monetization has yet to materially accelerate overall growth. Additionally, its core products, including Photoshop, are under immense pressure from AI. Free or low cost AI native tools are making it harder for the company to expand its revenue base.
#adobe #creative #users #jefferies
During the second-quarter earnings call, management reiterated the new focus in response to the way artificial intelligence is changing the way users discover and buy creative and productivity tools. According to CEO Shantanu Narayen, AI is accelerating customer behavior, and Adobe must respond.
Therefore, the focus is on enabling friction-free onboarding for new users through "freemium" artificial intelligence offerings, rather than pushing them into direct paid journeys. Amid the new push, Jefferies expects Adobe to reiterate its fiscal 2026 outlook for 10.2% year-over-year growth in total ending ARR. The company also expects revenue of between $26.5 billion and $26.6 billion for fiscal 2026.
Adobe Inc. (NASDAQ:ADBE)'s opportunity hinges on its ability to turn Firefly, Acrobat AI, and AI-powered Creative Cloud features into monetized products, even as it focuses on attracting new users and enhancing engagement levels. The company is already seeing increasing Firefly adoption and AI-first ARR as Creative Cloud's huge installed base gives it millions of potential new AI customers.
Earlier on August 19, BofA reiterated an Underperform rating on Adobe and raised the price target to $220 from $190. BofA remains concerned that generative AI could pressure Adobe's longer-term growth as lower-cost, AI-native alternatives increase competition and Adobe's AI monetization has yet to materially accelerate overall growth. Additionally, its core products, including Photoshop, are under immense pressure from AI. Free or low cost AI native tools are making it harder for the company to expand its revenue base.
#adobe #creative #users #jefferies
2 months ago
This story was originally published on Utility Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Utility Dive newsletter.
South Carolina's public power and water utility Santee Cooper announced Thursday that it is working with Google to modernize its financial planning and load forecasting with artificial intelligence tools.
Google's WeatherNext 2 is designed to provide more accurate medium-range weather forecasts, which is expected to improve Santee Cooper's load forecasting, the utility's CFO, Tami Wilson, said during a Wednesday press teleconference. The utility is also using Google's Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform to speed up financial forecasting, she said.
Wilson said the utility is undergoing a "major digital transformation" by "shifting away from legacy, clunky, **** bersome processes," and wants to "automate the routine" without automating accountability or risk management, which she said will remain with human operators.
Wilson said the utility plans to use different approaches with generative AI versus agentic AI. Generative AI will be used to perform "low-cost initial drafting," while Santee Cooper will use agentic AI to "execute multi-step processes autonomously."
#generative
South Carolina's public power and water utility Santee Cooper announced Thursday that it is working with Google to modernize its financial planning and load forecasting with artificial intelligence tools.
Google's WeatherNext 2 is designed to provide more accurate medium-range weather forecasts, which is expected to improve Santee Cooper's load forecasting, the utility's CFO, Tami Wilson, said during a Wednesday press teleconference. The utility is also using Google's Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform to speed up financial forecasting, she said.
Wilson said the utility is undergoing a "major digital transformation" by "shifting away from legacy, clunky, **** bersome processes," and wants to "automate the routine" without automating accountability or risk management, which she said will remain with human operators.
Wilson said the utility plans to use different approaches with generative AI versus agentic AI. Generative AI will be used to perform "low-cost initial drafting," while Santee Cooper will use agentic AI to "execute multi-step processes autonomously."
#generative
2 months ago
Data centers are a hot-button issue in the U.S. right now. In the stock market, major tech companies are building artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure to meet the massive demand for generative and agentic AI applications. But on Main Street, there's growing resistance from communities who don't want to see data centers in their areas, and are worried about the ever-growing power demand.
That's why the new deal announced today by Fervo Energy (FRVO) and Alphabet (GOOGL) is so interesting. Fervo just signed a 396-megawatt power purchase agreement with Google to supply carbon-free electricity for a potential data center in Utah. The agreement is the largest enhanced geothermal power purchase agreement on record.
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#Stock #centers #purchase
That's why the new deal announced today by Fervo Energy (FRVO) and Alphabet (GOOGL) is so interesting. Fervo just signed a 396-megawatt power purchase agreement with Google to supply carbon-free electricity for a potential data center in Utah. The agreement is the largest enhanced geothermal power purchase agreement on record.
I've Been Taking a Beating on This AI Energy Stock. Here's Where I'm Looking to Add More Shares – and Why.
As US Bond Selloff Accelerates, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Says a Stronger Yen is Coming
August's Top Commodity Performers and Underperformers
#Stock #centers #purchase
2 months ago
Our **** ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
Ads are coming for your LLM queries: OpenAI, the company behind the LLM, said this week its advertising business hit a $1 billion annualized run rate in well under a year.
OpenAI first slotted ads into ChatGPT in February in the U.S. and has slowly rolled out options for advertisers to purchase slots right in the LLM around the globe. On Monday, that option was extended to India, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
But rather than the search engine optimization of the mid-2010s yore, which catalyzed a boom-and-bust cycle for digital media platforms like HuffPost and BuzzFeed, these ads are placed directly into ChatGPT's output alongside similar queries. OpenAI's about to find out if the 2020s version is any different.
Ask ChatGPT for a recommendation for the best pen for taking notes, and you might be served an ad for notebooks. And so forth. It's a burgeoning marketing-science (with a healthy dash of pseudoscience) field called GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization.
#NVIDIA #tell
Ads are coming for your LLM queries: OpenAI, the company behind the LLM, said this week its advertising business hit a $1 billion annualized run rate in well under a year.
OpenAI first slotted ads into ChatGPT in February in the U.S. and has slowly rolled out options for advertisers to purchase slots right in the LLM around the globe. On Monday, that option was extended to India, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
But rather than the search engine optimization of the mid-2010s yore, which catalyzed a boom-and-bust cycle for digital media platforms like HuffPost and BuzzFeed, these ads are placed directly into ChatGPT's output alongside similar queries. OpenAI's about to find out if the 2020s version is any different.
Ask ChatGPT for a recommendation for the best pen for taking notes, and you might be served an ad for notebooks. And so forth. It's a burgeoning marketing-science (with a healthy dash of pseudoscience) field called GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization.
#NVIDIA #tell
2 months ago
First Eagle Investment Management, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor update for "First Eagle Global Fund". The letter can be downloaded here. Easing tensions in the Middle East led to a strong rally in risk markets in Q2. The S&P 500 Index rose 15.2%, while the MSCI EAFE Index gained 10.8%. Growth stocks outperformed, with the MSCI World Growth Index significantly exceeding value returns. A notable shift in U.S. interest rate expectations followed Kevin Warsh's appointment as chair of the Federal Open Market Committee, pushing Treasury yields higher and strengthening the dollar. Despite the optimistic market environment, concerns about fiscal constraints and limited policy flexibility remain. Tighter credit spreads and elevated equity valuations reflect strong demand for financial ****** ets, with household wealth in equities at a post-WWII high. Earnings expectations are buoyant, driven by AI infrastructure developments. Against this backdrop, Global Fund A Shares returned 2.86% in Q2 2026, with emerging markets and developed Europe as the primary contributors. Developed Asia (excluding ****** an) was the only detractor, and ****** an lagged. Information technology and financials led among equity sectors, while materials and energy detracted. The fund underperformed relative to the MSCI World Index during this period. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) as a leading performance contributor. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), the parent company of Google, offers various platforms and services, including online search and advertising, cloud solutions, and artificial intelligence. On August 31, 2026, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) closed at $335.41 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $4.13 trillion. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) posted a one-month return of -11.22%, while its shares gained 57.19% over the past 52 weeks.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG)—the parent company of Google and YouTube—rose during the quarter as contracted future revenues from cloud operations continued to be strong, amplified by explosive demand for AI infrastructure, strong AI-focused memory chip production and resilient digital-ad sales. Google's full-stack AI solution underpins prospective long-term momentum for the company, with an anticipated near-term boost from hosting OpenAI's latest generative AI model."
#goog #eagle
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) as a leading performance contributor. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), the parent company of Google, offers various platforms and services, including online search and advertising, cloud solutions, and artificial intelligence. On August 31, 2026, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) closed at $335.41 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $4.13 trillion. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) posted a one-month return of -11.22%, while its shares gained 57.19% over the past 52 weeks.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG)—the parent company of Google and YouTube—rose during the quarter as contracted future revenues from cloud operations continued to be strong, amplified by explosive demand for AI infrastructure, strong AI-focused memory chip production and resilient digital-ad sales. Google's full-stack AI solution underpins prospective long-term momentum for the company, with an anticipated near-term boost from hosting OpenAI's latest generative AI model."
#goog #eagle
2 months ago
First Eagle Investment Management, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor update for "First Eagle Global Fund". The letter can be downloaded here. Easing tensions in the Middle East led to a strong rally in risk markets in Q2. The S&P 500 Index rose 15.2%, while the MSCI EAFE Index gained 10.8%. Growth stocks outperformed, with the MSCI World Growth Index significantly exceeding value returns. A notable shift in U.S. interest rate expectations followed Kevin Warsh's appointment as chair of the Federal Open Market Committee, pushing Treasury yields higher and strengthening the dollar. Despite the optimistic market environment, concerns about fiscal constraints and limited policy flexibility remain. Tighter credit spreads and elevated equity valuations reflect strong demand for financial ***** ets, with household wealth in equities at a post-WWII high. Earnings expectations are buoyant, driven by AI infrastructure developments. Against this backdrop, Global Fund A Shares returned 2.86% in Q2 2026, with emerging markets and developed Europe as the primary contributors. Developed Asia (excluding ***** an) was the only detractor, and ***** an lagged. Information technology and financials led among equity sectors, while materials and energy detracted. The fund underperformed relative to the MSCI World Index during this period. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM). Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is a cloud computing company that offers Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together. On August 31, 2026, Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) closed at $257.54 per share. Over the past month, Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) returned 36.58%, and its shares are up 3.16% over the past year. Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) has a market capitalization of $211.96 billion.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Despite reporting better-than-expected results for its most recent quarter, shares of enterprise software developer Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) were weak during the quarter because of ongoing industrywide concerns that generative AI will trigger an exodus from software applications. We believe that Salesforce's technology serves as an economic moat to the potential disruption of AI because its products are embedded as the foundational system of record for its customers. In addition, we continue to believe that the company is well positioned to grow and scale its Agentforce platform over time."
#NYSE #global #index #management
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM). Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is a cloud computing company that offers Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together. On August 31, 2026, Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) closed at $257.54 per share. Over the past month, Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) returned 36.58%, and its shares are up 3.16% over the past year. Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) has a market capitalization of $211.96 billion.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Despite reporting better-than-expected results for its most recent quarter, shares of enterprise software developer Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) were weak during the quarter because of ongoing industrywide concerns that generative AI will trigger an exodus from software applications. We believe that Salesforce's technology serves as an economic moat to the potential disruption of AI because its products are embedded as the foundational system of record for its customers. In addition, we continue to believe that the company is well positioned to grow and scale its Agentforce platform over time."
#NYSE #global #index #management
2 months ago
USA TODAY Sports ranks the Detroit Lions' defense No. 19 entering the 2026 season. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard's unit has fallen nine spots since USA TODAY's June ranking that slated the Lions No. 10.
A major concern for Detroit is its injury-plagued secondary.
The Lions released former first-round cornerback Terrion Arnold earlier this offseason. Starting safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch will miss at least four games as both were placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to begin the 2026 season.
Joseph, a first-team All-Pro and the NFL's interceptions leader in 2024, continues to deal with a degenerative knee issue that limited him to six games in 2025. Meanwhile, Branch is recovering from a torn Achilles that he suffered in December. Sheppard will be leaning on the front seven to take pressure off its secondary in the meantime.
NFL reporter Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz had this to say about the Lions' defense:
#lions #joseph #branch #games
A major concern for Detroit is its injury-plagued secondary.
The Lions released former first-round cornerback Terrion Arnold earlier this offseason. Starting safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch will miss at least four games as both were placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to begin the 2026 season.
Joseph, a first-team All-Pro and the NFL's interceptions leader in 2024, continues to deal with a degenerative knee issue that limited him to six games in 2025. Meanwhile, Branch is recovering from a torn Achilles that he suffered in December. Sheppard will be leaning on the front seven to take pressure off its secondary in the meantime.
NFL reporter Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz had this to say about the Lions' defense:
#lions #joseph #branch #games
2 months ago
Palantir Technologies (PLTR) is a leading artificial intelligence (AI) and big data **** ytics company that builds software platforms enabling government and commercial organizations to integrate data and make real-time operational decisions. The company operates through two core segments, Commercial and Government, powering mission-critical workflows in defense, intelligence, healthcare, energy, and financial services.
Under CEO Alex Karp, Palantir's flagship Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) has become central to its rapid growth story, driving explosive U.S. commercial adoption as enterprises race to operationalize generative AI. With programs like Maven advancing toward Pentagon program-of-record status, Palantir has cemented itself as a defense-tech and enterprise AI powerhouse.
Wu-Tang Clan Member Raekwon Is a Palantir 'OG,' Visiting Headquarters 16 Years After Receiving His Custom PLTR Jacket
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#pltr #Stock #government
Under CEO Alex Karp, Palantir's flagship Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) has become central to its rapid growth story, driving explosive U.S. commercial adoption as enterprises race to operationalize generative AI. With programs like Maven advancing toward Pentagon program-of-record status, Palantir has cemented itself as a defense-tech and enterprise AI powerhouse.
Wu-Tang Clan Member Raekwon Is a Palantir 'OG,' Visiting Headquarters 16 Years After Receiving His Custom PLTR Jacket
Dear Sandisk Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for August 31
Tesla Stock Could Benefit as Trump Locks Down the U.S. Power Grid
#pltr #Stock #government
2 months ago
Our ******* ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
Ads are coming for your LLM queries: OpenAI, the company behind the LLM, said this week its advertising business hit a $1 billion annualized run rate in well under a year.
OpenAI first slotted ads into ChatGPT in February in the U.S. and has slowly rolled out options for advertisers to purchase slots right in the LLM around the globe. On Monday, that option was extended to India, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
But rather than the search engine optimization of the mid-2010s yore, which catalyzed a boom-and-bust cycle for digital media platforms like HuffPost and BuzzFeed, these ads are placed directly into ChatGPT's output alongside similar queries. OpenAI's about to find out if the 2020s version is any different.
Ask ChatGPT for a recommendation for the best pen for taking notes, and you might be served an ad for notebooks. And so forth. It's a burgeoning marketing-science (with a healthy dash of pseudoscience) field called GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization.
#openai #engine #queries
Ads are coming for your LLM queries: OpenAI, the company behind the LLM, said this week its advertising business hit a $1 billion annualized run rate in well under a year.
OpenAI first slotted ads into ChatGPT in February in the U.S. and has slowly rolled out options for advertisers to purchase slots right in the LLM around the globe. On Monday, that option was extended to India, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
But rather than the search engine optimization of the mid-2010s yore, which catalyzed a boom-and-bust cycle for digital media platforms like HuffPost and BuzzFeed, these ads are placed directly into ChatGPT's output alongside similar queries. OpenAI's about to find out if the 2020s version is any different.
Ask ChatGPT for a recommendation for the best pen for taking notes, and you might be served an ad for notebooks. And so forth. It's a burgeoning marketing-science (with a healthy dash of pseudoscience) field called GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization.
#openai #engine #queries
2 months ago
First Eagle Investment Management, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor update for "First Eagle Global Fund". The letter can be downloaded here. Easing tensions in the Middle East led to a strong rally in risk markets in Q2. The S&P 500 Index rose 15.2%, while the MSCI EAFE Index gained 10.8%. Growth stocks outperformed, with the MSCI World Growth Index significantly exceeding value returns. A notable shift in U.S. interest rate expectations followed Kevin Warsh's appointment as chair of the Federal Open Market Committee, pushing Treasury yields higher and strengthening the dollar. Despite the optimistic market environment, concerns about fiscal constraints and limited policy flexibility remain. Tighter credit spreads and elevated equity valuations reflect strong demand for financial ***** ets, with household wealth in equities at a post-WWII high. Earnings expectations are buoyant, driven by AI infrastructure developments. Against this backdrop, Global Fund A Shares returned 2.86% in Q2 2026, with emerging markets and developed Europe as the primary contributors. Developed Asia (excluding ***** an) was the only detractor, and ***** an lagged. Information technology and financials led among equity sectors, while materials and energy detracted. The fund underperformed relative to the MSCI World Index during this period. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) as a leading performance contributor. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), the parent company of Google, offers various platforms and services, including online search and advertising, cloud solutions, and artificial intelligence. On August 31, 2026, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) closed at $335.41 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $4.13 trillion. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) posted a one-month return of -11.22%, while its shares gained 57.19% over the past 52 weeks.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG)—the parent company of Google and YouTube—rose during the quarter as contracted future revenues from cloud operations continued to be strong, amplified by explosive demand for AI infrastructure, strong AI-focused memory chip production and resilient digital-ad sales. Google's full-stack AI solution underpins prospective long-term momentum for the company, with an anticipated near-term boost from hosting OpenAI's latest generative AI model."
#eagle #index
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) as a leading performance contributor. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), the parent company of Google, offers various platforms and services, including online search and advertising, cloud solutions, and artificial intelligence. On August 31, 2026, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) closed at $335.41 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $4.13 trillion. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) posted a one-month return of -11.22%, while its shares gained 57.19% over the past 52 weeks.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG)—the parent company of Google and YouTube—rose during the quarter as contracted future revenues from cloud operations continued to be strong, amplified by explosive demand for AI infrastructure, strong AI-focused memory chip production and resilient digital-ad sales. Google's full-stack AI solution underpins prospective long-term momentum for the company, with an anticipated near-term boost from hosting OpenAI's latest generative AI model."
#eagle #index
2 months ago
First Eagle Investment Management, an investment management company, released its Q2 2026 investor update for "First Eagle Global Fund". The letter can be downloaded here. Easing tensions in the Middle East led to a strong rally in risk markets in Q2. The S&P 500 Index rose 15.2%, while the MSCI EAFE Index gained 10.8%. Growth stocks outperformed, with the MSCI World Growth Index significantly exceeding value returns. A notable shift in U.S. interest rate expectations followed Kevin Warsh's appointment as chair of the Federal Open Market Committee, pushing Treasury yields higher and strengthening the dollar. Despite the optimistic market environment, concerns about fiscal constraints and limited policy flexibility remain. Tighter credit spreads and elevated equity valuations reflect strong demand for financial ***** ets, with household wealth in equities at a post-WWII high. Earnings expectations are buoyant, driven by AI infrastructure developments. Against this backdrop, Global Fund A Shares returned 2.86% in Q2 2026, with emerging markets and developed Europe as the primary contributors. Developed Asia (excluding ***** an) was the only detractor, and ***** an lagged. Information technology and financials led among equity sectors, while materials and energy detracted. The fund underperformed relative to the MSCI World Index during this period. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM). Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is a cloud computing company that offers Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together. On August 31, 2026, Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) closed at $257.54 per share. Over the past month, Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) returned 36.58%, and its shares are up 3.16% over the past year. Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) has a market capitalization of $211.96 billion.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Despite reporting better-than-expected results for its most recent quarter, shares of enterprise software developer Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) were weak during the quarter because of ongoing industrywide concerns that generative AI will trigger an exodus from software applications. We believe that Salesforce's technology serves as an economic moat to the potential disruption of AI because its products are embedded as the foundational system of record for its customers. In addition, we continue to believe that the company is well positioned to grow and scale its Agentforce platform over time."
#salesforce #eagle
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, First Eagle Global Fund highlighted Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM). Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is a cloud computing company that offers Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together. On August 31, 2026, Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) closed at $257.54 per share. Over the past month, Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) returned 36.58%, and its shares are up 3.16% over the past year. Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) has a market capitalization of $211.96 billion.
First Eagle Global Fund stated the following regarding Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Despite reporting better-than-expected results for its most recent quarter, shares of enterprise software developer Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM) were weak during the quarter because of ongoing industrywide concerns that generative AI will trigger an exodus from software applications. We believe that Salesforce's technology serves as an economic moat to the potential disruption of AI because its products are embedded as the foundational system of record for its customers. In addition, we continue to believe that the company is well positioned to grow and scale its Agentforce platform over time."
#salesforce #eagle
2 months ago
With shares up by roughly 1,200% over the last five years, Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) is a standout performer in the generative artificial intelligence (AI) megatrend. But the company's rocketship rally has come under threat. And shares are down around 23% from their all-time high of $1,213 reached on June 25th as investors grow nervous about competition and the sustainability of its high margins.
Let's dig deeper into Micron's pros and cons to decide whether the dip is a long-term buying opportunity or a sign of more trouble to come.
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 »
Usually, large corporations find their raison d'etre early in their life cycles. But Micron has been a late bloomer. The company has spent most of the last few decades providing memory hardware for consumer markets, such as personal computers and smartphones, where it has endured brutal competition and low margins. Shares barely budged in the two decades between the dot-com bubble and the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the arrival of generative AI gave the company a new lease on life as data center operators quickly realized that high bandwidth memory had become one of the primary bottlenecks in creating more powerful large language models (LLMs).
#company #years
Let's dig deeper into Micron's pros and cons to decide whether the dip is a long-term buying opportunity or a sign of more trouble to come.
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 »
Usually, large corporations find their raison d'etre early in their life cycles. But Micron has been a late bloomer. The company has spent most of the last few decades providing memory hardware for consumer markets, such as personal computers and smartphones, where it has endured brutal competition and low margins. Shares barely budged in the two decades between the dot-com bubble and the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the arrival of generative AI gave the company a new lease on life as data center operators quickly realized that high bandwidth memory had become one of the primary bottlenecks in creating more powerful large language models (LLMs).
#company #years
2 months ago
Aristotle Capital Management, LLC, an investment management company, released its "Value Equity Fund" Q2 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The Fund delivered a 4.32% total return in Q2 2026, underperforming the 13.87% gain for the Russell 1000 Value Index and the 15.20% return for the S&P 500, while its 1.99% year-to-date return also lagged the Russell 1000 Value Index's 16.26% and the S&P 500's 10.21%. The Fund attributed the performance gap largely to limited exposure to the AI infrastructure spending boom, noting that the U.S. has about 4,000 existing data centers and nearly 3,000 more planned or under construction, while AI-related demand has created bottlenecks in processors and memory. The letter highlighted the scale of the cycle, with industry cash flows in key AI hardware areas rising sharply, while the Russell 1000 Value Index's top 10 contributors gained an average 182% year to date and accounted for 9.29 percentage points of the index's 16.23% return. Looking ahead, the fund expects investors to eventually reassess the sustainability of current AI infrastructure earnings and valuations. In addition, please check the Fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Aristotle Value Equity Fund highlighted stocks like Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL). Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) operates Google Search, YouTube, Google Cloud, and a broad portfolio of digital products and technology businesses. The one-month return of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) was -4.35% while its shares traded between $206.20 and $408.61 over the last 52 weeks. On August 27, 2026, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) stock closed at approximately $342.00 per share, with a market capitalization of about $4.17 trillion.
Aristotle Value Equity Fund stated the following regarding Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL), the parent company of Google and YouTube, was a primary contributor during the period. We initiated our position in the first quarter of 2025, when investors were concerned that generative AI tools would fundamentally alter search behavior and erode Google's advertising franchise. Since then, Alphabet has continued to demonstrate the strength of its ecosystem and the resilience of its core businesses. Google Search has remained strong, with AI-powered features increasing user engagement while supporting advertising growth, and Google Cloud has continued to benefit from robust enterprise demand for AI infrastructure and services. Importantly, Alphabet appears increasingly capable of monetizing these new experiences in a manner consistent with its historical strengths, through advertising, distribution, and integration across a broad user base rather than relying solely on paid subscriptions. YouTube also remains well positioned to benefit from continued growth in advertising and subscription revenues, including YouTube TV, as consume
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Aristotle Value Equity Fund highlighted stocks like Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL). Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) operates Google Search, YouTube, Google Cloud, and a broad portfolio of digital products and technology businesses. The one-month return of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) was -4.35% while its shares traded between $206.20 and $408.61 over the last 52 weeks. On August 27, 2026, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) stock closed at approximately $342.00 per share, with a market capitalization of about $4.17 trillion.
Aristotle Value Equity Fund stated the following regarding Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL), the parent company of Google and YouTube, was a primary contributor during the period. We initiated our position in the first quarter of 2025, when investors were concerned that generative AI tools would fundamentally alter search behavior and erode Google's advertising franchise. Since then, Alphabet has continued to demonstrate the strength of its ecosystem and the resilience of its core businesses. Google Search has remained strong, with AI-powered features increasing user engagement while supporting advertising growth, and Google Cloud has continued to benefit from robust enterprise demand for AI infrastructure and services. Importantly, Alphabet appears increasingly capable of monetizing these new experiences in a manner consistent with its historical strengths, through advertising, distribution, and integration across a broad user base rather than relying solely on paid subscriptions. YouTube also remains well positioned to benefit from continued growth in advertising and subscription revenues, including YouTube TV, as consume
2 months ago
Nvidia is likely one of the most closely watched stocks on the market. The company's graphics processing units (GPUs) were crucial in the advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in late 2022, and the chipmaker has become a bellwether for the AI landscape. All eyes were on Nvidia as the company released its quarterly financial report after the market close on Wednesday.
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 »
Investors were hoping for insight into the state of AI adoption and whether AI had room to run, and that question was answered with a resounding "yes."
Image source: Nvidia.
One of the biggest questions among investors is just how long Nvidia could keep up its frantic pace of growth. It turns out there's still runway ahead, as its growth continued to accelerate. For its fiscal 2027 second quarter (ended July 26), the company generated record revenue of $96.2 billion, up 106% year over year and 18% quarter over quarter. This drove adjusted earnings per share (EPS) up 120% to $2.22. The results were partially driven by Nvidia's expanding gross margin of 75%.
#signal
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 »
Investors were hoping for insight into the state of AI adoption and whether AI had room to run, and that question was answered with a resounding "yes."
Image source: Nvidia.
One of the biggest questions among investors is just how long Nvidia could keep up its frantic pace of growth. It turns out there's still runway ahead, as its growth continued to accelerate. For its fiscal 2027 second quarter (ended July 26), the company generated record revenue of $96.2 billion, up 106% year over year and 18% quarter over quarter. This drove adjusted earnings per share (EPS) up 120% to $2.22. The results were partially driven by Nvidia's expanding gross margin of 75%.
#signal
2 months ago
The gold producer screens as a perfect bolt-on for a major, and with ownership so widely dispersed, the only real question is who might make the first move.
In a market that often rewards potential over profit, you sometimes find a company doing the opposite: generating serious cash flow from proven ******* ets, yet trading for a price that seems to ignore its own growth story. That's the situation at Fortuna Mining (FSM), a mid-tier gold producer whose numbers suggest it has the structural fingerprint of a takeover target. There is a concrete, named shortlist of who would most likely want to buy it, and why.
Why It Screens As A Target
First, the company looks inexpensive on its own merits. It trades at an EV/EBIT multiple of just 5.4x while delivering a return on invested capital of 21%. More importantly, it generates a powerful 17.9% free-cash-flow yield on enterprise value. The balance sheet makes a potential deal even easier to finance, with a net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of -0.5x, indicating a net cash position. For a potential acquirer, this isn't about buying a turnaround project; it's about acquiring a de-risked, cash-generative production pipeline in key regions like West Africa and Latin America, with forward revenue growth estimated at 8.5%.
Who Would Want Fortuna Mining?
#screens
In a market that often rewards potential over profit, you sometimes find a company doing the opposite: generating serious cash flow from proven ******* ets, yet trading for a price that seems to ignore its own growth story. That's the situation at Fortuna Mining (FSM), a mid-tier gold producer whose numbers suggest it has the structural fingerprint of a takeover target. There is a concrete, named shortlist of who would most likely want to buy it, and why.
Why It Screens As A Target
First, the company looks inexpensive on its own merits. It trades at an EV/EBIT multiple of just 5.4x while delivering a return on invested capital of 21%. More importantly, it generates a powerful 17.9% free-cash-flow yield on enterprise value. The balance sheet makes a potential deal even easier to finance, with a net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of -0.5x, indicating a net cash position. For a potential acquirer, this isn't about buying a turnaround project; it's about acquiring a de-risked, cash-generative production pipeline in key regions like West Africa and Latin America, with forward revenue growth estimated at 8.5%.
Who Would Want Fortuna Mining?
#screens
2 months ago
Aug 26 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms reached a settlement to resolve claims brought by states across the country that the company designed Instagram and Facebook to addict children, misled consumers about their safety, and improperly collected personal data of children who used its platforms, court papers show.
The deal was reached during a California federal court trial over claims brought by 29 states, averting one of the highest-profile tests yet of allegations that social media companies harmed young users. Just days before jury selection began on August 12, a federal appeals court declined to halt the trial.
The claims are part of a broader wave of litigation brought by states, local governments, school districts and individuals alleging Meta and other social media companies fueled a nationwide youth mental health crisis.
The federal trial covered claims from the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey that Meta violated their state laws protecting consumers.
The trial also covered claims from 29 states that Meta violated the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting personal data from users it knew were children without parental notification or consent, and using the data to train machine learning and generative AI models.
#meta #brought #children
The deal was reached during a California federal court trial over claims brought by 29 states, averting one of the highest-profile tests yet of allegations that social media companies harmed young users. Just days before jury selection began on August 12, a federal appeals court declined to halt the trial.
The claims are part of a broader wave of litigation brought by states, local governments, school districts and individuals alleging Meta and other social media companies fueled a nationwide youth mental health crisis.
The federal trial covered claims from the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey that Meta violated their state laws protecting consumers.
The trial also covered claims from 29 states that Meta violated the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act by collecting personal data from users it knew were children without parental notification or consent, and using the data to train machine learning and generative AI models.
#meta #brought #children
2 months ago
Reuters reported on August 14, 2026, that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has trained its own large language model specifically for the China market, developed in partnership with and trained with support from Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA), according to three people familiar with the matter. It is a departure from Apple's approach of relying on third-party Chinese AI models.
Apple has been losing ground in China's AI-equipped smartphone market to domestic rivals like Huawei. Hence, a China-specific model of its own would give Apple far more control than simply plugging into a partner's AI service.
That raises the real question: is this proprietary model a genuine technological leap for Apple in China, or just a more controlled version of the same dependence on local partners it already had?
A self-trained, China-tailored model would make Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) the first foreign company approved by Beijing to offer a proprietary AI model in the country, notable given the trade and diplomatic rift between the US and China over AI. Apple Intelligence is expected to launch in China in the coming months following an iOS update, after the Cyberspace Administration of China registered Apple's generative AI service in July 2026. It cleared a regulatory process that took roughly a year and required co-developing features with both Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) and Baidu. That dual-track approach gives Apple a path through regulatory hurdles that have largely blocked other US tech firms in China. China remains critical to Apple's revenue, and the absence of AI features on Chinese iPhones has been cited as a factor pushing consumers toward domestic brands with built-in AI ***** istants.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has already reversed course once on how it plans to reach Chinese users: it published a Chinese-language guide just days earlier explaining how Mac users could connect Alibaba's Qwen to Siri and Writing Tools, then deleted that guide without explanation. Neither Apple nor Alibaba has confirmed the new self-trained model publicly, and it remains unclear what role it will play alongside the third-party Chinese models Apple already committed to using. The overall strategy has taken roughly a year and a half to reach this point since the Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) partnership was first confirmed in February 2025. It shows how contested Apple's path to a China AI launch has been.
#model #alibaba
Apple has been losing ground in China's AI-equipped smartphone market to domestic rivals like Huawei. Hence, a China-specific model of its own would give Apple far more control than simply plugging into a partner's AI service.
That raises the real question: is this proprietary model a genuine technological leap for Apple in China, or just a more controlled version of the same dependence on local partners it already had?
A self-trained, China-tailored model would make Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) the first foreign company approved by Beijing to offer a proprietary AI model in the country, notable given the trade and diplomatic rift between the US and China over AI. Apple Intelligence is expected to launch in China in the coming months following an iOS update, after the Cyberspace Administration of China registered Apple's generative AI service in July 2026. It cleared a regulatory process that took roughly a year and required co-developing features with both Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) and Baidu. That dual-track approach gives Apple a path through regulatory hurdles that have largely blocked other US tech firms in China. China remains critical to Apple's revenue, and the absence of AI features on Chinese iPhones has been cited as a factor pushing consumers toward domestic brands with built-in AI ***** istants.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has already reversed course once on how it plans to reach Chinese users: it published a Chinese-language guide just days earlier explaining how Mac users could connect Alibaba's Qwen to Siri and Writing Tools, then deleted that guide without explanation. Neither Apple nor Alibaba has confirmed the new self-trained model publicly, and it remains unclear what role it will play alongside the third-party Chinese models Apple already committed to using. The overall strategy has taken roughly a year and a half to reach this point since the Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) partnership was first confirmed in February 2025. It shows how contested Apple's path to a China AI launch has been.
#model #alibaba
