5 mins. ago
In 1893, a chemistry professor named Charles Coates arrived at Louisiana State University and wrote that, to his surprise, "there was practically no athletics in the student body: no football, no tennis, and only very little baseball in the spring." A broad program of sports struck him as the kind of thing a school should have, particularly as US universities were beginning to tout intercollegiate athletics as critical to a balanced higher-ed experience and another way to justify the cost of entry. But 133 years on, sports aren't merely the main attraction at LSU. They're the school's raison d'être, the blinkered obsession that consumes the university and its most prominent ambassadors.
Any doubt that the business of educating college students is just a nettlesome distraction from the business of college sports in Baton Rouge has been emphatically dispelled over the past 10 months. On the football side, the school has spent or committed roughly $162m to its last three head coaches: Ed Orgeron, the folksy national champion in 2019 who received a $17m buyout when he was fired two years later; Brian Kelly, the unloved underachiever who received a $54m buyout after being fired last October; and Lane Kiffin, the Kelly replacement whom it signed to a $91m deal a month later. Clemson, the opponent for LSU's season opener at home on Saturday, are about to find out what all that money buys.
Related: College football is booming, chaotic and more confusing than ever
In March, LSU brought back men's basketball coach Will Wade, the turnaround artist who became a national emblem of college sports' old pay-for-play hypocrisy when he was caught on an FBI wiretap discussing a recruiting offer seven years ago. An NCAA dragnet soon uncovered more alleged recruiting improprieties. After LSU fired Wade for cause, he resurfaced at McNeese State, engineering an unlikely reversal of fortune that eventually landed him a lucrative offer to coach back in the big leagues at North Carolina State. That stint lasted all of one 20-win season before the Tigers swooped in and began the process to bring Wade back – despite the fact that someone else was already coaching the team.
And then there's Kim Mulkey, grande dame of LSU sports blindness. When the national championship-winning women's basketball coach brought 17-year-old Anna Minaeva into the fold last month, more than a few eyebrows arched – and not because she plays the same position as junior center Kate Koval. It's more that Minaeva is Russian, Koval is Ukrainian and the one notable reprieve her father, a drone operator in the Ukrainian military, took from the war was to travel to the United States to watch his daughter play.
#sports #Football #fired #back
Any doubt that the business of educating college students is just a nettlesome distraction from the business of college sports in Baton Rouge has been emphatically dispelled over the past 10 months. On the football side, the school has spent or committed roughly $162m to its last three head coaches: Ed Orgeron, the folksy national champion in 2019 who received a $17m buyout when he was fired two years later; Brian Kelly, the unloved underachiever who received a $54m buyout after being fired last October; and Lane Kiffin, the Kelly replacement whom it signed to a $91m deal a month later. Clemson, the opponent for LSU's season opener at home on Saturday, are about to find out what all that money buys.
Related: College football is booming, chaotic and more confusing than ever
In March, LSU brought back men's basketball coach Will Wade, the turnaround artist who became a national emblem of college sports' old pay-for-play hypocrisy when he was caught on an FBI wiretap discussing a recruiting offer seven years ago. An NCAA dragnet soon uncovered more alleged recruiting improprieties. After LSU fired Wade for cause, he resurfaced at McNeese State, engineering an unlikely reversal of fortune that eventually landed him a lucrative offer to coach back in the big leagues at North Carolina State. That stint lasted all of one 20-win season before the Tigers swooped in and began the process to bring Wade back – despite the fact that someone else was already coaching the team.
And then there's Kim Mulkey, grande dame of LSU sports blindness. When the national championship-winning women's basketball coach brought 17-year-old Anna Minaeva into the fold last month, more than a few eyebrows arched – and not because she plays the same position as junior center Kate Koval. It's more that Minaeva is Russian, Koval is Ukrainian and the one notable reprieve her father, a drone operator in the Ukrainian military, took from the war was to travel to the United States to watch his daughter play.
#sports #Football #fired #back
13 hours ago
Skip Bayless took issue with one of the most notable omissions from ESPN's Top 100 player rankings ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The longtime sports commentator made his feelings clear after Baker Mayfield was left outside the list despite another productive season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mayfield's absence stood out because he has continued to rebuild his reputation since arriving in Tampa Bay. After reviving his career with the Buccaneers, the veteran quarterback has established himself as one of the league's more reliable offensive leaders and has helped keep the franchise competitive.
Feb 1, 2026; Tampa Bay, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield walks on the field prior to the 2026 Stadium Series ice hockey game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Top 100 rankings are shaped by evaluations from league executives, coaches and scouts, making every major omission a subject of debate. Bayless viewed Mayfield's exclusion as particularly difficult to justify given the quarterback's recent production and his ability to succeed in an increasingly competitive NFC.
Mayfield has spent much of his career responding to skepticism, beginning with questions about his size and continuing through his departure from the Cleveland Browns. His path eventually included stops with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams before he found stability and a long-term opportunity in Tampa Bay.
#buccaneers
Mayfield's absence stood out because he has continued to rebuild his reputation since arriving in Tampa Bay. After reviving his career with the Buccaneers, the veteran quarterback has established himself as one of the league's more reliable offensive leaders and has helped keep the franchise competitive.
Feb 1, 2026; Tampa Bay, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield walks on the field prior to the 2026 Stadium Series ice hockey game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Top 100 rankings are shaped by evaluations from league executives, coaches and scouts, making every major omission a subject of debate. Bayless viewed Mayfield's exclusion as particularly difficult to justify given the quarterback's recent production and his ability to succeed in an increasingly competitive NFC.
Mayfield has spent much of his career responding to skepticism, beginning with questions about his size and continuing through his departure from the Cleveland Browns. His path eventually included stops with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams before he found stability and a long-term opportunity in Tampa Bay.
#buccaneers
17 hours ago
Chelsea are approaching the final weeks of the transfer window with an unresolved question at their centre. Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a move to Manchester City throughout August, and the commercial logic of selling is not difficult to construct. What is considerably more difficult is justifying strengthening a direct rival at a moment when that rival's most glaring weakness is precisely the position Fernandez occupies.
Fernandez cost Chelsea €120 million in January 2023. He was bought to be the deep-lying conductor of a new-look midfield – the replacement for Jorginho, the organiser around whom creativity would flow. That vision has never been fully realised at Stamford Bridge, and the reasons why are well-documented.
Every manager Chelsea (7.04) has appointed since his arrival has struggled to make a Fernandez-Caicedo double pivot function out of possession. Fernandez is not physically built to cover large central ***** es. His defensive awareness is sharp enough for international soccer, where Lionel Scaloni's Argentina have found ways to manage around his limitations, but has never been sharp enough at club level to survive without significant structural support.
Enzo Maresca's solution last season was to move Fernandez into the left pocket, push a fullback deeper into the midfield beside Caicedo and slow Chelsea's possession game to keep the team compact. It improved the collective structure and allowed Fernandez to play his best soccer at Chelsea, scoring 15 goals across all competitions. But it came at a notable cost, most visibly, the significant dip in Cole Palmer's form.
Xabi Alonso is not going to replicate that approach. His 3-4-2-1 system places Morgan Rogers and Palmer as dual attacking midfielders behind the striker. That is precisely where Fernandez would be best utilised. But Chelsea paid £117 million for Rogers this transfer window to fill that exact role. The positional arithmetic does not work in Fernandez's favour.
#caicedo #rogers #window #difficult
Fernandez cost Chelsea €120 million in January 2023. He was bought to be the deep-lying conductor of a new-look midfield – the replacement for Jorginho, the organiser around whom creativity would flow. That vision has never been fully realised at Stamford Bridge, and the reasons why are well-documented.
Every manager Chelsea (7.04) has appointed since his arrival has struggled to make a Fernandez-Caicedo double pivot function out of possession. Fernandez is not physically built to cover large central ***** es. His defensive awareness is sharp enough for international soccer, where Lionel Scaloni's Argentina have found ways to manage around his limitations, but has never been sharp enough at club level to survive without significant structural support.
Enzo Maresca's solution last season was to move Fernandez into the left pocket, push a fullback deeper into the midfield beside Caicedo and slow Chelsea's possession game to keep the team compact. It improved the collective structure and allowed Fernandez to play his best soccer at Chelsea, scoring 15 goals across all competitions. But it came at a notable cost, most visibly, the significant dip in Cole Palmer's form.
Xabi Alonso is not going to replicate that approach. His 3-4-2-1 system places Morgan Rogers and Palmer as dual attacking midfielders behind the striker. That is precisely where Fernandez would be best utilised. But Chelsea paid £117 million for Rogers this transfer window to fill that exact role. The positional arithmetic does not work in Fernandez's favour.
#caicedo #rogers #window #difficult
1 day ago
Hotchkis & Wiley, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for the "Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund." A copy can be downloaded here. Equity markets posted strong returns, with the Russell 1000 Value Index rising by 13.9%, although many individual stocks lagged. Notably, semiconductor stocks and AI-related sectors saw exceptional gains. The rally appeared speculative, marked by a stark difference in performance between high-beta and low-volatility stocks, along with momentum stocks outperforming the market significantly. Despite heightened enthusiasm for AI investments, concerns arise over inflated valuations reminiscent of the dot-com era. While there is substantial capital investment in AI, future earnings growth must justify these expenditures. The fund maintains a cautious approach towards perceived beneficiaries of AI, suggesting that select high-quality businesses with reasonable valuations may be better positioned. Historical trends suggest that speculative markets often revert to valuations based on fundamental economic realities, and the chosen investments are believed to be well-prepared for such a shift. The fund underperformed the index in the quarter and returned 5.69% vs. 13.87% for the Russell 1000 Value Index, largely due to a lack of exposure to high-performing sectors like semiconductors, while stock selection in healthcare provided a positive contribution. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund highlighted Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) as a notable contributor. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) is a US-based health benefits company. On August 31, 2026, Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) closed at $392.54 per share. Over the past month, Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) reported 3.85%, but its shares are up 21.78% over the past year. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) has a market capitalization of $85.13 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $274.84 to $436.24.
Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund stated the following regarding Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) is the second largest health insurer, and one of the largest commercial insurers in the United States. Shares rose during the quarter after the company reported quarterly earnings that beat consensus estimates. It was further supported by news that the US agreed to increase 2027 payments for private Medicare Advantage plans above the initial proposal. The company is priced at a discount to the market, driven by skepticism surrounding margins and growth, despite being a superior business that grows above GDP while returning most of its cash to shareholders."
#NYSE #fund #fundamental #wiley
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund highlighted Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) as a notable contributor. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) is a US-based health benefits company. On August 31, 2026, Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) closed at $392.54 per share. Over the past month, Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) reported 3.85%, but its shares are up 21.78% over the past year. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) has a market capitalization of $85.13 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $274.84 to $436.24.
Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund stated the following regarding Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) is the second largest health insurer, and one of the largest commercial insurers in the United States. Shares rose during the quarter after the company reported quarterly earnings that beat consensus estimates. It was further supported by news that the US agreed to increase 2027 payments for private Medicare Advantage plans above the initial proposal. The company is priced at a discount to the market, driven by skepticism surrounding margins and growth, despite being a superior business that grows above GDP while returning most of its cash to shareholders."
#NYSE #fund #fundamental #wiley
1 day ago
Hotchkis & Wiley, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for the "Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund." A copy can be downloaded here. Equity markets posted strong returns, with the Russell 1000 Value Index rising by 13.9%, although many individual stocks lagged. Notably, semiconductor stocks and AI-related sectors saw exceptional gains. The rally appeared speculative, marked by a stark difference in performance between high-beta and low-volatility stocks, along with momentum stocks outperforming the market significantly. Despite heightened enthusiasm for AI investments, concerns arise over inflated valuations reminiscent of the dot-com era. While there is substantial capital investment in AI, future earnings growth must justify these expenditures. The fund maintains a cautious approach towards perceived beneficiaries of AI, suggesting that select high-quality businesses with reasonable valuations may be better positioned. Historical trends suggest that speculative markets often revert to valuations based on fundamental economic realities, and the chosen investments are believed to be well-prepared for such a shift. The fund underperformed the index in the quarter and returned 5.69% vs. 13.87% for the Russell 1000 Value Index, largely due to a lack of exposure to high-performing sectors like semiconductors, while stock selection in healthcare provided a positive contribution. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund highlighted F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) as one of its leading individual contributors. F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) offers multi-cloud application security and delivery solutions. On August 31, 2026, F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) closed at $407.13 per share. Over the past month, F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) declined 3.41%, while its shares are up 29.82% over the past year. F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) has a market capitalization of $23.05 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $223.76 to $435.00.
Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund stated the following regarding F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) sells application networking and security software as well as data center appliances. The company's stock rose after it posted good quarterly results and raised both its revenue and EPS guidance. The company is misunderstood and gets incorrectly classified as a legacy IT hardware vendor, resulting in an attractive valuation for a company with better-than-average fundamental risk ratings. F5 has over 50% market share in traditional ADCs (application delivery controllers), along with various multi-cloud networking and application security products."
#ffiv
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund highlighted F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) as one of its leading individual contributors. F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) offers multi-cloud application security and delivery solutions. On August 31, 2026, F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) closed at $407.13 per share. Over the past month, F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) declined 3.41%, while its shares are up 29.82% over the past year. F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) has a market capitalization of $23.05 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $223.76 to $435.00.
Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund stated the following regarding F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) sells application networking and security software as well as data center appliances. The company's stock rose after it posted good quarterly results and raised both its revenue and EPS guidance. The company is misunderstood and gets incorrectly classified as a legacy IT hardware vendor, resulting in an attractive valuation for a company with better-than-average fundamental risk ratings. F5 has over 50% market share in traditional ADCs (application delivery controllers), along with various multi-cloud networking and application security products."
#ffiv
1 day ago
Hotchkis & Wiley, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for the "Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund." A copy can be downloaded here. Equity markets posted strong returns, with the Russell 1000 Value Index rising by 13.9%, although many individual stocks lagged. Notably, semiconductor stocks and AI-related sectors saw exceptional gains. The rally appeared speculative, marked by a stark difference in performance between high-beta and low-volatility stocks, along with momentum stocks outperforming the market significantly. Despite heightened enthusiasm for AI investments, concerns arise over inflated valuations reminiscent of the dot-com era. While there is substantial capital investment in AI, future earnings growth must justify these expenditures. The fund maintains a cautious approach towards perceived beneficiaries of AI, suggesting that select high-quality businesses with reasonable valuations may be better positioned. Historical trends suggest that speculative markets often revert to valuations based on fundamental economic realities, and the chosen investments are believed to be well-prepared for such a shift. The fund underperformed the index in the quarter and returned 5.69% vs. 13.87% for the Russell 1000 Value Index, largely due to a lack of exposure to high-performing sectors like semiconductors, while stock selection in healthcare provided a positive contribution. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund highlighted Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY). Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY), a leading enterprise software company that provides cloud applications for human resources and financial management, detracted from performance this quarter. On August 31, 2026, Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) closed at $197.45 per share. Over the past month, Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) returned 15.87%, but its shares are down 13.29% over the past year. Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) has a market capitalization of $47.59 billion.
Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund stated the following regarding Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) is a leader in cloud software for back-office business functions, spanning human capital management (HCM), financial management, and adjacent ERP (enterprise resource planning) products, with 60% of the Fortune 500 as HCM customers. Shares declined over the period, pressured by investor concerns that AI could disrupt application software vendors. The most recent quarter, however, did not show evidence of this. Subscription revenue grew 14%, 12-month backlog grew 16%, retention remained industry leading, margins expanded, and management reiterated full-year subscription revenue guidance while raising operating margin guidance. AI adoption also appears to be progressing, with Workday-developed agents now used by more
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund highlighted Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY). Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY), a leading enterprise software company that provides cloud applications for human resources and financial management, detracted from performance this quarter. On August 31, 2026, Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) closed at $197.45 per share. Over the past month, Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) returned 15.87%, but its shares are down 13.29% over the past year. Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) has a market capitalization of $47.59 billion.
Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund stated the following regarding Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) is a leader in cloud software for back-office business functions, spanning human capital management (HCM), financial management, and adjacent ERP (enterprise resource planning) products, with 60% of the Fortune 500 as HCM customers. Shares declined over the period, pressured by investor concerns that AI could disrupt application software vendors. The most recent quarter, however, did not show evidence of this. Subscription revenue grew 14%, 12-month backlog grew 16%, retention remained industry leading, margins expanded, and management reiterated full-year subscription revenue guidance while raising operating margin guidance. AI adoption also appears to be progressing, with Workday-developed agents now used by more
1 day ago
Law Murray: From the LA Clippers On behalf of the LA Clippers: We vehemently reject the NBA's findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence. What the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly, and they have not held themselves close to the standard Commissioner Silver set at the start of this investigation to ensure it's fairness and accuracy. For the past year, we cooperated fully and in good faith and we will now fight just as hard to demonstrate our innocence. We intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Clippers response to NBA ruling: We vehemently reject these findings as a biased investigation looking to justify a predetermined narrative
#investigation #reject #justify #narrative
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Clippers response to NBA ruling: We vehemently reject these findings as a biased investigation looking to justify a predetermined narrative
#investigation #reject #justify #narrative
2 days ago
Its electric and energy arm is guided to a multibillion-dollar loss, and the launches meant to justify that spending arrive just as a one-off tariff benefit disappears.
Ford Motor (F) has raised its 2026 adjusted EBIT guidance by a billion dollars at the midpoint, helped by stronger pricing and mix. The number a holder should watch is not in that raise; it sits in Model e, the arm carrying the electric vehicles and the new Ford Energy business.
Model e Lost $919 Million On $1 Billion Of Revenue
In the second quarter of 2026 Model e reported an EBIT loss of $919 million on revenue of $1 billion, roughly ninety cents of loss for every dollar the segment sold, inside a company with $188 billion of revenue over the past twelve months. Management calls that progress, and on its own terms it is: the loss was 31% better year over year, a third straight quarter of improvement, and the company expects Gen 1 EBIT to improve by roughly 40% year over year in 2026. The improvement came from structural cost cuts, right-sized Gen 1 EV volumes, and lower US incentives after regulatory relaxation, on declining revenue.
The $1 Billion Of Cost Savings That Funds Investment Instead Of Earnings
#loss #million
Ford Motor (F) has raised its 2026 adjusted EBIT guidance by a billion dollars at the midpoint, helped by stronger pricing and mix. The number a holder should watch is not in that raise; it sits in Model e, the arm carrying the electric vehicles and the new Ford Energy business.
Model e Lost $919 Million On $1 Billion Of Revenue
In the second quarter of 2026 Model e reported an EBIT loss of $919 million on revenue of $1 billion, roughly ninety cents of loss for every dollar the segment sold, inside a company with $188 billion of revenue over the past twelve months. Management calls that progress, and on its own terms it is: the loss was 31% better year over year, a third straight quarter of improvement, and the company expects Gen 1 EBIT to improve by roughly 40% year over year in 2026. The improvement came from structural cost cuts, right-sized Gen 1 EV volumes, and lower US incentives after regulatory relaxation, on declining revenue.
The $1 Billion Of Cost Savings That Funds Investment Instead Of Earnings
#loss #million
2 days ago
Cardano (ADA) continues to underperform its peers this year, as on-chain metrics continue to indicate that this former crypto darling meets all the criteria of a "zombie chain."
The native token of this blockchain has booked a 40% loss in 2026, dramatically lagging its former peers like Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL), both of which have managed to trim their yearly losses 17% as a result of the latest rally.
Market sentiment has improved in the past couple of weeks, as indicated by the Crypto Fear and Greed Index. This key gauge has jumped from a recent Neutral reading of 36 to 75 at the time of writing, indicating that investors are now in "Greed" mode.
Despite this shift in sentiment, ADA is not among the token that has managed to break above its 200-day exponential moving average (EMA), primarily as investors seem to be focusing on more mature projects that have demonstrated their real-world use cases.
This explains the huge performance gap between ADA and its peers. We can list a couple of red flags that may justify why market participants are shunning this token.
#greed #Crypto #market #managed
The native token of this blockchain has booked a 40% loss in 2026, dramatically lagging its former peers like Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL), both of which have managed to trim their yearly losses 17% as a result of the latest rally.
Market sentiment has improved in the past couple of weeks, as indicated by the Crypto Fear and Greed Index. This key gauge has jumped from a recent Neutral reading of 36 to 75 at the time of writing, indicating that investors are now in "Greed" mode.
Despite this shift in sentiment, ADA is not among the token that has managed to break above its 200-day exponential moving average (EMA), primarily as investors seem to be focusing on more mature projects that have demonstrated their real-world use cases.
This explains the huge performance gap between ADA and its peers. We can list a couple of red flags that may justify why market participants are shunning this token.
#greed #Crypto #market #managed
3 days ago
Hotchkis & Wiley, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for the "Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund." A copy can be downloaded here. Equity markets posted strong returns, with the Russell 1000 Value Index rising by 13.9%, although many individual stocks lagged. Notably, semiconductor stocks and AI-related sectors saw exceptional gains. The rally appeared speculative, marked by a stark difference in performance between high-beta and low-volatility stocks, along with momentum stocks outperforming the market significantly. Despite heightened enthusiasm for AI investments, concerns arise over inflated valuations reminiscent of the dot-com era. While there is substantial capital investment in AI, future earnings growth must justify these expenditures. The fund maintains a cautious approach towards perceived beneficiaries of AI, suggesting that select high-quality businesses with reasonable valuations may be better positioned. Historical trends suggest that speculative markets often revert to valuations based on fundamental economic realities, and the chosen investments are believed to be well-prepared for such a shift. The fund underperformed the index in the quarter and returned 5.69% vs. 13.87% for the Russell 1000 Value Index, largely due to a lack of exposure to high-performing sectors like semiconductors, while stock selection in healthcare provided a positive contribution. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund highlighted Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) as a notable contributor. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) is a US-based health benefits company. On August 31, 2026, Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) closed at $392.54 per share. Over the past month, Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) reported 3.85%, but its shares are up 21.78% over the past year. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) has a market capitalization of $85.13 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $274.84 to $436.24.
Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund stated the following regarding Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) is the second largest health insurer, and one of the largest commercial insurers in the United States. Shares rose during the quarter after the company reported quarterly earnings that beat consensus estimates. It was further supported by news that the US agreed to increase 2027 payments for private Medicare Advantage plans above the initial proposal. The company is priced at a discount to the market, driven by skepticism surrounding margins and growth, despite being a superior business that grows above GDP while returning most of its cash to shareholders."
#value #company
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund highlighted Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) as a notable contributor. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) is a US-based health benefits company. On August 31, 2026, Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) closed at $392.54 per share. Over the past month, Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) reported 3.85%, but its shares are up 21.78% over the past year. Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) has a market capitalization of $85.13 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $274.84 to $436.24.
Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund stated the following regarding Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) is the second largest health insurer, and one of the largest commercial insurers in the United States. Shares rose during the quarter after the company reported quarterly earnings that beat consensus estimates. It was further supported by news that the US agreed to increase 2027 payments for private Medicare Advantage plans above the initial proposal. The company is priced at a discount to the market, driven by skepticism surrounding margins and growth, despite being a superior business that grows above GDP while returning most of its cash to shareholders."
#value #company
3 days ago
Hotchkis & Wiley, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for the "Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund." A copy can be downloaded here. Equity markets posted strong returns, with the Russell 1000 Value Index rising by 13.9%, although many individual stocks lagged. Notably, semiconductor stocks and AI-related sectors saw exceptional gains. The rally appeared speculative, marked by a stark difference in performance between high-beta and low-volatility stocks, along with momentum stocks outperforming the market significantly. Despite heightened enthusiasm for AI investments, concerns arise over inflated valuations reminiscent of the dot-com era. While there is substantial capital investment in AI, future earnings growth must justify these expenditures. The fund maintains a cautious approach towards perceived beneficiaries of AI, suggesting that select high-quality businesses with reasonable valuations may be better positioned. Historical trends suggest that speculative markets often revert to valuations based on fundamental economic realities, and the chosen investments are believed to be well-prepared for such a shift. The fund underperformed the index in the quarter and returned 5.69% vs. 13.87% for the Russell 1000 Value Index, largely due to a lack of exposure to high-performing sectors like semiconductors, while stock selection in healthcare provided a positive contribution. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund highlighted Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY). Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY), a leading enterprise software company that provides cloud applications for human resources and financial management, detracted from performance this quarter. On August 31, 2026, Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) closed at $197.45 per share. Over the past month, Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) returned 15.87%, but its shares are down 13.29% over the past year. Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) has a market capitalization of $47.59 billion.
Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund stated the following regarding Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) is a leader in cloud software for back-office business functions, spanning human capital management (HCM), financial management, and adjacent ERP (enterprise resource planning) products, with 60% of the Fortune 500 as HCM customers. Shares declined over the period, pressured by investor concerns that AI could disrupt application software vendors. The most recent quarter, however, did not show evidence of this. Subscription revenue grew 14%, 12-month backlog grew 16%, retention remained industry leading, margins expanded, and management reiterated full-year subscription revenue guidance while raising operating margin guidance. AI adoption also appears to be progressing, with Workday-developed agents now used by more
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund highlighted Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY). Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY), a leading enterprise software company that provides cloud applications for human resources and financial management, detracted from performance this quarter. On August 31, 2026, Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) closed at $197.45 per share. Over the past month, Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) returned 15.87%, but its shares are down 13.29% over the past year. Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) has a market capitalization of $47.59 billion.
Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund stated the following regarding Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ:WDAY) is a leader in cloud software for back-office business functions, spanning human capital management (HCM), financial management, and adjacent ERP (enterprise resource planning) products, with 60% of the Fortune 500 as HCM customers. Shares declined over the period, pressured by investor concerns that AI could disrupt application software vendors. The most recent quarter, however, did not show evidence of this. Subscription revenue grew 14%, 12-month backlog grew 16%, retention remained industry leading, margins expanded, and management reiterated full-year subscription revenue guidance while raising operating margin guidance. AI adoption also appears to be progressing, with Workday-developed agents now used by more
3 days ago
Hotchkis & Wiley, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for the "Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund." A copy can be downloaded here. Equity markets posted strong returns, with the Russell 1000 Value Index rising by 13.9%, although many individual stocks lagged. Notably, semiconductor stocks and AI-related sectors saw exceptional gains. The rally appeared speculative, marked by a stark difference in performance between high-beta and low-volatility stocks, along with momentum stocks outperforming the market significantly. Despite heightened enthusiasm for AI investments, concerns arise over inflated valuations reminiscent of the dot-com era. While there is substantial capital investment in AI, future earnings growth must justify these expenditures. The fund maintains a cautious approach towards perceived beneficiaries of AI, suggesting that select high-quality businesses with reasonable valuations may be better positioned. Historical trends suggest that speculative markets often revert to valuations based on fundamental economic realities, and the chosen investments are believed to be well-prepared for such a shift. The fund underperformed the index in the quarter and returned 5.69% vs. 13.87% for the Russell 1000 Value Index, largely due to a lack of exposure to high-performing sectors like semiconductors, while stock selection in healthcare provided a positive contribution. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund highlighted F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) as one of its leading individual contributors. F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) offers multi-cloud application security and delivery solutions. On August 31, 2026, F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) closed at $407.13 per share. Over the past month, F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) declined 3.41%, while its shares are up 29.82% over the past year. F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) has a market capitalization of $23.05 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $223.76 to $435.00.
Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund stated the following regarding F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) sells application networking and security software as well as data center appliances. The company's stock rose after it posted good quarterly results and raised both its revenue and EPS guidance. The company is misunderstood and gets incorrectly classified as a legacy IT hardware vendor, resulting in an attractive valuation for a company with better-than-average fundamental risk ratings. F5 has over 50% market share in traditional ADCs (application delivery controllers), along with various multi-cloud networking and application security products."
#application
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund highlighted F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) as one of its leading individual contributors. F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) offers multi-cloud application security and delivery solutions. On August 31, 2026, F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) closed at $407.13 per share. Over the past month, F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) declined 3.41%, while its shares are up 29.82% over the past year. F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) has a market capitalization of $23.05 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $223.76 to $435.00.
Hotchkis & Wiley Large Cap Fundamental Value Fund stated the following regarding F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"F5, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV) sells application networking and security software as well as data center appliances. The company's stock rose after it posted good quarterly results and raised both its revenue and EPS guidance. The company is misunderstood and gets incorrectly classified as a legacy IT hardware vendor, resulting in an attractive valuation for a company with better-than-average fundamental risk ratings. F5 has over 50% market share in traditional ADCs (application delivery controllers), along with various multi-cloud networking and application security products."
#application
4 days ago
Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, apologized to the state's Jewish Democratic Caucus on Saturday for comments he made after an attack on a synagogue in March, which he tied to Israel's actions in the Middle East.
"My comments may have been misconstrued to justify something I did not mean to justify," El-Sayed told reporters after he addressed the caucus at a party convention in Lansing. "To anyone who feels like my comments might have been hurtful, I'm really sorry. That was not my intention."
El-Sayed's apology was his latest attempt to unify Democrats after a bitter primary where he defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens. He's eager to push past a series of controversies involving allegations of antisemitism, including his ****** ociation with controversial commentator Hasan Piker. He faces Republican nominee Mike Rogers in a race that will help determine control of the Senate.
In March, a man attacked Temple Israel synagogue in a Detroit suburb, ramming his car into the building and opening fire on a security guard before dying by suicide. The man, Ayman Mohammad Ghazali, had lost four relatives in an Israeli airstrike on Lebanon the week prior.
In a video response at the time, El-Sayed condemned the attack and added that "hurt people hurt people," a reference to what happened to Ghazali's family. Critics accused El-Sayed of justifying Ghazali's actions.
#sayed #synagogue
"My comments may have been misconstrued to justify something I did not mean to justify," El-Sayed told reporters after he addressed the caucus at a party convention in Lansing. "To anyone who feels like my comments might have been hurtful, I'm really sorry. That was not my intention."
El-Sayed's apology was his latest attempt to unify Democrats after a bitter primary where he defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens. He's eager to push past a series of controversies involving allegations of antisemitism, including his ****** ociation with controversial commentator Hasan Piker. He faces Republican nominee Mike Rogers in a race that will help determine control of the Senate.
In March, a man attacked Temple Israel synagogue in a Detroit suburb, ramming his car into the building and opening fire on a security guard before dying by suicide. The man, Ayman Mohammad Ghazali, had lost four relatives in an Israeli airstrike on Lebanon the week prior.
In a video response at the time, El-Sayed condemned the attack and added that "hurt people hurt people," a reference to what happened to Ghazali's family. Critics accused El-Sayed of justifying Ghazali's actions.
#sayed #synagogue
5 days ago
Revolution Medicines, Inc. (NASDAQ:RVMD) touched an all-time high above $224 on August 27, 2026, following FDA approval of Rasonque (daraxonrasib) – the first broad RAS-targeted therapy cleared for metastatic pancreatic cancer. Creating a milestone, the approval came roughly five weeks after filing under the agency's national priority voucher. The pivotal RASolute 302 trial nearly doubled median overall survival, to 13.2 months from 6.7 on chemotherapy. While the clinical benefit is substantial, a $47 billion valuation suggests the market had already priced in this success.
RVMD carries essentially no product revenue yet. Its price rests entirely on the future. Evercore ISI has raised the next-year sales estimate for Rasonque to ~$2.4 billion. Additionally, the $47 billion valuation discounts much of a long-term pancreatic opportunity which the Evercore **** yst estimates Rasonque could generate about $15.1 billion in pancreatic-cancer sales by 2034. However, a few details complicate this math. First, the approved label applies strictly to second-line or multiagent-ineligible patients. The front-line indication represents the larger market opportunity but remains pending, meaning a notable portion of the TAM is not yet accessible. Second, RVMD's current valuation also sits well above the $28 billion–$32 billion takeover valuation reportedly discussed with Merck earlier this year. Bulls argue lung and colorectal trials justify the $47 billion beyond pancreatic cancer, though that pipeline potential remains unproven.
That matters because Revolution Medicines must now execute its first commercial launch independently in one of oncology's most challenging indications characterized by short survival, high patient frailty, and a U.S. list price of $39,800 for a 30-day supply. Commercialization will require heavy spending. The second-quarter net loss widened to $644 million, and full-year operating expense guidance increased to between $2.1 and $2.2 billion. While a $3.9 billion cash balance and up to $1.5 billion in committed royalty financing fund the launch, operational execution remains the primary risk.
Insiders were net sellers of roughly $21.5 million over the past 90 days with zero buying. Hedge fund data on the stock is flat. As per the Insider Monkey database, 105 funds held RVMD in the second quarter of 2026, modestly down from 106 in the first, indicating strong conviction among institutional investors. Short interest sits near 6% of float, representing a modest level of bets against the stock.
#first
RVMD carries essentially no product revenue yet. Its price rests entirely on the future. Evercore ISI has raised the next-year sales estimate for Rasonque to ~$2.4 billion. Additionally, the $47 billion valuation discounts much of a long-term pancreatic opportunity which the Evercore **** yst estimates Rasonque could generate about $15.1 billion in pancreatic-cancer sales by 2034. However, a few details complicate this math. First, the approved label applies strictly to second-line or multiagent-ineligible patients. The front-line indication represents the larger market opportunity but remains pending, meaning a notable portion of the TAM is not yet accessible. Second, RVMD's current valuation also sits well above the $28 billion–$32 billion takeover valuation reportedly discussed with Merck earlier this year. Bulls argue lung and colorectal trials justify the $47 billion beyond pancreatic cancer, though that pipeline potential remains unproven.
That matters because Revolution Medicines must now execute its first commercial launch independently in one of oncology's most challenging indications characterized by short survival, high patient frailty, and a U.S. list price of $39,800 for a 30-day supply. Commercialization will require heavy spending. The second-quarter net loss widened to $644 million, and full-year operating expense guidance increased to between $2.1 and $2.2 billion. While a $3.9 billion cash balance and up to $1.5 billion in committed royalty financing fund the launch, operational execution remains the primary risk.
Insiders were net sellers of roughly $21.5 million over the past 90 days with zero buying. Hedge fund data on the stock is flat. As per the Insider Monkey database, 105 funds held RVMD in the second quarter of 2026, modestly down from 106 in the first, indicating strong conviction among institutional investors. Short interest sits near 6% of float, representing a modest level of bets against the stock.
#first
5 days ago
This was a very disapponting loss. The score was 2-2, I went to take my dogs out real quick, came back and it was 2-6. Holderman was so great for us the first few months of the season, and has been an absolute mess as of late. I guess that's just how most relievers go.
The lineup was mostly lifeless today outside of an early 2 run HR from Angel Martinez. It's becoming harder and harder to justify leaving Ralphy Velazquez in AAA, he is clearly one of the 9 best hitters in the organization. This team needs a spark badly. They really could not afford to lose this series, hopefully they can salvage the sweep tomorrow.
The good news is the we have ace Parker Messick on the mound tomorrow against Seth Lugo, who has a 4.61 ERA this season. I don't want to say this game on August 30th is must win, but it is pretty darn close to being a must win game.
#season #harder #martinez #ralphy
The lineup was mostly lifeless today outside of an early 2 run HR from Angel Martinez. It's becoming harder and harder to justify leaving Ralphy Velazquez in AAA, he is clearly one of the 9 best hitters in the organization. This team needs a spark badly. They really could not afford to lose this series, hopefully they can salvage the sweep tomorrow.
The good news is the we have ace Parker Messick on the mound tomorrow against Seth Lugo, who has a 4.61 ERA this season. I don't want to say this game on August 30th is must win, but it is pretty darn close to being a must win game.
#season #harder #martinez #ralphy
6 days ago
The Miami Dolphins host the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night, closing out the 2026 Preseason schedule. The game may include a cameo appearance by the starters, but the stars of the night will be the roster bubble players. Will anyone crush it on the field tonight and force the coaches to keep them on the 53-man regular-season roster?
Several players on the roster bubble are worth watching throughout the game. Could they make an impact on offense or defense? Are they in a key special-teams role that hints at their making the roster? We take a look at some of the players to watch tonight.
Mulbah went undrafted out of West Virginia in 2025 and signed with the New York Jets. He did not make the roster out of the preseason and spent time on the practice squad during the year. He signed with the Dolphins at the start of August, and he has made an impact quickly. Mulbah has been a force in the middle of the line, especially against the run. He is not perfect and he has growth that still needs to happen, but with a strong performance against the Falcons, he could force Miami to keep him on the roster rather than risking having him claimed off waivers by another team.
I have gone back and forth on projecting Herman to make the roster, with him on the wrong side of the cut line in today's 53-man roster projection. He has been solid as a lead blocker, in pass protection, and as an outlet option in the passing game. A linebacker in college, Herman has made the adjustment to being a fullback and he is doing it well enough to force the Dolphins to at least consider using a roster spot to keep him. Tight end Ben Sims, who is listed as the first team fullback on the depth chart, has missed time and Herman has taken advantage of the opportunity. A strong performance on Friday, especially if he makes a special teams play, could land him on the right side of the cut line.
The numbers seem to be against Goode making the roster this year, but the 2022 seventh-round pick could change that tonight. Primarily a special teams player, if he can make an impact during the game, he might force his way onto the roster. He has been fine during training camp, but fine might not be good enough to justify a roster position. Stepping up tonight might be a requirement for Goode to stay with the team another year.
#roster #dolphins #make #herman
Several players on the roster bubble are worth watching throughout the game. Could they make an impact on offense or defense? Are they in a key special-teams role that hints at their making the roster? We take a look at some of the players to watch tonight.
Mulbah went undrafted out of West Virginia in 2025 and signed with the New York Jets. He did not make the roster out of the preseason and spent time on the practice squad during the year. He signed with the Dolphins at the start of August, and he has made an impact quickly. Mulbah has been a force in the middle of the line, especially against the run. He is not perfect and he has growth that still needs to happen, but with a strong performance against the Falcons, he could force Miami to keep him on the roster rather than risking having him claimed off waivers by another team.
I have gone back and forth on projecting Herman to make the roster, with him on the wrong side of the cut line in today's 53-man roster projection. He has been solid as a lead blocker, in pass protection, and as an outlet option in the passing game. A linebacker in college, Herman has made the adjustment to being a fullback and he is doing it well enough to force the Dolphins to at least consider using a roster spot to keep him. Tight end Ben Sims, who is listed as the first team fullback on the depth chart, has missed time and Herman has taken advantage of the opportunity. A strong performance on Friday, especially if he makes a special teams play, could land him on the right side of the cut line.
The numbers seem to be against Goode making the roster this year, but the 2022 seventh-round pick could change that tonight. Primarily a special teams player, if he can make an impact during the game, he might force his way onto the roster. He has been fine during training camp, but fine might not be good enough to justify a roster position. Stepping up tonight might be a requirement for Goode to stay with the team another year.
#roster #dolphins #make #herman
7 days ago
Toast, Inc. (NYSE:TOST) delivered strong second-quarter 2026 financial results, highlighted by raised full-year guidance across key profitability metrics. The restaurant management software provider raised its full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA outlook to $805 million–$825 million, up from its previous projection of $790 million–$810 million. Management also raised its guidance for recurring gross profit streams, defined as subscription services and financial technology solutions gross profit, to $2,325 million–$2,355 million (23%–25% year-over-year growth).
For Q2 2026, total revenue reached $1.90 billion, climbing 23% year-over-year, while total gross profit reached $516 million. GAAP net income rose sharply to $154 million ($0.26 per diluted share) from $80 million ($0.13 per share) in Q2 2025. Adjusted EBITDA reached $221 million, inclusive of a $10 million one-time benefit from tariff refunds, which management plans to reinvest into strategic growth initiatives. Operational expansion remained robust: Annualized Recurring Run-Rate (ARR) surged 25% year-over-year to $2.4 billion, supported by 22% growth in Gross Payment Volume (GPV) to $60.7 billion. The company added a record 9,500 net new locations in the quarter, bringing its global active footprint to approximately 180,000 locations.
This raises a core question: Does Toast, Inc. (NYSE:TOST)'s operational momentum and platform expansion justify a valuation premium, or will increasing market saturation and macroeconomic pressure on restaurant spending cap further upside?
Bulls emphasize Toast, Inc. (NYSE:TOST)'s industry-leading software adoption and expanding ecosystem. Following the Q2 report, on August 12, Truist raised its price target on Toast to $39 from $33 on August 12, maintaining a Buy rating. The firm noted higher recurring gross profit estimates driven by location net adds and rising subscription SaaS ARPU as new product launches ramp up. Operational tailwinds received another boost on August 10 when Adyen announced an expanded partnership with Toast into the U.S., supporting Toast's more than $215 billion in annual GPV across 180,000 locations and scaling its global processing capabilities.
Bears argue that persistent inflation and consumer spending fatigue could pressure restaurant transaction volumes, impacting Toast, Inc. (NYSE:TOST)'s payment processing revenues. While DA Davidson raised its price target to $34 from $30 on August 10 following the Q2 beat, the firm maintained a Neutral rating, pointing to a balanced risk-reward profile. Additionally, Toast's Q2 EPS of $0.26 came in below certain consensus estimates despite top-line beats, reflecting ongoing investments in international scaling, enterprise sales, and AI features like Toast IQ Grow. Free cash flow also slowed to $130 million in Q2 2026 from $208 million in the prior-year period.
#toast #gross #raised #billion
For Q2 2026, total revenue reached $1.90 billion, climbing 23% year-over-year, while total gross profit reached $516 million. GAAP net income rose sharply to $154 million ($0.26 per diluted share) from $80 million ($0.13 per share) in Q2 2025. Adjusted EBITDA reached $221 million, inclusive of a $10 million one-time benefit from tariff refunds, which management plans to reinvest into strategic growth initiatives. Operational expansion remained robust: Annualized Recurring Run-Rate (ARR) surged 25% year-over-year to $2.4 billion, supported by 22% growth in Gross Payment Volume (GPV) to $60.7 billion. The company added a record 9,500 net new locations in the quarter, bringing its global active footprint to approximately 180,000 locations.
This raises a core question: Does Toast, Inc. (NYSE:TOST)'s operational momentum and platform expansion justify a valuation premium, or will increasing market saturation and macroeconomic pressure on restaurant spending cap further upside?
Bulls emphasize Toast, Inc. (NYSE:TOST)'s industry-leading software adoption and expanding ecosystem. Following the Q2 report, on August 12, Truist raised its price target on Toast to $39 from $33 on August 12, maintaining a Buy rating. The firm noted higher recurring gross profit estimates driven by location net adds and rising subscription SaaS ARPU as new product launches ramp up. Operational tailwinds received another boost on August 10 when Adyen announced an expanded partnership with Toast into the U.S., supporting Toast's more than $215 billion in annual GPV across 180,000 locations and scaling its global processing capabilities.
Bears argue that persistent inflation and consumer spending fatigue could pressure restaurant transaction volumes, impacting Toast, Inc. (NYSE:TOST)'s payment processing revenues. While DA Davidson raised its price target to $34 from $30 on August 10 following the Q2 beat, the firm maintained a Neutral rating, pointing to a balanced risk-reward profile. Additionally, Toast's Q2 EPS of $0.26 came in below certain consensus estimates despite top-line beats, reflecting ongoing investments in international scaling, enterprise sales, and AI features like Toast IQ Grow. Free cash flow also slowed to $130 million in Q2 2026 from $208 million in the prior-year period.
#toast #gross #raised #billion
9 days ago
CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) is heading into its fiscal second-quarter earnings on Aug. 26 with expectations that are already extremely high. CrowdStrike's last quarter was strong almost everywhere that mattered. Revenue beat expectations, net new ARR accelerated, profitability improved, and management raised its full-year outlook. CRWD stock has climbed 63% year-to-date (YTD), outperforming the broader market. Nonetheless, it is no longer only a question of whether CrowdStrike will beat Wall Street's estimates in Q2. The cybersecurity company now needs to show that the momentum seen in Q1 will continue to justify its sky-high valuation.
CrowdStrike is a cybersecurity company. Its Falcon platform helps businesses protect computers, cloud systems, identities, data, and other technology from cyberattacks. It uses cloud-based security and AI to detect, prevent, and respond to threats. Here are three things investors need to watch in the Q2 report:
IonQ vs. Rigetti: The Better Quantum Computing Stock for Long-Term Investors
QQQ is Still in a Negative Gamma Regime. Here's How a 'Put Wall' and Fibonacci Support Could Come Into Play.
Stocks Set to Open Lower as Chipmakers Get Hit, Nvidia Earnings and Warsh's Jackson Hole Speech Awaited
#investors
CrowdStrike is a cybersecurity company. Its Falcon platform helps businesses protect computers, cloud systems, identities, data, and other technology from cyberattacks. It uses cloud-based security and AI to detect, prevent, and respond to threats. Here are three things investors need to watch in the Q2 report:
IonQ vs. Rigetti: The Better Quantum Computing Stock for Long-Term Investors
QQQ is Still in a Negative Gamma Regime. Here's How a 'Put Wall' and Fibonacci Support Could Come Into Play.
Stocks Set to Open Lower as Chipmakers Get Hit, Nvidia Earnings and Warsh's Jackson Hole Speech Awaited
#investors
9 days ago
The Cleveland Browns appear poised to make a difficult decision at quarterback, with Dillon Gabriel emerging as a potential casualty of a crowded position group. The former third-round pick faces an uncertain future as the team weighs its depth chart and prepares for the 2026 season.
Gabriel entered the NFL with significant expectations after Cleveland selected him in the third round of the 2025 draft. However, his standing within the organization has changed as competition has intensified, leaving him in a difficult position heading into final roster decisions.
Sep 14, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) drops back to pass during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
The biggest obstacle is the number of quarterbacks competing for limited roster spots. Gabriel has reportedly fallen behind Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, while rookie Taylen Green has added another young option to the equation, making it increasingly difficult for Cleveland to justify keeping everyone.
The situation became even more complicated after the Browns made their decision regarding the starting quarterback. With Watson positioned to receive the starting opportunity and Sanders also ahead of Gabriel, the former Oregon standout could find himself without a clear path to meaningful playing time in Cleveland.
#cleveland #Browns #dillon
Gabriel entered the NFL with significant expectations after Cleveland selected him in the third round of the 2025 draft. However, his standing within the organization has changed as competition has intensified, leaving him in a difficult position heading into final roster decisions.
Sep 14, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) drops back to pass during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
The biggest obstacle is the number of quarterbacks competing for limited roster spots. Gabriel has reportedly fallen behind Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, while rookie Taylen Green has added another young option to the equation, making it increasingly difficult for Cleveland to justify keeping everyone.
The situation became even more complicated after the Browns made their decision regarding the starting quarterback. With Watson positioned to receive the starting opportunity and Sanders also ahead of Gabriel, the former Oregon standout could find himself without a clear path to meaningful playing time in Cleveland.
#cleveland #Browns #dillon
9 days ago
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Editor's Note: The story has been refreshed with the latest market price action and a revised headline.
Anthropic's reported potential $2 trillion valuation would require investors to underwrite an extraordinary combination of growth and margin expansion, while also taking lessons from ***** e Exploration Technologies Corp.'s turbulent transition from private-market darling to public company, says Dr Chan Ahn, founder and CEO of Tessera PE and a former Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan executive.
The central question is whether the economics of Anthropic's business can justify the numbers that would make it one of the world's most valuable companies.
Dr. Chan Ahn says Anthropic would need roughly $725 billion in revenue by 2036 to justify a $2 trillion valuation, ***** uming a 10% cost of equity, a 25% free cash flow margin and a 25x terminal multiple. At a 13% discount rate, the revenue requirement rises to about $950 billion.
#billion
Editor's Note: The story has been refreshed with the latest market price action and a revised headline.
Anthropic's reported potential $2 trillion valuation would require investors to underwrite an extraordinary combination of growth and margin expansion, while also taking lessons from ***** e Exploration Technologies Corp.'s turbulent transition from private-market darling to public company, says Dr Chan Ahn, founder and CEO of Tessera PE and a former Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan executive.
The central question is whether the economics of Anthropic's business can justify the numbers that would make it one of the world's most valuable companies.
Dr. Chan Ahn says Anthropic would need roughly $725 billion in revenue by 2036 to justify a $2 trillion valuation, ***** uming a 10% cost of equity, a 25% free cash flow margin and a 25x terminal multiple. At a 13% discount rate, the revenue requirement rises to about $950 billion.
#billion
9 days ago
Dev Chaudhary has become one of the most talked-about names in this year's Delhi Premier League, though not for the reasons any young cricketer would hope for.
His position at the top of New Delhi Tigers' batting order has come under the scanner following a duck against South Delhi Superstarz on August 16.
Cricket fans have focussed heavily on Chaudhary's experience, his technique, and the decision to trust him with a powerplay opening role in a high-profile city tournament.
His batting stance has drawn particular attention, with some comparing elements of it to former Australia captain Steve Smith, another player known for an unorthodox setup at the crease.
But unlike Smith, whose unconventional style is backed by years of elite performance, critics have questioned whether Chaudhary has shown enough at the senior level to justify opening the innings in a tournament of this profile.
#league
His position at the top of New Delhi Tigers' batting order has come under the scanner following a duck against South Delhi Superstarz on August 16.
Cricket fans have focussed heavily on Chaudhary's experience, his technique, and the decision to trust him with a powerplay opening role in a high-profile city tournament.
His batting stance has drawn particular attention, with some comparing elements of it to former Australia captain Steve Smith, another player known for an unorthodox setup at the crease.
But unlike Smith, whose unconventional style is backed by years of elite performance, critics have questioned whether Chaudhary has shown enough at the senior level to justify opening the innings in a tournament of this profile.
#league
9 days ago
The beauty group's repricing rests on a profit plan it controls, while the low end of its new sales guidance is no faster than the year just ended.
Estee Lauder Companies (EL) stock rose 18.4% over the past week, while the S&P 500 slipped 1.4%. The jump came on Wednesday, when the beauty group reported its fiscal 2026 results and raised its profit margin outlook for fiscal 2027. That raise is what the week was about, and the profit behind it is being driven by overhead cost reductions and structural operational savings.
Beauty did not move as a block: Coty fell 3.9% over the same week, and e.l.f. Beauty's 11.5% gain is well short of Estee Lauder's 18.4%. The quarter itself beat, with fiscal Q4 2026 revenue of $3.6 billion, up 6% year over year and ahead of an ***** yst estimate of $3.54 billion. The forward sales plan moved less. Organic sales grew 3% in fiscal 2026, and management guided fiscal 2027 organic growth of 3% to 5%—meaning no acceleration at the low end.
Operating margin before restructuring charges reached 11.2% in fiscal 2026, up 320 basis points, and management now expects 12.7% to 13.5% in fiscal 2027, a further 150 to 230 basis points, with the top end above its own preliminary view a quarter earlier. A large part of that next step is SG&A rather than gross margin, according to CFO Akhil Shrivastava on the earnings call. The Profit Recovery and Growth Plan carried $823 million of ***** ulative charges in fiscal 2026, mostly employee-related, and it shows in the operation: media buying in most markets has moved to WPP, and freestanding M·A·C stores have closed where productivity per door did not justify them.
Cash from operations was $1.8 billion in fiscal 2026. For fiscal 2027 management guides $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion, a step down it attributes to higher restructuring payments and working capital, with debt paydown and the dividend first in line. So the margin the market just repriced is still being paid for. The company's net margin is 1.2%, better than its three-year average of -1.0%, and revenue has only just turned up after averaging -1.7% growth over three years. A company still paying for its own profitability is a different proposition from the Trefis High Quality Portfolio, which holds businesses that already grow, earn strong margins and generate cash.
#Growth
Estee Lauder Companies (EL) stock rose 18.4% over the past week, while the S&P 500 slipped 1.4%. The jump came on Wednesday, when the beauty group reported its fiscal 2026 results and raised its profit margin outlook for fiscal 2027. That raise is what the week was about, and the profit behind it is being driven by overhead cost reductions and structural operational savings.
Beauty did not move as a block: Coty fell 3.9% over the same week, and e.l.f. Beauty's 11.5% gain is well short of Estee Lauder's 18.4%. The quarter itself beat, with fiscal Q4 2026 revenue of $3.6 billion, up 6% year over year and ahead of an ***** yst estimate of $3.54 billion. The forward sales plan moved less. Organic sales grew 3% in fiscal 2026, and management guided fiscal 2027 organic growth of 3% to 5%—meaning no acceleration at the low end.
Operating margin before restructuring charges reached 11.2% in fiscal 2026, up 320 basis points, and management now expects 12.7% to 13.5% in fiscal 2027, a further 150 to 230 basis points, with the top end above its own preliminary view a quarter earlier. A large part of that next step is SG&A rather than gross margin, according to CFO Akhil Shrivastava on the earnings call. The Profit Recovery and Growth Plan carried $823 million of ***** ulative charges in fiscal 2026, mostly employee-related, and it shows in the operation: media buying in most markets has moved to WPP, and freestanding M·A·C stores have closed where productivity per door did not justify them.
Cash from operations was $1.8 billion in fiscal 2026. For fiscal 2027 management guides $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion, a step down it attributes to higher restructuring payments and working capital, with debt paydown and the dividend first in line. So the margin the market just repriced is still being paid for. The company's net margin is 1.2%, better than its three-year average of -1.0%, and revenue has only just turned up after averaging -1.7% growth over three years. A company still paying for its own profitability is a different proposition from the Trefis High Quality Portfolio, which holds businesses that already grow, earn strong margins and generate cash.
#Growth
10 days ago
Artificial intelligence (AI) stocks have skyrocketed in recent years, but that has created a double-edged sword for the broader market.
The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) have surged by around 82% and 100%, respectively, over the last three years alone, thanks in large part to the AI boom. But major indexes are becoming increasingly dominated by mega-cap tech stocks, and that concentration increases risk.
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 »
The 10 largest stocks in the U.S. account for around 40% of the S&P 500, and most of those stocks are betting big on AI. Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms have spent a combined $303 billion on data centers just in the first half of 2026, a figure that has tripled over the last five years.
While these companies argue that demand for AI will deliver returns that justify the spending, there's no guarantee that these build-outs will pay off. If they don't, it could threaten the entire stock market. Here's what Warren Buffett suggests investors do.
#signal
The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) have surged by around 82% and 100%, respectively, over the last three years alone, thanks in large part to the AI boom. But major indexes are becoming increasingly dominated by mega-cap tech stocks, and that concentration increases risk.
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 »
The 10 largest stocks in the U.S. account for around 40% of the S&P 500, and most of those stocks are betting big on AI. Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms have spent a combined $303 billion on data centers just in the first half of 2026, a figure that has tripled over the last five years.
While these companies argue that demand for AI will deliver returns that justify the spending, there's no guarantee that these build-outs will pay off. If they don't, it could threaten the entire stock market. Here's what Warren Buffett suggests investors do.
#signal
10 days ago
Barcelona have been on a striker hunt since the start of the summer transfer window, with the club focusing on getting Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.
However, Los Colchoneros have refused to negotiate with the Catalan club and have insisted that the 26-year-old is not for sale, especially to Barça.
Meanwhile, Barça have gone through various striker options like Joao Pedro, Eli Junior Kroupi, Luis Suarez, Lautaro Martinez and Viktor Gyokeres, among other names.
Now, according to Cadena SER, Barça have made a firm decision over their striker search: if Julian Alvarez cannot be signed, the club will not bring in another centre-forward this summer.
The Catalans have reviewed the market and concluded that none of the available alternatives justify moving away from their priority target.
#club #alvarez
However, Los Colchoneros have refused to negotiate with the Catalan club and have insisted that the 26-year-old is not for sale, especially to Barça.
Meanwhile, Barça have gone through various striker options like Joao Pedro, Eli Junior Kroupi, Luis Suarez, Lautaro Martinez and Viktor Gyokeres, among other names.
Now, according to Cadena SER, Barça have made a firm decision over their striker search: if Julian Alvarez cannot be signed, the club will not bring in another centre-forward this summer.
The Catalans have reviewed the market and concluded that none of the available alternatives justify moving away from their priority target.
#club #alvarez
12 days ago
Bengaluru: India's Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar, Auqib Nabi and Sarfaraz Khan, who are all in Sri Lanka for the ongoing Test series, are proof that selectors don't deny consistent domestic performers. India's domestic cricketers can draw inspiration from such journeys as they head into the Duleep Trophy, the curtain-raiser for the domestic season, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence from Sunday onwards.
The spotlight will be on 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Bihar boy has already made his T20 debut after a stunning IPL 2026 season. There have been questions about whether the big-hitting batter has the patience and composure to play in the longer format. His 207 runs in eight first-class matches do not justify his skill set. At this juncture, the upcoming domestic seasons in red-ball cricket ******* ume greater significance.
#Bengaluru #auqib
The spotlight will be on 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Bihar boy has already made his T20 debut after a stunning IPL 2026 season. There have been questions about whether the big-hitting batter has the patience and composure to play in the longer format. His 207 runs in eight first-class matches do not justify his skill set. At this juncture, the upcoming domestic seasons in red-ball cricket ******* ume greater significance.
#Bengaluru #auqib
12 days ago
Manchester United are interested in signing the Shakhtar Donetsk striker Kaua Elias.
According to reports from Spain, Manchester United have been scouting the 20-year-old Brazilian striker, and their scouts have submitted positive reports. Elias' representatives are already aware of the Premier League club's interest, and the player would cost around £30 million.
They have been watching him closely, and it remains to be seen whether they submit an offer to sign him. The striker has a contract with the Ukrainian club until December 2029. Manchester United will have to pay the asking price if they want to get the deal done.
The striker scored 11 goals for the Ukrainian club last season and he is on the radar of Premier League rivals ******* nal as well. The Gunners have been monitoring his progress, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to compete with Manchester United for his signature.
The Red Devils certainly have the financial muscle to get the deal across the line. Even though the £30 million valuation seems high right now, the player has the potential to justify the investment in the long term.
#manchester #player
According to reports from Spain, Manchester United have been scouting the 20-year-old Brazilian striker, and their scouts have submitted positive reports. Elias' representatives are already aware of the Premier League club's interest, and the player would cost around £30 million.
They have been watching him closely, and it remains to be seen whether they submit an offer to sign him. The striker has a contract with the Ukrainian club until December 2029. Manchester United will have to pay the asking price if they want to get the deal done.
The striker scored 11 goals for the Ukrainian club last season and he is on the radar of Premier League rivals ******* nal as well. The Gunners have been monitoring his progress, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to compete with Manchester United for his signature.
The Red Devils certainly have the financial muscle to get the deal across the line. Even though the £30 million valuation seems high right now, the player has the potential to justify the investment in the long term.
#manchester #player
12 days ago
On August 13, Ascendis Pharma (NASDAQ:ASND) reported second-quarter results that showed how far its rare disease portfolio has come. Total product revenue roughly doubled from a year earlier to €315 million, and for the first time all three of the company's approved TransCon therapies, SKYTROFA, YORVIPATH and YUVIWEL, were contributing meaningful sales in the same quarter. That combination is what management is leaning on to justify its 2030 revenue ambitions.
YORVIPATH, the hypoparathyroidism treatment, generated €252 million in the quarter and crossed blockbuster level on an annualized basis just two years after its U.S. launch, while reaching patients in more than 35 countries through either commercial sales or named patient access programs. Long-term trial data presented during the quarter showed response rates sustained between 82% and 86% on the combined endpoint, with patients still on therapy at a 95% rate five years after starting.
SKYTROFA, the once-weekly growth hormone therapy, crossed 20,000 unique patient enrollments and remains the best-selling long-acting growth hormone in the US as measured by brand value, contributing €55 million for the quarter. YUVIWEL, the newest of the three, launched commercially in the US during the quarter and brought in €8 million in its first quarter on the market. Enrollment kept climbing after the quarter closed, from more than 170 unique patients through June 30 to more than 220 by the end of July, with more than 65% of those patients already approved for reimbursement. Ascendis also ended the quarter with €812 million in cash and carries no bank debt or convertible debt, giving it room to keep funding these launches without outside financing.
The growth came with a steeper cost base. SG&A expenses rose to €173 million in the quarter from €145 million in the prior quarter, and R&D expenses climbed to €76 million from €59 million, a comparison made sharper by the fact that the prior quarter's figure had been reduced by a one-time €11 million reversal of earlier inventory write-downs. Reported operating profit of €220 million also leaned heavily on a one-time item, a €158 million gain tied to the sale of a PRV. Strip that out and non-IFRS operating profit was €92 million, a 27% margin that better reflects the underlying business. Total revenue of €339 million for the quarter also included €24 million of non-product collaboration revenue, including a €17 million milestone payment tied to TransCon CNP, money that will not repeat every quarter. And while YUVIWEL's early numbers are strong, formal regulatory decisions for the drug in the U.S. and European Union are not expected until the fourth quarter of 2026, meaning current sales are happening ahead of full approval.
#patients #time #transcon
YORVIPATH, the hypoparathyroidism treatment, generated €252 million in the quarter and crossed blockbuster level on an annualized basis just two years after its U.S. launch, while reaching patients in more than 35 countries through either commercial sales or named patient access programs. Long-term trial data presented during the quarter showed response rates sustained between 82% and 86% on the combined endpoint, with patients still on therapy at a 95% rate five years after starting.
SKYTROFA, the once-weekly growth hormone therapy, crossed 20,000 unique patient enrollments and remains the best-selling long-acting growth hormone in the US as measured by brand value, contributing €55 million for the quarter. YUVIWEL, the newest of the three, launched commercially in the US during the quarter and brought in €8 million in its first quarter on the market. Enrollment kept climbing after the quarter closed, from more than 170 unique patients through June 30 to more than 220 by the end of July, with more than 65% of those patients already approved for reimbursement. Ascendis also ended the quarter with €812 million in cash and carries no bank debt or convertible debt, giving it room to keep funding these launches without outside financing.
The growth came with a steeper cost base. SG&A expenses rose to €173 million in the quarter from €145 million in the prior quarter, and R&D expenses climbed to €76 million from €59 million, a comparison made sharper by the fact that the prior quarter's figure had been reduced by a one-time €11 million reversal of earlier inventory write-downs. Reported operating profit of €220 million also leaned heavily on a one-time item, a €158 million gain tied to the sale of a PRV. Strip that out and non-IFRS operating profit was €92 million, a 27% margin that better reflects the underlying business. Total revenue of €339 million for the quarter also included €24 million of non-product collaboration revenue, including a €17 million milestone payment tied to TransCon CNP, money that will not repeat every quarter. And while YUVIWEL's early numbers are strong, formal regulatory decisions for the drug in the U.S. and European Union are not expected until the fourth quarter of 2026, meaning current sales are happening ahead of full approval.
#patients #time #transcon
12 days ago
On August 10, Jefferies downgraded Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to underperform from hold, cutting its price target to $263.66 from $285.56, implying roughly a 16% downside from Friday's close of $313.33. ******* yst Edison Lee said supply chain checks show Apple has canceled its planned all-glass 20th-anniversary iPhone, expected to launch in September 2027, due to poor production yield. Jefferies also trimmed its fiscal 2028 earnings forecast by 2.1%. Shares fell about 1.3% to 1.5% on the news.
Jefferies says Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has quietly canceled its marquee anniversary iPhone just as component costs are spiking industry-wide. That adds to a growing pile of Wall Street skepticism and raises a real question: is this the start of genuine cracks in Apple's pricing power, or just one bearish call against a stock still up double digits this year?
As of August 7, Apple is still up over 15% year-to-date, and the vast majority of Wall Street remains bullish, with 30 of 47 covering ******* ysts rating the stock buy or strong buy. The foldable iPhone debuting next month is Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s biggest hardware redesign ever and gives the company a genuine new premium price anchor even with the all-glass model shelved. Despite an industry-wide memory shortage pushing prices higher across the smartphone market, Apple's brand loyalty gives it real room to pass through modest increases. Yahoo Finance tech editor Dan Howley noted that a roughly $100 price ******* p, spread across a phone's life and paid monthly, may not be enough to meaningfully change how people buy.
Six ******* ysts now carry sell-equivalent ratings on Apple, tying the highest count since 2012, and the stock's consensus recommendation of 3.88 out of 5 is its lowest since 2019. Fewer than 60% of ******* ysts recommend buying, well below megacap peers Microsoft, Amazon, and Nvidia, which are all backed by more than 90% of covering ******* ysts.
Jefferies argues the canceled all-glass model shows that "introducing new form factors" to justify higher prices is "more difficult than expected." The foldable iPhone is now the only near-term booster of higher prices. However, surging memory costs could push its starting price above $2,000, which Jefferies itself warns could make it a niche product with limited sales impact. This follows an earlier disappointment too: a soft sales forecast linked to component shortages already knocked the stock about 8% off its recent peak.
#NASDAQ
Jefferies says Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has quietly canceled its marquee anniversary iPhone just as component costs are spiking industry-wide. That adds to a growing pile of Wall Street skepticism and raises a real question: is this the start of genuine cracks in Apple's pricing power, or just one bearish call against a stock still up double digits this year?
As of August 7, Apple is still up over 15% year-to-date, and the vast majority of Wall Street remains bullish, with 30 of 47 covering ******* ysts rating the stock buy or strong buy. The foldable iPhone debuting next month is Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s biggest hardware redesign ever and gives the company a genuine new premium price anchor even with the all-glass model shelved. Despite an industry-wide memory shortage pushing prices higher across the smartphone market, Apple's brand loyalty gives it real room to pass through modest increases. Yahoo Finance tech editor Dan Howley noted that a roughly $100 price ******* p, spread across a phone's life and paid monthly, may not be enough to meaningfully change how people buy.
Six ******* ysts now carry sell-equivalent ratings on Apple, tying the highest count since 2012, and the stock's consensus recommendation of 3.88 out of 5 is its lowest since 2019. Fewer than 60% of ******* ysts recommend buying, well below megacap peers Microsoft, Amazon, and Nvidia, which are all backed by more than 90% of covering ******* ysts.
Jefferies argues the canceled all-glass model shows that "introducing new form factors" to justify higher prices is "more difficult than expected." The foldable iPhone is now the only near-term booster of higher prices. However, surging memory costs could push its starting price above $2,000, which Jefferies itself warns could make it a niche product with limited sales impact. This follows an earlier disappointment too: a soft sales forecast linked to component shortages already knocked the stock about 8% off its recent peak.
#NASDAQ
14 days ago
Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ:AVGO) stock is down roughly 20% from its all-time highs in June, a pullback driven by a mix of lofty AI expectations, a high valuation multiple, broader market pressures, the Mediatek-driven narrative, and more recently, Marvell Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL). Despite the drop, TD Cowen ***** yst Joshua Buchalter recently reiterated a Buy rating on the stock with a $500.00 price target.
TD Cowen remains confident in Broadcom's trajectory ahead of the print, and the numbers justify the optimism. Q2 2026 saw semiconductor revenue from AI of $10.8 billion growing 143% year-over-year, above the company's forecast, backed by increasing demand for custom AI accelerators and AI networking.
The company forecasts semiconductor revenue from AI to grow over 200 percent year-over-year to $16.0 billion. Its massive $30 billion in AI semiconductor bookings is also a reflection of the intense demand for their AI solutions.
Management has reiterated its line of sight to more than $100 billion of fiscal 2027 AI semiconductor revenue, a figure that could see material upside if the roughly 10GW opportunity is deployed. This implies that even the $100b could prove conservative.
The firm is also particularly confident about the trajectory of TPU, backed by Google's capital expenditure commentary. Back in April, the company signed a long-term agreement with Google to develop and supply future generations of custom artificial intelligence chips and components for its next-generation AI racks through 2031.
#billion #year #cowen #recently
TD Cowen remains confident in Broadcom's trajectory ahead of the print, and the numbers justify the optimism. Q2 2026 saw semiconductor revenue from AI of $10.8 billion growing 143% year-over-year, above the company's forecast, backed by increasing demand for custom AI accelerators and AI networking.
The company forecasts semiconductor revenue from AI to grow over 200 percent year-over-year to $16.0 billion. Its massive $30 billion in AI semiconductor bookings is also a reflection of the intense demand for their AI solutions.
Management has reiterated its line of sight to more than $100 billion of fiscal 2027 AI semiconductor revenue, a figure that could see material upside if the roughly 10GW opportunity is deployed. This implies that even the $100b could prove conservative.
The firm is also particularly confident about the trajectory of TPU, backed by Google's capital expenditure commentary. Back in April, the company signed a long-term agreement with Google to develop and supply future generations of custom artificial intelligence chips and components for its next-generation AI racks through 2031.
#billion #year #cowen #recently
14 days ago
Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) is the most valuable healthcare stock on the U.S. markets, with a valuation north of $1.1 trillion. **** e Exploration Technologies Corp (NASDAQ: SPCX), also known as **** eX, is worth significantly more at $1.8 trillion.
There is, however, a substantial disconnect in value. Eli Lilly's strong growth, financials, and dominance in the GLP-1 **** e justify the stock's rising value over the years. **** eX, however, is fueled mainly by hype and long-term expectations. The overall business is deeply unprofitable.
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 »
The stocks could be heading in different directions from here on out. Could Eli Lilly become more valuable than **** eX by the end of 2026?
Although **** eX stock has only been trading publicly for a couple of months, it's already been highly volatile. It's bounced off lows of around $104 that it hit a few weeks ago, when the panic around its lockup expiration appeared to rattle the **** e stock. But with the company still generating significant losses and its cash burn potentially accelerating in future periods, another disappointing quarter later in the year could send it back into a free fall. Plus, there may still be a wave of insider selling that drags the stock lower. That may happen, particularly if the markets appear shaky later on.
#lilly #flashing #markets
There is, however, a substantial disconnect in value. Eli Lilly's strong growth, financials, and dominance in the GLP-1 **** e justify the stock's rising value over the years. **** eX, however, is fueled mainly by hype and long-term expectations. The overall business is deeply unprofitable.
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 »
The stocks could be heading in different directions from here on out. Could Eli Lilly become more valuable than **** eX by the end of 2026?
Although **** eX stock has only been trading publicly for a couple of months, it's already been highly volatile. It's bounced off lows of around $104 that it hit a few weeks ago, when the panic around its lockup expiration appeared to rattle the **** e stock. But with the company still generating significant losses and its cash burn potentially accelerating in future periods, another disappointing quarter later in the year could send it back into a free fall. Plus, there may still be a wave of insider selling that drags the stock lower. That may happen, particularly if the markets appear shaky later on.
#lilly #flashing #markets
