3 hours ago
July 29 (Reuters) - Humana on Wednesday beat Wall Street estimates for second-quarter earnings as the health insurer's spend on medical services was in line with expectations, but it left its annual adjusted profit forecast unchanged.
Shares of the company were down about 9% in premarket trading.
Humana is one of the largest providers of Medicare Advantage plans serving people aged 65 and older as well as people with disabilities.
Investors have been raising their expectations for insurers, after others including larger peer UnitedHealth raised its outlook and have done a better job at controlling costs.
Once a key source of profit growth for insurers, these privately managed Medicare Advantage plans have come under pressure from rising medical costs for three years as well as tighter reimbursement rates, leading some insurers to scale back or exit underperforming markets.
#humana
Shares of the company were down about 9% in premarket trading.
Humana is one of the largest providers of Medicare Advantage plans serving people aged 65 and older as well as people with disabilities.
Investors have been raising their expectations for insurers, after others including larger peer UnitedHealth raised its outlook and have done a better job at controlling costs.
Once a key source of profit growth for insurers, these privately managed Medicare Advantage plans have come under pressure from rising medical costs for three years as well as tighter reimbursement rates, leading some insurers to scale back or exit underperforming markets.
#humana
3 hours ago
By Laura Matthews
NEW YORK, July 29 (Reuters) - Options traders expect a roughly $190 billion swing in Microsoft's market value after it reports earnings on Wednesday, an unusually large move that underscores investors' growing eagerness to see if billions of dollars in AI spending are beginning to pay off.
The tech company's options imply a move of about 6.6% in either direction after the company reports fourth-quarter results. By comparison, over the last 12 earnings cycles, Microsoft has averaged a 4.8% implied move and a 4.4% actual move, Option Research & Technology Services (ORATS) data showed.
The significantly higher pricing this quarter suggests that investors view Microsoft — one of the hyperscalers whose massive AI capital spending is at the heart of this year's AI rally and the broader bull market — as central to the AI earnings story.
With the AI trade now faltering, investors who flocked to technology stocks are growing wary of ever-rising costs.
#options #market #spending
NEW YORK, July 29 (Reuters) - Options traders expect a roughly $190 billion swing in Microsoft's market value after it reports earnings on Wednesday, an unusually large move that underscores investors' growing eagerness to see if billions of dollars in AI spending are beginning to pay off.
The tech company's options imply a move of about 6.6% in either direction after the company reports fourth-quarter results. By comparison, over the last 12 earnings cycles, Microsoft has averaged a 4.8% implied move and a 4.4% actual move, Option Research & Technology Services (ORATS) data showed.
The significantly higher pricing this quarter suggests that investors view Microsoft — one of the hyperscalers whose massive AI capital spending is at the heart of this year's AI rally and the broader bull market — as central to the AI earnings story.
With the AI trade now faltering, investors who flocked to technology stocks are growing wary of ever-rising costs.
#options #market #spending
3 hours ago
By Mike Dolan
July 29 (Reuters) -
What matters in U.S. and global markets today
By Mike Dolan, Editor-at-Large, Finance and Markets
In a clear illustration of just how high the bar is for Big Tech to impress markets, South Korean chip giant SK Hynix plunged again as a record six-fold jump in quarterly profits missed forecasts early on Wednesday.
#july
July 29 (Reuters) -
What matters in U.S. and global markets today
By Mike Dolan, Editor-at-Large, Finance and Markets
In a clear illustration of just how high the bar is for Big Tech to impress markets, South Korean chip giant SK Hynix plunged again as a record six-fold jump in quarterly profits missed forecasts early on Wednesday.
#july
3 hours ago
September S&P 500 E-Mini futures (ESU26) are up +0.24%, and September Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures (NQU26) are up +0.32% this morning as a selloff in chipmakers abated, while investors awaited earnings from two of the world's largest AI spenders and the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.
Chip and AI infrastructure stocks edged higher in pre-market trading, stabilizing after days of selling. Providing some relief was data storage company Seagate Technology Holdings (STX), which climbed over +5% in pre-market trading after posting blowout FQ4 results and issuing FQ1 guidance that smashed Wall Street's estimates. Also, SK Hynix executives said on the earnings call that strong memory-chip demand could persist for years, although shares of the memory chip giant tumbled more than -9% in Seoul as its 13-fold surge in quarterly net profit failed to impress investors.
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Broadcom Leads 3 AI Stocks Quietly Raising Their Dividends, One by 161%
#earnings #futures #selloff #investors
Chip and AI infrastructure stocks edged higher in pre-market trading, stabilizing after days of selling. Providing some relief was data storage company Seagate Technology Holdings (STX), which climbed over +5% in pre-market trading after posting blowout FQ4 results and issuing FQ1 guidance that smashed Wall Street's estimates. Also, SK Hynix executives said on the earnings call that strong memory-chip demand could persist for years, although shares of the memory chip giant tumbled more than -9% in Seoul as its 13-fold surge in quarterly net profit failed to impress investors.
Nasdaq Futures Plunge as Chip Selloff Rages On, FOMC Meeting and Earnings on Tap
Ahead of Microsoft Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for MSFT Stock
Broadcom Leads 3 AI Stocks Quietly Raising Their Dividends, One by 161%
#earnings #futures #selloff #investors
4 hours ago
With a market cap of $267.1 billion, Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) is one of the largest diversified financial services companies in the United States, providing a broad range of banking, lending, investment, wealth management, and financial services to consumers, businesses, and institutions. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, the bank serves millions of customers through branches, ATMs, digital banking platforms, and commercial banking offices across the U.S.
Wells Fargo has struggled to keep pace with the broader market. Its stock has risen 4.6% over the past 52 weeks and has declined 6.8% on a YTD basis. In comparison, the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has returned 16.3% over the past year and risen 8.5% in 2026.
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Ahead of Microsoft Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for MSFT Stock
Broadcom Leads 3 AI Stocks Quietly Raising Their Dividends, One by 161%
#banking #wells #Stock #Services
Wells Fargo has struggled to keep pace with the broader market. Its stock has risen 4.6% over the past 52 weeks and has declined 6.8% on a YTD basis. In comparison, the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has returned 16.3% over the past year and risen 8.5% in 2026.
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Ahead of Microsoft Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for MSFT Stock
Broadcom Leads 3 AI Stocks Quietly Raising Their Dividends, One by 161%
#banking #wells #Stock #Services
4 hours ago
Shares of ASML (NASDAQ: ASML) fell after technology publication The Information reported this week that an unnamed Chinese company backed by the Chinese government has begun manufacturing its own chip-making equipment. However, investors shouldn't be worried, as this is unlikely to hurt ASML's fortunes any time soon.
The machines reportedly being made in China are deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines. This is an older technology used to manufacture older chips and the less critical components of advanced chips. DUV machines are also used to manufacture ordinary DRAM and flash memory. While ASML is a top supplier of DUV machines by a wide margin, it is not the only company that makes these machines. ***** anese companies Nikon and Canon also supply them.
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 »
What separates ASML from the pack, though, is that it is the only company in the world with EUV (extreme ultraviolet lithography) technology, which is needed to make advanced logic chips and is also used to make high-bandwidth memory (HBM). These are extremely complex machines, and competitors outside China have largely given up trying to replicate the technology. These are also the machines that drive ASML's growth. EUV machines can cost more than $220 million apiece, while DUV machines can cost as little as $5 million, with higher-end advanced immersion DUV machines running closer to $90 million.
While a loss of DUV sales to China could impact ASML's revenue, the region now accounts for a smaller share of its overall revenue. The company is restricted from selling EUV and advanced DUV machines to China and is only allowed to sell older-technology systems to Chinese companies. As such, only about 14% of its sales came from the country last quarter. Meanwhile, there was already a bill in Congress set to prevent ASML from selling or servicing machines for the first three Chinese companies expected to receive these homegrown DUV machines, so this revenue was likely to be cut off regardless.
#machines #company
The machines reportedly being made in China are deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines. This is an older technology used to manufacture older chips and the less critical components of advanced chips. DUV machines are also used to manufacture ordinary DRAM and flash memory. While ASML is a top supplier of DUV machines by a wide margin, it is not the only company that makes these machines. ***** anese companies Nikon and Canon also supply them.
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 »
What separates ASML from the pack, though, is that it is the only company in the world with EUV (extreme ultraviolet lithography) technology, which is needed to make advanced logic chips and is also used to make high-bandwidth memory (HBM). These are extremely complex machines, and competitors outside China have largely given up trying to replicate the technology. These are also the machines that drive ASML's growth. EUV machines can cost more than $220 million apiece, while DUV machines can cost as little as $5 million, with higher-end advanced immersion DUV machines running closer to $90 million.
While a loss of DUV sales to China could impact ASML's revenue, the region now accounts for a smaller share of its overall revenue. The company is restricted from selling EUV and advanced DUV machines to China and is only allowed to sell older-technology systems to Chinese companies. As such, only about 14% of its sales came from the country last quarter. Meanwhile, there was already a bill in Congress set to prevent ASML from selling or servicing machines for the first three Chinese companies expected to receive these homegrown DUV machines, so this revenue was likely to be cut off regardless.
#machines #company
4 hours ago
Chevron Corporation (CVX) is one of the world's largest integrated energy companies, engaged in the exploration, production, refining, transportation, and marketing of oil, natural gas, and refined petroleum products. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company operates in more than 180 countries and currently has a market cap of $378.4 billion.
Chevron has enjoyed a strong run, riding the energy sector's resurgence to outperform the broader market. CVX stock has soared 20% over the past year, surpassing the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX), which has rallied 16.5%. Moreover, shares of the company are up 23.1% on a YTD basis, compared to SPX's 8.5% gain.
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#energy
Chevron has enjoyed a strong run, riding the energy sector's resurgence to outperform the broader market. CVX stock has soared 20% over the past year, surpassing the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX), which has rallied 16.5%. Moreover, shares of the company are up 23.1% on a YTD basis, compared to SPX's 8.5% gain.
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Ahead of Microsoft Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for MSFT Stock
Broadcom Leads 3 AI Stocks Quietly Raising Their Dividends, One by 161%
#energy
4 hours ago
Summit, New Jersey-based Kenvue Inc. (KVUE) is the world's largest pure-play consumer health company. With a market cap of $37.4 billion, the company develops, manufactures, and markets a broad portfolio of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, skincare, oral care, baby care, and other personal health products that are sold in more than 165 countries.
KVUE stock has declined 11.7% over the past 52 weeks and has grown 14.5% on a YTD basis. In comparison, the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has returned 16.3% over the past year and risen 8.5% in 2026.
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Ahead of Microsoft Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for MSFT Stock
Broadcom Leads 3 AI Stocks Quietly Raising Their Dividends, One by 161%
#company #jersey #kenvue
KVUE stock has declined 11.7% over the past 52 weeks and has grown 14.5% on a YTD basis. In comparison, the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has returned 16.3% over the past year and risen 8.5% in 2026.
Nasdaq Futures Plunge as Chip Selloff Rages On, FOMC Meeting and Earnings on Tap
Ahead of Microsoft Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for MSFT Stock
Broadcom Leads 3 AI Stocks Quietly Raising Their Dividends, One by 161%
#company #jersey #kenvue
4 hours ago
Boasting a market capitalization of $1.5 trillion, Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) is a global technology company focused on connecting people through social media, messaging, digital advertising, and immersive technologies. Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Meta owns some of the world's largest digital platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads, serving billions of monthly active users worldwide.
Investor enthusiasm for Meta has cooled considerably over the past year. Its shares have fallen 17.3%, compared to the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 16.3% surge. The weakness has persisted in 2026, with the stock dipping 10.1%, lagging behind the SPX's 8.5% rise as well.
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Ahead of Microsoft Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for MSFT Stock
Broadcom Leads 3 AI Stocks Quietly Raising Their Dividends, One by 161%
#earnings #platforms #headquartered #park
Investor enthusiasm for Meta has cooled considerably over the past year. Its shares have fallen 17.3%, compared to the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 16.3% surge. The weakness has persisted in 2026, with the stock dipping 10.1%, lagging behind the SPX's 8.5% rise as well.
Nasdaq Futures Plunge as Chip Selloff Rages On, FOMC Meeting and Earnings on Tap
Ahead of Microsoft Earnings, Here's What Barchart Data Says Comes Next for MSFT Stock
Broadcom Leads 3 AI Stocks Quietly Raising Their Dividends, One by 161%
#earnings #platforms #headquartered #park
4 hours ago
The biopharma sector is in the middle of a transformation in which macroeconomic pressures and policy developments actively dictate corporate dealmaking. As leading pharmaceutical companies prepare for a $300 billion patent cliff in the second half of the decade, capital allocation has switched sharply toward restocking commercial pipelines with low-risk, high-conviction clinical ******* ets. At the same time, implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act has changed the relative attractiveness of drug options. Since small-molecule drugs are subject to government price negotiations earlier in their lifecycle compared to large-molecule biologics, commercial buyers are shifting premium valuations to large-molecule immunology platforms.
Against this macro context, argenx SE (NASDAQ:ARGX) entered a definitive all-cash agreement on July 27 to acquire clinical-stage biotech Forte Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBRX) for $77 per share, valuing the company at over $2.2 billion. At first glance, the $77 offer represents a 40% premium to Forte's closing price prior to the announcement. However, the underlying deal economics demonstrate argenx's readiness to pay a premium for clinical validation: when compared to Forte's volume-weighted average pricing following its successful Phase 1b vitiligo readout on July 9, the purchase price represents an 86% premium.
The target ******* et, Forte's FB102, is a first-in-class anti-CD122 antibody that has shown clinical efficacy in vitiligo and celiac disease. In a 24-week experiment, FB102 showed a significant 29.6% mean improvement on the Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index, separating from placebo by day 64.
Argenx's ability to carry out a $2.2 billion cash deal stems from its strong financial condition. The company's Q1 2026 financial report showed global product net sales of $1.3 billion, a 63% increase year-over-year, as well as a quarterly net profit of $366 million and a strong balance sheet with $4.9 billion in cash and financial ******* ets. This commercial momentum is almost exclusively driven by Vyvgart, the company's blockbuster FcRn-blocking medication, which is now seeing its 17th straight quarter of growth.
That said, the explosive top-line trajectory poses a major concentration risk. According to CEO Karen Massey's "Vision 2030" framework, which targets 50,000 patients and ten designated indications worldwide, argenx SE (NASDAQ:ARGX) needs a supplementary second leg in immunology. FB102 offers that diversification by delivering a unique CD122 mechanism into unserved autoimmune indications without jeopardizing its core FcRn business.
#premium #price
Against this macro context, argenx SE (NASDAQ:ARGX) entered a definitive all-cash agreement on July 27 to acquire clinical-stage biotech Forte Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBRX) for $77 per share, valuing the company at over $2.2 billion. At first glance, the $77 offer represents a 40% premium to Forte's closing price prior to the announcement. However, the underlying deal economics demonstrate argenx's readiness to pay a premium for clinical validation: when compared to Forte's volume-weighted average pricing following its successful Phase 1b vitiligo readout on July 9, the purchase price represents an 86% premium.
The target ******* et, Forte's FB102, is a first-in-class anti-CD122 antibody that has shown clinical efficacy in vitiligo and celiac disease. In a 24-week experiment, FB102 showed a significant 29.6% mean improvement on the Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index, separating from placebo by day 64.
Argenx's ability to carry out a $2.2 billion cash deal stems from its strong financial condition. The company's Q1 2026 financial report showed global product net sales of $1.3 billion, a 63% increase year-over-year, as well as a quarterly net profit of $366 million and a strong balance sheet with $4.9 billion in cash and financial ******* ets. This commercial momentum is almost exclusively driven by Vyvgart, the company's blockbuster FcRn-blocking medication, which is now seeing its 17th straight quarter of growth.
That said, the explosive top-line trajectory poses a major concentration risk. According to CEO Karen Massey's "Vision 2030" framework, which targets 50,000 patients and ten designated indications worldwide, argenx SE (NASDAQ:ARGX) needs a supplementary second leg in immunology. FB102 offers that diversification by delivering a unique CD122 mechanism into unserved autoimmune indications without jeopardizing its core FcRn business.
#premium #price
5 hours ago
Jersey Mike's (JMKE) made its public debut on Thursday at $21 per share, and investors were eager to get a bite of the sandwich chain.
The company, backed by Blackstone Inc. (BX) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, offered more than 43 million shares. It opened just below its initial public offering (IPO) price of $23, raising $913 million and valuing the company at $7.3 billion. It is now officially listed under the ticker symbol "JMKE" on the New York Stock Exchange.
Blackstone took a majority stake in the chain in November of 2024 and soon after tapped industry veteran and former WingStop (WING) CEO Charlie Morrison to lead the company.
This public debut, which is one of the largest in the restaurant industry, marks the next chapter for the Point Pleasant, New Jersey-based chain, but the business is already booming.
According to the regulatory filing, Jersey Mike's same-store sales grew by 50% between 2020 and 2025. In 2025, systemwide sales increased 13% year over year to reach $4.3 billion.
#blackstone #debut
The company, backed by Blackstone Inc. (BX) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, offered more than 43 million shares. It opened just below its initial public offering (IPO) price of $23, raising $913 million and valuing the company at $7.3 billion. It is now officially listed under the ticker symbol "JMKE" on the New York Stock Exchange.
Blackstone took a majority stake in the chain in November of 2024 and soon after tapped industry veteran and former WingStop (WING) CEO Charlie Morrison to lead the company.
This public debut, which is one of the largest in the restaurant industry, marks the next chapter for the Point Pleasant, New Jersey-based chain, but the business is already booming.
According to the regulatory filing, Jersey Mike's same-store sales grew by 50% between 2020 and 2025. In 2025, systemwide sales increased 13% year over year to reach $4.3 billion.
#blackstone #debut
5 hours ago
Jersey Mike's (JMKE) made its public debut on Thursday at $21 per share, and investors were eager to get a bite of the sandwich chain.
The company, backed by Blackstone Inc. (BX) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, offered more than 43 million shares. It opened just below its initial public offering (IPO) price of $23, raising $913 million and valuing the company at $7.3 billion. It is now officially listed under the ticker symbol "JMKE" on the New York Stock Exchange.
Blackstone took a majority stake in the chain in November of 2024 and soon after tapped industry veteran and former WingStop (WING) CEO Charlie Morrison to lead the company.
This public debut, which is one of the largest in the restaurant industry, marks the next chapter for the Point Pleasant, New Jersey-based chain, but the business is already booming.
According to the regulatory filing, Jersey Mike's same-store sales grew by 50% between 2020 and 2025. In 2025, systemwide sales increased 13% year over year to reach $4.3 billion.
#chain #company #billion #industry
The company, backed by Blackstone Inc. (BX) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, offered more than 43 million shares. It opened just below its initial public offering (IPO) price of $23, raising $913 million and valuing the company at $7.3 billion. It is now officially listed under the ticker symbol "JMKE" on the New York Stock Exchange.
Blackstone took a majority stake in the chain in November of 2024 and soon after tapped industry veteran and former WingStop (WING) CEO Charlie Morrison to lead the company.
This public debut, which is one of the largest in the restaurant industry, marks the next chapter for the Point Pleasant, New Jersey-based chain, but the business is already booming.
According to the regulatory filing, Jersey Mike's same-store sales grew by 50% between 2020 and 2025. In 2025, systemwide sales increased 13% year over year to reach $4.3 billion.
#chain #company #billion #industry
10 hours ago
The Washington Commanders are underway at training camp! That, of course, means the season is right around the corner, and we'll soon have answers to our biggest questions.
One of the questions is how the running back rotation will work out. Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a respectable rookie season, but the team added Rachaad White, Kaytron Allen, and Jerome Ford this offseason. Any of that trio could push for a large role, meaning Croskey-Merritt has his work cut out for him.
The second-year running back is coming to camp prepared, though. During the first day of camp on Wednesday, Croskey-Merritt showed up noticeably more built. The running back reportedly put on eight pounds of muscle over the offseason due to wanting to break more tackles.
"I just want to be stronger, be able to break more tackles," Croskey-Merritt said. "I just want to be able to do more stuff, and I think it's going to pay off, man."
The running back played in all 17 games as a rookie and ended with 805 yards and eight touchdowns. Croskey-Merritt had a mediocre stretch over the middle of the season, though, and he struggled to break through contact. The hope is that the experience and added weight will help in that area in 2026.
#running
One of the questions is how the running back rotation will work out. Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a respectable rookie season, but the team added Rachaad White, Kaytron Allen, and Jerome Ford this offseason. Any of that trio could push for a large role, meaning Croskey-Merritt has his work cut out for him.
The second-year running back is coming to camp prepared, though. During the first day of camp on Wednesday, Croskey-Merritt showed up noticeably more built. The running back reportedly put on eight pounds of muscle over the offseason due to wanting to break more tackles.
"I just want to be stronger, be able to break more tackles," Croskey-Merritt said. "I just want to be able to do more stuff, and I think it's going to pay off, man."
The running back played in all 17 games as a rookie and ended with 805 yards and eight touchdowns. Croskey-Merritt had a mediocre stretch over the middle of the season, though, and he struggled to break through contact. The hope is that the experience and added weight will help in that area in 2026.
#running
10 hours ago
NEW DELHI: Ajinkya Rahane never sought the spotlight. In an era dominated by classy stroke-makers and larger-than-life personalities, he quietly built a reputation as one of India's most dependable overseas batters and one of the country's most respected leaders.
On Thursday, the 38-year-old brought the curtain down on his international career, ending a journey that spanned more than a decade and produced some of Indian cricket's most memorable moments.
Having played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is, Rahane finished with 8,414 international runs, 15 centuries and 51 half-centuries. Yet, numbers only tell part of his story.
"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. When that time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I always relied on timing in my batting, and I've always understood its important," Rahane said in his retirement video.
If there is one chapter that defines Rahane's legacy, it is India's remarkable 2020-21 Test series win in Australia.
After India were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide and Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave, few believed the injury-hit side could compete, let alone win.
Rahane stepped in as captain and led a depleted Indian team to a stunning 2-1 series victory, one of the greatest triumphs in Indian cricket history.
His century in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne not only rescued India's campaign but also made him the only Indian to score a Boxing Day Test hundred against Australia both as a player and as captain.
Under his leadership, India never lost a Test match, making his captaincy record (6 matches with 4 wins and 2 draws) one of the finest in Indian cricket.
Rahane earned a reputation for producing his best performances away from home. He became the first Indian batter to score both his maiden Test and ODI centuries in SENA countries, proving his ability to thrive in the toughest conditions.
His 12 Test hundreds often came in pressure situations, and remarkably, India never lost a Test whenever Rahane scored a century. He was also the first Indian to score a century in the World Test Championship, adding another milestone to an already impressive career.
One of his finest individual performances came against South Africa when he became the only Indian batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test while batting at No. 5 or lower.
#test
On Thursday, the 38-year-old brought the curtain down on his international career, ending a journey that spanned more than a decade and produced some of Indian cricket's most memorable moments.
Having played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is, Rahane finished with 8,414 international runs, 15 centuries and 51 half-centuries. Yet, numbers only tell part of his story.
"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. When that time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I always relied on timing in my batting, and I've always understood its important," Rahane said in his retirement video.
If there is one chapter that defines Rahane's legacy, it is India's remarkable 2020-21 Test series win in Australia.
After India were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide and Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave, few believed the injury-hit side could compete, let alone win.
Rahane stepped in as captain and led a depleted Indian team to a stunning 2-1 series victory, one of the greatest triumphs in Indian cricket history.
His century in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne not only rescued India's campaign but also made him the only Indian to score a Boxing Day Test hundred against Australia both as a player and as captain.
Under his leadership, India never lost a Test match, making his captaincy record (6 matches with 4 wins and 2 draws) one of the finest in Indian cricket.
Rahane earned a reputation for producing his best performances away from home. He became the first Indian batter to score both his maiden Test and ODI centuries in SENA countries, proving his ability to thrive in the toughest conditions.
His 12 Test hundreds often came in pressure situations, and remarkably, India never lost a Test whenever Rahane scored a century. He was also the first Indian to score a century in the World Test Championship, adding another milestone to an already impressive career.
One of his finest individual performances came against South Africa when he became the only Indian batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test while batting at No. 5 or lower.
#test
10 hours ago
Happy Thursday, everyone. Senators are still working on the Protect College Sports Act. The SEC and Big Ten continue to push for higher caps, which would make it even more difficult for schools in other leagues to compete.
A pair of documents outlining concessions the lawmakers have made in the negotiations were headlined by a $20 million-plus "retention pool" that schools could use to keep players from leaving. It would amount to a doubling of the revenue-sharing "salary cap," which is currently set at $21.3 million for this school year.
The conferences are seeking answers on whether the increase in revenue share would impact rules governing third-party payments to players, the likes of which are largely blamed for spiraling roster costs.
There's also the question of whether such an increase would comport with the House settlement — the $2.8 billion lawsuit settlement that dictates rules around revenue sharing. Jeffrey Kessler, the plaintiffs' attorney, has said he would need to see the language before weighing in on whether it impacts the settlement.
Absent from the documents was any mention of rewrites regarding antitrust protection or preemption of state laws. Those have been core requests surrounding legislation from virtually all the conferences and NCAA since Congress began this process.
#whether #schools #million #conferences
A pair of documents outlining concessions the lawmakers have made in the negotiations were headlined by a $20 million-plus "retention pool" that schools could use to keep players from leaving. It would amount to a doubling of the revenue-sharing "salary cap," which is currently set at $21.3 million for this school year.
The conferences are seeking answers on whether the increase in revenue share would impact rules governing third-party payments to players, the likes of which are largely blamed for spiraling roster costs.
There's also the question of whether such an increase would comport with the House settlement — the $2.8 billion lawsuit settlement that dictates rules around revenue sharing. Jeffrey Kessler, the plaintiffs' attorney, has said he would need to see the language before weighing in on whether it impacts the settlement.
Absent from the documents was any mention of rewrites regarding antitrust protection or preemption of state laws. Those have been core requests surrounding legislation from virtually all the conferences and NCAA since Congress began this process.
#whether #schools #million #conferences
10 hours ago
When the Twins selected him with the 16th overall pick last July, Marek Houston was seen by most scouts as a lock to stick shortstop with elite defensive talent, but a fringy bat that projects for below average production in the major leagues. Just 27 games into his Double-A tenure, Houston is already producing offense at a high level, boasting a .325 batting average with a 135 wRC+. As he begins to pop up on top 100 prospect lists, there is a growing belief that his bat has a chance to provide some real impact for the Twins.
Standing at 6'3", Marek is a twitchy and fluid athlete. He is a plus runner, nabbing 38 bags so far this season while being caught just 4 times. He has an excellent approach at the plate. Very patient hitter who is running a chase rate around 17% this season with above-average walk rates. His swing mechanics have remained largely unchanged from his time at Wake Forest. The pre-swing hand load and leg kick is a little loud, but he breaks it down with 2 strikes, which has helped him limit strikeouts and put together mature at-bats despite posting average zone contact rates. His raw power is below average, but Houston has continued to tap into more and more juice as the season has gone on. There is quality gap power if he can consistently elevate the ball.
While the offensive ceiling is still limited, any doubt that Marek Houston may not have a major league caliber bat is effectively gone. If he doesn't tap into any more power, his profile is similar to that of Austin Martin or Luke Keaschall, a patient hitter who makes a lot of contact and provides value on the bases. While these guys don't hit for much power and have middling offensive numbers, they do more for the offense than the stats show. Combining that with plus defense at the shortstop position makes for an extremely valuable player and a guy who will find a way to make a positive impact on every game.
Marek Houston is squarely on track for a 2027 debut with an outside chance of making his way onto the opening day roster. He looks like a perfect fit for the Twins as a long-term solution at the shortstop position, where the team's -15 FRV since the start of 2025 ranks 28th in MLB. While he doesn't have a dynamite bat like Walker Jenkins or Emmanuel Rodriguez, Houston is worth getting excited about as one of the system's top prospects and arguably the prospect with the highest chance to be a productive big leaguer. He has been a Minnesota Twin for just over 12 months, but fans won't have to wait much longer to see him suited up at Target Field.
#chance
Standing at 6'3", Marek is a twitchy and fluid athlete. He is a plus runner, nabbing 38 bags so far this season while being caught just 4 times. He has an excellent approach at the plate. Very patient hitter who is running a chase rate around 17% this season with above-average walk rates. His swing mechanics have remained largely unchanged from his time at Wake Forest. The pre-swing hand load and leg kick is a little loud, but he breaks it down with 2 strikes, which has helped him limit strikeouts and put together mature at-bats despite posting average zone contact rates. His raw power is below average, but Houston has continued to tap into more and more juice as the season has gone on. There is quality gap power if he can consistently elevate the ball.
While the offensive ceiling is still limited, any doubt that Marek Houston may not have a major league caliber bat is effectively gone. If he doesn't tap into any more power, his profile is similar to that of Austin Martin or Luke Keaschall, a patient hitter who makes a lot of contact and provides value on the bases. While these guys don't hit for much power and have middling offensive numbers, they do more for the offense than the stats show. Combining that with plus defense at the shortstop position makes for an extremely valuable player and a guy who will find a way to make a positive impact on every game.
Marek Houston is squarely on track for a 2027 debut with an outside chance of making his way onto the opening day roster. He looks like a perfect fit for the Twins as a long-term solution at the shortstop position, where the team's -15 FRV since the start of 2025 ranks 28th in MLB. While he doesn't have a dynamite bat like Walker Jenkins or Emmanuel Rodriguez, Houston is worth getting excited about as one of the system's top prospects and arguably the prospect with the highest chance to be a productive big leaguer. He has been a Minnesota Twin for just over 12 months, but fans won't have to wait much longer to see him suited up at Target Field.
#chance
11 hours ago
Let's get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …
Eagles 2026 training camp practice notes, Day 1: An initial look at Sean Mannion's offense – PhillyVoice
Jalyx Hunt had a great day. On one rep he had a 1-on-1 vs. Mailata, who was on an island. Hunt got Mailata leaning outside before jumping back inside with a free path to Hurts, and he got the "sack." On the next play Hunt then beat Mailata to the outside for another "sack," although that one was more of a coverage sack. Hunt also had a tackle for loss on Tank Bigsby, and he just generally he set the edge well against the run.
10 Eagles camp observations: Jonathan Greenard's injury, Jalen Hurts' new offense – The Athletic
Two buzzworthy players who stood out in practice: Hunt and running back Tank Bigsby. Jalyx Hunt forced pressure against the Eagles' first-team offensive line. Bigsby showed some juice catching the ball out of the backfield and could carve a role on offense.
Eagles practice observations: Sean Mannion's offense starts clicking; Jalen Hurts under center; Jalyx Hunt hunts – Inquirer
Hunting season. Greenard's absence pushed Jalyx Hunt into the starting spot at right outside linebacker opposite Nolan Smith Jr. Hunt will likely play as many snaps as the other two this season. There's an argument to be made that he should get more playing time than Smith. Nevertheless, he took advantage of his opportunities with Greenard out. Hunt shot into the backfield unblocked and forced Hurts to check down to Cooper on one play-action pass that came from under center. He blew up tight end Dallas Goedert with an edge rush and Hurts had to hurry a dump to Bigsby that wasn't caught. And he beat Mailata on back-to-back rushes — one with an inside move and the other from the outside — that blew up pass plays.
Eagles Training Camp Practice Notes: Jalen Hurts and new offense show encouraging signs – BGN
JALEN HURTS UPDATE: Just like the headline says, there were encouraging signs from the Eagles' quarterback and the team's new offense. Was it perfect? No, it wasn't. There were drops. There were procedural penalties, as Lane Johnson brought up during his post-practice press conference. But this offense looked much more functional than the version that was largely dominated by Vic Fangio's defense during the team's spring practices.
#practice
Eagles 2026 training camp practice notes, Day 1: An initial look at Sean Mannion's offense – PhillyVoice
Jalyx Hunt had a great day. On one rep he had a 1-on-1 vs. Mailata, who was on an island. Hunt got Mailata leaning outside before jumping back inside with a free path to Hurts, and he got the "sack." On the next play Hunt then beat Mailata to the outside for another "sack," although that one was more of a coverage sack. Hunt also had a tackle for loss on Tank Bigsby, and he just generally he set the edge well against the run.
10 Eagles camp observations: Jonathan Greenard's injury, Jalen Hurts' new offense – The Athletic
Two buzzworthy players who stood out in practice: Hunt and running back Tank Bigsby. Jalyx Hunt forced pressure against the Eagles' first-team offensive line. Bigsby showed some juice catching the ball out of the backfield and could carve a role on offense.
Eagles practice observations: Sean Mannion's offense starts clicking; Jalen Hurts under center; Jalyx Hunt hunts – Inquirer
Hunting season. Greenard's absence pushed Jalyx Hunt into the starting spot at right outside linebacker opposite Nolan Smith Jr. Hunt will likely play as many snaps as the other two this season. There's an argument to be made that he should get more playing time than Smith. Nevertheless, he took advantage of his opportunities with Greenard out. Hunt shot into the backfield unblocked and forced Hurts to check down to Cooper on one play-action pass that came from under center. He blew up tight end Dallas Goedert with an edge rush and Hurts had to hurry a dump to Bigsby that wasn't caught. And he beat Mailata on back-to-back rushes — one with an inside move and the other from the outside — that blew up pass plays.
Eagles Training Camp Practice Notes: Jalen Hurts and new offense show encouraging signs – BGN
JALEN HURTS UPDATE: Just like the headline says, there were encouraging signs from the Eagles' quarterback and the team's new offense. Was it perfect? No, it wasn't. There were drops. There were procedural penalties, as Lane Johnson brought up during his post-practice press conference. But this offense looked much more functional than the version that was largely dominated by Vic Fangio's defense during the team's spring practices.
#practice
11 hours ago
The Buffalo Bills came into the 2026 offseason with plenty of needs. That's not necessarily surprising given the fickle nature of the NFL, but for a team that has qualified for the playoffs in each of the last seven seasons, the list of needs seemed to be larger than one would expect. After head coach Sean McDermott was fired, that list of needs grew to include defensive players who could fit a new defensive system, as well.
One of the positions where the team seemed fairly solid on the surface was cornerback; however, a look beyond that top layer of the depth chart showed a troublesome lack of depth. That lack of depth reared its head at the worst possible time for Buffalo last season, and as a result, the Bills and president of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane made sure to bolster the defensive secondary this spring.
In today's installment of "91 players in 91 days," we discuss one of the additions to the depth chart at corner — a rookie with great size and tremendous potential.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Name:Davison Igbinosun
Number: 21
#last #list #head
One of the positions where the team seemed fairly solid on the surface was cornerback; however, a look beyond that top layer of the depth chart showed a troublesome lack of depth. That lack of depth reared its head at the worst possible time for Buffalo last season, and as a result, the Bills and president of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane made sure to bolster the defensive secondary this spring.
In today's installment of "91 players in 91 days," we discuss one of the additions to the depth chart at corner — a rookie with great size and tremendous potential.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Name:Davison Igbinosun
Number: 21
#last #list #head
11 hours ago
Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Contrary to the other reports from France on Tuesday, Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport claims Bradley Barcola hasn't reached a contract agreement with Liverpool.
Yet Hawkins adds that Barcola has made Liverpool his priority if he leaves Paris Saint-Germain, so it seems such an agreement would be largely a formality.
Mario Cortegana had reported for The Athletic this week that **** nal have shown interest in Barcola, but the Gunners are prioritising a possible move for Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid.
Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
#hawkins
Contrary to the other reports from France on Tuesday, Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport claims Bradley Barcola hasn't reached a contract agreement with Liverpool.
Yet Hawkins adds that Barcola has made Liverpool his priority if he leaves Paris Saint-Germain, so it seems such an agreement would be largely a formality.
Mario Cortegana had reported for The Athletic this week that **** nal have shown interest in Barcola, but the Gunners are prioritising a possible move for Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid.
Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
#hawkins
12 hours ago
Freight broker Landstar System said Tuesday that its larger scale and long track record of safety will become more attractive to shippers in a post-Montgomery world. The company saw a more material turnaround in operations during the second quarter even though results fell short of ****** ysts' expectations.
Revenue generated by Landstar's (NASDAQ: LSTR) business capacity owners (BCOs) increased 22% year over year to $563 million, as loads were up 10% and revenue per load was up 11%. Landstar's BCOs are owner-operators who haul almost exclusively for the company. Changes among this segment of capacity have historically signaled turns in the broader truckload market.
Trucks provided by BCOs increased 68 units sequentially to 8,544 units in the second quarter. This was the largest increase since the 2022 first quarter. The tractor count is up another 49 units so far in July. BCO turnover improved 310 bps y/y to 28.3% as utilization improved 12% y/y.
BCO revenue per mile—Landstar's preferred metric for TL pricing as it excludes fluctuations in diesel fuel prices—was up 11% y/y and 10% y/y on dry van and flatbed shipments, respectively.
Management sees this segment of capacity potentially growing faster following the Supreme Court's Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II ruling, which widened liability exposure for freight brokers found negligent in their driver hiring practices. The company said it is also having success courting small brokers looking to partner with brokers with better tech, vetting protocols and insurance programs.
#brokers
Revenue generated by Landstar's (NASDAQ: LSTR) business capacity owners (BCOs) increased 22% year over year to $563 million, as loads were up 10% and revenue per load was up 11%. Landstar's BCOs are owner-operators who haul almost exclusively for the company. Changes among this segment of capacity have historically signaled turns in the broader truckload market.
Trucks provided by BCOs increased 68 units sequentially to 8,544 units in the second quarter. This was the largest increase since the 2022 first quarter. The tractor count is up another 49 units so far in July. BCO turnover improved 310 bps y/y to 28.3% as utilization improved 12% y/y.
BCO revenue per mile—Landstar's preferred metric for TL pricing as it excludes fluctuations in diesel fuel prices—was up 11% y/y and 10% y/y on dry van and flatbed shipments, respectively.
Management sees this segment of capacity potentially growing faster following the Supreme Court's Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II ruling, which widened liability exposure for freight brokers found negligent in their driver hiring practices. The company said it is also having success courting small brokers looking to partner with brokers with better tech, vetting protocols and insurance programs.
#brokers
13 hours ago
According to a report from L'Équipe, Mamadou Sangaré (24) has left RC Lens's squad as he closes in on a move to Brentford FC.
The Mali international was with the Lens squad in Italy as they participated in the Como Cup, albeit he was not involved in the two matches on Tuesday. He'll also no longer be available for the friendly against Villarreal on Saturday, as he has travelled to Paris ahead of the transfer to the Premier League side being finalised.
The midfielder, who arrived last summer on a €5m plus €3m in bonuses move from Austrian side Rapid Vienna, is set to break transfer records for both Lens and Brentford in a reported €48m transfer. He'll be Lens's biggest ever sale and Brentford's largest ever purchase.
In his sole season in the north of France, Sangaré was one of the standout performers, helping Lens win their maiden Coupe de France and secure automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League after running Paris Saint-Germain close to the ******* le.
GFFN | Nick Hartland
#transfer #Paris #league
The Mali international was with the Lens squad in Italy as they participated in the Como Cup, albeit he was not involved in the two matches on Tuesday. He'll also no longer be available for the friendly against Villarreal on Saturday, as he has travelled to Paris ahead of the transfer to the Premier League side being finalised.
The midfielder, who arrived last summer on a €5m plus €3m in bonuses move from Austrian side Rapid Vienna, is set to break transfer records for both Lens and Brentford in a reported €48m transfer. He'll be Lens's biggest ever sale and Brentford's largest ever purchase.
In his sole season in the north of France, Sangaré was one of the standout performers, helping Lens win their maiden Coupe de France and secure automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League after running Paris Saint-Germain close to the ******* le.
GFFN | Nick Hartland
#transfer #Paris #league
13 hours ago
ESPN | Jorge Castillo: The two New York teams are expected to have wildly different trade deadlines, with the Yankees presumed to be buyers and the Mets perhaps the biggest sellers. While there's a couple possible deals to be had between the two clubs — ****** o, Luke Weaver? — the largest possible splashes for the Yankees look like they could come from the West Coast. The San Diego Padres offer two relievers that could reinforce the bullpen, and the Angels feature both Zack Neto and Reid Detmers as alluring trade targets.
FanGraphs | Jay Jaffe: With Cody Bellinger out 4-6 weeks with a hamstring strain, the Yankee lineup and outfield are starting to look pretty bald. The team is already suffering significantly without Aaron Judge in the lineup, and while they still have a chance to win the AL East, they need someone to step up and start hitting, or they have an increased need to bring in an impact bat before the Trade Deadline.
Front Office Sports | Eric Fisher: As a longtime lover of MLB.tv, I get to benefit from what might be sports' best livestreaming experience. From what I've heard from New York locals, the Gotham Sports App has not been a very good livestreaming experience. The platform has repeatedly had playback, UI, and general quality issues over the past two seasons, and it seems it is being sunsetted by the YES and MSG networks. Streaming service DAZN is being tapped as the replacement for Gotham Sports, and I'll keep using MLB.tv.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: The Yankees announced who will be coming back to the Bronx on August 8th for the 78th edition of Old-Timers' Day. Hall of Famers Joe Torre and Mariano Rivera lead the way, and they'll be joined by Monument Park honorees Ron Guidry, Willie Randolph, Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, Paul O'Neill, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte. The first-time Old-Timers are Dellin Betances (born in 1988, gulp), Todd Frazier, David Weathers, and Adam Ottavino (who just pitched last year). Check out the full list!
TSN: If you know me, you know I'm a born hater. I want Shohei Ohtani to grow old and die warm in a bed surrounded by loved ones and I hope he has a rock in his shoe every single time he steps on a baseball field. Yesterday was a win for the haters, as Alek Manoah was released by the Angels. One imagines Gerrit Cole opened a particularly special bottle of wine last night's game with the White Sox.
#yankees #Angels
FanGraphs | Jay Jaffe: With Cody Bellinger out 4-6 weeks with a hamstring strain, the Yankee lineup and outfield are starting to look pretty bald. The team is already suffering significantly without Aaron Judge in the lineup, and while they still have a chance to win the AL East, they need someone to step up and start hitting, or they have an increased need to bring in an impact bat before the Trade Deadline.
Front Office Sports | Eric Fisher: As a longtime lover of MLB.tv, I get to benefit from what might be sports' best livestreaming experience. From what I've heard from New York locals, the Gotham Sports App has not been a very good livestreaming experience. The platform has repeatedly had playback, UI, and general quality issues over the past two seasons, and it seems it is being sunsetted by the YES and MSG networks. Streaming service DAZN is being tapped as the replacement for Gotham Sports, and I'll keep using MLB.tv.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: The Yankees announced who will be coming back to the Bronx on August 8th for the 78th edition of Old-Timers' Day. Hall of Famers Joe Torre and Mariano Rivera lead the way, and they'll be joined by Monument Park honorees Ron Guidry, Willie Randolph, Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, Paul O'Neill, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte. The first-time Old-Timers are Dellin Betances (born in 1988, gulp), Todd Frazier, David Weathers, and Adam Ottavino (who just pitched last year). Check out the full list!
TSN: If you know me, you know I'm a born hater. I want Shohei Ohtani to grow old and die warm in a bed surrounded by loved ones and I hope he has a rock in his shoe every single time he steps on a baseball field. Yesterday was a win for the haters, as Alek Manoah was released by the Angels. One imagines Gerrit Cole opened a particularly special bottle of wine last night's game with the White Sox.
#yankees #Angels
13 hours ago
PHILADELPHIA − In life, every action has a reaction. And so it is in the high-stakes world of NFL finances, something the Eagles fully understand.
Heck, they practically wrote the book on how to keep core star players together. Jalen Carter was just the latest example. The Eagles officially signed Carter to a four-year contract extension worth as much as $152 million on July 29. Carter's average annual value of $38 million makes his the largest contract for a defensive tackle in NFL history. At least for now.
Carter is at the top of the DT pay scale despite being just 25 years old, entering his fourth season, and coming off a season in which injuries to both shoulders limited him to 11 games and 3 sacks.
Buy Philadelphia Eagles tickets
So yes, the contract is a gamble, especially because it really doesn't start until 2028 and lasts through the 2031 season.
#philadelphia #heck #jalen #life
Heck, they practically wrote the book on how to keep core star players together. Jalen Carter was just the latest example. The Eagles officially signed Carter to a four-year contract extension worth as much as $152 million on July 29. Carter's average annual value of $38 million makes his the largest contract for a defensive tackle in NFL history. At least for now.
Carter is at the top of the DT pay scale despite being just 25 years old, entering his fourth season, and coming off a season in which injuries to both shoulders limited him to 11 games and 3 sacks.
Buy Philadelphia Eagles tickets
So yes, the contract is a gamble, especially because it really doesn't start until 2028 and lasts through the 2031 season.
#philadelphia #heck #jalen #life
13 hours ago
Oil prices have just come off a fresh two-month high as the crude oil market has tumbled this week amid signals of de-escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Despite the slump in crude prices and the extreme volatility in the past five months, the refined product market continues to tighten with refining margins at record highs because the supply of petroleum products is much tighter than crude supply.
Refining margins held at record highs even as crude oil prices soared last week to $100 per barrel. That's because global gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel supply is tightening and has been tightening for months amid a combination of factors, most stemming from the wars in Iran and Ukraine.
While crude oil futures largely reflect market hopes and fears for prices ahead, the gasoline and diesel refining margins, supply, and prices reflect the real-time situation with refinery throughput, global fuel flows, and availability in various markets.
Record High Refining Margins
#crude #margins #record #Iran
Despite the slump in crude prices and the extreme volatility in the past five months, the refined product market continues to tighten with refining margins at record highs because the supply of petroleum products is much tighter than crude supply.
Refining margins held at record highs even as crude oil prices soared last week to $100 per barrel. That's because global gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel supply is tightening and has been tightening for months amid a combination of factors, most stemming from the wars in Iran and Ukraine.
While crude oil futures largely reflect market hopes and fears for prices ahead, the gasoline and diesel refining margins, supply, and prices reflect the real-time situation with refinery throughput, global fuel flows, and availability in various markets.
Record High Refining Margins
#crude #margins #record #Iran
14 hours ago
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) is entering a new phase of growth as two major catalysts—the expansion of its Samsung partnership and its push into AI infrastructure— begin reshaping the company's long-term outlook.
Its expanded collaboration with Samsung paves the way for Snapdragon platforms to power Samsung's latest Galaxy smartphones, smart watches, and future AI-powered smart glasses. The collaboration reinforces Qualcomm's dominance in premium Android smartphones, validates its leadership in on-device AI, and creates opportunities to expand Snapdragon into new categories such as AI PCs, XR devices, and connected technologies.
Securing Snapdragon chips for more Galaxy flagship models will provide Qualcomm with higher premium chipset shipments, stronger QCT segment revenue, and greater visibility into future earnings.
Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr
While smartphones remain Qualcomm's largest business, management is increasingly focused on reducing its dependence on the cyclical handset market by expanding into AI infrastructure.
#Smartphones #qualcomm #infrastructure #premium
Its expanded collaboration with Samsung paves the way for Snapdragon platforms to power Samsung's latest Galaxy smartphones, smart watches, and future AI-powered smart glasses. The collaboration reinforces Qualcomm's dominance in premium Android smartphones, validates its leadership in on-device AI, and creates opportunities to expand Snapdragon into new categories such as AI PCs, XR devices, and connected technologies.
Securing Snapdragon chips for more Galaxy flagship models will provide Qualcomm with higher premium chipset shipments, stronger QCT segment revenue, and greater visibility into future earnings.
Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr
While smartphones remain Qualcomm's largest business, management is increasingly focused on reducing its dependence on the cyclical handset market by expanding into AI infrastructure.
#Smartphones #qualcomm #infrastructure #premium
14 hours ago
The world's third-largest liner operator is taking a major leap toward becoming a major player in the ports business.
French liner CMA CGM and private equity investor Stonepeak of New York today announced the formation of United Ports LLC, a joint venture aimed at expanding the former's global network of marine terminals.
Stonepeak will invest $2.4 billion in the initiative, and receive a 25% minority stake, the partners said in a release.
"The creation of United Ports LLC, our joint venture with Stonepeak, marks an important step in the development of our terminal activities in the United States and globally," said Rodolphe Saade, chairman and chief executive of closely-held CMA CGM Group.
The venture opened its doors with what are described as 10 key port **** ets on four continents:
#liner #major
French liner CMA CGM and private equity investor Stonepeak of New York today announced the formation of United Ports LLC, a joint venture aimed at expanding the former's global network of marine terminals.
Stonepeak will invest $2.4 billion in the initiative, and receive a 25% minority stake, the partners said in a release.
"The creation of United Ports LLC, our joint venture with Stonepeak, marks an important step in the development of our terminal activities in the United States and globally," said Rodolphe Saade, chairman and chief executive of closely-held CMA CGM Group.
The venture opened its doors with what are described as 10 key port **** ets on four continents:
#liner #major
15 hours ago
Republicans are starting to fret about their base's lack of enthusiasm ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Those voters were already disproportionately less likely to vote in elections not featuring Donald Trump, and now the GOP has to contend with the president being more unpopular than ever.
And a new CNN poll drives home the problem: Large portions of Trump's base are feeling disillusioned over more than a few of his choices lately.
Across a bevy of questions — on subjects ranging from the economy to the Iran war to Trump's self-enrichment and efforts to makeover Washington — large percentages of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents are registering discontent. As in, often 30%, 40%, 50% or more.
Overall, the CNN poll shows 30% of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents disapprove of Trump.
#large
Those voters were already disproportionately less likely to vote in elections not featuring Donald Trump, and now the GOP has to contend with the president being more unpopular than ever.
And a new CNN poll drives home the problem: Large portions of Trump's base are feeling disillusioned over more than a few of his choices lately.
Across a bevy of questions — on subjects ranging from the economy to the Iran war to Trump's self-enrichment and efforts to makeover Washington — large percentages of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents are registering discontent. As in, often 30%, 40%, 50% or more.
Overall, the CNN poll shows 30% of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents disapprove of Trump.
#large
18 hours ago
Wall Street just delivered one of its most impressive earnings weeks in history, with the five largest US banks reporting a combined net income of around $49 billion in the second quarter of 2026, up 39% year-over-year, and combined trading revenue close to $39 billion.
Global investment banking income managed to reach $61.4 billion in the first half of the year, a 24% increase over 2025, with **** eX's record-breaking IPO alone accounting for an estimated $500 million in underwriting fees for the banks leading it.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) came in with arguably the best result of the group. The company achieved an undeniable Q2 earnings beat, achieving record net revenue of $21.35 billion, an 8.6% surprise over the $19.65 billion consensus expectation, marking a 27.1% increase year-over-year and a 4% sequential gain. Diluted earnings per share increased 62.4% year-over-year to $3.46, solidly above Wall Street's $2.92 projection and boosting first-half return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) to an impressive 26.6%. Following the report, Freedom Broker upgraded Morgan Stanley to Buy from Hold on July 17, raising the price objective to $245 from $200.
Meanwhile, equities trading revenue reached an all-time high of $6.3 billion, roughly $1.9 billion higher than **** ysts had predicted, with Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) citing general strength across its equities franchise, especially "strength in Asia," a phrase now heard in almost every major bank's earnings call as the AI trade spreads far beyond US markets to Hong Kong, India, **** an, and South Korea.
While turbulent equities trading provided the headlines, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS)'s primary competitive advantage is its recurring Wealth and Investment Management franchise, which offers a high-margin buffer against market downturns. Wealth Management earned a record quarterly revenue of $8.9 billion, up 14% year-over-year, with a strong 30.5% pretax margin, driven by higher **** et management fees and net interest income. During the quarter, the company added a record $148 billion in net new **** ets, bringing total client **** ets throughout Wealth and Investment Management above the $10 trillion level.
#billion #NYSE #wealth
Global investment banking income managed to reach $61.4 billion in the first half of the year, a 24% increase over 2025, with **** eX's record-breaking IPO alone accounting for an estimated $500 million in underwriting fees for the banks leading it.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) came in with arguably the best result of the group. The company achieved an undeniable Q2 earnings beat, achieving record net revenue of $21.35 billion, an 8.6% surprise over the $19.65 billion consensus expectation, marking a 27.1% increase year-over-year and a 4% sequential gain. Diluted earnings per share increased 62.4% year-over-year to $3.46, solidly above Wall Street's $2.92 projection and boosting first-half return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) to an impressive 26.6%. Following the report, Freedom Broker upgraded Morgan Stanley to Buy from Hold on July 17, raising the price objective to $245 from $200.
Meanwhile, equities trading revenue reached an all-time high of $6.3 billion, roughly $1.9 billion higher than **** ysts had predicted, with Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) citing general strength across its equities franchise, especially "strength in Asia," a phrase now heard in almost every major bank's earnings call as the AI trade spreads far beyond US markets to Hong Kong, India, **** an, and South Korea.
While turbulent equities trading provided the headlines, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS)'s primary competitive advantage is its recurring Wealth and Investment Management franchise, which offers a high-margin buffer against market downturns. Wealth Management earned a record quarterly revenue of $8.9 billion, up 14% year-over-year, with a strong 30.5% pretax margin, driven by higher **** et management fees and net interest income. During the quarter, the company added a record $148 billion in net new **** ets, bringing total client **** ets throughout Wealth and Investment Management above the $10 trillion level.
#billion #NYSE #wealth
19 hours ago
Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META), OpenAI and Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) now appear on the same policy letter supporting open-weight AI. Anthropic does not. The letter published on July 24 asks U.S. policymakers to avoid broad restrictions on models whose weights can be downloaded, modified and run privately. OpenAI and Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) joined after the initial publication, Axios reported on July 27.
Nvidia sells the hardware and software used to train and run AI models. A larger field of model developers, more local deployments, and cheaper inference can all expand demand for its products. Nvidia can benefit even if the models themselves become difficult to monetize.
Source: unsplash
Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) has another reason to favor open weights. Its models can enter products and corporate systems that might otherwise rely on OpenAI or Anthropic. Outside developers improve the tools, hosting services and integrations around them. Meta can benefit through its applications, advertising business and infrastructure without charging for every model call.
Closed frontier labs can still justify their prices through better performance, enterprise support, reliability and safety. But every task an open model can perform well enough becomes harder to sell through an expensive proprietary API. Customers can also host a model themselves instead of sending data to one provider indefinitely. OpenAI and Anthropic could consequently lose some pricing power and customer lock-in.
#openai #NVIDIA #anthropic #open
Nvidia sells the hardware and software used to train and run AI models. A larger field of model developers, more local deployments, and cheaper inference can all expand demand for its products. Nvidia can benefit even if the models themselves become difficult to monetize.
Source: unsplash
Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) has another reason to favor open weights. Its models can enter products and corporate systems that might otherwise rely on OpenAI or Anthropic. Outside developers improve the tools, hosting services and integrations around them. Meta can benefit through its applications, advertising business and infrastructure without charging for every model call.
Closed frontier labs can still justify their prices through better performance, enterprise support, reliability and safety. But every task an open model can perform well enough becomes harder to sell through an expensive proprietary API. Customers can also host a model themselves instead of sending data to one provider indefinitely. OpenAI and Anthropic could consequently lose some pricing power and customer lock-in.
#openai #NVIDIA #anthropic #open
23 hours ago
Trump's latest comments cooled oil prices, but talks over ending the Strait of Hormuz blockade could prove far more consequential.
Hedge Funds Pile Back into Oil as Chokepoint Risks Return
- The signing of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding triggered one of the largest hedge fund sell-offs for crude futures and options, however the closure of the Strait of Hormuz (and now of Bab el-Mandeb) has made bullishness in vogue again.
- Net positions held by hedge funds and other money managers in ICE Brent futures and options rebounded to the equivalent of more than 192 million barrels, a 2-month high, in the week ending July 21.
- Interestingly, the positioning of hedge funds in Nymex WTI has been somewhat stagnant throughout June-July, suggesting that speculative market participants prefer to avoid futures contract with physical delivery.
#futures #july
Hedge Funds Pile Back into Oil as Chokepoint Risks Return
- The signing of the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding triggered one of the largest hedge fund sell-offs for crude futures and options, however the closure of the Strait of Hormuz (and now of Bab el-Mandeb) has made bullishness in vogue again.
- Net positions held by hedge funds and other money managers in ICE Brent futures and options rebounded to the equivalent of more than 192 million barrels, a 2-month high, in the week ending July 21.
- Interestingly, the positioning of hedge funds in Nymex WTI has been somewhat stagnant throughout June-July, suggesting that speculative market participants prefer to avoid futures contract with physical delivery.
#futures #july
