RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) on Thursday lifted its sales and profit outlook for 2026, amid sustained demand for commercial aircraft maintenance and military systems, as airlines continue to rely on older fleets and governments restock weapons.
The aerospace and defense company now projects adjusted sales in the range of $95 billion to $96 billion, up from its earlier estimates of $92.5 billion to $93.5 billion. Wall Street has an average forecast of $94.08 billion. The full-year adjusted EPS is expected in the range of $7.10 to $7.25, up from $6.70 to $6.90, and above ******* ysts' forecast of $6.92 per share.
The forecast lift came during the second quarter earnings call on July 23, where RTX beat Wall Street's estimates for both revenue and profit. Quarterly revenue came in at $24.7 billion, growing 14% year-over-year, while adjusted EPS was logged at $1.89, representing a 21% increase from the prior year's period.
The Pratt & Whitney unit, which manufactures engines for Airbus jets and the F-35, saw a 16% increase in sales to $8.89 billion, while demand for air and missile defense systems drove an 18% sales growth in the company's Raytheon defense business. Collins Aerospace, which delivers advanced aviation systems, saw an 8% increase in sales.
The company said its backlog expanded 22% from the prior year's period to $289 billion, which included $170 billion in commercial aerospace and $119 billion in defense-related orders. Operating cash flow during the quarter came in at $3.5 billion, resulting in free cash flow of $2.9 billion.

#sales #forecast

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is preparing to ramp up funding by hundreds of millions of dollars for programs designed to counter China's growing influence around the world, after it had put a halt to many of those initiatives last year during a flurry of budget and personnel cuts.
The administration notified Congress late last week that it intends to spend $175.8 million to replace outdated and aging undersea telecommunications cables in the Caribbean and Central America to prevent China from moving in. The ******* ociated Press obtained a copy of the notification on Monday.
The administration has expressed deep concern about China's activities in the Americas, pushing back on Chinese ownership of ports at either end of the Panama Canal, infrastructure projects funded by China's Belt and Road initiative in the region, and Chinese investment in the telecommunications sector.
A State Department official said China's economic activities in the Western Hemisphere pose risks to U.S. national security and prosperity. The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly to the subject and spoke on condition of anonymity, said China's offerings may seem cheaper but in the end wind up being more expensive due to cost overruns, hidden maintenance fees and poor performance.
The underseas cable funding appears to be part of a broader push to restore support for initiatives aimed at blunting Chinese influence globally that would cost many hundreds of millions of dollars more. That is even as President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping put on a show of cooperation and Xi prepares to visit the U.S. this fall.

#administration #millions

Global defense spending is entering a historic expansion phase, driven by geopolitical flashpoints from Ukraine to the Indo‑Pacific and record Pentagon budgets. NATO allies are racing to meet or exceed 2% of GDP defense commitments, while the U.S. has proposed a $1.5 trillion military budget for FY2027. Against this backdrop of rising military allocations and urgent weapons replenishment, Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT) has emerged as the sector's anchor, converting its record $230.4 billion backlog into profitable growth and securing new Pentagon contracts that reinforce its leadership in advanced defense systems.
Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT) shares surged more than 10% on July 23 after the company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings and secured additional business with the Pentagon. The stock is up more than 15% since the beginning of the year. This rally shows investor confidence in the company's ability to convert its massive backlog into profitable growth, even amid defense budget politics.
Jordan Tan / Shutterstock.com
Lockheed has won $67.7 million from the Pentagon for a new pair of contracts. One of the contracts covers US Navy submarine systems upgrades and is worth up to $44.6 million. The other covers F-35 fighter jet maintenance depots for allied nations and is worth $23.1 million.
Lockheed's latest Pentagon contract awards arrive as defense spending continues to rise. Amid persistent geopolitical tensions, countries are moving to upgrade their defense capabilities and replenish weapon inventories.

#million #martin #corp #NYSE

RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) on Thursday lifted its sales and profit outlook for 2026, amid sustained demand for commercial aircraft maintenance and military systems, as airlines continue to rely on older fleets and governments restock weapons.
The aerospace and defense company now projects adjusted sales in the range of $95 billion to $96 billion, up from its earlier estimates of $92.5 billion to $93.5 billion. Wall Street has an average forecast of $94.08 billion. The full-year adjusted EPS is expected in the range of $7.10 to $7.25, up from $6.70 to $6.90, and above ******* ysts' forecast of $6.92 per share.
The forecast lift came during the second quarter earnings call on July 23, where RTX beat Wall Street's estimates for both revenue and profit. Quarterly revenue came in at $24.7 billion, growing 14% year-over-year, while adjusted EPS was logged at $1.89, representing a 21% increase from the prior year's period.
The Pratt & Whitney unit, which manufactures engines for Airbus jets and the F-35, saw a 16% increase in sales to $8.89 billion, while demand for air and missile defense systems drove an 18% sales growth in the company's Raytheon defense business. Collins Aerospace, which delivers advanced aviation systems, saw an 8% increase in sales.
The company said its backlog expanded 22% from the prior year's period to $289 billion, which included $170 billion in commercial aerospace and $119 billion in defense-related orders. Operating cash flow during the quarter came in at $3.5 billion, resulting in free cash flow of $2.9 billion.

#sales #adjusted #forecast #increase

Liverpool's summer has reached the point where the shape of the squad starts to come into view, and the message from The Athletic is clear enough. The headline issue is at the top end of the pitch. Bradley Barcola is the one they want, the one they rate highest, and the one who would signal ambition at the beginning of Andoni Iraola's reign.
That matters, because this is not a normal reset. Liverpool are trying to recover direction after a turbulent campaign, move on from the post-Arne Slot fallout, and hand a new head coach the tools to build something that looks fast, aggressive and dangerous. There is no point dressing it up. They need quality, they need depth, and they need clarity.
According to the report, "Bradley Barcola remains Liverpool's top target as they look to recruit an elite replacement for Mohamed Salah." That line lands heavily because it frames the whole market for Liverpool. Replacing Salah is not a standard bit of squad maintenance. You do not replace years of goals, ******* ists, fear factor and reliability with a hopeful punt. You need a player with real pedigree, and Barcola clearly fits the bill in Liverpool's thinking.
There is a seriousness to this pursuit. The report states, "Signing the 23-year-old France international would represent a major statement of intent at the start of new head coach Andoni Iraola's reign, but agreeing a deal with Paris Saint-Germain won't be straightforward." That feels like the truth of it. Liverpool can identify the right player, they can make him a priority, but getting him away from Paris Saint-Germain is another matter entirely.
The wider market context in the same report explains why. PSG have set an eye-watering valuation and Liverpool are far from alone in coveting elite attacking talent this summer. Even so, if Liverpool are serious about refreshing the frontline properly, there is no use blinking at the hard part. You either pay for top-class potential and production or you settle for less and hope. Liverpool have done enough hoping over the years to know how risky that can be.

#barcola #bradley #saint

The Community of Madrid has withdrawn Rayo Vallecano's concession for the Vallecas stadium in order to begin urgent renovation work. "There is no way to guarantee that nothing could happen," says the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Mariano de Paco.
The immediate consequence is that Rayo will not be able to start the season in its own stadium. The Community of Madrid has not given specifics but estimates that the renovation work will last "months" and plans to begin "as early as tomorrow."
The regional government is taking this decision to "guarantee people's safety" and explains that the works will address possible fire safety or sanitation issues. "We are going to act with total urgency and try to do it in the shortest possible time," the minister said.
Rayo Vallecano uses the municipal stadium, which it does not own, through a concession granted by the Community of Madrid.
"We carried out an audit of the stadium that produced quite bleak results regarding the stadium's maintenance. That was, as we all know, the club's responsibility and direct obligation, as was regulatory compliance and licensing, and the Community of Madrid has made the decision to temporarily pause the concession so that these renovations can be carried out," Minister Mariano de Paco explained.

#renovation

SINGAPORE, July 24 (Reuters) - For months, Chinese chip manufacturer ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) had been hiking prices on Huawei, one of the country's biggest technology companies. The chipmaker held firm when Huawei demanded relief from the escalating costs, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The standoff came to a head on CXMT's factory floor in June. A group of engineers from a chipmaking-equipment vendor with deep strategic ties to Huawei had been working in the cleanrooms at CXMT's core research and development zone in Hefei, Anhui province. Without warning, CXMT ordered the engineers, who had been helping with equipment maintenance, to pack their tools and ‌leave the factory floor immediately, the two sources said.
Executives at the Huawei-connected equipment vendor, SiCarrier, concluded the confrontation was the result of the power struggle between CXMT and Huawei, the people told Reuters. The companies still do business but the engineers haven't been allowed back into the R&D zone, the two people said.
CXMT, Huawei and SiCarrier didn't ‌respond to questions about the incident.
The clash illustrates the changing dynamics of China's semiconductor industry. CXMT has risen to become the world's fourth-biggest maker of memory, including the DRAM variety used in smartphones, laptops and servers. Now, the company is powerful enough to charge prices even Huawei can't stomach.

#engineers #memory

(Corrects para 18 to say that CXMT will debut on the market, not launch its IPO)
SINGAPORE, July 24 (Reuters) - For months, Chinese chip manufacturer ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) had been hiking prices on Huawei, one of the country's biggest technology companies. The chipmaker held firm when Huawei demanded relief from the escalating costs, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The standoff came to a head on CXMT's factory floor in June. A group of engineers from a chipmaking-equipment vendor with deep strategic ties to Huawei had been working in the cleanrooms at CXMT's core research and development zone in Hefei, Anhui province. Without warning, CXMT ordered ‌the engineers, who had been helping with equipment maintenance, to pack their tools and leave the factory floor immediately, the two sources said.
Executives at the Huawei-connected equipment vendor, SiCarrier, concluded the confrontation was the result of the power struggle between CXMT and Huawei, the people told Reuters. The companies still do business but the engineers haven't been allowed ‌back into the R&D zone, the two people said.
CXMT, Huawei and SiCarrier didn't respond to questions about the incident.

#cxmt #people #factory

Our ****** ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
Management attributes the 12% comparable EPS growth to the consistent execution of a balanced growth strategy designed to derisk the portfolio and shift toward less capital-intensive business models.
The business mix has successfully transitioned from being FMS-dominant in 2018 to approximately 60% ****** et-light revenue from supply chain and dedicated segments in 2026.
Operational outperformance relative to prior cycles is driven by a high-quality contractual base, with over 90% of revenue now generated by long-term contracts.
Strategic initiatives delivered $70 million in incremental benefits for 2026, focusing on lease pricing, maintenance cost savings, and omnichannel network optimization.

#operational

The Cardinals placed left tackle Paris Johnson and linebacker Josh Sweat on the physically unable to perform list on Thursday, but head coach Mike LaFleur didn't make it sound like either player is going to miss much time during training camp.
LaFleur told reporters that both players are dealing with knee issues and that the Cardinals will "be smart" with them at this point in the calendar. The Cardinals will practice the next four days before taking Monday off and neither player will practice before that rest day, but LaFleur suggested they won't be out much longer.
"The Paris thing, that is honestly nothing," LaFleur said, via the team's website. "It's really just maintenance. He'll be back before you know it. Same thing with Josh. Seeing him, he's fired up to be here. He's in great spirits and feeling good."
The Cardinals also placed cornerback Garrett Williams (Achilles) and tight end Tip Reiman (ankle) on the PUP list to open camp.

#josh

Icahn Enterprises on Tuesday announced that the company reached a deal to sell Pep Boys to Mavis, one of the largest independent tire and service providers in the country, in a $700 million deal.
Pep Boys has nearly 800 locations around the country and offers auto services including tires, repairs, oil changes and maintenance.
The deal will expand Mavis' presence in new and existing markets, particularly in the western U.S., where Pep Boys has a significant presence, and will increase Mavis's network to over 4,400 service centers around the U.S. and Canada.
Millions Of Car Owners Are Delaying Maintenance Repairs As Costs Rise
"Today's announcement marks a significant milestone as Mavis continues to execute its growth strategy. Pep Boys is one of the most well-respected names in the automotive aftermarket, and we look forward to welcoming it into the Mavis family of brands," said Mavis co-CEO David Sorbaro.

#repairs #maintenance #country #around

Norway's crude oil production beat official forecasts in June as offshore fields returned from seasonal maintenance, delivering a stronger-than-expected increase in supply at a time when global markets remain focused on disruptions to Middle Eastern exports.
According to preliminary figures released Tuesday by the Norwegian Offshore Directorate (SODIR), Norway's crude oil production averaged 1.827 million barrels per day (bpd) in June, exceeding the agency's official forecast while rising sharply from 1.677 million bpd in the same month last year.
The stronger-than-expected output reflects the return of key fields from seasonal maintenance and continued strong operational performance across the Norwegian Continental Shelf, reinforcing Norway's position as one of Europe's most reliable oil suppliers.
Including natural gas liquids (NGL) and condensate, Norway's total liquids production reached 2.022 million bpd, up from 1.909 million bpd in May, marking a month-on-month increase of approximately 113,000 bpd.
Natural gas production also recovered after seasonal maintenance. Gas sales totaled 10.0 billion standard cubic meters (Sm³) in June, up from 9.4 billion Sm³ in May, as Norwegian exports continued to underpin Europe's energy security following the sharp decline in Russian pipeline gas deliveries.

#million

Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) has filed a federal lawsuit against Eli Lilly, alleging that its rival's advertising campaigns for blockbuster GLP-1 obesity and diabetes drugs mislead consumers about the effectiveness of competing treatments.
The complaint, filed on July 21, 2026, in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey, challenges nationwide advertisements for Lilly's Zepbound and Mounjaro that Novo claims rely on outdated clinical trial data and create an inaccurate comparison between the companies' medicines.
Novo alleges that Lilly's campaigns compare the highest approved doses of its drugs with lower doses of Novo's treatments, while excluding newer data from higher-dose versions of Wegovy. The company argues that the advertisements give consumers the impression that Lilly's medicines deliver superior weight-loss results, despite newer evidence showing more comparable outcomes at higher doses.
The lawsuit specifically targets advertisements comparing Zepbound's 10 mg and 15 mg doses with Wegovy's earlier 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg doses, while not including data from Wegovy's newer 7.2 mg dose. Novo also argues that comparisons between Mounjaro and Ozempic do not account for Ozempic's higher 2 mg maintenance dose.
According to separate late-stage trial data cited by Reuters, patients receiving Lilly's highest Zepbound dose lost around 48 pounds on average, while those receiving Novo's higher-dose Wegovy formulation lost around 47 pounds.

#data #advertisements

Novo Nordisk Inc. (NYSE:NVO) has filed a lawsuit against Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) and Lilly USA, LLC, accusing its rival of false advertising and unfair competition in a dispute over marketing claims for their leading GLP-1 medicines.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleges that Lilly's direct-to-consumer advertising campaigns for Zepbound and Mounjaro misrepresent comparative clinical data by excluding information about higher-dose versions of Novo Nordisk's competing treatments, Wegovy and Ozempic.
According to the lawsuit, Lilly's advertising compares the highest approved doses of Zepbound and Mounjaro with lower-dose versions of Novo Nordisk's therapies, while omitting more recently approved or higher-dose alternatives.
Novo Nordisk argues that Zepbound advertisements compare Lilly's 10 mg and 15 mg doses against Wegovy doses of 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg but exclude the FDA-approved 7.2 mg injectable dose of Wegovy, which received approval in March 2026 and demonstrated an average body weight reduction of 19%, or approximately 47 pounds, during clinical studies.
The complaint also alleges that Lilly's Mounjaro advertising compares the maximum 15 mg dose with only the 1 mg version of Ozempic, without referencing the FDA-approved 2 mg maintenance dose that has been available for several years.

#mounjaro #wegovy #doses #nordisk

ReElement Technologies Corporation, a rare earth element and critical mineral refining company majority-owned by American Resources Corp (NASDAQ:AREC), has added 13 professionals to support the commissioning and scaling of its refining platform.
The new hires span plant operations, engineering, maintenance, laboratory sciences, finance and process optimization, and are aimed at supporting commissioning of the company's refining campus in Marion, Indiana, as well as ReElement's strategy of expanding production capacity in line with commercial customer demand.
"Demand for secure, domestic rare earth and critical mineral refining is moving quickly, and we are building the organization to move just as quickly," said Kirk Taylor, CFO of ReElement Technologies.
"These hires represent much more than additional headcount. They bring the operational, technical and financial expertise needed to commission equipment, improve processes, expand production and serve customers at commercial scale."
Among the additions are five professionals highlighted by the company.

#critical #professionals

If you're a carrier operating in today's freight market, with tight margins, rate volatility, and rising operating costs, the real issue isn't the tool. It's whether the financing actually fits how your trucking business runs day to day.
Because in trucking, survival comes down to one thing: keeping cash moving at the same speed as freight.
Every carrier deals with the same basic cash flow problem:
Fuel, payroll, insurance, and maintenance are immediate and unavoidable expenses.
Revenue is generated load by load.

Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL) is one of the Best ***** e Technology Stocks to Buy Now. Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL) has declined around 12% over the past month. However, the Street remains bullish on the stock, with ***** ysts' 12-month price target suggesting more than 37% upside.
Recently, on July 1, Wedbush initiated coverage of the stock with a Buy rating and a $50 price target. The firm noted that the company is strategically placed at the intersection of two major forces. Firstly, Wedbush noted that nations are increasingly seeking sovereign access to ***** e, and secondly, AI is unlocking value from data.
The firm noted that Planet Labs scans the entire Earth daily and that no competitor can replicate this dataset. Wedbush believes the company to be an indispensable data layer that sits at the intersection of ***** e and AI. Moreover, the firm also believes the stock to be undervalued at current levels, making it an attractive buying opportunity.
Notably, management has also raised its fiscal 2027 revenue guidance to a range of $425 million to $441 million and expects to achieve positive annual free cash flow.
Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL) offers Pelican, SuperDove, SkySat, and Tanager satellites for daily Earth imaging, high-resolution monitoring, and hyperspectral imaging. It also provides satellite services arrangements such as manufacturing, launch procurement, ground station infrastructure, and maintenance. It serves energy, forestry, agriculture, mapping, insurance, finance, and government sectors.

BP said its second-quarter results are expected to benefit from significantly stronger oil realizations and refining margins, even as upstream production falls because of seasonal maintenance and supply disruptions in the Middle East.
In a trading update released ahead of its Aug. 4 earnings report, the company forecast reported upstream production of 2.17 million to 2.22 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), down from 2.339 million boe/d in the first quarter. The decline reflects planned maintenance, primarily in the Gulf of America, along with the ongoing impact of disruptions in the Middle East. Gas and low-carbon energy production is expected to reach 750,000-770,000 boe/d, while oil production and operations are forecast at 1.42 million-1.45 million boe/d.
Despite lower output, BP expects higher commodity prices to provide a substantial earnings boost. Oil production and operations realizations are projected to improve underlying replacement cost profit before interest and tax by $1.8 billion to $2.1 billion compared with the first quarter, while gas and low-carbon energy realizations are expected to contribute an additional $500 million to $700 million. Gas marketing and trading results are expected to remain broadly unchanged quarter over quarter.
The customers and products segment is also expected to benefit from stronger market conditions. BP forecasts seasonally higher fuel volumes, improved fuel margins, and refining gains of $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion. Refinery throughput is expected to decline to 1.445 million-1.475 million barrels per day due to planned turnaround activity and reduced volumes at the Whiting refinery following an April third-party incident that has since been resolved. Oil trading performance is expected to be slightly stronger than in the first quarter.
The company expects exploration write-offs of about $500 million during the quarter, largely related to the sale of its Bay du Nord project in Canada. Second-quarter results are also expected to include approximately $1 billion in post-tax impairment charges, primarily linked to transition businesses within its gas and low-carbon energy segment. These charges will be excluded from underlying replacement cost profit.

Popular coffeehouse chain Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) is reportedly developing in-house software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to decrease its reliance on outside software vendors. Starbucks depends upon a Microsoft (MSFT) system that tracks inventory and an International Business Machines (IBM) tool that manages maintenance. According to a Bloomberg report, the company's AI-based software is set to roll out by the end of next year, which could reduce its dependence on these software giants.
Right now, Starbucks is spending about $400 million a year on software, which is expected to be reduced with the help of AI. The company is reportedly examining every contract and service as part of a wider plan to reduce costs by $2 billion. While software stocks did not take the news kindly, SBUX's stock gained 2.54% intraday on July 9 as a result of this.
Taiwan Just Waved a Red Flag for Nvidia Stock
Taiwan Semi Stock Is Approaching Fair Value Ahead of July 16. How to Play TSM Here.
Forget GPUs. Nvidia's Next AI Gold Mine Could Be Even Bigger.

ClearBridge Investments, a global equity manager, recently published second-quarter 2026 commentary for its "SMID Cap Growth Strategy". A copy can be downloaded here. Small and mid-cap (SMID) growth equities experienced the strongest quarter in recent memory, with the Russell 2500 Growth Index rising 24.0%, driven by enthusiasm for AI infrastructure and higher-beta momentum stocks. The Strategy delivered double-digit returns in the quarter but trailed the soaring benchmark. Underperformance was driven by underexposure to top AI infrastructure stocks as well as weaknesses in healthcare and consumer discretionary sectors. The market leadership expanded beyond mega-cap technology, indicating potential opportunities from a broader cyclical recovery and AI adoption. In addition, you can check the Fund's top five holdings to determine its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, ClearBridge SMID Cap Growth Strategy highlighted Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) as a newly added position. Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) is a holding company that provides construction, commissioning, maintenance and related services to power generation market. On July 10, 2026, Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) closed at $630.32 per share. One-month return of Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) was -8.50%, and its shares gained 185.56% over the past 52 weeks. Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) has a market capitalization of $8.84 billion.
ClearBridge SMID Cap Growth Strategy the following regarding Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"We added several new positions in the industrials sector indexed to AI power demands and secular growth in defense spending. Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) — a leading engineering, procurement and construction firm — is positioned to benefit from a multi-year buildout in natural gas and solar power generation, limited industry competition and growing demand for new electricity generation."
Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 42 hedge fund portfolios held Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) at the end of the fourth quarter, compared to 46 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Argan, Inc. (NYSE:AGX) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

Baker Hughes Company (NASDAQ:BKR) is one of the best stocks to invest in under $100. On June 23, Baker Hughes announced a significant long-term service agreement with ANOH Gas Processing Company/AGPC for the ANOH Gas Processing Plant in Nigeria. The contract covers lifecycle support, including parts, repair services, and engineering advisory for the facility's critical turbomachinery, specifically its two NovaLT16 gas turbines.
In addition to traditional maintenance, the agreement incorporates iCenter digital services powered by Cordant for remote monitoring and diagnostics. These tools are designed to optimize equipment reliability and operational availability, supporting the plant's role as a vital contributor to Nigeria's domestic gas supply and power generation goals.
This partnership expands on a 2019 collaboration where Baker Hughes originally supplied the plant's power island solution. Work will be managed through the company's service center in Port Harcourt, leveraging local talent to **** ist Nigeria's transition toward lower-carbon fuel sources.
Baker Hughes Company (NASDAQ:BKR) is an energy technology company that develops and delivers technologies for the entire hydrogen value chain. Its main products are hydrogen-enabled turbines, compressors, valves, centrifugal pumps, non-metallic pipes, sensors, and monitoring systems.
While we acknowledge the risk and potential of BKR as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than BKR and that has 10,000% upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is one of the best large cap stocks to buy according to **** ysts. On July 8, Salesforce announced that the US Air Force 441st Vehicle Support Chain Operations Squadron is utilizing Missionforce National Security to manage its $13.5 billion fleet. This platform replaces legacy ERP silos, providing a unified, interoperable digital backbone for over 84,000 vehicles across nearly 389 locations.
The implementation enables the squadron to consolidate fragmented logistics into a strategic advantage, improving visibility for commanders and reducing service downtime. By utilizing the Salesforce Government Cloud Plus Defense, the Air Force has gained a scalable, IL5-authorized environment to support global mission readiness and operational control.
photo by Business-laptop-campaign-creators on Unsplash
Missionforce National Security streamlines **** et logistics, accelerates contingency planning, and improves budgeting accuracy through real-time data integration. The squadron is now positioned to leverage predictive **** ytics and future AI capabilities to automate manual tasks, validate vehicle data, and optimize maintenance schedules.
Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM) is a global enterprise software company that provides CRM and cloud-based business applications across sales, service, marketing, commerce, and data **** ytics. Its Customer 360 platform, powered by data tools and trusted AI, enables organizations to unify customer data and drive personalized engagement.

NCR Atleos Corporation (NYSE:NATL) is one of the best up and coming tech stocks to buy now. On June 23, NCR Atleos announced a new collaboration to resell Sesami's CM-Series Intelligent Teller Cash Recycler/TCR solutions to financial institutions across the US. This partnership aims to support branch modernization by providing banks and credit unions with technology that automates routine cash transactions, reduces manual processing, and enhances operational accuracy.
To ensure high performance and device availability, NCR Atleos Corporation (NYSE:NATL) will use its existing nationwide field service organization to provide hardware repair, monitoring, and issue resolution for the Sesami devices. This support structure mirrors the maintenance services currently provided for Atleos's extensive ATM fleet.
Pixabay/Public Domain
The collaboration combines Sesami's reliable, high-volume cash handling technology with Atleos's established service network and customer reach. By integrating these capabilities, the companies aim to help financial institutions streamline branch workflows, improve efficiency, and ultimately deliver a better experience for their customers.
NCR Atleos Corporation (NYSE:NATL) provides self-service banking solutions like ATMs and interactive teller machines. The company offers hardware, software, installation, and maintenance services to banks and businesses worldwide.

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (NYSE:WAB) is one of the Best Railroad Stocks to Invest In According to Billionaires. As of Q1 2026, 20 billionaires held the stock. On July 8, Stephens resumed coverage of Wabtec with an Overweight rating and a $320 price target. The firm said the transport cycle was broadly improving and saw more fundamental upside than downside, with momentum potentially carrying into 2027. Stephens also said rising earnings could continue to command historically elevated valuation multiples.
A long freight train moving across the landscape, full of cargo transported by the company.
Wabtec's business gives it exposure to both new rail equipment and the aftermarket. According to its 2025 annual report, the company has an installed base of nearly 24,600 locomotives. Wabtec said this base creates aftermarket opportunities in replacement parts, technology upgrades, maintenance, overhauls, and modernization work. The company also noted that customers often look to original equipment suppliers for safety- and performance-related parts and upgrades. This gives Wabtec a revenue base tied not only to new locomotive deliveries but also to equipment already operating across global rail networks.
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (NYSE:WAB), commonly known as Wabtec, provides equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for freight rail, transit rail, mining, marine, and industrial markets.
While we acknowledge the potential of WAB as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

Greenbrier Companies Inc. (NYSE:GBX) is one of the Best Railroad Stocks to Invest In According to Billionaires. As of Q1 2026, 11 billionaires held the stock.
Pixabay/Public Domain
On July 1, Greenbrier reported third-quarter results that showed a mixed but useful picture for rail equipment. Aggregate gross margin improved 230 basis points sequentially to 14.1%, while the owned lease fleet grew 23% sequentially to 20,600 units. Lease fleet utilization remained strong at 99%, and the company received new railcar orders for 2,200 units valued at $340 million. Its backlog stood at 13,800 units with an estimated value of $2.0 billion as of May 31. That is the kind of update that works for a railroad-stock list because it links railcar manufacturing, leasing, and replacement demand within a single business. Greenbrier is not a Class I rail operator, but its order book and leasing utilization are closely tied to freight rail capital spending and shippers' equipment needs.
Greenbrier Companies Inc. (NYSE:GBX) supplies equipment and services to global freight transportation markets, including railcar manufacturing, leasing, fleet management, maintenance, parts, and related railcar services.
While we acknowledge the potential of GBX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

Crystin Liboma's childhood dream was to own a home. At 26 years old, she moved out of her parents' house into her first home purchase in Delaware. Then, she was slammed with major home repairs that left her struggling to pay her mortgage and several thousand dollars in credit card debt.
Three years after buying her first home in 2017, Liboma found relief in the form of a mortgage refinance. By refinancing from a mid-4%, 30-year mortgage to a 3.38%, 20-year mortgage, Liboma set herself on stronger financial footing.
Now 35 years old, the healthcare consultant has learned a few lessons about dealing with unexpected costs, along with one thing you can control but might not realize — your mortgage rate.
There are many uncontrollable costs when it comes to homeownership, including maintenance, rising property taxes and high utility bills. Naomi Peden, a housing counselor at Money Management International, helps people who are struggling to pay their mortgage. But financial stability begins before move-in day.
"One of the benefits of being a homeowner is the fact that you're stabilizing a portion of your housing cost," she tells clients during pre-purchase counseling. "That portion is the principal and interest payment."

TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:TGTX) is one of the 10 Best Performing American Stocks in June 2026.
On July 6, 2026, TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:TGTX) announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating Briumvi in adults with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The open-label study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Briumvi in approximately 60 adults with schizophrenia who continue to experience significant symptoms despite standard-of-care antipsychotic treatment.
On June 23, Jefferies raised the firm's price target on TG Therapeutics to $83 from $57 and kept a Buy rating on the shares. Jefferies said the Street "still underappreciates the significance" of Phase 1 subcutaneous Briumvi pharmacokinetic data as predictive of a Phase 3 outcome expected by year-end 2026 to early 2027. Jefferies also updated its model to be more bullish on the subcutaneous opportunity.
On June 9, TG Therapeutics announced topline Phase 1 data for Briumvi in patients with myasthenia gravis and the initiation of a Phase 2 trial evaluating Briumvi as maintenance therapy after induction with efgartigimod. At Week 24, 82% of patients achieved the Minimal Clinically Important Difference in MG-ADL, with a median time to MCID of 30 days, while mean MG-ADL improvement was 4.6 points. The Phase 2 trial is expected to enroll approximately 120 patients, with time to clinical worsening as the primary endpoint.
TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:TGTX) focuses on the acquisition, development, and commercialization of novel treatments for B-cell mediated diseases in the United States and internationally.

By Foo Yun Chee
BRUSSELS, July 9 (Reuters) - SAP, Europe's largest software maker, will make it easier for ‌its customers to switch to rival service providers ‌or end their contracts, EU antitrust regulators said on Thursday as part of concessions aimed at staving off a possible fine.
In September last year, the European Commission launched an investigation over concerns that SAP might be hindering competitors in the market for maintenance ‌and support services ⁠of on-premise software. Regulators suspected SAP was making it difficult for its customers to switch vendors.
SAP ⁠subsequently tweaked its proposal after the EU competition watchdog received feedback from third parties, resulting in the Commission giving the green light to the concessions. Reuters exclusively reported on this in ‌November last year.
"Today's decision gives customers using SAP's popular on-premises business management software more freedom to choose maintenance and support services without unfair restrictions that raised their costs and stifled competition," EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said in a ‌statement.

Dangote's 700,000 b/d Lekki refinery has been running at full capacity over the past two months, pushing product exports to Europe to record levels and overtaking traditional suppliers from the Gulf and the US. Its rise has already reshaped the West African fuel trade: imports of clean products from outside the region fell by almost 25% year-on-year in the second quarter. Yet Dangote is treating this only as a starting point. The group plans to add another crude distillation unit (CDU), lift total capacity to 1.45 million b/d and build a wider network of product-storage and distribution infrastructure across Africa. The ambition is vast, but so are the challenges.
The refinery's latest maintenance and upgrade programme lifted capacity from 650,000 b/d to 700,000 b/d by de-bottlenecking the existing crude distillation unit. That increase took roughly 2.5 years to deliver, with regular crude purchases beginning in March 2024. The next phase is larger. Dangote is targeting mechanical completion of a new 750,000 b/d CDU and additional secondary units by December 2028, potentially including another vacuum distillation unit as well as expanded polypropylene, base-oil and linear alkyl benzene capacity. If completed, the project would make Lekki the world's largest refinery at 1.45 million b/d, narrowly ahead of Reliance Industries' 1.4 million b/d Jamnagar complex in India. However, the construction of Dangote's first CDU took eight years, roughly in line with the pace of other recent refinery projects. India's newly commissioned Barmer refinery in Rajasthan, for example, also took around eight years to build, despite being far smaller at 180,000 b/d. That makes Dangote's target of completing a second CDU by 2028 look highly unrealistic.
Yet the timeline may be less important than the signal. While state-owned NNPC is still trying to rehabilitate its three refineries, with a combined capacity of 445,000 b/d, by attracting outside investors, Dangote's promise to build the world's largest refinery sends a clear message to both NNPC and potential investors: the competition is likely to become too difficult to withstand, regardless of when the second CDU is ultimately completed.
Related: IMF Downgrades Global Economic Growth Forecast To 3% Amid Iran War
The refinery has largely relied on Nigerian crude, but domestic supply has not been sufficient to cover its full needs. Crude receipts peaked near 650,000 b/d in May before easing to 575,000 b/d in June. Nigeria's very own Bonny Light has remained central, while WTI Midland from the US Gulf Coast provided an average of 120,000 b/d in 2025 and as much as 300,000 b/d in some months. The very light slate supported high jet and diesel yields but left too little residue to fully feed the refinery's residual fluid catalytic cracker, constraining gasoline output. Dangote has therefore widened its slate to include somewhat heavier Nigerian grades such as Escravos, Forcados and Bonga, alongside occasional cargoes

Palm Valley Capital Management, an investment management firm, has issued the second-quarter 2026 investor letter for the "Palm Valley Capital Fund." A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the second quarter, the fund's investor class gained 1.80%, while the S&P SmallCap 600 rose 19.7% and the Morningstar Small Cap Total Return Index returned 14.0%. The Strategy primarily focused on small-cap categories, allocating 75% to cash equivalents. This led to underperformance relative to benchmarks. The Fund is currently seeking more small-cap opportunities that meet its return criteria and will act swiftly if market conditions improve. The Index benefited from strong contributions from data center construction and biotech sectors, while the energy industry lagged. Additionally, reviewing the fund's top five holdings can reveal its best investments in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Palm Valley Capital Management highlighted LKQ Corporation (NASDAQ:LKQ). LKQ Corporation (NASDAQ:LKQ) is a leading vehicle parts distributor used in the repair and maintenance of vehicles and specialty vehicles. On July 7, 2026, LKQ Corporation (NASDAQ:LKQ) closed at $26.21 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $6.67 billion. LKQ Corporation (NASDAQ:LKQ) posted a one-month return of 2.91%, while its shares lost 32.54% over the past 52 weeks.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding LKQ Corporation (NASDAQ:LKQ) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The stocks most negatively affecting the Fund's second quarter return were Amdocs (ticker: DOX), LKQ Corporation (NASDAQ:LKQ), and Chord Energy (ticker: CHRD). LKQ's stock declined in the second quarter after management disclosed that the sale process for the firm's Specialty division has been diminished by tightening credit conditions for potential buyers. Regardless, LKQ's overall business appears to be on the mend, with tailwinds forming for key drivers of repairable claims. Additionally, the stock has potential catalysts from a strategic review currently underway. Shares are selling for 8.5x trailing free cash flow."
LKQ Corporation (NASDAQ:LKQ) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 43 hedge fund portfolios held LKQ Corporation (NASDAQ:LKQ) at the end of the first quarter, the same as in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of LKQ Corporation (NASDAQ:LKQ) as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.