21 mins. ago
Distressed investors are, by their nature, optimists. They must be, since they see bargains and opportunities where other investors fear to tread. True to form, recent conversations with a number of distressed players reveal a significant distressed opportunity set in the back half of 2026 in the face of a roaring US equity bull market and a vibrant US economy.
Beginning on a positive note, "the US economy is doing well and isn't likely to turn south in the next six to 12 months," says Jeremy Burton, managing director and portfolio manager at PineBridge Investments. Even the rise of oil prices isn't of great concern for Burton, as he believes that the hit to consumers from rising oil prices in one region of the country will be offset by a healthy oil-and-gas-based economy in another region. As a result, the opportunities are more sector-specific, he believes.
Concurring with Burton's relatively sunny view are Morgan Stanley strategists Vishwas Patka and Joyce Jiang, who, in a recent piece covering their mid-year outlook, said "capex growth and a resilient consumer support a stable macro environment with strong earnings, while attractive yields anchor robust [debt] demand." This bodes well for business growth and equity generally, the pair said.
That health is reflected in the numbers. PitchBook LCD reported on July 1 that the trailing 12-month default rate for the Morningstar LSTA US Leveraged Loan index was only 0.97% by dollar amount and 1.34% by issuer count. The default rate by count, including Liability Management Exercises (LMEs), was 2.77%.
But danger in the leveraged loan index lurks. The index's distress ratio by amount (defined as the share of loans trading below 80 cents on the dollar) rose 34 bps in June, to 6.87%. In fact, the distress ratio has trended higher over the past nine months after plumbing a near-term low of 2.59% in September 2025. The peak for 2026 is 7.23% in March, which was the result of six consecutive monthly increases and marked the highest level since the distress ratio hit 7.36% in December 2022, in the midst of a series of US fed funds rate hikes by the FOMC. Roughly 45% of the debt trading under 80 is in software-related sectors.
#distressed #ratio #leveraged
Beginning on a positive note, "the US economy is doing well and isn't likely to turn south in the next six to 12 months," says Jeremy Burton, managing director and portfolio manager at PineBridge Investments. Even the rise of oil prices isn't of great concern for Burton, as he believes that the hit to consumers from rising oil prices in one region of the country will be offset by a healthy oil-and-gas-based economy in another region. As a result, the opportunities are more sector-specific, he believes.
Concurring with Burton's relatively sunny view are Morgan Stanley strategists Vishwas Patka and Joyce Jiang, who, in a recent piece covering their mid-year outlook, said "capex growth and a resilient consumer support a stable macro environment with strong earnings, while attractive yields anchor robust [debt] demand." This bodes well for business growth and equity generally, the pair said.
That health is reflected in the numbers. PitchBook LCD reported on July 1 that the trailing 12-month default rate for the Morningstar LSTA US Leveraged Loan index was only 0.97% by dollar amount and 1.34% by issuer count. The default rate by count, including Liability Management Exercises (LMEs), was 2.77%.
But danger in the leveraged loan index lurks. The index's distress ratio by amount (defined as the share of loans trading below 80 cents on the dollar) rose 34 bps in June, to 6.87%. In fact, the distress ratio has trended higher over the past nine months after plumbing a near-term low of 2.59% in September 2025. The peak for 2026 is 7.23% in March, which was the result of six consecutive monthly increases and marked the highest level since the distress ratio hit 7.36% in December 2022, in the midst of a series of US fed funds rate hikes by the FOMC. Roughly 45% of the debt trading under 80 is in software-related sectors.
#distressed #ratio #leveraged
10 hours ago
Zoe Saldana stopped by CBS Mornings in New York today to promote the upcoming third season of Lioness, which premieres on 2 August.
Raymond Hall/GC Images
I'm hoping Zoe is starting this press tour as she means to go on, because this made a refreshing change.
We all know how much the actress loves a black Saint Laurent lace dress. At this point, she and Zoë Kravitz must be neck and neck for the number of times they've worn one, so I always breathe a sigh of relief when she heads in a different direction.
On this occasion, she wore a look from the Willy Chavarria Spring 2027 collection, which debuted during Men's Fashion Week last month.
#saldana #mornings #august #images
Raymond Hall/GC Images
I'm hoping Zoe is starting this press tour as she means to go on, because this made a refreshing change.
We all know how much the actress loves a black Saint Laurent lace dress. At this point, she and Zoë Kravitz must be neck and neck for the number of times they've worn one, so I always breathe a sigh of relief when she heads in a different direction.
On this occasion, she wore a look from the Willy Chavarria Spring 2027 collection, which debuted during Men's Fashion Week last month.
#saldana #mornings #august #images
7 days ago
Gayle King defended her FIFA World Cup Final 2026 outfit (pictured here) after a publication named her one of the "worst-dressed" from the soccer match. Getty Images
Gayle King is kicking style critics to the curb.
The journalist defended her FIFA World Cup Final 2026 outfit after a publication named her one of the "worst-dressed" from the soccer match.
"My outfit overall was 'boring and dowdy,'" King said on the Tuesday broadcast of "CBS Mornings," recounting what the publication — which she chose not to name — said about her look.
"My outfit overall was 'boring and dowdy,'" King said on the Tuesday broadcast of "CBS Mornings," recounting what the unnamed publication said about her look. FIFA via Getty Images
#publication #final #getty
Gayle King is kicking style critics to the curb.
The journalist defended her FIFA World Cup Final 2026 outfit after a publication named her one of the "worst-dressed" from the soccer match.
"My outfit overall was 'boring and dowdy,'" King said on the Tuesday broadcast of "CBS Mornings," recounting what the publication — which she chose not to name — said about her look.
"My outfit overall was 'boring and dowdy,'" King said on the Tuesday broadcast of "CBS Mornings," recounting what the unnamed publication said about her look. FIFA via Getty Images
#publication #final #getty
7 days ago
You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters.
Semiconductors to Stablecoins: Jan van Eck on 2026 Markets "He's still a gold bull for the next decade despite a near-term technical stumble, but he's stayed bearish on Bitcoin all year, partially due to mechanisms specific to bitcoin and partially because of its rising correlation to the Nasdaq. Where he does see life in crypto is stablecoins and corporate chains, as banks race to wall off their own blockchain turf." (ETF.com)
Is Passive Investing Sabotaging Fund Managers? "Index fund fans counter that claims of distortion are mostly sour grapes from fund managers struggling to outperform. For one thing, index funds do little trading of their own. Active managers' jobs might even get easier as they scrap over a smaller slice of the market." (WSJ)
These 15 Funds Cost Investors Billions Over the Past Decade "Seven of the top 15 funds on our list are in the trading-inverse equity category, which are designed to increase in value when a specific benchmark or ***** et type falls. These funds occasionally rise to the top by betting against the market; for example, many funds that bet against US stocks were up 15% or more in 2022. But because market returns are positive more often than not, the long-term results haven't been pretty." (Morningstar)
Goldman Pitches New Way for LPs to Fund Capital Calls "The move would give large investors interest on capital that has been committed but not yet called, at rates around 160 basis points to 210 basis points over the benchmark. In return, Goldman would free up capacity on its balance sheet." (FundFire)
#market #Bitcoin
Semiconductors to Stablecoins: Jan van Eck on 2026 Markets "He's still a gold bull for the next decade despite a near-term technical stumble, but he's stayed bearish on Bitcoin all year, partially due to mechanisms specific to bitcoin and partially because of its rising correlation to the Nasdaq. Where he does see life in crypto is stablecoins and corporate chains, as banks race to wall off their own blockchain turf." (ETF.com)
Is Passive Investing Sabotaging Fund Managers? "Index fund fans counter that claims of distortion are mostly sour grapes from fund managers struggling to outperform. For one thing, index funds do little trading of their own. Active managers' jobs might even get easier as they scrap over a smaller slice of the market." (WSJ)
These 15 Funds Cost Investors Billions Over the Past Decade "Seven of the top 15 funds on our list are in the trading-inverse equity category, which are designed to increase in value when a specific benchmark or ***** et type falls. These funds occasionally rise to the top by betting against the market; for example, many funds that bet against US stocks were up 15% or more in 2022. But because market returns are positive more often than not, the long-term results haven't been pretty." (Morningstar)
Goldman Pitches New Way for LPs to Fund Capital Calls "The move would give large investors interest on capital that has been committed but not yet called, at rates around 160 basis points to 210 basis points over the benchmark. In return, Goldman would free up capacity on its balance sheet." (FundFire)
#market #Bitcoin
7 days ago
NZS Capital, LLC, an investment management company, released its "NZS Growth Equity Strategy" second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Equity markets delivered a strong performance in the second quarter of 2026, driven by demand for AI infrastructure, geopolitical stabilization, and positive earnings reports. The portfolio achieved a gross return of +24.96% and a net return of +24.76%, significantly outperforming the +14.79% return for the Morningstar Global Target Market Exposure Index. Overweight in Semiconductors, stock selection in areas like Software and Industrials, and zero exposure to Energy contributed to the Strategy's outperformance in the quarter. In addition, please check the Strategy's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL). Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL) is a semiconductor company that delivers data infrastructure solutions across the data center core, cloud, enterprise, and network edge. On July 20, 2026, Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL) closed at $194.94 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $174.97 billion. Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL) posted a one-month return of -30.14%, while its shares gained 170.79% over the past 52 weeks.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Those familiar with our strategy may know a key part of our process concerns reassessment of optional positions that outperform their way into the "middle" of the portfolio. If the team determines that the range of outcomes has narrowed enough for promotion to a resilient position, we add capital; otherwise, we trim the position back to optionality. While we might leave incremental upside on the table, we believe this strict reduction in overactive stocks with wide ranging outcomes allows us to continue benefiting from further upside without letting risk run. This quarter, the portfolio had five positions that worked their way into the middle – a few even ran all the way through the middle in a single day. This situation is unusual and perhaps symptomatic of the volatility in the market. In the cases of ARM Holdings, Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL), Lattice Semiconductor, and Snowflake, we trimmed the positions back to optionality. For example, Marvell rallied significantly after Jensen Huang extolled the company as "the next trillion-dollar company" on stage at Computex in Taiwan. While we agree it's within the range of outcomes, in our view, Jensen's statement only resulted in the market applying a higher valuation to a stock whose fundamental range of outcomes remained unchanged; thus, we trimmed Marvell."
#technology #mrvl #market #Growth
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL). Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL) is a semiconductor company that delivers data infrastructure solutions across the data center core, cloud, enterprise, and network edge. On July 20, 2026, Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL) closed at $194.94 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $174.97 billion. Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL) posted a one-month return of -30.14%, while its shares gained 170.79% over the past 52 weeks.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Those familiar with our strategy may know a key part of our process concerns reassessment of optional positions that outperform their way into the "middle" of the portfolio. If the team determines that the range of outcomes has narrowed enough for promotion to a resilient position, we add capital; otherwise, we trim the position back to optionality. While we might leave incremental upside on the table, we believe this strict reduction in overactive stocks with wide ranging outcomes allows us to continue benefiting from further upside without letting risk run. This quarter, the portfolio had five positions that worked their way into the middle – a few even ran all the way through the middle in a single day. This situation is unusual and perhaps symptomatic of the volatility in the market. In the cases of ARM Holdings, Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVL), Lattice Semiconductor, and Snowflake, we trimmed the positions back to optionality. For example, Marvell rallied significantly after Jensen Huang extolled the company as "the next trillion-dollar company" on stage at Computex in Taiwan. While we agree it's within the range of outcomes, in our view, Jensen's statement only resulted in the market applying a higher valuation to a stock whose fundamental range of outcomes remained unchanged; thus, we trimmed Marvell."
#technology #mrvl #market #Growth
7 days ago
NZS Capital, LLC, an investment management company, released its "NZS Growth Equity Strategy" second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Equity markets delivered a strong performance in the second quarter of 2026, driven by demand for AI infrastructure, geopolitical stabilization, and positive earnings reports. The portfolio achieved a gross return of +24.96% and a net return of +24.76%, significantly outperforming the +14.79% return for the Morningstar Global Target Market Exposure Index. Overweight in Semiconductors, stock selection in areas like Software and Industrials, and zero exposure to Energy contributed to the Strategy's outperformance in the quarter. In addition, please check the Strategy's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) as a notable contributor. Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) is a UK-based technology company that develops and licenses central processing unit designs and related technologies for semiconductor companies and original equipment manufacturers. On July 20, 2026, Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) closed at $269.61 per share. One-month return of Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) was -26.41%, and its shares gained 72.27% over the past 52 weeks. Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) has a market capitalization of $286.87 billion.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Information Technology contributed the most to absolute returns, though Industrials and Communication Services also outperformed. Each of the top-five individual contributors to absolute returns were in the Semiconductor industry and, more importantly, in the AI infrastructure ecosystem. In addition to the improving outlook reflected in chips broadly, Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) shares were further lifted by the company's announced plan to develop its first in house chip, a CPU for AI workloads."
Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 46 hedge fund portfolios held Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) at the end of the first quarter, compared to 33 in the previous quarter. Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) reported record revenue of $1.49 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, up 20% year-over-year. While we acknowledge the potential of Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) 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.
#quarter #investor #letter
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) as a notable contributor. Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) is a UK-based technology company that develops and licenses central processing unit designs and related technologies for semiconductor companies and original equipment manufacturers. On July 20, 2026, Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) closed at $269.61 per share. One-month return of Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) was -26.41%, and its shares gained 72.27% over the past 52 weeks. Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) has a market capitalization of $286.87 billion.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Information Technology contributed the most to absolute returns, though Industrials and Communication Services also outperformed. Each of the top-five individual contributors to absolute returns were in the Semiconductor industry and, more importantly, in the AI infrastructure ecosystem. In addition to the improving outlook reflected in chips broadly, Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) shares were further lifted by the company's announced plan to develop its first in house chip, a CPU for AI workloads."
Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 46 hedge fund portfolios held Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) at the end of the first quarter, compared to 33 in the previous quarter. Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) reported record revenue of $1.49 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, up 20% year-over-year. While we acknowledge the potential of Arm Holdings plc (NASDAQ:ARM) 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.
#quarter #investor #letter
7 days ago
NZS Capital, LLC, an investment management company, released its "NZS Growth Equity Strategy" second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Equity markets delivered a strong performance in the second quarter of 2026, driven by demand for AI infrastructure, geopolitical stabilization, and positive earnings reports. The portfolio achieved a gross return of +24.96% and a net return of +24.76%, significantly outperforming the +14.79% return for the Morningstar Global Target Market Exposure Index. Overweight in Semiconductors, stock selection in areas like Software and Industrials, and zero exposure to Energy contributed to the Strategy's outperformance in the quarter. In addition, please check the Strategy's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR). Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) is an infrastructure services company that provides engineering and construction services to utilities, energy infrastructure, and telecommunications projects. On July 20, 2026, Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) closed at $632.56 per share. One-month return of Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) was -9.93%, and its shares gained 60.17% over the past 52 weeks. Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) has a market capitalization of $94.92 billion.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Those familiar with our strategy may know a key part of our process concerns reassessment of optional positions that outperform their way into the "middle" of the portfolio. If the team determines that the range of outcomes has narrowed enough for promotion to a resilient position, we add capital; otherwise, we trim the position back to optionality. While we might leave incremental upside on the table, we believe this strict reduction in overactive stocks with wide ranging outcomes allows us to continue benefiting from further upside without letting risk run. This quarter, the portfolio had five positions that worked their way into the middle – a few even ran all the way through the middle in a single day. This situation is unusual and perhaps symptomatic of the volatility in the market. Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) also ran into the middle during the quarter, and we ultimately decided to add capital and promote the position to resilient, reflecting our view that the fundamental range of outcomes for Quanta's business – a US provider of craft labor for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure – has continued to narrow."
#quarter #Growth
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR). Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) is an infrastructure services company that provides engineering and construction services to utilities, energy infrastructure, and telecommunications projects. On July 20, 2026, Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) closed at $632.56 per share. One-month return of Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) was -9.93%, and its shares gained 60.17% over the past 52 weeks. Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) has a market capitalization of $94.92 billion.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Those familiar with our strategy may know a key part of our process concerns reassessment of optional positions that outperform their way into the "middle" of the portfolio. If the team determines that the range of outcomes has narrowed enough for promotion to a resilient position, we add capital; otherwise, we trim the position back to optionality. While we might leave incremental upside on the table, we believe this strict reduction in overactive stocks with wide ranging outcomes allows us to continue benefiting from further upside without letting risk run. This quarter, the portfolio had five positions that worked their way into the middle – a few even ran all the way through the middle in a single day. This situation is unusual and perhaps symptomatic of the volatility in the market. Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR) also ran into the middle during the quarter, and we ultimately decided to add capital and promote the position to resilient, reflecting our view that the fundamental range of outcomes for Quanta's business – a US provider of craft labor for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure – has continued to narrow."
#quarter #Growth
7 days ago
NZS Capital, LLC, an investment management company, released its "NZS Growth Equity Strategy" second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Equity markets delivered a strong performance in the second quarter of 2026, driven by demand for AI infrastructure, geopolitical stabilization, and positive earnings reports. The portfolio achieved a gross return of +24.96% and a net return of +24.76%, significantly outperforming the +14.79% return for the Morningstar Global Target Market Exposure Index. Overweight in Semiconductors, stock selection in areas like Software and Industrials, and zero exposure to Energy contributed to the Strategy's outperformance in the quarter. In addition, please check the Strategy's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted stocks like Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN). Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) is a biotechnology and medical services company that develops and commercializes technologies for peripheral nerve regeneration and repair. On July 20, 2026, Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) closed at $39.48 per share. One-month return of Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) was -11.66%, and its shares gained 214.83% over the past 52 weeks. Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) has a market capitalization of $2.1 billion.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"New additions to the portfolio were optionality positions in Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN). Axogen provides nerve grafts used for peripheral nerve repair. Following BLA approval of their Avance nerve allograft and related positive momentum in insurance coverage, we think Axogen is highly asymmetric to a future where nerve repair becomes standard-of-care, including for patients undergoing a mastectomy or prostatectomy (PSA to look into Axogen's tech if you or someone you know could benefit). WuXi XDC is a China-based Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) focused on bioconjugates, an exciting research area that is rapidly developing new therapies. The aforementioned U.S. BIOSECURE Act provided us an attractive entry point into this rapidly growing business and will also keep a lid on position size given the range of outcomes. In short, we think a modestly higher dose of this "quality growth" sector is good for our portfolio's health, and we've been incrementally expressing this view."
Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 36 hedge fund portfolios held Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) at the end of the first quarter, up from 26 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) 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 be
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted stocks like Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN). Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) is a biotechnology and medical services company that develops and commercializes technologies for peripheral nerve regeneration and repair. On July 20, 2026, Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) closed at $39.48 per share. One-month return of Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) was -11.66%, and its shares gained 214.83% over the past 52 weeks. Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) has a market capitalization of $2.1 billion.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"New additions to the portfolio were optionality positions in Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN). Axogen provides nerve grafts used for peripheral nerve repair. Following BLA approval of their Avance nerve allograft and related positive momentum in insurance coverage, we think Axogen is highly asymmetric to a future where nerve repair becomes standard-of-care, including for patients undergoing a mastectomy or prostatectomy (PSA to look into Axogen's tech if you or someone you know could benefit). WuXi XDC is a China-based Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) focused on bioconjugates, an exciting research area that is rapidly developing new therapies. The aforementioned U.S. BIOSECURE Act provided us an attractive entry point into this rapidly growing business and will also keep a lid on position size given the range of outcomes. In short, we think a modestly higher dose of this "quality growth" sector is good for our portfolio's health, and we've been incrementally expressing this view."
Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 36 hedge fund portfolios held Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) at the end of the first quarter, up from 26 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Axogen, Inc. (NASDAQ:AXGN) 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 be
7 days ago
NZS Capital, LLC, an investment management company, released its "NZS Growth Equity Strategy" second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Equity markets delivered a strong performance in the second quarter of 2026, driven by demand for AI infrastructure, geopolitical stabilization, and positive earnings reports. The portfolio achieved a gross return of +24.96% and a net return of +24.76%, significantly outperforming the +14.79% return for the Morningstar Global Target Market Exposure Index. Overweight in Semiconductors, stock selection in areas like Software and Industrials, and zero exposure to Energy contributed to the Strategy's outperformance in the quarter. In addition, please check the Strategy's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG). Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) is a leader in robotic-assisted surgery that develops, manufactures, and markets products for improving the quality of and access to minimally invasive care. On July 20, 2026, Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) closed at $353.17 per share. One-month return of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) was -10.55%, and its shares lost 29.42% over the past 52 weeks. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) has a market capitalization of $125.08 billion.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Only Real Estate and Healthcare contributed negatively to absolute returns, but Materials and Financials lagged. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) was the top individual detractor to absolute returns in the quarter. While fundamentals remain solid for Intuitive Surgical, the stock's multiple has not been immune from the broad de-rating in "quality growth" stocks we've seen outside of the AI ecosystem."
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 103 hedge fund portfolios held Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) at the end of the first quarter, compared to 109 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) 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.
#intuitive #quarter
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG). Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) is a leader in robotic-assisted surgery that develops, manufactures, and markets products for improving the quality of and access to minimally invasive care. On July 20, 2026, Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) closed at $353.17 per share. One-month return of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) was -10.55%, and its shares lost 29.42% over the past 52 weeks. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) has a market capitalization of $125.08 billion.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Only Real Estate and Healthcare contributed negatively to absolute returns, but Materials and Financials lagged. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) was the top individual detractor to absolute returns in the quarter. While fundamentals remain solid for Intuitive Surgical, the stock's multiple has not been immune from the broad de-rating in "quality growth" stocks we've seen outside of the AI ecosystem."
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 103 hedge fund portfolios held Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) at the end of the first quarter, compared to 109 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) 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.
#intuitive #quarter
7 days ago
NZS Capital, LLC, an investment management company, released its "NZS Growth Equity Strategy" second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Equity markets delivered a strong performance in the second quarter of 2026, driven by demand for AI infrastructure, geopolitical stabilization, and positive earnings reports. The portfolio achieved a gross return of +24.96% and a net return of +24.76%, significantly outperforming the +14.79% return for the Morningstar Global Target Market Exposure Index. Overweight in Semiconductors, stock selection in areas like Software and Industrials, and zero exposure to Energy contributed to the Strategy's outperformance in the quarter. In addition, please check the Strategy's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX). Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) is a leading semiconductor equipment company that supplies semiconductor processing equipment for the fabrication of integrated circuits. On July 20, 2026, Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) closed at $306.76 per share. One-month return of Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) was -17.39%, and its shares gained 214.01% over the past 52 weeks. Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) has a market capitalization of $383.62 billion.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Information Technology contributed the most to absolute returns, though Industrials and Communication Services also outperformed. Each of the top-five individual contributors to absolute returns were in the Semiconductor industry and, more importantly, in the AI infrastructure ecosystem. Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX), which is a critical supplier of etching equipment used in the production of semiconductors, saw strengthening tailwinds to their outlook as some key chip manufacturing customers publicly committed to higher capital expenditures to expand capacity."
Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 123 hedge fund portfolios held Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) at the end of the first quarter, up from 104 in the previous quarter. Lam Research Corporation's (NASDAQ:LRCX) revenue for the March quarter of 2026 was $5.84 billion, representing a 9% sequential increase and a 24% increase compared to Q1 2025. While we acknowledge the potential of Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) 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.
#lrcx #return
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX). Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) is a leading semiconductor equipment company that supplies semiconductor processing equipment for the fabrication of integrated circuits. On July 20, 2026, Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) closed at $306.76 per share. One-month return of Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) was -17.39%, and its shares gained 214.01% over the past 52 weeks. Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) has a market capitalization of $383.62 billion.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Information Technology contributed the most to absolute returns, though Industrials and Communication Services also outperformed. Each of the top-five individual contributors to absolute returns were in the Semiconductor industry and, more importantly, in the AI infrastructure ecosystem. Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX), which is a critical supplier of etching equipment used in the production of semiconductors, saw strengthening tailwinds to their outlook as some key chip manufacturing customers publicly committed to higher capital expenditures to expand capacity."
Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 123 hedge fund portfolios held Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) at the end of the first quarter, up from 104 in the previous quarter. Lam Research Corporation's (NASDAQ:LRCX) revenue for the March quarter of 2026 was $5.84 billion, representing a 9% sequential increase and a 24% increase compared to Q1 2025. While we acknowledge the potential of Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) 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.
#lrcx #return
7 days ago
NZS Capital, LLC, an investment management company, released its "NZS Growth Equity Strategy" second-quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Equity markets delivered a strong performance in the second quarter of 2026, driven by demand for AI infrastructure, geopolitical stabilization, and positive earnings reports. The portfolio achieved a gross return of +24.96% and a net return of +24.76%, significantly outperforming the +14.79% return for the Morningstar Global Target Market Exposure Index. Overweight in Semiconductors, stock selection in areas like Software and Industrials, and zero exposure to Energy contributed to the Strategy's outperformance in the quarter. In addition, please check the Strategy's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA). NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is a leading data center-scale AI infrastructure company that operates through Compute & Networking and Graphics segments. On July 20, 2026, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) stock closed at $203.28 per share. One-month return of NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) was -2.80%, and its shares gained 18.34% over the past 52 weeks. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) has a market capitalization of $4.95 trillion.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Elsewhere, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) was added back to the portfolio as a resilient position late in the quarter. NVIDIA had been a long-time holding in the portfolio before we exited in the third quarter of 2025. The stock has since lagged the broad surge in the AI semiconductor ecosystem as the market began contemplating budding risks to the GPU's market share in AI compute. This scenario was our primary concern when we exited the position, but we now think the lowered valuation more than compensates for this type of risk. Further, NVIDIA's growth relative to competitors indicates the GPU is actually taking share at present."
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is in fourth position on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 275 hedge fund portfolios held NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) at the end of the fourth quarter, compared to 264 in the previous quarter. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) reported revenues of $82 billion, achieving an impressive 85% year-over-year growth. While we acknowledge the potential of NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) 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.
#NASDAQ #Growth
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, NZS Growth Equity Strategy highlighted NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA). NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is a leading data center-scale AI infrastructure company that operates through Compute & Networking and Graphics segments. On July 20, 2026, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) stock closed at $203.28 per share. One-month return of NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) was -2.80%, and its shares gained 18.34% over the past 52 weeks. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) has a market capitalization of $4.95 trillion.
NZS Growth Equity Strategy stated the following regarding NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Elsewhere, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) was added back to the portfolio as a resilient position late in the quarter. NVIDIA had been a long-time holding in the portfolio before we exited in the third quarter of 2025. The stock has since lagged the broad surge in the AI semiconductor ecosystem as the market began contemplating budding risks to the GPU's market share in AI compute. This scenario was our primary concern when we exited the position, but we now think the lowered valuation more than compensates for this type of risk. Further, NVIDIA's growth relative to competitors indicates the GPU is actually taking share at present."
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is in fourth position on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 275 hedge fund portfolios held NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) at the end of the fourth quarter, compared to 264 in the previous quarter. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) reported revenues of $82 billion, achieving an impressive 85% year-over-year growth. While we acknowledge the potential of NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) 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.
#NASDAQ #Growth
7 days ago
The 2026 World Cup saw records broken in viewership and attendance as football fans from across the globe descended on the United States, Canada and Mexico for 104 matches. Spain won its second men's World Cup after a summer that featured countless storylines. A quick glance in the streets of social media at any given moment of the tournament saw new fans asking "Which Premier League team should I support?"
Not La Liga. Not Serie A. Not Liga MX. Not MLS.
There's a reason that the Premier League, or the Prem, is the one that people want to be a part of. There were 182 EPL players in the World Cup, making it the league with the most players in the competition. It is the most-watched soccer league in the world, being broadcast to 189 countries in 1.2 billion homes, the organization reports.
To capitalize on the hype surrounding soccer, or as many in the U.S. are now calling it, football, the Premier League will host an activation called "Coast to Coast" on opening weekend of the 2026-2027 season from Friday, Aug. 21 to Monday, Aug. 24. There will be free watch parties across the United States in partnership with NBC with opportunities to engage with each club. The EPL has done other pop-ups and fan fests across the pond before, such as Premier League Mornings Live and the MLS All-Star Game has been played against various clubs. But this is the first time that all 20 clubs will be highlighted.
"We think now is an opportunity to be able to say, 'Hey, if you enjoyed (the World Cup), come and watch the best of the best competing every week in our league and the biggest clubs in the world," Akash Jain, Premier League U.S. Managing Director, told USA TODAY Sports.
#league #World #states
Not La Liga. Not Serie A. Not Liga MX. Not MLS.
There's a reason that the Premier League, or the Prem, is the one that people want to be a part of. There were 182 EPL players in the World Cup, making it the league with the most players in the competition. It is the most-watched soccer league in the world, being broadcast to 189 countries in 1.2 billion homes, the organization reports.
To capitalize on the hype surrounding soccer, or as many in the U.S. are now calling it, football, the Premier League will host an activation called "Coast to Coast" on opening weekend of the 2026-2027 season from Friday, Aug. 21 to Monday, Aug. 24. There will be free watch parties across the United States in partnership with NBC with opportunities to engage with each club. The EPL has done other pop-ups and fan fests across the pond before, such as Premier League Mornings Live and the MLS All-Star Game has been played against various clubs. But this is the first time that all 20 clubs will be highlighted.
"We think now is an opportunity to be able to say, 'Hey, if you enjoyed (the World Cup), come and watch the best of the best competing every week in our league and the biggest clubs in the world," Akash Jain, Premier League U.S. Managing Director, told USA TODAY Sports.
#league #World #states
7 days ago
This article was originally published on ETFTrends.com.
In another one of this week's tests of investor sentiment around artificial intelligence (AI) – and a tentpole one at that -- Google's parent company, Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), reports second-quarter results after the close of U.S. markets on Wednesday, July 22.
This report could be an opportune time for short-term traders to consider Alphabet single-stock ETFs, such as the Direxion Daily GOOGL Bull 2X Shares (GGLL) and the Direxion Daily GOOGL Bear 1X Shares (GGLS). When preparing for Alphabet's earnings with these funds, traders should note that GGLL attempts to deliver 200% of the daily returns of the internet stock, while the bearish GGLS seeks intraday performances corresponding with the inverse returns of Alphabet.
Although shares of Alphabet are up 12% year to date, they have slipped 3% over the past month — perhaps signaling a near-term burden of proof for the company as it heads into its earnings report. If that's accurate, either GGLL or GGLS could be worth considering.
"Look for Google Cloud growth in both quarterly numbers and contracted future revenue (or backlog)," noted Malik Khan of Morningstar. "We think investors want certainty that the $460 billion backlog will convert to sales over the next two years, and also want to know what that trajectory will look like. Non-backlog factors, such as consumption-based spending and new commitments, will be important for understanding the health of the cloud business."
#daily #cloud
In another one of this week's tests of investor sentiment around artificial intelligence (AI) – and a tentpole one at that -- Google's parent company, Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), reports second-quarter results after the close of U.S. markets on Wednesday, July 22.
This report could be an opportune time for short-term traders to consider Alphabet single-stock ETFs, such as the Direxion Daily GOOGL Bull 2X Shares (GGLL) and the Direxion Daily GOOGL Bear 1X Shares (GGLS). When preparing for Alphabet's earnings with these funds, traders should note that GGLL attempts to deliver 200% of the daily returns of the internet stock, while the bearish GGLS seeks intraday performances corresponding with the inverse returns of Alphabet.
Although shares of Alphabet are up 12% year to date, they have slipped 3% over the past month — perhaps signaling a near-term burden of proof for the company as it heads into its earnings report. If that's accurate, either GGLL or GGLS could be worth considering.
"Look for Google Cloud growth in both quarterly numbers and contracted future revenue (or backlog)," noted Malik Khan of Morningstar. "We think investors want certainty that the $460 billion backlog will convert to sales over the next two years, and also want to know what that trajectory will look like. Non-backlog factors, such as consumption-based spending and new commitments, will be important for understanding the health of the cloud business."
#daily #cloud
8 days ago
Dave (DAVE) is rated a "Strong Buy" by 11 Wall Street ***** ysts, driven by robust revenue, earnings, and cash flow growth.
DAVE has surged 104% over the past year.
The stock maintains a 100% "Buy" technical opinion from Barchart.
Despite high short interest (19.38%) and Morningstar's view of 35% overvaluation, I prioritize strong fundamentals and ***** yst consensus.
Valued at $5.6 billion, Dave (DAVE) provides various financial products and services through its platform in the United States.
#barchart #valued #states
DAVE has surged 104% over the past year.
The stock maintains a 100% "Buy" technical opinion from Barchart.
Despite high short interest (19.38%) and Morningstar's view of 35% overvaluation, I prioritize strong fundamentals and ***** yst consensus.
Valued at $5.6 billion, Dave (DAVE) provides various financial products and services through its platform in the United States.
#barchart #valued #states
12 days ago
Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.
For Jeremy Grantham, **** eX's IPO will go down in history for all the wrong reasons. He claims it's "the craziest IPO in the history of man (1)."
In a recent interview with Morningstar, the founder of Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Company (GMO), blasted the valuation for Elon Musk's rocket company.
Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one
JPMorgan still sees gold hitting $5,000/oz by Q4 — and savvy investors are protecting their wealth with a tax-advantaged Gold IRA. Learn more with a free guide from Priority Gold
For Jeremy Grantham, **** eX's IPO will go down in history for all the wrong reasons. He claims it's "the craziest IPO in the history of man (1)."
In a recent interview with Morningstar, the founder of Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Company (GMO), blasted the valuation for Elon Musk's rocket company.
Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one
JPMorgan still sees gold hitting $5,000/oz by Q4 — and savvy investors are protecting their wealth with a tax-advantaged Gold IRA. Learn more with a free guide from Priority Gold
14 days ago
Speaking to CBS Mornings after the United States' elimination from their home World Cup, Balogun acknowledged that while he felt initial relief when FIFA lifted his suspension, the political involvement created an uncomfortable atmosphere within the squad.
"The first feeling was relief and happiness," Balogun said. "But shortly after, I realized the decision would provoke great repercussion and increase pressure on the entire group. As the match approached, you could notice a certain discomfort among my teammates."
The controversy began during the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, when Brazilian referee Raphael Claus showed Balogun a red card after VAR review. The striker had caught defender Muharemovic's heel while challenging for the ball.
Balogun maintains the punishment was excessive, insisting the contact was unintentional and shouldn't have warranted a foul, let alone a red card. "Red cards should only be applied in plays with clear intention to hit the opponent," he argued.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 05: U.S. President Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, chat during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
"The first feeling was relief and happiness," Balogun said. "But shortly after, I realized the decision would provoke great repercussion and increase pressure on the entire group. As the match approached, you could notice a certain discomfort among my teammates."
The controversy began during the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, when Brazilian referee Raphael Claus showed Balogun a red card after VAR review. The striker had caught defender Muharemovic's heel while challenging for the ball.
Balogun maintains the punishment was excessive, insisting the contact was unintentional and shouldn't have warranted a foul, let alone a red card. "Red cards should only be applied in plays with clear intention to hit the opponent," he argued.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 05: U.S. President Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, chat during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
15 days ago
The USMNT’s loss to Belgium last week was so spectacular that it would be impossible to peg it on one single explanation, but star striker Folarin Balogun has confirmed the team was uneasy over the political influence it faced over his reinstatement by FIFA.
The U.S. team got a surprise boost about 24 hours before the game when FIFA suspended Balogun’s one-game ban over a questionable red card against Bosnia. Soon after, reports surfaced indicating the Trump administration had lobbied FIFA on Balogun’s behalf, leading Belgium to appeal.
The clear disparity in energy between Belgium and the U.S. in Seattle last Monday led some to speculate that the USMNT was overwhelmed by the scrutiny brought upon it by the ruling. And in an interview on CBS Mornings, Balogun confirmed it led to “a bit of nerves” among his teammates.
“My initial reaction was I was happy to be back on the team. But when I kind of started to reflect, I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy,” Balogun said. “And I could almost see within my teammates, a bit of nerves because it was something that’s so unique. But the closer we got to the game, I tried to just focus as best as I could. But it was difficult, you know, a lot of outside noise.”
As with President Donald Trump’s appearance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals and his administration inserting itself into Team USA’s dual gold medals in hockey at the Winter Olympics earlier in the year, the backlash was significant to Balogun’s reinstatement. Even supporters of the president, such as WFAN’s Boomer Esiason, were critical of his involvement with the USMNT.
The U.S. team got a surprise boost about 24 hours before the game when FIFA suspended Balogun’s one-game ban over a questionable red card against Bosnia. Soon after, reports surfaced indicating the Trump administration had lobbied FIFA on Balogun’s behalf, leading Belgium to appeal.
The clear disparity in energy between Belgium and the U.S. in Seattle last Monday led some to speculate that the USMNT was overwhelmed by the scrutiny brought upon it by the ruling. And in an interview on CBS Mornings, Balogun confirmed it led to “a bit of nerves” among his teammates.
“My initial reaction was I was happy to be back on the team. But when I kind of started to reflect, I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy,” Balogun said. “And I could almost see within my teammates, a bit of nerves because it was something that’s so unique. But the closer we got to the game, I tried to just focus as best as I could. But it was difficult, you know, a lot of outside noise.”
As with President Donald Trump’s appearance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals and his administration inserting itself into Team USA’s dual gold medals in hockey at the Winter Olympics earlier in the year, the backlash was significant to Balogun’s reinstatement. Even supporters of the president, such as WFAN’s Boomer Esiason, were critical of his involvement with the USMNT.
15 days ago
Everyone else in the world has expressed their opinion on it, but the player at the center of FIFA's biggest red-card controversy has finally weighed in.
The American player whose red-card suspension was shockingly overturned by FIFA, allowing him to play against Belgium, had no dilemma about the decision.
Folarin Balogun said he should never have been red-carded to begin with.
"I was in shock," he said on "CBS Mornings" on July 14, adding, "It was just an unfortunate situation and I think, you know, put a lot more pressure on us than we needed."
Referees are instructed by FIFA — the international governing body for ******* ociation soccer — to issue red cards for serious offenses, especially violent conduct and serious foul play.
The American player whose red-card suspension was shockingly overturned by FIFA, allowing him to play against Belgium, had no dilemma about the decision.
Folarin Balogun said he should never have been red-carded to begin with.
"I was in shock," he said on "CBS Mornings" on July 14, adding, "It was just an unfortunate situation and I think, you know, put a lot more pressure on us than we needed."
Referees are instructed by FIFA — the international governing body for ******* ociation soccer — to issue red cards for serious offenses, especially violent conduct and serious foul play.
19 days ago
With PE dealmaking and exit values dropping significantly in Q2, the private credit market is eager for exit opportunities. One saving grace has been strategic, non-sponsored transactions, according to Morningstar DBRS.
Data compiled by DBRS on discontinued private credit ratings show that an increasing number of borrower sales are related to strategic buyers, a separate category from sponsor-to-sponsor exits, according to a July 8 report.
"While private equity exit activity remains generally suppressed across the middle market, we are encouraged to see growing involvement from non-private equity corporate buyers and the public markets in providing liquidity," said report author Michael Dimler, senior vice president of private corporate credit at DBRS.
For the twelve months through July 3, 2026, more than half of ratings discontinuations related to sponsor exits were attributable to strategic buyers or IPOs, according to DBRS.
Several companies in recent months have announced plans to use IPO proceeds to repay their private credit loans. Applied Aerospace & Defense Inc. announced on May 8 that it would partially repay its $1.02 billion in outstanding debt with proceeds from an IPO. Other companies paying down debt with IPO proceeds include the AI tech developer Syntiant and defense technology company Aevex Corporation.
Data compiled by DBRS on discontinued private credit ratings show that an increasing number of borrower sales are related to strategic buyers, a separate category from sponsor-to-sponsor exits, according to a July 8 report.
"While private equity exit activity remains generally suppressed across the middle market, we are encouraged to see growing involvement from non-private equity corporate buyers and the public markets in providing liquidity," said report author Michael Dimler, senior vice president of private corporate credit at DBRS.
For the twelve months through July 3, 2026, more than half of ratings discontinuations related to sponsor exits were attributable to strategic buyers or IPOs, according to DBRS.
Several companies in recent months have announced plans to use IPO proceeds to repay their private credit loans. Applied Aerospace & Defense Inc. announced on May 8 that it would partially repay its $1.02 billion in outstanding debt with proceeds from an IPO. Other companies paying down debt with IPO proceeds include the AI tech developer Syntiant and defense technology company Aevex Corporation.
19 days ago
AI drives demand for goods beyond just semiconductors and software. Investors are increasingly looking at energy ******* ets to power data centers. This includes natural gas pipelines, electric utilities, transmission networks and nuclear energy. Several of the best ETFs focus on these industries.
"Electricity is the new oil," said Tortoise Capital Chairman and CEO Tom Florence. He argues that the growing need for power will become one of the big investment themes of the coming decade.
This fits squarely into Tortoise's roots. Founded in 2002, the investment firm built its reputation investing in energy infrastructure. It started in master limited partnerships (MLPs), but later expanded across the broader energy industry. Today, it applies that expertise to newer energy demand. And that includes the electricity needed to power AI data centers.
Florence became CEO in 2023. He previously held senior leadership roles at Merrill Lynch, Fidelity and Morningstar. And at Tortoise he is leading that transition as the firm broadens its ETF lineup.
Tortoise has $10.7 billion in ******* ets under management across ETFs and institutional strategies. Its fund lineup includes nine funds focused on the energy sector. Clients include financial advisors, institutions and individual investors.
"Electricity is the new oil," said Tortoise Capital Chairman and CEO Tom Florence. He argues that the growing need for power will become one of the big investment themes of the coming decade.
This fits squarely into Tortoise's roots. Founded in 2002, the investment firm built its reputation investing in energy infrastructure. It started in master limited partnerships (MLPs), but later expanded across the broader energy industry. Today, it applies that expertise to newer energy demand. And that includes the electricity needed to power AI data centers.
Florence became CEO in 2023. He previously held senior leadership roles at Merrill Lynch, Fidelity and Morningstar. And at Tortoise he is leading that transition as the firm broadens its ETF lineup.
Tortoise has $10.7 billion in ******* ets under management across ETFs and institutional strategies. Its fund lineup includes nine funds focused on the energy sector. Clients include financial advisors, institutions and individual investors.
20 days ago
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 Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) as a newly added position. Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) is a leading brewing company that offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages, and non-alcoholic beverages including premium mixers and energy drinks. On July 7, 2026, Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) closed at $39.27 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $7.36 billion. Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) posted a one-month return of -3.99%, while its shares gained 20.75% over the past 52 weeks.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The Fund acquired three new positions during the second quarter: The Clorox Company (ticker: CLX), Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP), and Vontier Corp. (ticker: VNT). Molson Coors is the second largest brewer in North America and a top five global player. Its brewing heritage extends back two centuries. Coors Brewing Company was incorporated in 1913 and merged with Molson in 2005. The firm acquired full ownership of the Miller portfolio in 2016. The company's beer brands include Coors Light, Miller Lite, Coors Banquet, Molson Canadian, Carling, Staropramen, Blue Moon Belgian White, Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, Miller High Life, and Keystone Light. Beyond the beer aisle, the firm offers Vizzy Hard Seltzer and partner brands such as Simply Spiked, ZOA Energy, and Fever-Tree…" (Click here to read the full text)
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Palm Valley Capital Management highlighted Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) as a newly added position. Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) is a leading brewing company that offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, spirits, and ready-to-drink beverages, and non-alcoholic beverages including premium mixers and energy drinks. On July 7, 2026, Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) closed at $39.27 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $7.36 billion. Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) posted a one-month return of -3.99%, while its shares gained 20.75% over the past 52 weeks.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The Fund acquired three new positions during the second quarter: The Clorox Company (ticker: CLX), Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP), and Vontier Corp. (ticker: VNT). Molson Coors is the second largest brewer in North America and a top five global player. Its brewing heritage extends back two centuries. Coors Brewing Company was incorporated in 1913 and merged with Molson in 2005. The firm acquired full ownership of the Miller portfolio in 2016. The company's beer brands include Coors Light, Miller Lite, Coors Banquet, Molson Canadian, Carling, Staropramen, Blue Moon Belgian White, Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, Miller High Life, and Keystone Light. Beyond the beer aisle, the firm offers Vizzy Hard Seltzer and partner brands such as Simply Spiked, ZOA Energy, and Fever-Tree…" (Click here to read the full text)
20 days ago
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 Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT) as a newly added position. Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT) is a global industrial technology and mobility solutions company that operates through mobility technologies, repair solutions, and environmental and fueling solutions segments. On July 7, 2026, Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT) closed at $28.49 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $4.01 billion. Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT) posted a one-month return of 0.60%, while its shares lost 25.56% over the past 52 weeks.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The Fund acquired three new positions during the second quarter: The Clorox Company (ticker: CLX), Molson Coors Beverage Company (ticker: TAP), and Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT). Vontier sells the equipment, software, and recurring services that help convenience stores pump gas and process payments, repair shops diagnose problems, and car washes operate efficiently. It was spun out of Fortive Corporation in 2020, which itself was formerly part of Danaher. Key operations include fueling equipment and payment systems through the brands Invenco and Gilbarco Veeder-Root, vehicle repair and diagnostics tools through Matco Tools, and car wash technology through DRB. The company touches a large portion of the world's fuel transactions, since its equipment is installed at hundreds of thousands of fuel sites globally. Vontier enjoyed a significant temporary tailwind, peaking in 2021, when U.S. gas stations were required to upgrade payment terminals at the pump to support EMV chip card transactions due to shifting fraud liability rules. Some investors have long-term concerns about the company's relevance as the transportation fleet moves away from internal combustion engines. Vontier has become more fuel agnostic in recent years, with its products serving vehicles powered by gasoline, electricity, and hydrogen. The firm owns a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging softw
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Palm Valley Capital Management highlighted Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT) as a newly added position. Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT) is a global industrial technology and mobility solutions company that operates through mobility technologies, repair solutions, and environmental and fueling solutions segments. On July 7, 2026, Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT) closed at $28.49 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $4.01 billion. Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT) posted a one-month return of 0.60%, while its shares lost 25.56% over the past 52 weeks.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The Fund acquired three new positions during the second quarter: The Clorox Company (ticker: CLX), Molson Coors Beverage Company (ticker: TAP), and Vontier Corporation (NYSE:VNT). Vontier sells the equipment, software, and recurring services that help convenience stores pump gas and process payments, repair shops diagnose problems, and car washes operate efficiently. It was spun out of Fortive Corporation in 2020, which itself was formerly part of Danaher. Key operations include fueling equipment and payment systems through the brands Invenco and Gilbarco Veeder-Root, vehicle repair and diagnostics tools through Matco Tools, and car wash technology through DRB. The company touches a large portion of the world's fuel transactions, since its equipment is installed at hundreds of thousands of fuel sites globally. Vontier enjoyed a significant temporary tailwind, peaking in 2021, when U.S. gas stations were required to upgrade payment terminals at the pump to support EMV chip card transactions due to shifting fraud liability rules. Some investors have long-term concerns about the company's relevance as the transportation fleet moves away from internal combustion engines. Vontier has become more fuel agnostic in recent years, with its products serving vehicles powered by gasoline, electricity, and hydrogen. The firm owns a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging softw
20 days ago
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 Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD). Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) is a trucking company that provides short-to-medium and long-haul truckload carrier and transportation services. On July 7, 2026, Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) closed at $14.89 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $1.15 billion. Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) posted a one-month return of -5.64%, while its shares gained 59.42% over the past 52 weeks.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"We sold our position in Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) during the quarter. The stock rallied to our valuation in anticipation of a trucking industry recovery. The freight cycle has experienced a prolonged bottoming, yet Heartland's shares have priced in significantly improved fundamentals already. We sold Heartland in April but observed with interest a June Wall Street Journal article discussing PepsiCo's use of driverless box trucks in Arizona to transport Frito-Lay and Doritos relatively short distances from distribution centers to retail stores like Walmart. Trucking is another sector where investors are **** sing how quickly automation will impact incumbents, and their judgments and misjudgments could create future opportunities."
Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 14 hedge fund portfolios held Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) at the end of the first quarter, up from 12 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) 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.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Palm Valley Capital Management highlighted Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD). Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) is a trucking company that provides short-to-medium and long-haul truckload carrier and transportation services. On July 7, 2026, Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) closed at $14.89 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $1.15 billion. Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) posted a one-month return of -5.64%, while its shares gained 59.42% over the past 52 weeks.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"We sold our position in Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) during the quarter. The stock rallied to our valuation in anticipation of a trucking industry recovery. The freight cycle has experienced a prolonged bottoming, yet Heartland's shares have priced in significantly improved fundamentals already. We sold Heartland in April but observed with interest a June Wall Street Journal article discussing PepsiCo's use of driverless box trucks in Arizona to transport Frito-Lay and Doritos relatively short distances from distribution centers to retail stores like Walmart. Trucking is another sector where investors are **** sing how quickly automation will impact incumbents, and their judgments and misjudgments could create future opportunities."
Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 14 hedge fund portfolios held Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) at the end of the first quarter, up from 12 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Heartland Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTLD) 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.
20 days ago
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.
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.
20 days ago
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 Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD). Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) is a leading US-based independent exploration and production company that engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. On July 7, 2026, Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) closed at $116.84 per share. One-month return of Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) was -15.49%, and its shares gained 9.28% over the past 52 weeks. Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) has a market capitalization of $6.57 billion.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The stocks most negatively affecting the Fund's second quarter return were Amdocs (ticker: DOX), LKQ (ticker: LKQ), and Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD). Chord Energy was also a bottom contributor in the quarter. Although Chord reported solid first quarter results and raised its 2026 production guidance, this was overshadowed by the broader selloff in energy stocks driven by falling oil prices after geopolitical tensions eased."
Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 46 hedge fund portfolios held Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) at the end of the first quarter, up from 45 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) 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.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Palm Valley Capital Management highlighted Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD). Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) is a leading US-based independent exploration and production company that engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. On July 7, 2026, Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) closed at $116.84 per share. One-month return of Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) was -15.49%, and its shares gained 9.28% over the past 52 weeks. Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) has a market capitalization of $6.57 billion.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The stocks most negatively affecting the Fund's second quarter return were Amdocs (ticker: DOX), LKQ (ticker: LKQ), and Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD). Chord Energy was also a bottom contributor in the quarter. Although Chord reported solid first quarter results and raised its 2026 production guidance, this was overshadowed by the broader selloff in energy stocks driven by falling oil prices after geopolitical tensions eased."
Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 46 hedge fund portfolios held Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) at the end of the first quarter, up from 45 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Chord Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:CHRD) 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.
20 days ago
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 Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) as a leading contributor. Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) is a staffing and workforce solutions company headquartered in Troy, Michigan. On July 7, 2026, Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) closed at $13.51 per share. One-month return of Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) was 15.27%, and its shares gained 6.38% over the past 52 weeks. Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) has a market capitalization of $468.38 million.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The Fund's top contributors in the second quarter were Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA), TrueBlue (ticker: TBI), and Heartland Express (ticker: HTLD). Although Kelly's first quarter results were weak, as expected, management reaffirmed their expectation for improved year-over-year performance for sales and EBITDA margins in each successive quarter of 2026. Additionally, on May 19th, Kelly's controlling shareholder, Hunt Companies, filed an amended 13D requesting that Kelly's board form a special committee of independent directors "so that the company may be prepared to discuss and evaluate new potential opportunities for Kelly involving Hunt and its affiliates if and when presented, without delay." We believe this signals that Hunt plans to make an offer for Kelly. The stock remains below our valuation, so we are holding our position and view this news as a potential favorable catalyst."
Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 15 hedge fund portfolios held Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) at the end of the first quarter, compared to 20 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) 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
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Palm Valley Capital Management highlighted Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) as a leading contributor. Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) is a staffing and workforce solutions company headquartered in Troy, Michigan. On July 7, 2026, Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) closed at $13.51 per share. One-month return of Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) was 15.27%, and its shares gained 6.38% over the past 52 weeks. Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) has a market capitalization of $468.38 million.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The Fund's top contributors in the second quarter were Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA), TrueBlue (ticker: TBI), and Heartland Express (ticker: HTLD). Although Kelly's first quarter results were weak, as expected, management reaffirmed their expectation for improved year-over-year performance for sales and EBITDA margins in each successive quarter of 2026. Additionally, on May 19th, Kelly's controlling shareholder, Hunt Companies, filed an amended 13D requesting that Kelly's board form a special committee of independent directors "so that the company may be prepared to discuss and evaluate new potential opportunities for Kelly involving Hunt and its affiliates if and when presented, without delay." We believe this signals that Hunt plans to make an offer for Kelly. The stock remains below our valuation, so we are holding our position and view this news as a potential favorable catalyst."
Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 15 hedge fund portfolios held Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) at the end of the first quarter, compared to 20 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Kelly Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:KELYA) 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
20 days ago
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 TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI). TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) is a specialized workforce solutions provider. On July 7, 2026, TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) closed at $8.00 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $243.2 million. TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) posted a one-month return of 22.14%, while its shares gained 20.66% over the past 52 weeks.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The Fund's top contributors in the second quarter were Kelly Services (ticker: KELYA), TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI), and Heartland Express (ticker: HTLD). TrueBlue's stock seems to be reacting to improving demand for industrial staffing, which according to industry **** ociations was growing 10% above the prior year in May, but fell to 2% by mid-June. TrueBlue is participating in the data center boom through significant growth in its energy projects, but the company hasn't yet converted this into positive earnings. TrueBlue also ended its proxy battle with EHS Investments in April by entering into a cooperation agreement, and the company received (and rejected) another acquisition offer for its PeopleReady segment from competitor HireQuest. While we continue to believe TrueBlue's profitability will bounce, the company's poor execution the last few years leaves us cautious about sizing the position."
TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 12 hedge fund portfolios held TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) at the end of the first quarter, compared to 17 in the previous quarter. In Q1 2026,TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) reported revenue of $399 million, marking an 8% year-over-year increase. While we acknowledge the potential of TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) 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 tariff
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Palm Valley Capital Management highlighted TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI). TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) is a specialized workforce solutions provider. On July 7, 2026, TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) closed at $8.00 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $243.2 million. TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) posted a one-month return of 22.14%, while its shares gained 20.66% over the past 52 weeks.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The Fund's top contributors in the second quarter were Kelly Services (ticker: KELYA), TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI), and Heartland Express (ticker: HTLD). TrueBlue's stock seems to be reacting to improving demand for industrial staffing, which according to industry **** ociations was growing 10% above the prior year in May, but fell to 2% by mid-June. TrueBlue is participating in the data center boom through significant growth in its energy projects, but the company hasn't yet converted this into positive earnings. TrueBlue also ended its proxy battle with EHS Investments in April by entering into a cooperation agreement, and the company received (and rejected) another acquisition offer for its PeopleReady segment from competitor HireQuest. While we continue to believe TrueBlue's profitability will bounce, the company's poor execution the last few years leaves us cautious about sizing the position."
TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 12 hedge fund portfolios held TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) at the end of the first quarter, compared to 17 in the previous quarter. In Q1 2026,TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) reported revenue of $399 million, marking an 8% year-over-year increase. While we acknowledge the potential of TrueBlue, Inc. (NYSE:TBI) 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 tariff
20 days ago
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 Amdocs Limited (NASDAQ:DOX). Headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri, Amdocs Limited (NASDAQ:DOX) is a leading telecommunications technology company that provides software and services to communications, entertainment, media, and other service providers. On July 7, 2026, Amdocs Limited (NASDAQ:DOX) closed at $52.29 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $5.55 billion. Amdocs Limited (NASDAQ:DOX) posted a one-month return of -8.21%, while its shares lost 42.90% over the past 52 weeks.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding Amdocs Limited (NASDAQ:DOX) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The stocks most negatively affecting the Fund's second quarter return were Amdocs Limited (NASDAQ:DOX), LKQ (ticker: LKQ), and Chord Energy (ticker: CHRD). Amdocs was a top decliner for the second consecutive quarter, since it has been treated as a casualty of artificial intelligence. Amdocs has a hybrid model anchored by managed services (two-thirds of revenue) and systems integration/custom software (one third). It operates the core billing, rating, and customer care engines of telecommunications giants, which are insulated from quick displacement because ripping them out introduces severe operational risk to a carrier. While Amdocs' stock has been grouped with IT consultants with large offshore employee bases like Accenture and Infosys, pure consultancies typically bill on a time and materials model (i.e., headcount). Amdocs, in contrast, wraps its services around its own IP and offers long-term managed services arrangements where it ***** umes end-to-end operational accountability. While we expect Amdocs to pass along to clients the benefits of automating its workflows, which may constrain revenue growth, we believe the historically low valuation (~7x free cash flow) has priced in a severe outcome that is not evident in the current business trajectory."
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Palm Valley Capital Management highlighted Amdocs Limited (NASDAQ:DOX). Headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri, Amdocs Limited (NASDAQ:DOX) is a leading telecommunications technology company that provides software and services to communications, entertainment, media, and other service providers. On July 7, 2026, Amdocs Limited (NASDAQ:DOX) closed at $52.29 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $5.55 billion. Amdocs Limited (NASDAQ:DOX) posted a one-month return of -8.21%, while its shares lost 42.90% over the past 52 weeks.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding Amdocs Limited (NASDAQ:DOX) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The stocks most negatively affecting the Fund's second quarter return were Amdocs Limited (NASDAQ:DOX), LKQ (ticker: LKQ), and Chord Energy (ticker: CHRD). Amdocs was a top decliner for the second consecutive quarter, since it has been treated as a casualty of artificial intelligence. Amdocs has a hybrid model anchored by managed services (two-thirds of revenue) and systems integration/custom software (one third). It operates the core billing, rating, and customer care engines of telecommunications giants, which are insulated from quick displacement because ripping them out introduces severe operational risk to a carrier. While Amdocs' stock has been grouped with IT consultants with large offshore employee bases like Accenture and Infosys, pure consultancies typically bill on a time and materials model (i.e., headcount). Amdocs, in contrast, wraps its services around its own IP and offers long-term managed services arrangements where it ***** umes end-to-end operational accountability. While we expect Amdocs to pass along to clients the benefits of automating its workflows, which may constrain revenue growth, we believe the historically low valuation (~7x free cash flow) has priced in a severe outcome that is not evident in the current business trajectory."
20 days ago
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 The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX). The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) is a global manufacturer of consumer and professional products operating through its Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International segments. On July 7, 2026, The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) closed at $97.41 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $11.78 billion. The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) posted a one-month return of -1.92%, while its shares lost 22.69% over the past 52 weeks.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The Fund acquired three new positions during the second quarter: The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX), Molson Coors Beverage Company (ticker: TAP), and Vontier Corp. (ticker: VNT). The Clorox Company manufactures a wide range of household and professional cleaning, disinfecting, lifestyle, and wellness products. Its portfolio includes well known brands such as Clorox bleach and disinfecting wipes, Pine-Sol cleaners, Glad trash bags, Burt's Bees lip balm, Kingsford charcoal, Fresh Step cat litter, and Hidden Valley salad dressings. The company suffered a major cyberattack in 2023 that disrupted production and distribution, causing it to lose market share in several categories. The recovery has been slower than investors hoped, and Clorox has been working through a large ERP implementation that distorted shipments, reduced volumes, and created inventory disruptions with retailers.
In April, Clorox cut its fiscal 2026 outlook. Consumers have become more price-sensitive, leading some shoppers to trade down to private-label alternatives in categories such as cleaning products and household consumables. We view Clorox as a slow-growth consumer staples company with historically stable cash flows. We acquired a small position near the lows, but the shares have since bounced."
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Palm Valley Capital Management highlighted The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX). The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) is a global manufacturer of consumer and professional products operating through its Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International segments. On July 7, 2026, The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) closed at $97.41 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $11.78 billion. The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) posted a one-month return of -1.92%, while its shares lost 22.69% over the past 52 weeks.
Palm Valley Capital Management stated the following regarding The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The Fund acquired three new positions during the second quarter: The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX), Molson Coors Beverage Company (ticker: TAP), and Vontier Corp. (ticker: VNT). The Clorox Company manufactures a wide range of household and professional cleaning, disinfecting, lifestyle, and wellness products. Its portfolio includes well known brands such as Clorox bleach and disinfecting wipes, Pine-Sol cleaners, Glad trash bags, Burt's Bees lip balm, Kingsford charcoal, Fresh Step cat litter, and Hidden Valley salad dressings. The company suffered a major cyberattack in 2023 that disrupted production and distribution, causing it to lose market share in several categories. The recovery has been slower than investors hoped, and Clorox has been working through a large ERP implementation that distorted shipments, reduced volumes, and created inventory disruptions with retailers.
In April, Clorox cut its fiscal 2026 outlook. Consumers have become more price-sensitive, leading some shoppers to trade down to private-label alternatives in categories such as cleaning products and household consumables. We view Clorox as a slow-growth consumer staples company with historically stable cash flows. We acquired a small position near the lows, but the shares have since bounced."
21 days ago
Morningstar DBRS, the credit rating agency, has confirmed the BBB rating for FC Barcelona. This financial approval represents a major international vote of confidence in the club's economic solvency and the viability of its current institutional project.
In its report, the agency highlights the enormous strength of the Barça brand worldwide. It also gives very positive marks to the club's current ability to generate new revenue, its excellent commercial positioning, and the competitiveness the team has shown on the pitch.
On the other hand, the agency has decided to change the outlook from "positive" to "stable." This change is due strictly to the execution timeline and financing of the final phase of Espai Barça, which currently requires extraordinary investment.
However, **** ysts believe that this increase in debt is strictly temporary. All of the accumulated debt is directly linked to the completion of the works on the new Spotify Camp Nou, the main pillar of the club's future.
In fact, the report forecasts a gradual improvement in the club's financial profile starting in 2028. The full operation of the new stadium and the expected growth in ordinary revenue will be the engines that boost the blaugrana economy.
In its report, the agency highlights the enormous strength of the Barça brand worldwide. It also gives very positive marks to the club's current ability to generate new revenue, its excellent commercial positioning, and the competitiveness the team has shown on the pitch.
On the other hand, the agency has decided to change the outlook from "positive" to "stable." This change is due strictly to the execution timeline and financing of the final phase of Espai Barça, which currently requires extraordinary investment.
However, **** ysts believe that this increase in debt is strictly temporary. All of the accumulated debt is directly linked to the completion of the works on the new Spotify Camp Nou, the main pillar of the club's future.
In fact, the report forecasts a gradual improvement in the club's financial profile starting in 2028. The full operation of the new stadium and the expected growth in ordinary revenue will be the engines that boost the blaugrana economy.
