8 hours ago
Miivo AI (TSX-V:MIVO) has highlighted growth in users, recurring revenue and product offerings in the first half of 2026 following the launch of three AI products aimed at helping businesses automate functions including financial ***** ysis, lead generation and customer insights.
The company said it acquired more than 3,000 users during the six-month period, while average subscriber time spent on its platform increased significantly. Miivo also said it has helped businesses increase sales and acquire new customers, while expanding its base of recurring-revenue customers.
The company launched its Business Intelligence product, which integrates with accounting software to provide real-time dashboards covering revenue, cash flow, margins, operational performance and key performance indicators. The product also identifies potential risks and recommends actions aimed at improving profitability.
Its AI Lead Generation product identifies potential business-to-business customers, scores prospects against an ideal customer profile, enriches contact information, drafts personalized outreach emails and tracks campaigns.
Miivo also launched Reputation & Customer Insights, which monitors reviews and mentions across platforms including Google Reviews, Instagram and Reddit. The product ***** yzes customer sentiment, generates AI-written response drafts for businesses to review and publish, and provides internal recommendations based on customer feedback.
#product #revenue #customers #Insights
The company said it acquired more than 3,000 users during the six-month period, while average subscriber time spent on its platform increased significantly. Miivo also said it has helped businesses increase sales and acquire new customers, while expanding its base of recurring-revenue customers.
The company launched its Business Intelligence product, which integrates with accounting software to provide real-time dashboards covering revenue, cash flow, margins, operational performance and key performance indicators. The product also identifies potential risks and recommends actions aimed at improving profitability.
Its AI Lead Generation product identifies potential business-to-business customers, scores prospects against an ideal customer profile, enriches contact information, drafts personalized outreach emails and tracks campaigns.
Miivo also launched Reputation & Customer Insights, which monitors reviews and mentions across platforms including Google Reviews, Instagram and Reddit. The product ***** yzes customer sentiment, generates AI-written response drafts for businesses to review and publish, and provides internal recommendations based on customer feedback.
#product #revenue #customers #Insights
9 hours ago
After a year at the helm, Novo Nordisk's CEO Maziar Mike Doustdar's task of closing the gap to pacesetter Eli Lilly doesn't look to be getting any easier.
Doustdar joined Novo at the height of spiralling erosion to rivals in the obesity and type 2 diabetes market segments. While the Danish drugmaker has since gained approval for oral Wegovy, a drug that set a record-breaking pace for a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) at launch, other pipeline products have had mixed clinical results. Earlier this week, cardiovascular disease drug ziltivekimab failed a Phase III trial, while CagriSema fell short in a non-inferiority trial comparing it to Lilly's tirzepatide.
Coupled with ongoing sales decline, dealmaking presents an obvious avenue in which to boost pipeline offerings. Novo has already said it is actively targeting bolt-on acquisitions, with Doustdar reiterating during the Q2 earnings call that large-scale, transformative deals are still a way off.
"I'm very proud of our internal R&D and pipeline, but no company has a monopoly on good ideas. I've also said we are in every data room to try and see who else has a better idea, who else can give us ******* ets that we can bolt on, and complement what [our internal R&D teams] are doing," Doustdar said.
"I'm a person who never starts with a no to one day [being able to conduct transformative M&A], but you have to be in a very different situation than Novo Nordisk is in today," he added.
#pipeline
Doustdar joined Novo at the height of spiralling erosion to rivals in the obesity and type 2 diabetes market segments. While the Danish drugmaker has since gained approval for oral Wegovy, a drug that set a record-breaking pace for a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) at launch, other pipeline products have had mixed clinical results. Earlier this week, cardiovascular disease drug ziltivekimab failed a Phase III trial, while CagriSema fell short in a non-inferiority trial comparing it to Lilly's tirzepatide.
Coupled with ongoing sales decline, dealmaking presents an obvious avenue in which to boost pipeline offerings. Novo has already said it is actively targeting bolt-on acquisitions, with Doustdar reiterating during the Q2 earnings call that large-scale, transformative deals are still a way off.
"I'm very proud of our internal R&D and pipeline, but no company has a monopoly on good ideas. I've also said we are in every data room to try and see who else has a better idea, who else can give us ******* ets that we can bolt on, and complement what [our internal R&D teams] are doing," Doustdar said.
"I'm a person who never starts with a no to one day [being able to conduct transformative M&A], but you have to be in a very different situation than Novo Nordisk is in today," he added.
#pipeline
1 day ago
TNL Mediagene (NASDAQ:TNMG) has partnered with Miro to deliver AI-powered organizational design and human resource development solutions for enterprise customers in **** an, supporting the company's digital studio growth strategy.
TNL Mediagene (NASDAQ:TNMG) formed a strategic partnership with Miro to expand its AI-powered enterprise services in **** an.
The collaboration combines Infobahn's consulting and design expertise with Miro's AI-powered visual workspace for organizational design and workforce development.
The initiative aligns with the company's strategy to grow its Digital Studio business, its largest revenue segment.
The partnership broadens TNL Mediagene's enterprise AI offerings without announcing a new acquisition or capital investment.
#powered #tnmg
TNL Mediagene (NASDAQ:TNMG) formed a strategic partnership with Miro to expand its AI-powered enterprise services in **** an.
The collaboration combines Infobahn's consulting and design expertise with Miro's AI-powered visual workspace for organizational design and workforce development.
The initiative aligns with the company's strategy to grow its Digital Studio business, its largest revenue segment.
The partnership broadens TNL Mediagene's enterprise AI offerings without announcing a new acquisition or capital investment.
#powered #tnmg
1 day ago
Rutgers football has announced a new premium seating location at SHI Stadium called Touchdown Terrace, which will occupy the ******* e in the middle of the student section that used to be the team's recruiting lounge.
The announcement on Scarletknights.com described the ******* e as a private, exclusive hospitality ******* e overlooking the south end zone of SHI Stadium that offers fans the best of both worlds: an outdoor viewing experience that immerses them in the GameDay atmosphere, paired with private restrooms and an enclosed ******* e featuring upscale food offerings for a comfortable premium experience. According to the announcement, the ******* e can be used to accommodate one large group or several smaller groups and offers a cash bar as well as pregame access.
Prices for this premium ******* e likely have to be negotiated on a case-by-case basis, as they were not announced in the press release.
This seems to be a step in the right direction for Rutgers athletics as they try to find a way to fully monetize SHI Stadium up to its highest potential. From what I saw by attending gamedays, the area sat mostly empty as the recruits preferred to sit closer to the field. If my own observation is correct, than their isn't much at risk by turning this area into premium seating.
Now that this area has been flipped into premium seating, it would not be surprising to see if they make some changes to other areas around the stadium. Since this area has a similar purpose as the party decks, to provide the half inside/ half outside game day experience, it wouldn't be surprising to see them turn a few of the party decks into luxury boxes.
#used
The announcement on Scarletknights.com described the ******* e as a private, exclusive hospitality ******* e overlooking the south end zone of SHI Stadium that offers fans the best of both worlds: an outdoor viewing experience that immerses them in the GameDay atmosphere, paired with private restrooms and an enclosed ******* e featuring upscale food offerings for a comfortable premium experience. According to the announcement, the ******* e can be used to accommodate one large group or several smaller groups and offers a cash bar as well as pregame access.
Prices for this premium ******* e likely have to be negotiated on a case-by-case basis, as they were not announced in the press release.
This seems to be a step in the right direction for Rutgers athletics as they try to find a way to fully monetize SHI Stadium up to its highest potential. From what I saw by attending gamedays, the area sat mostly empty as the recruits preferred to sit closer to the field. If my own observation is correct, than their isn't much at risk by turning this area into premium seating.
Now that this area has been flipped into premium seating, it would not be surprising to see if they make some changes to other areas around the stadium. Since this area has a similar purpose as the party decks, to provide the half inside/ half outside game day experience, it wouldn't be surprising to see them turn a few of the party decks into luxury boxes.
#used
2 days ago
After making several moves this year to win back customers, Home Depot is making headlines again over a lawsuit that alleges it violated customers' rights.
In 2025, the home-improvement giant had a ******* py year, marked by several consumer boycotts over its decision to cut its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies; its alleged cooperation with ICE's immigration crackdown; and price hikes to address tariff pressures.
In 2026, it turned a new leaf by making several moves to lure shoppers back to its stores and offerings. Home Depot made a major expansion of its "Pro" ecosystem with high-tech tools such as an AI-powered Material List Builder and a first-of-its-kind real-time GPS delivery tracker for bulky materials. It also improved the physical store experience with Wahlburger's food trailers and expanded its rewards program.
Now, the home improvement retailer is facing legal challenges after being accused of using its customers' personal data without their consent.
A new class action lawsuit accuses Home Depot of selling customers' personally identifiable information (PII) to third parties without providing notice or obtaining their consent.
#year
In 2025, the home-improvement giant had a ******* py year, marked by several consumer boycotts over its decision to cut its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies; its alleged cooperation with ICE's immigration crackdown; and price hikes to address tariff pressures.
In 2026, it turned a new leaf by making several moves to lure shoppers back to its stores and offerings. Home Depot made a major expansion of its "Pro" ecosystem with high-tech tools such as an AI-powered Material List Builder and a first-of-its-kind real-time GPS delivery tracker for bulky materials. It also improved the physical store experience with Wahlburger's food trailers and expanded its rewards program.
Now, the home improvement retailer is facing legal challenges after being accused of using its customers' personal data without their consent.
A new class action lawsuit accuses Home Depot of selling customers' personally identifiable information (PII) to third parties without providing notice or obtaining their consent.
#year
2 days ago
By Arasu Kannagi Basil
Aug 3 (Reuters) - Visa said on Monday it would buy fraud intelligence provider BioCatch for $2.4 billion in cash, marking the card giant's latest effort to beef up its cybersecurity offerings.
The deal would help the world's largest payment processor further bolster its existing cyber, fraud, risk and security offerings and enable it to help clients better protect themselves in an increasingly complex threat environment, Visa said.
"Account takeovers and scams cost the global economy over $1 trillion annually and AI is enabling these attacks at unprecedented scale. BioCatch will help our clients stop fraud before it reaches the point of payment," said Andrew Torre, president of value-added services at Visa.
Founded in 2011, BioCatch helps detect fraud and distinguish legitimate users from fraudsters in real time by ***** yzing signals such as keystrokes, touch gestures and device handling to safeguard transactions.
#Help #offerings #clients #arasu
Aug 3 (Reuters) - Visa said on Monday it would buy fraud intelligence provider BioCatch for $2.4 billion in cash, marking the card giant's latest effort to beef up its cybersecurity offerings.
The deal would help the world's largest payment processor further bolster its existing cyber, fraud, risk and security offerings and enable it to help clients better protect themselves in an increasingly complex threat environment, Visa said.
"Account takeovers and scams cost the global economy over $1 trillion annually and AI is enabling these attacks at unprecedented scale. BioCatch will help our clients stop fraud before it reaches the point of payment," said Andrew Torre, president of value-added services at Visa.
Founded in 2011, BioCatch helps detect fraud and distinguish legitimate users from fraudsters in real time by ***** yzing signals such as keystrokes, touch gestures and device handling to safeguard transactions.
#Help #offerings #clients #arasu
4 days ago
Ariel Investments, an investment management company, released its "Small Cap Value Fund" Q2 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Ariel Investments said its Small Cap Value Tax-Exempt Composite gained 17.19% gross and 17.04% net in the second quarter of 2026, matching the Russell 2000 Value Index but trailing the Russell 2000's 21.49% return. The rebound was supported by easing geopolitical tensions, lower oil prices, resilient earnings, and renewed strength in technology and AI-related stocks, with strong stock selection also aiding performance. The fund enters the second half with a measured outlook, citing uneven global growth, geopolitical risks, persistent inflation, and elevated borrowing costs as potential sources of volatility. The firm remains focused on long-term value creation through disciplined, bottom-up research and investments in durable businesses with strong balance sheets, capable management, and sustainable competitive advantages. In addition, please check the Fund's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Ariel Small Cap Value Fund highlighted stocks like Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS). Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS) manufactures branded home improvement and building products, including plumbing, decorative architectural, and other residential products. The one-month return of Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS) was -11.80% while its shares traded between $58.16 and $83.64 over the last 52 weeks. On July 31, 2026, Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS) stock closed at approximately $72.11 per share, with a market capitalization of about $14.095 billion.
Ariel Small Cap Value Fund stated the following regarding Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
We added Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS), the world's largest manufacturer of plumbing fixtures and a leading provider of paint in the United States. The company benefits from a portfolio of differentiated brands, including well-recognized leaders such as Behr paint, Delta faucets and Hansgrohe shower systems, alongside complementary offerings like AXOR premium faucets and KILZ primer. Following the divestiture of its more cyclical windows and cabinets businesses, Masco has sharpened its focus on higher-quality segments where it enjoys meaningful scale, strong brand equity and operational advantages. We expect these attributes combined with deep technical expertise and a well-established supply chain to support continued margin expansion in its core paint and plumbing businesses. In addition, Masco's longstanding relationship with Home Depot is likely to further strengthen its professional paint segment, while its broad distribution and channel penetration should drive sustained growth within plumbing.
#ariel #small #fund
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, Ariel Small Cap Value Fund highlighted stocks like Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS). Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS) manufactures branded home improvement and building products, including plumbing, decorative architectural, and other residential products. The one-month return of Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS) was -11.80% while its shares traded between $58.16 and $83.64 over the last 52 weeks. On July 31, 2026, Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS) stock closed at approximately $72.11 per share, with a market capitalization of about $14.095 billion.
Ariel Small Cap Value Fund stated the following regarding Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
We added Masco Corporation (NYSE:MAS), the world's largest manufacturer of plumbing fixtures and a leading provider of paint in the United States. The company benefits from a portfolio of differentiated brands, including well-recognized leaders such as Behr paint, Delta faucets and Hansgrohe shower systems, alongside complementary offerings like AXOR premium faucets and KILZ primer. Following the divestiture of its more cyclical windows and cabinets businesses, Masco has sharpened its focus on higher-quality segments where it enjoys meaningful scale, strong brand equity and operational advantages. We expect these attributes combined with deep technical expertise and a well-established supply chain to support continued margin expansion in its core paint and plumbing businesses. In addition, Masco's longstanding relationship with Home Depot is likely to further strengthen its professional paint segment, while its broad distribution and channel penetration should drive sustained growth within plumbing.
#ariel #small #fund
6 days ago
Interested in Castle Biosciences, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better.
Castle Biosciences reported strong Q2 growth, with revenue rising 20% year over year to $103.5 million. The company raised its 2026 revenue outlook to $365 million–$375 million, up from $345 million–$355 million previously.
TissueCypher was the primary growth driver, generating 14,988 reports, up 63% year over year. Castle now expects TissueCypher report volume to increase approximately 50%–52% in 2026, while AdvanceAD-Tx exceeded 1,000 orders in the quarter.
Despite higher revenue, gross margins declined and Castle posted a $2.1 million net loss, although adjusted EBITDA rose to $12.4 million. Management expects positive adjusted EBITDA in Q3, Q4 and for full-year 2026, supported by $266.8 million in cash and investments at quarter-end.
Castle Biosciences (NASDAQ:CSTL) reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of $103.5 million, up 20% from the prior-year period, as growth in its TissueCypher test and other core offerings supported results. The company raised its full-year revenue outlook to $365 million to $375 million, from a previous range of $345 million to $355 million.
#year #quarter
Castle Biosciences reported strong Q2 growth, with revenue rising 20% year over year to $103.5 million. The company raised its 2026 revenue outlook to $365 million–$375 million, up from $345 million–$355 million previously.
TissueCypher was the primary growth driver, generating 14,988 reports, up 63% year over year. Castle now expects TissueCypher report volume to increase approximately 50%–52% in 2026, while AdvanceAD-Tx exceeded 1,000 orders in the quarter.
Despite higher revenue, gross margins declined and Castle posted a $2.1 million net loss, although adjusted EBITDA rose to $12.4 million. Management expects positive adjusted EBITDA in Q3, Q4 and for full-year 2026, supported by $266.8 million in cash and investments at quarter-end.
Castle Biosciences (NASDAQ:CSTL) reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of $103.5 million, up 20% from the prior-year period, as growth in its TissueCypher test and other core offerings supported results. The company raised its full-year revenue outlook to $365 million to $375 million, from a previous range of $345 million to $355 million.
#year #quarter
7 days ago
Amazon (AMZN) stock is racing toward its best trading day in more than a decade following its Q2 results. A strong performance from its cloud-computing division is helping ease fears that the tech giant could lose ground to rival offerings from Microsoft (MSFT) and Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL).
"Amazon Web Services finally saw the long-awaited growth inflection, shooting to the top of the cloud wars as AI quarter-to-quarter revenue mimics Anthropic's meteoric rise," Bernstein ***** yst Mark Shmulik wrote to clients Friday following Amazon's report.
AWS revenue jumped 37% year over year for its June quarter, Amazon said late Thursday, sharply ahead of ***** ysts forecast for 31% growth. That 37% metric was "critical" for two reasons, Shmulik wrote.
"It's a roughly 9 percentage point acceleration in quarter-to-quarter (growth) that was stuck at 3%-4% per quarter for the past year — a much-needed visible acceleration in growth," Shmulik wrote. "And it's the growth rate required to put AWS at the top for most amount of incremental cloud dollars brought online across the hyperscalers this quarter."
The results were welcomed on Wall Street. Amazon stock rose 15% to 270.64 in afternoon trades on the stock market today.
#quarter #year
"Amazon Web Services finally saw the long-awaited growth inflection, shooting to the top of the cloud wars as AI quarter-to-quarter revenue mimics Anthropic's meteoric rise," Bernstein ***** yst Mark Shmulik wrote to clients Friday following Amazon's report.
AWS revenue jumped 37% year over year for its June quarter, Amazon said late Thursday, sharply ahead of ***** ysts forecast for 31% growth. That 37% metric was "critical" for two reasons, Shmulik wrote.
"It's a roughly 9 percentage point acceleration in quarter-to-quarter (growth) that was stuck at 3%-4% per quarter for the past year — a much-needed visible acceleration in growth," Shmulik wrote. "And it's the growth rate required to put AWS at the top for most amount of incremental cloud dollars brought online across the hyperscalers this quarter."
The results were welcomed on Wall Street. Amazon stock rose 15% to 270.64 in afternoon trades on the stock market today.
#quarter #year
7 days ago
Sofi Technologies (NASDAQ:SOFI) reported second quarter 2026 results that exceeded Wall Street expectations for revenue and adjusted earnings, while raising its full-year revenue outlook as the financial technology company continued to expand its member base and product offerings.
The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.12 for the quarter, ahead of ****** yst estimates of $0.11.
Revenue came in at $1.20 billion, above expectations of $1.11 billion, with adjusted net revenue rising about 40% year over year.
Net income for the quarter was $157 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased 44% from a year earlier to a record $358 million. Total loan originations reached a record $14.8 billion during the period.
SoFi reported continued growth in its customer base, with members increasing 35% year over year to a record 15.8 million. Total products grew 42% to 24.4 million, with the company noting that 51% of new products opened during the quarter came from existing members.
#year #quarter #company #record
The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.12 for the quarter, ahead of ****** yst estimates of $0.11.
Revenue came in at $1.20 billion, above expectations of $1.11 billion, with adjusted net revenue rising about 40% year over year.
Net income for the quarter was $157 million, while adjusted EBITDA increased 44% from a year earlier to a record $358 million. Total loan originations reached a record $14.8 billion during the period.
SoFi reported continued growth in its customer base, with members increasing 35% year over year to a record 15.8 million. Total products grew 42% to 24.4 million, with the company noting that 51% of new products opened during the quarter came from existing members.
#year #quarter #company #record
7 days ago
Cascading risks linked to the highly volatile geopolitical landscape are driving demand for insurance products that safeguard day-to-day business operations, according to a GlobalData poll. Meanwhile, the availability of insurance products to protect against such impacts remains compromised as insurers struggle to adapt to the rapidly changing risk landscape.
According to a poll conducted by GlobalData on Verdict Media sites in Q2 2026 —which garnered 107 responses from industry insiders—supply chain insurance (41.1%) is the product set to see the highest demand due to geopolitical tensions. The second most sought-after product is cyber insurance, commanding 20.6% of responses.
Businesses overwhelmingly view the fallout of geopolitical tensions through the lens of indirect operational disruption, seeking products that safeguard daily commercial operations. In contrast, demand for specialist transport and direct **** et protection is lower. This highlights that organisations are deeply concerned about trade route blockages, state-sponsored cyberattacks, and collateral revenue losses that can have a cascading effect on operations, thus threatening day-to-day business continuity.
Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe are creating specific trade bottlenecks such as in the Suez Canal and Strait of Hormuz, leading to widespread shipping reroutes, while alternative maritime corridors are emerging. Meanwhile, the US's shift toward economic nationalism—marked by sudden tariff hikes, export restrictions, and sanctions—is pressuring international trade supply networks.
Although demand exists, paradoxically, insurance capacity is compromised as many insurers pull products from the market fearing that the risks are unquantifiable. This highlights a key challenge for the industry, whereby only insurers with the most risk appetite are willing to adapt their underwriting strategies and product offerings. This requires providers to tighten policy wordings and exclusions around tariffs and sanctions, as well as stress-test products to avoid catastrophic losses from a single event. In addition, real-time geospatial tracking is gradually gaining traction for more accurately **** sing risks and improving underwriting.
#products #demand #risks #geopolitical
According to a poll conducted by GlobalData on Verdict Media sites in Q2 2026 —which garnered 107 responses from industry insiders—supply chain insurance (41.1%) is the product set to see the highest demand due to geopolitical tensions. The second most sought-after product is cyber insurance, commanding 20.6% of responses.
Businesses overwhelmingly view the fallout of geopolitical tensions through the lens of indirect operational disruption, seeking products that safeguard daily commercial operations. In contrast, demand for specialist transport and direct **** et protection is lower. This highlights that organisations are deeply concerned about trade route blockages, state-sponsored cyberattacks, and collateral revenue losses that can have a cascading effect on operations, thus threatening day-to-day business continuity.
Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe are creating specific trade bottlenecks such as in the Suez Canal and Strait of Hormuz, leading to widespread shipping reroutes, while alternative maritime corridors are emerging. Meanwhile, the US's shift toward economic nationalism—marked by sudden tariff hikes, export restrictions, and sanctions—is pressuring international trade supply networks.
Although demand exists, paradoxically, insurance capacity is compromised as many insurers pull products from the market fearing that the risks are unquantifiable. This highlights a key challenge for the industry, whereby only insurers with the most risk appetite are willing to adapt their underwriting strategies and product offerings. This requires providers to tighten policy wordings and exclusions around tariffs and sanctions, as well as stress-test products to avoid catastrophic losses from a single event. In addition, real-time geospatial tracking is gradually gaining traction for more accurately **** sing risks and improving underwriting.
#products #demand #risks #geopolitical
7 days ago
ESPN formally acquired NFL Network on April 1, and starting July 30 the network is available directly to ESPN subscribers.
On Thursday, ESPN announced that NFL Network programming is now available to all ESPN subscribers with access to the Unlimited tier of the ESPN app. That now includes most major cable, satellite, and virtual pay-TV distributors after YouTube TV subscribers gained access to Unlimited earlier this week. It also means that anyone who purchases ESPN Unlimited directly or in one of Disney's bundled streaming offerings can now access NFL Network content at no additional charge.
The inclusion of NFL Network within ESPN Unlimited means subscribers will now be able to access NFL Network's seven exclusive regular-season games, five of which are part of the league's International Series with the other two being a doubleheader in Week 16, directly within the ESPN app. NFL Network will also air 19 preseason games next month, which will also be available along with the channel's usual daily live programming like Good Morning Football and The Insiders.
Thursday's launch marks the final major step in what has been an exceedingly quick merging of operations for ESPN and NFL Network. After the acquisition was announced last summer, several reports indicated the formal combination would take a minimum of one year, but possibly two years, to receive the requisite regulatory approvals. Instead, the deal was approved by federal regulators in February, merely six months after it was announced. By April, NFL Network was under ESPN control. And now, NFL Network has been fully integrated into ESPN's platforms.
Whatever the circumstances behind the fast-tracked approval were, ESPN has to be thrilled with the timeline. NFL Network is now fully under its purview and available to ESPN subscribers in the same season ESPN is set to air its first-ever Super Bowl broadcast.
#espn #subscribers #announced
On Thursday, ESPN announced that NFL Network programming is now available to all ESPN subscribers with access to the Unlimited tier of the ESPN app. That now includes most major cable, satellite, and virtual pay-TV distributors after YouTube TV subscribers gained access to Unlimited earlier this week. It also means that anyone who purchases ESPN Unlimited directly or in one of Disney's bundled streaming offerings can now access NFL Network content at no additional charge.
The inclusion of NFL Network within ESPN Unlimited means subscribers will now be able to access NFL Network's seven exclusive regular-season games, five of which are part of the league's International Series with the other two being a doubleheader in Week 16, directly within the ESPN app. NFL Network will also air 19 preseason games next month, which will also be available along with the channel's usual daily live programming like Good Morning Football and The Insiders.
Thursday's launch marks the final major step in what has been an exceedingly quick merging of operations for ESPN and NFL Network. After the acquisition was announced last summer, several reports indicated the formal combination would take a minimum of one year, but possibly two years, to receive the requisite regulatory approvals. Instead, the deal was approved by federal regulators in February, merely six months after it was announced. By April, NFL Network was under ESPN control. And now, NFL Network has been fully integrated into ESPN's platforms.
Whatever the circumstances behind the fast-tracked approval were, ESPN has to be thrilled with the timeline. NFL Network is now fully under its purview and available to ESPN subscribers in the same season ESPN is set to air its first-ever Super Bowl broadcast.
#espn #subscribers #announced
8 days ago
July 30 (Reuters) - OpenAI slashed prices of its low- and mid-tier AI models on Thursday, a move that may intensify competition in the industry as U.S. companies battle cheaper Chinese rivals for customers increasingly wary of the technology's ballooning costs.
The ChatGPT maker lowered the cost of its smaller GPT-5.6 Luna model by 80% and its mid-tier Terra by 20%, while leaving the price of its biggest and flagship Sol model unchanged.
The cuts show that rising cost scrutiny by businesses facing hefty AI bills is forcing American labs to rethink pricing. Many tech CEOs have also said in recent months that cheaper AI options are key to the technology's widespread adoption.
OpenAI's new pricing also turns up the heat on Anthropic, whose Claude models dominate enterprise and developer use but sit at the costlier end of the market. Both companies have been under pressure from open-source Chinese rivals such as Z.ai's GLM-5.2 that nearly match their performance at a lower cost.
Analysts have said that cutting prices could boost usage of OpenAI's and Anthropic's technology, but strain their finances ahead of highly anticipated initial public offerings.
#prices #models
The ChatGPT maker lowered the cost of its smaller GPT-5.6 Luna model by 80% and its mid-tier Terra by 20%, while leaving the price of its biggest and flagship Sol model unchanged.
The cuts show that rising cost scrutiny by businesses facing hefty AI bills is forcing American labs to rethink pricing. Many tech CEOs have also said in recent months that cheaper AI options are key to the technology's widespread adoption.
OpenAI's new pricing also turns up the heat on Anthropic, whose Claude models dominate enterprise and developer use but sit at the costlier end of the market. Both companies have been under pressure from open-source Chinese rivals such as Z.ai's GLM-5.2 that nearly match their performance at a lower cost.
Analysts have said that cutting prices could boost usage of OpenAI's and Anthropic's technology, but strain their finances ahead of highly anticipated initial public offerings.
#prices #models
8 days ago
Microsoft (MSFT) stock rocketed 14% higher on Thursday after posting better-than-anticipated earnings results powered by strong growth in its Copilot and Azure offerings. The company also tamed its spending a hair, saying it is extending the useful life of some data centers and offices, helping to move that spending out of capex.
It's a different story for Meta (META), though. Shares of the social media giant fell more than 9% in early trading as the company failed to provide spending guidance for 2027 and its cash pile dwindled.
Qualcomm (QCOM) stock also slid despite beating expectations on revenue for the quarter, as slowing smartphone sales bit into its outlook.
Up next, Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL) will report their results after the bell today, as investors look for more insights into Amazon's spending and the impact of the memory shortage on Apple's bottom line.
Microsoft (MSFT) surged more than 15% in early trading on Thursday.
#thursday
It's a different story for Meta (META), though. Shares of the social media giant fell more than 9% in early trading as the company failed to provide spending guidance for 2027 and its cash pile dwindled.
Qualcomm (QCOM) stock also slid despite beating expectations on revenue for the quarter, as slowing smartphone sales bit into its outlook.
Up next, Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL) will report their results after the bell today, as investors look for more insights into Amazon's spending and the impact of the memory shortage on Apple's bottom line.
Microsoft (MSFT) surged more than 15% in early trading on Thursday.
#thursday
8 days ago
July 30 (Reuters) - OpenAI slashed prices of its low- and mid-tier AI models on Thursday, a move that may intensify competition in the industry as U.S. companies battle cheaper Chinese rivals for customers increasingly wary of the technology's ballooning costs.
The ChatGPT maker lowered the cost of its smaller GPT-5.6 Luna model by 80% and its mid-tier Terra by 20%, while leaving the price of its biggest and flagship Sol model unchanged.
The cuts show that rising cost scrutiny by businesses facing hefty AI bills is forcing American labs to rethink pricing. Many tech CEOs have also said in recent months that cheaper AI options are key to the technology's widespread adoption.
OpenAI's new pricing also turns up the heat on Anthropic, whose Claude models dominate enterprise and developer use but sit at the costlier end of the market. Both companies have been under pressure from open-source Chinese rivals such as Z.ai's GLM-5.2 that nearly match their performance at a lower cost.
Analysts have said that cutting prices could boost usage of OpenAI's and Anthropic's technology, but strain their finances ahead of highly anticipated initial public offerings.
#cheaper
The ChatGPT maker lowered the cost of its smaller GPT-5.6 Luna model by 80% and its mid-tier Terra by 20%, while leaving the price of its biggest and flagship Sol model unchanged.
The cuts show that rising cost scrutiny by businesses facing hefty AI bills is forcing American labs to rethink pricing. Many tech CEOs have also said in recent months that cheaper AI options are key to the technology's widespread adoption.
OpenAI's new pricing also turns up the heat on Anthropic, whose Claude models dominate enterprise and developer use but sit at the costlier end of the market. Both companies have been under pressure from open-source Chinese rivals such as Z.ai's GLM-5.2 that nearly match their performance at a lower cost.
Analysts have said that cutting prices could boost usage of OpenAI's and Anthropic's technology, but strain their finances ahead of highly anticipated initial public offerings.
#cheaper
9 days ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is preparing to ramp up funding by hundreds of millions of dollars for programs designed to counter China's growing influence around the world, after it had put a halt to many of those initiatives last year during a flurry of budget and personnel cuts.
The administration notified Congress late last week that it intends to spend $175.8 million to replace outdated and aging undersea telecommunications cables in the Caribbean and Central America to prevent China from moving in. The ******* ociated Press obtained a copy of the notification on Monday.
The administration has expressed deep concern about China's activities in the Americas, pushing back on Chinese ownership of ports at either end of the Panama Canal, infrastructure projects funded by China's Belt and Road initiative in the region, and Chinese investment in the telecommunications sector.
A State Department official said China's economic activities in the Western Hemisphere pose risks to U.S. national security and prosperity. The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly to the subject and spoke on condition of anonymity, said China's offerings may seem cheaper but in the end wind up being more expensive due to cost overruns, hidden maintenance fees and poor performance.
The underseas cable funding appears to be part of a broader push to restore support for initiatives aimed at blunting Chinese influence globally that would cost many hundreds of millions of dollars more. That is even as President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping put on a show of cooperation and Xi prepares to visit the U.S. this fall.
#administration #millions
The administration notified Congress late last week that it intends to spend $175.8 million to replace outdated and aging undersea telecommunications cables in the Caribbean and Central America to prevent China from moving in. The ******* ociated Press obtained a copy of the notification on Monday.
The administration has expressed deep concern about China's activities in the Americas, pushing back on Chinese ownership of ports at either end of the Panama Canal, infrastructure projects funded by China's Belt and Road initiative in the region, and Chinese investment in the telecommunications sector.
A State Department official said China's economic activities in the Western Hemisphere pose risks to U.S. national security and prosperity. The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly to the subject and spoke on condition of anonymity, said China's offerings may seem cheaper but in the end wind up being more expensive due to cost overruns, hidden maintenance fees and poor performance.
The underseas cable funding appears to be part of a broader push to restore support for initiatives aimed at blunting Chinese influence globally that would cost many hundreds of millions of dollars more. That is even as President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping put on a show of cooperation and Xi prepares to visit the U.S. this fall.
#administration #millions
10 days ago
Kia Corporation announced a 2.3% rise in net profits to KRW 2,327.8 trillion (US$ 1.59 billion) for the second quarter of 2026, up from KRW 2,268.2 trillion a year earlier, with US import tariffs and higher sales incentives offset by record global vehicle deliveries. Operating profits fell by 4.9% to KRW 2,628.5 trillion.
The South Korean automaker reported a 12.6% increase in global sales revenues to a record KRW 33,037.0 trillion in the three-month period, while global wholesale deliveries rose by 4.5% to 851,639 vehicles – including 154,816 units in South Korea and 696,823 units overseas. The company was not affected by the component shortages that held back Hyundai Motor's second-quarter results.
Sales of electrified vehicles jumped 60% to 296,000 units, accounting for 35% of Kia's global sales, driven by strong hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) sales in the US and higher battery electric vehicle (BEV) demand in South Korea and Europe. Total HEV retail sales rose by 61% to 178,000 units, helped by the launch of the new Telluride and Seltos models, with sales in the US surging by 152% to 66,000 units, while total BEV retail sales surged by 88% to 110,000 units.
Kia said it expects solid business results in the second half of 2026 to enable it to meet its full-year guidance, "supported by competitive new model offerings and sustained BEV and HEV demand." The company is targeting 3.35 million global vehicle sales in 2026, supported by the launch of new BEV models in Europe and a recovery in Middle Eastern demand.
In the US, Kia said that its plans to expand production capacity of the Telluride SUV, including hybrid variants, and the ramp up of deliveries of the Sportage hybrid produced at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) will help enhance profitability.
#units
The South Korean automaker reported a 12.6% increase in global sales revenues to a record KRW 33,037.0 trillion in the three-month period, while global wholesale deliveries rose by 4.5% to 851,639 vehicles – including 154,816 units in South Korea and 696,823 units overseas. The company was not affected by the component shortages that held back Hyundai Motor's second-quarter results.
Sales of electrified vehicles jumped 60% to 296,000 units, accounting for 35% of Kia's global sales, driven by strong hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) sales in the US and higher battery electric vehicle (BEV) demand in South Korea and Europe. Total HEV retail sales rose by 61% to 178,000 units, helped by the launch of the new Telluride and Seltos models, with sales in the US surging by 152% to 66,000 units, while total BEV retail sales surged by 88% to 110,000 units.
Kia said it expects solid business results in the second half of 2026 to enable it to meet its full-year guidance, "supported by competitive new model offerings and sustained BEV and HEV demand." The company is targeting 3.35 million global vehicle sales in 2026, supported by the launch of new BEV models in Europe and a recovery in Middle Eastern demand.
In the US, Kia said that its plans to expand production capacity of the Telluride SUV, including hybrid variants, and the ramp up of deliveries of the Sportage hybrid produced at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) will help enhance profitability.
#units
10 days ago
When Kat Friday, a revenue operations employee at financial technology firm Marqeta, first came across Pickle on TikTok in February 2025, she didn't think opening a storefront on the app would ever amount to much.
"I am not into fashion one bit. I wear all black everywhere," Friday tells Fortune. She initially opened the app to scan for a few outfits for an upcoming vacation. But as she scrolled through Pickle's more than 500,000 listings, Friday realized she also could use the platform to rent out an expensive camera sitting on a shelf collecting dust in her apartment.
In November 2025, she listed a Canon G7 X camera, which normally retails for around $1,000, for $150 a week, and waited for a response. The rentals came almost immediately.
"I never use this thing and people are dying for them," Friday says. "I immediately got a bunch of rentals for it, and I was like, 'Okay, I'm gonna list some other stuff.'"
The listing's success inspired Friday to add more items to her Pickle offerings, and she started uploading some shirts and dresses she barely wore. As her storefront grew, Friday even started purchasing "trendy" items in a variety of sizes, what she referred to as "investment pieces" to rent out on Pickle.
#items
"I am not into fashion one bit. I wear all black everywhere," Friday tells Fortune. She initially opened the app to scan for a few outfits for an upcoming vacation. But as she scrolled through Pickle's more than 500,000 listings, Friday realized she also could use the platform to rent out an expensive camera sitting on a shelf collecting dust in her apartment.
In November 2025, she listed a Canon G7 X camera, which normally retails for around $1,000, for $150 a week, and waited for a response. The rentals came almost immediately.
"I never use this thing and people are dying for them," Friday says. "I immediately got a bunch of rentals for it, and I was like, 'Okay, I'm gonna list some other stuff.'"
The listing's success inspired Friday to add more items to her Pickle offerings, and she started uploading some shirts and dresses she barely wore. As her storefront grew, Friday even started purchasing "trendy" items in a variety of sizes, what she referred to as "investment pieces" to rent out on Pickle.
#items
10 days ago
SoundHound AI (NASDAQ: SOUN) stock has taken a severe beating so far this year, losing nearly 40% of its value as of this writing. Shares of the company that provides conversational artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to customers are now trading close to their 52-week low, but what's worth noting is that the steep drop in SoundHound's stock price doesn't seem justified.
After all, SoundHound operates in the fast-growing conversational AI market, where demand for agentic AI solutions is rising rapidly. Additionally, SoundHound's results have been solid in recent quarters, and the company is pulling the right strings to ensure that it remains a key player in the conversational AI ****** e.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
We will take a closer look at the company's prospects in this article and check if it is worth investing $1,000 in this AI stock in anticipation of a turnaround in its fortunes.
When SoundHound AI released its Q1 results in May this year, it reported a 52% year-over-year increase in revenue to $44.2 million. The company also announced the acquisition of conversational AI solutions provider LivePerson to strengthen its voice and agentic AI offerings. This seems like a smart move that should ideally bolster SoundHound's growth.
#solutions #flashing
After all, SoundHound operates in the fast-growing conversational AI market, where demand for agentic AI solutions is rising rapidly. Additionally, SoundHound's results have been solid in recent quarters, and the company is pulling the right strings to ensure that it remains a key player in the conversational AI ****** e.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
We will take a closer look at the company's prospects in this article and check if it is worth investing $1,000 in this AI stock in anticipation of a turnaround in its fortunes.
When SoundHound AI released its Q1 results in May this year, it reported a 52% year-over-year increase in revenue to $44.2 million. The company also announced the acquisition of conversational AI solutions provider LivePerson to strengthen its voice and agentic AI offerings. This seems like a smart move that should ideally bolster SoundHound's growth.
#solutions #flashing
10 days ago
Saudi Arabia's AI champion HUMAIN has signed its first sports sponsorship, partnering with Al Nassr, the Riyadh soccer club where superstar Cristiano Ronaldo plays, as it looks to integrate its AI offerings into the team.
The agreement will see HUMAIN's logo on Al Nassr's jerseys and new training center. HUMAIN also plans to deploy its sports technology unit and its interactive entertainment platform at the club.
HUMAIN aims to use the sponsorship deal to "go beyond the traditional sponsorship model," chief executive Tariq Amin said. "Together, we'll look at how solutions such as HUMAIN Sport and HUMAIN Create can help shape the next generation of fan engagement, from more personalized digital experiences to new forms of AI-powered content.
HUMAIN declined to comment on the financial details of the deal.
The sponsorship is also expected to provide a financial boost for Al Nassr. The club — which, like HUMAIN, is owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund — is reported to have more than $200 million in debt, complicating efforts to sign new players this summer.
#sponsorship #nassr
The agreement will see HUMAIN's logo on Al Nassr's jerseys and new training center. HUMAIN also plans to deploy its sports technology unit and its interactive entertainment platform at the club.
HUMAIN aims to use the sponsorship deal to "go beyond the traditional sponsorship model," chief executive Tariq Amin said. "Together, we'll look at how solutions such as HUMAIN Sport and HUMAIN Create can help shape the next generation of fan engagement, from more personalized digital experiences to new forms of AI-powered content.
HUMAIN declined to comment on the financial details of the deal.
The sponsorship is also expected to provide a financial boost for Al Nassr. The club — which, like HUMAIN, is owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund — is reported to have more than $200 million in debt, complicating efforts to sign new players this summer.
#sponsorship #nassr
13 days ago
Growth in last-mile delivery for big and bulky e-commerce items has slowed by half because stagnant home sales mean people are ordering fewer large-ticket discretionary items like furniture and appliances, cutting into profit margins, according to a report from Armstrong & ******* ociates and the National Home Delivery ******* ociation.
Armstrong & ******* ociates estimated the $10.6 billion market for residential delivery of oversized and heavyweight items will grow at a 5.1% compound annual rate through 2027, down from 10.6% over the past eight years, reaching an estimated value of $12.3 billion. Winning service providers will be those that can best execute core, commoditized services such as white-glove delivery, time-definite, returns and in-home ******* embly.
The expansion continues to be driven by major retailers and e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Wayfair, Home Depot and Lowe's, which have made large-format products central to their online offerings. Many third-party logistics providers (3PLs) support them, primarily utilizing independent contractors and freight brokerage operations, but the work is more complex and cost-intensive than for final-mile couriers in parcel networks who simply drop off packages at doorsteps, or in mailboxes.
As more consumers purchase ******* bersome products online, carriers face growing pressure to provide not just transportation to the curb, but a premium, in-home delivery experience that may include setup, installation, and even haul-away services, while keeping costs under control, the report said.
Demand for exercise equipment, mattresses, furniture and other large items is closely tied to switches in living locations. When people and businesses move, they tend to upgrade items, or add new ones to fill larger ******* es.
#home #associates #furniture
Armstrong & ******* ociates estimated the $10.6 billion market for residential delivery of oversized and heavyweight items will grow at a 5.1% compound annual rate through 2027, down from 10.6% over the past eight years, reaching an estimated value of $12.3 billion. Winning service providers will be those that can best execute core, commoditized services such as white-glove delivery, time-definite, returns and in-home ******* embly.
The expansion continues to be driven by major retailers and e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Wayfair, Home Depot and Lowe's, which have made large-format products central to their online offerings. Many third-party logistics providers (3PLs) support them, primarily utilizing independent contractors and freight brokerage operations, but the work is more complex and cost-intensive than for final-mile couriers in parcel networks who simply drop off packages at doorsteps, or in mailboxes.
As more consumers purchase ******* bersome products online, carriers face growing pressure to provide not just transportation to the curb, but a premium, in-home delivery experience that may include setup, installation, and even haul-away services, while keeping costs under control, the report said.
Demand for exercise equipment, mattresses, furniture and other large items is closely tied to switches in living locations. When people and businesses move, they tend to upgrade items, or add new ones to fill larger ******* es.
#home #associates #furniture
13 days ago
What happened: ServiceNow (NOW) gained 3% in early trading on Thursday.
What's behind the move: The Santa Clara, Calif.-based software company reported quarterly subscription revenue and bookings that topped ***** yst expectations, reinforcing investor optimism that its artificial intelligence offerings are helping drive growth.
Subscription revenue climbed roughly 25% year over year to $3.88 billion last quarter, while current remaining performance obligations (cRPO), a key metric of near-term bookings, rose 21% to $13.2 billion.
Management highlighted that demand for the company's AI products continues to outperform expectations, highlighting ServiceNow's broad customer demand, solid execution, and operating leverage.
What else you need to know: ServiceNow and other software firms have been aggressively promoting the integration of generative AI tools into their platforms as the industry has come under scrutiny earlier this year over concerns of AI disruption to their business models.
#year #subscription #revenue #thursday
What's behind the move: The Santa Clara, Calif.-based software company reported quarterly subscription revenue and bookings that topped ***** yst expectations, reinforcing investor optimism that its artificial intelligence offerings are helping drive growth.
Subscription revenue climbed roughly 25% year over year to $3.88 billion last quarter, while current remaining performance obligations (cRPO), a key metric of near-term bookings, rose 21% to $13.2 billion.
Management highlighted that demand for the company's AI products continues to outperform expectations, highlighting ServiceNow's broad customer demand, solid execution, and operating leverage.
What else you need to know: ServiceNow and other software firms have been aggressively promoting the integration of generative AI tools into their platforms as the industry has come under scrutiny earlier this year over concerns of AI disruption to their business models.
#year #subscription #revenue #thursday
14 days ago
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is expanding its tokenized stock offerings to include equities from the United Kingdom and several Asian jurisdictions.
The company said that it plans to add tokenized versions of stocks from the U.K., Hong Kong, and South Korea to its xStocks platform, subject to regulatory approvals.
Tokenized stocks are digital representations of equities that are blockchain-based and provide ownership of or price exposure to traditional company shares.
More From Cryptoprowl:
MEXC Reports 7.1 Billion USDT in ******* eX Futures Volume as Q2 Closes the Gap to Wall Street
#tokenized #company #Cryptocurrency #hong
The company said that it plans to add tokenized versions of stocks from the U.K., Hong Kong, and South Korea to its xStocks platform, subject to regulatory approvals.
Tokenized stocks are digital representations of equities that are blockchain-based and provide ownership of or price exposure to traditional company shares.
More From Cryptoprowl:
MEXC Reports 7.1 Billion USDT in ******* eX Futures Volume as Q2 Closes the Gap to Wall Street
#tokenized #company #Cryptocurrency #hong
15 days ago
By Harshita Mary Varghese
July 22 (Reuters) - AT&T topped quarterly estimates for wireless subscriber additions on Wednesday as cheaper unlimited plans paired with bundled mobile-broadband offerings drew in value-conscious customers, sending its shares up 4%.
The gains build on AT&T's broader convergence strategy of selling multiple connectivity services to the same household to reduce churn and increase customer lifetime value as U.S. telecom providers chase the same finite pool of users.
The bundled offerings also helped the company post record broadband additions, with 367,000 new fiber internet users and 279,000 fixed wireless subscribers.
AT&T in March launched OneConnect, a single subscription that bundles unlimited wireless service with home internet under one monthly bill.
#wireless #broadband #same
July 22 (Reuters) - AT&T topped quarterly estimates for wireless subscriber additions on Wednesday as cheaper unlimited plans paired with bundled mobile-broadband offerings drew in value-conscious customers, sending its shares up 4%.
The gains build on AT&T's broader convergence strategy of selling multiple connectivity services to the same household to reduce churn and increase customer lifetime value as U.S. telecom providers chase the same finite pool of users.
The bundled offerings also helped the company post record broadband additions, with 367,000 new fiber internet users and 279,000 fixed wireless subscribers.
AT&T in March launched OneConnect, a single subscription that bundles unlimited wireless service with home internet under one monthly bill.
#wireless #broadband #same
15 days ago
The artificial intelligence boom has created an era of unprecedented uncertainty in the global economy. Large language models are evolving as quickly as they are being integrated, creating a major headache for anyone trying to project their future impact or even their current energy footprint. But while we don't know exactly how much energy will be needed to power the tech sector in coming years, we do know that it will be a whole lot, and the market is already reacting accordingly.
"Energy companies are raising money at IPO at their fastest pace this century, taking advantage of investors' hunt for new ways to bet on the boom in power-intensive AI data centres," states a recent report from the Financial Times. In the first half of this year, the money raised in initial public offerings for energy startups was the highest since 1999, when the first dot-com boom spurred a similar gold rush. And the rate of growth is staggering: in 2025, energy companies raised a total of $4.3 billion for the entire year. The total for 2026 is already at $12.6 billion, and we still have another half year to go.
"Investors started by buying AI-linked names like Nvidia. Then they said, 'hold on, every chip needs energy to power it'," RBC clean energy ******* yst Chris Dendrinos was quoted by the Financial Times. "That's put a huge tailwind behind these companies."
This spending spree includes a wide range of energy companies, including unproven and next-gen energy technologies that are enjoying a windfall of funding that they may not otherwise have achieved. The tech sector is investing heavily in pie-in-the-sky energy research like nuclear fusion, enhanced geothermal energy, and ******* e-based solar power. Earlier this year Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, signed a deal with startup Overview Energy to develop as much as 1 gigawatt of ******* e-based solar power.
The market is particularly bullish about nuclear fusion, which has finally broken through on Wall Street after years of struggling to go private. Historically, nuclear fusion research is so expensive and seen as so experimental that it's been funded by governments and huge public projects. But now fusion startups are popping up in astonishing numbers and seeing successful IPOs.
#power #boom
"Energy companies are raising money at IPO at their fastest pace this century, taking advantage of investors' hunt for new ways to bet on the boom in power-intensive AI data centres," states a recent report from the Financial Times. In the first half of this year, the money raised in initial public offerings for energy startups was the highest since 1999, when the first dot-com boom spurred a similar gold rush. And the rate of growth is staggering: in 2025, energy companies raised a total of $4.3 billion for the entire year. The total for 2026 is already at $12.6 billion, and we still have another half year to go.
"Investors started by buying AI-linked names like Nvidia. Then they said, 'hold on, every chip needs energy to power it'," RBC clean energy ******* yst Chris Dendrinos was quoted by the Financial Times. "That's put a huge tailwind behind these companies."
This spending spree includes a wide range of energy companies, including unproven and next-gen energy technologies that are enjoying a windfall of funding that they may not otherwise have achieved. The tech sector is investing heavily in pie-in-the-sky energy research like nuclear fusion, enhanced geothermal energy, and ******* e-based solar power. Earlier this year Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, signed a deal with startup Overview Energy to develop as much as 1 gigawatt of ******* e-based solar power.
The market is particularly bullish about nuclear fusion, which has finally broken through on Wall Street after years of struggling to go private. Historically, nuclear fusion research is so expensive and seen as so experimental that it's been funded by governments and huge public projects. But now fusion startups are popping up in astonishing numbers and seeing successful IPOs.
#power #boom
15 days ago
Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (NYSEMKT:VOOG) offers targeted exposure to S&P 500 growth stocks, while Vanguard Growth ETF (NYSEMKT:VUG) tracks a broader CRSP index with a lower expense ratio and higher liquidity.
Growth-focused exchange-traded funds remain a cornerstone for investors seeking to capture the upside of the U.S. economy's most innovative and fast-moving companies. While both funds aim for capital appreciation, they use different benchmarks, resulting in distinct risk profiles and performance outcomes in the large-cap growth ******* e. Understanding the nuances between these two popular Vanguard offerings can help investors determine which index strategy aligns better with their long-term financial goals and risk tolerance.
Metric
VUG
VOOG
#voog #crsp
Growth-focused exchange-traded funds remain a cornerstone for investors seeking to capture the upside of the U.S. economy's most innovative and fast-moving companies. While both funds aim for capital appreciation, they use different benchmarks, resulting in distinct risk profiles and performance outcomes in the large-cap growth ******* e. Understanding the nuances between these two popular Vanguard offerings can help investors determine which index strategy aligns better with their long-term financial goals and risk tolerance.
Metric
VUG
VOOG
#voog #crsp
16 days ago
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is expanding its tokenized stock offerings to include equities from the United Kingdom and several Asian jurisdictions.
The company said that it plans to add tokenized versions of stocks from the U.K., Hong Kong, and South Korea to its xStocks platform, subject to regulatory approvals.
Tokenized stocks are digital representations of equities that are blockchain-based and provide ownership of or price exposure to traditional company shares.
More From Cryptoprowl:
MEXC Reports 7.1 Billion USDT in ******* eX Futures Volume as Q2 Closes the Gap to Wall Street
#tokenized #Cryptocurrency #united #kingdom
The company said that it plans to add tokenized versions of stocks from the U.K., Hong Kong, and South Korea to its xStocks platform, subject to regulatory approvals.
Tokenized stocks are digital representations of equities that are blockchain-based and provide ownership of or price exposure to traditional company shares.
More From Cryptoprowl:
MEXC Reports 7.1 Billion USDT in ******* eX Futures Volume as Q2 Closes the Gap to Wall Street
#tokenized #Cryptocurrency #united #kingdom
16 days ago
FC Bayern is lighting up its Allianz Arena in the colours of Disability Pride Month, which is taking place for the first time in Munich, from 21-23:00 CEST on Friday. Red represents physical disabilities, yellow stands for cognitive disabilities, white signifies invisible disabilities, blue symbolises mental illnesses, green represents sensory disabilities and black is in memory of people who died due to discrimination. It’s a visible sign of respect, self-determination and an inclusive society. Together with the state capital of Munich, the German champions are sending out a clear signal: people with disabilities are, of course, an integral part of society – including in sport and in the stadium.
“FC Bayern stands for diversity and does a lot to raise awareness of the lives of people with disabilities,” explained disability officer Kim Krämer. “The club has been carrying out various inclusion-focused projects for many years. The fact that FC Bayern and the City of Munich are now sending out a visible sign in Disability Pride Month is another step on the road towards a natural coexistence. The illumination of the Allianz Arena is a strong signal that everyone belongs at FC Bayern, and that they can get involved and help to shape the club – regardless of disability.”
FC Bayern is constantly working on making the Allianz Arena and its general offerings as accessible as possible, in consultation with the fans. For example, there are now 324 wheelchair ******* es in the stadium, as well as commentary for the blind, a delivery service to the seats, live subtitles for people with hearing impairment and the presentation of the line-ups in sign language for men’s, women’s and basketball matches on the website. Information in simple language also makes it easier for people to find their way around. The club is continuously optimising its digital offerings to enable as many people as possible to access them independently.
FC Bayern and Alzheimer's ******* ociation provide dementia care training
#people #allianz #pride
“FC Bayern stands for diversity and does a lot to raise awareness of the lives of people with disabilities,” explained disability officer Kim Krämer. “The club has been carrying out various inclusion-focused projects for many years. The fact that FC Bayern and the City of Munich are now sending out a visible sign in Disability Pride Month is another step on the road towards a natural coexistence. The illumination of the Allianz Arena is a strong signal that everyone belongs at FC Bayern, and that they can get involved and help to shape the club – regardless of disability.”
FC Bayern is constantly working on making the Allianz Arena and its general offerings as accessible as possible, in consultation with the fans. For example, there are now 324 wheelchair ******* es in the stadium, as well as commentary for the blind, a delivery service to the seats, live subtitles for people with hearing impairment and the presentation of the line-ups in sign language for men’s, women’s and basketball matches on the website. Information in simple language also makes it easier for people to find their way around. The club is continuously optimising its digital offerings to enable as many people as possible to access them independently.
FC Bayern and Alzheimer's ******* ociation provide dementia care training
#people #allianz #pride
17 days ago
Space Exploration Technologies (NASDAQ: SPCX) has transformed the aerospace industry by pioneering reusable rocket technology and its Starlink network of broadband internet satellites. Building on its innovations in launch services and satellite connectivity, ******* eX is now aggressively expanding into artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
The company is building large-scale compute capacity to support model training and inference, aiming to become a competitive provider of sovereign, scalable AI platforms serving both commercial enterprises and the U.S. government.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
SpaceX's S-1 filing underscored the demanding economics of its AI vision. Data center build-outs require enormous up-front investments in specialized hardware, power infrastructure, and supporting networks.
The AI cloud computing landscape is fiercely competitive, and dominated by established hyperscalers such as Amazon Web Services, Alphabet's Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure. Moreover, emerging neocloud providers like CoreWeave and Nebius Group add further pressure through specialized offerings and aggressive pricing. For ******* eX, meanwhile, AI remains an unproven business. In 2025, its AI segment posted an operating loss of $6.4 billion on revenue of just $3.2 billion.
#flashing #company
The company is building large-scale compute capacity to support model training and inference, aiming to become a competitive provider of sovereign, scalable AI platforms serving both commercial enterprises and the U.S. government.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
SpaceX's S-1 filing underscored the demanding economics of its AI vision. Data center build-outs require enormous up-front investments in specialized hardware, power infrastructure, and supporting networks.
The AI cloud computing landscape is fiercely competitive, and dominated by established hyperscalers such as Amazon Web Services, Alphabet's Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure. Moreover, emerging neocloud providers like CoreWeave and Nebius Group add further pressure through specialized offerings and aggressive pricing. For ******* eX, meanwhile, AI remains an unproven business. In 2025, its AI segment posted an operating loss of $6.4 billion on revenue of just $3.2 billion.
#flashing #company
18 days ago
The market got great news from the big banks this week. All five of the largest U.S. banks reported second-quarter earnings on Tuesday, and they were almost uniformly outstanding. But although the U.S. consumer appears healthy, it was market-related activity like initial public offerings (IPOs) that really stood out.
JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) and Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) led the earnings parade as the two top investment banks in the country, and these divisions drove high growth in the quarter; investment banking revenue increased 45% year over year at JPMorgan Chase and 55% at Goldman Sachs.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
CEOs at both banks said they see more opportunity around the corner, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a big role. In fact, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said he thinks AI spend is going to reach $1 trillion next year.
On the second-quarter earnings call, Dimon posited that total capital expenditure is about $4 trillion, with AI representing a massive amount. "AI went from $400 billion last year to $700 billion this year," he said. "People project, which so do our people, it will be like a little over a trillion next year and maybe a little reduction in the non-AI capex."
JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) and Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) led the earnings parade as the two top investment banks in the country, and these divisions drove high growth in the quarter; investment banking revenue increased 45% year over year at JPMorgan Chase and 55% at Goldman Sachs.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
CEOs at both banks said they see more opportunity around the corner, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a big role. In fact, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said he thinks AI spend is going to reach $1 trillion next year.
On the second-quarter earnings call, Dimon posited that total capital expenditure is about $4 trillion, with AI representing a massive amount. "AI went from $400 billion last year to $700 billion this year," he said. "People project, which so do our people, it will be like a little over a trillion next year and maybe a little reduction in the non-AI capex."
