Debra Messing is facing intense backlash over her decision to support Republican Bruce Blakeman in New York's gubernatorial race.
Messing, who has previously supported Democratic candidates including Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, shared an Instagram statement Tuesday evening laying out her reasons for endorsing the Donald Trump-backed candidate.
"For years, my focus has been protecting choice and voting rights, passing the ERA, protecting the rights of the gay community, and keeping out children's schools safe from gun violence. I still stand by every one of those principles. That hasn't changed," Messing wrote. "What has changed is how I feel about the city and state I love dearly."
The Will & Grace star said that after voting for Governor Kathy Hochul four years ago, she had reflected on that decision ahead of the November election. "So I asked myself the question I'd encourage everyone to ask. Not: 'Which party am I supposed to vote for?' But: 'Who do I believe will actually make life better for the people I love and the place I live?'"
For Messing, that person is Blakeman. "I don't agree with him on everything, and I don't expect to," she wrote. "No candidate is perfect. But on the issues that are hurting New Yorkers right now, I believe he's the right choice. Yes, he's been endorsed by the President. That's not what my vote is about."

#voting #rights #changed

Elon Musk's net worth once again topped the $1 trillion mark this week—and few people have had a closer look at the forces behind his success than his former deputy Linda Yaccarino.
The 30-year media veteran was tapped as CEO of then-Twitter in 2023, stepping in as Musk was remaking the social platform from the ground up, and she got a firsthand look at the philosophy driving his companies, from Tesla to **** eX: Move fast, rethink everything, and don't wait for tomorrow.
"The reason his companies are singular in what they deliver is because of the insatiable sense of urgency. There's not a deadline for a project or to ship something, a product—it's now," Yaccarino told Fortune.
That mindset, she said, changes how you approach virtually any challenge. Rather than simply working toward a deadline, it forces you to strip a project down to its most essential pieces and figure out what actually needs to happen to succeed.
"A lot of people talk about first principles, but that's what it forces you to do," Yaccarino added.

#look #project

Every year, RealClear Media Fund presents the Samizdat Prize - the "Sami" for short - an award for individuals who have courageously resisted censorship and stood for the principles of the First Amendment.
Why do we do this? Because we get the future that we praise today.
We are pleased to announce one of 2027's honorees: Gad Saad, professor, evolutionary behavioral scientist, and author of the new best-selling book "Suicidal Empathy: Dying to Be Kind."
Gad, originally from Lebanon, is a long-time Canadian professor, having taught at Concordia University for over 30 years, author of myriad books and scientific papers on evolutionary psychology and human behavior, and host of "The Saad Truth" podcast, which focuses on such themes as intellectual diversity, modern day thought policing, and the current state of political correctness.
In his 2020 best-selling book "The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense," Professor Saad unabashedly defends the Western tradition of open debate and Socratic dialogue. He does this in an age of university-sponsored safe ***** es, trigger warnings, and censorship.

#university #evolutionary #author #book

Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) fiscal 2026, which ended June 30, was arguably the strongest year in the software giant's history. Revenue grew 18% to $331.8 billion. Net income jumped 31% year over year, to $133.7 billion.
Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) is approaching that number from a different direction. The memory specialist earned $8.5 billion in its fiscal 2025.
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ***** ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
But for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026, which ended in early September, management guided to earnings of $30.73 per diluted share, plus or minus $1.00, on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis. On about 1.15 billion diluted shares, the guidance works out to about $35 billion of profit in one quarter (about four times what the whole prior fiscal year produced).
Here's my prediction: In fiscal 2027, Micron will earn more than Microsoft. That means beating the year Microsoft is now in, not the one it just reported. It's a bold call, and it relies almost entirely on the price of memory.

#Microsoft #quarter

Warren Buffett propelled Berkshire Hathaway to six decades of market-beating returns, so it's no surprise that retail investors around the world look to him for advice. The billionaire aims to select quality companies when they're undervalued, then benefit over time as their earnings grow and the stock prices take off. Buffett has invested throughout market environments, from bull markets to bear markets, and has experienced market crashes -- and over time, he's scored a clear win by sticking to his investing principles.
Buffett no longer leads the investing decisions at Berkshire Hathaway -- he handed that role over to his hand-picked successor, Greg Abel, at the start of the year and just this week turned the chairman position over to his son, Howard Buffett. However, Warren Buffett, now chairman emeritus, has continued to speak publicly about investing. And we also may refer to his past words of advice, which continue to ring true today.
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ****** ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
In fact, one comment from Buffett looks particularly interesting right now, given certain elements of uncertainty that have weighed on the market recently, from higher inflation to worries about spending on artificial intelligence (AI). Buffett says many investors make this one mistake. Let's find out what it is and consider how to avoid this common -- and costly -- error.
Image source: The Motley Fool.

#investors #warren #missed

Anthropic's initial public offering (IPO), expected no earlier than mid-October, will be a test of just how hungry the financial markets still are for exposure to artificial intelligence (AI). The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) is going to react depending on how that test goes. Its backers want a valuation of $2 trillion or more, which would top ******* e Exploration Technologies as the biggest IPO ever if it happens.
Don't expect S&P 500 funds to buy it immediately, though. The road for Anthropic entering the S&P 500 is going to be slow, and it could test some nerves along the way.
Missed AI's "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our ******* ysts, we're only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »
By definition, index funds tracking the S&P 500 must buy whatever the S&P 500 adds to its list of stocks.
Anthropic probably won't get special treatment, given that on June 4, S&P Dow Jones Indices declined to loosen its rules for mega-cap listings. Those rules still require 12 months as a public company, at least 10% of shares being publicly held, and reported positive earnings under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

#snpindex

On September 15, Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ:JAZZ) completed its acquisition of privately held Actio Biosciences for $820 million upfront, adding a clinical-stage epilepsy drug called ABS-1230 to its rare disease pipeline. The deal lands weeks after Jazz posted its highest quarterly revenue ever on August 3, and raised its full-year guidance, so a fresh acquisition now sits on top of a business that was already accelerating. The question for investors is whether that combination adds up to durable growth or just a bigger bill.
ABS-1230 targets KCNT1-related epilepsy, a rare and hard-to-treat form of the disease. In an early clinical proof-of-concept trial, children who received the drug experienced meaningful seizure reductions, and preclinical testing showed it inhibited KCNT1 across every pathogenic mutation researchers evaluated, hinting it could work across the whole patient population rather than a narrow subset. The FDA has already granted ABS-1230 Orphan Drug, Rare Pediatric Disease and Fast Track designations, and accepted it into the agency's Rare Disease Evidence Principles process, a set of regulatory advantages that can speed a drug toward approval.
The acquisition also arrives while Jazz's existing business is firing on multiple cylinders. Second-quarter revenue climbed 16% year over year to $1.2 billion, the company's highest quarterly total on record, and management raised full-year 2026 revenue guidance to a range of $4.6 billion to $4.75 billion. Growth was not confined to one product. Xywav sales rose 13% to $471 million on 525 net new patients, Epidiolex grew 16% to $292 million, and Zepzelca jumped 42% to $106 million. Zanidatamab, sold as Ziihera in biliary tract cancer, also received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA for a form of colorectal cancer, adding another avenue for the oncology franchise Jazz has been building beyond its epilepsy and sleep businesses.
None of that came free. The $820 million upfront payment for Actio lands on top of $4.4 billion in long-term debt that Jazz already carried as of June 30, even after the company used part of its cash to repay $1.0 billion of exchangeable notes that matured this year. Cash, equivalents and investments stood at $2.2 billion at that point, meaning the Actio payment alone accounts for a meaningful share of the company's liquid resources.
Jazz's recent history also shows how acquisitions can distort the bottom line before they pay off. A $905.4 million in-process research and development charge tied to the 2025 Chimerix acquisition pushed second-quarter 2025 GAAP earnings to a loss of $11.74 per share, and a smaller $77 million IPR&D charge from the AbCellera and Werewolf deals still dented second-quarter 2026 results. ABS-1230 itself remains early, with only proof-of-concept data in hand and no late-stage trial results yet. The portfolio is not without setbacks, either. Jazz is moving to voluntarily drop the second-line indication for Zepzelca in meta

The "big positive" of a free week has helped align Motherwell's new-look squad with the club's principles, says ****** istant coach Max Rogers.
An attempt to qualify for the Conference League meant the Fir Park side were playing three games a week for much of the start of their season.
Despite that, Alfred Johansson's men have still been able to collect eight points from their opening five league matches.
After a 1-0 loss at Rangers last time out, Motherwell have had nine days to recover and train before Tuesday's visit of Aberdeen.
"It was obviously such a hectic start, an enjoyable one with the European games and one that we all wanted," Rogers said. "But with that free week, we had plenty of time to rest and train.

#start #time

Sept 14 - Novo Nordisk is changing its day-to-day name to 'Novo', and taking a ‌new approach to company culture as it ‌looks to claw back ground in the fierce obesity drug race, the Danish drugmaker said on Monday.
• Novo, which is slated to unveil details on its business strategy during a Capital Markets Day on ‌September 21, will ⁠keep 'Novo Nordisk A/S' as its legal name.
• The company set out on ⁠Monday a new cultural strategy it called "The Novo Way", centred around four principles — customer obsession, competitiveness, clarity, and care and integrity.
• The move comes as ‌it faces fierce competition from rival weight-loss drug maker Eli Lilly, investor pressure to deliver new blockbusters, and setbacks to its medicine pipeline.
• The company's Copenhagen shares are down nearly 15% ‌this year, even as its oral GLP-1 outpaces Eli Lilly by hundreds of thousands of U.S. prescriptions per ‌week, according to IQVIA data provided by an ****** yst.

#novo #company #fierce

CNBC reported that Chris Churchman, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) partner who leads the bank's Marquee digital platform for institutional clients, warned that AI's spread across Wall Street risks eroding the reasoning skills of the next generation of bankers.
Churchman said on Goldman's internal "Exchanges" podcast, "There's a huge danger here that in the era of AI, we outsource our reasoning to these models, and we have cognitive atrophy that stops us being able to reason from first principles ourselves." He compared it to how GPS and search engines eroded navigation skills and said much of banking's knowledge is learned only "by doing." Churchman said the firm has not yet determined how it will manage the transition.
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) is surfacing this risk proactively, through its own senior AI leadership, rather than being caught off guard by it later. Having the executive who leads Marquee flag the danger publicly signals internal scrutiny that could help Goldman build safeguards into its AI rollout before problems show up in deal execution. It is an advantage over firms deploying AI without asking the same questions.
The near-term efficiency case for AI remains fully intact regardless of the long-term talent question. CNBC itself framed the tradeoff as a "devil's bargain" that could make the industry more profitable today while potentially eroding the talent it needs for tomorrow. It means Goldman still captures AI's productivity benefits now even as it works out the downstream risk.
Marquee itself is a genuine strategic **** et getting AI investment. The platform, through which hedge funds and other large institutional clients access Goldman's market data, research, **** ytics, and execution tools, is being built out with AI features, which positions it as a differentiated offering for Goldman's most valuable client relationships.

#churchman #marquee #cnbc #sachs

Surrounding yourself with a bunch of yes-men is not a recipe for success—at least according to AT&T CEO John Stankey. Instead, he wants employees to come to meetings prepared to share their ideas and perspectives—not simply sit back and listen.
"I love discourse," Stankey said in a recent joint interview with JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon hosted by LinkedIn. The telecommunications executive added that one of the principles in his company's cultural documents is to not show up to meetings without having done your homework.
"Don't walk in there and just be an observer," Stankey said. "When you have a point of view, it shouldn't just be some uninformed opinion. It should be a point of view that's built on facts, information, and data. I crave that."
If employees aren't willing to speak up—or don't have a constructive point to make—Stankey suggested there may not be the right people in the room.
Dimon has similarly emphasized the importance of making sure meetings are both necessary and productive. Leaders should create an environment where employees aren't afraid to disagree or raise uncomfortable issues in meetings—even if that means putting the proverbial "dead cat on the table," he said.

#stankey #view

I get cautious when an artificial intelligence (AI) stock asks investors to pay today for profits that may not show up for years.
Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has been the dominant player in AI hardware for some time, but its stock still deserves a closer look even after gaining more than 360% over the past three years (as of Sept. 2, 2026). Is Nvidia stock now priced for distant hopes, or is it one of the tech sector's rare exceptions?
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 »
Nvidia's results for its fiscal 2027 second quarter (which ended July 26) show how much the company is already benefiting from AI infrastructure spending. The company's revenue rose 106% year over year to $96.2 billion. The performance was mainly driven by the data center segment, where revenue increased 117% year over year to $89 billion. The company also generated $63.7 billion in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) operating income during the quarter. This pace of growth is particularly impressive considering Nvidia's massive size.
Nvidia is also converting a large portion of its revenues into cash. The company's free cash flow reached $69.9 billion, while the company returned roughly $46 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in the first half of its fiscal 2027. This shows that Nvidia has significant funds to invest in research and development, secure future supply, and return capital to shareholders.

#company

MD Sass, a boutique ****** et management firm, published its second-quarter investor update for its flagship, the "MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy." The letter can be downloaded here. In the first half of 2026, AI infrastructure stocks led the market, with the Russell 1000 Value increasing by 16.3%, outpacing the S&P 500 (10.2%) and Russell 1000 Growth (5.3%). This growth was fueled by semiconductor, memory, and hardware companies benefiting from AI development, even though they are considered cyclical. These sectors, representing only 7.7% of the Russell 1000 Value at the start of the year, contributed nearly 70% of its returns. The portfolio gained 10.0% in the second quarter, net of fees, compared to 13.9% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. Year-to-date, the strategy returned 6.6%, net of fees, versus 16.3% for the Index. The portfolio faced challenges due to limited exposure to companies with the greatest upside from AI infrastructure investments. It also lacked exposure to the Energy sector, which returned about 20% in the first half amid geopolitical tensions with Iran that increased commodity prices, affecting performance. The firm recognizes the importance of adapting its strategies while maintaining core investment principles as it explores future opportunities in emerging technological themes. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy highlighted Flowserve Corporation (NYSE:FLS). Flowserve Corporation (NYSE:FLS) is an industrial company that focuses on industrial flow management equipment. On August 28, 2026, Flowserve Corporation (NYSE:FLS) closed at $80.33 per share. The one-month return of Flowserve Corporation (NYSE:FLS) was 4.95%, and its shares gained 49.70% over the past 52 weeks. Flowserve Corporation (NYSE:FLS) has a market capitalization of $10.21 billion.
MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy stated the following regarding Flowserve Corporation (NYSE:FLS) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"We initiated a position in Flowserve Corporation (NYSE:FLS), a global leader in pumps, valves, seals, and other flow control equipment used across energy, power generation, chemicals, water, and general industrial markets. The company operates through its Pumps and Flow Control divisions and benefits from a large installed base that generates recurring, high-margin aftermarket revenue. Over the past several years, management has materially improved the quality of the business through more selective bidding, portfolio rationalization, and its 80/20 operating framework. Adjusted operating margins reached 14.8% in 2025, up 300 bps from the prior year, and management is targeting approximately 20% by 2030.
While continued margin expansion and aftermarket growth support the investment case, the crux of our thesis is nuclear power. FLS is one of the leading suppliers of highly engineered pumps and valves used in nuclear reactors. These

MD Sass, a boutique ****** et management firm, published its second-quarter investor update for its flagship, the "MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy." The letter can be downloaded here. In the first half of 2026, AI infrastructure stocks led the market, with the Russell 1000 Value increasing by 16.3%, outpacing the S&P 500 (10.2%) and Russell 1000 Growth (5.3%). This growth was fueled by semiconductor, memory, and hardware companies benefiting from AI development, even though they are considered cyclical. These sectors, representing only 7.7% of the Russell 1000 Value at the start of the year, contributed nearly 70% of its returns. The portfolio gained 10.0% in the second quarter, net of fees, compared to 13.9% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. Year-to-date, the strategy returned 6.6%, net of fees, versus 16.3% for the Index. The portfolio faced challenges due to limited exposure to companies with the greatest upside from AI infrastructure investments. It also lacked exposure to the Energy sector, which returned about 20% in the first half amid geopolitical tensions with Iran that increased commodity prices, affecting performance. The firm recognizes the importance of adapting its strategies while maintaining core investment principles as it explores future opportunities in emerging technological themes. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy highlighted Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX). Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) is a freight transportation services provider that operates through Truckload, Less-than-truckload (LTL), Logistics, and Intermodal segments. On August 28, 2026, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) closed at $67.24 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $10.94 billion. Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) posted a one‑month return of ‑1.04%, while its shares gained 54.24% over the past 52 weeks.
MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy stated the following regarding Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNX) operates the largest full-truckload fleet in North America and operates approximately 21,000 tractors across its irregular route and dedicated fleets. Excluding fuel surcharges and intersegment transactions, Truckload represents approximately 63% of revenue, less-than-truckload represents 19%, logistics 8%, and intermodal 5%.
Trucking is a cyclical, fragmented, and historically low-margin business, and for those reasons we have avoided it. So why own it now? We believe the industry is entering a rate cycle that is meaningfully different from the demand-driven cycles of the past. This cycle is being manufactured on the supply side through a combination of economic attrition, regulatory enforcement, and increased legal liability. Importantly

MD Sass, a boutique **** et management firm, published its second-quarter investor update for its flagship, the "MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy." The letter can be downloaded here. In the first half of 2026, AI infrastructure stocks led the market, with the Russell 1000 Value increasing by 16.3%, outpacing the S&P 500 (10.2%) and Russell 1000 Growth (5.3%). This growth was fueled by semiconductor, memory, and hardware companies benefiting from AI development, even though they are considered cyclical. These sectors, representing only 7.7% of the Russell 1000 Value at the start of the year, contributed nearly 70% of its returns. The portfolio gained 10.0% in the second quarter, net of fees, compared to 13.9% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. Year-to-date, the strategy returned 6.6%, net of fees, versus 16.3% for the Index. The portfolio faced challenges due to limited exposure to companies with the greatest upside from AI infrastructure investments. It also lacked exposure to the Energy sector, which returned about 20% in the first half amid geopolitical tensions with Iran that increased commodity prices, affecting performance. The firm recognizes the importance of adapting its strategies while maintaining core investment principles as it explores future opportunities in emerging technological themes. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy highlighted Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE:PRMB) as a notable contributor. Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE:PRMB) operates as a branded beverage company in North America. On August 28, 2026, Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE:PRMB) closed at $23.00 per share. Over the past month, Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE:PRMB) returned 3.00%, while its shares have declined 8.40% in the last 52 weeks. Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE:PRMB) has a market capitalization of $8.32 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $14.36 to $26.21.
MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy stated the following regarding Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE:PRMB) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"The largest positive contributors to performance in Q2 were Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE:PRMB), Micron Technology (MU), and Henry Schein (HSIC), which collectively contributed approximately 382 bps. PRMB, a leading North American branded water company with a significant retail and home and office delivery business, declined 23% from its March 3 year-to-date peak amid concerns about commodity inflation following the onset of the conflict in Iran. Prices for plastic resins and other oil-related inputs rose sharply from the end of February through mid-April, raising concerns that PRMB would need to cut guidance given its exposure to PET resin and other packaging costs. The company's May 7 financial results and earnings call provided a big sigh of relief. Management explained that a combination of hedging, forward purchase agreements

MD Sass, a boutique ****** et management firm, published its second-quarter investor update for its flagship, the "MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy." The letter can be downloaded here. In the first half of 2026, AI infrastructure stocks led the market, with the Russell 1000 Value increasing by 16.3%, outpacing the S&P 500 (10.2%) and Russell 1000 Growth (5.3%). This growth was fueled by semiconductor, memory, and hardware companies benefiting from AI development, even though they are considered cyclical. These sectors, representing only 7.7% of the Russell 1000 Value at the start of the year, contributed nearly 70% of its returns. The portfolio gained 10.0% in the second quarter, net of fees, compared to 13.9% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. Year-to-date, the strategy returned 6.6%, net of fees, versus 16.3% for the Index. The portfolio faced challenges due to limited exposure to companies with the greatest upside from AI infrastructure investments. It also lacked exposure to the Energy sector, which returned about 20% in the first half amid geopolitical tensions with Iran that increased commodity prices, affecting performance. The firm recognizes the importance of adapting its strategies while maintaining core investment principles as it explores future opportunities in emerging technological themes. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy highlighted ****** og Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI). ****** og Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) is a US-based semiconductor company that engages in the design, manufacture, testing, and marketing of integrated circuits (ICs), software, and subsystem products and was added to the portfolio this quarter. On August 28, 2026, ****** og Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) closed at $361.78 per share. Over the past month, ****** og Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) returned -0.03%, while its shares have gained 43.96% in the last 52 weeks. ****** og Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) has a market capitalization of $175.31 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $223.47 to $445.91.
MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy stated the following regarding ****** og Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) is one of the two largest ****** og semiconductor franchises globally. ****** og semiconductors bridge physical and digital systems by sensing, converting, and managing signals and power. The business benefits from long product lives, sticky design wins, a broad customer base, modest capital intensity, and increasing content as systems become more complex and electrified.
Our thesis combines an improving cyclical backdrop with secular growth businesses approaching meaningful inflections. ADI has exposure to data centers, automated test equipment, aerospace and defense, industrial automation, and automobile electrification. While ADI is not a pure play AI company, we

MD Sass, a boutique ****** et management firm, published its second-quarter investor update for its flagship, the "MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy." The letter can be downloaded here. In the first half of 2026, AI infrastructure stocks led the market, with the Russell 1000 Value increasing by 16.3%, outpacing the S&P 500 (10.2%) and Russell 1000 Growth (5.3%). This growth was fueled by semiconductor, memory, and hardware companies benefiting from AI development, even though they are considered cyclical. These sectors, representing only 7.7% of the Russell 1000 Value at the start of the year, contributed nearly 70% of its returns. The portfolio gained 10.0% in the second quarter, net of fees, compared to 13.9% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. Year-to-date, the strategy returned 6.6%, net of fees, versus 16.3% for the Index. The portfolio faced challenges due to limited exposure to companies with the greatest upside from AI infrastructure investments. It also lacked exposure to the Energy sector, which returned about 20% in the first half amid geopolitical tensions with Iran that increased commodity prices, affecting performance. The firm recognizes the importance of adapting its strategies while maintaining core investment principles as it explores future opportunities in emerging technological themes. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy highlighted TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX) as a new portfolio holding. TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX) is a leading distributor and solutions aggregator for the information technology (IT) ecosystem. On August 28, 2026, TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX) closed at $253.97 per share. Over the past month, TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX) returned -1.12%, while its shares have declined 69.50% in the last 52 weeks. TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX) has a market capitalization of $20.31 billion.
MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy stated the following regarding TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"During the quarter, we initiated a position in TD SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE:SNX), one of the world's largest IT distributors and a critical intermediary between technology vendors and more than 150,000 customers across over 100 countries. Its core Distribution business aggregates hardware, software, cloud products, and services while providing inventory, financing, configuration, and technical support to resellers and systems integrators. Distribution is a low-margin business, but scale matters, and SNX is increasingly benefiting as major vendors consolidate their channel relationships around a smaller number of global partners.
The crux of our thesis, however, is Hyve Solutions, a hidden growth engine that we believe the market continues to value as part of a traditional IT distributor. Hyve, a wholly owned subsidiary of SNX, designs, manufactures, integrates, and manages th

MD Sass, a boutique **** et management firm, published its second-quarter investor update for its flagship, the "MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy." The letter can be downloaded here. In the first half of 2026, AI infrastructure stocks led the market, with the Russell 1000 Value increasing by 16.3%, outpacing the S&P 500 (10.2%) and Russell 1000 Growth (5.3%). This growth was fueled by semiconductor, memory, and hardware companies benefiting from AI development, even though they are considered cyclical. These sectors, representing only 7.7% of the Russell 1000 Value at the start of the year, contributed nearly 70% of its returns. The portfolio gained 10.0% in the second quarter, net of fees, compared to 13.9% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. Year-to-date, the strategy returned 6.6%, net of fees, versus 16.3% for the Index. The portfolio faced challenges due to limited exposure to companies with the greatest upside from AI infrastructure investments. It also lacked exposure to the Energy sector, which returned about 20% in the first half amid geopolitical tensions with Iran that increased commodity prices, affecting performance. The firm recognizes the importance of adapting its strategies while maintaining core investment principles as it explores future opportunities in emerging technological themes. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy highlighted Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSIC) as a notable contributor. Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSIC) is a leading distributor of dental products and services. On August 28, 2026, Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSIC) closed at $89.52 per share. Over the past month, Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSIC) returned 3.48%, while its shares have gained 28.66% in the last 52 weeks. Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSIC) has a market capitalization of $9.98 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $61.95 to $92.18.
MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy stated the following regarding Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSIC) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSIC), the world's largest provider of healthcare solutions to office-based dental and medical professionals, appreciated 13% in Q2. Strong earnings results and a positive outlook for the balance of the year created a very favorable setup for the company to exceed its full year guidance. We believe that significant cost reductions, combined with accelerating revenue growth, should lead to material positive earnings revisions as we move into Q4 and 2027. We met with HSIC's new CEO, Fred Lowery, and believe his track record, extensive distribution experience, and "outsider" mentality should translate into improved efficiencies and margins, a more profitable product mix, and market share gains. Our estimates remain well above consensus over the next several years, and we believe the stock remains attractively valued on both an abso

MD Sass, a boutique ******* et management firm, published its second-quarter investor update for its flagship, the "MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy." The letter can be downloaded here. In the first half of 2026, AI infrastructure stocks led the market, with the Russell 1000 Value increasing by 16.3%, outpacing the S&P 500 (10.2%) and Russell 1000 Growth (5.3%). This growth was fueled by semiconductor, memory, and hardware companies benefiting from AI development, even though they are considered cyclical. These sectors, representing only 7.7% of the Russell 1000 Value at the start of the year, contributed nearly 70% of its returns. The portfolio gained 10.0% in the second quarter, net of fees, compared to 13.9% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. Year-to-date, the strategy returned 6.6%, net of fees, versus 16.3% for the Index. The portfolio faced challenges due to limited exposure to companies with the greatest upside from AI infrastructure investments. It also lacked exposure to the Energy sector, which returned about 20% in the first half amid geopolitical tensions with Iran that increased commodity prices, affecting performance. The firm recognizes the importance of adapting its strategies while maintaining core investment principles as it explores future opportunities in emerging technological themes. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy highlighted Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), a US-based financial services company that provides technology, data, and market infrastructure to financial institutions, corporations, and government entities. On August 28, 2026, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE) closed at $162.33 per share. Over the past month, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE) returned 6.94%, while its shares have declined 8.08% in the last 52 weeks. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE) has a market capitalization of $91.13 billion, and its stock has traded within a 52-week range of $121.79 to $177.00.
MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy stated the following regarding Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"We believe Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.'s (NYSE:ICE) underperformance in Q2 resulted primarily from higher interest rates weighing on enthusiasm for its rate sensitive Mortgage Technology business and heightened concerns about the rise of perpetual futures and their potential impact on ICE's futures exchange business. We decided to exit the position because our thesis on the Mortgage Technology business has not played out as expected. One tenet of our investment thesis was that combining Black Knight with ICE's Mortgage Technology platform would lead to market share gains and significant margin expansion. However, results over several quarters do not suggest that ICE has achieved material share gains, and customer consolidation has produced mixed res

MD Sass, a boutique ******* et management firm, published its second-quarter investor update for its flagship, the "MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy." The letter can be downloaded here. In the first half of 2026, AI infrastructure stocks led the market, with the Russell 1000 Value increasing by 16.3%, outpacing the S&P 500 (10.2%) and Russell 1000 Growth (5.3%). This growth was fueled by semiconductor, memory, and hardware companies benefiting from AI development, even though they are considered cyclical. These sectors, representing only 7.7% of the Russell 1000 Value at the start of the year, contributed nearly 70% of its returns. The portfolio gained 10.0% in the second quarter, net of fees, compared to 13.9% for the Russell 1000 Value Index. Year-to-date, the strategy returned 6.6%, net of fees, versus 16.3% for the Index. The portfolio faced challenges due to limited exposure to companies with the greatest upside from AI infrastructure investments. It also lacked exposure to the Energy sector, which returned about 20% in the first half amid geopolitical tensions with Iran that increased commodity prices, affecting performance. The firm recognizes the importance of adapting its strategies while maintaining core investment principles as it explores future opportunities in emerging technological themes. Also, check the fund's top five holdings to see its best picks in 2026.
In its second-quarter 2026 investor letter, MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy highlighted Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU). Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU), a leading semiconductor company manufacturing memory and storage products, contributed to the fund's performance this quarter. On August 28, 2026, Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) closed at $932.86 per share. The one-month return of Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) was 14.00%, and its shares gained 694.60% over the past 52 weeks. Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) has a market capitalization of $1.05 trillion.
MD Sass Concentrated Value Strategy stated the following regarding Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"We owned Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) for only a portion of the second quarter, but its impact was significant, as the stock appreciated approximately 50% during our holding period. Although MU had already experienced a massive run before we initiated our investment, most of the share price appreciation was driven by positive earnings revisions rather than multiple expansion. In fact, with the stock trading at approximately 6x our earnings estimate for the next 12 months, the market clearly signaled that MU was overearning and that a significant decline in earnings was imminent. We believed this ******* umption, although consistent with previous memory boom and bust cycles, was erroneous. We believed this cycle would remain stronger for much longer for three primary reasons. First, high bandwidth memory ("HBM") is growing rapidly, is less commodity orien

Union Berlin are reportedly closing in on the signing of Swiss attacker Kastriot Imeri from Young Boys Bern, with head coach Mauro **** rinelli poised to reunite with one of his former players. According to Kicker, only final details remain before Imeri completes a move to the German capital. The 26-year-old is expected to undergo his medical on Monday before signing a contract through June 2029. Union are reportedly set to pay approximately €2.5m for his services.
Imeri would become the latest Swiss reinforcement for a Union squad that has undergone significant late-window work. The Köpenickers recently completed the signing of Switzerland international Michel Aebischer, adding much-needed quality to a midfield that appeared seriously short of options earlier in the summer.
Get German Football News highlighted Union's need for attacking reinforcements in our 2026/27 tactical preview. Imeri, comfortable cutting inside from the left wing or operating centrally, provides precisely the type of technically gifted and unpredictable option that **** rinelli's squad previously lacked in the final third.
Imeri is no stranger to the new Union trainer. **** rinelli previously worked with the attacker at FC Thun, where Imeri registered six goals and eight **** ists during the club's surprise championship-winning campaign. The Swiss-Italian coach also handed Imeri his Switzerland U21 debut, with contact between the pair reportedly having remained intact ever since.
The move therefore hands **** rinelli one of his preferred targets as he continues rebuilding Union's footballing identity. After Saturday's 3-3 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt, the 50-year-old described his work in Köpenick as akin to "building a house", stressing that mentality and team spirit constituted the foundation upon which more developed footballing principles could eventually be constructed.

#attacker

Chair Kevin Warsh gave his first keynote address as chair of the Federal Reserve.
He spoke about forgoing forward guidance, AI optimism, and guiding principles for monetary policy.
Warsh wants the Fed to more closely follow real-time data sources and the private sector.
Kevin Warsh told us more about his big plans for the Federal Reserve.
The newly minted chair gave his first keynote address at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium on Friday morning to a group of investors, economists, and journalists.

#chair #kevin #reserve #address

One of the most enduring principles of liberty is owning property. "America's Founders understood clearly that private property is the foundation not only of prosperity but of freedom itself," Roger Pilon, founder of the Cato Institute's Center for Constitutional Studies, wrote in 2017.
And yet all too often, bureaucrats put unnecessary rules and regulations on how we can use our property. One couple is fighting with their town over the right to just let people go for a walk on their land.*
Charles Copley met his wife, Elizabeth, at Oxford University, while they were each pursuing a Ph.D. After living a few years in his native South Africa, they moved with their children to Connecticut to be closer to Elizabeth's family.
Wanting to make the area their permanent home, they purchased two plots of rural land in Roxbury totaling 50 acres in 2022. They hoped not only to live on the land but to really make it their own: farming, planting, and otherwise tailoring the property to their family while protecting and preserving its natural beauty.
They hired a forester to draw up a 10-year forest management plan, which the town approved, and then began removing invasive species and cutting miles of walking trails throughout all 50 acres.

#founders

On Saturday, our ADMIRAL Women's Bundesliga away tour takes us to face another set of last season's championship group opponents. Following matches against SK Sturm Graz and FK Austria Vienna, we now take on the perennial Austrian champions. Our team faces SKN St. Pölten at 14:00 CEST, with the match broadcast live on ORF Sport+.
As is well known, our previous encounters with the other top teams did not go as hoped. After a perfect start to the season taking maximum points from two games - our Salzburg side was unable to secure further results against these tough opponents. Now, a new opportunity arises - albeit against a team that boasts a flawless league record under their coach Laurent Fassotte and was in action on the European stage just yesterday. It remains to be seen how much energy was drained by a Women's Champions League qualifier against Italian heavyweights Juventus - a match the Old Lady won decisively, 3–0. Last season, we had to yield to the eventual runners-up, with the She-Wolves winning all four of our head-to-head clashes. Oliver Fix will officiate this showdown at the NV Arena.
In St. Pölten, we face our next top opponents and, consequently, a major challenge. For us, the key is to work for one another and stick to our principles, even under pressure.
Dusan Pavlovic

#lten #season

The earnings statement is where most investors go first when ****** sing a company's financial results. On that score, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) looks like it had a breakout quarter in the second quarter of 2026, with earnings of $5.75 per diluted share, up from $1.68 in the same quarter of 2025. But there's a winkle here, and the story gets even more complicated when you step back and examine the cash flow statement.
Earnings are created by complying with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). They are, even at the best of times, just a hazy snapshot of a company's performance. That's highlighted by Amazon's $5.75 second-quarter earnings figure, which includes $69 billion in "other" income. That isn't likely to be repeated, as it is related to the company's investment in Anthropic. And if Anthropic's value declines, that benefit could actually reverse.
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 »
But the presence of that number, which was actually larger than the company's $51.3 billion in operating income, highlights why investors also look at the cash flow statement. The cash flow statement shows where the company's cash is generated and how it is used. For years, large technology companies like Amazon generated huge amounts of cash, allowing them to amass large cash balances to fund their businesses, capital investment needs, and acquisitions.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has changed the cash flow story. Over the past 12 months, Amazon generated around $161.4 billion in cash, up 33% year over year, but spent $169 billion, meaning the company spent around $7.6 billion more in cash than its business generated. Those are very large numbers, with AI spending driving a significant share of the company's capital investment plan.

#cash #earnings

MEXICO CITY, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha, indicted by U.S. federal prosecutors on drug-trafficking, bribery and cartel-protection charges, again ‌requested a leave of absence from office on Saturday, days ‌after defiantly reclaiming his post.
Rocha's return was not well received by either the Mexican government or the ruling Morena party, which accused him of prioritizing his personal interests over those of the public.
Earlier on Saturday, President Claudia Sheinbaum warned on X that "power without principles becomes arrogance" and "no personal interest can ever ‌be above those of the ⁠people or the Nation," intensifying the political firestorm, without directly naming Rocha. Echoing her words, Rocha posted a ⁠statement on X saying that "Sinaloa, the nation, and the transformation movement are above all else."
Rocha, 77, a member of Sheinbaum's Morena party, returned to office on Friday after more than three months on leave following U.S. drug-trafficking charges.
In ‌April, U.S. prosecutors alleged Rocha and nine other current and former officials conspired with a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel known as Los Chapitos, helping it to traffic drugs into the U.S. in exchange for political support and bribes.

#nation

SAN MARINO (AP) — Pope Leo XIV used a visit to the tiny landlocked San Marino and a major Catholic gathering in the Italian city of Rimini on Saturday to issue one of his strongest appeals yet against war, polarization and social division, urging believers to foster dialogue and friendship in a fractured world.
Speaking to tens of thousands in Rimini, Leo warned against a culture that "rearms minds, words and nations" and argued that Christians must respond with mercy, encounter and a commitment to peace.
He also delivered a message of encouragement to young Catholics, telling them they are "a sign that the future is promising, and not a threat!"
Earlier, in San Marino, Leo addressed local authorities of the world's oldest surviving republic and reflected on the legacy of Saints Marino and Leone, whom he credited with helping create a society rooted in freedom, mutual respect and community.
The pope said the two saints translated the Christian message into "a new community and political model, strongly characterized by the Christian principles of freedom, mutual respect and communion" — a legacy that he said continues to shape the republic today.

#rimini #pope #saints #mutual

Image source: The Motley Fool.
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. ET
President and Chief Executive Officer - David A. Pace
Chief Financial Officer - Mark E. Graff
Operator: Good afternoon. Welcome to the Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Incorporated Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Call. This conference call is being recorded. During management's presentation and in response to your questions, they will be making forward-looking statements about the company's business. Outlook and expectations. These forward-looking statements and all other statements that are not historical facts reflect management's beliefs and predictions as of today. And therefore, are subject to risks and uncertainties as described in the company's SEC filings. Management will also discuss non-GAAP financial measures as part of today's conference call. These non-GAAP measures are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, but are intended to illustrate alternative measures of the company's operating performance that may be useful.

#statements #financial #forward

Florida's Democratic Senate Nominee Angie Nixon joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss her vision for Florida and stance on the core principles of the Democratic Socialists of America.

#democratic #nominee #angie #Florida

Shares of silicon carbide power module-maker Wolfspeed (NYSE: WOLF) tumbled 15.2% through 11:40 a.m. ET Thursday after missing badly on its earnings report last night.
Heading into its fiscal Q4 2026 report, **** ysts already weren't optimistic, expecting Wolfspeed to lose $0.52 per share on sales of $223.6 million, but the news was actually much worse. Wolfspeed lost $2.26 per share -- four times as bad as expected -- and its sales were only $149.6 million.
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 »
Revenue plunged 24% year over year, with negative gross profit margins "earned" on those sales. (In fact, the negativity of the margin increased to 25%, meaning for every $1 in sales Wolfspeed booked, it lost $1.25 --before subtracting operating costs).
The good news is that this was a better result than Wolfspeed booked a year ago. The bad news is that it still left Wolfspeed with a big net loss -- actually $2.81 per share when calculated under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), worse than the pro forma loss of $2.26.

#flashing #million #actually